This is Tempe Brennan tale number 16, and I found it quite disappointing. There were two disparate strands to the story, both of which had promise, but which were woven together in a way that was totally unbelievable, with some very loose ends left hanging. There were also some disappointing/frustrating things going on in Tempe's personal life. Book 17 is out now, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed that it is back to classic Kathy Reichs form. Please don't go all Kay Scarpetta on us, Tempe.
*****
Here we have another of those 'bargains' that have been sitting unloved on my virtual bookshelf for months. But HOORAY- when I finally read it this month I really enjoyed it! Set both during the Spanish Civil War and in the 21st century, this story is well-written, with well-crafted characters, and is part romance, part family mystery. If you have enjoyed Katherine Webb, Kate Morton and Victoria Hislop's writing, you'll like this. I mention Victoria Hislop because her book The Return is pretty much by only previous education on the Spanish Civil War, to my shame. I won't give any spoilers, but the ending of The Perfume Garden is really pleasing in the way that it links together lots of key incidents that occur during the story. A fab read.
*****
I am very nearly at the end of Entry Island, and it is completely brilliant. Partly murder mystery (set on Entry Island in the Gulf of St Lawrence in Canada), and partly a man's experience of the forced clearance of crofters the Scottish Highlands, it is a very cleverly woven story with lots of atmospheric detail about the islands. If you have read and enjoyed The Lewis trilogy you will also enjoy this. I am really hoping that the ending of the story is as good as the first three quarters have been. If so, it is my book of the month!
*****
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