Death Makes a Prophet - John Bude

Very happy to reacquaint myself with Inspector Meredith again although I had to wait until a good half way through the book to do so! Bude’s crime novels always make me think faintly of Enid Blyton for grown ups. It’s almost as if this is what the Famous Five and the Secret Seven might be doing if we had followed them, Harry Potter style, into adulthood. 

I think it is important to remain mindful of the fact that these stories were originally written and published in the 1940/50’s. From an historical perspective one can marvel at the challenges that policing at that time demanded. Little in the way of forensics and certainly no digital tools. It’s all painstaking headwork and deduction. Makes for fascinating reading though!

However Bude’s books never seem to be just about the crimes. In this recent reissue from the British Library Crime Classics series the title alone should give a hint of what is to come! The first half of the book is a tongue in cheek indictment of what might be called New Age living although I don’t think the term had been coined at the time of Bude’s writing. It’s affectionately farcical with no real unkindness intended I don’t think. 

The characters are caricatures, exaggerations of personality types, people we’ve all come across in our lives at some point, (well maybe NOT the criminals and murderers!), who have their parts to play in the unfolding tragicomedy. And there are a lot of them! Many are stereotypical and functional, the gardener who spots the shadowy figure from his window. But the key players leap out of the page at you from their myriad walks of life and insist you engage with them.

Bude maintains a meticulous approach to plotting that almost takes your breath away! The attention to detail is impeccable. The ability of Meredith to arrive at the final denouement is almost a work of art! 

Does the book have something to say about religious cults? Perhaps not intentionally but I think it does have something to say about the people who might be recruited. 

Ultimately it isn’t a book to be taken seriously in most respects. It is book to be enjoyed. It’s an entertaining read that revels in its genre and should bring a smile to your face.

The Soldier's Curse - Meg and Tom Keneally

It works for P.J Tracy and for Nicci French so why shouldn’t it work for Meg and……. Tom Keneally!?

I did a double take, I really did, when I heard of this partnership. Possibly because I revere Tom Keneally. Schindler’s Ark had me visiting Krakow at the first opportunity to find Oskar Schindler’s factory!! However, practically, I doubt this book will see me jetting it to the Antipodes to find the site of the Port Macquarie penal colony. And not because I didn’t enjoy the novel. I did, I thought it was marvellous. 

I watched the BBC 2 drama series Banished, aired in 2015, which is set in an earlier period than this book but afforded me a strong visual connection with many of the incidents detailed in this novel. It also served to reinforce the accurate historical research that gives this story so much of its richness.

As well as being an historical novel it is also an intelligent and engrossing crime story. The first in the series the main protagonist is Hugh Monsarrat, erstwhile forger and fraudster, elevated to clerical work for the commander of the penal settlement. My research shows that the second book is already available in Australia and that an entire series is planned for Monsarrat. That’s all good news as far as I’m concerned. 

Initially I found I had to reread the first few pages and I feared this book would be an arduous read! But it was a merely a case of adjusting to the style of writing which having done so was wonderful. Set in 1825 the narrative is written in the vernacular of the time so effectively you almost find yourself thinking and speaking in the same way. It’s one thing to use extensive historical research effectively in a novel, factually,  but to capture the etymology of the time is skill indeed. 

The narrative is tight and the plot well constructed and accessible. It is the proving of the crime rather than the solving of it that becomes key in the latter stages of the book. But the reader is subtly allowed to accompany the characters as the fiction progresses rather than remain as bibliophilic bystanders. It was refreshing to be so involved in a story so far removed from contemporary life. 

The characters are substantially drawn and you warm or shrink from them as each deserves. I love it when ‘bit part’ characters are imbued with as much life as the main characters. There is some brutality in the book and the characters respond appropriately but there is also some wit, humour and warmth.

This is a solid and intelligent read. It’s story telling mainly but the history is interesting and informative. There is a comprehensive Author’s Note at the end which clarifies several points of fiction versus history.

I was delighted to received this book from Real Readers but even more delighted to actually read it. I look forward to more in the series which I believe features not only Monsarrat but Mrs. Mulrooney too. Who’s she, you ask? Go and read the book!!

The Dragonfly - Kate Dunn

This book has been shortlisted for the Virginia prize for fiction. It’s not an award I am familiar with but anything that manages to find its way onto a shortlist has got to be good, hasn’t it?

Also I have no idea what kind of karmic forces are at play here but I find that i, invariably, greatly enjoy books written by anyone with the name ‘Kate’ ! What’s that all about?

Even so, you know sometimes you pick up a book, glance at the cover, read the blurb and have no real expectations. You start reading. continue to be underwhelmed and then something changes, quite subtly. And what you thought was yet another ‘father wants to help estranged son on a murder charge by taking the granddaughter he’s never met on a boat trip through the waterways of France’ type story is elevated. 

I think that when you read a lot of books it becomes harder to find true originality and this book seemed full of situations and circumstances I felt I’d read before. Chocolat was frequently brought to mind. The storyline follows a parallel path with Colin and his granddaughter, Delphine, on the beautifully named boat, The Dragonfly and Colin’s son, Michael, in remand on a murder charge. The two work well and prevent the story from becoming one dimensional.

This is not a tale overpopulated with functional characters. These are ordinary people dealing with extra ordinary circumstances as best they can. They are well developed and believable in their deeds and emotions. The narrative is written from Colin’s perspective in the main but it never becomes one sided. What impressed me was the writer’s perception and understanding of the behaviours and emotions of a child struggling with an unenviable burden. I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. And its a rare book that does that to me.

It’s an undemanding read on most levels with a satisfactory conclusion, perfect to take away on a summer holiday, especially France! It’s not as superficial as chick lit, it has more depth but I guess if you want to categorise it it is a love story, a story about developing relationships on many levels but a love story with some substance. 

Calling Down the Storm - Peter Murphy

Some years ago I read a Peter Murphy book, Test of Resolve which I liked very much. I was delighted to revisit his work with this latest fiction, a court room procedural, the fifth novel featuring lawyer Ben Schroeder. This is the first in the series that I have read but it was perfectly accessible as a stand alone story.

The book deals with a murder case and subsequent trial with a sub story featuring the presiding judge that ultimately turns out to have a tenuous link to the case.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I marvelled at the legal process and the protocols that the legal profession follow to reach what is, hopefully, justice.

For me, the main character in this book is not, as you might expect, the lawyers, solicitors, judges, defendants, accused, no, it was the actual CASE itself! Everyone else were accessories, characters there with their parts to play in the tale and the legal proceedings. So it was hard, unnecessary even, to engage with many of the characters. Few had any endearing qualities and seemed two dimensional.

I fervently hope that this was the intention of the writer. If so, it was cleverly done, allowing the case to dominate and urging the reader to seek for the truth and for justice and concerning themselves wholly, with the ultimate verdict. If this was not the intention then all I have written about the characters may be interpreted as criticism. So be it!

Arguably the sub plot concerning the judge was more character driven but, even so, the characters did not invite us to engage with or even like them. They remained functional rather than personable.

The plot was tight, well constructed and well researched in all aspects not just the dominant legal ones. The writing is competent and confident.

The conclusion was enigmatic and slightly anti climactic after the urgent need for the reader to know the verdict.

But, is this is a good book? Not for me to judge (pun absolutely intended!). How about you read it ?

The Favourite - S.V. Berlin

Who’d be a writer, eh? You pour your heart and soul, every fibre of your being into a book. Writing one is achievement enough, but getting it published must be a supreme accomplishment. Then some smart ass reviewer comes along  with something akin to a metaphoric teacher’s red pen and almost tells that you could do better. Well, S.V. Berlin, you couldn’t have done any better! But……. you could have done less.

This debut novel is intriguing in that there is little in the way of action. It is an observational novel with perceptions and insights into relationships. Precipitated by the death of their mother, siblings Edward and Isobel are forced together after a lengthy estrangement. Forming an uncomfortable threesome is Edward’s partner, Julie. What follows is the thoughts, feelings and responses of these three individuals to the experience of Mary’s death and their own relationships with each other and their families. Several situations are seen from each of their individual viewpoints and interpretations. 

Much of the writing is stylish and mature, eloquent and flowing. And there are few who read this who will not identify with some of the human dynamics in the story. There is a sensitive understanding of what grief and bereavement does to you. And there is also an understanding of what people do to one another when they are unable to communicate effectively.

The problem I had with this book is that it is over long. I believe I coined the phrase ‘debut novel exuberance syndrome’ a while ago and it seems very apt here. Each character does a great deal of soul searching in this book and it seemed that every thought was expressed in minute detail. In my opinion that wasn’t always necessary as the points had been well made and sometimes you have to credit your reader with an ability to understand what you are trying to express. 

I found the latter stages of the book less verbose and I found myself reading eagerly to see how situations progressed. The ending was enigmatic. The reader is left wondering what might happen. That kind of conclusion can appeal to many readers who enjoy allowing a book to stay with them long after they finish reading. Others prefer everything neatly tied up. Well you won’t get that here but I’d say don’t be put off. And don’t be put off by my comments about the book’s length. I’m just a smart ass reviewer, remember. This is an intelligent piece of work and this writer deserves a lot of credit.

The Monster's Daughter - Michelle Pretorious

There’s much to commend this book but there is a little of the curate’s egg about it. Undeniably it is well written with an understanding of language. Quality writing with evocative. descriptive passages. The characterisations are perceptive and engaging. But the plot and sub plots present as confused to a certain degree. I’m all for genre fusion but some of the fusion was lacking for me.

I freely admit that I do not understand politics. It leaves me cold, national and international. Along with religion it seems to be responsible for the majority of ills in the world. And there was a great deal of South African politics in this story. But it wasn’t a wholly political novel.

This fiction has tentacles in both the past and the present. But some of the past narrative seems to be more entrenched  in a futuristic, sci fi dystopia than Boer war atrocities. It is not a wholly dystopian, sci fi or war novel.

Alet Berg is a substantial characters; a resourceful and likeable policewoman with a history and a crime to solve against all the odds. I probably enjoyed this aspect of the book the most. It was an intriguing crime but this is not wholly a crime thriller.

All the strands do interweave and link up and when you reach the conclusion of the book the ends are more or less tied up. This is an ambitious piece of work. There is nothing wrong with ambition but I feel here that too much material has diluted the impact of each strand. It is as if the writer has thrown everything they ever wanted to write about in this one book. The reader is given plenty to think about and plenty to try and figure out.

Nevertheless I found it a worthwhile read and the quality of writing suggests that Ms. Pretorious is a name to keep an eye on.

The Last Hours - Minette Walters

Spooky; last month for some reason unbeknown to myself I decided to reread The Chameleon’s Shadow. A peculiar decision given my TBR shelves. Maybe it was some weird, karmic, sixth sense thing because at that time I was totally ignorant of the imminent publication of The Last Hours.

Way back in the nineties and the noughties my Mum and I had this unspoken kind of competition as to who could get a hold of a copy of the new Minette Walters first. Who ever did read it then lent it to the other. Oh, would that she were here still, for me to gloatingly pass on this copy of Ms. Walters first full length novel for a decade. 

The worst, most cruel thing about this book was to get to the end and find that the next volume will not be available until October 2018. 2018!? I might be dead by then! From that you will gather that I enjoyed this novel. Yes. I did.

I began it with trepidation. The queen of the psychological thriller had changed genres! Mad or unswervingly courageous? And she has switched to historical fiction. Could two genres be more diametrically opposed? No, I don’t think so. I think history throws up a wealth of criminals and psychos! And I enjoy historical fiction very much so I was excited.

And I really didn’t want to put this down. It’s a lengthy tome and at times I thought it was overlong. But that was my only reservation. There were a couple of lapses into a more contemporary vernacular but that’s me nit picking. It’s gripping, so well written and researched that you are drawn into the medieval era from the first few lines. The sights and sounds are palpable. So, too, is the fear of contracting the plague. The mark of a good historical fiction writer is where you leave behind this modern, digital world and become completely enveloped in a different lifestyle. You almost start thinking medievally!

But despite switching genres the essence of Minette Walter’s writing endures. The style is recognisable as are the characterisations. A wealth of diverse characters that are quite simply believable. Thaddeus Thurkell is the new Jon Snow! And you find yourself seeking the wisdom of Lady Anne as you read.  People with secrets, people with jealousies, people seeking vengeance. All against the backdrop of the Black Death in Dorset and how one demesne protects themselves against this scourge with one aim - to survive. But the survival of all is broader than merely staying healthy in body. Surviving life itself is the ultimate aim.

It’s an epic novel and in no way is it concluded here. It ends at a reasonably comfortable place but, oh, there’s so much more I want to know!  Is there such a thing as an advance, advance reading copy? If so, may I have one. NOW!