The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafón
2004, 2005, Phoenix, London
0753820250
506p.

When Daniel's father takes him to a labyrinthine library and tells him to choose one book, he comes back with The Shadow of the Wind. Daniel becomes intrigued with the book's mysterious author, Julián Carax and with the strange individual who is burning every copy of Carax's novels.

This was a great book to curl up with these last few days of cold weather. I enjoyed reading a little bit about Barcelona which I knew nothing about. The story is mystical and well woven. A little predictable, but then there was one thing I didn't see coming! I found the terrifying and thrilling scenes were written far better than the romantic, emotional scenes.

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The Seventh Secret by Irving Wallace

The Seventh Secret
Irving Wallace
1986, 1987, Sphere, London
0722188641
374p.

Dr. Ashcroft is an historian writing the definitive biography of Adolf Hitler when he receives correspondence indicating that Hitler did not commit suicide in 1945 and in fact, survived the war. When Ashcroft begins to investigate these claims, he is killed in a hit and run, and his daughter continues the investigation in this place.

A very unlikely story. And I thought that the writing style was stilted when it came to dialogue. I don't mind a bit of faction, but it needs to believable, which this wasn't. However, the action and pace of the story was enough to keep the reader interested. The way the author weaved the different characters stories together was clever.

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Dr. No by Ian Fleming

Dr. No
Ian Fleming
1957, 2002, Penguin, London
no isbn
309p.

James Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of fellow agent Strangways and his secretary. Bond's investigations lead to the mysterious island Crab Key and the even more mysterious caretaker of the island, Dr. No.

Bond books follow a formula: maniac+torture+girl+henchmen+strange-death-for-the-bad-guy. And this novel delivered on all counts. I'm surprised at how much like the book the movie is, usually they only take a few elements out of the book, but the Dr. No movie (which I just watched the other day) is very similar to the Dr. No book. Well, apart from the strange-death-for-the-bad-guy, which I would have LOVED to see in the movie!

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The Kingdom Where Nobody Dies by Kimberley Starr

The Kingdom Where Nobody Dies
Kimberley Starr
2004, UQP, St. Lucia
0702235385
233p.

Madeleine Jeffreys is a Rockhampton psychologist who is brought in by the Brisbane police to interview a paedophile and serial killer. She narrates the story which switches between the present day and a summer she spent as a teenager which has repercussions on the case.

I thought the author did a really good job of capturing the voice of an angry fourteen year old girl. This was a slow-burn type thriller and extremely readable. There were a few continuity errors that I saw so it could have done with another edit.

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The Tinder Box by Minette Walters

The Tinder Box
Minette Walters
1999, 2006, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest
1741148324
145p.

Siobhan's Irish neighbour Patrick is accused of a terrible crime in which two elderly women were beaten to death. She doesn't believe he did it, so looks into the crime seeking the truth.

Disjointed, hard to follow and clumsy writing style. Lucky this book was short (more a novella really) or else I never would have bothered to finish it. I put it down about ten minutes ago and have just about forgotten it already. Not sure how it got to be a best-seller ... I think this is the Bridges of Madison County of mysteries.

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Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast by Bill Richardson

Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast
Bill Richardson
1993, Wyatt, New York
0312171838
152p.

Virgil and Hector are twin brothers in their mid-50s who run a Bed & Breakfast in a small Canadian village. Their establishment is known as a place where people come to relax and read. This book is written in part by Virgil and Hector and in part by their visitors who write little stories about their lives.

I want to visit this place! It sounds like a perfect retreat - a bibliophiles B&B with laid-back proprietors. The story is humorous and clever, full of witticisms and poignancy. Loved it.

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So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson

So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading
Sara Nelson
2003, 2004, Hodder, Sydney
07336187502
232p.

Sara Nelson is a writer living in New York City who decides to read at least one book a week for a year and chronicle her reads in a journal.

I don't know why I thought I wouldn't enjoy this. It's a book about books for goodness sakes! And I loved it! I loved reading about another book obsessed person and her theories on readers. I've come to many of her conclusions myself.

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