Burial Rites is Hannah Kent’s first novel and an auspicious start to her career. Set in 1828-1830, the plot is based on real people and factual events surrounding the last execution of a criminal in Iceland. For those who prefer their fiction historical and who have enjoyed Margaret Atwood’s Alias, Grace or the novels of Geraldine Brooks (who is thanked in the author’s note), this is a book you will want to read. In 1828, a well known herbalist and healer (some said sorcerer) named […]
Another Historical Romance, But With a Shut In
Meredith Duran writes character driven historical romance. She’s sometimes a little more serious* than I prefer, but her latest release, Fool Me Twice, strikes a fantastic balance. I suspect it’s her best yet, but I am too busy working through her back catalogue at the moment to make any kind of judgement. It is very, very good. I highly recommend this book and will be adding Duran to my autobuy list forthwith. Alastair de Grey, Duke of Marwick is nothing to write home about as […]
“Under the Banner of Heaven”: Vangie13 cbr #42
by Jon Krakauer “I was doing God’s will, which is not a crime.” And now for something completely different. I needed a break from Romulans, Remans, and Vulcans (oh my!). I’ve been wanting to read this, so here’s my break. In 1984, Dan Lafferty used a knife to slit the throat of his 15-month-old niece Erica in her crib. Then he and his brother Ron brutally beat to death Erica’s mother, 24-year-old Brenda. She was their youngest brother’s wife. The brothers claimed God told them […]
“Vulcan’s Soul: Epiphany”: Star Trek Novelization Vangie13 cbr #40
by Josepha Sherman & Susan Schwartz “You will not, I fear, escape the consequences of that fear. Some of them fear contagion.” Ambassador Spock, his wife Captain Saavik, Commander Data, Captain Scott, and Starfleet Intelligence Chief Admiral Uhura are now joined by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his Enterprise crew in trying to prevent war between the Romulans and the Watraii. They must discover the secret of the Watraii and recover the stolen Romulan artifact. Meanwhile in the past, Remus has become a prison planet, mutating […]