It is pleasing when a Publishing House contacts you to review a book. In this case Random House UK, Cornerstone to review Anthony Horowitz’s latest novel. You do feel some pressure to review positively! Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. James Bond it is not! It is a gentle mystery that plods along without really grabbing…
Category: Reviews
In Senior Gap Years, you have the time to catch up on all the books you missed. These are independent reviews of books that I am enjoying in retirement (yes, I used the “R” word!). Please free to comment on the reviews.
Double Agent (by Tom Bradby)
How to publish a successful novel? Choose a celebrity – tick. Choose a popular theme: spy thriller with a mole – tick. What can go wrong? Tom Bradby is a successful newscaster, journalist, author and generally nice guy. He has intimate knowledge of politicians and royalty so the intrigue, immoral behaviour and scandals described in…
The Birdwatcher (by William Shaw)
I am beginning to be a big fan of William Shaw! I recently read his Salt Lane novel and got the bug. Salt Lane features DS Alexandra Cupidi and her daughter. So The Birdwatcher is a prequel to Salt Lane? OK, the main character is Police Sergeant William South but Cupidi and her daughter especially…
Absolute Proof (by Peter James)
I am a fan of the Inspector Grace novels set in Brighton and eagerly await each new novel. Peter is quite prolific and often writes stand-alone novels – unfortunately, I find these variable in quality. I recently read Dan Brown’s Origin, and thoroughly enjoyed his tale which tackles “Where do we come from” and “Where…
The Fox (by Frederick Forsyth)
Frederick Forsyth The Fox Review Many famous authors have a successful formula – Dan Brown comes to mind – and Fredrick Forsyth is another with a well-established formula. It all started with his book about the assassination attempt on General de Gaulle. Today so many books seem formulaic – perhaps they have all been to…
The Last Lie (by Alex Lake)
This is the latest psychological thriller by Sunday Times best-selling author Alex Lake. He is the best selling author of AFTER ANNA, KILLING KATE AND COPYCAT. Claire Daniels comes with a healthy pedigree of rich parents. The mother has died but her father will do anything for Claire. Her life is good – friends, career, lovely home, property…
Salt Lane (by William Shaw)
Came across Shaw at a speaker event at the Firle Vintage Fayre. The plot sounded interesting and as it was located in an area close by it seemed worth investigating The plot is centred around Romney Marsh and Dungeness – places we know well. He captures the remoteness but beauty well. His lead detective has…
The Parisians (by Marius Gabriel)
The novel is set in World War II and in 1940 the Nazis have occupied Paris and taken over the Ritz for their senior officers and mistresses. The cast of characters includes an American Olivia Olsen, working as a chambermaid, the famous Coco Chanel and Arletty, one of France’s best-loved actresses. Hitler’s right-hand man moves…
Dark and Sacred Story (by Michael Connelly)
I am an avid reader of Michael Connelly, and look forward to every new novel. It seems that Bosch is gradually taking a lower profile as he passes into retirement. Renee Ballard is the new focus, and although there is room for new plots for cold cases featuring Bosch and Ballard – perhaps Bosch is…
Small Great Things (by Jodi Picoult)
The cover says that Small Great Things is about prejudice and power. It is a powerful novel about a White Supremacist who loses a baby at birth. Sad enough but the nurse could be at fault! The novel revolves around the ethnicity of the nurse who is black. It soon becomes evident that the nurse…