Review: Life Among the Dead by Lisa Williams

Lisa Williams is a medium, psychic and clairvoyant and when I came across her TV show Life Among the Dead on Foxtel I was hooked. I was instantly drawn to her warm personality and watched every episode I could, as she met with people and passed on messages from loved ones who had passed away.

I was so excited when I learned she was touring Australia however her tour sold out before I could get tickets. The next time she toured the country I bought tickets straight away and went with a friend to see her show at Hamer Hall. Now, I'm a true believer in her gift and was touched by her ability to accurately communicate messages, names, places and other information that she couldn't otherwise have known.

When I learned Lisa had written a book, I just had to read it. This is an autobiography of sorts, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've read several books by mediums and others have contained explanations of their gift, views on the afterlife and examples of readings that have stayed with them or touched them in some way.

This book is essentially Lisa's life story from childhood to the astonishing success of her hit TV show in LA. It contains a lot of details of her social life that readers looking for the meaning of life will find dull and uninteresting. I didn't, and that's because I really like her and didn't mind reading about her personal life, her love life, her battle with cancer and her journey as a psychic.

Although I've got to say I struggled with how long it took for her to recognise her gift and start to have faith - pardon the pun - in her ability to help people and begin to develop her gift into a full-time occupation. She has now achieved this end and has changed many lives around the world with her abilities and her love and warm character.

Fans of the show will enjoy this book, it was a nice easy read.

My rating = ***

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Review: Out of the Shadows by Kay Hooper

Having read the first two in the Shadows series by Kay Hooper, Stealing Shadows and Hiding in the Shadows, I was really disappointed when I'd finished reading Out of the Shadows. This novel was nowhere near the same standard of writing as the first or second. Sheriff Miranda Knight is psychic and has escaped to a small town in America, where she has changed her name to escape her past.

Miranda's past is referred to throughout the book, however the complete story came far too late and after waiting so long to find out, it was almost an anti-climax.

The tension/romance between FBI Agent Bishop and Sheriff Miranda Knight annoyingly detracted from the plot in which young people were being murdered in the town. The snow storm was a cliche and I found myself rolling my eyes at the predictability of certain points.

I read about the hunt for the murderer with interest and the ending was satisfying, however in general this was an average read. I would enjoy reading about further cases featuring this team of FBI Agents made up of psychics and those with special abilities, so I'll leave myself open to reading further books by Kay Hooper in the future.

My rating = **

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Review: The Magician's Death by Paul Doherty

This is the fourteenth book in the medieval mystery series featuring Sir Hugh Corbett. As in every book in the series, Doherty weaves fact into his story, making it a convincing historical fiction.

This time Corbett and his retinue are called to Corfe Castle in England to discuss Roger Bacon's Book of Secrets. I enjoyed the premise of this story immensely, and found reference to the works of the controversial scholar quite intriguing. Roger Bacon imagined inventions such as the aeroplane and submarine and this book by Doherty has inspired me to investigate this further at some point in the future.

However, it's not long before murder reaches Corfe Castle and Corbett is almost assassinated by the killer. His investigative skills are put to the test again as young women from the Castle are found slain and two French scholars who are also gathered in an attempt to decipher the code in The Book of Secrets, seem to have had suffered fatal accidents.

I'm still enjoying these historical fiction mysteries set in 1300s England however this has been the longest series I've ever read from start to finish. I'll enjoy 'catching up' to the most current one so to speak and really enjoyed this one.

My rating = ***1/2

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Review: The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I don't know why, but up until now, I've never read any of the books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the celebrated character Sherlock Holmes. When considering my reading goals for 2010, Sherlock Holmes didn't rate a mention and I guess it was only that someone else brought one into the house that I became interested at all (thanks Brett).

And so it was that I came to read The Sign of Four. I warmed to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson much quicker than I ever thought possible. This is probably a result of my ignorance and assumptions I'd made over the years as to the dynamic between them and just what type of character Holmes was. I didn't find Dr Watson to be dumb or dopey in any way, although he is readily portrayed as such in many circles. I didn't realise that Holmes was such a genius when it came to observing the detail in a fashion that even Simon Baker's character from The Mentalist tv show would be proud. Holmes was in no way stuffy or old-fashioned, and I was shocked to learn of this character's involvement with drugs that are now illegal.

I did find the romance between Dr Watson and the leading female character to be totally unrealistic for the modern reader, but who knows, perhaps it was completely believable at the time of publication.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the explanations of logic Holmes provides Watson and the setting in London in the 1880s is immediately appealing. In fact, it's hard to believe the author was writing these mystery novels more than 130 years ago, and I can now understand how the Sherlock Holmes series of books can endure all this time, and why they're a treasured classic!

If you haven't read any Sherlock Holmes, I encourage you to get onboard, I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised!

My rating = ****

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Review: Relentless by Dean Koontz

I love when authors write about 'writers' in their novels and that's exactly what we find in Relentless.

The main character in this book is 'Cubby' who happens to be a writer, his wife is a children's book author and their six year old son is a prodigy. When Cubby (I found this nickname somewhat annoying throughout the book for what it's worth) receives a poor review of his latest work by Shearman Waxx, well known book critic, Cubby can't 'let it go'. He pursues Waxx to find out more about the reclusive critic, however soon wishes he had followed everybody's advice to 'let it go'.

Shearman Waxx turns out to be psychotic and begins hunting Cubby and his family and trying to kill them. Cubby does some investigative work while on the run, and learns that other authors who received poor reviews from Waxx have been killed or are in hiding.

The book moves along at a great pace, and for once the main character seems to think ahead and make all the right moves. It's frustrating in books when the characters make stupid decisions and you know it's going to result in their death and you feel like yelling out at them.

Cubby's son Milo is extraordinarily gifted and is working on a device that he cannot explain to his parents but which the reader knows will save them in the end. This is a little predictable and unbelievable at times but if you can 'go along with it' then it doesn't interfere with the pace of the book.

Koontz loves to write about dogs with special powers and children who are intelligent and mature beyond their years and Relentless is no exception. Familiar themes, a terrifying nemesis and much murder and mayhem means that I really enjoyed this book.

Recommended for any Dean Koontz fans or those who enjoy a thriller but who are willing to submit a little to some of the sub plots.

My rating = ***1/2

Carpe Librum!

New Year, New Decade

It's a new year and a new decade, and who knows what the future holds for any of us. One thing that will remain stable and that is my love for books and reading, and I'll continue to share my thoughts with you here.

Having said that, I have 3 book reviews to catch up on (whoops), so I'd better get typing.

That's my four bucks!

Review: Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson

When a book really takes off and becomes a huge bestseller, I tend to steer away from it, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's a desire not to read what everyone else is reading, not to conform and become 'one of the crowd' and follow the trend. Anyone can stick to reading novels from the top 10 bestseller list, but it doesn't take any effort and in my opinion is a lazy way to choose a book. I believe that books need to be 'discovered' and I love to find a book that isn't well known and tell everyone about it afterwards.

However, it must be said that the Millennium trilogy by author Stieg Larsson has drawn so much attention this year, and is being highly acclaimed amongst critics, that I had to bow to the pressure and dive in. And boy I'm glad I did.

In the first book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, we meet two of the main characters: Michael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist is a Swedish journalist, working for Millennium magazine (hence the name of the trilogy) and is hired to investigate the mystery surrounding the unsolved disappearance of an heiress, Harriet Vanger.

Lisbeth Salander is a genius hacker with a photographic memory, extremely poor social skills and a mysterious past who becomes involved in the investigation with Blomkvist. I was instantly drawn to the character of Salander, and for me, this is what made the book so intriguing and cutting edge.

Salander and Blomkvist continue on in the second book of the Millennium series, The Girl Who Played With Fire. This too was a riveting read, and I raced through it. This time Salander is in trouble and Blomkvist tries to help. I don't want to give any of the plot away, but it needs to be said that the crimes are nasty, and there is quite a lot of graphic description littered throughout the pages in both books that may be too much for some readers.

In my opinion, the detailed plot, complex characters and ability by Larsson to keep the readers on the edge the entire time is the secret to his success. Sadly Stieg Larsson died in 2004, and I must admit that knowing this in advance also added to the intrigue and my decision to pick up his first book.

I'm yet to read the third in the series The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest however I'm really looking forward to it.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - my rating = ****1/2

The Girl Who Played With Fire - my rating = ****1/2

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert

I saw this book in a $5 bargain box at Borders and decided to buy it based on the fact that I already wanted to read Others also by James Herbert.

This is my first introduction to James Herbert, and I thought this was a very decent 'ghost book'. I was sucked in the moment I discovered it was about a psychic investigator who is sent to a quaint village called Sleath by request of the Vicar's daughter. David Ash discovers hauntings and bizarre incidents in the town and tries to get to the bottom of it all as the town and its inhabitants are endangered any further.

This was one of my 'work books' which I read on my lunch break and it was quite interesting/amusing to read about a cold haunted town for 30 mins a day whilst in the middle of summer. I'm sure I would have found it more scary had I read at home alone at night, however it was a very easy and enjoyable read.

There was an extremely graphic sex scene that caught me by complete and utter surprise, and Herbert's talent for graphic descriptions is evident throughout the novel. His explanation for the cause of the trouble in Sleath is interesting but wasn't completely surprising.

I enjoyed this and look forward to reading Others in the future.

My rating = ***

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Review: Corpse Candle - Paul Doherty

This time Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the King's Seal is sent by King Edward I to the abbey of St Martin's-in-the-Marsh to investigate the death of Abbot Stephen.

The death toll begins to escalate as the assassin murders other monks in the monastery and Hugh Corbett, Ranulf and Chanson investigate the killings whilst fending off threats to their own lives.

Doherty is able to create a creepy, cold and haunting atmosphere throughout the medieval mystery, with rumours of Sir Geoffrey Mandeville's ghost galloping through the fens and corpse candles glowing out in the marshes, which forewarn men of their own deaths.

Hugh Corbett arrives at the truth at the end, and all is revealed in the manner typical in this series. I enjoyed the character 'Brother Dunstan' the Treasurer for obvious reasons, and this was a good mystery. I'm slowly making my way to the end of the series, with this being the 13th in the series with 3 to go.

My rating = ***

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Review: Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper

Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper is the second in the Shadows Trilogy and I must say I enjoyed the first one better, Stealing Shadows, rated 4 stars on this blog in July 2008.

This novel doesn't feature the main character from the first book, and in fact could be read as a stand alone. In this book Faith Parker has a car accident and has finally awoken from her coma without any memory of the crash, or her life before the accident.

Meanwhile, journalist Dinah Leighton has gone missing. Dinah regularly visited Faith in the hospital and made sure all her hospital bills and expenses were paid for, but Faith has no recollection of their friendship.

Not as chilling as the first in the series, this was nevertheless a good read.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Journey by Brandon Bays

The Journey is a non-fiction book about self-healing and awareness. The author healed herself of a basketball sized tumour in her stomach, and then went on to help thousands of people 'heal' themselves of physical and emotional damage, taking each of them on their own 'journey'.

I found each of the personal stories extremely inspiring and moving, and it reaffirmed my belief that unresolved emotions can manifest themselves in a physical illness or ailment in the body. It also reaffirmed my belief that in some cases we can heal ourselves without heavy drugs or surgery.

Brandon Bays now runs healing workshops and many practitioners all around the world are trained in her techniques. I'm not sure I've been inspired so much as to seek one out but if it came across my path, I might consider going along.

I recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from a physical illness or ailment in the body, looking to open their mind about the healing options available and the power of the mind and body.

My rating = ***1/2

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Review: Eifelheim by Michael Flynn

This book is best described as science fiction meets historical fiction and I absolutely loved it!

The book is set in two time periods, modern day and the late 1340's Germany. In the current day, Tom is a mathematical historian and has discovered an anomaly regarding settlement patterns in a particular area of Germany. According to his work, a town called Eifelheim was abandoned in the 14th Century and never re-settled which is extremely uncharacteristic. In fact, centuries later, the roads turned back on themselves and went out of their way to avoid the area.

Meanwhile, we are inserted into the daily lives of the inhabitants of Oberhochwald (as it was known back then) through the eyes of Pastor Dietrich. We learn quickly that this is the lead up to the abandonment of the town. Without ruining the story, there is a discovery of 'beings' living in the forest and the ever encroaching threat of the black plague.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from so many angles. I enjoyed unravelling the mystery with Tom and his partner Sharon, and following along as the drama unfolded at Oberhochwald.

I enjoyed pondering the different responses by the towns people to the events occurring and how different the behaviours, beliefs and values were in that time period in Europe. It was also fascinating comparing the technology of the beings to those of the time period, and also to what we know today.

The book had a satisfactory and solid conclusion, and I was still thinking about it days after finishing it, which is the mark of any great novel.

Highly recommended!

My rating = ****1/2

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Review: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Little Stranger was written by UK based author Sarah Waters and is hailed as a ghost story set against the backdrop of the fall of the British class system following WWII. The story begins when Dr Faraday is called out to Hundreds Hall to tend to an ill servant who has just started working at Hundreds Hall. The Doctor begins to develop a relationship with the family, and strange things begin to happen from there.

The book takes a while to 'lift off' however I enjoyed the pace and the narrative kept me engrossed from the beginning. The portrayal of Hundreds Hall was enchanting, and I longed to walk through it's gardens and decaying rooms myself. In fact, I think I enjoyed this aspect of the novel the most. I wanted to explore the empty locked rooms, whisper down the speaking tube and ring the servants bells.

I couldn't help but find the lead female character a little annoying, as well as Dr Faraday, however this didn't distract me from enjoying the book as a whole.

I don't believe this novel works strongly as a 'ghost story', however the mystery certainly kept me quickly turning the pages in suspense. I was working up towards a climax and hoping for a Koontz or King moment towards the end, but was unfortunately let down. The end of the book is a little controversial and for those that enjoy an ambiguous ending, you'll love this book. It's fair to say I rarely enjoy an ambiguous ending to a novel or movie, and when I finished reading the book I instantly started scanning the internet for different opinions on the ending.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy the 'softer' side of a ghost story or a novel with a paranormal sub-plot, and those who enjoy a thought provoking and ambiguous conclusion.

My rating = ***1/2

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Review: The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell

This is another in the Kay Scarpetta series and again I enjoyed the forensic style 'whodunnit' by Patricia Cornwell. I thought the title a little too much given how small a role the farm actually played in the plot. In fact I would have liked to pursue this further in the novel, however the reader was given just a glimpse into the scientific nature of the body farm.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, however there are references made to previous cases Scarpetta and Marino have worked in the past.

After reading the first 5 books in this series in the last 8 months, I'm growing a little weary of the predictability of the main characters and the similarity in the plot outline in each novel. I think I'll give the series a rest for now, besides there are plenty of other books out there waiting to be read.

My rating = **1/2

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Review: Satan's Fire by Paul Doherty

I've been trying for more than 6 months to buy a copy of this book, but I couldn't order it as it's out of print! I made the difficult decision to keep on reading the series, and skip this one until I could track down a copy - argh, but I hate when things aren't 'in order' so I've been desperate to get this book!! I finally found a second hand copy for sale on eBay, and snatched it up straight away and have just finished reading it.

I enjoyed it, but the relief at having read it and now restoring 'order' to the series was also, sadly, more important to me than it should have been (sigh).

Okay, all that aside, what's it about? It's another of the medieval mysteries featuring the King's Keeper of the Secret Seal, Sir Hugh Corbett. This time murders are being committed during a visit to York by members of the Order of the Temple. Corbett is asked by King Edward to investigate these murders at the hand of a mysterious fire that seems to erupt from hell.

Another enjoyable read, and the end of a book saga that has bothered me for some time.

My rating = ***

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Review: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

This is a non-fiction 'self help' book that has sold millions of copies around the world. It has also been featured on the Oprah show, no doubt increasing its popularity.

It was written by the author of The Power of Now Eckhart Tolle, and is essentially a book about 'awakening to your life's purpose'. The book shows you how to 'awaken' by recognising your ego. 

Many of the key themes were insightful, with quotes from many religions and wise men of different ages. 

I enjoyed these references and there are a few key ideas I took away with me, after reading this book.

My rating = ***1/2

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Review: Tomorrow, When The War Began by John Marsden

Written by Australian author John Marsden, Tomorrow, When The War Began was published in 1993 and was the first in what was to become the Tomorrow series. The series became very popular, however at the time I was trying to plow through books like Moby Dick at University and I guess it passed me by. I'd always promised myself I'd go back and read it and I finally have.

The book is based on events in a small country town and involves a group of teenagers and their response to an invasion from a foreign land. I admired the ingenuity of the characters and the manner in which they react to the situation and the danger. They're forced to grow up very quickly and I admired their quick thinking and bravery.

This was an enjoyable read, and quite an imaginable scenario. I also chuckled along at the small town references throughout the book, and I can imagine this novel would have been very popular amongst readers growing up in rural areas in Australia.

I don't think I'll read the rest of the series, although I do want to find out how it ends, however it's the age old 'too many books, too little time' scenario, and sometimes you have to make a decision not to continue so you can move onto other books.

At least I now know what the fuss was all about, and after reading it, I now admire the creativity and imagination of John Marsden even more. What a terrific Australian author!

My rating = ***

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Review: A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice

This book came to my attention because it was written by the son of one of my favourite authors, Anne Rice. Based in New Orleans, A Density of Souls is about four young friends whose relationships change dramatically when they enter High School. I found the depth of the relationships absolutely fascinating and the insights by each of the characters to be beyond their years, but altogether convincing.

I enjoyed re-reading certain sections throughout the book in order to savour the language and the writing. There were also particular sections I needed to pause and reflect on, as they were deeply moving and poignant.

I couldn't help but compare Christopher's writing to that of Anne Rice, and I was surprised to draw the conclusion that this book is better than some of her novels. I wonder if they share a happy rivalry.

This book isn't for everyone. Some of the themes are quite heavy going and include violence and sexual themes. The review on the book cover claims this book is a "shocking, sexy tale. An intricate novel about four childhood pals whose friendships deteriorate into a nightmare of violence and chaos" and I can't help but agree.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Christopher Rice, although I don't think I would have the courage to recommend it to anyone.

My rating = ****1/2

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Review: The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas

After watching The Lord of the Rings series in a massive movie marathon, I was inspired to introduce some fantasy books to my repertoire. The Adamantine Palace is a story of dragons and humans living together in a different world consisting of many Queens and Kings of the different realms.

After a somewhat slow start, the book took an exciting turn when one of the dragons starts communicating with the humans. The story really picks up here, and I thoroughly enjoyed the drama, conflict and the secondary plot featuring court plotting, lust and deception. I also enjoyed the description of the diamond palace, and found myself imagining how this could be depicted on the big screen.

I couldn't help but side with the plight of the dragons, led by the pure white dragon 'Snow' and would be interested in reading a sequel.

Great read!

My rating = ***

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Review: The Treason of the Ghosts by Paul Doherty

This is the eleventh book in Doherty's series featuring the medieval sleuth Hugh Corbett.

Whilst I enjoyed this mystery set in the small town of Melford, it lacked the political intrigue of the court that I've enjoyed in previous novels.

It also included too much reflection on the details of the murders by Hugh Corbett that has the potential to become tedious in parts. As I draw nearer to the end of this series though, I can't imagine not reading through to the end. There are 5 more in the series to go, so look out for the next instalment! I do hope it's better than this one.

My rating = **

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Review: The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice

I was looking at all my Anne Rice books and I noticed one of them didn't look like it had been read. My best guess as to why I hadn't read The Feast of All Saints when I bought it is most likely because of the very small and heavy font.

Anyway, years after purchasing it, I have finished reading this book which was quite different to her vampire series. The novel has a familiar setting in New Orleans, however there are no vampires or supernatural themes in the story. Set in the French Quarter in the 1840s the novel is about the gens de couleur libre the free people of colour, neither black nor white, and living in a city with slave markets and black servants.

This was a real eye opener into the times and challenges faced by the gens de couleur, and the struggles they faced. The main character is Marcel, although the reader is treated to an in depth analysis of several 'sub characters' and much family drama is covered in the book.

I was surprised by some of the themes and it really made me think. How could women of colour look down upon women who married other men of colour for love? Instead it was expected that young women of colour would strive to be the mistress (second wife) of a white plantation owner who would only visit the city every few months. Essentially this meant knowingly being the wife/mother of a second and secret family. Unbelievable.

There is a lot of family drama, questions of lineage, family traditions, society expectations and when it's okay to break the rules.

To be honest I struggled during the first 100 pages (there are 636 pgs in total), however the story really picked up after that and I was hooked. It was such a treat to read an earlier work of Anne Rice (one of my favourite authors), as I'm hanging out for her new book.

My rating = ***1/2

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Review: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I finished this book a few weeks ago, but I've been procrastinating big time about writing my review. I fell in love with the book A Confederacy of Dunces after Marieke Hardy recommended it on the FTBC, and when I heard her say that Slaughterhouse-Five was also an all-time favourite of hers it hit my TBR (to be read) pile immediately.

It's been on the pile for months though because it's a science fiction book, which isn't my preferred genre but I finally picked it up a few weeks ago and started reading.

I was deeply disappointed and didn't enjoy it, as it goes. The narrator jumps around in time at random intervals without a hint of a solid plot line. I would have liked to explore some of the threads within the story however they were wrenched away without further development and so it lacked depth for me. The novel was relatively short, so I believe there was scope for further development but perhaps I just 'didn't get it'. The only gem I took from the author were the notions of memory experienced through the main character.

I found it jumped around too much, was quite bizarre in parts and quite shocking in others. I found the use of the phrase 'so it goes' a few times on every page was utterly and completely infuriating. Argh!

I didn't enjoy this book at all and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Sorry Marieke.

My rating = **

Carpe Librum, so it goes!

Review: Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

This is the fourth in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz and it was a very pleasant read. I'd have to say that this book was more of a thriller than a 'para-normal thriller' which sets it apart a little from the others in the series.

I found myself wanting more of the 'supernatural themes' that Koontz writes so well, but having said that, this novel certainly had suspense and was a quick and enjoyable read.

Odd Hours could be read as a stand alone, however will be enjoyed more by those who are familiar with the Odd Thomas series in my opinion. The ending opens the possibility of a fifth book in the series which I'd be very much looking forward to.

My rating = ***

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Review: Cruel and Unusual by Patricia Cornwell

The Kay Scarpetta series seems to get better and better with each book, and this was no exception. I enjoyed this murder mystery and the further character development that was evident throughout the novel.

I especially enjoyed learning that Kay Scarpetta had given up smoking, as I cringed every time she lit up a cigarette in the morgue. I found it interesting to read about the new and emerging forensic techniques used by the characters that we are so familiar with today.

As well as being part of a well know series, this is also a stand alone book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to read crime fiction.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

After reading this much acclaimed American classic, I was baffled. "What is so great about The Great Gatsby?" I've given this question much thought and I still don't have the answer.

I honestly believe this short book lacks the bones and elements of a classic and even on the last page I was waiting for the 'light bulb' moment. In fact, this novel reminded me of Breakfast at Tiffany's for it's simplicity and classification as an American classic that I failed to understand.

I know my opinion isn't popular in the literary world, but if you read this book and believe it worthy to be called a classic, I'd love to hear your opinions, so leave me a comment.

My rating = **

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Review: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon was published in 2005 and was very popular in Australia; however, it wasn't until a friend told me recently it was her favourite book of all time, that I finally got around to reading it. My only regret is not reading it sooner.

Set in Barcelona in the 1950s, I was engrossed from the beginning, and desperate to visit the Cemetery of Forgotten Books with the main character and roam the bookshelves until the end of time. I was immediately enthralled by the plot, the writing style and the unfolding drama of the story.

The Shadow of the Wind has all of the elements I love in a book: mystery, intrigue, history, fear, love, hate, family secrets, drama, big old mansions, humour, murder, books, broken dreams and broken hearts. While I was reading it, I woke up every morning looking forward to picking it up again, and I was very sorry when it was finished.

The characters and their stories totally swept me away, and I can confidently say this is the best book I've read in a while. I'd recommend it to anyone!

My rating = *****

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Review: All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell

This is the third in the Kay Scarpetta series, and is another great forensic/police procedural. It had the same elements as her earlier two books, although the political element was a lot more convincing and worked well into the plot line.

I was happy to find there was less time spent on the romance with the FBI character Mark, and I enjoyed seeing Marino pick up his act and give himself a makeover.

I would have liked more of an insight into the killer; however, it was a good ending and I look forward to the next in the series.

My rating = ***

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Review: Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

Well, I just finished reading Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, and wow, what a book! Knowing the concept around 'Big Brother' did little to prepare me for the political depth of this novel. The book was published in 1949, and it's easy to understand why it's such an enduring classic.

Set in 1984, the main character, Winston, is living a very dreary and frustrating existence as a Party member in Oceania, with Big Brother an overwhelming presence.

Part II of the book takes an unexpected turn and takes the reader through an interesting process right through to a conclusion that couldn't be any further from a happy ending.

I finished the book feeling very heavy and shocked at the possibility of such an alternative reality. This is a must read for anyone interested in politics or psychology but beware, it can be quite depressing and stifling.

George Orwell died 7 months after publishing this book, and I can't help but think he had a very gloomy outlook on the future post WWII. I wonder what he would think of our present state of affairs compared to his portrayal in Nineteen Eighty-Four.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Demon Archer by Paul Doherty

This is another book in the Hugh Corbett medieval sleuth series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was sufficiently 'creeped out' by the description and happenings in the forest, happy at the introduction of a new supporting character and surprised to learn who the culprit was at the end. (Although I did think that demon archer was a harsh description of the villain).

I thought Corbett 'got to the point' quicker in this book with more investigating and less reflection, and I enjoyed the quicker pace.

If you enjoy a good crime story set in medieval times, this is a terrific series.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = *

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ****

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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 = ***

Carpe Librum!

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.