New Recommendations from Wine, Books and More

Here are the books that sparked some interesting discussion at the latest meeting of Wine, Books & More. This group meets on the evening of the third Tuesday of the month at Hastings Library.

Betrayal is the latest novel by popular author Lesley Pearse. This story follows Eve who makes the difficult decision to take her children and leave her violently abusive marriage to Don. Our reader really enjoyed the first half of the book but then found the story a bit tedious. They used to enjoy books by this author but it seems they’re becoming a bit repetitive. The change in style between the first and second half of the book made it seem as if there were two different authors. Even so the books still scored 3 ½ stars.

Keeper of Stories is the debut novel by Sally Page. Janice is a cleaner and a keeper of stories for the people she cleans for. But elderly Mrs B is shrewd enough to realise that Janice has her own story, but she doesn’t want to tell it. What is Janice hiding? Our reader really enjoyed this but warned that the first few pages are a little beguiling. After that the story really gets going.  4 ½ stars

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover is told from two points of view. First there's Kenna who, after a tragic mistake that sent her to prison, has returned to her hometown to rebuild a life with her daughter. Then there's Ledger, a bar owner and the only person who offers Kenna any kindness. Our reader is enjoying this book much better than a previous Colleen Hoover novel. 4 ½ stars so far…

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood is the first of a mystery series featuring Judith Potts, an elderly crossword compiler who lives beside the Thames, and the helpers she acquires to investigate a murder. There’s dogwalker Suzie and vicar’s wife Becks. It's an intricate murder story that is also quite funny. Recommended if you like Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club).

A Twisted Vengeance by Candance Robb is the second Kate Clifford mystery and is set in York in 1399 - the era of Richard II, with the War of the Roses in the offing.  Kate is a young widow struggling to keep her business going when she discovers her mother Eleanor harbours a dangerous secret. The death of Eleanor’s servant and a curious stranger spark events that turn into a really good murder story. Robb’s books are great mysteries with lots of interesting history.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Many people have reviewed this story set 1960s California about Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist fighting her corner in a man’s world who becomes a popular presenter on a TV cooking show. It’s a well told story but this reader also felt the plot would have been better if it covered a broader span of time. Maybe they just wanted to find out what happened next. 4 stars

Love Stories by Trent Dalton. Much loved Australian writer, Trent Dalton has written a collection of stories that all began when he went about asking people from all walks of life to tell him a love story. A warm and wise collection that expresses the inexpressible and intangible emotion that makes such an impact on so many people. Our reader also really liked Dalton's turn of phrase.

Heavy Metal Islam by Mark LeVine discusses music from the Islamic world, particularly the growth of heavy metal music in a number of Middle Eastern countries. The author, a professor in Middle East history, spent five years travelling in these countries and collecting research. He also considers the reaction to the music from the rest of the world.

The Mother by T M Logan is a new thriller which begins with a woman observing her own funeral as her sons grieve. She is unable to comfort them or reveal herself as she is in hiding while trying to clear her name. Ten years previously her husband was murdered. This is a complete page turner and well recommended.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is a modern spin on the Charles Dickens’s classic David Copperfield, set in the Appalachians and in recent times. The book similarly reflects the shortcomings of society, describing terrible poverty and deprivation, while taking its main character through all sorts of difficulties in his attempts to make a life for himself. An interesting read.

A Bird in the Winter by Louise Doherty is the new thriller from the author of Apple Tree Yard. This spy story follows Heather (Bird), a woman on the run, not knowing who exactly is after her or whom she can trust. But Heather has always known this day would come and has an escape route mapped out plus a bag of disguises, passports and cash.  A tense and interesting read that soon draws you in.

The Half Life of Valerie K by Natasha Pulley is set in the Soviet Union in 1963. It follows the story of Valery Kolkhanov, a former nuclear specialist who is taken from a Siberian gulag to study the effects of radiation on an isolated town. The trees in the surrounding forest seem to be dying. As he works, he finds more and more disturbing questions come to light. But in this regime how can he raise concerns without retaliation. A very readable but disturbingly realistic novel.

18 December 2023

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