Books Read List 2014
Here is my mammoth listing for the year. My total for 2014 was 230 individual works including print books, audio books and ebooks. I began to use my Kindle more this year. For 17 books I elected to both read the print or ebook edition and also listen to the unabridged audio edition My page total was 80,659.
Under the cuts I have included brief comments and links to the longer reviews in my journal. RG indicates books that were reading group selections. During the year I took part in two library sponsored shadowing groups for the 2014 Bailey's Women Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. I have designated these by BWP and MBP
Books Read January - March 2014 (Books 1-71)
Books Read January 2014
Book 1: Bad Blood (Intercrime #2) by Arne Dahl, 1998. Translated from the Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles, 2013. 341 pages. Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 2: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, 2006. 456 pages/Unabridged Audio (14 hrs, 15 mins) Read by Jenny Agutter. Modern Gothic tale. Review here.
Book 3: The Nightmare (Joona Linna #2) by Lars Kepler, 2010. Translated from the Swedish by Laura A. Wideburg, 2012. 500 pages. Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 4: The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder, 1992. Translated from the Norwegian by Elizabeth Rokkan; Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, 1996. 246 pages. RG Enchanting Christmas fantasy. Review here.
Book 5: Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan, 2012. 320 pages. 1970s spy fiction. Review here.
Book 6: The White Road (Charlie Parker #4) by John Connolly, 2002. 502 pages. Dark crime thriller with supernatural elements. Review here.
Book 7: Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl by Matthew Reilly, 2013. 80 pages. Prequel and teaser for Reilly's upcoming Tudor-based thriller. Review here.
Book 8: Madame Xanadu Vol 1: Disenchanted by Matt Wagner, 2009. Art by Amy Reeder. 240 pages. Graphic novel set in DC Universe. Review here.
Book 9: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, 2013. 422 pages. Accessible philosophical novel. Loved it. Review here.
Book 10: Queen of the Flowers (Phryne Fisher #14) by Kerry Greenwood, 2004. Unabridged Audio Book (8 hrs, 20 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Another family focused mystery for Miss Fisher. Review here.
Book 11: Thunderball (James Bond #9) by Ian Fleming, 1961. 346 pages/Unabridged Audiobook (7 hrs, 51mns). Read by Jason Isaacs. Review here.
Book 12: Eternal (Jan Fabel #3) by Craig Russell, 2007. 450 pages. Police procedural set in Germany. Review here.
Book 13: Magic and the Modern Girl (Jane Madison #3) by Mindy Klasky, 2008. 416 pages. Fluffy witch-lit. Review here.
Book 14: The Salvation of a Saint (Detective Galileo #5) by Keigo Higashino, 2008. Translated from the Japanese by Alexander O. Smith with Elye J. Alexander, 2012. 377 pages. Japanese police procedural.
Book 15: Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter #1) by Thomas Harris, 1981. 432 pages. Reviews of Books 14 and 15.
Book 16: The Father of Locks (Father of Locks #1) by Andrew Killeen, 2009. 332 pages. Tales of adventure and intrigue in 9th Century Baghdad. Review here.
Book 17: The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner, 2012. 382 pages. Historical fiction about Isabella of Spain. Review here.
Book 18: The Spear of Destiny (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #3) by Marcus Sedgwick , 2013. 55 pages.
Book 19: The Roots of Evil (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #4) by Philip Reeve, 2013. 40 pages. E-shorts written for 50th Anniversary. Reviews of Books 18 and 19.
Book 20: Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson #5) by Darynda Jones, 2013. 339 pages. More chances for quips from Grim Reaper/P.I. Review here.
Book 21: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, 1960. 309 pages. RG Modern classic set in 1930s USA.
Book 22: Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan, 2011. 343 pages. RG Jazz musicians face prejudice during WWII. Reviews of Books 21 and 22.
Book 23: The Sonnet Lover by Carol Goodman, 2007. 437 pages. Rather melodramatic romantic suspense focused on lost folio of 16th century sonnets.
Book 24: A Room with a View by E. M. Forster, 1908. Appendix, 1958. 256 pages. RG Edwardian social comedy. Reviews of Books 23 and 24.
Book 25: And Only to Deceive (Lady Emily #1) by Tasha Alexander, 2005. 321 pages. Victorian cosy. Review here.
Book 26: Savage Spring (Malin Fors #4) by Mons Kallentoft, 2010. Translated from Swedish by Neil Smith, 2013. 521 pages. Yet another Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 27: Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2013. 400 pages. Tale of estranged twin sisters who share psychic gift. Review here.
Books Read February 2014
Book 28: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens, 2011. 366 pages. Southern Gothic with uneasy ghosts. Review here.
Book 29: Death by Water (Phryne Fisher #15) by Kerry Greenwood, 2005. Unabridged Audio (8 hrs, 7 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Mystery on a cruise ship. Review here.
Book 30: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925. 142 pages. RG Modern classic from 1920s. Review here.
Book 31: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight , 2013. 388 pages. Grieving mother seeks to understand her daughter's life and untimely death. Review here.
Book 32: Atticus Claw Lends a Paw (Atticus Claw #3) by Jennifer Gray, 2013. 224 pages. Atticus searches for the Lost City of Cats in Egypt. Review here.
Book 33: Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome edited by Stephen Jones. Illustrated by Alan Lee, 2013. 430 pages. Re-tellings of Grimm Tales by modern horror authors. Review here.
Book 34: The Book of Souls (Inspector McLean #2 by James Oswald, 2013. 440 pages. Second in this supernaturally-tinged police procedural. Review here.
Book 35: Witches of the East (Beauchamp Family #1) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2011. 273 pages and Book 36: The Serpent's Kiss (Beauchamp Family #2) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2012. 328 pages. Norse goddesses in exile get up to witchy shenanigans in the Hamptons. Reviews of Books 35 and 36.
Book 37: The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass, 2013. 327 pages. Book 38: The Elite (The Selection#2) by Kiera Cass, 2013. 326 pages. Book 39: The Prince (The Selection #0.5) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 60 pages. Think The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor with pretty frocks. Reviews of Books 37, 38 and 39.
Book 40: A Matter of Blood (The Dog-Faced Gods #1) by Sarah Pinborough, 2010. 432 pages. Supernatural crime thriller set in near future London. Review here.
Book 41: The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker, 2013. 486 pages. Two unusual immigrants in turn-of-the century New York. Review here.
Book 42: Sense and Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) by Joanna Trollope, 2013. 362 pages. Austen's classic updated for 21st Century. Book 43: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, 1811. Introduction by Joanne Trollope, 2013. 480 pages. The original. Reviews of Books 42 and 43.
Book 44: Takedown Twenty (Stephanie Plum #20) by Janet Evanovich, 2013. Unabridged Audiobook (6 hours, 8 mins). Read by Lorelei King. The one with the giraffe. Review here.
Book 45: Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger, 2012. 328 pages. The final book in this steampunk romp. Review here.
Book 46: Game (The Game Trilogy #1) by Anders de la Motte, 2010. 368 pages/Unabridged Audio (11 hrs, 24 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin and Book 47: Buzz (The Game Trilogy #2) by Anders de la Motte, 2011. 436 pages. Unabridged Audio (11 hrs, 52 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin. Swedish series about sinister game. Reviews of Books 46 and 47.
Book 48: The Technologists by Matthew Pearl, 2012. 480 pages. Historical techno-thriller set in post-Civil War Boston. Review here.
Book 49: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, 2011.387 pages/Unabridged Audio (13 hrs, 42 mins). Read by Jim Dale. RG Re-read of this enchanting historical fantasy. Review here.
Book 50: The Abandoned (Graveyard Queen #0.5) by Amanda Stevens, 2011. 73 pages. Prequel novella for Graveyard Queen series. Review here.
Book 51: Dead Sky (Kovac/Liska #3) by Tami Hoag, 2006. 416 pages. Solid police procedural with some confusing legal bits. Review here.
Books Read March 2014
Book 52: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway, 2013. 546 pages. Time travel romance. Review here.
Book 53: Bellman & Blackby Diane Setterfield, 2013. 320 pages. Victorian Gothic tale with rooks. Review here.
Book 54: Adventures with the Wife in Space: Living with Doctor Who by Neil Perryman, 2013. 290 pages. Doctor Who fan has his non-fan wife watch and rate classic Doctor Who episodes. Review here.
Book 55: Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell #1) by Hilary Mantel, 2009. 672 pages. RG Re-read of one of my favourite books of recent years. Review here.
Book 56: The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen #2) by Amanda Stevens, 2012. 376 pages. Southern Gothic fantasy. Review here.
Book 57: Murder in the Dark (Phryne Fisher #16) by Kerry Greenwood, 2006. Unabridged Audio Book (8 hrs, 14 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Mysteries abound at the Last Best party of 1928. Review here.
Book 58: Long Live the King (Love and Inheritance #2) by Fay Weldon, 2013. 320 pages. Aristocrats at work and play in Edwardian England. Review here.
Book 59: The Palace of Illusions: a novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, 2008. 374 pages. A tale adapted from India's epic Mahabharata. Review here.
Book 60: The Winds of Salem (Beauchamp Family #3) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2013. 307 pages. Final part of the trilogy about exiled Norse gods and goddesses. Review here.
Book 61: Elijah's Mermaid by Essie Fox, 2012. 406 pages. Victorian Gothic tale with mermaids. Review here.
Book 62: Briar Rose by Jana Oliver, 2013. 470 pages. Contemporary re-telling of 'Sleeping Beauty'. Review here.
Book 63: The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin, 2002. 342 pages. RG Comic fantasy. Review here.
Book 64: The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, 2009. 294 pages. Ghostly tale set in France. Review here.
Book 65: The Year of the Ladybird by Graham Joyce, 2013. 265 pages. English coming-of-age tale set in the ladybird summer of 1976. Review here.
Book 66: The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox, 2013. 310 pages. Victorian Gothic with a plot to steal a famous diamond. Review here.
Book 67: The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crimes #1) by Jasper Fforde, 2005. 398 pages. Comic fantasy crime novel investigates death of Humpty Dumpty. Review here.
Book 68: Fright Court by Mindy Klasky, 2011. 338 pages. Comic paranormal romance.
Book 69: Capitol Magic (Jane Madison #3.5) by Mindy Klasky, 2012. 88 pages. Cross-over between Fright Court and Jane Madison series. Reviews of Books 68 and 69.
Book 70: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, 2009. 447 pages. RG Coming of age tale set in 1940s Seattle. Review here.
Book 71: The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones, 2013. 416 pages. Supernatural thriller. Review here.
Books Read April - June 2014 (Books 72-131)
Books Read April 2014
Book 72: The Killer Inside (January David #2.5) by Will Carver, 2013. 51 pages. E-teaser for Book 3 in series. Inspired me to re-read Book 1.
Book 73: Girl 4 (January David #1) by Will Carver, 2011. 368 pages.
Book 74: Dead Set (January David #3) by Will Carver, 2013. 456 pages. Girl 4 case continues in Book 3 of series. Reviews of Books 72-74.
Book 75: Gossip from the Forest: The Tangled Roots of Our Forests and Fairytales by Sara Maitland, 2012. 354 pages. 12 months, 12 walks in British woods, and 12 re-told fairy tales. Review here.
Book 76: The Fire Witness (Joona Linna #3) by Lars Kepler, 2011. Translated from the Swedish by Laura A. Wideburg, 2013. 495 pages. More Nordic Noir. Review here.
Book 77: Tripwire (Jack Reacher #3) by Lee Child, 1999, Foreword, 2012. 544 pages. Early Jack Reacher thriller. Review here.
Book 78: The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain, 2012. Translated from the French by Gallic Books, 2013. 208 pages/Unabridged audio book (4 hours, 29 mins). RG Various narrators. Whimsical French novel about the adventures of President François Mitterrand's hat. Review here.
Book 79: The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner, 2006. 520 pages. Fictional autobiography of Queen Juana 'la Loca' of Spain. Review here.
Book 80: The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, 2009. 368 pages. Inspiring memoir about conservation work in Africa. Review here.
Book 81: Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken, 2012. 359 pages. RG Crime thriller about USA/Mexican drug war. Review here.
Book 82: Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer by Katie Alender, 2013. 301 pages. Rather silly YA romance featuring murderous ghost. Review here.
Book 83: Murder on a Midsummer Night (Phryne Fisher #17) by Kerry Greenwood, 2008. 269 pages. Two mysteries. Read as without car for a few weeks. Review here.
Book 84: The Bat (Harry Hole #1) by Jo Nesbø, 1997. Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett, 2012. 374 pages. First Harry Hole novel set in Australia. Review here.
Book 85: The First Victim (Kovac/Liska #3.5) by Tami Hoag, 2013. 62 pages. e-teaser for The 9th Girl and Book 86: The 9th Girl (Kovac/Liska #4) by Tami Hoag, 2013. 416 pages. Police procedural set in Minneapolis. Reviews of Books 85 and 86.
Book 87: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, 2002. Introduction by A. O. Scott, 2007. 592 pages. RG Coming-of-age story set in late 1970s Mississippi. Review here.
Book 88: Bubble (Game Trilogy #3) by Anders de la Motte, 2012. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2013. 464 pages/Unabridged Audio (12 hrs, 43 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin. 'Game over'. Review here.
Book 89: The Sick Rose by Erin Kelly, 2011. 352 pages. RG Two lonely people with deep secrets meet with life changing consequences. Review here.
Book 90: The Prisoner of Brenda (Mystery Man #4) by (Colin) Bateman, 2012. 408 pages. Final in this black comedic mystery series. Review here.
Book 91: The Poyson Garden (Elizabeth I Mysteries #1) by Karen Harper, 1999. 302 pages. Princess Elizabeth is caught up in deadly encounter with a poisoner. Review here.
Book 92: Queen of Hearts Volume One: The Crown by Colleen Oakes, 2014. 222 pages. Re-visioning of Alice in Wonderland featuring the future Queen of Hearts. Review here.
Book 93: The Shroud Maker (Wesley Peterson #18) by Kate Ellis, 2014. 374 pages. Latest in South Devon based police procedurals.
Book 94: The Killing III by David Hewson, 2014. 417 pages. Print adaptation of final season of Danish cult TV series. Reviews of Books 93 and 94.
Books Read May 2014
Book 95: The Visitor (Jack Reacher #4) by Lee Child, 2000. 512 pages. Another very readable thriller in this popular series. Review here.
Book 96: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, 2013. 337 pages. BWP Powerful historical drama set in Iceland. Review here.
Book 97: Z: a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler, 2013. 375 pages. Review here.
Book 98: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C. W. Gortner, 2010. 416 pages. Historical fiction about this controversial queen. Review here.
Book 99: Wars of the Roses Book 1: Stormbird by Conn Iggulden, 2013. 507 pages. More historical fiction. Review here.
Book 100: The House of Silk: The New Sherlock Holmes Novel by Anthony Horowitz, 2011. 405 pages. RG Review here.
Book 101: Wolf (Jack Caffery #7) by Mo Hayder, 2014. 416 pages. Gruesome police procedural. Review here.
Book 102: The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas,1995. Translated from the French by Sian Reynolds, 2006. 292 pages. Lively French mystery.
Book 103: The Chase (Fox and O'Hare #2) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014. 320 pages. Entertaining crime caper. Reviews of Books 102 and 103.
Book 104: The Undertaking by Audrey Magee, 2014. 291 pages. BWP Grim WWII drama set in Germany and Russia.
Book 105: The Light of Day by Graham Swift, 2003. 323 pages. Rambling mystery. RG Reviews of Books 104 and 105.
Book 106: Grimm Tales for Young and Old by Philip Pullman, 2012. 432 pages/Unabridged Audio (10 hrs, 23 mins). Read by Samuel West. Simple re-tellings of 50 Grimm tales. Review here.
Book 107: The Troubled Man (Kurt Wallander #10) by Henning Mankell, 2009. Translated from the Swedish by Laurie Thompson, 2011.367 pages. Final book in this series of Swedish police procedurals. Review here.
Book 108: Soulless: the Manga Volume 1 by Gail Carriger with artwork by Rem, 2012. 224 pages. Very pretty manga adaptation of steampunk fantasy. Review here.
Book 109: The Tournament by Matthew Reilly, 2013. 418 pages. 16th Century chess thriller. Review here.
Book 110: Dead Man's Chest (Phryne Fisher #18 by Kerry Greenwood, 2010. 259 pages/Unabridged Audio (8 hours, 31 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Phryne and family go on holiday. Review here.
Book 111: The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) by Megan Shepherd, 2013. 360 pages. Re-imagining of H. G. Wells The Island of Doctor Moreau. Review here.
Book 112: Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann, 2012. 389 pages. RG Period family drama with a touch of murder. Review here.
Book 113: A Girl is a Half Formed Thing by Eimear McBride, 2013. 205 pages. BWP The inner chaotic ramblings of an Irish girl circa 1980s. Review here.
Books Read June 2014
Book 114: The New Countess (Love and Inheritance #3) by Fay Weldon, 2013. 320 pages. The conclusion of this Edwardian family comedy/drama. Review here.
Book 115: Doughnut by Tom Holt, 2013. 370 pages. RG Comic SF Review here.
Book 116: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri, 2013. 340 pages. BWP Powerful story of two brothers in India and USA. Review here.
Book 117: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, 2013. 771 pages. BWP One of my favourites of 2014. Review here.
Book 118: A Conspiracy of Violence (Thomas Chaloner #1) by Susanna Gregory, 2006. 502 pages. Thriller set in Restoration London. Review here.
Book 119: Hard Spell (Occult Crimes Unit Investigations #1) by Justin Gustainis, 2011. 347 pages. Occult detective fiction. Review here.
Book 120: Austenland by Shannon Hale, 2007. 208 pages. Adorable chick-lit for Austen fans. Review here.
Book 121: Split Second (King and Maxwell #1) by David Baldacci, 2003. 599 pages. Former secret service agents caught up in uncovering conspiracy. Review here.
Book 122: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 2013. 477 pages. RG BWP Complex and rewarding fiction. Another favourite. Review here.
Book 123: The Black Angel (Charlie Parker #5) by John Connolly, 2005. 599 pages. Another in this excellent series of supernatural-themed crime fiction. Strong stuff. Review here.
Book 124: The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich, 2005. 277 pages. RG Story of a tribal drum and its influence on a group of people. Review here.
Book 125: Dog Will Have His Day (Three Evangelists #2) by Fred Vargas, 1996. Translated from the French by Sian Reynolds, 2014. 244 pages. Quirky French mystery. Review here.
Book 126: Emperors Once More (Alex Soong #1) by Duncan Jepson, 2014. 408 pages. Thriller set in near future Hong Kong. Review here.
Book 127: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, 1818. Introduction by Val McDermid, 2014. 289 pages and Book 128: Northanger Abbey (The Austen Project #2) by Val McDermid, 2014. 343 pages. The original and re-imagined update. Reviews of Books 127 and 128.
Book 129: The Uninvited by Liz Jensen, 2012. 307 pages. Psychological Horror/Thriller about breakdown of civilisation. Review here.
Book 130: The Mirror by Richard Skinner, 2014. 320 pages. Two novellas; one set in 16th Century Venice and the other in between life and death. Review here.
Book 131: Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss, 2014. 240 pages/Unabridged Audio (5 hours, 13 mins) Read by Mike Grady. Dark comic horror for cat lovers and haters alike. Review here.
Books Read July - September 2014 (Books 132-175)
Books Read July 2014
Book 132: Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) by Jo Nesbø, 1998. Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett, 2013. 388 pages. Harry Hole travels to Thailand to assist in a murder investigation involving the Norwegian ambassador.
Book 133: The Black Path (Rebecka Martinsson #3) by Åsa Larsson, 2006. Translated from the Swedish by Marlaine Delargy, 2008. 384 pages. An unusual work of Nordic Noir. Reviews of Books 132 and 133.
Book 134: Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1) by Charlaine Harris, 2014. 305 pages. A new quirky supernatural trilogy that marries Harris' various series. Review here.
Book 135: Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood, 2012. 249 pages/ Unabridged Audio (9 hours, 54 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Dark deeds in 1920s Australia. Review here.
Book 136: Searching for Arthur (The Return to Camelot #1) by Donna Hosie, 2013. 300 pages. YA Arthurian adventure with two Americans drawn back in time. Review here.
Book 137: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, 2013. 248 pages/Unabridged Audio (5 hrs, 47 mns ). Read by Neil Gaiman. RG Re-read of this fantasy. Review here.
Book 138: Echo Burning (Jack Reacher #5) by Lee Child, 2001. 574 pages. More action from Reacher.
Book 139: The Fifth Season (Malin Fors #5) by Mons Kallentoft, 2011. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2014. 522 pages. The case of Marie Murvall is finally addressed. Reviews of Books 138 and 139.
Book 140: Ripper by Isabel Allende, 2013. Translated from the Spanish by Oliver Brock and Frank Wynne, 2014. 496 pages. Crime thriller about an on-line group of sleuths who seek to track a serial killer. Review here.
Book 141: The Shipping News by Annie Proulx, 1993. 397 pages. RG A grieving man re-locates with his daughters and aunt to Newfoundland. Review here.
Book 142: Fool by Christopher Moore. 2009. 384 pages. Bawdy re-telling of King Lear. Review here.
Book 143: The Telling Error (Spilling CID #9) by Sophie Hannah, 2014. 374 pages. Hannah's latest thriller. Review here.
Book 144: The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling), 2014. 455 pages. The second outing for the London private eye. Review here.
Book 145: The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi, 2005. 322 pages. RG Re-read of this magical tale of Africa and England. Review here.
Book 146: Murder (Dr.Thomas Bond #2) by Sarah Pinborough, 2014. 326 pages. A dark conclusion to last year's Mayhem. Review here.
Book 147: The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, 2012. 334 pages. A moving memoir of conservation in Africa. Review here.
Book 148: The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer, 2013. 314 pages. Award-winning novel about schizophrenic teenager. Review here.
Books Read August 2014
Book 149: The Fire of Merlin (The Return to Camelot #2 by Donna Hosie, 2013. 233 pages. Second book in YA Arthurian fantasy. Disappointing.
Book 150: Hostage Queen by Freda Lightfoot, 2010. 260 pages. Dull work of historical fiction about Marguerite de Valois. Reviews of Books 149 and 150.
Book 151: Birdman (Jack Caffery #1) by Mo Hayder, 1999. 398 pages. Grisly police procedural set in London. Review here.
Book 152: The Humans by Matt Haig, 2013. 294 pages. Quirky SF-comedy about alien step-in. Review here.
Book 153: The Accidental Apprentice by Vikas Swarup, 2013. 436 pages. RG Tale set in modern India. Review here.
Book 154: The May Bride by Suzannah Dunn, 2014. 400 pages. Another dull work of historical fiction. Review here.
Book 155: Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby by Sarah Churchwell, 2013. 438 pages. Combines true crime with literary analysis and social history. Review here.
Book 156: Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood, 2013.337 pages/ Unabridged Audio (11 hours, 22 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Last in the series to date. Review here.
Book 157: The House of Dolls (Pieter Vos #1) by David Hewson, 2014. 430 pages. New police procedural series set in Amsterdam. Review here.
Book 158: The Treatment (Jack Caffrey #2) by Mo Hayder, 2001. 410 pages. Another disturbing police procedural.
Book 159: The Ritual (Jack Caffrey #3) by Mo Hayder, 2008. 560 pages. A move to Bristol for Caffrey. Gripping police procedural. Reviews of Books 158 and 159.
Book 160: The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker, 2012. Translated from the French by Sam Taylor, 2014. 624 pages. Stunning unconventional thriller. Review here.
Book 161: Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Freemantle, 2014. 496 pages. Well written novel about the Grey sisters in the courts of Mary I and Elizabeth I. Review here.
Book 162: Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, 1948. 256 pages. Classic SF novella with few extra stories from 1930s. Review here.
Book 163: NW by Zadie Smith, 2012. 340 pages/Unabridged Audiobook (10 hrs, 55 mns) Narrated by Karen Bryson and Don Gilet. RG Powerful tale of two women in contemporary London. Review here.
Books Read September 2014
Book 164: Blood on the Strand (Thomas Chaloner #2) by Susanna Gregory, 2007. 464 pages. Restoration spy thriller.
Book 165: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, 2009. 384 pages. RG Story of early 19th-Century fossil collector Mary Anning. Reviews of Books 164 and 165.
Book 166: Top Secret 21 (Stephanie Plum #21) by Janet Evanovich, 2014. Unabridged Audiobook (6 hrs, 16 mins). Read by Lorelei King. Latest in this series. Review here.
Book 167: A Modern Witch (Modern Witch #1) by Debora Geary, 2011. 420 pages. Overly fluffy witches proved a disappointment. Review here.
Book 168: Frog Music by Emma Donoghue, 2014. 544 pages. Gritty true crime/historical blend set in 1876 San Francisco. Review here.
Book 169: Midnight in Austenland (Austenland #2) by Shannon Hale, 2012. 279 pages. Charming sequel that is also a tribute to Gothic romance. Review here.
Book 170: Hour Game (King and Maxwell #2) by David Baldacci, 2003. 723 pages. First-class thriller with high body count. Review here.
Book 171: How to be Both by Ali Smith, 2014. 372 pages. MBP Unusually structured novel with themes of art and the fluidity of gender. Review here.
Book 172: Cop Town by Karin Slaughter, 2014. 416 pages. Police procedural set in 1974 Atlanta. Review here.
Book 173: Last Days by Adam Nevill, 2012. 544 pages. Indie film-maker documenting 1970s doomsday cult stirs up ancients horrors. Review here.
Book 174: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, 2009. 541 pages. RG Engaging medical drama set in Ethiopia and USA. Review here.
Book 175: The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, 2014. 448 pages. MBP Powerful novel about a doctor's experiences in Japanese POW camp. Review here.
Books Read October - December 2014 (Books 176-230)
Books Read October 2014
Book 176: Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters, 1981. 307 pages/audiobook (10 hrs, 6 mins). Narrated by Susan O'Malley. Cozy mystery set in Egypt.
Book 177: The Moses Stone (Chris Bronson #2) by James Becker, 2009. 480 pages. Biblical conspiracy thriller. Reviews of Books 176 and 177.
Book 178: A Dangerous Talent (Alix London #1). by Aaron Elkins and Charlotte Elkins, 2012. 270 pages, Fun mystery with artistic theme.
Book 179: Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6) by Lee Child, 2002. 556 pages. Thriller with assassination theme. Reviews of Books 178 and 179.
Book 180: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, 2013. 479 pages. RG Intriguing period fiction as a life is experienced over and over again. Review here.
Book 181: The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherjee, 2014. 516 pages. MBP Family drama set in 1960s India. Review here.
Book 182: To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris, 2014. 337 pages. MBP A dentist has his identity stolen on-line and faces existential crises. Review here.
Book 183: We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler, 2014. 337 pages. MBP Unusual coming-of-age novel. Loved it. Review here.
Book 184: This Old Thing: Fall in Love with Vintage Clothes by Dawn O'Porter, 2014. 144 pages. TV tie-in on vintage fashion. Review here.
Book 185: The Oversight (Oversight Trilogy #1) by Charlie Fletcher, 2014. 448 pages. Highly satisfying Victorian fantasy. Review here.
Book 186: Skin (Jack Caffrey #4) by Mo Hayder, 2009. 460 pages. Book 187: Gone (Jack Caffrey #5) by Mo Hayder, 2010. 560 pages. Book 188: Poppet (Jack Caffrey #6) by Mo Hayder, 2013. 378 pages. Had a mini-marathon for this gritty police procedural series, Reviews of Books 186, 187 and 188.
Book 189: J: a Novel by Howard Jacobson, 2014. 326 pages. MBP Weak dystopian novel. Bottom of my 2014 Man Booker list. Review here.
Book 190: Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi, 2014.. 308 pages. Another gem of magical realism with a stronger social issues them than her previous work, Review here.
Book 191: Tip of the Tongue (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #5) by Patrick Ness, 2013. 37 pages and Book 192: Something Borrowed (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #6) by Richelle Mead, 2013.40 pages. Reviews of Books 191 and 192.
Book 193: Shopaholic and Baby (Shopaholic #5) by Sophie Kinsella, 2007. Audiobook (13 hrs, 9 mins). Read by Emily Gray. Becky deals with pregnancy. Review here.
Book 194: Untold Story by Monica Ali, 2012. 368 pages. RG Intriguing 'what if'. Review here.
Book 195: The Abduction (Carnivia Trilogy #2) by Jonathan Holt, 2014. 469 pages. Conspiracy thriller set in Venice. Review here,
Books Read November 2014
Book 196: The Paper Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg, 2014. 226 pages. Good story, poor setting. Review here.
Book 197: The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library Mystery #1) by Ian Sansom , 2005. 335 pages. RG Comic tale set in Northern Ireland. Review here.
Book 198: The Ripple Effect (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #7) by Malorie Blackman, 2013. 55 pages. The Seventh Doctor and Ace encounter peace-loving Daleks.
Book 199: Spore (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #8) by Alex Scarrow, 2013. 40 pages.The Eight Doctor deals with alien pathogen. Reviews of Books 198 and 199.
Book 200: The Doll Maker (Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne #8) by Richard Montanari, 2014. 464 pages. Another in this dark series of police procedurals. Review here,
Book 201: The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody #3) by Elizabeth Peters, 1985. 415 pages/Unabridged audiobook (11 hrs, 56 mins). Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Mystery slightly marred by annoying precocious child. Review here.
Book 202: The Butcher of Smithfield (Thomas Chaloner #3) by Susanna Gregory, 2008. 512 pages. 17th Century newspapers are at centre of this historical thriller, Review here.
Book 203: A Cruise to Die For (Alix London #2) by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins, 2013. 256 pages. Alix encounters murder and mystery on luxury Greek cruise. Review here.
Book 204: The Monogram Murders (Hercule Poirot Series) by Sophie Hannah, 2014. 374 pages. Rather disappointing return for Poirot. Review here.
Book 205: The Quickening by Julie Myerson, 2013. 274 pages. Ghost story in tropical setting. Review here.
Book 206: The Beast of Babylon (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #9) by Charlie Higson, 2013. 40 pages. One of the best in this series featuring the Ninth Doctor.
Book 207: The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #10) by Derek Landy, 2013. 54 pages. The Tenth Doctor and Martha have a literary adventure. Reviews of Books 206 and 207.
Book 208: Mini Shopaholic (Shopaholic #6) by Sophie Kinsella, 2010. 433 pages. Unabridged audiobook (14 hrs, 23 mins). Read by Emily Gray. Review here.
Book 209: The Absolutist. by John Boyne, 2011 321 pages. RG WWI drama. Review here.
Book 210: Simple Genius (King and Maxwell #3) by David Baldacci, 2007. 433 pages. Another in this excellent series of political thrillers.
Book 211: The Sandman (Joona Linna #4) by Lars Kepler, 2012. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2014. 496 pages. Superb Nordic Noir. Reviews of Books 210 and 211.
Books Read December 2014
Book 212: The Apologist by Jay Rayner. 2004. 287 pages. RG Amusing political satire. Review here.
Book 213: The Glass Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg, 2014. 224 pages. Less impressive story and no improvement on setting. Review here.
Book 214: Hunger by Susan Hill, 2013. 33 pages. Creepy e-short from mistress of macabre.
Book 215: The Soul of Discretion (Simon Serrailler #8) by Susan Hill, 2014. 336 pages. Latest in this series of police procedurals. Disturbing themes.
Book 216: A Breach of Security (Simon Serrailler #8.5)by Susan Hill, 2014. 57 pages. e-short though with odd editing and continuity errors. Reviews of Books 214, 215 and 216.
Book 217: The Summer Queen (Eleanor of Aquitaine #1) by Elizabeth Chadwick, 2013. 458 pages. Excellent wok of historical fiction. Review here.
Book 218: Persuader (Jack Reacher #7) by Lee Child, 2004. 543 pages. Another in this action-packed series. Review here.
Book 219: Flappers: Six Women of a Dangerous Generation by Judith Mackrell, 2013. 488 pages Unabridged Audio (18 hrs, 16 mins). Read by Julia Franklin. Excellent biography/social history. Review here.
Book 220: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, 2012. 438 pages. RG Period fiction set in Alaska with touches of magical realism. Review here.
Book 221: The Shell Game (Fox and O'Hare #.25) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014.29 pages. How Fox and O'Hare first met.
Book 222: The Job (Fox and O'Hare #3) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014. Unabridged Audio Book (7 hrs). Read by Scott Brick. Latest in this fun crime caper series. Reviews of Books 221 and 222.
Book 223: The Carnival Master (Jan Fabel #4) by Craig Russell, 2008. 448 pages. Police procedural set in Germany. Review here.
Book 224: Nothing O'Clock (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #11) by Neil Gaiman, 2013. 45 pages. Best in the series as might be expected from Gaiman..
Book 225: Light Out (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #12) by Holly Black, 2014. 39 pages. Slightly disappointing outing for Twelve. Reviews of Books 224 and 225.
Book 226: The Queen (The Selection #0.4) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 120 pages. Prequel featuring earlier Selection that involved Prince Maxon's parents and Book 227: The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 323 pages. Completing the trilogy. Reviews of Books 225 and 227.
Book 228: Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody #4) by Elizabeth Peters, 1986. 432 pages Unabridged audiobook (12 hrs, 12 mins). Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Another Victorian mystery set in Egypt. Review here.
Book 229: Shopaholic to the Stars (Shopaholic #7 by Sophie Kinsella, 2014. 394 pages. Unabridged audiobook (12 hrs, 38 mins). Read by Clare Corbett. Latest in the comic series. Review here.
Book 230: Indexing by Seanan McGuire, 2014. 404 pages. Fairy-tale themed urban fantasy. Review here.
Under the cuts I have included brief comments and links to the longer reviews in my journal. RG indicates books that were reading group selections. During the year I took part in two library sponsored shadowing groups for the 2014 Bailey's Women Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. I have designated these by BWP and MBP
Books Read January - March 2014 (Books 1-71)
Books Read January 2014
Book 1: Bad Blood (Intercrime #2) by Arne Dahl, 1998. Translated from the Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles, 2013. 341 pages. Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 2: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, 2006. 456 pages/Unabridged Audio (14 hrs, 15 mins) Read by Jenny Agutter. Modern Gothic tale. Review here.
Book 3: The Nightmare (Joona Linna #2) by Lars Kepler, 2010. Translated from the Swedish by Laura A. Wideburg, 2012. 500 pages. Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 4: The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder, 1992. Translated from the Norwegian by Elizabeth Rokkan; Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, 1996. 246 pages. RG Enchanting Christmas fantasy. Review here.
Book 5: Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan, 2012. 320 pages. 1970s spy fiction. Review here.
Book 6: The White Road (Charlie Parker #4) by John Connolly, 2002. 502 pages. Dark crime thriller with supernatural elements. Review here.
Book 7: Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl by Matthew Reilly, 2013. 80 pages. Prequel and teaser for Reilly's upcoming Tudor-based thriller. Review here.
Book 8: Madame Xanadu Vol 1: Disenchanted by Matt Wagner, 2009. Art by Amy Reeder. 240 pages. Graphic novel set in DC Universe. Review here.
Book 9: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, 2013. 422 pages. Accessible philosophical novel. Loved it. Review here.
Book 10: Queen of the Flowers (Phryne Fisher #14) by Kerry Greenwood, 2004. Unabridged Audio Book (8 hrs, 20 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Another family focused mystery for Miss Fisher. Review here.
Book 11: Thunderball (James Bond #9) by Ian Fleming, 1961. 346 pages/Unabridged Audiobook (7 hrs, 51mns). Read by Jason Isaacs. Review here.
Book 12: Eternal (Jan Fabel #3) by Craig Russell, 2007. 450 pages. Police procedural set in Germany. Review here.
Book 13: Magic and the Modern Girl (Jane Madison #3) by Mindy Klasky, 2008. 416 pages. Fluffy witch-lit. Review here.
Book 14: The Salvation of a Saint (Detective Galileo #5) by Keigo Higashino, 2008. Translated from the Japanese by Alexander O. Smith with Elye J. Alexander, 2012. 377 pages. Japanese police procedural.
Book 15: Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter #1) by Thomas Harris, 1981. 432 pages. Reviews of Books 14 and 15.
Book 16: The Father of Locks (Father of Locks #1) by Andrew Killeen, 2009. 332 pages. Tales of adventure and intrigue in 9th Century Baghdad. Review here.
Book 17: The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner, 2012. 382 pages. Historical fiction about Isabella of Spain. Review here.
Book 18: The Spear of Destiny (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #3) by Marcus Sedgwick , 2013. 55 pages.
Book 19: The Roots of Evil (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #4) by Philip Reeve, 2013. 40 pages. E-shorts written for 50th Anniversary. Reviews of Books 18 and 19.
Book 20: Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson #5) by Darynda Jones, 2013. 339 pages. More chances for quips from Grim Reaper/P.I. Review here.
Book 21: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, 1960. 309 pages. RG Modern classic set in 1930s USA.
Book 22: Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan, 2011. 343 pages. RG Jazz musicians face prejudice during WWII. Reviews of Books 21 and 22.
Book 23: The Sonnet Lover by Carol Goodman, 2007. 437 pages. Rather melodramatic romantic suspense focused on lost folio of 16th century sonnets.
Book 24: A Room with a View by E. M. Forster, 1908. Appendix, 1958. 256 pages. RG Edwardian social comedy. Reviews of Books 23 and 24.
Book 25: And Only to Deceive (Lady Emily #1) by Tasha Alexander, 2005. 321 pages. Victorian cosy. Review here.
Book 26: Savage Spring (Malin Fors #4) by Mons Kallentoft, 2010. Translated from Swedish by Neil Smith, 2013. 521 pages. Yet another Swedish police procedural. Review here.
Book 27: Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2013. 400 pages. Tale of estranged twin sisters who share psychic gift. Review here.
Books Read February 2014
Book 28: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens, 2011. 366 pages. Southern Gothic with uneasy ghosts. Review here.
Book 29: Death by Water (Phryne Fisher #15) by Kerry Greenwood, 2005. Unabridged Audio (8 hrs, 7 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Mystery on a cruise ship. Review here.
Book 30: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925. 142 pages. RG Modern classic from 1920s. Review here.
Book 31: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight , 2013. 388 pages. Grieving mother seeks to understand her daughter's life and untimely death. Review here.
Book 32: Atticus Claw Lends a Paw (Atticus Claw #3) by Jennifer Gray, 2013. 224 pages. Atticus searches for the Lost City of Cats in Egypt. Review here.
Book 33: Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome edited by Stephen Jones. Illustrated by Alan Lee, 2013. 430 pages. Re-tellings of Grimm Tales by modern horror authors. Review here.
Book 34: The Book of Souls (Inspector McLean #2 by James Oswald, 2013. 440 pages. Second in this supernaturally-tinged police procedural. Review here.
Book 35: Witches of the East (Beauchamp Family #1) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2011. 273 pages and Book 36: The Serpent's Kiss (Beauchamp Family #2) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2012. 328 pages. Norse goddesses in exile get up to witchy shenanigans in the Hamptons. Reviews of Books 35 and 36.
Book 37: The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass, 2013. 327 pages. Book 38: The Elite (The Selection#2) by Kiera Cass, 2013. 326 pages. Book 39: The Prince (The Selection #0.5) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 60 pages. Think The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor with pretty frocks. Reviews of Books 37, 38 and 39.
Book 40: A Matter of Blood (The Dog-Faced Gods #1) by Sarah Pinborough, 2010. 432 pages. Supernatural crime thriller set in near future London. Review here.
Book 41: The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker, 2013. 486 pages. Two unusual immigrants in turn-of-the century New York. Review here.
Book 42: Sense and Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) by Joanna Trollope, 2013. 362 pages. Austen's classic updated for 21st Century. Book 43: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, 1811. Introduction by Joanne Trollope, 2013. 480 pages. The original. Reviews of Books 42 and 43.
Book 44: Takedown Twenty (Stephanie Plum #20) by Janet Evanovich, 2013. Unabridged Audiobook (6 hours, 8 mins). Read by Lorelei King. The one with the giraffe. Review here.
Book 45: Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger, 2012. 328 pages. The final book in this steampunk romp. Review here.
Book 46: Game (The Game Trilogy #1) by Anders de la Motte, 2010. 368 pages/Unabridged Audio (11 hrs, 24 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin and Book 47: Buzz (The Game Trilogy #2) by Anders de la Motte, 2011. 436 pages. Unabridged Audio (11 hrs, 52 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin. Swedish series about sinister game. Reviews of Books 46 and 47.
Book 48: The Technologists by Matthew Pearl, 2012. 480 pages. Historical techno-thriller set in post-Civil War Boston. Review here.
Book 49: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, 2011.387 pages/Unabridged Audio (13 hrs, 42 mins). Read by Jim Dale. RG Re-read of this enchanting historical fantasy. Review here.
Book 50: The Abandoned (Graveyard Queen #0.5) by Amanda Stevens, 2011. 73 pages. Prequel novella for Graveyard Queen series. Review here.
Book 51: Dead Sky (Kovac/Liska #3) by Tami Hoag, 2006. 416 pages. Solid police procedural with some confusing legal bits. Review here.
Books Read March 2014
Book 52: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway, 2013. 546 pages. Time travel romance. Review here.
Book 53: Bellman & Blackby Diane Setterfield, 2013. 320 pages. Victorian Gothic tale with rooks. Review here.
Book 54: Adventures with the Wife in Space: Living with Doctor Who by Neil Perryman, 2013. 290 pages. Doctor Who fan has his non-fan wife watch and rate classic Doctor Who episodes. Review here.
Book 55: Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell #1) by Hilary Mantel, 2009. 672 pages. RG Re-read of one of my favourite books of recent years. Review here.
Book 56: The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen #2) by Amanda Stevens, 2012. 376 pages. Southern Gothic fantasy. Review here.
Book 57: Murder in the Dark (Phryne Fisher #16) by Kerry Greenwood, 2006. Unabridged Audio Book (8 hrs, 14 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Mysteries abound at the Last Best party of 1928. Review here.
Book 58: Long Live the King (Love and Inheritance #2) by Fay Weldon, 2013. 320 pages. Aristocrats at work and play in Edwardian England. Review here.
Book 59: The Palace of Illusions: a novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, 2008. 374 pages. A tale adapted from India's epic Mahabharata. Review here.
Book 60: The Winds of Salem (Beauchamp Family #3) by Melissa de la Cruz, 2013. 307 pages. Final part of the trilogy about exiled Norse gods and goddesses. Review here.
Book 61: Elijah's Mermaid by Essie Fox, 2012. 406 pages. Victorian Gothic tale with mermaids. Review here.
Book 62: Briar Rose by Jana Oliver, 2013. 470 pages. Contemporary re-telling of 'Sleeping Beauty'. Review here.
Book 63: The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin, 2002. 342 pages. RG Comic fantasy. Review here.
Book 64: The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, 2009. 294 pages. Ghostly tale set in France. Review here.
Book 65: The Year of the Ladybird by Graham Joyce, 2013. 265 pages. English coming-of-age tale set in the ladybird summer of 1976. Review here.
Book 66: The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox, 2013. 310 pages. Victorian Gothic with a plot to steal a famous diamond. Review here.
Book 67: The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crimes #1) by Jasper Fforde, 2005. 398 pages. Comic fantasy crime novel investigates death of Humpty Dumpty. Review here.
Book 68: Fright Court by Mindy Klasky, 2011. 338 pages. Comic paranormal romance.
Book 69: Capitol Magic (Jane Madison #3.5) by Mindy Klasky, 2012. 88 pages. Cross-over between Fright Court and Jane Madison series. Reviews of Books 68 and 69.
Book 70: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, 2009. 447 pages. RG Coming of age tale set in 1940s Seattle. Review here.
Book 71: The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones, 2013. 416 pages. Supernatural thriller. Review here.
Books Read April - June 2014 (Books 72-131)
Books Read April 2014
Book 72: The Killer Inside (January David #2.5) by Will Carver, 2013. 51 pages. E-teaser for Book 3 in series. Inspired me to re-read Book 1.
Book 73: Girl 4 (January David #1) by Will Carver, 2011. 368 pages.
Book 74: Dead Set (January David #3) by Will Carver, 2013. 456 pages. Girl 4 case continues in Book 3 of series. Reviews of Books 72-74.
Book 75: Gossip from the Forest: The Tangled Roots of Our Forests and Fairytales by Sara Maitland, 2012. 354 pages. 12 months, 12 walks in British woods, and 12 re-told fairy tales. Review here.
Book 76: The Fire Witness (Joona Linna #3) by Lars Kepler, 2011. Translated from the Swedish by Laura A. Wideburg, 2013. 495 pages. More Nordic Noir. Review here.
Book 77: Tripwire (Jack Reacher #3) by Lee Child, 1999, Foreword, 2012. 544 pages. Early Jack Reacher thriller. Review here.
Book 78: The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain, 2012. Translated from the French by Gallic Books, 2013. 208 pages/Unabridged audio book (4 hours, 29 mins). RG Various narrators. Whimsical French novel about the adventures of President François Mitterrand's hat. Review here.
Book 79: The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner, 2006. 520 pages. Fictional autobiography of Queen Juana 'la Loca' of Spain. Review here.
Book 80: The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, 2009. 368 pages. Inspiring memoir about conservation work in Africa. Review here.
Book 81: Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken, 2012. 359 pages. RG Crime thriller about USA/Mexican drug war. Review here.
Book 82: Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer by Katie Alender, 2013. 301 pages. Rather silly YA romance featuring murderous ghost. Review here.
Book 83: Murder on a Midsummer Night (Phryne Fisher #17) by Kerry Greenwood, 2008. 269 pages. Two mysteries. Read as without car for a few weeks. Review here.
Book 84: The Bat (Harry Hole #1) by Jo Nesbø, 1997. Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett, 2012. 374 pages. First Harry Hole novel set in Australia. Review here.
Book 85: The First Victim (Kovac/Liska #3.5) by Tami Hoag, 2013. 62 pages. e-teaser for The 9th Girl and Book 86: The 9th Girl (Kovac/Liska #4) by Tami Hoag, 2013. 416 pages. Police procedural set in Minneapolis. Reviews of Books 85 and 86.
Book 87: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, 2002. Introduction by A. O. Scott, 2007. 592 pages. RG Coming-of-age story set in late 1970s Mississippi. Review here.
Book 88: Bubble (Game Trilogy #3) by Anders de la Motte, 2012. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2013. 464 pages/Unabridged Audio (12 hrs, 43 mins) Narrated by Saul Reichlin. 'Game over'. Review here.
Book 89: The Sick Rose by Erin Kelly, 2011. 352 pages. RG Two lonely people with deep secrets meet with life changing consequences. Review here.
Book 90: The Prisoner of Brenda (Mystery Man #4) by (Colin) Bateman, 2012. 408 pages. Final in this black comedic mystery series. Review here.
Book 91: The Poyson Garden (Elizabeth I Mysteries #1) by Karen Harper, 1999. 302 pages. Princess Elizabeth is caught up in deadly encounter with a poisoner. Review here.
Book 92: Queen of Hearts Volume One: The Crown by Colleen Oakes, 2014. 222 pages. Re-visioning of Alice in Wonderland featuring the future Queen of Hearts. Review here.
Book 93: The Shroud Maker (Wesley Peterson #18) by Kate Ellis, 2014. 374 pages. Latest in South Devon based police procedurals.
Book 94: The Killing III by David Hewson, 2014. 417 pages. Print adaptation of final season of Danish cult TV series. Reviews of Books 93 and 94.
Books Read May 2014
Book 95: The Visitor (Jack Reacher #4) by Lee Child, 2000. 512 pages. Another very readable thriller in this popular series. Review here.
Book 96: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, 2013. 337 pages. BWP Powerful historical drama set in Iceland. Review here.
Book 97: Z: a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler, 2013. 375 pages. Review here.
Book 98: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C. W. Gortner, 2010. 416 pages. Historical fiction about this controversial queen. Review here.
Book 99: Wars of the Roses Book 1: Stormbird by Conn Iggulden, 2013. 507 pages. More historical fiction. Review here.
Book 100: The House of Silk: The New Sherlock Holmes Novel by Anthony Horowitz, 2011. 405 pages. RG Review here.
Book 101: Wolf (Jack Caffery #7) by Mo Hayder, 2014. 416 pages. Gruesome police procedural. Review here.
Book 102: The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas,1995. Translated from the French by Sian Reynolds, 2006. 292 pages. Lively French mystery.
Book 103: The Chase (Fox and O'Hare #2) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014. 320 pages. Entertaining crime caper. Reviews of Books 102 and 103.
Book 104: The Undertaking by Audrey Magee, 2014. 291 pages. BWP Grim WWII drama set in Germany and Russia.
Book 105: The Light of Day by Graham Swift, 2003. 323 pages. Rambling mystery. RG Reviews of Books 104 and 105.
Book 106: Grimm Tales for Young and Old by Philip Pullman, 2012. 432 pages/Unabridged Audio (10 hrs, 23 mins). Read by Samuel West. Simple re-tellings of 50 Grimm tales. Review here.
Book 107: The Troubled Man (Kurt Wallander #10) by Henning Mankell, 2009. Translated from the Swedish by Laurie Thompson, 2011.367 pages. Final book in this series of Swedish police procedurals. Review here.
Book 108: Soulless: the Manga Volume 1 by Gail Carriger with artwork by Rem, 2012. 224 pages. Very pretty manga adaptation of steampunk fantasy. Review here.
Book 109: The Tournament by Matthew Reilly, 2013. 418 pages. 16th Century chess thriller. Review here.
Book 110: Dead Man's Chest (Phryne Fisher #18 by Kerry Greenwood, 2010. 259 pages/Unabridged Audio (8 hours, 31 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Phryne and family go on holiday. Review here.
Book 111: The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) by Megan Shepherd, 2013. 360 pages. Re-imagining of H. G. Wells The Island of Doctor Moreau. Review here.
Book 112: Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann, 2012. 389 pages. RG Period family drama with a touch of murder. Review here.
Book 113: A Girl is a Half Formed Thing by Eimear McBride, 2013. 205 pages. BWP The inner chaotic ramblings of an Irish girl circa 1980s. Review here.
Books Read June 2014
Book 114: The New Countess (Love and Inheritance #3) by Fay Weldon, 2013. 320 pages. The conclusion of this Edwardian family comedy/drama. Review here.
Book 115: Doughnut by Tom Holt, 2013. 370 pages. RG Comic SF Review here.
Book 116: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri, 2013. 340 pages. BWP Powerful story of two brothers in India and USA. Review here.
Book 117: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, 2013. 771 pages. BWP One of my favourites of 2014. Review here.
Book 118: A Conspiracy of Violence (Thomas Chaloner #1) by Susanna Gregory, 2006. 502 pages. Thriller set in Restoration London. Review here.
Book 119: Hard Spell (Occult Crimes Unit Investigations #1) by Justin Gustainis, 2011. 347 pages. Occult detective fiction. Review here.
Book 120: Austenland by Shannon Hale, 2007. 208 pages. Adorable chick-lit for Austen fans. Review here.
Book 121: Split Second (King and Maxwell #1) by David Baldacci, 2003. 599 pages. Former secret service agents caught up in uncovering conspiracy. Review here.
Book 122: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 2013. 477 pages. RG BWP Complex and rewarding fiction. Another favourite. Review here.
Book 123: The Black Angel (Charlie Parker #5) by John Connolly, 2005. 599 pages. Another in this excellent series of supernatural-themed crime fiction. Strong stuff. Review here.
Book 124: The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich, 2005. 277 pages. RG Story of a tribal drum and its influence on a group of people. Review here.
Book 125: Dog Will Have His Day (Three Evangelists #2) by Fred Vargas, 1996. Translated from the French by Sian Reynolds, 2014. 244 pages. Quirky French mystery. Review here.
Book 126: Emperors Once More (Alex Soong #1) by Duncan Jepson, 2014. 408 pages. Thriller set in near future Hong Kong. Review here.
Book 127: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, 1818. Introduction by Val McDermid, 2014. 289 pages and Book 128: Northanger Abbey (The Austen Project #2) by Val McDermid, 2014. 343 pages. The original and re-imagined update. Reviews of Books 127 and 128.
Book 129: The Uninvited by Liz Jensen, 2012. 307 pages. Psychological Horror/Thriller about breakdown of civilisation. Review here.
Book 130: The Mirror by Richard Skinner, 2014. 320 pages. Two novellas; one set in 16th Century Venice and the other in between life and death. Review here.
Book 131: Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss, 2014. 240 pages/Unabridged Audio (5 hours, 13 mins) Read by Mike Grady. Dark comic horror for cat lovers and haters alike. Review here.
Books Read July - September 2014 (Books 132-175)
Books Read July 2014
Book 132: Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) by Jo Nesbø, 1998. Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett, 2013. 388 pages. Harry Hole travels to Thailand to assist in a murder investigation involving the Norwegian ambassador.
Book 133: The Black Path (Rebecka Martinsson #3) by Åsa Larsson, 2006. Translated from the Swedish by Marlaine Delargy, 2008. 384 pages. An unusual work of Nordic Noir. Reviews of Books 132 and 133.
Book 134: Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1) by Charlaine Harris, 2014. 305 pages. A new quirky supernatural trilogy that marries Harris' various series. Review here.
Book 135: Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood, 2012. 249 pages/ Unabridged Audio (9 hours, 54 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Dark deeds in 1920s Australia. Review here.
Book 136: Searching for Arthur (The Return to Camelot #1) by Donna Hosie, 2013. 300 pages. YA Arthurian adventure with two Americans drawn back in time. Review here.
Book 137: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, 2013. 248 pages/Unabridged Audio (5 hrs, 47 mns ). Read by Neil Gaiman. RG Re-read of this fantasy. Review here.
Book 138: Echo Burning (Jack Reacher #5) by Lee Child, 2001. 574 pages. More action from Reacher.
Book 139: The Fifth Season (Malin Fors #5) by Mons Kallentoft, 2011. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2014. 522 pages. The case of Marie Murvall is finally addressed. Reviews of Books 138 and 139.
Book 140: Ripper by Isabel Allende, 2013. Translated from the Spanish by Oliver Brock and Frank Wynne, 2014. 496 pages. Crime thriller about an on-line group of sleuths who seek to track a serial killer. Review here.
Book 141: The Shipping News by Annie Proulx, 1993. 397 pages. RG A grieving man re-locates with his daughters and aunt to Newfoundland. Review here.
Book 142: Fool by Christopher Moore. 2009. 384 pages. Bawdy re-telling of King Lear. Review here.
Book 143: The Telling Error (Spilling CID #9) by Sophie Hannah, 2014. 374 pages. Hannah's latest thriller. Review here.
Book 144: The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling), 2014. 455 pages. The second outing for the London private eye. Review here.
Book 145: The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi, 2005. 322 pages. RG Re-read of this magical tale of Africa and England. Review here.
Book 146: Murder (Dr.Thomas Bond #2) by Sarah Pinborough, 2014. 326 pages. A dark conclusion to last year's Mayhem. Review here.
Book 147: The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, 2012. 334 pages. A moving memoir of conservation in Africa. Review here.
Book 148: The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer, 2013. 314 pages. Award-winning novel about schizophrenic teenager. Review here.
Books Read August 2014
Book 149: The Fire of Merlin (The Return to Camelot #2 by Donna Hosie, 2013. 233 pages. Second book in YA Arthurian fantasy. Disappointing.
Book 150: Hostage Queen by Freda Lightfoot, 2010. 260 pages. Dull work of historical fiction about Marguerite de Valois. Reviews of Books 149 and 150.
Book 151: Birdman (Jack Caffery #1) by Mo Hayder, 1999. 398 pages. Grisly police procedural set in London. Review here.
Book 152: The Humans by Matt Haig, 2013. 294 pages. Quirky SF-comedy about alien step-in. Review here.
Book 153: The Accidental Apprentice by Vikas Swarup, 2013. 436 pages. RG Tale set in modern India. Review here.
Book 154: The May Bride by Suzannah Dunn, 2014. 400 pages. Another dull work of historical fiction. Review here.
Book 155: Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby by Sarah Churchwell, 2013. 438 pages. Combines true crime with literary analysis and social history. Review here.
Book 156: Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood, 2013.337 pages/ Unabridged Audio (11 hours, 22 mins). Read by Stephanie Daniel. Last in the series to date. Review here.
Book 157: The House of Dolls (Pieter Vos #1) by David Hewson, 2014. 430 pages. New police procedural series set in Amsterdam. Review here.
Book 158: The Treatment (Jack Caffrey #2) by Mo Hayder, 2001. 410 pages. Another disturbing police procedural.
Book 159: The Ritual (Jack Caffrey #3) by Mo Hayder, 2008. 560 pages. A move to Bristol for Caffrey. Gripping police procedural. Reviews of Books 158 and 159.
Book 160: The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker, 2012. Translated from the French by Sam Taylor, 2014. 624 pages. Stunning unconventional thriller. Review here.
Book 161: Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Freemantle, 2014. 496 pages. Well written novel about the Grey sisters in the courts of Mary I and Elizabeth I. Review here.
Book 162: Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, 1948. 256 pages. Classic SF novella with few extra stories from 1930s. Review here.
Book 163: NW by Zadie Smith, 2012. 340 pages/Unabridged Audiobook (10 hrs, 55 mns) Narrated by Karen Bryson and Don Gilet. RG Powerful tale of two women in contemporary London. Review here.
Books Read September 2014
Book 164: Blood on the Strand (Thomas Chaloner #2) by Susanna Gregory, 2007. 464 pages. Restoration spy thriller.
Book 165: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, 2009. 384 pages. RG Story of early 19th-Century fossil collector Mary Anning. Reviews of Books 164 and 165.
Book 166: Top Secret 21 (Stephanie Plum #21) by Janet Evanovich, 2014. Unabridged Audiobook (6 hrs, 16 mins). Read by Lorelei King. Latest in this series. Review here.
Book 167: A Modern Witch (Modern Witch #1) by Debora Geary, 2011. 420 pages. Overly fluffy witches proved a disappointment. Review here.
Book 168: Frog Music by Emma Donoghue, 2014. 544 pages. Gritty true crime/historical blend set in 1876 San Francisco. Review here.
Book 169: Midnight in Austenland (Austenland #2) by Shannon Hale, 2012. 279 pages. Charming sequel that is also a tribute to Gothic romance. Review here.
Book 170: Hour Game (King and Maxwell #2) by David Baldacci, 2003. 723 pages. First-class thriller with high body count. Review here.
Book 171: How to be Both by Ali Smith, 2014. 372 pages. MBP Unusually structured novel with themes of art and the fluidity of gender. Review here.
Book 172: Cop Town by Karin Slaughter, 2014. 416 pages. Police procedural set in 1974 Atlanta. Review here.
Book 173: Last Days by Adam Nevill, 2012. 544 pages. Indie film-maker documenting 1970s doomsday cult stirs up ancients horrors. Review here.
Book 174: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, 2009. 541 pages. RG Engaging medical drama set in Ethiopia and USA. Review here.
Book 175: The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, 2014. 448 pages. MBP Powerful novel about a doctor's experiences in Japanese POW camp. Review here.
Books Read October - December 2014 (Books 176-230)
Books Read October 2014
Book 176: Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters, 1981. 307 pages/audiobook (10 hrs, 6 mins). Narrated by Susan O'Malley. Cozy mystery set in Egypt.
Book 177: The Moses Stone (Chris Bronson #2) by James Becker, 2009. 480 pages. Biblical conspiracy thriller. Reviews of Books 176 and 177.
Book 178: A Dangerous Talent (Alix London #1). by Aaron Elkins and Charlotte Elkins, 2012. 270 pages, Fun mystery with artistic theme.
Book 179: Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6) by Lee Child, 2002. 556 pages. Thriller with assassination theme. Reviews of Books 178 and 179.
Book 180: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, 2013. 479 pages. RG Intriguing period fiction as a life is experienced over and over again. Review here.
Book 181: The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherjee, 2014. 516 pages. MBP Family drama set in 1960s India. Review here.
Book 182: To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris, 2014. 337 pages. MBP A dentist has his identity stolen on-line and faces existential crises. Review here.
Book 183: We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler, 2014. 337 pages. MBP Unusual coming-of-age novel. Loved it. Review here.
Book 184: This Old Thing: Fall in Love with Vintage Clothes by Dawn O'Porter, 2014. 144 pages. TV tie-in on vintage fashion. Review here.
Book 185: The Oversight (Oversight Trilogy #1) by Charlie Fletcher, 2014. 448 pages. Highly satisfying Victorian fantasy. Review here.
Book 186: Skin (Jack Caffrey #4) by Mo Hayder, 2009. 460 pages. Book 187: Gone (Jack Caffrey #5) by Mo Hayder, 2010. 560 pages. Book 188: Poppet (Jack Caffrey #6) by Mo Hayder, 2013. 378 pages. Had a mini-marathon for this gritty police procedural series, Reviews of Books 186, 187 and 188.
Book 189: J: a Novel by Howard Jacobson, 2014. 326 pages. MBP Weak dystopian novel. Bottom of my 2014 Man Booker list. Review here.
Book 190: Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi, 2014.. 308 pages. Another gem of magical realism with a stronger social issues them than her previous work, Review here.
Book 191: Tip of the Tongue (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #5) by Patrick Ness, 2013. 37 pages and Book 192: Something Borrowed (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #6) by Richelle Mead, 2013.40 pages. Reviews of Books 191 and 192.
Book 193: Shopaholic and Baby (Shopaholic #5) by Sophie Kinsella, 2007. Audiobook (13 hrs, 9 mins). Read by Emily Gray. Becky deals with pregnancy. Review here.
Book 194: Untold Story by Monica Ali, 2012. 368 pages. RG Intriguing 'what if'. Review here.
Book 195: The Abduction (Carnivia Trilogy #2) by Jonathan Holt, 2014. 469 pages. Conspiracy thriller set in Venice. Review here,
Books Read November 2014
Book 196: The Paper Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg, 2014. 226 pages. Good story, poor setting. Review here.
Book 197: The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library Mystery #1) by Ian Sansom , 2005. 335 pages. RG Comic tale set in Northern Ireland. Review here.
Book 198: The Ripple Effect (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #7) by Malorie Blackman, 2013. 55 pages. The Seventh Doctor and Ace encounter peace-loving Daleks.
Book 199: Spore (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #8) by Alex Scarrow, 2013. 40 pages.The Eight Doctor deals with alien pathogen. Reviews of Books 198 and 199.
Book 200: The Doll Maker (Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne #8) by Richard Montanari, 2014. 464 pages. Another in this dark series of police procedurals. Review here,
Book 201: The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody #3) by Elizabeth Peters, 1985. 415 pages/Unabridged audiobook (11 hrs, 56 mins). Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Mystery slightly marred by annoying precocious child. Review here.
Book 202: The Butcher of Smithfield (Thomas Chaloner #3) by Susanna Gregory, 2008. 512 pages. 17th Century newspapers are at centre of this historical thriller, Review here.
Book 203: A Cruise to Die For (Alix London #2) by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins, 2013. 256 pages. Alix encounters murder and mystery on luxury Greek cruise. Review here.
Book 204: The Monogram Murders (Hercule Poirot Series) by Sophie Hannah, 2014. 374 pages. Rather disappointing return for Poirot. Review here.
Book 205: The Quickening by Julie Myerson, 2013. 274 pages. Ghost story in tropical setting. Review here.
Book 206: The Beast of Babylon (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #9) by Charlie Higson, 2013. 40 pages. One of the best in this series featuring the Ninth Doctor.
Book 207: The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #10) by Derek Landy, 2013. 54 pages. The Tenth Doctor and Martha have a literary adventure. Reviews of Books 206 and 207.
Book 208: Mini Shopaholic (Shopaholic #6) by Sophie Kinsella, 2010. 433 pages. Unabridged audiobook (14 hrs, 23 mins). Read by Emily Gray. Review here.
Book 209: The Absolutist. by John Boyne, 2011 321 pages. RG WWI drama. Review here.
Book 210: Simple Genius (King and Maxwell #3) by David Baldacci, 2007. 433 pages. Another in this excellent series of political thrillers.
Book 211: The Sandman (Joona Linna #4) by Lars Kepler, 2012. Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith, 2014. 496 pages. Superb Nordic Noir. Reviews of Books 210 and 211.
Books Read December 2014
Book 212: The Apologist by Jay Rayner. 2004. 287 pages. RG Amusing political satire. Review here.
Book 213: The Glass Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg, 2014. 224 pages. Less impressive story and no improvement on setting. Review here.
Book 214: Hunger by Susan Hill, 2013. 33 pages. Creepy e-short from mistress of macabre.
Book 215: The Soul of Discretion (Simon Serrailler #8) by Susan Hill, 2014. 336 pages. Latest in this series of police procedurals. Disturbing themes.
Book 216: A Breach of Security (Simon Serrailler #8.5)by Susan Hill, 2014. 57 pages. e-short though with odd editing and continuity errors. Reviews of Books 214, 215 and 216.
Book 217: The Summer Queen (Eleanor of Aquitaine #1) by Elizabeth Chadwick, 2013. 458 pages. Excellent wok of historical fiction. Review here.
Book 218: Persuader (Jack Reacher #7) by Lee Child, 2004. 543 pages. Another in this action-packed series. Review here.
Book 219: Flappers: Six Women of a Dangerous Generation by Judith Mackrell, 2013. 488 pages Unabridged Audio (18 hrs, 16 mins). Read by Julia Franklin. Excellent biography/social history. Review here.
Book 220: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, 2012. 438 pages. RG Period fiction set in Alaska with touches of magical realism. Review here.
Book 221: The Shell Game (Fox and O'Hare #.25) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014.29 pages. How Fox and O'Hare first met.
Book 222: The Job (Fox and O'Hare #3) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, 2014. Unabridged Audio Book (7 hrs). Read by Scott Brick. Latest in this fun crime caper series. Reviews of Books 221 and 222.
Book 223: The Carnival Master (Jan Fabel #4) by Craig Russell, 2008. 448 pages. Police procedural set in Germany. Review here.
Book 224: Nothing O'Clock (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #11) by Neil Gaiman, 2013. 45 pages. Best in the series as might be expected from Gaiman..
Book 225: Light Out (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #12) by Holly Black, 2014. 39 pages. Slightly disappointing outing for Twelve. Reviews of Books 224 and 225.
Book 226: The Queen (The Selection #0.4) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 120 pages. Prequel featuring earlier Selection that involved Prince Maxon's parents and Book 227: The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass, 2014. 323 pages. Completing the trilogy. Reviews of Books 225 and 227.
Book 228: Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody #4) by Elizabeth Peters, 1986. 432 pages Unabridged audiobook (12 hrs, 12 mins). Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Another Victorian mystery set in Egypt. Review here.
Book 229: Shopaholic to the Stars (Shopaholic #7 by Sophie Kinsella, 2014. 394 pages. Unabridged audiobook (12 hrs, 38 mins). Read by Clare Corbett. Latest in the comic series. Review here.
Book 230: Indexing by Seanan McGuire, 2014. 404 pages. Fairy-tale themed urban fantasy. Review here.