Review: Gallows Thief by Bernard Cornwell

Well, it was completely unintentional, but it would seem I've read two Cornwell books back to back again, lol!

I really enjoyed the Gallows Thief, although it was similar in style to the Paul Doherty series I read which is also a medieval 'whodunnit'. There were laugh out loud moments within the dialogue, and I would have liked to see the quizzing glass owned by one of the characters.

The race against the clock at the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat (or mattress, as I was reading this in bed), however it was dragged out and slightly annoying given that the ending was a foregone conclusion for the reader with their wits about them.

I found the details about the Newgate prison to be completely fascinating and were based on facts and research carried out by the author.

My rating = ***

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Review: Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell

This is the second in the Kay Scarpetta series, and I enjoyed it more than her first. The plot moved along swiftly and I really enjoyed the character development surrounding Al Hunt and Frankie.

In fact, I wished more time was spent delving into the character of Al Hunt, despite his minor role in the plot. His supernatural talent for seeing colours really intrigued me.

Nevertheless, another enjoyable read by Cornwell, I look forward to the next.

My rating = ***

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Review: One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz

This book had been on my wish list for a while, but given that I have precious little bookshelf space these days, I ended up purchasing the e-book. Did I enjoy it? Yes, but I do think it was a little different.

The majority of the book follows separate plot lines and each time I settled into one of the plot lines I was reluctant to leave that character and jump to the next. I knew that that they must all come together in the end somehow, and probably spent too much time second guessing how Koontz was going to bring them all together.

I didn't quite 'get' the character of the 'motherless boy' in the beginning, but by the end of the story, his character was quite powerful. I loved the portrayal of the evil bioethicist Preston Maddoc, and the descriptions of his character were terrifying and thrilling! I was both repulsed and intrigued by his evil nature, and enjoyed (if that's the right word) when the book was told from his perspective in the first person. Very chilling!

I wanted to spend longer in the house of the hoarder, and wanted to find out what else was in the 100s of coffee cans. (One was full of toenail clippings and another was full of the bones of dead birds). I'm always interested in the obsessive compulsive, and this character had it all!

Leilani Klonk tugged on my heart strings and I wanted her mother to fall off the face of the earth for her cruelty.

Ultimately, this was a very enjoyable read, and had many of the Koontz trade marks! The messages of hope, love, and a higher presence was contained within the pages and dominated the story.

My rating = ***

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Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

This is certainly a well known classic, and I was really looking forward to reading it, but what a let down!!! This is a very short book and really only provides a glimpse into the lives of the two main characters over a twelve month period. Perhaps if I could have spent more time with these characters to enable the development of a deeper connection or understanding I may have enjoyed it a little more.

Made famous by Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly in the film (which I haven't seen by the way) the book certainly isn't worthy of classic status in my opinion. The characterisations were too shallow, and the observations and plot didn't really seem to have a point or to take me anywhere of interest. The story could have continued beyond its end point to Africa but for some reason Capote chose to end it abruptly.

I don't have much else to add here, the literary world sure make a lot of fuss about nothing here!

My rating = *

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Review: Sunshine by Robin McKinley

A friend gave me this book for my birthday, and it is pitched as a 'mesmerizing SF horror romance'. In the beginning, I found it difficult to get into and equally tough to adjust to her unique writing style. However as soon as the character was 'kidnapped' and chained in a house with a vampire, I was hooked.

I desperately wanted to know so much more about the 'bad spots', the 'wars' and the 'wards' and 'part-bloods' but never received a satisfying amount of background on these topics. I would have preferred the book to cover more of this background and less about Charlie's Coffeehouse (the continual references to cinnamon rolls made me hungry every time I picked up the book). It was almost as though a level of knowledge was assumed here, although I don't think this book is part of a series.

I frequently stumbled over McKinley's writing style and constantly wanted to 'edit' her work which was a slight distraction. At the same time though, it must be said that I was immersed in her world and vividly imagined the characters and scenes she created and could easily imagine this as a movie or tv series.

Her portrayal of vampires differed to other books and was a relatively fresh take on what is a popular subject matter at the moment. I don't believe this book goes anywhere near 'blowing Anne Rice and Clive Barker out of the water' however it was a good read.

I definitely wanted to go out and stand in the sunshine when I was reading it.

My rating = ***

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Review: Called Out Of Darkness - A Spiritual Confession by Anne Rice

This is a book written by one of my all time favourite authors, Anne Rice. In this non-fiction publication, Anne recounts her life and her relationship with God. Beginning in her youth, Anne Rice takes us through her religious upbringing as a devout Catholic in New Orleans.

I was amazed at the extent of her devotion and worship and was able to catch a glimpse of what growing up in the Catholic faith was like in America at that time. I was also able to gain a clearer understanding of her admiration and love of nature, New Orleans and the Churches and significant buildings of her childhood. I often saw this reflected in her many novels and it is an aspect of her writing I thoroughly enjoy.

However after leaving home to go to College, Anne met non-Catholics for the very first time and gradually her faith began to crumble. This eventually resulted in her leaving the Church and God for a period of 38 years.

The second half of the book talks about her struggle with faith and how it helped her to shape her novels and the struggles faced by many of her main characters. I was totally engrossed in this part of the book and enjoyed her personal reflections with regard to plot and character, and found myself wanting to read all her novels again with this new insight.

Anne Rice returned to her faith and since then has decided to devote her life and her talents to God and write for him. This explains the end of her other series of books and how she came to commence writing a fictional account of Jesus' life, in Christ The Lord - Out of Egypt and Christ The Lord - Road to Cana.

I admire her struggle and years of research and reflection, and it really left me thinking about the themes of life purpose and 'soul searching'.

However the fan in me couldn't help but be disappointed when it became clear there would be no other books published that weren't related to her current faith related works.

In conclusion, this is really a book for those interested in the spiritual journey of the author, or those facing their own spiritual journey who wish to look through the eyes of another.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Arctic Event by Robert Ludlum

This book is part of a series created by Robert Ludlum but written by James Cobb. Confusing isn't it? James Patterson does a similar thing by co-authoring many of his books now, but forgive me for being old fashioned, but if it's Robert Ludlum's series, shouldn't it have been written by him alone? I don't believe writers should continue to write a book series after an author's death.

Okay, now that's off my chest, let me tell you I enjoyed this book. Recommended by a family member, I struggled with the introduction as this is the first real 'spy' book I can remember reading, (Ludlum having of course written the 'Jason Bourne' series). Once the characters were established, I was off and running/reading.

I was easily swept away by the plot but had to groan at the old enemy of the US, Russia, playing the bad guys. It did fit well with the plot though and the setting in the arctic had me pulling my doona right up to my chin and feeling the cold. The Arctic Event was exciting enough and I could easily see it being made into a film.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson

This is the story of Anna, a Countess in Russia whose family has lost everything after the Revolution. Moving to London in 1919, Anna takes work as a servant at Mersham to support her family but the other servants and the Earl himself suspect there is more to Anna than a mere housemaid.

Anna is enchanting and captivates every character she comes into contact with. I found the inclusion of Eugenics quite an interesting topic and a perfect backdrop to paint the character of Muriel, the antithesis of Anna.

I enjoyed this easy to read novel, and it came complete with the fairytale ending one would expect from Young Adult fiction. This book is perfect for young teenage girls.

My rating = ***

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Review: Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell

This is the first book in the well known Kay Scarpetta series of novels by Patricia Cornwell. Dr Scarpetta is the Chief Medical Officer involved in a murder investigation to find a serial killer in Virginia. The book was set in the times when computers were just being introduced to the workplace and you could smoke in the morgue (very amusing).

I enjoyed the character development and the plot kept moving along at a good pace. I look forward to reading further along in the series, as I'm sure the books will continue getting better as Cornwell's career progresses.

My rating = ***

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N.B. I thought it was amusing that I read two books in a row by authors sharing the same surname, LOL! Not intentional, but amusing just the same.

Review: Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell

I've always been fascinated and intrigued by Stonehenge and in this book Cornwell takes us back in time. We are introduced to the landscape, the settlements, the people and their beliefs in such a realistic fashion I almost forgot that this was fiction!

Of course, Cornwell has conducted extensive research and this is a spectacular work of fiction for any reader who has ever wondered about the meaning of Stonehenge or its construction. The people worship many Gods, including the God of the Sun and the Moon, and sacrifice is part of their everyday life. The reader also learns a little about the customs of the people and the cultures of those in faraway settlements.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how and why Stonehenge was constructed (according to Cornwell) and marvelled at the human effort required. I also have a better understanding of what the stones represent having finished this work.

I thoroughly recommended this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who has ever wondered about Stonehenge.

My rating = ****1/2

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Review: Your Heart Belongs To Me by Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is one of my favourite authors, however Your Heart Belongs To Me was a little different to his usual style. The first half of the book seemed to just cruise along without too much drama however it was overflowing with too many descriptives. This style of writing from Koontz made me wonder if he was experimenting with a new style, and I'm sad to say I prefer his regular (and brilliant) writing style. The descriptives, metaphors and similes in this novel were weak and didn't add much to the building of the story line or the characters. It also seemed to be a little out of character for the author.

It wasn't until I passed half way through the novel that I experienced my first round of goose bumps and the novel suddenly became a rollicking good read for me. The improved pace continued to a reasonably satisfactory conclusion, however I believe this novel could have benefitted from a further edit. Your Heart Belongs To Me had me on the edge of my seat for many chapters and I was swept up in the mystery, however I think it had much more potential for greatness that unfortunately wasn't fully realised.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book.

My rating = ***

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Review: World Without End by Ken Follett

World Without End is the magnificent sequel to the very popular Pillars of the Earth, an historical epic I thoroughly enjoyed reading about 15 years ago. This is a stand alone book but I imagine the length of > 1100 pages will deter a lot of would be readers. All I can say is don't be frightened by the size! When I was turning the last page I still didn't want it to end!!

Set in England in the 1300's this historical epic follows the lives of several main characters from childhood to late adulthood in the town of Kingsbridge and surrounds. This book covers all social classes from mere serfs, to merchants, monks, nuns, nobleman, squires, knights, Kings and Queens. Their lives intertwine and the novel takes the reader on a mammoth journey of love, war, hate, faith, jealousy, revenge, lust, passion, injustice, struggle and starvation, accusations of witchcraft, bribery, deception, greed, fear, enterprise and healing. I was also fascinated when the country was struck by the plague and the differing impacts it had on the main characters and residents of Kingsbridge.

The Kingsbridge Cathedral is the main backdrop for the book and the stunning architecture and descriptions detailing how it and other structures in Kingsbridge were built allow the reader to feel the history and I could really imagine myself there.

I was completely hooked on the first page, and could have stayed in Kingsbridge for another 100 years. I recommend this book to everyone as a 'must read' for 2009 and am in awe of the author Ken Follett. This is an absolute masterpiece.

My rating = *****

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Review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

It serves me right for jumping on the Twilight bandwagon, but with the astronomical book sales, new release movie and vampire theme, I couldn't resist. I knew going into this that it was 'teen fiction' but I hoped it would work well for adults the same way the Harry Potter series of books do but I was sadly disappointed.

A great majority of the 500+ pages in Twilight is taken up with the teenage thoughts and actions of two people who like each other and want to be together. Not that I couldn't relate at all. I can remember being like that when I was a teenager, but I grew out of it soon enough and was bored to tears with this book. It was so dull and the main character got on my nerves!!

It also annoyed me that the basic vampire rules weren't followed in this book, and the main character left a lot of unanswered questions about his vampire history and that of his family. This was the only portion of the plot I was interested in and I was left unsatisfied.

I can understand why this book is so popular with the teens of today and I can certainly recognise the well publicised issues of sexual tension and celibacy here.

If you're over 20 and have read any Anne Rice books, you won't enjoy this one.

My rating = *

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Review: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

This American classic by Mark Twain has been on my list of books to read for many years, primarily to find out why it is so popular and highly regarded. I had high expectations going in but unfortunately they weren't met.

I can certainly appreciate the literary accomplishment in reproducing the dialogue of the times for both Finn's character and that of the main negro character Jim. This was done exceptionally well and there were certainly some laugh out loud moments.

I thought it was interesting that although this book is set in the time of slavery, Huckleberry Finn wants to 'steal his nigger' friend Jim and set him free, but feels guilty at the same time and believes he will go to Hell if he carries it out.

I also found Finn's ability to hastily weave such convoluted lies quite amusing, however my interest started to wane when Tom Sawyer joined the adventures towards the end of the book.

I'm glad I finally got around to reading this American classic, but I couldn't say I enjoyed it all that much.

My rating = **

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Review: The Resurrectionist by James Bradley

I was really excited to read this book for two reasons: it's written by an Australian and is about the trade in stolen bodies used by anatomists in the 1800s.

I was really impressed that an Australian author could conjure the essence of London in the 1800s and was captivated by his writing early in the book. I'm fascinated by the topic of resurrectionists (grave robbers who steal recently buried bodies and sell them to anatomists who dissect them for science) and I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book.

I was disappointed in the direction in which the author decided to take the main character, and was confused when he appeared in Australia with a different name many years later. This part of the plot seemed disjointed and I felt unsatisfied by the conclusion. I understand the author was exploring the themes of death, murder and rebirth, but I just didn't like where he chose to take the plot.

James Bradley is certainly an accomplished author and if he publishes another book I'll definitely want to check it out!

My rating = ***

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Review: Just After Sunset by Stephen King

I received this book for Christmas, and it was definitely high on my wishlist. This is the latest book from horror guru Stephen King and is a collection of short stories. Some of the short stories are from early in his career and some are new, but all here are published for the first time in a book.

When reading several of the stories I found myself wishing he'd developed them into stand alone novels as I wanted to remain in the story for longer. The beauty of the short story though is that it packs a punch and doesn't need a plot to sustain a 300 page novel.

If you're a Stephen King fan, you'll love Just After Sunset, and if you're not, it could be a good introduction. Stephen King fans will especially enjoy his comments at the end briefly touching on the inspiration for each of his short stories. He certainly has a great sense of humour!

My rating = *****

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Review: Judge & Jury by James Patterson

I purchased this e-book based on the involvement of the co-author Andrew Gross, as I've enjoyed previous books he's co-authored with Patterson.

I enjoyed the first half of the book involving the capture of the big mafia boss and his subsequent trial. However the last half of Judge & Jury is typical Patterson, rollicking read with a very basic plot line.

I'm glad this one won't be taking up precious space on my bookshelf, however I'm glad I read it.

My rating = ***

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Review: Watchers by Dean Koontz

This was the first electronic book (e-book) I downloaded to my new Iliad - the best gadget ever, given to me by my loving husband for Christmas!

This is an old book by Koontz, and the main character is a very smart golden retriever dog. I enjoyed this book much more than his novel published last year The Darkest Evening of the Year also featuring a unique dog.

This is Koontz at his best and this was a great thriller. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character 'Einstein' the dog, and found his ability to communicate with people both fascinating and heart warming. Of course there is always a dark side to a Koontz novel, and this book was no exception. The polar opposite of Einstein is the 'Outsider' who pursues them across the country leaving carnage in its path.

Highly recommended for any Koontz fan or anyone who is a dog lover and enjoys a good thriller.

My rating = ****

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Review: Fridge Magnets are Bastards by Mark Dapin

I just finished reading this book by Mark Dapin and absolutely loved it! I received it as a gift last Christmas and it's been sitting in my TBR (to be read pile) since then and now I'm sorry I didn't get to it sooner.

This book had me laughing out loud every 5 minutes and wanting to share it with anyone who'll listen. His take on things like 'the loop', 'learning curve' etc had me chuckling all the way through.

I also loved his list of imaginary countries that should exist like 'Burmany, where the mysterious temples of an ancient civilisation are serviced by the finest roads in Europe'.

Mark Dapin is funny and witty and I'll definitely keep an eye out for him in the future.

Highly recommended for last minute Christmas gifts!!!

My rating = *****

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Review: The Chase by Clive Cussler

This is the first book by Clive Cussler I've read and I really enjoyed it. Set in America in the 1900s it isn't the era or setting I usually go for however I was pleasantly surprised and found it easy to immerse myself in this epic battle between 'good guy' Isaac Bell and the 'Butcher Bandit'.

Those with a love of trains or early motor cars will love this book and I found this aspect quite interesting, despite not having any knowledge in this field.

As the title suggests, the book feels like a chase and I was certainly on the edge of my seat (so to speak) until the final page.

I even purchased this book for a Christmas gift for somebody else, so it was a great referral, thanks Dad!

My rating = ***

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Review: War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

I enjoyed reading this classic by H.G. Wells and can understand how it inspired so many authors to explore 'alien invasion' after reading it.

The narrator describes the events of the invasion in the past tense, so I struggled to understand how those listening to the reading over the radio could possibly think it was happening in the present. As I was reading it, I was trying to identify 'the passage' that could have inspired such panic but alas, I couldn't.

Once I gave up this quest I was able to enjoy the writing and the developing plot. The most poignant part of the book was when the soldier was discussing the fate of human beings in years and decades to come and how their relationships with the martians would change. The soldier also claimed to know what type of human being would die in the early stages of the invasion and the characteristics it would take to survive.

I wanted to linger here and explore this further but the main character left the soldier and continued his journey to look for his wife, and this depth of analysis was cut short in my opinion.

All in all, a great classic and an easy read.

My rating = ***

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Review: Death and the Arrow by Chris Priestley

This book was part of a series known as the Tom Marlowe series, but is a stand alone novel and a great little read. Based in London 1715, it is a medieval 'whodunnit' and was very enjoyable to read.

Similarly to P.C. Doherty, Priestley conjurs up the smell and feel of the city during this period which was what attracted me to read this book.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Servants by Michael Marshall Smith

I read this book in one day, but was disappointed that it wasn't all I'd hoped for. I was attracted to the plot line that the main character discovers the ghosts in the old servants quarters in his home. While this was the case, the author didn't really take the plot in the exciting direction I would have liked.

The main character was a young boy dealing with the breakup of his parents, and his ill mother marrying an American and moving to Brighton. There is a lot of skateboarding out in the cold weather that begins to take its toll on the reader, and not enough about the boy's discovery in the old ladies' flat in the basement.

The end was abrupt and the 'twist' that I thought was coming never arrived, which made this a disappointing read.

My rating = **

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Review: False Impression by Jeffrey Archer

This is the first book by Jeffrey Archer I've read and I'm happy to report that I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed that the main character was an art expert who used to work for Sotheby's and there are plenty of references to artists and artworks throughout the book. If you didn't know your art or Impressionists then I could understand why some readers could feel like Archer is name dropping, but I really enjoyed this angle on the art world.

The incorporation of the events of September 11 were also very interesting and I enjoyed how Archer used this as part of the story but it didn't dominate the plot. The unfolding of events from the point of view of the main character were captivating and I think he achieved a perfect balance here.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action/crime novels and I'd certainly keep my eye open for another book by Jeffrey Archer in the future.

My rating = ****

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Career Change in 2009

Well, it's time for a change, and I've resigned from my job after almost 6 years. My resume is ready to go and I'm looking forward to a career change in 2009!

I'm going to take a well earned break over Christmas and then it's full steam ahead and I'm really looking forward to it. There's so much I want to do in December, my list is h-u-g-e!! Oh yeah, and I'm sure I'll enjoy some extra reading time of course :-)

That's my four bucks!

Review: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

I bought and read this book based on the fact that it was the winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. This book has received endless accolades, but I'm sad to say that I didn't enjoy it at all.

I was intrigued by the premise of this novel, in that Reverend Ames is writing a letter to his son with the knowledge he is dying. The book almost reads like a series of diary entries with entries from the current day and reflections from the past. The entries flipped forwards and backwards in time without any order and I felt like I was being jerked around without any firm destination.

I can see how so many readers were moved by the reflections of the Reverend, but I'm disappointed to say that the deeply profound moments were lost on me for some reason. I'm not quite sure whether it was the writing style, or the religious references or a disbelief that human beings reflect the way he does.

Nevertheless, I won't be recommending Gilead to anyone, and to be quite honest, I found it a chore to read.

My rating = **

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Review: Spider Light by Sarah Rayne

This is the third book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. This time the creepy building was a disused mill and there was also the inclusion an asylum called 'Latchkill'. I enjoyed the unfolding sub-plots and and learning how various deaths occurred in the mill over different generations.

Rayne doesn't attempt to disguise the fact that her plot construction is the same in each book, although this recipe always delivers a thrilling read. Deviating from this recipe would be exciting for the reader for a change but at the same time a risk to the success of the novel. I guess the only way to know if she's done this is to read her other books.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller and uncovering a web of secrets from the past.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Devil's Hunt by Paul Doherty or P.C. Doherty

I enjoyed this medieval mystery starring my favourite Clerk, Sir Hugh Corbett. This one is set in 1303 and Corbett is sent to Oxford to investigate a number of vicious murders. Oxford was a completely new setting for the series, and I enjoyed learning about the college halls and scholars and how they operated so many hundreds of years ago.

One of the key characters was surprisingly killed in this novel and I certainly wasn't expecting that. 

All in all, another enjoyable historical fiction by Doherty.

My rating = ***

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Review: Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne

I've been off work this week (torn ligament in my ankle) and have had lots of time for reading and just finished reading Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne. This is the second book of hers I've read and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first. 

Rayne uses the same method of plot construction in that the story consists of multiple plots and characters that manage to come together in the end in an unexpected way.

This time the 'creepy historical building' was the Tower of Alwar and the Tower of Inchcape and they were certainly creepy. I really enjoyed this book, and can't believe I picked it up in a bookshop for only $9.95.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

I absolutely loved this book!! The main character is severely burned in a car accident and the book begins with his recovery in the burn unit. I was engrossed in the book by the first page and the details regarding burn patients is extremely graphic and very informative.

Marianne Engel is a psych patient from the hospital and begins to visit his bedside and tells him that this isn't the first time she's looked after him after he's been burned. So begins a series of tales and stories from many hundreds of years ago, each one an extraordinary and well written story of love and loss. (I want to stress here that these weren't romance stories, but also involved courage, myth and sacrifice and each one of them touched me in some way).

I immensely enjoyed these 'medieval tales' and the idea that Marianne believes they lived together in previous lives. Ultimately the reader is left to decide whether this is true or not.

This is the first book by this Canadian author and I can't wait to see what he publishes next.

My rating = *****

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Review: The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke

This is the first book I've read by James Lee Burke and it will most likely be the last. This book is part of his series featuring Detective Robicheaux, however it is set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Hailed as one of 'America's greatest living novelists' I was sucked in by reviews that Burke's descriptions of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were 'tremendously powerful', and 'more vivid and powerful than any piece of reportage'. Sadly I disagree.

I found the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina dwarfed the plot and I wanted to read more about the devastation caused by Mother Nature than a couple of criminals and their evil deeds.

The plot was a little confusing in parts and I didn't find Burke to be a terribly good crime writer. If anything, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read his most critically acclaimed novel, now I don't need to read anything else by this author.

My rating = **

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Review: The Keep by Jennifer Egan

With a teaser like this: "In the wilds of Eastern Europe there is a mysterious castle that has stood for hundreds of years, steeped in blood lore and family pride" I just had to read it.

However I was disappointed to find that this 'gripping and ghostly gothic tale' was really not at all gripping. The story line was set up really well and had a lot of promise, however I think it became to surreal and I think Egan complicated the plot unnecessarily.

The ending was hazy and left a lot of unanswered questions, and I hate that!

My rating = **

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Review: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

I read some of Nathaniel Hawthorne's works at University, and I always wanted to read The Scarlet Letter. Published in 1850, I was eager to discover why this is such an American Classic. I found it to be a very rich and rewarding piece of writing, and an amazing glimpse into the daily lives of the Puritans living in Boston in the seventeenth century.

Hawthorne manages to paint the characters in such a light that the reader can see into their very souls, and I can't remember ever having such character insight before.

Hawthorne was also quite a visionary in terms of recognising the inequalities women faced in society at the time. The main character Hester Prynne was a sinner and therefore couldn't bring herself to be the Prophetess to bring about the change.

I enjoyed the language, with treats along the way such as: "His gourmandism was a highly agreeable trait". Ultimately I enjoyed this American Classic and would recommend it to anyone not afraid of tackling a level of rich and complex writing.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I'd seen this book around before but had never picked it up or knew what it was about until it was recommended to me by a friend.

The Lovely Bones is the story of a fourteen year old girl who was brutally murdered in 1973. What is different about this book is that the narrator is the little girl and the book begins with her murder and she takes you on a journey with her in the years following her death. She tells us about 'her heaven' and she watches her family members deal with her death and try to keep living themselves.

This was a very touching and moving book and so different from anything I've read before.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My rating = *****

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Review: The Song of a Dark Angel by Paul Doherty, P.C. Doherty

It's 1302 and Hugh Corbett, King Edward I's Keeper of the Secret Seal, is sent to Norfolk to investigate a series of murders. Again, this novel is based on fact and has been well researched.

The Pastoureaux (or Shepherds Movement) of France are part of the plot, and the Children's Crusade is also mentioned. A dark but fascinating part of history I wasn't aware of prior to reading this book and was inspired to research afterwards.

The loss of King Johns treasure at the Wash in 1216 is also a large part of the plot, as rumours and myths surrounding the treasure are rife and some characters devote their lives to searching to uncovering the mystery.

Overall, another satisfying medieval mystery. I thought I was close to the end of the series, but just learned that there are another 8 in the series, so I'm really only half way.

My rating = ****

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Review: Christ the Lord - The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

To all those who know me, it goes without saying that I'm a huge Anne Rice fan and simply must read any new book she publishes. This series however couldn't be further from the Vampire Chronicles or the Mayfair Witch stories.

Rice has meticulously researched the life of Christ, and this is the second in her series bringing to life Yeshua Bar Joseph. I found her first book in the series Christ the Lord Out of Egypt difficult to get into, as it was quite heavy going. However I thoroughly enjoyed the second installation in the series, and the story is really picking up pace now. I was still a little overwhelmed by all the family members, and how they were all related, but persisted through it all!

I'm really looking forward to the next book, although it will probably be another 12 months in the making. It's also difficult to know if this will be the last in the series.

I probably wouldn't recommend this book to Anne Rice fans, as it's nothing like her other works. However if you enjoy historical fiction and have an interest in religion then this is a great book.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Assassin in the Greenwood by Paul Doherty, P.C Doherty

This is another of the medieval mysteries featuring Hugh Corbett and I'm happy to say the books are improving as the series progresses.

This one is set in 1302 and includes a plot featuring Robin Hood. In the acknowledgements the author clarifies the true events the book is based on, and his research appears to be extremely thorough, referencing Folio Numbers from the British Library and records from the Public Office. His level of research and detail is precisely the reason I'm enjoying this historical fiction series so much.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Behind the Bestsellers by Jenny Bond & Chris Sheedy

This non-fiction book was published in Australia, and provides an insight into 50 well-known books. It was really interesting to read the history behind some very famous books and learn about the struggle their authors often faced in their lives or in writing their novels.

Behind the Bestsellers by Jenny Bond & Chris Sheedy also includes some non-fiction books and overall was an insightful and rewarding read.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves writing or reading and also to those who want a brief overview of the classics without having to read them in full.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Facelift

I thought it was time to give my blog a facelift, so hope you all like the new template!!!

I'm certainly in the mood for change and I love it!

That's my four bucks!

Review: Second Chance by Jane Green

This book was recommended to be by someone at work, and I'm not looking forward to telling her I hated it! 

Second Chance was essentially about the following: a group of school friends lose touch, two of them marry the wrong man, one of the friends in the group dies prompting a get together. They all are having a mid life crisis of some kind, one of which involves adultery, one of which involves alcoholism, another involving an accidental pregnancy and another a divorce. At the end of the book, all the main characters have a happy ending and the book is all neatly tied up. Hardly realistic, and definitely not my sort of book. I don't enjoy romance books (elements of that here), I don't enjoy books where the character commits adultery (tick), and I don't enjoy books about regular people living their lives but having a nice happy ending written for them. Boring!

Having said all of that, I've noticed that Jane Green is a 'best selling author' and what I have gained from reading this book is the knowledge that I don't like her style and won't be picking up another of her books.

My rating = * (half a star)

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I received this book as a Christmas gift several years ago, and I've always wanted to read it, so why has it taken me so long to pick it up? Well for a start, it's quite big, as it contains all 7 books in the Narnia series, including The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. The second reason is that I assumed that being a children's classic, it would be difficult to read, in the same way that I found Lord of the Rings difficult.

Well, I decided it was a perfect book to take on the honeymoon, given I would have two weeks to get stuck into the story. Wow, what a shock!! I was hooked from the very first page, and enchanted by the author's writing style and the introduction of Narnia. It's very difficult not to compare it to the Harry Potter series, because the simple language and easy writing style is great for kids, and the imagination of the author is really sublime.

I was totally immersed in the story and enjoyed all the adventures. I realised after reading it that the religious undercurrent that this book is renowned for is there for the reader if they wish to delve deep, however they form part of the story and I very much doubt younger readers would even notice. In the same way that The Simpsons contains jokes for adults that can often go right over the head of children, so it is with the religious references in this classic.

Each of the 7 adventures incorporates a battle of good (usually in the name of Aslan the Lion who created Narnia) and evil, and it is really only at the end of the series that the religious overtones become quite obvious. I was quite moved at the end of the last book when I realised that the characters weren't in a new world, they were in Heaven, and the process that got them there was fascinating. The message I gained from Lewis was that if you lead a good life then your actions are in the name of the 'Good God' you will be accepted in Heaven regardless of whether you have worshipped that God in life.

You really have to read it to understand, but ultimately I can see why this book is a classic, and I can definitely see why it has captivated so many readers, children and adults alike.

I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough to any reader.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Murder Wears a Cowl by Paul Doherty, P.C. Doherty

I did a fair bit of reading on the honeymoon, and managed to finish off another of the Hugh Corbett medieval mysteries. This story was set in 1302 and based on real events at Westminster Abbey. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the character development of Ranulf, Corbett's manservant.

I'm about half way through this series now, and looking forward to reading the next one.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper

Stealing Shadows was recommended to me by a friend, and I really enjoyed it. It is about a psychic who tries to help the police solve crimes by connecting to the minds of the killers. It was really well written and I enjoyed the quick pace and reading about the main character Cassie, the psychic.

I'd certainly read another of her books, my only problem now is deciding whether to add her remaining books to my TBR (to be read) pile.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys TV shows such as Medium or who enjoys reading crime with a psychic or paranormal twist.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

The Celestine Prophecy has been on my 'must read' list for many years, and I'm pleased to say I finally got around to it! It was very different to what I was expecting and was a thoroughly enjoying and spiritually moving read.

This book is similar to The Alchemist in that it's an adventure story surrounding a spiritual journey. The book begins with the discovery of a manuscript containing nine spiritual insights, which the reader learns as the story develops.

I found the nine insights fascinating and realistic in terms of spirituality and science. In fact, if humans on earth could live their lives according to these insights, we would see world peace and a sustainable life for the future. I found this book inspiring and uplifting, and I will try to apply the lessons I learned from Redfield's pages in my every day life.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!