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ClareR (5784 KP) rated Doggerland in Books

May 3, 2019  
Doggerland
Doggerland
Ben Smith | 2019 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The boy (Jim), who is not a boy, and the old man (Griel), live and work on a wind farm out at sea. Land seems to be a distant memory, and escape from the wind farm seems unlikely. The boy is required to take over his fathers contract after he disappears. The old man might know what happened to him, but the boy never really asks, and no information is volunteered.
This has been compared to The Road and Waiting For Godot, and I’d agree with both of these. There is an overwhelming feeling of being trapped, even though they are out at sea and can see for miles, and this brought Huis Clos by Jean Paul Sartre to mind for me. Two men, trapped for what feels like eternity in the same place, with no hope of escape.
It’s a climate change story as well. It tells of the power of the sea and water, and how it will reclaim everything. This makes the story all the more futile. What’s the point if it’s all for nothing anyway?
I liked this book - I would say that it wasn’t a book I loved, but at the same time, it was a book that I didn’t want to put down. It’s a pretty bleak story, but compelling all the same.
  
Rooted in Deceit
Rooted in Deceit
Wendy Tyson | 2018 | Mystery
8
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tracking Another Deceitful Killer
Megan Sawyer is finding August to be extremely busy. While trying to keep the farm running during a drought, she is helping get things ready for the opening of the wood-fired pizza farm in her barn and her father and his wife, Sylvia, are in town for a visit. Then there's the new yoga retreat center opening nearby. As part of their opening celebration, they are hosting an art festival, and the headlining artist is Megan's old friend Thana. However, the celebration turns to tragedy when Thana is found murdered and Sylvia becomes a suspect. Her father didn't marry a killer, did he?

This series has had a strong storyline involving Megan and her complicated past with various family members, and that continues here by introducing us to her father. Additionally, there are developments in other ongoing storylines. I enjoyed getting the next chapter in Megan’s life. The characters are as strong as always, whether main characters, series regulars, or those introduced for this book. The subplots did distract from the main mystery at times, but there is still a solid mystery here. One element of the mystery needed to be included better, but overall it was a minor issue. We got great twists and red herrings on the way to a surprising ending. Fans of the series will be pleased with this new entry.