Review: Flesh House by Stuart MacBride

Stuart MacBride is the legendary Scottish crime writer behind the protagonist Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, and Flesh House is the fourth in the series.

I fell in love with Stuart MacBride after seeing him in an interview some time ago. He made me laugh and was instantly likeable, so I decided to read one of his many novels (14 at last count). I settled on Flesh House because the plot sounded interesting and it was one of the higher rating novels when I added it to my TBR list.  

So, how was it?

Flesh House was very dark and much more than I was expecting in terms of the nature of the grim murders and the subject of cannibalism. I do have the stomach for dark crime and sometimes horror, particularly if there's an interesting character flaw or a different perspective on humanity but this was a little too much for me.

When reading Flesh House, I was unexpectedly grossed out at times and repulsed by the killer's (known as the flesher) opinions and treatment of fellow human beings. But I guess that was the point.

There were some memorable characters and DI Steel was definitely one of them - a tough, chain-smoking, foul mouthed, ass kicking lesbian that didn't seem to do much work. Set in Aberdeen, there were flashes of humour and I enjoyed the newspaper montages scattered throughout the novel.

Perhaps I should have selected a different novel, but I'm interested to know how you decide which book to read when approaching a new author with a considerable backlist. How do you choose?

My rating = **

Carpe Librum!

Interview with Tom Rob Smith, author of Child 44 and The Farm

Author Tom Rob Smith
Photo credit: James Hopkirk

Tom, thanks so much for your time and for joining me at Carpe Librum. I recently read The Farm, and wow! I was thoroughly gripped from the very beginning, and exclaimed out loud 3 times during the novel I was so entranced by your writing. Are you surprised by its success? (Published earlier this year and already the film rights have been sold).
Thanks, I’m really pleased you enjoyed the novel. The notion of surprise is a hard one to unpick. The truth is you never know how a book is going to be received by readers. You hope they’ll respond positively and connect with the material. You work hard to try and achieve that reaction but in the end, it’s out of your hands, so there’s always an element of surprise.

Without any spoilers, have you found the majority of your readers side with one particular parent?
I’m amazed by the variety of different reactions. This connects to your previous question, readers have such incredibly contrasting feelings, it’s quite remarkable to me, and fascinating.

Given the inspiration for The Farm was based on real events in your own family, how have your parents responded to the novel and upcoming film?
They’ve supported it – they read all the drafts, they were at the launch, and my mum is coming with me to the book fair in Gothenborg. The novel is a work of fiction, and all the characters are my creations, so the only intersection with reality is the concept of whether to believe your mum is insane, or your dad is a criminal.

I’m really looking forward to watching The Farm when it comes to the big screen, how much involvement will you have on the project? Will you be involved in any of the casting decisions?
This time round, I’m going to be involved.

Where do you do most of your writing and when do you do your best work?
In my study, but I’ve recently bought a very thin new laptop and I quite like working in public spaces now, it makes me view the writing in a different light, which is useful.

I’m very much a morning writer, I start early, if I’m not at my desk by 6.30AM I feel the day has got off to a bad start.

Do you listen to music when you write or do you prefer silence? Do you have a messy workspace or do you prefer a clutter free environment for writing?
I work in silence, mostly, but if I need to write in the afternoon, or evening, I’ll use music. My study is very tidy, but not obsessively so.

After falling in love with The Farm (your latest release), I read your debut novel Child 44 and the first thing I noticed was the different writing styles. Was this intentional or a result of the contemporary nature of The Farm versus Stalinist Russia in Child 44?
The big shift was from a third person narrative to a first person narrative, from a voice that the reader trusted emphatically, to a voice the reader questioned. But sure, the change in setting and the movement from historic to contemporary will have played a big part too.

Can you tell us about the research you undertake? What is some of the more unusual resource material you've consulted or research you've undertaken?
There’s nothing particularly unusual about my research, I just read a lot of books, as much as possible. The travel is useful too, but I would place all my emphasis on the importance of books, far more than the internet, which is full of brief extracts, bullet points, but for the internet, a few pages of text looks long, when in fact, it wouldn’t even be enough to constitute an introduction to a book. 

Did you buy these books or borrow them from the library? Do you prefer paper or e-books?

I bought them, even though I had very little money at the time, because I wanted to make a psychological commitment to finishing the novel [Child 44]. I’m glad I did, because they now sit on my shelves, and I feel a sort of connection to them. 

I much prefer hard copies of books, partly because I love having them on bookshelves. E-Books are spectacularly convenient though, particularly when traveling. 

Child 44 has been translated into 36 languages, is a major bestseller and quickly attracted the interests of Ridley Scott. It’s due to hit the big screen in April 2015 and I was wondering if your script to screen success is due to your experience and background in TV and screenwriting. What do you think?
I think writing in any medium helps writing in other mediums, even when they’re very different forms. Writing, for me, is about story and character and that’s true for novels and screenplays.

With regards to the movie of CHILD 44, I actually saw it recently for the first time, and it’s sensational. The love story is incredibly powerful and moving, the whole movie is beautifully directed, and there are some amazing sequences. The cast really couldn’t be any better, in my view. Sounds like we're in for a treat!

I noticed Noomi Rapace (who played Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) has been cast as Raisa in Child 44 the movie. Did you ever have particular actors in mind when writing the novel, given you first pitched the idea as the basis for a movie?
I didn’t, actually, in fact, I’m often quite vague about the appearance of a character, except where it’s relevant to the plot.

What’s your first love now, books or TV and movies?
I couldn’t possibly rank them!

What are you reading at the moment?
I’m actually in the middle of researching my new novel: it’s something epic after the tight, claustrophobia of THE FARM. But I’m always cautious about discussing my new novels, ideas are fragile, and they need protecting until they're fully formed.

Do you have any literary influences?
Every book I’ve ever read is an influence, but if I was being more helpful, I’d point to writers who are great with narrative, Conrad and Orwell, for example.

I am happiest when…?
Writing. That might sound unbelievable, or glib, but I suspect it to be true, maybe there’s something wrong about that, I’m not sure. It’s probably the only time I feel completely at ease.

What's next? What are you working on at the moment?
I’m finishing the final rewrites on a television mini-series called London Spy, a contemporary thriller, which goes into production in a few weeks. Five episodes, for the BBC.

Thanks so much Tom! I really appreciate your time, and look forward to seeing your books on the big screen.  Best of luck with the new novel.

Review: Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

Tom Rob Smith burst onto the scene in 2008 with his debut novel Child 44, which has gone on to sell millions of copies and win a host of awards.

Set in Stalinist Russia, Leo Demidov is a popular and loyal agent for the MGB, the State's Security Force.  The state controls everything, from where you live to the food you eat and conditions are bleak.  Anyone can be sent to the gulag or executed on the spot for the most trivial of infractions and many are arrested and tortured.

In performing his duties, Leo comes across the death of a boy found naked on a set of train tracks.  Convinced he has been murdered, his family are desperate for the state to investigate, but Leo must convince them otherwise.  Why? There's no crime in Russia.  The citizens have everything they need, so there's no need to commit any crime.  In fact, to suggest otherwise is a crime against the state.

Leo soon learns of similar cases across the country and becomes convinced Russia has a serial killer.  Unfortunately his superiors won't listen, and Leo must decide whether to risk his life (and that of his parents and wife) to investigate or turn a blind eye and live.

The serial killer in Child 44 is based on the true crimes of Andrei Chikatilo, a Russian man convicted of 52 murders (committed between 1978-1990) and otherwise known as the Rostov Ripper.

The introduction to Child 44 takes place in a time of famine, and Smith's powers of description are impressive.  The writing style is completely different compared to his latest novel The Farm (a contemporary thriller) which I've been recommending to anyone who reads.

Further evidence of its success, Child 44 is coming to the big screen next year in the hands of the legendary Ridley Scott and I can't wait.  

Check out my interview with author Tom Rob Smith.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Allegiance by Wanda Wiltshire

* From the publisher for review *

Allegiance by Wanda Wiltshire is the second in the Betrothed series, and picks up right where Betrothed left off.

We catch up with Marla, who has left Faera, and is upset about leaving her betrothed Leif behind.  Marla is supported by her best friend Jack and after realising her romantic feelings for him, they become an item.

This is the beginning (or continuation) of a love triangle between the three main characters (Marla, Jack and Leif) and the romance forms a large part of the novel.  There is physical yearning - between both couples - that is repeatedly denied and which reminded me of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Allegiance will appeal to readers who loved the Twilight series.  However if I'm honest, this isn't me.  

The book started to pick up for me when Marla returned to Faera and started to assist in the tracking down of the Shadow Fae.  It was interesting learning about the evil and darkness in Faera (not just all the good stuff) including the origin and methods of the Shadow Fae.  Their motivations and reasons for bringing horror upon the citizens of Faera was realistic and fit with the fantasy world the author has created.

Copy of Allegiance with
handmade bookmark
from author
Wanda Wiltshire

This darkness and tension was definitely more my style and I really enjoyed this part of the novel.  Even more, my reading was enhanced by the use of a handmade and personalised bookmark from the author (pictured left).

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

You can click here to buy the book.  The next in the series is called Confused and is due for release in 2015.

Review: The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

Oh my goodness! I've been hanging out to read The Farm by Tom Rob Smith ever since I heard the premise:

Daniel's parents have retired to Sweden, and all seems well until he receives a call from his father.
"Your mother's not well.  She's been imagining things - terrible, terrible things. She's had a psychotic breakdown, and has been committed to a mental hospital." 

But then his mother rings to say: "I'm sure your father has spoken to you. Everything that man has told you is a lie. I'm not mad. I don't need a doctor. I need the police. I'm about to board a flight to London. Meet me at Heathrow."  (Source: GoodReads).

Daniel then has to decide which of his parents to believe.  I was instantly hooked by the premise, and instantly gripped by the plot as soon as I picked up the book.

In fact, there was so much tension in The Farm, that I actually exclaimed, out loud, twice!  The first was when Daniel's Mum says the simple words: "I told him everything" and I instantly yelled out "NO!"

And the second was when it was clear Daniel had made his decision about which parent to believe (no spoilers though).  Oh, and the ending too, so I guess that makes three out loud exclamations and luckily for me they all occurred at home.

The Farm is a mystery and psychological thriller, which is surprising given the content is not driven by action so much as learning the truth about what took place.  The plot is tight and the tension is palpable, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.  

I was also pleased to learn the movie rights have been sold, hopefully it's not too long before we can watch The Farm on the big screen.  Get it, read it now!

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Introducing BookGirlTV

Introducing Tessa Smith McGovern, the driving force behind BookGirlTV. Tessa cuts through the advertising and publishing hype to find the best new books to read and takes you behind the scenes with today's top authors.

BookGirlTV also works to shine a light on under-recognised female writers, (both emerging and best-selling authors) and provides readers with an interactive, entertaining and life-enhancing monthly video book club that will suit anyone’s busy schedule.

The most recent edition of BookGirlTV’s author interview show, ‘Just Books with Tessa Smith McGovern’ features an interview with Linda Fairstein about her book Terminal City, which reveals the “dark side” of New York City’s Grand Central Station. (You can watch the interview below).

BookGirlTV also produces a series called BookGirlBUZZes, 1-2 minute book reviews that tell you what a book’s about (don’t worry, no spoilers). The email newsletter also keeps people in the know about new episodes of BookGirlTV and offers the chance to win free books, many of them signed.

About the BookGirl: Tessa Smith McGovern loves books, and is a lifelong reader and writer. Originally from England, she published her first short story in 1996 and has continued to publish work while also founding eChook Digital Publishing and hosting and producing BookGirl.TV. Tessa also teaches at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, NY.

Winner Announced: Craven Giveaway

The Carpe Librum Craven giveaway closed at midnight last night, and I received some great entries.

Entrants were asked which place they would like to go (or prefer to avoid) if they had the gift of retrocognition, like the protagonist in Craven by Melanie Casey.

After processing the entries using random.org, the winning entry selected belongs to:

Claire P. 
*Jessica (Frellathon)

Claire's entry was: I would probably want to go somewhere historic like the Tower of London, it would be so interesting from a historic point of view but also really exhausting because of the horrible way they met their death.

Congratulations Claire, please email me with your Australian postal address no later than midnight Sunday 10 August.*

* (If a valid postal address isn't received then a second winner will be drawn).

Thanks must go to Pantera Press and Melanie Casey for providing a copy of Craven to make this giveaway possible.

Thanks and happy reading!

* Unfortunately more than a week has passed and I can't track down Claire P. so I have no other choice but to draw a new winner.  Congratulations to Jessica (frellathon), please email me with your postal details by COB 19 August.

Review: Dancing on Knives by Kate Forsyth

* Copy courtesy of The Reading Room, Random House Australia and NetGalley *

Kate Forsyth is one of my favourite contemporary Australian authors, and I've read and reviewed Bitter Greens (5 stars), The Wild Girl (5 stars) and Dragonclaw: Book One of the Witches of Eileanan (4 stars) over the last few years.  I've even had the pleasure of interviewing Kate on Carpe Librum, you can click here to read the interview.

Dancing on Knives is her latest novel, published in June 2014 although it's not a re-telling of a fairytale.  Dancing on Knives is set on a run-down coastal farm outside of Narooma in NSW and is the story of a family torn apart by secrets.

At twenty years of age, Sara is the oldest daughter of the family, and is so haunted by past events she hasn't left the family farm in more than 5 years.

Dancing on Knives is a rural murder mystery with Sara trying to work out who killed her talented and moody artist father while finding herself in the midst of a budding romance.

Dancing on Knives is a gritty and dark tale and I really felt the isolation of each of the characters.  The mystery kept me guessing although I wasn't moved by the romance.  It's interesting to note that Kate Forsyth originally wrote this story at the tender age of sixteen and since then, it has undergone several incarnations over the years before being published as Dancing on Knives.  

It must be said that I didn't enjoy Dancing on Knives as much as her other novels, however it was refreshing to read something entirely different from this author.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

P.S. I loved the reference to Brett Whiteley and his work on page 198 of the novel; he's my favourite Australian artist of all time.

Review & Giveaway: Craven by Melanie Casey

*Copies courtesy of Pantera Press *

Craven by Melanie Casey is the second in the series to feature Cass Lehman, and follows directly on from Hindsight.

Just a reminder that Cass has retrocognition, and when she occupies the space where a person has died, she experiences a detailed vision of their death and in particular how they died.

In Hindsight, Cass worked closely with Detective Ed Dyson using her gift to capture a serial killer, however their budding relationship hasn't survived into Craven.

Since then, Cass has left home, started a new job and is living in the city of Adelaide looking for a fresh start.  Cass makes a welcomed new friend in Claire however she's also acquired a creepy stalker and soon needs to call on Ed for his assistance.

I loved the character development in Craven and in particular seeing Cass achieve her independence and leave the protective cocoon of her family.  It was also refreshing to discover (along with Cass) more about her gift and how she can use it.

In summary, Craven can be read as a mystery and crime novel and has an unmistakeable Australian feel.  I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Cass' life once again and I really hope there's another planned in the series.

My rating = ****

Giveaway
You can WIN your own copy of Craven by Melanie Casey.

To enter: comment below and tell me where you would go (or places you'd avoid) if you had Cass' gift of retrocognition.

Eligibility: only those with an Australian postal address are eligible to enter.

Entries close: midnight, Sunday 3 August 2014.

Winner: I'll be using random.org to select the winner and posting the results here on the blog.  The winner will have until midnight Sunday 10th August to make contact and provide a postal address.

Additional entries: any of the following will give you an additional entry in the competition:
- follow Carpe Librum on Twitter
- Tweet or retweet the giveaway on Twitter
- follow Carpe Librum via Google Friend Connect
- follow Carpe Librum via email
- Share this giveaway on Facebook
(Make sure you mention this in your entry/comment below)


Good luck and feel free to share the competition with your friends and family for more chances to WIN.

Review: What Came Before by Anna George

* Copy courtesy of The Reading Room and Penguin Random House *

What Came Before is the debut novel from Anna George, a Melbourne based author with a background as a lawyer.

Set in suburban Melbourne, this novel about love and domestic violence has one of the best opening lines I've read all year, and it certainly sucks you in from the beginning:

“My name is David James Forrester. I’m a solicitor. Tonight, at 6.10, I killed my wife.  This is my statement.”

This psychological thriller is told in flash back sequences by David's wife Elle Nolan, as she is floating above her broken body, a victim of domestic violence.  We also hear David's perspective as he panics and tries to grapple with his foul deed.

What Came Before is an interesting and slightly disturbing insight into a seemingly normal relationship and it's steady decline.  Knowing the ending doesn't detract from the plot, and I think it's a good warning for those finding themselves in a troubled relationship.

My only problem was that I recently read Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes, which is a hard hitting account of domestic violence that was a brilliant read (I wanted to give it 51/2 stars it was that good).  What Came Before was more subtle, but after reading Into The Darkest Corner two months ago, I can't help comparing my reading experiences.

If you're looking for a psychological thriller set in Australia or in Melbourne, then I highly recommend What Came Before.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Winner Announced: Murder In Mississippi by John Safran

Thanks to those who entered my true crime competition to WIN a copy of Murder In Mississippi by John Safran, the competition has now closed.

Entrants left comments sharing the true crime book they'd most like to read in the future, perhaps containing a crime not yet solved.  There were many entries, and I was surprised by how many cases were decades old.

Without further ado, congratulations to the winner: 

Katrina Morris!

Congratulations Katrina, please email me with your postal address by midnight Sunday 27th July and I'll send your prize to you right away; a brand new copy of Murder In Mississippi by John Safran.

Thanks again to all those who entered. I'll be running another book giveaway soon, so stay tuned and Carpe Librum!

Review: The City by Dean Koontz

* Copy courtesy of NetGalley *

Background
I've been reading books by Dean Koontz since the mid 1990s and have read 29 in total, reviewing and rating 16.  Of those 16 rated novels, the average star rating for them all is 3.06.  

The reason I'm sharing these stats is to demonstrate my ongoing enjoyment of these novels, and although I've given plenty of 4 star ratings, I've never given a Koontz novel 5 stars..... until today.

Review
The City is the coming-of-age story of nine year old Jonah Kirk growing up in the 1960s, told by his older self.  Jonah is a young musical prodigy who loves to play the piano and lives with his mum on the fourth floor of an apartment building.

The city of the title comes in the form of the mysterious Miss Pearl, who gives Jonah advice at important times in his life and seems very otherworldly.  She tells Jonah that she is the city and all it's people and she looks over Jonah.

Jonah's father has left the family, and he befriends his Japanese American neighbour Mr. Nashioka and together they discover a fellow neighbour is up to no good and her actions could have grave consequences.  Jonah builds incredible relationships with Malcolm (who lives across the road) and his relationship with Mr. Nashioka was deeply moving.  

The City is a story of fate, luck, tragedy, family and love with a light touch of the paranormal and it's what I've been waiting to read from Koontz for years! There are no monsters or great battles between good and evil, and no dog central to the plot.  But what is offered is a glimpse into the life of one young boy and the influence of his guardian, Miss Pearl and the unforgettable Mr. Nashioka, a humble tailor.

This is easily the best Dean Koontz book I've ever read and I recommend it highly!

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Interview with Elizabeth Haynes, author of Into The Darkest Corner and Human Remains

Thanks so much for joining us at Carpe Librum Elizabeth, it’s such a pleasure to have you.
I read in your bio that you’re a huge fan of National Novel Writing Month  (NaNoWriMo) and have participated many times to commence or continue a manuscript.  What is it about NaNoWriMo that motivates you? Is it the timeline, the network of writers?
It’s both, and other things besides. When a friend first introduced me to NaNoWriMo in October 2005, I was excited by the concept straight away. It almost gave me permission to take writing seriously for the first time, and I’ll always be grateful for that. All of my published novels originated during November and I find it difficult to write at other times of the year. I always respond best to a deadline, but I think even more than that, it’s the element of competition and teamwork. In our region we have developed good friendships and everyone is very supportive when it comes to encouraging the word count.

Author,
Elizabeth Haynes

Your debut novel Into The Darkest Corner was a gripping read and I was absolutely mesmerised by the character with OCD, Catherine.  What was your inspiration for her? Do you have first hand knowledge of anyone with OCD?  (I haven’t looked at my cutlery drawer the same way since).
Without wishing to make light of what’s a very distressing condition, I think we are all somewhere on a spectrum which begins with little superstitions and runs all the way to being debilitated by obsessions and compulsions. I remember counting steps when I was a child, trying to make good things happen by being extra-diligent with certain rituals. I think for many people these little quirks tip over into OCD when they suffer some kind of trauma; when you lose control over fundamental aspects of your own life it’s not difficult to see how exercising control over the little details can begin to provide some comfort. 

Beyond my own awareness of it, a very good friend who is a clinical psychologist recommended me some good books with first-hand accounts of those who suffer from OCD, as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which Catherine also experiences.

I note that the film rights for Into The Darkest Corner have been sold; do you know when it might be coming to the big screen?  Are you planning to be involved in the script or filming process?
It’s incredibly exciting that the option for Into the Darkest Corner sold really quickly to Revolution Films. I’ve become good friends with Tinge Krishnan, who is directing and writing the script for it too. Tinge completely gets what I was trying to do with the book, and it’s important to both of us that the message behind it isn’t dumbed down by the process. It may take a long time for all the pieces to slot into place but if it all comes together and is filmed I will be thrilled.

Can you tell us more about your time working as a Police Intelligence Analyst?  Are you still working for Police?
I think being an analyst really helped me make the transition from office worker to writer! It’s a job that requires creative thinking as well as attention to detail, as the analyst has to interpret intelligence in order to recommend the most effective use of police resources. I’ve always thought it would be possible to write an entire book using police documents; as evidence comes in, you build up more of the story of what actually happened when an offence was committed.

I took a career break from the police in order to write; sadly that’s come to an end now, but it does mean that I’m writing full time. Luckily I still have good friends in the police service who can check I’ve got things right.

I recently read Human Remains, and the protagonist Annabel is a civilian working for the Police in an analysis role.  Is her character inspired by your own experiences?
Yes, in quite a few ways. The job Annabel does is pretty much exactly the role I had as an Area Analyst, looking at things like burglary, criminal damage and vehicle crime and trying to spot patterns in offending behaviour. There are many analytical roles, not just in the police but further afield in the military, financial and retail services, for example. In the current economic climate analysts are often performing more than one role, and Annabel ends up working for the Public Protection Unit doing reports on sex offenders too. 

In Human Remains, Annabel receives the daily Chief Constable’s Report, and notices from that the apparent increase in her local area of people dying alone and not being found for some time. This was inspired by a real report that goes to certain officers daily, giving details of significant events over the past twenty four hours, including any unexplained or sudden deaths. We would see such cases fairly regularly – people being found in a state of advanced decomposition – and I found myself wondering what I’d do if I analysed these incidents and noted a sudden sharp increase. Would anyone be able to investigate, given that no apparent crime had been committed? And what could possibly be the cause? The whole plot came out of that idea, including the character of Colin – who may or may not be directly responsible for all these people remaining undiscovered in their homes.

Can you tell us about the research you undertake? What is some of the more unusual resource material you've consulted or research you've undertaken?  (Human Remains contains much scientific information).
I ordered a book on forensic biology for Human Remains and opened it to start my research, full of good intentions. About a minute later I put the book down, carefully removed my glasses (because I have terrible eyesight) and went through the book covering all the images with sticky paper. I can read the most gruesome details about decomposition but I cannot bear to look at it, as I’m really squeamish!

That was pretty straightforward, though. My second book, Revenge of the Tide, is about a former pole dancer who leaves her old life behind to renovate a Dutch barge, a houseboat. For that book I took pole fitness classes so that I got a sense of how physically strenuous pole dancing is. Even after six weeks I only ever got to the most basic of moves. I have nothing but admiration for anyone who can invert.

What can you tell us about your writing area?  I read in your bio that you used a second hand typewriter from the age of 13; do you still have it? 
You know, it may well be in my Mum’s house somewhere. I hope it is. It was supposed to be portable but it weighed the same as a small car.

These days I have a writing shed in the garden (which is small, so the shed takes up half of it). I have everything I need in there – a coffee machine, laptop, music and company in the shape of my Spanish rescue dog, Bea. If I find myself procrastinating too much I go to a coffee shop which usually helps my focus. I think it comes from so many years working in an open-plan office, it’s easy to be distracted when you’re on your own.

Elizabeth recommends
The Night Watchman
by Richard Zimler

What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished two excellent books – The Second Footman by Jasper Barry, about intrigue, love and machinations above and below stairs in 19th Century France; and The Night Watchman by Richard Zimler, about a most unusual detective uncovering corruption at the highest level in contemporary Portugal. Both of them very highly recommended.

What are some of your favourite books/authors?
I’ve always loved reading crime, and I have particular favourites that I will always buy as soon as a new book comes out. These include John Harvey, Ruth Rendell, Nicci French, Mo Hayder and Stuart MacBride. They are all geniuses and I am, and will remain, in awe of them.

Do you have any literary influences?
I was influenced by studying Literature at A level and University (I studied English, German and Art History), and realised the beauty and perfection of good writing whilst reading Jeanette Winterson, T S Eliot, Orwell, D H Lawrence and countless others. The trouble with that was that these writers became god-like to me; as much as I loved writing myself, it felt like what they achieved with their words was on a completely different, and insurmountable, plane to what I was doing with my hefty little typewriter. As a result I never even considered the possibility of publication one day for myself, and never bothered to show anyone what I was writing.

I am happiest when…?
…I am about to start a new story in November! So full of promise! So intriguing, too. By that point in the year I will have an idea of what I’m going to write, without planning it. There will be some challenge or mystery that I will investigate during the writing process. But before it all starts I find the excitement building, because I want to find out what happens and the only way to do that is to write it.

What's next? Are you working on anything else at the moment?
I am editing my fifth book, which is the second in a police procedural series – the first book in the series is called Under a Silent Moon and it came out earlier this year. After that, I have an idea of the third book which I will write in November. I also have a couple of books half-finished, which are different genres and therefore a bit experimental for me. I am easily bored so I use these projects to dip in and out of, until the inspiration returns for the main book I’m working on. Occasionally I write a bit of fan fiction, too, just for fun.

What would you like to tell your readers?
If you want to write, go right ahead and do it. Don’t let anyone, including your own inner voice, tell you not to bother. Write because it’s fun, and if you’re enjoying the process then the results will be better too.

I’m always trying to recruit people to write more; because it almost feels like a hobby you have to permit yourself to do. It feels very self-indulgent to go off and write for a few hours, but it shouldn’t be. I think more readers would be writers too but they stop themselves because there is this pressure to be a ‘good’ writer. I don’t think any successful author was ‘good’ when they first started. The successful authors are the ones who just wrote and wrote because it was fun, and sooner or later it turned into a career when they weren’t paying attention.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Just to say thank you so much for asking me these fabulous questions! It’s a great honour to be asked to do something like this, and I’m most grateful. 

Thanks so much Elizabeth!  Click on these links to buy Into The Darkest Corner and Human Remains from Boomerang Books.

Review: Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz

Odd Apocalypse is the fifth book in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz and follows directly on from Odd Interlude.

Odd and his pregnant companion Annamaria, are staying at Roseland Estate by invitation of the billionaire owner.  Staying in the guest tower Odd gets the feeling that something isn't right and soon discovers a boy who needs his help.

With less horror and more science fiction, Odd Apocalypse is a good story, but I can't help but feel (as Odd does) the inevitable pull to the end of the series; and possibly Odd's life.

My favourite quote from the book which demonstrates the Koontz style and sense of humour is an excerpt as follows:

"The chef was intent upon adding to a pile of eyes on the cutting board beside the sink, where he was blinding several pounds of potatoes before peeling them."

With the final book in the series - Saint Odd - due out in December 2014, I've been making good progress through the series this year.  To be honest though, I would only recommend reading Odd Apocalypse if you've been following the series.  It would be unsatisfying to read it in isolation.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Here's the complete series of Odd Thomas books by Dean Koontz (not including graphic novels):
Book #1     Odd Thomas
Book #2     Forever Odd
Book #3     Brother Odd
Book #4     Odd Hours
Book #4.5  Odd Interlude
Book #5     Odd Apocalypse
Book #6     Deeply Odd
Book #7     Saint Odd

Review: Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes

After being absolutely captivated by Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes recently, I wanted to enjoy more of her writing and picked up Human Remains soon after.

Human Remains is considerably darker than Into The Darkest Corner, and bears no resemblance to her debut novel; which is a pleasant and refreshing discovery in the world of books.

This time the protagonist is Annabel, a female Police Analyst who begins to notice an exceeding number of decomposing bodies being discovered in their homes.  In each case, the deceased had slowly withdrawn from society before they died and wasn't missed.

The novel is told from the perspectives of Annabel and Colin (sociopath and bad guy) as well as short segments from the deceased themselves.  This makes for a fascinating read that really kept me on the edge of my seat.

It's clear the author has studied the science of human decomposition and Neuro Linguistic Programming (no more for fear of spoilers) in order to write the villain's first person perspective, and it's done extremely well.  Colin is a despicable man and his methods of suggestion and persuasion are downright scary.

Human Remains delicately raises the point that we no longer know our neighbours and aren't as friendly as we once were.  The main reason for this is probably personal safety, but while reading Human Remains I couldn't help but reflect on these topics.

Human Remains is a real page-turner and a great crime novel with a difference.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

P.S. Exciting news, I'll be interviewing the author Elizabeth Haynes here on Carpe Librum soon, so watch this space.

Giveaway: Murder In Mississippi by John Safran

WIN a copy of Murder in Mississippi
by John Safran

I thoroughly enjoyed Murder In Mississippi by John Safran and now you have the chance to enjoy it too.

John Safran is a fan of true crime, so for your chance to win, you'll need to comment below and tell us which crime you'd be interested in reading about.  This is a hypothetical question, so think about crimes that haven't been solved yet that you'd like to learn the truth about.

I'll start things off by sharing that I'd love to read a true crime book about the Beaumont children and learn their whereabouts.

I'd also like to read a true crime book about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, if indeed there was a crime at the heart of the mysterious disappearance.

Giveaway
Up for grabs is a brand new copy of Murder In Mississippi by John Safran for one lucky Carpe Librum reader.

To enter: comment below and tell me which true crime book you'd like to read (see explanation above).

Eligibility: only those with an Australian postal address are eligible to enter.

Entries close: midnight, Sunday 20 July 2014.

Winner: I'll be choosing the winner based on your responses. The winner will have until midnight Sunday 27th July to make contact and provide a postal address.

Good luck to you all and feel free to share the competition with your friends and family for more chances to WIN.

Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

*Copy courtesy of NetGalley *

The Martian by Andy Weir is the best science fiction novel I've read in years; probably since giving Eifelheim by Michael Flynn 4.5 stars in 2009.  (Click here to read that review).

The martian of the title is NASA astronaut Mark Watney, who finds himself deserted on Mars following a failed mission saw his team depart the planet thinking him dead.

Mark's skills and knowledge as an engineer paired with his incredible problem solving ability leads to all kinds of schemes in his attempt to survive.  His observations and sense of humour is 'laugh out loud' funny and I found myself wanting to read out snippets and share the humour with anyone who was around.

I adored the level of science in the novel and while there was a lot, it was explained in layman's terms and I certainly didn't feel out of my depth -  not being a science fiction devotee.

There's an element of MacGyver in the novel and if you enjoyed the TV show, then you'll definitely fall in love with the ingenuity of Watney in his lonely predicament.

The only downer was the ending.  Clearly when you're in love with a book you don't want it to end, however that aside, I did feel The Martian ended a little abruptly and prematurely.  I wanted to know more about 'what happened after' and while I'd like to think there was going to be a sequel, I really don't think there will be.  The story definitely ends, but I was left wanting to linger a little longer.

I recommended this book to my husband, and it's the first book in 10+ years that we've both enjoyed; no doubt due to the overlap of our interests and plentiful humour. I've just learned that Twentieth Century Fox optioned the film rights and that Matt Damon might play the protagonist, Mark Watney.  Wow, I can't wait for this one!

It's a no-brainer for me to give The Martian 5 stars and I recommend it widely to a range of readers; especially to those who don't browse the science fiction shelves often.  This is a pure gem and a funny and entertaining read. (And there are no aliens, just in case you were wondering).

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice

It seems forever since I published this post announcing the new cover for The Wolves of Midwinter by legendary author Anne Rice.  It was May 2013 in fact, and fans have been waiting - with baited breath - for the second instalment in The Wolf Gift Chronicles.

I received my copy (with alternate red cover pictured right) for Christmas and have waited as long as I can before diving in.  I love the anticipation of having an unread book by Anne Rice just sitting on my shelf; the pages new and yearning to be turned for the first time.

The ending of The Wolf Gift left me wanting to know much more, and I feel the same way after finishing The Wolves of Midwinter.  I want more!  I was hungry to learn the backstory for Felix and Margon, but my need wasn't 100% satisfied; and yes, I'm probably greedy in this regard.

There were plenty of reveals and new entities introduced and the plot motored along, however that just begged more questions relating to the origin of the new characters and their existence over the past several hundred years prior to meeting up with Reuben and Stuart.  The character of Lisa was the most alluring and I can't wait to find out more about her and her heritage.

Finally, the Christmas celebration in The Wolves of Midwinter is, in my humble opinion, the best account of Christmas in modern fiction.  The plans, decorations, music, food and people evoked such a magical and almost ethereal atmosphere that I would give anything to have been there.  I'm hoping The Wolf Gift Chronicles makes it onto the big screen just so I can see Felix's Christmas party at Nideck Point come to life; magnificent.

There simply must be a third book in the series and I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading it when it comes out.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

P.S.  The next novel to be published by Anne Rice is Prince Lestat, the 11th in the Vampire Chronicles.  It's due to be released at the end of October 2014, plenty of time to re-read the previous 10 right?

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is a bestselling novel and has been hugely popular with readers worldwide. As most of my followers would know, as soon as a book becomes 'trendy' or too popular, it turns me off, so I haven't read it until now (prompted by the release of the movie).

If you're unfamiliar with the story, it's about teenagers living with cancer, but at the same time it's so much more than that. The novel is full of wit and humour and far from depressing to read.

The Fault In Our Stars is a YA novel, but delves deep into bigger thoughts on why we're here, our existence after death and the complexities of love as well as suffering. It's a novel about family, acceptance, growing up and yes, grief.

I now have a full understanding of the buzz surrounding The Fault In Our Stars and author John Green certainly deserves all of the accolades being directed his way.

The movie was released in Australia today and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it.  Have you read the book? Will you be seeing the film?

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!