The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg, unabridged audio book from Oakhill Publishing, narrated by Cameron Stewart
From the cover: 'In the fishing community of Fjallbacka, life is peaceful - but foul play was always suspected in the disappearance 20 years ago of two young holidaymakers. Now a young boy has discovered their remains, along with those of a fresh victim. Detective Patrik Hedstrom can only imagine what it is like to lose a child. When a second young girl goes missing, Hedstrom's attention focuses on the Hults, a feuding clan of misfits, religious fanatics and criminals - which of this family's dark secrets will provide the vital clue?'
An extraordinary book. Beautifully written, translated (Steven T. Murray) and narrated, the story has a strange, intricate plot that contrasts well with the sometimes amusing details of Hedstrom's daily life. I'm a big fan of Scandinavian crime writing and Lackberg is one of the best authors I've discovered so far.
Interesting Guardian article on Camilla Lackberg's top 10 Swedish crime novels.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Sunday, 10 January 2010
2010/Book 3 - Smiley's People
Smiley's People by John le Carre, Hodder Paperback 2006
From the cover: 'Into a shadowy, violent and intricate world steeped in moral ambivalence steps George Smiley, sometime acting chief of the Circus, as the Secret Service is known. His brief is to bury crime, not solve it, as he fights his own private battle from London to Paris and to Hamburg for his last duel with his Russian opposite number, codenamed Karla.'
I re-read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the first book in le Carre's classic trilogy last year. I ended up giving the second book, The Honourable Schoolboy, a miss as I've never managed to get beyond the first 50 pages or so and the same thing happened this time. Smiley's People is a great read, just as good as the first book. It's odd - two superb and interlinked spy thrillers bookending one that doesn't seem to fit or be necessary to the plot.
From the cover: 'Into a shadowy, violent and intricate world steeped in moral ambivalence steps George Smiley, sometime acting chief of the Circus, as the Secret Service is known. His brief is to bury crime, not solve it, as he fights his own private battle from London to Paris and to Hamburg for his last duel with his Russian opposite number, codenamed Karla.'
I re-read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the first book in le Carre's classic trilogy last year. I ended up giving the second book, The Honourable Schoolboy, a miss as I've never managed to get beyond the first 50 pages or so and the same thing happened this time. Smiley's People is a great read, just as good as the first book. It's odd - two superb and interlinked spy thrillers bookending one that doesn't seem to fit or be necessary to the plot.
2010/Book 2 - Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, unabridged audio book from Naxos Complete Classics, narrated by Amanda Root
From the cover: 'One of the greatest love stories ever written, Jane Eyre is the tale of a young woman entangled with the powerful Mr Rochester, What lurks in the attic at Thornfield, the ancestral home of the surly Mr Rochester? Will the governess Jane Eyre discover his secret - and having discovered it, live to regret that knowledge? Battling inside Jane are passion and prudence; she struggles to survive the turmoil they cause.'
I first read Jane Eyre when I was a child and remember being as gripped by the 'madwoman in the attic' aspect of the story as I was by the Eyre/Rochester romance. I've re-read Jane Eyre countless times since and still think it's a wonderful book and up there in my Top Ten. This is the first time I've hear it read and Amanda Root's narration is superb.
From the cover: 'One of the greatest love stories ever written, Jane Eyre is the tale of a young woman entangled with the powerful Mr Rochester, What lurks in the attic at Thornfield, the ancestral home of the surly Mr Rochester? Will the governess Jane Eyre discover his secret - and having discovered it, live to regret that knowledge? Battling inside Jane are passion and prudence; she struggles to survive the turmoil they cause.'
I first read Jane Eyre when I was a child and remember being as gripped by the 'madwoman in the attic' aspect of the story as I was by the Eyre/Rochester romance. I've re-read Jane Eyre countless times since and still think it's a wonderful book and up there in my Top Ten. This is the first time I've hear it read and Amanda Root's narration is superb.
Friday, 1 January 2010
2010/Book 1 - Vienna Blood
Vienna Blood: Volume Two of the Liebermann Papers by Frank Tallis, unabridged audio book from Oakhill Publishing, narrated by Richard Burnip.
From the cover: 'In the grip of a Siberian winter in 1902, a serial killer in Vienna embarks upon a bizarre campaign of murder. Vicious mutilation, a penchant for arcane symbols, and a seemingly random choice of victim are his most distinctive peculiarities. Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt summons a young disciple of Freud - his friend Dr Max Liebermann - to assist him with the case. The investigation draws them into the sphere of Vienna's secret societies. At first, the killer's mind seems impenetrable - his behavious and cryptic clues impervious to psychoanalytic interpretation; however, gradually, it becomes apparent that an extraordinary and shocking rationale underlies his actions... Against this backdrop of mystery and terror, Liebermann struggles with his own demons.'
I love this series on audio book - the author has a real feeling for period and place that enhances the plot and Richard Burnip narrates brilliantly.
From the cover: 'In the grip of a Siberian winter in 1902, a serial killer in Vienna embarks upon a bizarre campaign of murder. Vicious mutilation, a penchant for arcane symbols, and a seemingly random choice of victim are his most distinctive peculiarities. Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt summons a young disciple of Freud - his friend Dr Max Liebermann - to assist him with the case. The investigation draws them into the sphere of Vienna's secret societies. At first, the killer's mind seems impenetrable - his behavious and cryptic clues impervious to psychoanalytic interpretation; however, gradually, it becomes apparent that an extraordinary and shocking rationale underlies his actions... Against this backdrop of mystery and terror, Liebermann struggles with his own demons.'
I love this series on audio book - the author has a real feeling for period and place that enhances the plot and Richard Burnip narrates brilliantly.
Book 100 - No Trace
No Trace by Barry Maitland, unabridged audio book from Oakhill Publishing, narrated by Tim Bruce.
From the cover: 'Within an unconventional artists' neighbourhood, DCI David Brock and DS Kathy Kolla need to find six-year-old Tracey Rudd, the third child to be abducted in recent weeks. Tracey is the daughter of controversial artist Gabriel Rudd, who Tracey's grandparents blame for the suicide of Tracey's mother and hit at his complicity in their granddaughter's disappearance. As Kathy tries to decipher motives, Brock's attention is diverted by a personal and career crisis.'
Brilliant - more plots than an agricultural settlement and superb narration made for an involving listen. Maitland has written other books featuring Brock and Kolla; must go check them out...
From the cover: 'Within an unconventional artists' neighbourhood, DCI David Brock and DS Kathy Kolla need to find six-year-old Tracey Rudd, the third child to be abducted in recent weeks. Tracey is the daughter of controversial artist Gabriel Rudd, who Tracey's grandparents blame for the suicide of Tracey's mother and hit at his complicity in their granddaughter's disappearance. As Kathy tries to decipher motives, Brock's attention is diverted by a personal and career crisis.'
Brilliant - more plots than an agricultural settlement and superb narration made for an involving listen. Maitland has written other books featuring Brock and Kolla; must go check them out...
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Book 99 - The Thirty-Nine Steps
The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan, unabridged audio book from Cover to Cover, narrated by Robert Powell.
From the cover: 'When Richard Hannay offered sanctuary to the man he found on the doorstep of his London flat in the middle of the night, he took the first step on a trail of peril, murder, conspiracy and espionage; a trail that led him to the desolate moorlands of Galloway...
In this taut and thrilling adventure Hannay finds himself on the run, pursued by the authorities and at the same time hunted by a ruthless gang of conspirators, bent on silencing him.'
One of the classic British spy tales and excellently read by Robert Powell. If you only know The Thirty-Nine Steps from the 1935, 1959 or 1978 film versions, do take the time to read the original book. There's no added 'love interest' or dare devil stunts in the original book, just a tightly plotted tale of spying.
From the cover: 'When Richard Hannay offered sanctuary to the man he found on the doorstep of his London flat in the middle of the night, he took the first step on a trail of peril, murder, conspiracy and espionage; a trail that led him to the desolate moorlands of Galloway...
In this taut and thrilling adventure Hannay finds himself on the run, pursued by the authorities and at the same time hunted by a ruthless gang of conspirators, bent on silencing him.'
One of the classic British spy tales and excellently read by Robert Powell. If you only know The Thirty-Nine Steps from the 1935, 1959 or 1978 film versions, do take the time to read the original book. There's no added 'love interest' or dare devil stunts in the original book, just a tightly plotted tale of spying.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Book 98 - Nine Dragons
Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly, Orion Books 2009.
From the cover: 'When Detective Harry Bosch catches the case of a gunned-down liquor-store owner in downtown LA, it looks like a slam-dunk. The elderly Chinese man's customers included plenty of gangbangers, and it just seemed like one day his luck ran out.
But in his last desperate seconds of life, Mr Li had left a clue to his assailant's identity. A clue that leads Harry into another world - a parallel criminal universe alongside the one he knows so well: the world of the Triads.
What Harry doesn't know is that the Triads have already entered his life, in the most personal way possible. Suddenly he's no longer simply fighting to bring the old man's killer to justice; he's got just twenty-four hours to save the most preciuos thing in his life. His daughter'.
Harry Bosch #15; I'm undecided how I feel about this one. There seems to be a coldness and lack of passion at the heart of the story which doesn't sit well compared to previous Bosch outings.
From the cover: 'When Detective Harry Bosch catches the case of a gunned-down liquor-store owner in downtown LA, it looks like a slam-dunk. The elderly Chinese man's customers included plenty of gangbangers, and it just seemed like one day his luck ran out.
But in his last desperate seconds of life, Mr Li had left a clue to his assailant's identity. A clue that leads Harry into another world - a parallel criminal universe alongside the one he knows so well: the world of the Triads.
What Harry doesn't know is that the Triads have already entered his life, in the most personal way possible. Suddenly he's no longer simply fighting to bring the old man's killer to justice; he's got just twenty-four hours to save the most preciuos thing in his life. His daughter'.
Harry Bosch #15; I'm undecided how I feel about this one. There seems to be a coldness and lack of passion at the heart of the story which doesn't sit well compared to previous Bosch outings.
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