March Highlights at Book Chat

Mysteries, historical fiction and comfort reads seemed to be popular at the March gathering of Flaxmere Library Book Chat. You can find out more about the books discussed by clicking on the titles. Flaxmere Library Book Chat meets every second Tuesday at 10:30 am. Check out the libraries' website calendar for details. 

Who’s Lying Now by Susan Lewis
This novel is a lockdown mystery set in an English seaside town. It follows the disappearance of high-flying Jeannie, an award-winning publisher. Jeannie often goes off on research trips for work so, of course, no one is concerned at first. The story dips into the lives of two couples, connected professionally and who are also neighbours. There are lies and buried feelings while Lewis throws in loads of red herrings to make a very enjoyable mystery.

The House on Willow Street by Cathy Kelly follows the lives of four women in the quiet coastal town of Avalon. The large house on Willow Street is about to be sold but is full of memories, some of them bitter-sweet. The book is strong on atmosphere, slowly building in the stories around the lives of the characters, but was a bit lacking in pace for our reader.

In His Father’s Footsteps by Danielle Steel
In this historical novel, we follow two generations of a Jewish family living in New York. Jakob and Emmanuelle have escaped the Holocaust in Germany, making a new life in America, where Jakob builds a successful business. His son Max, with all the advantages of a Harvard education, yearns to make his own fortune. The novel follows his struggles to live up to his ideals, and to find happiness. Our reader found this novel delightful.

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
A novel about three couples, each with their own complex problems, and what happens to their relationships after an incident at a barbecue. The novel brings up issues to do with class, marriage, sex and parenthood and how friendships can recover from guilt and blame. This is all the stuff that Liane Moriarty does really well, and the book is both engaging and well-written.

The Marriage Game by Alison Weir
This novel brings the court of Elizabeth I to life and in particular the relationship between the Queen and Robert Dudley. All the while, the so called Virgin Queen is courted by numerous princes across Europe and the pressure is on to select a husband. Weir describes the Queen's delicate balancing act as she attempts to avoid commitment as well as keeping true to herself and her people. A compelling, finely researched historical read.

The Glass Room by Ann Cleeves
This time DI Vera Stanhope is drawn to a writer’s retreat to solve the murder of an author, a case that she can’t resist in spite of being too close to the prime suspect. It’s her neighbour who is found standing over the body with a knife in her hand, and it will take quite some digging around with her trusty Sergeant Joe Ashworth to find all the motives and complexities of the case. Before you know it, there’s another body. Classic Ann Cleeves.

The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters
This is the sequel to The Last Hours, which introduced us to Lady Anne of Develish, and the moated estate which under her careful management, kept at bay the Black Death as it swept through the countryside in the fourteenth century. In this book, Lady Anne and her fellow survivors are desperate for supplies, and her educated serf and friend, Thaddeus Thurkell makes the bold move to strike out to find food and news. This is another gripping read, well-researched and with unforgettable characters.

Marple: twelve new stories
Marple is an anthology of new stories featuring Agatha Christie’s famous sleuth, Miss Jane Marple. If you recall, Jane Marple is the elderly spinster who has learnt all about the darker side of human nature from observing the inhabitants of her little English village. The new stories are written by some familiar authors, including Val McDermid, Kate Mosse, Elly Griffiths and Lucy Foley. There are some new authors we are now keen to try, while Jane gets to solve mysteries in all sorts of settings. A bright, fun read for cosy mystery fans.

31 March 2023

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