Murray 13, Shroud for a Sinner, is available for preorder now - paperback available shortly!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shroud-Sinner-Murray-Letho-Book-ebook/dp/B0BFFSQ6HR/
Meanwhile, the autumn Letho Observer should be hitting your inboxes - let us know at contact@kellascatpress.co.uk if it doesn't appear!
Well, the first full day of the reign of King Charles III. It's quite hard to think straight, but I'd better do my usual post.
Marion Todd, Old Bones Lie: This has a good start, two prison officers,
their prisoner, and their wives, all going missing at once. The writing seems
more relaxed than the previous book I read (not the previous one the series –
think I’ve skipped one or two) and I enjoyed it much more. Have to say I think
my favourite character is the unflappable Jim, who never seems to be off-duty
but just turns up and sorts stuff out (there seems to be a similar Jim, a PCSO, in the David Gatward books - every police station needs a Jim!). But I’m afraid Claire has gone down in
my estimation – ketchup with fish and chips? No, and particularly not with fish
and chips from Tailend in Market Street. Just no. Stop it now.
Marsali Taylor, A Shetland Winter Mystery: This series grows more
political in a good way, and here there is some debate over windfarms. The mystery
moves a little slowly but in a satisfying way, and in my opinion culminates in
Cass’s high-level escape – benefitting from her mast work on tall ships. Domestically
this is also a very pleasing book.
Luke Arnold, The Last Smile in Sunder City: No idea how I
happened on this one – perhaps I just thought the cover looked a bit
Rivers-of-London-ish. It’s not, but it is fantasy with some crime. All magic
has been destroyed by a clumsy human attempt to take control of it, and
erstwhile magical creatures are having to find new ways of living in a
different world. In the middle of this, an elderly vampire teacher has gone missing,
and his school would like him back. We’re somewhere between Raymond Chandler
and Terry Pratchett here, with a dark occasional humour and a fascinating
backstory. It took me a while to get moving on it though I kept going back for
more – the last thirty percent, though, sped by. Intriguing.
Frances Evesham, A Harvest Murder: I was hesitant at the start where
there were some very long sentences that were a bit confusing for dim people
like me. But it began to take shape – might have been easier if I’d started at
the beginning of a series like a sensible person. It’s more cosy than my usual
style of read, but the plot was good and the characters were pleasant to spend
time with, and I enjoyed it. I might well return when I need a cosy again!
Nicola Clifford, Not Forgotten: Triggering Corrs songs with the title
but a gripping start, as Stacey’s policeman partner vanishes, and the officer
in charge of the case is convinced that he has gone voluntarily. Fortunately
all Stacey’s chums at the station conspire to continue investigating behind
this chap’s back, and soon we’re beginning to think he’s a wrong ‘un. These do
need a little suspension of disbelief (ambulances still appear with the
promptness of fairy godmothers, and every female giggles at the least
provocation, not to mention very intelligent police officers knowingly
endangering both an operation and a civilian in one go) but are good enough
reads.
Lucinda E Clarke, A Year in the Life of Leah Brand: This is a
psychological domestic noir thriller, with a good deal of ‘No, don’t do that!
Why did you marry him?’ from the start, and fluid, intriguing writing that is
hard to put down. While I could guess at some of the solution, the ending was
quite enough to make one want to go on and buy the next book to find out more.
M.W. Craven, The Botanist: Poe continues his social education of Tilly
in this excellent next instalment of the series, where a killer is disposing of
people society has no real problem with seeing dead. Clever plot, more of a howwasitdone
than a whodunnit, and the ending was very neat.
Joy Margetts, The Healing: A soldier, wounded in a battle he had no
intention of surviving, finds himself recovering in a monastery. There are so
many unanswered questions at the beginning of this book you have to read on,
and if the soldier himself is grumpy, you do want to know why, and the monks
are lovely, good-humoured and clever. This is an overtly Christian book with
Bible passages included – if I have a gripe it is that they are from a
translation I don’t much like, but otherwise it’s a very well-written,
beautifully researched, and well-plotted book, and I’m eager to read the next
in the – not sure it’s a series, as such, but the family!
Sean Campbell, The PatientKiller: There are some oddities in the English here (I’m really fed up with unnecessary
prepositions as in ‘parked up’ or ‘swapped out’), and Americanisms, but I
enjoyed this. An intriguing plot, quite interesting tension amongst the
investigating officers, and a good pace – I was always ready to get back to it
each reading-time! The last quarter or so is devoted to the final trap of the guilty
party, which is always quite tense and here is well done.
Alan McClure, Callum and the Other: The second in this fast-paced, chatty, fantasy series for teenagers. Life is moving on for Callum and his pals, but they are thrown back into the mysterious experiences they had in the previous book and face a new threat to their village and to the future. Tapping into many of the things that worry teenagers these days, this book gives hope for our own futures, as well as the incentive to put in a bit of work to get things right.
Jean Gill, The Ringbreaker: Something of a young adult book but
definitely suitable for older adults, too! This is a skilfully written,
beautifully researched coming-of-age story set in Viking Orkney, after the
death of Jarl Magnus. I loved the persistent imagery of the cormorant, and the
way the skaldic verse was woven into the story. Hlif, too, is a strong and
interesting character shining a powerful light on Viking domestic life, while
the warriors about them, including Jarl Rognvald, are well defined. Everything
from fighting to stone masonry is convincingly portrayed, and from the
practical to the mystical a scene in Maeshowe brings its known history to life
and touches on the magical. A rich and compelling read.
Anyway, Murray 13, Shroud for a Sinner, is with beta readers and should be out soon (unless they really don't like it!)
The Contentious Business of Samuel Seabury, a kind of standalone sequel to The Slaughter of Leith Hall, is scheduled for 14th. November, all being well.
And I'm now writing a Hippolyta prequel novella for a Christmas collection - and it is not going well! But I need to press on, as contracts have been signed.
