The Devotion of Suspect X was a charity shop purchase before Christmas, bought anticipating the library’s closure. I liked the blurb, which spoke of millions sold, how the book was big in Japan (made me smile) and described it as “the Japanese Stieg Larsson”. So I already had some mental expectations, and mostly I was hoping it wouldn’t be too hyped. Then, having convinced my book club to read it (when no-one has any suggestions you find yourself desperately proferring any idea) my only hope […]
“I know who killed him”
Tana French’s The Secret Place is based in a posh girl’s boarding school in Dublin, where a 16-year old boy from the neighbouring boys’ school was killed last year. The investigating detective (Conway) couldn’t solve the crime at the time – he was killed in the middle of the night, all swear he wasn’t dating anyone serious at the time, and there’s no evidence that the girls can get out of the building by night. No forensics, no confessions – Conway is stumped. A year […]
Unexpected testicle reference
I’m not sure if I really need to explain much about either Dan Brown or the writing style he spawned. Angels and Demons was published before The Da Vinci Code, but is part of the same world – mysterious historical cults with treasure hunts in famous art and a countdown before disaster. These books spawned a whole genre of occult mystery, or whatever it’s called. The books are best sellers, but not masterpieces of award-winning quality. HOWEVER. I had read this before but missed a […]
“Perfect” in a title raises my expectations
This book is a mystery romance where a couple are thrown together through contrivance, running from bad guys, chasing the past actions of a con man to prove our heroine’s innocence from a murder charge. It sounds good. It’s only.. ok. It’s engrossing enough while you’re reading it, but utterly forgettable and unrealistic. I will acknowledge I have issues. It’s not the greatest plan to read a book which bills itself as a beach read in the depths of winter. It contains adventure, romance, and a […]