Doug Lewars's Blog, page 14

Curse of the Pogo Stick

Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

In this episode, Mr. Cotterill takes us away from the urban areas and out to the countryside where an ethnic minority is trying to escape being slaughtered by the government. Meanwhile back home, the rest of the team are trying to track down The Lizard. Lots of excitement ensures but the ending is deliberately left vague. Did they, or did they not, get her. If they didn't we'll probably not know for a few more books. In any event, the pace was fast, there was plenty of excitement and quite a cliff hanger at one point. I'm really enjoying this series. When I finally get through it, I'm hoping Mr. Cotterill's other books are just as entertaining.



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The Portable Door

The Portable Door by Tom Holt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was quite amusing and I enjoyed it. I was not, however, fond of the protagonist who is utterly ineffectual and humour is derived from having him confront, and then deny, what is right under his nose. I find that type of character a bit trying. Still, it wold be difficult to make the plot work with anyone else so I guess it's okay. The plot keeps moving right along, not always in a coherent direction but the whole point of these books is to stretch the imagination so plenty of swings are necessary. This is not a book to take seriously. There is some, but precious little character development and what exists is mostly the main character coming to grips with what he believes is impossible. I quite enjoyed the manner in which the villain got his comeuppance. If you enjoy Tom Holt's writing in general - and he's not for everyone - then i think you'll enjoy this one.



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Anarchy and Old Dogs

Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was a fairly straight forward book with fewer plot twists than some; however, if you like these characters and this series, you'll enjoy it. The author keeps the plot moving and has a wry sense of humour.



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Disco for the Departed

Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I recommend starting this series at #1 and coming forward. You can jump in anywhere and the book will make sense, but you may have a little difficulty with the characters. They are developed over time and grow from book to book.

These books consist of mystery combined with the supernatural. Dr. Siri lacks the forensic science available in the west so without a little nudge from somewhere the author would have difficulty in having him solve the case. In this case the nudge from him housing the spirit of a 1000 year old shaman in his body. As a result, he sees ghosts in his dreams and occasionally when he is awake as well. The author quite nicely describes the confusion when one wakes up in the morning not quite knowing if one is awake or still partially asleep.

The plots are interesting, the author has a wry sense of humour and the author manages to keep this reader guessing for much of the book as to what will happen next and how it will end. I think it's well worth reading.



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Thirty-three Teeth

Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

If you like to combine the supernatural with mysteries then this book, along with the others in the series, is for you. Personally I find it a little too convenient for the author if his protagonist can talk with the deceased but in this case, they convey pretty abstract messages so there are still plenty of mysteries for the doctor to figure out. I'm thoroughly enjoying these books and fully intend to read the entire series.



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The Coronor's Lunch

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I stumbled across this book entirely by accident and loved it. I'm currently starting on number two of the series and intend to read the lot. The setting is Laos, not a country we hear too much about. We hear about all the surrounding countries, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar (Burma) but never about Laos. This book sent me off to Wikipedia to learn more. Apparently the author spent some years living there so has a pretty good knowledge of the culture. He also has a wry sense of humour and loves to skewer corrupt government officials of which the country seems to have a goodly lot. In addition to the detective component of this story, the author adds a touch of the supernatural by having the protagonist in touch with the spirit world. As a result we get an interesting mixture of superstition and science. This is definitely one of the most entertaining books I've read in some time.



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China Unbound

China Unbound: A New World Disorder by Joanna Chiu

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

It appears China is dedicated to communism. To a lesser extent, it's also dedicated to free enterprise as long as the enterprises are controlled by the government. To some extent it seems the CCP is out of step with the general population but through state control, propaganda and strict censorship, they're doing everything possible to eliminate any coherent resistance. Xi is reputed to have warned against what happened in Russin (the fall of communism and the loss of satellites). Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are all dedicated to destroying the west; however, it seems this is a rather shaky alliance and whether they can work effectively together is highly questionable.

China's end game is a new world order in which social cohesion replaces individualism. In short it is a society of ants. However before this dystopian future can be actualized there are a few problems facing the tyrants. In Russia, Putin steamrolls over human rights as does Xi in China but behind the scene are the Oligarchs in Russia and the new ultra wealthy in China. Purely out of self interest they may throw a spanner into some of the more draconian works. It remains to be scene but the author does not provide a very optimistic view of the future.



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The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020

The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

As with any anthology, there were some good stories, some bad, and a number of mediocre tales. I found it meh at best.



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Passage

Passage by Connie Willis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was an excellent book, fast paced, exciting and one to hold the reader's interest. Time after time it seems the author has come to the end of the story only to have a sudden plot twist and away we go again.

That said, it is not without a few imperfections. The character of Johanna is presented as a highly proficient doctor and researcher interviewing patients following near death experiences and trying to determine if there are any patterns in what they saw and felt. She is portrayed as competent unlike her colleague Dr. Mandrake who allows his personal belief in the supernatural to influence his research. However she is most unprofessional in many of her activities. For example, hiding in a stairwell to avoid meeting someone she doesn't want to speak to doesn't strike me as something most professionals would do. Yes, she knows he's a complete waste of time but simply walking past him with an 'I'm sorry doctor but I don't have time for this,' and never breaking her pace doesn't occur to her. In addition, everything is an emergency. She's a researcher, not a member of a resuscitation team. Much of what she must have right away could easily wait for an hour, a day or even a week. It's possible the author wanted to portray the character as being obsessive compulsive and she does exhibit such characteristics - as does Dr. Wright for that matter - but I'm not convinced a person with that particular mental disorder would have ever made it through medical school not to mention an internship and possible residency. When she finally makes her big discovery she completely loses it. In short the author creates drama by making mountains out of molehills and while it helps the plot, it does raise an eyebrow or two now and then.

This book also reminded me of certain operas, the ones in which the soprano dies at the beginning of Act IV and goes right on singing for the next half-hour.

Despite these failings I completely enjoyed the book and I think it's well worth reading. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Davenport's entrepreneurial endeavor at the end.




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The Secret History

The Secret History by Procopius

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

The politics of the Roman empire in its latter stages were much like modern ones.



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