Zoe Fairbairns Bloodless Coup, Poems by Zoe Fairbairns Lost Souls Events, UK, 2026. Bloodless Coup is Zoe Fairbairns’ new literary accomplishment. I read her novels, which she began publishing in the late 1970s with admiration and mixed pleasure and anguish. In these, Benefits, Stand We At Last, Daddy’s Girls, Here Today, Closing and Other NamesContinue reading “Week beginning 10th June 2026”
Tag Archives: Barbara Pym
Week beginning April 1 2026
Clare Mackintosh, The Butler, Podium Entertainment, June 2026. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. The Butler sets a pace that is quite different from Clare Mackintosh’s previous novels, and I had to adapt to the pace and tone. Once having done so, I was impressed with this writer’s abilityContinue reading “Week beginning April 1 2026”
Week beginning February 11 2026
Elizabeth Strout Tell Me Everything Penguin General UK (Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Viking) September 2024. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. Elizabeth Strout brings magic to her work and Tell Me Everything is no different. Bob Burgess and Margaret Estaver live in Maine. TheContinue reading “Week beginning February 11 2026”
Week beginning November 26, 2025
John Willingham The Last Woman TCU Press Adult historical fiction, October 2025. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. The Last Woman is based on the real Frenchy McCormick who lived from 1852 to 1941, eventually becoming the sole resident of Tascosa, Texas. She remained there for thirty years afterContinue reading “Week beginning November 26, 2025”
Week beginning November 19 2025
Valerie Keogh, His Other Woman, Boldwood Books, November 2025. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for this uncorrected proof for review. Valeria Keogh’s books always have a twist that logically follows the storyline, rather than emerging from nowhere; she always has an intriguing plot; and her writing is always not only engaging but grammatical. Certainly,Continue reading “Week beginning November 19 2025”
Week beginning 10 September 2025
Jane Caro Lyrebird Allen & Unwin, April 2025.* Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. A lyrebird’s cry in a lonely bush site echoes a desperate woman’s cry for help. It is overheard by a student, who aware of its possible significance, takes her recording to the police. With noContinue reading “Week beginning 10 September 2025”
Week beginning 27 August 2025
JB Miller, Duch Riverdale Avenue Books February 2025. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. What fun, I thought, as I saw the premise for this book – Diana is living in Paris, having lost her memory but recognised as Diana by a school friend. But JB Miller has givenContinue reading “Week beginning 27 August 2025”
Week beginning 2 April 2025
Bonnie Garmus Lessons in Chemistry Penguin, Kindle edition, 2024. Bonnie Garmus has skilfully woven together comedy, whimsy, engaging characters, and a story line that draws attention to a series of notions that, seemingly relatively benign initially, reach their logical conclusion with the terror of sexual harassment and a well-argued case that discrimination against women isContinue reading “Week beginning 2 April 2025”
Week beginning 26 March 2025
Susan Smocer Platt Love, Politics, and Other Scary Things A Memoir Bold Story Press|Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles, December 2024. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. Susan Smocer Platt was unknown to me. However, with Senator Amy Klobuchar’s endorsement of her book I decided it could beContinue reading “Week beginning 26 March 2025”
Week beginning 22 November 2023
Catherine Russell The Cinema of Barbara Stanwyck University of Illinois 2023. Thank you, NetGalley , for this uncorrected proof for review. Barbara Stanwyck was not one of my favourite actresses, she seemed too pushy somehow, and her films did not appeal – nor did the characters she played. With this in mind, I thought itContinue reading “Week beginning 22 November 2023”
Robin's Room 