Novels & Holidays

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.

I must admit that I thought this was set in Denmark! So how good is the setting? It's much less obvious than Henning Mankell's books. Doesn't make the books less readable. This is, I think, Hakan Nesser's first book (at least with Van Veeteren) and it's really good. I love the humour - that fly in the court chapters and Van Veeteren himself ... This isn't a book trying to give the reader a taste of another culture, but for readers outside Sweden it at least proves that Swedes do have a sense of humour! Read it.

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 have also read Back pack, and really enjoyed it too. It is a highly entertaining read. gives you a good insight into travelling in Asia and also has a twisty turny plot! Not just that but it made me laugh. Highly recommended!

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.

OK, so going to Afghanstan probably isn't a holiday option. Still, this book makes you wish that it was. The author clearly has an intense love of the country and it's people. It has opened my eyes to a culture surviving in a political situation. Excellent writing, and if I can ever bear to finish it, I'm told an uplifting ending.

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'Charming' always sounds somewhat patronising to me, but this book oozes charm and I love it. The characters are exactly that; characters. The laid-back Lao coroner Siri and his team may be created to appeal to western readers, but I'm not complaining. This book certainly makes me want to visit Laos. Brilliant book. READ IT. And if there's anyone out there who's visited PLEASE send us pictures of Vientiane as you've experienced it.

This is a great writer. I love his characters and plots. The setting though, is key. I was disappointed to discover Algonquin Bay and Trout Lake don't exist (I google earthed them) but I'm sure they are based on real places. I'm rereading this book which is set in February. It's very COLD!!! Anyone out there know what it's like? Live somewhere like this?