The Glass Rainbow

I enjoyed The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke which is a murder thriller. Detective Dave Robicheaux and his private detective mate Clete Purcell investigate the murders of two teenage girls. Dave's investigation is compromised when his daughter, Alafair, goes out with a man who seems to be connected with criminals and their activities. The story is set in the deep south where old money still talks and little has changed since the "plantation" days when the races were deeply divided. The story has many "thrills and spills" as the investigators try to figure out the perpetrators and their motives as the body count climbs. Some parts were a little predictable and the ending a little unsatisfactory, but it was a good ride. 4/5

The Tiger's Wife

I very much enjoyed this novel The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht which looks at the life of a man through the eyes of his granddaughter. The story is set in the Balkans from pre-World War II till after the more recent war in that troubled area. Natalia is a doctor, following in her grandfather's medical footsteps. She is on her way to treat orphans when she learns of her grandfather's death. They had always been close and she had listened to the stories of his childhood and early life and shared his interest in tigers at the local zoo. He told her stories of "the tiger's wife" who looked after a tiger that had escaped the zoo during the bombing in World War II and he had a fascination with his copy of The Jungle Book. He met "the deathless man" and wagered his precious book with him. There are so many interesting and well-rounded characters in this beautifully written book from this first time author (won 2011 Orange Prize). Highly recommended. 5/5

22 Britannia Road

I very much enjoyed 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson which was set in England immediately after World War II. Janusz Nowak escaped from Poland during the War making his way to England where he joined the RAF. After the War he finds his wife Silvana and son Aurek are in a refugee camp and sends for them to join him in his new home at 22 Britannia Road. The reunion is difficult and Silvana and Janusz's stories of their wartime experiences are told in "flashback" chapters. They are no longer the same people who fell in love before the War. Many secrets can form as there is no guarantee they will be alive at the end. As the daughter of a Polish refugee who came to Australia, I could relate to some of the stories. There is often pain and joy in surviving where others did not. Highly recommended reading for this first time author and I look forward to reading more of her work. 41/2/5

A Beautiful Lie

I enjoyed A Beautiful Lie by Diane Chamberlain which is another story where the past catches up with the present. Young woman, Corinne, learns that her mother Eve is not the person she thought she was. Many years before in "another life" Eve as a teenager, with a different identity as CeeCee, is infatuated with an older man and agrees to to be involved with the kidnapping of the Governor's wife. She keeps the wife in a remote cabin waiting to hear from her "boyfriend" but circumstances take a tragic turn when the wife gives birth. A good story. Reader beware - this book has two other titles - "The Lost Daughter" and "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes", see also Diane Chamberlain's Blog. 4/5

July Book Club

Had another lovely evening at book club last night, hosted by Kathy. She's bought some great new books to read as well as providing a delicious supper for us. I so enjoy getting together with these women every month to share what we've been doing and telling about the books we've read. We were missing a few last night with Marilyn in Hong Kong, Ulla being unwell and Robyn also not able to come. A continuing discussion topic was the ongoing and unbelievable payroll fiasco that has embroiled one of our government departments, which has directly affected some of us. We are constantly amazed by the incompetence of government (though we shouldn't be!). Anyway, not to spoil our evening which we all enjoyed. Next month it's my turn to host so I've got all the books, so I'm like a kid in a candy store. I'll also be buying the new books this month - so many good ones to choose from.

Rescue

I've read Rescue by Anita Shreve, a story covering about 20 years in a family's life. Webster, a young paramedic, meets Sheila when she is in a car accident after drinking. They develop a relationship and Sheila falls pregnant. She is trying to escape her own "demons" mainly in the form of alcohol and eventually they separate, leaving Webster to bring up his daughter, Rowan, on his own. Will history repeat itself? All a bit soap-opera-ish?? Anyway, an easy read. 3/5

Left Neglected

I enjoyed this novel Left Neglected by Lisa Genova as I could relate to a lot of it with my present situation. Sarah Nickerson is on her way to work when, looking for her mobile phone, she has a serious accident which leaves her brain damaged with a condition called "left neglect". This means her brain doesn't recognise anything on her left side, including her own left body. Sarah had been a "supermum", juggling high powered career and family but then she is forced to literally slow down and reassess her life priorities. Her estranged mother re-enters her life and there are new challenges for her husband Bob as well. This is beautifully written as the author describes the loving care given Sarah by her husband. 4/5