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Thursday 5 August 2021

July in books

 I've been enjoying some good books this year and discovered some new to me authors, so I thought I would mention a few of them here in case they appeal to any of you.  I like to get book recommendations, sometimes you discover something you might have otherwise passed by, and it's always good to find new authors. 
I do love a good crime story and when this one popped up on audible I thought I'd give it a go, so glad I did.

Sweet Little Lies is the first book in the Detective Cat Kinsella series, followed by  Stone Cold Heart and finally Shed No Tears
I listened to all three via Audible and they were all narrated by Jane Collingwood.  I love that the same person narrated all three books, and Jane did an excellent job.  
I loved Caz Frear's writing style, she keeps you engaged all the way through with twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way to the end.  I would highly recommend these to anyone who enjoys a good Police procedural and I recommend reading them in order, although each book is a stand alone case Detective Cat Kinsella has a back story that you learn more about in the first book and the other books will then make more sense.




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I must have really wanted to read this next book because I bought it twice, one new copy and one from a charity shop! (not the first time I've done that).

Away with the Penguins is in the same genre as The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey.

I loved this book and by the end of it loved Veronica McCreedy too.

Veronica McCreedy lives in a mansion by the sea.  She loves a nice cup of Darjeeling tea whilst watching a good wildlife documentary.  And she's never seen without her ruby-red lipstick.  Although these days Veronica is rarely seen by anyone because, at 85, her days are spent mostly at home, alone.  She can be found eithere collecting litter from the beach ('people who litter the countryside should be shot'), trying to locate her glasses ('someone must have moved them') or shouting instructions to her assistant, Eileen ('Eileen, door!').  Veronica doesn't have family or friends nearby.  Not that she knows about, anyway, and she has no idea where she's going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies.  But today, today Veronica is going to make a decision that will change all of this.

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Apparently  Peter May wrote Lockdown over fifteen years ago, in 2005, but it was rejected by publishers as being to unrealistic.  Fast forward to 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and the book was finally published.

The story is not about the flu epidemic as such but a whodunit with the pandemic as a backdrop.  We would have thought it was all a bit far fetched pre 2020 but he has got so many things spot on, including it being manmade, it's uncanny.


If anyone would like to read either Lockdown or Away With The Penguins please mention it in the comments, if more than one person expresses an interest I will do a draw.  Due to postage costs I can unfortunately only post to UK.

-X-

12 comments:

Poppypatchwork said...

I too enjoyed sweet little lies, I've read loads of Peter May books and enjoyed them. Please enter me for either books, I did enjoy Harold Fry.

Jo said...

It's so good to find a good book that you can get your teeth into, isn't it. I was an avid reader as a child but read very little when the kids were young, I just didn't have the time, but my passion for reading has been rekindled over the last few years. So many great books out there. I've seen Away with the Penguins in bookshops and thought that's right up my street so I'd love to be included in the draw please.

Carol said...

Thanks for the recommendations, Maggie! I LOVED Harold Fry and Queenie Hennessey so will definitely add Away With the Penguins to my library reading list :) I'm sure the winner of your books will be thrilled!

Vickie said...

Oh Maggie, thank you. I plan to read Away With the Penguins and Lockdown. I agree with Carol, your winners will be very happy. :) I read Station Eleven, which was also written well before the pandemic, and it was excellent!

Heritage Hall said...

In reading the reviews on Away with the Penguins and
being inspired by the guffaws and laughter it promised
I ordered it on the spot, Maggie. What better time than now to fill some moments with humor and hope?
Many thanks for the heads up.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for the recommendations.
Happy weekend wishes.

All the best Jan

Jackie said...

Oooooooh lovely, more books to add to my list. Thank you.

God bless.

Barb said...

Thanks for all the book ideas. Stitching and reading are two of my passions!

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

Of all the books you mention, Away With the Penguins peaks my interest, it sounds like a lovely story, I would love to have it to take on my upcoming holiday. Can I recommend a few very good writers that I have discovered, a couple of them during lockdown. I suspect most folk will know the Ruth Galloway series by Ellie Griffiths, crime fiction with a sense of history and the supernatural. The complex life of the heroine is especially addictive. There are I believe 13 novels, but they must be read in order to follow the sub plots. Laura Shepherd Robinson is feeding my 18th century addiction, with so much historical detail and fantastic characters, just finished Daughters of the Night. Lastly Natasha Pulley, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, totally fantastical and immersive. best, Jean

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Tigermouse said...

Found you through Jo 'Through the Keyhole', I'm only skimming through the blog just now but you have such lovely photos I'll come back later and read more of your posts properly. Away With The Penguins sounds interesting, I read both the Harold Fry and Queenie Hennesey books and loved them so if this is the same type of thing I think I might like it.