The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid

Sorry to have taken so long over this book with it being winter I am not able to sit in the garden and read so it takes me longer to get to the end.

This is a very unusual story so different in many ways it is a history lesson and a thriller all in one. It must have taken the author a long time to research this book but it came out so well and it is really a great read. I feel there is a great affinity with the countryside especially the Lake District. Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

So as I climb the stairs to bed tonight I will have a look in the bookcase and see what to read next. Till next time, Love

9/10 Joan.

Tags: Val McDermid.

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Killing the shadows.

                                

Good evening, I said in my last review that I was going to read something different to get away from my usual thriller.  I had chosen Wicked by Jilly Cooper I read the first 250 pages of the 1000 odd and still there was absolutely nothing happening, so I have put it aside - very disappointed. I hate starting a book and not completing it but in this case there was nothing else for it.
I then picked up Val McDermid, "Killing the Shadows" now there is a book, it is honestly the best thriller I have read, forget the rest she is the best. It is very well written and never lets up from start to finish. I would recommend this to any thriller lover as a must read. The pace of the book never lets up, I could not get out of bed this morning trying to get to the end. Stuart even brought me a coffee to keep me going.
What to read next after that great yarn, think it will have to be another of Vals just to keep the pace going. Thats it for now so till next time keep reading.
                                  Love
                         Joan.

 

 

Crack Down. by Val McDermid

Good Morning, Just finished Crack Down last night. I really enjoyed this book by Val McDermid. She has only written six Kate Brannnigan novels this is the first one I have read but will be on the lookout for the rest. Her lady detective is a great character and reminded me of Kinsey Millhone the American private eye in the A-Z series by Sue Grafton they are both great with lots of wee funnies that I do enjoy in a book I like to laugh out loud when I am reading.
Do you think that the jackets of books can give too much of the story away. I think so and I usually only read the first couple of sentences as don't really want to know what is going to happen halfway through the book. What do you think dear reader?
I think it may be some time before I am updating this journal again as the book I have chosen next is over 1000 pages long and a big book too that's if I read it all, it is good so far will just have to wait till I get on a bit more with it. What is it, a bit of a break from my usual thrillers a bit of light hearted reading I'm told great for the beach well I don't have any sand here but the carpet will do. Will give Jilly Cooper's 'Wicked' a go. I will let you know one way or the other if I get to page 1006. I think this is the biggest book I have ever attempted to wish me luck. I'll be back.
Love
Joan.

Life Support by Tess Gerritsen.

                                 

                            

Took a while to choose what to read next started one or two books laid them down and then picked this one up. It was a quick easy read  to take away with me and I have now finished it. This is the second one of Tess Garritsen's books I have read they have both been good stories but a tad gory for my taste a little to much on the medical side still I did enjoy the change. Don't think I would recommend her unless you like medical dramas with a touch of science fiction mixed in. This one is about prolonging youth a good idea when you are all aches and pains like me.
What next well I have started another Val McDermid but it is very different from the last one of hers I read will tell you all about it later. Happy reading.
                                       Love Joan.

 

Tags: Tess Gerrittsen, Val McDermid.

The Distant Echo

                                  

Finish The Distant Echo  by Val McDermid a couple of days ago. I really enjoyed this book it was the first one of hers I have read and it won't be the last.It was great reading for me as it all took place on my doorstep so I knew where  it all happened it was like reading a true story even  if it was'nt. As I said this is the first book I have read of this author and will be looking for more. She does tell a good tale with good characters and great discription. I will give this one 8/10.    

The above picture is of Bishop Hill which is blamed for signal lose on mobile phones, this is the hill featured. I think my friend Jan (Serendipity) will remember that bit.

                                                         Wishing you happy reading,

                                        Joan.

A is for Alibi Sue Grafton

Have been sitting outside the last few days as the weather has been great therefore I have finished the very first Sue Grafton novel it was called A is for Alibi. I have read books that have been written later than this one in the series and I think she has improved as she has gone along. Enjoyed this book but I must admit I was a bit fed up in places. Maybe its just me just now so I am going to leave her alone for a while and go back to a Martina Cole. A is for Alibi gets a 6/10.

Tags: Books, Sue Grafton

Blindsighted Karen Slaughter

I have been reading the first in the series of books about the inhabitants of Heartsdale. Karin Slaughter has now written five books in this series. I read 'Indelable' first which I said at the time was a mistake but now I have all the rest sitting, with the exception of the one she has just released as it is only out in hard back so I will wait till the paperback comes on sale I have enough anyway to keep me going. Back to Blindsighted this was a great thriller with great twists and turns, very scary in places but a great read. You really find you are getting to know the characters. One thing I do like is Miss Slaughter does not waste words she gets on with the story. Can recommend this book 100% but as its says don't read this alone don't read this afterdark but do read it.
You may have noticed in my other journal in the sidebar two book covers. I started reading James Pattersons London Bridges read 150 pages of rubbish and put it down. This book is one of the Alex Cross novels but this story did not suit the character in my opinion the story was good but I really think he neaded a new character to play the goody. If you have read this book let me know what you thought as I know a lot of you like and read James Patterson books maybe it was just me not in the mood for this book it does happen but I normally like his stuff as it is easy reading but the last two ro three I have read have not been up to par at all.
Thats it for now. Love
Joan.

I'm going to give myself lines.

                                

I do not have a revue just yet as I have been a bit slow with my book this week as we seem to have been out and about a bit more. The above picture is the 'small ' pile of books that I have not read that are sitting at the side of my bed .I have also have book in the small bookcase still to be read. I just have to stop buying books this is getting out of hand but every time I see one that I fancy I just have to have it. I think I have about enough to see me through the winter. I think I am doing this because I cannot see anything in the clothes line that I like or if I do like it  does not fit everything is too tight just now so this is my way of spending pennies, fortunately they are not expensive or we would be bankrupt. So as the title says I am going to give myself lines
I must not buy any more book just now.
I must not buy any more book just now.
I must not buy any more book just now.
I must not buy any more book just now.
and so on................................Love Joan.

 

Triptych by Karen Slaughter

4th August 2007. It says on the dust cover of this book 'Don't read this alone. Don't read it after dark . But do read it.' Never has there been truer words written. It is a very violent book but the story is very strong and it is not violence for violence sake. This is not one of the 'Grant County ' books but is a stand alone story. I really enjoyed reading this book many twists and turns in it. Well worth a read. 8/10

Tags: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

R is for Richochet Sue Grafton

R. is for Ricochet Sue Grafton. 15th July 07
Another of my female detective series I know Serindepity is enjoying these too this one she eats all the way through and I got starving as I am trying to loose weight again but I did enjoy it just the same.I have another two sitting waiting in my pile of to read books in the corner beside my bed. If it gets any higher I am going to need a step ladder to get to the top one. That's me up to date now that all I have read this year so will be back when I finish the book I am on. Bye for now. 7/10

Below is the best site for books of all kinds and gives you the order for reading a series, when the next book will be published by any author or when it will be available here (UK) or when it comes our in paperback. Joan.

Go to key word .................. Fantastic Fiction. Can't get the tag to work.
Tags:

Indelible Karen Slaughter

Indelible by Karin Slaughter.

I have been deliberately trying to find new authors this year and am succeeding quite well I think. I was getting a bit tired of the same characters all the time so have been reading bit and pieces of books in Watersons every week to try to help me with this task .I really enjoyed this Karin Slaughter book but have found out it is part of a series and this is not the first one its the fourth ,the first one is called Blind sighted. However Indelible is great and it did not matter too much it was no 4. Its a good read funny sexy in places and a good story well written will read on.

S is or Silence Sue Grafton

S is for Silence Sue Grafton Sue is another new author for me and this book is like a breath of fresh air its written by a lady about a female detective and she is a great character loves her food and reading her paperbacks. She started this series a A is for Alibi and has got to S so its a big series. I will continue reading them it does not seem to matter which order you read them in. 7/10

The Temple Matthew Reilly

The Temple by Matthew Reilly. 1st June.
Back to the pen of Matthew Reilly for the rip roaring adventure this one I found just a tad long and I was utterly exhausted by the end, if they ever make any of his books into films the stars better be in tip top form. In case you think I read a lot I do get through more in the summer with sitting in the garden but I do not like magazines as I think they are an awful waste of my pennies when I can get a book that will last a week or so for about the same amount. 7/10 15.

Harvest Tess Gerritsen.

                                

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen.

Harvest Tess Gerritsen.This is another new author for me. This is a medical story and is a bit bloodthirsty  at times but a really fast paced thriller. It is about transplanting organs but the story itself is very good.                       7/10

 

The Devil Wears Prada. by Lauren Weisberger.

                

 

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger        20th May 07                                                          This is one of the books I read on holiday this year sitting in the sunshine in Norfolk in May, it made perfect reading and I enjoyed this it was such a change from the usual thrillers I normally read. This is a real girly book. Many of you will have seen the movie with Meryl Streep but as yet I have not but am looking forward to it.   7/10

 

The Lifeguard James Patterson.

                                       

The Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross.
15th May 07 (on holiday.)
Definitely not one of his best made it to the end just maybe because he did not write this all himself.   6/10.

Ice Station. Matthew Reilly.

                                

Ice Station by Matthew Reilly             5th May.07

What can I say, absolutely unputdownable an adventure on every page can't wait till I start the next one but I have read three very close together so am going to take a break from  all this adventuing and read something with a slower pace. 9/10

Live Bait. P.J. Tracy.

                                                                             Live Bait by P J Tracy                               22nd Apr. 07  10
This is the second book in the series and is a great story plenty of humour intertwined in this thriller.
Deserves and 8/10.

Contest Matthew Reilly.

                                        

Contest by Matthew Reilly.             13th April 07      9.
This is this authors first book, the second one  I  have read. It is again a none stop roller coaster it is a real adventure and will keep any reader amused and absorbed for all of its pages but you have to be able to let yourself go. Matthew paid for this to be published himself and I am glad to say it paid of for him. Its  a very different story from The Seven Ancient Wonders.  Hope you try one of his books.       10/10

 

Violets are Blue. James Patterson.

                                

Violets are Blue by James Patterson.   7/04/07       8
Good unusual story about modern day vampires I enjoyed this one as it was a bit unusual but still a lot of wasted paper.                                              7/10

The Seven Ancient Wonders. Matthew Reilly

                      

The Seven Ancient Wonderer By Matthew Reilly.25/3             What can I say about this fantastic book its a big read full of adventure and daring. The action is non stop from start to mind boggling finish. Its one of those books that you remember after you have closed it for the last time. Would recommend it to any body who wants to be transported away for a few hours .Great great great.                  10/10                  

 

The Empty Chair. Jeffery Deaver.

                                     

The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver.                             8/3/07  6.
This was a great read and I did learn so much about insects of all things.  It was a wee bit hard going in places and as usual for Deaver a tad long.  This is another Lincoln Rhyme book.      7/10

Want to Play P.J. Tracy

                                      

Want  To Play. P. J. Tracy.                      30/02/07. 6
This is an new writer for me and have discovered it is actually a mother and daughter who live miles apart in US and write by way of the telephone. This is a great story and I really enjoyed this thriller it was so different. With a backdrop of the video games industry it made very interesting reading.                       8/10

 

Two Woman Martina Cole.

                                     

Two Women by Martina Cole.                25/02/07     5
I really enjoyed Martina's book but oh the language is appalling I cringe sometimes at all the swearing and that coming from a female writer but  apart from that the stories are very good. This is the fourth one of her books I have read and I have more sitting in "my to read pile". 9/10   

Mary Mary James Patterson.

                            

 

Mary mary by James Patterson.                             4.             22/02/07
Great light reading all 132 chapters. The usual type storyline from James it was a quick read with the large typeface and the blank paper. Glad I did not pay £6-99 for this as it was so short.                                                         6/10

 

 

False Impressions By Jeffery Archer.

                                       

I remember many years ago my dear Dad bought for me on Christmas a box set of the Kane and Abel series of books and I am sure I still have them somewhere in the loft.  I have read all of this authors work except his prison diaries and have enjoyed them all, this one being no exception. There were one or two holes in the story but nobody can tell a tale like Jeffrey.                                                   7/10

Lawless.

                              

             Lawless  By Alexander McGregor.                           2.
Hubby bought me this at Christmas it all takes place in my home city of Dundee. Really enjoyed this as I knew so many of the places visited in the book it was so good I felt quite homesick and I have been away from the city for nearly thirty four years. Would read another one of his books given the chance.           8/10