Review:- Kenneth BURNLEY & Guy HUNTINGTON – “Images of Wirral”

Year Published: - 1991
Where the book was from:- My own copy (bought second-hand)
ISBN: - 0 9517961 0 0
Pages: - 160pp Large Format
Genre: - Non-fiction – Topography / History
Location:- Wirral, Cheshire
How I came across it: - Serendipity - Charity shop
Rating: - ***** *
One sentence summary:- A rather over-weening account of Wirral,  full of extravagant praise and exuberant compliments, the style of which rather detracts from what is essentially an interesting and attractively illustrated account.

General comments:-
Some good – if generally unspectacular- photos help to make this story of some of Wirral’s attractions acceptable. In the main the topography and history is of the sort well known to anyone who has lived on the Wirral and taken an interest in it but the occasional lesser known item makes it worth reading.  Certainly a book that should be on the shelves of any Wirral resident.

Keith Burnley and Guy Huntington were both born on The Wirral in 1949. The former is the author of other Wirral books and Editor of the Wirral Journal. Guy Huntington is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

Review – Paul DOHERTY – “The Darkening Glass”

Year Published: - 2009
Where the book was from:- Pensby Library
ISBN: - 978-0-7553-3852-8
Pages: - 304pp
Genre: - Historical crime
Location:- Northern England in the year 1312
How I came across it: - On the new books shelf
Rating: - ***** ***
One sentence summary:- Edward II is in conflict with his Earls over his favouritism towards the Gascon, Gaveston, and everywhere that Gaveston goes his faithful retainers drop like flies; deaths investigated at the King’s request by Mathilde of Westminster.

General comments:-
This is not just a cosy historical crime novel – it is too well-researched to be called that. The use of language, the way in which the atmosphere is set and the detail in the book all demonstrate Doherty’s love of history and his knowledge of his subject. His skill at creating a who-dunnit is equally good and the mystery of who is carrying out the murders and why is maintained right to the end.

I shall certainly be seeking out more Paul Doherty books in the near future.

Paul DOHERTY see :- The Templar

Review:- Hazel HOLT – “A Death in the Family”

Year Published: - 2006
Where the book was from:- Pensby Library
ISBN: - 978-0-7490-8095-2
Pages: - 285pp
Genre: - Cosy crime
Location:- S W England
How I came across it: - Author recommended by Nan
Rating: - ***** *
One sentence summary:- Amateur sleuth Shiela Malory is visited by her boring second cousin as part of his genealogical research but when he is found dead it seems his research may have upset someone.

Describe the plot without giving anything away:-
Shiela Malory is visited by her boring second cousin, Bernard Prior, as part of his genealogical research but when he is found dead it seems his research may have upset someone. Shiela, noted for her tenacity in looking into suspicious deaths leaves no branch of the family undisturbed in her efforts to find out what exactly happened on the night Bernard died.

General comments:-
This is the second Hazel Holt ‘Shiela Malory’ story I have tried. The first – “A Time to Die” - I slated but perhaps I should have given it more of a chance. Certainly this one was quite enjoyable though I guessed the guilty party fairly early on.  I'm not sure I shall bother with any more though.  There are too many better cosy crime stories out there.

HAZEL HOLT was born in 1928 in Birmingham. She studied at Newnham College, Cambridge, and went on to work at the International African Institute in London, where she became acquainted with the novelist Barbara Pym, whose biography she later wrote. Holt wrote her first novel in her sixties, and is a leading crime novelist. She is best known for her "Sheila Malory" series. Her son is the novelist Tom Holt.

NEW YEAR – NEW FORMAT

I found this blog a little hard to keep going at times during 2009. i have therefore decided to simplify the format a little.
Each book will have the same starting details –

Year Published: -
Where the book was from:-
ISBN: -
Genre: -
Location: -
Pages: -
How I came across it: -
Rating: -
One sentence summary:-

Describe the plot without giving anything away:-

General comments:-

Quotations:

AUTHOR Notes:-

2009 – A summary

During 2009 I read at least 89 fiction and 21 non-fiction books. I probably forgot to record another one or two and I dipped into a few more.

My top ten titles for the year are:-

Boyd, A. W. The Country Diary of a Cheshire Man - which I had read before but which remains one of the best ever nature diaries of England.

Finlay, Victoria Buried Treasure - a marvellous study of gems and their origins.

Seierstadt, Asne The Bookseller of Kabul - a fascinating and controversial look at Afghanistan and Muslim life.

Drayson, Nicholas A Guide to the Birds of East Africa - brilliantly funny, romantic and entertaining fiction.

Haddon, Mark The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time –a marvellous, different piece of writing with a real insight into Asperger's

Pratchett, Terry Unseen Academicals - not Pratchett’s best Discworld novel but still gets ten stars in my rating system.

Shreve, Anita Resistance – A well-written story of the Second World War.

Shaffer, Mary Ann The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society - War stories are not my normal reading and yet this is another Second World War book giving a fascinating insight into life in occupied Guernsey.

Farooki, Roopa The Corner Shop - A truly delightful story.

Faulks, Sebastian The Girl at the Lion d'Or - Excellently written. I just wanted more and more.

And since I cannot count well – here’s an eleventh.

Cornwell, Bernard Azincourt - if only because historical novels are usually my favourites and this is as good as they come.