The Temple House Vanishing - Rachel Donohue

The plot-line may have come straight from what could have been a trashy YA novel. However, the story telling was absolutely second to none and made it more than it originally seemed it was going to be.

16 & 41, one persons tale of a life that once was, and has become. A journalist writing a piece on a disappearance and tale of lust. The majority of the story focuses on a teacher, a want to be muse and a new girl at a catholic boarding school.

 

The teacher, grooming, the muse besotted and drawn into it all... the new girl. Predictable, yes. Twisted, in ways you wouldn't have thought of. Enjoyable, definitely.

 

This is one spanking debut novel. I take my hat off to you.

 

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0

 

Status: Completed   

I Dare You - Sam Carrington

Disclaimer: As I am doing this on a more regular basis. I received a copy of this book free of charge for an honest review to be made public.

This, is a tale of two stories. Separated by thirty years. Child and adult. Running alongside each other. The style that it was written in, gave you very short chapters, with each differing by the said thirty years. It may have been better, for some length to have been adopted, giving slightly more detail. Unfortunately, it seemed to be more skittish than having an air of continuity.

However, that being said. It was an enjoyable read. With the plot and the characters within, being shaped well. 

On the basis of the above -

Rating: 3.8 / 5.0

Status: Comleted

Starve Acre - Andrew Michael Hurley

Disclaimer: I am not afraid to admit that I had to reach for the dictionary a couple of times during the progress of this book.

This is a tale, within a tale. A parallel, with several hundred years between them. The constant, Jack and the Hare.

The setting, is God's own country, Yorkshire, England.

The setting, is described and the tale told, in such a way that you are almost there with the characters. I suppose it also helped that I know the area a little.

Intertwined with almost a 50/50 split between the two and the interlinking that takes part, progressing together at a considerable rate.

The only drawback, the ending. Obscure.

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Status: Completed.

Perfect Kill - Helen Fields

I think I might have to have a look for some more by this author.

To say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. I found myself reading it, in any amount of spare time that I had. Whether, that was at work or home any spare time was taken with it.

Set between Paris and Edinburgh. With twists and turns, that has highly selective abductions on  pseudo-medical grounds from Scotland to France and sex trafficking Eastern European women on the return journey.

Everything, has to come to a climax, and this delivers on all accounts. I don't want to give anything away. So, all I can say is that if your interested. Go and get this book.

Rating: 4.2 / 5.0 

Status: Completed

Left Handed Death - Richard Hull

Originally penned some time around 1938, this is a very twee, and gentile murder mystery.

I would like to think, that like Nostradamus, the prediction of world war being in full throw during the setting of the book. Were, that of the author. However, I think that this may have been edited into the work to give it the extra impetus. Not that this detracts from the story itself.

It is everything that you would expect from a work that is circa 80 years old. A part of the Crime Club books. Having read some of the blurb at the start of it, Mr. Hull, helped Agatha Christie hone her skills for the Murder Mystery genre, that was popular at the time of the original release. However, I digress.

To the story. Like I have already said, it twee, gentile and exponentially British. In a tongue of the time, there are times when you are left wondering about a word or two. But it flows. You don't necessarily need a dictionary with you. Because sometimes the words just leaves a satisfying buzz in your ear as all the others around it draw you in.

A man back from the war, discharged on medical grounds, an MD, Government contracts, accountants and London's finest. The twists and turns, meander. Not in a bad way. But, are present.

A very British framing, featuring manipulation, coercion and suggestion. 

This may not be for everyone, but it does give insight into just how different things were. It does take a little getting used to the prose. But overall, a good read.

Status: Completed

Rating: 3.9 / 5.0

A Window Breaks - C M Ewan

They say that revenge is sweet, and that despair can tear a family apart. In this whirlwind psychological thriller, you are about to find out just how true this might be.


A seemingly tragic accident, a charity founded on revenge, the police hell bent on keeping the truth well and truly covered up.#


A family break to recoup, the lodgings a friend and employers. And, the a fore mentioned police.


A real page turner, I managed to finish the last 25% before my coffee went cold. Keeps you on you the seat of your pants, almost from the off.


I'll be giving this a good 4.7 / 5.0


Status: Completed

The God Game - Danny Tobey

Religion, a paradox; God a chat-bot.

A new take on what I have seen on page and tape several times before. 

Despite that, I found this rather enjoyable to read. It is aimed more at a YA audience than my older age.

Take one group of social outcasts, put them in situations that they would never normally find themselves in. Add an AI god that appears to have put even the worst megalomaniacs to shame.

Do, as the GOD sees fit, and be rewarded. Go against its wishes, and be  prepared for the consequences.

Fairly well paced, with a few unexpected bits thrown in to boot.

Well worth a read if your 15 - 20ish

Rated: 4.2 / 5.0

Status: Completed

Mindf*ck - Christoper Wylie

 

IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE THIS YEAR, YOU NEED TO READ THIS.

It throws light over Cambridge Analytica, and the lengths that it would go to one to show just what they could do, and what they were prepared to do for their clients.

The shape of things to come, were shown with data provided by small Caribbean Islands and smaller African Nations. This data, was twisted and manipulated, to coerce people into doing things that they wouldn't normally do. Whether, this be in-sighting violence or manipulating the way in which they voted.

Understandably, this was very attractive, to people and organisations with a certain leaning. The upper echelons of politics were drawn in with implications for the vote leave Brexit campaign, and the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign using Cambridge Analytica at various points.

It is written and whistle blown by the former director of research for Cambridge Analytica, Christopher Wylie. Just for the sheer insight, this book really is a must read.

Rated: 5/5

Status: Completed

The Cult of Eden - Bill Halpin

OK, where to start, for those who said the beginning, congrats you've won nothing.

This is a tale of two halves. New York and the Amazon rain forest. Not exactly two places that you would put together I know. But, please bear with me.

There is a certain fixation with what could be represented from A. Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. This truly does give definition as to what 'Ultraviolence' could be.

Is it required: No

Is it graphic: Exceedingly

Mindless: Yes

Does it over step the mark: Probably, on more than a few occasions.

Should it be in print: Hell Yes

A families struggle for survival, in New York city. They have been taken to task by a (oc)cult, for want of a ritual. What follows is a blur of silenced weapons, hammers, fires and a rather handy extending double ended spear. 

In essence it is a fight between good verses evil, with a big twist of Catholicism verses the Satanic.

What about the Amazon?

Well it pops up in several sections. The catholic church on a "mission" to convert the beliefs of an  Amazonian tribe, to that of The Almighty, and his son Jesus Christ. And enter the.......

What next? 

Personally I am sat on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next installment. Hopefully, it won't be to long on the old word processor.

Rating: 4.7/5

Status: Completed

#NetGalley #TheCultofEden

The Institute - Stephen King

What if. Just what if?

Telepathy, Telekinesis. Mere parlor games for most. Moving objects with nothing more than the power of your mind. Knowing what others are thinking. Advantageous?

This is a real roller coaster of a ride, from start to finish. Not, one of your nice new smooth ones. But one of those old rickety ones, that jars your spine for its entirety.

Mr King seems to have found a softer side, no more out and out horror. Does it remove the quality, no. Not at all. It seems that whatever he turns his magic pen to, is going to be a massive success.

Rating: 5/5

Status: Completed.

 

 

The Other Wife - Claire McGowan

This is a real slow burner, that for the first 2/3rds seems to be really skittish leaping from one thing to another without really getting anywhere. It jumps between the two main protagonists, who know of, but don't know each other. Embezzlement, fraud and control being their controlling factors.

From the city, to rural snow covered (for the most part), Kent. Music rooms, to bleak cottages.

There are twists and turns a plenty, which are drawn together very well towards the end of the book.

Well worth a read, if you have some spare time.

#TheOtherWife #NetGalley

Rating: 3.8/5

Status: Completed

Release Date: 24th October 2019

The Whisper Man - Alex North

The Whisper Man, an invigorating read. The plot is so tightly wound, with each turn uncovering something new or an event tied to something else further on. So you need your wits about you. There is very little space in this book that doesn't have something going on in it. Even the school playground isn't safe.

The little gold circle on the front, is deserved. It isn't just there for decoration. The book really is as good as it states.

An easy 5  / 5

Status: Completed.

The Memory Police - Yoko Ogawa

This book treads the path of just what is to be expected from Japan. It's flight borders on the surreal with the story taking, the route of the far less well trodden.

There's a story within the story, which mimics that of the teller almost identically. But, far enough apart for you wanting to find the conclusion of both. It mirrors the demise of the teller, with whom, as seems to be a Japanese favourite, not telling you the name of the main protagonist. In fact, the only name that I can with some certainty give, is that of the dog (Don).

 

This is up there with some of the best that I have read. I seem to have a love of literature from this part of the world.

Whether, you are new to Japanese works of literature. Or, an old hand. This is something that I recommend as a must read.

Status: Completed.

Rating: 4.7 / 5

My First Pin

Hopefully, plenty more to come. A new adventure starts with NetGalley.

Knife - Jo Nesbo

The twelfth installment of the Harry Hole series. This is up there with the best of Hole's investigations. Being flipped upside down, the detective, becoming the suspect.

The death of one of the main character's in other stories. And Harry's wife of recent outings. Leads to a relapsing Hole being prime suspect.

OK enough of that.

This reads well, very well. I liked the blue edging on the pages. A nice little touch. The pages turned very easily. I know I go on about being drawn in. But, this has it. Easy to lose a couple of hours in.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.75 / 5

Mindstar Rising - Peter F Hamilton (Audiobook)

OK, so I am a virgin. Well no more. This was my very first audio-book, and I managed to steer clear of the behemoth that is audible. At least for now anyway, to my rescue, my local library does audio books available for loan via an app.

Enough of that anyway, here's what I came here to do.

Mindstar Rising. I realise, that Hamilton at times can be very heavy, and hard to read. However, that to me is acceptable, due to the fact that his stories are compelling. I found myself listening more, and more often. At breaks at work, in the car (on my own only!) at various times during the day, when I should have been doing other things instead.

I think that shows dedication.

The narrator, well voices aren't really his thing. Most sounded like a bad impression of a West Indian, and I'm sure that all of the characters weren't all of the same ethnicity.

Apart from that small thing. It was well written, and on the most part well said.

Backdrop, was, from what I can remember was based on actual possibilities. If the polar ice caps were due to melt because of global warming. Peterborough, a coastal town.

Status: Completed.

Rating: 3.75

The Taking of annie thorne - CJ Tudor

Well, there is no easy way to put this. This, is one of the best books that I have read recently (last 12/18 months). Completed in two sittings, I lost the best part of a full day. As page after page kept turning. Engrossed in the story, like all greats, it pulls you in and refuses to let you go.

I can not recommend this book enough. It is an easy five stars.

Status: Completed.

Book Review: The Axeman's Jazz - Ray Celestin

OK, so we have the first book in the City Blues Quartet. I have recently reviewed book three.

So, based on a true crime that happened in New Orleans, over a period covering 1918/19.

There is a jazz montage of some of the most famous and well known names of the era. The 'mob' is ever present. Along with a whole host of both corrupt and normal policemen.

It covers the main protagonists, of the books, although they haven't as such met.

This reads as easily as other works, by this author.

I would give this book a strong 4.8 out of 5.

Status: Completed

Book Review: Cthulhu Casebook, Sherlock Holmes and the Sussex Sea Devils

i seem to be making a habit of falling into a series either at the end or penultimate edition. there is no change with this book. it is the last of the cthulhu casebooks trilogy.

i can state, that it works perfectly well as a stand alone. there are references to the other books, but you need no knowledge of them as they don't detract from the story line.

a conglomerate of lovecraft and conan doyle. might sound a little much. but it is perfectly narrated, and logged by holmes's sidekick watson.

whether or not the ending was acceptable. i can not question. it does seem a massive leap taken

status: completed

Book Review: The Mobster's Lament - Ray Celestin

I'd like to say that I brought  this on it's merits. However, I stumbled over it quite by chance. That chance turned into a love affair. Jazz, the Mob and 40's New York. There's nothing not to like.

The pages turned very, very easily, slipping into the story, well lets just say I sort of fell. The character's developed with the plot. The original basis of it, got lost in the surroundings with such powerful people and the unforgiving back drop. Like the city itself, it left you in awe.

I could not recommend this book enough. It draws you in and keeps you there, often against your own will.

Status: Completed.

Review - Black Leopard, Red Wolf. Marlon James.

Well, I'd like to say that I manged to read this to completion. Was it that it was badly written. No. Lack of plot and character. Again, No. Substance, there.

I've literally spent weeks of my life trying to read this. I've got to put this down before I lose what sanity I have. If and I mean if, you manage to read more than twenty pages in one sitting. Your better than me.

Everything is there. I wanted so much t read this. But, I am having to abandon this title. I have lost the will to read on. I have not picked it up in over a week, that says something. I normally read everyday, without fail.

That just leaves the status of the book: Unfinished.

Sorry.

Book Review: Salvation - Peter F Hamilton

ok, so this may have taken me a lot longer to read than i was expecting. but, please do not let this detract from the book itself.

it is the first part in the salvation series, and in true hamilton style, it is a space opera whilst telling the story, making you want to read more. humans, olyix. in body implants. travel between LA and NYC in an instant, for only $10. escapism, earth under attack. all your usual suspects, entwined in a matter, well that has left me already having pre-ordered the second in this series

What you'll find here

OK, so here's how things are, and how they are going to be.

i love books, i read, alot. so you'll find reviews of what i've read. i'm on goodreads as well. so sorry if there are similarites. need a platform, going to try this.

try to write, seem to get stuck a couple of chapters in, i might post a file when i feel up to it.

for now, i have to go.

will be back

nick