March books

I've had a real binge session of certain book types the month and I am not ashamed of it!  I'd love to know if you've read any of these and any opinions


Snowflake in my hand- Samantha Mooney

This was my Bloggers' Secret Santa gift from Imogen.  It has the look of a children's book about it but it is actually the reminiscences of Veternary worker (she's not a vet, she's some sort of research assistant/fellow), Samantha Mooney in New York.  She shares details of her life working with cats with cancer or Leukaemia. The author has a lot of heart and you see how much she cares about her job and the cats that she meets.  There are stories of success and joys and experiences but of course, since she works in the cancer/Leuk unit, there are also many sad tales. But,I love the fact that these owners love their animals so much to pay for the drugs and treatments to prolong their lives. Tis heartening. This was a lovely read although I found Samantha's constant need to better herself by constant extra-curricular study exhausting at times!

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The Toll gate - Georgette Heyer
If you've read my blog for a few years, you will know that GH is one of my favourite authors. Her Regency romances have an impeccable attention to detail, very appealing heroines and equally dashing and likeable heroes.  The tollgate begins from the perspective of the male hero which is not synonymous with all Heyer's novels. Our hero is a returned Soldier from France, Captain John Staple, who like any good Regency soldier, finds life back in England rather dull.  The novel begins as he is escaping a party at his relative's house where it is certain he may be 'set up' with a young lady. He decides to escape for a hunting party at a friend's however, leaving late and taking a wrong turn leads him to end up totally on the wrong path.  It is seeing a young boy running the toll gate on a road which draws his attention and sympathy. The boy is not sure where his Father has gone and is clearly terrified of some person or other.  Jack decides to stay and help the boy with running the toll gate at the same time as trying to solve the mystery of where the man has gone.  His wish to remain is further ignited when he meets the brave Nell Stornaway, the old squire's Grand-daughter.

I loved this book because it brings together the two types of books that Heyer wrote- murder mysteries and obviously the Regency romance- this is definitely a mystery book as well and it is very exciting.  In addition, various plot-devices Heyer has used well before are used well, an unsavoury character who is after the main heroine, a highwayman and an older governess in love. The end of this book was very exciting and you are kept guessing as to the exact outcome until the end. Definitely one of the better Heyer books I have read.

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I read the next four books out of order!

The Stationmaster's farewell- Edward Marston

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 I was so chuffed to find this quartet of books in the charity shops in Feb!  The railway detective novels are superb.  In this book, the railway detective, Colbeck is called to Exeter St David station to deal with the unexplained death of the Station Master who is found in the Guy Fawkes pyre.   Interestingly, the murder victim, for once, is not a nasty piece of work, but rather, is a lovely, hard-working gentle, kind and sensitive soul which I found more upsetting than I usually find these books. I did struggle to identify a murder in this book and when I discovered who DID murder him, I did feel a bit indignant and cheated- there's NO WAY I would have guessed that. The characterisation of the book is great and the book finally leads up to the marriage of Inspector Collbeck to his beloved Madeline Andrews, who provides vital assistance at the end of the book. Much recommended.

Railway to the Grave- Edward Marston

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The wonderful Inspector Colbeck returns in this novel.  Interestingly, the book, set in the Victorian era, gives us a bit more insight into his superior officer, Superintendent Tallis' life.  Before this, Tallis was a bit more two-dimensional.  An old-army colleague of his begins the book walking to his death along the railway lines, choosing his moment to ensure he will meet his death.  His suicide note is sent to Tallis and so he and Colbeck plus the irrepressible Sergeant Leeming come to investigate. It seems his suicide is wound up with the disappearance of his wife and the suspicions around where she went and why. The Major's death is wound up in the railway and there are a LOT of red-herrings and possible suspects linked to the disappearance which lead you round the garden path a bit.  As with these books, I find the denouement rather sudden and wish for a little more explanation, detail. I also found the people implicated who I hadn't really had much information about. Admittedly, I realised who was involved but only by my usual logic of 'Who has no motive or interest in the death?'.  Still, this was a really exciting book and I recommend any of this series.

Blood on the Line- Edward Marston

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This book actually precedes the previous one.   Interestingly,we gain insight into the life of Colbeck himself, pre-books, as he encounters and chases after his Arch-nemesis, the man who killed the woman he loved which turned him from life as a solicitor to the life of a police officer. The story begins as the man in question, Jeremy Oxley has been arrested near Birmingham but is rescued, and his guards murdered by a young lady.

The book moves at a cracking pace, the dialogue shifts between the criminal Oxley and his lady-friend to Colbeck and Leeming on their trail.  There is never a dull moment and I really wasn't sure how on earth Colbeck could capture Oxley.  Also, there were times when I wasn't sure if Collbeck would end up marrying Madeline, his beloved, since he might not be able to put the death of Helen, his previous love,to rest unless he caught Oxley.  The book ends with an amazing shift of location and gripping writing. Possibly the best of the Railway detective books so far and interesting since we KNEW who the murdered/baddie was, rather than the usual Who-dunnit!

Peril on the Royal Train- Edward Marston

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The final book of my quartet takes place after Colbeck has married Madeline and is again, a different type of crime. Marston keeps us interested by changing the nature of his crimes brilliantly! In this case, the book begins with the devastating crash and derailing of a goods train in Scotland. Old rivals from Colbeck's past cases are involved in the investigation and it seems an impossible feat to discover the arbiter of the crimes, but for a chance sighting by a shepherd boy who proves integral to the plot.  There are a lot of lucky coincidences in the book leading to the solving of the crime but I suppose it wouldn't be an interesting book otherwise! Not my favourite of the series but still excellent and fast-paced!

Treasures of the snow- Pamela St John

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The final book of the month was given to me by a friend and she gave me 3 Pamela St John books. I find them delightful.  They are fictional and deal with children and their discovering of faith and goodness in the world. Don't think they are some prissy evangelical book, they are books showing the goodness that can result in being aware of breaking relationships and how hope can be found. The characterisation is well done and the countryside description is beautiful.  The book tells the story of a little girl who lives in the mountains and how her rivalry and dislike of another boy results in much heartbreak, her brother's crippling and how the relationships change when the children discover the power of forgiveness.

Have you read any of these books? Would you?  What have you been reading recently?

xxx

Travels through words

I keep putting off this post but finally I must publish it.  Very sketchy but it will do!
I've read some great books recently and if you're wondering what to read, might I suggest some of the following...

30.  Edward Marston The Railway detective in: Murder on the Brighton Express

I am a creature of habit and if I like an author, in some sort of obsessive vein, I regard it as my life's duty to read all the series by that author.  I definitely will be doing this with Mr Marston's Railway detective series. Set in the 1830's, the Railway detective had the magic and brilliance of Agatha Christie and others but a different era.  Great characterisation and an interesting twist and SUCH an interesting intended victim! Considering this cost me 10p in a library sale, I consider this money well spent.

31.  Georgette Heyer Frederica
Another classic Heyer.  Great heroine, great hero, lovely plot which though drawn-out, seems to pass by very quickly without any repetition or boredom.  Love it!

32.  Eva Ibbotson The Secret Countess
I feel really greedy in this post listing all my favourite authors. I seemed to save them up for the holiday.  Ms Ibbotson is one of my 'obsessive must-read list' (But I like to draw it out, so I don't read them all in one go).  This is a real Cinderella story telling of a Russian countess, who in the revolution and her Father's subsequent death in WW1, finds herself in England having to work as a servant.  It is totally Downton Abbey with a mean villainess who is going to marry the hero because he has no money and has to save the property when we really want her to marry our heroine.  A beautiful love-story, told in a gentle manner.

33.  Doctor Who The Completely Useless Encyclopaedia by Steve Lyons and Chris Howarth
This is one hilarious book about the most random Doctor Who trivia!!
Bloomin heck, when I checked the exact title on Amazon for this one, someone is selling this for £45!  Wow, I could make a mint on my £5 investment!  I bought this shop on my first trip to the Who shop in East Ham when I was about 15!  I went with my friend from school called Ruth- we discovered that apart from a passion for singing, we also loved Doctor Who equally!  We marvelled at the Tardis and daleks you could stand by and a whole myriad of items available!  It's moved to Upton Park now, but it's well worth a visit!
Anyway, this book totally and utterly pokes fun at/slags off Doctor Who but in a meticulous, affectionate and loving way which suggests these guys totally love it!  I learnt all sorts of random facts and laughed lots!  The best things are the 10 things about Doctor Who, e.g. '10 things that mean Doctor Who fans aren't as sad as other fans' or '10 names that could have been named by Doctor Who fans'.  This book is absolutely worth a read if you are a fan or not (and just want to mock Doctor Who. Don't worry, the authors do that in droves!) and I have enjoyed reading it again!

34.  Alexander McCall Smith La's orchestra saves the world.

Classic AMcS:  Heartfelt, witty, beautiful description, philosophising and a love story that you longed to happen throughout the book.  A beguiling heroine, interesting characterisation and includes reference to classical music and flutes:  I was bound to love it.
35.  Laura Ingalls Wilder Little house in the Big Woods
I loved the Anne of Green Gables series and in a sense this reminded me of those.  This is a classic child's book- it tells of life in a woods for a little girl a long time ago.  In an Enid Blyton-esque way, it was the description of food that really interested me (so sad!) and I loved how self-sufficient this family were and how they used, made and made do.  It really made me smile and imagine life for a little girl.

36. Laura Ingalls Wilder Little house on the Prairee
Likewise, I enjoyed the second book in the series.  I think that her Papa must have had great luck not to be eaten by a wolf or bear on many occasions- he must have been an amazing man!  Again, lovely description of family life:  I particularly liked thinking about all the tasks that Mama and Papa did on a daily basis!  They worked hard!

37.  Frank L. Baum Glinda of Oz.
I recently mentioned wanting to reread the Oz books again- this is the only one I have in my possession at the moment as I lent them to a little girl at church some years ago.  On second reading, I didn't find it as silly as I did the first time.  It is the last book that Frank L Baum wrote before he died and I believe it was published posthumously (he died in 1920).  It tells of how Ozma, the ruler of Oz went to quell a war between to of the strange groups of people who she had never met in the far-reaches of her kingdom of Oz with Dorothy.  The book reunites all the old favourites from all the Oz books and has an interesting storyline.  I think the thing that made me feel it was a bit silly the first time I read it was how you always know that Ozma and Dorothy will get out of every predicament- they seem invulnerable so nothing will hurt them so it lacks the suspense or worrying about what is going to happen. I suppose books were more tame for kids then but I found it lacking excitement.  However, still an imaginative read and if you love Oz, you'll forgive it these shortcomings.

38.  Noel Streatfield Ballet shoes for Anna.
I'm always SO excited to find a new Noel Streatfield book I haven't read and moreso in this case because I'd forgotten I'd bought it and for some reason, put it in my underwear drawer!!!!
The heroes of this book are three orphans who spent their life in Turkey and have to go and live in England with a mean Uncle who refuses to let Anna, the girl, continue her ballet lessons. The premise is that the 2 boys have to try and earn money for her lessons somehow.  Again, it had a difference to her books and yet that familiarity of the 'show biz' element and the grit and determination to succeed in the arts that characterise her other works.  Definitely worth a read if nothing but to laugh at the rebellious Gussy!

39.  Georgette Heyer Black sheep.
Again, finding another Georgette Heyer to read (in a charity shop is always exciting) is always a delight and finding one in our French cottage was fabulous!  Like the Streatfield, it contained the finest of Georgette Heyer's usual form but had a difference and a uniqueness.  Regency heroine meets Regency hero is the basic plot- but so fun and unconventional.  Definitely worth reading.

40.  James Herriott Every living thing.
As a child, I adored the TV show, All creatures great and small  which told the life of Yorkshire rural vet, James Herriott.  I subsequently read and adored all the other books he'd written.  This, possibly the last one, didn't fail to disappoint.  The anecdotes and stories of Herriot's veterinary life do not fail to touch, amuse and beguile on.  I was rolling around laughing at his tale of a pair of trousers he had been given that had been made for a corpulent man and he felt like he was going to explode with the heat in an important meeting!  I've had that feeling in clothing before- where you are just so hot but you can't do anything about it.  I found myself on the verge of tears when he consoled with those who lost pets and rejoiced with every victory in saving an animal.  This book as a lot of heart, and totally worth a read.  There is a great sense of the change of times and technology from the previous books and seeing the 'grown-up' Herriott family!  This is a beautiful read.

SO.... have I
a)  made you go to sleep
b)  made you want to read one (tell me which!)
c) made you totally bypass this post in your Googlereader!?
d) read something you've already read?!