Book #8 The Watcher

The Watcher by Ross Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It started so well. 90 pages in and the legend on the cover that said "The Girl On The Train meets Rear Window" had a ring of authenticity. Our prime protagonist Lily is supposed to be a keen birdwatcher although she does little of that with her binoculars, preferring to spy on the residents of adjoining apartment blocks. She regales her husband Aiden with her take on their daily lives. Or does she? Careful here. Spoilers to be avoided. But then she sees something suspicious in a neighbouring tower block and keeps it to herself. I jus could not connect with Lily as the story progressed. Is she being watched without realising? By whom? Why? Nobody, it appears, wants to listen to Lily's developing paranoia. She keeps a journal, it seems to be addressed to someone. But who? Will we ever find out?

There are some heart-stopping moments, particularly toward the end, which is just as well, as I was struggling to complete the book. Overall, it's good although I found much of the plot irritating. Moreover, the near 400 pages are so full of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes I have to wonder if it was ever proof read. And that is not acceptable.

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Book #7 Magda

Magda by Sarah England
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, Amen to that! The final part of this occult horror trilogy totalling near 700 pages - read back to back. You have to. The three books knit seamlessly together. This final part takes us back to 1583, the superstitions that were rife, the Elizabethan witch-hunts, the terrors of black magic in Woodsend village - and Magda, possessed by a demonic woman that returns to haunt the prime protagonist, Ward Sister, Becky who is trying to protect Ruby along with police officer Toby. There are scenes of such depravity I wonder where Sarah England carried out her research into the Secret Art! This is really scary stuff; I cannot say much more without spoiling the threads that run through this dark trilogy.

If you like occult horror you will enjoy this - with the lights on!

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Book #6 Tanners Dell

Tanners Dell: Darkly Disturbing Occult Horror by Sarah England
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another humdinger from Sarah England; starts seamlessly from book one in the trilogy. Dark, unholy forces are unleashed on the psychiatric team who are trying to help the violently disturbed patient, Ruby Dean. She is the focal point in this trilogy about the Secret Art in a location where Black Magic is practised with horrifying results as ward sister Becky and D.I. Ross are faced with diabolical events. The dark, dank Yorkshire Moors is the perfect setting for a Satanic sect that has worshipped Lucifer for decades, performing acts of depravity that will shock you. This is a disturbing read, not for the squeamish - and one to read with the light on!

OK - on to Book #3 - the final act.....

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Book #5 Father Of Lies

Father of Lies: A Supernatural Horror Novel by Sarah England
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In my current genre hopping mode I came across this occult horror trilogy. I purchased the three books written by Sarah England and set off on a journey. A journey into the Secret Art, the practise of Black Magic, a genre I had left behind in the 70s having read all that Dennis Wheatley had to offer. His warning of the dangers of a very real and concrete nature of Satanism rang in my ears as I set out to read Father of Lies. Not since The Exorcist or The Shining have I read anything so diabolical. This is a terrifying read, a helter-skelter ride into the world of the possessed as we enter the horrors of Drummersgate Asylum on the bleak moors of northern England where Ruby is incarcerated. Ruby. A deeply disturbed patient who psychiatric staff cannot accept is haunted by demons, more likely suffering with Dissociative Identity Disorder. After two years of making no remedial progress Dr. Jack McGowan decides to take a risk and hypnotises her. The horrifying consequences are evil beyond anything I have encountered; disturbing and really scary. I did not read much of this in bed!

So, what now? Well, I am about to embark on Book #2 - Tanners Dell. It sounds just as scary!

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Book #4 Goodbye To Berlin

Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A mention by Rick Stein about 'Goodbye to Berlin' on his Weekend In Berlin TV programme was enough to make me take a look. The Art Deco cover was enough. Here we read about Sally Bowles, probably better known as the lead character in the stage production, musical and film 'Cabaret'. The book was first published in 1939 and I am sure is at least semi-autobiographical, although Isherwood would indicate otherwise. The book contains six pieces that overlap so far as certain characters and situations are concerned. It recounts the story of the author's stay in Berlin where he gave English lessons during the period 1930 - 1933. Eloquent prose tells of Hitler's rise to power, the overt hatred of Jews, the glamour and sleaze that pervaded Berlin society, a tale of menace and a society in decay.

Christopher Isherwood was born in Cheshire in 1904 and died on the 4th January 1986. I enjoyed Goodbye to Berlin, full of anecdotes and written so well.



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Book #3 Tastes Like Fear

Tastes Like Fear by Sarah Hilary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not difficult to understand why Sarah Hilary won the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year in 2015. This is the third in the series featuring D.I. Marnie Rome and her bagman DS Noah Jake. Sarah Hilary is a master of her craft; riveting, well developed plots, believable characters and, in this case, a cry for social justice as Marnie faces her own demons once again; her notorious stepbrother Stephen lingers menacingly in the background as she is reminded of her own troubled teenage years with a spate of missing girls and a car crash that brings everything into focus. It is a beautifully crafted story, gripping and fast-paced with impeccable attention to detail. The clues are there and I missed the significance of many! The identity of the perpetrator left me reeling - didn't see that coming!

If you have read Someone Else's Skin and No Other Darkness, you will love Tastes Like Fear. Sarah Hilary is at the top of her game.

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Book #2 Five Give Up The Booze

Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A rather irreverent revisit to the Famous Five. What would Enid Blyton have made of this I wonder. I am not at all sure why Bruno Vincent wrote it and four others apparently in this series. Does it recognise any particular anniversary of the original publications that I, like so many youngsters, enjoyed so much in the 50s? I have no idea.

Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog are all here - now in their late twenties/early thirties. (Not sure about the dog!). Vincent has managed to capture the prose style of Blyton but it all seems rather pointless. He portrays the four as virtual alcoholics who decide to make a New Year's resolution to 'give up the booze', at least - until 1st February. It all seems so unnecessary in a silly plot that makes scant reference to the Famous Five's youthful exploits.

I wasn't impressed....

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Book #1/2017 Beethoven for a Later Age: The Journey of a String Quartet

Beethoven for a Later Age: The Journey of a String Quartet by Edward Dusinberre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The perfect start to 2017. I love the music of Beethoven; who is not inspired by the great 'Eroica' symphony or the gentle beauty of the 'Pastoral'? His string quartets are astonishing in their range and accomplishment. The world-renowned Takács Quartet is a particular favourite of mine and I have many of their recordings. So, to find this book amongst my Christmas presents, written by the current first violinist Edward Dusinberre, was a most rewarding surprise. Dusinberre has filled this rôle for 23 years and his experience with this quartet is portrayed in a forensic examination of seven of the string quartets. What it means to be a member of a group of four, how they work together, how they rehearse, how they discuss interpretation and the musical terminology used by Beethoven. It has made me listen to this music with fresh ears and I have done just that as I progressed through this masterclass of string playing. It has been a wonderful journey and if, like me, you love classical chamber music, you will I am sure enjoy this fascinating work.

Highly recommended to music lovers.

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