Book #60 The Starlings & Other Stories

The Starlings & Other Stories by Ann Cleeves
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Twelve photographs taken by David Wilson in Pembrokeshire are used by twelve authors to inspire short stories; interpret what they see and invest their own narrative into the photograph. An unusual concept that has worked reasonably well. But for all that I was left somewhat disappointed. Some of the endings were weak and needed more. One contained two continuity howlers, which I am surprised were not spotted by an editor or proof reader. See if you spot them.

My favourites were The Starlings by Ann Cleeves in which she reprises Vera Stanhope; The Man Who Didn't Breathe by Jim Kelly; Mountains Out Of Molehills by Valerie Laws - full of menace, and Sorted by Toby Forward that reminded me so much of Gone Girl.

So, some entertaining stories, some not so good. Overall 3.5 stars from me with my 60th and last book for 2015.

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Book #59 Hebrides by Peter May

Hebrides by Peter May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a stunning photographic book celebrating the landscape of the Outer Hebrides as depicted in the popular trilogy of books, known as The Lewis Trilogy. I had previously read these three books: Blackhouse, The Lewis Man and The Chessmen by Peter May and had been captivated by the author's fictional hero, Detective Inspector Fin Macleod. Hebrides allows readers to see the landscape through the eyes of Fin. This work is an odyssey for Peter May, revisiting the islands that were to become the locations of his superb trilogy. Travelling as if alongside protagonist Det Insp Macleod, May describes the island life - as bewitching as it is treacherous with its stark cliffs, ghostly mists and lonely beaches. He also describes his encounter with the bird-hunters of Sula Sgeir, the savage seas of Ness and the churches of Eriskay. But the book's main attraction is the specially commissioned, spectacular photographs taken by former BBC photographer David Wilson, who was so inspired with Lewis during his prolonged visit that he now lives on the West Coast of the Isle of Lewis.

This is a beautiful book that places May's writing and characters within the land that gave them form. And this is the end. May says: "And so my Hebridean adventure, which had lasted more than twenty years, came to an end. I had made a commitment to writing only three books, and the writing of them was done". If you have read The Lewis Trilogy you should buy a copy of this wonderful book and complete the journey alongside Peter May. And, like me, you will experience a tinge of sadness that there will be no more Fin Macleod.



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