Like slipping into an old comfortable pair of shoes (in this case ones that talk to you), you know what to expect with a Ladies Detective novel. A quiLike slipping into an old comfortable pair of shoes (in this case ones that talk to you), you know what to expect with a Ladies Detective novel. A quirky mystery, that in the end is just a vehicle for more wonderfully African dialogue and home truths, a few cups of redbush tea, a lot of humour and a well loved little White Van. No longer groundbreaking, you cant help thinking Mr Mcall Smith milks his series for all they are worth. I darent get into any of his others as hes so prolific I would never catch up. But I dont begrudge him giving us another slice of Very Rich Fruitcake in the form of Mma Ramotswe and friends now and then. ...more
This was super-dark. Seedy underworld Japan. Creepy in the extreme and quite nauseating in parts. I did actually fly through the first half. It was soThis was super-dark. Seedy underworld Japan. Creepy in the extreme and quite nauseating in parts. I did actually fly through the first half. It was so unusual and there was the element of whats going to happen next. How will everything become undone. It was really a portrayal of how people change through getting involved in some dark deeds, what it does to them, how they cope with it. How things that would have been unthinkable can become matter of fact. The last few chapters let it down for me, although I think I know where she was going with them....more
Loved it - needless to say, after the first two, there wasnt much doubt this one would be a winner too. A friend wss saying to me the other day, she wLoved it - needless to say, after the first two, there wasnt much doubt this one would be a winner too. A friend wss saying to me the other day, she wasnt going to read these becuase everyone was and they they were books for people who didnt normally read. I say - beleive the hype, they really are great page turner reads, they are smart and clever and unusual. Great characterisation. I love the Swedish setting, with Swedish sensibilities and a very modern socially sound feeling to them. This ones very phychological - Lisbeth spends much of the book within one room but still manages to be a captivating central character. Blomqvist is the new James Bond - actually i was a little dissapointed with him copping off with yet another character in this one as it was a little too Bondy but i still like his no strings relationship with Berger. I must admit although it can never be the same - i think i would quite like someone to continue to write sequels to these -preferably a Swede...more
Im still going with a 5 event though I'd peg it v slighlty below the first one, I think for me more because the concept was fresher for me the first tIm still going with a 5 event though I'd peg it v slighlty below the first one, I think for me more because the concept was fresher for me the first time round. That said though, its just as much of a page turner and Salander is simply awesome as the lead character, really coming into her own. She's ruthless. Brilliant. Im tempted to drop a point for all the pointless name dropping - I really dont need to know the details of each bit of Ikea furnature she buys or be told shes having a cafe latte in italics each time she has one. Though being a coffee addict I do quite enjoy the endless coffee drinking in these books!. The extent of the computer hacking was quite disturbing - I presume the author new his stuff as he was evidently a computer nerd - so im guessing that all that went on was pretty much possible, you have to wonder how much of that really does go on. I like the anti-establishment stance of the books too. All in all another winner and like last time I'll probably struggle to find a suitable follow on book to read after something so fast paced. ...more
My First Holmes and looking forward to the rest, just what i pictured it to be. Foggy london streets, horse drawn cabs and brilliant deductions, peppeMy First Holmes and looking forward to the rest, just what i pictured it to be. Foggy london streets, horse drawn cabs and brilliant deductions, peppered with a bit of humour. Rather bizzarre drift of plot for a good third of the book of to Utah but hangs together at the end....more
Boy oh boy oh Boy. this one deserved all the hype for sure. Its been a while since i got through 500p that quickly. Its a completely addictive page tuBoy oh boy oh Boy. this one deserved all the hype for sure. Its been a while since i got through 500p that quickly. Its a completely addictive page turner, I was up half the night finishing off the last 200p and in fact prob most of the other half of the night as I was too hyped up to sleep. It has to be said, its pretty gruesome and graphic in parts. The rape scene made me feel physicaly sick but it was integral to the character developement. The characters were all completely absorbing and likeable - well the ones your supposed to like anyway. I loved the setting, on an island in Sweden. The only thing i struggled a little with was some questionable moral desicions made by our heros towards the conclusion of the book, although I did also quite like the fact that Lisbeth was always one to fly in the face of the conventional way of doing things.
My only problem now is what to follow it with.. being in the English coutryside i dipped into an Austen but it really does seem like not much more that frilly English nobility matchmaking right now, beatifuly written but withought a great deal of umphh. I think ill come back to it at a later date when ive finished book mourning....more
Totally absorbing, it requires patience and at times can be a little too impenetrable with its great Theological debates and tracts of Latin - which fTotally absorbing, it requires patience and at times can be a little too impenetrable with its great Theological debates and tracts of Latin - which for me lost it a star (whilst at the same time being in awe of the Authors knowledge of the period and subject). Despite requiring effort in parts though, in a way the richness and complexity of the backround Eco creates for the mysterious monastery shrouded in mists at the top of a mountain devoutly preserving religious texts and scriptures is part of what sucks you in - I felt completely transported to that time and place. The Inquisition scene was terrifying, and reminded my of The Crucible. And the Murder Mystery plot is completely unpredictable and keeps you guessing until the end. (note: accompany with Enigma on the stereo and imagine Sean Connery as your lead Character and your set for a great journey if you give it the time!) - off to watch the film again........more
I do love a really good true story/biography. This is slightly novelised, in the same manner as Schindlers list - i.e just a touch to make it more reaI do love a really good true story/biography. This is slightly novelised, in the same manner as Schindlers list - i.e just a touch to make it more readable. I so want to go to Savannah now, I love great architecture, history and larger than life characters ... i need to go!. Loved the film too, so it was good having Kevin Spacey and John Cusack have starring parts in my head. Oh and Chablis of course, loved her.. 'The Doll'. Very easy read, funny and gripping at the same time. It would be hard to see whats to dislike about this one....more
They're all fabulous and funny, i'll give this one the extra star as inevitably with a series, they never really top the novelty of the first one you They're all fabulous and funny, i'll give this one the extra star as inevitably with a series, they never really top the novelty of the first one you read. 2 left to do but as much as Mma Ramotswe is adorable i'm afraid the urgency of completing the set does dwindle as time goes by.
P.s I think some of these reviewers are taking it far too seriously, its not a literary masterpiece, but it is charming and unusual storytelling....more
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