Dear friends. After the excitement of June and July's reading, which was mostly done months ago thanks to advance digital copies, I've been in a bit of a books funk.
NetGalley hasn't been enticing me with much, and what I have requested has often turned into a "Did Not Finish." I'm several books behind my reading goal on Goodreads.
This month's reviews are fewer than normal but I hope you'll agree, there's still some quality. I've included my new arrivals, which will be published between September and November. Things are looking very promising.
As always, books I bought myself are indicated with an asterisk.
Persuasion by Jane Austen*
Fiction Classics
I'm doing very well with my Jane Austen project. At the start of the year, I resolved to give her another try. Having enjoyed an audio book of Pride and Prejudice, I chanced upon Persuasion, her final novel, described by two of my friends as their favourite.
It follows a familiar Austen trope: impoverished genteel family, daughters needing to be married off, and one of the daughters, although a little less attractive perhaps, shines because of her gentle nature and personality.
Anne fell in love with a Captain Wentworth when she was 19, but family friend Lady Russell put an end to his wish to marry her. Several years later, and having lost her "bloom," Anne meets him again. She has two other potential swains, young widower Captain Benwick (the story is awash with admirals and captains) and a mysterious cousin, Mr Elliot, who is heir to her father's estate, but callously rejected overtures of friendship a few years ago.
It was amusing in places but my frustration at the slow pace of Austen novels, where no-one seems to say what they think or speak their minds (and I guess this was true of the time in which it was written) means I liked it less than P&P and give it 3.5 out of 5.
Claws Out! by Bella Mackie (4 out of 5 stars)
General Fiction (Adult), Humour, Mystery/Thriller
Hugely enjoyable. Sublime writing and laugh out loud funny at times.
Mackie is a sharp eyed social commentator, piercing the patina that divides the wealthy elite of London from the truly rich, those in the "Tatler" demographic (shooting, hunting, braying).
It's a book that constantly confounds us. I was at times sympathetic to gold digger Diana, accused by stepdaughter Catriona of murdering her previous 3 husbands. I also felt sorry for Catriona, working in dull jobs secured because of her writer father's reputation. Her father cared more for his public appearances and publishing deals than his daughter. Catriona lived in a flat below his in the very palatial family home.
As the number of murders rachets up, with only circumstantial evidence, there's a delicious twist near the end.
Love Unlocked by Cecilia Ahern
General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction
I became aware of "love locks" on bridges about a year ago. A bridge in Balloch, Scotland, was covered in padlocks with messages scribbled or attached to them.
In Love Unlocked, a bridge engineer called Al causes anger when he removes thousands of locks from a bridge in Dublin which was in danger of collapse under their weight.
The removal of the locks seems to result in thousands of break ups, a phenomenon investigated by Melody for her podcast. She bumps into Al, quite literally, and they are instantly smitten but seemingly ill fated.
I must confess I found Al a very unbelievable character: unfailingly kind, strong yet constantly weeping, keen on romantic gestures. His childish revenge against the best friend who stole his fiancee was perhaps his only flaw. Every time I saw a chapter headed Al, I immediately thought of AI (artificial intelligence).
More interesting was Ahern's examination of the bonds of love and how easily or otherwise they can fall apart. I also enjoyed learning about the historical context of the Grace Plunkett bridge, although saddened that Grace lived such a tragic life. She was disinherited by her in-laws and never married again.
In the Killer's Sight by Mike Omer, 4 out of 5
Mystery/Thriller, Police Procedural
A female police dog handler is a new heroine in a crime thriller series, and I liked Kate Marino very much. She is a determined and empathetic officer who has risen above childhood physical abuse by her father and is the parent of teenager Ivy. Her job involves working with K-9 operatives Nero and Bella (retired).
Kate's experience of spending long hours in the wilderness, escaping her father, and her skills as a dog handler came to the fore in this gripping thriller. She foists herself into the enquiry into the disappearance of her second cousin Alice, which is linked to the discovery by Nero and Bella of human remains of two other women, although it isn't part of her jurisdiction. She gets caught up in an exciting battle of the hunter versus the hunted as she eventually works out who the perpetrator is, and goes after him. Thanks to Amazon First Reads for the digital advance copy.
A Honeymoon in Venice by Veronica Henry, 3.5 out of 5
General Fiction (Adult), Short Stories & Novellas
If you've never read a Veronica Henry, this short story is a great introduction to her well written, descriptive and emotionally intelligent books. Henry has a knack for making us covet dreamy locations and fantastic food, with both featuring in this account of a couple's romantic honeymoon in Venice.
Olivia, a fine art auctioneer, is going to Venice for her honeymoon. On the plane she catches the eye of a woman sitting near her on the plane, Rebecca. On the surface, Rebecca is chic and well dressed. But the successful events organiser can only dream of a life like Olivia's on her small salary. She tries to find creative ways to make ends meet. Meanwhile in Venice, Olivia spots the smooth talking art guide who broke her heart several years ago. Rebecca and Olivia find they have something in common and concoct a ruse to trap a conman. It's a fun, unchallenging read. Thanks to Amazon First Reads for the advance digital copy.
New Arrivals: Non-Fiction
Trunks and Tiaras by Lady Glenconner
Lady Glenconner, Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret, and bestselling author of Lady in Waiting and Manners and Mischief, returns with her latest volume of memoirs, packed with stories of her travels - across the globe, and close to home.
The Age Code by David Cox*
A revalatory and optimistic new book from medical journalist Dr Cox explaining the impact of diet on ageing.
Retire and Refine by Siobhan Daniels
Fearless retiree Siobhan is back. This time she's driving Dora the Explora, her motor home, on their biggest adventure yet, across Alaska.
New Arrivals: Fiction
The Falling by Carole Hailey
The UK faces a direct hit from an asteroid which will destroy London and much of the Home Counties. Cassie, a middle aged woman on her own, is well coached in survival: her father was a prepper. But she blames herself for things in her life which have gone wrong. Will she be motivated to move to one of the safe zones?
The Stranger from the Mountains by Satu Rämö
Every autumn, farmers in rural Iceland head to the icy heights of the mountains to gather sheep. In a remote valley, a different discovery is made: a corpse, its flesh picked clean by ravens.
There's one detail that makes Detective Hildur Rúnarsdóttir suspect murder, and an observation by her Aunt Tinna strengthens her suspicions.
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth*
Eighty-one-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick lives a quiet life in the suburbs. Few would guess that Elsie, aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else’s business, harbours a secret she’s worked hard to bury. She's a murderer.
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