And Yet More Quick Flicks

Looks, it was a big pile, what else am I supposed to do?

David Belbin -  What You Don't Know

Cracking opening to the second in this crime series set during the early days of New Labour. Surely a TV show will be made of this?

Verdict: If Belbin keeps this up then the Bone & Cane books could end up being the next big thing.

Sadie Jones - The Uninvited Guests

Convoluted goings-on in a grand Edwardian house.

Verdict: One for Mrs Big Mouth. And Downton fans.

Juli Zeh - The Method

I loved the idea of Zeh's last book, Dark Matter, in which rival scientists get involved in kidnap and murder, but it completely fell apart in the second half. This new one also sounds good, set in a future where good health is stricty regulated by the authorities. It feels a bit Orwellian, obviously. Whether she can sustain it remains to be seen.

Verdict: I am prepared to give her a second chance but if she fucks up this time then I won't bother with her again.

Francesca Beauman - Shapely Ankle Preferr'd

Interesting short history of lonely hearts ads.

Verdict: Not sure we need a whole book on the subject but if you disagree then I can't see why you wouldn't enjoy this.

Jane Johnson - The Sultan's Wife

Courtly intrigue in 17th century Morocco. Feels like the sort of regal soap opera that fans of Game of Thrones might enjoy, but with fewer dragons.

Verdict: A chunky slab of historical fiction that the publisher seems to be pitching towards a female readership. I think it would appeal equally to both sexes.

Adam Johnson - The Orphan Master's Son

Comes with high praise from David Mitchell and I love the idea of an epic love story set in North Korea, but I found it hard to follow and quickly gave up.

Verdict: I predict the broadsheets will cream themselves over it but reader will be less impressed.

That's your lot. New Quick Flicks appear in the sidebars almost every day of the week.

Comments

[Chas N-B]

Have you had a redesign lately - or did the middle part of your blog eat a lot over Xmas? ;)

I like the new look, anyway. Easier to read this way.

[Scott Pack]

Ahh, no redesign, just that some of the sidebars take a few months to gain critical mass.

[Chas N-B]

Haha - just remembered that I have a new wider PC monitor.

DOH!