Reflections of 2019

It's the time of the year for me to take stock of twenty nineteen. I really can't believe it that in a couple of days, I will have to say good by to it.  I always seems to say the same thing around the same time each year but it is a fact that can't be denied and that is 'time flies'.


So, how did I do this year?  What's my report card like?

I surprised myself by posting 60 posts for the year.  I guess keeping it consistent helps in managing the number of posts although I would be quite happy with 50 posts.  Shall we try to keep to 60 posts for next year too?

I read about 40 books this year. Maybe I missed out a book or two but ya, it's around that number.  That means I average about 3 books a month so I think it's about just right.  Taking into consideration my schedule and and my commitment for the year, averaging about 3 books is the best I can do at this point and I am quite at peace with it.  If I can keep this momentum for next year, I would be quite happy with it too.

Favorites of the year...most certainly are the titles by Camilla Lackberg.  I think I read about seven of her titles.  I am also happy to complete my Heroes of Olympus Series and glad to start Trials of Apollo Series too.  These series are written by Rick Riordan.

I also completed a journey I set out two years ago.  It was a difficult journey but one that was filled with much fulfillment and I am so glad I took the road less traveled.  I also hope that this journey will lead me on to different paths but we shall have to wait and see.

I bought only two books this year! This and this. Amazing! Super proud of myself.  I didn't really set out a target but was just seeing how I would fare and I think I fared pretty well...heheh...I also received some books as gifts this year which I am extremely thankful for.

I only set up one pop up stall at a flea market and I have plans for something different next year.  Let me see if I can get it done.

I traveled four times, this, this and this and I didn't post about the latest one.  Looking forward to travelling to a favorite country next year. :)

So, that's about all for this year.  Looking back, I didn't quite like this year but I am thankful for it.

Anyway, good bye twenty nineteen.  Thank you too.

How was your year?

Blessed Christmas 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

BLESSINGS FOR CHRISTMAS TO YOU 

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Synopsis :

Aging, self-absorbed rock star Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre -- his collection includes sketches from infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a trepanned skull from the 16th century, a used hangman's noose, Aleister Crowley's childhood chessboard, etc. -- so when his assistant tells him about a ghost for sale on an online auction site, he immediately puts in a bid and purchases it.

The black, heart-shaped box that Coyne receives in the mail not only contains the suit of a dead man but also his vengeance-obsessed spirit. The ghost, it turns out, is the stepfather of a young groupie who committed suicide after the 54-year-old Coyne callously used her up and threw her away. Now, determined to kill Coyne and anyone who aids him, the merciless ghost of Craddock McDermott begins his assault on the rocker's sanity.


This is what I say :

I have been so busy with my final assignments that I am feeling so so so stressed.  I missed my reading as I have not been reading for quite a while.

Incidentally, during my recent gate-away, I didn't really have the opportunity to read either.  This was read quite a while ago and only now that it gets a chance here.  Heart-Shaped Box is a horror and a debut novel of Joe Hill.  For a debut novel, it's not too bad..for a horror, it's not too good.  That maybe because I read too  many horror and are pretty jaded so it has to be a real good horror type of horror to make me sit up and take take note. Otherwise, I might yawn myself to the next title.

However, in this case, I am rather curious as a friend seems to like it so I read on to see where the book will take me.  It took me just round the corner and back.  

Will I read another horror? Yes, I will. Will I read another horror by Joe Hill....maybe not for the time being.

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J Maas

Synopsis :

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.


This is what I say :  

Queen of Shadows which is the forth book in the Throne of Glass Novels is the most intense book so far.  There's just to many important and thrilling moments that made this book my favourite thus far...from the assassination of the King of Assassin, to blowing up the tower that controls magic, to the rescue or assassination of Prince Dorian.

And it is only in this book that I began to seriously pay attention to The Thirteen.  I never thought I would like Manon Blackbeak, the Wing Leader of The Thirteen as I skip parts of previous titles involving her story. My bad.  

Queen of Shadows will be followed by book 5, Empire of Storm.

Can't wait :)

I found this song on youtube that sums up the story of witches in the Throne of Glass universe and while there's some spoiler, I really like this song.  It's rather haunting and sad.

The title of the song is Song of The Witch Kingdom and the writer/singer is Victoria Carbol.  The characters in the youtube videos are cosplayers but yes, I can imagine that's Manon in her red cape and at the far left is Asterin, her Second in command and next to Manon is Sorrel, her Third in command.

Cosmopolitan Getaway (#3 2019)

From last yer's trip

Hot on the heels of my recent gateway to a rather oriental city, this weekend would be a gateaway to a cosmopolitan city just about an hour by fight from where I am.  This will most probably be the last trip of the year. All in all, I didn't travel much this year. Can't be help I guess. I need to channel my finances elsewhere for these couple of years.

Anyway,  I am meeting up some friends whom I have not seen for quite a while so it's a weekend of eating, talking, cooking and I am not sure if I would have the time, hopefully I can read a bit too..

Nevertheless, how can I travel without my beloved books?  There's always the flight time for me to spend some time with them.   And the time spent waiting for flights, that's my reading time too.    

This time round, I am quite keen to travel with an ebook.  Something that has been downloaded into my mobile.phone.  This would mean one less item to carry since I have luggage weight restrictions.

Image from web. Not my design

I am still thinking if it's a good idea.  What do you think?

Update : I nearly called off this trip due to a change of deadline of my assignment submission but all is good and I am good to go.  

See you soon Singapore!

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas

Synopsis :

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before.


This is what I say :

Book three in the series introduced new important characters and revealed much about the background and destiny of Calaena Sardothien.  As the story move along, Calaena Sardothian ceased to exist and she embraced her new identify or rather, the identify and destiny that she's been denying herself all these while.

Heir of Fire has certainly brought the story into a new dimension and things are certainly becoming more interesting.

I am looking forward to book four Queen of Shadow in the series.

In case you're interested, you can read my review of book 1 Throne of Glass and book 2 Crown of Midnight.

Oriental Gateaway (#2 2019)

I didn't do much travelling this year.  Maybe because there's no really no reason to.  Anyhow, since early part of this year, I managed to get rather good airfare rates to an oriental destination.

Such, in a couple of day's time, princess and I will be holidaying for about a week in this oriental city which we have not been to.  Can't wait! The height of our enthusiasm is actually the opportunity to visit the home of a couple, Mr & Mrs MM whom we love, having visited only two of their home so far...one in Hong Kong and the other in Tokyo.  And we love all their girls too. Can't wait to see the sweet and lovely princesses too.

While we are excited in planning for the trip, I have my own personal excitement of deciding which book to bring with me.  It's always the same for me before each trip...to spend time thinking and deciding which books to accompany me for that duration of time.

This time round, I have decided on The Peach Keeper.  This book has been on my shelf for rather long time.  It;'s time it seems itself some adventure in a land that is might be as magical as The Peach Keeper.

Anyway, see you in a week's time.

Origin by Dan Brown

Synopsis :

Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.

As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.

Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself... and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery... and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.

This is what I say :

I have been wanting to read this title as it's a new title in the universe of Robert Langdon and I was expecting great things.  However, when I get hold of an e-book, it took me a long time to read .  I actually read about 50% of the book and then took a break and try to continue the other half many, many months later.  The key word here is 'try' because I really did try but unfortunately I have lost interest in Origin.

Origin while being quite original just did not capture my attention.  While it's quite good, maybe because I have other nicer and more unique titles to read around the same time, I was more interested in those titles and somehow, Origin got lost among those titles.

It would also be because i was tired of the same formula of having to follow Robert Langdon all over the places, like in previous books.  Maybe I was tired that there's always a woman running around all over the places with him...same old..same old. So, with all these traversing around and people getting killed left, right and centre, it got kinda....boring.

Perhaps, I should read it another time when I don't feel so 'rush' in my reading.

The Black Path by Asa Larsson

Synopsis :

A grisly torture-murder, a haunting northern Sweden backdrop, and a dark drama of twisted sexuality collide memorably in Åsa Larsson’s masterpiece of suspense—a tale of menace, hope, longing, and darkness beyond imagining.

The dead woman was found on a frozen lake, her body riddled with evidence of torture. Instantly, Inspector Anna-Maria Mella knows she needs help. Because the dead woman—found in workout clothes with lacy underwear beneath them—was a key player in a mining company whose tentacles reach across the globe. Anna-Maria needs a lawyer to help explain some things—and she knows one of the best.

Attorney Rebecka Martinsson is desperate to get back to work, to feel alive again after a case that almost destroyed her. Soon Rebecka is prying into the affairs of the dead woman’s boss, the founder of Kallis Mining, whose relationship with his star employee was both complex and ominous. But what Rebecka and Anna-Maria are about to uncover—a tangled drama of secrets, perversion, and criminality—will lay bare a tale as shocking as it is sad…about a man’s obsession, a woman’s lonely death, and a killer’s cold, cold heart.


This is what I say :

I must admit that I struggled with this book.  I find it very difficult to actually pin point where the author is going.  First, there's an investigative who done it which seems to escalate to a mafia type of thriller and then there's a character who seems to be psychic so there's the supernatural element as well.

With all the above thrown in, the mixture is kinda confusing for me to wrap my mind around it.

Shall I say that in another season, I might enjoy it but after reading some rather excellent titles recently, The Black Path is unable to showcase it's appeal.

It's my first time reading Asa Larsson and I am not sure if I will be reading any of her titles in the future.  Perhaps at another season, my expectations would be different and perhaps I shall be more receptive then.

The Better Sister by Alafiar Burke

Synopsis :

Though Chloe was the younger of the two Taylor sisters, she always seemed to be in charge. She was the honor roll student with big dreams and an even bigger work ethic. Nicky was always restless . . . and more than a little reckless—the opposite of her ambitious little sister. She floated from job to job and man to man, and stayed close to home in Cleveland.

For a while, it seemed like both sisters had found happiness. Chloe earned a scholarship to an Ivy League school and moved to New York City, where she landed a coveted publishing job. Nicky married promising young attorney Adam Macintosh, and gave birth to a baby boy they named Ethan. The Taylor sisters became virtual strangers.

Now, more than fifteen years later, their lives are drastically different—and Chloe is married to Adam. When he’s murdered by an intruder at the couple’s East Hampton beach house, Chloe reluctantly allows her teenaged stepson’s biological mother—her estranged sister, Nicky—back into her life. But when the police begin to treat Ethan as a suspect in his father’s death, the two sisters are forced to unite . . . and to confront the truth behind family secrets they have tried to bury in the past

Author's Note :

I know readers often want to learn more about the originating idea behind a novel. Believe it or not, I sometimes have a hard time recalling the inchoate conception of a book by the time it is finished. That’s not the case with The Better Sister, which, following The Exand The Wife, completes what I see as a thematic trilogy of novels that explore the complexity of female relationships and the diverse roles that women play in contemporary society.
As we juggle busy lives, we often show different faces to our spouses, exes, children, parents, siblings, and coworkers, all while trying to know and be true to ourselves. The Better Sister, specifically, is about sometimes conflicting connections between adult siblings. I hope it might also provoke some thoughts about the often gendered nature of threats, abuse, and violence in our culture. Mostly, I hope you enjoy it.

This is what I say :

I decided to insert the author's note above to show the connection that the author intended for the three titles that she wrote starting from The Ex followed by The Wife and now The Better Sister.

Indeed all three titles are good titles and having read them within weeks apart, the stories are still pretty fresh in my mind.  All three feature Olivia Randall but she was just the lawyer for  hire in The Wife and The Better Sister whereas The Ex features her story.

Alafair is a wonderful story teller with great ability to bring readers not just along with the ride but also pretty emotionally vested in what she wrote.  In reading her books, readers must always be alert that her protagonists are not necessary who they are and a single world of sentence by the author can break that illusions into thousands of pieces.  That, is what I discovered and enjoyed in her titles.

This author gets a yes from me and I will now be on the lookout for her titles that I have yet to read.

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J Maas

Synopsis  :

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

This is what I say :

I first read Throne of Glass in November last year.  It was the first book in the series but I stop at book one as I was just 'giving it a try'.

I quite enjoy the story and the characters.in books one.  Thus when opportunity present itself for me to get hold of book two and the rest of the titles in the series, I was quick to grab it,  Crown of Midnight is the second book in the series.

Book two is all about things that happen in teh castle where Caleana is the King's champion and carries out his assassination on his behalf.  It also explores her relationship between Princess Nehemia, Prince Dorian and Captain Chaol.  However, no one, even Caleana are who they seems to be be and each and everyone of them has secrets to hide from the true intention of Pricess Nehemia, the secret power of Prince Diorian, and even Celaena is not who she said she is.

I guess you can even say that Crown of Midnight was a better read than Throne of Glass but then it would not be very fair to say such as both books are equally good.

Next up would be Heir of Fire.

The Wife by Alafair Burke

Synopsis :

When Angela met Jason Powell while catering a dinner party in East Hampton, she assumed their romance would be a short-lived fling, like so many relationships between locals and summer visitors. To her surprise, Jason, a brilliant economics professor at NYU, had other plans, and they married the following summer.

 For Angela, the marriage turned out to be a chance to reboot her life. She and her son were finally able to move out of her mother’s home to Manhattan, where no one knew about her tragic past.

Six years later, thanks to a bestselling book and a growing media career, Jason has become a cultural lightning rod, placing Angela near the spotlight she worked so carefully to avoid. When a college intern makes an accusation against Jason, and another woman, Kerry Lynch, comes forward with an even more troubling allegation, their perfect life begins to unravel. Jason insists he is innocent, and Angela believes him. But when Kerry disappears, Angela is forced to take a closer look at the man she married. 

And when she is asked to defend Jason in court, she realizes that her loyalty to her husband could unearth old secrets.


This is what I say :

Alafair Burke is a brilliant crime writer.  I read The Wife soon after reading The Ex.  While The Ex was so good that it brought me to read The Wife. The Wife is even better.  

There are unexpected disclosure along the story-line that made the plot of The Wife extremely fresh. 

Angela was initially painted as a boring housewife.  Your opinion of her will change at the end of the book.  She is not who you think she is.

I am so glad I rediscover the author.  Let me see if I can get hold of her other titles.

The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

Christian Thydell’s dream has come true. His debut novel, The Mermaid, has been published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever?

When crime writer Erica Falck, who helped Christian discover and develop his talents, learns he has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the young author mysterious past. Then, one of Christian’s closet friends, Magnus, goes missing.

Erica’s husband, Detective Patrik Hedström, has his worst suspicions confirmed as the mind-games aimed at Christian become a disturbing reality. Christian's group of friends—a “gang of four” from childhood—is a tangled web of relationships, love triangles, and family secrets that Erica and Patrick must unravel in order to discover what really happened to Magnus and who is still threatening Christian.

But, with the victims themselves concealing evidence, the investigation is going nowhere. Is their silence driven by fear or guilt? What is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed? 


This is what I say :

Oh my....what is wrong with me?  I actually read this book and totally forgot all about it.  I can't even find this copy at home until I realised that I have sold it to a friend! hahah...and all of these escape my mind for the past month.

Anyway, The Drowning is the last copy that I have in this fictional universe and right after this would be The Lost Boy which was the first book that I read.  So basically the ending of The Drowning will lead to the beginning of The Lost Boy.

Storywise, The Drowning was just pretty standard Camilla Lackberg style.  It would not have been a story if not for the interference of Erica into something that honestly in my opinion, doesn't concern her.  With her being in the final trimester of pregnancy, I think she should just take it easy instead of investigating things that doesn't want to be investigated.

On another note, it was a rather sad story and one can't feel sorry for the antagonist.

Overall, it was a good story as it's the last that I have of Camilla Lackberg in my collection, I am trying to be generous here :).  So until I get myself more titles of Camilla Lackberg, this would be the last that you heard of her here. :)

The Ex by Alafair Burke

Synopsis :

Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.

Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.

Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?

For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him? 


This is what I say :

I remember reading a title by Alafair Burke many many years ago but I have forgotten what I read.  A visit to my post here tells me that I had liked what I read.  That is why I am giving The Ex a chance here.


Fortunately, The Ex delivers.  It has a rather interesting storyline and honestly, the story could go many places and I certainly did not see this ending the way it was.  The author is also good in keeping the plot rather simple but yet once the final clue is revealed, it's rather brilliant.

There's many food for thoughts as well.  For example, does haboring the desire to murder someone whom you love for the wrongs they did to you will result in you carrying out the act?  Although this was discussed between the main character and a doctor, the underlying current of this thoughts being turned into another totally new story is possible.

I am glad I read The Ex.  Don't be surprised if I read another of her title real soon.

Nostalgic Gateaway (#1 2019)

Image from the web. Credit to the creator.
Love the colour

I am doing a weekend gateaway. It's the first time I am travelling out of town for this year so even though it's just for 2D/1N, it's something to look forward too.

However, it s not a fun trip though. More to attend to some personal matters rather than holiday.   At the same time, it's a chance to meet up with a friend whom I have not seen for more than 10 years.  She has invited me to bunk in at her new condo and I surprised myself for accepting!  Normally, I value my privacy and would normally prefer to stay on my own even if it's in an airbnb.  Anyway, it's would be nice to 'catch up' after so many years and we'll probably be visiting some of our old 'hound' late into the night!  Yup, the 'good old days'

I also want to check out some Korean grocery stores to see if I can get some produce that I need to make something that I have been wanting to make but I don't have that ingredient locally.

So, even though it's a short trip, how can I travel without my reading companion.  Due to luggage weight limitation, a book that's not too heavy is one of the main consideration.

With all things considered, I was greatly attracted to read Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill which I bought from a friend as a pre-loved copy early last year.  Yup, it's under the horror genre and when better time to read this than during the horror month but to read this while on travel? Am I out of my mind?

At the same time, I have started on The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl so the desire to just bring this book along and continue it is very strong.  But what if I finish reading it during the trip itself? I don't wish to bring another title?

Which shall it be?  I shall reveal when I do the review for the above titles after I return.

Happy Birthday - this blog is 10 years old!!

A mini birthday celebration photoshoot with Salted Caramel Macadamia Cheese Cake :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

to

purplequeenfairyreads.blogspot.com

I can't believe that I have been blogging for ten years and have produced more than 650 over posts over the years.  I guess that works out to an average of 65 posts per year.

I am not very good and commercialising this blog.  At one point, I was pretty keen to explore how. However, it never was my priority and for now, I am happy to just read and post and keep a record of what I read and share my thoughts on what I read.

Anyway, I am just happy to have this platform to pen down my thoughts of books that I read. It also serves the purpose for me to keep track of how many books I read, how many books I bought for the year (been keeping track in recent years. Didn't do much of that previously)  It's also useful when I wasn't sure if I have bought or read a book before and I can just check from this blog.

Should I do a vlog next?  Sound like that's what I should evolve to but I don't think I would have the time and energy to do a good job. 

Thank you for those who drop by to read what I wrote.  I am humbly honored and extremely grateful that you choose to swing by.  Can I request that you leave a comment on this post as a present to me? hahah...no obligation though.

Anyway, thank you for joining me in this journey of blogging and here's to your good health and also to many, many more years of blogging.

Much love to everyone.

.

The Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover a Nazi medal among her late mother’s possessions. Haunted by a childhood of neglect, she resolves to dig deep into her family’s past and finally uncover the reasons why. 

Her enquiries lead her to the home of a retired history teacher. He was among her mother’s circle of friends during the Second World War but her questions are met with bizarre and evasive answers. Two days later he meets a violent death. 

Detective Patrik Hedström, Erica’s husband, is on paternity leave but soon becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. Who would kill so ruthlessly to bury secrets so old? Reluctantly Erica must read her mother’s wartime diaries. But within the pages is a painful revelation about Erica’s past. Could what little knowledge she has be enough to endanger her husband and newborn baby? 

The dark past is coming to light, and no one will escape the truth of how they came to be


This is what I say :

The Hidden Child is such an amazing investigative thriller with great insight into the different characters in this universe. The investigative part of this book is also so closely knitted into the personal stories of the characters and certainly can't be separated. Such is the uniqueness of The Hidden Child.

After reading quite a few titles in this universe, I am getting quite familiar with some of the characters.  Either the author is wanting readers to have a better understanding of the characters or I am just paying more attention to them.

Patrik's and Erica's roles are swapped in the book as Patrik is on paternity leave and supposed to care for the daughter 24/7 whereas Erica is supposed to be busy with her books.  However, she was more intrigued by the diaries her mother left behind.

Melberg who is rather 'air headed' boss in the police department is surprising rather endearing in this title.  He suffered tremendously emotionally the past few books so it's a good thing to see things moving towards a rather good direction for him.  

And then there's Gosta. He's the oldest in the team.  It's rather heartbreaking to have an insight into Gosta's personal...How he yearns and thinks back now and then of his child that lived for just a few days after birth many, many years ago.  To quote from the book about Gosta..."So many years have passed since then. Almost an entire lifetime. But he can still feel the tiny hand grasping his finger'.  

Even Annika, with her fear of miscarriages and her fear of adopting a child but yet wanted so much much to do so was given some attention in this title.  Perhaps, it has to do with the theme of  the book.

Yup, Camilla did not neglect any of her characters including Paula, the new girl in town and has something to contribute towards the theme too.

The crimes was also rather unique and well, you just have to read and be immersed into this universe. Overall, an excellent investigative thriller.

So far, I have liked almost all of Camilla's titles. I still have one on my shelf. Can't wait to start on it.

Lifetime by Liza Marklund

Synopsis :

Police Officer Nina Hoffman finds her fellow officer David Lindholm on his bed with bullets through his head and stomach. Next to the body is his wife, Julia. The traumatized Julia rambles on about a woman entering the house, killing David and running off with her son, but all the evidence seems to point in Julia’s direction. 

Annika Bengtzon covers the case and is drawn in headfirst when she sees that Julia is about to be falsely charged. 

Working against the clock, Annika must clear Julia’s name and find her missing son.


This is what I say :

Liza Marklund is a Scandinavian author.  I just realised that she co-wrote Postcard Killer with James Patterson which I read about three years ago.

I have never read any titles that just carries her own name.  Lifetime would be the first time.

Like many novels nowaday, while Lifetime has a stand-alone story-line, it's also part of a universe that consist of series of titles.  In this case, after reading it, I discovered that Lifetime is the seventh book in the universe of Annika Bengtzon.  

In this title. I can't be sure if  the story revolves around Annika trying to proof that Julia's innocent or Annika trying to find out who killed David. She did a lot of digging into David's past.  Nina is a dark horse.  The ending of the book reveals something about Nina but yet at the same time reveals nothing. It's most frustrating.

I don't quite like Lifetime.  I find the writing chaotic and rambles on at time.  I don't quite like Annika too.  She's too real. But yet, I can understand that Liza is trying to make her real.  

Anyway, I am debating with myself I I should read the other books by Liza Marklund that I have with me.  I have not decided.

The Stranger (previously The Gallows Bird) by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

A string of suspicious deaths points to a potential serial killer who has turned his eye toward Fjallbacka and her dark forests, where two children vanished decades before.

A local woman is killed in a tragic car crash, but it isn’t a clear-cut drunk driving case. The victim’s blood contains high alcohol levels, but she rarely drank a drop. Meanwhile, a reality television show begins shooting in the town, and as cameras shadow the stars’ every move, tempers start to flare. When a party ends with an unpopular contestant’s murder, all eyes turn to the cast and crew―could there be a murderer among them? 

The ratings spike as the country tunes in to a real-life murder mystery. Detective Patrik Hedstrom finds himself increasingly unable to focus on the strange circumstances of the first case, but what if that holds the key to a series of other unsolved cases across Sweden? Under the unforgiving media spotlight, Patrik tackles his toughest investigation yet.


This is what I say :

Here I am, once again, with the next title in the Fjalbacka Series by Camilla Lackberg.  I seems to be unable to tear myself away from this series.


The previous title of The Stranger is The Gallows Bird.  I have no idea why the title was changed.  I really am not able to relate the title to the storyline but I actually prefer this than The Stonecutter.  It wasn't a very thick book too as it's less than 400 pages.

Timeline wise, The Stranger takes place right after The Stonecutter and I would say it's about a few months (at least 6 months I think) after The Stonecutter.  

Patrik and Erica and getting ready to get married.  Anna and family are currently bunking in the same house and it's rather amazing (also unrealistic) how quickly Anna got back to her feet right after a walk and a talk with Dan.

It's also rather unrealistic in certain plot in the storyline and without revealing much, I would say it's not the first time the same thing happen.. cue The Lost Boy.   Even then, I still enjoy it.

I still enjoy the story but the effect of too many books is beginning to affect the writer at this point. I really hope the next title, The Hidden Child gets better treatment.