Is it possible to transform two of the most famous characters in crime fiction into something new, without simply repeating what many others have done before? The popularity of Sherlock Holmes continually inspires writers to pay homage to the creations of Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as offering the opportunity to fashion new scenarios based…
Author: colingarrow
‘Worth Dying For’ by Lee Child
Worth Dying For Travelling across the wilds of Nebraska, Jack Reacher walks into a community where one family controls everything, and no-one dares step out of line. But discovering a twenty-five-year-old mystery involving the disappearance of a young girl, Reacher can’t resist sticking his nose in… This is book number 15 in the Jack Reacher…
‘The Boys from Brazil’ by Ira Levin
The Boys from Brazil Classic thriller focussing on an imaginary conspiracy, where Dr Josef Mengele plots to create a new version of the Third Reich. Emerging from his hideout in South America, Mengele initiates a series of murders, assembling a band of former soldiers to set his scheme in motion. Meanwhile, Nazi hunter Yakov Lieberman…
‘Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank
Diary of a Young Girl Teenager Anne Frank’s record of life in a secret annexe for more than two years during World War Two, is a unique document, portraying innocence and humanity, suffering and survival in the starkest and most moving terms. This version of Anne’s diary brings together all the versions of the book,…
‘Doctor Zhivago’ by Boris Pasternak
Doctor Zhivago Boris Pasternak’s epic novel of love and war throws physician and poet Yuri Zhivago into the lives of two women. Epic is certainly the word, here, and knowing I’d never attempt this in book form, the audio version seemed like a good option. Although it’s basically a decent story, if somewhat improbable (all…
‘Seeking Mr Hare’ by Maurice Leitch
Seeking Mr Hare Following the hanging of his partner in crime Willie Burke, William Hare (having been offered immunity from prosecution) is set free and put on a coach to Carlisle. But the people of Edinburgh are unhappy that such a vile individual has escaped his crimes and Hare soon recognises the need to disappear…
‘Ghostland’ by Edward Parnell
Ghostland (Audiobook) Tormented by the nightmare of a family tragedy, Edward Parnell retreats into the ghost stories that entertained him as a boy. Embarking on a search for the authors, places and images from those stories, he travels across Britain, exploring the tales of a host of writers, including MR James, Algernon Blackwood, Lucy Boston…
‘Die Every Day’ by Gordon Bickerstaff
Die Every Day When Gavin Shawlens finds himself on a murder charge, he admits he’s to blame. With all the evidence pointing directly at him, it seems the only option is to plead guilty. But if he goes the other way, the consequences for the Government could be catastrophic, so to ensure Gavin doesn’t escape…
‘Wonder Boys’ by Michael Chabon
Wonder Boys Over-sexed, pot-bellied, pot-smoking, ageing novelist Grady Tripp struggles to finish the novel he’s been working on for several years. With an eager editor tucking at his coattails, and his long-time lover demanding a decision on their relationship, Tripp is faced with a series of challenges that could make or break his marriage, his…
Amateur Sleuth, Animals, Audiobook, Book Reviews, Children's Books, Classic, Crime, detective, Indie Authors, murder, mystery, Psychological
Best Reads of 2019
Over the course of the last twelve months, I’ve read 97 books. This includes paperbacks, eBooks, hardbacks and a few audiobooks, but doesn’t include those where I gave up after the first couple of chapters. What follows is a list of some of the more memorable reads, though isn’t intended to be definitive or in…
