Bokelskere.no

Den islandske poeten Frida Isberg er nominert til Nordisk Råds Litteraturpris for novellesamlingen "Kløe" og sjelden har en tittel passet så godt til innholdet. Det handler om konflikter mellom generasjoner eller i et parforhold, det handler om undertrykkelse eller en sorg. Felles for dem alle er at personene på ulike måter får den ubehagelige og til tider stikkende følelsen når noe klør og man er usikker på om man skal klø tilbake eller avstå i håp om at kløen forsvinner av seg selv.
På et lavmælt og utmerket vis formidler forfatteren disse tingene som ofte skjer i løpet av et liv.

Les gjerne hele omtalen min her.

When Clara Dahl returns to seemingly quiet and idyllic little Norwegian town, Rossby, she is shocked to find a witch hunter is invited to weed out the female population. Supported by town council, untrue and silly allegations are made against women and Clara has to take drastic measures to prevent her best friend from being tried as a witch. On this quest a couple of surprising allies turn up.

Catching a Witch by Heidi Eljarbo is about, idyllic little town, Rossby, in western Norway which gets a visit from famous English witch hunter Angus Hill. Rumors and allegations are made by children and people with all kinds of agendas to cast blame on town’s women. With an unbelievable mixture of misguided beliefs and share callousness Angus Hill rounds up innocent women, including Clara’s best friend Bess, and throws them in jail. In danger of being declared a witch herself Clara tries to speak in their favor, but as a woman she is not heard. She has to resort to drastic measures and the help of a couple of surprising allies to free the “suspects”.

Main character Clara Dahl is the well educated and privileged minister’s daughter who has an exotic background very different from others in the village. She has a mindset reminiscent of today. I find her kind and assertive even though she seems to view herself as slightly introverted and is my favorite character in this story.

Innkeeper/Councilman Hansen seems to have plenty of negative traits. I find him disrespectful and focused on keeping up his power and reputation. He carries around a stick he uses to beat children who get in his way. When deciding my least favorite character there is plenty to choose from, but Hansen is certainly right at the top of the list.

I felt the writing of Catching a Witch was vivid, descriptive and engaging.
I enjoyed the descriptions of village health care and the closeness of women in the little village community. The use of medicinal herbs seemed close to cooking and the natural knowledge of women brought from mother to daughter through generations I find fascinating. These descriptions were my favorite parts of the story.

The witch trials described seemed to have elements of gruesome entertainment which reminds me of descriptions of beheadings in town squares in the Middle Ages. I felt a hurtful lump in my stomach reading these parts of the story. Most savage methods were used against innocent, even pregnant, women. This was my least favorite part of this story, although I appreciated the dramatic element.

As I have not read any historical fiction set in Norway 1600s, I think the research of village life in western Norway was educational and great. The witch hunter’s methods and activities I found mind numbingly atrocious. -Good writing.

Similar authors to explore might be Geraldine Brooks, Katherine Howe, Kathleen Kent or Elizabeth George Speare.

Thank you to author Heidi Eljarbo for providing this copy which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 3 stars / 5
Main reasons: Good character development and research, Vivid writing

Commander Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard goes to Larksoken, Norfolk to sort out the cottage he has inherited from his late aunt. On a walk, he finds the body of Hillary Robarth, Acting Administrative Officer of the local nuclear power plant. A serial killer known as “The Whistler” has committed several murders in the area and this one has the same m.o. Dalgliesh helps local police with the investigation.

I listened to the audio edition of Devises and Desires, published by BBC Worldwide Ltd. It is number 8 in the (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries) series by P.D. James. We follow Commander Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard as he goes to Larksoken in Norfolk to clear out his late aunt’s cottage he has recently inherited. Acting Administrative Officer of the local nuclear power plant Hillary Robarth is found strangled on the beach close to Dalgliesh’s cottage. This is made to look like one of “The Whistler”’s works, but it’s a copycat. “The Whistler” was already dead at the time of the murder.

Devises and Desires was first published in 1989, 3 years after the Tsjernobyl nuclear disaster. The exciting and relevant plot includes nuclear and environmental issues which was very real and present in people’s minds at the time and is engagingly dealt with in the plot.

Main character is Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh is the analytical character who manages to help tie up all lose ends in this story. As a hero he comes across as slightly quiet, but seems very dependable and stable. One I could put my trust in. He is my favorite of the story.

Secondary character Dr Alex Mare is Director at the nuclear plant. He had an affair with the victim 3-4 months ago, which seems to have not quite ended. He strung the victim along ever since, while having a new affair with the wife of a local environmental activist. I find him really unsympathetic and my least favorite in this story.

My favorite part of this story was the entertaining and enjoyable way the dialogue was acted out by British actors. It felt reminiscent of a radio play where I could make out the visuals myself.

P.D. James managed to include a mix of issues like environmental extremism, blackmail, adultery, gay-lesbian and suicide among others. There were quite a few twists along the way so my suspicions went in a different direction. The ending was a complete surprise to me.

The audio edition of Devises and Desires, is the exciting #8 installment in the (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries) series by P.D. James. The plot has a nuclear and environmental theme highly relevant today and the audio edition was expertly acted out by British actors. I enjoy P.D. James’ work so much; I am on a quest to pick up on the remaining ones I have not yet read.
Fans of P.D. James will enjoy this work, as will readers of crime fiction. Similar authors to explore might be Elizabeth George or Colin Dexter.
Thank you to Kristiansand Folkebibliotek for lending me the audio edition which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: Relevant plot, Interesting characters, Great dialogue

When unemployed cotton mill worker Zoe Hart arrives from Manchester, she suddenly finds herself in the care of an infant girl. Without means of support, she enters into a marriage of convenience to local minister Abraham, Pastor Abe, Merivale, who offers them protection. They are determined to live by the convenience arrangement but are surprised how dissatisfied they both are with that part of their relationship.

A Bride of Convenience is book number 3 in Jody Hedlund’s 4 book series The Bride Ships, published by Bethany House Publishers. The setting is Vancouver Island and Yale 1863, and we get to follow unemployed cotton mill worker Zoe Hart when she just off the boat meets local minister Abraham, Pastor Abe, Merivale. She suddenly finds herself in the care of an infant and in a marriage of convenience to Abe, who promises to keep Zoe and the baby safe from looming danger.

Main character Zoe Hart is a warm hearted and assertive young woman who is escaping, family drug addiction and bullying to start a new life in the colonies. She struggles with self doubt but has a full set of admirable qualities I wish she would see as clearly as Abe does.

Secondary character Abraham Merivale is on a 5 year, unpaid, mission in British Columbia to build churches. He aspires to become bishop, but is more and more in conflict with the decisions to stay on his career track. I feel for him as his life seems so confined within the rules of English society.

A Bride of Convenience includes several dramatic elements so expertly written my neck hairs rose, including well crafted and dangerous villain character Dexter Dawson out to get Zoe. The thorough research shines through in the vivid descriptions of people’s lifestyles, interactions and clothing as well as the characters themselves.

The romance between Zoe and Abe took some time to develop as they both tried to live by the convenience deal. But close moments seemed to appear between them more and more helped by walks in the northern lights and the visit to a local hot spring. This was my favorite parts of the story I felt were particularly well written. A spiritual element was running through the book as the characters continuously prayed for support while trying to deal with tough times.

A Bride of Convenience included all my favorites: Exiting plot including romance and drama set in spectacular, exotic environments. I couldn’t ask for more. A Bride of Convenience is the second work I have read by Jody Hedlund. While I would have preferred to read The Bride Ship Series in order, reading A Bride of Convenience as a standalone worked perfectly. Just enough hints from the previous installment were given to help me pick up the essentials.

Fans of Jody Hedlund will absolutely love this work, as will readers of historical romance fiction. Similar author to explore might be Laura Frantz and Karen Witemeyer.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC, which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

My review: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: Exiting plot, excellent writing, great romance,

When journalist Mick Cambrey is found dead, castrated, local opinion is that he got what was coming to him. Inspector Lynley of Scotland Yard investigates the murder in his hometown Howenstow where he knows everybody from his childhood. As the investigation proceeds another murder occurs.

A Suitable Vengance is the fourth book by Elizabeth George about Inspector Lynley and I listened to an audio edition of it published by Bantam Audio Publishing of 1991. I jumped right into A Suitable Vengance and I felt it worked well as a standalone. I am curious what happened to Lynley in the 3 previous installments. In this early release Havers only makes a brief “guest appearance” working with the local investigator. She has not met Lynley at this point.

The story is set in and around idyllic Cornish village of Howenstow. He takes on the investigation assisted by Simon St James. As they are outside their jurisdiction, they are not working in any real professional capacity; more or less as private citizens when investigating the murder of Mick Cambrey.

The plot of A Suitable Vengance has a number of fascinating elements. We get to read about cocaine trafficking, experiments with cancer drugs, cross dressing, posh lifestyle and complicated, bad relationships.

Main character is Inspector Thomas Lynley, 8th Lord Asherton who is heir to the Howenstow estate, has a seriously complicated relationship with his estranged mother following her infidelity. Fortunately as the story progressed, they both to become a little more mature about the incident.

Secondary character Peter Lynley is Inspector Lynley’s younger brother who is a drop out of Oxford. He is addicted to cocaine and lives from one fix to the next. I felt very sorry for him as he felt abandoned by his older brother when very young and kind of gave up on his own life.
To choose a favorite character in this story feels hard. Thomas seemed to be the hero and Peter more of tragic character. My least favorite I think was the first victim’s father Harry Cambrey, who was creating and trying to keep up a lie about his son to shield the family from prejudice.

My favorite part of the plot was descriptions of the posh lifestyle of the Lynleys. Reminiscent of environments from Downton Abbey set in a crime fiction story. It included everything from dinner parties and big social events to descriptions of the manor house itself.

A Suitable Vengance (Inspector Lynley #4) by Elizabeth George is a story with a mix of very fascinating elements ranging from cocaine trafficking to drug experiments. Including twists and turns a very surprising ending. As I am curious about the main character’s relationships, I will definitely go back and pick up on that storyline.

Fans of Elizabeth George would love A Suitable Vengance, as would readers of crime fiction.
Similar authors to explore might be Louise Penny or P.D. James.
Thank you to Kristiansand Public Libraray for providing me with this audio CD edition of A Suitable Vengance which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: exiting plot, great character development, surprise ending

Lawyer Daniel Pitt is asked to defend a criminal in a case of arson and murder which seems cut-and-dried, only it escalates into another case. Two warehouses have burnt down and two murders have been committed exactly the same way. He calls upon experts on forensic science to present evidence of what really happened in these fascinatingly complex cases.

One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry is number 3 and the last in Daniel Pitt Mysteries Series published by Ballantine Books. We follow new lawyer Daniel Pitt as he is asked to defend a known criminal in an arson-murder case. Soon there is an identical case, and they both seem disturbingly similar to a case 20 years ago. Daniel gets help from forensic scientist Miriam fford Croft as well as his powerful father, Thomas Pitt of Special Branch, to prove what really happened.

Secondary character Miriam fford Croft is an interesting female character with views that would fit right into the 2000s. She is well educated and is frustrated that women are not allowed to earn degrees in England 1910. I think she is hard working and an impressive character despite having had serious setbacks in her personal life. I was pleased to see she found a way to deal with her professional problems and I she is my favorite in this story.

The historical setting of this plot is London 1910 when English women were expected to marry. Education was considered a waste of time. Miriam fford Croft managed to complete her studies, but didn’t earn a degree because she was a woman. As Anne Perry’s books are set mainly in 1800s, there are elements of male prejudice against women in most of them. In One Fatal Flaw it is a prominent part of the plot, which I enjoyed a lot in the way I would a horror movie.

One Fatal Flaw (Daniel Pitt Mystery #3) by Anne Perry is a quick and easy read with an exciting plot set in a new century. The writing is vivid and the character building excellent. I enjoyed reading Triple Jeopardy #2 in Daniel Pitt Mysteries Series, just as it was released. One Fatal Flaw includes hints to previous stories, giving just enough info about characters for it to work excellently as a standalone as all other works of Anne Perry. I love Anne Perry’s unique cockney dialect writing, and the mystery element of Miriam’s personal life, which was revealed as a little gem right at the end. I am excited to read anything else she releases in future.

Fans of Anne Perry will love One Fatal Flaw. As will readers of historical crime fiction. Similar authors to explore might be C.S. Harris or Charles Finch.
Thank you to the local Public Library of Kristiansand for providing One Fatal Flaw which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: Excellent plot, superb writing, great characters

On a small island off the coast of Ireland a big celebrity wedding is thrown into shambles. People’s relationship issues come to light helped by liberal amounts of alcohol, a dark atmosphere of danger and stormy weather. On top of it all a body is found.

In The Guest List the standalone novel by Lucy Foley, published by Harper Collins Publishers we follow the guests invited to magazine owner Julia Keegan’s and TV celebrity Will Slater’s wedding on a small island off the coast of Ireland. There is plenty of danger and rumors surrounding the venue and when plenty of alcohol is consumed, relationships between the guests become unhinged. -Then a murder happens.

Magazine owner Julia, Jules, Keegan is the bride who is focused on presenting the perfectly staged wedding to be issued in her successful magazine. I found her hard and shallow and did not care for her at all.

Hannah is the wife of the bride’s best man (male) who is a caring, nice, friendly person who wants everybody to be happy. She seems the most emotionally put together of the characters in this story and is therefore my favorite.

We get to follow each guest’s perspectives in chapters of their own, learning about their secrets. Everybody has them. Even the wedding planner. There was some excellent character building in this story. The public school boys were right on top of my list of disagreeable persons.

Plenty of elements of the setting added a dark vibe to the plot. Superb, vivid writing gave me the feeling of watching a horror movie. The setting was spooky, with a storm coming, darkness, and dangerous cliffs and bogs, all of which added an intensely scary feeling about the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the playing with time elements and perspectives in this story which kept interest continuously up, the plot fascinating and intense. This was the first book i have read with this kind of story building. I found the gradual revealing of clues and narrowing down of the plot really appealed to me.

The scariest part of the story was reminiscent of scenes from Lord of The Flies. Traumatic events seemed to have damaged them and were brought to life again when they were drunk. This part of the story felt well written and authentic and was my favorite. I was pleased to see some of the ushers wised up as the story progresses.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a quick read with very short chapters. Superb, vivid writing gave me the feeling of watching a horror movie. Great character building, particularly of the wedding ushers from same boarding school. A very dark, spooky vibe, some surprising twists throughout and a surprise ending. It is the first I have read by this author and I will be on the look-out for more. I enjoyed that the plot was gradually narrowing towards the end.

Fans of Lucy Foley would love The Guest List. Readers of crime fictions would enjoy this too. Similar authors to explore might be Lisa Gardner and Andrew Hunter Murray.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: Excellent plot, great character building, vivid writing

Takk for oppklaring.:)