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May Books
15: Swan Song Edmund Crispin
April's book for the Shedunnit book club (online). A new author and detective for me, and slightly outside the traditional 'Golden Age' period, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and would read more of this series.
The plot and characters were good, and it has one of the most elaborate solutions to a locked-room mystery that I have ever read.
16: The Green Child Herbert Read
May's choice for my in person book group - which is now getting to grips with meeting on zoom, except for our one technophobe.
This is one of the strangest books we have ever read and discussed - it would have been better as a novella perhaps, without the 70-odd pages of Latin America 'adventure' - which seemed to be there only to show what a superior sort of man the central character was.
A lot of the characters were the most appalling stereotypes, but the world building around the Green Child was interesting, if a little patronising, and very sexist. I am glad he didn't read any other fiction.
17: The English Monster, or The melancholy transactions of William Ablass Lloyd Shepherd
Not only am I working through my paperbacks, I am reading the hardbacks too!
A historical murder mystery with a twist, and a new detective to follow. Loosely based on an infamous real-life murder mystery (The Ratcliffe Highway Murders- that I would love to read PD James' take on), but with other stories woven in. I do like a novel with a bibliography - I have added several things to my to-read list.
18: 1666: plague, war, and hellfire Rebecca Rideal [Kindle]
Can't possibly imagine why it seemed like a good idea to read this ...
It was a very good read though, a good overview and starting point for a very 'busy' bit of history. Rather delighted by an unexpected mention of Bridlington too.
19: First Term at Malory Towers Enid Blyton [Kindle]
A nostalgic re-read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
20: Dying in the Wool Frances Brody [Kindle]
This was recommended to me by at least one, if not two friends, and I am glad I got round to reading it, as I really enjoyed it. It's always nice reading a book where you recognise the places. Enjoyed the plot and the characters, and will definitely read more in this series.
21: The Bottle Factory Outing Beryl Bainbridge [Kindle]
My suggestion for June's book club discussion. I didn't know what to expect, even though we have read a Bainbridge in group before.
It was rather odd, the characters were quite stereotyped and the plot was utterly bizarre. I am glad I had read something by her before, as this could have put me off. I am not sure why it has won so many awards/accolades though.
April's book for the Shedunnit book club (online). A new author and detective for me, and slightly outside the traditional 'Golden Age' period, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and would read more of this series.
The plot and characters were good, and it has one of the most elaborate solutions to a locked-room mystery that I have ever read.
16: The Green Child Herbert Read
May's choice for my in person book group - which is now getting to grips with meeting on zoom, except for our one technophobe.
This is one of the strangest books we have ever read and discussed - it would have been better as a novella perhaps, without the 70-odd pages of Latin America 'adventure' - which seemed to be there only to show what a superior sort of man the central character was.
A lot of the characters were the most appalling stereotypes, but the world building around the Green Child was interesting, if a little patronising, and very sexist. I am glad he didn't read any other fiction.
17: The English Monster, or The melancholy transactions of William Ablass Lloyd Shepherd
Not only am I working through my paperbacks, I am reading the hardbacks too!
A historical murder mystery with a twist, and a new detective to follow. Loosely based on an infamous real-life murder mystery (The Ratcliffe Highway Murders- that I would love to read PD James' take on), but with other stories woven in. I do like a novel with a bibliography - I have added several things to my to-read list.
18: 1666: plague, war, and hellfire Rebecca Rideal [Kindle]
Can't possibly imagine why it seemed like a good idea to read this ...
It was a very good read though, a good overview and starting point for a very 'busy' bit of history. Rather delighted by an unexpected mention of Bridlington too.
19: First Term at Malory Towers Enid Blyton [Kindle]
A nostalgic re-read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
20: Dying in the Wool Frances Brody [Kindle]
This was recommended to me by at least one, if not two friends, and I am glad I got round to reading it, as I really enjoyed it. It's always nice reading a book where you recognise the places. Enjoyed the plot and the characters, and will definitely read more in this series.
21: The Bottle Factory Outing Beryl Bainbridge [Kindle]
My suggestion for June's book club discussion. I didn't know what to expect, even though we have read a Bainbridge in group before.
It was rather odd, the characters were quite stereotyped and the plot was utterly bizarre. I am glad I had read something by her before, as this could have put me off. I am not sure why it has won so many awards/accolades though.
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