Review–Tongues of Serpents–Naomi Novik

In my opinion, weakest of the Temeraire series, but then it is a transitional book.

Temeraire and Laurence are in disgrace due to having been charged and found guilty of being traitors. They’ve been sentenced to life and outcast to Australia.  To have something to do, they set off across the continent to try to find a passage through the mountains, and also to look for smugglers.

A lot of time is spent traveling through wretched landscapes, but there is also some fascinating discussion between Temeraire and his fellow dragons as well as Laurence, so it wasn’t all bleak nothingness. 

I trust the next book will be far better.

Review–Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

 

     

London in 1850 was no place for the weak. Wretched, filthy, full to bursting with desperate people. The wealthy, of course, took advantage and had it all.

Charles Maddox, a disgraced police officer, is now struggling to make a living as a 'private detective' although he doesn't use the term. He still has his contacts on Bow Street which helps, as does the fact he was raised by his grandfather who was a famous 'Thief-taker' of Bow Street. Using his grandfather's methods he's found a case that takes him into the mire and mirk of rotting bodies buried in a horrid cemetery where the police have dug up rotting babies.   Charles, whose own baby sister was stolen from his mother's arms, and has never gotten over it, sees his sister in those babies and needs to learn more.

Shortly after his visit to the cemetery he's contacted by a famous lawyer and hired for another case. Charles, desperate for money accepts the case despite the fact he has reservations due to the lawyer's reputation as a ruthless man. Thus, Charles is drawn deeper and deeper into trying to find out who is sending threatening notes to an extremely wealthy banker.  When he does discover the man's identity, then things get worse. And grimmer and Charles, although he is warned off several times, has to find out the secrets the banker and the lawyer are trying desperately to keep.

Shepherd evokes a wretched and atmospheric London, one that totally suits the story. It is a bit of a pastiche with elements from Bleak House woven through the storyline. Her characters are beautifully drawn and the mystery is complex enough that if you do guess some of it, you need to, like Charles, discover all of it.

Highly recommended!  I look forward to reading more from this author!

(This book was won through the Library Thing Early Reviewer Program)

Review–Still Life by Louise Penny

 

Still Life was interesting, and the characters delightfully drawn. However, I found the writing to be a bit of a mishmash. Too many changes of POV, sometimes confusing ones. I thought the premise a bit forced and was really really annoyed by the female Agent.
The town of Three Pines was terrific though, so I might have to revisit the series to see if it gets better. ( )

Review–Last Argument of Kings–Joe Abercrombie

 

"Still alive!"  and "You have to be realistic about these things" will echo in my memory forever thanks (or perhaps not) to Joe Abercrombie and his unforgettable character Logen Ninefingers.

This is the last book of his trilogy The First Law and continues on with excellent if dark and sometimes shocking writing. But even in the midst of the full horrors of war, his dark humor has me laughing out loud. That feels very real to me and reminds me of my own time in the military. It is very much the sort of humor men and women who deal with horrible things use to ease their own horror and pain.

Obviously not for everyone, but if you like gritty, uncompromising and entertaining, then this is your series.

Review–Maisie Dobbs by Jaqueline Winspear

 

Maisie Dobbs is so much more than a mystery.  It is Upstairs/Downstairs and Downton Abbey mixed with a bit of  A Farewell to Arms. Grim and realistic and also affirming.

It’s the story of a costermonger’s daughter who is put into service and then caught devouring her employer’s library. It’s the story of the sea change brought about by the Great War, and Women’s Suffrage, when entrenched values, beliefs and assumptions were turned on their heads and examined and found wanting.

It’s also a fascinating mystery.

Highly recommended!

Review: The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Cleverly

The Setting: Bengal, the British Raj, shortly after WWI.  A Scotland Yard inspector temporarily assigned to Indian Police Forces is called in to look into the mysterious death of an English memsab, wife of an officer in a famous regiment. Ruled a suicide, there are questions as the facts obviously say otherwise.

Terrific setting, great characters, intriguing details. The killer a bit obvious, but the details weren't, which saved the book.  Scenes were well described and the characters, even the killer, came to life for me.

Review: Death at the President’s Lodging–Michael Innes

      

A good opening to a mystery series. I really like the detective, and the setting was complex and interesting. I thought the mystery pretty good but the actual solving of the case seemed a bit too complex for belief. Still, I’ll continue the series.

Review: Silent in the Grave- Deanna Raybourn

Just finished Silent in the Grave. Skated a bit too closely to romance in several parts (for me anyway) and seemed a bit obvious with regards to some things, but nonetheless a good read. I enjoyed the characters who were well drawn and interesting. Will read the next two I'm sure.