Madam, Will You Talk? by Lady Mary Stewart
This is Lady Stewart's début novel and, having read fifteen of her other works, I came to this book with fairly low expectations. What a happy surprise to find an absolutely excellent story which, way back in 1955, deservedly catapulted the author into best-selling status. If you are familiar with Stewart's later work, you will spot here and there places where the more mature wordsmith would have done something even slicker, but this is a minor quibble and it seemed to me that the narrative improved as it went along, and the slightly awkward bits are all near the start. These stories are representative of their time and offer some fascinating glimpses into behaviours that we now find surprising. Cigarette smoking, for example, was such an ubiquitous activity that here it is even used as a plot device.
The action takes place over a period of a few days in the South of France, in the aftermath of WW2 when its bleak spectre is still casting a pall over Europe. |
Magical Bedtime Stories by Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth
A collection of five delightful stories to read to your child at bedtime. The stories are long enough that each could be spaced out over several evenings, creating a sense of anticipation and expectation. The featured protagonists are a puppy too smart for her own good; a goat and a dog who become friends despite their profound character differences; young children dealing with the stress of moving to a different town and having to make new friends; and a brave young boy who takes huge risks to help a ghost find peace.
The narration flows smoothly incorporating fun adventures and age-appropriate behaviour. It stresses the importance of friendship and having an open mind, and it gently suggests desirable behaviour without preaching. Also included are ten sweet poems, expertly crafted to put the reader in a peaceful, contented state of mind, facilitating sleep and, hopefully, sweet dreams. The author's background in psychology and mental health unobtrusively shapes the narrative, while preserving a sense of naïve wonder and appreciation of the natural world and the best in human nature. |
Book Two in the “Mahoney and Me” series, this sequel provides a seamless continuation to the love story that began in “Stopping in Lonely Places” between our protagonist (curiously identified only by the nickname of “Princess”) and Jack Mahoney, the handsome detective who took a more than professional interest in her stalking case. Their whirlwind romance continues and it seems like a good idea for our heroine to move herself and her extended pet family in with Mahoney. Soon she starts to make friends in her new town but, just as she is finally getting her life back to normal, a series of annoying incidents disrupts her peace of mind. However, there is worse to come and, when much more deadly events shock the quiet town of Cedar Falls, Mahoney finds her help invaluable in many different ways.
If you liked the previous book, you will love this sequel. If you are new to this series, this story stands alone well enough, as unobtrusive explanations are sprinkled about when needed to help comprehension, or to remind the reader of past events. |
Although the romance is sweet and funny, this is primarily a mystery series and, as before, the book is suitable for the widest audience. There is nothing explicit, gruesome or disturbing, although the plot proceeds at a good pace with many clues to engage the mind. What I really love is that the author has kept the characters fresh and interesting, while adding considerably to both their depth and development. A whole new supporting cast provides variety but again Dorsey steals the show. He may only be a border collie, but his lively intelligence and irresistible charm are a constant delight. It will be interesting to see if Mary Lee Tiernan has managed the rare feat of keeping the same tone and character in the following books. Judging from this one, she probably has. Lighthearted entertainment at its best.
Marianne's Memory by Winona Kent
A delightful escapade taking place across three time periods: 2015, 1965 and 1790. The hero (Shaun Deeley) and heroine (Charlotte Duran, or Charlie) are both in their mid-thirties, but while Charlie is a modern woman, Mr Deeley was born in 1791 and speaks with the elegant restraint of those times. They are both time-travellers, but don't have the skill to direct their movements. Their time hops happen to them seemingly at random, but ultimately according to an overarching design, and usually conclude with a successful return to their present day lives.
Many other fascinating characters populate the lively pages of this complex tale, including Tony Quinn (a celebrated DJ operating on a pirate radio ship), Jackie Lewis (Charlie's secretive mother) and Marianne Dutton (the owner of trendy boutique Marianne's Memory in the heyday of The Beatles and other pop group personalities, collectively known as the British Invasion and lavishly name-checked). This book can be enjoyed on so many levels. It's a fast-moving mystery, but it also taps strongly into a streak of nostalgia, and I was impressed by the faultless research that is evident in historical details of the Tube (the ever-expanding underground transportation network that spans the vast urban sprawl of modern-day London). |
It was great fun for me to be transported back to that carefree era when mini-skirts, long hair and colourful costumes defined a freedom of individual expression seldom experienced since. Strong characterization, non-stop action, delightfully rich narrative, and a multi-layered plot involving KGB spies, counter-espionage, pop concerts, and a highly skilled time-travelling highwayman bent on bloody revenge.
I loved getting lost in the crazy world of this book, and particularly enjoyed the spirited, but always time-appropriate, exchanges between characters born in the eighteenth century and their modern companions. In the layers of this narrative there is also not so much a message, but a core belief that sex and sexuality are “good” parts of life, without any of the sleaze. Although there are violent scenes, the author's deft touch and dry humour lighten their impact. Difficult book to describe, but easy to like.
I loved getting lost in the crazy world of this book, and particularly enjoyed the spirited, but always time-appropriate, exchanges between characters born in the eighteenth century and their modern companions. In the layers of this narrative there is also not so much a message, but a core belief that sex and sexuality are “good” parts of life, without any of the sleaze. Although there are violent scenes, the author's deft touch and dry humour lighten their impact. Difficult book to describe, but easy to like.
I nominated this book during its Kindle Scout run, but having read it to the end, it was only okay for me. The plot was predictable from the start and did not hold any surprises, but I was curious to see how the author was going to turn around a truly annoying heroine.
Mandy's grandparents brought her up and gave her a loving and happy home until their death, but she can't get past the trauma of being abandoned by her deadbeat parents. She has decided that she will never marry or have children, despite being far from indifferent to her handsome childhood friend, Preston, who loves her tenderly and unconditionally. All she cares about is the big, old house and land where she was raised and the struggling Bed & Breakfast business she helped run. Fighting against her grandparents' well-meaning scheming, she eventually consents to marry Preston to satisfy a specific condition in the will, but makes it very clear that it's a marriage of convenience and she wants to keep her distance. After some setbacks, Mandy eventually starts to see things differently, and her developmental arc is fairly well done. |
The issue for me was that the characters and situations are overdone and unrealistic. Although we are told that Mandy is amazingly beautiful and kind, her actions show her to be selfish and incredibly mulish, and it's difficult to see why Preston is so taken with her since she treats him horribly. I doubt very much that any man would accept the situation and show so much patience. Characterization is rather superficial, the pace is slow, and plot devices a bit too contrived. Occasionally the head-hopping becomes a little distracting, but the dialogue is natural and convincing (probably the best part of the book). The writing style is clean and flowing but rather flat, lacking both humour and inventiveness.
This is the fourth instalment of the Wendy Darlin adventures (I haven't read the others) but it is intended to be a stand-alone book.
Wendy is a real estate broker dealing in expensive mansions in the Miami area. She has an on-off relationship with a prominent archaeologist called Roger Jolley who is a Johnny Depp look-alike. Hmm, that's a stroke against him in my book, however … The story begins promisingly enough with plenty of energy and an intriguing scene: Wendy finds her high-school pal and client Tippy Henman in a parking lot, splattered with blood and standing over a man with a knife in his chest. Wendy calls 911 (a favourite activity of hers to the point that one wonders why she doesn't have them on speed-call) and runs to support a fainting Tippy. When the police arrive, they misread the situation and start treating Wendy as the assassin. This allows for plenty of smart-ass repartee and establishes Wendy as a spirited heroine with a penchant for getting into trouble and the Miami police as bumbling idiots. |
Amusing up to a point and I'm sure it's a cultural thing, but I did not find the humour that compelling. Silkstone has a way with words, she can twist a sentence and inject irony and sarcasm into the most mundane of situations, but it felt like she was tickling my ribs, willing me to laugh, and it wasn't happening. Sorry, Barbara! I appreciate the intent but it didn't fully succeed with me. There is nothing really wrong with the story. It clips along at a good pace, there are plenty of sideshows and each character has a well-defined personality. It's just that it's so predictable, the caricatures are so unimaginative, and the clichés so tired. I got bored of Wendy's endless brand name-checking and stopped caring how many fake nails she had broken while she swung between her dual personality incarnations: ditzy fashion-slave teetering on high heels, to Indiana Jones action-heroine jumping into rivers and on moving planes. I knew from the start that Wendy and I have nothing in common, but completely lost interest after her quip about a Vera Wang wardrobe. The Alfred Hiccup side story was silly and the plot twist was telegraphed so far in advance that it completely lost any impact.
As a friend of mine aptly put it, it's all about expectations. With all the promotion and high praise for this series, my expectations were high. The actual book was a let down. It's not horrible, just very average. It just depends on your sense of humour. Three and half stars, rounded up to allow for different tastes.
As a friend of mine aptly put it, it's all about expectations. With all the promotion and high praise for this series, my expectations were high. The actual book was a let down. It's not horrible, just very average. It just depends on your sense of humour. Three and half stars, rounded up to allow for different tastes.