The Secret of Rosalita Flats - Tim W Jackson

    I was initially drawn to this book with the 1920's style font used for the title.

    This is no slow burner, it draws you in makes you ponder and spits you out wondering what just happened. The main protagonist is a piece of property, with a past more blurred than most.

    A dead father, with more to hide than the rest of an island combined. A hunt for documents, and a truth that must come out. Add to that a phobia of sharks and scuba certification. 

    Small island mentality, a single police officer. The sum of the parts is greater than that of the whole.

    This book has left me reaching for it several times after finishing it.

    I don't think I have done this before, but the Blacktip Island Blog is a must to feed any hunger for more.

Status: Completed

Rating 4.9/5.0
 

The Last Fight of Human Race - Sanyukta Suryawanshi

 IMMORTALITY

 

    The quest for, and the rebellion against.

    The plot, and the characterisations are strong. There a few areas which are a little grey. You think that some characters are countries apart. Only to find them together within a few paragraphs.

    The resistance is trying to eliminate those that are already immortal - those that are, appear to be cumbersome and whilst slower than humans, but have a strength almost inhuman.

    Blame the scientists, someone's got to.  

 

Status: Complete

Rating: 3.8/5.0

Things to do When You'd Rather be Dead - Michael Guillebeau

     Down and out, an ex-detective finds himself travelling around schools and fetes, peddling the wares of the local police district.

    His cross to bear, the death of his wife and daughter at the hands of the 'angel of mercy'. And the killing of a priest by his own hands.

     This book, whilst claiming to be a comedy fails at it. Don't get me wrong. It is a good read, but what comical moments there are, are overshadowed by the story itself.

    The plot-line and characters are strong, and it allows the story to flow seamlessly. 

    There are a handful of locations, that are returned to on numerous occasions, to allow the build up for the next part to come to life.

    The only downside, is that the title takes forever and a day to type.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.4/5.0

The Stranger Times - C K McDonnell

     Castlefield, a pimple on the nose of Manchester, supplying the lighter side of life since Roman Occupation.

    Based on the assumption that there are two forms of weather, raining or waiting to rain. The backdrop is set.

    A  motley crew, of "Journalists", an editor with a drink problem and a blunderbuss, and a newbie.

    Whilst the news for this paper maybe far fetched, the national enquirer would have been proud. Gods and Monsters sell, end of.

    With almost as many twists and turns as the M60, this page turner keeps you coming back for more. I hate to say this, but I woke up, and found myself reaching for this book to find out how it ended.

Oh yes...... and don't forget the ketchup.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Strange Labour - Robert Penner

 

     OK, so after a self-inflicted hiatus of reading in general. I thought I should think about making a return. So, here I am.

    Looking at #netgalley, for some inspiration, I stumbled across this in the Read Now Section. So here goes, sit back, kick off the socks and shoes and enjoy (hopefully).

    Although nothing is mentioned directly, something has happened the world and its residents. There are large swathes of the human race that have just upped and joined the diggers. They build trenches. Lots of trenches, all over the world. There are small pockets of people who haven't 'turned'. This seems to be where the individual in question. Has the urge to join the diggers, never to be seen again.

    We join Miranda, a drifter heading out west. She takes jobs where she can to support herself, care homes, outdoor work. She is joined by Dave, an ex maths teacher of considerable IQ, who has a taste for 'weed', stories and conspiracy.

    Whilst being almost constantly stoned (medically induced - epilepsy). He functions normally. He knows things, how to get fuel, what food is available, what drugs you can find where and whom to trade them with.

    There are neat pockets, where you are not on the road. Each bringing, its own trials and tribulations. Not all, is as it would seem.

    I read this in a couple of sittings, after pin the tail on the donkey selection. It held my interest, which is rare at the moment.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.0/5.0