The Good Thief

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti was quite a good book, a Dickensian story set in 19th century eastern America. An 11 year old boy, Ren, whose left hand was cut off soon after birth has been in an orphanage since he was a baby "deposited" there. A man comes to claim him saying he is his brother and they set out for a life of thievery and grave robbing, meeting many interesting characters along the way. Ren has many adventures and the reader feels for him and hopes there is a good outcome. 31/2/5

Still Alice

This is a very thought provoking novel, Still Alice by Lisa Genova. Harvard professor Alice Howland, aged 50, is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. The story is told from Alice's perspective and tracks her struggle to cope with her declining mind. The people she loves also find it difficult. The author is neuroscientist with a keen interest in Alzheimer's and her book has been endorsed by the Alzheimer's Society as her research into the subject which has produced this book gives a valuable insight into the disease. She has focused on the early onset aspect of a high achiever rather than much older patients as for younger people the diagnosis is more unexpected. A worthwhile read for those interested in Alzheimer's. 4/5

A Woman of Seville

This whimsical story A Woman of Seville by Sallie Muirden was quite enjoyable though a little "weird". Two characters, Paula a courtesan, and Diego a painter each tell their story in the first person, chapter by chapter. Their lives intersect at times. Paula tries to escape her life by teaming up with a "ladder man" for adventures on top of the roofs of Seville during the 17th century when the Inquisition was in force. 31/2/5

First Family

I enjoyed First Family by David Baldacci which was about the President's niece being kidnapped. Two private detectives, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, set out to find her. The theme of this thriller novel is "revenge" and "justice" as a father tries to make the culprits in a terrible crime accountable for their actions. 4/5

Fire Sale

I've read Fire Sale by Sara Paretsky which I didn't like much, almost gave up on it (very rare for me) but I plugged on. Private Detective V.I. Warshawski investigates a factory fire in South Chicago and also tries to help a local school by filling in as basketball coach. There are lots of issues in the area with unemployment, exploitation of workers and a filthy rich guy who wields a lot of power. He is also in conflict with his sons and grandson about running the business. More trouble as grandson disappears with an "unsuitable" girlfriend and people are murdered. 3/5

The 19th Wife

I very much enjoyed The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff which is based on the Mormon religion. The book is a work of fiction but is well researched and in one time zone draws on the real characters of Mormonism in the 19th century. Ann Eliza Young, the "19th" wife of one of the early leaders/prophets, Brigham Young, escapes and reveals her story as a plural wife in the Mormon society. She campaigns to have polygamy made illegal and finally succeeds. However, not all the Mormons comply. The "other" story, set in the present day has a young man who escaped a Mormon sect, which was a "breakaway" group, trying to prove his mother did not kill his father. His mother had also been a "19th" wife. The book interweaves these two time zones and makes a fascinating story. It was interesting to learn the basis of Mormonism, probably like all religions, based on the improbable and luring in gullible people to empower their leaders to control the lives of their followers. 5/5