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Where Every Man (Inspector James Given #4)
Where Every Man (Inspector James Given #4)
Charlie Garratt | 2020 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Where Every Man by Charlie Garrett is set in rural France at the beginning of the second World War. James Given has retired from the police force back in England and has moved with his wife Rachel, to work on a farm. He seems happy with the work, and their plan is to move south with the good weather. This looks increasingly less likely as time progresses because of the approach of the German army towards France’s borders. Regardless, James and Rachel love their lives in the small French town, and consider staying anyway. Rachel teaches local students to play the violin, and it’s one of these students who draws James back in to his role as an investigator when the local librarian dies unexpectedly. The local policeman believes its merely a cycling accident, but it increasingly looks like it’s murder. When James looks further in to the accident, it appears there is a German spy in the village. Before he can do anything about it, the spy disappears. Did the spy have anything to do with the death of the librarian?

This mystery played out so well, and I loved the interactions between James and the violin student. She wants to work as a police officer when she leaves school - much to her fathers disapproval. The students role in the story was a really good way of showing how James approached the task of solving a murder.

I have to say, I read a lot of this with a feeling of mild panic, especially when James goes to visit his uncle and his family nearby. It showed the vulnerable position he and his family were in as Jews in France. Even though James and Rachel have forged passports that showed that they were Christians, there was still that worry for them and their family - and the spectre of the Nazis is hanging over this whole story.

I always enjoy these James Given books, and I’m intrigued to see what comes for him next as war approaches.

Many thanks to Sapere Books for a copy of this book to read and honestly review - I really enjoy this series (I bought books 2 and 3 myself, if that’s anything to go by!)
  
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MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Under Currents in Books

Sep 20, 2019 (Updated Sep 23, 2019)  
Under Currents
Under Currents
Nora Roberts | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Thriller
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
AGAIN. Nora Roberts did it again. She got me.
Definition of undercurrent:
1: a current below the upper currents or surface
2: a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often contrary to the one publicly shown<

While Under Currents may not have put me on the edge of my seat as often as some previous Nora Roberts titles (see: Shelter in Place, Come Sundown), it more than made up for that in sheer emotion.

The first part of this book is both brutal and beautiful. The descriptions of the horrific abuse Zane and his sister suffer at the hands of their father can be hard to get through; I found myself tearing up quite a few times, entwining the sorrow with anger that anyone should have to experience any of it, least of all a child. However, there is beauty in how they come out of it.

Thankfully, the horror does lift, and we're treated to a wonderful story, at times simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking. The character development here is terrific. Each character, down to the most random of townspeople, has a purpose and a backstory, and interacts perfectly with the other characters, building a supportive community with a definite small-town vibe.

The descriptions of landscaping and gardening are so well done I could picture the finished products quite clearly in my head - and man do I want a "water feature" now! (the fact that I do not have a yard in which to do this is completely irrelevant 😁).

Each plot line, whether primary, secondary or tertiary, was well developed and led toward a satisfying resolution - and each contained under currents of its own.

A couple of final thoughts:
*Zane & Darby are #couplegoals.
*I feel like there's always a dog, and I always love the dog. 🐶 Although, hey, Nora: cats are pretty awesome too. 🐱
*Nora Roberts is a master of attention to detail.
*Sad tears? Happy tears? This book will bring them all.
*Can we take a minute to appreciate this gorgeous cover??


Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARE!
  
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Rusty Brown
Rusty Brown
Chris Ware | 2019 | Comics & Graphic Novels
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Just look at what a beautiful object this book is! It gets better on the inside, too. The detail and creativity is immense; the dust cover unfolds into a gorgeous mosaic, with puzzles, and even the copyright notes have a little Easter egg snuck in there. Every satisfyingly thick page of it is dense with ideas and art of admirable quality. It’s heavy and well made. Simply, one of the nicest books aesthetically I’ve ever owned.

I don’t have a big history of reading graphic novels. In fact I can count them on one hand: this one, Watchmen, V for Vendetta and Persepolis. But what I see I like. There is something extra on the storytelling that is the best of both a book and a film – like a film unravelling at the pace of a book, with your imagination made into still images. I love the possibilities of them! There really isn’t anything you couldn’t do with it given enough imagination. I must try a few more as I go through life.

Rusty Brown, by Chris Ware is rich, melancholy, sometimes downright sad, but always truthful. Nothing is exaggerated, only presented, as we see snapshots of all the children and teachers that live in a small American town. They are dealing with regret, nostalgia, self-esteem, bullying and secret Joys, but in a mundane way as the routine of life plays out around them. Yet it manages never to seem bleak or hopeless, as enough moments of beauty keep everyone afloat.

There is a hint of subversive politics going on under the surface, but no more than issue flitting through Chris Ware’s mind; there’s no agenda or propaganda going on. He’s basically showing us a place he knows and saying, huh, what do you think of this. It made me laugh out loud many times, and cry at least twice. Remarkable work.

Both this artist and graphic novels in general are now very much something on my radar to learn more about and enjoy. If you haven’t ever really tried, I recommend Rusty Brown Chris Ware whole-heartedly as a starting place.