Inversions (Culture #6) by Iain M. Banks

Inversions
Culture #6
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 30 July - 8 August 2019
Length: 405 pages
Published: 1998


Doctor Vosill is the physician to the King, and although she has a good reputation, some believe there is more to her treatments. She has more enemies than she realises. Across the mountains, DeWar is the bodyguard of the General, who also has his share of enemies. How are they connected?


Although Inversions didn't really seem like a Culture novel, I really enjoyed it. I like the ones that are more about the people the their relationships with each other.

I liked Vosill, but even though she's one of the main characters, I felt like we didn't really get to know her. I couldn't help but think there was more to her, hiding just beneath the surface.

The relationship that DeWar has with the General's son, Lattens, is very wholesome. I loved reading about their time together and the stories DeWar would tell him.


I am looking forward to more in the series!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Locked Room Mystery Mystery (Nursery Crime #2.5) by Jasper Fforde

The Locked Room Mystery Mystery
Nursery Crime #2.5
Jasper Fforde

Date read: 29 July 2019
Length: 6 pages (according to Goodreads)
Published: 2007


Locked Room has been killed in the library of Usher Towers. The room was locked from the inside and there were no witnesses. Can Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and Detective Sergeant Mary Mary solve the case?


This was a very short story originally published online by The Guardian. I felt since I had read the two novels I might as well read this, even though it's not actually in printed format! I'll admit it did feel a little strange, but at least it was only for one night!

It's basically Cluedo (or Clue for those across the water). You have the murder, and need to figure out who did it and with what. It was a fun little story.

I liked the names of the other people attending the dinner party. Some examples are Red Herring, Least Likely Suspect, and Overlooked Clue. It adds to the fun!

I really wish there was more Nursery Crime books out. They are so unique and I really enjoyed the first two. I think there is supposed to be a third one, but I have no idea if/when it will be published.


I recommend you read the series if you're looking for something a bit different!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes #2) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Sign of Four
Sherlock Holmes #2
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Front cover

Date read: 25 - 28 July 2019
Length: 153 pages
Published: 1890


Mary Morstan has been receiving a pearl in the post every year for the last six years. But now the stranger wants to meet to right a wrong. She calls upon the help of Sherlock Holmes, and with the help of John Watson, they embark on an adventure.

"You are a wronged woman and shall have

justice. Do not bring police. If you do, all will

be in vain. Your unknown friend."

It has been a while since I read A Study in Scarlet, but I have enjoyed reading about Sherlock Holmes again!

I enjoyed the first part of the story but I could feel myself getting lost or not concentrating enough towards the end, which is probably due to reading too late at night and entirely my fault. I feel I didn't take enough of this book in, and for that reason this review will be brief.

I liked the interaction between Watson and Morstan. I feel Watson is quite innocent despite his life experience, and this is one of the instances where it shows. It's very sweet though, and we might see what happens soon!

I'm looking forward to reading more, although I don't know when that will be. Next time I will make more of an effort to pay attention! What I did take in I really enjoyed, and will need to read it again at some point.

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

Excession (Culture #5) by Iain M. Banks

Excession
Culture #5
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 14 - 24 July 2019
Length: 455 pages
Published: 1996


Something appears in space and no-one knows what it is, not even the super intelligent Minds. Genar-Hofoen is sent on a mission to retrieve a very old Mind from a dying spaceship, and his old flame keeps popping up...


Okay, so it was actually pretty hard to pinpoint a synopsis. There seems to be a lot of minor stories here, but not particularly one major plot. The novel took quite a while to get going, and I felt that pretty much the first half wasn't really much, it did get better towards the end though!

I like Dajeil Gelian. She's pretty interesting, and not just because she's been pregnant for 40 odd years! She's quite mysterious and obviously has a past that still influences her life today.

The ship names are interesting! They always have been but they seem to be even better here. I won't spoil any names here, you'll just need to read to find out.


Looking forward to the rest of the series.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Fourth Bear (Nursery Crime #2) by Jasper Fforde

The Fourth Bear
Nursery Crime #2
Jasper Fforde

Front cover

Date read: 4 - 13 July 2019
Length: 383 pages
Published: 2006


Jack Spratt and Mary Mary are back, investigating the disappearance of Goldilocks, a Friend to Bears. Meanwhile the Gingerbread Man has escaped from prison, and what's with all the unexplained explosions? And how dangerous can a giant cucumber be?

The Gingerbreadman - psychopath,

genius, convicted murderer and biscuit

- is loose on the streets of Reading.

If there's one thing you can say about Nursery Crime, it's that it's not boring. There's always so much more to it than you think, and it keeps you on your toes! One thing leads to another and more things are discovered that need investigating. Before you know it you have many questions that need answered.

I am very much enjoying this series and all the characters. They're just so unusual you don't know what to expect.

I kind of feel sorry for Jack. He is underestimated all the time and not taken as seriously as he should be. If he was just left to get on with things I'm sure he would manage perfectly fine, but for some reason people keep getting in his way.

Mary and Ashley were an odd couple, but I liked it. It was a little bit unexpected but also really worked. It's a shame about what happened to Ashley - I hope he asks her out again.

When is the next Nursery Crime novel going to be?! Apparently there is supposed to be a third one, but considering this one was published 13 years ago and the third isn't out yet, I'm not very hopeful. It's a shame because I was really enjoying this series!

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

Saturday by Ian McEwan

Saturday
Ian McEwan

Front cover

Date read: 27 June - 3 July 2019
Length: 279 pages
Published: 2005


Dr Henry Perowne is trying to enjoy a Saturday away from work, but after a disturbed night, a car crash, and an assault all before lunch, he's finding it difficult. His daughter is coming home to visit, so at least he has that to look forward to, right?


I found this book a little difficult to read, not because of the writing but because I thought Henry was a bit dull. You know, he has the perfect life; a loving wife, 2 children, a good job and house, he plays squash at the weekend. Nothing much of interest. A lot of the book is him rambling on about various things like neuroscience, his thoughts on war etc.

His collision with Baxter was probably the most interesting thing to happen in the book, because it paved the way for the rest of the story. Baxter is an interesting character, even considering the fact he is thoroughly unlikable. Baxter angers me in a way that makes me wish violence upon him.

Daisy has a surprise is revealed to her family too soon, because of Baxter's despicable acts. I feel sorry for her and the family because the joyous moment was taken away from her family, and especially her. Another reason to hate Baxter.


I did quite enjoy Saturday but I think a lot of Henry's waffling was unnecessary.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The State of the Art (Culture #4) by Iain M. Banks

The State of the Art
Culture #4
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 21 - 26 June 2019

Length: 216 pages

Published: 1991

Diziet Sma tells her story of when the Culture visit Earth. They learn all about the people, their way of life, the technology, everything. One member goes so far as to decide they want to stay on Earth, and even change their body to be more human. Also included are some short stories.

I like the fact that the Culture came to Earth, and not to destroy it or declare war, but to observe and learn. They get to know what being human is about and respect what they discover.

The short stories were okay but not really that memorable. I thought the pictures were quite cool though.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the series, after what feels like a little break.

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist