I love the idea behind this book. In particular because it’s something which has been talked about a lot in real life. There have been incidents in the news where images seen on Google Streetview have triggered searches for possible murder victims, or that have later been removed and of course there have been some incidents of peoples’ infidelity being caught out. So the idea of someone finding something dark – like someone being murdered, is incredibly appealing.
Thomas Kilbride believes he will be recruited by the CIA to help them in the future. Thomas has a unique gift that means he has a photographic memory. He is currently using the internet to explore the world and memorise the towns and cities. According to Thomas, one day in the future all the electronic maps will disappear, and he will be required to help produce maps using his recollections. Whilst researching New York, Thomas comes across an image in a window – it looks like someone being smothered. He sends his brother to New York to check out the building and sets in motion a series of events that will change everyone’s lives.
Switching from the present to an event taking place previously (there is little mention of how long ago this could have been), the reader is allowed to follow the events taking place, and has the position of knowing what really did happen, while watching the characters investigate for themselves. This omniscience doesn’t allow the reader to relax however, as there are a few twists and turns along the way, which make for plenty of page turning.
The characters were well written and were believable. At times the story is told from each of their points of view, and this fitted into the story. It wasn’t too sudden when the narration changed, and as it was told in the third person, it meant it didn’t create too many different voices to follow. I felt Thomas in particular must have been a difficult character to write, but it was done well, and it was done in a way that he did come across as different, even in his speech, whilst at the same time, sounding like a real person might. I did wonder at the schizophrenia diagnosis as earlier in the book I had assumed he was autistic but I suppose ultimately that’s not a massive issue.
I found the pace of the storyline was just right. It moved along nicely and kept you hooked for more, without revealing too much too soon. Nor did it then fizzle out once the drama had been concluded. It was finished nicely, and the story was concluded well…. With a little twist at the end, just to make sure you are paying attention.
The only downside to this book, was that whirl360 is blatantly Google. And I’m sure that there are legal reasons why this was changed, and obviously it is a work of fiction etc. It is only a small niggle, but still annoyed me. I had previously read one of Linwood’s books and whilst I had enjoyed it, I had found that the pace of the book was a little too hectic and ended up running out of steam. This is only the second book of his I have read, and a few years on I have to say his narration and story telling have definitely improved. I will now be seeking out his other books in the hope of being Just as enthralled!
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Held up by Christopher Radmann
Paul Van NieKerk is proudly driving his brand new BMW home, when he is held up at gunpoint. Forced out of the car, Paul is forced to stand by and watch the hijackers drive off with his new car. It is only at this point that he remembers his 9 month old daughter Chantal is still in the back of his car. This is South Africa, where hijacking is a way of life and where whites and blacks live side by side in opposing worlds. Held up focuses on the raw grief and pain suffered by Paul and his wife Clara as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened. With a lack of interest or effort from the police, Paul is forced to believe the only way to find his daughter is to search for her himself. This search, at times bloody and violent, leads him into the poorest slums of South Africa and ultimately into the darkest recesses of his mind.
Held up is a book which is not given justice by the blurb on the back. On the surface, it looks like an ordinary, run of the mill action/thriller. I wondered if it had been a film, based on reading the short description. But the reality of the book is very much different. The story remains as described but what wasn’t, nor can’t be, portrayed, is the beautiful, at times poetic, use of language throughout the book.
What I had been expecting, alongside the standard thriller text, was a sub text based on South Africa. Not a country I know a great deal about, I had been looking forward to reading more about the politics, the day to day lives of people within such a troubled and confused country. We do get some insight into South Africa and the people who live there, but only through the eyes of the main character, Paul and so this viewpoint is, naturally, flawed and is based more on his experiences throughout the book rather than anything more descriptive. As a result, I did find it hard to get into at first, purely because it wasn’t what I was expecting. However, once I had got over this and was able to focus more on the book itself, I found I was able to relax more and get into the story.
Overall, this was a book that I am glad I have read. I hesitate to use the word enjoy, purely because the subject matter, and the ending, are hardly things I can say I have enjoyed. I am glad I stuck it out and I did enjoy the use of language and descriptions portrayed in the book. I would definitely look at reading more of this author’s works in the future.
Be warned, this is not an easy read, partly due to the content of the book and partly due to the language used. And don’t expect a happy ending. Held up is a bleak and painful book, showing just how far people will sink when they are floundering.
Held up is a book which is not given justice by the blurb on the back. On the surface, it looks like an ordinary, run of the mill action/thriller. I wondered if it had been a film, based on reading the short description. But the reality of the book is very much different. The story remains as described but what wasn’t, nor can’t be, portrayed, is the beautiful, at times poetic, use of language throughout the book.
What I had been expecting, alongside the standard thriller text, was a sub text based on South Africa. Not a country I know a great deal about, I had been looking forward to reading more about the politics, the day to day lives of people within such a troubled and confused country. We do get some insight into South Africa and the people who live there, but only through the eyes of the main character, Paul and so this viewpoint is, naturally, flawed and is based more on his experiences throughout the book rather than anything more descriptive. As a result, I did find it hard to get into at first, purely because it wasn’t what I was expecting. However, once I had got over this and was able to focus more on the book itself, I found I was able to relax more and get into the story.
Overall, this was a book that I am glad I have read. I hesitate to use the word enjoy, purely because the subject matter, and the ending, are hardly things I can say I have enjoyed. I am glad I stuck it out and I did enjoy the use of language and descriptions portrayed in the book. I would definitely look at reading more of this author’s works in the future.
Be warned, this is not an easy read, partly due to the content of the book and partly due to the language used. And don’t expect a happy ending. Held up is a bleak and painful book, showing just how far people will sink when they are floundering.
Sunday, 29 July 2012
On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves - Perfect Summer Love Story
On The Island – where do I start? From the very minute that I opened up my Real Readers parcel to discover this book, I was literally beside myself. I blame my English teacher, as after being forced to read Lord of the Flies at school, I have been ever so slightly obsessed with “castaway” stories ever since. And with a love story to boot, I was literally on cloud nine. I got it several days before I went on holiday, so I was (somehow) able to hold back my eagerness and waited a whole 48 hours before I gave in and read it.
I was hoping that my expectations and my anticipation would be rewarded, and dear blog reader, I can confirm, it very definitely did. I literally devoured this book from cover to cover in less than a day. And I really didn’t want it to end. I loved it from start to finish, and whilst it wasn’t necessarily the story I thought it would be, it worked out better than I could have thought. For this little old cynic to be moved by a love story, it has to be pretty special!!
Anna has been hired for the summer as a tutor for T.J, a teenager who needs help with his school work due to having been ill earlier in the year. On the flight to his family’s holiday home in the Maldives, the pilot has a heart attack and Anna and T.J crash land in the ocean. At 17, T.J is more worldly than some teenagers as a result of his serious illness, but he still has a lot of growing up to do. And it seems, with no one knowing where they are, time is one thing that Anna and T.J have in abundance.
The book starts at the airport and tends to focus on the present rather than providing the reader with flashbacks. Although we learn a little about Anna and T.J and their friends and family, the main focus is on the relationship between the two. Prior to the crash, Anna and T.J don’t know anything about each other and so not only are they forced to rely on each other , they have to work together to survive the dangers on the island. The narration switches between Anna and T.J, so we get to see the story develop through both of their eyes. As the story progresses, it’s hard to know how the story will end – will they get rescued, and if they do return to “civilisation”, what will happen to the two of them? Without spoiling anything, I was pleasantly surprised by, and happy with, the ending.
On The Island is, in many ways, the perfect summer holiday book, as it is light to read, and doesn’t drag too much in the descriptions. Without meaning to be critical of the author, the language is nothing fancy, nor is it particularly literary prose. But that means you can focus purely on the story, and a simple story like this doesn’t need flowery text. The language style works brilliantly with the story and carries it through to the end. This doesn’t downplay the interesting concepts the book arises. Topics of thought are touched upon (what are the rights and wrongs of Anna and T.J’s relationship?) but aren’t turned into a debate or a main focus, which would have detracted from the story. What would I do if I was on a desert island, and what would happen if I was Anna, and on the island with TJ?
This is very definitely a book to pack on your holidays (although maybe not if you’re flying over the Maldives)!
I was hoping that my expectations and my anticipation would be rewarded, and dear blog reader, I can confirm, it very definitely did. I literally devoured this book from cover to cover in less than a day. And I really didn’t want it to end. I loved it from start to finish, and whilst it wasn’t necessarily the story I thought it would be, it worked out better than I could have thought. For this little old cynic to be moved by a love story, it has to be pretty special!!
Anna has been hired for the summer as a tutor for T.J, a teenager who needs help with his school work due to having been ill earlier in the year. On the flight to his family’s holiday home in the Maldives, the pilot has a heart attack and Anna and T.J crash land in the ocean. At 17, T.J is more worldly than some teenagers as a result of his serious illness, but he still has a lot of growing up to do. And it seems, with no one knowing where they are, time is one thing that Anna and T.J have in abundance.
The book starts at the airport and tends to focus on the present rather than providing the reader with flashbacks. Although we learn a little about Anna and T.J and their friends and family, the main focus is on the relationship between the two. Prior to the crash, Anna and T.J don’t know anything about each other and so not only are they forced to rely on each other , they have to work together to survive the dangers on the island. The narration switches between Anna and T.J, so we get to see the story develop through both of their eyes. As the story progresses, it’s hard to know how the story will end – will they get rescued, and if they do return to “civilisation”, what will happen to the two of them? Without spoiling anything, I was pleasantly surprised by, and happy with, the ending.
On The Island is, in many ways, the perfect summer holiday book, as it is light to read, and doesn’t drag too much in the descriptions. Without meaning to be critical of the author, the language is nothing fancy, nor is it particularly literary prose. But that means you can focus purely on the story, and a simple story like this doesn’t need flowery text. The language style works brilliantly with the story and carries it through to the end. This doesn’t downplay the interesting concepts the book arises. Topics of thought are touched upon (what are the rights and wrongs of Anna and T.J’s relationship?) but aren’t turned into a debate or a main focus, which would have detracted from the story. What would I do if I was on a desert island, and what would happen if I was Anna, and on the island with TJ?
This is very definitely a book to pack on your holidays (although maybe not if you’re flying over the Maldives)!
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Me Before You by Jojo Moyles
I had a vague recollection of having read Jojo Moyle’s books before, and I think I liked them but nothing could spring to mind for definite. Me before you on the other hand, is one of those books I will never forget having read.
Will was an active young man, who went on adventure holidays and who loved nothing more than pushing his body to extremes. Until one day, when a chance accident leaves him not only in a wheelchair but completely paralysed. Now living at home with his parents, he has surrounded by anything and everything that he could possibly wish for, apart from the one thing he wants – his freedom.
Lou still lives at home with her parents and works in the local café. She loves to dress up in eclectic clothes and has no idea of where she wants to go in life. After the café, which has been her job for a number of years, closes, she struggles to find a job which she would enjoy. In desperation she attends an interview for a carer for Will. Her job it seems is to act as a companion to him, which would be easy if it wasn’t for the obvious fact that he seems to hate her and doesn’t even want her in the same room.
A few chapters into the book and I began to feel smug – I know where this is going. Even when the characters start to drop hints that Will has attempted suicide recently and needs to be under close surveillance, I still felt confidently I knew where this book was heading. Will and Lou will gradually learn to like each other and to become friends. Then there will be a slight romance and maybe even something more. Perhaps a medical breakthrough as well? And it will all end happily ever after.
And in some ways I was right. Will gradually becomes accustomed to Lou and her crazy ways. Lou gradually begins to understand Will and together the two start to become friends. Then Lou overhears a chance conversation between Will’s mum and sister and I realised how wrong I could be. Will has asked to die. After his failed suicide attempt, he started look at a specialist clinic in Switzerland, designed to help people end their lives, and has asked his parents to take him there. Initially horrified and disgusted by the idea, his parents have no choice but to consider his request, as the option is to live with the threat of him trying to kill himself again and again. As a compromise, they have given Will 6 months. After that, if he still wishes, they will take him to Switzerland. Lou is horrified and unable to understand that she has been brought in to try and offer Will hope, and to try and change his mind.
It is at that point that I realised not only had I completely mis-judged this book and the story but that ultimately, there are only a few directions that this story can take. Either he goes or he stays. He either lives or dies.
This must have been an incredibly difficult book to write and it is very very hard to read. There have been a few high profile cases in the media of assisted suicide and the clinic in Switzerland has come under focus of TV documentaries and newspapers. A reader coming to the book may already have their beliefs in place. They might believe suicide is wrong under any circumstances. They may believe it is wrong but in some circumstances it is right. They might even be able to identify with the characters and their dilemmas. But none of this can prepare you for the emotional impact of seeing life through Will’s eyes and seeing it through Lou’s. And nothing could have prepared me for reading the final chapter of the book. It really wasn’t what I was expecting. And no one else in my family was prepared for the crying that went on for some time after having read it.
This book is sad, it’s poignant, it’s funny and it’s real. Will himself maybe a figment of Jojo’s imagination but there are countless cases of people in similar situations to him and there are sadly many families and friends in the UK who are having to make a similar decision to Will’s family. There is no attempt at starting a debate on assisted suicide in the Uk. Jojo wisely makes the decision not to focus on the legal side of things, and doesn’t use the book as a platform to try and change people’s minds or to open up a discussion. But this book is still desperately compelling and never have I ever felt so confused at an ending before. Because by the end of the book, you don’t know how you feel about it all either.
Will was an active young man, who went on adventure holidays and who loved nothing more than pushing his body to extremes. Until one day, when a chance accident leaves him not only in a wheelchair but completely paralysed. Now living at home with his parents, he has surrounded by anything and everything that he could possibly wish for, apart from the one thing he wants – his freedom.
Lou still lives at home with her parents and works in the local café. She loves to dress up in eclectic clothes and has no idea of where she wants to go in life. After the café, which has been her job for a number of years, closes, she struggles to find a job which she would enjoy. In desperation she attends an interview for a carer for Will. Her job it seems is to act as a companion to him, which would be easy if it wasn’t for the obvious fact that he seems to hate her and doesn’t even want her in the same room.
A few chapters into the book and I began to feel smug – I know where this is going. Even when the characters start to drop hints that Will has attempted suicide recently and needs to be under close surveillance, I still felt confidently I knew where this book was heading. Will and Lou will gradually learn to like each other and to become friends. Then there will be a slight romance and maybe even something more. Perhaps a medical breakthrough as well? And it will all end happily ever after.
And in some ways I was right. Will gradually becomes accustomed to Lou and her crazy ways. Lou gradually begins to understand Will and together the two start to become friends. Then Lou overhears a chance conversation between Will’s mum and sister and I realised how wrong I could be. Will has asked to die. After his failed suicide attempt, he started look at a specialist clinic in Switzerland, designed to help people end their lives, and has asked his parents to take him there. Initially horrified and disgusted by the idea, his parents have no choice but to consider his request, as the option is to live with the threat of him trying to kill himself again and again. As a compromise, they have given Will 6 months. After that, if he still wishes, they will take him to Switzerland. Lou is horrified and unable to understand that she has been brought in to try and offer Will hope, and to try and change his mind.
It is at that point that I realised not only had I completely mis-judged this book and the story but that ultimately, there are only a few directions that this story can take. Either he goes or he stays. He either lives or dies.
This must have been an incredibly difficult book to write and it is very very hard to read. There have been a few high profile cases in the media of assisted suicide and the clinic in Switzerland has come under focus of TV documentaries and newspapers. A reader coming to the book may already have their beliefs in place. They might believe suicide is wrong under any circumstances. They may believe it is wrong but in some circumstances it is right. They might even be able to identify with the characters and their dilemmas. But none of this can prepare you for the emotional impact of seeing life through Will’s eyes and seeing it through Lou’s. And nothing could have prepared me for reading the final chapter of the book. It really wasn’t what I was expecting. And no one else in my family was prepared for the crying that went on for some time after having read it.
This book is sad, it’s poignant, it’s funny and it’s real. Will himself maybe a figment of Jojo’s imagination but there are countless cases of people in similar situations to him and there are sadly many families and friends in the UK who are having to make a similar decision to Will’s family. There is no attempt at starting a debate on assisted suicide in the Uk. Jojo wisely makes the decision not to focus on the legal side of things, and doesn’t use the book as a platform to try and change people’s minds or to open up a discussion. But this book is still desperately compelling and never have I ever felt so confused at an ending before. Because by the end of the book, you don’t know how you feel about it all either.
Separate Lives by Kathryn Flett
There are two kinds of chick-lit books – the first focuses on the twenty somethings and their trials and tribulations. The second is more for the thirty/forty somethings – the yummy mummies if you like, married with children.
Separate lives falls into the latter category of chick lit and focuses on the lives of Susie and Alex, together for ten years with two children and Pippa, divorced with one son. Told through Susie and Pippa, with a few emails from Alex, the story follows their lives and the direction they take.
The book starts as Susie reads a text message on Alex’s phone that reads 'Start living a different kind of life ... P :-) xxx'. Susie doesn’t know anyone called P and doesn’t know why her partner has received this text. I personally loved this opening paragraph. It had me hooked with the line “if you dared look me in the eye and tell me you had never done the same thing, I wouldn’t believe you, because we all have”. As my friend said, when I showed her the book, it was so completely true, you had to laugh! And with that candidly honest opening, it's hard not to like Susie as she begins to tell you about how she realised her partner was being unfaithful.
BR> And yet at the same time, what is interesting, is that Susie begins to flesh out and as the book progresses you realise that she’s not the holier-than-thou person you think she is. The text message turns out not to be as clear cut as you’d think, but neither is Susie. She’s been having an affair too and ironically that’s the reason that Alex and Pippa get together. The real affairs and imagined affairs twist and turn beautifully around the characters to the point that it’s hard to know who started what when. It definitely isn’t what you think it will be that’s for sure.
The characters in the book are very well written and are brought to life through their narration. What I enjoyed most was the twists in the characters as you discover something about them you didn’t realise. The author uses the now familiar trick of multiple narration from characters and yet it somehow seems to feel new and fresh in this book. I also liked the way she would write about an event from one person’s perspective and wasn’t afraid to leap back in time and write again from someone else’s point of view. Again, this isn’t a new style of writing but it doesn’t feel clichéd in this book and it works well.
Not only does this book tick all of the chick lit clichés (laugher – yes, tears –yes, shock – yes, cheesy ending – yes) but it highlights the best of the genre. In some ways it is exactly what you would expect, and in others, not at all – in particular the depth of character the author has added to Susie and Pippa.
Despite tending to normally prefer the younger focus of chick lit books, I found this book highly enjoyable. The story flows well and despite the frequent changes of author, maintains the pace of the novel and the storyline flows well. The differences in narration between Pippa and Susie are subtle but enough to feel each character. Alex’s narration is carried out through emails to his twin brother, and this difference helps to highlight his character versus Susie.
Separate lives falls into the latter category of chick lit and focuses on the lives of Susie and Alex, together for ten years with two children and Pippa, divorced with one son. Told through Susie and Pippa, with a few emails from Alex, the story follows their lives and the direction they take.
The book starts as Susie reads a text message on Alex’s phone that reads 'Start living a different kind of life ... P :-) xxx'. Susie doesn’t know anyone called P and doesn’t know why her partner has received this text. I personally loved this opening paragraph. It had me hooked with the line “if you dared look me in the eye and tell me you had never done the same thing, I wouldn’t believe you, because we all have”. As my friend said, when I showed her the book, it was so completely true, you had to laugh! And with that candidly honest opening, it's hard not to like Susie as she begins to tell you about how she realised her partner was being unfaithful.
BR> And yet at the same time, what is interesting, is that Susie begins to flesh out and as the book progresses you realise that she’s not the holier-than-thou person you think she is. The text message turns out not to be as clear cut as you’d think, but neither is Susie. She’s been having an affair too and ironically that’s the reason that Alex and Pippa get together. The real affairs and imagined affairs twist and turn beautifully around the characters to the point that it’s hard to know who started what when. It definitely isn’t what you think it will be that’s for sure.
The characters in the book are very well written and are brought to life through their narration. What I enjoyed most was the twists in the characters as you discover something about them you didn’t realise. The author uses the now familiar trick of multiple narration from characters and yet it somehow seems to feel new and fresh in this book. I also liked the way she would write about an event from one person’s perspective and wasn’t afraid to leap back in time and write again from someone else’s point of view. Again, this isn’t a new style of writing but it doesn’t feel clichéd in this book and it works well.
Not only does this book tick all of the chick lit clichés (laugher – yes, tears –yes, shock – yes, cheesy ending – yes) but it highlights the best of the genre. In some ways it is exactly what you would expect, and in others, not at all – in particular the depth of character the author has added to Susie and Pippa.
Despite tending to normally prefer the younger focus of chick lit books, I found this book highly enjoyable. The story flows well and despite the frequent changes of author, maintains the pace of the novel and the storyline flows well. The differences in narration between Pippa and Susie are subtle but enough to feel each character. Alex’s narration is carried out through emails to his twin brother, and this difference helps to highlight his character versus Susie.
Monday, 7 May 2012
Stay Close by Harlan Coben
17 years ago a man disappeared. The police have yet to find out where he is or what happened to him. Now, on the anniversary of his disappearance, another local man has disappeared and Detective Broome is beginning to suspect a possible pattern. Megan is a mum with two kids and a husband and is happily playing at being a soccer mum. Her family don’t know about her past though and despite her best efforts, this may all be about to change. Ray, a one-time documentary maker and now in a dead end job, happened to take a photo of a local beauty spot and accidently got a picture of the missing man, mere hours before he disappeared. Now the police want to know what he was doing there and why.
I read this book pretty much within a few days and I struggled to put it down, wanting to know what was going to happen next. I found the book was gripping and the story was told well. It moved at a fast pace, but not too fast and it allowed you to get your head around the twists and turns before moving on. The ending was suitably shocking and I certainly didn’t guess the ending, which always makes a book more enjoyable. It contained less actual violence and more hints of violence, for example the activities of Barbie and Ken, the preppy torturers, are hinted at and suggested, rather than given in graphic detail. Which cleverly makes them seem even more chilling. I’m not again violence as such but it made a change not to have to read gruesome accounts of torture and killing.
My one criticism, and the reason I haven’t given more stars, was that I couldn’t really engage with the characters. I didn’t really like, nor care particularly about their actions and whilst it wasn’t enough to detract from me wanting to carry on reading, it did mean I wasn’t quite so bothered about what happened to Megan and Ray. The characters seemed to be more stereotypes, a little more 2D than 3D and I found it hard to picture them as real people. I was very aware that this was merely a book and they were part of it, rather than being able to see it as more alive. I’ve not read any of Harlan’s other books but I am now certainly interested in picking them up to see if they are as good.
I read this book pretty much within a few days and I struggled to put it down, wanting to know what was going to happen next. I found the book was gripping and the story was told well. It moved at a fast pace, but not too fast and it allowed you to get your head around the twists and turns before moving on. The ending was suitably shocking and I certainly didn’t guess the ending, which always makes a book more enjoyable. It contained less actual violence and more hints of violence, for example the activities of Barbie and Ken, the preppy torturers, are hinted at and suggested, rather than given in graphic detail. Which cleverly makes them seem even more chilling. I’m not again violence as such but it made a change not to have to read gruesome accounts of torture and killing.
My one criticism, and the reason I haven’t given more stars, was that I couldn’t really engage with the characters. I didn’t really like, nor care particularly about their actions and whilst it wasn’t enough to detract from me wanting to carry on reading, it did mean I wasn’t quite so bothered about what happened to Megan and Ray. The characters seemed to be more stereotypes, a little more 2D than 3D and I found it hard to picture them as real people. I was very aware that this was merely a book and they were part of it, rather than being able to see it as more alive. I’ve not read any of Harlan’s other books but I am now certainly interested in picking them up to see if they are as good.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Island of Bones by Imogen Robertson
Island of Bones is the third novel in a series set in the 1780s. Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther are called to the Lake District to investigate a dead body found in the tomb of the Earl of Greta. The Earl’s tomb resided on the Island of Bones, which was previously owned by Crowther’s family. His own family has a violent and murky past and Gabriel, formerly the Baron of Keswick, renounced his title after his brother was hung for the murder of their father in 1751. Crowther has not returned home since giving up his title and it is a difficult and painful journey for him to return to his family home. Ghosts of his past seem to be present everywhere in Keswick and he will need to overcome his emotions in order to solve the mystery of the dead body. As the body count climbs higher, Westerman and Crowther seem to be fighting against the odds to resolve an ancient crime.
This book was a delight to read. Despite my misgivings about it being the third in a series which I hadn’t read, the novel flowed easily and previous events were referred in a way that the reader felt they hadn’t missed out on anything. The events were cleverly described so that new readers would be able to go back and read the previous books without too much of the story being given away, and at the same time, readers who had read the previous books weren’t too bored with the recap.
The two main characters Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther are written really well. I liked Harriet and she came across as a very warm and friendly character. She was feisty enough to be a suitable heroine, without stepping out of the times she lived in too much. She was a believable woman of society in 1783. Crowther is just as well described, and comes across as a recluse and a hermit who is more interested in the dead rather than the living. I felt the historical side of the story fitted in excellently. The author has clearly gone to a great deal of research and the descriptions feel authentic, without it reading like a history lesson. I felt the author had opened a window into the past and I was able to experience it at close hand. The setting of the Lake District was interesting as this is an area I know well but it was a very different place in the 1780s and it was fascinating to see how different the area was then. Whilst capturing the mood of the times and the history, the sheer beauty of Keswick and Derwent Water manages to shine through at all times.
The story itself is full of twists and turns. There are several characters all interlinked and some relationships take a while to be revealed. I felt some of those relationships were easy to see, for example I felt it was quite obvious who Miss Hurt’s husband was, but this didn’t detract from the story. One of the final reveals was so unexpected I did find myself open mouthed at one point.
Overall this was an excellent book, beautifully fitting in my love of crime, regency novels and the Lake District! I will definitely be seeking out the first two books in the series and just as eagerly expecting future instalments.
The two main characters Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther are written really well. I liked Harriet and she came across as a very warm and friendly character. She was feisty enough to be a suitable heroine, without stepping out of the times she lived in too much. She was a believable woman of society in 1783. Crowther is just as well described, and comes across as a recluse and a hermit who is more interested in the dead rather than the living. I felt the historical side of the story fitted in excellently. The author has clearly gone to a great deal of research and the descriptions feel authentic, without it reading like a history lesson. I felt the author had opened a window into the past and I was able to experience it at close hand. The setting of the Lake District was interesting as this is an area I know well but it was a very different place in the 1780s and it was fascinating to see how different the area was then. Whilst capturing the mood of the times and the history, the sheer beauty of Keswick and Derwent Water manages to shine through at all times.
The story itself is full of twists and turns. There are several characters all interlinked and some relationships take a while to be revealed. I felt some of those relationships were easy to see, for example I felt it was quite obvious who Miss Hurt’s husband was, but this didn’t detract from the story. One of the final reveals was so unexpected I did find myself open mouthed at one point.
Overall this was an excellent book, beautifully fitting in my love of crime, regency novels and the Lake District! I will definitely be seeking out the first two books in the series and just as eagerly expecting future instalments.
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