In a Nutshell: Although All That I Have won’t win any prizes for being an all-out action-packed thrillfest any time soon, it stands out as being a very well written crime thriller which comes with delicious literary undertones and a delightful … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: Soothing Music for Stray Cats by Jayne Joso
January 22, 2010 By 12 Comments
In a Nutshell: Soothing Music for Stray Cats turns out to be an absolute gem of a novel. Fresh, invigorating, engaging - and coming with one of the most triumphantly realised characters out there - Joso’s novel stands as a prime example of why … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: Bequest by Anna Shevchenko
January 20, 2010 By 2 Comments
In a Nutshell: The prospect of reading a thriller based upon the musty files of a Soviet archive may not sound too enthralling, but Bequest ends up being a sophisticated and clever debut novel, from an equally sophisticated and clever writer. Well … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: ‘Killer’ by Dave Zeltserman
January 7, 2010 By 7 Comments
In a Nutshell: Superbly written with a real twist in the tale, Killer is a novel which will appeal to lovers of crime fiction and the general readers alike. As a reader who usually ‘crosses the road’ to get away from crime fiction, Zeltserman has … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: ‘Pretty Monsters’ by Kelly Link
October 13, 2009 By 4 Comments
In a Nutshell: This may be one of the most imaginative and freshest story collection that you’re ever likely to read. The theme and resonance of the stories makes it more suited to the young adult, but there is no reason why anyone and everyone … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: The Breathing by Mary-Ann Constantine
September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In a Nutshell: An accomplished collection of short stories that’s a bit different from the norm. There’s an inconsistency in the stories i.e. some are much better than others, but overall the collection is so unique that it’s worth taking a … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: The China Bird by Bryony Doran
August 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In a Nutshell: Doran’s The China Bird is a real triumph, a literary classic which should be, and must be, eagerly consumed by readers of all tastes. If you've been following my reading journal over the past couple of weeks then you would have … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: Ox-Tales Air
August 6, 2009 By 2 Comments
In a Nutshell: The second in a series of four, Ox-Tales: Air employs the same winning formula that was applied to the first volume, to produce a reading collection that’s original, varied and wholly entertaining. If you’re a regular follower … [Read more...]
Afterthoughts: Silence by Shusaku Endo
July 19, 2009 By 4 Comments
In a Nutshell: A remarkably eloquent and sympathetically penned novel which not only recounts a brutal period in Japan’s history, but also gives a voice to the thousands who paid the ultimate price for their Christian beliefs. If you only read one … [Read more...]