Book review: Dissolution by C.J. Sansom

Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Mum has been a massive fan of CJ Sansom for a while now, but this was my first foray into medieval murder mystery.
Admittedly, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I don't normally read historic fiction, although Pillars of the Earth is one of my favourite books. However, I do absolutely love murder mysteries, so it should go well. Luckily, it did!
I generally like the character of Matthew Shardlake, although he's a very negative person, this isn't always against him and quite appropriate for the time considering his condition.
What I love most about Dissolution is the fact that it's set in the medieval era. You don't get bogged down in forensics or modern technology. It really is an old (very old) fashioned murder mystery.
All the characters are interesting and you can't help but emotionally involved in their lives and the story, getting a history lesson along the way.

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Book review: Looking Good Dead by Peter James

Looking Good Dead by Peter James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm always a fan of Peter James and the Roy Grace novels which are set in my home county, Sussex.
That's my first point for why I love this book. Knowing exactly where the police, the victims and the suspects are is brilliant, although a little unnerving.
This story starts with a man finding a CD on a train and in his attempts to return it to the owner, gets caught up with a dubious snuff film production company.
For Tom Bryce and his family, things get steadily worse, while Roy Grace has to figure out what is happening, and who's behind it.
There's only a few issues with this book. The first is the psychic element. Peter James has assured me himself that real police officers would go down this route, but I find it hard to believe.
I can always rely on Peter James for a quick read, with an exciting storyline and interesting, believable characters.

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Book review: The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid

The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've seen a few episodes of Wire In The Blood, featuring Robson Green and therefore went into this book with preconceived notions. In this case, I actually think they helped.
The Mermaids Singing is about a serial killer in the fictional town of Bradfield. Bradfield police force enlists profiler Dr Tony Hill to help them catch him.
The initial idea is quite a good one and the police's speculations are interesting as bit by bit they get closer to the killer. It's also quite a fast paced book, with chapters from the police's point of view and the killers.
However, I had some issues with the book. First of all, I really don't need to know so much about Tony Hill's sexual inadequacies. Too much information! And the dialogue that Carol used I found to be unrealistic in some places.
Overall, I would read more Val McDermid, but I'd probably stick to the stand alone novels, which I find much better.

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Book review: Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride

Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'd forgotten how much I love Stuart MacBride and how much of a complete and utter genius he is.
MacBride's characters come to life. Mcrae and Steel are brilliant. The banter between them is laugh out loud funny and all of the characters have their own unique points and flaws.
The storyline is exciting, the plot only thickening with each chapter and tonnes of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
The writer's description of the events that happen make your skin crawl. I've never squirmed at the written word, and then laughed my head off minutes later as Mcrae played 'I spy' with a paedophile locked in the boot of his car.
Overall a fantastic novel, I can't wait to read more of MacBride's world.

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Book Review: Nineteen Seventy Four by David Peace

Nineteen Seventy Four by David Peace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had seen the first of the Red Riding Trilogy before I read this book. As usual, I didn't know there was a book that came first but wanted to delve into this violent world, full of deception, back handers and bent cops.
As soon as you start reading you're sucked in. The pace in this book is insatiable and before you realise it you're flying through the chapters. The main character in 1974 is Eddie Dunford, a young journalist, doing his best to become the latest crime correspondent. As a reader, you sympathise with Dunford, but like every character in this book, he's flawed. You can hear yourself telling him not to do the stupid things he sometimes does. Dunford uncovers a conspiracy that everyone seems to be involved in and from then on, only bad things can happen.
The story itself is intriguing, brilliantly written and takes your breath away. Peace doesn't shy away from violence which makes this book seem all more real and creates a wealth of believable characters. The only reason this book is four stars is because at some points it can be quite confusing. A lot of characters have similar sounding names and at a few stages in the story I had to turn back and check names and events. Despite this, I'm looking forward to reading the next books!

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Book review: From The Dead by Mark Billingham

From The Dead by Mark Billingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Mark Billingham. I've read several Tom Thorne books now and return to his world, like slipping into my favourite pair of jeans.
Thorne and his colleagues are funny, interesting and each of them have their own unique points and individualities. Being allowed inside Thorne's head I feel is a privilege and a very exciting and amusing place to be. His thoughts make the story come alive.
The story itself is certainly an interesting one after an infamous London gangster, thought to be dead is discovered to be alive. When Alan Langford starts bumping off informers, it's up to Thorne to track down the gangster and work out the identity of the charred remains they have found.
As always, you're kept guessing, right to the end, and with a short excursion to Spain, it's one of the best Thorne novels to date.

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Book review: Death On A Galician Shore by Domingo Villar

Death on a Galician Shore. by Domingo Villar by Domingo Villar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Death on a Galician Shore is a sea faring murder mystery set in Spain. The reader follows the main character of Leo Caldas and his erring on violence assistant Estevez as they deal with a victim found washed up at Vigo port.
First of all, it's important to remember that this is the second book of two. I felt like I'd missed some vital information, such as the building of Estevez and Caldas' relationships, how Caldas turned out to be a radio correspondent and the relationship between Caldas, his father and uncle.
The murder mystery itself is quite a good one. The victim is thought to have committed suicide, but when evidence suggests otherwise, old stories begin to unravel. Amongst the murder mystery is a local legend of a captain who disappeared at sea, and the events that took place on that fateful night when he chose to leave port in a storm.
One of the great points of this book is unrelated to the murder mystery. Villar is brilliant at describing the local cuisine, in great detail. Food is obviously very important to the Spanish! He also sets the scene very well. Vigo Fish Market comes to life!
Overall, this book made me want to visit the area, and taste it's delicacies, but not meet the characters.

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