Lyn: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Lyn loved this mystery novel, as well as the story there was also information about the marshes and the animal life that lived there. The plot centres around Kya, a wild and unkempt girl, but many of the townspeople had a part to play in the plot.
Lyn found it a haunting and complex book which made it hard to put down.
Judy A: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
This was a good psychological thriller. Jake is a once promising novelist, but now teaching creative writing classes. A brash young participant tells him of the plot he wants to write. Several years later, Jake learns he has died and so reworks the plot as his own and the book becomes very successful.
Then one day Jake gets an anonymous email – YOU ARE A THIEF.
Judy’s final comment: This was really well written not only for the building suspense but the insights into the world of publishing.
Joan: The Incredible Life of Hubert Wilkins by Peter Fitzsimons
Hubert Wilkins seemed to be an amazing bloke who led an incredible life. But Joan was disappointed with the book as she felt she didn’t get any sense of the character from the writing.
Red Roulette: An Insider’s Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption and Vengeance in Today’s China by Desmond Shum
The title says it all. The author’s wife was a successful businesswoman with connections to party officials. It seems that some of their dealings were with corrupt officials. The book investigates her disappearance off a street in Beijing.
Joan: A very interesting read about the political set up and how things are done in China.
Claurene: This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes
She usually loves biographies but was very disappointed in this one, so much so that she couldn’t finish it. In her opinion it seems to be limited to the author’s relationships, she wanted more from it.
Connie: How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn (written in 1939)
Connie knew the story from having watched the movie previously but enjoyed the book so much more.
The story is narrated by Huw Adams, the younger son in the family, about his Welsh family and the mining community in which they live. Life in the coal mining area is very hard and the slags represent an ever-present danger.
Although the ending is very sad, Connie explained that life is not like that in these areas anymore.
The slags have been removed and living standards are much better now.
Judy D: The Nazis Knew My Name: by Magda Helinger and Maya Lee
Like many Polish women, the author was moved to Auschwitz Concentration Camp during the war. Here she was given positions of responsibility which eventually allowed her to save many lives.
The book is based on the author’s first-hand accounts and extensive research by her daughter.
Although it is an amazing story, Judy thought it very typical of numerous books that have come out recently telling of lives in the camps, but from different perspectives.
Kris: Devotion by Hannah Kent
Fleeing religious persecution, the villagers of Kay make the journey on a disease-ridden ship from German Prussia to the new colony of South Australia. They establish a settlement in what is now known as Hanhdorf. Although God and society prevent them from being together, the devotion of Hanne and Thea, two young women villagers, to each other, is the main theme of the book.
All 3 of Hannah Kent’s novels centre on women on the margins of society. Kris thought it was a wonderful book, beautifully written, but she didn’t enjoy as much as the previous two. This is possibly because she had an expectation of much more about life in the settlement of Hanhdorf.
Sheila: The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan
A very interesting book published in 2019, tells the story of an old man who promises his wealth to a young woman the family has never heard of. The story begins in the 1930s and is told from the two sides of this divided family. As well as the family saga there is good factual history of the war.
The book comes highly recommended by Sheila.
Judy J: The Judge’s List by John Grisham
A very good legal thriller. A young woman whose father had been murdered many years ago, determines to find the killer. As she investigates, she finds connections to other cases which all seem to link back to the Judge. He is very well respected and successful in his legal career but leads another life, separate and very secretive, as he avoids detection.
With no real evidence it is difficult to get the police or other authorities to investigate.
John Grisham is a very successful writer and Judy enjoys his variety of characters and settings in his story lines.
Julia: Secret Smile by Nicci French
Julia described this as a very good and most compelling novel. Miranda’s sister, Kerri has a new boyfriend. But is he really the person he claims to be?
Julia thoroughly recommends this book as well as Beneath the Skin by the same author Nicci French.
Interestingly this is the pseudonym for husband-and-wife team Nicci Gerrad and Sean French.
Lesley: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Described by Leslie as a delightful, easy read, humorous and witty. Set in a luxurious Retirement Village in the English countryside, 4 residents meet each week to try to solve ‘cold cases’ looking for missed clues.
When there is an actual murder on site, the residents launch their own investigation even though the police come to investigate. The residents are all nice people, and their back stories make interesting reading. Thoroughly recommended.
Bev: The Death Sculptor by Chris Carter
The book carries a warning that it includes ‘dismemberment’ and it is certainly part of this juicy novel.
Forty years ago, 4 guys are responsible for a murder and thought they had got away with it.
But on his death bed, one of them confesses to the crime and the family of the victim decides to take revenge.
So begins a series of murders each with its own gory message.
Although she finished the book, Bev is not sure she would read another by this author.
February Book Club:
We will be reading books on the topic of ‘Air Travel’ and they can be from any genre
All welcome.
