The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman. The last Thursday Murder Club book for now, and every bit as enjoyable as the last. As the semi-regular cast widens, I am now of an age when I am struggling to recall the back-story of some of those, Pauline (Ron's squeeze) being a case in point. Other than that, a clever plot, with a twist I got seconds before the reveal (I think sharper minds may well get it earlier) but it is every bit as good as the rest in the series. So looking forward to seeing TMC on screen.
The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman. The last Thursday Murder Club book for now, and every bit as enjoyable as the last. As the semi-regular cast widens, I am now of an age when I am struggling to recall the back-story of some of those, Pauline (Ron's squeeze) being a case in point. Other than that, a clever plot, with a twist I got seconds before the reveal (I think sharper minds may well get it earlier) but it is every bit as good as the rest in the series. So looking forward to seeing TMC on screen.
Tried a couple of the series and did not enjoy them.
The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman. The last Thursday Murder Club book for now, and every bit as enjoyable as the last. As the semi-regular cast widens, I am now of an age when I am struggling to recall the back-story of some of those, Pauline (Ron's squeeze) being a case in point. Other than that, a clever plot, with a twist I got seconds before the reveal (I think sharper minds may well get it earlier) but it is every bit as good as the rest in the series. So looking forward to seeing TMC on screen.
Tried a couple of the series and did not enjoy them.
They aren’t great literature but I do think they capture the essence of each character really well.
The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith. The third of the Sunday Philosophy Club series. Different from the first two in that there is no real mystery to solve. It develops characters, and keeps your interest, but it is more of a love story than anything. It feels like the first of a two part tale, ending rather abruptly with more than one thread dangling... AMS does write female characters remarkably well, or at least it seems that way from a blokes point of view.
Just finished the last of the Wolf Hall trilogy of historical novels by Hilary Mantel which I had been meaning to read for years. Covers the rise of Thomas Cromwell to became the right-hand man to Henry VIII, only for him to eventually be executed for treason on trumped up charges. A good read although I thought Wolf Hall, the first of the books, was the hardest to get into. Maybe I just became more familiar with some of the historical figures in the last two books.
After ploughing through 2,000 pages about the trials and tribulations in Henry VIII’s royal court in 16th century England I’m going to switch gears and read Jo Nesbo’s latest Harry Hole scandi thriller.
Elaine by Will Self. I enjoyed it but will be in a minority. Also, An Angel at My Table, three-volume autobiography of New Zealand writer Janet Frame. Almost 600 pages. Loved it.
Bricks and Mortality by Anne Granger. Third in the Campbell & Carter series. Great characters in this one, most of them are quite likeable, despite their flaws you want to know more about what happens after the book. Pretty well written with a surprising culprit at the end, although it does drag a bit in parts.
The Radetzky March - Best I've read of Joseph Roth. Regarded as his masterpiece and it's a brilliant depiction of the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through the eyes of three generations of one militarist family. The behaviour of all three protagonists sharply imitates the fate of the state, whilst immersing you in the shifting code and morals of the times. One of the best I've read this year.
Phantom by Jo Nesbo. A Harry Hole thriller. I fear that the series is becoming a bit formulaic - I know detective fiction generally is, but the Hole stories are feeling a bit on repeat, and getting more far fetched. There is a big shock with one of the recurring characters that is unexpected, but there's too much "action" where you know where it's going and the whole (no pun intended) Harry vs the rest of the world is becoming a bit jaded. I hope they pick up, as I already have the next couple in the series lined up to read...
Finished Project Hail Mary. A slight drag with the science in the second act but otherwise interesting and entertaining read.
Also The Wager, the true story of a ship that set off from Deptford in the 1700s. Disaster strikes, they're shipwrecked and different factions emerge... The survivors find themselves in a court martial, and have different stories of who was to blame. Fascinating.
Becoming by Michelle Obama. Tepid, tame and unrevealing.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady. Shocking, sad but very often hilarious story of growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl in working-class Scotland. Really enjoyed.
And What My Bones Know. Probably the best and most moving book I've read on trauma and recovery.
Just read the Wager, it,s the type of book that floats my boat or not in this case! Really enjoyed it, and smashed it in a few days.
I love a shipwreck story too. If you haven't read In The Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philibrick already, it's absolutely brilliant. (Don't be out off by the awful movie adaption).
Clucking bell what a read "the heart of the sea" Not a spoiler but the description of two golum like creatures chewing on a human femur at the start certainly sets the scene.
Old soldiers never die and OLD SOLDIER SAHIB by Private FRANK RICHARDS D.C.M., M.M. Late Of The Second Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
A very solid account of army life from a Privates view, in the early 1900,s starting in India then in the first world war. In some instances nothing has changed regarding the bullish!t. He not only covers military life, but a in depth rating of ladies of the night, in both Continents. The WW1 account is the best I have ever read and also covers the appalling disregard after it finished for Soldiers who stayed in the front line from start to finish. Pte Richards being one of very few who did. He fought for many years to get any medical compensation.
A Guilty Thing Surprised - Ruth Rendell. Her first Wexford novel of the seventies. The slightly dated writing style and her obsession with flora aside, a good easy read with a slightly shocking (for the time) plot twist half way through and a good old fashioned motive for the murder.
Finished Project Hail Mary. A slight drag with the science in the second act but otherwise interesting and entertaining read.
Also The Wager, the true story of a ship that set off from Deptford in the 1700s. Disaster strikes, they're shipwrecked and different factions emerge... The survivors find themselves in a court martial, and have different stories of who was to blame. Fascinating.
Becoming by Michelle Obama. Tepid, tame and unrevealing.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady. Shocking, sad but very often hilarious story of growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl in working-class Scotland. Really enjoyed.
And What My Bones Know. Probably the best and most moving book I've read on trauma and recovery.
Just read the Wager, it,s the type of book that floats my boat or not in this case! Really enjoyed it, and smashed it in a few days.
I love a shipwreck story too. If you haven't read In The Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philibrick already, it's absolutely brilliant. (Don't be out off by the awful movie adaption).
Clucking bell what a read "the heart of the sea" Not a spoiler but the description of two golum like creatures chewing on a human femur at the start certainly sets the scene.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm going to try Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage soon, heard good things.
Standing in the Shadows - Peter Robinson. The final DCI Banks novel, and it's a doozy. Running through two timelines that you know will hook up, but can't quite figure out where. It's a great story, every bit as good as any of the Banks novels, it's just a pity that Robinson's untimely death has deprived us of a conclusion to Bank's own story.
The Perfect Wife - JP Delaney. Hard to say much without giving away too many spoilers. Compelling crime novel about AI and robotics. Lots of twists and turns, and occasionally a bit confusing due to the way the narrative works. Overall, enjoyable and though provoking.
Cry Baby - Mark Billingham. The prequel to all the other Tom Thorne books and a cracking good read, though I did spot the perpetrator reasonably early. The back story of his marriage and his first meeting with Phil Hendricks are featured, so help fill in some gaps in his character.
Making my way through The Idiot by Dostoyevsky, enjoying all the detailed descriptions n precise dialogue between characters and their clever interplay. I generally read modern novels but this is a great reminder for me how refined the language is in many classical novels.
Comments
Nice easy read, slow burning mystery which has a good payoff.
Apparently it's a prequel of sorts to one of the Detectives involved having more books so will be seeking them out.
After ploughing through 2,000 pages about the trials and tribulations in Henry VIII’s royal court in 16th century England I’m going to switch gears and read Jo Nesbo’s latest Harry Hole scandi thriller.
https://www.ianrankin.net/ian-rankin/ian-rankin-news/2024/02/19/announcing-the-new-rebus-novel-midnight-and-blue/
Really enjoyed it, very gentle and easy reading, nothing dramatic, no huge and turns, just nice storytelling.
Fascinating and highly recommended.
Not a spoiler but the description of two golum like creatures chewing on a human femur at the start certainly sets the scene.
A very solid account of army life from a Privates view, in the early 1900,s starting in India then in the first world war. In some instances nothing has changed regarding the bullish!t.
He not only covers military life, but a in depth rating of ladies of the night, in both Continents.
The WW1 account is the best I have ever read and also covers the appalling disregard after it finished for Soldiers who stayed in the front line from start to finish. Pte Richards being one of very few who did. He fought for many years to get any medical compensation.
Now onto The Master Bedroom by Tessa Hadley - she is a superb writer.
I found this passage amusing