"The Quiet Mother", by Arnaldur Indridason

Detective Konrad, #3

This mystery is a gripping noir novel that follows retired detective Konrad as he seeks redemption after failing to help Valborg, a woman who was later found murdered. The investigation draws him into a web of lies and betrayals. The story is about the heavy toll of keeping secrets.

The slow pace facilitates the chance to get to know the characters, how they think and react even if their names are hard to pronounce, try to remember them they often pop up in this police procedural saga.

Following Konrad, the tension gradually rises and I soon found myself deep into a difficult story to follow and even harder to stay with. Although, I like how Konrad ferrets out leads and information into Valborg’s past, each revelation pointing to a hidden life that connected her death to a decade old murder and eventually having Konrad solving the murder. It was an intense read.

No doubts about it, the story is a slow burn and jumps timeline quite often, so again be present. It a bit complicated and puzzling at time but it does come together and it all make sense by the end, if you stay with it.

If you like puzzles, intriguing narrative and baffling style you will surely be contented.

I love this author I have him on my watch list but admit that “The Quiet Mother” was not my favourite books by him.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"Possession Point", by Glenn Burwell

Detective Robert Lui book #5

I find this story to have an interesting plot, engaging characters and particularly appealing to me being a Canadian is the setting: the beautiful city of Vancouver and its Okanogan Valley. Robert Lui is the main player, now a private detective/researcher with a flair for finding trouble and solutions is there to entertain us all through the mystery. Robert has recently made a career and a personal change and has his doubts that he made a good move…..

The story in a few words:

When a string of construction accidents plague Vancouver where deaths have occurred, Robert hired to find out what is the cause and who is really behind the tragedies, heads out to Surrey to find out why young men who have recently immigrated from Hong Kong have become victims and what was behind the insurance co. aggressiveness.

Further thoughts:

I love this story even if I missed the previous saga and all its recurring characters in no way, did I feel lost. The author did a fine job situating us and introducing his players, I would say in whole smooth sailing. It is also vividly said to kept us engaged from start to finish.

Well done

I received this book from the first reviewer program for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The Sea Captain's Wife", by Tilar J. Mazzeo

A true story of mutiny, love and adventure

“The Sea Captain’s Wife”, is the story of Mary Ann Patten and what she accomplished in the short time she lived in the 1800. She was only 19 on Sept. 5 1856 when her husband was truck down by disease and ultimately kill him. They were near Cape Horn when she took charge…this is her story.

This is a storytelling said with skills and definitely well researched. Guiding us through the challenges of the sea takes one with ability and knowledge and the author shows every sign she did this and very well. Some say the narrative is crip and engaging and very detailed but leave it to me to have a rough time with all of this. There are far too many details about ships, sailing, ports, rivers, towns…etc. to have kept me fulling tune till the end.

This blend of adventure, romance and historical insight may be well said and exceptional, I never managed to stay with it, my mind wanted to move on and read something else…definitely not my cup of tea.

My thanks to St-Martin Press and Netgalley for this ARC