Saturday 31 August 2013

The Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol

The Land of DreamsThe Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The attraction of this book was it genre and its award collection, for me this was very misleading. The story got off to a good start with the central crime described early on, however from then it turned into a history lesson on Minnesota and Lake Superior Indians. This lesson was broken with self analysis of the main character forest policeman Lance Hansen. I think the author has missed an opportunity to engage and entertain the reader, the plot is sound but is not developed, staying on a very narrow course and the book is bulked with the history and self appraisal. On a positive note the translator has used easy to read language, just a pity it was not more exciting. This book can stay low on your reading list.

View all my reviews

Friday 16 August 2013

Cold Tuscan Stone by David Wagner

Cold Tuscan Stone: A Rick Montoya Italian MysteryCold Tuscan Stone: A Rick Montoya Italian Mystery by David Wagner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Steady but not thrilling, this adventure into the criminal art world takes in Tuscany, one of my favourite places in Italy. Translator Rick Montoya works undercover to lure out the criminals stealing precious artefacts of Tuscan history. Working with the local police chief it starts to get nasty. Who is the mastermind behind the stealing and how will it end? Good questions and you are kept guessing until the end. Worth reading but not high priority.

View all my reviews

Sunday 4 August 2013

Painted Ladies by P. R. Ellis

Painted Ladies : A Jasmine Frame StoryPainted Ladies : A Jasmine Frame Story by P. R. Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story line is more than just your regular ex-cop working with the police to solve a gruesome murder case. The author PR Ellis takes you into the life of a transgender trying to establish her new identity as first and foremost a women and then an investigator. As first in the series you get some of Jasmine Frame's history but it is necessary to set the scene and establish the relationships with her ex colleagues. We are also educated as to the clear differences between transgender and transvestism and the trials they endure to gain acceptance. The book could well have been written for a TV series ( no pun intended ) as it has that feel, nether the less it is an exciting and gripping thriller especially for a debut.

View all my reviews