The Thirteenth Tale

Diane Setterfield's debut novel The Thirteenth Tale is an intrigueing, dark tale of an unusual family. Writer Vida Winter is dying and wants to tell the truth about her life so engages bibliophile, Margaret Lea, to write her story. Much of the story is told in the first person, by Margaret and then by Miss Winter as she relates her tale. It is the story of twins, family madness, mysteries, abandoned babies and acknowledges earlier great writing with references to Jane Eyre and other classics. The reader becomes ensnared in the story and there are many twists and turns before the final truth is revealed. This is brilliant writing. There is a fabulous quote that all avid readers can relate to: "Do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membrane of the last one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes - characters even - caught in the fibres of your clothes, and when you open the new book they are still with you." 5/5

For One More Day

I've just finished another of Mitch Albom's delightful books, For One More Day, which explores the relationship between a son and his mother. Charley Benetto is at rock bottom when he attempts suicide and is "reunited" with his dead mother. They spend the day discussing their lives together, the joys, the sadness, and the guilt. Charley learns about his mother's sacrifices for him and the depth of her love. This is a beautiful, touching story and reminds us not to take our mothers for granted and to talk to her before she's gone. 4/5

The Tin Roof Blowdown

The last First Tuesday Book Club for 2007 has Ian Rankin as a guest and he nominated his favourite book for the year The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke. He called Burke a "crime writer's crime writer". I enjoyed this book, set against the horrifying background of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The scale of this tragedy and the government's ineptitude in dealing with it is very disturbing. Detective Dave Robicheaux investigates the shooting of two black men during the storm. What were the men doing when they were shot? There was a lot of looting going on and some very valuable property went missing. A mysterious psychopath, Bledsloe, comes into the picture, trying to find these valuable stolen items and then he impacts on Robicheaux's family with near disastrous consequences. Very well written. 4/5

A Much Married Man

I've enjoyed A Much Married Man by Nicholas Coleridge, about the life of fictional Anthony Anscombe, a banker and owner of a quaint English village. The book spans 40 years when Anthony first marries after a romantic elopement. As his life goes on he makes some unfortunate marital choices and must cope with his ever expanding and demanding family. There are some wonderful characters and the story is so believable, the reader can't wait to find out the next development in Anthony's life - but we can see a lot of it coming. 4/5

January Book Club

We had a lovely meeting at Marilyn's place last night. All the girls were there except Leonie. Penny has returned after travelling to Britain and South Africa telling us some great stories about her journey and particularly about the changes she's found since she last visited many years ago. Sandy was excited to tell us that one of her daughters is engaged after a romantic proposal. Marilyn may be off to exotic places later this year. Liz is enjoying her "holiday".

There were some interesting books read by the girls in the last month including The Trout Opera (highly recommended by Kathy) and The Witch of Portebello. Marilyn's new books included White Cargo and Identical Strangers. We have a great variety of books to read. Marilyn gave us a delicious supper which included fruit cake and profiteroles and we had a lively discussion around the table.

The Tree of Hands

The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell is a comparatively old book and I'm surprised I hadn't read it before (at least I can't remember it). A young mother, Benet, tragically loses her infant son, James. Her mother, the mentally ill "Mopsa" is visiting and "solves the problem" by kidnapping a similar child from a dysfunctional family. Benet resolves to return the boy but then discovers he has been abused and cannot bear to send him back to that. Things get complicated as the boyfriend of the boy's mother is suspected of murdering him. There are lots of twists to this story and lots of terrific characters and the reader is wondering till the end as to how the situation will be resolved satisfactorily. 4 1/2/5

Summer Garden Murder

Our second Crime Club book for 2008 is Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley. Amateur sleuth Louise Eldridge is suspected of murdering a murderer that she'd help catch 4 years previously when his body is found in her garden. He'd spent time in an asylum, supposedly because he was mentally ill when he murdered a young woman. He gatecrashes a party in the neighbourhood, surprising Louise and "sowing the seeds" of the police suspecting her. A second body is discovered building a stronger case against Louise before she turns the tables and realises who the real murderer is. 3/5

Mother's Day

My last book of 2007 Mother's Day by Kirsty Scott was a very enjoyable "girlie" read about three women friends and their very different lives. Gwen is happily married with three children and one on the way when husband, Rob, is made redundant; Katherine is wealthy and in a miserable marriage when her husband finally leaves her and the children for one of his "sluts"; Alison can't decide whether she wants a family or a career and struggles with those competing priorities. 4/5.