Archive | February 2021

Flambards by K.M. Peyton

Feb6

The Past v The Future

Flambards by K.M. Peyton is a marvellous YA historical novel. It is perfect for ages twelve and above.

I first read Flambards at school when I was thirteen, many years ago. I really enjoyed it then and I really enjoyed it now. It is a timeless classic for all to enjoy.

Flambards is set between 1908 – 1912. It is a time of change and progress. Horse drawn carriages will soon be a thing of the past. Whilst some cling to the old order of things, others embrace the change that will come with cars and planes as they are admired. “She felt humbled by their faith, excited by their courage…”

The social status will soon change with the advent of World War I but for now the old order of masters and servants exists. The forward thinking, kind hearted leading lady is just twelve as the book opens but she is remarkably perceptive. “People should earn their place and not be born into it.” She sees hearts and not wealth and social status.

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The Man I Didn’t Marry by Anna Bell

Feb4

Big And Little Memories

The Man I Didn’t Marry by Anna Bell is a delightful contemporary novel about making memories to last a lifetime.

The storyline is well thought out and executed. Anna Bell has a wonderful light-hearted style set around more serious themes. The exchanges of dialogue and situations were highly amusing, certainly making me chuckle on numerous occasions. All the characters were realistic, kind and loyal.

The main premise surrounds a character who has short term amnesia – the last five years are erased from his memory, including his marriage and daughter. The family recreate memories to stimulate his mind but they do not always go to plan. Certain events are kept from him which makes for some delightfully amusing scenes in which the wrong end of the stick is definitely grabbed. Who can forget the early morning mix up at his parents which literally had me laughing out loud.

The novel is about life-long friendships and also new ones. We all need friends to help us journey through life.

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Find You First by Linwood Barclay

Feb4

Wow – Thrilling

Find You First by Linwood Barclay is an absolutely thrilling contemporary crime suspense that will have your heart racing and your mind spinning. It is a fabulous roller coaster of a read. Linwood Barclay is the master of the suspense novel.

The plotline is complex and well thought out. There are red herrings to pick up along the way as Linwood Barclay cleverly controls the directions your suspicions go until the very end. I failed once more to predict the outcome. My jaw literally dropped at the conclusion.

A quest for wealth and power lures people to do despicable acts. The reader witnesses the lows to which some will stoop. In contrast there are kind and pure hearts that look out for others and are always motivated to do the right thing.

Family is important. Family is more than mere blood ties. Family is pure hearts connecting with love.

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Girl A by Abigail Dean

Feb3

Powerful And Painful

Girl A by Abigail Dean is a heart wrenching contemporary tale that will upset and disturb because it feels as if it could be true. Abigail Dean has written it so well that we could be hearing about a true life case. The reader’s emotional response is directed by Abigail Dean’s powerful narrative.

The story is told through the eyes of Girl A. We ‘experience’ her emotions and responses. She and her siblings were subjected to some very twisted behaviour from their parents who ‘found’ religion and did not interpret it correctly. What started out as protection from the world soon morphed into cruelty and neglect. Girl A shares her thoughts, fears and feelings with the reader.

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