What We're Reading Now...

We're missing a meeting in July because of the Tynwald Bank Holiday, so we've got two different books lined up for our next meeting on Thurs 2 August. Both are debut novels, and they share a central theme of memory.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry by Rachel Joyce is about a retired man who learns that a former colleague has cancer. He takes a leap of faith and  walks from one end of the country to the other to visit, instructing his friend Queenie to wait for him. His memories unfurl along the road, triggered by events and chance encounters. Although sadness is part of Howard Fry's journey, there is also humour and a great deal of charm.

Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson is a psychological thriller which is going to be made into a film directed by Ridley Scott, with Nicole Kidman in the lead role. S J Watson worked in a hospital and was inspired to write this novel about amnesia. Following an accident, Christine loses her memory each time she sleeps, and has to start afresh again every morning. The reader begins to share her confusion and uncertainty as the suspense builds.

The Other Half Of Me by Morgan McCarthy

This book comes highly recommended by Elizabeth, and here's what she says:

I found the title intriguing to begin with, and as the story unfolds, it opens up a strange scenario involving Jonathan and his sister Theo. Their mother insists on their calling her Alicia, and lives in a world of her own. She's on prescription drugs and gin, so doesn't relate to the children except to tell them to go away while she takes a nap.


They have been told that their father, Michael Caplin, is dead, and the children's welfare falls to Miss Black the nanny who dislikes them, and a cook who can't cook. Their grandmother Eve then arrived on the scene, sweeping all before her. She held lots of secrets, but was a strong woman who didn't stand for any nonsense.


Theo was a child given to dreams, and a strong belief in fair play. She and her brother were very close until cracks began to emerge in their relationship. Theo got caught up in drugs, and Jonathan and his friends drank far too much. A web of deceit begins to unfold, leading from Wales to London, and crossing the Atlantic, where a really lovely story emerges.

R J Ellory's Ghost Heart by Susan Moore

I opened this book with some reservations. I had read that R J Ellory was British, and wondered how he could write a novel set mostly in Manhattan, and make it work. However, my doubts soon disappeared.

The opening paragraph was so descriptive; I could smell the atmosphere of Manhattan 'awakening' for another day. The sounds, smells, were tangible - 'The smoke and steam crawling like tired ghosts from the subway below' I think this first paragraph was one of the best I have ever read, on a par with 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier. I always feel that if a book 'grabs' you in that first parargraph, then it's going to be a good read.

The characters seemed totally believeable - Annie in her little dusty book shop, longing for a real romance, and thinking she had found it in David. I found myself envious of the wonderful relationship she had with Jack Sullivan, the hard-drinking journalist in the next appartment. he was always there for her - best friend, brother, father, rolled into one. (He would have been her lover I think - if he'd been younger!) A wonderful colourful character. Annie had other friends, but to me, she seemed a lost soul, and but for Sullivan, would have had a vary sad and lonely life. Her father's death when she was a child had left an empty space within.

From what initially appears to be a 'loneliness to love' story soon turns into something completely surprising and unexpected.. The stranger named Forrester who enters her shop one day claims to have known her father well. He leaves 'stories' for Annie to read in instalments, and this makes for compulsive reading. What were these stories really about, and who was Forrester? Did he - and the stories- have any real relevance to Annie?

R J Ellory beautifully describes Annies life with Sullivan, who was always there watching over her, the shop, and her romance with David. This starkly contrasts with the stories given to Annie by Forrester, which were extremely violent, ruthless and shocking in places. But like Annie, I found myself impatient for Forrester's next visit - and the next instalment of these 'stories'. Would my particular hunches about the ending be right?

From start to finish, there were twists, turns and shocks. This is a great read - brilliantly written, and full of mystery, love, crime, with a fascinating mix of characters, and an amazing finale! What more could you ask for in a book?

The vivid descriptions of Manhattan, New York, and especially the people who live and work there, were excellent, and at times, very poetic. (I noticed that R J acknowledged Anita Shreve amongst others, and I could feel her influence on his writing.) Ellory has certainly done his research very thoroughly.

I look forward to reading the rest of Roger Ellory's books - he is an author I am so glad to have found. Thanks to Manx Litfest Reading Club and the Book Club of Onchan Library!

R J Ellory's Anniversary Man by Cath

This novel opens in 1984 with the murder and attempted murder of a young teenage couple by a killer known as 'The Hammer of God'. The killer is caught, and commits suicide in prison. The action then moves to New York in 2006 where a series of gruesome killings is under investigation by Detective Ray Irving.


His investigations lead him to discover that all murders are recreations of previous serial killings carried out on the anniversaries of the events. As the bodies mount up, he comes under increasing pressure to find the killer, and enlists the help of a crime researcher attached to a newspaper. This happens to be John Costello, who survived the Hammer of God attack.


I thought this was a very well written novel, with strong characters whose lives and relationships intertwined and developed. There was a good sense of place, and the author obviously has a detailed knowledge of New York - despite being English. I found the details of the murders very gruesome though, and I wouldn't normally read such a violent novel. It was even more shocking to learn at the end that the book was based on real life serial killings .... However, it was so well written, and such a page turner, that I'd read more by this author.

Manx Litfest Reading Club - R J Ellory

Onchan Book Group have been gripped by another Manx Litfest writer this month - R J Ellory. This multi-award winning author was born in the UK, but he's completely at home writing about the USA. R J had a strange childhood, following the death of his mother when he was only 7 years old. He never knew his father, and his grandmother sent him to schools and residential homes for orphans, where he escaped into the world of American Culture through watching Hitchcock and James Cagney films, and Starsky and Hutch & Hawaii Five-0 on TV.  

His books will take you from the Deep South to California, Washington, New York and places in between. He writes tough and gritty crime, but doesn’t follow a formula, and each new book takes on a variety of different subjects. ‘A Quiet belief in Angels’ was a Richard and Judy Book Club Read in 2008.