The First King of England: Æthelstan and the birth of the kingdom

David Woodman, a Professor of History at Cambridge University, has written a detailed study of the life of Æthelstan, the grandson of King Alfred the Great and son of King Edward the Elder, who became the first king of all of England in 927.  

The author has studied the limited number of original sources covering this historical period including versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, works of William of Malmesbury and Æthelstan's surviving diplomas (official documents recording decisions from royal meetings, particularly detailing grants made by the king and his dealings with the church) along with an extensive list of historical works about this time in England's history in order to compile his study about the life of Æthelstan.

The book looks at the history of England at the time of Æthelstan's grandfather and father when the country was divided initially into seven kingdoms and later four before becoming a united country. The book then examines the life of Æthelstan and how he endeavoured to keep the country as one. Chapters provide information about Æthelstan's interest in learning as well as supporting religious establishments in the country. As well as ruling England Æthelstan worked with leaders of parts of Wales and also Scotland. In at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937 Æthelstan's army had a decisive victory resulting in him ruling much of Britain, not just England. Æthelstan was well know as a leader throughout Europe. Æthelstan ruled England from 924 until 939.

The First King of England is a comprehensive work about the life of an important but not well-known king. The author suggests that he would have had a more prominent reputation if he had had a biographer recording his story as his grandfather, Alfred the Great, had done. Following the death of Æthelstan there was unrest again in parts of England, especially in the north with Vikings once again asserting themselves. But the creation of the country of England that evolved during the rule of Æthelstan became the foundation of England today.

At the end  of the book is a glossary of technical terms, list of historical figures appearing in the book, chronology of main events, two appendices, notes, bibliography and index.

The Keeper

Cal Hooper, a retired detective from the USA, is trying to establish a new life in the small Irish community of Ardnakelty. He has come to realise that there are many complicated alliances and relationships within a community that does not readily welcome outsiders. Cal lives in a small cottage where he spends his time crafting fine furniture and items of woodwork. He is assisted by Trey who plans to get a woodworking apprenticeship when she leaves school. Cal's fiancee, Lena, lives nearby.

The pattern of rural life is disturbed when the body of a young woman, Rachel, is found in the river. Rachel was about to become engaged to Eugene, the son of a wealthy landowner who tries to control the local residents. Did Rachel take her own life or was she murdered? There are many opinions as the villagers turn on each other with their theories and accusations and some of the residents receive threats of various kinds. Cal, Mart with a group of the other residents decide to investigate to discover how Rachel died and why?

The Keeper by Irish author, Tana French, is the third book featuring Cal and Lena and the other residents of Ardnakelty, but I have not read the previous two books. I found the first few chapters a little difficult to follow as I needed time to become used to the style of dialogue spoken as the author introduced the reader to the characters and the setting of the novel. However as the story evolved I enjoyed reading the book.

Another book recommended by Dervla McTiernan's Book Club which isn't a book club.

Between Sisters

Meghann (Meg) is a successful divorce lawyer living in Seattle. For many years she was a substitute parent to her younger sister, Claire. Then her mother left them and Meg located Sam, Claire's father, who did not know that he had a daughter. After a series of misunderstandings Meg established a life of her own with only occasional contact with her sister. When Meg learns that Claire plans to marry a country singer who she has only recently met, she visits her sister to find out what is happening.

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah recounts the complicated past and present relationship between the two women as they encounter an unexpected life threatening challenge and renew the relationship that they once had. Meg also meets Joe who is struggling with past events in his own life. The book explores themes of friendship, family responsibility, love, regret and finding out what is really important in life.

Enough

Etta has invited her family to spend a family weekend together so her daughter and grand-daughter, her son and daughter-in-law come to visit her at her home near the beach. It is good to have the family together but Etta also has an alternative motive. Etta has decided that it is time that she should leave this world. However as the day progresses Etta has time to re-evaluate her plan.

Enough is a novel written by Dawn French. Although there are serious themes involving aging and thoughts of suicide, this is not a dark novel but instead is a sometimes amusing study of family relationships. Interwoven with the story of how the family members react to Etta's plan are chapters or slices of life which recount episodes in Etta's earlier life. As the story continues Etta realises that there is still more that she can give her family, especially her relationship with her grand-daughter, Pearl.

Nash Falls

Walter Nash, a successful executive in a large firm, lives with his wife and daughter in a luxurious house. But there are problems in his past, particularly his relationship with his father. After his father dies Walter learns more about his father's life since returning from the war in Vietnam and meets some of his father's friends. Walter also encounters the FBI when one of their agents approaches him about him helping them investigate staff in the company he works for. His settled life is turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped and reports are circulated that Walter is responsible. A friend of Walter's father helps him to change his appearance and to prepare himself for revenge.

Nash Falls by David Baldacci is an intense crime thriller with an ending indicating that this is just the beginning of Nash's story which continues in the book, Hope Rises.

The Midnight Train

It is 1974 and Wilbur Budd and his wife, Maggie, are enjoying their honeymoon in Venice. As they explore the waterways of this city Wilbur briefly senses that there is another presence that looks exactly like him nearby. He looks away but then returns his attention to Maggie. Fifty-two years later, when Walter is 81, he dies. He has had a successful life in business building up a chain of bookshops but there have also been mistakes, especially in his relationship with Maggie.

At midnight the ghost of Walter finds himself boarding the Midnight Train which is a replica of a toy train he owned when a child. Aboard the train he encounters the ghost of Mrs Agnes Deborah Amaryllis Bagdale, the former owner of Bagdale's Bookshop which he loved visiting when a child. Agnes explains to him about the voyage he is about to take reviewing his past life. At times the train will travel quickly through time while at other times the train will stop so that he can have a closer look at previous events in his life. Wilbur is warned not to try and communicate with the people he sees and definitely not to try and change events. 

But halfway through the voyage Wilbur the ghost decides that he has to defy this instruction. He needs to warn the young Wilbur, who he is observing via the voyage on the Midnight Train, of mistakes that he made in his previous existence, especially in regard to relationships.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig provides a sympathetic look at the problems that can be caused when a person is so focused on creating a successful business life for himself and his family that he neglects to see that he is destroying family relationships. The ghost Wilbur hopes that he is able to help his younger self avoid the mistakes that he made.

Like The Midnight Library, also written by Matt Haig, The  Midnight Train is also a book worth reading.

The Model Murder

The Tea Ladies reunite with many mysteries to solve in The Model Murder by Amanda Hampson. The book is set in Sydney in 1968 and when the tea ladies have their regular lunchtime meetings there is much to discuss, especially as they learn of murder of the Colin Cox in a nearby lane and the disappearance of his fiancee. Hazel decides that there is a cover-up and that the ladies should investigate. There are also other issues to investigate. Then when Irene discovers that a friend has been swindled she decides to find the culprit and get the money back. 

Meanwhile Merle learns that her presumed dead husband is about to visit her and their daughters and Betty decides to join the local drama group and learns new skills, useful in investigations. Hazel also learns that the clothing firm where she used to work is about to go out of business and she joins a group determined to restructure and jointly run the company. The Tea Ladies become very busy.

The Model Murder is the fourth book in the Tea Ladies Mystery series and once again takes the reader on an amusing adventure as these elderly ladies attempt to solve any challenges that they encounter. In the background we are reminded of life in Sydney in the late 1960s including the protest marches against conscription and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.