Monday, November 5, 2012

Book Review: The Missing by Jane Casey


The Missing is author Jane Casey's first novel; a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young girl who is a student in the class of teacher, and main character, Sarah Finch. The body of this student is found by Sarah herself, while she out exercising, and the case takes her back to the unsolved disappearance of her older brother when she was a girl which also makes her a suspect in the two crimes. These two events are related in parallel story-lines which inevitably come together at the end of the book.

Those who like to read thrillers will not be disappointed with the way that the story takes a number of twists and surprises. Beginning with a slow pace the story gradually builds and culminates in a grand ending that draws the reader into an apparently predictable situation but then provides an unexpected twist.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Books to be Reviewed: The Shining Serpent by M. A Hadi

Thanks to M. A. Hadi for sending me a copy of his novel The Shining Serpent for reviewing. This is the story of a mother searching for her kidnapped child in war torn Iraq with some mysterious assistance.

"Within the chaos of a war-torn Iraq, Sarah tries to live a peaceful life with her young son. But everything changes drastically when her son disappears. Contemplating suicide by day, and seeing strange realms by night, she meets a dark serpent who promises to help her. With new found belief in herself, she sets off in search for her son. But who is this mysterious entity? And will she be able to overcome the hazards that lie ahead?"

A review will appear on this website soon. For those who wish to purchase it now it is available for Kindle here - The Shining Serpent Kindle edition, or the paperback is available on Amazon.co.uk.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Book Review: Baking Cakes In Kigali by Gaile Parkin


In Baking Cakes in Kigali author Gaile Parkin takes readers into a community of locals and immigrants all of whom interact with the central character of the story, Angel Tungaraza, who is a mother, independent businesswoman and pillar-of-the-community in post genocidal Kigali, Rwanda.

The strength of this book is the moral and emotional fortitude shown by Angel and the large number of supporting characters who are all revealed through their interactions with her; the large majority being meetings with her whilst they are ordering cakes for special events in their lives. It quickly transpires that Angel is most aptly named as she provides many visitors with a friendly ear and gently pushes them towards making decisions that will improve their lives; this is a book about people, their lives and their feelings, trying to get life back to normal after the brutal, historic events of the civil war.