I've had a real binge session of certain book types the month and I am not ashamed of it! I'd love to know if you've read any of these and any opinions
Snowflake in my hand- Samantha Mooney
This was my Bloggers' Secret Santa gift from Imogen. It has the look of a children's book about it but it is actually the reminiscences of Veternary worker (she's not a vet, she's some sort of research assistant/fellow), Samantha Mooney in New York. She shares details of her life working with cats with cancer or Leukaemia. The author has a lot of heart and you see how much she cares about her job and the cats that she meets. There are stories of success and joys and experiences but of course, since she works in the cancer/Leuk unit, there are also many sad tales. But,I love the fact that these owners love their animals so much to pay for the drugs and treatments to prolong their lives. Tis heartening. This was a lovely read although I found Samantha's constant need to better herself by constant extra-curricular study exhausting at times!
The Toll gate - Georgette Heyer
If you've read my blog for a few years, you will know that GH is one of my favourite authors. Her Regency romances have an impeccable attention to detail, very appealing heroines and equally dashing and likeable heroes. The tollgate begins from the perspective of the male hero which is not synonymous with all Heyer's novels. Our hero is a returned Soldier from France, Captain John Staple, who like any good Regency soldier, finds life back in England rather dull. The novel begins as he is escaping a party at his relative's house where it is certain he may be 'set up' with a young lady. He decides to escape for a hunting party at a friend's however, leaving late and taking a wrong turn leads him to end up totally on the wrong path. It is seeing a young boy running the toll gate on a road which draws his attention and sympathy. The boy is not sure where his Father has gone and is clearly terrified of some person or other. Jack decides to stay and help the boy with running the toll gate at the same time as trying to solve the mystery of where the man has gone. His wish to remain is further ignited when he meets the brave Nell Stornaway, the old squire's Grand-daughter.
I loved this book because it brings together the two types of books that Heyer wrote- murder mysteries and obviously the Regency romance- this is definitely a mystery book as well and it is very exciting. In addition, various plot-devices Heyer has used well before are used well, an unsavoury character who is after the main heroine, a highwayman and an older governess in love. The end of this book was very exciting and you are kept guessing as to the exact outcome until the end. Definitely one of the better Heyer books I have read.
I read the next four books out of order!
The Stationmaster's farewell- Edward Marston
I was so chuffed to find this quartet of books in the charity shops in Feb! The railway detective novels are superb. In this book, the railway detective, Colbeck is called to Exeter St David station to deal with the unexplained death of the Station Master who is found in the Guy Fawkes pyre. Interestingly, the murder victim, for once, is not a nasty piece of work, but rather, is a lovely, hard-working gentle, kind and sensitive soul which I found more upsetting than I usually find these books. I did struggle to identify a murder in this book and when I discovered who DID murder him, I did feel a bit indignant and cheated- there's NO WAY I would have guessed that. The characterisation of the book is great and the book finally leads up to the marriage of Inspector Collbeck to his beloved Madeline Andrews, who provides vital assistance at the end of the book. Much recommended.
Railway to the Grave- Edward Marston
The wonderful Inspector Colbeck returns in this novel. Interestingly, the book, set in the Victorian era, gives us a bit more insight into his superior officer, Superintendent Tallis' life. Before this, Tallis was a bit more two-dimensional. An old-army colleague of his begins the book walking to his death along the railway lines, choosing his moment to ensure he will meet his death. His suicide note is sent to Tallis and so he and Colbeck plus the irrepressible Sergeant Leeming come to investigate. It seems his suicide is wound up with the disappearance of his wife and the suspicions around where she went and why. The Major's death is wound up in the railway and there are a LOT of red-herrings and possible suspects linked to the disappearance which lead you round the garden path a bit. As with these books, I find the denouement rather sudden and wish for a little more explanation, detail. I also found the people implicated who I hadn't really had much information about. Admittedly, I realised who was involved but only by my usual logic of 'Who has no motive or interest in the death?'. Still, this was a really exciting book and I recommend any of this series.
Blood on the Line- Edward Marston
This book actually precedes the previous one. Interestingly,we gain insight into the life of Colbeck himself, pre-books, as he encounters and chases after his Arch-nemesis, the man who killed the woman he loved which turned him from life as a solicitor to the life of a police officer. The story begins as the man in question, Jeremy Oxley has been arrested near Birmingham but is rescued, and his guards murdered by a young lady.
Peril on the Royal Train- Edward Marston
The final book of my quartet takes place after Colbeck has married Madeline and is again, a different type of crime. Marston keeps us interested by changing the nature of his crimes brilliantly! In this case, the book begins with the devastating crash and derailing of a goods train in Scotland. Old rivals from Colbeck's past cases are involved in the investigation and it seems an impossible feat to discover the arbiter of the crimes, but for a chance sighting by a shepherd boy who proves integral to the plot. There are a lot of lucky coincidences in the book leading to the solving of the crime but I suppose it wouldn't be an interesting book otherwise! Not my favourite of the series but still excellent and fast-paced!
Treasures of the snow- Pamela St John
The final book of the month was given to me by a friend and she gave me 3 Pamela St John books. I find them delightful. They are fictional and deal with children and their discovering of faith and goodness in the world. Don't think they are some prissy evangelical book, they are books showing the goodness that can result in being aware of breaking relationships and how hope can be found. The characterisation is well done and the countryside description is beautiful. The book tells the story of a little girl who lives in the mountains and how her rivalry and dislike of another boy results in much heartbreak, her brother's crippling and how the relationships change when the children discover the power of forgiveness.
Have you read any of these books? Would you? What have you been reading recently?
xxx
Snowflake in my hand- Samantha Mooney
This was my Bloggers' Secret Santa gift from Imogen. It has the look of a children's book about it but it is actually the reminiscences of Veternary worker (she's not a vet, she's some sort of research assistant/fellow), Samantha Mooney in New York. She shares details of her life working with cats with cancer or Leukaemia. The author has a lot of heart and you see how much she cares about her job and the cats that she meets. There are stories of success and joys and experiences but of course, since she works in the cancer/Leuk unit, there are also many sad tales. But,I love the fact that these owners love their animals so much to pay for the drugs and treatments to prolong their lives. Tis heartening. This was a lovely read although I found Samantha's constant need to better herself by constant extra-curricular study exhausting at times!
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If you've read my blog for a few years, you will know that GH is one of my favourite authors. Her Regency romances have an impeccable attention to detail, very appealing heroines and equally dashing and likeable heroes. The tollgate begins from the perspective of the male hero which is not synonymous with all Heyer's novels. Our hero is a returned Soldier from France, Captain John Staple, who like any good Regency soldier, finds life back in England rather dull. The novel begins as he is escaping a party at his relative's house where it is certain he may be 'set up' with a young lady. He decides to escape for a hunting party at a friend's however, leaving late and taking a wrong turn leads him to end up totally on the wrong path. It is seeing a young boy running the toll gate on a road which draws his attention and sympathy. The boy is not sure where his Father has gone and is clearly terrified of some person or other. Jack decides to stay and help the boy with running the toll gate at the same time as trying to solve the mystery of where the man has gone. His wish to remain is further ignited when he meets the brave Nell Stornaway, the old squire's Grand-daughter.
I loved this book because it brings together the two types of books that Heyer wrote- murder mysteries and obviously the Regency romance- this is definitely a mystery book as well and it is very exciting. In addition, various plot-devices Heyer has used well before are used well, an unsavoury character who is after the main heroine, a highwayman and an older governess in love. The end of this book was very exciting and you are kept guessing as to the exact outcome until the end. Definitely one of the better Heyer books I have read.
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I read the next four books out of order!
The Stationmaster's farewell- Edward Marston
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Railway to the Grave- Edward Marston
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Blood on the Line- Edward Marston
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The book moves at a cracking pace, the dialogue shifts between the criminal Oxley and his lady-friend to Colbeck and Leeming on their trail. There is never a dull moment and I really wasn't sure how on earth Colbeck could capture Oxley. Also, there were times when I wasn't sure if Collbeck would end up marrying Madeline, his beloved, since he might not be able to put the death of Helen, his previous love,to rest unless he caught Oxley. The book ends with an amazing shift of location and gripping writing. Possibly the best of the Railway detective books so far and interesting since we KNEW who the murdered/baddie was, rather than the usual Who-dunnit!
Peril on the Royal Train- Edward Marston
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Treasures of the snow- Pamela St John
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Have you read any of these books? Would you? What have you been reading recently?
xxx