Monday 3 May 2010

Spring Rain




Spring rain
leaking through the roof
dripping from the wasps' nest.

Matsuo Basho

Sunday 2 May 2010

Prey by Thomas Emson


Prey by Thomas Emson

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

Synopsis
In Russia a mysterious animal brutally kills gangster Vasili Kolodenko.
Police officer Lev Dasaev follows the trail to the US, where he finds himself caught up in a family feud...a feud that runs blood deep - werewolf blood deep!

My Thoughts
This book is the follow on to Maneater, and I really think you need to have read the first one to be able to understand this one fully.
Laura Greenacre is now living in New York,trying to stay out of trouble, but knows she is being looked for. John Thorn and his daughter are still hiding in Wales. Ruth Templeton is after them both, seeking revenge for the loss of her son and family in the Trafalgar Square incident.
A good plot and well written - I just think it doesn't stand alone. You need to read Maneater first.
Still - I recommend these novels - so read them BOTH!

fiction 2010 # 58
Challenges:what an animal challenge III, 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, iWere Challenge.,

Arctic Chill by Arnaldur Indridason


Arctic Chill by Arnaldur Indridason

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


Synopsis:
In Iceland Detective Erlendur and his colleagues Sigurdur Oli and Elinborg, investigate the fatal stabbing on a young 10 year old half-Thai boy. Left on the frozen ground outside his flat, no one seems to know what happened.
With his older brother missing, the search is on to find the killer...is the killing racially motivated?
For Erlendur the killing brings back painful memories of the traumatic death of his own young brother, lost in the winter snow.

My thoughts
I enjoyed this novel.
Although the main characters are hard to get to know, you find yourself drawn to them, especially Erlendur, a man struggling with his own demons.
The plot is crafted well, and the Icelandic landscape and culture are vividly portrayed,
Have ordered the next installment in the series - Hypothermia - from my library

novels 2010 # 57
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, scandinavian challenge,

Venice Challenge

Venice Challenge

dates - May 1st, 2010-May 1st, 2011
host - heidenkind of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Books
Read 6 books set in the city of Venice, or about Venice. .. fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, YA, or whatever.

How could I resist this challenge as I love Venice and reading books about her.

I'm going to read:
Gleanings from Venetian History v1 - F. Marion Crawford
Gleanings from Venetian History v2 - F. Marion Crawford
Brunetti's Venice: Walks Through the Novels by Toni Sepeda
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Francesco's Kitchen by Francesco Da Mosto
The Merchant of Venice
A Question of Belief by Donna Leon