50 Books a Year - The 2025 Challenge

50-Escape to the Little Cornish Isles-Phillipa Ashley
Poppy has always loved Cornwall, so when her boyfriend suggests they leave their office jobs and move to the Isles of Scilly, she doesn't need asking twice. But some ideas don't always go to plan.
A delightful easy read.

I enjoyed Death at the Sign of the Rook when I read it but I didn't find it memorable in the way I've found other Kate Atkinson's. Just one, where you read and move on, much the case with most books, it's a rare few with any book, that stay with me long after finishing.

Belladonna, agree, it seemed to descend into a farce towards the end, still enjoyed it though.

I greatly enjoyed Death at the Sign of the Rook until it got to near a rather convoluted end. Atkinson writes well and is very humorous, but I just found the ending over-detailed and (for me) confusing. Incidentally my daughter thought the same.

37 One of us is Dead Peter James

The book opens when a James Taylor, not that one! is in church amongst the mourners for a friend. In the congregation he spots someone who is a dead ringer for another friend whose funeral he also attended in which he delivered the eulogy, which straightaway poses the question, was the deceased, Rufus Rorke actually dead? As the book unfolds, Roy Grace and his team are on to a number of suspicious deaths that seemingly are sourced back to one individual, is that person in some way connected to the deceased? As always with Peter James, the book cracks along at a fast pace, with abundant mentions of places in the Sussex area which I personally enjoy because I know most of them quite well. The usual array of supporting characters, sidekick Greg Branson, Norman Potting, and his bad jokes and of course Grace's wife Cleo, all miscast in the Sunday night dramatisations, made all the more dreary for being overly long and with a major veering off in the case of Cleo's character, mourning for the loss of a dead baby, when in fact in the books she and Roy now have two children and are happy ensconced in domestic bliss in a Sussex village along with much loved dog Humphrey, who never gets a mention in the tv production. The plot twists and turns, there is a brief interlude with Grace's nemesis, Cassian Pewe, who puts in a menacing appearance, resulting in a dust up. The book culminates in a time of the essence mid air dramatic conclusion.

I probably wouldn't be induced to ever read the books based on the tv series, then again I felt that with several PD James's versions of her books, which I thought were awfully boring and was surprised to find when I first read her books, to find what a great crime writer she was. Sometimes, not always, books are better, certainly true in this instance.

48-Wartime for the Shop Girls-Joanna Toye
I've not read this author before, but as this was a present from a friend, I thought I'd give it a try.
It's 1942 and shortages of staff and goods to sell makes things difficult for the staff of Marlow's department store.
An enjoyable family saga, with an insight into how my parents must have struggled in those difficult times.

49-A Lesson in Dying-Ann Cleeves
The first in her Inspector Ramsay series, so written early in her career. Readable but not a patch on her Vera and Shetland books.

#43. Buried by Mark Billingham.

36 Ripley Underground Patricia Highsmith

I loved Ripley on Netflix, I think it was one of the best things I've seen there. Having found out Patricia Highsmith had written some follow ups I was really interested to know how her character's life panned out from the end of the original story which was left quite up in the air. In this 2nd book, it's six years later, Ripley is married to Heloise a moneyed French aristocrat who has a substantial allowance and from his own ill gotten gains, namely, murdered Dickie Greenleaf's fortune, they are able live a comfortable life on a country estate not far from Paris. Ripley has become embroiled in an art forgery scheme, after his company promoted sought after artist, Philip Derwatt who was to go on to commit suicide. The company continue to sell his now increasingly valued artworks by persuading another painter, Bernard Tufts to emulate his style, However, Bernard, the forger, idolised Derwatt and becomes plagued with guilt in the skulduggery he is drawn into. Meanwhile when Ripley meets an American collector, Thomas Murchison in London who has raised doubts as to the authenticity of the artist's paintings he bought. True to form and without giving the entire plot away, Ripley's style is to eliminate anyone who is likely to blow his cover and in this book it follows on in a similar vein to The Talented Mr Ripley. At one point after Murchison's disappearance and when questioned by an English detective sent to interview him, he does make the glaring connection of just how many people have come into Ripley's orbit and then disappear. Yet somehow he still continues to blag his way out of most of the suspicious circumstances that surround him, continuing to live in the mode of an undetected psychopath, albeit on an ongoing knife edge I enjoyed it, I live in hopes that there could be more Ripleys made for Netflix, but somehow I doubt it.

Book 64, The Waiting, by Michael Connelly. It`s the latest Renee Ballard story, but still featuring one of my favourite characters, Harry Bosch. Connelly has got him fighting a serious illness, hope he`s not going to kill him off.

I’ve just sat out in the sun and finished Death At The Sign Of The Rook. What a treat. It wasn’t my favourite Kate Atkinson - there are too many contenders - but it was still a great read. The author’s got such a wicked sense of humour. The characters of the Dowager Lady Milton and Brodie’s girlfriend Tatiana in particular were an absolute joy, but they were far from the only ones that had me laughing out loud.

11. Raider's Tide - Maggie Prince

16yr old Beatrice lives in the border country of England, constantly raided by Scots and raiding them in return.
Her father is a part-time highway robber and Beatrice has a secret that could get her hanged.
Exciting story with several strands, told in a matter-of-fact way by Beatrice.
I enjoyed it.

Have just finished Death At The White Hart by Chris Chibnall, who wrote ‘Broadchurch’.

This is due to be televised before too long apparently, and introduces us to DI Nicola Bridge as lead detective.

It was good, hope I can remember ‘who dunnit’ by the time it hits the screen.

#42. Leave No Trace by DS Butler.

Book 63, 2 Sisters Murder Investigations, by James Patterson and Candice Fox. OK, but a bit slow to begin with. Not sure if it`s the start of a new series or not.

I used to read a lot of Jonathon Kellerman, haven`t spotted any of his books on Amazon for a while. Thanks for reminding me, I`ll start looking again.

46-The Man Who Died Twice-Richard Osman
Didn't enjoy this as much as his first one.

47-Flesh and Blood-Jonathan Kellerman
A bit slow in places, but picked up speed halfway through. Set in L A. Psychologist Alex Delaware helps the police search for a missing girl, who has been involved with the seedy sex industry.

I think there is a charge of something like .75p per book where I am, but only for fairly new books where the demand is quite high, I don't begrudge paying for such services, libraries are wonderful places

We are charged 80p per book to order from our library...but it's still excellent value. I no longer want to buy books at this stage of life. Also don't want to receive them as presents. I would much rather receive a list of recommendations.
I have ordered Month in the Country by something Carr and The Unheard by Nicci French, both recommended. Hopefully they won't come st the same time!

Sorry, back on track! I’m finally reading:

30. Death At The Sign Of The Rook, Kate Atkinson

She’s one of my favourite authors, so I know I’ll enjoy it.

Indeed you are. Our nearest library is a bus ride away, when we once had two in walking distance. Still doable for those of us with bus passes, but it’s sad that people can’t just pop there with their children and grandchildren as I used to do regularly. Let alone the fact that those who used them as a warm space, or for company, or who needed the computers for job applications, etc, have been deprived of them. Sadly both libraries were neglected for years, so weren’t in a fit state to be taken over by volunteers, of whom there’d have been many. Rant over!

Maggiemaybe

It was actually Terribull who was 30th on the waiting list, my wait wasn’t so long.

There is often a long wait for popular authors at my library, but then it pops up that my book is ready, even though I was maybe down as 12th. I think it’s because the list covers various libraries in the group, and I am probably nearer the top in mine.

Our library is excellent, I think it’s great that you can order and borrow all the latest books free of charge. We are very fortunate in our neck of the woods to retain a great facility.

Reading about Calendargirl being 30th in line for a book has put my wait for Death At The Sign Of The Rook into perspective! I’ve been in the queue since early March and am now second in line, expected to get it on 31 May. There’s only one e-copy available and there are another 12 people behind me now. You’d think they could shell out for an extra copy with the money they saved by closing both my local libraries (and yes, I am still bitter about that four years later!).

I’ve given up now and bought a copy.

28. Truly Madly Guilty, Lianne Moriarty

My third Lianne Moriarty in a few weeks and I enjoyed this one too despite the fact that it seems to have a lot of negative reviews. It revolves round what happened at a neighbourhood barbecue and yes, it takes a while for the story to unfold, but I think it’s worth the wait.

29. North Woods, Daniel Mason

I must admit I found this book a bit daunting at first and it took me a while to get properly into it. It’s not the sort of work you can dip in and out of. There’s a lot of descriptive text, particularly about the nature to be found in the woods, but it’s so beautifully written. It’s a multi-generational story about an isolated house in the depths of the Massachusetts woods and the people who live in it over the course of four centuries. I loved it.

Just finished book no.11

‘Conclave’ by Robert Harris which many of us are reading/have just finished.

An interesting insight of the voting process by the Cardinals. Harris was apparently given access to areas denied to the general public for his research, hence his detailed knowledge.

There is a twist in the story. Hmm. Believable? Not reallyn my opinion but Harris was ahead of the curve on this hot potato subject. I suppose a story as dry as this needed an unexpected turn of events. It is a tale after all!

Now to choose my next, no.12

It’s ‘Between Sisters’ by Kristin Hannah who wrote ‘TheNightingale’ and ‘Four Winds’, both cracking reads.

Book 26: The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves The latest and I hope not the last of her Vera books. Very enjoyable with a story of corruption in a privately run childrens' home. Excellent.

Another vote here for Conclave. I thoroughly enjoyed it and of course it is very topical especially today.
The film is free on Amazon Prime as well.