Some notable book reviews I've read over the past week or two:
Scott Pack on Deanna Raybourn's Silent in the Grave. I am not usually a big fan of historical crime or of comic crime, but this one (Victorian era) sounds as if it might be an exception. It's first of a series.
Brothers Judd on I am Legend by Richard Matheson. I re-read this book on holiday 18 months ago, and rather liked it again even though vampire novels aren't my thing. It's an economical little chiller, and so far as I recall, a then-startlingly original blend of genres. Brothers Judd liked it less than I did. Now it has been made into (another) film, this time with Will Smith in the Charlton Heston role. I don't know if I'll go and see it or not.
Scott Pack again, this time on Atomised by Michel Houllebecq. This is one of those iconic books that seems to indicate you are cool if you've read it, but I have never managed to bring myself to actually do that. Having read Scott's views, I don't think I've missed anything.
Karen of Euro Crime reviews The Christmas Bow Murder by Brian Battison, as part of her Its Christmas Crime series. Looks diverting. While at Euro Crime, this isn't exactly a review, but Karen features the synopsis of the last and eagerly awaited (by me) Frost book, title Killing Frost, by the late R. D. Wingfield, out early next year. The first four books were excellent, dark police procedurals. I saw only a few of the TV series, in which the character of Frost is considerably softened. The books were much better.
Material Witness reviews Sephulcre by Kate Mosse, and likes it a lot. I am not so sure, I still have an unread copy of Labyrinth at home, so really ought to read that first. I feel put off by the hyperbole and the mixed reviews of the earlier book. It seems from the Material Witness review that Sephulcre might be better, but the "Da Vinci Code" genre of historical conspiracy/religious-supernatural isn't my thing, I feel - In general I prefer the laws of the universe to be followed in the books I read (boring of me, no doubt).
Here's another Material Witness review of a book that seems more up my street, Meltdown by Martin Baker. Hot stuff, in more ways than one.
David Montgomery of Crime Fiction Dossier reads his first "alphabet" mystery by Sue Grafton, T is for Trespass, and likes it. (The post is not a review, though.) I have enjoyed this PI series to date, having read all of the books. Although I look forward to T, I'm quite happy to wait for the paperback.
Is there anyone who doesn't adore Ken Bruen? Crime Scraps here reviews Priest. I am seriously going to have to read this author, I don't think I've come across a reader of crime fiction who doesn't think he is fabulous, and he wins lots of prizes and awards, too. Crime Scraps on Priest: "a powerful brilliant dark book, full of insight in to the human condition, and with wonderful little vignettes about interesting characters."
And finally, for this post, Karen C of Aust Crime Fiction on I See You by Gregg Hurwitz. This book seems to be another for the "must read one day" list.
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