50 Books a Year - The 2025 Challenge

Book no.8
‘A Town Called Solace’ by Mary Lawson.
(She wrote Crow Lake).

Set in the frozen north of Canada in 1972, this is a beautiful Booker Prize longlisted novel about painful histories that need reckoning with and the moments in life when we can change for the better.

A lovely gentle read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not too long and just what I needed right now.

Told through three distinct, compelling points of view--Clara's, Mrs. Orchard's, and Liam Kane's--the novel cuts back and forth among these unforgettable characters to uncover the layers of grief, remorse, and love that connect families, both the ones we're born into and the ones we choose. A Town Called Solace is a masterful, suspenseful and deeply humane novel that had me chuckling and a little emotional at times.

#33. Live And Let Die by Ian Fleming.

31-Death of a sweep-M C Beaton
A lighthearted interlude between 2 meaty Peter James murders.
Hamish Macbeth investigates a body inside a chimney!

32-Not Dead Enough-Peter James
Although I've seen some of the adaptions of his novels on TV, I thought I'd start at the beginning of the Grace series that I've been collecting, this is no.3

Terribull, the Dorset series needs to be read in order, because of how the lives of the police officers pan out. So far there are 9, but another coming out in June.

Book 18
Death at the sign of the Rook - Kate Atkinson
Another Jackson Brodie, this one taking us into the world of art theft, and climaxing at a murder mystery weekend, where fact and fiction become very blurred.

It’s a good read, some lovely characters, Lady Milton, the slightly batty dowager, Simon, the faithless vicar, gorgeous Ben, real life action man, coming to terms with losing a leg in action

Brodie and Reggie are fearlessly on the trail of the bad guys, and although at times you feel like you might be in the midst of a Brian Rix farce, it’s quite enjoyable.

#18 The Dark Angel Elly Griffiths.
This is number 10 in the Dr Ruth Galloway series. An extremely good series about an archaeologist living in North Norfolk who specialises in bones and has a complicated relationship with the (married) local Chief Inspector Harry Nelson. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the series. This one sees her consulting on an archaeological find in Italy and taking a holiday with her daughter, her friend Shona and Shona's little boy. Harry and Cathbad, a druid friend, arrive soon after. Murder and drama in Italy and Norfolk follow. I enjoyed it and will certainly look for the next one.

I'll look for the Dorset series, cos we like Dorset, a good enough reason Thanks for the recommendation Hellogirl.

So far I`ve only read the Dorset series by Rachel McLean, there are quite a few series by her.

Rachel McLean does sound promising, I'll look out for her at my local library, my husband devours crime, so I'll pass it his way first and tell him it's come well recommended. He's done alright out of thumbs up books from GN!

Hellogirl1 I'm a Montefiore fan too. I've noticed several times that we like the same authors. Rachel McLean is not one I've tried but I've added it to my list for my next visit to our local Hospice book shop.

Hellogirl

I’m late to the party with the Tom Thorne books, and have been ordering them in order from the library, but happened to spot The Murder Book on the shelf, so grabbed it and reading it, although I am many books behind.

Yes, it is a good one.

30-Looking Good Dead-Peter James
The 2nd in the Roy Grace series, fast moving, unputdownable!
After reading this I vow that if I ever find a lost CD when I'm out and about, I must hand it to police and not put it in my computer!

I enjoyed The Murder Book.
Book 47, An Italian Girl in Brooklyn, by Santa Montefiore.

#32. The Murder Book by Mark Billingham.

28 I want to go home, but I'm already there - Roisin Lanigan

I read a couple of reviews of this book that made it sound quite promising, I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, I just thought, given the subject matter, quite topical, it could have been a bit more of a commentary on the struggles of the housing market. This is the story of Aine (Irish) and Elliot who have just started living together in an overpriced and not very nice rental property in a fashionable part of London which they can barely afford, when properties are in very short supply but surprisingly no one really wanted this flat. Aine feels there's something spooky about the property as if there's a ghost inhabiting it, although there is an ambiguity about that, it could it just be her state of mind, as she withdraws into herself becoming lethargic and depressed, trying to look beyond the state of her living accommodation which exude mould and dirt and is perpetually freezing in the winter. Her shifting focus starts to centre on the cellar downstairs cranking up the disquiet as to what is actually lurking below. That's the premise as the book plods along to its conclusion, the plot wanders about quite a bit as the dynamic of the couple's relationship becomes more strained and gradually implodes. Aine's introspection is a pivotal part of the narrative but that went on a bit too long for my liking. The book is hard to define really, part ghost story, part commentary on the state of the un affordable housing market and the deplacement felt by a generation affected by that.

You’re welcome Sparklefizz I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The characters were well drawn and believable, so you cared about the outcome. Plus there was humour in it too and some very wry observations that delighted me!

Greyduster I never order any of the 99p Kindle novels for the reason you gave. Literary fluff - like the stories in Woman’s Weekly I imagine or Mills & Boon. Not for me. 😊

28-Dead Simple-Peter James
The first of the Detective Roy Grace series.
A spine chilling stag night prank gone wrong. A great read.

29-Nigel-Monty Don
An insight to Monty's family and of all the dogs he has loved over the years.

Book 46, The Ghost Village Murders, the last until June in the Dorset series by Rachel McLean. I`m going to be on pins for 2 months now, I love this series.

I am currently four chapters into “Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin”, by Hannah Lynn, which was a 99p offering on Amazon for Kindle. I never learn. The plot is ridiculous, the characters badly drawn and already I’m not the only one who wants to throttle the main one - a dreary workaholic. Hey ho. There are better ways to spend one’s time!

Thank you Jamfriedplumpy for your recommendation of "The Dilemma" which I'll reserve from the library. (Sorry to hear about your family problems and hope everyone is on the mend now.)

Also thank you FGT2 for "The Rest of our Lives" which sounds like my kind of book, so I'll be reserving that.

Book 27
The Girl in the Eagles Talons - Karin Smirnoff

Another attempt to keep Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist alive, this time by a writer called Karin Smirnoff.

For anyone who has never read any of her previous incarnations, Lisbeth is a lone Wolf, brilliant hacker, fearless, strange and powerful, who has had a horrendous childhood and young adulthood, and who is formidable, resourceful and very solitary.

In this novel she has been watered down so much, it’s hard to recognise her.

Also lacking, is the close bond, love even between Salander and Blomvkist, their paths cross, but little more than that.

Doesn’t hold a candle to the Steig Larson novels. but overall, not too bad a story.

#17 And Now for Something Completely Different. Jodi Taylor.
I had a long afternoon in a hospital waiting room while my husband had treatment. This amusing short story about a ragtag team observing the Mars landing in the near future kept me occupied while I waited.

Book 45, The Lighthouse Murders, another in the Dorset series by Rachel McLean. One more to go, then that`s it until the next book comes out in June.

No. 7 ‘The Rest of our Lives’ by Benjamin Markovits.

I’ve just finished this and thoroughly enjoyed it. My kind of book - family dynamics.

Tom and Amy Layward are facing more than just an empty nest. Twelve years ago, Amy had an affair, and while Tom didn’t then want to break up his family over it, he made a deal with himself: “When [their daughter] Miriam goes to college, you can leave, too.”

When a fight erupts, and Tom ends up driving Miriam to college in Pittsburgh alone, it’s the perfect opportunity to make good on his deal. So, after dropping her off, he turns off his phone and keeps driving west. He has an idea he’ll visit his brother and some old college friends; maybe take another crack at the basketball book he’s always wanted to write – but he has no plans beyond these. He doesn’t even have to get back to his job as a law professor, being on a forced leave of absence after making some ill-advised comments in his hate-crime class.

Tom’s defining trait is apathy: “First I wanted to be a professor, then I wanted to be a writer, but I ended up going to law school because... I thought, just live a nice life, where you can pay for nice things.”

All the while, Tom is suffering with suspected long Covid, a situation that injects a surprising amount of tension. He wakes up in the morning with his face swollen “like a water balloon”; there’s a network of broken veins on his chest “like blue in cheese”. Yet whenever anyone suggests that he see a doctor, he demurs. This is frustrating until we realise his refusal comes from a lack of self-worth, as well as his disbelief that anyone still cares about him. Then it is devastating.

Fluently written and effortlessly wise about families and middle age, it tells a compelling story that packs a serious emotional punch.

Hey everyone, sorry I’ve been away for awhile- teen grandson fractured an ankle just at the end of a school day which involved teachers doing 1st Aid and a fortnight later, his Dad (my son) ended up in A&E with really bad indigestion/or a possible ulcer or cardiac problem! Both told me later that they enjoyed their ambulance trips to hospital in spite of the pain!😆 Both are on the mend now 👍🏾

I’ve spent a lot of the time either playing Minecraft badly with the “grand-boys” (brothers) or worrying needlessly because I can’t get over there 🤷🏽‍♀️

I did manage to read a couple of books, though-
The Dilemma by BA Paris, a riveting story, centred around Livia’s 40th birthday party, which she’s been planning for 20years after being ostracised by her parents for getting pregnant before marriage. She and b/f, later husband, Adam, have what seems to be a good marriage. There are 2 children, Josh, who’s been offered an internship in the US and Marnie, who away in Hong Kong working towards her degree. Each is holding secrets from the others, to protect them, and it all ends up coming into focus on the celebration day. I read it in just over 3 hours, having to hold myself back from rushing through to find out what happens next! It made me think about what things I might regret not telling my own children and grandkids.

The Red, Red Dragon by Lynne Reid Banks- a children’s book (9-12yrs apparently 😁)
Humans are a myth to Dragons, who call them the Uprights, and enemies. But Dragons are running out of coal which they need to breathe fire, so they go over the sea to find it- and find Uprights instead! It’s a lovely book written for the young at heart, to foster learning to live together in the world. I read this with my grandsons and we all enjoyed it.

Read 3 others too, but haven’t got my note book so will add those later.

Currently on Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson, (book club2 book)

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady ( autobiography)

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler (book club1 book)