Author: Henning Mankell
I’ve enjoyed all the Kurt Wallander movies, series and books that I’ve seen. I found the first book in the series on my Kindle so I decided to read it. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve decided I will read all the books in the series.
A horrific murder has taken place at a rural farm. There are no witnesses and no clues left at the scene. It is a long investigation but, of course, Kurt was able to solve the crime.
Goodreads Rating: * * * *
Author: Nora Carroll
As a child Jess spent many wonderful summers with her grandmother on the shores of a lake in Michigan. One summer, when Jess was a teen, she fell in love but circumstances from that visit were such that Jess never returned to the cottage. When her grandmother dies Jess inherits the summer home and must decide what to do with it. There are family secrets that only the grandmother knew and they have shaped the lives of the entire family. Through old documents, Jess begins to unravel the secrets.
An interesting story but quite predictable.
Goodreads Rating: * * *
Author: Ivan Doig
It took me such a long time to finish this book. It is well written but the story isn’t gripping so I would only read a bit at night before bed. Overall though the story is a good one and at the end of the book I’m able to say I enjoyed it.
Most of the story takes place in the 1920’s and there are three main characters – Wes, Susan and Monty – and race relations play a big part in the story. Wes and Susan have lived on neighbouring properties in Montana but their parents were at odds with one another over their ranching practices. Monty is the son of two employees on Wes’ family ranch. Susan had some fame as a professional singer and now teaches voice to a variety of students. Wes and Susan have had an ongoing affair for many years. When Wes discovers that Monty has a spectacular singing voice he arranges lesson for him with Susan.
Goodreads Rating: * * * *
Author: Isabel Allenda
I’ve never read a book by this author that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. When I read a book in translation I’m never sure whether the credit goes to the author or the translator. It wasn’t until after I’d read the book that I saw that it was her first novel.
The story revolves around three generations of the Trueba family. The main focus is on the patriarch Esteban, his wife Clara, their daughter Blanca and her daughter Alba. The setting for the story is a home in a city (the name is never mentioned) and the family’s country estate. It is a time of political upheaval in the country and eventually a military coup overthrows the government and leaves the family on different sides of the conflict.
Goodreads Rating: * * * * *