A really warm meeting of minds at our April get-together. As always, the variety of books read beside our two chosen ones was stimulating, and many will be added to already high piles of ‘To Be Read’ by others in the group. The many genres discussed is always enlightening. Three of our usual readers were enticed away by golf, croquet and an interesting course, but we filled the new sofas and chairs in the Westlands Entertainment Venue Lounge. A drink and something to eat enhances our meet-ups.
This month we chose to read ‘Hunted’ by Abir Mukherjee, and ‘The Trial’ by Rob Rinder. Both had been highly recommended the previous month and now we shared our opinions.
‘Hunted’ by Abir Mukherjee
Liz brought this to our attention. She was totally gripped by this vivid page-turner of a thriller. So much so, that she sat for far too long rivetted in the hunt for the main characters, that when she finally moved, she pulled a muscle in her derriere! It was that good!
Bob was not keen as it was too violent in an already violent world at the moment. He did not finish this one.
Siobhan thought it high-paced and thrilling. She could see this being a brilliant film.
Mark found it absolutely compelling reading. It was well written, and he enjoyed the voices of the characters leading their chapters. He loved it.
Now Sandra thought it an ‘OK read’. She found the FBI woman not quite believable, and when Miriam escaped, she was losing interest. The ending appeared rushed, so she didn’t say she enjoyed it.
Ruth didn’t like our choice this month as this was not her favourite genre. She asked ‘for no more thrillers’!
Faye and Eddie did not read this one but generally it was thought to be a compelling, but exhausting read. As all ‘thrillers’ should be?
‘The Trial’ by Rob Rinder
Liz loved it. She loves any court room drama but had been put-off reading the Rob Rinder books as there was that hint of ‘celebrity writing’, but she was delighted with his writing. (She saw him leaning against one of those pillars you only find in old London theatres, and he smiled and said “Hello”! Then as she sipped her Chardonnay in the interval, realised who he was. A really friendly person.). Liz will now read his next novel, ‘Suspect’.
There was praise flying for this book. Faye was delighted by the details of the court scenes. She loved the little hero Adam character who showed tenacity and loyalty. She liked the aspects of law and the relationships within this novel. Faye, too, will now read Rob Rinder’s second novel.
Bob was thrilled at finding this book. He highly recommended it last month and said he now has started the second novel ‘Suspect’.
Carol loved it. The main character, Adam, she thought was a decent man and the character was very believable. She was cheering for him as the case progressed. She highly enjoyed this book and recommends we read ‘Suspect’, also by Rob Rinder.
Mark had not read it as it was not available in the Library. Probably very popular!
Siobhan read it when it came out in hardback and enjoyed it as a court room drama. Sandra still has to read it. Our comments will spur her on now.
Other Books we have Read this Month
Sandra is reading ‘A Life in Secrets‘ by Sarah Helm and is loving it as it was recommended last month by Chip. It tells the story of Vera, an SOE in WW11. Harrowing but an historical book of the highest calibre. She really recommends it.
Ruth is enjoying another Niall Williams book, ‘History of the Rain‘. The previous one from last month was ‘The Time of the Child’. Ruth loves the characters and the author’s creation of a village where she can laugh out loud about Irish people as described. Comments last month that it can be over-described, but she is now enthralled by this book. She has also read the Judy Dench book ‘Shakespeare: The Man who Pays the Rent‘. She describes it as very natural and full of humour.
Carol read both the Rob Rinder books and also thoroughly enjoyed Joseph O’Connor’s ‘My Father’s House‘. She said it was absolutely wonderful with many voices in it. Delia Kernan’s voice was excellent. Set in 1943 Italy based in the Vatican City surrounded by Nazi Germans. She described it so well that we have chosen to read it next month.
Siobhan has read another Joseph O’Connor novel ‘Shadowplay‘. Discover the thrilling life of Bram Stoker, the man who created Dracula, in this immersive historical novel. Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award. Think Gothic – Theatre – the era of the Whitechapel Murders. Very well written.
Siobhan also read two brilliant family sagas by Isabel Allende. Set in Latin America and described as one of the most important novels of the twentieth century, ‘The House of the Spirits‘ is an enthralling epic that spans decades and lives, weaving the personal and the political into a universal story of love, magic, and fate. Siobhan described it as a brutal reading set in great social unrest. Some rapes of women were difficult scenes which were not for her reading.
She also read a modern saga by Jojo Moyes, ‘We All Live Here‘, which was a joyful read, full of encounters and life reaffirming. Things do happen in our lives and this book has come highly recommended. We all want to read it for next month.
Next Month
I hope you have enjoyed seeing our book choices and comments. Our next month’s books are:
- ‘My Father’s House‘ by Joseph O’Connor.
- ‘We All Live Here‘ by Jojo Moyes.
We meet next month in the Westlands Entertainment Venue Lounge at 12 noon on Tuesday 13th May 2025. We look forward to seeing you there.