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