When You Are Mine

When You Are Mine is another tension filled, psychological thriller by Australian author, Michael Robotham. 

Set in London, the novel tells the story of the experiences of Philomena McCarthy, a police officer, who is called out to assist a young woman, Tempe Brown, when she is assaulted by her partner. Unfortunately the partner turns out to be Darren Goodall, a highly respected member of the police force and his arrest causes a string of consequences for PC McCarthy. Phil's life is further complicated when her colleagues discover that her father is a London gangster, a fact that she had been careful to hide.

Warned off pursing the case, Phil continues to investigate the background story relating to Goodall and discovers that Goodall's wife and children are also being abused. Phil helps Tempe find accommodation but as the friendship between the two women grows, she begins to suspect the truth of many of the the stories that Tempe tells her. 

Themes covered in the book include domestic violence, corruption in the police force including protecting their own officers from accusations, the strength of family and toxic friendships. It may be a cliche but once you start reading this book you will want to keep reading to discover what will happen next.

The Good Wife of Bath

This is a book that I initially borrowed from the library, read the first few chapters and immediately decided that I must have my own copy. The book was purchased between Lockdown 5 and Lockdown 6 in Melbourne. Those who complain about restrictions as the result of COVID-19 should read this story set in  fourteenth century England where there was the threat of bubonic plague in the community every few years.

The story in the first part of the novel, The Good Wife of Bath: a (mostly) true story, by Australian author Karen Brooks is based on the prologue to The Wife's Tale in Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400). 

Eleanor Cornfed was twelve when she married an elderly farmer who became the first of Eleanor's five husbands. In Mediaeval England life was not easy for a woman of the lower classes. Even when Eleanor's opportunities increased and she was able to show her flair for organisation and business she was thwarted because she was not a man or a widow. Never the less Eleanor was a fighter and strived to make her mark and established firm friendships. 

Between each marriage Eleanor went on a pilgrimage to places such as Canterbury, Rome and Jerusalem. Eleanor's distant cousin was the poet Geoffrey Chaucer who followed Eleanor's advice to write about ordinary people, including women. However she was not impressed when he modelled one of his characters on her experiences.

This is a story about the power of men over women in all forms. It is also about the determination of a woman trying and make her own way in a world where the rules are made by men. 

The Good Wife of Bath is an entertaining reworking of Chaucer's story and the historical context in which the novel is set provides an interesting glimpse into the history of 14th century England. At the end of the book there is a glossary of medieaval terms used, a list of the names of real people mentioned in the novel plus a detailed author's note about the writing of the book.

Written in Blood

With a new series of Midsomer Murders recently screened on television followed by repeats I decided to have a look at one of the books by Caroline Graham that inspired the long running television series (22 series so far). Caroline Graham wrote seven books in the Midsomer Murders series (or Chief Inspector Barnaby series) and Written in Blood is number 4. It was first published in 1994. 

The Midsomer Worthy Writers' Circle meet regularly to discuss the members' writing projects and from time to time, usually unsuccessfully, invite authors to speak to the group. However when Max Jennings accepts their invitation they all meet at Gerald Hadleigh's house to discuss writing with their guest speaker. Next day it is discovered that Gerald has been murdered. Tom Barnaby and Gavin Troy plus their team from Caustin CID are called in to investigate.

A major feature of the Midsomer Murders books is the importance of the characters in the novel, not just the police carrying out the investigation but also the villagers suspected of being involved in the crime.  The author spends much of the novel allowing the reader to get to know these characters as people while the murder is being investigated. In this case it soon becomes obvious that no one in the village really knew the deceased and that his past was definitely a mystery. Then when the police tried to interview Max Jennings it was discovered that he had disappeared.

In 2016, John Nettles, the actor who played Tom Barnaby, wrote a foreward to thenovel in which he discusses first being approached to be involved in the television series and major differences between books and television plays:

In Carolines' novels, unlike the television series, the size of the social canvas is vast, with a huge variety of characters from all social classes ... The lives of all these characters are intimately and entertainingly deliniated and explores, the murder mysteries are character led, in a way that television versions are, very often, not - the television plots concentrate almost exclusively on the exotic methods of the murder rather than the character of those who commit them.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and meeting the inhabitants of the village of Midsomer Worthing as mysteries were revealed and the crime eventually resolved.

Before You Knew My Name

Alice Lee had just turned 18 when she arrived in New York, hoping to start a new life. One month later she was dead. Alice's body was discovered by Ruby Jones, aged 36, who had arrived in New York from Melbourne, Australia, on the same day that Alice arrived in New York. Ruby also was searching for a new beginning.

Before You Knew My Name is written by Jacqueline Bublitz, born in New Zealand but now living in Australia. The novel is not so much about who murdered Alice Lee but is a study of Alice and Ruby as narrated by Alice. 

This is a crime novel with a difference with the story revealed from both the viewpoint of the victim and the person who found the body, rather than techniques involved in solving the crime or the perpetrator. It is a study of the effects of crime on individuals including the victim who will never have the opportunity to experience the life she would have expected to live.

With no identification on her, plus being from out of town, Alice is treated as a Jane Doe, waiting for someone to identify her as well as her killer. Meanwhile Ruby struggles with the knowledge of being 'the jogger who found the body'. A sensitive study of coming to terms with the effects of grief after a death or near death experience. The book also examines the abuse of power that some men attempt to have over women. A crime novel truely worth reading.

The Distant Echo

It was December 1978 in St Andrews, Scotland when four university students, after a night on the town, discovered the body of a woman lying in the snow at the Pictish cemetery on Hallow Hill. Alex (Gilly), Davey (Mondo), Sigmund (Ziggy) and Tom (Weird) Had first met at secondary school in Kirkcaldy and referred to themselves as the Laddies fi' Kirkcaldy. Finding the body of Rosie Duff, a local barmaid, in the snow changed their lives, especially when the police (and the town) treated the four men as suspects, not witneses. However, after a prolonged investigation, the police were not able to establish Rosie's killer.

Twenty-five years later it was decided to reopen the investigation into a number of cold cases, including Rosie's murder. ACC James Lawson is in charge of the cold case squad and DC Karen Pirie is responsible for reviewing the evidence for the Rosie Duff Case. With new methods of investigation, including DNA, it was hoped that new information could be uncovered leading to a conviction. However the boxes of evidence relating to Rosie's murder have disappeared. Then two of the four main suspects die in suspicious circumstances and it is feared that the other two will meet the same fate.

Over the years I have seen a number of recommendations for Val McDermid novels and I am glad that I have finally read one. As well as dealing with the procedures for solving of case the author, in The Distant Echo, also allows the reader to get to know the suspects who are under investigation. This book introduces Karen Pirie who goes on to feature in a series of novels. I look forward to reading other books by Val McDermid.

Still

Darwin in 1963, a rough and ready town at that time in the far north of Australia, is the setting for this novel, Still, by Matt Nable. Darwin at this time could be a dangerous place. This gripping, often dark, crime novel is another welcome addition to the ever expanding Aussie Noir genre.

Senior Constable Ned Potter discovers the body of a man when he is out patrolling countryside near the town. Several days later he discovers a shallow grave containing the bodies of two more men. All have been beaten or stabbed and also shot twice. Meanwhile Charlotte Clark discovers a badly injured Michael Roberts who asks for help but won't tell her what happened. There is obviously a connection between these events and Ned Potter realises that other police are involved, at least in the cover-up of these crimes.

This is a story of murder, corruption, violence, abuse, racism, isolation, alcoholism and of course crocodiles cruising the neighbouring rivers. The two stories from the perspectives of Ned and Charlotte provide the accounts of horrific events plus dangers faced by those trying to solve the crime and bring the perpetrators to account.

A major feature of this novel, however, is the setting - the town and the surrounding landscape and also the weather. Darwin is always hot and there are two seasons - wet and dry. The humidity in the wet season is extreme. The title of the book refers to the stillness that occurs as a storm approaches - the calm before the storm.

Thursdays at Orange Blossom House

Sandrine runs regular yoga classes at Orange Blossom House, named after the orange blossom orchids growing in the front garden of her home in Cairns, in Far North Queensland. It is at one of these sessions on a Thursday evening that three women meet, become friends and support each other through individual challenges.

Dorothy is in her early thirties and desperately wants a baby. She and her husband own a small cafe in Cairns. Patricia, in her mid forties, teaches English at the local high school and spends the rest of her time looking after her parents. Her mother has dementia and tends to disappear if not watched closely. Grace Maud, in her mid 70s, has moved back into Cairns after managing a sugar cane property out of town. Although Grace Maud still owns the property it is managed by her son. She is adjusting to her new lifestyle.

Through regular yoga sessions the three women begin to relax and recognise when their stress levels are rising. They also learn to re-evaluate what is important in their lives and that it is OK to trust other people and to ask for and accept help. 

This is a heart warming story set in the beautiful tropics of Far North Queensland, a place where I have spent many wonderful holidays before COVID-19. In Thursdays at Orange Blossom House, Sophie Green has captured the essence of this special environment and has introduced us to three strong, caring women.