Beautiful Lies

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger had an interesting plot. There is a prologue and we are then wondering about the connection with the main story as Ridley Jones' photo appears in the newspaper, an event that changes her life. She is forced to question her identity when she receives a photo and accompanying note querying "are you my daughter?" She then embarks on a roller-coaster ride as the story unravels and she is forced to realise that her life and that of others have been filled with "beautiful lies". The story was written in the first person (Ridley) and I found her annoying at times as she addresses me (the reader). There was enough suspense to keep the pages turning along. 31/2/5

Ordinary Thunderstorms

Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd started out well. A young man, Adam Kindred, returns to London and inadvertently becomes involved in the murder of a pharmacist developing a new drug. He changes his identity and goes "underground" to try and clear his name while he is sought by the police and others. There are a number of good twists and turns along the way, but I found the ending too incredible and unsatisfying. 31/2/5

Trespass

I've read Trespass by Rose Tremain which is set in France. There are a number of dysfunctional characters in this story who eventually come together and we get an explanation for the shock ending of the first chapter. There is a lesbian English couple whose lives are disrupted by a visitor. Then there is French brother and sister who have a difficult relationship and we learn the reason. There is a clash of cultures as the English transplant themselves in an area where they are not always welcome. A dark tale. 31/2/5

The Man Who Left Too Soon

This book The Man Who Left Too Soon - The Biography of Stieg Larsson by Barry Forshaw is of little value as a "biography". Most of the book is a forensically detailed review of each of the Girl Who ..... books of the Millenium triology. There is some information about Larsson's life and his untimely death aged 50 and the subsequent dispute about his literary and financial legacy. Forshaw also tells us about other notable Scandinavian crime writers and what other crime writers think of Larsson's books. Basically, this is a "let's make some money out of Stieg Larsson" book. 2/5

The Return of the Dancing Master

I enjoyed this intriguing murder tale, The Return of the Dancing Master by Henning Mankel. An elderly man who lives a reclusive life following his retirement is murdered in an horrific fashion. A young policeman who used to work with him decides to travel to the district where his former colleague was murdered and teams up with the local police there. The murdered man had a mysterious past which may explain the motive for the murder. A terrific story as the truth is gradually brought to light. 4/5

Nice Work

This book Nice Work by Jana Wendt was very interesting. Each chapter she interviews and becomes immersed in the life of a person with a different occupation. These include a priest, boxer, sculptor, CEO. 4/5

The Outcast

The Outcast by Sadie Jones was a bleak story about a young boy, Lewis, who witnesses a tragic event which then dramatically affects his life. He is unable to have anyone understand him and because they don't, he is "outcast". 4/5