Ann Cleeves' Raven Black by Susan Moore

 “Raven Black” is the first book of a quartet by Ann Cleeves.   Set in the Shetland Isles, it is a crime thriller, but one with a difference.   Ann Cleeves moved to the Shetland Isles when she was 19, and her descriptions of these cold, isolated and snow covered islands could only have been written by someone who had spent time there and learnt to love this isolated area of Scotland.

 I have to say it was like a breath of fresh air reading a crime novel that, for once, did not bog me down with too much emphasis on police personnel or the technicalities and procedures of the investigation.

I instantly warmed to the main character, Inspector Perez, an Islander (or “insider”), who found himself in charge of a murder enquiry when the body of a young girl is discovered in the snow.  Black ravens were circling around the body and the girl had black hair, giving the book its title.   Perez was a rather scruffy, untidy but warm individual, more a man than a policeman, and contrary to his appearance, lived in an immaculate, tidy house near the sea front. 

 The Shetland Isles reminded me of how the Isle of Man used to be – the locals, the come-overs - in Shetland there are “insiders”, “incomers” etc., with everybody knowing everyone’s business (or thinking they do!), with old traditions, and families that go back to Viking times..   And no murders to brag about either!   

The murder enquiry becomes more complex and the “Big Boys” are called in (police from the mainland – Aberdeen), and Perez has to reluctantly hand over the case to Taylor (an Englishman to boot!).  When another child is found dead, it is vital that a suspect has to be found quickly, and a result achieved. 

The finger of suspicion points to Magnus Tait, the local weird character (every small community has one) and he is eventually arrested.  Perez and Taylor are both of the same mind that they have the wrong man behind bars, and even when the mainland police leave the islands, with an apparent case closed, Taylor stays on to assist Perez find the real murderer, and a respect for each other begins to emerge.   

  I found it amusing that when the CSI from the mainland commented that the murdered girl was not carrying her keys, the local police pointed out that here in Shetland, no-one locked their doors!  Just like the Isle of Man a few years ago!  Perez was considering leaving the police to take up crofting, and join the lifeboat crew as his forefathers had done, but the buzz of a strong case like this could maybe change his mind.  I also felt the beginnings of a romance for Perez with another character, Fran, divorced with a small child.   As the story unfolds, it is apparent that the murdered girl, was a “dark horse” and many of the characters had been involved with her in one way or another.  I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was until the very last, and exciting few pages, which shows what an excellent story teller Ann Cleeves is.  Raven Black had me turning the pages, and thinking - “just one more chapter, and I really will turn the light off!”    I will certainly read the next three books in this series ... especially want to see if Perez and Fran do “get it together”!

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.

 

Manx Litfest Reading Club
Jasper Fforde

by Roger

I have only part-read two of his books so far - yet I am hooked - and will most certainly read them all.

My mind is on 'The Big Over Easy' because that's what I'm reading right now. I laugh out loud over his one-liners and thereafter he has got me smiling for page after page. However, after a while, as in 'Carry-On' films you know what the next line will be - but it is so cleverly done. 

I loved the Toast Marketing Board, slotted into the Thursday Next series and the 'Allegro Enthusiast Club in the B.O.E. He convinces you to take this seriously because of the car's renowned 'hydrostatic' suspension gives a great 'ride' and you can always adjust the 'torque' to your advantage.

It is great fun to play around with the author's classic characters. Fforde knows that these by their nature carry the luggage of his readers preconceptions. He doesn't impose on them a different personality - and that makes the whole book work. I'm sure he purposely resists 'developing' a character such as his Inspector Jack Spratt (who cuts off all his fat from his bacon breakfast at the Police Station Canteen - 'My wife won't eat anything else.') It's all about the dialogue for Fforde.

I find that the books can be too loaded to take in a single session. Rather like too much Marx Brothers - you need something different in between. The beauty of his stories is that you get to believe in his reconstitiuted characters as real people, and that includes his Nursery Rhyme ones too, because he does them so well.

Jasper Fforde is one of the authors appearing at Manx Litfest 27 - 30 Sept.