📘What’s it all about……

Well, what it was all about is the fact that some of the books that were ‘on order’ at the library…..yes, you’ve guessed it. They all turned up together!
A mix of old….. in publication dates and new ……in previously unread series
So, it’s been eyes down reading, that way I didn’t have to try to renew and be disappointed when I discovered someone else wanted to read the same one and it had to be returned

What are you currently reading?

A Lesson in Dying – Ann Cleeves 1990
Inspector Ramsay #1

Several of Ann Cleeves older works were reprinted recently so there’s been a renewed interest which is why I had a very long wait for the first of her Inspector Ramsay series.
The version I picked it up on Wednesday (see below) only has 165 pages so I’m looking forward to an Easter weekend in Northumberland finding out ‘who dunnit’!

What did you recently finish reading ?
Not sure why but not a great deal at all.
Just these three plus The Chocolate Factory which I spoke about HERE

Bitter Wash Road (Hell to Pay) – 2013 Garry Disher
Hirsch #1

Oh, you must have…the reaction from someone at book club when I admitted to not having read any of Australian author Garry Disher’s books. Nor Chris Hammer – oh the shrieks of dismay when I said that…..which changed to smiles when I said yes to Michael Robotham, Christian White and Mark Brandi.  Shame about the blank looks I got when I mentioned Peter Temple, John Marsden and Peter Carey (all Australian)…….tastes vary I suppose.
So to keep them happy (and satisfy my curiosity) and because I’m in a series mood I chose the first book in Disher’s Paul Hirsch mysteries. .

A modern western set in an isolated Australian bush town with a soaring crime rate, where a local constable with a troubled past must investigate the death of a teenage girl whose murder threatens to set the dusty streets ablaze.

• It reminded me of the Raymond Chandler I read recently, Disher’s writing was direct, easy to read and to the (at times humorous) point, might be short on words but I loved every one of them, the ones he wrote counted. They told the story without it being padded out, uncovered a whole lot of unusual happenings in the rural town and surrounding district and definitely left me wanting to know more. As the saying goes ‘do yourself a favour’……and read this book. You won’t regret it! #2 is on order!

The Defector (Betrayal) – 1981. Evelyn Anthony
Davina Graham #1

A ‘chance remark’ with a friend about knowing an author, knowing you’ve read them but can’t remember what had me trawling the library and online for books by Evelyn Anthony. I’ve still no idea what I’d read previously but the library came up trumps with this unread series!

A man and a woman have arrived at an English country house to spend a quiet weekend in the depths of Wiltshire. The man is top KGB agent Ivan Sasanov. The woman is Davina Graham, one of British Intelligence’s key operatives. Between these two very different people a strange, emotion-charged relationship has developed. The only person with whom Ivan feels any rapport is Davina and Davina is falling in with him. Leading to an almost impossible mission, ringed by treachery and counter-treachery.

• Take happenings during the Cold War era, MI5 agents – spys , double agents, mix them all up, put them all together and you have a great read. Twists and turns with secrecy, trying to keep the news of a spy ‘coming over’ out of the news at the same time as trying to get him to reveal information about ‘the other side’ Well written, had me hooked from page 1

Darkhouse – 2005. Alex Barclay
Joe Lusschesi #1

Libby has a search feature where the reader can look for the ‘first in series’ and this caught my eye…..something that definitely wouldn’t have crossed my path beforehand. Seeing the book cover I’d have walked on past the library copy but seeing it on my screen I thought……why not give it a go

Book Blurb:-

In 1985 in a North Texas backwater, two teenage boys made a chilling pact that would unite them forever in a dark and twisted loyalty.
Now one lies dead.
And the man responsible is going to pay.

In this electrifying thriller—Alex Barclay creates a stunning array of contrasts—from the violence of a cop’s world to the fragility of an embattled marriage, from the danger of New York’s gritty streets to the quiet of a seaside Irish village. With brilliance and subtlety, Barclay delivers a nerve-wracking tale of a troubled family, facing a brutal danger rushing relentlessly out of the past.

• Another novel about an American police officer moving to a small village in Ireland to ‘heal’ after a traumatic incident. Quite strangely the disappearance of his son’s Irish girlfriend and what happened in Texas become linked. Even with all the different storylines taking your mind in different directions it ended up being one of those ‘couldn’t put it down’ books.
  If you have access to Libby I recommend looking for it
  Darkhouse by Alex Barclay

*******

And what will I read next…

Well there’s a few here to choose from – a little pile I was gifted last week – Plus my ‘just arrived’ Ann Cleeves

eeny meeny miny mo…..which to pick I do not know

Suggestions anyone?

I’m interested in knowing what your answers are – Now Then & Next
You could let me know in the comments

********

Click the link below to see what others have been reading 

What’s on your Bookshelf 

Book Worms Monthly – May