Review: The Black Book by Ian Rankin

The Black Book by Ian Rankin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was delighted to find this copy as I haven't read all the early Rebus novels yet. I do enjoy Ian Rankin's writing and his way with words. This is early Rankin and of course he is writing his way into his own voice and style. Rebus isn't quite the developed character he is in later novels but he's a complex 3D character and the plot is tortuous and twisty in design. It's a satisfying read.

I always enjoy the Scottishness, the odd Gaelic or Scottish words and the sense of a character pulled apart by his work, his ideals and his 'faith'. Perhaps I should say the imprint of the faith of his upbringing. Rebus is out to get Ger Cafferty and if it means trailing off to hunt up a cold case and causing a lot of bother to everyone around him, too bad. Rebus will get his man.

As ever, a good read, entertaining, thought provoking and worth reading again.



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READERS PLEASE NOTE:
1 a.m. 19th of April to 1 a.m. 24th of April all my novels in ebook form: 'Jacob's Justice', 'Tizzie', and 'Bittersweet', will be on sale for 99 pence or cents at Amazon and Smashwords and various other book sites

Book Review: Missing Link by Joyce Holms

Missing Link by Joyce Holms




An Original twist on crime solving, set in Scotland, and written with a light hand and a dry humour. Pleasant read and entertaining.

An amusing whodunit with an advocate and a solicitor working as a bickering team to solve a crime. A dear little old lady claims to have committed a murder and wants to confess as an innocent man has been convicted. Seems a simple task to prove that she is slightly gaga, alas things soon become highly complicated. All the action gives Fizz lots of opportunity to annoy Tam and half the fun is reading about this modern Beatrice and Benedick bickering away until they stumble on the truth.

A good read for anyone who enjoys crime without the four letter words, excess gore and hard men!



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READERS PLEASE NOTE:
1 a.m. 19th of April to 1 a.m. 24th of April all my novels: 'Jacob's Justice', 'Tizzie', and 'Bittersweet', will be on sale for 99 pence or cents

READERS looking for good reading at book bargain prices take a look here.
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Book Review: The Long Dead by John Dean.

The Long Dead by John Dean




John Dean writes a good tight British police procedural of the old school. No gritty city setting or foul mouthing officers. This is a rural setting and an unusual story.

D.C.I. John Blizzard and his sidekick D.S. David Colley are called out to sign off on a war grave. It's a documented grave for victims of a 'flu epidemic. The victims were German prisoners of war and the grave is now in a farmer's field. Everyone called in is happy to sign off the skeletons except Blizzard who has a 'funny feeling' about it. He insists that each skeleton is named and - oops! - there are 17 not the known 16! Now the fun begins.

it's an engrossing story and well written. A good read for all those who enjoy mysteries and British police procedurals.



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READERS PLEASE NOTE:
1 a.m. 19th of April to 1 a.m. 24th of April all my novels: 'Jacob's Justice', 'Tizzie', and 'Bittersweet', will be on sale for 99 pence or cents


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book Review: The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill

The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have enjoyed Susan Hill's other books so was pleased to find the first in the series. She writes about an English small town, a rural community, and her characters are not just the police but the families. It is a gentle, comfortable read despite the topic, and her characters are 3D and intelligent.

Chief Inspector, Simon Serrailler, is a policeman despite his father who lives in the same community. His sister Cat and her husband are the local G.P.s, there are other characters who are part of each novel and add to the reading pleasure of each novel, and there is always plenty to think about.

The plot involves vanishing women, then a dog and the story is threaded with the thoughts of the serial killer who is quite convinced that what he does is vital to humanity. The frighteningly chilling logic of the insane is well caught. What is satisfying is that the victims are patients of Dr. Cat so we know them as people and care when they are killed. These details make for depth in the plot and the individuals' issues leave readers with a lot to think about.

I found the ending distressing but honest to the story and all too possible. I shall look for other books in the series and recommend the books to any reader who likes a thoughtful police procedural without to much gore, four letter words, and violence. This novel is a good and satisfying read.



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READERS PLEASE NOTE:
1 a.m. 19th of April to 1 a.m. 24th of April all my novels: 'Jacob's Justice', 'Tizzie', and 'Bittersweet', will be on sale for 99 pence or cents

The London Book Fair.

I hate computers, but have to admit that when it comes to skype type things they are useful. Seems to me I should get into this skype business more often when it can be so helpful.

This weekend, courtesy my computer, I attended the IA Indie Fringe of the London Book Festival and was blown away by the valuable information  broadcast by best selling Indie authors, and 'experts' from sites like Bublish and Ingramspark. I was able to replay the talks I really wanted to learn from and spent all weekend listening and making notes.

I had been quite comfortable with my sales efforts. Not any more. By the time two speakers had gone through the analysis needed to do to position your book for success I was dumbfounded. I now understand far more about making a book saleable BUT was delighted that none of the speakers claimed that what they suggested would guarantee sales. No, the old truth still tops the advice. Write a brilliant story that people will want to read and tell others to read. That advice is still number one and tops all the other advice, but I think I see how to position my books to be more noticeable to readers and that might result in more sales!

READERS PLEASE NOTE:
1 a.m. 19th of April to 1 a.m. 24th of April all my novels: 'Jacob's Justice', 'Tizzie', and 'Bittersweet', will be on sale for 99 pence or cents

Review: Losing Ground by Catherine Aird

Losing Ground by Catherine Aird




I do wish quotes on the front of a book were more accurate. As this one was a TLS (Times Literary Supplement) quote I was incensed that the reviewer could make such a daft statement about the writer. 'As clever a detective writer as Margery Allingham'. Well, that sets up high expectations in the reader, this reader particularly. I am an Allingham fan, loved her skill with words, her clever intelligent style and oh, those plots!

This novel is a pleasant read, mildly amusing, with a nice twisty plot with lots of red herring possible villains. It is not anything like Margery Allingham's novels nor are the main characters anything like the complex characters Allingham created. We have the twit police Super, the hard done by Inspector and the idiot sidekick, a load of mildly amusing 2D characters and an intrusive narrator.

Nothing wrong with the book, it's a pleasant read for those who like entertaining light reads. Just don't compare it to an Allingham novel please!




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Review: The Purple Swamp Hen Penelope Lively

The Purple Swamp Hen and Other Stories by Penelope Lively

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I forget how old Penelope Lively is but her writing doesn't show it.
This is a collection of quirky stories from an excellent writer who knows human foibles and weaknesses and has a taste for the spooky.

A delightful read.



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