Chez Budsmam: October reading and Storygraph

The body on Audible by Stephen King

Nobody does coming of age like Stephen King. This was beautiful and so wonderful hearing it beautifull narrated by Wil Wheaton. Just a wonderful story about childhood and childhood friendships 5 🌟

Five go to Demon rocks by Enid Blyton

I remember this as being a favourite. It has less misogyny (but still some) than others in the series and less racism. Its a nice story 5 🌟

Murder in Belgravia by Irina Shapiro

Fantastic as ever. Another wonderful addition to the Tate and Bell series

A great cast of characters with many suspects along the way. All leading to a surprising conclusion. Great atmosphere the details of prostitution in Victorian London are heartbreaking. With thanks to the author and Netgalley for the copy. 5 🌟

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle

I did enjoy this but the writing is very much of its time.

I loved the films but always strongly suspected an undercurrent of racism. The book didn't really dispell that. 3.5 🌟

Death at Sam's mine by Maisie Graves

A new Tilly Lafleur mystery is always a treat and this is no exception.
A lovely twisty mystery with a goodly amount of suspects and red herrings.
As ever one of the highlights is seeing the backstory develop, after the bombshell ending of the last in the series this one doesn't let up the pace, a real cracker 5 🌟

Whispers from the black bog by Karsten Knight

Fantastic series finale. I think this might be my favourite of the series.

As ever, great plot great pacing, the right amount of horror and a surprise ending. 5 🌟

Broken earth devastation by Barbara Barker

Just not for me DNF

The phantom of the temple by Robert Van Gulik

I do love the shorter stories whuch concentrate on one mystery (or a few mysteries which turn out to be intertwined) 5 🌟

Five have a mystery to solve

Oh so many mixed feelings about this one. Its nice to see Ann get more feisty but its still muted and the misogyny is still rife. The ending was really rushed, it had been a half decent story till the end 4 🌟

Lord Peter Wimsey BBC radio collection vol 3 on Audible by Dorothy L Sayers

Murder must advertise

I always really enjoyed this one but unfortunately no Harriet Vane and no Bunter. Yes there is Inspector Parker but he's not the same.

But a lovely mystery all the same.

Nine tailors

Yea! Bunter is back. I really think this is one of my favourites. The story the ending with the flood. I remember the TV programme it was wonderful and this is as good

Gaudy night

I was never sure if I liked Harriet Vane or not. I think I always felt she usurped Bunter which I didn't like. But this is one of my favourite stories I think and it's told mainly from Harriet Vanes pov, it's a sad story but with a happy ending.

Busmans honeymoon

What a perfect ending to a fantastic re listen. Brilliant cast, Kenneth Cranham, Rosemary Leach, Peter Vaughan, Roger Lloyd Pack. We have both Harriet and Bunter, brilliant. It's a nice mystery too. I have just loved re listening to these stories. 5🌟

The wrath of the triple goddess by Rick Riordan

Loved it more than the previous one in the series. While still not as good as the original series its still got allbthe hallmarks of a great tale 4.5 🌟

The drowning Glen by Andrew James Greig

What a compelling story! This is my first in the series but it worked well as a stand alone, there was enough explanation about any back stories for any new reader.
I felt it was a bit slow to grab me but once it did I couldn't put it down. Corstorphine felt like an authentic MC he has his share of troubles but it wasn't over done. All the team felt well fleshed out and believable.
The mystery was emotional and I was desperate to know the fate of Noah. A very believable and unexpected ending left me wanting to read the rest of the series 4 🌟

Five are together again by Enid Blyton

Giving this 4 stars purely for nostalgias sake. Enid Blyton wrote great stories but this wasn't the best of them. Several old plots hashed together in a very rushed story. Sad its the last in the series its not the best 4 🌟

The chinese nail murders by Robert Van Gulik

Sad at times but another excellent one in the series 5 🌟

Night before her wedding by Jessica Huntley

Just brilliant I love anything Jessica Huntley writes.

This is no exception an engaging main character who you really root for throughout the story (even though she does make some dodgy decisions) all the characters feel authentic and relatable.

The pace is great, I read this in 2 sessions I was so keen to find out the ending. And what an ending! I had flip flopped about who I thought was responsible there are many to choose from. Quite a few red herrings but not too many make for a break neck read.

And the ending was perfect. 5 🌟

Bitter end by CJ Carmichael

A good addition to the series but perhaps not the best so far? I felt the murder took a bit of a back seat and was a bit rushed at the end.

Still a great read though 4 🌟

The willow pattern by Robert Van Gulik

Beautifully atmospheric 5 🌟

The Tsar is dead by Milan Ivanisevic

I had high hopes for this book. It sounded like Name of the rose or a CJ Sansom book. Although well written and with a very authentic sense of place and history. It was rather too long and a bit dull to be honest. Lots of length dialogue didn't help 3.5 🌟

Murder in Canton by Robert Van Gulik

Im giving it 5 stars because it the last in the series but its not my favourite.

I miss Ma Joong, also the ending! But it was a fabulous series and I've loved rereading them all again. 5 🌟

Skullduggery pleasant by Derek Landy

Just too slow for me DNF

A Halloween murder by Mary Grand

Not for me DNF

The Denburn by John Duncan

Whilst I did enjoy this book I did feel there was a certain naivety about the plot and the writing. I simply can't believe that 4 murders in Aberdeen would not have been identified as a serial killer by the press. The main characters were enjoyable but again there was a naivety in the way their interactions were portrayed

The author obviously deeply loves Aberdeen and this come across in the portrayal of the city, I know and love Aberdeen well and it was partially this which kept me engaged 3.5 🌟

The lady of shadows by Johan Rundberg

Loved it, excellent addition to the series. Engaging well plotted great pace 4.5 🌟

Cradle breaker by Delphine Woods

Absolutely fabulous. Delphine Woods always packs a lot of story into a small space. The two main characters are complex relatable and enjoyable. Its not an easy story but its well told 4 🌟

Tom Wasp and the murdered stunner by Amy Myers

Far too "cor blimey guv" for me DNF

Castle abductions by David Field

I was quite enjoying this until the end. The mystery itself is slight but it was an easy read but the ending with the Queen was so unbelievable it spoiled it for me. 3.5 🌟

The heiress of Linn Halgh on Audible by Karen Charleton

Absolutely dire DNF

A quiet life in the country on Audible by T.E. Kinsey

Really disliked the flippant tone when discussing hanging DNF

The witches of mystic springs by Mona Marple

Really enjoyable. A bit of a diversion from the main characters. It works well. 4 🌟

The grave in the ice by Satu Rämö

Absolutely loved this. So well written. All the characters are so well fleshed out. Incredible plot deftly handled.
And the ending! 5 🌟

Marked by time by Philip Robertson

Just loved this one, what a great romp. Thoroughly enjoyable characters, great pace. I knocked 3/4 of a star off because i couldn't believe Morgan didn't see Julian was Cael. 4.25 🌟

The undertakers assistant by Amanda Skenandore

Not for me DNF

Embroidered evidence by Thea Duek

Not for me DNF

Midnight wedding murder by Ron Tucker

Nice fun little cosy 3.5 🌟

Confronting the invisible by David Field

I felt the plot in this was quite slight but soon the story really developed and took off. Quite sad at times but sucked me in completely 4 🌟

Garters and gargoyles by Nancy Warren

I just love this series, its so dependable. You are guaranteed a great story, fabulous story arcs. Characters you genuinely care about and a good solid mystery 5 🌟

Syracuse will burn by Jim Loughran

Not for me DNF

Circus of mystic springs by Mona Marple

While I did enjoy this it felt a bit disjointed in places

Nice ending though 3.5 🌟

The lost ones on Audible by Johan Rundberg

This is a wonderfully dark series and very moving at times. I loved this audio version the narrator was excellent 4 🌟

So what do the stats say!

Book source, well I've started KU again so lets see what new authors I can get from that. Plus catching up on old favourites! Quite a few red reads again which is nice.