Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

Bob & Shirley’s Guide To Murder by Suzy K Quinn

Sep13

Highly Amusing

Bob & Shirley’s Guide To Murder by Suzy K Quinn is a wonderfully amusing light-hearted contemporary cosy crime novel which I absolutely adored. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep. It is the first book in the new Bob & Shirley Mystery series which promises to be fabulous.

The action is seen in the first person, alternating between married couple Bob and Shirley who own a pub in a village. Their close relationship is visible to all as the dialogue bounces between them.

A dead body in the pub garden sets Bob and Shirley up to investigate. Their amateur sleuthing certainly gives Miss Marple a run for her money. They too, are friendly with the local constabulary.

A young woman in police training is first on the scene, unfortunately her stomach does not match her enthusiasm! With each new detail that Bob points out, the female P.C. loses her stomach again! Quietly spoken and teetotal, she is in direct contrast to the previous elderly male police officer who was beer drinking and loud.

Village living brings highs and lows. There are gossip, speculation and rivalry, but also friendships, camaraderie and loyalty. We drop in on pub quizzes and lunches, fitness classes and the local Waist Watchers – who spend more time in the pub talking about losing weight than actually doing something about it! Their leader is partial to fish and chips and alcohol, as noted by Bob.

Suzy K Quinn has cleverly constructed her novel which has many references to quintessential British items and traditions. When talking about local history, Bob observes “Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond is absolutely not historically accurate.” Those of us of a certain age who grew up on the Carry-On films, will instantly recognise the character played by Sid James. This familiarity helps the reader feel like they belong to village life.

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A Christmas Proposal by Rose Warner

Sep7

Carpe Diem

A Christmas Proposal by Rose Warner is a charming historical novel. It is the second book in the Teacher Evacuees series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Although there is ‘Christmas’ in the title, the book is actually set from Autumn 1940 to Spring 1941 in a fictional tale in Norfolk as we join three teachers and their pupils who were evacuated from London.

The leading character is in her 40’s. She is part of a generation of women who lost their husbands, sweethearts and brothers in the mud and mire of World War I battlefields. “Most of the men she [mother] would have considered suitable lay in the fields of Flanders their broken bodies turned to dust.” Though the class barriers were breaking down, there were still those of the older generation who tried to maintain their lofty upper-class positions as they throw out their orders.

A second world war brings to mind all that was lost in the First World War. Fears spring up. “Even if you tried to ignore them, fears didn’t lesson… facing life… head on.” Sometimes, in order to defeat our fears, we must face them. We must not let fear stop us from doing what is right.

Within the classroom we hear a child’s logic. “I don’t see the point in doing sums if we’re all going to be blown to bits.” You can’t argue with that!

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The Other Life Of Mary English by G D Harper

Sep2

A Comprehensive Account

 The Other Life Of Mary English by G D Harper is an absolutely fabulous historical novel about the lives of Mary English and Manuela Saenz as they intersected in 1820’s Columbia. This is a comprehensive account that blends fact and fiction, educating the reader.

Both women were extraordinary, they saw life and opportunities, and they grabbed them. Both women were ahead of their time as they succeeded in a man’s world.

Manuela Saenz was the lover of Simon Bolivar – but she was much more than that. She was his trusted confident, advisor, and followed him into battle.

Mary English was an entrepreneurial business woman. She had a strong morality code – no slaves would be found working her plantation. “King George had abolished the trade in enslaved people in 1807. No slaves were now found on the streets of London, but… the institution endured in the Empire made me feel deeply ashamed.” Mary English actively sought to improve the conditions of those native to Columbia, and of those African slaves.

As did Manuela Saenz. “Simon was working on plans to make the education of the natives and freed slaves equal to that of other Columbian citizens.”

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Paper Over It by Ruth Gresty

Aug28

Faithful Friends

Paper Over It by Ruth Gresty is a powerful retro novel that consumed me from the start.

The action takes place over the year 2000, beginning on December 31st 1999. It concerns four young women aged twenty who are in their third year at Manchester University. The girls come from Liverpool, Glasgow, near London and a local Manchester girl. They appear to have it all, to be at the prime of their lives – but they all face different challenges in life. There are many times when they just paper over it.

Though the tone is light-hearted and fun, there are some serious themes. A character suffers from anorexia/bulimia which began in childhood. “It had nothing to do with losing weight, it had everything to do with control.” As the novel opens, the reader already feels a connection with the character.

There is the theme of an unplanned pregnancy to a single woman. It is horrifying to see that the prejudice still existed in the year 2000. “She needs to get outside [away from the drs office] … to never, ever hear the words ‘fix’ or ‘fixing’ again… Some things just don’t need fixing, Bob [the builder reference]. They are fine just as they are.” Every child is a gift from God. Babies are not a problem to be ‘fixed’. Single parenting is hard but the character has much love to give.

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