Sharon Bidwell's Blog, page 5

Update July 2023

Had a horrendous trip to the in-laws. Traffic jams, roadworks, diversions, reports of animals on the road and people throwing things from a bridge. Could anyone have thrown anything else into the mix? If I put all this into a story readers would say I'm being melodramatic or unrealistic, proving life is stranger than fiction. All this added a good couple of hours onto the journey, which did me no good at all.

Once back home, we continued with our ‘refresh’ of the house, repainting one wall in the guest bedroom, and touching up any marks. It’s never looked so good. I’ve now moved on to the room’s ensuite shower room, but discovered the wall needs a little attention once I pulled off the paper. I think it’s because we papered over bathroom paint, so we’ll put a different base coat on the wall we intend to re-paper once it’s repaired. Otherwise, there’s not much to do in there with snagging (small cracks in new builds) only over the shower.

FILM/TV:
We finished the Netflix limited series Midnight Mass, which turned out to be a questioning religious take on vampire mythology. The arguments presented and the thought-provoking dialogue were exceptional. About to finish watching the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films, which have been a nostalgic joy. And we watched series 4 of Stranger Things (Netflix), which we enjoyed the most of all the seasons. The way Netflix enhanced the sound was excellent and I hope they make this a more regular feature.

WRITING:
I now know why I’ve not written much since breaking my wrist, having received my latest edits. Many were stupid mistakes because I was typing with one hand and using dictation. However, surely my brain was also scrambled, as I should have caught most, if not all, of them during the last read. I must have gone over it too many times by then, so my eyes filled in the blanks, which is why writers need an editor or at least a second set of eyes. Fortunately, I have a fab editor. Wildest Dreams this will re-release in the autumn.

I also received my copy of Night to Dawn magazine #44, also out this autumn, containing my short story Brain Dead. More on that nearer the time.

Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x

Reads July 2023

 

Wounds, Nathan Ballingrud
When I started this book, I initially thought, WTH am I reading? I didn’t think this author’s work was for me, but as I went further and got used to his way of world building, which is to drop the reader straight into the darkest depths of hell, I became engrossed. For those of nervous dispositions they’d likely say they’re grossed out, but gory descriptions aside, it was the imaginative creativity of the writer’s style. Bizarre, surreal, warped… the stories presented here are all these things and more. From the borders of hell, indeed. Strangely, I enjoyed each subsequent story more, starting with my least favourite to the best — to my knowledge, The Butcher’s Table being a vision of piracy we’ve never seen before.

Ticktock, Dean Koontz
Mingle a devil doll, an unexplainable creature, a mad headlong dash to escape its deadly intent, a woman who seems more capable than any secret agent, and a dog with more abilities than your most intelligent canine and to some this book may seem ridiculous. The author explains his reason for writing this, but on this re-read, all I can say is it’s a lot of fun. Suspend belief and go along for the ride and the book reaches a satisfying if extraordinary conclusion. Some books are purely there to entertain.

Making Money, Terry Pratchett
No doubt baffling, but I have a handful of Terry Pratchett books left to read, well aware that when I’ve read them, there are no more (although I can and may well read them again). Therefore, though it’s been out for many years, this is my first reading of Making Money. What Terry and Moist von Lipwig did for the post office, he does here for the banks. What more can I say? Fine comic writing. Wonderful satire. Outstanding as always with a cast of unforgettable characters, including a dog with a newfound and beloved toy.

Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt
Thought-provoking tale with not-so-subtle themes on the meaning of life and death, immortality, and even freedom. I’d include this on any recommended reading list for children and teens. Although listed as a children’s book, this is one many adults enjoy. Still, I found this cautionary tale to be too short and would have preferred more emotional writing, even when I was of the intended age. Of course, if everyone lived indefinitely it would spell disaster, but it’s easier to see how it would be worse for the people in the book, then perhaps for someone with greater aspirations in a more modern world. A bittersweet read that doesn’t pack such a punch when we’ve moved so far away from a time when horses are the only means of transport. I couldn’t help thinking of vampire stories where they’ve had to invest their money, return as a distant relative to claim their own fortunes. In another scenario, eternal life might not be a curse for some, especially if it was possible to end it at a time of one’s choosing. Therefore, the warning here holds true, but not entirely, though it leaves the question of what you would do when Winnie is confronted with the offer at the end of the book.

Sole Survivor, Dean Koontz
A well plotted supernatural thriller, this book is going to mean different things to different people primarily depending on their religious beliefs. At first, I was a little irritated by its message, which I saw as potentially flawed. Without giving away the revelation, it’s hard to explain why, except to say there’s no way to know the truth behind what someone shows people. I think the main character of Joe Carpenter explores a husband's and father’s grief well, but the book feels overlong. There’s an almost comfortable ride, even through moments of tension and a lot left toward the end to be revealed. Not as boring as an info dump, still it’s a lot to take in. It’s like 90% of the book builds question after question and then the remaining chunk provides the answer and it left me feeling a little bombarded as I finished the novel. Having said that, I’d have to take time to consider how anyone would present this story in another format and it’s an imaginative plot. We know Koontz for incorporating his religious beliefs and there’s a high percentage of that here, but, as I’ve said, everything here is open to interpretation. It’s gripping enough to be well worth reading once, though this was a re-read for me after many years.

The Writer as Typesetter

Typesetter used to be an actual job. While I’m sure professionals typically handle book layout at major publishing houses, writers at mid-size and smaller publishers must now do it themselves. The days of huge mechanical machines are gone. Machines where someone had to lie out each word for printing, a job which must have been horrendous. So much of publishing is now electronic and I’m not referring solely to e-books. Writers handle the writing process, manuscript submission, edits, and layout.

At heart many object to this. I understand this is more cost-effective for the publisher. With new companies, a tiny publisher, and those offering a larger percentage split, it’s even crucial. Still, it leaves a lot to chance and sometimes can be a complicated process. The writer often has to work a day job, raise a family, have a life, AND write, AND promote. To lie out a work for publication can feel like the last insult. One reason this bites is a writer can go to all the hassle of formatting work to submit to a specific publisher, only to have it rejected. They then have to re-format the work to submit elsewhere. That’s why I firmly believe in the old Standard Manuscript Format. I certainly believe no publisher should require a writer to format a work any other way prior to acceptance, and not, necessarily, even then. Since when has a writer had to be a typesetter?

Likewise, most publishers have a house-style using a particular punctuation system and spelling rules. It’s impossible for writers to keep up with these ever-changing and differing systems. For any writer working with more than one publisher, it can be a nightmare, especially if the house-style updates. I’m a UK writer who often writes for a US market, so whether my books appear in English or American, spellings vary. Usually, I have no option but to at least accept a different punctuation system. I’ve had to come clean with these publishers, to tell them I only know one punctuation system: the one I grew up with. The more I tried to learn another, the worse my punctuation became. Some of these things are too much to ask of the average writer on an average day. It’s something any would-be writers out there need to be aware of. Typesetter is also commonly now part of the job.

Reads June 2023

The Other People, C.J.Tudor
First, let me say I like C.J.Tudor’s work and I found the opening of this book gripping. Can’t say I would call it horror unless I count human nature as being horrific. I’ve seen this referenced to Stephen King’s work, but it made me think of Dean Koontz. This is a suspense novel. A thriller. And I found it immensely enjoyable. The whole concept of a father seeing his daughter in the back of a strange car, which he tries to follow and loses track of, is a solid opening. It’s a fabulous book if one overlooks a likely plot hole; namely the incompetency of the police and the simple matter of DNA evidence. This book may have worked if set in another era where forensics weren’t so advanced, and there are also a few supernatural elements that aren’t fully explained… at least not to my satisfaction. In short, a superb book let down by a plot implausibility, which I struggle to believe no one — writer, editor, publisher — spotted. Saying all that, I still enjoyed it enough to suspend disbelief, mainly because of the suspense and will read more by this author.

No One Gets Out Alive (audio), Adam Nevill, read by Colleen Prenderghast
I picked this up for two reasons: It’s one of my favourite horror novels (yes, I’ve already read this), and I’ve enjoyed audio books read by this reader. It’s best to think of it as a book of two halves, though both have their share of scares. Many may feel this book goes on too long, and this especially comes across in narration (and in the second half), but I still enjoyed this story immensely. Some skilled editing could shorten this by making some sentences more concise, but I’d struggle to find much, if anything, worthy of deletion. This tale works as a horror on so many levels. As a ghost story, societal commentary, the isolation and fear of a woman alone, and the helplessness anyone would feel trying to make others accept an unbelievable truth. Suspenseful.

Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe (audio), Arvind Ethan David, read by Neil Gaiman and Jewel Staite
This is a short audio story only running for approximately 30 minutes. The premise is cute and funny and it’s something I could imagine Neil Gaiman writing. Neil wakes up to discover he’s the one-man crew of a deep space mission and fun ensues. Enjoyable narration and a fun half hour.

Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
Must admit I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series, though for most of the book I felt it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t read more. The plot feels less frantic this time, and there are some excellent chases (especially by ambulance) where I didn’t want to put the book down. Plus a nasty ‘fun’ surprise in a fortune-telling machine. The book still seemed to suffer from a protagonist who seems less interesting that the surrounding characters — as though he’s simply a device to hang everything on. The depth of his character feels a little flat, though maybe this is something that improves with subsequent books. I’ve the third book, so may reserve judgement until I’ve read that. I like this series, but finding it hard to pinpoint exactly why it’s not holding my attention as much as I want it to.

A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness
I knew the story though this is my first reading of this book, but I doubt it will be my last. Technically classed as a book for children, it’s one all of us need to read. Almost all of us will be in young Conor’s position at some point — losing someone we love from an illness. We’ll experience emotions we hate ourselves for, and perhaps, don’t even understand. This book deals with all that and more. It also teaches forgiveness, especially for oneself, and that emotions don’t always surface in the best or most obvious ways. Children may lose some of the nuance depending on age but, if they don’t take to it, I’d recommend trying again as they grow older. Indeed, the older one is, the more this might tear the reader apart. It may well devastate adults more, as we understand the pain in these pages too well. I’d have to place this among the best books ever written, and it’ll break your heart.

Back From the Dead, Chris Petit
I enjoy the occasional thriller, and the idea of letters from a girl long dead intrigued me enough to pick up this (inherited) novel, but I can’t claim to have liked this. The style is wandering with characters I find difficult to bring into focus. There’s no one here to root for, which is usually a requirement for a memorable protagonist. This book seems to comprise despicable, chameleon people who act pleasant, savage, angry, happy, miserable… a different way with each other each turn of the page. Undoubtedly deliberate, this makes the story feel surreal. Yet the author is well-acclaimed and has written a slew of novels. This, an earlier work, is perhaps the art of honing one’s craft. I liked the parts where the story tied in with actual events, something the author appears known for, and the total package certainly sets discordant threads thrumming in the reader’s mind. Not for those with a dislike of the need to pay close attention, and ultimately it’s a grim experience with the lead as obsessive as the wretched people who hire him. My feelings are ambiguous as this will stick in my mind a while where I would prefer it not to.

Intensity, Dean Koontz
When Chyna Shepherd crosses paths with a killer, she has to fight for more than her own life. A re-read for me I’m pleased to say I would still rate among the author’s best books. While I might not have thought this was as perfect as I did on my first read many years ago, much of this book remains intense. Yes, the antagonist possibly feels excessive, but not as caricatured as some famous criminals real or invented. Whatever writers can dream up, reality often trumps. But I recall the protagonist being among the first truly strong female characters despite her making one or two stupid mistakes. Being human and ‘not thinking’ makes for a more realistic person. She’s not superhuman. There are spiritual elements, which is often the case in Koontz books, but there’s no reason to buy into these if the reader doesn’t want to. The same elements could be coincidence yet give Chyna strength and determination. Only her belief in them is important. There is some animal injury and death, so that may be a trigger warning for some; I could deal because ultimately what happened is still the killer’s fault, but realistic in context, and not gratuitous.

The Midnight Club, Christopher Pike
If you’ve watched the Netflix series, don’t expect the same story in the book, though many of the book’s elements are present on screen. Also, the book’s publicised as a horror, and it most definitely isn’t that. It’s about teens coming to terms with their terminal illness. It’s profound, touching, and bittersweet, and a significant accomplishment — creating a book about death for teens that’s thought provoking. However, sometimes I felt drawn in and at others as though I was standing very much outside. I couldn’t help feeling that, if written today, it could have been so much more, and that some slight issues are terribly dated because of bigotry, which the author was clearly, and rightly, addressing. Taking these issues into consideration, the book would have been more outstanding when published than it is now, but still worth reading.

Reads May 2023

Roger Rabbit, Xerious Business, Gary K.Wolf

The fourth novel of the series and perhaps the best. This shows the human side of Jessica before she became a toon. I thoroughly enjoyed this, the first and fourth book possibly being my favourites. Don’t expect these books to follow on, one after the other. They each have their own stories and don’t pick up where the other left off. Take them for they are, as the author has written them, and they’re fun, though not as zany as the film. Don’t expect Disney here.

Inkspell, Cornelia Funke

I became more involved with Inkspell than I did Inkheart, possibly because in this one we enter Inkworld. Incidentally, from the German translation, the title actually reads Inkblood, which is directly linked to events in the trilogy and the books’ titles (Heart, Blood, Death). The wealth of characters may be perhaps the most absorbing thing about this book. There are many wonderful moments of tension, and I have to say also sadness, and all the characters get a goodly amount of ‘screen time’. I would say this book is better than Inkheart. This also feels much more like a fantasy intended for younger and older readers alike, but that’s where it’s imperfect. It’s a hefty read and I find it hard to pinpoint a right age to read this. It’s going to depend on the individual, their reading skill and love of books, so labelling it YA is only a rough guide. This book would feel overly long for some adults, so teens might well struggle with this. And although Meggie often acts childish (even thoughtless), she sometimes seems older than her 13 age. Perhaps older would have been better as the author somewhat unsuccessfully suggests a romance blossoming here between her and Farid, a relationship I’m not sure I believed. Indeed, the author excels most when tugging at the reader’s heartstrings dealing with the tragic. I love believed love elements through the bonds of father and daughter, husband and wife. Believed, but didn’t always feel — these books are action based — whereas Meggie and Farid seem more linked by a shared adventurous spirit rather than actual love; perhaps fitting, considering they’re so young.

Dark Halls, Jeff Menapace (ebook)

I expected a different antagonist and outcome, but the book has all the plot points needed to tell this story. The ghosts and spooky children are an excellent concept and made me want a bigger payout. The writing was a little too basic for me and the story would have benefitted by being more atmospheric.

Live and Let Die (James Bond), Ian Fleming (audio, read by Rory Kinnear)

I fully believe books are of their time and should remain as originally written, but have to admit even I blinked a time or two at the racist and sexist remarks. But then these books will never translate well to modern day, but such is the Bond universe, too. As a sign of the times, they have to be regarded as such, and no longer taken seriously. I also rolled my eyes when Bond faints from having a pinky finger broken. Fine, anyone might faint from pain, but Bond’s a secret agent and should have trained to withstand a certain amount of torture; later on in the book he undergoes worse with stolidness. This being only the second Bond instalment I’ve listened to, it amazes me how bad Bond is at blending in (also apparent in the films). It seems a running flaw of Fleming’s work that his undercover agent seldom truly works undercover. The reading was good to excellent in parts, though I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book either through the reading or story.

Dark Rivers of the Heart, Dean Koontz

A re-read for me, but one I quickly scanned through when I remembered I found it rather draining the first time. I quickly recollected much of the story which says something not having read it for many years, though not necessarily for the right reasons. With some interesting characters and a wonderful dog, this novel lacks the supernatural elements of so many of this author’s books. One for those into secret government agencies, but the reason the protagonist wants to track down an unknown woman is tenuous. The biggest fault of the book is over padding. I’m sure it could have lost 200 pages and been better for it. So many sequences seem never-ending. It’s a hard one to review, as many like it. Maybe one to read once, but not a keeper for me. The best thing about it for me was the dog, Rocky.

Welcome to Temptation, Jennifer Crusie

It’s marvellous to love a book as much on a re-read years later as much as when first read. This is one of those. I still rank this as Crusie’s best book. A steamy small town romance and mystery perfectly blended. This is a rare book where not one sentence seems out of place. With a perfect balance of characters (especially Sophie and Phin), and an ending that still made me laugh and smile, this book brings a bright meaning to carrying on family traditions. Top marks.

Faking It, Jennifer Crusie

This is a companion book to Welcome to Temptation, which I’d never read, so I read both books one after the other. Faking It is Davy’s story (brother to Sophie) from the first novel. While the plot may be as perfectly told and wild, it didn’t quite match my love of the first book, although it came close. One of the best things about Crusie’s books, are her wonderfully off the wall characters and there is a wealth of them here, even down to Steve, the dog. Yes, everyone here is deceitful in their way, but worth loving for the hysterical ending where everyone seems to have a thing for hiding out in the closet. A cute, fun story. I’m glad to have spent time with this.

Reads Feb/Mar 2023

READING:

A double helping as I didn't blog my February reads. I haven’t set all goals this year and doubt I’ll do as well as 2022 when I read 80.

February
Mr Murder, Dean Koontz
It’s often easy to forget how many accurate social statements Koontz puts into his novels, but he certainly filled Mr Murder with them. An action packed novel, with a solid plot making for an excellent supernatural thriller. I found the most absorbing sections to be those with the family. Second with the assassin, and thirdly with those following, but this could be because it is a re-read for me and I remember much of the book because of the doppelgänger element of the story. It’s also surprising how dated some books feel because of the advancement of technology; however, as in most Dean Koontz early novels, this doesn’t subtract from the enjoyment.

Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
If you’ve read Jennifer Crusie, or a Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer collaboration before, this book is unlike anything they’ve written. There’s a theme park, demons, demon minions, and magic. Plenty to have you engrossed, but if you’re expecting the usual romance, although the book has some romantic elements, this really isn’t romance. It’s a lighthearted but well plotted book that’s a little of fantasy, a little horror, and a little of romance. I’m still not sure if the book is lacking something, but if I asked to imagine what it is, I would say there are so many characters, you don’t get to know all of them deeply. However, that does not spoil the fun of the ride. As for the romances, you won’t learn much about why these people fall in love. In one particular instance, I found this a little disappointing. Still, I’m glad I read this.

Who Whacked Roger Rabbit? Gary K Wolf
Another good book in the Roger Rabbit series. The author must have incredible fun playing with famous people and making them part of his novels. Here, it’s Gary Cooper. The author may also try to get a world record by inventing the most number of toon puns. He certainly excels himself in this book. Jessica makes her usual appearance, this time the most saucy so far.

March
Inkheart, Cornelia Funke
I can’t help thinking fans of Narnia would love this series. A story within a story it speaks to those who love books and want to step inside them, though in some ways it’s a cautionary tale of being careful what you wish for. The cast of characters is wonderful and oddly I’m taken with the love and hate relationship towards Dustfinger. He’s not a bad guy, but like people in real life is also far from perfect. I especially love the quotations from other books at the start of each chapter because they are so well thought out and selected. The threat is there, but if I was to point out any negative, it’s that designed as a book for children the bad guys are mellowed down somewhat, so for any adults reading this it comes across as a little diluted; I’m truly sorry I never discovered these as a child, though at the time I was reading books such as Treasure Island, and Oliver Twist, so could still deal with much more menace than this book offers. Ultimately, it’s a very enjoyable story, and the author has created an incredible world.

Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie
Not the usual book I’m used to from this author. It’s less a romance than a ghost story, with a romance incorporated. The romance doesn’t even really kickoff until halfway, and I found myself more interested in the ghosts. Still, this was an entertaining, pleasant read. I enjoyed it, liked the characters, and I’m happy to have spent time with it, although it wasn’t as much fun as some of her earlier books.

Winter Moon, Dean Koontz
Oddly, I had completely forgotten about this book. The premise didn’t ring a bell, and neither did I recollect anything when I began re-reading. I find this surprising, as it’s quite a good story. More purely science-fiction than much of Dean Koontz’s work, which I think of as supernatural and paranormal thrillers. Perhaps I had forgotten it, because while the first half of the book contains tension, it flows around two separate men with seemingly no connection. One dealing with the adversity of being a cop injured in the line of duty, and the other dealing with a no lesser threat but undeniably strange. It’s in the second half of the book that the tension escalates, ending at a fast pace towards the end. If I have any negatives to add, it’s that although the story is over, the conclusion feels a little rushed after so much tension, which left me feeling a little dropped. I’m also not entirely certain the final decision the family makes felt entirely satisfying to me — I felt that had to be a better compromise. Still, these are small niggles, and I thoroughly recommend this book. Perhaps one to enjoy as a modern twist on the Lovecraft universe.

Through the Woods, Emily Carroll
Certainly strange enough. Of the five stories in this graphic novel, Our Neighbor’s House lingers, as does A Lady’s Hands Are Cold, though mostly because of the rhyme. His Face All Red, and Janna felt a little disjointed. The Nesting Place has no actual surprises, but made me chuckle. The intro and end are fun, but nothing more. I love the style and atmosphere created, but only liked rather than loved.

Everything on a Waffle, Polly Horvath
Although this is a book for children, there’s a lot here for adults. Namely, the adult personalities seen through the eyes of a child. With her parents missing at sea presumed dead, it’s interesting to watch how the other adults react to Primrose’s plight and her insistence that they will return. It’s a decent read for the younger readers, and though I wouldn’t call it a must-have for a child’s library, it would be an interesting one to include. Contains some very peculiar recipes.

Thirteen Storeys, Jonathan Sims (audio)
An interesting cast of characters, each with their own story of being haunted while living in the strange building owned by Tobias Fell. A little wandering at times, though this may be because I was listening to the audio rather than reading the book, but the varied cast portraying the various occupants well read the audio. Of course, the stories come together in the climactic ending, one which wasn’t all together surprising but not entirely predictable. It’s one I might like to read on the page as well. A good one for the library of anyone who likes ghost stories.

The Book of M, Peng Shepherd
I’m ambiguous about this book. When I first began reading this, I thought this was going to be absorbing, and it is… in parts. Unfortunately, as the strangeness progresses, the author initially lost me quite early on (about 140 pages in) when something so bizarre happens, it truly makes no sense until much later. There are moments that are gripping, but moments I happily sped over. Some of the book feels overly long, or overly descriptive. I became invested with the characters, but maybe not as much with some as I should have. Parts of it are incredibly sad — made me think of what it must be like to live with someone who has Alzheimer’s, or to suffer from it — and the story has a shock or two. This is definitely one where you have to park your disbelief at the door. This is a tough book to review — on the one hand, it’s incredible. It’s certainly imaginative, certainly unique in a way that makes me want to applaud the author. Yet some will think it bizarre and it’s one I’m happy to put into the charity pile or to pass on to my local library. I think this story could’ve been told more concisely, and with more emotion to make it a keeper, but despite this, it’s an amazing concept.

Update Feb/March 2023

 AT HOME:

No update last month as not much to report, so a longer Reading section to cover two months next week. In the last weeks, the husband finished setting up the wall cabinets with ‘slight’ help from me, and I cheered to type a few sentences, albeit at an awkward and tiring angle, and to wash up and cut vegetables. Small conquests. I’ve improved some, but have booked some physiotherapy. Ironically, it’ll be cheaper for me to pay locally than to get cabs to and from the hospital if I could put up a strong enough fight to get an appointment. Remember, I’ve been told the wrist has healed however it’s healed and to go home and use it. I’ll keep exercising until I’m seen, but I think I could do with some help now, or at least advice. I’ve had my first story acceptance in a long time, which was pleasing as so much has been/is on hold. More on that at the end.

FILM/TV:
We’re ploughing our way through Bones as we never saw them when our Sky Box melted years ago. Sky insisted we still had a box and would do nothing, so we dropped them. Have to say we’re enjoying the show much more this time without the interruption of adverts.

We’re also working through Hotel Del Luna, a South Korean series blending horror, comedy, romance, and fantasy thanks to the supernatural setting of a hotel which acts as a kind of limbo for those spirits not ready to pass on to the afterlife. Loving it, and especially like the look of the show, but the episodes are long and need attention owing to the subtitles, so it’s taking some time.

Also watching Beyond Paradise on BBC iPlayer, though it’s strange to see Looe in Cornwall as the fictional village of Shipton Abbot in Devon. Amazed there wasn’t a riot as the Cornwall/Devon divide is real.

WRITING:
If you only had hours to live, would you want to know exactly how long you had left? Night to Dawn Magazine will publish a short zombie story of mine entitled Brain Dead. More news when I have it.

Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x

Reads Feb 2023

Mr Murder, Dean Koontz

It’s often easy to forget how many accurate social statements Koontz puts into his novels, but he certainly filled Mr Murder with them. An action packed novel, with a solid plot making for an excellent supernatural thriller. I found the most absorbing sections to be those with the family. Second with the assassin, and thirdly with those following, but this could be because it is a re-read for me and I remember much of the book because of the doppelgänger element of the story. It’s also surprising how dated some books feel because of the advancement of technology; however, as in most Dean Koontz early novels, this doesn’t subtract from the enjoyment.

Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

If you’ve read Jennifer Crusie, or a Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer collaboration before, this book is unlike anything they’ve written. There’s a theme park, demons, demon minions, and magic. Plenty to have you engrossed, but if you’re expecting the usual romance, although the book has some romantic elements, this really isn’t romance. It’s a lighthearted but well plotted book that’s a little of fantasy, a little horror, and a little of romance. I’m still not sure if the book is lacking something, but if I asked to imagine what it is, I would say there are so many characters, you don’t get to know all of them deeply. However, that does not spoil the fun of the ride. As for the romances, you won’t learn much about why these people fall in love. In one particular instance, I found this a little disappointing. Still, I’m glad I read this.

Who Whacked Roger Rabbit? Gary K Wolf

Another good book in the Roger Rabbit series. The author must have incredible fun playing with famous people and making them part of his novels. Here, it’s Gary Cooper. The author may also try to get a world record by inventing the most number of toon puns. He certainly excels himself in this book. Jessica makes her usual appearance, this time the most saucy so far.

Reads of January 2023

 Life Signs (Firefly), James Lovegrove

Not my favourite of the Firefly books. Being rather action based, the story seems to lack some of the nuance of the crew’s banter. Still, an interesting premise and an enjoyable book, though I had to wonder if some of the crew would’ve acted differently, especially Jayne. I find it hard to believe Jayne would’ve agreed so easily to go down to the planet without some promise of recompense. I don’t know why the story felt slightly soulless; perhaps it’s because the crew are at odds in this story somewhat more than any others, or so at least it seemed to me. I found it harder to hear their voices, though I’m still happy to add this to my Firefly library.

Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
Another fun collaboration from these two with a plot that barely pauses combining romance, comedy, mystery and thriller. Possibly the wedding from hell for most, but hilarious for anyone only attending. There’s also plenty of non-graphic murder and mayhem. Took me a while to read owing to an injury, not a lack of interest. I couldn’t help picturing the hitman as a Seeley Booth type (from Bones).

Penpal, Dathan Auerbach
I’m not sure how to feel about this book. Perhaps it could’ve been written a little better, though there’s nothing exactly wrong with it. I think some of the problem is the way it jumps in the timeline, with much of the book told as memories. This makes it a first person point of view, filled with comments such as I recalled and I remember, so it’s largely telling rather than showing. For a horror or thriller lover, there are some decidedly creepy moments that build a disturbing question as to the identity of the strange penpal. This might make a rather enjoyable film and I enjoyed the read; however, the major menace seemed somehow secondary, playing along the periphery but never stepping into the light, though maybe the fact that not everything has the right answers is part of what makes the book disturbing. The story keeps you guessing, and the ending is heartbreaking. But something felt a little off. Perhaps because the children seemed older than their years no matter what their ages. It’s a decent book, that with the right editor could be excellent; I liked it but just don’t feel it quite lives up to the hype.

Dogs and Goddesses, Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, Lana Diane Rich
A solid plot, amusing characters, lots of fun, and don’t forget the talking dogs. If you don’t mind a plot driven romance with characters that aren’t all that deep, this makes for a fun read.

Reads of 2022

Owing to unforeseen circumstances, namely having broken my wrist, I won’t be blogging much, and my publishing plans will change a little this year. For now I’ll leave you with my 2022 reading round-up. I set myself a goal of 75 books and, including audio, I managed 80. Noting some of my favourite books, here goes:

Cunning Folk, Adam L.G. Nevill
Having experienced bad neighbours, this book contained some personal horror for me, so much so, I found it hard to switch off after reading one section. Yes, this is supernatural horror, but the twin joys of moving in a money pit of a house next door to the worse neighbours one can imagine makes for a memorable folk horror. I must admit, the ‘folk next door’ presented a greater horror than what might be out in the woods for me. Maybe disturbing more than scary, but, though horror is a favourite genre for me, I’ve yet to find a truly scary book. I found a few of the descriptive sentences a little too much, perhaps excessively flowery, needing to read them twice, but I find Nevill’s style of work compelling, so even an occasional awkward sentence would never deter me. Opinions are just that, anyway, with no true right or wrong. I’m a reader who appreciates an author who takes me on an unexpected journey, and I also appreciate Nevill has an extensive vocabulary. The descent into madness (neighbours driving a person crazy), is spot-on and disturbingly delightful.

Thud, Terry Pratchett
A less humorous book than many other Discworld novels, but so intelligent. There’s a lot of subtexts here covering government, racism, human nature, among others, with all the stupidity that comes along with these failings. An education in erudition with Sam Vimes, the teacher of the decade. And most of all, a book where every reader will root for Sam to get home on time to read ‘Where’s my Cow?’

Hex, Thomas Olde Heuvelt
This book may well be unique in terms of a haunting. The setting is not a haunted house but an entire village, and the ‘ghost’ is that of a witch which has corporal form yet the ability to wander at will. Something of a slow burn in places it’s received a few mixed reviews, though fans who love not to be rushed and like Stephen King, might get on well with this. I hated every moment I had to put it down. Written in mostly omnipresent head-hopping viewpoints, the novel suffers from an overuse of cliches, but the story blows these minor issues aside. There’s so much subtext here, dealing with all we know about violence and fear, and of how humans don’t need true evil to misbehave. The revelation of evil is inspired, and the ending is a simply perfect conclusion, pulling all threads together. I’ve seen reviews from those who feel otherwise, but it comes down to what the reader wants from a horror story. I’ve yet to find such a book that truly scares me. Some have come close to disturbing me, but for me, that’s not quite the same thing. Hex does neither, but I loved this book, found it insidiously fascinating. This story will always be with me, as will my copy, and that’s what the best books have — an unforgettable quality. Would make an excellent film if done well.

Operation Wildcat and Other Stores, Edited by Tim Gambrell
Not sure I should review this as it contains one of my stories, so let me just say my favourite idea in the book is Honourable Discharge by Chris Lynch, though I also liked Old Fowlkes’ Home by Martin Parker as it’s an Anne Travers story.

The Mangle Street Murders, M.R.C.Kasasian
Best described as a black comedy, the novel deals with a series of grisly murders and a seemingly unsolvable crime, but the most criminal thing about the story is the unrepentant and awful personality of Grice — a detective far more cutting than Sherlock and darkly comic because of it. The type of blunt and terrible temperament, one cannot help but laugh at and cringe while doing so. I loved to loathe him, though loathe is too strong a word. The tale’s told through the viewpoint of his ward, March Middleton, and it is as much about her having to put up with Grice as her strength and determination that makes this book amusing. And like any good detective story, there’s a meandering puzzle that only the warped mind of Grice could easily work out. I’ll be reading more of these.

Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie
Loved this immediately. Quinn’s fury over the dog is priceless, and understandable to pet owners everywhere. The author well worked the overlapping relationships in this story. Women everywhere will get the issue the women have, and men reading this might become enlightened. Nick and Quinn are excellent characters for a romance. One word of warning: this book could contain triggering issues for abuse victims, though dealt with well toward the end. A few viewpoints may also seem outdated, but then all books are of their time.

Who Censored Roger Rabbit, Gary Wolf
When a book makes you laugh in the first few sentences, it’s a good sign, but I know not everyone feels this way. I suppose it depends how attached to the Disney film you are. The book’s different, written in a more serious tone. I have to say I liked both versions. I found the noir detective feel and ‘heard’ an occasional sentence as spoken by Bob Hoskins. This book isn’t the film. Anyone expecting that is bound to feel disappointed. Roger’s in no way as zany, but I liked the character’s development and grew extremely attached to him, though in a completely different way from the film. I can’t say more without giving away the ending, but it even plucked at the old heartstrings. I own the other three books and will read them.

The Sleeper and the Spindle, Neil Gaiman
A short story of a re-imagined fairy tale from one of my favourite writers brought to life with the meticulously illustrated works of Chris Riddell. I know it’s aimed at children but had to have it as part of my Gaiman collection, and it’s a beautiful book to look at and handle. I would have loved this as a child and still do as an adult.

Bet Me, Jennifer Crusie
This fast-paced, hysterical romance has to be one of Crusie’s best books. I’ve always loved her banter, but here almost every line is perfect and funny. A story about a commitment phobe, a woman who has viewed herself through her mother’s eyes for too many years, and a shabby cat that loves Elvis Presley’s music. This might be classed as a big beautiful woman book, though truly Min is a perfectly normal woman. After reading this, many women will want their own ‘donut pusher’. This doesn’t beat my favourite book of hers, but it’s close, winning on the laughs alone.

The Vessel, Adam L.G.Nevill
All the way through this book, I kept thinking this book should be a film, which makes perfect sense once I got to the end and read the author’s notes. The old woman struck me as the harbinger of evil, and there didn’t have to be anything supernatural about her to make me shudder. But this is horror, so nothing is straightforward. Present tense omnipresent isn’t really a style I love, but for this book, it’s perfect. We see the action from a wide camera lens, which does a good job rocketing up tension. I wasn’t terrified, but found this satisfying creepy with a conclusion I adored. A short but entertaining read that’s a perfect example of dark fiction, which I feel has a broader connotation than horror.

A Short Stay in Hell, Steven L.Peck
How does one even describe this novella of only 100 pages? At first I found it somewhat tedious, but that only seems right considering the events in the story. Slowly, I found I couldn’t put it down. As a lover of books, I thought eternity in a library doesn’t sound like such a bad thing… until I learned the truth of those books. Then the truth of love found and lost, which seemed even greater punishment. A truer horror was the inevitability of some human natures. Though a simple idea, here, the author proves hell doesn’t have to contain hellfire to be torturous. A horror novel? No. And certainly not horrific. But insidiously horrifying.

A House at the Bottom of a Lake, Josh Malerman
Some books defy definition and this is one. Some will love this; others loathe it. I honestly don’t know what I just read. I know I enjoyed it, but was it good, or was it bad? There are some creepy moments, in part (I feel) owing to the strange setting. The underlying sense of threat in being able to drown down in the dark is present like a character all its own, but drown in what? In water? In horror? In the hope and hopelessness of love? The book reads like an allegory of love. There is menace here, but those expecting a true horror novel may be disappointed. Those approaching the story with an open mind may be better rewarded.

Last Days, Adam Nevill
Asked to film a documentary about a defunct cult is a job Kyle will come to regret. A bold idea exceedingly well-written. My only negative isn’t that it’s a long book but that it also felt a little overlong. Would take an experienced editor to know what to cut, though, as there’s a lot to take in, but I feel the length diminished the deliciously creepy suspense some. Not enough to affect my enjoyment, but for me the book loses a star because of it… which isn’t drastic criticism by any means. Had I not read the book, I would have missed a wild ride and much scary imagery. Extremely imaginative and well worth spending time with.

Piranesi, Susanna Clarke.
A strange book that made me question what in the world I was reading. It’s certainly memorable. Like it or not, this story may well stay with the reader for a long time, if not forever. All the number of day in the month of the albatross in the number of hall got rather monotonous, which made me feel uncertain at first, but the more I read the more engrossed I became. The best thing about this book is the way the author reveals the mystery, and the way she builds Piranesi’s world in the mind. To my mind, this is no Strange and Norrell epic (the first book for which the author’s so well-known), but it’s still impressive, mostly in its construction. On a minor note, though a small volume, the hardback is a lovely-looking book to have on the shelves.

Who P-P-P-Plugged Roger Rabbit?, Gary K.Wolf
At the start of this book, I felt I would not enjoy it as much as the first, but as soon as a short relative of Jessica’s was introduced, I laughed all the way to the end. Gary has the witty patter down p-p-p-perfectly. I have such fond memories of the film, but feel as though the rabbit written here is worth loving all over again. I’m also left feeling a mite sorry for him, which only adds to the charm of these stories. Another surprise to enjoy was a whole new take of how Gone With the Wind was cast.

Pan’s Labyrinth, Guillermo Del Toro & Cornelia Funke
If you’ve watched the film, there’s no real reason to read the book, though I wanted to, and the lovely illustrations, and the stories within the story, which aren’t told on screen enhance the experience. The book’s a charming keepsake and complements the film somewhat as it’s always nice to get internalisations which almost no film provides. Also, the book is English, whereas the film is Spanish with English subtitles (not that I find subtitles a problem). Neither the book nor the film is a fairy tale for young children owing to the violence and imagery, but is a wonderful fantasy for some teens and adults alike.

Ending with my outstanding reads of the year I have to go back to a classic and to an audio dramatisation:

Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
I thought I’d read this when young, but I remembered little of it. It’s more likely someone told me the story, because had I read this, there’s no way I would have forgotten the writing. I can’t help thinking had I ever turned in a story written in such a style, my teachers would have thrown fits, siting grammar rules until I grew dizzy. But this is the indomitable Bradbury and not only does he know how to break the rules, he does it so well. Some of my teachers would have cited that many sentences don’t make grammatical sense, and they don’t in a purist way, but what they do is conjure up sensations and emotions. Take the title alone, which at least one teacher would have told me should read Something Wicked Comes This Way… but it would never have been so memorable; would never be so visceral. Plus, there’s the multi-layers of subtext: a book about good and evil, being young, growing old, accepting these things, not harping on them, not worrying about them and not fearing them so much one forgets to live, to enjoy and feel blessed every day. It also speaks of friendship and family, of love, and of laughing in the face of despair as a way of pushing back the darkness — the sorrows of life and the eventual darkness. I’m sure others will find their own interpretations, but for me, this book covers the gamut of life and death in all its joys and woes. Chilling, full of dread, atmospheric, mesmerising, thrilling, captivating, and masterfully executed.

The Sandman (Volume One), Neil Gaiman and cast (audio dramatisation)
Thoroughly loved this. Maybe you need to be a fan of the source material, but this is an enjoyable and faithful representation of the graphic novels. Some purists may not agree, but I feel this added to my appreciation of the books and Gaiman’s work. With a great cast, including Michael Sheen, Andy Serkis, and Bebe Neuwith, James McAvoy is the perfect choice for Morpheus. It’s a lovely thought that this production also brings the story to the blind.