The Art Thief

I read The Art Thief by Noah Charney fairly quickly as it's due back at the Library. There are three main settings - Italy, France and England for these intriguing art thefts and they are all connected. Valuable paintings are stolen and recovered, but are they the real thing? It was interesting to learn a bit about the world of art theft and some of the artists whose works are highly prized by the thieves. There is intrigue and double-crossing in this story. You can learn more about art crime here. 31/2/5

A Cure for All Diseases

I very much enjoyed A Cure for All Diseases by Reginald Hill, probably the best of the Dalziel & Pascoe novels I've recently read. Dalziel is convalescing at a private clinic after his recent brush with death. The clinic is by the seaside and the town is dominated by a very strong woman, Lady Denham, who has a number of enemies. There are some murders in this "tranquil" town and Pascoe sets about finding the killer or killers and trying to have as little input from Dalziel as he can. There are a number of interesting characters, including a precocious 9 year old who does make an interesting contribution to the investigation. 41/2/5

April Book Club

We had a lovely time at Book Club last night at Ulla's place. She always does some delicious baking which we all enjoy. Our group was a little smaller as Bev was only just back from a trip to see her Mum in Zimbabwe, so too exhausted to come. Vee was very unwell and Penny had something else on. Ulla is off to Europe and England for an exciting trip for a few weeks, but she'll be back in time for next book club. I'll look forward to seeing everyone again then.

Rough Country

I didn't like Rough Country by John Sandford much. It seems to be set in "red-neck" country in America. A woman is murdered by a sniper and Det Virgil Flowers is sent to investigate. There seems to be an over-emphasis on the "lesbian community" and its connection to the murder - and other related murders. There is also a certain predictable outcome which I thought a bit lame. The final page provides some comic relief. 3/5

Wolf Hall

I quite enjoyed Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, the winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize, despite its length. It was, of course, very well written and told the story of Thomas Cromwell up to the time of his elevation as King Henry VIII's advisor. The reader learns about Cromwell's early very humble life and his family. As his influence grows he makes some powerful enemies. He is instrumental in helping Henry marry Anne Boleyn and breaking from Rome. This book is a huge undertaking, but if you are interested in that period you will find it worthwhile. 4/5

The Death of Dalziel

I really enjoyed The Death of Dalziel by Reginald Hill though was initially disturbed by the title - Dalziel dead? unthinkable!! Pascoe investigates after a bomb goes off and finds a white supremacist group is working to deliver "justice" to those they feel deserve it. Lots of twists and turns as Pascoe is seconded to an anti-terrorism unit and wonders about his contribution. 4/5

On Beulah Height

I very much enjoyed On Beulah Height by Reginald Hill though the edition I read had very small print! Dalziel and Pascoe investigate the disappearance of a child which has similarities to an investigation 15 years earlier which Dalziel was unable to solve. Is the perpetrator the same? There are a lot of twists and turns and the ending was very satisfying with a good twist. 4/5