The Rain Queen

I very much enjoyed The Rain Queen by Katherine Scholes which is set in Tanzania mostly in the 1960s.  The story begins in Australia in the 1990s when young woman, Kate Carrington, is trying to forget her past in Africa because of a terrible tragedy.  She meets her elderly neighbour, Annah Mason, and Annah tells Kate her story of going to Africa in the 1960s and her life there.  For a time she lived with Kate's parents but circumstances changed and Annah began a different life there.  This story is very well told and engaging so the reader barely notices the number of pages in the book.  Recommended. 41/2/5

Trace

I enjoyed Trace by Patricia Cornwell which is set in Virginia, USA.  Kay Scarpetta is asked to return to her former workplace as a consultant to investigate a mysterious death.  A young girl, Gilly, has been murdered and Scarpetta works out how it happened.  There appears to be a mix-up with the trace evidence from another case.  The story becomes complicated by another attempted murder in Scarpetta's niece Lucy's house.  The different strands come together in the end. 31/2/5

All Is Not Forgotten

I very much enjoyed All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker which is a story of a teenage girl, Jenny Kramer, who is brutally raped.  The story is told in the first person by someone very close to the case.  Jenny is undergoing therapy to try to restore her memories of the incident so the rapist can be identified.  The issue of planting false memories is discussed as this has been a "hot topic" for many years.  The reader learns more about the people around Jenny and about their secrets.  Can this all be covered up?  This story continues to intrigue right till the end.  5/5

The Secrets She Keeps

I very much enjoyed The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham which is set in London.  The story is told by two narrators, Agatha and Meghan, in alternating chapters.  Agatha has a grim past and is desperate to have a healthy baby.  So far she has been unlucky.  She tells her latest boyfriend about her pregnancy and he is not pleased initially.  Meghan has it all - boy and girl, gorgeous husband and a great life.  Her current pregnancy was not planned but her family is happy about it.  This is a suspenseful story as the reader gradually becomes aware of the secrets both women keep which become unraveled. Highly recommended. 5/5

Woman on the Edge of Time

I enjoyed Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy which was originally published in 1976. This edition, published in 2016 includes an Introduction by the author telling us the reason she wrote the book and discusses some aspects of the story. The main character is Connie Ramos who is in a mental institution and is desperate to leave it, especially when she is "chosen" to undergo a new therapy.  While in the institution she is visited by Luciente who lives in the future.  Connie looks forward to her visits and as well she sometimes has the opportunity to visit Luciente in her time.  This is a thought-provoking book.  How do we imagine the future? What happens to people in mental institutions?  Here in 2017, we already know the answer to that.  31/2/5

Crime & Mystery Book Club Christmas Lunch

Last Wednesday we had our Crime & Mystery Book Club Christmas lunch at Jindalee Hotel. It was a very pleasant get-together. We have a little tradition for our Christmas lunch - bring along a pre-loved book in good condition, wrapped and anonymously dropped in to middle of table and then we all have a "lucky dip". I scored a Patricia Cornwell book "Trace" which I hadn't read. One of the ladies bought me a coffee with Tia Maria, which was lovely, thank you. One of our ladies is off to Ireland for Christmas there with family, maybe some snow.  Look forward to seeing everyone again in 2018.

Book Club Christmas Lunch

Last Monday our Wine & Giggles Book Club had our Christmas Lunch at Goodness Gracious cafe at Graceville.  There was really torrential rain that day.  Fortunately, when I arrived and when I left the rain was not too bad.  We were fortunate to get a table inside where it was nice and cozy.  There were six of us there with the other four unable to come.  We all enjoyed the venue with its delicious food and ambience.  A few of our ladies had been there before on sunny days and sat outside.  As always time flies when you're enjoying yourself.

Two Nights

I enjoyed Two Nights by Kathy Reichs which is set in Chicago.  Story is narrated by Sunday Night, now a private investigator with a disturbing past.  She is asked by a wealthy grandmother to find her granddaughter, Stella, who went missing after a bomb killed her brother and mother. There are small chapters (in italics) which provide the reader with a story of a captive girl.  Sunday has a number of spectacular "near misses", which adds to the suspense, as someone tries to stop her finding Stella.  Sunday is very gung-ho and later she is joined by her brother.  There is a race against time to find Stella before she is further harmed.  Good twist at the end.  31/2/5