I’d recently read, and much enjoyed, the third book by Peter Swanson featuring Lily Kintner A Talent for Murder. It encouraged me to go back to the beI’d recently read, and much enjoyed, the third book by Peter Swanson featuring Lily Kintner A Talent for Murder. It encouraged me to go back to the beginning of this (so far) mini-series and to try to better understand this strange but compelling character.
We are to learn that Lily’s early life was somewhat loose, with her parents inviting various ‘arty’ types into their home for extended periods. One such man, a letch and a paedophile, stalked Lily to the point she felt she had to do something about it. And that she did. So, when years later she struck up a conversation with a man at Heathrow Airport, London, as they both awaited their fight to Boston, she had the perfect solution for him to deal with his philandering wife. It started out as a game: you tell me something and I’ll tell you something – be truthful, as we’ll never meet again. But it created the germ of an idea, one that might just turn into reality.
There are plenty of twists and turns and at least one major surprise. I’ll say no more, it’s a book best read with minimal pre-knowledge. I really liked it, and now I’m already part way through book 2. ...more
In his author’s note, David Baldacci states that this is a book he’s been attempting to write for around ten years. A native of Richmond, Virginia, thIn his author’s note, David Baldacci states that this is a book he’s been attempting to write for around ten years. A native of Richmond, Virginia, the old capital of the Confederacy, he grew up steeped in the history of the Old South. Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and J.E.B Stuart were names that were revered by many. But in this place he grew up, the black and white divide was long ingrained. Life wasn’t so very different, he felt, to the pre-Civil War years.
This story contains many autobiographical elements. It features a trial lawyer called Jack Lee - Baldacci had also gone down this route, practicing law for nine years before turning to writing full-time – who is questioning the world around him in the same way he had done as a young man. His relationships with family and friends, too, played out in a similar fashion. Even the car Jack drives is based on one the author drove for a period. The story itself is full of racial tension and dark deeds. It’s fictional, of course, but it is a tale of its time – set, as it is, just a little more than fifty years ago!
It’s a tale of a local lawyer who is asked to take on the defence of a black man accused of murdering his employers. The whole set-up looks dodgy from the start, with little to suggest the man committed the act, other than the fact that he was found with the bodies, courtesy of an anonymous tip-off to the police. He says he’d come to get his weekly pay and found the bodies, but the police aren’t interested – they’ve got their man, and they’re sticking with it.
It’s a decent story, and it’s well told, with quite a few twists along the way. But one issue for me is that the police, and indeed just of the local white population, are portrayed as one-dimensional racists. Wasn't there anyone around at that time who had a nuanced view? Not according to this tale. Well, with the exception of Jack and his family – though even his family aren’t perfect in this regard.
The tale is chopped up into many short chapters. It’s easy to read and moves along at a good pace. But here’s the second thing that I believed the story lacked: decent conversation. I love dialogue in a book. It’s what gives a story, depth and character, I believe. But here, the conversations here are almost exclusively short and transactional.
It’s a four star offering for me, based on the fact that beyond the halfway point, I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to see how it all played out. I’m also a sucker for a good courtroom drama....more
Bob Woodward is, of course, the Washington Post reporter who, along with his colleague Carl Bernstein, broke much of the Watergate scandal in 1972. HeBob Woodward is, of course, the Washington Post reporter who, along with his colleague Carl Bernstein, broke much of the Watergate scandal in 1972. He has now written over twenty books on American politics and has won numerous awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes. I listened to an audio version of his 2018 book on Donald Trump Fear: Trump in the White House just over a year ago. Based on interviews with ‘first hand’ sources, meeting notes, personal diaries, and documents, it sought to portray the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White House. In my mind, Trump was presented as: a bully and a liar; a disrupter; a fly by the seat of his pants operator; a flip-flop artist with narrow and outdated views.
In September 2020, Woodward published Rage a further exploration of Trump’s presidency, but this time based on twenty interview with the man himself (undertaken from the autumn of 2019 through to August 2020). The author taped each of these interviews – with the knowledge and acceptance of Trump – and also spoke with member of Trump’s team, other politicians and viewed numerous documents, including personal letters exchanged with North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. The interviews were a mix of face to face meetings, telephone calls made by Woodward to Trump, and also ad hoc calls made by Trump to Woodward’s home line. Initially, the conversations focussed on Trump’s foreign policy, this being what Woodward expected the substantive theme of the book to be. But then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and Woodward realised that the leadership challenge that this presented would have to supersede his original concept.
In his introduction, Woodward explains that some while after the publication of Rage, he once again listened to the interviews through in full. He realised that hearing Trump talk was a completely different experience to that of reading the words he spoke. He was stunned by the relevance to understanding the man. Trump’s voice is at times loud but also sometimes very quiet; his language is often profane, and his manner alternates through divisive, deceptive, angry, and retaliatory; he’s staggeringly incautious and also hugely repetitive. I have to say that when listening to the conversations, I was completely hooked from the very start. Note: this is not a replaying of the book Rage, but rather simply the interviews with Trump that led to the writing of a much more detailed and inclusive piece.
Woodward challenges Trump and, at times, fact checks him, but in the main, he listens. He explains that he really wanted to hear what the president had to say. There is a small amount of interruption as the author edits in some additional information – to add context or to correct claims made by Trump – but really, this is minimal. My sense is that Trump was largely hugely respectful of the reporter and sometimes was clearly listening avidly to questions asked or points of view provided. But towards the end of the sequence of discussions it seems that the president began to lose patience as he feared that the book that was to follow would not be as positive as he’d like it to be. After its publication, he labelled it a ‘political hit job’.
I’ll not go into the details of the discussions – I’d urge anyone interested to grab an audio copy fast. Make that immediately! Instead, I’ll just list some thoughts I noted down as I worked my way through:
- Trump is clearly someone who practices self-adulation (Woodward’s term). He claims personal credit for just about everything he says has gone well during his term as president. Which is just about everything that has happened - there’s little to no bad news in his eyes. - About himself, he says: I make deals (great deals), and I build relationships. He claims to get on really well with everyone - including Putin, Kim Jong Un, and China’s President Xi Jinping. - He rarely answers a question directly. He more often pontificates and dives off at tangents, often picking out the latest piece of good news he wants to share or to simply espouse yet another self-congratulatory message. - There are some facts (or perhaps just Trumpisms) that he repeats over and over. - He’s obsessed with polls. Barely a conversation is completed without a positive poll being mentioned, as he focuses on the upcoming presidential campaign. - Sometimes he slips into a strange voice – one I have heard him adopt in interviews or speeches before – it’s a kind of nasal whisper. I find it really odd. He seems to be making a particular point about something or somebody, but all I could focus on was his peculiar delivery. Is this partly what Tim Walz is referring to when he labelled him ‘creepy and weird’? - There were odd times when I warmed to Trump as he seemed somewhat vulnerable (I know! But these moments are few and far between) or when he teased and/or joked with Woodward.
Woodward’s conclusion is that Trump is not only the wrong man for the job, but that he is a dangerous man, completely ill-suited for the role of president. Whether you agree with that or not, this is a truly fascinating insight that really shouldn’t be missed by anyone interested in American politics....more
In 1999, historian and curator Elizabeth Clarke was dispatched to an unnamed Greek island to inspect and hopefully secure a statue of a nude woman. ItIn 1999, historian and curator Elizabeth Clarke was dispatched to an unnamed Greek island to inspect and hopefully secure a statue of a nude woman. It’s been recently plucked out of the sea and is potentially a major acquisition. If it’s authenticity can be confirmed and a deal can be done, that is.
We learn that Elizabeth is an ambitious woman and that a potential promotion has been dangled by her boss if everything works out. We are also made aware that she’s had a difficult time with previous personal relationships. She’s soon introduced to an interpreter who has been hired for her, called Niko, and also Theo, his wife. They’re an attractive and interesting pair. Will Elizabeth form a relationship with one or the other, or even both? It’s possible, but certainly not a given.
Another factor here is that there is some resistance to the thought that the statue may be removed from what local people consider to be it’s historic home. The debate around whether it’s acceptable to remove artifacts that have symbolic and cultural roots, despite the claimed rationale that it is to allow them to be viewed by a much wider audience, is to be a constant shadow in the background.
It’s an atmospheric story, and though Elizabeth isn’t the most engaging presence, I did find sufficient intrigue here to retain my attention. I also enjoyed the descriptions of this sunny place - I’ve visited a number of Greek islands, and the portrayal here is certainly in accord with my own experiences. The addition of a few shady characters – including a fellow employee of the museum – also adds some spice to proceedings.
I enjoyed the book’s literary style and also the sense of ambiguity that surrounds just about every relationship here. It’s an enjoyable read that kept me entertained and interested throughout.
My thanks to VERVE books for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Lee Goldberg has been around for years, writing novels and television scripts, but it’s only recently that I’ve caught up with him, reading a number oLee Goldberg has been around for years, writing novels and television scripts, but it’s only recently that I’ve caught up with him, reading a number of his more recent books. I’d become hooked on his Eve Ronin series, featuring a young, attractive cop who leaps to fame after taking down a well-known film actor she witnessed striking his girlfriend. This act, filmed by a passing onlooker, made her famous overnight and prompted her premature promotion to homicide detective. Her partner is Duncan ‘Donuts’ Pavone, a rotund pen pusher who deals with the admin whilst Eve does the physical stuff.
Even more recently, I enjoyed the first book in another new series, featuring Walter Sharpe, a Walter Matthau lookalike, and experienced arson investigator. Sharpe is a dour character who boasts that he’s never failed to solve a case. Sharpe’s partner is Andrew Walker, an ex-U.S. Marshal, who just loves the chase, and who is easily bored. He’s only found himself in this job to appease his wife, who is fed up with the danger and subsequent injuries that seemed part and parcel of his previous role. As in the Eve Ronan series, the relationship between the lead characters is brilliantly developed and adds some great humour to what are explosive, fast moving tales.
In this story, all four meet up after being called in to investigate the aftermath of a house fire, a body having been found in the ruins of the property. Goldberg then contrives a series of events that result in Ronin and Walker teaming up to attempt to chase down a villain who poses a significant national threat. The story does include elements that are a little hard to swallow and a conclusion that is somewhat telegraphed, and yet it still kept me hooked throughout. The main attraction for me being the brilliantly written interactions between well fleshed out and intriguing lead characters.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
If you’ve read Deaver for any length of time, you’ll know that twists come along at regular intervals. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that nothing iIf you’ve read Deaver for any length of time, you’ll know that twists come along at regular intervals. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that nothing is ever quite what it seems. Here, he teams up with Isabella Maldonado, an author new to me. But though this book is a product of joint authorship, to me, this tale has all the hallmarks of a Jeffery Deaver novel.
Carmen Sanchez, a Homeland Security agent, is horrified to learn that her younger sister, Selina, has survived an attack by an unidentified man. Luckily, Selina has been coached to be attentive to detail and also to be able to look after herself physically. In consequence, she survived reasonably unscathed, and though details are scant, a tattoo of a spider on the wrist of the attacker is one notable clue Selina has been able to supply.
Sanchez needs to go off the books, to some extent, to hunt down the man responsible for the attack, and to aid her investigation she decides to contact Professor Jake Heron, a lecturer and expert on all things related to security and, as he puts it, ‘intrusion’. We’re advised that Sanchez and Heron have history, but the nature of any previous engagement(s) will remain a mystery for now.
The spider man is an interesting character, and as a result of the exploration into his background, his motivations, and his inner thoughts, readers are likely to become something of a minor expert on arachnids. It’s clever enough tale, and there’s good chemistry between Carmen and Jake – expect to see them again at some point. But though I found this an easy and engaging novel, I always felt like I was being somewhat manipulated, and this is not a feeling I particularly relish.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
I’ll be honest, I requested a copy of this audiobook because I thought it was written by another A. Atkins, forename Ace. However, I quickly ascertainI’ll be honest, I requested a copy of this audiobook because I thought it was written by another A. Atkins, forename Ace. However, I quickly ascertained that the mood of this novel was distinctly different, in both pace and tone, to what I’d expected. That said, I still initially found this tale featuring a young cast battling sexual frustration and angst to be engaging enough to hold my interest.
Shane is 17, and he’s drawn to Laney, who is only 14, when the story begins. Gradually, their interest in each other becomes sexual, though Shane is defiantly determined not to consummate their relationship until it’s legal to do so. In many ways, this is the story, pretty much the whole story it seemed to me. There are side issues concerning Laney’s flighty mother and bullying elder brother, and also a sub-plot built around a group of seedy drug dealers, but really the focus keeps coming back to Shane and Laney – will they or won’t they?
It’s a lengthy story, which I found to be repetitive to the extent that the same scene of temptation and denial just seemed to play over and over again. I pulled the plug on it at around the 70% mark, unable to take any more.
I’d normally give any book I fail to finish one star, but there are some mitigations here.
1. I truly believe that I stumbled into a story that really didn’t suit my tastes or my age bracket – it really feels like this is one written for a YA audience. 2. The audiobook is competently narrated by Jessie Elwyn.
I’m therefore going to award two stars. Sorry, it just really wasn’t for me.
My thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review....more
Set in southern Louisiana, the blurb for this book seemed to suggest a tale resembling something penned by James Lee Burke. And to an extent that’s exSet in southern Louisiana, the blurb for this book seemed to suggest a tale resembling something penned by James Lee Burke. And to an extent that’s exactly what it delivers. There are huge differences, of course: JLB’s tales are soaked in the lore of the place and the author’s love for it, but they’re also often abstruse, the narrative hard to follow; Moorhead’s novel provides some of the same atmosphere and sense of place, and yet despite it being a complex tale of historical misdeeds and present day angst, at heart it’s a more straightforward story.
Dr. Willamena (Willa) Pearl Watters is a child psychologist. She’s currently tortured by a disastrous television appearance, in which she became confused and, as a result, somewhat lost the plot. There’s also something in her past that she feels compelled to investigate and resolve. This combination lures her back to the small town in which she was raised, to a house owned by two, now deceased, aunts. There’s something there that is hidden and is demanding to be discovered. She is planning for it to be a short visit, and she’ll use this time to escape her present problems and emerse herself in the past.
We learn that she grew up with a bipolar mother and a younger sister she doted on. She’d spent a good deal of time at her aunts’ house – it was often an escape from the bad times at home, times when her mother was tough to be around. But the escape she was seeking quickly turns into a tortuous series of encounters with people from her past. Many seem to be aware of her televised disassembly, and it feels like she’s being taunted by them. There’s also an encounter with an ex-boyfriend, now a cop, and his spooky brothers. Very quickly, Willa realises she can’t wait to shut herself away in the house, to drink a bottle of cheap wine and decompress.
There’s also a second thread to this tale. The town has been invaded by the press and television media, as a result of a school teacher who’s gone missing and also a barrel that’s been discovered in the bayou. Human remains were discovered inside the barrel. Soon, more barrels are discovered, courtesy of a drought that’s affecting this area and is reducing the water level, causing the bayou to expose its secrets.
There are some wonderfully descriptive passages in this novel, as Willa wrestles with the challenges she currently faces and is plagued by elements of her early life, frankly things she’d rather completely block out of her mind. And yet there’s a sense that just too many issues are piling up for her personally, and with a bunch of others impacting this small town, all at the same time. It’s busy, very busy. I really think it could have all been paired back a little. A case of less would have been more.
It’s probably unfair to compare this novel to Burke’s work. JLB has been at it for many years, for time immemorial, it seems. This is Moorhead’s first novel. It’s a decent story, and it’s well told, too. Perhaps she’s stacked too much on the plate, but there really is an awful lot to enjoy here. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next offering.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
The opening scene is tense and attention grabbing. School teacher Richard Boyle spots an ex-student approaching the school in a manner that strongly sThe opening scene is tense and attention grabbing. School teacher Richard Boyle spots an ex-student approaching the school in a manner that strongly suggests he intends to do harm. He’s got to act quickly and decisively, or this could end catastrophically. A scene plays out that is both dramatic and sad, and which throws suspicion on at least one member of the school staff for historic deeds, which most likely prompted this act.
In the aftermath of this event, Richard returns to the school to what might be described as a mixed reception. In the background, one teacher in particular seems to be plotting against him. But then Richard is faced by a second major challenge as he is confronted – out of school – by a former student who accuses him of historic misdeeds. This scenario, too, has potential for things to end disastrously for both him and his family.
A group of bad actors involved in drug dealing and Richard’s sister-in-law, a cop, are now added to the pot. What follows is a complex series of events, in which Richard makes a series of poor decisions. In addition, to make the story work and to keep the reader guessing, the author asks us to accept quite a number of unlikely co-incidences and swallow a series of misdirections. In truth, I found this all to be pretty unconvincing and highly contrived. Added to this, I was pretty sure from very early on that I knew who would turn out to be the mysterious baddy lurking in the background (I was proven to be right).
So, for me, this was a story that started brightly but then deteriorated into an elaborately conceived but improbable jumble that really made little sense. It just didn’t feel real. On the upside, the audio version I listened to was very well narrated, and the pace of the story, as well as a constant sense of threat and urgency, was well maintained throughout. On this basis it’s a three star rating from me (which might just be a little on the generous side).
My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio for providing a copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
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