Friday 21 January 2022

Racing Through Crime Fiction

Thanks to everyone for comments yesterday and apologies for not replying.

 It's crazy how many books I've read since I picked them up from the library van. All due to snooker being on TV which is something I can half watch but read at the same time and the books being crime fiction which I tend to race through as they don't take a lot of effort to read.

Marion Todd - In Plain Sight.  This is the second story featuring DI Clare Mackay and set in St Andrews Scotland.
In Plain Sight: A page-turning Scottish crime thriller (Detective Clare Mackay): 2 When a baby disappears from her push chair at the start of a charity fun run - there seem to be no clues and no reason for her being snatched. But why are so many people hiding things and is the appearance of a known drug dealer in the area relevant.

As Clare investigates she realises this victim wasn't selected at random. Someone knows who took the baby girl, and why. But will they reveal their secrets before it's too late?

 So similar in many ways was this one by  Ros Watkins - The Devil's Dice.
The Devil’s Dice: The Times Crime Book of the Month: Book 1 (A DI Meg Dalton thriller)  The debut crime thriller from this author. Featuring DI Meg Dalton a police officer returning back to her home county of Derbyshire. When a lawyer is found dead in a cave some people think it's connected to a curse.
Amidst rumours of a local curse, DI Meg Dalton is convinced this is cold-blooded murder. There's just one catch – chiselled into the cave wall above the body is an image of the grim reaper and the dead man's initials, and it's been there for over a century.
As Meg battles to solve the increasingly disturbing case, it's clear someone knows her secrets. The murderer is playing games with Meg – and the dice are loaded…
 

Totally different, even though it's crime fiction, is this by S.J. Bennett - The Three Dog problem.

A Three Dog Problem: The Queen investigates a murder at Buckingham Palace This is the second in a series in which Rozie Oshodi, The Queen's Assistant Private Secretary, assists the Queen in solving a mystery.
 
 A referendum divides the nation, a tumultuous election grips the United States - and the body of a staff member is found dead beside Buckingham Palace swimming pool. 
Is it a tragic accident, as the police think? Or is something more sinister going on?
As Her Majesty looks for answers, her trusted assistant, Rozie, is on the trail of a treasured painting that once hung outside the Queen's bedroom. 
But when Rozie receives a threatening anonymous letter, Her Majesty knows dark forces are at work - and far too close to home. After all, though the staff and public may not realise it, she is the keenest sleuth among them. Sometimes, it takes a Queen's eye to see connections where no one else can .
 
This book was written before the death of Prince Phillip and his intelligence and the humour between Prince Phillip and the Queen in the book which the author guesses at, were proved to be true after his death when we learned so much more about him.
These have been compared to Richard Osman's books  because they are both totally improbable but I reckon SJ Bennett writes totally improbable in a much better way than Richard Osman!
 
 
I couldn't get into two of the other library books  and fancied a change from crime so picked one of my own Home Front books, that I've had for years unread, off the shelves.
Despatches From the Home Front: The War Diaries of Joan Strange 1939-1945 
It's a wartime diary written by a lady living in Worthing on the south coast. She is a physiotherapist and also very involved in refugee work involving people who escaped from Germany and Austria. I have several war diaries and anything written at the time seems more real than books of memories written years later. Once this is finished I'll get back to the rest of the crime from the library.

Back Tomorrow
Sue

20 comments:

  1. The S Bennett one sounds fun. Have you read The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett? It involves the Queen, and the Mobile Library Can which visits Buckingham Palace. Its very clever

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    1. Thank you for the idea,I hopped over to the library website and requested it

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  2. They all look really interesting, thank you.
    xx

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  3. I LOVE the idea of the queen being involved in an investigation :-)

    I second Angela's recommendation of Alan Bennetts book, he's a brilliant writer.

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    1. They are well written and made to seem totally probable with the relationships between the staff and how things work in Buckingham Palace.
      I've reserved the Uncommon Reader so will pick up next month

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  4. More and more of our library books are only available as downloads which for various reasons I can’t cope with. Not the process but the reading…..so I’ll not be reading some of the series you’ve mentioned today because there’s no hard copy available. Shame really, I’ve enjoyed many of your recommendations.
    Anyway I’ve just put The Uncommon Reader on hold as well - that’s one they do have a hard copy of. Thanks Angela!

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    1. Oh No. I would be very annoyed if libraries here stopped buying proper books

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  5. I've been x-stitching in my spare time, and only reading when I go to bed, but am greatly enjoying the Alis Hawkins book (stamp on 2nd one says "The Teifi Coroner series"). You've done well with your reading and romped home a clear winner!

    Fancy including the Queen in a crime novel! That's different. I bet she'd been tickled pink to read that!

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    1. The second Alis Hawkins will be ready for me to pick up from the library van in Feb and if I like it I'll suggest they buy some more of the series

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  6. Can't get those books you read in my library over here. I have placed a hold on The Uncommon Reader tho. Always glad to get suggestions!

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  7. I love the idea of the 'Three Dog Problem'. I shall put it on my reading list. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. You've had some very good reads and all new to me. I need to check out "Three Dog Problem!"

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  9. These are my type of books. Thanks for the suggestions.

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  10. Crime fiction is always a good read. It takes you to the edge of your seat and makes for a quick and pleasurable read. All great suggestions and inspiring reviews. Thank you...

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  11. My goodness you have been racing through those books.

    God bless.

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  12. Thank you for the book suggestions.

    lizzy

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  13. Did you really enjoy the books? I've been thinking about the Marion Todd ones. I do love a good crime fiction. I've been doing well on the reading. I am trying to get through those on my bookshelf and (trying) to stay away from looking at new releases so I won't be tempted!

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  14. I love crime fiction also and have noted yours in my notebook. I have just finished reading MURDER AT MALLOWAY HALL by Colleen Cambridge. It takes place at Agatha Christie's house (fictional). Now I am reading THE RING OF DEATH by Sally Spenser.💖

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