Finished July 30
Die with Me by Elena Forbes
This mystery centres around the deaths of young girls in churches, at first glance suicides. DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan think there is more to it than that and find, after some investigation, that they are correct. As they begin the hunt for the killer, they come across other suspicious deaths that they think may be related to their case. Sometimes working without permission from their superiors, the two keep digging away at the case, trying to make connections between the victims.
We see things from the point of view of the murder occasionally, and also sometimes from the victim, which adds to the story.
Besides this main story, the squad's DCI is out of commission due to a motorcycle accident and the temporary replacement doesn't immediately fit in smoothly. The use of a profiler also ruffles some feathers and creates ill-feeling. As the dynamics of the team change, we see how that affects the main characters.
As with many British mysteries, I found the police characters multifaceted and interesting and with a life beyond their jobs. They have issues of their own, that sometimes get carried into their work, and that can work for and against them.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Booker Longlist
The Booker longlist has been announced, and I can't believe it, but I haven't read any of them!
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
From A to X by John Berger
The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser
Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant
A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif
The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher
Netherland by Joseph O’Neill
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
From A to X by John Berger
The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser
Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant
A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif
The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher
Netherland by Joseph O’Neill
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
Monday, 28 July 2008
Short Listen
Finished July 28
The Lemur by Benjamin Black, read by John Keating
This is a nice short mystery, only 4 CDs. It finished this morning, just as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. Talk about perfect timing.
John Glass has recently moved to New York from Ireland. His wife is American and her father is a communications company owner that used to be CIA. John has been hired to write his father-in-law's biography.
John used to be a journalist, hitting all the big world news stories until he burnt out. He also used to love his wife, but found that disappeared the same time as his passion for his career.
As John starts to work on the biography, he hires a researcher to get at all the information around Big Bill, even though he knows he might not be able to use it in the actual book. Based on appearance, he begins referring to the researcher as "The Lemur". When the researcher calls him to say he has found information to disrupt all their lives, and then turns up dead, John can't help but wonder what the information is.
John's worry about secrets, both his and the family's keep him going after the truth regarding the Lemur's murder. John Glass is an interesting character, but you don't get to see the depths of it here.
The Lemur by Benjamin Black, read by John Keating
This is a nice short mystery, only 4 CDs. It finished this morning, just as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. Talk about perfect timing.
John Glass has recently moved to New York from Ireland. His wife is American and her father is a communications company owner that used to be CIA. John has been hired to write his father-in-law's biography.
John used to be a journalist, hitting all the big world news stories until he burnt out. He also used to love his wife, but found that disappeared the same time as his passion for his career.
As John starts to work on the biography, he hires a researcher to get at all the information around Big Bill, even though he knows he might not be able to use it in the actual book. Based on appearance, he begins referring to the researcher as "The Lemur". When the researcher calls him to say he has found information to disrupt all their lives, and then turns up dead, John can't help but wonder what the information is.
John's worry about secrets, both his and the family's keep him going after the truth regarding the Lemur's murder. John Glass is an interesting character, but you don't get to see the depths of it here.
World War II Mystery
Finished July 27
On Pain of Death by Jan Rehner
This is the first book I've read by Canadian writer Jan Rehner and I was glad to find I loved it.
This book is set in France during World War II, most of it during the German occupation. The main character is a young female student from Canada, Juliette Benoit. Julliette came to France to study at the Sorbonne, and she makes friends with a group of students, who help her improve her French, teach her about French culture, and give her a love for Paris. When the war begins, the students at first live in denial, but the German occupation makes them unable to ignore their situation. Juliette gets help in concealing her identity, and then finds herself working to help the French people in whatever ways she can. When she is asked to escort a young Jewish girl to freedom, she becomes involved more directly in the Resistance and goes through some harrowing situations as she crosses the country to get Sophie out of France.
A second primary character is Gabrielle Aubin, a young woman whose husband has just been shot for killing a German soldier, something she knows he did not do. Gabrielle feels compelled to join the Resistance movement that her husband Jean was involved in, partly out of defiance and partly to discover the real killer of the soldier. Both women work towards the freedom of France and her people in their own way, and when they finally encounter each other, they discover they have more in common than they initially suspected.
Both characters are driven by their connections with others and helped by them as well.
I loved this book and will definitely look for more from this author.
On Pain of Death by Jan Rehner
This is the first book I've read by Canadian writer Jan Rehner and I was glad to find I loved it.
This book is set in France during World War II, most of it during the German occupation. The main character is a young female student from Canada, Juliette Benoit. Julliette came to France to study at the Sorbonne, and she makes friends with a group of students, who help her improve her French, teach her about French culture, and give her a love for Paris. When the war begins, the students at first live in denial, but the German occupation makes them unable to ignore their situation. Juliette gets help in concealing her identity, and then finds herself working to help the French people in whatever ways she can. When she is asked to escort a young Jewish girl to freedom, she becomes involved more directly in the Resistance and goes through some harrowing situations as she crosses the country to get Sophie out of France.
A second primary character is Gabrielle Aubin, a young woman whose husband has just been shot for killing a German soldier, something she knows he did not do. Gabrielle feels compelled to join the Resistance movement that her husband Jean was involved in, partly out of defiance and partly to discover the real killer of the soldier. Both women work towards the freedom of France and her people in their own way, and when they finally encounter each other, they discover they have more in common than they initially suspected.
Both characters are driven by their connections with others and helped by them as well.
I loved this book and will definitely look for more from this author.
Florida Mystery
Finished July 26
Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues by Blaize Clement
This is the latest in the Dixie Hemingway mysteries. Dixie used to be a cop, but when her husband and child were killed in an accident, she couldn't handle the job anymore and became a pet sitter. She lives in an apartment on a family property, with her brother and his partner living next door in the main house. She is still dealing with her grief around her loss, but has a way of stumbling into situations that involve murder and police.
In the book, she has been called and asked to go and feed an iguana while the owner is away, but on her way to this job discovers a dead gatekeeper at a mansion. She leaves, not wanting to get involved in another situation and lets someone else report it. Unfortunately she is see by someone and becomes involved anyway, as a suspect.
When she goes to the iguana job, she discovers the owner is ill and very strange and there are things going on in his house that look very suspicous.
Dixie is also starting to be interested in a relationship again, but she is drawn to more than one opportunity. And one of them is with someone in the police. She is still trying to sort out her feelings and working on instinct, and her motivations for helping others get her involved more deeply than she wants.
I also found it interesting that there is one storyline here that involves the 2004 tsunami, which I just read another book about.
Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues by Blaize Clement
This is the latest in the Dixie Hemingway mysteries. Dixie used to be a cop, but when her husband and child were killed in an accident, she couldn't handle the job anymore and became a pet sitter. She lives in an apartment on a family property, with her brother and his partner living next door in the main house. She is still dealing with her grief around her loss, but has a way of stumbling into situations that involve murder and police.
In the book, she has been called and asked to go and feed an iguana while the owner is away, but on her way to this job discovers a dead gatekeeper at a mansion. She leaves, not wanting to get involved in another situation and lets someone else report it. Unfortunately she is see by someone and becomes involved anyway, as a suspect.
When she goes to the iguana job, she discovers the owner is ill and very strange and there are things going on in his house that look very suspicous.
Dixie is also starting to be interested in a relationship again, but she is drawn to more than one opportunity. And one of them is with someone in the police. She is still trying to sort out her feelings and working on instinct, and her motivations for helping others get her involved more deeply than she wants.
I also found it interesting that there is one storyline here that involves the 2004 tsunami, which I just read another book about.
Suspense in Scotland
Finished July 25
Written in Bone by Simon Beckett
This is the first book I've read by Beckett, but this is not the first book in the series featuring Dr. David Hunter a forensic anthropologist working out of London.
Here he has been up in Scotland working on a case and is on his way home when he gets called to look at a suspicious dead body on a small island in the Outer Hebrides. This change of plan puts some pressure on his relationship back home, but he feels compelled to do it.
The body he has been called to look at is indeed a strange situation, charred almost beyond recognition, but in a cottage not much harmed by the fire. His examination of the remains lead him to determine that the victim was murdered and he calls in Scene of Crime police from the mainland.
This is where the weather and bad luck steps in. First weather delays getting the police in, and then communications with the mainland go down. With two more murders, Hunter and the police are getting desperate for answers. There are lots of twists and turns, close calls and mistaken beliefs. Hunter is an interesting character in and of himself, conflicted between his job and his relationship and trying to find a way through.
Written in Bone by Simon Beckett
This is the first book I've read by Beckett, but this is not the first book in the series featuring Dr. David Hunter a forensic anthropologist working out of London.
Here he has been up in Scotland working on a case and is on his way home when he gets called to look at a suspicious dead body on a small island in the Outer Hebrides. This change of plan puts some pressure on his relationship back home, but he feels compelled to do it.
The body he has been called to look at is indeed a strange situation, charred almost beyond recognition, but in a cottage not much harmed by the fire. His examination of the remains lead him to determine that the victim was murdered and he calls in Scene of Crime police from the mainland.
This is where the weather and bad luck steps in. First weather delays getting the police in, and then communications with the mainland go down. With two more murders, Hunter and the police are getting desperate for answers. There are lots of twists and turns, close calls and mistaken beliefs. Hunter is an interesting character in and of himself, conflicted between his job and his relationship and trying to find a way through.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Murder Mystery
Finished July 25
Bad Move by Linwood Barclay
Having read Barclay's latest, I wanted to read one of his earlier, more humorous mystery books to get a feel for it. I am glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Zack Walker is a science fiction writer that used to write for newspapers and whose wife, Sarah, still does. Having seen crime rise in their downtown city neighbourhood and concerned for their teen children, Paul and Angie, the family has recently moved to the suburbs. Zack is still a bit hung up on safety issues, creating scenarios to drive home the safety messages he is trying send the rest of the family. This creates definite discord in the family and when he can't resist trying to teach his wife a lesson during a shopping trip, he becomes embroiled in a situation more dangerous than anything he could have imagined. Running from murderous men, and trying to stay alive and keep his family safe, Zack calls on neighbours who have interesting secrets as well.
This book is funny and the action keeps things moving. Zack and Sarah are well drawn characters who engage you.
Bad Move by Linwood Barclay
Having read Barclay's latest, I wanted to read one of his earlier, more humorous mystery books to get a feel for it. I am glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Zack Walker is a science fiction writer that used to write for newspapers and whose wife, Sarah, still does. Having seen crime rise in their downtown city neighbourhood and concerned for their teen children, Paul and Angie, the family has recently moved to the suburbs. Zack is still a bit hung up on safety issues, creating scenarios to drive home the safety messages he is trying send the rest of the family. This creates definite discord in the family and when he can't resist trying to teach his wife a lesson during a shopping trip, he becomes embroiled in a situation more dangerous than anything he could have imagined. Running from murderous men, and trying to stay alive and keep his family safe, Zack calls on neighbours who have interesting secrets as well.
This book is funny and the action keeps things moving. Zack and Sarah are well drawn characters who engage you.
Too Technical for Me
Gave up on July 24
The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross, Read by Grover Gardner
I got to the end of the fourth disc, of eighteen of this book. While it purports to be about music in the twentieth century, the first couple discs take you back into the 19th (to give some history of musicians, inflences, etc.) There were a lot of sections where it got very technical around the music, going beyone my musical knowledge and thus not engaging me. I tried to persevere, hoping that I would gain interest in it, but it stayed too academic for me, and I finally decided to move on to other books I want to read/listen to. Life is too short.
The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross, Read by Grover Gardner
I got to the end of the fourth disc, of eighteen of this book. While it purports to be about music in the twentieth century, the first couple discs take you back into the 19th (to give some history of musicians, inflences, etc.) There were a lot of sections where it got very technical around the music, going beyone my musical knowledge and thus not engaging me. I tried to persevere, hoping that I would gain interest in it, but it stayed too academic for me, and I finally decided to move on to other books I want to read/listen to. Life is too short.
Psychological Horror
Finished July 23
Now You're One of Us by Asa Nonami, translated by Michael Volek and Mitsuko Volek
This is a strangely hypnotic novel. Noriko has recently married into the Shito family, a family in which many generations live together in one house. Her mother tried to dissuade her from this choice, but she felt strongly attracted to her husband Kazuhito and, after meeting his family, was impressed by the friendliness of his extended family.
As she settles into the household she is impressed by how good-natured everyone is. The family has significant holdings and lives in a house with a big yard. However some strange events occur that trigger suspicions in Noriko and she begins to imagine all sorts of things. As she gets drawn into the family rituals, she begins to see the extent of the family secrets.
Noriko gets manipulated psychologically as she becomes part of the family and the way the story slowly but inexorably draws you into it is mesmerizing.
This is one well written but scary book.
Now You're One of Us by Asa Nonami, translated by Michael Volek and Mitsuko Volek
This is a strangely hypnotic novel. Noriko has recently married into the Shito family, a family in which many generations live together in one house. Her mother tried to dissuade her from this choice, but she felt strongly attracted to her husband Kazuhito and, after meeting his family, was impressed by the friendliness of his extended family.
As she settles into the household she is impressed by how good-natured everyone is. The family has significant holdings and lives in a house with a big yard. However some strange events occur that trigger suspicions in Noriko and she begins to imagine all sorts of things. As she gets drawn into the family rituals, she begins to see the extent of the family secrets.
Noriko gets manipulated psychologically as she becomes part of the family and the way the story slowly but inexorably draws you into it is mesmerizing.
This is one well written but scary book.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Suspense
Finished July 22
Charley's Web by Joy Fielding
This was definitely a page-turner, particularly toward the end. Charley (Charlotte) Webb writes a newspaper column that gets her a lot of mail, not always complimentary. It also hasn't been good at promoting friendships. Charley has two children, but didn't marry either of the fathers. Her mother left the family when Charley was eight and her three younger siblings still haven't got over that. Charley is trying to get to know her mother, but sometimes struggles with it.
She gets a letter from a young woman on death row, convicted of brutally torturing and killing three children, whowants Charley to write her story. As Charley gets drawn into the killer's thoughts, she also worries about anonymous threats she has been getting from a reader. There is lots going on here, and Charley is far from perfect, but she is bright and has a sense of humour, and that takes her a long ways.
Charley's Web by Joy Fielding
This was definitely a page-turner, particularly toward the end. Charley (Charlotte) Webb writes a newspaper column that gets her a lot of mail, not always complimentary. It also hasn't been good at promoting friendships. Charley has two children, but didn't marry either of the fathers. Her mother left the family when Charley was eight and her three younger siblings still haven't got over that. Charley is trying to get to know her mother, but sometimes struggles with it.
She gets a letter from a young woman on death row, convicted of brutally torturing and killing three children, whowants Charley to write her story. As Charley gets drawn into the killer's thoughts, she also worries about anonymous threats she has been getting from a reader. There is lots going on here, and Charley is far from perfect, but she is bright and has a sense of humour, and that takes her a long ways.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Different Mystery
Finished July 20
The Tsunami File by Michael E. Rose
This is the third in a series featuring journalist and sometimes spy for CSIS Frank Delaney, but the first I have read. I shall have to search out the earlier ones sometime.
Here Delaney is in Phuket, Thailand working on an article for International Geographic on the Tsunami that killed thousands on Boxing Day 2004.
There is a team of people from all over working to identify the bodies that have been found and one of the team is Jonah Smith, a fingerprint expert from Scotland Yard, seconded to Interpol and now to this project. When Jonah notices changes to a file, and then the file's disappearance he causes a fuss. He is told to keep on doing his job and not worry about it, but he can't help wondering why someone would want to keep a body from being identified and who might be behind the file's disappearance. Stymied within the official environment, he finds himself confiding in Frank and Frank's investigative intuition kicks in. As the two gain more information, Frank waffles between his two roles trying to make sense of what he learns and decide what to do with it. Both men are threatened and attempts are made to keep them quiet, but they remain determined to find out the true identity of the body and the reasons for blocking identification.
There is a fair bit of action, but a lot of introspection as well and the characters are well developed.
The Tsunami File by Michael E. Rose
This is the third in a series featuring journalist and sometimes spy for CSIS Frank Delaney, but the first I have read. I shall have to search out the earlier ones sometime.
Here Delaney is in Phuket, Thailand working on an article for International Geographic on the Tsunami that killed thousands on Boxing Day 2004.
There is a team of people from all over working to identify the bodies that have been found and one of the team is Jonah Smith, a fingerprint expert from Scotland Yard, seconded to Interpol and now to this project. When Jonah notices changes to a file, and then the file's disappearance he causes a fuss. He is told to keep on doing his job and not worry about it, but he can't help wondering why someone would want to keep a body from being identified and who might be behind the file's disappearance. Stymied within the official environment, he finds himself confiding in Frank and Frank's investigative intuition kicks in. As the two gain more information, Frank waffles between his two roles trying to make sense of what he learns and decide what to do with it. Both men are threatened and attempts are made to keep them quiet, but they remain determined to find out the true identity of the body and the reasons for blocking identification.
There is a fair bit of action, but a lot of introspection as well and the characters are well developed.
Looking Back
Finished July 19
What I Was by Meg Rosoff
I've always enjoyed everything I've read by Rosoff, and this was no exception. This book has an elderly man looking back at the year he was sixteen. The year was 1962 and he was in his third boarding school, having been kicked out of the previous two. He has no real ambition and tries to keep to himself and do as little as possible, that is until he meets another young man, who lives alone in a hut on the beach. When he meets Finn, he finds himself drawn to the life Finn lives, simple, doing what he needs to survive and depending on no one but himself. He finds opportunities to escape from school to be with Finn as often as he can, and tries to keep the friendship a secret.
He takes chances and almost gets caught a number of times, and finally when Finn needs his help he must choose to expose the relationship to assist him. There are many themes here from the broad one of global warming and how it affects the environment to the narrator's own self-involvement. This was an interesting look at a turning point in a young man's life and how it determined the rest of his days.
What I Was by Meg Rosoff
I've always enjoyed everything I've read by Rosoff, and this was no exception. This book has an elderly man looking back at the year he was sixteen. The year was 1962 and he was in his third boarding school, having been kicked out of the previous two. He has no real ambition and tries to keep to himself and do as little as possible, that is until he meets another young man, who lives alone in a hut on the beach. When he meets Finn, he finds himself drawn to the life Finn lives, simple, doing what he needs to survive and depending on no one but himself. He finds opportunities to escape from school to be with Finn as often as he can, and tries to keep the friendship a secret.
He takes chances and almost gets caught a number of times, and finally when Finn needs his help he must choose to expose the relationship to assist him. There are many themes here from the broad one of global warming and how it affects the environment to the narrator's own self-involvement. This was an interesting look at a turning point in a young man's life and how it determined the rest of his days.
Cute Little Book
Finished July 18
There are no ordinary cats by Rachel Hale
This is a cute book with great photos of cats accompanied by quotes about cats. The photos are very well done, and since I love cats I enjoyed it.
This was a gift from some cousins from Norway who are visiting Canada and it showed a lot of thought about my interests!
There are no ordinary cats by Rachel Hale
This is a cute book with great photos of cats accompanied by quotes about cats. The photos are very well done, and since I love cats I enjoyed it.
This was a gift from some cousins from Norway who are visiting Canada and it showed a lot of thought about my interests!
Latest in a series
Finished July 18
I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This is the latest in the series featuring Clare Fergusson, an Episcopalian minister (and ex-army helicopter pilot) and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief in Millers Kill, New York, a small town in the Adirondacks.The two have been drawn together, but the attraction has just resulted in frustration and Russ is married. Now however his wife is dead, but Russ is extremely depressed about it, and Clare feels guilty because he was with her rather than his wife when she died. Clare is still struggling against some more conservative members of her parish and her bishop has convinced her to join the National Guard to explore her true feelings regarding her purpose. Recently Clare has become involved with a program run by a Roman Catholic nun to assist Mexican migrant workers with various needs from transportation to assistance dealing with the government. Russ's sister and her husband have hired some Mexican workers to assist with their dairy farm.
When Latino bodies start showing up in the area, both Russ and Clare become involved in trying to find out what is going on and whether there is a tie to the Mexican workers.
The two also get thrown together again on a personal level and have to assess their true feelings regarding each other.
This one also involves a new police woman, an interesting new character with her own issues
I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This is the latest in the series featuring Clare Fergusson, an Episcopalian minister (and ex-army helicopter pilot) and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief in Millers Kill, New York, a small town in the Adirondacks.The two have been drawn together, but the attraction has just resulted in frustration and Russ is married. Now however his wife is dead, but Russ is extremely depressed about it, and Clare feels guilty because he was with her rather than his wife when she died. Clare is still struggling against some more conservative members of her parish and her bishop has convinced her to join the National Guard to explore her true feelings regarding her purpose. Recently Clare has become involved with a program run by a Roman Catholic nun to assist Mexican migrant workers with various needs from transportation to assistance dealing with the government. Russ's sister and her husband have hired some Mexican workers to assist with their dairy farm.
When Latino bodies start showing up in the area, both Russ and Clare become involved in trying to find out what is going on and whether there is a tie to the Mexican workers.
The two also get thrown together again on a personal level and have to assess their true feelings regarding each other.
This one also involves a new police woman, an interesting new character with her own issues
Great Listen
Finished July 17
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, performed by Lenny Henry
This wonderfully humourous novel centers around Fat Charlie Nancy and his brother Spider. The two are the sons of Anansi, a god. Fat Charlie was constantly embarrassed by his father growing up, and until his father's funeral is not even aware that he has a brother. As he contacts his brother and begins to get to know him, he's not sure that he's glad he did so. Things start happening to him, and they aren't necessarily good things.
I liked the legends worked into the story and the humour that appeared throughout, even in the very difficult moments. The sheer inventiveness that Gaiman brings to his work never fails to astound me. The performance is equally wonderful and really makes all the bits come alive. Henry's voice changes wonderfully to suit the situation and adds to the characterization included in the words.
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, performed by Lenny Henry
This wonderfully humourous novel centers around Fat Charlie Nancy and his brother Spider. The two are the sons of Anansi, a god. Fat Charlie was constantly embarrassed by his father growing up, and until his father's funeral is not even aware that he has a brother. As he contacts his brother and begins to get to know him, he's not sure that he's glad he did so. Things start happening to him, and they aren't necessarily good things.
I liked the legends worked into the story and the humour that appeared throughout, even in the very difficult moments. The sheer inventiveness that Gaiman brings to his work never fails to astound me. The performance is equally wonderful and really makes all the bits come alive. Henry's voice changes wonderfully to suit the situation and adds to the characterization included in the words.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
An Idealist
Finished July 15
The Other by David Guterson
This story is told from the point of view of Neil Countryman, and is primarily about his relationship with John William Barry. Neil is from a working class background, the first of his family to go to university, and now an English teacher. John William is from a very wealthy background, descended from several prominent Seattle families and educated at an elite private school. The two boys meet in their teens at a track meet when they run against each other. They share a love of the outdoors and an interest in "experiences". They go hiking in the remote backcountry of Washington state, often with little in the way of supplies, relying on their wits to survive.
Attending different colleges, the boys begin to diverge. Neil gains a girlfriend and works hard to put himself through college, first in English and then to become a teacher. John William drops out of college and buys a tract of land in the woods and lives out there alone, eventually moving even deeper into the woods. John William enlists Neil and his girlfriend Jamie's help to make his family believe he has gone off somewhere, while really moving deeper into the backcountry. Neil struggles with his loyalty to his friend against his concern for him, second-guessing himself for years, until it all comes out.
The characters of the two boys/men are strong and well-developed and engaged me as a reader. The story is engrossing and unique and very plausible. I could see how this could so easily unfold as it did. A great read.
The Other by David Guterson
This story is told from the point of view of Neil Countryman, and is primarily about his relationship with John William Barry. Neil is from a working class background, the first of his family to go to university, and now an English teacher. John William is from a very wealthy background, descended from several prominent Seattle families and educated at an elite private school. The two boys meet in their teens at a track meet when they run against each other. They share a love of the outdoors and an interest in "experiences". They go hiking in the remote backcountry of Washington state, often with little in the way of supplies, relying on their wits to survive.
Attending different colleges, the boys begin to diverge. Neil gains a girlfriend and works hard to put himself through college, first in English and then to become a teacher. John William drops out of college and buys a tract of land in the woods and lives out there alone, eventually moving even deeper into the woods. John William enlists Neil and his girlfriend Jamie's help to make his family believe he has gone off somewhere, while really moving deeper into the backcountry. Neil struggles with his loyalty to his friend against his concern for him, second-guessing himself for years, until it all comes out.
The characters of the two boys/men are strong and well-developed and engaged me as a reader. The story is engrossing and unique and very plausible. I could see how this could so easily unfold as it did. A great read.
First Novel
Finished July 14
What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn
I can see why this book won the Costa First Novel Award, as it offered a very different read that is hard to categorize. It is part mystery, part social behaviour, part character analysis. I loved it.
In 1984 Kate Meaney, a young girl living with her maternal grandmother goes missing. Kate had been intent on her detective career, following a book her father had given her on detective work. She went to the mall alone after school every day, observed and took notes. She visited the shops in her neighbourhood, particularly the one next door, where she made friends with the owner's son, just out of his teens.
Twenty years later, Kurt, a security guard at the mall sees a girl on his screen after hours, but can't find her. Kurt befriends List who works at the music store. Both are struggling with direction for their lives. Both didn't intend to be where they are in their jobs right now, but feel helpless to do anything about it. As they struggle they find connections through Kate and that leads them somewhere new.
Kate is a quirky interesting little girl who deals with what life serves her objectively and with equanimity. She is more sure of herself than children usually are. Kurt and Lisa are both less sure of themselves than adults are generally expected to be.
What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn
I can see why this book won the Costa First Novel Award, as it offered a very different read that is hard to categorize. It is part mystery, part social behaviour, part character analysis. I loved it.
In 1984 Kate Meaney, a young girl living with her maternal grandmother goes missing. Kate had been intent on her detective career, following a book her father had given her on detective work. She went to the mall alone after school every day, observed and took notes. She visited the shops in her neighbourhood, particularly the one next door, where she made friends with the owner's son, just out of his teens.
Twenty years later, Kurt, a security guard at the mall sees a girl on his screen after hours, but can't find her. Kurt befriends List who works at the music store. Both are struggling with direction for their lives. Both didn't intend to be where they are in their jobs right now, but feel helpless to do anything about it. As they struggle they find connections through Kate and that leads them somewhere new.
Kate is a quirky interesting little girl who deals with what life serves her objectively and with equanimity. She is more sure of herself than children usually are. Kurt and Lisa are both less sure of themselves than adults are generally expected to be.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Australian Fiction
Finished July 11
Breath by Tim Winton
For a short novel, this packs in a lot. The story is told from the point of view of Pikelet, looking back on his life from his fifties. He is now a paramedic and it is an incident through his work that takes him on the trip back, mainly to his teens as he and his friend Loonie came under the guidance of a veteran surfer called Sando.
Sando coaches and encourages the boys to take risks in the big waves, and Pikelet learns about more than just surfing. He learns about confidence and pushing oneself and taking risks. The boys also meet Sando's wife Eve, who is from the United States, and who isn't always tolerant of the boys being around.
Winton takes the idea of the immortality of youth, the quest to be extraordinary and makes it into a beautiful story.
Breath by Tim Winton
For a short novel, this packs in a lot. The story is told from the point of view of Pikelet, looking back on his life from his fifties. He is now a paramedic and it is an incident through his work that takes him on the trip back, mainly to his teens as he and his friend Loonie came under the guidance of a veteran surfer called Sando.
Sando coaches and encourages the boys to take risks in the big waves, and Pikelet learns about more than just surfing. He learns about confidence and pushing oneself and taking risks. The boys also meet Sando's wife Eve, who is from the United States, and who isn't always tolerant of the boys being around.
Winton takes the idea of the immortality of youth, the quest to be extraordinary and makes it into a beautiful story.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Edge of the Seat
Finished July 10
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child, read by Dick Hill
Jack Reacher is back and just as good as ever. This book has it all: suspense, bad guys, mystery, a woman, and Reacher.
Jack is making his way across the country east to west and his last ride brought him to Hope, Colorado. He notices that the next town over is named Despair, and is intrigued and decides to head that way. When he tries to stop in Despair for a bite to eat, not only won't they serve him, but they arrest him on vagrancy charges and drop him out on the town line, to the east, back towards Hope. Naturally, this gets Reacher's back up, and he must try to find out why the town has this attitude towards strangers.
The answers are complex and varied and as Reacher makes his way through them his main ally is a woman police officer from Hope, who has her own issues to deal with.
This book kept me wanting to stay with it all the way through. I woke up once at two in the morning, and could think of little else but the situation that Reacher was in when I left off and almost got up and went out to the car to continue listening. It was a close thing! The reading by Dick Hill was perfect. He talks in a measured way, just as I imagine Reacher might and expresses the emotions very well.
There are also lots of issues explored here, especially around the US and its role in the Middle East, and Child does it all well. He is a master.
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child, read by Dick Hill
Jack Reacher is back and just as good as ever. This book has it all: suspense, bad guys, mystery, a woman, and Reacher.
Jack is making his way across the country east to west and his last ride brought him to Hope, Colorado. He notices that the next town over is named Despair, and is intrigued and decides to head that way. When he tries to stop in Despair for a bite to eat, not only won't they serve him, but they arrest him on vagrancy charges and drop him out on the town line, to the east, back towards Hope. Naturally, this gets Reacher's back up, and he must try to find out why the town has this attitude towards strangers.
The answers are complex and varied and as Reacher makes his way through them his main ally is a woman police officer from Hope, who has her own issues to deal with.
This book kept me wanting to stay with it all the way through. I woke up once at two in the morning, and could think of little else but the situation that Reacher was in when I left off and almost got up and went out to the car to continue listening. It was a close thing! The reading by Dick Hill was perfect. He talks in a measured way, just as I imagine Reacher might and expresses the emotions very well.
There are also lots of issues explored here, especially around the US and its role in the Middle East, and Child does it all well. He is a master.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
British Mystery
Finished July 8
Unforgotten by Clare Francis
Hugh Gwynne is a lawyer working on the most difficult case of his career, claiming damages for his client, Tom Deacon, who is suffering from PTSD after being unable to save his young daughter from burning up in a car accident. Hugh and his wife Lizzie have raised two children, Charlie and Lou. Both children are adopted and Lou is doing well, although Charlie is getting past his drug addiction.
When something happens to throw Hugh's personal life into turmoil, he gives way to his instincts against police advice.
This book started out slow, but once things started happening on Hugh's home front they got very interesting and kept me guessing.
Unforgotten by Clare Francis
Hugh Gwynne is a lawyer working on the most difficult case of his career, claiming damages for his client, Tom Deacon, who is suffering from PTSD after being unable to save his young daughter from burning up in a car accident. Hugh and his wife Lizzie have raised two children, Charlie and Lou. Both children are adopted and Lou is doing well, although Charlie is getting past his drug addiction.
When something happens to throw Hugh's personal life into turmoil, he gives way to his instincts against police advice.
This book started out slow, but once things started happening on Hugh's home front they got very interesting and kept me guessing.
Teen Novel
Finished July 8
Innercity Girl Like Me by Sabrina Bernardo
Set in Winnipeg this book follows Maria, alias G Child, as she becomes a member of the Diablos gang until she leaves it several years later. It looks at the forces that drew her and her friends into gang culture, the relationships in the gangs and between gangs, and the results of gang life.
G Child's friends include Gina and her brothers, Roland and Darrell, who all end up in gangs, as well as kids from both poor families and middle class families who look to gangs for what they aren't finding in their life.
This is an interesting look at a side of life most of us don't see.
Innercity Girl Like Me by Sabrina Bernardo
Set in Winnipeg this book follows Maria, alias G Child, as she becomes a member of the Diablos gang until she leaves it several years later. It looks at the forces that drew her and her friends into gang culture, the relationships in the gangs and between gangs, and the results of gang life.
G Child's friends include Gina and her brothers, Roland and Darrell, who all end up in gangs, as well as kids from both poor families and middle class families who look to gangs for what they aren't finding in their life.
This is an interesting look at a side of life most of us don't see.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Christian Romance
Finished July 6
Coming Unglued by Rebeca Seitz
This is the second in the Sisters, Ink series, about four adopted sisters who run a scrapbooking networking group. This book focuses on Kendra, who underwent a rough life before her adoption, with a disinterested mother who had a string of boyfriends. Kendra still has some issues with her self-worth, based on her earlier life. Even though she has a man who seems very nice and is interested in her, she is still drawn to an inappropriate relationship.
The dynamics between the sisters are good, and here they are all preparing for the wedding of the youngest sister, Tandy. Tandy is big on planning, and a wedding is the ultimate in plans. As the sisters help each other through the issues in their lives and celebrate the joys, they also look at the role of God in their lives, and how he sends things into their lives they don't always expect.
I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this book, but I really did. I also have an adopted sister that I feel close to (although we live thousands of miles from each other), and this brought that relationship to mind for me.
Coming Unglued by Rebeca Seitz
This is the second in the Sisters, Ink series, about four adopted sisters who run a scrapbooking networking group. This book focuses on Kendra, who underwent a rough life before her adoption, with a disinterested mother who had a string of boyfriends. Kendra still has some issues with her self-worth, based on her earlier life. Even though she has a man who seems very nice and is interested in her, she is still drawn to an inappropriate relationship.
The dynamics between the sisters are good, and here they are all preparing for the wedding of the youngest sister, Tandy. Tandy is big on planning, and a wedding is the ultimate in plans. As the sisters help each other through the issues in their lives and celebrate the joys, they also look at the role of God in their lives, and how he sends things into their lives they don't always expect.
I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this book, but I really did. I also have an adopted sister that I feel close to (although we live thousands of miles from each other), and this brought that relationship to mind for me.
Story of a Family
Finished July 5
Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger
This is a wonderful first novel centering around a young man and his father's death.
Jesse goes hunting with his father, a normal occurence for the two of them. They occur two different hunting blinds, out of sight of each other. At the end of a long day, with no game, Jesse hears a single shot and immediately realizes something is wrong. He finds his father dead, seemingly at his own hand, and yet he just can't accept that his father would do this. He can't find a reason for what would make his father take his own life, knowing that Jesse would be the one to find him.
Haunted by his father's ghost, Jesse looks for answers and looks at his family with different eyes. Unsupported by his mother, the police or his friends, he looks hard at the people around him, trying to find reasons for what has happened to his family.
During this time, the young woman, Christine Montez, already someone Jesse is drawn to, becomes an important part of his life. She too is undergoing family difficulties, and yet supports him in his quest, to a point.
As the jacket notes indicate, there are overtones of the story of Hamlet here, with all the elements of betrayal and revenge. Jesse is a young man, forced to become an adult by the circumstances in which he finds himself. This is a wonderful book, and a writer who bears watching.
Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger
This is a wonderful first novel centering around a young man and his father's death.
Jesse goes hunting with his father, a normal occurence for the two of them. They occur two different hunting blinds, out of sight of each other. At the end of a long day, with no game, Jesse hears a single shot and immediately realizes something is wrong. He finds his father dead, seemingly at his own hand, and yet he just can't accept that his father would do this. He can't find a reason for what would make his father take his own life, knowing that Jesse would be the one to find him.
Haunted by his father's ghost, Jesse looks for answers and looks at his family with different eyes. Unsupported by his mother, the police or his friends, he looks hard at the people around him, trying to find reasons for what has happened to his family.
During this time, the young woman, Christine Montez, already someone Jesse is drawn to, becomes an important part of his life. She too is undergoing family difficulties, and yet supports him in his quest, to a point.
As the jacket notes indicate, there are overtones of the story of Hamlet here, with all the elements of betrayal and revenge. Jesse is a young man, forced to become an adult by the circumstances in which he finds himself. This is a wonderful book, and a writer who bears watching.
Suspense
Finished July 5
Blood Trail by C.J. Box
Joe Pickett is back, still working as a game warden, but not assigned to a particular area. Joe works where he is needed, which means he is away a lot and he and his family now live at a house in town rather than at the warden's house.
He is just looking forward to some time at home with his family, when he is called back in on a special case. Someone is hunting hunters. A hunter has been found dead, treated like the elk he was hunting would have been. Two previous hunting deaths are looked at in a new light following this. The governor wants to ensure this is stopped and has asked Joe to assist in this case.
While this is happening, the antihunting activist Klamath Moore arrives in town and stirs up things further. A decrease in hunting will impact the state's revenues and that isn't good for the governor or the game wardens. Everyone is working together on this, even those who don't like each other. But there are still secrets, and Joe is determined to get to the bottom of them.
A classic suspense, with mistreated good guys, and not always clear lines between right and wrong.
Blood Trail by C.J. Box
Joe Pickett is back, still working as a game warden, but not assigned to a particular area. Joe works where he is needed, which means he is away a lot and he and his family now live at a house in town rather than at the warden's house.
He is just looking forward to some time at home with his family, when he is called back in on a special case. Someone is hunting hunters. A hunter has been found dead, treated like the elk he was hunting would have been. Two previous hunting deaths are looked at in a new light following this. The governor wants to ensure this is stopped and has asked Joe to assist in this case.
While this is happening, the antihunting activist Klamath Moore arrives in town and stirs up things further. A decrease in hunting will impact the state's revenues and that isn't good for the governor or the game wardens. Everyone is working together on this, even those who don't like each other. But there are still secrets, and Joe is determined to get to the bottom of them.
A classic suspense, with mistreated good guys, and not always clear lines between right and wrong.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Children's Fiction
Finished July 5
Exploits of a Reluctant (but extremely goodlooking) Hero by Maureen Fergus
This book centers on a grade 7 boy, who would rather eat fried chicken and candy than his mother's cooking, and would rather read Playboy than do his homework. He has a strong sense that the world should revolve around him and gets put out when that doesn't happen. His teachers send him to a counsellor for inappropriate acts and talk at school, but that doesn't stop him. His parents make him get a paper route and volunteer at a soup kitchen, but he still keeps the attitude. It is only when the soup kitchen is faced with losing their funding and he sees how that really affects the lives of those who depend on it, that he is forced to see beyond his own needs and realize the big picture.
A great book for boys in late elementary and middle school, it has all the humour that they enjoy as well as a real story about the world we live in.
Exploits of a Reluctant (but extremely goodlooking) Hero by Maureen Fergus
This book centers on a grade 7 boy, who would rather eat fried chicken and candy than his mother's cooking, and would rather read Playboy than do his homework. He has a strong sense that the world should revolve around him and gets put out when that doesn't happen. His teachers send him to a counsellor for inappropriate acts and talk at school, but that doesn't stop him. His parents make him get a paper route and volunteer at a soup kitchen, but he still keeps the attitude. It is only when the soup kitchen is faced with losing their funding and he sees how that really affects the lives of those who depend on it, that he is forced to see beyond his own needs and realize the big picture.
A great book for boys in late elementary and middle school, it has all the humour that they enjoy as well as a real story about the world we live in.
Family Story
Finished July 4
Constance by Rosie Thomas
Constance was found in a hedge when she was only a few hours old, abandoned by her mother. Growing up, she also felt lesser to her deaf sister Jeanette. After she discovers that she was adopted, she finds herself even more the outsider in her family. When she falls in love with Jeanette's fiance, Bill, she estranges herself from the family voluntarily.
She does well for herself, writing music for advertisements and films, but she can't resolve her love for Bill and that remains a presence in her life.
When she gets word that her sister is dying, she returns to England, and tries to reconcile with her sister.
There is also a side story here of a young woman, Roxana, from Uzbekistan trying to become an "English girl". Roxana has determination and a sense of self, and inspires Constance to face up to her life and what she really wants.
Constance by Rosie Thomas
Constance was found in a hedge when she was only a few hours old, abandoned by her mother. Growing up, she also felt lesser to her deaf sister Jeanette. After she discovers that she was adopted, she finds herself even more the outsider in her family. When she falls in love with Jeanette's fiance, Bill, she estranges herself from the family voluntarily.
She does well for herself, writing music for advertisements and films, but she can't resolve her love for Bill and that remains a presence in her life.
When she gets word that her sister is dying, she returns to England, and tries to reconcile with her sister.
There is also a side story here of a young woman, Roxana, from Uzbekistan trying to become an "English girl". Roxana has determination and a sense of self, and inspires Constance to face up to her life and what she really wants.
Children's Fiction
Finished July 4
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
I'd heard a lot about this Newberry Award winner, and finally got around to reading it.
Jess Aaron is going into fifth grade at the start of this book and his big ambition is to be the fastest runner in the school. When the new girl in town beats all the boys, things change. Leslie lives near Jess and the two become friends. They create an imaginary world for themselves called Terabithia and learn together about all kinds of things. When a tragedy occurs, Jess is forced to deal with his feelings about those around him and the strength he has learned he has inside.
A great book.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
I'd heard a lot about this Newberry Award winner, and finally got around to reading it.
Jess Aaron is going into fifth grade at the start of this book and his big ambition is to be the fastest runner in the school. When the new girl in town beats all the boys, things change. Leslie lives near Jess and the two become friends. They create an imaginary world for themselves called Terabithia and learn together about all kinds of things. When a tragedy occurs, Jess is forced to deal with his feelings about those around him and the strength he has learned he has inside.
A great book.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Suspense with a little extra
Finished July 2
The Murder Notebook by Jonathan Santlofer
This suspense novel features detectives from the NYPD, mainly Nate Rodriguez a sketch artist with the police who calls on his own intuition and the Santera religion of his grandmother for assistance. He had training at Quantico with the FBI and is a freelance at the NYPD, not tied to any department. His significant other is also a police officer, Terri Russo, running a task force in Homicide. They still have their own apartments, and their relationship is not generally known in the department.
When the novel starts, Nate is working on identification of a murder victim using the victim's skull as a starting point. He is coopted into Russo's task force who is trying to solve the murder of a college student. Nate works with the victim's girlfriend to provide the first significant lead. When another student is killed, Nate is also drawn into that investigation, making comparisons between the two. The next bodies that show up are the killers bodies, and Nate is convinced there is something bigger going on.
Santlofer uses drawing throughout the book to add to the story, an interesting touch. He also provides a useful bibliography at the back of the book regarding the issues contained therein.
I really liked the Nate character and how he is still struggling with his issues and his identity.
The plot was engrossing and scary, and I was gripped throughout.
The Murder Notebook by Jonathan Santlofer
This suspense novel features detectives from the NYPD, mainly Nate Rodriguez a sketch artist with the police who calls on his own intuition and the Santera religion of his grandmother for assistance. He had training at Quantico with the FBI and is a freelance at the NYPD, not tied to any department. His significant other is also a police officer, Terri Russo, running a task force in Homicide. They still have their own apartments, and their relationship is not generally known in the department.
When the novel starts, Nate is working on identification of a murder victim using the victim's skull as a starting point. He is coopted into Russo's task force who is trying to solve the murder of a college student. Nate works with the victim's girlfriend to provide the first significant lead. When another student is killed, Nate is also drawn into that investigation, making comparisons between the two. The next bodies that show up are the killers bodies, and Nate is convinced there is something bigger going on.
Santlofer uses drawing throughout the book to add to the story, an interesting touch. He also provides a useful bibliography at the back of the book regarding the issues contained therein.
I really liked the Nate character and how he is still struggling with his issues and his identity.
The plot was engrossing and scary, and I was gripped throughout.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Different Point of View
Finished July 2
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, performed by Christopher Evan Welch
I absolutely loved this book. It is told from the point of view of Enzo, a dog. Enzo, however is not an ordinary dog. He is very much a philosopher, who has educated himself by paying close attention to what the humans around him do, and by watching a wide variety of TV. Enzo's master, Denny Swift is a promising young race car driver, supporting himself by working at a luxury auto dealership in the parts department. Enzo has absorbed everything Denny knows about racing, because Denny talks to him about it and they watch tapes together.
Denny marries Eve and they have a daughter Zoё. But Eve falls ill and as her parents step in to assist with her care, Denny finds that they have taken over the most important thing in his life, his daughter and he must fight for her. Luckily, he has Enzo, who helps him in the most difficult moments, and prevents him from making bad decisions.
Enzo firmly believes that he will be reincarnated as a human, and I as a reader believed it as well. He is a wonderful character.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, performed by Christopher Evan Welch
I absolutely loved this book. It is told from the point of view of Enzo, a dog. Enzo, however is not an ordinary dog. He is very much a philosopher, who has educated himself by paying close attention to what the humans around him do, and by watching a wide variety of TV. Enzo's master, Denny Swift is a promising young race car driver, supporting himself by working at a luxury auto dealership in the parts department. Enzo has absorbed everything Denny knows about racing, because Denny talks to him about it and they watch tapes together.
Denny marries Eve and they have a daughter Zoё. But Eve falls ill and as her parents step in to assist with her care, Denny finds that they have taken over the most important thing in his life, his daughter and he must fight for her. Luckily, he has Enzo, who helps him in the most difficult moments, and prevents him from making bad decisions.
Enzo firmly believes that he will be reincarnated as a human, and I as a reader believed it as well. He is a wonderful character.
Odd Little Book
Finished July 1
Indexed by Jessica Hagy
This book came from Hagy's blog. She uses Venn diagrams to show relationships between ideas, situations, truths and impressions and has a great sense of how things are.
Her diagrams show things more simply than we often see them, and highlight the truth in even complex ideas.
I loved it.
Indexed by Jessica Hagy
This book came from Hagy's blog. She uses Venn diagrams to show relationships between ideas, situations, truths and impressions and has a great sense of how things are.
Her diagrams show things more simply than we often see them, and highlight the truth in even complex ideas.
I loved it.
Thriller in Florida
Finished July 1
Heartstopper by Joy Fielding
In a small town in Florida a pretty teen girl goes missing. There is much speculation about what has happened to her. When her body is found the town is shocked and scared.
We see the story told from various points of view, including that of the killer. We see their actions at certain times and see what they think of what they are doing, but we don't get a lot of clues to their identity.
We also see things from the Sheriff's point of view. John Weber has been sheriff for a long time and while he certainly isn't perfect, he has a good head on his shoulders and follows his instincts. He also has a strong sense of responsibility.
We also see things from a number of other points of view, particularly one of the parents, Sandy Crosbie, who is also a teacher.
I like the fact that everybody has issues, just as we all do in real life, and we all make mistakes.
It was a good story for a lazy summer afternoon in my hammock.
Heartstopper by Joy Fielding
In a small town in Florida a pretty teen girl goes missing. There is much speculation about what has happened to her. When her body is found the town is shocked and scared.
We see the story told from various points of view, including that of the killer. We see their actions at certain times and see what they think of what they are doing, but we don't get a lot of clues to their identity.
We also see things from the Sheriff's point of view. John Weber has been sheriff for a long time and while he certainly isn't perfect, he has a good head on his shoulders and follows his instincts. He also has a strong sense of responsibility.
We also see things from a number of other points of view, particularly one of the parents, Sandy Crosbie, who is also a teacher.
I like the fact that everybody has issues, just as we all do in real life, and we all make mistakes.
It was a good story for a lazy summer afternoon in my hammock.
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