Release Date: 04/08/16
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
PI Lennox - the Scottish Philip Marlowe - returns with a new helping of fast-paced detective noir. where the violent death of Quiet Thomas Quaid shows that Quaid's life had been anything but quiet. From the winner of of the Bloody Scotland Crime Novel of the Year.
Lennox liked Quiet Tommy Quaid. Perhaps it's odd for a private detective to like - even admire - a career thief, but Quiet Tommy Quaid was the sort of man everyone liked. Amiable, easy-going, well-dressed, with no vices to speak of - well, aside from his excessive drinking and womanising, but then in 1950s Glasgow those are practically virtues. And besides, throughout his many exploits outside the law, Quiet Tommy never once used violence. It was rumoured to be the police who gave him his nickname - because whenever they caught him, which was not often, he always came quietly. So probably even the police liked him, deep down.
Above all, the reason people liked Tommy was that you knew exactly what you were dealing with. Here, everybody realized, was someone who was simply and totally who and what he seemed to be.
But when Tommy turns up dead, Lennox and the rest of Glasgow will find out just how wrong they were.
REVIEW:
Craig is a Crime author that I originally stumbled across with his original novel Blood Eagle and to be honest I’ve been hooked ever since. He has a knack for bringing cracking prose with top notch dialogue alongside an arc that just keeps the reader glued.
In this title, a tale featuring PI Lennox really gives the reader the gritty feel of a post WW2 Glasgow with the darker, seedier aspects really helping to give the city a feeling of reality for the reader which when backed with solid description really helps bring it all to life. Finally throw into the mix a principle character that just keeps giving and never letting go, all round generates a story that at the end of the day sated me as a reader leaving a smug satisfaction at the end of the final page. If you love Crime Noir and want some home grown talent, then Craig should be top of your list, trust me you won’t regreat it Just prepare to spend a lot of late nights savouring the stories.
Release Date: 04/06/15
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
'Of picking, washing and cleaning my pretty little toes, which he took great delight in, and in which pleasurable, innocent, and inoffensive pastime he as often spent hours; 'twas the greatest gratification to him on earth, nor did he (said she) indulge in any other in all the time we spent together, he never was even rude enough to give me a kiss.'
So emerged the first exposé of foot fetishism in the eighteenth century. Revelations and racy anecdotes about the lives of the rich and famous of Dublin and London abound within Peg Plunkett: Memoirs of a Whore.
From a violent domestic background, Peg blitzed her way through balls and masquerades creating scandals and gossip wherever she went, leaving dukes, barristers and lieutenants stranded in her wake. She was the first madame ever to write her memoirs, thereby setting the template for the whore's memoir. She wrote not merely to reveal herself but to expose the shoddy behaviour of others and her account of her life. In Peg Plunkett: Memoirs of a Whore, Julie Peakman brings her subject and the world through which she moved to glorious, bawdy life.
REVIEW:
A title that is as scandalous as the life led by this 18th Century Lady of the Night and one of fame within Ireland and beyond. Whilst the title is salacious to tempt many a reader in, the book worked well for me as excerpts from one of Peg’s three diaries have made their way in to help (alongside Julie Peakmans work) explain the time that she lived in. Its definitely a book of academia and whilst for some they’ll be put off, I found it not only fascinating but enticing especially seeing how people of the time lived and spotting many similarities by today’s standards.
All round I was glued to each page learning terms that were utilised at the time and getting to explore Peg’s own extraordinary life. Thanks to Julie for making it so readable.
Release Date: 01/10/15
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books/Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
In the Library of the Damned, hidden away amongst that vast depository of ancient wisdom, there exists a certain bookcase where the most decadent, the most blasphemous of tomes sit upon a dusty shelf.
And amongst those titles - that should never be named - there is one volume that is the most terrible, the most hideous of them all.That book is the Lexicon of Fear.
But, long ago, some of its pages were ripped from the binding and spirited away by a lowly student of the ancient science of Horrorology, who was determined the secrets contained therein would one day be shared with the world.
And now that day has come. These are the words thatcomprise the very language of horror itself, and the tales they tell are notfor the fainthearted. But be warned: once you have read them, there is noturning back. Soon, you too will know the true meanings of fear . . .
Featuring stories from Clive Barker, Robert Shearman, Michael Marshall Smith, Pat Cadigan, Mark Samuels, Joanne Harris, Muriel Gray, Kim Newman, Ramsey Campbell, Reggie Oliver, Angela Slatter and Lisa Tuttle.
REVIEW:
If there’s a fan that loves horror at Falcata Times, its Lady Eleanor and with Halloween being her favourite holiday she always looks forward to this time of year, buying up films and books to feed her need throughout the year. (Especially for Christmas.) So when this title with artwork by Clive Barker as well as being edited by Stephen Jones landed she couldn’t wait to get her hands upon it and run to her duvet of protection.
I had high hopes for this book from a selection of modern horror authors, as not only do I love the chance to try some authors that I may not have had the pleasure of spending time with but also knowing that I have pure talent from authors I love. What occurs within is a book that has a whole heap of talent within and whilst some of the tales left me feeling very flat as I hated the overuse of bad language (almost as if it was there to fill a word count, rather than entertain.) Whilst there are some cracking stories (I love Kim Newman) what always makes me happy about compendiums is that I can dip into them to get a horror fix when I need it, whether its on my way to work or during lunch or even to help me relax for bed.
All round, its an OK book and if you want to try some established names that are new to you alongside favourites, it’s a good way to spend your cash so you can make requests (or perhaps threats) for your Christmas list. Hopefully you’ll enjoy this fearful experience and at the end of the day, However because not every title gave me the goosebumps or chills I wanted it has a lower rating.
Release Date: 24/09/15
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
A chilling tale based on true events from the bestselling author of The Ghost Hunters . . .
At the height of the Cold War, officials at the Ministry of Defence conducted a highly secret investigation into unusual events that occurred along a strip of rugged coastline within the Pembrokeshire National Park nicknamed 'The Broad Haven Triangle'. The events made national headlines: lights and objects hovering in the sky, ghostly figures peering into farmhouse windows, cowering animals, and poltergeists plaguing a terrified family of witnesses.Thirty years later, official files pertaining to these occurrences were finally released for public scrutiny at the National Archives. The disclosure prompted a new witness to come forward to speak of what he knew. His testimony rocked the very foundations of the British Government. This is his story.
REVIEW:
A book that surprises the reader with a quick right hook and one that really never gives the reader a chance to recover as the story blends a whole heap of genres into one and delivers a cracking arc that is a pure joy to read. The pace is stunning, the prose top notch and when you add dialogue that helps you not only grab onto the characters but care about what happens to them all round generates something that you really can’t put down.
I can’t wait to see what Neil returns with and look forward to another late night in his company. Cracking.
Release Date: 04/06/15
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Head of Hamburg's Murder Commission, Jan Fabel is used to the dead, but when a routine enquiry spirals out of control he finds himself on much closer terms with death - his own.
As he struggles to process this experience, his first case comes back to haunt him: Monika Krone's body is found at last, fifteen years after she disappeared. Monika - beautiful, intelligent, cruel - was the centre of a group obsessed with the gothic.
When men who knew Monika start turning up dead, the crime scenes full of gothic symbolism, Fabel realizes he is looking for a killer with both a hunger for vengeance and a terrifying taste for the macabre.
A true gothic demon is stalking the streets of Hamburg . . .
REVIEW:
Fabel is one of my favourite detectives since I originally read Craig’s first book, Blood Eagle. I love the way he brings European cities to life for me as well as giving me a crime thriller that not only jumps off the page but delivers cunning criminals alongside a detective team that works through the clues to find the answers.
The prose is sharp, the storyline gripping and when you add cracking pace alongside dialogue that endears the characters to the reader, all round gives you a whole series of books that won’t let you leave until that last page is turned. Magic.
Release Date: 02/07/15
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
We all wonder how much our pet understands, what is going on in their head and just how intelligent they really are. This entertaining and comprehensive guide will not only explain your cat's sometimes baffling behaviour - it will give you the means to test your pet's IQ yourself.
Using your cat's natural skills, How Smart Is Your Cat? will enable you to improve their responses and reactions - and ultimately their IQ - as you work through a wealth of intelligence tests, giving them a star rating as they progress. The bond between you will deepen as you learn more about how your cat thinks.
Featuring panels on feline psychology, different cat breeds and information on how cats communicate, How Smart Is Your Cat? is the ideal companion for everyone who wants to understand what their cat is thinking and how to communicate with them effectively.
The perfect gift for cat lovers everywhere, this book will open your eyes to just how canny your kitten can be!
REVIEW:
OK, so many know that I am Cat Man, toadie to five beautiful felines and whilst at times they seem to be quite smart, at others they can be completely bat shit crazy, racing from room to room as if it’s a race track at 4 AM or just to use me as a bouncy castle during the night. However at the end of the day, I like to set them little challenges as well as try to teach them some tricks just to help keep their brain’s active. After all an occupied cat is a kitty that isn’t getting into trouble. LOL
What this book from David Alderton does is give you a few idea’s as well as some training idea’s to help from everything from introduction to giving you cat some advanced training. All round it’s a bit of fun and whilst I may not agree with a number of the statements from the author, I did find some of the information within useful.
Release Date: 05/02/15
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Conventional chronologies of world history concentrate on the reigns of kings and queens, the dates of battles and treaties, the publication dates of great books, the completion of famous buildings, the deaths of iconic figures, and the years of major discoveries. But there are other more interesting stories to tell - stories which can bring the past vividly and excitingly to life. Imagine a book that tells you the date of the ancient Roman law that made it legal to break wind at banquets; the name of the defunct medieval pope whose putrefying corpse was subjected to the humiliation of a trial before a court of law; the identity of the priapic monarch who sired more bastards than any other king of England; and last but not least the date of the demise in London of the first goat to have circumnavigated the globe - twice. Imagine a book crammed with such deliciously disposable information, and you have History without the Boring Bits.
By turns bizarre, surprising, trivial, and enlightening, History without the Boring Bits offers rich pickings for the browser, and entertainment and inspiration aplenty for those who have grown weary of more conventional works of history.
REVIEW:
OK, I admit this, I have a set of books that I keep in the bathroom that are full of curious information, weird facts and to be honest things that will either make you laugh or just itch that scratch that for something completely useless to anyone but everyone finds fascinating.
So when this book by Ian landed, it was one of those that I added to my bathroom stock, after all, it’s the place where you can do a little light reading and then throw into the mix some weird fact when you want to either entertain you children or friends. Hidden within this title are a wealth of information that goes to show that stupidity is not just a modern thing and that it can be surprising as to how we’ve managed to live so long.
Add to this historical information that will fill in some gaps within your mind as well as giving you funny ways to remember the facts, all round could turn you into your quiz team history hero. Good fun.
Release Date: 12/06/14
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Bruno, chef de police in the French town of St Denis, is already busy with a case when the body of an undercover French Muslim cop is found in the woods, a man who called Bruno for help only hours before. But Bruno's sometime boss and rival, the Brigadier, doesn't see this investigation as a priority - there are bigger issues at stake. Bruno has other ideas. Meanwhile, a Muslim youth named Sami turns up at a French army base in Afghanistan hoping to get home to St Denis. One of Bruno's old army comrades helps to smuggle Sami back to France, but the FBI aren't far behind. Then an American woman appears in St Denis with a warrant for Sami's extradition. Bruno must unravel these multiple mysteries, amidst pressure from his bosses, and find his own way to protect his town and its people.
REVIEW:
The latest outing of Martin Walkers detective and one that continues to build upon the characters reputation as this tale brings Islamic Extremism as well as mystery featuring the hiding of children during the second world war that also gives the story a sense of depth and history.
It’s definitely a book that I had a lot of fun reading and whilst I’ve enjoyed the series to date, I’m starting to wonder how much longer the character can continue as to be honest, for me, he’s starting to stagnate. Don’t get me wrong, I love the prose, the twists and of course the dialogue however I’ve felt that in this book the character hasn’t grown and is starting to become unbelievable.
All round it is a book that will give you a good amount of mystery for your buck but at the end of the day, if a character doesn’t grow then that for me is the beginning of the end.
Release Date: 06/03/14
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Maddy and her cousins are ready for battle. War in the faerie realm threatens to spill into the human world. The three cousins are determined to protect all they love from the Tuatha, the fearsome faerie leaders. As the Morrighan, the supreme monarch of the Tuatha, awakes, Maddy realises she's going to need more than just physical strength and luck to survive. The Tuath are notorious tricksters, and Maddy will have to outsmart them for good - or else plunge two whole worlds into the darkest chaos.
REVIEW:
There are times as a reader when you just can’t help but want to delve into the young adult world for a tale that gets back to the good old firelight story telling tradition of yesteryear. What Che does extremely well is bring the Tuatha to life for the younger reader bringing ancient tales to a modern audience as the young protagonists are placed on opposite sides of the board to the fae.
The storytelling is rich, the characters within bringing something for every young reader and of course are associable for them so that they can easily get to the heart of the matter. Back this up with some cracking plot twists as well as some sleight of hand that will leave them amazed and all round it’s a cracking experience.
Release Date: 03/10/13
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Special Agent Gil Martins investigates domestic terrorism for the Houston FBI. He is a religious man who is close to losing his faith; the very nature of his job has led him to question the existence of a God who could allow the things that Gil sees every day. But Gil's wife Ruth doesn't see things the same way and his crisis of faith provokes a fracture in their marriage. Gil's world is breaking apart. At the same time, Gil starts to investigate a series of unexplained deaths that bring this crisis of faith into uncomfortable focus. When Esther, a disturbed woman, informs Gil that these men have been killed by prayer, Gil questions her sanity. But as the evidence mounts up that there might be something in what she says, his new-found atheism is severely challenged, more so as he finds his own life is next on the line.
REVIEW:
OK, something a little different and to be honest as a huge fan of the original Blatty Exorcist anyone who claims to want to write their own version of this classic is going to have a hard time not only convincing me as a reader that its going to be on par but has to bring something novel to the table to help it stand out on its own.
As a huge reader I thought that I’d be a little unhappy with the overall project but when I sat down and concentrated on the tale as it wound its own way, I was more than intrigued to see a story that I could really get behind. What Philip brings to the fore is a solid lead character, some good twists and backs it up with cracking pace to help the reader have a sleepless night. It delivers, has more in common with the older style of horror than a lot of the more modern tales and all round presented a title that generated a few scary moments when I finally dropped off.
Release Date: 26/09/13
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
Alex is tough. She has survived the EMP blast, she has lived among the flesh-eating Changed, and she has been separated from Tom for months. And she hasn't given up. But on the brink of starvation and in the grip of a winter that just won't end, Alex discovers a new and terrible truth: The Changed are still evolving. And...they've had help.
REVIEW:
To be honest having not loved the first two, I approached the final one with not only kid gloves but a great deal of apprehension. After all, in a book where I have problems not only making my way through it but struggling against characters that I can’t get to grips with really makes it an epic fight to the end. What unfurled within was a book that yet again really didn’t do anything for me. The author had a cast of shadows (far too many with not enough flesh), the principle characters were unbearable for me and whilst the pace was OK in places it all round left me feeling flat. A great shame all round but you can’t please everyone.
Release Date: 27/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade. The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on 'crusades' of conquest. Now the third Moontide is almost here and, this time, the people of the East are ready for a fight ...but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world.
REVIEW:
I love a story that takes the reader onto a journey not only of a new world but one that feels rounded through the use of politics, double dealing, vengeance and a quest that leads changes that will echo throughout the annals of time. All this and more happens in David Hair’s debut, Mage’s Blood the first book in the Moontide Quartet.
The writing is crisp, the characters full of vigour and desires which when they become banded together really gives the story something to focus upon as the bonds grow stronger. Add to this an overall arc that has a huge epic scale which when added to solid dialogue alongside combat really gives the reader a sense of grandeur. All in a great debut and one I’ll look forward to reading more from.
Release Date: 07/06/12
SYNOPSIS:
Eric Albright, a twenty-six-year-old unemployed journalist, and Stuart Casey, a homeless old drunk, fall through a door in a graffiti-covered wall into the strange world of Levall, where a mountain-sized dragon with the powers of a god lies sleeping beneath a great white castle. Here they are the otherworlders, Pilgrims, and their lives are never going to be the same again. In the castle the sinister Lord Vous rules with an iron fist as the Project, designed to effect his transformation into an immortal spirit, nears completion. But Vous' growing madness is close to consuming him, as is his fear of the imaginary being named 'Shadow'. And the arrival of the otherworlders in Levall is about to lend substance to that fear. No one has ever seen what lies beyond the impossibly vast Wall that divides Levall, but the Pilgrims possess powers strong enough to break it down. If they do, what will enter from the other side? Will Elliott's brilliantly subversive and creative imagination twists the conventions of the genre to create an unforgettable alternate-world fantasy.
REVIEW:
I love to read a story where I’m not sure what I’m going to get and whilst I was routing for this title from the start it felt a lot like a compendium of many of the idea’s that have gone before in the fantasy world to one extent or another. It is a story of discovery, a tale of exploration and for the reader a story where the characters impact upon the world concerned becomes the main focus but in parts it felt that it was stalling as if the author needed chance to recharge his batteries to get some idea of where to go next.
Whilst it was an interesting read I did find it a difficult one as I didn’t like the principle players always becoming more fascinated with the supporting cast which I felt didn’t get much of a fair crack in the tale. All in its an OK book but I hope that the second story really picks up with a lot of the world building already done concentrating on character development to give me more to like. I’ll have to wait and see.
Release Date: 05/07/12
SYNOPSIS:
Book II of the Pendulum Trilogy. Eric and Case came to the world of Levaal through a door in an old railway arch, and it wasn't long before they found themselves caught up in the war to control this strange land. But the Wall at World's End, which once divided Levaal, has been brought down. Eric and his companions are forced to flee from the Tormentors, the dreadful creatures that poured through the breach, and there are rumours that one of the great dragons has escaped its sky prison. But there is even more to fear, for the transformation into a god of Vous, Friend and Lord of the world, is almost complete, and a being called Shadow who looks remarkably like Eric is wandering Levaal with great power but no purpose it yet understands. The end might be coming faster than anyone thinks.
REVIEW:
The second tale in the Pendulum Trilogy and whilst I’d had a hard time getting on with the characters in the first outing, I had reasonable hopes for the second.
Sadly for me the first half of the book really didn’t accomplish much for me as a reader, it was slow going, the characters sadly under developed and utilised and all in it felt sadly that it was doomed to disappoint. That said the second half did pick up but to be blunt here there will be a fair few that will put this down never to get that far.
All in its sadly flat and disappointing to me as a reader and whilst I do like the concepts within and some of the idea’s presented, the execution for me is something that feels like it hasn’t been fully realised. I will read the final part of the trilogy but to be honest it will be one that will be read when I have very little else to do and could remain on my TBR pile for quite some time.
Release Date: 01/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
Wapping, London: March 1799. A sunken lugger in the Pool of London at last reveals its shocking secret. River Surveyor Tom Pascoe of the Marine Police finds the bodies of two men entombed in the crew's cabin. Suspicion falls on a third member of the crew seen fleeing the scene. He had a known motive for murder. Against the background of a nation at war with Napoleon, Tom Pascoe finds his own life under threat as he digs deeper into the case. He uncovers the existence of French agents whose task is to undermine England's ability to continue the war. In a race against time, Tom's job is further complicated by the presence of a new member of the police crew with a secret of his own...
REVIEW:
Having enjoyed the first book by Patrick Easter, I was eager to see how he would expand the character as well as the tasks to which he’s been set to work upon in subsequent tales. This second book gives the reader a story that not only wends its merry way through London in much the way that the Thames does, but also brings the times to life with scenes that allow the readers imagination to take over.
Add to this a great sense of pace, some wonderful turns of phrase and an author who clearly knows his subject matter which gives the reader a tale that many will love whilst also delivering on the criminal aspects that were rife at the time. All in, this was a great read for me and clearly demonstrates that the author, who whilst new with this being his second story, has carved a great niche out for himself in a series that is pretty unique. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Shadows grow ever darker across the Demi-Monde. And as the soldiers of Heydrich's ForthRight goose-step into Paris and the long-forgotten evil that is Lilith is awoken, it falls to Norma Williams to lead the resistance. Lost in the virtual nightmare that is the Demi-Monde, she must come to terms with these terrible responsibilities and with the knowledge that those she thought were her friends are now her enemies. To triumph in this surreal cyber-world she must be more than she ever believed she could be...or perish.
REVIEW:
Having read the first outing in this series by Rod some time ago, I did find that whilst I enjoyed the book, it took me a little while to remember and get back into the swing of things. This isn’t a bad thing per say but I think that personally I’d have benefitted from a reread prior to starting this book.
All in, this book was like the first, cracking characters, a great sense of depth and also dashes from multiple genres that will help this story appeal to a wide an audience as possible. Back this up with an author who understands pace, some top notch prose and a good healthy dose of believable dialogue and the reader is in for another treat from Rod who proves that he’s not a one hit wonder.
Release Date: 12/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
A CRIME UNSPEAKABLE. Australia, 1919. Quinn Walker returns from the Great War to the New South Wales town of Flint: the birthplace he fled ten years earlier when he was accused of a heinous act. A LIE UNFORGIVABLE. Aware of the townsmen's vow to hang him, Quinn takes to the surrounding hills. Here, deciding upon his plan of action, and questioning just what he has returned for, he meets Sadie Fox. A BOND UNBREAKABLE. This mysterious girl seems to know, and share, his darkest fear. And, as their bond greatens, Quinn learns what he must do to lay the ghosts of his past, and Sadie's present, to rest.
REVIEW:
Many historical fiction titles tend to take the reader back quite a way time wise so that you’re clear of anything within living memory (although this setting is close to being outside that remit) so when this title from Chris arrived I really was looking forward to it to read a story set with a character suffering the aftermath of the effects of time within the trenches of the first world war. What Chris’ writing does is take the reader to a setting that is almost cinematic with a principle character that you can not only imagine but see as if they were flesh and blood.
Add to this a wonderful story which whilst quite short, fulfils the key points for me as a reader with a solid character, well thought out description and an overall arc that presents a tale that keeps you interested from start to finish. All in this is a wonderful read and whilst I think it may be missed by a lot of others it’s well worth your time to search it out. Great stuff.
Release Date: 24/11/11
SYNOPSIS:
The five hundred years that separate the mid-tenth century from the mid-15th century constitute a critical and formative period in the history of Europe.
This was the age of the system of legal and military obligation known as 'feudalism', and of the birth and consolidation of powerful kingdoms in England, France and Spain; it was an era of urbanization and the expansion of trade, of the building of the great Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals, of courtly romance and the art of the troubadour, and of the founding of celebrated seats of learning in Paris, Oxford and Bologna. But it was also an epoch characterised by brutal military adventure in the launching of armed pilgrimages to liberate Jerusalem from Muslim control, of the brutal dynastic conflict of the Hundred Years' War and of the devastating pandemic of the Black Death.
In a sequence of scholarly but accessible articles - accompanied by an array of beautiful and authentic images of the era, plus timelines, maps, boxed features and display quotes - distinguished historian Hywel Williams sheds revelatory light on every aspect of a rich and complex period of European history.
Ottonians and Salians; Rise of the Capetians; Normans in England; Birth of the city-states; The Normans in Sicily; The First Crusade; The Investiture contest; The Hohenstaufen; The Angevin Empire; 12th-century Renaissance; Triumph of the Capetians; The Third Crusade; The Albigensian Crusade; The glory of Islamic Spain; The Kingdom of Naples; The Hundred Years War I; The Hundred Years War II; Avignon and the Schism; The Golden Age of Florence; The Reconquista; Popes, Saints and Heretics; Medieval society; Medieval culture; Medieval warfare.
REVIEW:
Whilst many see the romanticised version of the Middle Ages, Knights on White Chargers rescuing Damsels in the distress, it was a time of bloodshed, loss of life and in some places enlightenment. What this title by Hywel does is bring the historical world to life through some well researched pieces alongside the use of artwork that has survived from the period. It’s a wonderful amalgamation, has the book set out in easy to manage chapters and helps take you through the world so that it not only makes sense but allows you to grasp the history that our ancestors lived through.
Finally add to the mix an author who knows their stuff and this title is a book I’d recommend to people of all ages as there’s something for everyone especially when you add the complexities of politics, military strategy and of course the furtherance of each nations own goals. Great all round and a real chance to see the past through the eyes of an expert.
Release Date: 29/09/11
SYNOPSIS:
Nicholas Culpeper's The English Physitian: or an Astrologo-physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of This Nation is more commonly known as Culpeper's Complete Herbal. It was first printed in September 1653 (Culpeper died in January 1654) and immediately became a classic reference that is as fascinating today as it was over 350 years ago. Breverton's Complete Herbal is a reworking of Culpeper's classic text for a modern day audience. Arranged alphabetically, this book describes over 250 herbs and spices as well as feature entries on scented herb/medicinal gardens, the great herbalists and New World Herbs not included in Culpepper's original text. Each entry provides a description of the herb: its appearance and botanical features, a brief history of its uses in medicine, dyeing and cuisine to bizarre remedies and concoctions designed to get rid of all manner of real and imaginary ailements. As informative as it is entertaining, this incredibly diverse compendium contains just about everything you'll ever need to know about the properties and provenance of herbs and spices of the world. From amara dulcis to yarrow, all-heal to viper's bugloss, Breverton's Complete Herbal is a modern day treasury of over 250 herbs and their uses.
REVIEW:
This is a strange and unusual book as the purpose for which I’m going to be recommending it may seem a little alien to a lot of readers but before that lets take a look at it.
What this book does is bring a lot of the plants that we take for granted and explains their uses in traditional sense, it has hand-drawn images that help bring the subject to life, has a historical reference and then lets you know what it does whilst being set out alphabetically for the reader to find the plant without any real problems. What this does is educate as well as fascinate the reader and for me finding out some of this information is invaluable as it gives you a little something else trivia wise that will stay with you for a while.
For that reason, I’m recommending this title to writers. Why? Well how many times have you been writing a sequence and suddenly thought how would they fix x or y or what plants could treat 1, 2 or 3? Well if you’re me, quite a lot as its information that is useful to further the story whether its fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction or just a character stranded in the wilderness.
All in this was a fascinating book and one that if you look at it a little differently will open up a great many possibilities.
Release Date: 18/07/11
SYNOPSIS:
Human remains are recovered from the bottom of the River Clyde. Not an unusual occurrence, but these have been sleeping the deep, dark sleep for eighteen years. Suddenly Glasgow's underworld is buzzing with the news that the dredged up bones belong to Gentleman Joe Strachan, Glasgow's most successful and ruthless armed robber.
When Isa and Violet, Strachan's daughters, hire Lennox to find out who has been sending them large sums of cash each year, on the anniversary of Strachan's most successful robbery, his instincts tell him that this job spells trouble and will take him back into the dark world of the Three Kings - the crime bosses who run the city.
He takes the job nevertheless. And soon learns that ignoring his instincts might just cost him his life.
This is the third fantastic thriller featuring shady investigator Lennox as he stalks Glasgow's tough streets. The Deep Dark Sleep is gritty, fast-paced, and totally absorbing.
REVIEW:
Having followed Lennox in his previous tales, I have to say that I love Craig’s dark gritty Glasgow of the fifties that creeps into your mind in much the same way that the Clyde creeps its way through the city itself. It’s well written, it has some cracking twists and when you add a darker look at the cities underworld to the mix, it’s one that is rich with images as well as characters for the tales antihero to pit himself against.
As usual the prose is top notch, the pace bracing and when added to a unique author writing voice, it’s one that will thrill and entertain from the first page to the last. Just remember that Glasgow gives up its secrets in much the same way as the Clyde and that sometimes pushing through the murk to find them will lead to inevitable consequences which leave you wondering how many more breaths Lennox has left in his body. Wonderful.
Release Date: 04/08/11
SYNOPSIS:
It is Midsummer, 1631. While Alexander Seaton and his fellow masters enjoy the holiday with their students, Robert Sim, librarian of Marischal College, is murdered in a dark alleyway in town. While the university and town authorities investigate the murder, Seaton is asked by the college principal to look into Sim's private life. In the course of an investigation in which his personal feelings threaten to cloud his judgement and endanger his young marriage to Sarah, he discovers a side to the librarian he could never have guessed at. It is only when a second, apparently unrelated murder comes to light that Seaton begins to piece together the connections between a young weaver, a consignment of books, and events in a college in the Low Countries in order to unmask the perpetrator of the years'-old deception that led to the two deaths.
REVIEW:
As a huge reader, I always love it when a book interests me and I don’t know what to expect. Whilst the first part of this title takes its time to build when it gets going, its really a title that’s hard to let go of. The characters are interesting and people you want to hang around, the historical part draws you into a city that few can imagine and when you add some cracking prose as well as decent dialogue it’s a title that was a real joy to read.
All in, I’m more than pleased that I stuck with it and will definitely be keeping an eye out for Shona’s next book to see how things develop.
