My Review (5 stars out of 5) Elizabeth M Hurst has written much about the craft of writing, as well as study guides, critical essays and novels, so it’s fair to say she knows what she’s talking about. This book is about dialogue – what it should do, what it shouldn’t do, and how to…
Author: colingarrow
‘Time and Time Again’ by Ben Elton
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Former soldier and celebrated explorer, Hugh ‘Guts’ Stanton, embarks on an adventure that could change history. Summoned to Cambridge University by old friend Professor McCluskey, Stanton learns of the secretive Order of Chronos and their collection of documents submitted to the university by Sir Isaac Newton. Stanton is…
‘Blue Lights Dark Mind’ by Ryan MacDonald
My Review (4 stars out of 5) Former senior police officer Ryan MacDonald has worked in frontline operations, covert surveillance, intelligence, counterterrorism and as a crime scene manager. In this book he reveals the details of his work both in the police service and in the military, and how the job took a toll on…
‘The Body Snatchers’ by Jack Finney
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Dr Miles Bennell has lived in Santa Mira all his life. His practice is not particularly challenging until the day one of his patients tells him her uncle isn’t her uncle. She insists there’s something different about the man, though what it is that’s different is a mystery,…
‘Deadly Truths’ by Paul Gitsham
My Review (4 stars out of 5) Detectives Foxe and Kennard feel like a couple of spare parts at Moat Lane Police Station, especially when they find themselves tasked with investigating a series of burglaries, rather than what they really want – a nice juicy murder. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn, throwing them…
‘Unruly’ by David Mitchell
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) From legendary (and non-existent) King Arthur to Elizabeth I, this is a book that charts the rise and fall of England’s Kings and Queens. Revealing who did the job well and who didn’t, David Mitchell lifts the lid on the royal highnesses of history without ever letting…
‘Consequences’ by Jo Fenton
My Review (4 stars out of 5) This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it gets off to an interesting start throwing the heroine straight into a crime scene as well as having to deal with a difficult boss. The narrative jumps around a bit and is seen from different points…
‘Tides of Deception’ by Lindsay Adam
My Review (4 stars out of 5) In her second short story collection, Lindsay Adam serves up something for everyone. From a true story of smuggling in 1770s Aberdeenshire (Tides of Deception), to Witch, Witch, where a young girl is forced to leave her home when the community accuse her of witchcraft, there’s a huge…
‘Hearsay Testimony’ by Jake Needham
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Lawyer Charlie Trust has his view of California’s Carbon Beach spoiled one morning when sheriff’s deputies march across to the house of one of Charlie’s neighbours. Soon, two bodies are carried away in black bags. Arnie Duncan and his wife have been shot in their living room. The…
‘The Crimean War’ by Paul Kerr
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Based largely on extracts from letters, diaries and newspaper articles, Paul Kerr’s book was originally a tie-in with a 1997 TV series on Channel 4, and is told through the eyes of the soldiers, sailors, doctors, nurses, artists and reporters who were there. As well as the British…
Colin Garrow 