Teatime of the Living Dead by Julianne Q Johnson
Lately I have gone back to reading books outside my normal sphere of interest. This one is a perfect example of a book that I enjoyed immensely despite my general indifference to zombies. The writing is so strong, the suspense so tight, the chase so enjoyable that I galloped through the story in half the time it would normally take me.
The premise is kind of fun: Andrew Hamilton is a successful theatre producer, getting ready for the first night of an exciting new production, called “Night of the Living Dead”. Small cast, large horde of zombies (30 locals, trained to perfection over a month, 2 media personalities added in for publicity reasons), spectacular, fiery special effects. The dress rehearsal is a smashing success, but on opening night, things quickly go very wrong when the horde of zombies start attacking the public, and it transpires that their ultimate, juicy target is really Andrew. What follows is a nail-biting chase as Andrew tries to flee the growing, all-pervading threat. The detailed pursuit through downtown Louisville is so well documented that, at one point, I had the map out and was following the action from a virtual helicopter! |
Many moral choices must be made along the way, and Andrew's character, already nicely developed, grows with each challenge. We all have our pet fears, weak points, and personal nightmares. Andrew is tested to the limit over and over again in order to survive, while he has to deal with the guilt of having unwittingly been the spark igniting the mayhem.
Tight, confident writing, impeccable research (the author really knows her theatre), a lovable protagonist put through the wringer, and a worthy romantic sidekick, sufficiently fleshed out to also elicit a strong emotional response from me (i.e. I loved her). There is a fair amount of gore, enough to satisfy the most blood-thirsty, but not so much that the squeamish like me will be put off. This story kept me on the edge of my seat right from the start, and provided a lot of unexpected subplots and enriching detours into the human psyche, and the nature of altruism. A lot more than a scary zombie romp, a thoroughly satisfying read with a heart-warming message of optimism and belief in the power of love, self-belief and the will to survive.
Tight, confident writing, impeccable research (the author really knows her theatre), a lovable protagonist put through the wringer, and a worthy romantic sidekick, sufficiently fleshed out to also elicit a strong emotional response from me (i.e. I loved her). There is a fair amount of gore, enough to satisfy the most blood-thirsty, but not so much that the squeamish like me will be put off. This story kept me on the edge of my seat right from the start, and provided a lot of unexpected subplots and enriching detours into the human psyche, and the nature of altruism. A lot more than a scary zombie romp, a thoroughly satisfying read with a heart-warming message of optimism and belief in the power of love, self-belief and the will to survive.
Thornyhold by Lady Mary Stewart
Anyone familiar with Mary Stewart's earlier novels will notice a great difference in this book, and it is perfectly natural to find a more reflective outlook considering that the author was 72 when this book was first published. There are no exciting chases, murderous villains, or nail-biting action. There is, however, a stunningly nuanced love story, an infectiously optimistic sense of re-birth (it is set in post-second world war Britain), some good-natured comedy, and a generous dash of that special Stewart “magic” which (although always open to interpretation) essentially points to the miracle of everyday things, the wonders of nature and the redeeming power of love.
The heroine, Gilly, is still young but a hard childhood and the general privations of war have made her mature beyond her years. She has every reason to be depressed but, just as the last bricks of her miserable reality come tumbling down, she receives a posthumous gift from her cousin Geillis, which immediately turns her life around. |
There are perils awaiting her in her new situation, witchcraft and unsettling messages from the dead, but there is also hope, friendship and an exquisite romance that will give the shy, abused young woman the confidence to craft a satisfying career out of her suppressed artistic gifts and to enjoy in adulthood all the things that were so sadly missing from her youth.
As usual, the writing is both elegant and economical, the descriptions of plants and places wonderfully evocative, and we get to meet some unforgettable characters. Gilly, in particular, is very likeable. She has suffered a great deal but never once comes across as self-pitying or miserable. The supporting cast are developed in less detail, yet their personalities come alive under Mary Stewart's deft pen. It's like watching a gifted artist produce a fully descriptive sketch with just a few black lines. I have just re-read this book because I wanted something utterly comforting to read at bedtime. You might like it, too.
This book is perfectly suited for all ages, there is no gore, bad language, gratuitous sex or unsettling content and the potentially contentious adult subjects are masterfully handled. And, finally, horse enthusiasts will be happy to find that the substantial equestrian content is accurate and realistic and Tey's undisguised love of horses comes entirely devoid of saccharine.
As usual, the writing is both elegant and economical, the descriptions of plants and places wonderfully evocative, and we get to meet some unforgettable characters. Gilly, in particular, is very likeable. She has suffered a great deal but never once comes across as self-pitying or miserable. The supporting cast are developed in less detail, yet their personalities come alive under Mary Stewart's deft pen. It's like watching a gifted artist produce a fully descriptive sketch with just a few black lines. I have just re-read this book because I wanted something utterly comforting to read at bedtime. You might like it, too.
This book is perfectly suited for all ages, there is no gore, bad language, gratuitous sex or unsettling content and the potentially contentious adult subjects are masterfully handled. And, finally, horse enthusiasts will be happy to find that the substantial equestrian content is accurate and realistic and Tey's undisguised love of horses comes entirely devoid of saccharine.
Time Management Mastery by Greg Host
Making lists and ticking off items has been a part of my life since I can remember but lately I have become a real expert at procrastinating. So my lists grow longer and the red lines across finished items are fewer and fewer. I tell myself that I am too ambitious but the truth is, I waste a lot of time and get distracted easily. I put off reading this book for several weeks … I could never find the time. Finally it came up in my rotation once again and I decided to read it.
I spent a good half hour nodding my head and generally agreeing with everything Greg Host has to say. Especially the bit about time management being easy to understand but challenging to implement. I can vouch for that! The book did not revolutionize my life but did point out exactly where my problems originate and, yes, I took away something useful from it, which I am trying to apply. Today I ticked something off one of my lists, and I hope to make it a habit. I liked the fact that the book was so short. It makes sense that a guide on Time Management shouldn't waste more of the time we have so much trouble finding. |
So in six short chapters, the author covers the subject fully and convincingly. The writing style is very accessible, only a couple of minor typos or grammar issues, and the advice given is golden. Now it's up to me to actually apply it to my life and make if work.
Touch Not The Cat by Lady Mary Stewart
This is one of those books that I enjoy re-reading from time to time, in fact I have just bought it again in hard cover as my old paperback was in pieces.
In this era of portable phones and ever-present electronic communication, the concept of “thought transference” may sound tame and obsolete, but if one is prepared to be transported back to a simpler time (and, let's face it, for most of us fiction represents escapism), entering this novel's atmosphere will plunge the reader into a world at once disconcerting and curiously comforting. The “gift” of the Ashleys provides an eerie recurring theme which runs through the story like a golden thread, and there is plenty of intrigue, dark deeds and greed-fuelled violence, however, the dominating element is romance. In this novel, Mary Stewart gives us an unashamedly romantic love story, in fact more than one, as there is a parallel subplot running alongside the main one. In fact, we are immediately made aware of the author's intent as the literary quotes that introduce each chapter are all taken from that quintessential celebration of love, “Romeo and Juliet”. |
Several clichés are used to define some of the characters but the main players are richly nuanced and, as usual, we are never sure of who's who until the very end. The mystery here revolves around the last words of a dying man which seem to make no sense but, in time, provide the solution to many old secrets and also point the way forward for the heroine. Lady Stewart really is a powerful narrator and many of the scenes, especially those taking place at night, stay with me as if I had watched a film, instead of reading a book. It's difficult to explain why but this story always leaves me with a warm glow.
The adventure that follows takes the reader to a remote and secret compound that would feel right at home in a James Bond movie, and to the picturesque harbour-side community of Conch Harbor, in Key West.
Marilyn dalla Valle has created characters that come to life through lively dialogue, putting the reader very much in the heart of the action. There is a good range of personalities but, if I were to find fault, it would be that Marilyn seems to expect her readers to be inattentive and feels the need to lead them a bit much by the nose. Her characters end up being a little one-dimensional and black-and-white. However, this is an intrigue action tale, not a psychological thriller, so for most people who like an undemanding fast read, it might actually be helpful to have things made very clear to them. I just felt that a writer with such skill might risk a bit more ambiguity.
Although Maggie is the protagonist of her own adventure, this is a Liz Adams mystery (the third in the series) and so we soon meet the lady herself, Liz, possibly the most complex character in the book. At 50 something, retired and fancy-free, Liz and her charming husband, Garret, are indulging in the dream of a lifetime sailing their 36-foot sailboat “Sloopy” from their home base of Mystic, Connecticut all the way to the Florida Keys. I loved how the relationship between Liz and Garret is portrayed, they are a real team, full of banter and good-natured bickering but deeply in love. This is as good a depiction of romance between mature adults as I have come across. The rest of the supporting cast are strongly portrayed and make for interesting interactions with the main characters.
The marine setting demands the use of many technical terms that reflect the author's love of the sea and sailing but for me the specific descriptions only added to the realism of the story. I feel this novel fully deserves five stars because of the excellent balance between action, dialogue and character development and the fact that it successfully stands alone, although it is part of a series. That in itself is a delicate skill. This book's great strength is that it is suitable for the widest audience. There is murder, some violence, discreet references to sex both hereto and homo and adultery, but it is so delicately handled that I can't imagine anyone being upset by any of the content. A thoroughly charming and enjoyable tale that has left me wanting to read more Liz Adams mysteries.
Marilyn dalla Valle has created characters that come to life through lively dialogue, putting the reader very much in the heart of the action. There is a good range of personalities but, if I were to find fault, it would be that Marilyn seems to expect her readers to be inattentive and feels the need to lead them a bit much by the nose. Her characters end up being a little one-dimensional and black-and-white. However, this is an intrigue action tale, not a psychological thriller, so for most people who like an undemanding fast read, it might actually be helpful to have things made very clear to them. I just felt that a writer with such skill might risk a bit more ambiguity.
Although Maggie is the protagonist of her own adventure, this is a Liz Adams mystery (the third in the series) and so we soon meet the lady herself, Liz, possibly the most complex character in the book. At 50 something, retired and fancy-free, Liz and her charming husband, Garret, are indulging in the dream of a lifetime sailing their 36-foot sailboat “Sloopy” from their home base of Mystic, Connecticut all the way to the Florida Keys. I loved how the relationship between Liz and Garret is portrayed, they are a real team, full of banter and good-natured bickering but deeply in love. This is as good a depiction of romance between mature adults as I have come across. The rest of the supporting cast are strongly portrayed and make for interesting interactions with the main characters.
The marine setting demands the use of many technical terms that reflect the author's love of the sea and sailing but for me the specific descriptions only added to the realism of the story. I feel this novel fully deserves five stars because of the excellent balance between action, dialogue and character development and the fact that it successfully stands alone, although it is part of a series. That in itself is a delicate skill. This book's great strength is that it is suitable for the widest audience. There is murder, some violence, discreet references to sex both hereto and homo and adultery, but it is so delicately handled that I can't imagine anyone being upset by any of the content. A thoroughly charming and enjoyable tale that has left me wanting to read more Liz Adams mysteries.