As per I am madly behind in reviewing or chatting about recent reads and have to do my round up. I have to be honest and say that everything I am reading at the moment is pretty light and easy as am charging around doing other things, so no in depth writing really needed. And I mean no disrespect to the authors I am going to write about!
Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg - The Job. I have read all the Stephanie Plum books by this author and love them but have to admit that I felt the last one was a little tired so was pleased to see a new series which is full of fun and wit and sass as the earlier Plum novels. This is the third in this series and it is hitting its stride now. Special Agent Kate O'Hare is teamed up with master thief and conman Nick Fox who is, naturally, wicked and gorgeous. I could not help thinking of Steve McQueen in the original Thomas Crown Affair when reading this book. Intricate scam and take downs and huge fun.
Earl Derr Biggers - Love Insurance. Another little gem from the Hesperus Press very Wodehousian and written in 1914 it tells the story of Dick Minot entrusted by his boss with the simple job of making sure that the fiance of Lord Harrowby actually does marry him. The groom has taken out a huge insurance for this and it goes without saying that nothing works out how it should and lots of rather silly, funny and complicated events occur. Simply delightful and charming and a gorgeous cover.
Harriet Evans -A Place for us. I came across this author a few years ago when I borrowed one of her earlier books from the library and since then have read them all as I enjoyed them so much. At first I regarded them as rather chicklitty books, light and fluffy but that was all. However, I have found that her more recent books have much more depth and strength to them and she is getting better and better. I reviewed her last book HERE.
Martha Winter is nearing her 80th birthday and has invited her somewhat scattered and fractured family to a party at which she will 'make an announcement'. Intrigued and slightly fearful the family gather and then she reveals a secret which she has kept for years and which shatters them all. Obviously, I am saying nothing more as I do not wish to give anything away. The story reveals the lives of her son, daughter and siblings and their marriages and relationships and shifts between timelines and time changes, which I always enjoy as it is so interesting to hear the backstory and alternate thoughts of the same event.
This is a terrific book and a great read and it very much reminds me at times of Rosamund Pilcher. And that, I can assure you, is a huge compliment. Due to be published in January 2015 so give yourself a New Year treat and order it.
The Inspector Diamond Books - Peter Lovesey. I discovered these a couple of months ago and have cantered through the lot which I usually do when I discover a new series I like and now have to wait for the next one. As the latest title was just published a few months ago I have a wait ahead of me I see. Set in Bath, which I know fairly well, it makes it more interesting to know the locations mentioned in these novels and helps to give a sense of place. Inspector Diamond is a larger than life figure, naturally, can be over bearing and irascible, hates attending post mortems and always palms that off to somebody else, is astute and probably a pain to most of his team, but he has a likeability about him. He is also very happily married which makes a change. I can really recommend these. I remember reading the Inspector Cribb books by this author yonks ago so may re-read those now.
Currently reading The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, which is an Icelandic mystery and is shaping up nicely. A luxury yacht crashes into the harbour and nobody is on board. All is deserted and the entire family and crew have disappeared. Love stories about missing yachts so am lapping this up. Seems this lady has written others so more to chase up which is good. Will let you know what I think of this but it is not published until the Spring so will have to restrain my full review until then.
So that is it for the moment. I had a mad sort out the other day and have three bags of books for the charity shop. Sadly, it seems to have made no appreciable diffrence to my To be Read shelves.....
