September 2014 - Books By George

■ REVIEW: An Event in Autumn
Short preview to a character’s farewell

Here’s a treat for fans: new novella featuring the now world-famous (but, sadly, now retired literary character) of Scandinavian detective Kurt Wallander. After three decades of solving crime, Wallander is ready for a change, and an old farmhouse in the Swedish countryside looks like the perfect place to make that change. Wallander’s life hasn’t exactly […]

■ REVIEW: An Event in Autumn
Short preview to a character’s farewell Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Reach
Another memorable effort from Kiwi author

General fiction, NZ books

Successful artist Quinn lives with Marcus, who left his wife for her and subsequently lost contact with his young daughter as a result of that breakup. Quinn is busily preparing for an upcoming exhibition, but as the deadline for her exhibition approaches, Callum, a deep-sea diver with a love of the ocean, enters their lives. As

■ REVIEW: Reach
Another memorable effort from Kiwi author Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Coast
It’s our place … and it’s beautiful

General non-fiction, Places

Kiwi writer Bruce Ansley has followed up his tribute to the legendary Mesopotamia high country station with another collaborative celebration of New Zealand’s beauty. This time Ansley has teamed up with photographer Jane Ussher to the the story of our coastline. The photographs are – of course – beautiful: how could they not be when

■ REVIEW: Coast
It’s our place … and it’s beautiful Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Little Truff and the Siamese Cat
Sweet story with life lessons to boot

NZ books

The second of a planned trio of books featuring the cute Little Truff, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. My parents had a Cav: he was decidedly dizzy and even in old age displayed the silliness of a young pup. In later life he lost an eye and their cat was delighted to discover the dog’s

■ REVIEW: Little Truff and the Siamese Cat
Sweet story with life lessons to boot Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Eye of Minds
A clunky disappointment

Younger readers

James Dashner may be better known for his bestselling dystopic Maze Runner series. He returns with The Eye of Minds, the first in his new series, The Mortality Doctrine. Set in the not-so-distant future, The Eye of Minds follows Michael and his friends into the VirtNet, a virtual reality gaming series where anything can happen.

■ REVIEW: The Eye of Minds
A clunky disappointment Read Post »

■ REVIEW: War Clouds Gather
Period drama with ‘Wilbur Smith’ feel

General fiction

War Clouds Gather is the latest instalment in Peter Watt’s broad-reaching family saga that spans the world but has its heart firmly placed in Australia. The story takes up in the late 1930s. The Depression years are drawing to an end, fascism and communism are in a struggle for the hearts and minds of Europe and

■ REVIEW: War Clouds Gather
Period drama with ‘Wilbur Smith’ feel Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Night Vision
Excellent NZ fiction for teens

NZ books, Younger readers

Award-winning Mosgiel-based author, Ella West, was born in Invercargill and studied at the University of Otago. In her new thriller for younger readers, 14-year-old Viola has a genetic condition whereby the sun is dangerous, Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Viola’s “living”, therefore, is done at night. She lives on a farm inland from Ashburton and goes for walks

■ REVIEW: Night Vision
Excellent NZ fiction for teens Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Creature Comforts: New Zealanders and their Pets
We’re just crazy about our pets

General non-fiction, NZ books

(Reviewed with help from Seymour and Norman) Kiwis tend to fall into two categories when it comes to our furry, feathered and/or scaled friends: we are either pet-owners or poorly adjusted human beings who are incapable of forming real, meaningful relationships and doomed to a life of loneliness and social ineptitude. OK, perhaps that is

■ REVIEW: Creature Comforts: New Zealanders and their Pets
We’re just crazy about our pets Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Kill List
Perfect blend of classic and modern

Mysteries & thrillers

It’s hard to know exactly how much of The Kill List is based on fact. The worrying part is that it could all be based on actual events, because of the way Forsyth has written it. It’s a standard sort of spy thriller, the baddy does bad things, the hero gets sent after the baddy

■ REVIEW: The Kill List
Perfect blend of classic and modern Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Royal Ranger
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series

Younger readers

Horace and Cassandra don’t know what to do with their daughter because she is so troublesome, sneaking into the forest at night to catch game. It is 15 years since the last book and in this story Will takes Maddy on as his apprentice. When a fellow Ranger is found dead, Will and Maddy are

■ REVIEW: The Royal Ranger
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series Read Post »