Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie, James Lee BurkeFor many years, I looked forward to James Lee Burke’s latest book being published towards the end of the year. His blend of rich, evocative backgrounds, deeply flawed yet inherently decent main characters and the subtle inter-weaving of supernatural elements meant I was in for a great storyContinue reading “My December listens”
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Christmas Drinks
A piece of flash fiction fun, written for Bare Books podcast and aired on Christmas Day One minute past midnight. Christmas Day.Barry nudges his wife. “You ready, Cheryl?”No answer. Snoring gently, Cheryl is fast asleep.“Oh well,” says Barry. “Looks like it’s up to me. As usual.”Reluctantly, he gets out of the warm bed, pulls onContinue reading “Christmas Drinks”
At the Movies
Wednesday is movie day at our house. Beverley arrives mid-morning and, after lunch we settle down to watch a film, chosen by one of us in strict rotation. This means that we have all been exposed to films we wouldn’t normally have chosen to watch, with some surprising results. Apart from Gone With the Wind,Continue reading “At the Movies”
In November, I listened to …
Geneva, Richard Armitage I was attracted to this book by the prospect of listening to the two main narrators, Nicola Walker and Richard Armitage himself and I wasn’t disappointed in their delivery. The plot sounded a bit James Bond-ish, well out of my wheelhouse, but I’m always open to a new experience, so I paidContinue reading “In November, I listened to …”
Christmas all wrapped up
FAMILIES STEEPED IN CRUELTY AND BETRAYAL A COUNTRY TORN BY SECTARIANISM Book One: Ashes on the TongueIn 1950s Northern Ireland, two families are connected by a history steeped in secrecy, violence and betrayal. Ruby and Victor Crozier are Protestants, with one daughter, Fen, still at home. When Victor forces Fen out of school and into workContinue reading “Christmas all wrapped up”
The latest book in the Hartford Manor series
I began reading the Hartford Manor books with Betsy, which is actually the prequel to the series. It was, in some senses, a harrowing story of a hard and difficult childhood, set against a background of the Devon countryside in the 1800s. In that book, Marcia Clayton brought to life a host of characters, withContinue reading “The latest book in the Hartford Manor series”
Difficult, confusing and fascinating
Medusa’s Musings is a mix of stream-of-consciousness, philosophical debate, an edgy feminism and a sarky petulance. I have only a sketchy knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology and always thought of Medusa as a witch with snakes in her head who turned men to stone with the flick of her eyelashes. In this book, MedusaContinue reading “Difficult, confusing and fascinating”
Burning bridges
I like poetry but, if I’m honest, I only have a passing interest in it. Every now and then, though, a piece of work will take my interest and I acquire a new favourite author. One such is Rudy Francisco, a spoken word poet and writer from San Diego. Of all his work, this isContinue reading “Burning bridges”
Thank you
Many thanks to Laura Lyndhurst for thisin-depth review of Burden of Freedom.
A well-plotted character study
You know those family parties you look forward to, anticipating the conversations and conviviality with family and friends – the ones that start off with everybody in a great mood, just enjoying drinks ad ‘catching up’. Then the cracks begin to appear, maybe just a little uneasiness and, before you know it, the murky pastContinue reading “A well-plotted character study”
JJ Grafton 