Books 6-12 for 2013
6. Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn. 180 pages.
7. The Winter Garden Mystery by Carola Dunn. 185 pages
First two books in the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series. Set in 1923, they're decent, competently written mysteries - nothing too deep or challenging, but solid, comfortable stories, with sympathetic characters. Not outstanding, but definitely enjoyable.
8. Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 124 pages.
The last book in this series ended on something of a cliffhanger, so Rob asked to go straight on to the next one. More swashbuckling hokum with John Carter, Prince of Helium. The main character is definitely a fighter rather than a thinker, but his loyalty to his friends makes him a sympathetic character anyway.
9. Strangers at Snowfell by Malcolm Saville. 231 pages.
I read some of Saville's books from the library when I was a small person and remembered them fondly, so I snapped this one up when I found it in a charity shop.
As often happens, it wasn't quite as good as I remembered - a perfectly decent story, but lacking that extra something that makes some children's books really special.
10. Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn. 160 pages.
11. Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn. 150 pages
Two more adventures for the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple. Engaging and enjoyable if not particularly outstanding. I shall read more of these if I can find them.
12. Back Home by Michelle Magorian. 387 pages.
I snapped this book up in the charity shop when I saw it was by the author of "Goodnight Mister Tom".
It tells the story of Rusty, who is returning to England after having been evacuated to the USA for the duration of WWII. She has trouble adjusting to her family again and they have trouble accepting how much she has changed.
Not such a classic as "Goodnight Mister Tom", but it still had me onside for Rusty and furious at the injustices she's subjected to.
7. The Winter Garden Mystery by Carola Dunn. 185 pages
First two books in the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series. Set in 1923, they're decent, competently written mysteries - nothing too deep or challenging, but solid, comfortable stories, with sympathetic characters. Not outstanding, but definitely enjoyable.
8. Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 124 pages.
The last book in this series ended on something of a cliffhanger, so Rob asked to go straight on to the next one. More swashbuckling hokum with John Carter, Prince of Helium. The main character is definitely a fighter rather than a thinker, but his loyalty to his friends makes him a sympathetic character anyway.
9. Strangers at Snowfell by Malcolm Saville. 231 pages.
I read some of Saville's books from the library when I was a small person and remembered them fondly, so I snapped this one up when I found it in a charity shop.
As often happens, it wasn't quite as good as I remembered - a perfectly decent story, but lacking that extra something that makes some children's books really special.
10. Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn. 160 pages.
11. Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn. 150 pages
Two more adventures for the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple. Engaging and enjoyable if not particularly outstanding. I shall read more of these if I can find them.
12. Back Home by Michelle Magorian. 387 pages.
I snapped this book up in the charity shop when I saw it was by the author of "Goodnight Mister Tom".
It tells the story of Rusty, who is returning to England after having been evacuated to the USA for the duration of WWII. She has trouble adjusting to her family again and they have trouble accepting how much she has changed.
Not such a classic as "Goodnight Mister Tom", but it still had me onside for Rusty and furious at the injustices she's subjected to.