Nothing to Fear

I've read Nothing to Fear by Karen Rose about a vengeful woman, Sue Conway, who has a list of people she feels caused her to be sent to prison for about five years.  She systemically goes about her murders of several people and kidnaps the 11-year-old son of a woman whom she says betrayed her.  She demands Five million dollars.  A private detective, Ethan is asked by the boy's parents to find him.  Ethan meets a young woman, Dana, who runs a shelter for battered woman.  Sue goes to the shelter with the boy who is deaf and claims she is running away from a brutal husband.  There is a romance between Ethan and Dana which permeates throughout the book.  There are a number of murders and assaults and twists and turns.  Glad to finish it. 31/2/5

Road Rage

I very much enjoyed Road Rage by Ruth Rendell.  I received a copy of three stories published in one book.  I had read the first two years ago so didn't read them again.  I've always been a fan of Ruth Rendell and would have read most of her books including her Barbara Vine books.  This is a Chief Inspector Wexford story and he must deal with people protesting the building of a new highway.  Things take a nasty and mysterious turn when five people, including Wexford's wife Dora, are kidnapped and held to ransom.  The kidnappers demand work on the highway stop else a hostage will be killed.  There are a lot of twists and turns along the way before Wexford solves the case. 4/5

Sedition

I very much enjoyed Sedition by Katharine Grant which is set in late 18th century London.  Four fathers plan to have their daughters tutored in playing the pianoforte to make them more attractive to young aristocrats, with a view to marriage.  The teacher is a Frenchman who is intent on teaching them more than how to play the piano.  One of the daughters, Alathea, has a very "unhealthy" relationship with her father and that is a key part of the story. After several months tutelage, the night of the concert  arrives and no one is really sure what to expect. 4/1/2/5

Sea of Dangers

I very much enjoyed this history book Sea of Dangers - Captain Cook and his Rivals by Geoffrey Blainey.  The author tells the story of Cook's voyages with a particular focus on the "discovery" of Australia's east coast.  After sailing around parts of New Zealand, Cook headed west with his secret instructions to find the great southern land.  He followed the east coast north and his ship, "Endeavour" hit the Great Barrier Reef.  The story of the ship surviving this collision is very interesting reading.  The other great danger to his ship was the crew's health with many succumbing to scurvy.  Cook learned later that French ships were in close proximity to the "Endeavour" at times.  The story is very well written - fact is stranger than fiction.  41/2/5

This House of Grief

I enjoyed reading This House of Grief by Helen Garner, which is the "true crime" account of the murder trial of Rob Farquharson who drove in to a dam where his car was submerged.  Farquharson was on his way to his ex-wife's house to return his three young sons.  Farquharson escaped from the submerged car while his boys drowned.  The author attended all the court appearances.  The question the jurors had to decide was whether Farquharson "blacked out" after a coughing fit (the defence case) or whether he had deliberately driven the car in to the dam.  The question was never satisfactorily answered.  The author paints a picture of the courtroom and everyone in it so we see the characters in the story.  Here is a case where fact is stranger than fiction, riveting reading, harrowing, but highly recommended. 4/1/2/5                                                                                                                        

Big Brother

I enjoyed reading Big Brother by Lionel Shriver which is about a woman, Pandora, who has her brother come to stay with her family for a while.  Pandora is horrified to see her brother, Edison, is now morbidly obese.  Edison had some life-changing events - marriage fell apart, no more work for him as a musician, friends have turned away.  Pandora decides that the only way she can help Edison is to be his diet coach in a new home away from her family for one year.  She has made a great sacrifice to help her brother.  Pandora's husband Fletcher is not happy about the arrangement.  So the story tells what happens during that year, and then what happens after.  Makes the reader  think about food and our obsession with the "perfect" body.  Interesting. 4/5

Close Call

I enjoyed this terrorism thriller Close Call by Stella Rimington who is a former head of MI5.  This story was most interesting, particularly in light of recent events in Paris.  Liz Carlyle is in the Counter Terrorism unit in MI5 and is following the lead up to a terrorist attack in England.  They are looking for an arms shipment being smuggled in to Britain and searching for the jihadists who will be using the ammunition.  The author would be familiar with the procedures and it makes for nail-biting reading hoping the attack can be thwarted. 4/5

The Buried Giant

I enjoyed The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro which is set in early Middle Ages Briton after King Arthur's reign.  An elderly Briton couple Beatrice and Axl decide to visit their son in a village about two days walk from their home.  There is an element of "fantasy" as the couple and others have no memory.  A dragon produces a mist which robs them of their memories. Even their memories of love, and the battles with the Saxons are gone.  Beatrice and Axl meet people on their journey who come from a haunted past, one a Saxon warrior who fought against the Britons and another who fought alongside King Arthur.  It's a great story. 4/5

X

I enjoyed reading X by Sue Grafton which is her latest in the "alphabet series".  Private investigator Kinsey Millhone is having a fairly quiet time with her work when she is asked to find the son of a woman who had to give him up at birth.  This seemed a fairly straightforward assignment which was successfully completed.  As well Kinsey was going through the effects of her murdered colleague Pete Wolinsky and she discovers a hidden satchel with an envelope addressed to an unknown woman.  Kinsey finds a coded list of women in the satchel who are all connected to a man who seems to be dangerous.  Kinsey finds out just dangerous he is.  This story was a bit slow to start and there are so many characters to follow.  31/2/5

November Book Club

We had our monthly Monday evening book club meeting this week.  Most of our members were there, one absent due to illness and two traveling. Our hostess bought some great reads for us to enjoy.  It was a very small meeting last month so it was good to catch up with more of them this month.  One lady who was absent last month was in London attending her son's wedding and christening of their baby.  It's always hard to return to the "real world" after a wonderful holiday.  Our hostess had baked a delicious supper which we all enjoyed very much.

The Dinner

I very much enjoyed The Dinner by Herman Koch, set in Amsterdam.  The author uses the menu to progress the story.  The main narrator is Paul.  He and his wife Claire have been invited to dine with Paul's brother, Serge, and his wife, Babette at an exclusive restaurant to discuss their respective teenage sons.  Serge is a very recognisable politician who is on track to be the next Prime Minister.  As the meal moves from one course to the next, the reader learns the reason for the meeting and we know that "something" is going to happen. 4/5

The Distant Echo

I very much enjoyed The Distant Echo by Val McDermid which is set in Scotland in the 1970s, and twenty-five years later.  On a very cold night with snow covering the ground, four students on their way home from a pub stumble upon a dying young woman, Rosie.  Suspicion is cast upon them but there is no evidence to support the suspicion.  Rosie's brothers believe the students got away with murder and give them a hard time.  Twenty-five years later the case is re-opened because new technologies may help solve the crime.  The four students have grown up and established good lives for themselves.  However, two of the group are murdered and the remaining two know that if they can't solve Rosie's murder, they will also be killed.  Great story with lots of suspense before the murders are eventually solved. 41/2/5

Buried Angels

I enjoyed Buried Angels by Camilla Lackberg which is set on a small Swedish island.  A young married couple, Tobias and Ebba, go to live and renovate Ebba's childhood home.  The house has a mysterious history as when Ebba was a toddler her whole family disappeared, apparently when they were eating lunch.  At the time the house was an exclusive boarding school run by Ebba's father.  At the time the family disappeared there were five boys staying there but they were out fishing when the family disappeared.  On alternate chapters we read about an horrific crime that happened early in the 20th century.  The reader follows this story until it catches up with the present.  There are mysteries to be solved and there are many characters to follow - too many.  31/2/5

W is for Wasted

I quite enjoyed W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton where PI Kinsey Millhone investigates when a homeless man leaves her a lot of money in his will.  Kinsey finally learns the man's identity and finds he has three grown children who were left out of the will.  At the same time, a sleazy PI Wolinsky is found murdered.  Kinsey has a tenuous connection with Wolinsky and knew he was someone who cut corners.  She tries to work out why he was murdered while at the same time learning more about the man who left her so much money.  4/5

The Truth According to Us

I very much enjoyed The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows which is set in 1938 in West Virginia, USA telling the story of a family in a small town.  Layla Beck, a "spoilt" young woman from a wealthy family is sent to the town as part of the Federal Writers' Project, part of the New Deal jobs program to learn about working.  She boards with the Romeyn family headed by divorced father Felix, his sister Jottie and his two small girls Willa and Bird. Layla's job is to write a history of the town.  Much of the story is narrated by Willa so the reader has an insight in to her thinking and learns about the different characters.  Other parts of the story are told in the third person so the reader steps away from Willa to see the story more broadly.  Felix is a lovable cad with whom Layla falls in love despite Jottie's warnings.  Jottie is a strong character who has a troubled past involving a tragic scandal.  The story was a little slow to start but worth persevering as the reader is drawn in wanting to learn what happens to everyone and discover the truth about what happened in the town in 1920. 41/2/5

The Miniaturist

I very much enjoyed The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton which is set in 17th century Amsterdam.  A young bride, Nella, arrives at her new husband Johannes's home (marriage arranged) to find he is away and her sister-in-law Marin is there with their two servants Cornelia and Otto.  Nella finds herself in an unusual household and is disappointed her husband is not behaving like one.  He gives Nella a gift of a miniature house which mimics the one she is now in.  Nella orders more objects to go in her miniature house.  Gradually some of the secrets of the house are revealed through the miniatures and Nella learns the truth about her husband.  The miniaturist seems to prophesy what will happen.  This is a terrific read, very compelling as the reader awaits the outcome for the characters. 5/5

September Book Club

I had a lovely evening at our Book Club last Monday.  However, it was an unusually small group who attended.  Most of our ladies are holidaying here or overseas, having a wonderful time.  Another couple of our ladies weren't well.  There has been a severe flu season this year.  Our hostess provided a delicious supper which we all enjoyed.  We were pleased to welcome a new member this month.  There were lots of great books to choose from including some new ones.  

 

Blood on Snow

I read Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbo as I'm a big fan of the author.  However, this one disappointed.  It is a slim volume narrated by a hit-man who hoped to do one last job before "retiring".  Will things go according to plan? 3/5

The Eye of the Sheep

I very much enjoyed The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna.  This book won the Miles Franklin Literary Award this year (2015).  The story is narrated by a young boy, Jimmy, living with his dysfunctional family.  Jimmy is "special" and it is mainly his mother, Paula, who can get through to him.  Jimmy is central to the story as he watches and reports to the reader how his life is.  The family is touched by violence as Jimmy's father drinks too much and beats his mother.  Despite this Jimmy maintains his "innocence" and continues to love his father.  Jimmy has an older brother who "escapes" to work on fishing boats.  It is a beautiful story, well told. 4/5

The Paying Guests

I enjoyed The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters which is set in early 1920s London.  A mother and daughter, Frances, rent rooms in their house to make ends meet.  A young married couple, Lilian and Len take the rooms.  Gradually Frances and Lilian become close and dare to think about a life together.  This is a love story with a murder added to the mix.  There is suspense as the murder story plays out.  Where will the characters be at the end of it all. 31/2/5

Forever Young

I read Forever Young by Steven Carroll which is set in Australia in 1977.  We read about the different characters and learn how they lived at this time.  Each character is connected to at least one other character.  This was a turbulent time in Australian politics with a federal election looming.  How will these events change their lives. 3/5

The Green Road

I enjoyed The Green Road by Anne Enright which is set in Ireland.  Rosaleen Madigan has "summonsed" her adult children to come home for Christmas.  The first chapter sets a scene for all the family.  In subsequent chapters we learn more about the interesting individual lives of the children.  Rosaleen tells them she is selling the family home.  This decision is a disappointment to them. 3/1/2/5

Leila's Secret

I liked this story very much, Leila's Secret by Kooshyar Karimi, a novel based on actual events in late 1990s Iran.  The author, Dr Karimi, was a doctor in Iran who risked execution to provide terminations for girls and women who became pregnant in impossible situations.  For example, following rape, pregnant while unmarried, pregnant prostitutes, pregnant to someone else while married.  All of these "crimes" carried the death penalty.  The story is told by "The Doctor"  and "Leila" in alternate chapters.  Leila tells of falling in love with a beautiful young man while she lives in a home where the men dominate.  She dreams of going to university and becoming a teacher but her position in life does not allow this.  The Doctor's chapters deal with "situations" he chooses to remedy such as abortions and hymen repair.  He does this at terrible risk to himself and his family.  Karimi is an Iranian refugee now living in Australia.  The story is sometimes harrowing and very sad, especially so as Karimi says the repression of many women in Iran continues. 41/2/5

The Nightingale

I very much enjoyed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah which is set in France during World War II.  Two sisters endure the War in different ways.  Older sister Vianne lives in a village in the countryside with her small daughter Sophie.  Vianne's husband, Antoine, is a POW in Germany.  As her house is a very nice one strategically located close to an airfield a Nazi soldier is "billeted" there.  Vianne's younger sister, Isabelle, lives in Paris and wants to help France's war effort.  She begins some dangerous work.  Both sisters witness the roundup of Jews and others who are sent away to "work camps".  The terrible winters during the War also take their toll.  The story is told by an older woman living in the USA who is invited to a function in 1995 to commemorate the "Nightingale's" deeds.  The reader only learns the identity of the older woman towards the end of the book.  A strong story, beautifully told. 41/2/5

After Darkness

I enjoyed After Darkness by Christine Piper which is the story of a Japanese doctor stationed in Broome who is interned following Japan's entry into World War II.  The story is narrated by the character, Dr Ibaraki, who is interned in the South Australian camp.  He tells his story in a series of flashbacks to his time as a doctor in Japan where he was engaged in "research".  He then took a job at a hospital in Broome where there is a small Japanese population attracted by the pearl diving season.  In the internment camp Ibaraki does some work as a doctor and is trying to balance conflicting loyalties.  4/5

12 Years A Slave

I read 12 Years A Slave by Solomon Northup with some trepidation, having some knowledge of the story and wary of the horrors within.  It is the personal account of the author's life during the mid-1850s in America's south.  This is an important story documenting the author's kidnapping and sale into slavery.  Northup was born a free man but was duped into travelling with unscrupulous men who profited from his sale.  The stories of life on the cotton plantations overseen by ruthless owners is heartbreaking.  The desperation the slaves endured is hard to read.  The author's elation at being freed is tempered by knowledge of the plight of the slaves he has left behind.  41/2/5

August Book Club

We had another great Book Club meeting last night.  It is always good to get together with these lovely ladies.  Our numbers were down a little this month as there were members holidaying in Bali, Alaska and far north Queensland.  Hope they're all having a wonderful time.  Next month some members will also be overseas, mainly for family reasons and hopefully will enjoy some

"vacation" time as well.  Our ladies are well-travelled.  Our thanks to our hostess for a very pleasant evening of conversation and providing some sumptuous home-baked treats for our supper.  Thanks also for great new books from which we can choose.  I have picked a number of books to read till our next meeting and hope I will enjoy each one. 

The Night Circus

I very much enjoyed The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern which is mainly set in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  A girl, Celia, tutored by her father and a boy, Marco, tutored by a "benefactor" learn the art of magic.  When they are older Celia and Marco try to understand the reason for the tutelage.  They are the latest unwitting players in a long running "duel" between their magician teachers.  The magic night circus provides the venue for the "competition".  There are many twists and turns in this delightful story.  The teachers will stop at nothing to ensure they win, but there can only be one winner.  How will it end?  41/2/5

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

I very much enjoyed We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler which is set in the USA from about 1960s to the present.  The narrating character is Rosemary and she tells the story of her family which appears quite dysfunctional.  Rosemary has her psychologist father, mother, brother Lowell and her sister Fern.  When Rosemary is about five years old, her brother and sister disappear and most of the story if about her efforts in later life to find them.  This is an "unexpected" story which is very thought-provoking.  It examines the ethics of animal experimentation for "the good of mankind."  It is a well-written story, challenging and very compelling.  It was shortlisted for The Man Booker Prize 2014.  This is not an "ordinary" story. 5/5

Family Secrets

I enjoyed Family Secrets by Liz Byrski which is set in Tasmania, France and England.  Head of the family Gerald Hawkins has died after a prolonged illness.  His wife Connie has nursed him at home through this difficult period and now that he's gone she resolves to live her own life.  She travels to France to renew her friendship with Flora, Gerald's sister.  Together they travel to England and visit places from their youth.  Connie's children Andrew and Kerry, with their families are rearranging their lives with different priorities.  All the characters face new challenges and resolve some long-standing issues.  This was a good "holiday read". 31/2/5

Inside the O'Briens

I very much enjoyed Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova which focuses on Huntington's Disease.  This is a very rare fatal neurological disorder.  See www.hdsa.org for more information.  Boston policeman, Joe O'Brien, notices he's getting clumsy and dropping things.  Joe belongs to a strong community of Irish Catholics.  He is married to Rosie and he has four children - JJ, Patrick, Meghan and Katie.  After reluctantly going to the doctor he is referred to a specialist who confirms he has Huntington's Disease and that each of his children have a 50/50 chance of getting it themselves.  Joe and his family then deal with the news in different ways.  The question is whether they get tested to see if they have the faulty gene which will eventuate in having the disease and how they will live their life after that.  This is a terrific story, well told with great sensitivity.  There are lessons in the story for all of us.  Highly recommended.  5/5

Go Set A Watchman

I enjoyed Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee which is the recently published and much anticipated "second" novel by the author.  There has been much controversy about the publication since it was announced in February 2015.  The story is set about 20 years after To Kill A Mockingbird. Jean Louise Finch (Scout) has been living in New York and visits her family - Aunt, Uncle and Father in her Maycomb hometown.  Her hometown sweetheart Henry (Hank) Wilson is very pleased to see her and proposes marriage a number of times.  Jean Louise begins to see and hear things in the town which she finds disturbing.  Most of these issues relate to race and one's place in society.  Jean Louise is surprised by the attitude of women her own age and others and she wonders what has happened to her town.  She has always been "colour blind".  She has faith in her upbringing and trust in her father Atticus.  How will she deal with this new order?  Well written, a story of its time.  However, if you really loved To Kill A Mockingbird, I advise you not to read this book.  31/2/5 

Murder 101

I enjoyed most of Murder 101 by Faye Kellerman which has Detective Decker investigating an unusual art theft in his small town.  Shortly after this investigation begins, there are two related murders.  This is very unusual in this town.  Decker and his partner Constable McAdams are a mix of old and young that doesn't make for a good mix at the start.  McAdams is "cruising" through a year with the Police Department through his wealthy contacts and gets on everyone's nerves.  Decker's wife becomes involved in the investigation which is centered in and around New York.  There are many twists and turns, some of which are predictable.  The McAdams character undergoes a transformation which is too "neat".  The story is too long and padded. 31/2/5

Family Life

I enjoyed reading Family Life by Akhil Sharma which tells the story of a middle-class Indian family migrating to the USA in the late 1970s.  The narrator, Ajay, is in his early teens when he, his brother Birju and his parents leave their home to live in a different culture.  Everything is new and takes some adjusting.  Not long after their arrival "something" happens which has a powerful impact on all their lives.  Ajay goes to high school and experiences some bullying.  He becomes a good scholar and helps his parents.  The reader becomes very attached to Ajay and feels for him as he lives his sometimes difficult life.  There is love and tenderness shown in this story and the yearning for happiness.  When it comes, should it be embraced, or refused to someone more worthy.  4/5

July 2015 Book Club

We all had an enjoyable evening at our July Book Club.  It was an unusual occasion as we were all there.  During the last month some members have been overseas and interstate visiting relatives and/or enjoying the sights.  It was a bit chilly outside but wonderfully warm and welcoming in our hostess's home.  There was a lot of catching up to do with those were were absent last time and we heard about all they had been doing.  Some members are planning to head off for holidays to warmer parts in the next few months -

places like Spain, Cooktown, Cairns, Alice Springs.  We'll look forward to hearing about their travels next time.  Our hostess provided a delicious supper and she had bought a number of great books for us to read.  We always like hearing about the books we all have read so we know what to read next time.

Brother Of The More Famous Jack

I enjoyed Brother Of The More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido originally published in 1982, now revised edition with Foreword by Maria Semple.  It's the story of a teenage girl, Katherine, who goes to university and is taken to the home of her philosophy professor to meet his family - the Goldmans.  Professor Jacob Goldman has a wonderfully eccentric family and house which is nothing like anything Katherine had seen before.  Jake has a large and growing family with his wife Jane who seems always to be having children.    Katherine adjusts to this new environment quickly and is invited to stay for the weekend.  After that she often comes to stay and enjoys the quirky way the family relates to each other.  She falls in love with the eldest son and from there it really becomes her story as her life takes another turn, but then finally comes full circle.  I did not immediately like this book, but then it grew on me.  The Goldmans are outrageously wonderful.  The writing is warm and witty.  4/5

One Life - My Mother's Story

I very much enjoyed reading the memoir One Life - My Mother's Story by Kate Grenville.  I had seen the author interviewed on ABC1 about her book which she has written well after her mother died.  Her mother left behind exercise books with stories of her life.  The book is based on the information the author had and presented in a way that engages the reader as only a good writer can.  Nance was born in 1912 and lived till 2002 so her life spanned most of the 20th century.  I was thoroughly absorbed in Nance's life and her character.  Grenville says in her Prologue "My mother wasn't the sort of person biographies are usually written about. ... Just the same, I think her story is worth telling."  This speaks to me as an oral historian.  Most of the people I've interviewed reveal their otherwise unknown lives.  Highly recommended. 5/5

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules

I thoroughly enjoyed The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg which is set in Sweden (translated in 2013).  A group of pensioners, led by Martha, live in a retirement/nursing home and as the management continues to cut costs, the standard drops considerably.  The residents are not given buns with their coffee, and only three cups a day.  Martha has seen a movie about a prison and then believes they are better looked after than she and her friends are.  So she hatches a plan to commit a crime so they can go to prison.  This story is a delight, not to be taken seriously, has so many twists and turns as their inexperience as criminals makes for some interesting adventures.  The reader will think - how will they resolve this?  A lot of fun. 4/5

Bitter Wash Road

I very much enjoyed Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher which is set in the South Australian outback.  A young policeman, Paul Hirschhausen, is transferred to a small country town after he testified against corrupt police officers.  Hirsch's three new work colleagues are not impressed with having a "maggot" join them.  The officer-in-charge, Sergeant Cropp, treats him poorly, giving him the worst jobs.  The townspeople treat Hirsch with the same contempt they have for the other police officers, so it is a very lonely place at first.  Hirsch is called to investigate an apparent hit and run of a young girl and there are no suspects or evidence.  He later becomes acquainted with a dysfunctional family whose members have an effect on Hirsch's life.  While Hirsch investigates suspicious deaths, and other assorted crimes in the area, the townspeople develop a respect for him.  There are some twists and turns in this story which makes for a good crime story.  The author writes very well, uses wit and irony and times and I'm disappointed I haven't discovered this award-winning Australian writer before now. 41/2/5

Gray Mountain

I enjoyed Gray Mountain by John Grisham which begins in 2008 when the GFC is hitting Wall Street in New York.  Of course, this has a massive effect on the employment of thousands in the finance industry.  Many are desperately trying to get the few jobs that are left and even doing volunteer work out "in the sticks".  Samantha Kofer, a lawyer in a large firm elects to work in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia where large coal companies are destroying the environment as well as the lives of the miners.  A quick Google search shows this is a real and serious issue.  Sam works with a legal aid firm who takes on the mining companies and becomes involved with another lawyer who has a very personal grudge against them.  There are a number of cases that they work on in the story, not all with a just conclusion.  It's a good story and also disturbing to know that this is really going on. 4/5.