The Women in Black

The Women in Black by Madeleine St John was originally published in 1993, recently re-published. This fictional story of women who worked in a department store in Sydney in the 1950s has delightful characters and the writing is witty and entertaining. Awaiting her senior school results, young Lisa joins the staff and a sophisticated "foreign" woman takes her under her wing. Another character yearns for a "nice" man to be her husband. Another yearns for a baby. I enjoyed this very much. 4/5

The Piano Teacher

I enjoyed The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee which was set in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation and 10 years later. A British couple arrive in Hong Kong in 1953 and the wife, Claire, becomes a piano teacher for the child of a wealthy local couple. She meets the family's chauffeur, Will, and falls in love with him. Gradually she learns about his past during the War. The reader learns more about Will and his relationship with a beautiful Eurasian woman, Trudy during the War. The life for the British under occupation was of course not easy and in 1953 there are secrets from the War time that are brought to light. 31/2/5

The Road Home

The Road Home by Rose Tremain won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2008 and having now read it, I can say the win was very well deserved. Lev, a Russian, moves to London to seek his fortune and send money home to his family in his small village. He had come prepared, so he thought, but soon learns that the reality of his new life is very hard. The reader follows his adventures and misadventures as he navigates his way around a new life in a very different country. We feel his loneliness and his frustration, follow his struggles and wince at his mistakes. He dreams of being a chef with his own restaurant - will this dream come true? This is one of those books that is sad to finish. The writing is so good and is a great story. 5/5

Lady Killer

Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was not as exciting as the title might suggest. A former classmate of Mary DiNunzio comes to see her seeking legal help with her violent boyfriend. The woman and the boyfriend disappear in suspicious circumstances and the hunt is on to find them. There is a lot of interaction with the Italian community, the Mob etc. It was a fairly quick read. 2/5

The Art of Racing in the Rain

This delightful story The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein tells the story from the dog, Enzo's perspective, his life with Denny the racing car driver and his family. Enzo tells of being picked from the litter by Denny and his enjoyment in watching racing car videos and then being driven in the car. Enzo observes when Denny marries and has a little girl and then how all their lives are affected. This is a lovely book - highly recommended. 4/5

Australia Street

I've enjoyed Australia Street by Ann Whitehead set in a fictitious inner-city Sydney street in the late 1940s. The author has well captured the spirit and language of the time to tell the story of an "ordinary" family and their joys and tribulations. The family and neighbourhood deals with the aftermath of the War and the poverty of the area. There are some great characters, including Chook the cantakerous rooster. There is romance as well as tragedy - a good story. 31/2/5

A Florentine Death

I very much enjoyed this murder thriller A Florentine Death by Michele Giuttari. Set in Florence police chief Michele Ferrara investigates a series of brutal murders which at first seem unconnected. Ferrara realises that notes sent to him from the killer indicate that Ferrara himself is on the killer's list. A fast-paced story that maintains interest. 4/5

Missionary Stew

I enjoyed Missionary Stew by Ross Thomas, a popular thriller writer who died in 1995. Journalist, Morgan Citron is freed from an African prison after 13 months where prisoners were fed human flesh, thus the book's title. He goes to California and teams up with political mover and shaker, Draper Haere, when information comes to light about US government drug dealings with a Central American military dictator. There is an increasing body count as Citron and Haere gradually uncover the truth that no one wants exposed. The story is fast-paced with even a little humour and irony to break some of the serious moments along the way. Very entertaining. 4/5

The Winner Stands Alone

This thrilling story The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho is set during the Cannes Film Festival amid all its glitz, glamour and "plastic" people. A spurned ex-husband, Igor, knows his ex-wife and her new husband are attending so sends "messages" to persuade her to return to him. The events take place in one day as Igor uses murder to send his "messages". He has a distorted view of the difference between "good" and "evil" which is different to the norm, but is his justification and motivation for the murders. A chilling story with some in-depth characters. The reader goes "behind the scenes" to see the artificial world of the super rich, actors and wannabes who populate this event. Another brilliant story from Coelho. 5/5

New books for September

Due to my disability this year, I've let my "fingers do the walking" on the computer keyboard and have ordered all my books on-line from Dymocks. Normally I go to at least three different places in search of the specials (provided those books have made my "long list") but this year I've got the books on my list that were the most reasonable price at Dymocks - and they'll be delivered to my door! I hope you will enjoy them.

Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo is a follow up to the excellent The Redbreast. Set in Oslo, Det Harry Hole investigates a serial killer and the five pointed star is the key to solving the riddle.

The Outcast by Sadie Jones is set in 1950s England. 19-year-old Lewis Aldridge is released after serving a two-year prison term. He returns home hoping for a new beginning.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry tells the story of a 100-year-old mental patient who decides to tell about her life. Set in Ireland, she has memories of the early "struggles". Why is she really in a mental institution?

How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall is set in 1960s Italy as a dying painter looks back on his life.

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti is set in 19th century America. A young boy is taken from the orphanage by someone claiming to be his brother. Desperate to be part of a family the boy goes with him.

The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker, a Dutch author. Set in the Dutch countryside Helmer reluctantly returns to the family farm following his brother's death.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova is about a 50 year old woman who realises she has Alzheimer's disease.

Follow the links to find out more about these books which have been praised by critics for their writing. Some links go to Amazon because they have a better review. Just reading over the little summaries I've done above, I'm struck that some of them sound a bit gloomy - so hope they'll be good!!

The Book of Unholy Mischief

I've enjoyed The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark, a first time author. The story is set in Venice in the Middle Ages where power and religion are very important. A young boy, Luciano, is taken off the streets by a chef in the home of a wealthy and powerful man. The chef sees potential in the boy and starts to teach him what has been passed to him from learned teachers. At this time certain knowledge means power and a reward is offered by powerful men for a book believed to hold the secrets of eternal life and also creating gold. The chef believes knowledge for its own sake is more valuable than these things and that's what he teaches Luciano. However, some knowledge is also being suppressed as it is unsettling for the powerful. This is a lovely story. 4/5

Storm Peak

Storm Peak by John A. Flanagan was quite a good "serial killer" murder story. The killer has targeted a ski resort and at first his pattern is unclear to Sheriff Torrens and her Deputy Jesse Parker. As they investigate (and the body count rises) the motive becomes apparent. There are chapters (in italics) devoted to the murderer's perspective, though the reader is not privy to his identity. So we are invited into his mind and understand his motive. There is a romantic angle as well which doesn't distract from the main game. An easy read. 4/5