October Round Up

 Well, here we are again! Another monthly roundup of books I've read. I keep this blog going. Sometimes I'm not sure why. Blogging seems to have gone out the window. It's all about reels and videos and stuff nowadays, isn't it. Don't think anybody wants to read reviews. Or maybe it's just my reviews nobody wants to read! I don't blog about every book I read like I used to, it can be a bit random. Nevertheless, I carry on because it's in my nature to do so. Never give up. Never surrender!

First up this month was Syd Moores The Great Deception. Syd Moore is a local author and she visits my local bookshop. And I love it that she remembers me! Since I see myself as an instantly forgettable sort of person, it does do my self-esteem good. This is the second book in a trilogy about the Nazis's obsession with the occult.  The first one was called The Grand Illusion and I blogged about it here.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-grand-illusion-syd-moore.html

I've also blogged about the second book here

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-deception-syd-moore.html

This month seems to have been a good month for Library books. (I've read 4 so far!) The trouble is when I reserve a book and go in and collect it I usually find something else that takes my fancy. But I reserved this one of Holly Seddon's the moment I saw the publication date. I love her books and this latest called 59 Minutes is quite something. The premise is and I'm hopefully offering no spoilers, if you had just 59 minutes until a nuclear bomb impacted, what would you do with that time? But the incredible thing was that a couple of weeks ago she came to my local bookshop! I couldn't believe my eyes. So I went to the event and I was sitting there minding my own business waiting for it to start when another author, Fiona Cummins, came in recognised me (perhaps I'm not as forgettable as I thought!), sat at my table and we chatted. Fiona and Holly are friends. Then Holly Seddon and Kit Conway came in, made my table their base so there I was sitting surrounded by three incredible writers! It was fascinating to hear Holly talk about the book and her writing processes.

Eden, The Final Solution by Pascal Bouquillard was a book that I won in a Librarything giveaway. And I really enjoyed it. It's a dystopian novel It was very thought-provoking and I blogged about it here.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/10/eden-final-solution-pascal-bouquillard.html

Amanda James and The Midnight Bookshop kept popping into my Instagram feed and I popped in a. request for it at my library. It's a good book for book lovers. Full of magic. And if like me books are your salvation then you'll understand this story which suggests how healing and consoling books can be. 

One of those books that I picked up from the library without any real intent but I suppose because  Ozzy Osbourne has been in the news lately it resonated with me. I have to say I did enjoy it. I think there has been previous autobiographies of his but this one seems to focus on his later years and all his health issues. It's as frank and candid and as irreverent as Ozzy was. I enjoyed reading it. It's called Last Rites. It suggests he knew he didn't have long left.

And yet another Library book – When Gavin Met Stacey – by, not surprisingly, James Corden and Ruth Jones. I think you have to be a Gavin and Stacey fan to enjoy this book. But if you are, you've probably heard some of the anecdotes before. But it didn't really distract from the enjoyment of the book. Which really is two friends chatting in print about this journey they've been on.

Just finished this one and I've yet to blog about it. It's the final part of the Merit Hunters series by L.G.Jenkins. Having read all the others I just had to read this one. And I was invited by the author to sign up to a little group of people who enjoy the books.  Lydia sent me an advance reading copy. It was an e-book which I loathe. But when you really want to read something and you can't wait for the book to be published you have to take yourself out of your comfort zone! My eyes don't enjoy reading. And I can't do it at night so I could only read it in daylight which took me much longer than usual. No photo until I receive my signed copy. I will be blogging about it in the next few days. So watch this space!😂

Eden The Final Solution - Pascal Bouquillard

 The most chilling dystopian fictions are those that offer us a timeline that is not so far removed from our own. A timeline that we can see in the distance approaching ominously. When you add to that a main character called Winston and some supporting characters called Julia, Emmanuel, O Brien and Catherine (does the ‘C’ or ‘K’ matter?) the reader is catapulted into an Orwellian frame of mind. Oh, and much of the narrative takes place in 2084. Homage to Cormac McCarthy and maybe Philip K Dick too sneak into the plot of Pascal Bouquillard’s mesmerizing novel. But most chilling of all, once you are immersed fully into the fiction, is ‘The Final Solution’ which is surely there to echo the Nazi euphemism for genocide. I apologize if that may be construed as a spoiler. It won’t be for many, but I appreciate that perhaps younger readers may not be familiar with the ‘Final Solution’.

Good dystopian fiction takes a current reality or realities and pushes them forward to  boundaries or beyond. But to work there must be a logic to the pushing of these boundaries. Is there a logic in Eden? I should say so. And how!

A common theme in the world of dystopia is some kind of dictator, some all-powerful, all-knowing individual, whose obsessions carry them over the brink of normalcy. Here it is an unendearing character, Nucleus, who is running the show. He names his children, Christ, and Electra J! That gives you plenty to conjure with!

We can see how issues such as genetic modification, our enslavement  to wealth, our embracing of recreational substances can create an apocalypse of sorts. And something that the novel suggested to me was that you take everything to extremes and ask the question whether there’s any redemption or way back from the devastation. I won’t go down the spoiler route to enlighten you, you need to read the book for yourself!

This appears to be a first novel. But it doesn’t read like one. It reads like an experienced author comfortable in his writing skin. It’s a powerful, muscular almost, narrative that draws the reader willingly along. Whilst much of it is dark, and I’ve mentioned chilling before, there are some lighter moments. I loved the writers use of Pear and Androgene instead of Apple and Android! And there are some passages that could’ve come straight out of Henry Miller. 

None of us know what is ahead. We can hazard a guess. We can almost see the way. some things are headed. When you get old like I am, there’s a fear for the younger generations. The technological age may well be our downfall, if it isn’t already. That and money…….

If you enjoy dystopian fiction. If you revere Orwell and other writers of his ilk.And if you philosophize about what lies ahead for this planet, and for mankind then this book is perfect for you.

My thanks to the author for an inscribed copy via Library thing.

The Great Deception - Syd Moore

 

 

Did you know that the British invaded Iceland during World War II? No, I didn’t. And I still wouldn’t if it hadn’t been for Syd Moore’s latest book, The Grand Deception. I think we owe a huge debt to authors like Syd who bring to our wider consciousness events that we know little or nothing about yet have some significant impact on the passage of history.

 

The Grand Deception is the second part of a trilogy, Section W, which looks at how British Intelligence attempted to thwart the course of the war by exploiting the Third Reich’s obsession with the occult. 

 

Syd Moore doesn’t just do research, she lives it, breathes it and experiences it and as such allows her readers an enriching experience that is the essence of good historical fiction. She’s also happy to share the fruits of her labours with her readers. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her talks, then I urge you to do so. Because you learn so much, in an entertaining way, and it does so much to enhance your reading of her books.

 

The Grand Deception is set in Iceland where Daphne Devine has the task of locating a clairvoyant who is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. The essence and magic of Iceland is palpably created, and the sense of magic, superstition and folklore imbibe their way fully into the narrative so that the country becomes another character almost.

But as well as being a work of historical fiction, it’s also a thriller. Syd Moore skilfully creates a seamless fusion between the historical facts and the creativity of fiction. Daphne and those who associate with her find themselves in some perilous situations. There are secrets to be uncovered if Daphne can overcome the threats from those who seek to outwit and outrun her. All her efforts are hampered by the need to survive in an, often, hostile environment. There are some twists, the impact of one will depend on you having read the first book in the series The Grand Illusion for full effect. There is some sadness and there are some breath holding moments. But I’ve never been Queen of the Spoilers and I’m not about to start yet! And the closing pages of the book make it clear that the story is far from over. 

 

Daphne is an interesting character. Having read the previous book, I was curious to see how she developed. There’s something harder, more ruthless, slightly less compassionate about her in this story. Which I guess would happen to somebody who’s been thrust into life as an undercover operative in the middle of WWII! She remains feisty and self-analytical. I am keen to see what happens to her next. There are a couple of other recurring characters, but they don’t play such a big part. We see the Icelandic characters through Daphne’s eyes, that element of incomprehensibility when two cultures collide and both sides are making the effort to understand the other. I particularly liked the character of Anna; there was something enigmatic about her. 

 

So, if you’re a fan of historical fiction, if you enjoy a good thriller, if you like war stories, if you’re into spiritualism and the occult, if you like your female characters strong then this is the book for you. Bring on Book Three!

The Water That May Come – Amy Lilwall

A writer new to me, always an exciting prospect and I quickly found myself completely engrossed in this book. It’s very pertinent in terms of global warming and the environmental crisis that our country, and indeed the world, faces. Here the threat is from the rising seas that threaten to flood the country. So, in a sense it is a dystopian novel, but it’s not so far removed from our current reality. And that makes it quite a chilling read in many respects. The characters, as diverse as they are, all needing to make plans for an exodus from the UK as they fear that most of it will soon be underwater. And I found myself wondering what I would do if faced with this situation, this environmental catastrophe.

 

The writing is tight and assured with a narrative that flows as imposingly as the flooding it predicts. The characters are well defined, believable and relatable. Their mix gives the story a balance that broadens its appeal. These characters find themselves in situations that would be thought provoking and challenging even without the added provocation of a Biblical type of deluge!

 

Escape seems the only option, and many seek to flee to Europe but immigration poses its issues, as well we know, so a new law is passed, The Intimacy Law. I don’t want to go down the spoiler route but creatively and imaginatively this was genius, I thought! Morally disturbing though.

 

Amy Lilwall writes with astute compassion, yet she doesn’t flinch from the harsher aspects of life. I enjoyed the way the book encouraged me to think and ponder. There were several unanswered questions and room for the reader to allow their own imaginations into play. The dynamic between all the characters, with their quirks and personalities, their motivations and the quest for survival render the fiction a fascinating exercise in literary people watching.

 

I found the conclusion a tad anti-climactic if I’m honest. That may be because I didn’t really want the book to end! Or because it also made me confront some uncomfortable truths about our world and our environment?

My thanks to Isabelle Kenyon and Fly on the Wall Press for a gifted copy.