Robert Galbraith - The Cuckoo's Calling

I came upon this rather late and I have to say it really was very good and I do hope this is the start of a series. I found it interesting in that at the beginning I felt Robert ( aka J K Rowling) was fighting her natural style to make this a fast paced thriller. In the second half I felt once this was relaxed her true voice came through and I couldn't put it down. I love her flawed detective Cormoran Strike.
My husband read the book on audio and he enjoyed it immensely too, so this book is a rare feat in that it appeals to cross gender which is hard to do in an overcrowded crime genre,

Given that this has much to tell about the perils of fame, I think it will make an excellent reading group pick.

Fay Weldon - Habits of the House

 We had a fantastic event at Bournemouth Library with Fay Weldon and she enthralled us with tales of how she came to write and in particular how she wrote this trilogy.

This series is a must for Downton Abbey fans, particularly if you like a bit of wry humour and feminism thrown in. We discovered that Fay wrote the first few episodes of Upstairs Downstairs, the original series, and has been waiting to return to that era for many years.

We follow the Countess of Dilberne as she attempts to marry off her wilful son to a Chicago heiress for a badly needed cash injection. This is a clash of cultures that lends itself to much wry humour and social comentary from Prince Bertie himself to the lowliest cook.
Well all I can say it was worth the wait. This will make an excellent reading group book as there is much to discuss,

I have been really busy with a wonderful project we have had  here in Bournemouth. We now have a Poet Laureate for Bournemouth - James Manlow.

Here is a link to the project and more info
http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/LeisureCultureLibraries/Libraries/Poet-Laureate/Poet-Laureate.aspx

Natasha Solomons - The Gallery of Vanished Husbands

We had a fabulour event with Natasha last week at Westbourne Library, where she talked eloquently about her inspiration for Juliet. If you can catch her anywhere else she is an engaging speaker and well worth making the effort to see.
Here is my review.

Once again I sit in awe at the quality of Natasha's writing.This is a clever book in that Juliet is clearly beautiful to be immortalised by so many artists but the story is told in such a way that we the readers never resent her, in fact we too become fascinated by her.
The book also highlights an interesting part of Jewish life, that of the abandoned wife who is a sort of non person in the ultra conservative Jewish community in which she resides.
However it is the character of Juliet who absorbs us and the fascinating life that she creates for herself. The descriptions are bliss and you can just see and smell and feel yourself within her work. When you put the book aside it is like waking from a dream so immersed in it are you.
There is much for a reading group to get their teeth into, Juliet's life is so rich and interesting. I won't say too much as I want you to read it!

Marlen Suyapa Bodden - Wedding Gift

This was a bestseller self published  on Amazon in the US. As a result it  was bought and published in print. We were lucky enough to get proofs to read through the Reading Agency.
This is a brilliant plot, a plot that wants you to keep reading but is spoiled by lack of good editing and advice.
The author is a leading black lawyer and she knows her stuff, being involved in the prevention of modern slavery.
The only trouble is that her style of writing reads a little like a legal report. The novel lacks description, which in some ways is good in that the reader is left to fill in the atmosphere and surrounding with their own imagination but I feel with a really good editor this could have been addressed before going to print. many of us are not aware of what the deep south in the US is like and would have welcomed some description.
However I am sure it will be in her next novel and this book is certainly good enough for there to be more.
It will make a good reading group novel as there is so much in it that unless you were an expert on slavery you would not know. It is absolutely appalling how slaves were treated in the US and a sobering reminder to us all that it still goes on around the world now.

Gilian Flynn - Gone Girl

This is billed thriller of the year. Shocker of the year more like. This is one of those books that you are convinced x is correct only to have it completely overturned some chapters later. The jaw dropping cliff hangers just keep coming.

 The book begins with Nick's wife Amy going missing. The novel then switches between the narrative as told by Nick and the diary of Amy. What is going on. Who is telling the truth? Are either of them telling the truth? It is a great mind switch challenge.

I also found it a fascinating look into the USA in recession. The abandoned malls inhabited by the homeless stick with you.

There is a great deal for reading groups to get stuck in here. I cannot revel too much without massive spoilers!

Jacqueline Winspear - Elegy for Eddie

Once again another excellent 'Who dunnit' from Jacqueline Winspear featuring he psychologist sleuth Masie Dobbs. Here she highlights the abject poverty that existed in the East End, whilst unscrupulous millionaires made money hand over fist.
The plot is nicely complex and as usual her excellent writing carries you back into that time frame easily. As the novels progress we move further into the 1930's and we can sense the presentiments of war. This novel involves the violent death of  Eddie Pettit, his fellow costermongers do not believe it was an accident and hire Masie to delve into it. Using her local background she manages to blend in enough to get the trust of local people and unravel the background

 Not sure whether this would make a good reading groups read, as the story arc is so engaging. As a stand alone novel it works as well and there is enough to engender discussion but it is not an obvious controversial choice. However, the series is fantastic as is her writing and I say each time start at the beginning and read them in order to gain the most benefit from your reading.