Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

3.91 · Rating details · 9,214 ratings · 1,691 reviews
A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of teen fantasy, Garth Nix.

In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.

Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), are an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.

Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.

Merlin has a quest of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New. (less)

Done Namita. 😁

That just leaves Celia to finish that stop - No 4.

Yes, a really great book for a buddy read. Thanks everyone.

I thought the part about Vera's murder was a bit unclear about what actually happened. I went back after I'd finished and re-read to clear in my mind the events. Had Cassie sent Vera there in her clothes with the birds to scare the men who had been lured there by letter? Crowther apparently didn't even remember Cassie but he killed Vera because she wouldn't tell him who set up the events. Cassie hadn't foreseen this might result in violence or danger to Vera which seems strange considering what the men and Crowther in particular did to her.

The ambiguity in some of the events made it seem more mysterious I guess.

DQ'S DAY 3 - Part 3 and Epilogue. - When all will be revealed..

11. The book features a myriad of intriguing characters and we have touched on the major players but what about the secondary characters? Discuss the characters and roles of Vera Barker, Gregory Joseph and Davey Reedman and their importance in the story.

12. Kate Mosse is a beautifully descriptive writer who uses words, imagery, landscape and even the weather to bring her world to life. Discuss in regards to the tone and theme of the novel.

13. "Crime, Punishment, Judgement" are the final words the mysterious narrator leaves us with in her last letter. Your thoughts on this as the action races towards its denouement?

14. And finally, the ending! Together we all just about pieced it together so did it play out as you imagined. Did it work for you, were there any surprises and were you satisfied that justice was served? And did the epilogue add anything overall to bringing the story to a close.

15. Final thoughts and anything else you wish to discuss? Overall Goodreads rating for The Taxidermist's Daughter.

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DQ Day 2 - Part II

6. The plot thickens! Would you care to venture a guess a to what on earth is going on? Who is our mysterious narrator in between the chapters?

The plot thickens indeedy... Here's my humble take on what is going on. These men were in the army together in the Transvaal, Boer War. So they were tight. And also into some kinkery F***ery, not good stuff. I think you gals are spot on with the masks, and that perhaps Gifford didn't participate but made the masks and knew what was going on but because of their previous association kept it to himself. Some horrible stuff went down and the mysterious narrator is either the victim or relative of the victim hell bent on revenge. Connie saw something and has blocked it out and Gifford who may or may not be her biological father is protecting her. And Jennie Christie knows something because the nefarious goings on happened at the Asylum and she worked there... Phew.. lets see how this all plays out..

7. At the description of Mr White's happenings, I had a brief moment of "woah!" and a bit of a shudder going down my back. Considering there are a few messages being sent around Fishbourne and Chichester, do you also think that Brook is going to be next on the list? And if Audrey Jane's impression of the birds representing the men is correct (which personally I think it is) then who is going to be the fourth one?? Gifford?

8. How does Charles Crowther fit into it all? The man seems to know far more than he is letting on and he is definitely fishing for information any chance he can get. Who is this man really?

Thinking Crowther is the ringleader he seems like he has fingers in many pies. A lot of balls in the air to keep everything secret.

9. Gifford seems adamant that "she" needs protecting and saving. Is he talking about Connie? About Cassie? About someone else? Do you think he is finally going to be sober and willing enough to tell Connie what he knows or will he take the secret to his (potentially imminent) grave?
I'm thinking part of his mea culpa will be to spill everything to Connie before he croaks.

10. Methinks that Jennie Christie is lying about her origins. She knows what happened 10 years ago but she doesn't seem to be having lived in any of the places that have been previously mentioned. It is a man she is protecting with her silence and she is concerned for Connie as well. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Do you think she knows everything? How come she does?

I'm a thinking she worked at the Asylum and saw things and knew things she shouldn't. But Crowther was seemingly trying to get information out of her so he mustn't have known this. She should watch her back though because I'm sure he'll do anything to protect the secret.

Audrey Jane wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Yes, I'm thinking the sister person is the mysterious narrator probably aka the victim as well. Glad I'm not the only person getting a bit lost in the detail."

Same he..."

Great observation.. That never even came into my thinking.

Yes, I'm thinking the sister person is the mysterious narrator probably aka the victim as well. Glad I'm not the only person getting a bit lost in the detail.

Your questions are great Audrey Jane, I'm confused about the plot. Quite a lot of players seem to be popping in and out from different directions. I may need a white board.... just joking. I'll be picking it up again tonight as well.

DQs Day 1 - Prologue & Part I (p. 1-128)

1. How do you like having a taxidermist as MC ? (It's only the 2nd book I've read with a taxidermist as a protagonist.) Connie mentions that it was difficult finding a maid that would stay. Would you be able to work around a taxidermist's workshop ?

The amount of detail about the taxidermy and Connie's dedication to the art gives a certain eeriness, nearly an ethereal quality to her character in these scenes. Although she seems quite practical in others. Definitely creepy around all that death. Wouldn't be my cup of tea, no.

2. What was your reaction regarding the way Harry meets Connie and Connie's subsequent attempt to conceal the cause of death of the woman ?
They were both hiding things from each other, not the best start for two characters I presume are going to become a romantic couple as the story progresses. I imagine they will move towards the truth with each other as the plot and mystery is uncovered.

3. What do you make of Mary's mother's (Jennie Christie) reaction upon hearing the news of the drowning and Mr Woolston's name?

She knows something obviously.
4. Between the chapters we receive some insight from, I assume, the "victim". "He was a coward and a hypocrite, but he was less guilty than the others. But he did not stop them and he held his tongue."
What do you think happened 10 years ago in Transvaal ? And who was involved ?

What! Whatever happened to the mysterious narrator happened in the Transvaal?? I completely missed that point. Actually there is a lot going on with different characters and locations which are not obviously clear to me at this point. Is the author doing this on purpose to muddy the waters for the reader? Or am I not paying close enough attention? Hopefully things will become clearer in Part 11

5. Do you think Graylingwell asylum is in any way connected with what happened 10 years ago ?

Whenever there is a creepy, gothic Asylum in the plot you know bad stuff happened there!! Definitely going to be involved in the denouement and several characters do seem to have some history with the place

I've read and can recommend it. 4 star read for me. It also gives you a sense of the Australian Outback and the hardships as well as the beauty. And an intriguing mystery as well.

Namita wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Namita wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Namita wrote: "Running a little behind for Stop 4"

No worries, Namita. Technically it runs till the 7th.. but you know we'r..."

Gorgeous! Have fun.

Namita wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Namita wrote: "Running a little behind for Stop 4"

No worries, Namita. Technically it runs till the 7th.. but you know we're not hard and fast with the technicalities...."

Hope that work situation improves for you, Namita. And lovely you're getting a fur baby. What type is he?

Sure does, Louise. I enjoyed that book.

Namita wrote: "Running a little behind for Stop 4"

No worries, Namita. Technically it runs till the 7th.. but you know we're not hard and fast with the technicalities. 😁

Namita wrote: "Jammin Jenny wrote: "What are some Australian authors you would recommend?? Anyone??"

Bec McMaster
Jane Harper
Juliet Marillier - Born in NZ but live..."

Oh yes, Jane Harper. If you haven't read The Dry, I recommend it for a real sense of country Australia. They've made the movie with Eric Bana which is really good as well.

Jammin Jenny wrote: "What are some Australian authors you would recommend?? Anyone??"

What genre, Jenny. There are some great ones -

Bec McMaster - Urban fantasy/steampunk
Liane Moriarty - Contemporary thrillers
Kate Forsyth - Historical fiction/fairytales
Kate Morton - historical fiction
Juliet Marillier - (Born New Zealand, but lived in Australia for years) Celtic fantasy/fairytales

I'm sure Sally can add to this list.

Thanks Jenny. I think a vote may be needed, keeping in mind we need 4 players to do the detour.

My vote is Set in Australia or by an Australian Author. 😊

I can really recommend The Burning Chambers series as well. Two books published so far.

That's great Maddy. That's Stop 3 completed.

We are now working on Stop 4 - Detour - Read a book where the title starts with a number. Proposed finish date 7 September. 😊