My reviews at Euro Crime this week are a contrasting pair, indeed. First, a book I wasn't expecting to enjoy a great deal because of the hype, but in the event found utterly absorbing and enjoyed very much: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, a "beautifully written and involving story". I adored it.
The second book I review is Ice Trap by Kitty Sewell. The opening sequence was haunting and suspenseful, but the main plot turns out to be somewhat unrealistic in a soap-opera kind of way. Nevertheless, the book is a page-turner, and if you are prepared to suspend belief a bit, you might enjoy it as much as some of the newspaper reviewers did.
Other new reviews at Euro Crime can be seen here. They include Karen Meek on Crimini, the collection of Italian short stories edited by Giancarlo De Cataldi; Norman Price's take on A Vengeful Longing by R. N. Morris; and Fiona Walker on The Abominable Man by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo-- one of the ten-part Matin Beck series. I haven't yet read this one as I am only up to number four, but I am looking forward to it.
Suspension of belief may indeed be welcome when it comes to Kitty Sewell's novel. "Soap-opera" may also be a title to attach. However, truth and life can be stranger than fiction, and that is the case here. Sewell's story in "Ice Trap" was based on the personal experience of her husband. Not the first time that fiction is stranger than fact...
There was a newspaper interview with Sewell that I can no longer find on the net, but this Woman's Hour interview may suffice: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_49_fri_02.shtml
Not that I'm saying that Ice Trap is more than you read it to be; merely that fiction and real life often co-habit unintentionally and make uneasy bed-mates, as is the case here.
Your review has left me wondering why it is taking so long to see another "crime fiction" novel from this author. Following "Ice Trap" she produced "Hector's Talent for Miracles", published by Honno Womens' Press, a novel that explored the history of the Welsh in Spain.
When I read "Ice Trap", I wanted more. Hopefully this wish will now be fulfilled.
Posted by: cfr | 20 February 2008 at 23:51
I, too, really enjoyed "Thirteenth Tale," though I didn't believe the girl's mother would still be so devastated by losing one baby in infancy. At least, not unless she had described as somewhat deranged before that (I'm talking about the researcher/biographer's mother), but instead we were shown a woman who had been happy right up until that event and then was a basket case for 30 years after. I don't believe it.
Except for that, quite a fun tale. Sort of a modern Charlotte Bronte story, and I was certainly fooled by the extra character haunting the plot (I'm saying that obliquely, so as not to spoil the novel for other readers).
Oh, and Maxine, I've just read Ruth Rendell's "The Crocodile Bird," on a rec from Becky -- quite a good psych. thriller. Do you like Rendell and can you make any other recs? I don't like detective stories, but I do like thrillers!
Posted by: Susan Balée | 21 February 2008 at 01:03
Very interesting comment, CFR, and I remember well your own articles and review of this book when it first came out. I liked the start and the end sections much more than the main section. Life really must be stranger than fiction, because I found the "sway" that the main nasty character held over the doctors unconvincing, as well as the acceptance of the DNA test by the "husband" when it was the "interested party" who conveyed the results to him. Surely any reader would be inwardly urging him, as I was, to have an independent test done?
Agreed, though, it was a promising debut and I hope Kitty Sewell will attempt more crime fiction.
Susan, I'll address your question in a post!
Posted by: Maxine | 23 February 2008 at 11:55
I lost a baby at 11 days old, and her birthday is still written up on our family calendar 25 years later. Believe me, you never forget. I'm not a basket case by any means, but who knows what may have been if the baby had lived longer (and come home from hospital)
Posted by: Kerrie Smith | 23 February 2008 at 22:31
I tried The Thirteenth Tale and got really bogged down at the beginning, so I gave up. Was that a mistake? I see that Susan liked it too. You both make it sound good, so maybe I will try again...
Posted by: Becky | 24 February 2008 at 04:19
That is so sad, Kerrie. I am completely with you on it. One can never "forget" an event like that. I feel for you.
The book does strike me as like a victorian novel might be if written today. I don't, however, agree that the woman who had the babies was happy until she had them, I think she was mentally unstable, as shown for example by various aspects of her juvenile behaviour, so I part company with Susan on that bit of the analysis.
I found the beginning quite compelling, Becky, so not sure whether to encourage you to continue -- but the main part of the book is an old woman novelist telling her life story to a younger woman -- if you've got that far and aren't enjoying it, you probably won't like it. I have to say that Cathy (17) read it on my strong urging and said she thought it was good but not that good.
Posted by: Maxine | 24 February 2008 at 09:48
Kerrie, I know losing a baby is terrible; I have two kids and I know that losing either one would be the worst thing that could happen to me. I didn't mean to diminish that at all, just to say that people get beyond really terrible tragedies in time. Not completely, of course, but they're able to get out of bed, leave their house, etc.
Maxine, I don't remember details about the mother's childhood that supplied foreshadowing of her behavior. Oops!
Lastly, I gave a copy of "The Thirteenth Tale" to my daughter's best friend (a major reader, this girl is always asking me for books). She loved it and said it was very convincing about twins (she is a twin). She also really liked "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell." Now if I could only get my own daughter to read more good fiction!
Posted by: Susan Balée | 26 February 2008 at 21:48
Susan: I persuaded Cathy (17) to read "Memory Keeper's Daughter", not my cup of tea but I thought it might be hers (as she loves Jodie Picoult). She was fairly keen but not that bowled over by it. Her favourite books are historical fiction- she's particularly fond of Philippa Gregory, and as "The Other Boleyn Girl" has just been made into a movie, maybe Alix might be interested to try that? Cathy also likes Posie Evans-someone very much - another historical novelist.
Jenny (12) is currently into Troy -- Karen has recommended The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have never read MZB though have frequently been told by female friends that she is good. I've ordered Firebrand and will see what Jenny makes of it.
Posted by: Maxine | 27 February 2008 at 18:59