The Bone Seeker begins with both the style and plot of quite a standard crime novel. Teacher and ex-polar bear hunter Edie sees Martha Salliaq on a Friday afternoon at school. Martha drops her bag and make up falls out; Edie notes this is unusual for an Inuk girl. She asks Martha if she is… Continue reading The Bone Seeker by M.J. McGrath
Tag: 2014
Song for an Approaching Storm by Peter Froberg Idling
Before reading this book I knew barely anything of the 20th century history of Cambodia. Song for an Approaching Storm attracted me with its cover but also because it ticked several boxes for my current reading tastes as it was by an author I had never read before, was translated, and was about a section of history of which… Continue reading Song for an Approaching Storm by Peter Froberg Idling
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The Investigation by Jung-Myung Lee
This book grabbed me with its cover. It grabs your attention and makes you wonder what's inside. There are some (lots of) covers out there that spell out what the book is (hello chick lit!), and I find this quite uninspiring. You want the cover to set the tone and mood, but not give too… Continue reading The Investigation by Jung-Myung Lee
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Interview with Katherine Clements, author of The Crimson Ribbon
Katherine Clements' debut novel The Crimson Ribbon was published by Headline on 27th March. I reviewed the book just after publication, having read it earlier in the year, and I must say I loved it. An historical novel with a bit of a Sarah Waters 'romp' feel, laced together with intelligent exploration of the sociopolitical… Continue reading Interview with Katherine Clements, author of The Crimson Ribbon
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Q & A with Eva Stachniak
I recently reviewed Eva Stachniak's Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great, in which Catherine reaches the end of her life and looks back on the key events of her life. It was the first time I'd ever read a whole book about Catherine, and I had to take the opportunity to… Continue reading Q & A with Eva Stachniak
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The Crimson Ribbon by Katherine Clements
Katherine Clements takes the real life figure of Elizabeth Poole, and transforms her into her own character in The Crimson Ribbon. Poole was known during her life time (1622 - post 1668) as a religious activist and later as some sort of prophet. Though she began as a tailor's daughter her religious belief grew and she… Continue reading The Crimson Ribbon by Katherine Clements
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Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak
Catherine the Great is fascinating, and I'm not surprised Eva Stachniak has written two books about her (this is her second, the first being The Winter Palace), though I am a little surprised that she chose to write novels rather than non-fiction. In a way it makes sense as it provides the freedom to elaborate… Continue reading Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak
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Reading Women… And Men
2014 is officially The Year of Reading Women, thanks to the ReadWomen campaign (you can follow on Twitter here), and the growing disgruntlement among the reading community at the ratio of men to women winning literary awards and being featured in publications like the LRB. Gender has been an ongoing issue in the literary world… Continue reading Reading Women… And Men
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Sex, Lies and Holiday Homes: The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh
We all behave differently when we're on holiday, indulging ourselves and letting everything go a bit. But does being away from home really make life any different? Does it really change how we behave and how we live our lives? It certainly seems to for Jenn, the central character in Helen Walsh's The Lemon Grove.… Continue reading Sex, Lies and Holiday Homes: The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh
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“Defiantly alive…” Water Music by Margie Orford
I've decided I officially like crime fiction. I kept hearing about great crime writers and felt genuinely interested when I read synopses and blurbs - so I dived in. I read Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus (review here) and loved it. More please! I heard about Water Music when publisher Head of Zeus… Continue reading “Defiantly alive…” Water Music by Margie Orford
These Little Words 