Book Review: In Too Deep by Bea Davenport

Title: In Too Deep

Author: Bea Davenport

Publisher: Legend Press

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

Source: Publisher

In Too Deep, is a compelling mystery about a young woman trying to forget a traumatic event that happened in a small town in northern England. Maura Wood used to live in Dowerby but she ran away five years ago and is hiding in London where she started a new life using a different name. Then a determined young reporter named Paul Hollings tracked her down.

Why did Maura change her name? Why is she hiding? Why did a reporter feel compelled to find her? What happened five years ago? The reader knows that it involves the death of Maura’s friend, Kim, because this vital clue is provided at the end of the first paragraph:

The window is so small I can’t see what happens next. But what I do know is that Kim is dead. And I know this, too, that I helped to kill her. Kim, my lovely, only, best friend.

The reader is quickly drawn into the story as it alternates between Maura’s past life in Dowerby and her present life in London.

At first, Maura refuses to see the reporter but then he presents her with crucial new evidence about the incident and pleads for her side of the story. Maura reluctantly agrees. As Maura relates her story to Paul, the reader begins to piece together the sequence of events that led to Maura running away to London.

Maura’s life had been quiet and predictable in Dowerby before she met Kim. Her husband, Nick, went to work and Maura stayed home to raise Rosie, their young daughter. Maura thought she was happy with her life.Then she met the new reporter for the local paper. Kim Carter was an outsider and Maura was the only one in the small town to welcome her. Maura was an outsider too and they soon became friends. When Kim offered to train her as an assistant, Maura was thrilled. However, Maura had no idea just how much Nick resented her growing independence.

Kim was a good reporter but she was an outsider and dared to challenge Dowerby’s traditions, such as the annual Dowerby Fair. And then.her reckless behavior in her personal life provoked unintended consequences. Soon everyone in Dowerby was angry with Kim.Then Kim discovered a shocking story involving corruption. And not long after, Kim was dead. 

Now Paul has new information regarding that fateful day. Maura realizes she must return to Dowerby to make certain the truth is brought to light. But she is fearful. She is certain someone else besides Paul has found her in London.

In Too Deep is an exciting, fast-paced mystery with an intriguing plot that easily conveys the stifling atmosphere of a small town with their close-minded views and their hostile reaction to all outsiders.

The author creates an unsettling feeling of foreboding right from the start as the reader worries about the engaging characters, and is keen to learn more about what happened to Kim and find out how the situation will be resolved for Maura. The suspense builds to a very dramatic conclusion.

Bea Davenport is the writing name of former BBC and newspaper journalist Barbara Henderson.The author uses her experiences as a journalist to provide fascinating details in this novel about how reporters work. 

In Too Deep is her first novel, which was shortlisted for the 2009 Luke Bitmead Bursary.

Note: There is an author interview in the back of the book that is well-worth reading too. It’s particularly interesting to learn how Bea Davenport  was inspired to write the book.

Book Review: A Parachute in the Lime Tree

Title: A Parachute in the Lime Tree

Author: Annemarie Neary

Publisher: The History Press Ireland

Format: Paperback, 239 pages

Genre: Historical fiction

Source: Author

A Parachute in the Lime Tree is a poignant story set in neutral Ireland in 1941 during the precarious weeks following the Belfast blitz. The story alternates between four characters and the way their lives intertwine in the midst of turmoil during the ‘Emergency’ in Ireland. Everyone is on edge, wondering if Ireland will be invaded.

The reader is immediately drawn into the story with the opening scene, when Oskar decides to desert his Luftwaffe unit by jumping after they attacked Belfast.

Once the parachute jolted in, he was a puppet in the dark. He didn’t see the tree. It tossed him this way and that as he bumped down through its layers.

Oskar is an unhappy German conscript who is obsessed with memories of his sweetheart, Elsa, who was forced to leave Berlin two years ago, and now lives in Ireland. Oskar doesn’t want anything to do with the war. All he can think about is finding Elsa.

Kitty resents her mundane life with her widowed mother in Ireland so she is excited to see the parachute in the lime tree in their garden. When she discovers Oskar looking for food in the kitchen, she quickly decides to keep his presence a secret. Kitty is fascinated by this polite German who suddenly appeared in her life:

Elsa, a German Jewish exile, is now living in Dublin. Her host family notice her talent as a pianist and with their encouragement she is slowly starting to settle into her new life. However, she worries about her parents who she had to leave behind, and she wonders how Oskar is doing.

Charlie is a young medical student, and one afternoon he decides to go to a music festival where he notices Elsa playing the piano. He is instantly smitten.

The lives of these four characters - Oskar, Kitty, Elsa, and Charlie - become intertwined, as the war affects all of them in ways that will have far-reaching consequences. The viewpoint alternates between each character so the reader gradually learns their backstory, and the reader is able to understand their actions now.

A Parachute in the Lime Tree is an evocative story about enduring love and the impact of war. The characters seem very real and the Irish setting is vividly described so it's easy to become immersed in the story.

The ending stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: A Private Venus

Title: A Private Venus
The First Duca Lamberti Noir
(Translated from the Italian by Howard Curtis)

Author: Giorgio Scerbanenco

Publisher: Hersilia Press

Format: Proof Copy, 284 pages

Genre: Crime fiction

Source: Publisher

A Private Venus is a compelling mystery set in Milan, Italy in 1966. The protagonist is Dr Duca Lamberti, a medical doctor. He has just been released from prison after serving three years for the mercy killing of one of his patients. Thus, he can no longer practice medicine and will have to take a job selling pharmaceuticals but a completely different job is unexpectedly offered to him.

A wealthy man named Pietro Auseri wants Duca to act as a guardian to his young alcoholic son, Davide, and to get him to stop drinking. Duca accepts the unusual job but soon discovers that Davide is deeply depressed and suicidal which worries Duca since he can’t afford further trouble with the law. He must get Davide to stop drinking as soon as possible but first he has to discover why he is so depressed.

Duca learns that Davide’s depression is due to a chance meeting he had a year ago, when he met a young prostitute named Alberta Radelli. She begged Davide to take him away for three months but he refused so when her suicide was reported, Davide became consumed by guilt. He also feels tormented by two objects she left in his car. When Duca sees them, he immediately realizes there is something strange going on and decides to find out more about Alberta Radelli and the circumstances surrounding her suicide.

As the doctor turns detective and learns more details, he follows a trail of clues that lead to a corrupt world of prostitution, pornography, and murder. The tension builds as the story turns into an intriguing mystery with Duca using his keen observation skills to piece together clues and pursue the criminals.

This is a very atmospheric novel with a strong sense of time and place, a tightly-crafted plot and terse, snappy dialogue. Duca is an extremely likeable character, with a cynical attitude but a strong desire for justice. And even though it’s a very dark, gritty story, it’s interspersed with Duca’s witty thoughts such as his amusing nicknames for people like ‘the little emperor’ and ‘Little Miss General Topics’. These touches of humour help to break the unbearable tension that ultimately leads to the exciting, nail-biting conclusion.

The author makes every word count.and his unique voice immediately grabs the reader. If you like crime fiction, you will definitely want to read A Private Venus with its intricate plot and a doctor turned private detective. Simply stunning.

A Private Venus is the first of the Duca Lamberti series and is considered an Italian noir classic but has only recently been translated into English.

The author, Giorgio Scerbanenco, is considered to be the father of Italian noir. Indeed, the top crime fiction award, the ‘Premio Scerbanenco', is named in his honour.

Book Review: The Painted Bridge

Title: The Painted Bridge

Author: Wendy Wallace

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Hardcover, 386 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Review copy provided by publisher

Set in Victorian England, The Painted Bridge is a mesmerizing story about one woman’s desperate plight after her husband conspires to put her in an insane asylum even though she is sane. 

The year is 1859. Anna Palmer innocently accompanies her husband, Vincent, on a trip to Lake House where she thinks they are going to visit friends. She doesn’t know it’s actually a private asylum for women. When her husband suddenly leaves, she is shocked and bewildered by his deceit. Now she is a prisoner.

As the weeks go by, Anna is subjected to increasingly barbaric treatments, and it becomes a struggle for her to survive both mentally and physically. She does make friends though such as Talitha Batt, another patient who appears to be as sane as Anna, and Lucas St Clair, a physician who is experimenting with the new medium of photography as a tool to diagnose mental illness. Anna also initiates a secret friendship with Catherine, the frail teenage daughter of the owner of Lake House.

Anna soon realizes she must escape or be driven mad and she comes up with a bold plan that will ultimately be the catalyst to a surprising upheaval with dramatic consequences. Anna learns details about her husband’s life which exposes the depth of his treachery and wickedness. She also discovers the truth about a family secret which is hugely significant for Anna.

This is a powerful character-driven story that reveals disturbing details about the historical treatment of mental illness and the way husbands held absolute power over their wives during Victorian times. Anna is a very appealing character and seems very real as do all the other characters. It’s particularly satisfying to see how Anna is transformed from a trusting, innocent victim into a formidable heroine.

The reader is immediately immersed in Anna’s world due to the strong sense of time and place, while the historical details are woven neatly into the story. The tension is palpable as the reader roots for Anna in every scene. The way the characters interact and the events unfold makes a very compelling story with an extremely satisfying conclusion.

This is an unforgettable story. I highly recommend it.

The Painted Bridge is the author’s first novel. It was longlisted for the 2013 Desmond Elliott prize.

Book Review: Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair

Title: Regulated for Murder

A Michael Stoddard American Revolution Thriller

Author: Suzanne Adair

http://suzanneadair.com/

Publisher: Suzanne Adair

Format: Paperback

234 pages

Genre: Fiction, Historical Thriller

Source: Author

Regulated for Murder is an exciting historical thriller set during the American Revolutionary War.The protagonist is Lieutenant Michael Stoddard, a British officer who is also a tenacious and resourceful detective. The year is 1781. Stoddard must solve a murder and while following the clues, he unexpectedly learns more about an old mystery as well.

The title is a reference to the "War of the Regulators", an unsuccessful uprising against corrupt colonial officials (the Regulators) in North and South Carolina. It lasted from 1765 to 1771 and is thought to be a catalyst to the American Revolution. The history of the Regulators is woven into the story, with a mystery going back to that time. 

The reader is immediately pulled into the story as it begins with Stoddard and his men narrowly avoiding a deadly trap during an investigation that Stoddard hopes will lead him to secretly tracking down a psychopathic British officer. However, he is abruptly pulled off the case and given a new assignment. His orders are to deliver a vital dispatch from his commander in Wilmington, North Carolina to a Loyalist courier (the Loyalists were colonialists who supported the British) located in Hillsborough. 

Disguised as a civilian, Stoddard sets off on the dangerous mission expecting to deliver the secret message and ride back to Wilmington the next day. However, things don't go according to plan when Stoddard discovers the body of the courier. Stoddard appears to be first on the scene of the murder and he quickly realizes he's been set up as the prime suspect. Consequently, he has no choice but to investigate the murder of the courier.

Stoddard's plight is complicated further by a corrupt sheriff and his vicious cohorts. These ruthless adversaries conspire against him as Stoddard tries to hide his real identity while setting about putting the clues together to solve the murder. It transpires that Kate Duncan, the widowed owner of a tavern in Wilmington, is in town and fortunately she doesn't reveal his true identity to the sheriff. Instead, Kate is intrigued by his situation and Stoddard hopes he can trust her as he desperately needs her help. If he's found to be carrying a message for the British Army, he will be executed.

Regulated for Murder is a supremely well-crafted story with more than one mystery for Stoddard to solve. Indeed, it's fascinating to see how the various clues come together, and to follow Stoddard as he uses his keen powers of observation that demonstrate what a brilliant detective he is. When he realizes he's stumbled upon vital clues to solving another mystery that leads to an execution ten years earlier, he is spurred on by his desire for justice.

All the historical details and references are a bonus to the action-filled story so the reader feels immersed in each scene. The sense of time and place is extremely vivid with very descriptive prose, authentic sounding dialogue, and the atmospheric sights, sounds, and smells of the 18th century well-described.

The story is aided by a tight narrative, fast pace, and a wonderful cast of characters (a clever detective, feisty women, a charming deaf mute, corrupt officials, and vicious villains) that seem very real. The portrayal of Michael Stoddard is particularly striking. It's easy to believe in him and root for him. And the depiction of his ruthless enemies, conveys a strong sense of menace which helps to crank up the tension as Stoddard gets embroiled in circumstances beyond his control and he is put in increasingly dangerous and desperate situations.

This is a compelling thriller, featuring a resourceful detective with impressive sleuthing skills, and brimming with incredible period details..The comprehensive research done by the author is apparent throughout the novel 

Regulated for Murder will appeal to history buffs as well as fans of murder mysteries. There's also a sprinkling of romance with entanglements between various characters. The tightly woven plot, the convincing characters, and the realistic period setting, all add up to a credible and enthralling story that leads to a very satisfying conclusion. 

I highly recommend this atmospheric and vibrant thriller set during the American Revolutionary War. Entertaining and informative, with memorable characters. I enjoyed it immensely.

Note: The author also provides an informative Historical Afterword plus a Selected Bibliography.

Book Review: Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding

Title: Painter of Silence
Author: Georgina Harding
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: Paperback
312 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

Painter of Silence is a wonderfully, evocative story about the power of friendship, family, home, and the terrible consequences of war.

Set in Iasi, Romania, in the early 1950s, a man is found collapsed on the steps of a hospital. He never speaks while he is nursed back to health, and the ward sister, Adriana, suspects he is a mute. Since his name is unknown, Adriana calls him Ioan after her son who never returned from the war. A young nurse called Safta hears about the mute and on a hunch, brings him paper and pencils. Safta recognizes him immediately but tells no one that she knows who he is.

His name is Augustin but Safta has always called him Tinu. He is deaf and mute but Safta knows he communicates by drawing. It has been years since they have seen each other.

The lives of Augustin, Safta and Adriana intersect and the reader gradually learns about each of their stories, and about the way life has changed in post-war Romania.

Augustin is the illegitimate son of the cook at Safta's grand family home, Poiana. Safta and Augustin were born just six months apart and they grew up together. Their close upbringing and exceptional bond meant Safta was the only one who was able to truly understand Augustin despite his inability to hear or speak. He learned to read a few words - his own name, plus two other names, Safta and Poiana. And he could write the name of the village, Poiana. That was his world.

When the war started, they lost touch with each other. Safta's family left the country but she stayed on and trained to be a nurse with the army. She needed to detach herself from her past so she didn't tell anyone about her privileged background.

When Safta and her family left Poiana, Augustin stayed behind with his mother and the other servants. The reader gradually learns what happened at Poiana during the war and the horrors that Augustin witnessed and experienced. His happy, closed world was shattered when the war started. And when he innocently draws everything he sees, he is unaware of the significance of his detailed observations and what the result might be.

Adriana refuses to believe her son will never return from the war and her life feels empty without him so when Augustin eventually leaves the hospital, she is happy to help him still further. She lets people believe Augustin is her long lost son, Ioan, so it doesn't matter that Augustin doesn't have any identity papers.

Augustin feels compelled to explain to Safta what happened while she was away from her family home but he can only communicate everything to her very slowly by creating detailed drawings. He is desperate to share his memories with Safta and make her understand what happened while she was away.

Safta realizes Augustin's drawings are his way of sorting the world around him but she is surprised when his drawings appear to relay an important message for her about Andrei, a man close to her heart at one time.

A strong sense of time and place is conveyed by depicting two very different worlds, Poiana before the war and Poiana during the war, as seen through Augustin's eyes. And the aftermath of the war and its effects on Safta and Augustin is clearly illustrated as their vivid memories are shared with the reader.

The reader is swept along by the subtle and eloquent prose that conveys strong images of people and places and the profound ways they are transformed by war. The past and present are woven together seamlessly.

When Safta and Augustin make an emotional journey and a startling encounter follows that turns out to be significant for Augustin, it is totally unexpected but makes for a very satisfactory conclusion.

Painter of Silence is a beautifully written story that shows the horrors of war as seen through the eyes of a deaf mute. It's easy to forget that the characters aren't real. Indeed, I was thoroughly charmed by Safta and Augustin, and the way they could communicate without words. It's a poignant story about two people and the way their friendship changes their lives.

Captivating characters. Hypnotic prose. Painter of Silence is a lovely, unforgettable story.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: The Trapeze Artist by Will Davis

Title: The Trapeze Artist
Author: Will Davis
Publisher: Bloomsbury Circus
Format: Paperback
309 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

The Trapeze Artist is a powerful coming-of-age story about a gay man who is living a life of quiet desperation. He is forty years old, with no social life and working at a job he pretends to like but he feels trapped and depressed. One day, feeling overwhelmed by everything, he decides to follow a travelling circus.

He is drawn to the circus with the eccentric members who seem like a family to him and he's instantly smitten with Vlad the aerialist. They embark on an intense relationship and he is allowed to stay.

The busy circus life goes on around him while he willingly accepts demands to do menial work. He's simply happy to be included in their bizarre world where he is able to forget his own troubled life. He's also thrilled to begin learning the basics of the trapeze.

When he returns home four months later, he is obsessed with becoming a trapeze artist and transforming his life but does he succeed?

The Trapeze Artist is an atmospheric novel that explores themes about homosexuality, bullying, friendship, jealousy, love, loyalty, grief, loneliness, guilt, obsession, and identity.

The hard, gritty lifestyle of the circus world with its outlandish characters is brought to life vividly and the attention to detail about learning the trapeze is particularly impressive (the author has trained as an aerialist).

The name of the protagonist is never provided and the story switches back and forth in time alternating between his teenage years, his time with the circus, and his life after the circus until his whole story is revealed. The reader is then finally able to understand why he had a nervous breakdown and why he behaves the way he does. And why mastering the trapeze is the way he hopes to escape from his life and finally feel free.

The Trapeze Artist is a poignant, slow-paced story about the trials and tribulations of growing up gay. It's about the consequences of trying to live up to expectations of others instead of finding one's own identity. It's a haunting, stylish novel with a strong emotional punch. The reader is swept along with the protagonist on his difficult journey through life which leads to a dramatic conclusion.

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk Books
Format: Paperback
352 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children is a dazzling fantasy that grabs the reader with the very first sentence: "I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen." Indeed, these 'extraordinary things' are central to an intricate plot involving a mysterious island, an abandoned orphanage, a courageous teenage boy, and a collection of very strange photographs.

Jacob Portman is a bored fifteen-year-old in Florida until a disturbing and tragic incident with his beloved grandfather, Abraham (Abe). Following the tragedy, Jacob begins to suffer from recurring nightmares and deep depression. Then an important discovery on his sixteenth birthday inspires Jacob to set off with his dad to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he searches for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Jacob explores the island and discovers the war-torn ruins of the orphanage, and he begins to realize there might be more to the story of the 'peculiar' children who were living there when it was bombed in 1940. As he contemplates the fate of the children, and Miss Peregrine, their headmistress, Jacob makes a remarkable discovery. Consequently, Jacob becomes involved in an amazing adventure that solves the riddle of his grandfather's last words:

Find the bird. In the loop. On the other side of the old man's grave. September third, 1940.

But solving the meaning of his grandfather's mysterious message also puts Jacob in grave danger.

By telling the story in the first-person, the author has provided a strong voice for the protagonist so that Jacob's wide-eyed view about everything on the Welsh island and his snap judgements about people and places are very obviously made by a modern American teenager. The snappy dialogue and thoughts seem very typical for a teenage boy, and his relationship with his father rings true too. The reader is swept along with Jacob on his quest to find out more about the orphanage and the 'peculiar' children.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a fast-paced fantasy that delights and enthralls with its spine-tingling plot and its use of haunting vintage photographs that are woven seamlessly into the astonishing story. It's a surreal mystery containing intriguing riddles, thrilling revelations and a cast of incredible quirky characters. A fresh and unforgettable novel with plenty of twists and turns until the exciting and unexpected end.

If you loved the Harry Potter series, you will love Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Dangerous Waters by Anne Allen

Title: Dangerous Waters
Author: Anne Allen
Publisher: Matador (an imprint of Troubador Publishing)
Format: Paperback
302 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Author

Set on the island of Guernsey, Dangerous Waters by Anne Allen is a captivating story about a young woman reluctantly returning to her birthplace after a family tragedy that occurred fifteen years before.  Jeanne Le Page has tried to forget about the terrifying incident when she lost both her parents but now her beloved grandmother has died and left her cottage to Jeanne.

Jeanne's initial plan is to stay just long enough to sell her inheritance, however, when she tells close family friends, Molly and Peter about her plan, they persuade her to get the old cottage renovated and then to decide whether to sell or stay.

Jeanne begins to feel at home again but being back on the island has also increased her nightmares and flashbacks to the tragic incident on her parent's boat. The case has never been closed because there were no other witnesses and Jeanne suffers from traumatic amnesia. So Jeanne decides to try a series of sessions using hypnosis, and unintentionally puts herself in danger as she begins to recall details.

While the cottage is being renovated, Jeanne sorts out her grandmother's collection of old recipes and is intrigued when she finds some mysterious love letters written to her grandmother. In the meantime, a shocking secret is discovered dating back to the time during the German Occupation.

As Jeanne spends more time trying to find out more about her grandmother's mysterious past, Jeanne gets closer to solving the mystery about what happened to her own parents too. And Jeanne begins to think about staying on the island after meeting up with old friends and being introduced to new friends.

As two men vie for her affections, will one of them win her heart? Will Jeanne be able to put the past behind her? Will she decide to stay in Guernsey or go back to England?

The author has cleverly wound the different strands (romance/mystery) of the storyline together until the exciting end when they are resolved.

The vivid island setting is enhanced with fascinating details about life on Guernsey during WWII when the island was occupied by German troops, as well as interesting information about Guernsey in present day. The book also includes a useful glossary at the end as well as a selection of four recipes.

It's worth noting that the author, Anne Allen, lived in Guernsey for twelve years and that she is a psychotherapist (just like one of the characters in the story). Dangerous Waters is her first novel.

Dangerous Waters is an immensely satisfying story that effortlessly combines a sweet romance with two compelling mysteries, and convincing characters. It's a lovely, thoughtful story about facing loss and finding love.

Book Review: Nutmeg by Maria Goodin

Title: Nutmeg
Author: Maria Goodin
Publisher: Legend Press
Format: Paperback
270 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

Nutmeg by Maria Goodin is a charming story about a daughter's close but complicated relationship with her eccentric mother.Throughout her life, Meg has been told whimsical food-related tales by her mother, Valerie, and Meg was happy to accept the farfetched stories until she notices the shocked and bewildered reactions from other people. So Meg chooses to reject her mother's imaginary world, and decides to always think logically and to be sensible all the time.

Years later, when Meg is studying genetics and in her final year at university, she goes home to visit her mother. It soon becomes apparent that her mother is seriously ill, and Meg wonders if she should finally confront her mother about the truth behind the stories. However, her mother is still reluctant to leave her imaginary world so Meg realizes she will have to try and learn more on her own.

As Meg delves into her past, particularly about her father who she never knew, Meg begins to question her own feelings about how much she wants to know.

Meg also has to contend with pressure from her boyfriend, Mark, who insists Meg should simply demand the truth from her mother. Meg reluctantly agrees that her mother should face facts but worries about her mother's frail condition. While Meg considers this dilemna, her mother has hired a gardener, Ewan, who encourages Valerie to indulge in her imaginary world. And when Ewan tells Valerie stories from mythology, Meg is annoyed although she can see how much her mother is delighted to hear the stories.

The close mother-daughter relationship is at the heart of this gentle, feel-good novel. The mother's obsession with cooking and baking is cleverly combined with her endearing food-related tales, and  Meg discovers that there are basic truths in the fictional world that Valerie created for her.

Eventually, the search for the truth to her past leads to some surprising revelations for Meg and a new understanding about her mother's eccentric behavior and why she's imagined a fantasy world. The truth and lies are blurred but when they are unravelled, it all begins to makes sense to Meg - and to the reader.

The ending is predictable but uplifting and satisfying.

Nutmeg is Maria Goodin's first novel, and is based on a short story of the same title which was winner of the 2007 Derby Short Story Competition.

Nutmeg is a heartwarming story about love and the reasons why it's sometimes easier and kinder to tell lies rather than the truth. It's a gentle, undemanding read that is simply enchanting.

Book Review: Joy by Jonathan Lee

Title: Joy
Author: Jonathan Lee
Publisher: William Heinemann (an imprint of the Random House Group)
Format: Proof copy
308 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Proof copy provided by Random House Books

Set in London's Square Mile, Joy by Jonathan Lee, is a darkly witty and quietly powerful novel about the consequences of one fateful Friday afternoon at a busy law firm.

The central character, Joy Stephens, is a successful young lawyer working for Hanger, Slyde & Stein, a large law firm in London. After ten years, she is about to be welcomed into the partnership.. As Joy begins to make a speech from a viewing platform on the second floor to her colleagues watching from the ground-floor function space, Joy suddenly tumbles over the rail in front of her and plummets forty feet onto the floor.

Did Joy fall or did she jump? Does she survive?

The reader learns the answers as the perspective switches between characters and details about Joy's life and those closest to her are gradually revealed. The shocking incident has profound repercussions for Joy's husband, Dennis; her colleague, Peter; her personal assistant, Barbara; and her personal trainer, Samir. As each of them are asked to give their own view about what happened and analyze their relationship with Joy, they reflect on events leading up to the shocking incident.

The alternating viewpoints provides short, sharp glimpses of each character's inner thoughts so that the reader gradually learns about their secrets, regrets, and dreams. Eventually, these revelations come together and the reader understands more about why the characters behave as they do.

The author cleverly leads the reader to make assumptions which keep changing as the perspective shifts from each character and more details are revealed. There are several unexpected turns in the story before leading to a surprise at the end. The intricate plot, authentic characters and melancholy mood, add up to an unforgettable story which is quietly disturbing and leaves a lasting impression. At turns, funny and sad, this juxtaposition of emotions made me laugh out loud one minute and feel teary the next.

Once again*, Jonathan Lee triumphs with a dazzling novel that provides a thought-provoking analysis of how actions and reactions can ultimately have a profound impact on everyone involved.The author also provides an accurate portrayal of the corporate world with its devious office politics and the simmering tensions between employees and management.

Joy by Jonathan Lee is an unforgettable story with compelling characters and powerful themes.

Highly recommended.

*Read my review of Jonathan Lee's first novel, Who is Mr Satoshi?

Book Review: The Lonely Tree by Yael Politis

Title: The Lonely Tree
Author: Yael Politis
Publisher: Holland Park Press
Format: Paperback
443 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Review copy provided by publisher

The Lonely Tree by Yael Politis, is a powerful coming-of-age story about a young Jewish woman from Poland who moves, with her family, to Kfar Etzion, a kibbutz, in British Mandate Palestine. Spanning the years from 1946 until 1967, their daily hardships during the unfolding Jewish-Palestinian conflicts are woven around the true events that led to establish the state of Israel.

Josef Shulman is convinced that he has made the right decision to bring his wife, Leah and their children - Tonia, Rina, and Natan - to live in such a desolate place. He believes it will ultimately be worth all their struggles when the land is declared an offical Jewish state.

However, his headstrong daughter,Tonia is extremely critical of her father's plans. She hates living in such isolation with constant worries about attacks, and the primitive lifestyle on a kibbutz. Tonia yearns for a safe place to live, somewhere with modern comforts, and hatches a devious plan to escape her life in Israel and move to her dream house in America.To complicate things though, Tonia has fallen in love with Amos Amrani. They both dream of a better life but Amos, who fights in the Jewish underground, is determined to stay in Israel.

Tonia believes the end justifies the means but is she willing to sacrifice everything, even Amos?

As the story progresses, the reader learns to appreciate the different viewpoints of each of the well-rounded characters. A wide assortment of themes are explored: family, home, love, belonging, identity, security, loyalty, revenge, war, and purpose. The author also provides fascinating details about life on a kibbutz.and Jewish traditions.

The Lonely Tree is an exciting love story, with unforgettable characters and a thoughtful perspective of the history behind the emergence of Israel.

The author, Yael Politis, is a native of Michigan and moved to Israel in 1973. The Lonely Tree is her debut novel.

Book Review: The Lies Have It by Jill Edmondson

Title: The Lies Have It (A Sasha Jackson Mystery)
Author: Jill Edmondson
Publisher: IGUANA
Format: Paperback
252 pages
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Source: Review copy provided by author

Jill Edmondson is the author of the hilarious Sasha Jackson Mystery series (Blood And Groom and Dead Light District) and The Lies Have It is the third installment. It's another fabulously, fun story set in Toronto about Sasha and the rollicking adventures she gets involved in while working as a private investigator. And this time, the feisty detective has three very different cases to work on which Sasha diligently approaches with her keen eye for detail and her usual sassy, and clever streetwise ways.

When a man is found murdered after Sasha and a friend had worked as bartenders at a wild (fetish!) party, the owner of the bar hires Sasha to investigate the death. The murder victim, Ian Dooley, was the party host and the police are convinced the murder is connected to someone at the party. Sasha isn't so sure especially when she discovers that Ian was obsessed with one of the candidates in the current election campaign for mayor of Toronto.

At the same time, Sasha is kept busy by two other cases - searching for a runaway teenager, and trying to discover evidence to prove that a member of staff is scamming the owner of some of his profits in a restaurant.

The way all three of these cases are woven together adds up to a very satisfying story with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to compliment the well-crafted plot. The setting is also an important element to the story. Sasha uses her detailed knowledge of the city of Toronto to help her solve her cases.

The storyline has very adult themes but the stylish writing and fabulous characters as well as a multi-layered mystery with an unpredictable ending, add up to a fun, light-hearted read. All of the characters are fascinating and the snappy, gritty dialogue makes them seem very real. The sex theme which is central to the story, is balanced by the wicked and witty banter.

Sasha is a superb character with her trademark sassiness and wicked sense of humour which are evident throughout the story. It's fun to see how she uses her acute powers of observation and intuition to solve a mystery, and the conclusion is very satisfying - and also very funny!

It's worth noting that the Sasha Jackson Mysteries (Blood and Groom, Dead Light District, and The Lies Have It) have been optioned for TV.

I'm grateful to the author, Jill Edmondson, for providing me with a copy for review.

The Lies Have It is another fun, fast-paced Sasha Jackson mystery featuring the sexy and sassy private investigator. Wicked, witty and absolutely hilarious.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg

Title: The Drowning
Author: Camilla Lackberg
(Translated from the Swedish by Tina Nunnally)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Uncorrected Proof Copy
489 pages
Genre: Fiction, psychological thriller
Source: Publisher

The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg is a compelling psychological thriller set in Fjällbacka, a small village located on the west coast of Sweden. The police are baffled when Magnus Kjellner, a respectable man with a wife and two teenage children, is reported missing. Three months later, when his body is found, the missing person case turns into a murder investigation.

It soon becomes apparent to Patrik Hedstrom, the detective in charge of investigating the murder, that friends of Magnus might be in danger.

Christian Thydell has been receiving anonymous notes with cryptic messages that clearly are meant to be threatening. Patrik immediately suspects there must be a connection to the murder, especially since Christian and Magnus were friends. He is also certain that Christian knows more than he is admitting to about the notes. Patrik wonders if the threatening notes might be connected to the publication of Christian's debut novel, The Mermaid. As Patrik and his colleagues do further investigating, Patrik's wife, Erica Falck, a published author and mentor to Christian, can't resist doing her own investigating.

Why is Christian reluctant to talk about the notes? Who is sending the notes, and why is Christian the target? Are Christian's friends, Erik and Kenneth, in danger too? As Patrik and Erica search for answers, they discover some deeply held secrets which might lead to solving the murder as well.

The Drowning is an extremely well-crafted story, with an intriguing mystery and characters that are easy to visualize as they go about their daily routines.The lives of these well-rounded characters all overlap - just as the lives of people in any small community would - and it soon becomes apparent that even the smallest detail about the characters and their relationships, is essential to this compelling story.

The dialogue between all the characters is superb, particularly the dialogue between husbands and wives. Indeed, every word of dialogue rings true, as the reader gets to know each of the characters and their convoluted relationships. The ordinary domestic scenes are vividly portrayed through their words and actions. In addition, one character is troubled by an internal dialogue that adds a layer to the mystery as these disturbing thoughts, possibly memories, are interspersed in the narrative.

A strong sense of foreboding builds as the tangled clues are gradually revealed in the intricate plot. As the characters begin to unravel the mystery, so too the reader begins to guess who the murderer might be - and then there are twists and turns in the story with a shocking ending that reveals more surprises.

The central theme in The Drowning concerns secrets. Do we ever truly know everything about anyone? Other themes explored in the novel are rejection, friendship, guilt, betrayal, and revenge. These strong psycological themes all add up to a disturbing and heartbreaking thriller.

Camilla Lackberg has written five previous novels (all bestsellers in Sweden) and they all feature the same character, Patrik Hedstrom. It's also worth noting that Camilla Lackberg is from Fjallbacka and, as noted on the author's website, all her books are set in Fjallbacka. I'm very grateful to HarperCollins for sending me a proof copy which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

I highly recommend The Drowning, particularly if you enjoy reading crime thrillers with strong psychological themes, intricate plots, and compelling characters. Indeed, I'm now eager to read all of the previous books in the series by Camilla Lackberg.

Book Review: Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber by Dane Batty

Title: Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber
Subtitle: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI's Most Elusive Criminals
Author: Dane Batty
Publisher: Nish Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-615-2684-5-3
Format: Paperback
211 pages
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography
Source: Author

Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber by Dane Batty is a fascinating true crime biography. As the book's subtitle states, this is The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI's Most Elusive Criminals. The book reveals how Leslie Rogge turned to a life of crime, starting with hot-wiring cars when he was a teenager, and soon progressing to his favourite "work" - robbing banks. Incredibly, his crime spree lasted for twenty years during which he robbed nearly thirty banks. The book explains how he was so successful that he was able to lead an adventure-filled life while evading capture until ultimately, he was compelled to surrender.

Dane Batty's book is a very personal one because the infamous criminal is his uncle. The author explains in the introduction that he based his book on letters that Leslie Rogge wrote to his sister (Dane's mother) over the years. The letters provided the author with an abundance of details about the crimes that his uncle committed as well as stories about his incredible adventures. The author also interviewed his uncle in prison. It all seems too far-fetched to be true but the author verified everything through newspaper articles and court reports, as well as talking to people who were involved with his uncle Les's escapades.The result is a candid account of how Leslie Rogge committed his numerous crimes, as well as stories about his exciting life style, and wild hair-raising adventures.

The author decided to present his uncle's story as if Leslie is telling it.This use of the first-person point of view is a bit strange since the book is a biography, not an autobiography. However, it does seem to work. When necessary, the author inserts an occasional comment to provide more details or to insert a comment from Judy (Les's common-law wife) about an incident she recalled. The author also includes an assortment of (black and white) photographs of Les and Judy.

Les explains the tricks he would use to rob banks such as always choosing a bank with female employees because he figured (quite rightly) that they wouldn't dare try to stop him. He was called a "gentleman" bank robber since he didn't use a gun.The implied threat was enough to get results.

With the money obtained from his robberies, Les and Judy led a very exciting life indeed, constantly on the move but enjoying themselves immensely.They even went sailing to the Bahamas and Mexico. Some of the situations they
would get into were very funny indeed. And when a situation would turn serious, he would frequently turn to his knowledge of how things (cars, boats, planes) work mechanically - a talent which turned out to be useful for a bank robber on the run.

Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber is the story of a very intelligent criminal who managed to use simple but ingenious methods to commit all his crimes. His outrageous exploits add up to a very entertaining read although the way it's presented is a bit confusing at times. It's not always clear what year the events are taking place because the stories are a bit disjointed.That said, I did enjoy reading it. It's a very unusual biography. I can see why it won the 2011 Reviewers Choice Award and Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. It's also a finalist for the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

I'm grateful to the author, Dane Batty, for sending me a copy of his book to review. If you like to read biographies, and/or you are fascinated by how the criminal mind works, you will enjoy reading Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber.

Book Review: Wherever You Go by Joan Leegant

Title: Wherever You Go
Author: Joan Leegant
Publisher: W.W Norton
ISBN: 978-0-393-33989-5
Format: Paperback
253 pages
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

Wherever You Go by Joan Leegant is a timely, compelling novel about three young Jewish Americans who go to Israel, and the unexpected consequences when their paths cross.

Yona Stern intends to meet with her estranged sister, Dena, and hopes to make amends for a past betrayal. Mark Greenglass is a highly respected Talmud teacher who has lost his religious passion so he has accepted a new job teaching at a college that has nothing to do with religion. Aaron Blinder is a college dropout who feels stifled by his father's unreasonable expectations so he joins a radical group in Israel.

The perspective shifts seamlessly back and forth between each character as the troubled background of each one is gradually revealed. Their widely different views of Jewishness and the theme of strained family relationships is explored as is the dangerous attraction to Jewish extremism and a search for a purpose in life. Other themes addressed are love, forgiveness, loneliness, and making a commitment to a person and/or place.

I was mesmerized by the touching story of the fascinating characters as they each pursue their different goals. Their inner turmoil is intensified by the unsettling sense of foreboding that makes the reader worry about what will happen next.

Joan Leegant is an American author who has lived half the year in Tel Aviv since 2007 and her first-hand knowledge of Israel is evident with her vivid descriptions of people and places.The author has created a tense, atmospheric novel with very real characters and a powerful storyline that immediately grabbed me and stayed with me long after reading the last page.

Wherever You Go is a haunting, thought-provoking novel with powerful messages that helps to explain the complicated political situation in Israel as well as about what it means to be Jewish. I gained a new perspective about Israeli society and also learned a lot about the Jewish religion. I'm grateful to the publisher, W.W. Norton, for sending me a review copy.

If you like to read novels that address important issues and enlighten as well as enthrall, then you must read Wherever You Go. It's beautifully written, with politics and religion woven into an unforgettable story. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Mafia State by Luke Harding

Title: Mafia State
Subtitle: How one reporter became an enemy of the brutal new Russia
Author: Luke Harding
Publisher: Guardian Books
ISBN: 978-0852-65248-0
Format: Paperback
310 pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Random House

Mafia State is a gripping account of a corrupt government and how those in power will resort to unbelievable devious methods to deter anyone - including foreign journalists - from trying to expose the truth about life in modern Russia.

Luke Harding is an award-winning foreign correspondent with The Guardian. In 2007, the British journalist arrived in Russia to start work as the Guardian's new Moscow bureau chief.Three months after his arrival, he discovered someone had broken into his flat - which is on the 10th floor - and opened a window in the children's bedroom. Several hours later he is awakened by a mysterious alarm clock going off somewhere in the flat.

This disturbing incident was the start of an ongoing psychological campaign waged against Luke Harding and his family.

However, Luke Harding chooses to carry on with his work, despite the unsettling harassment -  bugging his flat, disconnecting his phone calls, deleting his emails, a number of mysterious break-ins and even being stalked by thugs wearing leather jackets. Indeed, the author's detailed exposé about Russia reads like a spy thriller.

Luke Harding soon realizes that he and his family are under constant surveillance by the Federal Security Service of Russia. The FSB (formerly known as the KGB) is Russia's main domestic spy agency and state security organisation. Apparently, this sinister agency has Luke Harding in its sights because of his persistence in uncovering the truth about Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia, and writing about it. Hence the book's subtitle: How one reporter became an enemy of the brutal new Russia. Indeed, Luke Harding became the first western reporter to be deported from Russia since the Cold War days.

Mafia State is a comprehensive treatise that includes eight pages of photographs plus an extensive index. The book is informative as well as genuinely alarming. The author writes about the long list of human rights activists who have been murdered since Putin took power - and the mystery of who killed Alexander Litvinenko is addressed too. Luke Harding also provides front-line reports from the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

There are numerous jaw-dropping revelations in the book - including unpublished material from confidential US diplomatic cables, released last year by WikiLeaks. Luke Harding discovers he isn't the only victim of the FSB's domestic break-ins, when he reads about the daily difficulties faced by American diplomats in Moscow.

The author's determination to persevere with his work even when he knew the FSB had him under surveillance, is very impressive. Luke Harding is an incredibly brave and dedicated journalist. Mafia State is a real eye-opener and I'm grateful to Random House for sending me a copy.

Mafia State is a must-read for those who follow current events and is sure to appeal to those who are interested in politics and particularly to those who want to learn about the new Russia. I found it to be a fascinating and illuminating read.

Watch a video of Luke Harding reading an excerpt from his book, Mafia State, and talk about the FSB's psychological campaign that was used against him and his family:

Book Review: More Postcards From Across The Pond by Michael Harling

Title: More Postcards From Across The Pond
Subtitle: Dispatches from an accidental expatriate
Author: Michael Harling
Publisher: michaelharling.com
ISBN: 13: 978-1461173892
Format: Paperback
194 pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Author

More Postcards From Across The Pond is appropriately titled since it is the follow-up to Michael Harling's first book, Postcards From Across The Pond. In both books, the author writes about his experiences as an American expat who lives in England.

The author shares a different short anecdote in each chapter.These anecdotes are about everyday situations that (I promise you) will make you literally laugh out loud. The rule "If anything can go wrong, it will" (Murphy's Law) seems to sum up much of what happens to Michael Harling. Fortunately, his laid-back attitude means that he accepts everything that happens with admirable good humour and determination to make the best out of a bad situation.

It's truly amazing how the author always seems to be able to see the funny side of circumstances that would make others angry and upset. For example, in the chapter about British trains,"Blame It On The Railroad", Michael Harling states: "When traveling by train, it is best to keep your expectations low; I didn't try hard enough." He then proceeds to relate his unexpected experience with an escalator at Reading station that is impossible not to laugh at because he describes the whole incident in excrutiating detail and with his characteristic self-deprecating wit.

More Postcards From Across The Pond is not just about England.The author shares stories about other parts of the UK too as well as trips to Europe and to the US. And it's worth noting that even though the book is mostly very funny, the author also includes some details about more serious experiences too (such as a trip to Krakow).

Michael Harling's writing style is very down-to-earth and he shares his stories in a way that makes you feel like you are there with him. He has a wonderful way with words and a self-deprecating sense of humour that made me cry with laughter. I am very grateful to Michael Harling for sending me a copy of his book to review.

I think More Postcards From Across The Pond is a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to everyone, whether you are a resident of the UK or wished you were. I'm also an American expat living in England so I can attest to the author's observations which are spot-on. The glimpses of everyday life in England are delightful to read and entertaining as well as informative. There is also a handy glossary of British words at the end of the book.

Are you an Anglophile? Do you dream about moving to England? If so, and you want to know the unvarnished truth about life in England, then you must read More Postcards From Across The Pond. Michael Harling provides his honest (often hilarious!) views about the real England.

Book Review: The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex by Mark Kermode

Title: The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex
Subtitle: What's Wrong With Modern Movies?
Author: Mark Kermode
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 978-1-84-794603-4
Format: Paperback
328 pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Publisher

The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex is Mark Kermode's second book (the first was It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive) about movies.

In this book, the renowned English film critic asks 'What's Wrong With Modern Movies? - and how can we make it right?' Mark Kermode presents an astute analysis of how multiplex cinemas work and rants about why the standard movie-going experience tends to be so disappointing.

Do you always enjoy going to the cinema? Or do you get irritated when some members of the audience (inevitably) behave badly? What about the movie? Have you ever noticed it doesn't look and/or sound right but you weren't sure what was wrong?

Mark Kermode devotes his attention to all these questions and more as he points out the problems associated with the growing trend for films to be shown in a multiplex cinema chain. He bemoans how the great anticipated cinematic experience "...has been replaced by an automated drone of electronic information that requires no supervision..." (thus no need for projectionists) and that the audience have to endure bad behavior because there are no ushers.

The author explains how the movie industry works and the complex reasons why blockbusters make money no matter how bad they are. I was amazed to learn the logic behind this depressing fact. And as he points out, if that's true then what are film critics for?

He also goes into great detail about the history of 3D movies and explains why he dislikes them. And even though Hollywood studios keep trying to foist them onto the public, Mark Kermode insists 3D movies have never been the future of cinema and that it's just another way for movie studios to try and make more money. Indeed, he uses persuasive arguments to make his case.

The chapter called "The British Aren't Coming...Or Going" is very informative. I found it to be a real eye-opener regarding how the Academy Awards (the 'Oscars') work. The author points out that one American movie mogul in particular, is connected to many Oscar winners. He also points out the simple reason why American movies are almost always the Oscar winners.

Mark Kermode presents his (very strong!) views in a witty, conversational style and includes lots of very funny stories. He shares his knowledge about movies with pithy remarks about why some movies are so bad, and despairs of how cinema-goers are so willing to tolerate - and pay to watch - truly awful movies.

This a fun and informative book for any real movie buff and I'm grateful to the publisher, Random House Books, for sending me a copy. I learned a lot about the movie business and also to appreciate the work involved in being a film critic.

If you love movies, you must read The Good, The Bad and The Mulitplex.

Book Review: Walk the Lines by Mark Mason

Title: Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground
Author: Mark Mason
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 978-1-847-94653-9
Format: Hardcover
376 pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Publisher

Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground is precisely what the book is about. Mark Mason decided to walk the entire length of the London Underground, overground.The author shares details about how he completed his unusual challenge and in the process, he provides a comprehensive view of London that entertains as well as informs.

Starting with the Victoria Line in the first chapter, the author shares tidbits of information such as where you can find Little Ben (a replica of Big Ben),why there are no formal flowerbeds in Green Park, and why the correct tea making etiquette is definitely not pouring milk in first.

In each subsequent chapter, another line is walked and the author reveals more fascinating details about each of the stations he visits and the surrounding area. Along the way, the author discovers all sorts of historical facts and trivia about London. He also explains the origins of place names, and expressions.

Interspersed in his cheerful narrative about the places he visits, the author also writes about various people he meets along the way such as a student as she sets out to do the Knowledge (a special test which all London taxi drivers must complete) and the man behind the original 'mind the gap' voice. The author also delights in sharing snatches of conversations he overhears and observations of people he sees during his walks.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Walk the Lines, and I'm grateful to the publisher, Random House Books, for sending me a copy. The plethora of fascinating details about London and the author's easy-going style make it a lot of fun to read. Every page has another interesting (quirky) fact and all the footnotes are a must-read too. The author's obvious delight when he learned something new and his enthusiasm for the task he set himself is infectious.

Walk the Lines will appeal to everyone who loves London. Whether you live and/or work in London or you are a tourist, this book is for you. It's a perfect book if you are an Anglophile. Indeed, the book has something for everyone. It's not just about walking the lines, it's about maps, language, history, geography, and people. It's about how one man completes his plan to Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground and thus reveals a unique perspective of London. An impressive task, and a very entertaining book.