Review: The Shifting Fog by Kate Morton

After reading Kate Morton's sensational novel The Forgotten Garden - and giving it 5 stars - I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into The Shifting Fog, also known (and printed in other countries) as The House at Riverton.

In the beginning of the novel, the reader is aware that there is going to be a shooting at the lake at Riverton Manor and a famous young poet will die - presumably by suicide - but we're not quite sure why. We meet Grace, who was employed as a servant at Riverton Manor at the young age of 14 and was ensconced in the household during this period. When Grace is in her late 90's and living in a nursing home, she is contacted by a film maker looking to make a film of the events leading up to the suicide. The film maker has researched the characters and the period, and asks Grace for her input to ensure the sets are an accurate portrayal of the manor during the roaring 1920's.

Grace begins to reflect on her time at the manor; observing sisters Hannah and Emmeline and the secrets she has protected since then. We are taken back to the period in long vivid flashbacks, and become immersed in the house and entranced by the characters. The book is very gothic in its setting and rich in secrets, long kept loyalties and a sense of tradition. We also witness the slow decline of Riverton Manor and the changing social landscape following World War I and the devastation that came with it.

Grace reveals the truth about the young poet's death at the end of the book, and for me it came as a complete surprise and I'd go so far as to say it was even haunting. As a result, we learn why sisters Hannah and Emmeline never spoke to each other again after that night.

Kate Morton has used a similar plot design as she did in The Forgotten Garden - two different time periods, characters haunted by the past, family drama, mystery and secrets slowly revealed - however it's such a magical and effective concoction and I enjoyed it very much. I have to say I preferred The Forgotten Garden, however the suspense and mystery in this novel had me completely gripped. I would highly recommend The Shifting Fog to other readers.

My rating = ****

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Review: Gentlemen and Players: A Novel - Joanne Harris

This novel by Joanne Harris centres around St Oswald's Grammar School for Boys, which in itself becomes a central character in the early stages of the book. The school is rich in history and tradition, avoiding any kind of scandal and ensuring any mishap is kept from the local press. Order must be maintained at all costs.

The book shifts narrators from Mr Straightley, Classics teacher who is one of the longest serving professors on staff, and a mysterious new member of staff motivated by deep revenge and set on destroying the school from the very foundations.

Gentlemen and Players was published in 2005, six years after her very successful novel Chocolat, and was nominated for the Edgar Awards. I don't want to give away any more of the plot as there is a massive twist towards the end of the book that caught me completely by surprise. I thought I knew which member of staff was the impostor, but I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. The impostor has a dark character and years of hurt and torment, and a cleverly plotted method of revenge.

I enjoyed reading about this character in their younger years, and found myself cheering for Mr Straightley, the sharp -witted, Latin speaking Professor who tries to get to the truth of the sudden decline of his beloved school.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to all those who enjoy a thriller and a twist!

My rating = ****

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Review: Why Mahler? How One Man and Ten Symphonies Changed the World

This is a non-fiction book about the great composer, Gustav Mahler, written by Norman Lebrecht. When I read somewhere that the music of Mahler was performed more often than Beethoven, I had to find out more about this man, and this seemed as good a place as any to begin.

Mahler was born in 1860 and died in 1911, and was a conductor as well as composing music. This book covers Mahler's personal life and music, much of which is very interesting. However; the reader quickly learns that Lebrecht himself has spent countless years researching anything to do with Mahler, almost to the point of obsession. The author can't resist including his own personal anecdotes here and there, which often disrupt the flow of the text. I often found myself confused, wondering if this particular anecdote was about Mahler or about the author. This appeared quite self-serving, and these segments should have been edited more clearly, or incorporated in some other way.

It was interesting to read about the times in which Mahler was composing, and how his music was received by others. He was liberal in his instructions to other conductors performing his music, so much so, that some performances of a particular symphony could vary by as much as 20 minutes, depending on Mahler's mood, or the interpretation of the conductor. Fascinating stuff! Mahler was one of the most accomplished conductors in his time, and was in constant demand, working long hours. According to Lebrecht, Mahler was a perfectionist when it came to the skill of those musicians in his orchestra and would often dismiss musicians who didn't meet his high standards.

According to Lebrecht, Mahler's music influenced many people, including those in important roles within society. (Lebrecht includes a few examples in his book). He claims Mahler was an important influence for musicians that followed, no doubt true. But did Mahler change the world? I don't think so, at least not to the extent the author has claimed.

Recommended for those interested in learning a little about Mahler, although you may find a better reference than this book.

My rating = **

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Name change?

I've been wondering if it's a good time for a name change. This blog has been going for a number of years now, and has become solely about book reviews, so I'm wondering if a more fitting title is now called for.

Suggestions are more than welcome. What do you think?

Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Friends will know I often avoid reading a particular book if I think the title is too outrageous or seems to me to be seeking attention. However; occasionally I have to acquiesce, especially if it's recommended to me by a friend. This has been the case in the past for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society which I really enjoyed - once I got over the ridiculous title of course. And, I'm happy to say, the same was true here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is narrated by a young, autistic teenage boy named Christopher. In the beginning of the story, he discovers his neighbour's dog -Wellington - dead on the lawn and decides to become a detective and find out what happened. The book is terribly honest and funny; Christopher can't tell lies, he's mathematically gifted and has various 'behaviour problems'. He lists these in the book, some of which include: hating yellow and brown things, not liking being touched and covering his ears and groaning (which he describes as the only way to reduce the stimuli around him). Some of the items on his list are serious, but others are amusing, and the author has done an amazing job both including and balancing the humour throughout the book.

I found Christopher to be an incredibly likable character and I was amazed at the author's ability to create him and the unique narrative and style of writing. I have no idea if Christopher is an accurate portrayal of a teenager with autism, however it certainly opened my eyes to how easily behaviour can be misinterpreted.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was extremely easy to read (I finished it in 2 nights), and it had me smiling to myself and caring greatly for Christopher's plight. The novel won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 2003, and the Commonwealth Writer's Prize for Best First Book in 2004.

It's a fabulous and touching read and I recommend it to everyone 10yo and over.

My rating = *****

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Review: Your Soul's Plan by Robert Schwartz

This book is for those who believe - or are interested in learning more about - pre-birth planning. Author Robert Schwartz writes that the soul plans life's challenges/opportunities/lessons prior to birth. Not only that, the soul plans these major life events in conjunction with other souls, that will each play a role in life on earth with us - brothers, sisters, parents, partners, soul mates etc.

We've all heard the phrase 'soul mates' and 'old soul'. Similarly, we've all had the experience of meeting someone for the first time and feeling like you've met them before, or suddenly just click.

The book covers several themes such as: illnesses, children with disabilities, loss of a loved one and more. The author elaborates on each theme by including case studies which involve psychic readings from several practitioners.

The book certainly raises many topics for debate and further exploration, and plenty of material for deep and meaningful discussions.

Regardless of whether you are a 'believer' in pre-birth planning or not, I found Your Soul's Plan a spiritually enlightening read. If we could all approach life in this manner, with so much love and compassion, the world would certainly be a better place.

My rating = ****

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Review: Black Dahlia by James Ellroy

The Black Dahlia is a book that is referred to often as the American crime novel to top all crime novels, so of course I just had to read it for myself.

Set in the 1940s, the Black Dahlia is the name given to murder victim Elizabeth Short, who is brutally murdered and her corpse dumped in an abandoned lot. Two policeman (and ex-boxers) Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard are amongst many on the taskforce who investigate this heinous crime.

Bucky and Lee become close friends in the book and together with Lee's close friend Kay, become an inseparable three-some. (In fact, this reminded me of the relationship in the film Sophie's Choice, between Sophie, Nathan and Stingo).

Bucky tries to prevent Lee from becoming obsessed with the investigation; and he and Kay are shocked when Lee goes missing. Bucky continues to investigate the murder and Lee's disappearance, and eventually unearths secrets from every corner. Without giving the plot away, I was surprised to learn of the details at the end of the book, and enjoyed unravelling the trail set by Ellroy. Ellroy's style does take getting a little used to; he uses a lot of slang, including slang of the times and cop and street slang, which sometimes is hard to keep up with.

Admittedly, I did find it frustrating when either Bucky or Lee had to run to a phone box to phone in their findings or for a vehicle registration check, and hold on the line for 30 mins for information. It did give me a new appreciation for police investigations in the times before computers and databases, but it was frustrating because I wanted the story to keep pounding along.

Before beginning to read this book, I did know that the author James Ellroy, had once been homeless and a petty criminal, and I was very interested to know how he went from that state of living to becoming a successful author. At the end of the book, Ellroy comments on his own Mother's unsolved murder and his feelings about her and the Black Dahlia. He discloses intimate information about himself and states unequivocally that he doesn't intend of speaking of this ever again.

Ellroy is reputed to have said:

"I am to the crime novel in specific what Tolstoy is to the Russian novel and what Beethoven is to music."

Do I agree? Sadly, no. Do I believe The Black Dahlia lived up to its reputation? Well, not for me unfortunately. He's clearly a very successful author though and this book went on to form the 'LA Quartet' which included his later novel LA Confidential, (hated the film though).

If you love crime fiction, you should read this at some stage. The character development goes much deeper than most crime fiction of today, which is the most rewarding aspect of this novel for me.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Library of Shadows - Mikkel Birkegaard

The Library of Shadows was written by Mikkel Birkegaard and translated from Danish into English by Tiina Nunnally.

The author has conceptualized people who have the ability to influence your thoughts and feelings through reading. This concept is highly original as far as I'm aware and I was gripped by the idea immediately.

Set in Copenhagen, Luca Campelli is the owner of an antiquarian bookshop containing many old and rare texts as well as new releases. He and his son Jon have been estranged for many years, until Luca's sudden and unexpected death interrupts Jon's career as a highly successful lawyer. After his funeral, Jon finds himself inheriting the bookshop and becoming curious about the secrets his Father kept from him.

Jon soon learns about the secret society of gifted bibliophiles who possess powers as either transmitters or receivers. This subtle supernatural theme continues throughout the novel, as Birkegaard attributes these society members with the ability to influence, manipulate and brainwash people with their powers.

This is an exciting read and you'll find mystery, intrigue, action and danger along the way. I feel compelled to add that the translation contains several flaws which disrupted the natural pace of the novel. The romance between Jon and a supporting character was ridiculous, and the seduction scene in the shower was laughable and completely unrealistic - making me shout "as if" out loud while I was reading.

However; connections in the book to the great Library in Alexandria were absolutely tantalising and I thoroughly enjoyed these snippets. All in all, The Library of Shadows is a book with a great deal of promise, however in my opinion it failed to live up to its potential.

My rating = ***

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Review: Angel Time by Anne Rice

Angel Time was written by one of my all-time favourite authors Anne Rice. Published in October 2009; a copy found its way under the Christmas tree last year thanks to a thoughtful relative. Since then I've been admiring it on my bookshelf and trying to prolong the gratification for as long as I can.

However; with the release of the second book in this new series, I thought I had waited long enough and plunged into this long awaited novel with high hopes and expectation.

The book opens with the character of Toby, a hired assassin who has a painful past. The reader is given a glimpse into this past, and we are shown how Toby reached the point of becoming a killer for hire. One night - after another assassination by needle - Toby is approached by an Angel named Malchiah, and given a chance to redeem himself and leave evil behind for good. Toby agrees to help Malchiah in his duties on earth, and is taken by Angel Time to 13th Century England where he must protect the lives of two Jewish people under threat from an angry mob.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it met all of my expectations. The book contains her much loved themes of love, hate, good and evil, as well as faith, religion and God. Having read Anne Rice's book Called out of Darkness - A Spiritual Confession, I can see the themes of faith and religion echoed quite closely in the character Toby. She has obviously drawn on her own experiences and life journey when plotting the series.

The series is called The Songs of the Seraphim, and the next book is called Of Love and Evil, and continues with Toby and Malchiah as they head to Rome for his next 'assignment'. Fortunately I've just purchased this one, and it's waiting expectantly on my bookshelf just waiting to be seized.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

My rating = ****

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Review: Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Grave Sight is the first book in the Harper Connelly series written by Charlaine Harris. I picked this up for a bit of fun, and a so-called 'trashy' read and it didn't disappoint. Main character Harper has the ability to find dead bodies, as well as being able to determine how they died. I thought this concept was interesting enough to pursue for a light read.

The book had a very promising start with Harper and her brother taking on paying jobs for clients who need her services. However; the entire novel focussed on one job for a client situated in a smallish USA town (albeit with multiple bodies), and contained too much romance for my liking.

I would have enjoyed Grave Sight so much more if I was able to follow Harper working for many different clients over a greater period of time. It certainly would have provided more scope for the author and more variety for the reader. Having said that, it was an entertaining read and is probably best suited for Young Adult readers.

My rating = **1/2

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Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

This is Jeff Lindsay's first book introducing the serial killer Dexter - a blood spatter expert who only kills those who fit 'the code' taught to him by Harry, his adoptive father.

As we know, the books have been made into the well known US TV series called Dexter and I've enjoyed watching all the seasons to date. So, when I decided to read the first book, I wasn't sure what to expect.

It was quite a shock to find that series one of the TV show follows the book so closely. On several occasions I found myself chuckling while reading the character descriptions of Deb, Doakes and Masuka. They're exactly like that on the big screen! In fact, this is the closest book-to-screen adaptation I can think of. So much so, that it became a little predictable in parts, so I was in for a swift shock at the end of the book when one of the key characters dies in an ending that couldn't be further from the TV show.

All in all, I enjoyed reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter and I can safely say that Michael C. Hall has been cast exceptionally well, playing the role of Dexter on the show. I could really hear his voice in the book, and it easily carried me along. I have the next two to read in the series, however, they're going to have to wait a while - I have 45 books on my TBR (to be read) pile at the moment. Unfortunately, this wasn't good enough for the next two to jump to the top of the pile, but I'll enjoy coming back to Jeff Lindsay's characters when I can.

My rating = ***

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Review: The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England

This is a unique piece of non-fiction and claims to be 'A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century' and that's exactly what it is. With chapters on: the people, what to wear, what to eat and drink, health and hygiene, where to stay, what to do and more it's a comprehensive guide to the times. The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England was illuminating, fascinating, shocking and at times even funny.

I'd like to share with you the medicinal remedy for quinsy, which is an abscess in the throat developed after untreated tonsillitis:

Take a fat cat, flay it well, and draw out the guts. Take the grease of a hedgehog, the fat of a bear, resins, fenugreek, sage, honeysuckle gum and virgin wax, and crumble this and stuff the cat with it. Then roast the cat and gather the dripping, and anoint the sufferer with it.

Such a shocking remedy, it's hard to believe how they thought this could possible heal the patient. It was interesting to learn that the milling process to create flour often left small pieces of the mill stone behind which would be baked into the loaves of bread. These small pieces of gravel and stone dust naturally took their toll on the teeth of the people consuming the bread.

I didn't realise that the clothing people were permitted to wear was strictly regulated according to their annual income and land holding. For example:

Yeomen and their families weren't able to wear jewels, gold, silver, embroidery, enamelware or silk; no fur except lamb, rabbit, cat or fox; and women were not permitted to wear a silk veil.

It was also quite interesting to read about how the simple button would come to transform the clothes of this era enabling a movement away from the tunic that had to be placed over one's head to what we now know as a jacket or coat.

The author had me laughing at several points and in particular his description of a brook 400 yards from the city gate:

Along the banks you see piles of refuse, broken crockery, animal bones, entrails, human faeces, and rotting meat strewn in and around the bushes. A small brown pig roots around on the garbage. It is not called Shitbrook for nothing.

An extremely entertaining and informative read, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about what life was like 600 years ago.

My rating = *****

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Review: Red Queen by H. M. Brown

Red Queen is the debut novel for this author - a woman living in country Victoria. Her novel begins with two brothers living in isolation in a self contained cabin in the Australian bush. Their survival depends on their isolation from the populace as a deadly virus is killing people in cities and towns and is highly contagious. But don't worry, the book isn't about the virus, it solely focusses on the the two boys, Shannon and Rohan.

The brothers have been living together for so long the dynamic between them is fascinating but also claustrophobically close. They have developed a designated routine for gathering food, 'keeping watch' and even sleeping. However; when a lone woman tries to seek shelter with them in their cabin, their whole world is threatened and loyalties are put to the test.

The book was an interesting foray into the power play between the brothers and this was the aspect I enjoyed the most, especially close to the end. Red Queen is a gripping psychological thriller and a very quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have been recommending it widely, especially given it was written by an Australian author.

My rating = ****

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Review: Stories - All New Tales, Edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio

Stories - All New Tales is a collection of short stories edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. The collection features stories by well known writers like Jodi Picoult, Jeffery Deaver, Joe Hill, Chuck Palahniuk and many more.

When it comes to writing and fiction, the editors are most interested by the following four words: ".........and then what happened?" Quoting from the introduction, these are 'The four words that children ask, when you pause, telling them a story. The four words you hear at the end of a chapter. The four words, spoken or unspoken, that show you, as a storyteller, that people care.'

So they put the word out and writers started submitting their short stories. The stories cover science fiction, fantasy and horror genres, which make for an engrossing collection.

I found it an interesting collection and I enjoyed most of the stories. Weights and Measures by Jodi Picoult made me shed a tear, which hasn't happened while reading a book in many many years, which was enough reason alone to read this collection.

The Therapist by Jeffery Deaver was a real thriller with a supernatural theme, and The Cult of the Nose by Al Sarrantonio was creepy and had me wishing for more! I thoroughly enjoyed Human Intelligence by Kurt Andersen, which was about a being from another planet who had been living on earth and documenting our existence for fifteen hundred years before his identity was discovered.

However, it was Michael Marshall Smith's Unbelief that had me completely stupefied. The story is only seven pages long, but took me 45 mins to figure it out. When I finally figured it out, it was such a huge relief! I gave it to someone else to read and said: "here, it took me 45 mins to figure this one out, see what you think". Predictably he had it sussed from the first page, argh!

It was refreshing to read a collection of short stories in between my regular reading schedule and this is a very fine collection and a terrific way to gain exposure to new authors.

My rating = ****

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Review: Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom

Dark Fire is the second in the Matthew Shardlake series by C. J. Sansom, but is also a stand alone novel in its own right. Matthew Shardlake is a Lawyer in 16th Century London and is persuaded (against his will of course) to serve the interests of Lord Thomas Cromwell in exchange for a stay of execution for an innocent girl being held in The Old Bailey.

It is claimed that a barrel of Greek fire (commonly referred to as Dark fire, hence the title) has been discovered in a Church, hidden for 100 years together with the formula. Lord Cromwell has informed the King, who of course wants to get his hands on this weapon of mass destruction and terror so that he can use it against his enemies.

Soon those who claimed to have discovered Greek fire are murdered, and Shardlake begins to investigate on behalf of Lord Cromwell. Meanwhile, the bodies pile up and his enquiries take him to all over the city from the heights of society to the stinking inns, alleys and brothels of London.

While Sansom has taken liberties with plotting the discovery of Greek fire in London at this point in history, Greek fire did exist in the Byzantine era and was a devastating weapon. The formula was closely guarded and has been lost over the centuries. Even today, the composition of Greek fire is not known. For more information, click here.

I guess this novel would fit into the genre of medieval crime if anything else, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dark Fire is a terrific read and C. J. Sansom is an author to look out for.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

The success of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is quite mind blowing. It's now considered one of the most popular books of all time and has sold over 81 million copies around the world. It's hard to imagine how such a successful author can prepare himself to write the next book in the Robert Langdon series under such a heavy weight of expectation. But, he's done it.

In the beginning of The Lost Symbol, Robert Langdon flies to Washington D.C. under the impression he'll be making a presentation at the U.S. Capitol, however that all changes very quickly when he realises his mentor has been kidnapped. Langdon is forced to decode the secrets of the Freemasons in order to save his long time friend Peter Solomon.

The plot structure is extremely reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code, as the reader is taken on a rollicking ride of secrets and symbols within landmark buildings in D.C - sometimes hidden and sometimes in full view of the public. The plot wouldn't be complete without an evil bad guy with delusions of grandeur and a deadline to increase the tension. It's very easy to understand why Dan Brown has opted to use the same literary recipe that brought him so much success with The Da Vinci Code, and I can't really blame him for it either. I can also understand why he draws such criticism from the literary world, however for me, I was more than happy to settle back into his familiar rhythm.

I immensely enjoyed discovering the history and symbology with Langdon in Washington D.C. although I longed for a visual of the art, symbology and architecture that seemed to ignite every page. The focus on Freemasons was illuminating and intriguing although of course I couldn't say how close to the truth it really is. In this case, I was more than happy to submit myself to the story, leaving all literary expectations at the door.

Surprisingly, I believe The Lost Symbol is just as good as The Da Vinci Code, although I doubt it will sell as many copies. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a thriller.

My rating = ****

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Review: Nightshade by Paul Doherty

I can't believe this is the 16th in the Hugh Corbett Medieval Mysteries series, and I have them all!!! Not only that, I'm now up to date, with the next in the series due to be published in paperback on 1 November 2010.

I've enjoyed the character development throughout the series. Sir Hugh Corbett wants to spend quality time with his wife, and is anguished each time the King sends him away on a new piece of business. Meanwhile Ranulf is power hungry and keen to advance, eagerly accepting secret instructions from the King. Ranulf's investigative skills and powers of observation continue to grow and he is beginning to emerge as a force to be reckoned with.

In Nightshade, we're transported back to 1304 as Sir Hugh Corbett, Ranulf and Chanson are dispatched by the King to Mistelham. They are to retrieve items stolen from the Templars during the Crusades as well as get to the bottom of the hideous slaughter of 14 seemingly innocent members of a religious order, their corpses left to hang in a deserted area of the forest. Tales from the Crusades, hidden clues, tightly held secrets and a deadly bowman stand in the way of Sir Hugh restoring order and finding the culprit/s.

Doherty conjures the sights, sounds and smells of the period extremely well, which is the main reason I continue to follow and enjoy his series. His descriptions of the biting cold and the fog make me appreciate the luxuries of the present day all whilst snuggling down deeper into my doona. Doherty follows the familiar plot construction of the series, which makes for a predictable style but pleasurable read.

My rating = ***

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Book Blogger Appreciation Week

September 13 - 17 is Book Blogger Appreciation Week, and you can join in the celebrations by visiting their website (above) and discovering and supporting new book blogs. You can also find them on Facebook.

That's my four bucks!

Review: Swimsuit by James Patterson

Swimsuit was written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro and it was the best Patterson I've read in quite a while. A psychopathic serial killer who goes by the name of Henri Benoit (amongst other names and identities) viciously rapes and kills a swimsuit model in the beginning of the novel. To make matters worse, he is being paid to kill at random and film his evil deeds for super rich clients all over the world.

The hero of the book is a former cop turned reporter, Ben Hawkins who has been told to fly to Hawaii and report on the missing model. He unwittingly becomes involved in the case himself when the killer confronts him to ghost write his story or become his next victim.

If you keep in mind this is a James Patterson and allow yourself to enjoy the short chapters, quick pace, and violence and leave any expectations at the door for deep character development and poignant prose Swimsuit is a quick, easy and entertaining crime thriller.

My rating = ***

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Review: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks was extremely popular 2 years ago, winning the Australian Book of the Year Award, and Literary Fiction Book of the Year Award in June 2008. It was on every Top 10 list in Australia, and subsequently I avoided the trend and didn't engage, until now that is.

Lured by the possibility this book would feature in an up and coming book club I finally took the plunge. Dr Hanna Heath is a rare-book expert based in Australia, and is given the unique opportunity to examine and conserve the Sarajevo Haggadah. The Haggadah is described as being a 'lavishly illuminated Hebrew manuscript made at a time when Jewish belief was firmly against illustrations of any kind'.

The author was inspired by the true story of this rare and mysterious Hebrew manuscript, and takes the reader back through the centuries, each time giving us a hint of the manuscript's journey and turbulent history. We soon learn the Haggadah was hidden and protected from the Nazis during WWII, saved from the flames in Venice in 1609 and was in danger several times since it's creation in 1480.

I was fascinated to learn more about the Jewish belief in the 1400s with regard to true representations of people and illustrations. I was also struck by the persecution of the Jewish people throughout the novel, and was surprised that a book filled with such religious turmoil and conflict was so popular with the reading public.

In her examination, Dr Heath finds microscopic debris, a wine stain, a white hair, and while she investigates their origin, the reader is taken back in time to find out what really happened. I thoroughly enjoy this writing technique and find it thrilling to know more than the main character in any novel.

Interspersed throughout the story is the troubled relationship with Hanna's mother and a family secret so big it could irreparably ruin their relationship forever. Whilst this sub-plot was quite interesting and contributed to Hanna's character development, it wasn't pivotal to the story line. Although I must say I really enjoyed the Australian touch and the occasional reference to Australian places during the book.

If you haven't already read this best seller, I would certainly encourage you to pick it up. If you're interested in medieval manuscripts and their preservation, you'll love this book. You'll also enjoy it if you are a fan of the historical fiction genre. However, let it be said that some of the material is heavy and quite serious in terms of religious persecution and conflict.

My rating = ****

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