A Slowly Dying Cause

Checking this blog I found a post I wrote in 2022 for Something to Hide by Elizabeth George. In the final paragraph of the blog post I made the statement - I can now say that I have read a novel by Elizabeth George but it is highly unlikely that I will read any more. Unfortunately I have repeated the mistake made in 2022.

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George is number 22 in her Lynley novel series. The murdered body of Michael Lobb is found in the family tin and pewter workshop. The case is investigated by Detective Inspector Bea Hannaford and her team and as the investigation proceeds it is realised that this is not a straight forward case, though they eventually make an arrest. Much later, detectives from London, Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, become unofficially involved in the investigation.

A large part of the book involves an employee of a mining company trying to convince Cornish landowners to sell or lease their property. At each visit we read the same spiel which becomes monotonous after a while. The sexual activities of a variety of characters feature throughout the book. The fate of the roof of Thomas Lynley's family home also takes up many pages. Throughout the novel pages from the journal of the murdered man are inserted, providing additional information. 

Elizabeth George, an American author, has made her name creating books within a perceived English setting. With a series of 22 books, obviously many people enjoy reading her novels. I almost gave up reading the book but then the author returned to the investigation, so I finished reading the 640 pages of the novel.

Estella

Estella is a retelling of the story of Charles Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, by Australian author, Kathy George. This version is told from the viewpoint of Estella, the adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. Estella arrived at Satis House when she was three and has no knowledge of her parents. To say that Miss Havisham lives in the past would be an understatement as she has never moved on from the time that her future husband left her before the wedding. Miss Havisham brings up Estella 'to break men's hearts'.

This version of the story relates Estella's early upbringing at Satis House, her later education in France and then her time in London where she is to learn about society and find a husband. Estella finds the London social life exhausting as she is pursued by a number of young men and makes an unfortunate decision in order to escape the London social scene. 

Throughout the novel is woven Estella's relationship with Pip, the young lad who Miss Havisham also appears to be grooming. It is many years before Estella discovers how she really wants to live her life and who her real friends are. The ending of the story is different from that of Charles Dicken's novel.

Something to Hide

I decided to borrow this book from the library as I had seen a good review for it somewhere and was aware that Elizabeth George was a popular author. Something to Hide is the 21st book in the Inspector Lynley series of books which has a faithful following. Elizabeth George is an American author who sets this series of crime novels in England. She has obviously done a great deal of research for this book, especially about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Nigerian community which features in the storyline of the book. However at 622 pages it is not only far too long but also could have benefited from a good edit

Part one of the book introduces the reader to the variety of characters involved in the story which slowly begins to come together in part two. Acting Detective Superintendent Lynley and his team are called in by Scotland Yard to investigate the murder of a policewoman in her home. Teo Bontempi had been working on a task force investigating FTM in the London area. FTM is illegal in England and in most other countries but is still practised by some communities who believe that FTM cleanses girls and makes them pure for marriage. When Teo was murdered the police hierarchy obviously wanted the crime quickly and quietly solved before the tabloids discovered the story.

The reader follows the events that occurred between 21 July and 16 August. Intertwined with the main story are sections dealing with relationships between some of the characters. The continuation of FTM in some communities is a topic that we should be aware of. However in this book there is too   much repetition and too many characters creating a complex and often tedious reading experience. I can now say that I have read a novel by Elizabeth George but It is highly unlikely that I will read any more.

The Little Paris Bookshop

Jean Perdue owns a "literary apothecary" - a barge fitted out as a book shop moored in Paris on the River Seine. Jean has the gift of being able to share the right book for each customer and has regular customers who purchase books from him.

When Catherine moves into his apartment block, memories of a lost love are stirred up resulting in Jean and Max, an author with writer's block, sailing along rivers and canals to Provence where Jean can come to terms with the past. Along the way they meet Cuneo and Samy who join them for part of the trip.

Like, The Little Breton Bistro, this is a book about relationships plus regrets about what may have been done differently. The descriptions of the scenery they pass on the rivers and canals is realistically described providing a glimpse of life in the French countryside. The last section of the book is set in Provence where the scenery and food is vividly described.

Another enjoyable book from Nina George.

The Little Breton Bistro

Nina George is a German writer who now has two books translated into English - The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little Breton Bistro. At the cricket at Launceston recently a friend was reading The Little Breton Bistro and recommended it. We also saw it displayed at Launceston airport. So I borrowed a copy from the library to read.

Marianne Messmann is a German lady who visits Paris with her husband of forty years - Lothar. Her marriage is not a happy one and one evening Marianne decides to jump off a bridge into the Seine. Much to her dismay she is rescued by a tramp and taken to hospital. However, in hospital she discovers a small painted tile of a beach scene in Brittany and decides to visit the place before she attempts to end her life once more.

This scenario sounds dismal however when Marrianne arrives in Kerdruc she makes a new group of friends and shares many new experiences, enabling her over time to rediscover the enjoyment of life. It takes a while, however, for Marrianne to decide whether to continue with her new life and identity or return, with her husband, to the old life she did not enjoy.

Marianne is not the only person who needs to make decisions as to how they want to live their life in the future. This is a book about relationships, about being brave enough to make a change and take a chance instead of thinking about what may have been. The power of water, either the river or the sea, is often in the background. The setting of Kerduc is an important feature of the book especially the bistro, Ar Mor, where Marianne finds employment and becomes an accepted member of the community. Naturally the enjoyment of cooking and eating food is a feature. However this is primarily a book about facing challenges and second chances and I enjoyed reading it