My thoughts on several novels I've read recently, this time in the form of some quick reviews.
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The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Set in a small town in Australia, the story is told over a few days, and it begins with the accidental discovery by Cecilia of an old envelope in the attic, which states on the front 'to be opened only in the event of my death'. She recognises the handwriting as her husband's. Ultimately unable to resist her curiosity, she reads the letter, and is then left with an awful dilemma, because his words reveal something very serious. She is confronted with a decision; to stay silent and protect her husband and their three children, or to reveal John-Paul's secret and carrying a heavy burden alone. But don't think that this is all there is to the story; there is so much more.
The interweaving of the three tales of the three fascinating, well-drawn main female characters Tess, Rachel and Cecilia, was very cleverly done. I loved this book, I found it an absolutely cracking read, an absorbing story that I couldn't wait to get back to - I became thoroughly immersed in the development of the plot and I didn't want to be parted from this book! I thought the characters were superbly portrayed, I engaged with them and loved how the author depicted the evolving relationships between them. One of the things I thought the author did really well was portray humour in the most serious of situations, just as can happen in life. Some of the incidents and encounters were so well-observed. I think the only small negative note really for me was that there seemed to be a
number of errors (I read a finished brand new paperback copy that I bought) which was a shame.
The Husband's Secret was a captivating, compelling read and Liane Moriarty is definitely an author whose books I will eagerly watch out for in future.
Source - I bought this book.
Published by Penguin
Other reviews: Bookmagnet |
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The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald
Set predominantly in Australia, this is a compelling story which I read very fast; it was one of those books that I was loathe to put down. It begins with a scene at the airport, and a flight to Melbourne. Joanna and her partner Alistair are travelling with their baby, and straight from the off, the situations, the prose and the dialogue all draw the reader in, from the difficulties that Joanna faces on the flight, with the baby being so unsettled, to the contrast in others' reactions to her and to her partner. I felt for her so much.
This is a story about which little can be revealed in a review if a prospective reader is going to enjoy the discoveries and twists and turns to the fullest. This tense, dark read offers up an awful situation, the plot kept me guessing, it surprised me and it made me question who was genuine, who was lying, what could I believe, what had been fabricated; an excellent and highly addictive thriller. I'll definitely be looking out for Helen Fitzgerald's previous novels, which I have missed up until now.
Source - I bought this book.
Published by Faber and Faber
Other reviews: So Many Books, So Little Time | Reading Matters |
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Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay
I consistently really enjoy this author's novels and I've read nearly all of his books now, including The Accident (click the title to read my review of that one). I certainly trust this author
with my reading time, and I feel assured he will deliver a page-turning, suspenseful and satisfying storyline.
This one was amongst his best so far. Trust Your Eyes is an utter
page turner, boasting an exciting, gripping plot. I thought the way the first hints of the crime were uncovered was very clever; Thomas Kilbride has an obsession with maps, spending most of his days travelling the world, virtually, on the website Whirl360, committing to memory the details of each place he explores via his computer. It's whilst he is looking at the streets of New York City one day that he notices something unusual at a window, causing him to bring it to the attention of his brother Ray. Despite his initial uncertainty about what Thomas thinks he has seen, and his temptation just to humour him, as Thomas suffers from schizophrenia, Ray soon comes to understand that the situation could actually be very dangerous indeed. The relationship between the two brothers is handled well; their father, who cared for Thomas, having recently died, Ray has to work out how they will cope going forwards, as well as keep them both safe as things grow increasingly threatening.
Linwood Barclay skillfully handles the addictive narrative, switching viewpoints from chapter to chapter, and builds up the tension for the reader en route to the thrilling climax. One to read when you have time to get all the way to the end, because you will want to.
Source - passed a copy by a friend (and I also bought a copy!)
Published by Orion
Other reviews: Jaffa Reads Too | Random Things |
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Cambridge Blue by Alison Bruce
This is the first crime novel in what is now a series featuring young, promising detective Gary Goodhew, and set in Cambridge and the surrounding area. It's always interesting to read fiction set in or near to the place where you live, and to be able to recognise some of the sites and streets that are mentioned. I've wanted to make a start on this series for ages now, so I'm glad to have finally got the opening book under my belt. I liked it, overall, in particular the main character Gary, and his closest confidant, his Grandmother, and I've bought the next in the series, curious to discover how the character of this eager, intelligent and at times unconventional detective will develop and interested in how the author's writing and future storylines will evolve.
Source - I bought this book.
Published by Constable and Robinson
Other reviews: Euro Crime |
Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes
I liked the narrative structure in this psychological thriller, moving between the three main female characters, Claudia, Zoe and Lorraine, and keeping me interested and intrigued. Claudia is expecting her own longed-for first child, and is step-mother to her partner's twin sons. She works a demanding job as a social worker and her husband works away much of the time in the Navy. She hires Zoe as a nanny, but becomes increasingly suspicious of her actions. Lorraine is a police detective with her own problems, namely a difficult teenage daughter and an adulterous husband, and to add to her stress, she has to work with him on a daily basis; they are looking into some awful crimes against pregnant women.
The tale develops very well, indeed I found a large part of the storyline very gripping, the author had me wondering who I could trust, which narrator I should doubt, who is being manipulated, if there was an element of paranoia, where the twists would take me, although I was slightly disappointed by the resolution to the story if I'm being honest. I wouldn't recommend reading this one if you are having a baby or perhaps sensitive around that topic. I'd certainly try this author again.
Source - goodreads first reads
Published by Century
Other reviews: Being Anne | Beadyjan's Bookshelf |
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Have you read any of these novels? Which did you enjoy the most? Do any of them take your interest?
Huge thanks, as always, for visiting and reading my posts :-)
Each chapter of this story begins with a painting. There are two strands to the narrative; one in the present day featuring Claire, and one in the past which is told via letters written by Daisy Milton to her cousin Elizabeth, letters that have been found now by Claire. She is trying to come to terms with a very sad loss in her life and these letters, to her partner Rob's grandmother, open up a past world to her. I found this an enjoyable, engaging debut novel, which was innovative in including QR codes for each of the paintings that are a key part of the story. Reading this novel left me with a desire to visit the National Gallery and view at least some, if not all, of the paintings included in the novel, which I have since done, and it was wonderful coming face to face with the works that are featured in the novel, thinking about the part they played and getting my own perspective on them too. 
