2022 50 BOOKS - OR AS MANY AS YOU CAN MANAGE

Book 30
The Crown in Crisis-Alexander Larman
The story of the events leading up to the abdication of Edward V111
Interesting in parts, Edward reminded me of Prince Harry in many ways.
I hadn’t realised that the obsession with Mrs Simpson was actually quite one sided, she tried to end it several times, she didn’t want him to renounce the throne, I’m sure that life with an exiled ex king wasn’t on her wish list.
I very much liked some of the other characters, fatherly Stanley Baldwin, and proud Queen Mary, didn’t warm to Churchill though.
Catastrophic the whole affair must have seemed at the time, it was probably for the best.

Book 31
The Missing Ones - Patricia Gibney
Detective story set in Ireland, a now deserted childrens home becomes the focus of some murders, dealing with child abuse in the Catholic Church, it’s predictable in some ways, but I warmed to it by the end.

Book 32
Lean, Fall Stand - Jon McGregor
Doc is a technical assistant of many years experience in Antarctica.
The combination of a terrible, sudden storm, and Doc suffering a stroke leads to tragedy.
It’s the story of how Doc and his wife Anna deal with the new situation.
I liked the beginning, and I was quite moved by the ending, but it wasn’t as good as I was expecting.

Book 72 is Beautiful Day, by Kate Anthony.

I loved Deadly Cross, am impatient for the next one now, Alex Cross is addictive!

#46 Sprig Muslin Georgette Heyer.
A bit of nostalgia, I periodically go back to books I read fifty years ago. I still enjoy Georgette Heyer's books, although this isn't one of her best.

Pleased to have finished The Rest of Me. Just started book 71, Deadly Cross, the latest Alex Cross story from James Patterson.

#55 was My Sister’s Child by Karen Clarke, which was a very run-of-the-mill thriller.
#56 was The Finisher by Peter Lovesey. His detective, Peter Diamond, is my favourite fictional detective and this book, set as ever in Bath, lived up to my expectations.
#57 was In Plain Sight by Marion Todd. This book, set in St. Andrews, is about a baby who was snatched at a Fun Run but goes on to be intertwined with drugs. I can thoroughly recommend it.

The Rest of Me is a bit boring, but I`m determined to finish it. I suppose it could be called chick-lit, which isn`t really my cup of tea.

#45 The Janus Stone Elly Griffiths.
The second in a crime series about a forensic archeologist, Ruth Galloway. An enjoyable read.

#39. Dead Man’s Time by Peter James.

I’m reading all the Roy Grace books from the library, sadly in the wrong order! Going backwards, so I sort of know what’s happening all the time, but it brings me up to date.

Sara1954

Calandargirl
I enjoyed the Palace Papers, no big surprises, but little details I didn’t know.
It certainly changed my mind about one or two Royals,
I love The Royal Family, but boy, are they dysfunctional.

Considering it was a thick book, I found the PP quite readable, and got through it quickly. Interesting reading, yes, some if it we knew before, but I think Tina Brown’s sources were accurate and truthful.

Witch Hunt livened up a bit, so it wasn`t too bad after all. Book 70 is going to be The Rest of Me, by Katie Marsh.

Just looked at this forum. So many authors I haven't heard of, they will keep me going for a year or two I think!

#44 Death In The Sunshine Steph Broadribb.
One from my pile of free Kindle books. Four ex police officers, three Brits one American, living in a retirement community in Florida investigate a murder. Despite the superficial similarity this is not a Thursday Murder Club ripoff, I almost wish it was at least there would be some humour. It is intended to be the first in a series but I shan't bother with any more, I struggled to finish this one.

Book 69 is Witch Hunt, by Ian Rankin. It`s OK, but not thrilling me overmuch.

#43 Another Time, Another Place Jodi Taylor.
Number 12 of the wonderful St Mary's Chronicles series. I am tempted to go straight on to the next (most recent) in the series but I think I'm going to save it and read something else.

Book 68 is Haunted, by James Herbert, it`s a bit creepy.

Tell Me Your Dreams was a good tale, book 68 not decided yet.

Others was a good read, but a bit creepy. Book 67 is going to be Tell Me Your Dreams, by Sidney Sheldon.

#36 ‘Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line’ by Deepa Anappara. A story told by a 9yo narrator, about child disappearances in his Indian slum. Strangely I looked forward to reading it each night - believable characters and community, engrossing storytelling.

#52 was The Silent Child by Claire Sheldon. I enjoyed this thriller about the world of undercover policing.
#53 was The Miseducation of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor. This was a feel-good book set in rural Yorkshire in 1962 and was ok but not the best book l have read this year.
#54 was The Girl With No Name by Reine Andrieu. This is one of my favourite books of the year so far. It is a French book translated into English about a girl in 1946, who has amnesia. It intertwines with the events of the Second World War which led up to it. It is beautifully written and I learned a lot about France in the Occupation and the courage of the members of the French Resistance through it.

Ignore my previous post. I decided not to read about gratuitous killings, so book 66 is now Others, by James Herbert.

14 Cecily Blench : The Long Journey Home. Set at end of WW2. Good story.
15: Anita Shreve: All He Ever Wanted.
16: David Baldacci: Daylight. OK story, was expecting better.
17 : Lisa Jewell: The Family Upstairs. Excellent.
18: Lisa Jewell : The Third Wife. I love this author, always gripping stories.
19:Jane Harper. Force of Nature. Another favourite author, always set in Australia.
20 Elizabeth Buchan: The New Mrs Clifton. Set post WW2 . Intriguing storyline.
21: Anna Burns : Milkman. Didn't finish.Not keen on style of writing.
22:Ian Rankin: INA a House of Flies. Enjoyed this, like his books.
23: James Bowen: A Streetcat Named Bob. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Hadn't seen the film so no preconceived ideas.
24:Diane Settlefield: The Thirteenth Tale. A ghost story. Nor my usual type of book but enjoyed it.
25 Cath Stancliffe: The Kindest Thing. Short book but good story of a woman accused of helping her terminally illl husband end his life.

Calandargirl
I enjoyed the Palace Papers, no big surprises, but little details I didn’t know.
It certainly changed my mind about one or two Royals,
I love The Royal Family, but boy, are they dysfunctional.

#38. The Palace Papers by Tina Brown.

Haven’t finished number #37, but had to collect this from library, a big waiting list, so decided to crack on with it and return to my Roy Grace book when I’ve (hopefully) read this.

Book 66 is going to be a collection of true crime stories, called Professional Killers.