janelonguk's blog

This book definitely makes me want to go to Malta. I read a book many years ago set in wartime (WW2) Malta and was intrigued. I know ancient monuments in Malta changed archaeological thinking as to when and how civilisations began. But I never really wanted to go there. The Information Officer brings fairly recent history to life, reminding us that people we know lived through incredible and unbearable situations. Mark Mills describes the island sympathetically and discreetly. Is it still the same? I want to know. Sixty plus years later things will have changed, but the island has such a long history. This book hints at this without labouring the fact.

I read this book back before the turn of the century... and loved it. I realised a few weeks back that there were two more books with Javier Falcon (with an accent) as the main character and have bought and read both. This first Javier book is based in Seville but has strong links to Tangier and Morocco. The story is intense and personal and much bigger than its setting. At the same time, I really would like to visit Seville, and especially for the Semana Santa celebrations. Wouldn't mind a trip to Morocco either. Excellent book!

'This book is dedicated to Route 66, the Mother Road.' Carol O'Connell's book begins in New York but is always centred on what is left of Route 66. To someone who's never been to America, it certainly inspired curiousity.

I've read this book to children for the past ten years. It's not immediately accessible to less able young readers, but after the first two chapters all of my classes were completely hooked! It wasn't till a friend mentioned visiting the Scilly Isles that I realised how much I knew (or thought I did) about Bryher and Samson - and more to the point, how much I'd like to visit! Michael Morpurgo writes excellent children's stories. His love of the Isles of Scilly is evident without in any way overwhelming fundamental story lines.

Michael Connelly is one of my favourite authors. I am in love with Harry Bosch and have been for many years. Unfortunately I do not fit the profile of the women in his life (attractive, slim, brilliant card player...). Bum! I've held back from putting Mr Connelly on this site because I have read so many books set in Los Angeles that it's become almost too familiar without standing out as somewhere I MUST VISIT. This isn't a criticism. I suspect most of the western world feels the same. It's partly thanks to Michael and Harry that when I read other books in the same setting I think, 'Oh, yes, Van Nuys'. Other 'must read' writers set in Los Angeles include the Kellermans and Robert Crais.

You've got to love Kurt Wallander. Mr Misery. Henning Mankell has created my view of the Swede (do Swede's know that they have the same name as a turnip-like vegetable?) He's depressed, lacks communication skills but is basically a very good man! What's not to like? Finding Henning Mankell for me was one of those moments when I realised that I had a whole new set of books I knew I'd enjoy - and in PAPERBACK! Finding a writer you love later in his/her career.... hoohar!!! Sadly have eaten the lot and now await new books.

My immediate response to this book was based on my own liberal western views - I was really uncomfortable with Omar Yussef's criticism of Palestinians. I soon discovered that Matt Rees has created a character who finds it harder to come to terms with the dishonest politics and the climate of hate and hopelessness of fellow Palestinians than he does with the arrogance of Israeli power which crushes ordinary people in an attempt to destroy the fanatic. Don't we all find more to criticise in those closest to us? The book doesn't pull its punches - horrible things happen. I had a sense of place and of lives being lived in incredibly difficult circumstances. It's a very good book set in a place we see all the time on the news.

I've read most of G.M. Ford's books and enjoyed them all. Seattle appears to be sometimes cold, but always very wet. The Frank Corso stories have a harder edge than his Leo Waterman books: both series have great plots and characters. As someone who has never visited the United States I have no idea how authentic the settings in books like this are. I can only say that I believe in Ford's Seattle and that his writing gives me a sense of a city worth visiting.

I've just started reading this book. It's the latest Guarnaccia story, and it's like meeting an old friend and finding you're still comfortable with each other. Can't tell you any more, as just started it. I've never been to Florence, but I can clearly visualise the villa where the murder has been committed. Outside the city I imagine. Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli gardens have already been mentioned. I'd love to see pictures.

OH no. I've just read the flyleaf at the back of the book and found out that Magdalen died last year. I'm so sad. I love her books and characters. Sincere condolences to her family.