Monthly Archives: September 2010

Ashes to Dust, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Maxine

Translated by Philip Roughton. Having recently re-discovered the charms of the local library, I was delighted the other day to spot a copy of Yrsa Sigurdardottir’s third novel about lawyer Thora Gudmundsdottir, Ashes to Dust, and snapped it up. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Europe, Iceland, Legal, Medical, Mystery, Series, Translated | Leave a comment

All the Colours of the Town, by Liam McIlvanney

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Maxine

Gerry Conway is a political journalist for the Glasgow Tribune. Divorced with two young sons, he lives in a flat in the city centre and when he isn’t at work he’s in the pub.  Aware of the general unease and insecurities … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Debut, Europe, Ireland, Journalism, Political, Scotland | Leave a comment

An Empty Death, by Laura Wilson

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Maxine

Having been sent a copy of Laura Wilson’s third Stratton book by her new publisher, Quercus, I thought I had better read the second, An Empty Death. This was not too onerous a proposition as I’d very much enjoyed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, England, Europe, Historical, Medical, Police procedural, Series | Leave a comment

The Woman Before Me, by Ruth Dugdall

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Maxine

This novel is an extremely addictive debut, which deservedly won the CWA debut dagger this year. The publisher very kindly contacted me to offer a copy, and though books about babies in danger are definitely not my cup of tea, … Continue reading →

Posted in Award winner, Books, Crime fiction, Debut, Domestic, England, Europe, Legal, Psychology, Social comment | Leave a comment

U is for Undertow, by Sue Grafton

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Maxine

I very much enjoyed reading this classic crime novel. Although this is 21st in a series, anyone coming to it for the first time would enjoy this book, which is praise indeed, for the balance of satisfying regular readers while … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, North America, Private investigator, Series, USA | Leave a comment

Midnight Cab by James W. Nicol

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Maxine

Walker Deveraux is a nineteen-year old man, about to leave his mother, father and six sisters and their house in the small town of Big River, Thunder Bay for an independent life in the big city – Toronto. Walker hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Canada, Crime fiction, Mystery, North America, Psychology, Thriller | Leave a comment

Tell Tale by Sam Hayes

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Maxine

This is the story of several women – or is it? The novel opens with an un-named woman about to throw herself off a bridge in despair. We then flash back to several stories told in alternating chapters or segments … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Domestic, England, Europe, Mystery, Thriller | Leave a comment

Witness the Night, by Kishwar Desai

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Maxine

  Witness the Night A terrible tragedy has occurred in a small town in India. Thirteen members of a family have been murdered and then their house set on fire. A young girl, Durga, the daughter of the family, has … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Crime fiction, Debut, England, Europe, India, Psychology, Social comment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment