P.J. Skinner's Blog, page 10
March 24, 2019
Cold Comfort
A Place of Execution by Val McDermidMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first Val Mc Dermid. I loved book 1 but I found myself wishing the book 2 and 3 had been combined into a sequel instead of tacked on to book 1. The characters are clearly defined and the sense of place is never lost but I felt like the ending wasn't a surprise. It seems almost churlish to find fault with a story that enthralled me but at times I found it infuriating and almost too simple for the final, final denoument. Call me picky but I gave it 4 stars because I could see the fells and feel the cold and the frustration of the detectives when faced with a wall of misinformation.
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December 26, 2018
The Jade Seal
Jade Seal by Jack DolanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Roan Mercer is back and he's on the trail of a jade seal. A great follow up to book 1 with exotic locations, nefarious villains and the fearless members of Gladius Inc involved in a chase through Europe to Samarkand. Filled with authentic historical detail and exciting set pieces, I found this even better than the first book. Will be looking out for the next in the series.
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December 21, 2018
Time Travel Twister
The First Journey by Cindy TomamichelMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Well researched time-travelling adventure with a tough but vulnerable MC who has to overcome her naive upbringing to find her real character and finally get what she deserves in life. A wealth of period detail and vivid descriptions of Roman and Celtic life and the culture clashes between the two serve to heighten the experience as Janet tries to find her nemisis Daman in the twisted strands of time accompanied by her new love, Trajan, the Roman commander. Excellent pacing and scene setting and three dimensional characters.
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October 10, 2018
No Ice Creams in this War
An Ice-Cream War by William BoydMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
An excellent book on the futility of war. The conflict in East Africa during the first world war is largely forgottem but William Boyd has patched together the stories of his disparate protagonists in a way that conveys the quiet desperation generated by the long periods of inactivity and the randomness of death. I had forgotten how it grows on you after a slow start. Not brilliant, but close.
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September 17, 2018
Classic Adventure with Desert
Desert by Jack DolanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this well written adventure. A classic rollicking tale of mixed motives and fierce loyalties. Great descriptions of place and people and believable action scenes. An easy read. I look forward to the next one.
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August 31, 2018
Tipping Point Convinces
Tipping Point by Terry TylerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very good 'end of the world as we know it' novel. Totally believable, no superheroes or ludicrous scenarios. The only complaint I have about this book is the cliff hanger ending but the fact that I read the whole thing when it is not my genre at all, speaks volumes about the excellent, well paced story and believable characters. I might even read the second one.
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August 21, 2018
Midnight's X Men
Midnight's Children by Salman RushdieMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I sort of liked this - 10 for effort. But I felt like I had climbed Mt Everest with people poking me with sticks on the way up. It's almost brilliant, but it's so frustrating, and repetitive and the story so undeveloped that you feel cheated even though the writing is magical and at times astounding. For those of you with a visual bent: it's X-men set in India at the dawn of independence, only their powers are all rubbish so they cant save themselves. Oh, and the main character is a boring impotent loser with a massive nose and nothing else to recommend him.
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July 25, 2018
Hitler's Finger Semifinalist
My book Hitler's finger is a semifinalist in the 2018 Adventure Writers Competeition. This means it is in the top ten of all the entries. The three finalists will be announced on the 15th of August. I hope this will encourage you to give it a go. It's still 99 cents but will rise to 4.99 at the end of July. Happy reading.
July 16, 2018
What's it like to self-publish a book?
Someone asked me what's it like to self publish a book and I have been thinking about it. This is the nearest I can get - It's like getting up the courage to walk naked down Oxford Street in London (UK) on a Saturday morning and then realising that nobody noticed or cared (or if they were British, they ignored you out of embarassment that you would do such a thing - the cheek of it!).
So be supportive, please, we have worked very hard to try and please you. Don't be mean because you spotted one typo. Just DM the author and they can correct it. We are human too.
So be supportive, please, we have worked very hard to try and please you. Don't be mean because you spotted one typo. Just DM the author and they can correct it. We are human too.
June 6, 2018
Not so Crazy Amy
Concealment by Rose EdmundsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn't all all sure I would like this but it grew on me and by the end I was really enjoying it. A fresh storyline with interesting technical detail and a protagonist who I would find unbearable as a friend, but I enjoyed reading about at a safe distance. Lots of great characters. Unlikely outcome. Have bought the next one. Wish me luck.
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