Colin Garrow's Blog, page 31
October 31, 2021
‘Rebel Hearts’ by Kevin Toolis
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Recounting the investigation by journalist Kevin Toolis into the lives of men and women who were part of the IRA’s efforts to oust the British Army from Ireland during the infamous ‘troubles’. Exploring the history of the cause and the republican (and loyalist) interpretations of it, Toolis uses…
October 30, 2021
‘Blowing the Bloody Doors Off’ by Michael Caine
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Written in his 85th year veteran British actor Michael Caine looks back on his life with a view to highlighting what he’s learned. Although primarily aimed at those with a yen for performance, his advice is useful for anyone wanting to better themselves. With stories and anecdotes from…
October 24, 2021
‘Insider’ by Owen Mullen
My Review (5 stars out of 5) With bad-boy Danny out of the way, the remaining members of the notorious Glass family prepare for war. Luke strives to find people he can trust to keep his empire safe, but with rumours of a police spy within the firm, he must tread carefully. To make matters…
‘A Wanted Man’ by Lee Child
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Sporting a newly busted nose, Jack Reacher isn’t hopeful of hitching a ride in Nebraska, but eventually, one car does stop. Though the three passengers—two men and a woman—have believable explanations for their journey and their slightly strange outfits, Reacher soon finds himself picking holes in their account.…
October 23, 2021
‘This Much is True’ by Miriam Margolyes
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) Known for memorable characters including Lady Whiteadder and Professor Sprout, roles in Little Dorrit and Oliver Twist, and a host of voice-overs for TV adverts, Miriam Margolyes is a national treasure. From her childhood in Oxford and posing naked for artist Augustus John to working with Martin…
October 22, 2021
‘Manson’ by Jeff Guinn
My Review (5 stars out of 5) How did ex-con and delinquent Charles Manson entice young people to join his ‘family’ and persuade them to commit murder? In this well-researched biography, Jeff Guinn interviewed childhood friends, cellmates, Manson’s own sister and cousin and even members of the Manson Family. Placing Manson firmly in the context…
October 17, 2021
‘Malice Aforethought’ by Francis Iles
My Review (5 stars out of 5) In the garden of Doctor and Mrs Bickleigh during the inter-war years, a tennis party brings together friends and neighbours. But socialising is not on the henpecked doctor’s mind. Instead, he has his sights on the young Gwynyfryd Rattery whose charms he hopes to surmount under the guise…
October 9, 2021
‘The Last Conception’ (Movie Review)
My Review (4 stars out of 5) It’s unusual to see a movie representing Indian culture coming out of Hollywood, but The Last Conception has a lot going for it. Savarna Sikand (Nazanin Mandi), and her girlfriend (played by Callie Schuttera) have been dating for a couple of years but so far Savarana hasn’t got…
September 30, 2021
‘The Savage Altar’ by Asa Larsson
My Review (5 stars out of 5) On the floor of a church in the frozen wastes of northern Sweden, a body lies oozing blood. Stabbed, slashed and with its eyes gouged out, the gruesome discovery will leave church members and the local community horrified. On discovering the murder, the victim’s sister quicky becomes the…
September 25, 2021
‘A Town Like Alice’ by Nevil Shute
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audio Book) Twenty-year-old Jean Paget is captured by the Japanese while working in Malaya during World War Two. Along with a group of women and children she is forced to march through the jungle while the enemy figures out what to do with their prisoners. Meeting some Australian…
