Clare Mackintosh - I Let You Go

Absolutely stunning debut novel from Clare. It is very difficult to actually say very much about this book without giving away massive spoilers. It is a thriller, a mystery and packs a punch keeping you guessing all the way through and with a massive twist at the end that I did not see coming. A great feature of the book is the wonderful Welsh landscape. I would thoroughly recommend it and it quite rightly deserves to be up there  with the best sellers , It would make an excellent reading group book, there is much to discuss.

Louise Penny - The Long Way Home

I was so excited to receive a review copy of this book. Louise Penny is a fantastic Canadian bestselling author and should be more well known here in the UK. I have read all her books so far and the Gamache series is fantastic. Set in Quebec they have an enormous sense of place and really make you long to visit Canada for yourself. Do read my other reviews.
In this latest novel we have the former Chief Inspector of Homicide, retired and living in the charismatic village of Three Pines. This is a reflective Gamache, a philosophical Gamache. His physical wounds may have healed but it will take time for the mental scars to heal. Surrounded by a supportive group of neighbours, (I love Ruth + duck), he begins  the long journey to full health. But then Clara Morrow the resident now famous painter asks Gamache a favour, to find her missing husband.  Unable to bring himself to refuse Gamache begins a steadily unravelling of just what Peter has been up to in the last year. With gentle skill we are drawn inexorably to the stunning and shocking climax. I once again was not disappointed, reading  late into the night to find the answer but all the while regretting the moment the book will end. Wonderful  taut writing, I am in awe.

Ian Simpson - Murder on the Second Tee

This cosy crime is great fun, and on the basis of reading this I have bought the first book in the series. having said that it does standalone as we follow the machinations and murder among a group of unscrupulous and corrupt bankers in St Andrew's in Scotland. As the location implies there is also much golfing wit and trivia to keep golf fans entertained.
I don't think there is much to interest a reading group here but as a great , non challenging accompaniment to a long flight or a holiday read it is perfect.

Heather Redding - Stealing Venice

I will read anything set in Venice it is my favourite place. So I am seldom surprised particularly with debut novels.  However  I was pleasantly surprised with this novel by Heather Redding. This is a classic time slip novel set in the 15 Century and in the recent past  working up to today. I really liked both the female characters and for once I actually engaged with the contemporary story. I have a habit of skimming the modern to get to the past. here I didn't and part of it was the wonderful descriptions of Venice and I learned a lot about new places I haven't visited. Venice has this effect on you there is always something else to discover. Very much like this author I am looking forward to reading her next novel.

 I think this would make an excellent holiday read but also for a book club I think there is much here that could be discussed not least the strong theme of sacrifice.

Karen Joy Fowler - We are all completely beside ourselves

This is an extraordinary book. Please do not be tempted to immediately read page 77 as it will spoil the suprise and what a shock it is. Well it was for me! I think this will become a Reading Group classic, if people can keep quiet about the content. However when we know the secret the book then it becomes a fascinating study of  psychology and human behaivoir. It is absolutely brilliant!

Robert Goddard The Corners of the Globe

The excellent Robert Goddard has begun a new Trilogy set during the peace negotiations after the First World War. Book one came out in paperback in June and book two in hardback  this month. They are both available as e-books. The books follow the attempts of ex WW1 flying ace James Maxted to solve his father's  death. They are both exciting edge of the seat stuff but despite James being an amateur he has astounding success in uncovering the lies and treachery that led to his father's demise. He uses his war experience to propel him into increasingly dare devil and dangerous situations. His quick thinking propels him forward. They are real page turners and a fascinating insight into the negotiations and machinations in Paris at that time.

I loved both of these books and now cannot wait for the last in the series and the final denouement. I think book one would make an excellent Reading Group Read as there is much too discuss about the Ways of the World at that time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George R. R. Martin - Game of Thrones

Phew I have just finished the long haul though all 5 books of the Game of Thrones fantasy series. What can I say? They are totally immersive, completely  addictive edge of the seat writing. this is mainly  due to the fact that no character is safe. Unlike so much fiction and like reality random bad things happen to the nice characters, leaving you as the reader bereft but acknowledging the overall truth that life is not fair.

If you enjoyed the series on TV then this is going to be a real treat. Your really get to own the characters, hence the emotional fallout when they do. Each chapter is dedicated to a character and you see the world from their view point. This means that as the series progresses you have multiple viewpoints of events, in an intense  multi layered experience. I am in awe.

I actually felt emotionally bereft when I finished Book 5 with the realisation that I may have to wait years until book six comes out but at least we do have a title!