Author: Robinson, Peter

This is one of the books that Pat brought home from the Friends of the Library sale case. There are a number of Inspector Banks novels but this was the first for me.

Inspector Banks is investigating the death of a man on a remote walking path in a fictional English town. The dead man was a definite loner, a disgraced college professor and possibly a blackmailer or drug dealer. A series of background checks leads the team to one woman, Lady Veronica Chalmers, but with her connections in the police force they run into walls as the investigation moves along. Quite a surprise and quick ending to the book.

I’ll be returning this to the library along with my “real” library books as I think it can go back on the Friends of the Library shelf for someone else to pick up for $2.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Curnow, Fiona

I’ve been consolidating a few of my book lists; this one was on it and the library actually had it on their shelves. It was compared favourably to Where the Crawdads Sing but I didn’t enjoy it as much.

Tommy is from a Tinker family and, because of their past experiences, they keep pretty much to themselves. Charlotte receives a bike from her ailing father for her twelfth birthday. The two meet on the banks of a nearby river and become friends instantly. Trouble lies ahead for both children but they maintain a friendship over several years when Tommy and his family return to their summer camp.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Rankin, Ian

My to-read shelf is getting taller every week with Pat bringing home books from the library sales. This was one of ours and I was ready for a good detective story and this author never fails.

Rebus is newly retired but hasn’t yet quite let go of the excitement of the chase. An old, unsolved case comes to his attention and to fill his time he starts digging. During his search he encounters several cronies from his past but a more current crime seems to be more intriguing than solved the cold case. And Rebus inserts himself into the investigation.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Wilson, Marie

Over the years I’ve been quite interested in the outcomes of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; it has led me to contribute financially to a few different causes. When the Nation brought Marie to town to speak about her work and book we signed up immediately. Marie was Pat’s neighbour in Yellowknife.

Although there was a lot about the Commission, much of the book focused on how the statements reflected the author’s own life (she is married to a Survivor) and how she handled the many traumatic stories that came out of the Commission.

I was pleased that Alex had some knowledge (through school) of the Commission and the Residential Schools and I’m happy that he was interested in reading the book.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *