Recommended Author John Mortimer

I have read most of John Mortimer's novels over the years and found them to be generally entertaining. I also had the great privilege to see him on stage in Jersey, Channel Islands (with Jean Marsh who wrote Upstairs Downstairs and acted in it too) and he was a witty raconteur too. Unfortunately he has now died, but I enjoyed his stories of his father as they both lived in Henley On Thames that is close to where I live in England.

 

The jewel in the crown of Mortimer's writing is of course the series of books starring the eccentric barrister Rumpole and his straight laced wife, She Who Must Be Obeyed, Hilda. I have never seen any of the TV series, but I thoroughly recommend reading the Rumpole novels. These are generally available in omnibus editions now so therefore you may save yourself a little money if you are going to buy the books.

Well worth reading and it will put a smile on your face too, particularly as you get to know all the regular characters in Rumpole's Chambers.

John Mortimer on Fantastic Fiction

Recommended Author PD James

PD James novels are excellent, you soon get used to the rather cold Adam Dalgliesh. I am quite interested in his world but I prefer the actual mysteries themselves and the day to day characters that appear in these novels. There is often references to London and Norfolk, both of which places I miss being out in Qatar.

 

Theoretically the novels should be read in order but I believe that is less necessity to do that with PD James novels as the detective, Dalgliesh is not over interesting. However I still enjoy reading her novels and I am a little disappointed that there appear to be no new ones due to be published.

PD James Website

PD James on Fantastic Fiction

Book Review Promise Me by Harlan Coben

Thought that this book was fantastic, one of the Myron Bolitar series that I am reading in order and thoroughly enjoying. This one was a bit of a return to form for me, much better than the last one. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

There was less interaction with the regular characters but the kidnappings and the mystery were well written and well played out.

A 9 out of 10 from me.

Recommended Author Charles Dickens

I have enjoyed reading Charles Dickens novels over the years. We were made to read these at school and I was not too keen, however once I realised what great stories they were from other media (such as A Christmas Carol etc), I dived back into the novels with gusto and I really enjoyed reading most of them. I still have two more to read to complete the readings of this author.

I find out how many books there are by authors either in their websites or on Fantastic Fiction. Fantastic Fiction is a great resource and particularly useful if you want to read all of the novels by an author or the author has died and has no specific website.

I particularly enjoyed reading Bleak House (read this over Christmas one year), Pickwick Papers and David Copperfield. The language is in some ways a bit dated and over descriptive but they remain very readable and for me the sort of book you read in the winter by the fireside!

Book Review: Hour Game by David Baldacci

Finished reading this today, quite a long book but very good. It is number two (out of five) in Baldacci's King and Maxwell series that I am reading in order. The interplay between the two main characters is coming along nicely, will they ever get togehter more than just working partners? (Don't tell me!!!)

The novel is based around a family and it just bowls along at a great pace and has many twists and turns. Well worth reading and you keep returning for your next reading dose.

I would rate this novel as 8 out of 10.

Recommended Movie of a Book: The Lincoln Lawyer

We went to see this movie today in Doha based on the Michael Connelly novel the Lincoln Lawyer. We arrived ten minutes late for the start, but the film was great.

I am a committed Michael Connelly fan, but my wife enjoyed the film very much too and she has never read any of his books. We thought the film was stylish, nicely paced and engaging. Even the locals were quiet in the cinema so that was a good recommendation too.

Great performances from Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei.

Get along to your local cinema this instant and watch this one!!!

Recommended Author John Grisham

I love all of John Grisham's novels and I am completely up to date (pending another one coming out this year 2011) with reading these. Very much page turners usually set around a court case. They have made some very nice films of such novels as the Firm, the Pelican Brief and the Rainmaker. You will really enjoy reading his thrillers.

 

There are other books that John Grisham has written that are a little more off of the mainstream thriller track. His Playing for Pizza was wonderful, a nice cosy book set in Italy. Also the novel A Painted House was delightful to read, a thriller but not very conventional, I think it is his best.

I cannot wait for the next John Grisham novel, Theodore Boone and the Abduction that is out in the UK on 07 June 2011.

If you haven't read any John Grisham yet, then I envy you!!!

John Grisham Website

Book Review: Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben

This is the 7^th book in the Myron Bolitar series, I have read the previous six and would recommend that these are read in order as the characters build as time passes. The old favourite characters are there: Win, Esmeralda, Big Cyndi, Myron's parents but no sign of the Ache Brothers this time.

I consider that this novel is less jokey than the previous ones and is darker too (maybe the clue is in the book title J). The plot is fairly simple but enjoyable with some nice twists too. I am determined to read the rest of the Myron Bolitar series and then will return to read the stand alone novels of Harlan Coben too.

Worth a read 8/10

Book Review: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

It seems a bit prophetic that I should be reading a book with a background of the French Revolution bearing in mind the issues around the Middle East and me being currently based in Doha, Qatar.

 

I believe that this is one of Charles Dickens more memorable novels and I have enjoyed it very much. You are able to identify with the characters and can understand clearly the danger of the times. It seems to me that it is just the correct time to read this novel now.

My rating 6/10

Recommended Author Roddy Doyle

Have not read his books for some time I must confess but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Barrytown Trilogy (The Commitments, the Snapper and the Van). Funny and very lifelike reading. Characters that you can really identify with. The Commitments is an irreverent film too with some great music thrown in.

His books are set in Ireland/Dublin generally and will make you smile and cry at points. Reminder to me: to read the rest of his novels, especially as he has two new ones out this year (2011): A Greyhound of a Girl and Bullfighting.

 Roddy Doyle has a website and is also on Fantastic Fiction

Book Review: Divine Justice by David Baldacci

This is the fourth in the Camel Club series and I enjoyed reading this novel very much, took me about 4 days. The same characters including the wonderfully named Oliver Stone make it comfortable from the beginning if you have read the previous three novels in the series (The Camel Club, The Collectors, and Stone Cold). You get to feel for repeat characters and I certainly wanted to know what happened with Oliver and his fellow club members.

It is a bit of a cross country (USA) chase thriller and I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced in the town of Divine, hence the title. The ending was good too and it has been left open for the next instalment in the series. I still have the next one to read on my Kindle and will be reading Hell's Corner soon.

My rating is 8 out of 10.

Recommended Author Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell writes about the character Kay Scarpetta who is a Medical Examiner, and PC's books are mainly about her although she has written some other novels as well. The Scarpetta novels really need to be read in order so that you get to know the other characters as well (Marino, Lucy etc). I felt that the books lost their way a little after the intiail surge of the first ten or so but PC seems to be back on form for the last couple that I have read.

Not sure if there are any more in the pipeline, I checked Fantastic Fiction and her website but no news.

The books are usually very descriptive about medical procedures but also have some terrifying incidents of things that happen to Kay Scarpetta. You also get to really like Kay Scarpetta's lifestyle too. Worth getting to grips with the Kay Scarpetta novels but you really need to start from the beginning.

Patricia Cornwell website and she is on Fantastic Fiction too.

Recommended Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

ACD of course wrote all of the Sherlock Holmes books. If you haven't read these yet, then what are you waiting for. They are generally quite short and great fun to read. The language is a bit dated I suppose but this is part of the fun.

ACD has also written other books of thriller type or just good stories. Worth checking him out, a fascinating man. The Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories are not to be missed even if you don't fancy reading his over books.

You can see ACD's books list on Fantastic Fiction.

Recommended Author Lee Child

Lee Child is English but was made redundant and started to write thrillers. They are all based on the loner character called Jack Reacher and the books are set in the USA. Lee's wife is American but he seems to me to have the English looking in sort of perspective that adds to the loner's image.

His books are great page turners and you really get to like Reacher however violent he appears to be. You want to be him as he puts situations from wrong to right.

You do not necessairily have to read the books in order but you will enjoy reading them that is for sure.

Lee Child website. And he is on Fantastic Fiction too.

Recommended Author Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is an American who lives in England and has a pithy take on travel generally but a lot about England too. He has also written some interesting books about the origins of words. I enjoy reading his books but have a few still to read and I have not read some for quite some times.

Bill Bryson website. And he is on Fantastic Fiction too.

But worth checking out particularly if you want to get the American's view on British life.

Recommended Author David Baldacci

I am currently about halfway through reading the David Baldacci novels that are great if a little long winded sometimes. There are five Camel Club series that are exellent, as you really get to like the old fellas in that. I am currently reading number four in the series called Divine Justice that is pretty good.

David Baldacci website. And he is on Fantastic Fiction too.

I would recommend David Baldacci's books, they are a good read and some are excellent, I really enjoyed The Winner for example and of course all of the Camel Club novels.

Recommended Author Jeffrey Archer

A lot of people seem to criticise Jeffrey Archer for being a bit low brow. However, I have not felt this is the case and I have read all of his novels, I think that they are great page turners. Always worth a read. He has also written some more serious stuff about George Mallory (did he climb Everest first?) that are excellent too.

Jeffrey Archer has also been in prison and is a larger than live character. He has written about his prison days and these are an insight too. I worked on a prison construction and I had a peek into this world but it was nice to get the perspective from the inside.

Jeffrey Archer Website and he also appears on Fantastic Fiction too.

His next novel is out in the UK on 12 May 2011 and is called Only Time Will Tell.

I will certainly be reading that one this year too!!!

Recommended Author Michael Connelly (Simply the BEST)

I have read all of the Michael Connelly novels so far. He is the best thriller/mystery author around as far as I am concerned. His Harry Bosch novels (LA Detective) really need to be read in order. If you haven't read any yet then you are in for a treat. Find the first one (The Black Echo) and become an addict. Michael's website is good too and the updates seem to come along at just the right interval if you sign up for updates.

A film called the Lincoln Lawyer (mainly Mickey Haller) is out in a week or so, I hope that they show this in Qatar!

MC website is here. Or he also appears on Fantastic Fiction.

He has two novels out this year too:

The Fifth Witness (A Mickey Haller novel is out in the UK on 14 April 2011)

The Drop (A Harry Bosch novel out on 25 October 2011 in the UK)

I cannot recommend Michael Connelly enough!!!!

Recommended Author Harlan Coben

I am about halfway through reading the novels of Harlan Coben. I found it a little hard to get into the first Myron Bolitar one but now I am hooked. I read these in paperback or on Kindle on the computer.


I can now highly recommend these novels. They are thriller mystery novels that are often funny and addictive. The Myron Bolitar ones (there are nine published so far) are great, you really get into the characters and the off the wall humour.


As I am English and not from the USA I am also getting to understand a bit about American culture such as Yoo Hoo etc!!!!


Worth reading if you like thriller or mystery books.

Harlan Coben Website