Jamaica Inn by Dauphne Du Maurier

I read this in October 2017
I was lent this book by Bobbo's friend Paul.
I don't usually read historical novels nor classics to be honest.
I struggled with the style of this book, although it was written in 1936 it felt very old fashioned.
Mary Yellan goes to live with her aunt on the Cornish Moors at Jamacia Inn.  The Inn is a front for smugglers and a gang of criminals, Wreckers, who lure ships to the shore and wreck them and murder any survivors, just to get the cargo.
Too much romance, not enough history for me.

Utterly Reclaimed by Pauline Manders

I read this in December 2017
Another of Pauline's Utterly series.
Sleepy Mid Suffolk wakes up to the news that a man has been found hanging in a reclaimation yard near Bury St Edmunds.
Another crime novel by Paulie. I really like this series.

Utterly Rafted by Pauline Manders

I read this in December 2017
Another in the Utterly series, this one begins with 2 deaths. The 3 apprentice carpenters are once again thrown into crime, drugs and intrigue.

Utterly Fuled by Pauline Manders

I read this in November 2017

Illegal fuel gangs, nurder, stray bullets and a macabre disocvery catapult 3 Apprentice carpenters into action.

Utterly Explosive by Pauline Manders

I read this in October 2017. I had read it before, but Pauline is coming to give a talk at W.I. in February 2018

Three carpentry students at Utterly Academy are involved in detective work when the kitchen explodes.
Set in Suffolk, Pauline manages to combine, crime, intrigue and a fondness for the Students involved.

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovich

I read this September 2017, I picked it up in a charity shop as I had read Rivers of London previously.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I had enjoyed RoL . Set in the London Underground system, an FBI agent joins DC Grant et al in an investigation into the death of the son of a senator.

Lion by

I read this in August 2017 as part of the Lawshall Book Club chioces.
The story is of a young (5) indian boy who goes with hos brother to the railway, gets on a train, falls asleep and lands up miles form home, alone, on the streets and vulverable.
He lands up in a chiildren's home, then adopted by an Australian couple.  The book logs his search for his former home and family.
It was Ok but...I don't know, something not satisfying as a read about it  - I think it made a better film than book.

The Marriage Lie by Kimberley Belle

I read this September 2017 for the Lawshall book club
I was a bit apprehensive of reading a book called the Marriage Lie written by a woman! I admit I was wrong.
It's a bit like Gone Girl, but Gone Boy...
A woman thinks her husband is going to a conference in Florida and then is told he has been killed in a plane crash on the way to Seattle...
A long persecute for the truth ensues.

I tliked the way this book was going, up to the last 10% when all was revealed by her not dead husband in a sort of Batman sort of way...

But I did like the very end....

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I read this book September 2017

Gillian Flynn is the author of Gone Girl, I enjoyed both the book and film of Gone Girl. I wasn't disappionted with this new novel.  The action centres around a reporter sent back to her home town to report on the murder of two small girls.  The homecoming is not a welcome or happy one for Camille.  Her mother step father and half sister seem to have a close relationship, in which she is not included.
The plot reveals Munchhausen by Proxy, the death of Camilles sister when she was small and a wicked world of hate and spite.

The Sharp Objects of the title is a nod to the fact that Camille is a 'cutter' and cuts words into her flesh.

Really quite disturbing, I hope this gets made into a film as well

Night School by Lee Child

I read this August 2017.  I picked it up as a relaxing 'when I can't be bothered to read, read'
Another Jack Reacher novel, a typical Jack Reacher novel.

A cargo of nuclear devises have been 'missing' for years until they are discovered and the demand is a Hundred Milion Dollars. Set in 1996, Hamburg, Germany...
Jack saves the day - of course, we all know he will, but we don't care that we know, we get swept along.  These novels are exciting yet easy to read...

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

I listened to this July 2017
Read by Ben Kingsley this is a heart rending story of Zulu life.  A Country parson goes in search of his delinquent son in Johannesburg.  He finds more than he bargains for. A simple story, beautifully told of turbulence, poverty and the Zulus

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

I listened to this on tape in July 2017

I bought this from a charity shop, I didn't really think I would like it much, but thought it would be OK to listen to while I was in the kitchen! How wrong was I?
This is a great story of a young girl an accident while she is out riding, her recovery, the horses recovery, their voyage of discovery.
It's also about a loner, horse trainer - The Horse Whisperer, how it changes his life. Ad well as the impact it all has on the life of the girl's professional, go getter mother.
I must try to get a copy of the film to watch.

The Camomile Lawn by Mary Westley

I listened to this on audio July 2017

I brought this tape in a charity shop, because I remembered enjoying an adaption of it years ago.  It's 1939, a large country house, 5 cousins on holiday.  It was OK to listen to, I don't think I would have liked it as a book, it was a bit too 'Upper class worries' for me.  Bit like No Graves as Yet.....It is about the impact of WWII on one family, a horrible big subject brought down to the human level .  .

The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill

I read this July 2017
Another of Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler novels, one of the few I haven't read before. 
This one has a gunman terrorising women. (especially brides) The subplot of Simon's family troubles and the immanent death of his brother in law, his father's new girlfriend and his own love life add to, rather than take away form , the plot.  Susan Hill is a master at making us curious about the dectective plot as well as the personal one.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I read this July 2017 for the Regency Book Club
I have read this before, but I enjoyed it more the second time around.  The book is narrated by the daughter of an abusive (Physically and verbally) father in Nigeria.  The status of women and children is such that they cannot run away.  The father is all powerful within the family and a very powerful, rich man who is generous to the community.
The children (the narrator and her older brother) taste real family life and freedom when they stay with an Aunt who is a University lecturer.
A moving and compelling book , I am happy to have reread this

Not Dead Enough by Peter James

I listened to this in July 2017

Another in the PD Roy Grace series.
This one involves a killer who uses his twin brother's identity .
He gets back at people by quote: Killing the one you love...
Creepy and really good to listen to.

The Promise by Alsion Bruce

I read this in July 2017
A Gary Goodhew novel.  one of a series of Police Detective books  set  in Cambridge. 

I throughly enjoyed this, the writing does put me in mind of Susan Hill Serillar series and I was listening to a Peter James at the same time! bit confusing, with similar story lines.
This one starts with the murder and disfigurement of a homeless man in Market Square.  The investigation leads to gruesome discoveries of further bodies.
Fascinating read and I look forward to seeing her again in September.
 

Reservoir 13 by Jonathon McGregor

I read this book in June 2017 for the Lawshall Book Club.
I have previously read 2 of his books and loved both.
This one is very similar in style.  I love his writing, it seems to progress, layer upon layer, introducing more and more chararcters. I liken it to modern dance. repetition of mood and movement.
This one is about a young teeenage girl who goes missing.  She is staying with er parents over the New Year holidays in a holiday lodge.  She goes off walking and doesn't return. 
This is not a murder mystery/thriller.  This is a missing chld and hw the family and the villagers come to terms with it.
The only criticism I have is I felt this one to be overly long. Or maybe (due to a health scare) I just wasn't 'in the right place' to take it in.

I would still recommend it though.

Swimming Home by Deborah Levy

I read this June 2017
Longlisted for the Man booker prize in 2011
The story of a family that arrives at a villa in France only to find a young girl kitty Finch already there.  The story of the summer spent in the girl's company. Strange and quite haunting

Sometimes I lie by Alice Feeney

I read this May 2017 for the Regency Book Club
This is possibly going to be made into a mini series.

The action centres round a woman in a coma and is written form her perspective.
There is a whole back story, but we are left hanging as the title says, sometimes I lie ...
a psychological thriller, very interesting...

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I read this May 2017 as part of the Lawshall Book Club.

This book is about a dog and his life with his master who is a racing driver.  He gets married, has a little girl and the wife dies from cancer.  The inlaws try to take the daughter away.  The viewpiont of the dog is delightful and he is so loyal.
I lovely book to read.

If Noone Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor

I read this June 2017
Third time of reading - still surprising, still brilliant

Alice Diamond and the Forty Elephants

I read this June 2017.  I borrowed it from Pat McHugh as it was about the Elephant and Castle district of London, where I was born and raised.  It was interesting in a way, as the Elephant has become somewhat gentrified over the years, and this book was a truer reflection of how it was when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s (I was born 1955) . Basically supposed to be about the gang of women thieves, shoplifters headed up by Alice Diamond on the beginning of the 20th century.
It read too much like a text book, so much crammed in that really wasn't about the women and how they operated.  It did mean the father of a boy at my primary school - Gregpry Powell, whose father was a stunt man.

Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor

I read this June 2017 for the Lawshall book club (August meeting)
I have read 2 others of his books (If Noone speaks of Remarkable things 3 times!) and Even the dogs and really enjoyed them.
He has a playlike style that I really like, the books are very visual and have a slow build up.
The only 'downside' to this book, that I felt was that it was a little overlong, I don't know if that's just me and how I'm feeling at the moment, but it could have been shorter, in my opinion.
I do, however,highly recommend his books

Cambridge Blue by Alison Bruce

I re-read this April 2017 as it's a Lawshall Bookclub book for June, chosen by me as Alison is coming to talk to us in September.
The first of teh DC Gary Goodhew novels, based in Cambridge.  The youngest Dc at Parkside, Goodhew investigates in his own wayward style the murder of a woman, Lorna Spence.  The novel actually starts with another murder! There is family intrigue, secrets, lies , jealousy, love and hate.  A Good read even though |I'd read it before and knew who did it, I'm glad I reread it as I got a lot more out of it second time around.
Alice, Richard and Jackie are siblings, Lorna Victoria knew each other and slept with the same man.
Gary is quite like Seriallier in the Susan Hill novels.
Remarkable how much Cambridge has changed in the last decade or so...

The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory

I listened to this on audio CD in March 2017
Good listen, I don't think I'd read it though, It was good storyline, good plot and I learnt some history...

Echo Burning by Lee Child

I read this in March 2017
I picked it up in a charity shop where I was buying 2 books for the price of one.
Typical Lee Child ; trouble, murder, mystery a woman or two.. you know the drill
Fun , light read when you want to relax

The Sellout by Paul Beatty

I read this March 2017 it was the April choice for the Regency Book club.
OMG, what can I say? Plot: I can't see that there was one....tricks, I think the author missed a few, especially about the gentrification of urban areas that's going on, this is about LA but frankly it could be almost anywhere....Short story... I think it would have been better or as a series of radio slots..
I was a bit mystified by this book.
I didn't enjoy it! a bit of a slog

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

I read this March 2017 it was a Lawshall Book Club choice.
Quite funny to read such two similar books (His Bloody Project) picked out of the Blue for book club.
This one is set in Northern Iceland, I found the landscape, lifestyle and overly so very bleak to read about.  The story: Agens Magnusdottir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of her lover/employer (a bully) . Agnes has to wait out her final months on a farm of district officer Jon Jonsson, his wife and their 2 daughters.  Agnes had been treated like an animal in captivity and the move to the farm at least means she has a bed to sleep in , can wash and help with the farm duties.  She has a spiritual counselor Toti, and assistant priest, who she tells some of her story to. The mother , Margret is initially against have a convicted murder in the home, but eventually warms to Agnes. Agnes cannot even attempt to escape, a there is nowhere to go. Set in 1840, this is based on actual events.
A good read, bleak but enjoyable

After You With The Pistol by Kyril Bonfiglioli

I read the March  2017, I had read the previous Charlie Mortdecai novel (Don't Point That Thing At Me) for Waterstones book club some years ago.  I found this recently in a charity shop. This one sees Charlie married to Johanna a millionaire widow. A series of bundling, spy like adventures follow... it is quite like a PG Woodhouse to read, very enjoyable, lots of scrapes and fun. A good bedside book....I will read the next one as well no doubt.  Pity about the Johnny Depp film Mortdecai though....but hey who am I to say, if someone wanted to make a film of anything I'd written, I would happily let them. Might give it another try to see if it improves on second viewing, I recommend the book though

1984 by George Orwell

I read this February 2017 it was the Regency book club's choice for March.

I have read this twice before and of course, seen the film.

Orwell's famous distopian novel of what britain would be like in the future.  We decided to read this book as it has become very popular again after Brexit and the election of Donald Trump.

Some parts resonated with me about life in today's world, the part where Winston is writing about the films of the refugees in a boat being bombed, the drinking of gin to keep the masses in check, the constant surveillance.
A splendid book, always worth a re read.

His Bloody Project by McRae Burnet

I read this February 2017 it was Lawshall Book Club book for March.
I had previously read the Disappearance of Adele Badeau .  This is vey different.
It is set n the highlands in a small crofting village.
We know that there has been a triple murder and we have the young murderer's memories. Then the point of view of the Advocate and Physiologist.

Robert in the protagonist is still at school and is very illtelegent and the schoolmaster wants him to carry n his education, but it is not to be as he is needed on the Croft. He lives with his drunken violent, lazy father, his sister and baby twins, the mother has died.

Life is very hand to mouth, with no prospects, life is hard and made harder by a new  sheriff who is basically a bully who starts a vindictive campaign against the family.

Pushed beyond his limits, His Bloody Project is to rid himself and his family of this hateful man....

Nice to see the bully get his comeuppance, but the two other murders are collateral damage, as is poor Roberts and his family's fate.

The Last Runaway by Tracey Chevalier

I read this February 2017.
I like Tracey Chevalier, her books are very readable, I enjoy having one of hers as a bedtime read.
This one is set in the 1850's a young Quaker form Devon, let down in love, decides to join her sister in a journey to America (the sister is due to marry out there) .
The sister dies but Honor carrues on her journey.
Lots of adventures ensue and eventually Honor marries a Quaker in the South.  She helps runaways and becomes a 'station' on the Underground Railway - the route escaping slaves use to head North.

An intriguing book that gives an insight into Runaways, Helpers, Slave Catchers and Quakers - as well as teaching me something about quilting!

Entertaining, thought provoking

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

I read this February 2017. It is the book Harper Lee first wrote, sent to the publisher, who recomended to her to write another from the piont of view of Scout when she was a child which became To Kill a Mockingbird.

I have read TKAM 3 times now, once at school and twice more to try to make myself like it as it's so many people's favourite book. I like the film, but I couldn't get on withthe book.

I enjoyed GSAW so much more, it moves quickly in a languid, Southern sort of way. I felt much more affinity with Scout.
The book raises many racism issues, which still resonate with a modern reader. W should learn form history, I feel, but think that we just don't .
I thoroughly recommend this book to both lovers and haters of TKAM
.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

I listened to this as an audio book (I had read it years ago) I was thinking of going to the Theatre Royal to see an adaptation.
I can't say I enjoy Jane Austen or any of those 'Classic' books. I'm glad I found it on Cd and didn't attempt to read it again.
I think it's supposed to be a sort of parody, but I couldn't see the fun sde of it and was (thankfully) reminded that this is not the genre for me....

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

I read this January 2017 it was the February read for the Regency Book Club.
I had a feeling I wouldn't like this, as I was right I didn't.  Laboriuos, too descriptive and boring.
Too Twee for me !

The Disappearance of Adele Badeauby Graeme McCrae Burnet

I read this January 2017 as the Regency Book Club read
A strange tale of the disappearance of a waitress.  The book really s about Max the main protagonist. His strange sad, lonely life , his past, his work and his involvement in a murder years ago, and his non involvement in the disappearnce of the waitress...
This book is written as if it's translated form French, but it isn't. the Author builds up a 'story' around himself as well as the book...
Strange, but enjoyable

The Girl in The Spiders Web by David Lagercrantz

I read this January 2016

I have read the Millennium Trilogy : The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo etc and really enjoyed them,. This was written by DL as the original author had died after the trilogy. I enjoyed this every much, almost the same style, but sufficiently different.
Lisbeth Salander is back, fighting cyber crime.  All the old characters are there, and some new ones.
Very readable..