Devil's Brood

Sharon Penman has delivered an enthralling power play as Henry II and his fascinating wife, Eleanor of Acquitaine, deal with their 'devil's brood' growing up in her final volume of her trilogy on this the original power couple! Their 5 sons who include Richard the Lionheart and Prince John (of Robin Hood infamy) grow to manhood struggling to be recognised by their controlling father and to carve out their own destiny as Kings, Dukes and Counts in England and France. This is a long book - over 700 pages but the story rockets along as Henry deals with the aftermath of the murder of Thomas Beckett and the necessity to keep all his vassals in order. Sharon Penman does extensive research and adds notes explaining why she makes the choices she does when the historical record is not clear. Her website is also a source of good information on the period and her processes in writing historical fiction. As well as 'straight' historical fiction, she writes medieval mysteries which you will find in our Mysteries genre. I took a while to read this simply because the book is quite heavy - and I found it too heavy to read in bed but it's a great read so give it a go!
Wendy

Kellerman Mysteries

The Kellerman family have added significant depth to our mystery collection. Jonathan Kellerman writes forensic psychology novels which delve into the murkier areas of human interaction following the cases of Alex Delaware and featuring a regular cast of LA police and Alex's on-again off-again relationship with a troubled sculptress. Faye Kellerman writes police procedurals with a cultural twist as her protagonist, Peter Decker, a seasoned cop marries a Jewish widow and then deals with the religious/cultural issues of that blended family as his stepsons grow up. his daughter from his first marriage, Cindy, also becomes a cop so some of the stories revolve more around her. Each of the Kellerman parents deliver well written genre offerings. Their son, Jesse Kellerman, is now well established as a mystery writer in his own right, having delivered 3 novels - Sunstroke, Trouble and The Brutal Art - which are all different, all excellently written and all show he has his parents' gifts for story telling and character development. His people are more likely to be adrift in a modern world where they are struggling to define their own place as they deal with unfolding mysteries and are well worth a look if you like a good mystery read.

Wendy

Land of Marvels

A fascinating exploration of the differing threads of political influence in pre-WWI in Mesopotamia - modern Iraq; as the European powers jockey for position and influence and the Ottoman Empire crumbles. Somerville, an idealistic archaeologist is under pressure from all sides. An American geologist is surveying potential oilfields under pretence of being an archaeologist. Agents from Austria, Germany and Britain keep an uneasy eye on each other and the local Arabic peoples try to gain what advantage they can. Two women, a wife and a fiancee, offer both traditional and radical notions of contemporary feminity. A study of past upheavals in the area do not prepare Somerville for the present cataclysms. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the geological formations, the bitumen sands and other features which presaged oil being present and the somewhat naive idealism of the geologist who thinks that cheap and plentiful fuel will bring the world's people out of poverty by providing cheap power. Barry Unsworth explores his characters motivations with lyricism and understanding.
Wendy

Fire and Sword

Book 3 in Simon Scarrow's epic story of Napoleon and Wellington is another absorbing story. You can feel the suffering of the troops as they march, counter march, deal with low rations and impatient generals. The generals have to deal with non-military imterference into what they know they can achieve. The characters of the two men are developing as they move towards their Waterloo. Napoleon is starting to give into his megalomania viewing all others as subordinate to his visions. Wellington had a much slower rise to much less power and was required to do much more with much fewer resources. The battles are detailed in vivid descriptions so that you can imagine being one of the great generals and trying to decide where and when to commit your last reserves.

Wendy

who hasn't had doubts?

The DVD DOUBT has had critical acclaim for its uncompromising storyline and searingly honest portrayals of the main characters by some fine actors. Meryl Streep (Sister Aloysius) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Father Flynn) shine in this movie, ably supported by Amy Adams as the idealistic nun slowly losing her innocence as she encounters the gritty realities of running a school. The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize and Tony award wining play by John Patrick Shanley who also wrote and directed the movie. What is the relationship at the heart of the movie? Is the merciless headmistress or the affable priest the real supporter of the children? How does a mother best protect her son in the light of unreasonable constraints? The film raises questions rather then providing answers in an absorbing and complex exposition.

Wendy