What a challenging year...

At the start of 2011 I agreed to participate in 3 official reading challenges and 1 personal challenge - now the year is all but over, how did I get on with each challenge?

Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011
Hosted by Book Chick City

Details

Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

Rules: To read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2011 (12 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)

Books Read in Challenge: 13/12 Books
Book 1: The Five Greatest Warrior - Matthew Reilly
Book 2: Full Dark House - Christopher Fowler
Book 3: Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin
Book 4: Sanctus - Simon Toyne
Book 5: Sacrifice - SJ Bolton
Book 6: Breathless - Dean Koontz
Book 7: The Tenth Chamber - Glenn Cooper
Book 8: Now You See Me - S.J. Bolton
Book 9: Hard Spell - Justin Gustainis
Book 10: The Quarry - Johan Theorin

Book 11: Death Sentence - Mikkel Birkegaard
Book 12: Crippen - John Boyne
Book 13: The Burning Wire - Jeffery Deaver

My Thoughts: So I read 13 books - more than the 12 that were required. Challenge complete! I have to admit though that this was a genuine challenge as mystery and suspense books are not my regular fall back and occasionally throughout the year I had to read books just to make sure I was getting on with the challenge! But this was good as it broke me out of my regular reading habits and I did read some great books - Now You See Me, Hard Spell and Full Dark House are great reads for anyone. I did consider signing up for this challenge again for 2012, but thought I would try to experiment with some different challenges!

Speculative Fiction 2011

Hosted by Floor To Ceiling Books

Details

Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

Rules: To read 12 Speculative Fiction novels in 2011 (12 is the minimum - you can read more if you wish!)

Books Read in Challenge: 19/12 Books
Book 1: The Spirit Thief - Rachel Aaron
Book 2: Foundation - Issac Asimov
Book 3: The Magician's Apprentice - Trudi Canavan
Book 4: The Fallen Blade - Jon Courtenay Grimwood
Book 5: I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore
Book 6: Foundation and Empire - Issac Asimov
Book 7: American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Book 8: Spirit Dances - CE Murphy
Book 9: Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde
Book 10: Second Foundation - Issac Asimov
Book 11: The Neon Court - Kate Griffin
Book 12: Married with Zombies - Jesse Petersen
Book 13: Morlock Night - K.W. Jeter
Book 14: Secrets of the Demon - Diana Rowland
Book 15: Change - Jim Butcher
Book 16: Hunted By The Others - Jess Haines 
Book 17: Corsets and Clockwork - Trisha Telep
Book 18: Magic Slays - Ilona Andrews
Book 19: Black Swan Rising - Lee Carroll

My Thoughts: Although I counted 19 books for this challenge but as speculative fiction is probably my favourite type of reading, I know the number should be a lot higher! Overall, this was a pretty easy challenge and not that challenging...so I don't think I'll be doing this again. I did have a thought though...isn't all fiction speculative to some degree - whether it is high fantasy or contemporary romance, it's all made up and therefore speculative. Still it was a fun to take part in! 

YA of the 80s and 90s

Hosted by The Book Vixen

 

Details
Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
Read as many YA books that were originally published in the 80s and 90s as your heart desires. The only requirement is that the book(s) have to have been first published sometime between 1980 – 1999. 

Books Read in Challenge: 15/12 Books
Book   1: Nightmare Hall: The Scream Team - Diane Hoh
Book   2: Deepwater Black - Ken Catran
Book   3: Deepwater Landing - Ken Catran
Book   4: Deepwater Angels - Ken Catran
Book   5: Remember Me - Christopher Pike
Book   6: The Last Vampire - Christopher Pike
Book   7: The Last Vampire: Black Blood - Christopher Pike
Book   8: Nightmare Hall: The Roommate - Diane Hoh
Book   9: Remember 2: The Return - Christopher Pike
Book 10: Remember 3: The Last Story - Christopher Pike
Book 11: Sweet Valley High: Perfect Summer - Francine Pascal
Book 12: Teacher's Pet - Richie Tankersley Cusick
Book 13: The Last Vampire: Red Dice - Christopher Pike
Book 14: The Last Vampire: Phantom - Christopher Pike
Book 15: 13 Tales of Horror - Edited by Christopher Pile

My Thoughts: This was a fan challenge! Throughout the year I read 15 books that were originally published in the 80s and 90s aimed at teens. As this was roughly when I was a teenager it was a very nostalgic trip for me and interesting to see how YA has changed. The most notable element was how short YA was back then - typically 200 pages or so. But there were some interesting stories, ideas and characters packed into the short page count and much less teen angst! I don't know if this challenge is being run again for next year, but I still a couple of books I picked up at charity stores for this challenge that I haven't read yet so expect to see a few more reviews for YA of the 80s and 90s... 

Personal Classic Challenge

Challenged by Kris

My friend Kris has set a challenge for me to read a classic every three months. Below are his terms:

1. Firstly the classic must be a classic or at least 20 years old;
2. it has to set a definition for the genre or change it in a way which ‘inspire’ later writers;
3. available for free or a reduced price and
4. semi easy to read.

So my task for Mel is to read:

1. Homer’s Odyssey – this is the cornerstone of Western Cannon and seems to have the basis for most fantasy. Easements: You can read a modern version (i.e. made into something that is easier to read).
2. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, Foundation and Empire and Second Foundation. Yes I know it is three books, but they are short ones. They are very good and they are the foundation (not a pun) for modern space epic’s such as Iain M Banks Culture and Star Trek. The Foundation series was published in 1942 and then collected in proper book in the 50s.
3. Ring World by Larry Niven. I thought it looked quite good. It is a interesting story about a space structure.
4. Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard I have not read these book, but I think they may underpin some hero fantasy or it might be tripe

Books Read in Challenge: 6 books

Book 1: Foundation - Issac Asimov
Book 2: Foundation and Empire - Issac Asimov
Book 3: Second Foundation - Issac Asimov
Book 4: The War of the Worlds - HG Wells
Book 5: The Invisible Man - HG Wells
Book 6: The Midwich Cuckoo - John Wyndham

Book 7: Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

My Thoughts: This was a challenge set my friend Kris and officially I did read a classic at least every three months. I think those books inspired future writers and were easy to read and get hold off. However, off the books listed above I only read the Foundation series by Issac Asimov - although I do now own Ringworld, just never got a chance to start reading it! So did I complete this challenge? There's only one person who can answer that...Kris - how did I do? :-)

Kris' Thoughts: When I set this challenge, I was also going secretly read these books in parallel. However, I could not keep up with Mel. The other reason to set a challenge was to hook Mel into the world of Sci-Fi as Mel hooked me into Fantasy. The classics I chose were a mixture of Fantasy (Odyssey and Conan) and Hard Sci-Fi (Foundation and Ringworld). I had read the Foundation Series of books before I set the challenge and I was very nervous that Mel would not like them. I was pleased that Mel enjoyed them <insert blog post links here>. They are interesting books that are more about people and society than Dilithum Crystals. This prompted a conversation between Mel and Myself about these books, which gave me the feeling of being cultured. I hope it inspires Mel to read more of Asimov's works. Homers Odyssey is something would be a challenge to read. It is a classic book and would be hard going. This was more of an aspiration target. I have it in my bookcase and it looks at me (although it looks a lot more readable than any Dan Brown Book).

On balance, Mel has met the challenge and surpassed it. Well done.

Yay me! So I'm four for four on 2011 Challenges! Lets hope 2012 goes as well!

The Burning Wire Review

The Burning Wire (Lincoln Rhyme 9)

-       Jeffery Deaver

Publisher: UK- Hodder

When an attack is made on Manhattan's electricity grid, it seems that terrorists must be responsible. What better way to hold New York to ransom than to manipulate the city's power supply? While the FBI and CIA try to determine whether religious or environmental fundamentalists are behind the attacks, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs race to decode the forensics in order to prevent the next assault on the grid. Because electricity is more than simply power keeping the city alive - it is as lethal as it is vital, and Lincoln Rhyme is up against the most terrifying killer he has ever encountered - a killer who who can turn everyday life into certain death...

Lincoln Rhyme is the original Grissom. Back before CSI New York, long before Hoartio put on his first pair of sunglasses and before Vegas had such a strong crime resolution rate, Jeffery Deaver wrote the first Lincoln Rhyme book – The Bone Collector, about a paraplegic forensic analyst who can solve crime just by studying the evidence. Using a former model, turned cop, Amelia Sachs as his legs and eyes on the scene he is able to pin point future action from the smallest of crumbs, the tiniest splat of mud and the hint of perfume in the air.

The Burning Wire is the ninth in the series and is has complex and intriguing as ever. However, as the perpetrator this time is killing with electricity the first half of the book feels a little like a text book as Jeffery Deaver attempts to explain ‘juice’ to us. Various methods of death by electricity are gruesome to read and have a cinematic feel to them – but getting to the understanding behind them felt a little like hard work at times. However, this is balanced by the paranoia the usually confident Amelia displays – how do you protect yourself from some as invisible as electricity – especially when it is around us all the time? This humanising element is something that balances out the cold science – and the reason why I keep reading!

For me the joy of these books is never being able to figure out who done it – because this isn’t an investigate about the motives but the journey of how to narrow down and capture the suspect. Lincoln is not a very sympathetic character – although he is intelligent and professional. After eight books I never concerned myself about his disability anymore, so I was concerned when his former suicidal ideas seem to resurface here. It’s not Lincoln that keeps me coming back but Amelia, Fred Dellaware and Ron Pulaski who are more relatable and human. I still enjoyed the journey here even if it felt a little harder than previously to get my head around electricity. An intelligent thriller for those you like a little challenge in their crime novels.

Recommended for fans of CSI and Kathy Reichs. 7 out of 10.

Crippen Review

Crippen

-       John Boyne

Publisher: Black Swan

July 1910: A gruesome discovery has been made at 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden.
Chief Inspector Walter Dew of Scotland Yard did not expect the house to be empty. Nor did he expect to find a body in the cellar. Buried under the flagstones are the remains of Cora Crippen, former music-hall singer and wife of Dr. Hawley Crippen. No one would have thought the quiet, unassuming Dr. Crippen capable of murder, yet the doctor and his mistress have disappeared from London, and now a full-scale hunt for them has begun. Across the Channel in Antwerp, the S.S. Montrose has just set off on its two-week voyage to North America. Slipping in among the first-class passengers is a Mr. John Robinson, accompanied by his teenage son, Edmund. The pair may be hoping for a quiet, private voyage, but in the close confines of a luxury ocean liner, anonymity is rare. And with others aboard looking for romance, or violence, or escape from their past in Europe, it will take more than just luck for the Robinsons to survive the voyage unnoticed.

When I started reading this book I didn’t know about Crippen or his infamous crime. Happening in 1910 it was a little before my time! J So I approached this book as a true novel rather than a fictional biography and I really enjoyed it. The story alternates each chapter between Crippen’s life story and his plans to be a doctor, and between the launch of the ship where a certain Mr Robinson and his son are heading to Canada for a fresh start. Over time these two stories come together like shuffling a pack of cards.

The writing style was so easy to follow and engaging. While the focus would switch between characters in one scene, it was done in such an easy method that it was never confusing and felt more like a tracking camera angle following people in a crowd than anything else. The variety of people on board the ship gives the story a real flavour and an insight into the importance of class in society in those days. In fact I was a little disappointed that some of the other people’s stories weren’t explored in as much detail and while Crippen’s story is nicely completed, I was left wanting to know more about the other passengers!

Although the initial hook was a crime story, it reads as more of a society at the start of the twentieth century. I admit I felt quite a bit of sympathy for Crippen as he is continually thwarted in his early ambitions to be a medical doctor and fails to stand up for himself with strong women. But at the same time he is quite a cold man and the scene of him in his dental surgery was very chilling! Generally though I struggled to the book down as I wanted to know the circumstances that lead to Cora Crippen’s gruesome end – and I wasn’t disappointed. A truly engaging read that chills and entertains.

Recommended for fans of Beryl Bainbridge and Robert Harris. 8 out of 10

Death Sentence Review

Death Sentence

-       Mikkel Birkegaard

Publisher: UK - Bantam

Frank Føns is a very successful crime writer. His novels, famed for their visceral descriptions of violent death, have made him a household name. But now someone is copying his crimes. For Frank what once seemed a clever, intriguing plot twist, has suddenly become a terrifying, blood-spattered reality.In the novel, a redhead who was scared of water is drowned. In the mirror-image of the real world, she has become an ex-girlfriend chained and left to die at the bottom of the harbour. A corrupt police-officer tortured to death becomes a contact who dies with fear in his eyes. Someone is taking Franks’ fiction and using it to destroy his life. The writer must become the detective.In fiction, the bad guy always gets caught, but in real life there is no such guarantee. Fear becomes real. The knife cut hurts like hell. Our narrator may not survive. No-one is promising you a happy ending. For Frank what had once been a game is now a matter of life and death.

Frank is an alcoholic, writer of horror novels which specialise in extreme torture and gory scenes. He makes a living from it even if it has cost him his family and turned him into an isolated man with little human contact. Then someone starts to recreate his graphic murder scenes in complete detail using people close to him as the victim...

Frank is a difficult person to like. At first I just thought he was lonely and isolated but as I read further and find out more about his past I have to confess that I just didn’t like him very much. But I was fascinated by his story. The way he is drawn into the murders is well done – even if you think he should have gone to police straight away. There aren’t many characters introduced in detail outside of Frank himself, but this is more the study of the man losing his grasp than a crime novel. Crimes do occur but it is Franks reactions that keep you glued to the page rather than the mystery of who did it.

The details of Frank’s books are gruesome and for the most part lacking in glamour. The detail is needed for the story but not lingered over – something I was grateful for as that level of detail would have turned me off! However, some of the scenes are not for those with a weak stomach. Alcohol, drug use and sex is prominent throughout but in keeping with the characters and the story.

The writing is easy to slip into – the translation from the Danish seems flawless. The ending will frustrate some people but I enjoyed the ambiguity. I hadn’t read a crime or mystery book for a long time and now I realise I’ve been missing out on a genre a really enjoy. I won’t be leaving it so long before I pick up another mystery. J

Recommended for fans of Steig Larsson and Jo Nesbo. 8 out of 10.

The Quarry Review

The Quarry

-       Johan Theorin

Publisher: Doubleday

As the last snow melts on the Swedish island of Öland, Per Morner is preparing for his children’s Easter visit. But his plans are disrupted when he receives a phone call from his estranged father, Jerry, begging for help. Per finds Jerry close to death in his blazing woodland studio. He’s been stabbed, and two dead bodies are later discovered in the burnt-out building. The only suspect, Jerry’s work partner, is confirmed as one of the dead. But why does Jerry insist his colleague is still alive? And why does he think he’s still a threat to his life? When Jerry dies in hospital a few days later, Per becomes determined to find out what really happened. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he finds himself in. And nowhere is more dangerous than the nearby quarry...

First I have to confess that I haven’t read many of the Scandinavian crime writers that seem to be appear on bookshelves – no reason really. This is only the second one I’ve read but I did enjoy the little hints that it was set in a different country. Such things as the celebration of 1st May and the frequent references to crisp bread and fish-roe gave the story some extra colour and made some of the everyday elements seem more exotic.

I have to confess to finding the first two thirds of the book slow going. It sets the scene introducing Per and his family as well as his new neighbours on the island. There were plenty of characters and it took me a while to remember who was who. However, Theorin created a spooky atmosphere on the island with frequent mentions of trolls, elves and changelings and even had me guessing at times how the supernatural played into the events of the past and the present. The quarry was a great setting and made the setting different from the numerous city set crime stories. Per is going through a tough time with his daughter seriously ill and he’s not sure how to deal with that. It makes him a very introverted main character and difficult to relate to. In fact I’m not sure if I really bonded with any of the characters as they were all stoic and reserved.

The final third the story picked up with the mystery element coming to the fore and Per starting to be more pro-active rather than reactive. The plot starts to move more quickly then and finishes in an exciting climax in the Quarry. The slow start spoiled the flow a little for me, but the different from normal setting and atmosphere that is built in the beginning pays off in the end. Worth a read if you fancy a visit to Sweden from the comfort of your armchair, but probably won’t be to everyone’s taste.

Recommended for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo. 6 out of 10.

Early Review: Hard Spell

Hard Spell (Occult Crimes Unit 1)

-       Justin Gustainis

Publisher: Angry Robot – released on 7^th July 2011 in UK, 26^th July 2011 in US

E-Copy courtesy of netgalley and Angry Robot

Meet Stan Markowski of the Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit
“Like the rest of America, Scranton’s got an uneasy ‘live and let unlive’ relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me. My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.”

Our hero, Stan is a detective with the local Occult Crimes Unit in a world where the supernatural is out and proud – and has been since the WWII. Stan is just getting used to his new partner when a series of vampire murders and a stolen grimmoire suggest that something big is up...

This is hard-boiled urban fantasy with all the fun of the noir detectives. In fact it’s so hard boiled you could probably chop it up, put it in a sandwich with some cress and it would be just as tasty. It’s told firmly from the point of view of the police complete with procedural waiting times, local politics and other annoying hold ups the police have to deal with. Stan is a tough cop. He has his prejudices and his reasons for them. As this focuses heavily on his work life, it takes a while before the reader is shown his softer side, but it’s worth the wait to see the cracks in his armour.

The mystery is intriguing and the action fast paced and exciting. The plot cracks along barely pausing for a smart remark as the stakes are raised. I found this a great addition to the UF scene with all the characters intriguing. The slight twist of supernatural on the usual buddy cop story gives both genres a little twist (like a slice of lime in your coke!) and I’m looking forward to more from the Occult Crimes Unit.

Recommended for fans of the Dresden files and Mike Carey. 8.5 out of 10.

Please check out this cool trailer...

Now You See Me Review

Now You See Me

-       S.J. Bolton

Publisher: UK – Bantam

Review copy sent courtesy of Transworld

Despite her fascination with Jack the Ripper, Detective Constable Lacey Flint has never worked a big case or seen a dead body up close. Until now… As she leaves a south London estate one night, she is horrified to find a woman has been viciously stabbed, right next to Lacey’s car. Thrown headlong into her first murder hunt, Lacey’s quiet life changes overnight. Then Lacey receives a familiar hand-delivered letter, written in red blood, and it is clear the police have a Ripper copycat on their hands. Lacey must be the bait if they are to prevent a second, brutal murder. But can this inexperienced DC outwit a killer whose infamous role model has never been found...?

In 1888 a series of murders in Whitechapel area of London captured the press and public’s imagination due in part to the brutal nature of the crimes and apparently lack of evidence. Know as Jack the Ripper, these crimes have never been satisfactorily resolved and over 120 years later many remain fascinated with these murders. Including an unknown killer, who appears intent on recreating Jack’s famous murder spree... and we follow DC Lacey Flint as she becomes drawn into the killers world.

Lacey is an unusual main character – told in first person from her point view, she brilliant describes the current happenings into the investigation and what is happening at that moment, but we only get short glimpses into her past and her motivations. She hasn’t had a happy upbringing and finds it difficult to trust others – even her fellow police officers. Throughout I was never sure of which characters I trusted as Lacey swung between extremes. Lacy is a brave but damaged character and is as much of a mystery as the crimes are – which means there are plenty of revelations that keep you anxiously turning the pages.

The crimes are brutal and creepy – this is not a book for the squeamish, yet it wasn’t the gore so much as the disturbing circumstances surrounding them that keeps you looking over your shoulder. A killer that disappears, leaving little evidence. Body parts removed and left in public places. And outside of the killings there are other crimes which make for uncomfortable reading – mostly because you suspect they may not be entirely fictional. It brings a level of realism to the story that grounds the story and makes it plausible

Now You See Me is very well written, with plenty of memorable characters, twists and turns and an intriguing central mystery. I loved the way London came to life – not the typical tourist areas but the wider town that sits south of the river and how it added to the atmosphere. I was hooked until the very last page, never sure where the story was going to go to next!

Recommended for fans of Patricia Cornwall and Tess Gerristen. 9 out of 10.

The Tenth Chamber Review

The Tenth Chamber

-          Glenn Cooper

Publisher: UK  - Arrow Books

Abbey of Ruac, rural France: A medieval script is discovered hidden behind an antique bookcase. Badly damaged, it is sent to Paris for restoration, and there literary historian Hugo Pineau begins to read the startling fourteenth-century text. Within its pages lies a fanciful tale of a painted cave and the secrets it contains – and a rudimentary map showing its position close to the abbey. Intrigued, Hugo enlists the help of archaeologist Luc Simard and the two men go exploring. When they discover a vast network of prehistoric caves, buried deep within the cliffs, they realise that they’ve stumbled across something extraordinary. And at the very core of the labyrinth lies the most astonishing chamber of all, just as the manuscript chronicled. Aware of the significance of their discovery, they set up camp with a team of experts, determined to bring their find to the world. But as they begin to unlock the ancient secrets the cavern holds, they find themselves at the centre of a dangerous game. One ‘accidental’ death leads to another.And it seems that someone will stop at nothing to protect the enigma of the tenth chamber …

Who doesn’t like a bit of mystery surrounding ancient ruins? And a conspiracy to keep the secret hidden? I certainly do. Some adventure, a little action and the ability to solve thousand year old in minutes when under life-threatening pressure - that’s what I usually expect from these types of reads and I enjoy the ride. This time however I got a university professor who actually acts like a university professor rather than Indiana Jones – which might have been refreshing if he actually did anything! Instead he wanders around, not even aware of what is happening until the very end. Even his relationship with a female expert didn’t really congeal for me and felt unnecessary.

However, Glenn Cooper’s writing was elegant and flowed beautifully which kept me turning the pages to the very end. The flashbacks to the cave’s founding and first discovery were fantastic glimpses into what had happened and added to the mystery. And the central mystery itself? That I liked – it wasn’t based on any myths or legends so hadn’t been covered before – some originality which I appreciated. Overall, I liked the idea, loved the history, thought the writing was good, but just didn’t like the main character and his lack of ability to drive the story. And unfortunately it let the whole book down for me.  

Recommended for fans of Scott Mariani and Dan Brown. 6 out of 10.

Breathless Review

Breathless – Dean Koontz

Publisher: UK - Harper

In the Colorado mountains something miraculous comes into the life of Grady Adams, a strong, gentle man whose past experiences have alienated him from the modern world and driven him to live in the wilds. When he sees it, he knows that one of Nature's great mysteries has been revealed to him.
He takes his friend Cammy Rivers to bear witness to the phenomenal presence. As a scientist, she is stunned and awed. She emails photos to colleagues in far places to try and find a name for the wonderful beings. Before they know what is happening, Homeland Security has quarantined the wilderness around them and sent in assorted scientists to track down and 'neutralize' the threat to the known world.

If I’m in a mood for an easy, comfort read, I pick up one of Dean Koontz’s many books and know I’m going to get a thrilling ride with haunted characters who despite all their scarred and horrible pasts’ still believe in good and right and eventually triumph over evil. And they usually own a clever, intelligent dog. With Breathless this is what you get to a certain level. The writing is classic Koontz, melodic and easy to read. There is a man, woman and dog who suddenly find themselves in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. There is a man who’s dead brother is haunting him. A gambler who wins big and gives it all away. And finally there is a down and out bum who has a mysterious encounter that changes his life. Each of these stories has enough mystery and intrigue to pull you in and make you want to find out more.

Usually with a tiered story like this you’re waiting to see how the various strands relate to each other – how they build together. Like taking some caramel, nougat, chocolate and peanuts and knowing how to make snickers bars out of them. However, this time I didn’t get a snickers bar – I got caramel, nougat, chocolate and peanuts. The stories of each where each interesting and fascinating but there is barely any cross over between them. It seemed a little disparate. And I was a little disappointed. The ending seems rather abrupt and convenient with little actually earned by our main characters. It just happens.

Having said all that, a poor Dean Koontz book is still a Dean Koontz book with plenty of philosophy, suspense and heart to make it a very enjoyable read. The various story points keep you reading as you want to find out what happens to each character – whether they get their comeuppance or not!

Recommended for fans of Dean Koontz and Lee Child. 6 out of 10

Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge Book 6/12

Sacrifice Review

Sacrifice

-          S.J. Bolton

Publisher: UK - Corgi

Moving to remote Shetland has been unsettling enough for consultant surgeon Tora Hamilton, even before the gruesome discovery she makes one rain-drenched afternoon...Deep in the peat soil of her field she uncovers the body of a young woman. Her heart has been removed, and the marks etched into the woman’s skin bear an eerie resemblance to carvings Tora has seen in her own cellar. But as Tora begins to ask questions, terrifying threats start rolling in like the cold island mists...

This novel begins with a burial when an unexpected body is found and follows Tora as she attempts to investigate when the local police seem determined to ignore the case. Through various means she finds herself drawn into a bigger conspiracy and unsure who to trust – especially when some of the evidence points too close to home.

It’ll be impossible not to mention The Wicker Man when reviewing this book with the small island setting, mysterious disappearances and unnerving local men. However, there are enough differences that it just feels like a book in same genre rather than remake with a female lead. The writing sucks you in and flows easily. Like Tora I was intrigued by the first discovery and wanted to solve the mystery, so I raced through the first half. There is a claustrophobic atmosphere at the beginning that helps casts a shadow over the characters so you’re never sure who Tora should trust.

Then the story moves from atmospheric mystery to more of an action film complete with helicopter chases over the island moors, conspiracies within conspiracy and a living Viking legend. I’m usually able to suspend disbelieve, but for some reason there were some jarring jumps in logic that never quite make sense and I was left feeling a little disappointed. The start of the book was fantastic but Sacrifice doesn’t quite manage to sustain it. However, I liked Tora as a character and the writing so I would definitely try another book by S.J. Bolton.

Recommended for fans of The Wicker Man and John Wyndham. 6.5 out of 10.

I recieved this book as part of the Transworld Great Crime Caper

Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge Book 5/12

Early Review: Sanctus

Don't forget to check out my 100+ Follower Giveaway here!

Sanctus

-       Simon Toyne

Publisher: UK - Harper Collins. Released 14th April 2011

I received this book from the publisher for review

REVELATION OR DEVASTATION?

The certainties of the modern world are about to be blown apart by a three thousand year-old conspiracy nurtured by blood and lies …

A man throws himself to his death from the oldest inhabited place on the face of the earth, a mountainous citadel in the historic Turkish city of Ruin. This is no ordinary suicide but a symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is witnessed by the entire world.

But few understand it. For charity worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others in the know, it is what they have been waiting for. The cowled and secretive fanatics that live in the Citadel suspect it could mean the end of everything they have built – and they will kill, torture and break every law to stop that. For Liv Adamsen, New York crime reporter, it begins the next stage of a journey into the heart of her own identity.
And at that journey's end lies a discovery that will change everything …

What is hidden in the oldest citadel in the world, guarded by a secretive sect of monks? That is the question at the heart of this novel and all the action and mystery orbits around this question, from why the monk threw himself off the top of the citadel to the secret message he was trying to get out into the world. At first glance this has all the typical ingredients for a typical post-Da Vinci thriller – an ancient mystery, secretive religious order, globetrotting, family secrets and a bewildered hero, or in this case heroine. The characters are plentiful and you’re never quite sure who are the good guys and who are the bad guys until you’re involved in the plot. Each person is different – I especially liked that the women in the book are all different, yet still strong – even those just glimpsed in passing felt real and well rounded.

The writing is natural and draws you in, before rewarding you with an intelligent mystery and enough action to satisfy most adventure seekers. The trouble with an adventure book revolving around an ancient mystery is that it will inevitably draw comparisons to the Da Vinci Code. But these types of adventures were being written long before Dan Brown and will be written long after. Personally I enjoyed Sanctus a lot more than Robert Langdon’s last outing and galloped through the pages desperate to know what the secret is. When revealed the secret is different enough to stand out (at least to me!).

Despite this being the first of a planned trilogy, enough answers are given to satisfy the curious and enough hints about the future are dropped to make you wish the second books was already available. Alas I have to wait until 2012 for the next step in the journey.

Recommended for fans of James Rollins and  Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 8 out of 10.

Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge Book 4/12

Mistress of the Art of Death Review

Mistress of the Art of Death

-          Ariana Franklin

Publisher: UK – Bantam Books

England, 1171 and a child is in danger…In Cambridge a child has been hideously murdered and other children have disappeared. The Jews, who provide a large part of Henry, King of England’s revenue, are being made scapegoats by the all-powerful Christian clergy, therefore the king wants the real killer found, and quickly. A renowned investigator, Simon of Naples, is recruited, aided by an Arab and a young woman, Adelia Aguilar. There are few female doctors in twelfth century Europe, but Adelia is one of them. Her speciality is the study of corpses; she is, in fact, a mistress of the art of death, a skill that must be concealed in case she’s accused of witchcraft. Adelia’s investigation takes her deep into Cambridge, its castle and convents, and in a medieval city teeming with life, Adelia makes friends and even finds romance. And, fatally, attracts the attention of a murderer who is prepared to kill again.

Adelia is a doctor in a time when female doctors were rare, in a country that is not her own and hunting a child killer which has been blamed on the local Jewish community.  She has to struggle with British expectations of her gender verses her medical training in order to ‘read’ the dead which makes her a very modern type of woman – independent, educated and determined.  At first she struck me as quite a hard woman and I struggled to relate to her, but over the course of the story she becomes attached to those around her and develops relationships with those in the town, which softens her and by the end I was wishing for a happy ending for her. The other characters are intriguing, but I did struggle at times with the long sentences which flowed from past to present through descriptive passages without too many stops along the way. But as the story progressed I found myself more immersed in the hunt and it bothered me less.

The political situation of the era places a large part in the story with friction between the Church and Henry II and between the Jews and the Christians adding a lot of colour and danger to the investigation of a killer. I’m not sure how accurate it is (that’s why I’m reading fiction rather than non-fiction!), but it felt real and I was curious to know about that time period. It was a good story and the search for the killer is well thought out with twists and turns that keep you guessing – although I was happy to see I had guessed correctly!

A historical crime book that covers medieval England, the feud between state and church, a vicious killer, romance and an early form of forensic investigation.

Recommended for fans of Ellis Peters and CSI. 7 out of 10.

I recieved this book as part of the Transworld Great Crime Caper

Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge Book 3/12