CHARLIE BRAY’S BOOK REVIEWS Six of the Best
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MOONGLOW AVENUE by Gary Pettigrew
For most youngsters, a secret street where you can visit privately after dark and live your dreams, seems like Utopia.
Yes I know there are streets like that for adults, but I don’t want to get into that.
Moonglow Avenue is a true adventure playground for imaginative juveniles. Vampires, witches, werewolves, you’ll find them all there in the light of the moon’s glow.
The trouble starts when inhabitants, for whatever reason, wander off into the real world. That is when the bona fide Moonglow people have to spring into action. They have to get the wanderer back, whilst protecting the identity of the street. Difficult when it’s a young werewolf.
This rescue mission is the catalyst that brings out the cast of this book for 8 to 12 year olds. Ryan, Nicole, Jasmine and Billy soon develop into fully rounded, well developed characters, who quickly gain the readers’ attention. Ryan displays true leadership qualities, whilst Jasmine possesses certain powers, which she has not really got much of a handle on. The other two don’t simply blend into the background, they are prepared to stand up and be counted.
A wonderful idea for a mystical adventure, which came to Gary Pettigrew whilst taking his dog a walk. He found himself in an eerie street that he didn’t immediately recognise and Moonglow Avenue was born.
The novel lends itself to a series and Gary has lost no time. Volume two, The Trustkeepers of Moonglow is already out, with a third one on the way.
A very enjoyable read which should sell well within its genre.
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
FALSTAFF’S BIG GAMBLE by Hank Quense
There may well be quite a few amongst us who find Shakespeare a little heavy going. Oh, go on admit it, you know you do.
Well don’t worry. Hank Quense has changed all that. Well he’s changed quite a bit actually. If Shakespeare is looking down, he ain’t gonna like it. But I’ll bet my mortgage you’re gonna love it.
Othello and Hamlet are reset in Gundarland. For Gundarland think Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.
They’re all there. Elves, dwarves, trolls and humans. Hamlet is a Dwarven Prince, Othello is a Dark Elf, and Falstaff is…well actually, he’s a conman who is directing his dubious skills at the richer element of Gundarland.
No-0ne should buy this book expecting to take it seriously, and really that’s the whole point. It opens its doors to those that are either frightened of or averse to a bit of Shakespeare. I’m reminded of the scene in ‘Life of Brian’ when a band of chaps nailed to a bunch of crosses, launched into a humorous rendition of ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’.
And the reader should look on this bright side of Shakespeare. Not intended to deride Shakespeare, not intended to better him, simply intended to borrow a couple of characters and make them different…very different.
A brief look at the new Falstaff – ‘Falstaff dismounted from his black charger, the result of a midnight transaction while the charger’s previous owner slept.’
A pleasant romp through a rather strange land inhabited by even stranger characters, and a few names you may recognise – from your volumes of Shakespeare.
Go on, treat yourself.
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
DEAR CROSSING by Marjorie Swift Doering
Officer Ray Schiller is a necessary evil as far as his force is concerned. They can’t live with him and they can’t manage without him.
A wealthy, attractive Society wife is murdered, leaving behind a list of suspects as long as your arm.
The character of each suspect is revealed in detail, and as a result of the skill applied by the undoubted wordsmith, Marjorie Swift Doering, the reader feels very much involved in the story.
There are many twists and turns in this absorbing mystery and Schiller is kept fully occupied whilst battling his own demons.
As with all good murder mysteries, the ending is unpredictable and there is plenty to keep you fully absorbed along the journey.
I think we’re witnessing the birth of a brand new series hero in Ray Schiller and he’ll soon amass an army of fans.
They’ll be delighted to know that the next two volumes are in the pipeline.
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
THE ANGEL WHO FELL TO EARTH by Barbara Villemez
This story focuses on the ongoing battle between the forces of Darkness and Light.
Light takes the form of Saraquel, an angel, who transforms into human form and literally lands on earth with a bump. She sets out to study human emotions and resides in the home of a retired rabbi, who owns a valuable, ancient book.
Dark takes the form of Feldman, a historian, who has been on earth for an eternity. He would kill for the valuable, ancient book.
Cue the rabbi’s death and a confrontation between Saraquel and Feldman, darkness versus light.
A lovely little story with a satisfying twist at the end.
The idea for the story popped into Barbara Villemez’s head one day. She started writing and the characters took over and wrote the rest of the story. Barbara kept the story on the right tracks by researching Jewish traditions, angels and the book of Enoch.
I found this to be a delightful book and would recommend it, even to those that don’t believe there are fairies at the bottom of their garden.
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
THE AFFAIRS OF HARRIET WALTERS by C.M. Spencer
This is an old fashioned romance set in Regency times. The slower pace of this period in history is very comforting and given a choice between getting lost in its pages or returning to our own frenetic world, I found the decision a no-brainer. I stuck with the book.
Harriet Walters lives a restricted life. She is restricted by her plain appearance, lack of funds, no real prospects and the limitations imposed upon women in that period of time.
She makes the most of a bad lot and we soon get to know and care about Harriet. Bit by bit she builds her independence and begins to feel a real spirit of adventure. This spirit is given wings by an unexpected windfall and she hi-tails it to London, at a Regency pace, of course.
And so she embarks upon her journey of discovery, and the reader is privileged to share her experiences.
I found this to be a very well written book with fully rounded characters, and I was easily able to get lost in it. A pleasant respite from the pressures and schedules of real life
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
THE AWAKENING by Angella Graff
The Awakening is quite a challenging book. There is nothing shallow about Angella Graff’s detective story with a supernatural twist.
On this side of life, that is the side most people acknowledge as normal, stands Detective Ben Stanford. He has to deal with health problems and career difficulties. He has no truck with the supernatural.
On the other side, we have immortals and ancient gods.
Even though Detective Ben doesn’t believe in such things he finds himself investigating them, courtesy of his sister who has become involved with a man called Mark, an immortal with biblical connections. He requests Mark’s help in finding his missing friend, Judas Iscariot.
This plunges the thoroughly grounded Ben into a world of broken theology, ancient religions and Greek gods. He now faces the biggest job he has ever faced in the name of the law – preventing a global disaster.
Told you it was a challenging book. But it’s not just challenging. It’s an extremely well written book with strong characters and very effective dialogue.
Make the effort and read it. You will be rewarded.
Also available from Amazon.co.uk
I hope you enjoyed reading my six reviews as much as I enjoyed writing them. I look forward to publishing more reviews soon. Meanwhile… Happy reading, Charlie.
