Review: Stand by Me

Stand by Me by Sheila O'Flanagan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I thought I had read all of Sheila O'Flanagan's books but discovered this one when clearing book shelves in preparation for building work; maybe some kind holiday renter left it for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed it ..... starting with Dominique's teenage years, in Dublin, when she always felt second best and could not live up to her saintly brother who was his mother's pride and joy and destined to become a Catholic priest. The book follows Domin1que's life from disappointing her mother to becoming part of the Irish social scheme and leading the high life. But as mother would have it, pride comes before a fall, and disaster settles around Dominique and her family. How does Dominique cope? I won't spoil it for you ..... a very good book, all 590 pages of it.



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Review: Thursdays in the Park

Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Following the everyday life of a woman approaching her 60th birthday; a relationship in crisis; secrets and decisions. I really related to this book as I am rapidy approaching my 60th this year.

Well written, good characters, the story flows



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Review: Code to Zero

Code to Zero by Ken Follett

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Whilst it does not compare to Pillars of the Earth or World Without End we shouldn't expect it too as it is a completely different genre. Follett started out as a thirller/suspense writer before moving to the historical novels. This book, first published in 2000, holds up well.

A strong thriller, it may take a while to get into, but press on and you will. There are many hidden secrets, hints at the guilty parties but still a strong ending. Starting in January 1958, in the middle of the Cold War, America is playing catch up in the space race; the launch of the Explorer 1 satellite is fraught with problems and delays and potential sabotage. Luke, the main character has had his memory wiped. Why? What does he know? Can he find his way back?



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Review: Wait For Me

Wait For Me by Elisabeth Naughton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Good plot ... gets straight into,no messing around. Imagine not being to remember anything of your permanent life; coming out of a coma, having to get to know your husband again and the baby you can't remember giving birth to. Then your husband is killed in a plane clash and everything changes. Lots of twists and turns, quite a complex plot to keep you guessing.



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Review: The Expats

The Expats by Chris Pavone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Convuluted plots, 4 people all with secrets, from USA to Europe ..... page turning thriller that keeps you thinking ..... I figured out some but not all of it; nice twist at the end.



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Review: The Fallen Star

The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



I downloaded the Kindle version of this book in a hurry not having read the description properly. When I realised it is a fantasy novel, probably aimed at the teenage market, I nearly gave up on it. Then I thought, what the heck, I enjoyed the Harry Potter novels, why not perserve.

It drew me in, a fantasy that has eighteen year old Gemma, fostered out to unloving, unemotional "grand-parents" (shades of Harry Potter); suffering emotional withdrawal from which she is waking up, severe nightmares about yellow-eyed monsters who kill you with freezing air (again, shades of Harry Potter) and the ultimate nightmare of having her soul removed ( [a:Philip Pullman|3618|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1196023994p2/3618.jpg] - Dark Materials Trilogy; which I also loved).

Despite the similarities to other novels of this type the book has a good story line and ends inconclusively leaving you wanting more!

A quick read, enjoyable if you suspend disbelief and go with the flow





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