Tag: book review

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Book Review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

I was so excited to read this second book in the Thursday Murder Club series. By now, I feel that Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron are like family to me. Richard Osman has done so well in endearing each character to my heart.

In this second book, things get more serious as Elizabeth’s past catches up with her. An old colleague of hers is in trouble and is asking her for help. He’s made a terrible mistake, crossed the wrong person, and now chose to hide at the Coopers Chase Retirement Village. There are diamonds, a violent mobster, and a local drug dealer involved as well. All these elements come with the full attention of the local police as well as the government department Elizabeth used to work for.

There are some heartbreaking moments as well as some heartwarming ones. But the action and mystery never stop. The very readable writing style and humour worked their magic to draw me further into the story. The numerous twists in the story kept me turning the pages.

I love how we get to know more about Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron, which made me care for them even more. I have become slightly protective of them, even.

I have deliberately kept as many details as possible out of this review so that you can enjoy them for yourselves. Osman’s Thursday Murder Club does not disappoint. I highly recommend reading this book, even if you haven’t read the first one. So have a read and let me know what you think.

Happy Reading!
Here’s my review of the first book in the Thursday Murder Club series.
Looking forward to reading the third book next.

syc

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Murder By The Seaside (10 Authors)

I finished this book a few months ago but have not had the opportunity to write a review.

It has been a while since I have read a compilation of short stories like this. This one is by Cecily Gayford. And I did enjoy it. It was nice to be able to read a whole story in just a number of hours and then move onto the next one in the same genre.

The ten authors are Arthur Conan Doyle (honestly it was this name which attracted my initial attention), Anthony Berkeley, John Dickson Carr (Carter Dickson), Gladys Mitchell, Cyril Hare, G.K. Chesterton, Micheal Innes, R. Austin Freeman, G.D.H. & M. Cole, and Edmund Crispi.

The stories have a death, an investigation and are located near or at the seaside hence the book title. Numerous characters are amusing but several are quite stereotypical.

Some of the stories are quite enjoyable. One or two left me wondering if it would ever catch the attention of a writer’s agent today. They all have a good premise but I think it’s the way some of the stories are written which made the difference. A few seem to be just a few people speaking about what happened and a couple had some sections of what might be called info-dumping.

But overall for some light reading, for when you just want to relax with a mystery but don’t really want to overwork your brain, this is a good book.

Happy Reading!

syc

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Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Talk about being swept off one’s feet, this book certainly has done that to me. All the accolades about this book are truly well-deserved.

From the get-go, you are drawn into the world of Eleanor & Park. You might not have lived the same teenhood or in the same country or faced the same situations. But the universal ache of first love, of wanting to be loved, of being young and lost is something, I believe, all of us can identify with.

Rowell‘s narrative shows off so well the inner dilemmas and the outer peer pressures that this pair of young lovers face. It makes me remember those feelings of uncertainty in a new blossoming relationship, that fear of loss and the ramblings of a teenage brain. It was all at once wonderful and terrifying. Her writing presents these intense feelings in a real and raw way but it’s not mushy or sickly-sweet. The way the chapters alternate between Eleanor’s point of view and Park’s is brilliant.

I like how the characters around Eleanor & Park are just as imperfect as they are. I also really enjoy how they exchange music and reading materials. Oh, and the sitting by the phone, waiting for THAT phone call… such memories… the days before digital music formats, the internet and mobiles.

The ending is just perfect… yes, like everyone else who has read the book, I am ever so curious about those three words but I understand why Rowell won’t tell anyone, not even her mother, what those three words are. Maybe even Rowell doesn’t know. Those words belong to Eleanor & Park and we need to respect that. We can all enjoy some time fantasising about what those three words might be and how Eleanor & Park go on.

Just a word of caution, I will repeat what is stated on the back of the book: Not suitable for younger readers. Because the story touches on bullying, abuse and suicidial thoughts.

Hope you will find some time to indulge in another world through the fabulous books.

Happy Reading!
syc