Kate Summerscale - The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

This is a book of non-fiction. I am going to be pedantic here.It is not a murder mystery story, it is about a true murder mystery, that launched the genre of classic crime writing. Many of the negative reviews I had read did not seem to grasp this fact.

It is a fascinating book, a little slow in places, but then it is Kate's attention to detail that really show how a classic crime story can be built up. This case influenced the writing of Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle and as we delve into this true case ( in the South Wset of England) we can see the parallels. ( It really makes the book more interesting if you have read some of these authors before, so that you can see the construct of these novels and how they were influenced by the case)

What I found amazing is that the murderer having served their time and on being released was able to live a normal-ish life. Do we think that could happen today? Also did any one else feel that the murderer might not have acted alone and was covering for someone else?

This would make a very interesting Reading Group Read perhaps with a Sherlock Holmes short story or The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, as this book draws such close parallels with the real detective and the fictional Sergeant Cuff.

Sergei Lukyanenko - The Night Watch

Ok, now I feel silly. Did I get enough blood lust? Obviously not as I was introduced to this series and they are fantastic! The author is Russian and these are set in modern Russia. That makes them fascinating from the start as we get an insight into Russia today. (Lots of empty, half built luxury apartment blocks + lots of Vodka.) The idea behind these books is great too. Imagine a world where there is a hidden layer, a layer of vampires, wizards, demons, witches, werewolves etc. Now put them into a sort of cold war context. We have the Light watch that works by night, keeping an eye on what the Dark Watch is up to. This is reversed during the day. There is a balance, any good deed performed by the Light Watch has to be balanced by a dark reprisal. The two watches are set up as sort of politburo's with members of all different grades working at different levels. They have their own buildings, their own leaders, it is very, very clever. The members of these watches are called "Others", they appear the same as humans but are born with supernatural powers. Time, upbringing and life events will determine if an Other turns to the light or the dark side.

Into this mix we have a continuing story of the progress of Anton, our hero of the light as he moves up the organisation.

Add to this in each story a murder style mystery and you have some very classy books. I really hope this develops into a long running series.

The last book so far is set in Edinburgh and features Merlin! I love the way that the Night Watch, as they have no morals, can always travel First Class!!!

Charlaine Harris - Dead Until Dark

In my bid to leave no vampire story unturned I decided to try Charlaine harris and the first of her Sookie Stackhouse mysteries.

Having also watched True Blood on TV which is a series based on this book, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Don't let all the graphic sex of the series put you off, there is more to the books than this.

If you like the Laurell Hamilton novels you will also like this. Yes there is sex but there is also romance. But more than that these are really murder mystery adventures with vampires, and shape shifters. Oh and a heroine who can read your thoughts if you are human!

What is it that makes this growing genre so successful? Is it that a vampire can be cast as though from another century, a gentleman with old fashioned manners, a more robust vision of masculinity and an old world charm. Maybe we all want to be bitten?

These particular novels are also like Hamilton's set in a post vampiric world where vampires are "out" and have rights. In these novels they slate their blood lust ( or not) by drinking manufactured 'True Blood'. Will I read another? Not in the near future, had my vampiric fix for a while!

Jasper Kent - Twelve

I really like unusual novels, especially ones that cross and challenge genres.

This is Russia, 1812, Napoleon is invading, an undercover, mercenary strike force is recruited from Wallachia to fight for the Russians. They only fight at night, they have amazing strength, they are superb killing machines. The only problem is, will they stop at the French and can they be stopped?
Reminded of his grandmothers terrifying stories of the voordalak, our hero Aleksei sets out to discover the secret behind these men and whether once set in motion they can be stopped!
This is a fascinating novel part horror, part romance and all historical thriller. The descriptions of Moscow disintegrating after the occupation by Napoleon are compelling, and the scenes of his rushing to retreat over the inhospitable snow covered country, pursued by the Russians and more ,are full of on your seat suspense.
This is a debut novel and I understand that this is the beginning of a series.

Stieg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Despite being 533 pages I read this over the weekend. I really resented when I had to put it down. What a talent we have lost with the death of Stieg. This book has everything. an education on financial fraud, an old murder mystery, corruption, blackmail, stunning location - Sweden. We have Blomkvist, a disgraced financial journalist employed by the head of the bizarre Vangar clan , (Nazi skeletons in the closet - among others) to research the fate of his missing niece. Along the way he is joined by a research assistant, Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo who has a disturbing, disturbed and mysterious past. She is 24, rides a motorbike, and is an expert hacker. Between them they begin to unravel the mystery and their lives become increasingly in danger. It is clear that a sadistic and insane serial killer has been on the loose for 45 years. Then there is just the small matter of revenge on the corrupt industrialist who had successfully sued Blomkvist for libel, ruining his reputation, resulting in a prison sentence and him taking up the offer from Henrik Vangar.

I have already ordered the second book in the trilogy and cannot wait!

Louise Penny - The Cruellest Month

Ok this is the third book in the series, and in this book the subplot involving the Arnot case is resolved . I think it is fairly important that you read them in order as this book contains spoilers for the earlier ones.

Once again I was totally hooked, and have already started the fourth. then horror or horrors I will have to wait for the next installment of this delightful " Midsummer" of Canada.

Louise Penny - Dead Cold

This is the second book in the Inspector Armand Gamache crime series set in Canada. If you are intending to read them I recommend that you read them in order, see below, as subsequent books do carry spoilers for the previous novels.

They are fabulous. They are modern day Agatha Christie. Small village murder stories, so far set in the picturesque and isolated village of Three Pines. There is a wonderful mixture of characters that make up the village, and we are left with a classic 'whodunnit'. There are wonderful twists and turns and some excellent red herrings, that keep you guessing all the way through.

I also like the subplot that carries through the novels. Inspector Gamache of the Montreal Surete, refused to compromise on a previous case of police corruption, and so has enemies within the force that are determined to bring him down, and he has a traitor within his team!

An extra plus is the wonderful poetry written by one of the characters Ruth. Perhaps Louise could be persuaded to bring out her own book of poetry as well?

A very satisfying read that I could not put down, what is housework after all? I have immediately picked up the next book, as I want to know who the traitor is , but I am sure I am going to have to wait!