Book Reviews: What I've been reading lately

I love reading and it is one of my favourite ways to relax. On the third Friday of each month, I publish what I’ve been reading. I’d love you to share what has been on your bookshelf lately.

My reviews cover books read and listened to over the last month. I have much to share so you might need to make a cuppa and take time to enjoy reading through my post.

My book of the Month – I’ve selected two as I enjoyed both of them immensely

Sara Dane – Catherine Gaskin – My rating 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Australia

Sara Dane by Catherine Gaskin is the saga of a young woman sent to Australia as a convict and how she became a woman of wealth and power.

I enjoyed everything about this book. The struggles of Sara from an early age, her conviction, the journey to Australia on which her luck began to turn and her arrival in the new settlement of Sydney.

If you enjoy romantic sagas coupled with descriptive writing and history you will enjoy Sara Dane.

I will be reading more of Catherine Gaskin’s work.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafė – Fanny Flagg – My rating 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT

This book, together with the movie has been a favourite of my daughter’s since high school. She was surprised to learn that I had never read the book or seen the movie, starring Jessica Tandy as Ninny Threadgoode and Kathy Bates as Evelyn Couch. I decided to change that.

This is a beautifully written book about two women – Evelyn who is in midlife and feeling frumpy and dissatisfied who meets Mrs Threadgoode at an aged care home whilst visiting her Mother-In-Law.

Over the course of many conversations, Mrs Threadgoode tells Evelyn her life story including the Whistle Stop Cafe run by two women, Ruth and Idgie during the 1930s.

At times it might seem ‘folksy’ but I enjoyed the characters as it touched on social subjects of the time including domestic violence and racism.

Other Reads this month which I recommend

The Next Girl – Carla Kovach – (Detective Gina Harte #1) – My rating 5 stars

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime

Deborah Jenkins disappeared without trace, 4 years ago. When a baby is found abandoned with Deborah’s DNA, the case is reopened. Deborah’s husband, children and mother have never given up hope but the arrival of a baby will certainly test him. Detective Gina Harte, a victim of domestic violence has secrets that haunt her and has affected her relationship with her daughter and any new love interests she may want to pursue. This case takes on a personal meaning for Gina as she fights to overcome her own guilt and find Deborah.

I loved the pace of this book and the development of the characters, although I wouldn’t call this a cozy crime. It is a thought provoking book. Deborah’s husband who still loves her but is trying to rebuild his life is suddenly confronted with the idea that his wife is still alive and has had a baby with someone else.

I really like Gina Harte and have continued with the next book in the series.

The Gathering Murders – An Inspector Torquil McKinnon Mystery (#1) – Keith Moray – My rating 3 stars

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Scotland, Murder

I love a good murder mystery and a series and the Inspector Torquil McKinnon ticks all the boxes. I’ve read the first three in the series which is set on the tiny Scottish Hebridean island of West Uist. To add to my joy it is set in Scotland where we will be travelling later this year and Inspector Torquil McKinnon plays the bagpipes!

When a local poet is found dead during the popular West Uist Literary Festival, Inspector McKinnon discovers it was no accident and it appears there is a killer on the loose on the tiny island.

Fast paced and perfect for those who love British Crime.

Panic – Catherine Jinks – My rating 4 stars

Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Australia. Thriller

Panic by Catherine Jinks, is a psychological thriller and one that I found I couldn’t put down. Set in Australia, Bronté, finds herself on an outback property looking after Nell who has dementia and lives with her daughter, Veda who runs a Spiritual Rebirthing Centre . Bronté had to leave her home in Katoomba abruptly after a drunken social media post went viral. She needs to escape the trolls and lay low for a while. However, from the time Veda collects Bronté at the train station, she senses something is not right and wonders what she has let herself in for. This book was well paced, tense and if you enjoy psychological thrillers you will enjoy Panic.

I received an advance copy from Text Publishing, and highly recommend Panic – you will be on the edge of your seat.

Happy Reading!