Brought home from the library van last week, all except one were books I'd reserved online.
There are a four here by authors I've not read, including the British Library Crime Classic and three others were read so long ago they hardly count as re-reads (R F Delderfield and two by Nevil Shute). The others are crime fiction by authors read before.
Among the crime fiction are the first and second in a series by Christina Koning that I mentioned back at the beginning of July I read the 8th which I'd reserved because of its title and the Bletchley Park wartime link and regretted not realising it was the 8th. Since collecting the new library books last week I've now read the first - 'The Blind Detective' so now I can make sense of the story of how a man who is blind is friends with a police detective and is able to help with crime solving.
The say don't judge a book by it's cover - but the covers of this series are very appealing I think.
I wondered what the covers were like when they were originally published over 10 years ago with different titles and when she was writing as A.C. Koning, and found this. It's new title is the second in the series ' Murder in Regent's park' which I also have here to read.
It's interesting (to me anyway!) to track down the whys and wherefores of how books are republished, change titles, covers, publishers and become popular when they were previously almost unknown.
So unknown that the Fantastic Fiction website only has her listed with the new editions and published dates - no mention of the originals.
The original title and cover doesn't really explain what the book is about so I think in this case it was a good idea to change titles and covers.
I've now reserved the 3rd, 4th and 5th but weirdly the library haven't got the 6th or 9th and the 10th is being published (or republished?) in November.
Looking back and these were the books I brought home in June, 4 out of the 6 were read - details on the books read 2025 page.
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Nevil Shute was a clever guy, as well as writing great books, he worked with Barnes Wallis on the Dambusters' Bouncing Bombs.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying re-reading Nevil Shute, 50 years after the first time.
DeleteDidn’t realise Nevil Shute was involved with Barnes Wallis and the bouncing bombs, thanks Ang. I have reread his books several times too.
DeleteI see you've chosen an Iceland mystery. I found is interesting to read about the culture and life in such a small and COLD country; the whole population is less than a large town here.
ReplyDeleteThat was in June but I didn't read that book, couldn't get into it at all.
DeleteI enjoyed RF Delderfield back in the day but haven't read that one, I'll try and find it. British Library Crime Classics are usually a reliably good read and not gory, something I don't like either on the screen or the page. I think the new covers for the books are much more appealing.
ReplyDeletePenny
It's so many years - 50ish -since I read all Delderfields books, that I've no clue what they were like. I re-read The Spring madness of Mr Sermon last year when I was "reading the seasons" and enjoyed that a lot.
DeleteI just starting reading Eve’s War, really enjoying it. I agree with you re: book cover, I would never have chosen to read it. Thanks for the recommendation. June UK
ReplyDeleteI’ve been reading Eve’s War too; fascinating glimpse into the life of an army officer’s wife. I still think the best wartime diary is that of Mrs Milburn which I have reread several times since I first discovered it years ago.
DeleteI've got Mrs Milburn's diary on my shelves, been ages since I read it. I liked Few Eggs and No Oranges too and a dozen others!
DeleteGlad you are both enjoying 'Eves War'
DeleteThe book covers are most attractive. Visual sound bites - visual bites?
ReplyDeleteMuch better than the originals
DeleteI know that in the past I've read Delderfield and enjoyed them. Perhaps I'll request some from the library.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I thought it was time for a re-read - although I've chosen a very large book!
DeleteUnfortunately, I can't get the Koning books as they aren't at my library. I am reading Elly Griffiths' latest book, "The Frozen People". It's not one of her Ruth Galloway books but I'm really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Have hardly been able to put it down.
DeleteI gave up on it after just a few pages but many people have enjoyed it so I may try again sometime
DeleteThose are very 40s/50s inspired covers aren't they. It really suits the style of book.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought too
DeletePublishing using a new cover is as interesting as writing under a pen name. It is like rebranding. The covers of the books in your photos are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThey go well with the stories
DeleteI'm looking out for new crime authors - new to me, I mean. I've now read nearly all of the crime books by my favourite authors - James Patterson, Val McDermid, Jonathan Kellerman, Jeffery Deaver et al. I've just finished one by Susan Lewis, a first for me, I quite enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI think the crime I read are easier reading than those!
DeleteCrime authors. I’ve only recently discovered and have been romping through M W Craven and Martin Edwards.
DeleteAnna
A friend recommended a crime series by Archer Mayor so I just finished the first in the series. It was quite good, written in 1988 and taking place nearby in Vermont. I have the 2nd in series to take along on vacation.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me I need to update my Books Read 2025 list on my blog.
My 2025 list is growing!
DeleteYou are on a roll with Nevil Shute! I think I've only ever read "A Town Like Alice," though it's possible I also read "On the Beach." (I've definitely seen the movie.)
ReplyDelete