When the Devil Drives (Sharp Investigations #2) by Christopher Brookmyre

When the Devil Drives
Sharp Investigations #2
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 20 May 2016
Length: 361 pages

Jasmine has been asked to investigate the disappearance of an actress named Tessa Garion, who went missing 30 years ago. She uncovers a whole lot more than her whereabouts though!
Meanwhile Catherine is investigating the shooting of Hamish Queen; shot dead after putting on his annual play.
It's all connected, so what's really the story behind Tessa Garion?


This was so much easier to get into after reading Where the Bodies Are Buried. It helps that you already know most of the characters and can just get straight into the story. I like Jasmine. She's an amateur, but just sort of wings it and gets good results!

I'm so glad there was no cliffhanger this time! I could go to sleep knowing the case was at rest. I'm still looking forward to Bred in the Bone though!

Definitely a series to sink your teeth into!

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Boyracers by Alan Bissett

Boyracers
Alan Bissett

Front cover

Date read: 6 - 11 May 2016
Length: 249 pages

This is the story told by Alvin about himself and his three best friends. Nothing seems to be going right; his mum left and his dad is on the verge of a mental breakdown. His brother moved to London, but came back and doesn't seem to be doing much. But all his problems seem an afterthought when he's with his friends, riding about Falkirk in a car. But will Alvin get to go to university, or will he have to look after his dad?


Boyracers is a coming of age story, right at the cusp of adulthood. On one hand Alvin is still a kid, hanging out with his friends and experiencing many things for the first time. But he's also being told to think about his future, or the possibility of becoming a carer for his father.

It was interesting to see the world through the eyes of a teenage boy. This one doesn't seem as sex-craved as you might be led to believe all teenage boys are.


The writing style is unusual. Not one I've really come across before and I'm not sure I liked it. New paragraphs are started in the middle of a word and it's a bit disorientating. I guess it could be used to convey rapid and changing thought processes, but I quite like a paragraph to start with a capital letter and end with a full stop, with complete words!


Despite this hiccup, it was an interesting read.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist