Mediocre vampyr crime caper - 2 star

Detective Barbara Atkins is sent to Deadhart, a godforsaken place somewhere east of Anchorage. She is a Doctor of Forensic Vampyr Anthropology (try saying that after a few drinks :) A young boy has been found murdered, his throat cut out and the death has all the hallmarks of a "Colony" killing. The Colony is where Vampyrs reside and our viewed as second class citizens by Deadhart residents. There is an uneasy truce between those who view themselves as the rightful owners and settlers and Vampyrs who have been gradually isolated and blamed for any wrong going. If a murder could be attributed to the Vampyrs then law dictates that a cull would follow, an opportunity to kill and annihilate those who are viewed with suspicion and hate, and it is into this melting pot that Barbara jumps.
Although I found the writing good, I found the story poor. In essence this is just a mediocre crime caper, the enemy replaced by Vampyrs their removal paramount in the eyes of Deadhart residents, whether they are guilty of murder or not.

The true queen of crime! - 5 star

Slowly re-reading a number of Val McDermid crime novels and they are even better the 2nd time around :) A regional reMIT murder investigation team has been set up spearheaded by Carol Jordan. Carol is awarded carte blanche to recruit and operate as she wishes, and is soon joined in her new offices by DS Paula McIntyre, Doctor Tony Hill, hi tech wiz Stacey Chen, and ex demoted newly retired DCI Kevin Matthews. A number of unexplained suicides (linked to famous authors/poets) by strong independent women with a very notiecable online presence, soon has the team fully occupied. In the meantime Carol commits a stupid act, that could put her whole career in jeopardy, and will prove to have long and lasting consequences.Once again Val McDermid shows her undoubted skill as the queen of crime with a tighly plotted, imaginative, and highly readable novel. Carol Jordan is a true survivor, operating in a misogynistic police world, but refusing to be blindsided in her search for the truth. Truly wonderful story telling and a joy to read.

One word....brilliant - 5 star

I think if I was a police person I would welcome DCI Carol Jordan as my superior. She is dedicated (sometimes to the point of obsession) driven, and yet trusting of those within her department who display the same attributes. She is super efficient at managing a small team, allowing her most trusted sufficent latitude to get the job done, but woe betide anyone who takes advantage of this trust as they will become the focus of her extreme wrath. A teenager is found murdered, and mutilated in the most horrific fashion causing great concern and worry that the perpetrator remains unchecked. In the meantime psychotherapist Tony Hill is empolyed to help an adjoining police force when a similar incident occurs. As the body count rises Tony and Carol realize that this barbarous killing is not random, and they must work together efficiently to ascertain just why an apparently unconnected group of young people are being targeted.Carol has a newly appointed superior: Chief Constable James Blake, a pedantic and fussy little man more concerned with data and cost saving than actual crime solving. In the meantime Tony is unravelling the mystery that was his father Edmund Arthur Blythey, and what he discovers is not quite what he expected.This is crime writing at its best, yes it doesnt get any better than this! The Carol Jordan books are a little more gritty, and graphic than the DCI Karen Pirie series, but such descriptions are limited and essential if we are to fully understand the great mind and deductive skills of Tony Hill. A truly brilliant read that grips the reader from the start and once again shows Val McDermid as the queen of crime :)

Great read - 4 star

This great little novel transports us out to space, where a team of six astronauts observe the world below. Asking big questions about humanity and the fragility of our lives, this is a short but essential read.

Each new book in the series just gets better and better - 5 star

Step up to the mark acting Detective Inspector Janie Harrison and wow! does she not disappoint. Inspector Tony McClean has resigned from the police force becoming the full time carer for his partner Emma who recently suffered a debilatating stroke. With few officers available and a Scottish police force in great need of manpower, there is little choice but for Janie Harrison to accept the role as acting Detective Inspector until a replacement for Tony can be found. When the body of a man is found in the remains of an old church, foul play is not initially suspected a view that quickly changes when 2 more bodies appear all linked to Edinburgh's criminal underworld. Meanwhile McClean receives a call from known underworld figure Archibald Seagram stating that he has some information that could benefit him. CCTV points to a shrouded individual who appears to be present at all the incidents. What is the connection between Robert Murphy, a child, who suffered abuse at the hands of a notorious Catholic priest in the early 80's? Meanwhile Janie is receiving unwanted attention from her recently appointed superior Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson which will have far reaching consequences. As always there is a wonderful cast of characters that make "For our Sins" such a joy: Madame Rose the alluring mysterious trans medium, Grumpy Bob retired but still enjoying life in the historic case archives, and not forgetting Tony's honest and faithful companion...Mrs McCutcheon's cat!

The author has done an amazing job of bringing Janie to the fore, she has just the right blend of steely determination, intuition, and sympathy to ensure she a shining career as Detective Inspector. As the case progresses Tony is employed as a temporary consultant....does this mean he will be returning in the next book?.....lets hope so as Tony McClean and Janie Harrison are not only two great detectives but two respectful work colleagures. An excellent read, a great edition to the series that gets better and better on each outing...Highly recommended.

Auster's writing style as always superb, and so emotive - 5 star

Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy of this excellent book to read and review. This is the story of Sy Baumgartner, philosophy professor and author, living alone. When we first encounter him he is reflecting on his life and still mourning the loss of his beloved Anna some 10 years previous. In his 72nd year his memory is fading as he reminisces and recalls the events both sad and happy of a life well lived. As always Auster's style of writing is easy on the eye, Anna's voice and presence is everywhere as Baumgartner recalls the moments, and the passion of the 40 years they shared together....." She was the one person in the world I've ever loved, and now I have to find a way to go on living without her"...."For such are the powers of memory bestowed on a man who has listened to the voice of his dead wife talking to him through the disconnected wires of a defunct telephone"......"A person has no life without being connected to others, and if you're lucky enough to be deeply connected to another person, so connected that the other person is as important to you as you are to yourself, then life becomes more than possible, it becomes good.".........Highly recommended.

An enjoyable collection of short stories - 4 star

A very enjoyable book with an eclectic mix of stories set in different locations, with a predominance for Italy. All unique and all a very different, a nice collection to return to again and again. Recommended :)