Author: Elizabeth George

A few years ago I would have said that Elizabeth George was one of my favourite English authors, right up there with P.D. James. I’ve since discovered that George isn’t actually English but she still remains a favourite author writing novels set in England.

I’ve read many of the Inspector Linley and Barbara Havers stories. I didn’t realize when I picked this book up from our neighbourhood free library that this was the first in the series. Havers had been demoted to a street officer when Linley’s superiors decide she should be given another chance at CID. Prepared to hate Linley due to his aristocratic ancestry and his reputation she is pleasantly surprised to be taken seriously as they set out to determine why a seemingly loving daughter would admit to beheading her father.

As we’ve been following the Endeavour, Morse and Lewis series on TV I thought it was surprising that no one had picked up on the Linley mysteries. Then just the other day I saw that there are six seasons available on Brit Box.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Jo Nesbo

I’ve read a few books by this author and liked them all. This one, not so much. To start with the story is interrupted with date changes that, in the beginning, had to be taken note of. After the characters and the direction of the story were more familiar the dates didn’t seem so important. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it didn’t help when Multiple Personality Disorder was identified in one of them.

Harry Hole is back but he’s moved from the Crime Squad to another department after a shooting incident that the police and FBI are reluctant to share with the public. But Harry can’t help himself and he’s following up on several clues that relate back to Norway during the Second World War.

I would still recommend the author but I’d suggest you pick another title.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Patrick Taylor

Pat picked this book out for me at the Texada Library Book Sale. I was surprised to see that the author, originally from County Down in Northern Ireland, now lives on Saltspring Island.

The story revolves around two GP’s working out of the same clinic in a small village in Ireland. Their love lives are complicated and one ends well and the other not so well. The best part of the book, for me, were the stories of their patients. I could hear the accents from the beginning of the book and the author includes a glossary of translations for the lesser known phrases and words. From reading the author’s notes I think this is one in a series of books focussing on these two doctors but I’m not tempted to read another.

Goodreads Rating: * * *