Recent Reads from Flaxmere Library Book Chat

One of our readers is an expert at detecting waffle in a book. But she was pleased to discover in her reading of Jorn Lier Horst mysteries, that waffle was distinctly absent. Horst is the author of the William Wisting crime novels set in Norway.

Horst has recently teamed up with fellow Nordic author, Thomas Enger, to create the Alexander Blix series. With Stigma, the fourth in the series, our beleaguered detective is in prison, convicted for avenging his daughter’s death. Journalist Emma Ramm has teamed up with Blix on cases before. She visits him in prison with a case connecting the present with the past. Five points for another brilliant, waffle-free read.

However, there was waffle aplenty in Rebecca Tope’s mystery, A Lake District Christmas Murder. Christmas celebrations at Glenridding are upset when a man's body is found as well as an abandoned baby. Our amateur sleuth Persimmon (Simmy) Henderson is soon on the case. Maybe this book is more about Lake District atmosphere and Christmas spirit than a pacey plot. Definitely one for cosy mystery fans.

Another mystery we discussed was The Wedding Party by Rebecca Heath. Set off the coast of South Australia, it concerns Adele, a bride who isn’t telling the truth about her relationship. There’s also a mother grieving still after a mysterious death from a decade before. A twisty psychological thriller from start to finish.

One reader has recently discovered The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. The set-up of a group of retirees in a retirement village solving cold cases is a good one, especially when you’ve got an ex-MI5 spy (Elizabeth), quiet ex-nurse Joyce, retired psychiatrist Ibrahim, and Ron a union man from the East End. Quite an odd collection of characters which, with the quirky sense of humour rippling through the books, provides lots to enjoy.

Babel by R F Kuang took a long time for one reader to finish. A fantasy novel set in Oxford, 1828, the story revolves around Robin Swift a Chinese student brought to England by the mysterious Professor Lovel. He studies to become a translator at the Royal Institute of Translation. It’s a complex story involving silver working, which has given the Empire unparalleled power, and the opium trade, as well as the shadowy Hermes society. A fascinating and quite brilliant book, worth setting the time aside for.

As usual there was a good representation of historical fiction, such as Elisabeth Gifford’s The Mischief Makers, which describes the life of Daphne du Maurier. It was interesting to discover that Daphne was influenced by her cousins’ adoptive father, J M Barrie, author of Peter Pan. Then there’s her marriage to a career soldier who is caught up in WWII in a big way, and her obsession for a house in Cornwall that she can never own. And lots more. It’s a stunning read that’s well researched and quite fascinating.

Fairfield Hall by Margaret Dickinson is set in early 20^th century England, the story of Annabel, married off by her fish merchant father into nobility to suit his own ambitions. But at the village near Fairfield Hall, people are starving. Lucky Annabel is there to do something about it. But can she stand up for herself against her jealous sister-in-law? A brilliant country house saga.

Another top read was The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress by Sue Williams. This book takes you to the early colonial days of Australia, and the life of Philip Gidley King. Sailing with the First Fleet, he had the pick of the convict women to choose for his housekeeper. Establishing himself on Norfolk Island, a return visit to England will bring back a surprise. A great read for anyone who likes a well researched story that brings history to life.

The Paris Muse by Louisa Treger takes us into the world of talented artist and photographer, Dora Maar, who falls in love with Pablo Picasso. Only he has other women in his life and an at times sadistic personality. The story is set in Paris and on the French Riviera and takes in the war years (WWII) as well as the bohemian world of artists in the mid-century. A fascinating read, but quite dense.

The Highland Clearances is the background to Clear by Carys Davies. In 1843 John Ferguson needs money to set up his church, so takes on a job for a landowner. The last remaining tenant on a remote Scottish island needs to be persuaded to leave, so John is dropped off for a month to do the job. Meanwhile his wife Mary fears for her husband and determines to rescue him. A brilliant short novel, with a surprising ending.

A horror novel made it to Book Chat – is that a first? – with The Night House by Jo Nesbo. A terrific twisty read about teenage Richard who survives the fire that killed his parents. Living with relatives, he is treated as an outcast at his new school, and it only gets worse when classmates are killed in weird circumstances. There’s some dark magic afoot, with a plot that jumps forward in time to build you to a surprise ending. As a mystery author, Nesbo is a master storyteller and does a good job in a different genre.

We heard about a couple of books from popular contemporary novelists. Nicholas Sparks’ new book Counting Miracles follows the story of Tanner, an Army Ranger, on a quest to discover the father he never knew. Before his next posting, he journeys to North Carolina, and here he meets and falls for Kaitlyn, a doctor and single mom. There’s also lonely old Jasper who lives in isolation because of an accident that has left him scarred inside and out. Our reader enjoyed the book on the whole, but wasn’t overly impressed.

The Collector by Nora Roberts is the story of Lila, a professional house-sitter, who spends a lot of her time people watching, on the look out for inspiration for the stories she writes. When she inadvertently witnesses a murder, her own life is suddenly under threat. Recruited by the alleged killer’s brother, she discovers just how far someone might go for high heels and perfume.

Finishing off with Kiwi author Nicky Pellegrino’s Marry Me in Italy, we heard about Skye, who’s partner Tim wants them to get married. Can she be persuaded to tie the knot with a surprise all-expenses paid wedding in Montenello, a hill town in Italy? Meanwhile Ana has lost her job for a glossy food magazine so turns her attention to restoring a crumbling Italian farmhouse. A lovely romantic story with Pellegrino’s trademark Italian vibes, with romance and delicious food aplenty.

That wraps up our recent reading at Flaxmere Library Book Chat. You can find more information or place a hold on any of the books by clicking on the titles for links to the catalogue. Flaxmere Library Book Chat meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Flaxmere Library, at 10:30 am - new members welcome. Check the Library's Events calendar for the next meeting date.

 

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