Reviewed by Ian Lipke Readers with more than the slightest interest in Nature will love this book. On one level it is an excerpt from the life of Min Drysdale who lives a solitary life on an island with her father and deputy ranger Werner. Because of her largely separate existence, Min has become an
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Few readers would turn away from a gripping murder and the mystery that accompanies it. Imagine a yarn, fiercely told of a murderer in your community and the excited buzz of police carrying out their investigations. The belief that this is what I could expect is sold clearly to new readers
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Architecture provides an interesting and informative backdrop to this gripping novel of obsession and paranoia. Together they add a suspense which at times is twisted and can be frustrating to the reader. Design is the most obvious element of architecture but is, Woods states, about ‘constraints: budget, boundaries, building envelopes.’ The
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Egyptian dynasties began about 5,000 years ago and humans had been there more than 30,000 years by that time. This was not just one of the longest lasting civilisations on earth, but perhaps the pinnacle for architectural grandeur. Maria Golia is the most recent writer to complete the challenge of shortening
Reviewed by Gayle Williams Zena Kamgaing’s Dinner Time invites cooks into the vibrant, “big, bold flavours” of her Nigerian‑Cameroonian heritage. The collection showcases Kamgaing’s deep affection for food and her instinctive command of flavour, offering dishes that are both accessible and richly satisfying. Her recipes are designed to welcome cooks of all experience levels, proving
Reviewed by Rod McLary Sword Echoes: Pirate Academy 3 is the third in this series of adventure books for children from about nine through to early teenage years. It is as exciting and adventurous as the first two – and for those readers new to the books, there is a handy ‘The Story So Far
Reviewed by Ian Lipke The moving story of a man who was struck down by mesothelioma and his friend who moved the equivalent of the earth to save him. The story opens with a number of lovely character studies of young men at university. Life as lived by these men rings true to the ears
Reviewed by Ian Lipke The first part of this book is a story of hunger for power, of ambition in the raw, of naked corporate greed. The book is based on the elite technology industry in Japan and tells the story of six high achievers who have beaten all opposition to compete for a highly
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders A history of Scotland is as much about its contribution to the world as about the events that took place within its borders. Scottish people, places and innovations are familiar: where would the world be without whisky, Loch Lomond, bagpipes, chloroform, Robbie Burns and Adam Smith? A constant stream of emigration
Reviewed by Clare Brook Three stories, about three girls, living in different times, woven together to form one novel for young adults. Such is Once Upon Tomorrow by Karen Comer, she skilfully illustrates social connection through time via tradition, textiles, and female agency. There is also a dystopian element that warns of a future controlled
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown suffers heartbreak and humiliation. Her ex-boyfriend cannot handle her promotion above him, and her superior officers consider a woman in the force to be out of her place. Ana, upset as she is, welcomes the chance to do well in this new community where a man has
Reviewed by Rod McLary This debut novel by Irish writer Edie May Hand is a breathtaking read from beginning to end. I have seldom read a first book which encompasses both the breadth and depth of a story about family, pervading violence, and ultimately survival so well and so engrossingly. From the first sentence –
Reviewed by Gayle Williams Stuart MacBride’s Blood, Rust, and Steel is yet another reminder of why he remains one of Britain’s most accomplished crime writers. The next instalment in the spin‑off from the Logan McRae series, the novel centres on Acting Detective Inspector Roberta Steel — one of MacBride’s most distinctive and compelling anti‑heroes. After
Reviewed by Ian Lipke It’s not a new idea. Writers of many generations have considered the tale that is told when a young innocent decides to fix a worldwide problem only to discover that her colleagues are not as innocent as she first thought. Now, an innocent girl is on the run. Meg Maher joins
Reviewed by Rod McLary The Belly of a Wolf is a verse novel – a relatively uncommon form of novel but one with distinctive characteristics. It combines the narrative strength of a novel with the stylistic and rhythmic characteristics of poetry creating a powerful emotional and often a fully immersive experience for the reader. Verse