The Flatshare

Finished May 22

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

This is the first novel in a series that is also called The Flatshare. The female main character, Tiffy Moore, has been staying at her ex-boyfriend's apartment even after their breakup, but a recent encounter has convinced her that it is time to make a clean break, including paying him the rent money she owes. With her debt situation, she can't afford much, so she enters into an unusual situation.

Leon, a hospice nurse has financial obligations we only gradually learn the details of, and things are tight for him. Because he works nights, he comes up with the idea of renting his apartment, including his bed for all except for 9-6 on weekdays. He plans to spend his weekends at his girlfriend Kay's place. 

When his work requires him to stay late on the day he is scheduled to meet Tiffy to see if they feel comfortable to move forward with the shared space agreement, Kay goes in his place and gives her approval.

The two develop a routine where they leave sticky notes for each other asking questions and giving answers as well as letting each other know things. Sometimes there are a lot of notes around until one of them does a clearout of them. Through these notes they begin to get to know each other, learning each other's stories, and getting a sense of who their flatmate is. 

Leon is a person who really cares about people, from his family to his patients, and we see him go beyond what is expected when he thinks it makes a difference. We begin to see the bigger picture, as we learn about their romantic and family relationships, their friendships, and the way they approach life and community. The characters have depth and the plotlines are interesting and move the story forward nicely. A very enjoyable read. 

The Risk of Darkness

Finished January 16
The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill

This is an earlier book in the series featuring Lafferton police officer Simon Serrailler that I had missed. Simon still has hope over the case of missing child David Angus even though it has been eight months since he went missing. He is asked to confer on a missing child case in Yorkshire that has similar features, and while he is there another child goes missing. Simon joins the chase and they capture a suspect, one that surprises them all, but is the same person guilty of David's disappearance.
We also see the young single mother who lives next door to the suspect, her struggle to provide a home for her daughter, her frustrations, and feelings once the true nature of her neighbour come to light.
We also, as usual see into Simon's personal life, and the life of his sister Cat, a doctor in Lafferton. Cat's husband is growing increasingly frustrated with his job, Cat is struggling to keep her family in good order, and provide the support her hospice patients and their families need, as well as serving her regular patients. Simon is at odds romantically, and not always making good decisions. The new local Church of England Jane Fitzroy is struggling as well, dealing with a violent attack on her very independent mother back in  London, and an attack on herself in her new home, as well as misgivings over her new position.
As usual, this book offers complex characters, and interesting plotlines that keep you reading.

Thought-provoking

Finished March 7
Making Rounds with Oscar: the extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat by David Dosa
If you read the paper or watch the news you've probably seen a story about Oscar, the cat at a nursing home that goes and sits on the bed of people just before they die.
David Dosa is a geriatrician that works with patients at that nursing home, Steere House in Rhode Island. Many of the residents of Steere House live with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. Oscar is friendly and provides a feeling of home and comfort to many, but he nevers comes and spends significant time with any resident until they are in the last hours of their life.
Dosa had this occurence pointed out to him by Mary Miranda, the day shift nurse. Dosa was a skeptic at first, but after he took Mary's advise and met with the families of the residents who'd had Oscar come, and observed Oscar's behaviour himself, he found that he couldn't deny that something special was happening.
Dosa shows us not only the phenomenon of Oscar and his empathy, but also the effects of dementia on patients and their loved ones. We see these people in one of the most difficult times of their lives, and see how caring people and animals make the ordeal more livable. Oscar is the catalyst for this story, but it is so much more than that.