Snowdrops by A D Miller

I read this December 2011
Why: Waterstone's bookclub chioce for February 2012
I first heard the tern snowdrops used in the sense of a dead body that lies buried in the snows, emerging only in the thaw, when I read Gorky Park, so I had expected this book to be a simlilar sort of detective thriller, but surprisingly (and a nice surprise ) it isn't It is a tale of love and betrayal, but definitely not chick lit. I loved the slow paced start and the rapid paced end and the zeitgeisty timely publication.. I loved the 'telling someone the whole truth' aspect of the narrattion and I think it worked perfectly in the first person as the reader definately should not knw what else is going on, the reader finds out along with the narrator.
And I love the term 'Wannabe Oligarchesses'
9/10
Have you read this book? What did you think if it?
Helen

Bare Bones by Kate Reichs

I read this December 2011
I bought this in a charity shop as I caught my eye, as I wanted a relaxing read and I love to watch Bones on TV.

This is a temperance Brennan novel, the two TB's; Paper and TV, are not really alike very much, they do have the same sort of temperament, but they are different ages and family life isn't the same. I still very much enjoyed this book though. TB is a forensic anthropologist the story line is good with a good sub plot or two or three as well. I like the style of writing and just the thing for a quick, easy, spooky read on dark cold nights...some really interesting ways of writing/ending chapters making you want to go on reading.. I shall try to incorporate some of the techniques in my own writing.

7/10
Have you read this or any of the other Temperance Brennan novels? do you like Bones? Let me know what you think
Helen

Oath Breaker by Michelle Paver

I read this: December 2011
Why: because I read Dark Matter, saw this in a charity shop and thought I would like to read it.
This is a children's (teenagers) book and set in Mesolithic times. I really enjoyed it, it is book 5 in a set of 6, but it really did tsand alone as a novel. I did not feel like I should have read the others first. I liked the way the wolf called the hero Tall tailess and the female lead pack sister. Water was still wet or fast wet and fire was the bright that burns.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
8/10
Have you read this book?
What did you think of it?
Do let me know
Helen

Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

I read this November 2011
Why: as the February read for Waterstone's book club.
What I thought of it: Well,to pout my comments in context- I haven't read an Agatha Christie since I was a child. I don't really like detective novels and I don't watch the adaptations. I am however, very into Art Deco, so I would have welcomed lots of descriptive passages.
This is a short book and this was just as well. Full of he said she said, very stiff upper lip in style, there seem to be no 'setting in time or place'
Lots of characters not much suspense and a preposterous ending!
SPOILER ALERT
I had Stephen down as Harrys son not step brother. The PIlar Spanish story line was nonsense and the story of the killer was not much better
I give this a generous (I think) 5/10 just because it was short and easy to0 read.
Have you read this? What did you think about it?
Do tell me
Helen

The Gargoyle By Andrew Davidson

I read this: November 2011
Why: recommended by members of my Book Club at Waterstone's
What I thought: This is a great looking book t o start off with it has black edges, A strong dark cover.
I was expecting this book to be a fantasy book, but it's not. It is set across centuries and is a sort of perverse love story, but that wold be doing this book a disservice, it's much more than that. A porn start has a car accident which burns him so badly the doctors think he will not survive. The female character in the book, is a sculptress - yes you've guessed of gargoyles. It is an extraordinary diversity and I throughly enjoyed it.
10/10
Have you read this book? What did you think of it, let me know
Helen