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Books - February 2024
Feb. 28th, 2024 07:19 pmCaught up on my self this month, and read 8 books.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Finally, the second book in the Murderbot series. Great fun and I can see why they are so popular in the States. It's a shame they don't stock them in our library.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
I occasionally dip into the Read Christie challenge, when I don't know the book as well as many of the others. This is the first Tommy and Tuppence novel. It's an early Christie and lacks some of the subtlety of many of her later ones, it was entertaining.
A Change of Heir by Michael Innes
I hadn't realised this was not an Appleby novel when I borrowed it from the library. Again entertaining in the slightly bizarre plot, but not captivating.
Impact of Evidence by Carol Carnac
Carnac also writes as E C R Lorac, and this was a British Library Crime Classic new release. Carnac's regular detective, Chief Inspector Rivers is sent to the area of the Welsh borders, which is cut off by flooding, to investigate the crime. While I was reading it the area where I live was subject in many parts to flooding, so it was easy to imagine somewhere fairly close by under similar conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, despite trying to prolong the story, charged through it.
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett
I decided this year to catch up on my Discworld reading and finish the Witches' series. Highly entertaining, seeing each of the three witches playing their own part in saving their city. Even better, as far as I was concerned, the Librarian came on a visit and got to play a vital part. Ook!
Holmes, Marple & Poe by James Paterson
Borrowed from the library, under the title of Holmes, Margaret & Poe, presumably because the Christie estate has objected to the use of Marple in the title. Since the agency is known by this title name, it seems a bit pointless. The story is about three American PIs who set up an agency and solve interconnected crimes in New York. It's a popular new book, an interesting concept, but I wouldn't go looking for more Paterson novels.
Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu
This is based in Singapore, with a cosy crime set up. Aunty Lee is a caterer who gets involved in a crime, which she subsequently solves. The crime itself isn't cosy and I'd liked it as much for the view of ordinary Singapore society as to the drama.
One Love by Matt Cain
Matt Cain's latest novel, which I borrowed from the library. The story is about two gay men who return 20 years later to Manchester, where they'd met at university, to attend Manchester Pride. The story takes place over Pride weekend, interspersed with flashbacks over the previous two decades. It's a story of relationships, and the different types of love we can all experience. I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the other Matt Cain books I've read, but appreciated it for the insights into the characters and why people behave as they do.
My book bingo card, which includes some audiobooks, is looking good, because I've now completed most of the easier squares.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Finally, the second book in the Murderbot series. Great fun and I can see why they are so popular in the States. It's a shame they don't stock them in our library.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
I occasionally dip into the Read Christie challenge, when I don't know the book as well as many of the others. This is the first Tommy and Tuppence novel. It's an early Christie and lacks some of the subtlety of many of her later ones, it was entertaining.
A Change of Heir by Michael Innes
I hadn't realised this was not an Appleby novel when I borrowed it from the library. Again entertaining in the slightly bizarre plot, but not captivating.
Impact of Evidence by Carol Carnac
Carnac also writes as E C R Lorac, and this was a British Library Crime Classic new release. Carnac's regular detective, Chief Inspector Rivers is sent to the area of the Welsh borders, which is cut off by flooding, to investigate the crime. While I was reading it the area where I live was subject in many parts to flooding, so it was easy to imagine somewhere fairly close by under similar conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, despite trying to prolong the story, charged through it.
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett
I decided this year to catch up on my Discworld reading and finish the Witches' series. Highly entertaining, seeing each of the three witches playing their own part in saving their city. Even better, as far as I was concerned, the Librarian came on a visit and got to play a vital part. Ook!
Holmes, Marple & Poe by James Paterson
Borrowed from the library, under the title of Holmes, Margaret & Poe, presumably because the Christie estate has objected to the use of Marple in the title. Since the agency is known by this title name, it seems a bit pointless. The story is about three American PIs who set up an agency and solve interconnected crimes in New York. It's a popular new book, an interesting concept, but I wouldn't go looking for more Paterson novels.
Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu
This is based in Singapore, with a cosy crime set up. Aunty Lee is a caterer who gets involved in a crime, which she subsequently solves. The crime itself isn't cosy and I'd liked it as much for the view of ordinary Singapore society as to the drama.
One Love by Matt Cain
Matt Cain's latest novel, which I borrowed from the library. The story is about two gay men who return 20 years later to Manchester, where they'd met at university, to attend Manchester Pride. The story takes place over Pride weekend, interspersed with flashbacks over the previous two decades. It's a story of relationships, and the different types of love we can all experience. I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the other Matt Cain books I've read, but appreciated it for the insights into the characters and why people behave as they do.
My book bingo card, which includes some audiobooks, is looking good, because I've now completed most of the easier squares.
( book bingo )
