A thousand Suns - Alex Scarrow

A Thousand Suns by Alex Scarrow

Genre: fiction
Rating: Very Good ****

Synopsis:

Photographic journalist Chris Roland is sent to cover the story of a WW2 American B17 bomber plane discovered off the coast of the USA

What he discovers is not what he expected.
Chris finds himself embroiled in a historic conspiracy that the US have tried to keep under wraps.
Dead bodies, disappearing locals after the war, and a WW2 plot by Hitler to go ahead with his atomic programme, put his life at risk.... (it's difficult not to give the plot away too much here).

My thoughts:
Really good book using actual historical evidence of Germany's atomic programme to cleverly weave a plot of events that could potentially have occurred.
Once again well researched, written with style and a convincing plot.
Characters are believable and the WW2 Germany pilots are engaging - your sympathies lie with them.

Recommended.

novels 2010: 76
Challenges: Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, Thriller and Suspense Challenge 2010,

Afterlight - Alex Scarrow

Afterlight - Alex Scarrow

Genre: fiction
Rating: Excellent *****

Synopsis:
Follow up to the excellent Last Light, the novel is set 10 years after the oil crisis that effectively shut down the world.
Society has broken down and only small groups of survivors remain, fighting against disease and starvation, and the hoards of roaming thugs who kill and rape anyone for fun.
Jenny Sutherland heads a small group of survivors, fashioning a new way of life on a a series of decaying offshore oil-rigs, recycling water, growing food and fishing.
Yet there is unrest in the community, those who want to try to exist on the mainland again, unaware that dangers still exist.
For there is trouble coming, and once again it will be a fight for survival....

My thoughts:
A realistic look at what the world might be like if the oil does stop pumping.
A terrifying glimpse at how society breaks down, and a dog eat dog world comes into being.
Well written, with engaging characters, this book is not one for the squeamish, but definitely one to read!
You can read this novel alone, or read it after reading Last Light
A great thriller. Recommended.

A warning of what our lives may be like if we don't rethink and stop our reliance on oil consumption.
All hail renewable energy ....

Novels 2010: 75
Challeneges: Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, Part III of The End of the World Challenge.,

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,

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Climate Change - Is Time Running Out? by Elizabeth Kolbert

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Climate Change - Is Time Running Out? by Elizabeth Kolbert

Genre: non-fiction - ecological / climate change
Rating: very Good ****

Kolbert presents a variety of essays which show convincing evidence for global warming, from changes in the Arctic ice to the loss of spices of toads.
The science is kept to a minimum, while the real life examples are thoroughly presented.

A frightening book that shows how we are heading for a disaster if we don't act NOW.

Why more governments and more people don't do something is beyond me.
Everyone who cares about our future should read this book.

non-fiction 2010 #26
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010,

Far North by Marcel Theroux

Far North by Marcel Theroux

Genre: fiction - post-apocalypse
Rating: Very Good

Synopsis

In the Far North of Russia, after an unstated disaster has devastated the planet, Makepeace patrols the ruins of a dying city.
Once an official peacekeeper, now long since left without orders in this cold, vast isolated world.
Struggling to survive and starved of company, Makepeace find evidence of 'civilisation' somewhere beyond the hills.
Undertaking a grueling journey, what Makepeace discovers is not as hoped.
instead is an even harsher wold, forced labour camps, terrible conditions, and a mysterious 'zone' where old technology is thought to be the answer to all problems.

My Thoughts
A disturbing, moving novel which leaves you hoping that civilisation never comes to this.

The central question of the novel is 'What is it to be human?' - what makes life worth living for.
Loving written with a feel for the remote sub-arctic landscape.
If you can read this sort of fiction without becoming depressed, you will enjoy this novel.

fiction 2010 #57
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Part III of The End of the World Challenge., Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, A to Z Challenge 2010,

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

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

Synopsis
Lucas Davenport is called on to help investigate a body found in a shallow grave in Minnesota, that of a young woman who appears to have been strangled.
Connecting the murder to a series of pornographic drawings that have been sent to numerous women, they come across more victims of this serial killer, buried together in a woodland site.
Lucas begins investigating the connection to the art world, while the killer stalks his next victim...

My thoughts
I enjoy the Prey series, although I didn't find this one as gritty as the other ones I've read.
Still, it's nice to see how the characters are progressing.
I just hope Lucas is more hard-nosed in the next one!

fiction 2010 # 56
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, Prey Challenge,

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,