Under World

I quite enjoyed Under World by Reginald Hill, a Dalziel and Pascoe investigation. The disappearance of a child some time ago in a close-knit mining town is re-investigated as new evidence comes to light. 31/2/5

The Lacuna

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver though it is a thick novel but well worth the read- like climbing up a beautiful forested mountain, so much beauty to see along the way and then the magnificent view at the top. There are many wonderful words, some poetic that make this writing a joy to read. The story is about the life of Harrison Shepherd as put together by his loyal secretary Violet Brown. Harrison was born in USA but his Mexican mother took him back to her country for his upbringing. During his life he came in contact with Trotsky and famous Mexicans before returning to America to become a very successful novelist. His past returns to haunt him as he is caught up in the hysteria of McCarthyism. A fabulous story. 5/5

Cape Grimm

Cape Grimm by Carmel Bird is a novel set in a fictional place in "north west Tasmania" where a cult leader murders his followers, who have willingly participated. The leader is incarcerated in a prison for mental patients and his counselor learns more about his psyche. He falls in love with the cult leader's "wife". The whole story is quite weird. 3/5

The Double Comfort Safari Club

I always enjoy The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books and this latest The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith is of course another delight. Mma Ramotswe is asked to find a tour guide who treated an American tourist kindly. She has left him a legacy. There is also an alleged adultery to investigate. Mma Mateleke deals with a tragedy and also her nemesis Violet Sephotho. Always lovely and this is hot off the press! 31/2/5

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a small easy to read book of wisdom aimed at the general populace and particularly for Randy's small children. Randy gave his "last lecture" at his university and then turned it in to this book with additions. At the time he was dying of pancreatic cancer, and succumbed to it in 2008. It's a nice book, but there are better "words of wisdom" books. 31/2/5

An Irish Country Doctor

I really enjoyed An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor which is about a newly graduated doctor, Barry Laverty, starting work in a country practice in Ireland with an elderly Dr Fingal O'Reilly in the early 1960s. Some of Dr O'Reilly's methods seem "unconventional" to Barry but he soon grows to love his work and the people in the town, as well as meeting a nice young woman. This is one of those "lovely" books that are a delight to read. 4/5