Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

As a boy, Evan Smoak was taken from an orphanage. Raised and trained in a top-secret programme, he was sent to bad places to do things the government denied ever happened. Then he broke with the programme, using what he'd learned to vanish. Now he helps the desperate and deserving.
But someone's on his trail. Someone who knows his past and believes that the boy once known as Orphan X must die . . .

(Publisher's blurb)

Two gripes on an otherwise very good, pacy action-packed thriller of a book. The first and most annoying is the insistence on such short chapters – are we readers really so unable to absorb more than a page or two of text at a time? Is it the dumbing-down into millennium-aged preferred sound-bites? Or am I just a cranky older reader? I don’t know but it infuriated me in this book. While admittedly adding to the fast pace of the action the chopping and changing of scenes and viewpoints was an annoyance; chapters of barely one page at times.

My second gripe is that the author’s name did not appear on the cover of the copy I read so that I really struggled to remember it. The author’s name is important to me; if I like the book I will hunt out others, and I will likely as not recognise the name when discovering it in future, in reviews or other commentary and feedback. 

The cover did contain glowing endorsement quotes from such heavyweights as David Baldacci, Lee Child, Jonathan Kellerman and Tess Gerritsen. If this is your genre then David Baldacci’s comment “Read this book. You will thank me later.” is spot on.

Posted by Catherine

Catalogue link: Orphan X

By Any Means by Ben Sanders

I came to this book after hearing Ben Sanders read at a Writers and Readers Festival a year or two ago, and after first reading his more recent book Marshall’s Law. 

Unlike Marshall’s Law which is set in America, By Any Means is set in Auckland and it reinforced the decision made from reading the first to record an * in my books to read list, which means ‘read anything by this author’. For anyone not familiar with Auckland, Ben gives enough location clues to aid the reading. 

The novel is at times violent, but not excessively so and certainly not more than any other book in modern crime writing. M2 Magazine is quoted on the cover as saying “... a triumph of gritty, page-turning, good old crime writing...” and I agree. I hope we see more of the main character Sean Devereaux.

Posted by Catherine

Catalogue link: By Any Means

The Virgin & the Whale by Carl Nixon

This book by Carl Nixon starts with a preface entitled “the beginning” and is dated and signed by the author March 2013. I assume it’s factual and taking that into account, the story which follows is all the more remarkable, amazing and hauntingly beautiful.

To say too much would spoil it for any reader, but if the title and cover illustration (of hot air balloon over foreign fantastical, ancient city amid big trees) doesn’t grab you, then perhaps like me, you’ve read Carl Nixon before and that alone is reason enough to pick it up. If not, then let me tell you it is set in New Zealand and for the most part tells the story of a young nurse and mother, living with her parents and initially at least, working at the colonial city’s hospital while awaiting news of her husband’s return from the First World War.

There are enough clues, scientific and historical facts in the account to whet the appetite of readers who are interested in these things and for those of us who like to be carried along with a jolly good story I promise you that is there as well. There is a story within a story, happening concurrently, and this is interwoven with skill and ease for the reader. I found myself stealing time from other areas of my life in order to complete this book, doing so in just three sessions. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more captivating. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Catherine

Catalogue Link: The virgin and the whale

Read More: Author's website

So Much For That by Lionel Shriver

As we’ve come to expect from New York Times bestselling author Lionel Shriver this is a topical hard-hitting novel in which real life events are scrutinised, lived and revealed. 

In this case set amid the world of retirement funds, life after work and medical insurance in America. Also about life and death and dreams and what becomes of them – living up to its title time and time again. 

Called by some critics a 'rant' at the American health system, government and other things that annoy the author I nevertheless enjoyed it. I thought it was an excellent read and would recommend it.

Posted by Catherine

Catalogue Link: So Much For That

See more about So Much For That on Youtube  www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrLhTpoxwE0

All the Nice Girls by Barbara Anderson

On hearing of Barbara Anderson’s recent death I sought out the bookshelves of the local library to see whether there was anything of hers I hadn’t read and found All the Nice Girls.

Set in Devonport in the 1960’s it surely must be a classic portrait of New Zealand life, particularly New Zealand life for a young naval officer’s wife of the time. With its “shops closed on Sundays” and “the good wife’s duties: supporting the husband’s career and bringing up the children while he’s away at sea” themes.

With Anderson’s keen character drawing you can just see the other naval wives and town inhabitants mentioned. A not too predictable tale with an ending which is also not overdone confirming what I believe is Barbara Anderson’s high position in the New Zealand writing scene.


Posted by Catherine

Check out our Catalogue and reserve online

All the Nice Girls by Barbara Anderson

About the author

Barbara Anderson was one of New Zealand’s foremost fiction writers. Her short stories and novels were published to national and international acclaim. While her writing featured in journals, on radio broadcasts and in magazines, her first published collection wasn’t released until 1989, when Anderson was in her sixties. Her memoir Getting There: An Autobiography was published in 2008. She wrote numerous novels and short story collections, and many publications have been reprinted due to popular demand.

Read more about Barbara Anderson

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

A delightful story based on the unusual premise of a 65 year old man, Harold, going to post a letter and just keeping on walking. He'd received in essence a "goodbye' letter from a co-worker from his long ago past. She was dying in a Hospice in the very North of England. Harold existed in an uneasy retirement with his way in South England. He decided to walk to see the letter writer, and she would be kept alive by having to wait for him to get there. 

At times funny, often moving, we travel with Harold and meet up with others along the way and observe: his thoughts on life past and present, the changes in him and his relationship with his wife, along with the flora and landscape of rural England. Not at all mawkish, it's a gorgeous tale which could so easily have gone off the boil but doesn't... Posted by Catherine

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2012

About the Author

"Rachel Joyce has written over 20 original afternoon plays for BBC Radio 4, and major adaptations for both the Classic Series, Woman's Hour and also a TV drama adaptation for BBC 2. In 2007 she won the Tinniswood Award for best radio play. She moved to writing after a twenty-year career in theatre and television, performing leading roles for the RSC, the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court, and Cheek by Jowl, winning a Time Out Best Actress award and the Sony Silver. This is her first novel. She is currently at work on her second." From the Publisher

Rachel Joyce's websites:  www.rachel-joyce.co.uk and www.racheljoycebooks.com

Have you "seen" Harold Fry?  Pin your location on the map here (give it a minute or two to load):

www.racheljoycebooks.com/have-you-seen-harold

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The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, 2012