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

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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

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Wintersmith (Discworld #35) by Terry Pratchett

Wintersmith
Discworld #35
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 26 April - 5 May 2016
Length: 399 pages

Tiffany Aching accidentally dances with the wintersmith (who is essentially the God of winter) who thinks she is the Summer Lady. After his advances failed, he tries to turn himself into a man to win her heart.
Meanwhile, Miss Treason passes, and another witch must inherit her cottage. Who will it be?


Tiffany can always rely on the Nac Mac Feegle to help her out of a pickle!  It's basically like she has an army of guardian angels watching over her. Although she knows they're always there, they only interfere when she genuinely needs help. I wish I had my own little blue men.

As much as Tiffany loves learning how to be a witch, she desperately wants to go home. But will she be able to, with everything that's going on? You'll have to read it to find out!

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Where the Bodies Are Buried (Sharp Investigations #1) by Christopher Brookmyre

Where the Bodies Are Buried
Sharp Investigations #1
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 19 - 25 April 2016
Length: 293 pages

Jasmine Sharp works for her uncle in Sharp Investigations, a PI company. But when he goes missing, she's left with nothing to do but try to find him. When teaching his last steps, she comes across Tron Ingrams who begins to help in the investigation. But then people start shooting at them. What is going on?
Meanwhile Catherine McLeod is investigating the deaths of some well known drug dealers, who seem to be dropping like flies.


I thought Where the Bodies Are Buried was a little hard to get into. It took a while for me to be intrigued, but by the end I was loving it! There are a few little twists here and there which keep you on your toes.

But my goodness what a CLIFFHANGER! If the next book (When the Devil Drives) does not start with those 4 words, I'm going to be seriously miffed. I don't like cliffhangers at the best of times.

If you're prepared to wait a while until you get sucked in, I'd say it's worth the read.

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Her Fearful Symmetry
Audrey Niffenegger

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 18 April 2016
Length: 386 pages


Julia and Valentina are twins. Their mother was also a twin. One day they are left an apartment in London by their aunt, whom they don't know. There are two rules; they inherit when they turn 21, and their parents are not allowed in. What's the worst that could happen?


Where to start? I really liked this book. I thought the characters were very believable, and there was so much depth. There wasn't a single character I didn't like, although each had their flaws.

There were a few twists along the way. I was rather annoyed at the first one! At the time I thought it shouldn't have happened like that and went to bed feeling rather ticked off. But I guess a good book needs a twist or two!

By the end of the book I was left thinking 'huh'? There's more I would have liked to find out. Especially about Robert. But hey ho.

Basically, although it annoyed me and left me wanting more, it is actually a book I would read again. And I don't say that about many!

Audrey Niffenegger

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Thud! (Discworld #34) by Terry Pratchett

Thud!
Discworld #34
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 31 March - 8 April 2016
Length: 362 pages

After the murder of a dwarf, there is a civil unrest as the dwarfs and trolls are fighting, blaming each other for this murder. If Vimes doesn't solve it fast, there could be another Koom Valley in Ankh-Morpork! On another note, a rather large painting has been stolen, and something about chickens... But no matter what happens, Vimes will be home to read 'Where's My Cow?' to Young Sam at 6. Always.


Ah, I do like a good Watch story! Although there are so many of them now, it can be hard to keep track of them all! It seems that in every new Watch novel, there are more and more recruits! But there's always Vimes, and I don't think he'll ever leave!

It was nice to have some of Sybil again. It feels like it's been a long time since she had a part, and not just referenced to. And I liked that Vimes always reads to Young Sam at 6, no matter what he's doing. 'Once you had a good excuse, you opened the door to bad excuses.'


Have a read, you know you want to.

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens

Front cover

Date read: 4 - 30 March 2016
Length: 1071 pages

Amy Dorrit was born in the Marshalsea; a debtors jail where her father is a resident. Amy is quite content with her life there, until one day the family inherit a lot of money, pay off their debts and she's whisked away to Europe. But this isn't the life she's accustomed to, and she seeks the simple life back home.


Oh, what an accomplishment it is to finish Little Dorrit! I think I can confidently say it is the longest novel I have ever read. It can get a little dull in places, but mostly it's fine. The story is engaging enough that I could finish it!

Although I've got to say I was a little disappointed. I suppose I had a little expectation of what I thought it was going to be like (silly I know, but I had seen the BBC adaptation years ago) but it was nothing like what I remember. In saying that though, I still enjoyed it.

I liked Amy. She was the only character I felt was relatable. Mr Dorrit was greedy, her sister shallow. Amy was down to earth and pleasant. She knew what the important things were, and didn't want for much more. A delightful lady, I'm sure.


So, despite being a brick of a book, I'm glad I've read it. 




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist