The new police chief in Bickford, Brooks Gleason, is intrigued by the semi-reclusive woman he knows as Abigail, the extraordinary security at her house just outside town, her potentially savage guard dog and the fact she never steps outside without a gun. As time goes on, Brooks falls for Abigail and eventually breaks through the walls she has built, enabling her not only to confront the past but to deal with those who destroyed the dreams of her teen years. A good read from a prolific and very competent writer.
- Gillian Vine
In Uncle Trev and his Whistling Bull, by Jack Lasenby (Gecko Press), Uncle Trev keeps his sick young nephew going with stories, of which the whistling bull of the book title is but one. Caught in the world of stories, the boy tries to help both his uncle and his animals.
This book has a sharp creative spark, but sometimes, confusingly, it can get in the way of the basic story line.
The characters make it a good book to be read to the whole family, as people of different ages relate to and are amused by them.
- Miya El-Dessouky (13)
Detective Sergeant Glyn Capaldi has been exiled to rural Wales, where he clashes with the local policeman who staunchly believes the good people of his village can do no wrong. But Capaldi comes to suspect that beneath the rural idyll dwell dirty secrets. As he uncovers details of sex orgies and violence, he finds himself being first manipulated then blackmailed. It is a surprisingly good read for a first novel.
- Geoffrey Vine
Camilla Lackberg's The Drowning (HarperCollins) is a black book and readers need a strong stomach to carry on to the end.
Saying that, the book is without doubt the best of the Scandinavian books that have been released within the past six months or so to capitalise on the success of the late Steig Larsson.
There really is no main character, although newly crowned best-selling author Christian could be mistaken as such.
However, it is probably his mentally disabled sister Alice who is the centre point of the book's plot.
Alice loves her brother, even after a massive betrayal.
Truly, this book is an outstanding piece of writing. It has been translated from Swedish but language and grammar seem error free.
Lackberg, who is described as the "hottest female writer in Sweden at the moment", will draw readers so deeply into the lives of the main characters that the last two paragraphs will leave you gasping.
- Dene Mackenzie
Although it's selling like very hot cakes, it's not that well-written, being more a series of lovingly described sexual fantasies linked by a lightweight plot. It's said to have revived many a middle-aged sex life.
But I would like it known that my fantasy billionaire's playroom does not contain a riding crop.
- Janice Murphy
