The Librain……retired

I have finished two books this week and am really pleased that I now have a pile of eight books borrowed from the Library. I somehow feel very secure when I can see a lovely selection of print and ebooks waiting for me!

The Witchfinder’s Sister by Beth Underdown

My first read of the week was The Witchfinder’s Sister by Beth Underdown, her debut novel which has been awarded several prizes. Here is the blurb:

‘The number of women my brother Matthew killed is one hundred and six…’

1645. When Alice Hopkins’ husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives.

But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women’s names.

To what lengths will Matthew’s obsession drive him? And what choice will Alice make, when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan?

I read this pretty quickly as I was so interested in the story, having seen so many films and TV programmes about the character of Matthew Hopkins. This book deserved four stars and here is the review I wrote on Goodreads:

A very chilling tale told from the point of view of the sister of the famous witch finder Matthew Hopkins. I couldn’t get the image of Vincent Price out of my head whilst reading this book! This is very well written and builds up from the time the sister arrives back in her home village, through to the terror unleashed by Hopkins and his cronies across the east of England. Hundreds of women, and some men, were killed and the author gives us hints as to Hopkins’ motives for such levels of evil misogyny.

The historical events raise all kinds of questions about the role of women in the society of the time and how such terror can take hold of people’s minds and overrule reason and logic.

Like a Charm edited by Karin Slaughter

I finished my second book, Lucky Charm edited by Karin Slaughter, only yesterday. It is a collection of short stories by many of my favourite authors: Slaughter herself, John Connolly, Lynda La Plante, Lee Child and others. This is the blurb:

Desire leaves a man destroyed – a young girl’s curiosity reveals secrets better left hidden – an accidental encounter on a train ends violently – ambition leads to a curious exchange – an uncanny likeness changes two lives forever.

A novel in sixteen chilling parts, linked by a glittering charm bracelet which brings misfortune to everyone who handles it. In Like A Charm, the cream of British and American crime writers combine for a must-have collection. From nineteenth-century Georgia, where the bracelet is forged in fire, to wartime Leeds, a steam train across Europe, the violent backstreets of 1980s Scotland, present-day London, a Manhattan taxi, the Mojave desert and back to Georgia, each writer weaves a gripping story of murder, betrayal and intrigue.

I felt that the collection deserved four stars. This is my review:

An excellent collection of short stories written by some of my favourite authors in the crime and thriller genres. They are all based around a charm bracelet and follow in chronological order. Some are very gory, others have elements of the supernatural or are more simple tales of crime and ill-doing. Worth a go.

Two Evils by P J Tracy

I haven’t yet started my next book, Two Evils by P J Tracy, but will pick it up as soon as as have finished this post and will give you my response next time.

Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

📚📖📚📖📚

I have really enjoyed reading very varied books this week. Well, when I say enjoyed, I actually gave up on one of them – very unusual for me, but liberating!

The Power by Naomi Alderman

My first book was The Power by Naomi Alderman. I had read about this, although not a great deal, but on the strength of vague rumours, I put in a reservation for the ebook on our Public Library system. Here is the blurb:

In The Power the world is a recognisable place: there’s a rich Nigerian kid who lounges around the family pool; a foster girl whose religious parents hide their true nature; a local American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But something vital has changed, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power – they can cause agonising pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world changes utterly.

I awarded this intriguing book the full five stars on Goodreads and wrote the following review:

Another book where I am not sure what to say in a review or which tags to choose! This certainly leaves me with many conflicting thoughts. At first, it was uplifting to see women getting the upper hand in a male dominated world, but as the book progresses, it becomes saddening to see how so many of the female characters turn to violence and domination of their own. I like to think that a matriarchy would be far more benevolent than our current patriarchy. Perhaps I am wrong, but I don’t suppose that will ever be put to the test.

This is definitely a book for discussion groups as it raises so many interesting questions.

I really wish that I could discuss this book with some of my former students!

Blood Vow by J R Ward

My second book has a very long blurb – Blood Vow by J R Ward, #02 in her Black Dagger Legacy series.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.

As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.

And here is my verdict:

Gave up on this one. I shouldn’t pick up books when I haven’t read any of the eleventy million other ones in the multiple series about romantic and sexy vampires, or abusive but gorgeous male immortal monsters, or incredibly handsome and attractive but scary…

… glad some people enjoy these kinds of books because I like people to read, but definitely not my kind of thing…

…next!

Yes, I only gave it one star. I am sure that there are thousands of people who adore books like this. After all, the book gets an overall rating of 4.41 on Goodreads. I may not be amongst that group of fans, but I am always happy to find people who love to read.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

My third book of the week was far more successful. I downloaded the ebook of The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and read it in one go. This is the blurb:

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife and her obsession with her replacement.
You will assume you are reading about a woman about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume the first wife was a disaster and that the husband was well rid of her.
You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.
Assume nothing.

I was perhaps a bit generous and gave the book four stars. This is what I wrote about it:

I’m going to tag this as a thriller as that is the nearest, I think. If you like a book with a plot that is constantly twisting, then this is for you. Some reviewers love this, others hate it, so another marmite book. I enjoyed it and was so gripped that I read it in one sitting and finished it after midnight. The only reservations I have are about the ending (cannot say more) and the fact the most of the characters are completely unlikeable.

Like a Charm edited by Karin Slaughter

I am still struggling to be well enough to visit the library so am continuing to explore their ebook catalogue. My current ebook is a collection of short stories edited by Karin Slaughter called Like a Charm. Some of the tales were written by my favourite authors, so I am really enjoying this book. I will give you my full response next week!

Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

📖📚📖📚📖