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| August book of the month! |
4 books were fantastic in my opinion, so I'm spoiled for choice for a book of the month, 3 were better than good and the only 3 star-rating was good in its own way, but kind of slow. Having finished the last 3 whilst on holiday and the 4th from last the day before we went, I'll be catching up on reviews for them all in the next week.
Book of the month and not just because two of the 5-stars haven't been reviewed was Dietrich Kalteis - Ride the Lightning.
Judged on the basis of, if I had to read 1 of these again, that's what I would reach for, followed by Freemantle, then Fusco.
John Fusco - Dog Beach (5)
Robert Silverberg - Pickup (4)
Alan Jones - The Cabinetmaker (4)
Dietrich Kalteis - Ride the Lightning (5)
John Stonehouse - An American Outlaw (4) - on reflection re-scored to (5)
Brian Freemantle - Charlie M (5)
Allen Eskins - The Life We Bury (5)
Martin Clark - The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living (3)
A good month's reading there, and high quality too, all those 5-stars. Look forward to the coming reviews of the holiday reading. I actually read the Mobile Home book many years ago, so I'll be interested to know what you thought of it....
ReplyDeleteMoira cheers. Hopefully I can make a full report on them all in the next week. Mobile Home was an unintentional read brought about by circumstances, but I enjoyed it....mostly
DeleteCol, every one of these is a new writer for me and I'll have to start reading them from scratch. The 5-stars do look good, especially going by the covers of the Freemantle and Eskens novels.
ReplyDeletePrahsant I think you would like Freemantle especially. It's an old school spy story, shortish but excellent.
DeleteCol - So good to hear you had a good reading month. It's great to have so many that worked for you. I'm keen to try the Eskens myself...
ReplyDeleteMargot, the Eskens would definitely be a recommendation. Hard to believe its a debut.
DeleteHi Col: I got "Ride the Lightning" because you made it sound so good (the cover art didn't hurt). And now it's your book of the month so I must hurry up and get to it. Tracy will no doubt follow because it fits into her Canadian challenge.
ReplyDeleteGlen
Glen, I hope it doesn't disappoint. I liked it immensely, but I kind of find criminals more interesting people to read about than ordinary Joe's. Not everyone shares that attraction. Look forward to seeing what you think of it though. I thought Black Karma might appeal, as it is a follow on from White Ginger - which was set in San Francisco Chinatown.
DeleteOh drat. I liked White Ginger and will now have to look up Black Karma.
ReplyDeleteSorry Glen! Thought you needed to know though....hehe
DeleteVery nice list. The one I am most interested in here is Charlie M. I have it and would like to read it soon. Looking forward to your review.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I think you'll love Charlie M - old school cold war spy stuff...and short!
DeleteGood choice! Dietrich is the man!
ReplyDeleteSam, no disagreements from me!
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