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A Snowball in Hell

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Christopher Brookmyre

August 14, 2008
This is the second book I have read of CB's and was not dissapointed. I do however have to concede I enjoyed his last book Unsinkable Rubber Ducks more. It's difficult to say why, because both are really well crafted books that keep the reader engaged. I just felt that this didnt quite hit the bullseye regarding any real humour and its slightly convoluted plotline.Having said all that I would really recommend anyone to read a Brookmyre novel.

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The Pillars of the Earth

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Ken Follett

April 06, 2007
The strength of the book is the detailed description of the development of a cathedral and its impact on the prosperity of a town through a page-turning narrative and fictional characters. It is a fairly easy read on a difficult subject. It covers the civil war during the 12th century (Stephen and Maud) The downside is it is not a very memorable read. When my book club recommended it, I did not even remember I had aready done so! I certainly would not say don't read it - especially if you are doing GCSE architecture or medieval history. It does bring the period to life more than a textbook would and that can spur you on to learn more. However, it is not a great piece of historical fiction.

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Dissolution (Shardlake)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: C.J. Sansom

May 18, 2007
An unlikely superhero, admittedly, but Matthew Shardlake is a brilliant construction, and this book is not to be missed. Neither is the second. In fact I can't bring myself to read the (probably) final one, because I'm saving it for a week when I can concentrate solely on it! Yes, it's a bit predictable, and the sidekick can be a tad irritating, but it's just a story...not an historical treatise. Enjoy it, that's all. Please let someone make the movie...it'll be a brave man who takes the lead role, but a sure-fire Oscar!

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A Darker Domain

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Val McDermid

September 01, 2008
It's great to see McDermid back to form after the terrible Grave Tattoo. A gripping read which neatly merges two cases. A bit of a rushed conclusion and the tying up of ends stretches credibility somewhat, but a good way to spend a rainy evening nonetheless.

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The Business

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Martina Cole

October 16, 2008
This book is dreadful! I've always been a big fan of Martina especially Goodnight Lady, The Ladykiller and Dangerous Lady but this book is just terrible. Martina seems to think all her book have to have gangsters, prostitutes, domestic violence and paedophiles in order to be successful, but this book is now almost identical to the last few she wrote, so much so that I actually almost didn't buy it as the synopsis made it seem identical to the previous book. Danny Boy was a pointless character and it was an excruciating read. Please Martina, if you can't think of something original to write, don't write anything at all!

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To Dream of the Dead (Merrily Watkins Mysteries)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Phil Rickman

October 02, 2008
Phil Rickman may have worried about his latest novel, but he he needn't have been. If the last one was his most purely novelistic, this one is a blockbusting potboiler of a book.
Phil Rickman has always been so good at engaging you and then cranking up the narrative tension until you really can't put his books down, and this is no different. In fact, like other readers, I'm sure this is the most perfectly realised book he's written yet. He's become a really good writer. And in his latest novel, he's has given us everything we most enjoy in his writing: a hauntingly beautiful landscape, the sense of being at the edge of things, wonderful characterisation, evermore subtle plot lines, and -dare I say it- a sustained side-swipe against the narcissism ... Read More:

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Devil May Care (James Bond)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Sebastian Faulks

May 28, 2008
It's my own fault that I really didn't enjoy this book. Faulks makes it clear that he is writing as Ian Flemming. Whether he achieves this I will leave to those more qualified than I. However from reading other reviews opinions seem to be mixed. I suppose I had hoped that he would inject a bit of the Faulks magic into Bond.

Devil May Care is almost completely devoid of insight or interesting observation, the plot is thin and unconvincing and place description so cursory you felt you could be virtually anywhere. The characters are superficial and the twist frankly risible.

One might feel that Faulks attempts to rehabilitate Bonds reputation as a sexual predator was worthy except for the way in which he then associates this with ... Read More:

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The Final Reckoning

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Sam Bourne

August 04, 2008
It takes me a while to get involved in books but this one I stuck with. Although the idea behind it was good there is no real story, and eventually the writer goes off at a tangent and is not talking about the present story line, but another one set 50 years in the past.

He also spends far too much time describing the 'passion' between the two lead characters which seemed to come from no where but still be a dominant part of the story for some reason.

I think the writer was too involved in this story, and as such kept leading off at tangents which ultimately made me lose interest.

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Deadly Intent

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: Lynda La Plante

September 01, 2008
Brilliant book, couldn't put it down, it has to be the best yet, each page was as exciting as the last, great book.

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Dark Fire (Shardlake)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Crime- Thrillers and Mystery
by: C.J. Sansom

May 18, 2007
I have just finished this book and, after Dissolution, I am well and truly addicted to this series. I really like the lead character of Matthew Shardlake and the other characters in this and the previous book. Will be starting on Sovereign asap and can't wait to read Revelation from what I've read on Amazon about that story. There seems to be a plethora of murder-thriller type books set in the 15th-16th century around at the moment but this is without doubt the best of them all.