This is my review of A Vengeful Longing by R. N. Morris.

This is a cut above the average crime thriller,well-written and creating a vivid sense of life in nineteenth century St.Petersburg, apparently based on close research, even down to the post mortem practices of the day. The background of corruption, bureaucracy, pollution, poverty and vice is developed and sustained without the story becoming too depressing, perhaps because of the hooks of an intriguing plot and the varied cast of characters. Clues are slipped into the complex twisting plot to give an ending which is hard to predict, with the loose ends tied up. There seemed stronger character development than in the first novel, with humorous interplay between the eccentric detective hero Porfiry and his sidekick Virginsky.

However, as with "The Gentle Axe" I am left a little disappointed at the end by some almost ludicrous implausibilities in the plot (not quite so marked this time)- which I cannot reveal for obvious reasons, except it's safe to cite the occasion when Porfiry interrogates a murder suspect in front of a large audience. Some scenes are frankly odd e.g. where Porfiry almost bumps into a civil servant who faints when challenged seemed bizarre at the time. I also find too many of the characters seem to be caricatures, and therefore unconvincing. Perhaps I am guilty of taking the plots too seriously!

So, I am left feeling ambivalent, but recognising that Morris is an original and talented writer in this genre. I just wish that such good writing was applied to slightly more "worthwhile" plots!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars

This is my review of The Point of Rescue: Culver Valley Crime Book 3 by Sophie Hannah.

After an intriguing start, the tragi-comedy of working mother's Sally's chaotic life was entertaining and an interesting use of rueful humour to convey the conflicts involved in trying to juggle children and a career. There were some ingenious plot twists – I can't say which genuinely surprised me, without giving too much away. I agree that some of them were implausible.

On the other hand, as with many such books, which will obviously gain a wider readership and massive earnings, I have to ask why the clearly talented author did not spend just a little more time on ironing out the flaws.

The diary entries rapidly became tediously repetitive and almost caricatures of the situation, although you could argue that was intentional. A more serious weakness was the unconvincing love interest between the two police officers, and their odd, inadequately explained and developed psychology. All the other policemen seemed to be caricatures.There was a tendency for key "information giving" conversations to drag on for an implausibly long time given the circumstances e.g one party had to rush off to a meeting, or was driving at high speed on a hunch to save someone's life.

I was also too often aware of the same rather cynical, sarcastic voice coming through too many of the characters. I had no objection to the voice itself, just suspected it was the author's own voice, and felt it needed to be attached to one or two characters, not most of them. I was also unsure about the frequent digressions into amusing but trivial asides at dramatic moments – this with the generally rather shallow and manipulative relationships between key players made me care too little about any of them, and led me to leave the book and move on too lightly.

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars

This is my review of Paradise Misplaced by Eleanor Clare.

A tale with a difference, if you take the time to enter the world of the Paradise Valley, a century ago. More than just a simple "whodunnit", this tale explores a world on the brink of change.

What tale of obsession and lies can bored Inspector Stone unearth from the death of Oliver Marchant in his Heligan-type garden towards the end of WW1? The old man dies on the day news is delivered of his son's demise at the Front. Is there a connection? What lies behind the icy calm of Oliver's widow, Alice, and the candid air of his unlikely gardener, Jocelyn? Does Simon Stone ever discover what links the cast of characters? Can he learn to understand others, or to interpret and express his own complex emotions?

The story unfolds against a kaleidoscope of events from a lost past – the trial of Oscar Wilde, the rise of the Suffragettes, Art Nouveau, the "Glasgow Rose", the conchie's choice…….blackmail, inheritance, convention, duty, freedom…..

Recent reviewers have said:

"Narrative power is alluring and compelling"

"Intelligent and engaging"

"Bursting with characters, strong sense of period and absorbing plot"

A YouWriteOn reviewer has commented,

"This is an exquisitely drawn work; it's obvious that the author has paid attention to each sentence and tried to sculpt it to accomplish her aim. It may be slightly less obvious what that aim is, as this story appears to unfold slowly and with meticulous care.

The settings are marvellous and the reader can feel himself in England during WWI. Good historical research!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars