Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney-9 discs Audiobook; 352 pages print

I listened to this on a recent road trip. I was intrigued by the plot synopsis and I'd wanted to read it for a little while. It starts out with a family gathering for Nana Darker's birthday at her secluded estate on a small island in England. Nana's body is discovered after she reads her will and events slowly unfold throughout the night and into the next morning. As more bodies are found and more family members die, a race is on to figure out what is happening before it's too late. The story goes back and forth between present day (2004) and flashbacks to Daisy Darker's childhood. Daisy Darker had a heart condition as a child and clinically died several times. There's a big twist at the end that I'm still not sure quite how I feel about it. It sort of makes sense, all things considered. I thought this was a pretty good read/listen and would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Journey of the Pharaohs by Clive Cussler

Journey of the Pharoahs by Clive Cussler-415 pages


In 1074 B.C., vast treasures disappear from the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. In 1927, a daredevil American aviator vanishes on an attempted transcontinental flight. And in the present day, a fishing trawler--along with its mysterious cargo--sinks off the coast of Scotland. How are these three mysterious events connected? And, more importantly, what do they mean for Kurt Austin and his NUMA team?


As they search for answers, the NUMA squad join the agents of the British MI5 to take on a wide-reaching international conspiracy. Their common enemy is the Bloodstone Group, a conglomerate of arms dealers and thieves attempting to steal ancient relics on both sides of the Atlantic. Kurt and his team soon find themselves wrapped up in a treacherous treasure hunt as they race to find the lost Egyptian riches. . . before they fall into the wrong hands.

As you can see, it was a complicated story-line and at times hard to follow.  I do enjoy the antics and camaraderie of Kurt and Joe which is always entertaining.  It also has a surprise ending that maybe some of you could see coming!

The Last Day by Andrew Murray

The Last Day by Andrew Murray-370 pages

Now in retrospect, in view of our times, I'm not sure I should have read this!  I guess it could always be worse.  The earth has stopped turning.  So half is frozen the other burning up, with a small path accurately named the Breadbasket, since it is the only place on earth where food can be grown.  Throw in secrets, intrigue, murder and greedy politicians and it was an ok dystopian novel.  Seemed sluggish in spots.  It did bring to the fore the human spirit to survive and live in unity.

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War by Jennifer Robson - 400 pages

This gem of a novel claims to satisfy lovers of Downton Abbey and fulfills that goal.  The story opens to Edward's engagement ball where his sister Lilly Ashford once again meets his friend, Robbie.  Before her mother finds an excuse to drive Robbie from the party, he gave Lilly one piece of advice she took to heart:  you can be anything you want to be.  When the war begins, Edward fights on the front lines, Robbie serves as a surgeon at an aid station near the front, and Lilly becomes an ambulance driver.  She soon finagles her way into serving at Robbie's station and their relationship grows beyond the letters they had been sharing.

I loved this book!  Not only was it very Downton-like in style and theme, but it was elegantly written.  The wording and descriptions were true to the era.  MUST PURCHASE OWN COPY!  It was that good.

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro

 Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro, 288 pages

In this book, Kathy recounts memories, both fond and painful, of her time at Hailsham, a private school.  The story is fairly typical, with young romances and graduation nerves, but the ending reveals that it is more complicated than it seems. I thought it was alright- but I was more interested in the story that wasn't told (sorry, no spoilers here).  

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

By Gillian Gill

460 pages

The marriage of Queen Victoria of Great Britain (1819-1901) and her husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861) of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha was a marriage of love at a time when loveless marriages among royalty were all to common.

Victoria’s reign began in 1837, when she was just 18 years old. The Queen married a few years later. Although the marriage was fundamentally arranged, Victoria and her husband, now the Prince Consort of Great Britain, cherished and worked to insure the happiness of the other. As with all married couples they had multiple arguments and endured lows in their marriage. However, they were faithful to each other and valued each others’ company.

The British people loved Queen Victoria. Her reign was eventually known as the Victorian Era, a time of prosperity.  However the people never embraced Albert, a German.  He was an extremely intelligent man and after winning the Queen’s confidence helped manage the Queen’s household, among other duties.

The couple had nine children together. 

Threats at Three (A Lois Meade Mystery by Ann Purser

Threats at Three (A Lois Meade Mystery)
 by Ann Purser  pages 346

Lois Meade, owner of New Brooms Cleaning Service, is at again!  Mrs. M,  as her cleaning team calls her, moonlights as a secret sleuth in her village of Long Farnden and surrounding areas.  A dead body turns up in the canal, Inspector Cowgill, turns to Lois to help him sort out the clues.  There are several story lines in this book-murders, soap box grand prix, village committee meetings, Lois' mother-Gran, Lois' grown children and their families, a teenage boy who is always in trouble, and the underlying vibe of Inspector Cowgill being in love with Lois, a happily married woman.  Great fun and easy read.

The Infernals by John Connolly

The Infernals by John Connolly --- 309 pages

This is the sequel to Connolly's The Gates. It was originally published in Great Britain under the title Hell's Bells. Continues the adventures of Samuel and his loyal dachshund Boswell, along with their friend the demon Nurd, as they fight to save Earth from an infernal invasion made possible by the Large Hadron Collider Project. Disaster narrowly averted in The Gates, rears its head again as the forces of evil seek to avenge themselves on Samuel by dragging him down to Hell. Now Nurd, with the aid of two police officers, an ice cream van driver, and Mr. Merriweather's horrible Elves, must free Samuel and his faithful hound from Mrs. Abernathy, a devil in a flowered dress, hat, and matching shoes and purse, before she can deliver him up to the Great Malevolence, regain her place at the GM's left hand, and launch another invasion of Earth (because it seems these scientists never learn from their mistakes). A third volume is promised. Click HERE to vist author John Connolly's web site and watch a video of him talking about his book and where he gets his ideas. Fans of Terry Pratchett, J.K. Rowling and Eoin Colfer might want to give this author a look.