Although this book has classical crime fiction tropes, the structure is unique because it is a book within a book. An editor is hired to help an author complete a whodunnit in 1955, but the unfinished manuscript contains clues as to the possible murder of the author’s grandmother. In other words, there are many clues about his grandmother’s death in his manuscript. And there are lots of clues that are red herrings, and there are even anagrams! Overall, a very entertaining read.
Category: Genre
Last Chance To See – Mark Cawardine
In the original Last Chance To See (1990), zoologist Cawardine described travel with the late Douglas Adams, to visit exotic locations with endangered species (sad note, the Yangtze river dolphin has now been declared extinct). Now twenty years later, this book is subtitled “In the footsteps of Douglas Adams”; now Cawardine is travelling with the comic genius Stephen Fry, to view rare and peculiar animals (African white rhinos, Kakapo birds in New Zealand, lemurs in Madagascar …). Six chapters outline their travels to 8 countries in 5 continents.
This book has a unique view of a disappearing world: always informative, often hilarious, but mostly thought provoking.
The God Of The Woods – Liz Moore
This is a superb thriller. In 1975, a teenager (Barbara) disappears from her Adirondack summer camp. Eerily, Barbara’s older brother vanished from the same camp in 1961. This is an extraordinary story of both investigations, and of course complicating secrets abound. The characters are richly described, both well-meaning (but flawed) people and some dastardly villains. Highly recommended – very entertaining.
The Reader – Bernhard Schlink
Some of you may have seen the 2008 film based on this book, starring Kate Winslet. I respectfully submit that this 1995 book is far superior. This is Michael Berg’s book, both reflective and introspective. In 1958, 15-year-old Michael has a short tempestuous affair with an older woman, Hanna. Eight years later, Michael is a law student who learns that Hanna is on trial for being an SS guard responsible for the deaths of many women and children in a World War II concentration camp. The writing raises important questions about how beautiful memories can be shattered in hindsight, along with issues of betrayal, guilt and shame. Overall, the story is a metaphor for the complexity of present-day Germany’s relationship to its Nazi past – highly recommended.
Landbridge – Y-Dang Troeung
Simply put, this is an exceptional book that is heartbreaking to read. Ms. Troeung was born in a Thailand refugee camp, one of the last Cambodian refugees admitted to Canada in 1980. This is an autobiographical story of her life in Canada and Hong Kong with frequent trips to Cambodia to research the genocidal history. So it is about refugee histories, about refugee survival, to research the lives of the lost during the Cambodian genocide. And it is deeply personal, in part because letters written to her son Kai are included. Tragically, Ms. Troeung died of cancer in 2022. Overall, this is a work of outstanding humanity and honesty, a must-read book.
Welcome To The Hyunam-dong Bookshop – Hwang Bo-reum
This interesting story is set in Korea. Yeongju quits her high-flying career to open an independent bookshop in a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul. This is an introspective and philosophical book. What is the purpose of reading? Should you pursue something you like, or something that you are good at? The characters who frequent the bookshop are all taking (small) steps forward, encouraged by a space that is a refuge, to have meaningful conversations with good people. In short, a heartwarming story about finding acceptance in your life. Thanks Amy, for this recommendation.
The Storyteller – Dave Grohl
And now for something entirely different … Mr. Grohl has written a very literate autobiography about his life as a musician. As a self-taught musician, he initially tours with a punk rock band; the poverty of touring with a van is described with graphic detail (sleeping in the van with all the equipment, living on service station corn dogs). Then there is his mercurial rise as the drummer for Nirvana, and the short chaos of fame until the death of Curt Cobain. And finally, the considerable impact of the Foo Fighters. Grohl presents a grounded and candid self-portrait, and his love of family is paramount. A very interesting read.
Hell And Gone – Sam Weibe
This is a well-crafted thriller that explores Vancouver’s criminal underworld. Dave Wakeland is a PI who witnesses a mass killing in Chinatown. And of course there are many villains: a motorcycle gang, organized crime, and even police corruption. But best of all, the text is riddled with Vancouver references like the Pulpfiction Bookstore. Thanks Amy, for this recommendation.
We Solve Murders – Richard Osman
Osman is the author of the wildly popular Thursday Murder Club series. In his 5th novel, he introduces a new cast of characters: Steve, a retired policeman; his daughter-in-law Amy, a bodyguard; and Rosie, a best-selling author. This unlikely trio investigates money smuggling and murders, in wide-spread places like South Carolina, St. Lucia, Ireland and Dubai (where a murder-broker operates, of course), all while Amy is a target for killing! The plot is very clever: who is the principal villain? And above all, the writing features Osman’s trademark wit – very entertaining.
What David Read 