What a disappointment...

Well, that last book was not to my liking (see review below). I hope Love Reading don't decide to dispense with my services!

But, in the meantime, back into the wartime pages of "A Commonplace Killing" for now.

Love Reading book review: "The Girl From Station X" by Elisa Segrave

I’ll be honest, I did not enjoy this book at all. Heck, I didn’t even like it. The sleeve notes hinted at a wartime tale worth telling yet, for me, it was a dull and frustrating read.

This book was real challenge. I had to force myself to pick it up and read it, often wishing I could throw it to one side and forget it.

The first parts, around 1/3 of the book, cover the childhood and pre-war years of the authors’ mother Anne, the “girl” in the story. Told through Anne’s diaries and with the addition of the authors’ descriptions, thoughts and explanations, it describes the life between both world wars of a rich girl in a large house with servants and nannies. A cast of characters are introduced each with various nicknames and titles, some only appearing briefly, and they confused the tale for me.

Anne is one of the most annoying people I have read about and, for me was without any redeeming features. I soon came to dislike her and did not care about her or any other person in the book.

As the Second World War begins, I wanted the story to improve. Despite joining the war effort as a WAAF and going on to work at Bletchley Park, Anne is still an unlikable character. For me this was highlighted by her taking over two months off sick, yet she still socialised, went shopping and partied during this time – and then complained at another girl being off ill! Anne falls in and out of love with various men and women, we learn a little of her work on wartime operations but nothing in the story grabbed me.

Post war, we learn about Anne’s life abroad and of the authors’ own childhood. But, regrettably, I had long since ceased to care.

The author tells us that she spent many years disliking her mother; I can understand a little as to why.

The-Mustachioed-Reader

My Rating: 0.0* out of 5.0*

PUBLICATION DATE: March 2014 (anticipated)

For more reviews of great books, wander over to www.lovereading.co.uk

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News of my next www.LoveReading.co.uk book.

Just received an email from the LoveReading team; a new book for me to review will soon be sent from the publishers. It's all very exciting!

This is sure to help with my goal of beating 2012's total of 32 books read during that year.

My review will appear in due course.

For more reviews of great books, wander over to www.lovereading.co.uk

Follow them on Twitter @lovereadinguk

Love Reading Book Review: "The Boy That Never Was" by Karen Perry

This isn’t the style of fiction I’m usually drawn to. However, I’ve been widening my range over the past eighteen months and was keen to plunge into it’s pages.

And, wow, am I glad I did!

It begins in an explosive manner and I was hooked from the first pages. The drama unfolds as Harry and Robin, parents struggling to cope with the loss of their young son, each tell their version of events, past and current which have led from their grief to their current uneasy relationship.

Harry, an artist torn by guilt, is convinced he has seen his son – his dead son -  in a crowded Dublin street. Robin, weighed down by her own grief, worries at her husbands increasing isolation and despair.

The story is told by each character in alternate chapters. This works superbly as their tragedy is shown from each viewpoint and we learn of, and share in, their separate secrets, guilts, hope and fears.

Each character is well formed, the dialogue is sharp and direct, the scenes are beautifully crafted. The tale is told in a gripping and thrilling way; the tension is cranked up early on and does not relent. This is a real “page turner”.

It’s a magical thing when a book from an author new to you and despite your initial reservations, delivers with such force and leaves you craving for more.

Buying only one book this year? Make it this one.

The-Mustachioed-Reader

My Rating: 4.0* out of 5.0*

PUBLICATION DATE: April 2014 (anticipated)

Find out what my fellow book reviewers thought
www.lovereading.co.uk/book/10539/The-Boy-That-Never-Was-by-Karen-Perry.html

For more reviews of great books, wander over to www.lovereading.co.uk

Follow them on Twitter @lovereadinguk