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vicki_cosy_books's reviews
428 reviews
Wolves at the Door by Gunnar Staalesen
3.0
When it comes to Scandi Crime I'm a true novice, however its popularity has exploded in recent years and I was keen to give it a try. When Orenda books offered me the chance to be part of the blog tour for Wolves In The Dark, I jumped at the opportunity.
Wolves In The Dark is Norweigen author, Gunnar Staalesen's 21st (yes - 21st!) book in his Varg Veum series. With such a substantial back catalogue to this series, I was concerned about the impact it would have on my joining in after so many previous books. Having now read it, I do think that while there is clearly a lot of back story to Veum's character and history I'd missed out on, overall it did work without any prior knowledge, although I felt if I'd known what had led Veum to be the person he was today, I may have connected more. That said, Staalesen does offer opportunity to the reader to pick up hints and ideas about his past, for which I really appreciated as it gave a sense of a truly developed and intriguing character.
This book begins when private investigator Varg Veum is arrested after traces of child pornography are found on his computer and follows his quest to exonerate himself. I'm not going to lie, there's some difficult reading here as a dark and repugnant topic is explored and I think Staalesen handled it well. Veum is in a bad place when this happens, having being recently bereaved and finding solace in a bottle. This is where I probably felt knowing more about the character would've helped, however I still got the feeling of a broken man, fighting to save himself in a gritty, dark and complex situation.
The narrative in this book speeds along very well, and even the unfamiliar names of people and places, which required a little rereading to take in, didn't hamper the pace of this snappy book. The short chapters are the exact kind that have you saying "just one more" and before you know it you've covered 100 pages. I had to know how this ended, I really wanted to Veum to prove his innocence (and credit to the author for making me feel like this considering my lack of previous knowledge about him) and I wanted justice to be done. It kind of is, but then there's a cliffhanger ending, leaving the reader ready and waiting for the next book in the series.
I wasn't at all sure how I was going to get on with this book when I started, but page by page it grew on me. While I probably won't be seeking out the previous twenty books in the series, I'd definitely read on from now and will look out for the next installment.
Wolves In The Dark is Norweigen author, Gunnar Staalesen's 21st (yes - 21st!) book in his Varg Veum series. With such a substantial back catalogue to this series, I was concerned about the impact it would have on my joining in after so many previous books. Having now read it, I do think that while there is clearly a lot of back story to Veum's character and history I'd missed out on, overall it did work without any prior knowledge, although I felt if I'd known what had led Veum to be the person he was today, I may have connected more. That said, Staalesen does offer opportunity to the reader to pick up hints and ideas about his past, for which I really appreciated as it gave a sense of a truly developed and intriguing character.
This book begins when private investigator Varg Veum is arrested after traces of child pornography are found on his computer and follows his quest to exonerate himself. I'm not going to lie, there's some difficult reading here as a dark and repugnant topic is explored and I think Staalesen handled it well. Veum is in a bad place when this happens, having being recently bereaved and finding solace in a bottle. This is where I probably felt knowing more about the character would've helped, however I still got the feeling of a broken man, fighting to save himself in a gritty, dark and complex situation.
The narrative in this book speeds along very well, and even the unfamiliar names of people and places, which required a little rereading to take in, didn't hamper the pace of this snappy book. The short chapters are the exact kind that have you saying "just one more" and before you know it you've covered 100 pages. I had to know how this ended, I really wanted to Veum to prove his innocence (and credit to the author for making me feel like this considering my lack of previous knowledge about him) and I wanted justice to be done. It kind of is, but then there's a cliffhanger ending, leaving the reader ready and waiting for the next book in the series.
I wasn't at all sure how I was going to get on with this book when I started, but page by page it grew on me. While I probably won't be seeking out the previous twenty books in the series, I'd definitely read on from now and will look out for the next installment.
The Second Chance Café by Lilly Bartlett
4.0
Back in 2010 I read and enjoyed Michele Gorman's debut novel, Single In The City (Review here) but this was my first time reading one of her books under pen name Lilly Bartlett. The Second Chance Cafe in Carlton Square is the second book in the Carlton Square series (the first being The Big Little Wedding In Carlton Square) though I don't feel that joining the series here affected my enjoyment of this one. In fact, it stands up very well in its own right - although it has made me want to read TBLWACS just to see how Emma and Daniel come be together!
I thought this book was absolutely charming! It's filled with warmth and heart and I loved the messages behind it. Emma's decided to open a cafe which will train and provide opportunities to disadvantaged teens - what was unexpected was the genuinely lovely community feel as diverse groups and characters come together. Mums with babies, hipsters wanting a place to work on their laptops, elderly customers with memories and stories to share and a group of streetwise youth all find a common place to rub along together.
Opening the cafe isn't without it's problems. Emma's new trainee seems troubled and is hiding something, yet Emma is unwavering in her belief that she has potential. I loved this relationship, and how with Emma's support and trust in her, Lou was able to blossom. There's also the little problem of sabotage, thwarting Emma at every turn as she gets the cafe up and running. But just who has it in for her and what do they have against the cafe? There's also trouble at home, when Emma begins to feel like she is literally being left to hold the babies and resentments begin to bubble.
The theme trickling throughout this book is one of solidarity, working together and standing up for each other. It's also of second chances, and let's face it - we all need one of those at times. This book is generous, heartwarming, community spirited and restores your faith in humans. We all need a little help now and then, and when it's offered and accepted things can turn out all right in the end. With that trademark wit I remember so well from Single In The City, Lilly Bartlett's writing is fun, engaging and a delight to read.
I thought this book was absolutely charming! It's filled with warmth and heart and I loved the messages behind it. Emma's decided to open a cafe which will train and provide opportunities to disadvantaged teens - what was unexpected was the genuinely lovely community feel as diverse groups and characters come together. Mums with babies, hipsters wanting a place to work on their laptops, elderly customers with memories and stories to share and a group of streetwise youth all find a common place to rub along together.
Opening the cafe isn't without it's problems. Emma's new trainee seems troubled and is hiding something, yet Emma is unwavering in her belief that she has potential. I loved this relationship, and how with Emma's support and trust in her, Lou was able to blossom. There's also the little problem of sabotage, thwarting Emma at every turn as she gets the cafe up and running. But just who has it in for her and what do they have against the cafe? There's also trouble at home, when Emma begins to feel like she is literally being left to hold the babies and resentments begin to bubble.
The theme trickling throughout this book is one of solidarity, working together and standing up for each other. It's also of second chances, and let's face it - we all need one of those at times. This book is generous, heartwarming, community spirited and restores your faith in humans. We all need a little help now and then, and when it's offered and accepted things can turn out all right in the end. With that trademark wit I remember so well from Single In The City, Lilly Bartlett's writing is fun, engaging and a delight to read.
The Silk Weaver's Wife by Debbie Rix
4.0
When I read historical fiction, what I really, really want is to be completely transported to another time and place. I want rich and evocative description, an epic journey of discovery, awe inspiring battles against adversity and a romance to sweep me away. The Silk Weavers Wife fits the bill pretty damn well!
Switching between past and present, the book tells the story of two women in the midst of a metamorphosis. In the 21st century, Millie is 38 and in the midst of a messy affair with her married boss and her dreams of a family of her own are starting to fade. Rewind four hundred years, and Anastasia has been denied marriage to her true love by her cruel and violent father and forced into a loveless marriage to pay off a debt.
I absolutely adored the sections set in the 1700’s as Debbie Rix brings to life the sights and sounds of early eighteenth century Italy – transporting the reader effortlessly between the rural tranquility of Lake Garda and the bustle and noise of Venice. Anastasia is everything you want in a heroine – brave, passionate and determined to be independent. Given the time and her gender, Anastasia might easily have accepted her fate, but she can not be contained, and inspired by the silk moths she observes while a prisoner in her husbands home, she sets about a metamorphosis into an educated, self sufficient woman of talent, with a strong sense of loyalty.
Millie is somewhat of a contrast. Her trap is of her own making and I found it frustrating that despite being an intelligent woman, she was settling for being the mistress of the unbearably arrogant Max. But whether the prison is enforced or self inflicted, this book is about finding the courage to make changes and transform your own destiny, and ties together nicely the stories of both women.
In both past and present, I found the backdrop of the Italian Silk industry fascinating and absorbing! From the larvae of the silk moth to the exquisite finished pieces of silk, I was intrigued. I can only imagine the dedication and work that went into creating such beautiful material using ancient processes and thoroughly enjoyed learning a little about it.
I enjoyed The Silk weavers Wife, in particular Anastasia’s section, and found myself completely absorbed and enchanted while reading about her life. I also thought the romantic element was done very well, both in past and present, and was enough to sweep the reader up in without overshadowing this gorgeous story. With beautiful descriptions, a brave and inspiring heroine and the fascinating glimpse into the ancient art of silk making, I savoured this book and looked forward to a chance to pick it up again. A winner for me.
Switching between past and present, the book tells the story of two women in the midst of a metamorphosis. In the 21st century, Millie is 38 and in the midst of a messy affair with her married boss and her dreams of a family of her own are starting to fade. Rewind four hundred years, and Anastasia has been denied marriage to her true love by her cruel and violent father and forced into a loveless marriage to pay off a debt.
I absolutely adored the sections set in the 1700’s as Debbie Rix brings to life the sights and sounds of early eighteenth century Italy – transporting the reader effortlessly between the rural tranquility of Lake Garda and the bustle and noise of Venice. Anastasia is everything you want in a heroine – brave, passionate and determined to be independent. Given the time and her gender, Anastasia might easily have accepted her fate, but she can not be contained, and inspired by the silk moths she observes while a prisoner in her husbands home, she sets about a metamorphosis into an educated, self sufficient woman of talent, with a strong sense of loyalty.
Millie is somewhat of a contrast. Her trap is of her own making and I found it frustrating that despite being an intelligent woman, she was settling for being the mistress of the unbearably arrogant Max. But whether the prison is enforced or self inflicted, this book is about finding the courage to make changes and transform your own destiny, and ties together nicely the stories of both women.
In both past and present, I found the backdrop of the Italian Silk industry fascinating and absorbing! From the larvae of the silk moth to the exquisite finished pieces of silk, I was intrigued. I can only imagine the dedication and work that went into creating such beautiful material using ancient processes and thoroughly enjoyed learning a little about it.
I enjoyed The Silk weavers Wife, in particular Anastasia’s section, and found myself completely absorbed and enchanted while reading about her life. I also thought the romantic element was done very well, both in past and present, and was enough to sweep the reader up in without overshadowing this gorgeous story. With beautiful descriptions, a brave and inspiring heroine and the fascinating glimpse into the ancient art of silk making, I savoured this book and looked forward to a chance to pick it up again. A winner for me.
Almost Forever: An emotional debut perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes by Laura Danks
I don’t make any secret of the fact that I’m a sucker for a good love story AND a good old sob. I love books that make me emotional, whether that’s by filling me with joy or breaking my heart. So when I first read the synopsis of Almost Forever I thought it might be a book I’d enjoy. What I wasn’t expecting was just how much I did love it!
Almost Forever isn’t a huge book (It’s published digitally only but I think the print page equivalent is about 260 pages) but WOW! does it pack a whole lot in. It tells the story of Fran, about to elope with her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, Paul, when tragedy occurs and her husband to be is suddenly critically ill and in a coma. Over the following weeks as Fran sits vigil over his bedside, she recalls the past, with flashbacks to the summer in her childhood when she first met him and his family.
I absolutely loved how the past and present was intertwined to tell what in its own way is an epic love story. As Fran struggles to deal with and come to terms with what has happened, we hear the most touching tale of young love. Of course, as with any great love story, it doesn’t always run smooth and with a “will they, won’t they” set of twists and turns, I found myself desperately hoping for a happy ending and willing them to get together.
I really got behind this pair of sweethearts and was completely carried away by the sheer romantic-ness of it! And it was so very romantic, without being sickly sweet. There’s a real class and sincerity about Fran and Paul’s developing relationship which I just adored! So the contrast between the past and the upsetting circumstances of the present were all the more stark, as all that hope and possibility turns to grief and despair making for an emotional roller-coaster of a book, which had me sobbing more than once.
Almost Forever surprised me. I was ready for a bit of a weepy, but what I wasn’t prepared for was just how intense it would be. While there’s some sad topics covered, there’s an overarching feeling of strength and hope running through this book. An intelligent and sophisticated romance, I’ll be adding Laura Danks to my list of authors to look out for in the future.
Almost Forever isn’t a huge book (It’s published digitally only but I think the print page equivalent is about 260 pages) but WOW! does it pack a whole lot in. It tells the story of Fran, about to elope with her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, Paul, when tragedy occurs and her husband to be is suddenly critically ill and in a coma. Over the following weeks as Fran sits vigil over his bedside, she recalls the past, with flashbacks to the summer in her childhood when she first met him and his family.
I absolutely loved how the past and present was intertwined to tell what in its own way is an epic love story. As Fran struggles to deal with and come to terms with what has happened, we hear the most touching tale of young love. Of course, as with any great love story, it doesn’t always run smooth and with a “will they, won’t they” set of twists and turns, I found myself desperately hoping for a happy ending and willing them to get together.
I really got behind this pair of sweethearts and was completely carried away by the sheer romantic-ness of it! And it was so very romantic, without being sickly sweet. There’s a real class and sincerity about Fran and Paul’s developing relationship which I just adored! So the contrast between the past and the upsetting circumstances of the present were all the more stark, as all that hope and possibility turns to grief and despair making for an emotional roller-coaster of a book, which had me sobbing more than once.
Almost Forever surprised me. I was ready for a bit of a weepy, but what I wasn’t prepared for was just how intense it would be. While there’s some sad topics covered, there’s an overarching feeling of strength and hope running through this book. An intelligent and sophisticated romance, I’ll be adding Laura Danks to my list of authors to look out for in the future.