Undertow

I've read Undertow by Sydney Bauer which is an "okay" legal thriller but the so-called murder scenario seems very far-fetched. Set in Boston, a young white girl drowns in tragic circumstances while with her "African-American" friends. One friend's mother is accused of murder because she left the girl in the water while she went to rescue the other three. The drowned girl's father, a prominent politician, seeks revenge. I thought the idea of someone being charged with murder under these circumstances with the supposed motive being that the "murderer" hated white people was ridiculous. The drowned girl's parents were also not believable. The story was well written and interesting for the courtroom drama and had a little twist at the end but I didn't find the story credible. I'd be interested in reading another book by this author with a more believable storyline. 2/5

Marley & Me

The story Marley & Me by John Grogan is about the author's life with his pure-bred labrador, bought as a puppy. Marley grows old as John experiences early marriage, three children and moves states within USA. From the start, John and wife Jenny realise Marley is a challenging and expensive dog to own as he is destructive, mentally unstable, and often socially unacceptable. His antics often try his owners' patience. But Marley is a loving, fiercely loyal dog more than making up for his difficult traits. Grogan says that Marley taught him what really mattered in life - "loyalty, courage, devotion, simplicity, joy." It's quite a sweet story - but this is not a dog I could see myself owning. The thought of being sprayed with dog slobber!!! Ugh!!! 3 1/2/5

The Good Guy

I've finished The Good Guy by Dean Koontz, another fast-paced thriller as Tim Carrier attempts to save a woman from a contract killer after a case of mistaken identity. Then follows a hectic chase of life and death as they attempt to outwit the cold blooded murderer who loves his work. The killer has an inflated opinion of himself, believing he is above mere mortals and the reader has an insight into his deranged mentality. The chase is exciting and unfortunately there is "collateral damage" along the way. The author thinks up some wonderfully imaginative scenarios and the reader is not disappointed.

Raven Black

I've read murder thriller Raven Black by Ann Cleeves and enjoyed it very much. Set in the Shetland Isles in a remote community where "everybody knows everybody", a teenage girl is murdered in the snow. Suspicion falls on a "simple" old man who was also a suspect in the disappearance of a child some years earlier. The story is woven around the people and traditions of the place that date back centuries. The murder victim, Catherine Ross, came to the community recently with her father and they tried to fit in. Detective Jimmy Perez investigates and gradually unravels the mystery of why Catherine was murdered, with surprising results. 4/5

Orpheus Lost

I've just finished the brilliantly written Orpheus Lost by Janette Turner Hospital. This is a love story and a thriller, the meeting of two brilliant minds - Leela a mathematician and Mishka, an Australian musician, in Boston amidst an atmosphere where terrorist bombs are devastating American lives. Mishka searches for his father, through Middle East connections and unwittingly becomes associated with terrorists, with devastating consequences. There are several main characters and their background stories are told individually then connecting to the main story so the reader knows them. Mishka was born in Queensland, his grandparents survivors of the Holocaust and Leela is from a small American town. When Mishka is suspected of being involved in terrorism and becomes "lost" in the seedy world of counter-espionage, Leela fights to save him. 4 1/2/5

February Book Club

Eleven of our members had an enjoyable evening at Penny's place last Monday. Unfortunately, Vee couldn't come due to work commitments. Liz is celebrating now being "retired" and also recently had one of the big zero (0) birthdays. She had dinner at Baguettes and received a phone call from her daughter to wish her "Happy Birthday" and she looked up to see her walk into the restaurant. What a lovely thoughtful surpise!

The girls read some great books over the last month including Pomegranet Soup which I'll look forward to reading. Penny bought some great new books including a new Henning Mankel Kennedy's Brain and Alexander McCall Smith's new book The Good Husband of Zebra Drive - another in the Ladies Detective agency series. Penny treated us to a delicious supper and I enjoyed a lip-smacking Bailey's. Penny's beautiful dogs, Rocket and Isis joined in from time to time - and it was a lovely night.

Relentless

I've read Relentless by Simon Kernick which promised to be an exciting murder chase story and it was. Tom Meron received a phone call from his friend who gasps out Tom's address before being gruesomely murdered. Tom panics and escapes his home just in time then commences a "relentless" chase. Tom has no idea why he's being pursued and escapes death several times as an evil psychopath chases Tom and his wife leaving bodies along the way. A good chase story but I found the end disappointing. 3 1/2/5.

The Chocolate Lovers' Club

I've enjoyed The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews, a fun "girlie" book about four very different women bound together by their love of chocolate. The meet regularly at a cafe called Chocolate Heaven to sort out their lives. The main character Lucy has relationship problems as her boyfriend of five years won't commit; Chantal's husband seems uninterested in sex so she finds relief elsewhere; Nadia's husband is addicted to on-line gambling; and Autumn has a drug addicted brother to deal with. These friends help each other with their problems and enjoy their chocolate while they're doing it. At the end some matters are unresolved then we discover there's a sequel!! 3/5