168) Fatal Error - Michael Ridpath
169) House of Shadows - Nicola Cornick
170) Roses for Rebecca - Margaret Kaine
169) House of Shadows - Nicola Cornick
170) Roses for Rebecca - Margaret Kaine
Reading Challenge 2016 (216 in 2016)
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100/ Seventy-Seven Clocks by Christopher Fowler
A Bryant & May mystery
Enjoyable continuation of the series. The mystery is as fiendishly tricky as ever and the interplay between the two main characters is the heart of the series.
My only negative was the large amount of time given to the character of Sam who didn't actually contribute anything to the story (the couple of relevant bits she was involved in could easily have been given to an existing character).
I've now hit my revised target of 100 books. I'm tempted to increase my target again but think I'll probably just carry on and just see how many I can beat it by.
A Bryant & May mystery
Enjoyable continuation of the series. The mystery is as fiendishly tricky as ever and the interplay between the two main characters is the heart of the series.
My only negative was the large amount of time given to the character of Sam who didn't actually contribute anything to the story (the couple of relevant bits she was involved in could easily have been given to an existing character).
I've now hit my revised target of 100 books. I'm tempted to increase my target again but think I'll probably just carry on and just see how many I can beat it by.
Originally Posted by d0lphin:
“36. Ask Him Why - Catherine Ryan Hyde
7/10 - I am a fan of this author but I didn't feel it was one of her best. Soldier Joseph arrives home from Iraq having been discharged from the army due to refusing to obey orders, and the book is told from the points of view of his siblings Ruth and Aubrey and how it impacts on their lives. It was very readable but I felt that family friend Hamish's role in the book was a little too convenient and not convincing.”
“36. Ask Him Why - Catherine Ryan Hyde
7/10 - I am a fan of this author but I didn't feel it was one of her best. Soldier Joseph arrives home from Iraq having been discharged from the army due to refusing to obey orders, and the book is told from the points of view of his siblings Ruth and Aubrey and how it impacts on their lives. It was very readable but I felt that family friend Hamish's role in the book was a little too convenient and not convincing.”
37. Call the Doctor - Ronald White-Cooper
7/10 - some sweet and interesting anecdotes from a country doctor in the early 20th century written by his grand daughter who found his diary after his death.
101/ Bedbugs by Ben H Winters
Supposedly a horror novel but not very scary.
An interesting premise (family terrorised by bedbug infestation...or are they?) but doesn't really work as the author can't decide what kind of horror he's aiming for - psychological, body horror or possession - so has a stab at all three and none of them really work.
It doesn't help that the main character is so annoying and whiny that I didn't really care what happened to her.
A shame really as it did have potential.
Supposedly a horror novel but not very scary.
An interesting premise (family terrorised by bedbug infestation...or are they?) but doesn't really work as the author can't decide what kind of horror he's aiming for - psychological, body horror or possession - so has a stab at all three and none of them really work.
It doesn't help that the main character is so annoying and whiny that I didn't really care what happened to her.
A shame really as it did have potential.
44. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt.
Set in the 1850s at the time of the California gold rush, Charlie and Eli Sisters are hired killers employed by the Commodore. Their latest mission is to ride from Oregon to Sacramento to kill Hermann Kermit Warm. Charlie is committed to the task but Eli has his doubts.
Not my usual genre. I saw a review on a tv book show when the book was published and have finally got round to reading it. Quite good, it feels to me a bit like a Coen brothers movie and is actually being made into a film.
Set in the 1850s at the time of the California gold rush, Charlie and Eli Sisters are hired killers employed by the Commodore. Their latest mission is to ride from Oregon to Sacramento to kill Hermann Kermit Warm. Charlie is committed to the task but Eli has his doubts.
Not my usual genre. I saw a review on a tv book show when the book was published and have finally got round to reading it. Quite good, it feels to me a bit like a Coen brothers movie and is actually being made into a film.
25. The Show by Tilly Bagshawe- talk about Jilly Cooper lite. Like a modern inferior mish mash of Rivals.
26. Lee Child- Killing Floor- seemed endless to me.
26. Lee Child- Killing Floor- seemed endless to me.
171) Tracy Buchanan - My sister's secret
172) Tuk Tuk to the Road - Antonia Bolingbroke Kent and Jo Huxter
173) The Kind Worth Killing - Peter Swanson
I like reading travel adventures - and thus was drawn to the tuk tuk book. However to anyone else considering can I say - save your money. It is simply the blogs of two travellers which repeat the story over and over. Whilst they raised money for charity which is great - it seemed an expensive journey and was just like a financed trip trip by two posh girls
172) Tuk Tuk to the Road - Antonia Bolingbroke Kent and Jo Huxter
173) The Kind Worth Killing - Peter Swanson
I like reading travel adventures - and thus was drawn to the tuk tuk book. However to anyone else considering can I say - save your money. It is simply the blogs of two travellers which repeat the story over and over. Whilst they raised money for charity which is great - it seemed an expensive journey and was just like a financed trip trip by two posh girls
102/ The Babes in the Wood by Ruth Rendell
Fairly standard Wexford novel.
Not the best Wexford just fairly middling. The final revelation was a bit random but I was pretty engrossed throughout and I do like her writing style.
103/ Tales From The Crypt Volume 1 by various authors
Reprints of several issues of the Tales from the Crypt horror comic from the 1950s. Obviously dated but still fun and I do love that these tales of death and madness were aimed squarely at children before the Comics Code came in and put a stop to it.
Fairly standard Wexford novel.
Not the best Wexford just fairly middling. The final revelation was a bit random but I was pretty engrossed throughout and I do like her writing style.
103/ Tales From The Crypt Volume 1 by various authors
Reprints of several issues of the Tales from the Crypt horror comic from the 1950s. Obviously dated but still fun and I do love that these tales of death and madness were aimed squarely at children before the Comics Code came in and put a stop to it.
Originally Posted by farmer bob:
“16) Whisky From Small Glasses by Denzil Meyrick”
“16) Whisky From Small Glasses by Denzil Meyrick”
Just read this. Top notch I thought
Originally Posted by clm2071:
“Just read this. Top notch I thought”
“Just read this. Top notch I thought”
Yes. I'm a few chapters in, enjoying it.
👍
Originally Posted by SWW (SWW):
“<snip>
101. Different Seasons - Stephen King 91/0
New English Library (H & S). 560 pages
<Novella collection>
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (filmed as The Shawshank Redemption) - 8/10 Apt Pupil - 9/10 The Body (filmed as Stand By Me) - 9/10 The Breathing Method 8/10. The Body and Apt Pupil are works of near genius.”
“<snip>
101. Different Seasons - Stephen King 91/0
New English Library (H & S). 560 pages
<Novella collection>
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (filmed as The Shawshank Redemption) - 8/10 Apt Pupil - 9/10 The Body (filmed as Stand By Me) - 9/10 The Breathing Method 8/10. The Body and Apt Pupil are works of near genius.”
102. Uncanny X-Men 2014-2016 - Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Bachalo, Kris Amka etc. 8/10
Marvel Entertainment Group , 568 pages <Graphic Novel> Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #14-35, #600, Annual & Eva Bell special. Despite the mutant world getting ridiculously convoluted, Bendis manages to create some totally awesome story lines where Cyclops is essentially crazy and his actions begin to push the Beast in the same direction!
103. X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever - Max Bemis, Michael Walsh 71/0
Marvel Entertainment Group , 110 pages <Graphic Novel> Actually a very clever look at the X-franchise in this stand alone version of the X-Universe, looking at mutant elitism, x-book restructures, pointless strategies and more, via the story of the Worst X-Man Ever and some fantastic x-humour
104. Amazing Spider-Man 2015 - Dan Slott, Gerry Conway, Christos Gage, Elliot Kahn etc. 5/10
Marvel Entertainment Group 348 pages <Graphic Novel> Kahn's very weak Spider-Man & the X-Men #1-6, ASM #16-18, a Special and ASM #16.1-20.1 by Conway, all-in-all felt like filler issues before Secret Wars.
105. The Manhattan Projects part one - Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra, Ryan Browne etc. 8/10
Image Comics, 393 pages <Graphic Novel > The Manhattan Projects #1-15. A fantastic fantasy taking the Manhattan Projects and many real characters to provide an alternate reality where the Projects look to conquer science!
106. The Manhattan Projects part two - Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra, Ryan Browne etc. 8/10
Image Comics, 375 pages <Graphic Novel> The Manhattan Projects #116-25, Sun Beyond The Stars #1-4. A fantastic fantasy continues with fate of the Oppenheimers and the ascension of evil Science. Also a four part series chronicling
107. Sex Criminals volumes 1-3 - Matt Fraction, Chip Zdarxky 9/10
Image Comics, 355 pages <Graphic Novel> Sex Criminals #1-15. Criminals, how? Well when they reach orgasm(!) they freeze time. Well, Suzie was raising money to save a library, and then Jon showed what he anyways, you get the drift. Astounding clever, often funny, meta, 4th wall breaking book. Don't believe me, buy it and see!
108. Sex books 3 to 4 - Joe Casey, Piotr Kowalski etc. 7/10
Image Comics, 252 pages <Graphic Novel> Sex #15-26. More and more multilayered look at the city where crime is running rife and the superheros retired awhile back. We get to know a lot more about the past and the present for Annabelle, Simon and Keenan. Solid stuff, with some innovative twists and turns, and not really focused on sex at all!
109. Trick Of The Dark - Val McDermid 8/10
Sphere (Little Brown Books), 528 pages
<Detective> Yet another scintillating read from McDermid, as disgrace Home Office profiler and lesbian Charlie Flint is convinced to investigate a millionaire celebrity lesbian, who may, may just be a serial killer! Engrossing!
110. Blue Monday - Nicci French 7/10
Penguin Books, 412 pages
<Suspense>Nicci French ups the game by starting a very good series - Frieda Klein -1. The therapist is concerned with the overlaps between a patients dreams and thoughts and a recently kidnapped little boy, so she breaks doctor - patient privilege, and goes to the police! A truly captivating and suspenseful thriller, that goes down many dark paths. French also excels in creating fantastic and real feeling supporting characters in this series.
111. Tuesday's Gone - Nicci French 8/10
Penguin Books, 447 pages
<Suspense> Frieda Klein -2. A mentally unbalanced woman is 'looking after' a fat naked, corpse, when the police find her, the corpse is of a man who led a multiple and strange life, called Robert Poole. Frieda Klein is brought back in to consult again, and as well as working on the case, she keeps trying to let people you that the last case (book) wasn't really solved! The best detective series out there are the mo, just got even better!
104/ Dry Pilgrimage by Paul Leonard & Nick Walters
The latest in my attempt to work through all the Bernice Summerfield books.
This is easily my favourite of the series so far as I think it got the balance right - well defined characters, an interesting alien race, strong clearly thought out plot and some exploration of a bigger theme (religion in this case).
Also at no point did it seem as if the authors were desperate to write a hard SF novel but were settling with shoving it into a Summerfield instead (unlike some of the other authors in this series).
The latest in my attempt to work through all the Bernice Summerfield books.
This is easily my favourite of the series so far as I think it got the balance right - well defined characters, an interesting alien race, strong clearly thought out plot and some exploration of a bigger theme (religion in this case).
Also at no point did it seem as if the authors were desperate to write a hard SF novel but were settling with shoving it into a Summerfield instead (unlike some of the other authors in this series).
Originally Posted by d0lphin:
“37. Call the Doctor - Ronald White-Cooper
7/10 - some sweet and interesting anecdotes from a country doctor in the early 20th century written by his grand daughter who found his diary after his death.”
“37. Call the Doctor - Ronald White-Cooper
7/10 - some sweet and interesting anecdotes from a country doctor in the early 20th century written by his grand daughter who found his diary after his death.”
38. The Escape Artist - Diane Chamberlain
8/10 - a very readable book by quite a prolific author. This book is about Susannah who loses custody of her one year old son and goes on the run with him. I did guess the twist at the end which is why I didn't give it an even higher mark.
174) Lucie Whitehouse - Before We Met
175) Elizabeth Martin - Murder on the Oceania
176) Sarah Painter - In the Light of What We See
177) Claire Douglas - Local Girl Missing
175) Elizabeth Martin - Murder on the Oceania
176) Sarah Painter - In the Light of What We See
177) Claire Douglas - Local Girl Missing
105/ Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs
Part of the Tempe Brennan series of books.
Not as good as previous entries in the series. It's fast paced and easy to read but unfortunately it relies on a great deal of coincidence for the events to happen.
The two page lecture at the end didn't help either - I worked out the themes of the book without them being hammered home.
106/ Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans & Ronald Searle
Been meaning to read this for a while now but was very disappointed.
This is a collection of 4 books concerning the fictional experiences of Molesworth's school life at St Custards alongside several illustrations.
The introduction mentions several times how funny this is but it just didn't work for me. Straight to the charity shop for this one.
107/ Yesterday's Tomorrows by Rian Hughes
Collection of comic strips all drawn (and sometimes written) by Rian Hughes.
As with any collection of this type the quality varies. Of the 5 stories Dare is easily the best - a reimagining of Dan Dare after retirement it is gripping and powerful.
The worst for me was Really & Truly - it seemed the most dated and juvenile of the collection.
The Marlowe story also works well but it is Dare that I will definitely read again.
Part of the Tempe Brennan series of books.
Not as good as previous entries in the series. It's fast paced and easy to read but unfortunately it relies on a great deal of coincidence for the events to happen.
The two page lecture at the end didn't help either - I worked out the themes of the book without them being hammered home.
106/ Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans & Ronald Searle
Been meaning to read this for a while now but was very disappointed.
This is a collection of 4 books concerning the fictional experiences of Molesworth's school life at St Custards alongside several illustrations.
The introduction mentions several times how funny this is but it just didn't work for me. Straight to the charity shop for this one.
107/ Yesterday's Tomorrows by Rian Hughes
Collection of comic strips all drawn (and sometimes written) by Rian Hughes.
As with any collection of this type the quality varies. Of the 5 stories Dare is easily the best - a reimagining of Dan Dare after retirement it is gripping and powerful.
The worst for me was Really & Truly - it seemed the most dated and juvenile of the collection.
The Marlowe story also works well but it is Dare that I will definitely read again.
45. Angels and Men by Catherine Fox. I enjoyed her recent books set around the fictional Lindchester Cathedral and so decided to read Catherine Fox's earlier stuff.
This is her first novel and tells the story of a post graduate student with various issues studying at a theological college in northern England (Durham). The main character was unlikable and while the book got better as it went along I thought that it lacked the charm of the later Lindchester novels.
This is her first novel and tells the story of a post graduate student with various issues studying at a theological college in northern England (Durham). The main character was unlikable and while the book got better as it went along I thought that it lacked the charm of the later Lindchester novels.
108/ The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith
Yet more Precious.
I liked this one more than the last as there was some actual investigating with surprising outcomes.
This the last of this series that I own and although I've enjoyed them overall I think I'm going to leave them alone now.
109/ Star Trek - The Art of Juan Ortiz by Juan Ortiz
Collection of imagined posters for every episode of the original Star Trek series.
There's a short interview with the artist as well as a short comment on each poster (what inspired it, what bits he particularly likes).
As with any collection of this sort some of the posters are better than others but overall the quality is high.
Yet more Precious.
I liked this one more than the last as there was some actual investigating with surprising outcomes.
This the last of this series that I own and although I've enjoyed them overall I think I'm going to leave them alone now.
109/ Star Trek - The Art of Juan Ortiz by Juan Ortiz
Collection of imagined posters for every episode of the original Star Trek series.
There's a short interview with the artist as well as a short comment on each poster (what inspired it, what bits he particularly likes).
As with any collection of this sort some of the posters are better than others but overall the quality is high.
178) Jane Fallon - Strictly between us
179) Teri Kanefield - Lawyers Never Lie
180) Jutta Profijit - Morgue Drawer Four
179) Teri Kanefield - Lawyers Never Lie
180) Jutta Profijit - Morgue Drawer Four
13. Sorry, Wrong Number and the Hitch-hiker by Lucille Fletcher Two one-act plays (originally radio dramas) of suspense. I liked them both, but enjoyed The Hitch-hiker more because I felt the gradual rise in tension was better in this play. In Sorry, Wrong Number, most of it is a bit low-key, whereas the main character is clearly high maintenance and hysterical, and by the time the reader (or watcher/listener) begins to truly connect everything together, the play ends with a bang.
14. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult Zoe and Max Baxter have tried for years to have a baby. After yet another loss, Max says he doesn't want to try anymore and they divorce. Max becomes a born-again Christian and Zoe gets into a relationship with another woman. When Zoe and her wife Vanessa decide to use Zoe and Max's fertilized embryos to have a child, they end up in court against Max. I felt that Jodi Picoult's books are overrated and although I've been assured that she has much better novels, I don't think I'll seek any of them out. I hated just about all the characters in this book.
15. The Anteater of Death (Gunn Zoo Mystery #1) by Betty Webb Zookeeper Teddy Bentley investigates the death of one of the members of the family who owns the zoo where she works. I loved it! I apparently already read the second book in the series, but I'm going to give it a re-read for good measure before heading onto the rest of the books.
16. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins I read this book because I kept seeing it recommended on threads on Digitalspy. I very much enjoyed it. I thought the unreliable narration was well-crafted. I hope to see the movie this weekend!
14. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult Zoe and Max Baxter have tried for years to have a baby. After yet another loss, Max says he doesn't want to try anymore and they divorce. Max becomes a born-again Christian and Zoe gets into a relationship with another woman. When Zoe and her wife Vanessa decide to use Zoe and Max's fertilized embryos to have a child, they end up in court against Max. I felt that Jodi Picoult's books are overrated and although I've been assured that she has much better novels, I don't think I'll seek any of them out. I hated just about all the characters in this book.
15. The Anteater of Death (Gunn Zoo Mystery #1) by Betty Webb Zookeeper Teddy Bentley investigates the death of one of the members of the family who owns the zoo where she works. I loved it! I apparently already read the second book in the series, but I'm going to give it a re-read for good measure before heading onto the rest of the books.
16. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins I read this book because I kept seeing it recommended on threads on Digitalspy. I very much enjoyed it. I thought the unreliable narration was well-crafted. I hope to see the movie this weekend!
76) - Doll's House, by MJ Arlidge
77) - Blackout, by Ragnar Jonasson
78) - Siberian Red, by Sam Eastland
79) - The Kept Woman, by Karin Slaughter
80) - The Loney, by Andrew Michael Hurley
81) - Black Night Falling, by Rod Reynolds
82) - The Red Moth, by Sam Eastland
83) - When the Music's Over, by Peter Robinson
84) - Driving Big Davie, by Colin Bateman
85) - Cold Kill, by PJ Tracy
86) - Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo, By C Joseph Greaves
87) - His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae Burnet ...... short-listed for the Man Booker Prize
88) - A Whole Life, by Robert Seethaler
77) - Blackout, by Ragnar Jonasson
78) - Siberian Red, by Sam Eastland
79) - The Kept Woman, by Karin Slaughter
80) - The Loney, by Andrew Michael Hurley
81) - Black Night Falling, by Rod Reynolds
82) - The Red Moth, by Sam Eastland
83) - When the Music's Over, by Peter Robinson
84) - Driving Big Davie, by Colin Bateman
85) - Cold Kill, by PJ Tracy
86) - Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo, By C Joseph Greaves
87) - His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae Burnet ...... short-listed for the Man Booker Prize
88) - A Whole Life, by Robert Seethaler
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