Author: ctarda

The second novel in the Inspector Troy series (Blackout is the first). I have to admit I lost track of the plot a little bit at the end. Nonetheless, it’s pretty much a Cold War spy story, which is what I really like to read. 4 out of 5 stars Old Flames at bookshop.org

The messy, volatile complications that only family can bring. 4.5 out of 5 stars The Deed at Hachette Australia

Not for me. I decided to stop trying when I noticed, after five days, that I was only around 35% into the book. No rating, because I didn’t finish it. Dissolution at bookshop.org

I read somewhere that there was a thing called “tartan noir” and that led me to this book. It is the first in the original Laidlaw trilogy, it is very noir, and as annoying as the phonetic transcription of conversations in Glaswegian can be, I have to admit that those add (a lot) to the…

This one can be summarised in one quote: your bike is a toy, have fun with it. 4 out of 5 stars Just Rude at bookshop.org

Just what I needed, after three dense and slightly uncomfortable books. Easy to read, loved the “will they won’t they”. 4 out of 5 stars. Death under a little sky at bookshop.org

Definitely not a “feel good” book. But outstandingly good. And what’s better, it is the third great book in a row. 5 out of 5 stars. Crooked Seeds at bookshop.org

I almost abandoned this book about 30% in, but I am so glad I didn’t. A book about everything, and nothing. 4.7 out of 5 stars. Levitation for Beginners at The Guardian

Quoting The Guardian’s review: Wild Houses is a novel of rootedness, in every sense of the word. Characters are rooted to the spot, trapped and immobile; they are rooted in place, embedded and overfamiliar; they are rooted together, knotted and interconnected; and, in the final reckoning, they are rooted out, left uncovered and exposed So far,…

Spy novels are kind of my thing, and yet it took me a long time to finish this one. But I finished it. 2.5 out of 5 stars A Spy Alone at bookshop.org

That was something. Classic tragedy as a Celtic caper, as The Guardian put it. I still need to let this one sink a little bit, but… 4 out of 5 stars Glorious Exploits at bookshop.org

I am not sure how to feel about this one. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, the second half not so much. A bit too long for my liking, didn’t love the story, but liked a lot several bits of the writing. 3 stars out of 5? Wellness at bookshop.org

I think this is the fourth of Percival Everett’s novels that I read. I imagine that there is a lot that I have missed, and I imagine as well that I should revisit The Adventures of Tom Swayer (which I read when I was a kid, and I don’t have any recollection of). 4 out…

The second book in the Jackson Brodie series, following Case Histories. Similar to Case Histories, several stories that appear unrelated end up getting tangled together. 4.5 out of 5 stars. One Good Turn at bookshop.org

The fourth book in the Erin McAbbe series (which I’ve posted about before). A page turner, the kind of book you can definitely read while lounging at the swimming pool in a beach resort. Which is a good thing! 3.5 out of 5 stars Remain Silent at bookshop.org

Not for me. That’s the best way I can think of to describe this book: it’s just not for me. I presume it is a good book, but I am not into ogres, dragons, and other mythical beasts. 3 out of 5 stars. The Buried Giant at bookshop.org

First book in the Jonas Merrick Series. I did like how the story goes unfolding in several parallel lines. And I found the main character quite lovable. Anyway, I already purchased the second book in the series. 4 out of 5 stars The Crocodile Hunter at Waterstones