The Hanging Garden – Ian Rankin

DI John Rebus chases a suspected Nazi criminal, gets involved in a turf war between two gangsters and suffers pain and anguishes when his beloved daughter Sammy is run over by a hit and run driver, this just about pushes him to his limit and he nearly falls of the wagon. 

This is my first Rebus novel, and as I do not own a TV, I have not seen it either. Therefore I had no pre-conceived ideas. I found reading it at a pace of 20/30 pages per sitting a great help, otherwise I think I could have lost some threads. The story becomes quite intricate when trying to follow which criminal works for who, and what position the different DI’s where in, and in what team. However this said, I confess, it did make for gripping reading and was sufficiently graphical that it was as good as watching it on TV.

I liked the fact, that although some of the characters where of the criminal fraternity, there was hardly any bad language in it and I find this makes for a more pleasant read. It also leaves room for more useful vocabulary relating to the story line. I also found that it was possible to build some attachment to some of the characters and even to feel sorry for them despite the fact they might be on the wrong side, such is Rankins writing talents. 

There were some instances where I feel it might have been beneficial to have read the Rebus back catalogue of stories in order and thus my understanding of some of the story lines would have been clearer. However as I have not and only have a friends husband’s comments suggesting that they follow in order to influence this hunch.

I did enjoy this book, and I did enjoy Ian Rankin’s style and would read another one at some time in the future.

The Penny Bangle by Margaret James

Its 1942 and the war is on. Cassie is a skinny young women who Gran is worried about her being in Birmingham with all of the raids. Cassie is persuaded to go down to a farm in Dorset and become a Land girl.  She meets Francis, the twins Steven & Robert.

Steve is funny, friendly and happy to train Cassie in what to do, Robert just thinks she’s too skinny, week and a city runt to be of any use when he and his brother have to return to active service. Things change, Cassie falls for Roberts charm, but soon gets bored of being a land girl. Her and Frances decide to join up together into the ATS. The result is that Cassie becomes strong, confident but still very much in love with Robert. They are both stationed in North Africa and get time together where he proposes. 

With Africa won, Cassie gets sent back to Blighty and Robert goes on to Italy, where he goes missing in action and is believed to be dead. Back in Blighty Steven is there and has fallen for Cassie. But he struggles with the fact he can not return to active service but instead is behind a desk in London.

The Penny Bangle is the third book in a trilogy (The Silver Locket (1) and The Golden Chain (2)) However, even though I have not read the 1^st two I still was able to follow the story lines and this delightfully written book has inspired me to go back and read the 1^st two.

Robert Denham who Cassie loves is somewhat like a Yorkie bar, he is solid, dependable and it would take a lot to break him. Steven, however reminds me of a Kit Kat caramel because even he’s not sure of who or what he is. The Penny Bangle is everything that you would expect from Choc Lit publications. It does not disappoint and exceeds all expectations.

The Commuting Bookworm 31/05/12

A Commuting Bookworms Life: The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura

A Commuting Bookworms Life: The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura: The thief is a seasoned pickpocket, who is questioning his lifestyle, his choices and the consequences of his actions. It is written in the...

The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura

The thief is a seasoned pickpocket, who is questioning his lifestyle, his choices and the consequences of his actions. It is written in the first person narrative all the way through and therefore is easy to follow and read.

At 210 pages this is a small book with a mighty emotional punch. Nakamura slowly builds the readers attachment to the narrator, who although perhaps is behaving against acceptable normalities and living in a way that many of us would find disgraceful, you can’t help feeling a bond. Not in a sentimental slushy way, but in a real enlightening and respectful way.

We even feel the thief’s emotions when he is thinking about his old master and friend. I found the social insight to Japanese culture and their normalities, like cans of Coffee, Lunch Boxes both of which are purchased in supermarkets and vending machines both intriguing and different to ours.

Although the thief’s profession is despicable, his morels and aspirations are not.   You end of really wanting him to triumph and succeed; you believe that he can become everything you aspire for him.  You follow him on his emotional journey of mentally growing up.

When this book is published in August 2012 I predict that it will do great things and we will all be talking about it. I liked the fact it was short, easy to read but has a real depth and a fully emotional catharsis at then end.

It’s a fabulous read and you will not be disappointed.

The Commuting Bookworm 02/05/12

To Turn Full Circle by Linda Mitchelmore

Emma Le Goff finds herself orphaned before her 16^th birthday, both her parent’s dead in mysterious circumstances and the heartless landlord Reuben Jago turfs her out of the tied cottage the family were living in. His son Seth attempts to help Emma to the best of his ability but when the mysterious fisherman Mathew Caunter comes to Emma’s rescue things were bound to become complicated. Set in a small Devon fishing harbour in 1909, the scene is set for this debut novel from Linda Mitchelmore, the start of a trilogy.

Choc Lit always seems to find the very best of storytellers and this is no exception. Within the first chapter you love Emma, the reader is undoubtedly on her side. You feel her loss, and the unfairness of life. As the observer into this small community you are hooked, you can almost smell the fish, the salt air and hear the waves crashing against the beach such is Mitchelmore’s gift for storytelling.

Mitchelmore gives you enough for the vivid picture and experience, but not too much so that the reader loses interest or the thread of the story. Mitchelmore has the writing talent to capture the required emotional essence that can be compared to Jane Austin and the ability to paint a scene in words that Thomas Hardy would have found acceptable. Mitchelmore’s trilogy will do for the social history of this period the same as what Charles Dickens did for the 1800’s, such is the strength and accuracy of her story lines and description of events and surroundings.

Ultimately this is a delightful, page turning novel that makes the reader want more of Emma Le Goff et el, and although difficult to put down, I found myself not wanting to finish it, because then it would be the end and I wanted Emma to be part of my day, everyday. In conclusion, a wonderful epic novel that will become a timeless classic. 

Published by Choc Lit:  release date 7^th June 2012

The Commuting Bookworm 11/05/12

The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura - Out in the UK Aug 2012

The thief is a seasoned pickpocket, who is questioning his lifestyle, his choices and the consequences of his actions. It is written in the first person narrative all the way through and therefore is easy to follow and read.

At 210 pages this is a small book with a mighty emotional punch. Nakamura slowly builds the readers attachment to the narrator, who although perhaps is behaving against acceptable normalities and living in a way that many of us would find disgraceful, you can’t help feeling a bond. Not in a sentimental slushy way, but in a real enlightening and respectful way.

We even feel the thief’s emotions when he is thinking about his old master and friend. I found the social insight to Japanese culture and their normalities, like cans of Coffee, Lunch Boxes both of which are purchased in supermarkets and vending machines both intriguing and different to ours.

Although the thief’s profession is despicable, his morels and aspirations are not.   You end of really wanting him to triumph and succeed; you believe that he can become everything you aspire for him.  You follow him on his emotional journey of mentally growing up.

When this book is published in August 2012 I predict that it will do great things and we will all be talking about it. I liked the fact it was short, easy to read but has a real depth and a fully emotional catharsis at then end.

It’s a fabulous read and you will not be disappointed.

The Commuting Bookworm 02/05/12

The Istanbul Puzzle by Laurence O’Bryan

Sean Ryan is horrified to learn that his colleague and friend Alek Zegliwski was beheaded whilst on a routine job in Istanbul. British diplomat Isabel Sharp is assigned to accompany Sean whilst he is in Istanbul to identify the body. It soon becomes apparent that Sean’s life is in danger and  together they must work to prevent the spread of a deadly virus being released by terrorist’s.

The Istanbul Puzzle is a literary oil painting bringing to the reader the colours and essence of this very old city with a very rich and varied history. The words paint a rich tapestry that makes you want to book the next plane and go and see it for yourself. O’Bryans literary descriptions enable the reader to almost feel the heat and smell the smells.

The blurb on the paperback, tells the reader “An Electrifying conspiracy thriller which will entice fans of Scott Mariani, Bourne and Dan Brown” this is the understatement and does a dis-service to Laurence O’Bryan’s storytelling abilities. I think this author has a great future as a bestselling author in the future.

I loved this book, it keeps you turning the page and you become eager to finish it to find out the ending. Its exciting, colourful without being too wordy or heavy to enjoy.

The Commuting Bookworm 01/05/12

Update: Waiting for the next one : The Jerusalem Puzzle our January 2013!