FM's
ratings:
1.
Premise 8
2.
Prose 8
3.
Plot 9
4.
Characters 10
5.
Overall 9
Comments (optional - but try to keep it under 3000 words!)
Fidelma
impresses the hell out of us once again! Her technique in solving
very difficult murders is beautiful to behold. Since the setting is
668 A.D. in ancient Ireland, she doesn’t have the advantage of
fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and a host of other modern-day tools to
work with. Her investigations rely on asking the right questions of
the right people in the right order and in the right tone of voice.
She’s playing a game of chess, so to speak, and in this novel she
even compares her approach to such a game; one played in that time
and place known as brandubh,
and similar to chess. Tremayne knows the period well, having
studied it academically, and sprinkles anthropological references
throughout the text, complete with the Celtic words that were used
for them. This is done so tastefully that it never gets in the way;
indeed it adds a spice to the narrative that enhances the atmosphere
of time and place. Historical novels don’t usually appeal to me,
but these are done so well that I keep coming back for more.
Here’s the
September
line-up!
"Burnt
Offerings," by Laurell K. Hamilton [9-2-17]
"School Days,"
by Robert B. Parker [9-9-17]
"One Shot,"
by Lee Child [9-16-17]
"Murder Sends a
Postcard," by Christy Fifield [9-23-17]
"Lullaby,"
by Chuck Palahniuk [9-30-17]
(As always, if there are any
books you’d like to recommend for next month, please do so. Also,
if you have already read a book on our previous lists, you are
invited to send your ratings and or comments for that book!)
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