Roland Clarke's Blog, page 30
March 1, 2019
The Pearl Thief – a review
When I was compiling my list for the 2019 Cloak
and Dagger Challenge, I missed off a number of books including
Elizabeth Wein’s The Pearl Thief. As
Wein’s Code Name Verity was my top
read in 2018, I was looking forward to reading this prequel.
Well listening to what was my first Audible novel, though not my first audio
book.
I’m now listening
to another Elizabeth Wein novel – Black Dove, White Raven – but back to the
review of my sixth read for the Challenge
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The Pearl Thief
by
Before Verity . .
. there was Julie.
When fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in the hospital, she knows
the lazy summer break she’d imagined won’t be exactly like she anticipated. And
once she returns to her grandfather’s estate, a bit banged up but alive, she
begins to realize that her injury might not have been an accident. One of her
family’s employees is missing, and he disappeared on the very same day she
landed in the hospital.
Desperate to figure out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scots
Traveller boy who found her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister
Ellen. As Julie grows closer to this family, she experiences some of the
prejudices they’ve grown used to firsthand, a stark contrast to her own
upbringing, and finds herself exploring thrilling new experiences that have
nothing to do with a missing-person investigation.
Her memory of that day returns to her in pieces, and when a body is discovered,
her new friends are caught in the crosshairs of long-held biases about
Travellers. Julie must get to the bottom of the mystery in order to keep them
from being framed for the crime.
In the prequel to Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this
exhilarating coming-of-age story returns to a beloved character just before she
learned to fly.
Review 5 stars
After I was bowled over by the brilliance of Elizabeth Wein’s
Code Name Verity, I enjoyed
re-connecting with the memorable Julia Beaufort-Stuart – albeit when she was
fifteen.
This is a different genre – a mystery and coming-of-age story that my wife and I listened to engrossed. This was our first Audible book and the narration by actress was excellent, bringing to life the characters.
The mystery begins when Julia wakes up in hospital and
realises that her injury might not have been an accident. Desperate to figure
out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scots Traveller boy who found
her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister Ellen. As Julie grows
closer to this family, she experiences some of the prejudices they’ve grown
used to first-hand, a stark contrast to her own upbringing, and finds herself
exploring thrilling new experiences.
Wein artfully weaves pearl gathering in the river and a
missing-person investigation into Julia’s evolving relationships. Facts are slipped
into scenes in subtle ways, and the author even adds a useful addendum about
Pearls and Travellers at the very end. Wein always strikes me as a writer that
does her research and knows how to knit it into a tale – as she does here.
The characters were distinctive and grew over time, not just
as their layers were unpeeled but also by their interactions. For instance, the
complex relationship between Julia and Ellen grows from social divide to mutual
understanding and deep friendship. Others grow from their shells or achieve deserved
recognition in a similar way.
The Scottish setting echoed my own time there, especially
along stretches of riverbank. And some of the prejudices were familiar from the
class world I know.
By the end, the mysteries – yes, there I far more than one-
have been solved in unexpected ways. For me, some seeds had been sown that foreshadowed
Code Name Verity – subtle and
poignant.
An excellent listen – and another memorable character.
Story – five stars
Setting/World-building
– five stars
Characters – five
stars
Authenticity –
five stars
Structure – five
stars
Narration – five
stars
Editing – five
stars
February 24, 2019
Rebecca – a review
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I was unsure whether I could count Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca as my fifth Cloak
and Dagger read of 2019, but at least it is the February/March
book for The Insecure Writer’s Support
Group Book Club group so I can tick that off.
Then, I read the word ‘mystery’ in a description of the book.
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Rebecca
by
Last night I
dreamt I went to Manderley again…
The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the
dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned
and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when
they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow
his late wife will cast over their lives–presenting her with a lingering evil
that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.
First published in 1938, this classic gothic novel is such a compelling read
that it won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the Century.
Review 5 stars
This was a classic that I thought I had read, but I hadn’t. Now
I’m glad I did as it’s memorable and worthy of multiple reads.
Although the novel is described as gothic – and by some as a
romance – for me it was also a mystery. Its style by today’s standards might be
called dated and yet it was ahead of its time – as was the author.
Much of the narration is as chunks of description mixed with
reflection and conjecture by the un-named protagonist living in the shadow of
Rebecca. In comparison with the title character, this new Mrs de Winter seems naïve,
powerless and at the mercy of others. At first, it would be easy to dismiss her
– even the novel – without giving either a chance…without understanding the
heroine or the shy author.
I grew up in a world not dissimilar to Manderley, albeit one
that had lost its glitter but not its attitudes. I felt myself intimidated by
scary and overbearing people – especially when I did something wrong. Society and
doing the right thing frightened me.
Especially when such amazing people as Rebecca were being fawned
over.
Rebecca may be the deceased wife of Maxim de Winter, but she
pervades the story, the house and the grounds. She’s on everyone’s lips. It’s a
clever device making her so dominant, giving the novel her name, and naming
her, not the protagonist. And it works. The reader is fooled along with the new
Mrs de Winter into believing the myth – until the doubts appear.
Mrs Danvers, doth protest too much, methinks. She is the
archetypal retainer that creates fear and doubts. Rebecca haunts Manderley in
one way, Mrs Danvers in another – a brilliant creation, reminiscent of other
classic scary presences. A living vampire?
All the characters are distinctive. All reminded me of people
I had met – even worked with. The mannerisms felt familiar, whether Beatrice,
the loquacious sister, or Frank Cawley, the faithful agent for Manderley. Even
Maxim de Winter was real with all his faults and guilt buried.
If I had to befriend just one, it would be Jasper. The dog?
Yes, the faithful exuberant spaniel.
One other character enfolds the novel – Manderley. The house
becomes character, atmosphere and setting. At first magnificent and untouchable
with buried secrets. Manderley fills the narrator’s thoughts, not just the
house but the gardens and the sea coves. As the protagonist’s thoughts change
so do the descriptions of setting, of home, of the weather, of the vegetation.
Or is it vice versa? The weather changes and then her thoughts?
But they are all one, interacting as the plot unfolds –
setting and thought and events. The past even before Rebecca. Even before
Manderley. The sea and the fog.
Cliffhanging language that I need to immerse myself in again.
Story – five stars
Setting/World-building
– five stars
Characters – five
stars
Authenticity –
five stars
Structure – five
stars
Readability – five
stars
Editing – five
stars
February 21, 2019
Ten Minutes Past Teatime – a review
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This is the first
post written with my new ‘one-handed’ keyboard – well, smaller than my
UK-bought one so easier to use when my left-hand cramps and claws. Just need to
adapt to its idiosyncrasies.
On to my review of a
short story that a writer I follow sent her subscribers.
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Ten Minutes Past
Teatime
by
Elizabeth
Chatsworth (Goodreads Author)
Please note, this is
a short story/novelette.
A Victorian spinster-scientist and a Viking shield-maiden find passion and
danger in dark-age Ireland.
1896: Forty-three-year-old scientist Miss Minerva Minett is determined to
become the first female member of an exclusive inventor’s club. To win their
annual membership competition, she invents a time-traveling submersible, and
launches her vessel into the Irish sea for a quick trip to the dark ages. But
when she sinks a Viking longship, accidentally joins a monastery raid, and
falls into the arms of a grizzled shield-maiden, she discovers that time may
not be on her side.
Review 4.3 stars
This entertaining steampunk short story had me amused and entertained
as forty-three-year-old Victorian scientist Miss Minerva Minett attempted to
become the first female member of an exclusive inventor’s club, by launching
her time-traveling submersible into the Irish sea for a quick trip to the dark
ages.
From the amusing opening through her encounter with the
grizzled shield-maiden, Alfhild to the twist at the end, I chuckled at the
inventive mind of Minerva and her creator.
The experiments and inventions were as memorable as the
characters, including the one that delivered the twist at the end. Being
steampunk, I expected alternative history, so I won’t over-judge the
authenticity beyond wondering about some oddities such as a misplaced dragon-head.
The romance between Alfhild and Minerva is a bonus with neat
contrasts across cultures and time. And with a name like Minerva, there had to
be goddess references.
Alfhild was the true goddess, not she. Or maybe they both were?
It was a thesis she would have to explore in more detail. For the sake of science.
But the humour is always there.
Minerva cocked her head. Surely, she didn’t hear the word goldfish in the chorus? “ . . . Minerva’s Magic Goldfish. Answers every sailor’s wish . . .” Oh, dear.
A fun read, although short.
Story – five stars
Setting/World-building
– four stars
Characters – five stars
Authenticity – three
stars
Structure – four
stars
Readability – five
stars
Editing – four
stars
February 19, 2019
The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition) book launch
As writers, we all have our favorite writing
methods. For instance, some swear by Scrivener, while others write in Word or
Google docs. Some prefer to draft longhand, using colorful gel pens and
notebooks.
Most of
us have a favorite writing book (or ten), too. These books have helped us
understand storytelling better, demystifying certain aspects of writing. Well,
today I’m taking part in welcoming a new writing guide into the world: The Emotion Thesaurus (Second
Edition).
You may have heard of The Emotion Thesaurus before, or even have a copy as I do – a well thumbed copy. The original’s lists of body language, thoughts, and visceral sensations for 75 unique emotions made brainstorming character expressions and reactions so much easier. It quickly became a bestseller.
Now, there’s a bigger, better second edition. Angela
and Becca have added 55 NEW emotions
such as Euphoria, Vindicated, and Schadenfreude.
(And that’s not all that’s new, either…the book is almost twice the size as
the original.)
Anyway, if you’re interested in checking it out,
you can read some of the reviews on
Goodreads or find information here.
One more thing to tell you
about…are you ready for this?
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GIVEAWAY
ALERT!
Wish you could attend a free writing retreat, go to a conference, snag a seat at a workshop, or have your professional
membership to a writing organization paid for? Of course
you do!
Well, at Writers Helping Writers, one lucky winner
will get one of the above, up to a $500 US value.
This is the giveaway of a lifetime, so hurry over to
enter!
February 17, 2019
#WEP/IWSG February 2019 challenge – 28 Days
My #WEP/IWSG post for February is part of the 2019 WEP/IWSG Challenge and the conclusion of the incident from my Halloween/Deja Vu or Voodoo post, White Lady. and my December Ribbons and Candles post, Rushlight Wreathes.
However, this is not the only incident in the career of Sparkle Anwyl that unfolds in Fevered Few, Book 1 of the Snowdon Shadows police procedural series. I m.ay return to Wales for future WEP/IWSG entries but I need o avoid spoilers – at least in relation to the main plot
Pongal Blood
Dark brown splatters.
Shivers tease me. Blood can signify crime, accident or
nature.
The spots on the kitchen counter would have been suspect at
a crime scene. A reason for luminol spray and light. But no weapon. Not even a knife.
A wooden love spoon bears witness on the wall.
It wasn’t me – even in our bathroom where Kama has heightened
my sense of cleanliness.
My time of the month was as cyclical as the moon, but work
stress has played games with it. Kama is more constant. Does meditation help
her? Is that why she is now in our garden staring at the sun?
Clues are on the counter.
By her head movement, Kama hears me open the garden door
onto the small paved area where she has traced the auspicious kolam design in white lime powder in the
early morning after bathing.
She continues her ceremony, raising her face to the sun,
then bending to our makeshift firepit.
The fragrance of rice and milk wraps around me. Chakkara
pongal preparation. The golden jaggery stains were the main clue – and
the empty package from India.
I squat beside her. She is dressed in a simple saree and
blouse with face and arm markings – more traditional than my black trouser suit
kameez.
The earthenware pot of milk has boiled and overflowed, so
Kama has added the rice, even if the harvest that the sun made possible is the
one back in the Southern Hemisphere, in Tamil Nadu.
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#
“Our colleagues at CID may not recognise Pongal,” says Kama
zipping up her leathers, “But they respect our days-off.”
“Until some serious crime intervenes. Let’s escape while we
can.”
A fifteen-minute ride out beyond Prenteg, takes us to a
well-maintained farm track off the B4410 leading to some modernised farm
buildings with a restored farmhouse.
We park the Ducati and Ninja beside a spotless 4×4
Mitsubishi Shogun.
Raimund Virtanen is working on a chassis with an arc-welder
but hears us approaching as if he has super-hearing. Weird for a coachbuilder.
He removes the helmet revealing blond hair and blue eyes.
Six foot three inches and strongly built. I estimate mid-forties.
“You are the two Heddlu with a carriage mystery –
intriguing-like. Come inside and we’ll talk.”
The farmhouse kitchen is a modern and expensive take on a
traditional Welsh one. It reminds me of my grandparents’ home except this one
looks as spotless as the Shogun. Does this man eat or drive? Our roads aren’t
dirt-free, and the salt-laden air can coat things.
“How do you partake of your tea or coffee, ladies?”
“Two black coffees, please.”
I can’t place his accent. Not one that tallies with those foreign
visitors I’ve met on the streets of Porthmadog.
“We were wondering if you can identify a vehicle from a local
painting – puzzling as it’s the reflection in a mirror.”
He takes the printout and studies it under a magnifying glass
for a few minutes.
“This is a phaeton, I’m sure. Drawn by one or two horses, a
phaeton features a lightly sprung body atop four extravagantly large wheels.
With open seating, it is fast and dangerous, so its name, drawn from the
mythical Phaëton, son of Helios, who nearly set the earth on fire while
attempting to drive the chariot of the sun.”
“A common carriage?”
“Not around here. There weren’t many made locally. Ten at
most – more like half that.”
“Do you know who owned them?” Kama clutches the group painting
but holds it back. “Locally, for instance?”
Virtanen goes to a filing cabinet and removes a folder.
“This is a list that I compile of vehicles that I trace – not many but a few
notable ones like Captain William Yong. He raced other owners and win – for
money.”
“And he lived locally? Do you know what he looked like?”
The carriage expert throws up his hands and shrugs. “I only
know he lived in Porthmadog and marries into a Tremadog family – make his
fortune by investing in his in-law’s business. No more. Why are the police
interested?”
“More our personal interest.” The compelling urge to confess
is too much for me. “More like ghost-hunting. We encountered a female figure on
Halloween that might have been killed in a carriage accident.”
“This phaeton crashed? Unlikely if Captain Yong is driving –
he has a reputation as an expert at ‘Hunting the Squirrel’. Side-swiping a rival’s
carriage requires certain accuracy.”
Accuracy needed to hit a fleeing lover.
“A pedestrian was hit at night,” Kama says. “No headlights I
presume back then. So accidental – perhaps.”
“Agree. The horses won’t have seen someone crossing a dark
road – until they crush the poor woman,” His expression is tortured. “Back
home…I am knocked over by horses as a child…and savaged bad. Hooves are strong
and sharp, especially with shoes. I hate to think of your woman’s injuries.” He
hesitates. “If you see a ghost – the horses killed her. Back home that will be
blame on the animals – punishment.”
“Back home?” asks Kama who shares my curiosity.
“I grow up in rural community – in Finland. Many years ago.
Poor – so I move here as I want to learn to build vehicles like horseboxes – to
help them. I call this ‘reparation’ – my making terms with the past and moving
on. Do we know the woman’s name?”
There seems to be no harm in telling him. “Dinah Quinlan.”
“Strange matter that I will not forget. Blood is easy shed.”
He escorts us back to our bikes.
Is our cold case closed? Until anything new emerges.
#
The moon is full when we celebrate the last day of
Pongal. My arm around Kama, I’m
oblivious to the calendar with the four days in mid-January highlighted.
My mind is on November 1836.
“That old nineteenth century painting indicts Captain Yong for murder – four weeks before he married his victim’s sister. The artist knew the truth.”
***
Word Count 999: MPA
For more information on the Pongal Festival visit: http://www.pongalfestival.org/
Comments are welcome as usual, but for the WEP/IWSG Challenge, the following applies:
(FCA welcome – if you want to send one, just let me know in the comments.)
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Please enjoy other participants’ entries in the Challenge via this list for which the links will be updated as the post appear: https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/
February 14, 2019
Tremor Warnings
Two recent events have shaken my routine. One a post and one
a game. Nothing earth shattering, more tremors – warnings of what might or will
occur.
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This post about ‘diversity’, Social Justice Warriors, and the withdrawal of Amélie Wen Zhao’s Blood Heir set me thinking about my current WIP, Fevered Few and what I was attempting.
I’m a WASP hetero male trying to write a novel with a female
queer protagonist in the North Wales Police. Am I heading for the pillory or
worse – even if I am trying to use diversity readers?
I had already realised I needed to tread carefully after a
somewhat different controversy arose over the sexuality choices in the game Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.
It probably doesn’t help that I’m making my protagonist
Welsh with a deaf sister, since I’m English and I’ve never even committed a
crime – other than parking illegally or speeding. Okay, I’m disabled, with
Quaker abolitionist ancestors and splashes of Latin and Scottish blood. But none
of those are qualifications.
Okay, SF writers write about aliens but aren’t from another
planet. However, we don’t see the aliens protesting; or is that why there are
abductions and experiments?
Is the solution to stop writing my Welsh police procedural series
and tackle a topic that I know about? Horses?
Dang, I’ve done that and got criticised for my lack of
knowledge.
Falling? My life-story could be fictionalised, but who is
inspired by that? Not me.
Insecurity 1. Meltdown imminent.
[image error]
Later the same day, I went into Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate and got thrown into a quest that
required me to press/punch/mash keys in quick succession.
Fail. Retry. Fail. Retry.
Fail. Retry. Fail. Retry.
Fail. Retry. Fail. Retry.
The fingers on my left hand locked up, and my hand became a
useless claw while my head thumped.
Insecurity 2. Meltdown imminent.
That was not the first time that my hand and my reactions
failed. I had the same problem in Shadow of the Tomb Raider last week. Plus,
it occurs when I type so when I’m working on a novel or a post – like now.
Meltdown
[image error]
The harsh reality is that my multiple sclerosis is
threatening to disrupt my life again – if I let it. I need to amend the
rules…move the goalposts. Or change rackets.
Well, keyboards.
Step One – A New Keyboard. I’ve ordered a GameSir GK100 Wired One-Handed Mechanical Gaming Keyboard for Windows PC and GameSir X1, LED Backlit Portable Mini Game Keypad – arriving later today. It’s the left-side of a keyboard designed for gaming so might resolve part of the problem.
But not the typing element as half the keys are missing.
Step Two – Dictation software. I’ve ordered Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 13 – arriving on Saturday. However, training my Dragon will take time, especially as my speech is slurred – MS side-effect. It will mean that in a few weeks, I might get to write as fast as I talk.
Even after spending this money, I still need to decide if
I’m writing the right novel – the one that will cover all these extravagances.
MS is a frustrating MonSter, and I must learn to roll with
its punches and fight back. There will be other rounds, but I’ve got this one.
Yes, I need to consider Audible
as my eyes are at risk – not just from reading. Double vision was my initial
symptom back in 1999, so the warning is there.
More rabbit holes beckon.
February 6, 2019
Worse than Dead – a review
My fourth Cloak
and Dagger read of 2019 was a return to familiar territory with Stephen Puleston’s Inspector Drake series, set
like my current ‘work in progress’ in North Wales. I have already reviewed Brass
in Pocket, the first book
in the series.
On then to my review
of Book 2.
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Worse than Dead
by Stephen
Puleston (Goodreads Author)
A ferry leaves
Dublin…The chief engineer lies dead on the car deck …There’s a killer on
board…
Inspector Drake is called from a seminar on cyber crime to meet the ferry
docking at the port of Holyhead. Frank Rosen the chief engineer lies on the car
deck a knife through his heart. For the first time Drake knows where the killer
is but he doesn’t know who.
When Rosen’s house is ransacked the night after he’s killed Drake knows the
killer was looking for something. The data stick Rosen’s wife finds may hold
the clues. But the codes and numbers on it only complicate the investigation.
And then Drake’s cousin makes contact and tells him he has information. But can
Drake rely on him or does he have another agenda? And when the team discover a
direct link to drug dealing in North Wales and beyond there are powerful forces
at work.
Drake’s cousin drags Drake’s family into the middle of the case that piles the
pressure on Drake who’s facing regular counselling for his OCD and the prospect
of losing his father to cancer.
When Drake’s superior demotes him and acts entirely against protocols Drake
knows that something is wrong. Establishing the evidence takes him to Dublin
and Cardiff and then on a last minute chase over North Wales to the ancient
Fort Belan hoping that he will catch the killer.
Review 4.3 stars
I was hoping that this second Book in Stephen Puleston’s
Inspector Drake series would transport me back to North Wales. I was not
disappointed.
This was the country I remembered from living there a few years
– without the criminal element. That darker side was the world of the first
book, providing Detective Inspector Ian Drake with another baffling case.
When Frank Rosen, a ferry’s Chief Engineer is found murdered
on the car deck, Drake knows that the killer must still be onboard. But the investigation
is complicated when his team is forced to let everyone disembark before a
suspect can be identified. A link to drug dealing complicates matters further,
especially when different police departments must be involved.
Puleston uses his background as a retired criminal lawyer to
lend authenticity and detail to the working of the police and the criminals. Both
sides play devious games – fortunately, Drake is not easily fooled in the end.
But he continues to struggle with his OCD as he did in the
first book. This idiosyncrasy and his addiction to Sudoku make him a memorable protagonist,
although I don’t warm to him. The rest of his team – Caren Waits, Dave Howick and
Gareth Winder – have their own traits that we see through Drake’s OCD eyes
primarily. I wondered if this was an unusual team or maybe not.
Drake’s Detective Sergeant, Caren had more scenes in her POV
than in Book 1, and these helped me get to know her better. POV scenes for
Howick and Winder added their perspective but to a lesser extent. Even though
Puleston called Caren by her first name throughout, and all the male officers
by their surname – which felt strange – I still couldn’t relate to even her.
Conflict weaves its way in the story but comes with the
territory even for police with their own rivalries. The domestic tensions are
there for Drake and others, echoing real-life experiences of police families as
well as the impact of crime on lives.
There are again too many cast members – especially with
multiple suspects and witnesses. This is a failing in many books so perhaps forgivable
in the final analysis when the plot comes together. A few surprises were in
store and most complexities were resolved. But one scene from a different POV
confused me – or is to be resolved in the next case.
This is a recommended read and I will be checking out Book #3
as this novel whet my appetite for more from North Wales. The place and people
of this beautiful country infused the writing, from scenery to language.
Story – four stars
Characters – four
stars
Setting/World-building
– five stars
Authenticity –
five stars
Structure – four
stars
Readability – four
stars
Editing – four
stars
#IWSG – Creative Outlets
Created and hosted by the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure
Writer’s Support Group monthly blog post is here again – and so am I.
My plans to develop and focus on Fevered
Few, my NaNoWriMo novel are on hold for another week/month until
a backlog of junk is clear and my depressed mind clears.
But I’ve been reading though – all pleasure and some as
favours. Which brings me in a way to the topic of this month’s IWSG post:
February 6 question – Besides writing what other creative outlets do you have?
Nada – Zilch
Writing is my sole
remaining creative outlet – unless I can count dreaming. But that’s linked to
writing. I attempted sculpture – once – and struggled to play the flute, but
that was decades ago. And the nearest to acting was my failed career as a
producer.
So, writing remains
my sole creative outlet – unless I cheat and add:
Reading and gaming
But those are both
someone else’s creation, even if I spend my chilling time pursuing them. Anyway,
in 2019, I have managed to read six books so far. One of those was the
novelisation of a game that I have 90% completed, Assassin’s
Creed: Odyssey – that’s the link to my review.
Writing again. So…Nada y Zilch.
Or do I count my photography? Mostly for work though. Creative? Or is that the poser? Anyway, I can no longer hold any camera steady so that is no longer any sort of outlet.
[image error]Zara Phillips competing at Windsor CIC*** – photo by Roland Clarke
What is your
non-writing talent/creative outlet?
***
The awesome co-hosts for the February 6 posting of the
IWSG are Raimey
Gallant, Natalie Aguirre, CV Grehan, and Michelle
Wallace!
Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers
can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak.
Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a
safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer
in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a
personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG
post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is
officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your
thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you
January 31, 2019
Ninth Step Station – a review
My third ‘cloak and dagger’ read of 2019 was a new approach for me – serialized fiction released in episodes week after week. The publishers, Serial Box offered me an ARC as I had read and reviewed a novel by one of the four writers, back in September 2017: Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi. I am grateful and glad I agreed to read the ARC for Season 1 of Ninth Step Station.
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Ninth Step
Station: The Complete Season 1
(Ninth
Step Station Series #1.1-1.10)
by
Malka Ann Older (Goodreads Author), Fran Wilde (Goodreads Author), Jacqueline Koyanagi (Goodreads Author), Curtis C.
Chen (Goodreads Author)
A local cop. A US
Peacekeeper. A divided Tokyo.
Years of disaster and conflict have left Tokyo split between great
powers.
In the city of drone-enforced borders, body-mod black markets, and desperate
resistance movements, US peacekeeper Emma Higashi is assigned to partner with
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Detective Miyako Koreda.
Together, they must race to solve a series of murders that test their
relationship and threaten to overturn the balance of global power. And amid the
chaos, they each need to decide what they are willing to do for peace.
Review 4.4 stars
I was pleased to receive this serialised fiction as an ARC
from Serial Box Publishing as it was an exciting read.
This police procedural set in a near future Tokyo consists
of ten engrossing episodes written by different authors, including at least one,
Jacqueline Koyanagi whose debut novel I’ve read and reviewed.
The style is reminiscent of US crime series, but with its
own interesting approach as the sense of an imminent future pervades but doesn’t
take over the plots. This could be ‘tomorrow’ with China occupying part of
Japan and a sector of Tokyo, and with the US playing what is meant to be
peacekeeper. Ninth Step Station has
some fascinating characters, interesting plots, futuristic tech and very real
political intrigue.
US peacekeeper Emma Higashi (Japanese-American)
is assigned to partner with Tokyo Metropolitan Police Detective Miyako
Koreda at Nine Step Station, one of the key TMP stations. The cases they are
tasked with solving are standalone, but there are overarching events that carry
through the novel/series with the usual TV-style cliff-hanger to lead into
Series 2.
The crimes in the ten episodes vary from suspected suicide and
domestic violence to assassination and terrorism with differing levels of
technological involvement such as body-mods, drones, data mining, and data
sleeves – all realistic evolutions of existing tech. The data sleeves
especially play a key role in enabling people to instantly communicate and interface
– although this is also a city troubled by regular power-cuts/blackouts. However,
the war and the gangs/Yakuza make solving crimes challenging with some data irretrievable
and some information obscured by human evasiveness.
Each of the writers gives an individual feel to each episode,
yet together they create a seamless story with consistent and evolving characters,
a realistic-feeling Tokyo post-occupation and those building overarching
events. The TV-style structure means the episodes are formula to some degree,
but they are enjoyable – although not as complex as some mysteries I read.
Both the two main characters and the supporting players are distinctly
portrayed, and there are developing attributes and discoveries as the episodes
unfold. The misunderstanding and conflicts arising between the two protagonists
due to cultural differences, personal secrets and political agendas create a
more complex relationship than an instant crime-fighting partnership and that relationship
has room to grow. I was also pleased to see that the issues of gender bias and sexuality
were addressed – although not as suspected.
Not knowing Tokyo, I assume that the world-building does
build on the present city, although I realise that the format only allows the
setting to receive less attention than the stand-out characters who are what
will pull me back here.
I look forward to the sequel as there is plenty to build on
in Ninth Step Station.
Story – four stars
Setting/World-building
– four stars
Authenticity –
four stars
Characters – five
stars
Structure – four
stars
Readability – five
stars
Editing – five
stars
January 25, 2019
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – a review
As intended, my reading in 2019 is leaning towards mysteries and crime – although there will be a few other genres to break the pattern a little. This mystery read is one of the stranger entries, but still highly enjoyable.
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The Seven Deaths
of Evelyn Hardcastle
by
Stuart
Turton (Goodreads Author)
The Rules of Blackheath
Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m.
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit.
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.
Understood? Then let’s begin…
Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her
killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up
in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than
others…
The most inventive debut of the year twists together a mystery of such
unexpected creativity it will leave readers guessing until the very last page.
Review 4.7 stars
This was a ‘must buy’ from the blurb and from reviewers I
follow – and I was not disappointed to bump this ahead of other books.
Lost in a forest and unsure who he is, not recognising his
body or exactly what’s going on, is where the protagonist and the reader find
themselves. An opening that enticed me in as I discovered where ‘I’ was and why
– well, not exactly. At first, we meet the first host body for the first-person
protagonist that needs to identify the killer of Evelyn Hardcastle to break a
cycle that he has become trapped in.
This is Groundhog Day meets Cluedo with Agatha Christie
pulling the strings of a cast that echoes the Golden Age of Mystery. Except
this world feels darker with death not limited to one-time only. Although the
mystery elements are classic and the basic plot may seem easily solved by some
readers, it is not the mystery that makes this novel, but the intricacies
caused by a repeating day with the hosts and other players evolving with the unravelling
of the secrets.
This is the mysterious world that is Blackheath, a crumbling
country house with characters hiding as many secrets as the plot. Everyone
seems to be guilty of something or hiding their past. The faded grandeur was evocatively
described in a language smeared with decay and dread. A mystery convention
twisted by the theme. This was a house of layers that Aiden had to uncover with
his host bodies.
Host bodies that added their own idiosyncrasies to the
investigation. He must work with their limitations such as ageing bodies or their
own agendas. This is no simple body-hopping as he must pull their minds to his
task – or in some cases use their own intelligence. And as he hops there are
dangers from shadowy antagonists to losing his mind to his host’s.
Each character is distinct especially the hosts, whom the
reader gets to experience from their perspective and Aiden’s – in a clever way…without
spoiling the gameplay. Full marks to the author for painting such amazing
portraits and evolving their behaviour as the day repeats. Some seem to be tortured
by their own actions – their consciences perhaps.
I’m trying to avoid spoilers so I’m sounding as devious as
the author. There are clever twists to catch out everyone – even readers, even
if some are ahead of the game. But I was surprised although I had my suspects. With
a sprinkling of clues – and red herrings – to mystify hosts and readers, I enjoyed
the ingenious plotting that must have taken a wall of sticky notes. The author’s
notes clarify the process and added to my admiration.
My only minor quibbles were ‘shooting’ described as ‘hunting’
– I come from a shooting-hunting country house background – and a few unnecessary
dialogue tags where the speaker was obvious.
The ending was unexpectedly artful with even ‘the puppet
master’ stunned. After reading this novel, I’d recommend this to mystery
readers looking for something different from the norm and open to other genre
elements sneaking in. Or are you afraid of getting trapped re-reading this tome?
Story – five stars
Setting/World-building
– five stars
Authenticity – four
stars
Characters – five
stars
Structure – five
stars
Readability – four
stars
Editing – five
stars
