The Apothecary's House by Adrian Mathews

The Apothecary's House by Adrian Mathews

Genre: fiction - mystery, art,
Rating: OK **

Synopsis:
In modern day Amsterdam, an old lady lays claim to a rather strange painting she says was stolen from her family by the Nazi's during WWII. However, there is another claimant and it soon becomes obvious that the two know each other.
Art historian Ruth soon gets dragged into the old lady's life and after helping her with her claim, finds herself the target of someone who seems determined to get her off the case.
So what is the relevance of this painting? And who is threatening her?

Thoughts:
I started this book with high hopes and, while I must admit I found the art theft background quite interesting, I felt that the book was too long and drawn out.
The main characters were unsympathetic and unbelievable.
The dialogue was too stilted and over the top at times.
At no point did the novel grip me and make me want to stay up and read it.
The whole novel could have been so much shorter that it's 720 pages!
For me a tedious read.

Fiction 2010 # 15
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, New Authors Challenge 2010, western europe challenge, 2010 global challenge,

Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose

Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose

Genre: fiction - thriller
Rating: Very Good ****


Synopsis:
A serial killer is abducting girls form their beds in a small town in North Carolina. They seem to have nothing in common apart from being all of them being cheerleaders and all of them having long dark hair.
Special Agent Steven Thatcher is eager to catch the killer, while at the same time dealing with his own family problems...

Thoughts:
I love Karen Rose...her novels are always well crafted and gripping to read.
This one was no exception.
Immediately you get involved with the characters and carried along by the plot, eager to find out who and why.

I recommend her books.



fiction 2010 # 14
Challenges: Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, a-z challenge

COMING UP ROSES: Stories for the Green Fingered by Caroline Oakley

COMING UP ROSES: Stories for the Green Fingered by Caroline Oakley

Genre: short stories - gardening
Rating: Excellent *****

From back cover:
Every thing's coming up roses...but not all of these roses are beautiful or sweet smelling - some have a touch of frost. Our gardens reflect our lives, from the regimented to the artfully dishevelled, the pristine to the neglected, and this collection of bittersweet stories is uprising in it's variety.

Another lovely collection from Honno - Welsh women's' press.
A variety of stories all with a gardening theme.
Crime, romance, loss, haunted tales... this collection has it all.
20 great stories...an ideal present for the gardener in your life.


Short story collections 2010 # 5
challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, New Authors Challenge 2010, typically British challenge, welsh reading challenge,