If you like a stereotypical ‘I think it’s him…or no it’s her…or it might be both of them’ crimey thrillery novel. Then this is well worth a read.
Set in an old sanatorium that has recently been developed into a hotel, this novel follows a slightly flawed off duty copper as she attempts to solve the mystery whilst avoiding been killed herself.
Don’t expect this novel to re-write the crime thriller genre. It doesn’t. But it is quite interesting – well worth a read.
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes
This book is a little old now: published in 2006. I quite like reading books about running so I thought I’d give it a go.
Clearly the fella is a very good runner. I mean, a very very good runner. The sort of bloke that runs 100 miles for fun. The sort of bloke who runs 25 miles during the advert break in Coronation Street. The sort of bloke who thinks nothing of running three times around the globe while the kettle is boiling.
A very inspirational book. And if I’m honest a bit too inspirational.
The book basically is about him running a few ultramarathons. On one occasion after running 90 miles of a 100 mile race and aching all over, barely able to walk, blisters covering his feet, he says ‘pull yourself together’ and sprints the last ten miles.
On another occasion, 175 miles into a 200 mile race his arms and legs had fallen off and he was virtually dead in a ditch before ‘thinking about his family’ and running the last 25 miles at 6 min/mile pace.
I love books by Patrick Ness. The Chaos Walking trilogy is one of my favourite ever series of books. A Monster Calls is just fantastic. So you’d probably expect me to be full of praise for this book.
Well, I am, sort of.
In truth I’m still not actually sure what to think of the book…
When I announced I was reading this book next, one reply stuck in my head…
This is great. Bit tricky but great.
So I was ready for something that was a bit different from your run of the mill YA novel. I know what to expect from Patrick Ness, I get exactly it: beautifully written but slightly strange.
I’ll try to explain in around a 100 words.
This book is essentially two completely different books in one. The main story is fantastic, beautiful, emotional, thought provoking and funny. The exact reason I am a fan of Patrick Ness. But the other story? I think I understand the point of it, I just think the core story was enough. I’m not sure the strange, part fantasy, part supernatural, part magical realism, storyline was needed.
Release is a book about love and relationships, between friends, family or in a romantic sense. It’s also a book about finding yourself and how you want to live your life, no matter who your are, your sexuality, or how you choose to label yourself.
Next up: Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner.
After a rather slow start to this year’s blogging – I’m finally right up to date – finished this book last night.
Ska’d for Life by Horace Panther
I loved this book.
I was a rude boy and very much a fan of The Specials. I had the flight jacket and all the trendy 2-Tone badges. I was only ten when the band was at its peak in 1980 – so it turns out when I was a fan in the early to mid 80s – they had probably already split up. I’m afraid my memory of the 80s is a bit blurry. Perhaps I wasn’t as cool as I thought I was!!
It was a really good read – very interesting.
It has also meant that I’ve been playing The Specials constantly for the last two weeks!!
Also found out that Horace Panter is a bit of an artist. Click here to have a browse.
Well lucky you, yet another blog post as I finally get caught up, finished this about a week ago…
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
This is the first crime, psychological, mystery thriller of the year – I don’t mind the odd trashy thriller – this one was alright. Surprised if that quote doesn’t make it on the back of the book for the second edition!
This one was alright.
Phil Lengthorn
Another great idea for a novel – if only I could think of an equally good idea I might get a novel in print.
It begins in a large house in London. A baby is awake in a cot, happy, well-fed and content. Downstairs are the decomposing bodies of three corpses. Who has been looking after the baby, where are they now, and what has happened?
See…great idea.
I’m not about to spoil it for anyone who would like to have a go. But it is well worth a read. I know we are in lockdown, but, it’s perfect holiday reading material.
Still on the catch-up, I finished reading this a few weeks ago…
The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
I loved this book. The premise is simple: set entirely on a London bus travelling across London and taking place over just 36 minutes.
Switching between different perspectives – covering a range of characters, from the high-flyer to the homeless – uncovering their secrets and ambitions along the way, but tied together through the shared threat of a terrorist attack.
A brilliant idea.
Although a completely fictional piece of work, the roads are real, the locations mentioned are real, giving this a brilliant authentic feel.
Lengthorn's Blog 