A Much Married Man

I've enjoyed A Much Married Man by Nicholas Coleridge, about the life of fictional Anthony Anscombe, a banker and owner of a quaint English village. The book spans 40 years when Anthony first marries after a romantic elopement. As his life goes on he makes some unfortunate marital choices and must cope with his ever expanding and demanding family. There are some wonderful characters and the story is so believable, the reader can't wait to find out the next development in Anthony's life - but we can see a lot of it coming. 4/5

January Book Club

We had a lovely meeting at Marilyn's place last night. All the girls were there except Leonie. Penny has returned after travelling to Britain and South Africa telling us some great stories about her journey and particularly about the changes she's found since she last visited many years ago. Sandy was excited to tell us that one of her daughters is engaged after a romantic proposal. Marilyn may be off to exotic places later this year. Liz is enjoying her "holiday".

There were some interesting books read by the girls in the last month including The Trout Opera (highly recommended by Kathy) and The Witch of Portebello. Marilyn's new books included White Cargo and Identical Strangers. We have a great variety of books to read. Marilyn gave us a delicious supper which included fruit cake and profiteroles and we had a lively discussion around the table.

The Tree of Hands

The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell is a comparatively old book and I'm surprised I hadn't read it before (at least I can't remember it). A young mother, Benet, tragically loses her infant son, James. Her mother, the mentally ill "Mopsa" is visiting and "solves the problem" by kidnapping a similar child from a dysfunctional family. Benet resolves to return the boy but then discovers he has been abused and cannot bear to send him back to that. Things get complicated as the boyfriend of the boy's mother is suspected of murdering him. There are lots of twists to this story and lots of terrific characters and the reader is wondering till the end as to how the situation will be resolved satisfactorily. 4 1/2/5

Summer Garden Murder

Our second Crime Club book for 2008 is Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley. Amateur sleuth Louise Eldridge is suspected of murdering a murderer that she'd help catch 4 years previously when his body is found in her garden. He'd spent time in an asylum, supposedly because he was mentally ill when he murdered a young woman. He gatecrashes a party in the neighbourhood, surprising Louise and "sowing the seeds" of the police suspecting her. A second body is discovered building a stronger case against Louise before she turns the tables and realises who the real murderer is. 3/5

Mother's Day

My last book of 2007 Mother's Day by Kirsty Scott was a very enjoyable "girlie" read about three women friends and their very different lives. Gwen is happily married with three children and one on the way when husband, Rob, is made redundant; Katherine is wealthy and in a miserable marriage when her husband finally leaves her and the children for one of his "sluts"; Alison can't decide whether she wants a family or a career and struggles with those competing priorities. 4/5.

The Savage Garden

Our first Crime Club book for 2008 is The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. Set in Italy in 1958 when WWII is still fresh in the minds of locals, student Adam Strickland travels to a villa to study a mysterious Renaissance garden. He unravels the intriguing reason for the garden's construction and also discovers a recent murder much closer to his hostess' family. The crime scene on the upper floor of the villa has been sealed off since it happened - perhaps because of grief, or perhaps to preserve the scene to ensure justice is eventually done. Adam blunders on to discover the truth, but who is really in control? The story builds slowly, then builds its pace as the truth is finally revealed - about the garden and the upper floor of the villa. 3 1/2/5

The Devil Wears Prada

I really enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. It is an "over the top" (or is it??) tale of college graduate Andrea Sachs landing the "dream" job as assistant to a high-class fashion editor, Miranda Priestly. Miranda sets impossible standards for her staff and often demands the unattainable. You wonder if there are really employers like this and apparently there are. Andrea is at her boss's beck and call 24/7 as she must have everyone doing things for her. As you read each chapter depicting another impossible incident, you wonder what will break Andrea before she finally tells Miranda to f____ herself!! This is a world which probably exists and that is the most frightening thing about this book. 4 1/2/5