Xiaolong - A Loyal Character Dancer - 16/01/07 - 23/01/07

This book is a really enjoyable read. Set in modern day China it is a refreshingly original take on a detective story. The book centres around a missing persons inquiry and takes the characters on a tour of urban and rural China. The writing is evocative, the descriptions rich. The style is slightly unusual and at times the phrasing can be awkward. Whether this is a reflection of differences between Chinese and English turns of phrase or of translation is not clear. Nevertheless this was a great read. I will certainly search out the other books in this series.

Black - Christine Falls - 08/01/07 - 16/01/07

Benjamin Black is a pseudonym...of John Banville (MAN Booker Prize Winner in 2005). As you would expect, this book is well written and for the most part an easy enough read. Having said that, I didn't find it to be a 'page turner' - for me, the story never captured my imagination. The book centres around a woman's death and follows the investigations of Quirke, a pathologist who is intrigued to find his brother-in-law altering the death certificate. Black's style is smooth and he makes efficient use of words; the result of which is that one never seems to get to know the characters in the book (perhaps he intends this - but why?).

Certainly I will read other books by Black, and I may even try some of his other work.

Harrison - Every Which Way But Dead - 31/01/06 - 08/01/07

This is the third book in the series which sees Witch 'Rachel' fight crime in Cincinnati. The books are well enough written and the stories generally move along at a good pace although this one was slightly more long-winded than others in the series. You need to suspend reality for this one of course, but like most fantasy books it is a fun read, great to relax with. I have the fourth book on my shelf ready to read.