Wild Fire

I enjoyed Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves but was disappointed to learn this is her last Jimmy Perez mystery.  A young woman is murdered and there are a number of suspects.  "Newcomers" move in to an old house and renovate it.  The family is treated with suspicion when two bodies are found on their property.  Jimmy's boss, Willow has some news for him which he doesn't take very well at first.  They continue with their investigation amid an underlying tension between them.  A good mystery. 4/5

Any Ordinary Day

I enjoyed Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales which is a book of interviews Sales has conducted with various people who have experienced terrible experiences in their lives.  Many of the names are recognisable including Walter Mikac, James Scott, and Stuart Diver.  They and others interviewed were involved in major dramas that changed their lives. "Any ordinary day" any one of us could be involved in a terrible tragedy or one that happens to people we love.  In either case we will be changed.  No one is immune.  We can't think - that happens to other people, not to me.  Sometimes we are the "other people".  How we respond to a new life challenge will determine how we live in the future.  I found the book very interesting and thought provoking.  Recommended. 4/5

November Book Club

We enjoyed our last Book Club meeting for the year last Monday evening.  This year has flown by, but I say that every year.  I remember waiting for months for our holiday in Alaska and Canada, seemed to take forever, and now it's over, left with memories and photographs.  Our host on Monday  provided a great Christmas themed supper which was delicious.  We always want
her recipes.  The lemon cake is on my list to make.  She always has gorgeous tea cosies.  As most of us were at the meeting, one absentee, we had a good time talking about everything, as well as the
wonderful books we've read.  Our host bought a number of great new books and we've got enough to see us through the Christmas/
New Year break.  We hope not to get to that sorry state of having nothing to read. We'll look forward to our Christmas lunch.  Happy Reading!!

Full Bore

I enjoyed Full Bore by William McInnes which is a collection of short stories based on his life.  He is very amusing as he "rambles" on about different events and what it means to be an "Aussie bloke".  He speaks fondly of his upbringing at Redcliffe and attending the HumpyBong primary school.  I found the stories about breakfast cereals, particularly Rice Bubbles, very funny.  I enjoy his self-deprecating humour. 4/5

Before the Fall

I enjoyed this story Before the Fall by Noah Hawley which is set on the east coast of USA.  I read it on Amazon Kindle while on holiday.  A small plane crashes into the sea and there are only two survivors.  Nine die, one of them a billionaire businessman.  The story gives us details about what happened after the crash then the investigation continues, plane parts and bodies recovered are examined as speculations grows about what could have happened.  We learn the back stories of the individuals on the plane.  Eventually, the full horror of what happened is revealed with the recovery of the black box. Recommended. 4/5

The Clockmaker's Daughter

I enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton which is set in a few different time periods in an English country home.  A young London archivist, Elodie, discovers material in a leather satchel and tries to discover its origins and the story behind the artwork within it.  The story surrounds one country home which at different times was home to a number of people.  There was a mysterious gathering at the home in 1862 which has a lasting impact on some who were there.  There are several voices who speak to the reader in this story, including the most mysterious one who is revealed towards the end of the story.  I have enjoyed all Kate Morton's books but I think this one was unnecessarily long.  4/5

October Book Club

I had just returned from a fabulous holiday in Alaska and Canada.  Other members were away this month on holidays.  We had a lovely meeting our our host's home.  Always good to catch up with everyone.  Our host bought some great new books and I have a few books to read for the month.  We had a delicious supper in very pleasant surroundings.

Thanks to our host and also thanks to another member for taking me there.