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"Would you be kind enough to tell me where they keep people's bodies," I said.
The porter blinked. The edges of his eyelids were pink in a brown face, lashes sparse and painful-looking like the bristles on a gooseberry. Odd the things you notice when your mind's trying to shy away from a large thing.
Title: A Foreign Affair
Author: Caro Peacock
ISBN: 9780061445897
Publisher: Avon/2008
Pages: 331
1837. England now has new queen, eighteen year old Victoria. Our heroine Liberty Lane has just lost her father, supposedly in a duel. Liberty does not believe it. She tries to follow trails leading to her father's death but find obstacles at every step. She is contacted by secret agents and is asked to pose as a governess in the Mandeville Hall. She has to spy on Sir Herbert Mandeville who is planning overthrow the new queen.
Libby is more concerned about finding her father's killer. Therefore, she agrees to the subterfuge. And falls right in the midst of conspiracies, horses, spies, duels and elopement.
I enjoyed the dialogues, the ridiculous characters, misplaced plots and Liberty's quirky way of thinking. There is not a single dull moment. Justice comes in the end and how. That is fun part of it. Liberty Lane is a wonderful character and I really loved Amos Legge, a giant of a man with heart of gold. Such a rollicking ride in a mystery/suspense novel in 19th century England. I am gonna pick the next two Liberty Lane novels.
Ivor barely had time to register the identity of his assailant before Justin was hitting him, his fist slamming with satisfying force into Ivor's face. Justin felt bones and flesh disintegrate under his hand, and smiled savagely as he repeated the blow.
Forbidden Love by Karen Robards
~~~Posted for The Friday 56, which is hosted by Freda's Voice
Forbidden Love by Karen Robards
Megan Kinkead has always been neglected by her guardian, Justin Brant, 6th Earl of Weston. He seldom ever goes to meet her in school. In the 12 years that he had been her guardian, he has seen her only a few times.
When he sees the 17 year old Megan, he can't believe that she is same scrawny brat from hell who has now turned into a fiery, raven-haired, violet-eyed beauty. He is attracted to her but keeps telling himself that she is his ward. Now Megan has always adored Justin and feels no wrong in touching and kissing him. That is their undoing. She finds out that he is married when Alicia, his wife turns up....
Megan leaves for London with his wife to flirt with other men for revenge. Justin can't bear it. She tells him that she is getting married to a young lord. Justin does not like it and kidnaps her. On the way she tells him that she is pregnant with his child and has to marry as soon as possible. He takes her to one of his villas in a village and leaves her there and turns up to marry her after a few months. They end up fighting and she runs from him, falls down and loses the baby. Grief stricken Megan totally ignores Justin...
Karen Robards has made the story interesting despite the fact that our hero is married. Being attracted to his ward bothers him but Megan is least bothered by the fact. However, she is devastated to find him married. The novel is filled with angst. Of both the hero and the heroine. I must say, Karen Robards knows what she is doing.
"Some days a drop of water can kill you, some days it can save your life.
In the early hours of Thursday, February 3, 120 millimeters of rain fell on Melbourne. Enough water to flush out a murder.
The Yeraa and maribyrnong rivers had swollen and in some places had split their sides. Sedate, well behaved Kerford Road beach disappeared beneath heavy turf. Boats flipped and tossed like God's own rubber duckies. Roofs leaked, carports groaned, gutters choked, and parked cars drowned at the roadside. Century old trees in the Botanical Gardens keeled over like drunks, their parched roots suddenly losing their footing in the blistered soil. A city that had craved a good soaking for more than eight years took an unscheduled."
Title: Flush
Author: Jane Clifton
ISBN: 9780992329549
Publisher: Clan Destine Pres/2013
Pages: 253
Oleg Kransky is the first suspect when his wife Inga Kristensen's body is found washed up on the banks of Maribyrnong River. When police reach his home, he is found with a failed suicide bit and his wife's blood stained cloth are all over the place.
Decca Brand, a psychologist, does not believe that he killed his wife. Oleg had been one of her patients. He had not been very forthcoming yet Decca could sense he loved his wife. Even now, after his arrest, he still does not communicate.
While chasing for answers, Decca and the police detectives find themselves in the midst of gritty going ons in red light area, secret past lives of Oleg, Inga and their so-called friends. From Melbourne to links in Bosnia seem far fetched but when a well known person like Col Jones is found involved, it all unravels.
I liked the twists and turns. It kept my interest until the very end. Very fast paced and not easy to put down. It was one of my last reads of 2013 and I am happy about that!
It was friday afternoon, the end of a long week. Misha Bauer made one last telephone call; the operator told him there was a line through berlin.
"Our calls don't go through berlin," he said. She of all people should know that. But he did'nt want to be angry --- not at the start of the Sabbath. He was looking forward to getting home to his wife and little boy, Tomas.
"My mistake."
"Could you bok me line for monday?" he asked.
"Next monday?"
"Four o'clock." He paused. "No, four thirty."
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Of my father, I remember absolutely nothing.
~~~Page 56,Far to Go by Alison Pick
The Friday 56 is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.
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MY REVIEW FOLLOWS:
Title: Far to Go
Author: Alison Pick
ISBN: 9780062034625
Publisher: Harper Perennial/2011
Pages: 310
The novel is set in Czechoslovakia in 1938. Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia has been invaded by Germany. The Bauers, Pavel and Annabel think they are not going to be affected by the invasion. Because they are rich and are secular Jews who do not practice Judaism. They have a nanny, Marta for their five year old son, Pepik.
Marta loves her young charge. She has secret lover, Ernst, who is Pavel's best friend. She is aghast to know that he hates the Jews. He wants the Bauers money at any cost. He is the one who betrays the Bauers and Marta, in a moment of weakness, helps him. She is worried about her future and makes this bad decision to betray them. It is too late by the time she realizes her mistake.
The Bauers, in desperation, decide to sent Pepik to England using Kindertransport. He does not want to go, like any child of his age but they force. They have every plan of getting him back after the war finishes.
Told by alternatively by an unknown narrative in the present times and Marta, the novel moves forward in a good pace. At no point, I wanted to stop reading. There is no melodrama or sentimentality. It is told in a very practical manner and that is what makes the story poignant. The emotions are palpable and reach out to the reader. It might be a work of fiction but we know all of this and more happened. Jews were killed in various concentration camps. And they took to desperate measures to save their children. I did not know much about Kindertransport. this novel made me aware of that.
This is not a book to trifle with and a serious read. All of us ought to read about the holocaust. I highly recommend it for every reader. Yes, each one of us. Because, we must not forget. THE HOLOCAUST.
The Frozen Shroud by Martin Edwards
ISBN: 9781464201073
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press/2013
Pages: 276
Back Cover:
Death has come twice to Ravenbank, a remote community in England’s Lake District, each time on Hallowe’en. Just before the First World War, a young woman’s corpse was found, with a makeshift shroud frozen to her battered face. Her ghost – the Faceless Woman – is said to walk through Ravenbank on Hallowe-en. Five years ago, another woman, Katya Moss, was murdered, and again her face was covered to hide her injuries.
Daniel Kind, a specialist in the history of murder, becomes fascinated by the old cases, and wonders whether the obvious suspects really did commit the crimes. He spends Hallowe’en at a party in Ravenbank – only to find death returning to this beautiful but isolated spot. Once more, the victim is a woman, once more her damaged face is shrouded from view.
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My views:
One of the murder victim is called Shenagh in the instead of Katya Moss, as given in the back cover. This could have been taken care of while editing.
Shenagh Moss's murder is the second one, the first being Gertrude, who was killed almost 100 years ago and is supposed to roam as a faceless ghost during Halloween. The third murder happens five years after Shenagh is murdered, again at Halloween. This time it is Terri, a very close friend of DCI Hannah Scarlett. All murders have something in common. Their faces are battered and shrouded from view.
Daniel Kind is a specialist in history of murder and he finds the three murders somewhat related. Kind and Scarlett's past come to haunt them both. Hannah keep no stones upturned to find the murderer of her best friend Terri.
This is my first novel by Edwards and certainly not my last. He keeps the reader totally in the story. The descriptions of the background is also done very well. The secondary characters are also interesting, each having a failing or two. My toes curled while I was reading this.
"Beth was beset by disturbing dreams; rapid firing images flashed before her eyes – a car screeching down a country road, a yellow duck, her father’s face. She awoke with a start. Why am I dreaming about my father after all of these years?”
Title: Firefly Beach
Author: Meira Pentermann
ISBN: 978-0982417089
Publisher: Lyrical Press/2009
Pages: 316
Beth moves into a small town in the coast of Maine. She rents out a house and sets up a deal with the local antique store to sell her paintings. She is preparing for a new start to her life. She needs to escape the demons in her life. And then she meets a "firefly’ who is seemingly is awaiting her arrival. The Firefly leads her to a diary of a girl Katherine, who was the daughter of her landlord and had disappeared 36 years ago. No one knows what happened to Katherine.
Beth sets about to find the mystery behind Katherine's disappearance. With a unique plot, a bit of supernatural element and good writing, one gets engrossed in the story.
Mary and Abigail, are another two characters which are typical ladies from a small community running the only inn in the town. Then there is this jeweller Kenny, who is an enigma. The novel is not as simple as it seems. It has a complicated plot, weird and interesting characters and a firefly which is the thick of things.
There it gets a little hinky. At first they put out that he’d been shot because an employee who was on another level of the garage told responding police she had heard two popping sounds, like shots.
Title: The Fifth Witness
Author: Michael Connelly
ISBN: 9781455510313
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing/2011
Pages: 448
Micky Haller known as The Lincoln Lawyer has started to take cases on foreclosure and is successful in that. Mortgage loans bought by third party creditors impacts the home buyers and Haller can help them beat the system by charging a much less fee. One of his clients, Lisa Trammel, is arrested for a murder of a banker and he has to defend her.
Lisa, a former school teacher, has a small son, her husband has left her. She is leading a protest group, in streets and online too with lots of similarly placed people. Lisa is not a likable person but Micky has to fight for her to save her skin.
I loved the court scenes, the way Haller's mind works and how bigger people involved in foreclosure situation. Everyone wanting a piece of the pie! There are mobsters and Bikers gangs to enhance it. It is one perfect court case legal drama. In this recession hit times, one can understand Lisa's situation and sympathize with her. I think I will pick up more novels with Micky Haller.
I took a long time to finish this novel due to a massive reading slump but was very satisfied with the end result!!
Title: Fireworks Over Toccoa
Author: Jeffrey Stepakoff
ISBN: 9780312581589
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books/2010
Pages: 272
Book Blurb:
Lily was married for just days before her husband was sent abroad to fight in WWII. Now, he and the other soldiers are returning, and the small town of Toccoa, Georgia plans a big celebration. But a handsome and kind Italian immigrant, responsible for the elaborate fireworks display the town commissioned, captures Lily’s heart and soul. Torn between duty to society and her husband, and a poor, passionate man who might be her only true love—Lily must choose between a love she never knew and a commitment she'd already made.
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The story takes place during WWII, where Lily Davis Woodward, is awaiting the return of her husband Paul. Married very young, the couple only had two weeks together before Paul had to go. Lily, her family, friends, and the whole town of Toccoa, Georgia, are ready to welcome home their soldiers, including Paul. Jake Russo, a handsome, dark-haired Italian, is using his skill as a a pyrotechnics specialist to put together a fireworks show, the best one ever. Lily stumbles upon him and falls in love with him, days before Paul is supposed to return.
The novel is about the conflict in her mind, what she would choose. The characters are plausible and realistic. Narration and dialogues are good. The novel does tend to be a little trite at places but has beeb written well enough to hold interest, what with a pyrotechnics, the art from coca cola glass. It brings the place to life. The writer gave it the right ending although it might disappoint a few readers. This book has its moments and good for a readathon or afternoon read as it reads very fast.
Title: A Friend of the Family
Author: Lauren Grodstein
ISBN: 9781565129160
Publisher: Algonquin Books/2009
Pages: 302
A Friend of the Family is a novel about a father who has the best interests of his son and his concern makes him take such steps, which in away, is his undoing. It depicts how a father can lose grip on himself and his family.
Pete Dizinoff has everything going for him. He is fairly successful doctor, has a wife who loves him and has close friends who care for him. He loves his only son Alec. Pete and Elain had him after too many miscarriages and therefore dote on him. Now Alec drops out from school, wishing to be an artist. They support him even though they want him to finish college.
Laura, the wild daughter of Pete's best friend Joe turns up after thirteen years, and Alec seems to be smitten by her. She is ten years older and has a very dark past, which everyone ignores yet can't forget. Pete can't bear the thought of Alec and Laura being together and he has to break them apart. This decision of his results in a disaster which affects both his family and professional life. Can he save his family from disintegrating? Can he get back his reputation?
Told in engaging, this book will speak to every parent who only wants the best for his/her child. It will also speak out to the child, who has to think beyond the present and for see the future. Because each of our decisions affect us and everyone around us.
The friendship between Joe and Pete is very strong and I felt Joe cares more for Pete than Pete for Joe. Pete has always been judgemental towards Laura and it reflects in his behaviour towards her. The bond between Pete and Elaine is strong but Pete's doings weakens that too.
Once started, this book is hard to put down. Pete's thoughts takes us over and the equations of relationship between the various characters keeps us hooked.
The dead man's shoes spoke to Kurt long before he wore them. He expected the shoes to say something, of course; Kurt had hundreds of articles of clothing from dearly departed, wardrobe of wearable ghosts that fueled his existence.
Title: Faces In The Fire
Author: T. L. Hines
ISBN: 9781595544537
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 354
Faces In The Fire is my second T L Hines novel, The Unseen being the first. He writes what is known as noir fiction. I liked The Unseen very much and in Faces In The Fire too, Hines doesn't disappoint us.
Kurt, a truck driver turned sculpture, can hear the dead speak. He has no memories of his own past although he tries his best to know who he is. Corriene, an e-mail spammer has got cancer, which isn't getting any better with treatment. Grace has left her family, and has invented a new existence as a tattoo artist and finally there is Stan, who is hit man, with a gift of killing.
Each one is different from the other and are not acquainted with each other. Yet, their lives converge at one point with symbols, numbers and inklings, which helps each one to know their inner power. This power can destroy them or redeem them. It is their choice to get around that power, that unknown force which comes into their path.
With mysterious elements, and a small layer of supernatural, suspense works very well. Kurt might be able to listen to the dead but he does nothing to help them. And how is the catfish and the numbers going to help him, when he doesn't even know who he is? Corriene is compelled by a spam to order something for herself, which might make her lymphoma disappear. Grace too thinks that the number she holds on to, is lucky and gives it to Corriene when she learns of her cancer. Stan and Grace's life to merge and how oes it change for both?
T L Hines writing is so beautiful that one is kind of compelled to read through it. His bizarre settings makes sense while reading it. Maybe because, we too expect miracles to change our lives, to make everything right. The twisted ending is just right for this book, which is funny in a dark way, which seems real even while it is weird. The characters are endearing even though they are dark. Hines manages to show us their white sides too. Each has a talent for something. And is able to use that talent to redeem others and the self too. Those who like something different, I recommend it.
Thanks to the publishers for the copy.
Author's Bio from her website in her own words:
My On-the-ground-lion,
Zeke's tree would not speak to him.
"Are you sure you've got the right tree?" Ariel asked when he told her. "Maybe you've been hearing another one nearby that got tired of the confusion and gave up."
Title: The Farwalker's Quest
Author: Joni Sensel
ISBN: 9781599902722
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's books/2009
Pages: 387
Zeke and Ariel, twelve years old are out chasing polliwogs in the creek in their lunchtime. That's when Zeke discovers that his tree won't talk to him. Ariel, who was never one cowed down by anything goes back to the tree to force it to speak to Zeke. Thats when they discover a dart with 13 weird symbols. They recognise a few of the symbols for each of the trades it represents but the last one is unfathomable.
Namingfest is three days away, on Apirl first where one can know what trade one wants to apprentice for. Ariel is the daughter of a Healtouch, and wishes to be one as she recognises medicinal plants and has a healiing touch. Zeke is the son of a tree-singer and wishes to be one himself.
That particular dart is given to the Storian of the village for safe-keeping but two finders turn up to claim it. They also want to take away Ariel along with them, recognising her for what she is, but they are not keen to reveal it to her as yet. Ariel fails her namingfest and wishes to be away too. Luna, Ariel's mother is not keen to send her daughter with two strangers to a far away place.
Scarl and Elbert steal Ariel away and kill her mother. They keep her tied and trussed up, taking her to some unknown place. Soon after Zeke follows and rescues her. Both bolt from the captives, finding new adventures on their way. Somehow Ariel knows exactly where to go and Zeke finds that rocks speak to him. It turns out that Ariel is a Farwalker.
Scarl and Elbert catch up with them and Scarl turns out to a protector of the children. They undergo the path of the dart, wanting to find out the Vault that is somehow mentioned in it. When they do, it is a revelation for the children and Scarl too. The treasure is not of Gold but wisdom, the art of living, which was lost in the disease which swept the Earth blinding everyone. People found their eyes-sight but lost everything else.
Despite the violence, I liked the book. The fantasy element is more like in the dreams or as an ESP. This makes it more realistic. Some questions are left unanswered. Maybe, Sensel wants to write sequels. It sure makes a good read for 11-13 years olds. My ARC goes to my 12 year old nephew.
Also reviewed by
CB James
Monday 5 May, 2.21 pm
While in the cavalier guardianship of the forest of Marley, I first saw the lowland tapir. I was wenty-five or so, and still an idealist, ever faithful that Atlee and Keynesian guidance would protect the educated class from the spread of iniquity.
