A Note on Murder

I have procrastinated long enough. It is time for me to say something about books, authors, fiction, fact or fantasy. What has glavanised me is one of the Grand Designs programmes, in which a young couple, and the presenter, were saying how much they enjoyed seeing books on display as part of the décor of a room. I agree. I harbour a suspicion, possibly erroneously, that many of us hope that the books we display will illicite admiration in others. Do they say something about our taste or lack thereof, our intelligence or ignorance? I suspect that like the art and artifacts that are on show in our homes, what we preceive about others’ choice in books influence our preceptions about that person. Book clubs are a good insight into the sensitivities we harbour about ourselves. You only have to hear a glowing report on some book you thought was diabolical to look askance at your friend and wonder about them. Or is this just my reaction?

Still onto books read and enjoyed over the last six months. I have come across the author Mark Billington, whose detective novels have Thorne his irascible ‘hero’ fighting his own personality as much as that of the ‘villians’. My reservations such as they are is of an over reliance on “serial killers” and making his closest “mate” (the pathologist) unbelieveably eccentric. Otherwise enjoyable reads.

Another writer I have liked, is Kate Grenville introduced to me by my good friend, Sue Irving (we are always swapping names of recently discovered authors) and thoroughly enjoyed her The Lieutenant, and also The Secret River . Books I probably would never have picked up in the library from just reading the blurb on the back.

Have bought Hare with Amber Eyes on the recommendation of sister Katie, who raved about it and am looking forward to spending a few happy hours engrossed in a world far removed from my own.

Gosh so many books to read and not enough time. I find as I grow older that night time is not the right time for reading but early daylight is. A chapter or two first thing in the morning really sets one up for the day. As a card I found in Canada said “You’re never alone with a book”. Happy reading. Susie