The Distant Hours

I've read The Distant Hours by Kate Morton which, like her earlier books, has a mystery from the past that may be solved in the present. Edie's mother, Meredith, receives a long lost letter posted by Juniper Blythe 50 years before after a bag of mail is discovered in a former postman's home. Meredith appears shocked by the letter's content but does not immediately share it with Edie. Edie finds herself drawn to the mystery of the letter and visits Juniper's home to discover more unsolved mysteries including the disappearance of a lover and the origin of Edie's favourite book, The Mud Man. All the elements come together at the end as the reader learns the truth. I think this book was too long and not as good as Morton's earlier books. 31/2/5

The Leopard

I didn't enjoy The Leopard by Jo Nesbo as much as his previous five books. The murders are very cruel and sadistic. The opening chapter's murder really hits hard, leaving the reader with an horrific image. Inspector Harry Hole is dragged back to Oslo from Hong Kong where he has gone to try and forget the Snowman case and the breakup with his beloved Rakel. He reluctantly returns home and is then embroiled in a power struggle within the police as to who will be responsible for investigating murders. Meanwhile the murders continue and no graphic detail is denied the reader. Harry thinks he's figured out the identity of the murderer but he is led down different paths (as is the reader) before all is revealed. This is a suspenseful story, but the terrible violence of the murders is unnecessary and a turn-off. 4/5.

The Snowman

I've enjoyed this gripping thriller The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. This is another Inspector Harry Hole story. Harry investigates the gruesome murders and disappearances of women dating back many years and at first he is unable to find a connection. Harry also gets a new sidekick, Katrine Bratt, who is efficient, very attractive and mysterious. There is usually a snowman in the vicinity of the murders and the victims are the mothers of young children. Harry is a flawed character and his superiors forgive his transgressions and his alcoholism because he is a good detective. However, even Harry is sometimes led down the wrong path before he backtracks and finds the correct one. This is a gripping ride before we learn the murderer's identity and his motive. 41/2/5

The Redeemer

I very much enjoyed The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo which is another detective Harry Hole thriller. This is what I thought was the 4th in the Harry Hole series, but discovered today there two more before The Redbreast (which I thought was the first). Each of these books can "stand alone" as there is always a major case to be solved, but the series has a couple of threads running through the series which can be better understood if read in order. In this book Hole investigates the contract killing murder of a Salvation Army officer. He discovers the murder has a connection to a crime several years earlier and it seems the murder may be a "payback" killing done by a "redeemer". The story is very involved as gradually the pieces of the puzzle are put together correctly. There is corruption, murder and some romance. Highly recommended and I'm soon to start the next in the series The Snowman. 41/2/5

Voices from the Pacific War - Bluejackets Remember

This collection of oral histories Voices from the Pacific War - Bluejackets Remember by Bruce M. Petty is very interesting and insightful. Petty interviewed a wide variety of American navy personnel about their experiences in World War II. They have different backgrounds, but many joined to escape the poverty of the Depression. They tell their stories well and illustrate with their voices the horrors they experienced. The sometimes graphic detail was confronting. A number of the interviewees were at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and describe the shock and sense of unreality they felt at first. This is an important "history" book which shows the importance of the work Petty and other oral historians are doing to capture these stories. Highly recommended. 4/5