Books - November 2023
Nov. 30th, 2023 11:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitSix books again this month, which gets me past my 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge total of 75.
The Proof in the Pudding by Rosemary Shrager
I have included Prudence Bulstrode as one of my Fandom Fifty, as I enjoyed the combination of cooking, mystery and location. I would say this falls into the cosy mystery genre, and is a good tale of figgy pudings, the Yorkshire Dales and a dead body found in a snowman. If that's a genre you enjoy I would recommend it.
A Cotswold Killing by Rebecca Tope
This is the first of a series of mysteries set in the Cotswolds, so mentions places which I know quite well. I have friends who enjoy the series, but Thea Osborne, the central character, didn't appeal to me and I found the set up somewhat implausible. [B11]
The Wicked Boy by Kate Summerscale
This wasn't quite what I'd expected. In July 1895 Robert Coombes, aged 13 killed his mother. The book looks at the background and the trial, giving the historical context to what was happening. This was what I thought it would be about. But then it continues with the rest of Coombes' life story, which remains interesting, but wasn't really what I was looking for. [A11]
Other Paths to Glory by Anthony Price
Another new Penguin Crime & Espionage Classic. The principal draw for me was that it was looking back at the WW1 action in the Somme in 1916, plus it involves espionage. It was certainly interesting, and I could visualise the countryside where a lot of the action took place. In some ways I felt the plot was over-complicated, and as yet I'm not entirely convinced about Price as an author. However, I do have the next Penguin Classic pre-ordered (thanks to a book token) so I shall wait to make my final decision. [F15]
Children of the Dead End by Patrick MacGill
This is a semi-autobiographical story about a boy called Dermot Flynn who comes from a village in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century to find work in Scotland. He begins by working on farms, before becoming a navvy on various major projects. It's an excellent description of life for the poor at the time and I would thoroughly recommend it for that reason. [C11]
The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee
The fifth in the Wyndham and Bannerjee series. I enjoyed it more than the last book because it featured Suren Bannerjee much more, and I still don't like Sam Wyndham. I also feel that the author indulges in too much telling about the historical situation rather than simply showing it. [D11]
And so, into December, and all those lovely festive themed books!
[Letters refer to my reading lists - I aim to read one book per list per month to ensure some variety.]
The Proof in the Pudding by Rosemary Shrager
I have included Prudence Bulstrode as one of my Fandom Fifty, as I enjoyed the combination of cooking, mystery and location. I would say this falls into the cosy mystery genre, and is a good tale of figgy pudings, the Yorkshire Dales and a dead body found in a snowman. If that's a genre you enjoy I would recommend it.
A Cotswold Killing by Rebecca Tope
This is the first of a series of mysteries set in the Cotswolds, so mentions places which I know quite well. I have friends who enjoy the series, but Thea Osborne, the central character, didn't appeal to me and I found the set up somewhat implausible. [B11]
The Wicked Boy by Kate Summerscale
This wasn't quite what I'd expected. In July 1895 Robert Coombes, aged 13 killed his mother. The book looks at the background and the trial, giving the historical context to what was happening. This was what I thought it would be about. But then it continues with the rest of Coombes' life story, which remains interesting, but wasn't really what I was looking for. [A11]
Other Paths to Glory by Anthony Price
Another new Penguin Crime & Espionage Classic. The principal draw for me was that it was looking back at the WW1 action in the Somme in 1916, plus it involves espionage. It was certainly interesting, and I could visualise the countryside where a lot of the action took place. In some ways I felt the plot was over-complicated, and as yet I'm not entirely convinced about Price as an author. However, I do have the next Penguin Classic pre-ordered (thanks to a book token) so I shall wait to make my final decision. [F15]
Children of the Dead End by Patrick MacGill
This is a semi-autobiographical story about a boy called Dermot Flynn who comes from a village in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century to find work in Scotland. He begins by working on farms, before becoming a navvy on various major projects. It's an excellent description of life for the poor at the time and I would thoroughly recommend it for that reason. [C11]
The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee
The fifth in the Wyndham and Bannerjee series. I enjoyed it more than the last book because it featured Suren Bannerjee much more, and I still don't like Sam Wyndham. I also feel that the author indulges in too much telling about the historical situation rather than simply showing it. [D11]
And so, into December, and all those lovely festive themed books!
[Letters refer to my reading lists - I aim to read one book per list per month to ensure some variety.]
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Date: 2023-11-30 10:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-11-30 11:36 pm (UTC)And thank you for friending me on Goodreads.
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Date: 2023-12-01 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 09:11 am (UTC)I'll check out The Proof in the Pudding.
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Date: 2023-12-02 09:22 am (UTC)The first Prudence Bulstrode, 'The Last Supper' is also set in the Cotswolds. I do enjoy them.
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Date: 2023-12-02 10:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 04:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 04:55 pm (UTC)