The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper

 

So much in keeping with the present conclave conducted just weeks ago, this story sounds fantastical but very believable despite the secrecy, the hidden truths, but then that is the Vatican.

Starting with a much loved Pope who dies within two years of being elected, we then go into conclave and this is where the history starts. An entire conclave of cardinals disappears, kidnapped by a group of believers thought to have been erased from eight centuries before, the Cathars, and their demands for female representation as a pope amongst other demands.

The story is riveting, history detailed and very easily understood. The workings of the Vatican, the political wheeling and dealing, the ugly facets of the Church like the paedophile priests being swept under a rug and forgotten but at the same time what the church is trying to do, despite the obstacles it faces within its own community.

I do not know whether the book will appeal to those who do not know much about the catholic faith, but for me personally it was an excellent read.

Sent by Book Whisperer for an unbiased review review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King

 

I’ve only got to see the names of Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft. Watson and now the Russells to know there is a good story, always long and convoluted but one that will keep you turning pages. This story did not disappoint.

Jake Russell, the shady uncle chequered past reappears with a very strange story. The Irish Crown Jewels which disappeared is now in the news amongst pa small group of men, each of which have different reasons to get hold of them. Their whereabouts are vague and in pursuit of them Jake is able to persuade Mary to join in the escapade. Holmes catches on and follows his intrepid wife. Complicated forays all turn up nothing in this story of family loyalty, hushed up scandals involving royalty, skirmishes with the Dublin and London police till the final twist in the tale.

Very good reading, not so much detection but carries on at a goodly pace.

Sent by Random House Publishing Ballantine for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Carter of La Providence by Simenon

 

Its dull, dreary, isolated and humdrum on the canals and locks in this part of France. No glamorous views, towns or people still a very pretty, fashionable woman is found brutally murdered with no evidence how she came to this isolated spot.

The clever Detective Maigret, the one of quiet thinking and few words is in charge but it’s slow going connecting the dots. The patronizing Colonel his aides Vladimir and Marco are the closest suspects as our victim was married to the Colonel and had been on the yacht till she disappeared. Maigret’s investigations cycling up and down the tow path on a rickety bicycle in really bad weather is typical of the plodding detective who has got the bit between his teeth and will not let go.

Descriptive of how life is lived in mid century France on the canals, this was an excellent read. The end was an absolute surprise and a triumph of writing.

Sent by Farrah Straus and Giroux for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni

 

Schmidt is a psychopath killer. Due to a legal mistake he has once again got released. Tracy is very sure he is connected with her sisters abduction and death and she is now very sure she is in his sights for his next killing. Escaping to Cedar Grove with her family she thought was one way of protecting them. Tracy thought she was safe but she is dealing with a criminal with a brilliant criminal mind who seems to be always one step ahead.

The killer is out for revenge. Tracy killed his hero and he wants her to hurt too. The little hints that makes Tracy realise that he is on her trail is the cat and mouse game he plays before his final denouement. 

The story was a tense one throughout and was not long drawn. It was also a descriptive story detailing both the police environment as well as small town America (very nice for overseas readers).

Sent by Thomas & Mercer for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Curtain Falls in Paris by a Victoria Zackheim

Its the grand finale of a one act drama for a very famous theatre, now scheduled for demolition when one of the actresses is found brutally murdered whilst the play was going on. Aria Nevins, once a Pulitzer nominee in investigative journalism is in disgrace due to a grave misjudgment of a case. She is now in Paris understudying French police procedural, with Noah Roche a top French homicide detective who wishes Aria to anywhere else but on his team.

Roche is suspicious of Aria and thinks she has some ulterior motive for being on his team. He suspects whether leaks to the media are through Aria, or whether she is sneaking information to his nemesis boss who dislikes him intensely and is looking for some way to promote his downfall.

It does not promote for cooperation in the team, but fortunately Aria gets on well with the other two members of the team, much to Roche’s chagrin. Aria makes sure she keeps to the letter of her assignment and follows the rules.

The setting of French theatre with its inherent drama and in this case a lot of wheels within wheels, French police procedures (a process I find fascinating in whatever country it is portrayed), plenty of secrets, lots of jealousy and finally revenge makes for a very good plot.

Sent by Level Best Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Silent Retreat by Sally Quinn

 

A love story which started from very different beginnings. Sybilla enters into a silent retreat in a monastery to rethink where her life is going. To get away from a very controlled environment and seek a freer way of life. Romance was not in her sights.

We have James Kelly, Archbishop of Dublin, handsome and charismatic. Outspoken on child abuse in the church and the cover up, celibacy of the priests and though he himself remains celibate has spoken against it. He faces opposition within the church as he exposes faults within the structure and now is being summoned to Rome, for what he feels is a dressing down. 

The slow build up of an attraction between Sybilla and James is intense and something they both fight against. I liked the theological discussions throughout the story very much.

An unusual read, but not for everyone.

Sent by Amplify Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

What We Left Behind by Luisa A. Jones

 

1939 England was on edge. The bombing of London hadn’t started but evacuation of children was being promoted and getting them to safety was important. On such a train five children found themselves left behind in a church hall after the initial selection was made. Three were colored and two were a brother and sister and Olive was determined not to be separated from Peter, who was a vicious, destructive little boy with a very foul mouth.

Olive was a soft hearted woman. She herself had suffered abandonment by her family and it was by their choice. She takes in all five children knowing she is in for a stormy ride. Her home always under the condescending patronizing sister Charlotte is going to be hard. Charlotte has a very low degree of tolerance for misbehavior or anything that disrupts her life.

Into this scenario we have teachers and villagers with attitude who do not take kindly to the evacuees, especially the colored children, taunting them and making life difficult. The saving grace is a teacher who accompanied the children, but again he is looked at with suspicion. Half American half Irish does not help in a very insular English village.

The story of day to day struggles of the children, the adults that surround them, the heartache of being separated from their families and the lack of communication is very emotional. Everyone is quite stoic bearing it up as best as they can. But of course, things do come to a head for everyone of them, and they also get resolved.

A warm, emotional read detailing history as it happened in a quiet English village, during a very bleak period.

Sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley