A fabulous novel reworking the Trojan war, but this time from the view of two of the women who were vital to how it fell out, but mostly ignored afterA fabulous novel reworking the Trojan war, but this time from the view of two of the women who were vital to how it fell out, but mostly ignored after the action starts. I refer to Briseis, Achilles prize of war who was stolen by Agamemnon, and Krisayis beloved of Troilus and the daughter of Apollo's High Priest in Troy.
This is a magnificient retelling, keeping the mythic elements of Homer intact. The gods have several scenes to themselves and they are hilarious. Athena referring to Aphrodite's cupids as "flying midgets" was a delight. The best characterization, though, was Hermes. Emily Hauser caught the mischievous trickster element of this complicated deity extremely well.
As this is a short story, I didn't think I was going to get to read it.
However, Ben Aaronovitch kindly has it available on his website to read, so I sAs this is a short story, I didn't think I was going to get to read it.
However, Ben Aaronovitch kindly has it available on his website to read, so I settled in for a quick read.
Ben has said himself that this no longer works with in the time line he's created. I don't care. It's a lovely little story harking back to the London Olympics of 1948.
It's 2012, Nightingale is in Aberdeen, and the magical shenanigans of London are purely in the purvey of Peter.
We learn a little about the French version of the Folly in this delightful story.
Not as good as the second book in the series, but still a fun read.
The first book is mostly about how Jack Walker was picked for Seal Team 666 and hisNot as good as the second book in the series, but still a fun read.
The first book is mostly about how Jack Walker was picked for Seal Team 666 and his first few missions with the team. Also lays the grounding for book two....more
Was a little disappointed with this one. It lacked the snappy comments and one-liners I've come to expect from the series.
The plot was interesting, wiWas a little disappointed with this one. It lacked the snappy comments and one-liners I've come to expect from the series.
The plot was interesting, with the Japanese ambassador found murdered and Cyrus Barker the chief suspect, who is then hired by the new ambassador to discover who murdered his predecessor.
A good, workmanlike addition to the series, but lacked, for me, the spark that set most of the others apart....more
Miss An'gel and Miss Dicksee Ducote are asked to investigate the possible haunting the family home of an old friend, who's grand-daughter is running iMiss An'gel and Miss Dicksee Ducote are asked to investigate the possible haunting the family home of an old friend, who's grand-daughter is running it as a B&B. When an uninvited guest turns up murdered, it's obvious that there are more than ghosts on the loose.
The fourth Southern Ladies mystery is every bit as good as the first three. I've seen the heroines described as ante-bellum Miss Marples, but I don't think that's strictly accurate. An'gel is too sharp and too observant, and touch too acid tongued. She's more Poirot than Marple.
A marvellously entertaining read. Now, when is the next one coming out?...more
At a time when other children had their mothers reading "Sleeping Beauty" and "Little Red Riding Hood" to them, my father was telling me the story of At a time when other children had their mothers reading "Sleeping Beauty" and "Little Red Riding Hood" to them, my father was telling me the story of the abduction of Persephone with his own adornments (I particularly liked the squirrels wondering why she was picking flowers instead of nuts).
I bring this up so you understand that I was exposed to the Greek myths at a young age. Once I was able to read I got my hands on Bullfinch's Mythology and Robert Graves rather interesting two volume offering.
Stephen Fry now sits, in my mind, with these giants of Greek mythology. His retelling of many of the stories, especially the origins of the gods, is simply delightful. His love for the subject just shines through, and he has a deft hand with gentle sarcastic observances and natty oneliners.
If I have to pick a favourite story it would have to be the birth of Hermes. And not just because Hermes has always been my favourite.
I now have a question for Stephen. When is he going to retell the Iliad?...more
Jerome K. Jermome is probably best known for "Three Men in A Boat".
In the first part of this book of short stories he tackles the popular Victorian geJerome K. Jermome is probably best known for "Three Men in A Boat".
In the first part of this book of short stories he tackles the popular Victorian genre of the ghost story. And completely extracts the urine from it.
A charming read in small doses. The best word to describe the book is whimsical. Only problem for me is that it doesn't take much whimsey for me to come over all unnecessary.
I have realized what it is about Sherlock Holmes stories that attract me. It is the combination of Sherlock Holmes AND John Watson. No Watson. No inteI have realized what it is about Sherlock Holmes stories that attract me. It is the combination of Sherlock Holmes AND John Watson. No Watson. No interest.
I read one Mary Russell book and enjoyed it, but Holmes was a peripheral character in it. The others I have tried since, I have not enjoyed.
Regretfully, I think the Mary Russell series is not for me....more
Sat down and read this from cover to cover on Saturday afternoon.
Virgil is back in Trippton, where he managed to put the entire school board behind baSat down and read this from cover to cover on Saturday afternoon.
Virgil is back in Trippton, where he managed to put the entire school board behind bars several years ago. This time it's a murdered woman, and also a side plot involving, shall we say, "adjusted" Barbie dolls.
Pretty much typical John Sandford from start to finish, but it is an enormously fun read. The plot has more twists and turns and kinks (I mean the last one literally) than a slinky on an escalator.
It also has Jenkins and Shrake so I was more than happy with the offering.
Only narrowly misses being 5 stars because Virgil gets unnecessarily sentimental in the last chapter. Well, as sentimental as is possible for Virgil Flowers to get....more
The most recent offering in the Rivers of London graphic novels series.
This one is four separate stories linked by the device of Peter Grant doing hisThe most recent offering in the Rivers of London graphic novels series.
This one is four separate stories linked by the device of Peter Grant doing his final interview to ascertain whether he is suitable to be promoted to Detective Constable. The interviewer, Detective Inspector Chopra, has a little bit of trouble with the magical aspects of Peter's job:
Chopra: I thought they were... Peter: Exaggerating? Chopra: Taking the piss.
We get to learn some interesting snippets from Peter's past, get to see Lesley BEFORE she lost her face, and see Jaget Kumar, Kimberley Reynolds, Abigail Kamara, and Frank Caffey drawn for the first time. It's interesting to me that they pretty much look like I had imagined them.
I am now eagerly awaiting the compendium version of the latest in the graphic novels series "Cry Fox".
The Rivers of London series just keeps getting better and better....more
I hadn't read a Harry Dresden novel in ages, but I picked this one up cheap at an opportunity shop. Turned out to be a good buy.
Harry's annoying nemesI hadn't read a Harry Dresden novel in ages, but I picked this one up cheap at an opportunity shop. Turned out to be a good buy.
Harry's annoying nemesis, Warden Morgan, is accused of murder and on the run. Naturally, he runs to Harry. Naturally, Harry looks after him. Has it been mentioned that Harry Dresden is a sucker?
This book is a little different to the usual Harry Dresden's. For a start, it is basically a supernatural whodunnit. Who has framed Morgan for murder, how, and who is the real killer? Throw in a conspiracy against the White Council, a nasty Native American horror, with the White Court for added fun and excitement, and you have one hell of a fast paced, exhilarating read.
The joy with the Harry Dreseden series as that you don't need to read them in order. The characters are explained with minimal backtracking.
The latest from Peter Robinson sees Alan Banks promoted to Detective Superintendent. His first case is an historical abuse case featuring a celebrity,The latest from Peter Robinson sees Alan Banks promoted to Detective Superintendent. His first case is an historical abuse case featuring a celebrity, shades of Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris. Meanwhile, DI Annie Cabot is dealing with the corpse of a young girl found naked and beaten.
So far, so normal.
The book pretty much plods along, except for the last third of the book, which takes off like a rocket.
The endings of both cases are strong, especially the historical abuse one.
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