saltygalreads's reviews
306 reviews

This is the first book I have ever read by Warren Adler, quite a prolific writer until his death in 2019. Trans-Siberian Express is a novel with a large cast of characters, the main one being Alex Cousins, an American physician who comes to Moscow to treat Dimitrov, General Secretary of the Communist Party, for cancer. Cousins has a Russian heritage from his grandfather and a successful reputation in his field, thereby being Dimitrov's doctor of choice. In the course of treating Dimitrov, Cousins unexpectedly learns secret and explosive information which lands him in the middle of Soviet double-crossing and intrigue. Cousins then sets out on a journey across Soviet-era Russia on an antiquated train, encountering a variety of colourful characters and trying to navigate the treachery of the KGB.

This novel is an interesting product of its time, capturing all the mystique and machinations of the Soviet Union at the height of its power. A number of themes, including racial discrimination, the treatment of prisoners and nuclear tensions, are still depressingly relevant. However, the characters, including Alex Cousins, are very one-dimensional - often caricatures of the type we would expect from the Soviet Union. At one stage, the novel detours into the realm of soft porn as Cousins and his female romantic intrigue lock themselves into their cabin and fornicate endlessly for days.

Ultimately, the novel ends rather predictably and could have been told in far fewer pages. I can understand that this type of novel might still hold appeal for a certain segment of readership, however I cannot recommend it. Thank you to Net Galley for furnishing me with a copy.

This novel provides all the necessary elements of a great summer read: a tropical and luxurious setting, secrets and intrigue, beautiful celebrities, sex, murder...What more could you want?

A cast and crew is assembled on a Caribbean island to shoot a picture - The Siren. There is a fortyish actress, broke and alcoholic, trying to put her difficult past behind her and get a fresh start. An aging Lothario with a string of hit movies who has difficulty telling the difference between reality and living as one of his characters. A beautiful young woman with a fake identity, there under false pretenses and with a plan of vengeance. And that is just for starters. Did I mention there is a hurricane brewing?

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, especially after some dark and heavy reads recently. It was a breath of warm tropical air, with a hint of Mai Tai and sunscreen; just what I needed.

But don't get me wrong - this is also tense and devious, with some underlying darker themes of misogyny, substance abuse, the invasiveness of social media and the price of fame.

My only complaint might be that the gullibility of Stella Rivers strained the imagination. Is anyone that naive? However, altogether a delightful novel which I would recommend to any suspense fan who is looking to inject a little fun into their summer reading. Well done, Katherine St John.

I will start by saying that this is my first book by this author and I have had limited exposure to Scandinavian noir fiction, so this was really an initiation of sorts into this type of fiction for me. I read while participating in the #nordicnoirreadalong from @readbydusk. Therefore, the spare and minimalist style of writing and the wry, subtle humour was an adjustment for me. However, it was a welcome adjustment once I got into it.

A meteor crashes to earth in a Finnish town, right into the vehicle of a drunken former rally car driver. This meteor is somewhat of a sensation in the small town, everyone believing that this is worth huge sums of money, and naturally everyone feels like they have a claim to it. As money often does, it brings out the worst in human nature, however to humourous effect in this tale. Reflecting on some of the scenes, I feel that in the right hands, this could make a very entertaining and amusing movie.

If you are a fan of dark humour and enjoy the economical prose of Nordic fiction, then you will most certainly get a few guffaws out of this one. I would give this one a 3.5 out of 5, if half-stars were permitted.

The Thames Path Killer is a classic British police detective novel. For me these are the mac and cheese of mystery novels - you know what you are getting and you know that you love it.

DI Rob Miller is out to prove himself, being assigned as SIO (Senior Investigating Officer) for the first time on what is shaping up to look like a case of serial rape and murder crimes. Will he come through and earn that promotion? How many women will become victims before he figures it out? Can he reconcile his demanding professional life with his needy lover, Yvette?

I cannot say that this novel broke any new ground in detective fiction. It follows a well-trodden path and story arc in the genre. But that isn't necessarily a criticism. As I said, I enjoy this type of story; curling up with it and a cup of tea, like an old friend. The characters are interesting, the pace is quick and the ending satisfying. I enjoyed this one and will follow up to see what happens next with DI Rob Miller.

A Peculiar Combination, a delightful play-on-words, is a sprightly spy/mystery story set in WWII England. The main character is Electra, or Ellie, a young woman born into a family of safe crackers who do engage in legitimate enterprise, but are also not averse to a little side-business of criminal house-breaking and theft when needs must. Ellie and her lively family are drawn into a web of spies and intrigue with the stern and handsome Major Ramsey, while putting their house-breaking and safe-cracking skills to good use against German spies and potential traitors. A side plot of romance and attraction spice up the relationship between Ellie and the Major.

The characters are very entertaining, the plot twists are interesting without being confusing, and the narrator, Alison Larkin, is ideal for this audiobook. Her voice is melodic and expressive; she brings the characters to life without over-dramatizing. My only complaint might possibly be that the novel could have been a little more concise, but that is a minor flaw. I thoroughly enjoyed this and, on one night, stayed awake long past my bedtime while listening!

At the novel's end, it is clear that further intrigues are on the horizon, and I am already anticipating Electra's next adventure.

The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray is based around the concept of time travel. The protagonist in the mystery is called Will, a lanky American mid-western boy staying in London with his girlfriend Abigayle. Abigayle sends Will on an errand to a quirky little shop in Frying Pan Lane where he becomes acquainted with the shop proprietor, Frenz. Frenz deals in timepieces of all shapes and sizes, and when he supplies Will with an unusual-looking wristwatch as a gift for Abigayle, the adventures, or misadventures, commence.

This is a fun novel - it is light-hearted and imaginative. There isn't much character development, as the focus is on the action - the moves and counter-moves of the characters. If you are a fan of novels where lots of things are happening, this is for you. However I do appreciate getting to know and understand the characters and that was missing from this book. There were lots of clever plot twists, some of which made me pause in appreciation. The action moved so quickly at times that the jumping around in time periods, from 1940 to 1984 to 2016 and back to 1920 etc., began to be a bit confusing.

There were points in the novel where the author clearly had the picture of this world in his head, and he wanted to convey it to the reader in detail. However, it could be a little too much detail and perhaps not necessary to the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the story. The content of the novel is definitely rated Family, except for some mild violence, and younger readers might enjoy the book as well. Thank you to Net Galley for graciously providing a copy.

Hannah Fitzgerald has established a new life for herself in St. John's. She has friends, a social life, work, school and a possible love interest. She has escaped the manipulations and erratic moods of her controlling mother. However when Adelaide Fitzgerald is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and needs to go to a care home, Hannah must put her life on pause to go empty out her decrepit salt box home by the sea and help get her mother moved.

However, things do not proceed as expected when she arrives. Her mother is unpredictable, violent and sometimes frighteningly lucid. What do the keys around her neck open? What is she hiding? Can the caregiver Colleen be trusted?

I was so impressed with this debut novel from a young Newfoundland writer. The plot was twisty, the mother was sinister and the tension was palpable. The setting and atmosphere rang absolutely true - there are so many corners of Newfoundland that are deserted, lonely and quiet except for the sound of waves and wind. What deeds can be done and quietly covered up, with no one the wiser?

Well done, Emily Hepditch, and I cannot wait to read your next novel Alone on the Trail. I would give this a 4.5 if Goodreads allowed half-stars.

Merriam Webster defines august as "marked by majestic dignity or grandeur". "For in the midst of your deepest challenge, you may be selfless in choice or action, or, with all the strength you need to muster, walk away - whichever course you decide, at that moment, you are august."

This is indeed a dignified little novel and unlike anything I have read in some time. In both appearance and nature of the writing, this novel reads more like something written at the turn of the 20th century rather than a modern novel. The central character is Jenny Smila/Stram/Hoffman, and the novel follows her journey through two marriages and a trip to the Riviera, which evokes bittersweet memories of her first husband and brings together a cast of characters who have touched her life in some way.

The novel has a dreamy, soothing quality to it - as if you were listening to the story dozing in the afternoon sun. It was quite unusual and I oddly enjoyed it. If you enjoy the classics and exploration of characters along with a little armchair travel, then perhaps this book is for you. It certainly isn't for everyone, but I would consider reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Portmay Press for providing a copy to review.