The Enigma of Garlic

The enigma of garlic by Alexander McCall Smith is the sixteenth installment in the 44 Scotland Street series.  Reading these books is like catching up again with old friends to discover what has happened in their lives since our last meeting.

The big news is that cafe owner Big Lou has married Fat Bob but is he being unfaithful to her? Her friends are determined to discover the answer. Then Bruce's personality has changed since being hit by lightning when walking down the street. He has decided to enter a monastery. But will this be a permanent change? Irene has announced that she is moving back to Edinburgh for two months. How will this affect Stuart, Bertie and Stuart 's mother, Nicola? Irene has also decided that Bertie will go to a camp during the holidays. Unfortunately Olive and Pansy are going to the same camp. Nicola has set up an online profile on a dating site for her son. What could go wrong?

These are  just some of the senarios revealed in The enigma of garlic as the reader observes the lives of Angus and Domenica, Matthew and Elspeth, Antonio and Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montana, Stuart and Bertie, Big Lou and all the other friends as they explore and discuss philosophical issues and life's important and not so important issues.

The Secret Keeper

When sixteen year old Laurel Nicolson witnesses a horrific event in 1961 she tries to put it to the back of her mind. However in 2011 when the family is gathering to celebrate her mother's 90th (and probably last) birthday Laurel decides it is time to discover the truth about her mother's story. 

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton gradually reveals the story through accounts of events occuring in different time frames, particularly the late 1930s and the Second World War and 2011 when Laurel  attempts to discover the facts of the family history. Laurel's bother, Gerry, assists her in this quest. 

Three people, Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy met in London during the Blitz and it is learning of their stories that allows Laurel to understand the past leading to the event witnessed by Laurel and her young brother. This is a story of love, friendship, deception and misunderstanding. It also depicts how events from the past can still impact on the future.

Pippi Longstocking

Nine year old Pippi lives in a house in a village with her monkey and her horse. It is soon obvious that Pippi is a child who enjoys adventures and also has special powers. Tommy and Annika, who live next door to Pippi's house, soon dicover that life is never dull when they are with their new neighbour. Who else do you know who is strong enough to carry a horse? 

Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren is a classic children's book which I introduced to my ten year old grandson during first term this year. The book was first published in 1945 and shortly afterwards English editions were published. The books in this series have been translated into fifty languages.

The edition of the book that I own is illustrated by Lauren Childs, well known for the children's television series Charlie and Lola. Consequently my grandson enjoyed examining the copious illustrations as well as sharing the reading of the story with me. At times he became so engrossed with the adventure that he would take over and not let me read at all! What more can I say? Most children and adults will enjoy reading this book.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Recently I read Agatha Christie: a very elusive woman by Lucy Worsley in which the author discusses the life of the English crime writer, Agatha Christie, and also some of her works that made an impact on the writing of crime fiction. One title that kept being mentioned was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is the fourth book by Agatha Christie to feature the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The book was originally published in England in 1926 and has been constantly in print. It was also made into a play and film under the title of Alibi and has also featured in the television series, Poirot. The book has been published in many languages.

Dr Shepherd is asked by Flora Ackroyd to ask his neighbour, Hercule Poirot, to investigate the murder of her uncle, Roger Ackroyd. Her uncle had been found in a locked room where he had been stabbed.Witnesses had said that the window had been locked but evidence suggested that the killer had entered by the window. A short time before Ackroyd's murder the woman he loved had committed suicide. She was being black mailed about the death of her husband.

Everyone is a suspect but everyone appears to have an alibi. Dr Shepherd accompanies the detective as he investigates and keeps notes of what has been discovered. It proves to be an extremely confusing case, particulalrly when one young man disappears. It soon appears that everyone has a secret. During the investigation many previously hidden stories are revealed. There are lots of red herrings. But eventually Poirot solves the case.

Almost one hundred years after it was published, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a crime story worth reading.

Queens of the Age of Chivalry

Queens of the Age of Chivalry is the third book in the series, England's Medieval Queens, written by Alison Weir . The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Marguerite of France, the second wife of King Edward I

Isabella of France, the wife of King Edward II

Philippa of Hainault, the wife of King Edward III

Anne of Bohemia, first wife of King Richard II

Isabella of Valois, second wife of King Richard II.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts of the lives of these women based on the information available. Unfortunately many of the the records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book is an extensive  select bibliography, sources of quotes in the text and an index. There are also some coloured plates.

Queens of the Crusades

 Queens of the Crusades is the second book in the England Medieval Queens series by Alison Weir. The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Eleanor of Aquitaine, the wife of King Henry II

Berebgaria of Navarre, the first wife of King Richard I

Isabella of Angouleme, the wife of King John

Alienor of Provence, the wife of King Henry III

Eleanor of Castile, wife of King Edward I.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts on the lives of these women based on thre information available. Unfortunately many of the original records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book is an extensive select bibliography, sources of quotes in the text plus an index. There are also some coloured plates.

Queens of the Conquest

Queens of the Conquest is the first book in the England Medieval Queens series by Alison Weir. The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror

Matilda of Scotland, the first wife of King Henry I

Adeliza of Louvain, the second wife of King Henry I

Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I and wife of Geoffrey Plantangenet of Anjou

Matilda of Boulonge, wife of King Stephen.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts on the lives of these women based on the information available. Unfortunately many of the original records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book are appendices including a guide to the principal Chronicle sources, an extensive select bibliography, notes and references plus an index. There are also some coloured plates.