Friday 12 May 2017

May Reading from Book Chat

The Dressmaker of Dachau by Mary Chamberlain

Set around the years of WW2, Chamberlain tells the story of Ada, a young London seamstress, desperate to overcome her humble beginnings. Ada is swept off her feet by the charming Stanislaus von Lieben, who takes her to Paris, the home of haute couture. But when they are caught up in the German invasion, Stanislaus abandons Ada, and she must do whatever it takes to survive. A gripping story of love, ambition, betrayal and survival.


The Pigeon Tunnel by John le Carré

In his first memoir, le Carré writes about his experiences in British Intelligence during the Cold War and the events that inspired his novels, as well as the people who helped him shape characters such as George Smiley or Tessa Abbot-Quayle in The Constant Gardener. The Pigeon Tunnel is a writer’s journey over six decades and is a witty and incisive read, which will make you rethink historical events you felt you previously understood.


Redemption Road by Lisa Ballantyne

Margaret’s past is full of forgotten memories, when she experiences a car crash and a dramatic rescue by a scarred stranger who then disappears. The crash throws her into confusion and she becomes desperate to discover who she is and to find the man who saved her life. Redemption Road is a cleverly constructed thriller which seesaws between past and present; at times brutal, often sad, but in the end, a beautiful story.


Spilled Blood by Brian Freeman

Spilled Blood is really about the bad blood between two towns: affluent Barron, made prosperous by a scientific research corporation, and blue-collar St Croix, which sits down river and endures the toxic wastes the company pumps into the water. When the daughter of the corporation’s president is shot dead, a St Croix girl is accused of the crime. Part legal thriller, part environmental drama with shades of Erin Brockovich, this is a great read, hard to put down.



Death of a Ghost by M C Beaton

M C Beaton just seems to get better. In this the 32nd Hamish Macbeth novel, strange lights and eerie noises are reported at a haunted castle. While spending the night there to see what's happening, Hamish and his policeman, Charlie, discover a body, which strangely disappears on their return with CDI Blair. More murders, smuggling and illicit drugs crank up the plot, while Hamish’s quick wittedness plus the wonderful pairing of this crime-busting duo make for an enjoyable read.


Blackwattle Lake by Pamela Cook

This is one of those stories where the city girl returns to the family farm. Eve Nichols plans to sell the farm she’s recently inherited, but guilt and memories threaten to overwhelm her. Years ago she was blamed for the death of her sister, and she hasn’t been home for twenty years. Just as well there’s a lot of farm work to do and she’s soon back to the girl she used to be. A novel about forgiveness, Blackwattle Lake is grittier than most in this genre, well-written and captures the Australian landscape beautifully.

Posted by Flaxmere Library Book Chat

No comments:

Post a Comment