Devon Book Club discussion

So - to the challenge that accompanies the competition

You have until 15th December 2017 for this one.

1. I invite you to read at least one living, Devon - based writer for each letter of the alphabet.
2. Each time you complete a book, please leave a short review on this thread AND, if you would, on Amazon (this will help bring our local authors to the attention of wider readers)
3. Those who manage a writer for 10 different letters of the alphabet will get one draw ticket, those who manage 15 two draw tickets and those who reach 20 or more three draw tickets.

At the end of each quarter I will tell you who the top 10 reviewed authors are.

I don't know what the prize will be yet but there will be one

Ian, if we leave a review here, it won't count towards the book's total so we need to put it against the book as well, don't we? Or is there a linking mechanism I'm not aware of?

Elizabeth wrote: "Ian, if we leave a review here, it won't count towards the book's total so we need to put it against the book as well, don't we? Or is there a linking mechanism I'm not aware of?"

Nothing as clever as a linking mechanism (dont think Goodreads can do that) - just me. I will be recording who posts reviews and about what so I can keep track of each person's totals

As luck would have it, I have just completed reading Secret of the Song by Exeter based author Cathie Hartigan! Set in both modern day Exeter and, alternately, 16th century Napoli, the link is a mysterious music manuscript which was composed by a deadly and dangerous duke. Centuries later, it is rediscovered locally by a group of madrigal singers. After a slow burning start, the tension is skillfully ratcheted up within both time frames until the crescendo of the final denouement is reached. Following this winter's severe fire in Exeter, references to The Royal Clarence Hotel serve as a poignant reminder of just how quickly and easily devastation can occur. I look forward to reading more of Cathie's work - and it was really interesting to listen to her talk at the Devon Book Club event at Killerton last summer!

Angela wrote: "As luck would have it, I have just completed reading Secret of the Song by Exeter based author Cathie Hartigan! Set in both modern day Exeter and, alternately, 16th century Napoli, ..."

Thanks for getting this challenge off to an interesting start Angela. Great review - be excellent if you could post on Amazon as well - all helps to build the profile of our local authors

So - I started predictably with A - I shall be more radical as the year progresses haha

This book has made me smile all day. It made me go out to walk to our local Pooh Sticks Bridge. How many of you have one? And the book? Kathryn Aalto The Natural World of Winnie-The-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest That Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood.

A delightful book that is a mixture of biography of Milne and his family, and reflections on the stories and exploration of the landscape and natural world that inspired the book.

Kathryn captures Milne's intent beautifully as she takes us on a gentle walk through his life and work. Christoper Robin, Pooh and all the other characters are brought to life for us, both as if through a child's experience of them and the world and in revealing the intent behind Milne's prose and the wonderful illustrations of E.H Shepard.

The book also made me feel wistful - for those times reading the stories to the children, playing pooh sticks and for the time when children are in that space when "doing nothing" is an adventure waiting to happen.

A perfect read at any time of the year but spot on for a day like today. Having finished it, I got my coat and gloves on and walked the mile or so in the lanes behind out house to our own poohsticks bridge and... smiled.

And that is the first letter completed in my A-Z read of Devon authors. Where shall I head next?

Just to prove I dont read in a linear fashion, I have jumped to H, reading Graham Hurley's book Western Approaches

DS Jimmy Suttle and his wife and child have moved from Pompey to a village just outside Exmouth, where much of the action takes place. A death is at the centre of the story, much of which centres around the rowing club in Exmouth - but is it suicide or murder ? No spoilers, so I shan't tell you.

In a parallel story, and excuse the pun, Jimmy's marriage is also in choppy waters as he and his wife adjust to their new life in Devon. Interwoven with this, is a threat to the safety of Lizzie and heir baby - it seems that leaving the underworld of Pompey behind is far from simple.

I am not a big reader of crime fiction but I enjoyed this. It moves quickly and credibly and the characters are interesting in their own right. Graham spoke at one of our bookshop events in 2015 and I remember him saying that he liked to get police procedure right - that any police officer reading the story would not groan in disbelief. And I think he has probably achieved that in this story - but if you are a police officer and say otherwise please do comment.

I'm sure I'll read other books in the series- there are 4 so far

I loved Western Approaches. I saw it reviewed in the Exmouth Journal when I was on holiday and ordered it when I got home. So it will be a later one in the series for me!

Sue wrote: "I loved Western Approaches. I saw it reviewed in the Exmouth Journal when I was on holiday and ordered it when I got home. So it will be a later one in the series for me!"

Excellent - let us know what you choose

I have just completed, and really enjoyed, by Devon Book Club founder member Kathy Shuker. Don't want to give any of the plot away, but who knew there could be so much happening beneath the calm surface of a quiet coastal Devon village?!
I have already read Kathy's second novel, set in France, last year and am now looking forward to reading .

Angela wrote: "I have just completed, and really enjoyed, by Devon Book Club founder member Kathy Shuker. Don't want to give any of the plot away, but who knew there could..."

Excellent - don't forget the Amazon review and please post on the Facebook page too, tagging Kathy

Angela wrote: "I have just completed, and really enjoyed, by Devon Book Club founder member Kathy Shuker. Don't want to give any of the plot away, but who knew there could..."

So glad you enjoyed it, Angela. Thank you. :)

My third book in the A-Z challenge - Death And Deception by B.A.Steadman.

This is a crime novel - the first in the Detective Dan Hellier series. I am not a great lover of crime books but this once cantered along engagingly and I quite liked Dan Hellier as a character.

One thing that turns me off about crime novels is the troubled, chaotic lead detective, who always seems to have a sidekick. I'm pleased to say that B.A. avoided the cliche to a large extent, although Dan comes with his own chequered history.

A young girl is murdered and the plot is littered with potential killers. The plot carried me along and it was not obvious (to me at least) who the killer was.

I liked the humanity of the story and wanted to know what happened so I read the book pretty quickly - in 3 or 4 days.

There is a second book in the series and I will probably read it at some point to see how Dan's character develops.

My first book in the A-Z challenge - Time to Shine by Mel Menzies.

A beautifully written and engrossing book concerning the lives of two women whose past and present are unravelling and interacting. The familiar setting (to me) of Exeter is drawn with affection and balances with impeccable charm the clever psychological insights and structure. Some may find this story slow, but the action is all there in every small description of how life can change in moments from calm, serene and 'normal' to fraught with tension, confrontation and even hatred. An excellent book. Would I read it again? Most definitely.

P.R. wrote: "My first book in the A-Z challenge - Time to Shine by Mel Menzies.

A beautifully written and engrossing book concerning the lives of two women whose past and present are unravellin..."

Thanks P.R. - and for posting on Facebook too - such a great range of locally written books. This sounds like an interesting study of character and relationships

Thank you, P.R. Just come across this. So humbling to receive such a positive review of Time to Shine. Glad you enjoyed the Exeter location, too.

Mel wrote: "Thank you, P.R. Just come across this. So humbling to receive such a positive review of Time to Shine. Glad you enjoyed the Exeter location, too."
I loved it Mel. Looking forward to reading more of your work! :)

P.R. wrote: "Mel wrote: "Thank you, P.R. Just come across this. So humbling to receive such a positive review of Time to Shine. Glad you enjoyed the Exeter location, too."
I loved it Mel. Looking forward to rea..."

I love this project - so much celebrate with such diverse Devon writers

OK, just found this thread, so will transfer my reviews from the other (wrong) thread later:

Just reviewed Jane Holland'sLock the Door and gave it 5*: When Meghan Smith's baby, Harry, disappears, she thinks her worst nightmare has arrived. But it is only the start. Meghan's life spins out of control and she is not sure who she can trust from her friends and family. To start with, Lock the Door seemed like a straightforward 'missing child' story with all the emotions that causes, especially for the mother. But it gradually develops into much more. There are some really creepy moments; others that made me want to shout at Meghan: stop right now! And one in particular that led to a cheer. This is a great story, well-written by Jane Holland, with plenty of surprises and red herrings. The ending took me completely by surprise.Highly recommended.

Elizabeth wrote: "OK, just found this thread, so will transfer my reviews from the other (wrong) thread later:

Just reviewed Jane Holland'sLock the Door and gave it 5*: When Meghan Smith's baby, Har..."

Looks like a great a read - and delighted for Jane that is is doing so well. On mt TBR kist - I'm currently reading Casey O'Connor's book Being Bridie: The Diary of an Aspiring Mother - a gentle and insightful story of infertility, fostering, identity and family. Am enjoying it

Fantastic review, Elizabeth. Thank you so much for your kind words, and thanks to Ian for organising the giveaway. I am now hard at work on my next thriller!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Cheers, Jane

Back to the A-Z of Devon writers challenge. I was delighted to receive a copy of Casey OConnor's Being Bridie: The Diary of an Aspiring Mother from her publisher, Lorna Howarth of The Write Factor.

Looking at the cover (I know we shouldn't judge a book by them but....) I wasn't sure this was going to be for me. But, I was immediately captured by it and read it through very quickly. I was so engrossed in it.

The book is about parenthood and family. Set out in the form of a diary it charts the story of Bridie, her husband Declan and his daughter Bea in the context of their extended family and friends and Bridie's overwhelming desire to have a child.

She and her family grapple with issues of fertility and questions of what it means to be a parent. And, if you cant have a child of your own, what of fostering or adoption?

Bridie swings from triumph to despair as she grapples with these questions and her experiences. Can you love someone else's child? What does it mean to give yourself to a child and how much is that for yourself as much as them?

The book is about attachment and the fine line between love and anger. It is about the hopes we invest in our image of ourselves as parents and future we see for our children - against the reality of how life pans out.

I thought that the book rang true and it spoke to me in a number of ways, moving me at times without ever becoming overly sentimental.

The book cover says that it moves from romantic comedy to thriller to whodunnit to back again. I was expecting more of crime element to it - and although there are aspects of that in there this is not a crime/thriller in the traditional sense.

But it is a poignant exploration of one woman's drive to have a child and how overwhelming that can be for her and for all around her.

I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more of Casey's work

My second book in the A-Z Challenge - Death And Deception
I found myself enjoying this book far more than I expected, as I usually find 'police procedurals' have a tendency to be formulaic. Not this one! The plot is excellent, with enough twists and turns to lead the reader in a number of false directions. The main character, Dan Hellier, is most likeable and I was quickly on his side as things began to go wrong.
The kindle version of the book needs a really good edit as it is peppered with formatting errors. It says a lot for the quality of the story that I found myself so engrossed as to be prepared to overlook them, and I have not deducted any stars for this reason.
Would I read it again? Yes, and I will now read more of this author.

My 4th entry for the A-Z challenge is Children of the Wise Oak: Volume 1 by Oliver J Tooley: "This is the first book in a series of nine telling the story of the Celts and their enemies, the Romans. It is part history, part magical realism, part fantasy. Oliver Tooley has done a huge amount of research around his subject and it shows in the level of detail in the narrative. Without falling into the trap of 'information dumping' Tooley pulls the reader effortlessly into the world of Ancient Britain. The writing style is a little unusual, in that it is for the most part telling, rather than showing, and it rattles along at a fair old pace, but as I imagined the tales being handed down by story-tellers over the centuries, it seemed appropriate. There is no indication of the age-group for which this is aimed. I can see it being enjoyed both by adults and older children. A good start to an ambitious series."

Elizabeth wrote: "My 4th entry for the A-Z challenge is Children of the Wise Oak: Volume 1 by Oliver J Tooley: "This is the first book in a series of nine telling the story of the Celts and their ene..."

Thanks Elizabeth - this is a book I've heard quite a lot about - it is on my TBR list and I'll get to it at some point. Sounds interesting

P.R. wrote: "My second book in the A-Z Challenge - Death And Deception
I found myself enjoying this book far more than I expected, as I usually find 'police procedurals' have a tendency to be fo..."

I agree with that - I also found a few typos in the book but, like you skipped through them.

I will certainly read more in the series too

Next up n my A-Z of Devon writers challenge - Elizabeth Ducie 's Counterfeit!. (For the full list of Devon Writers follow this link https://www.goodreads.com/…/18486815-...…
Set in London and Africa, this is the story of the battle to disrupt the supply of counterfeit drugs. It is fast-moving and centres on the investigation by Suzanne, who is a regulator of the Pharmaceutical Industry, based in London. As she delves deeper into the trade in illegal drugs she battles with governmental policy, corruption, violence and the terrible consequences of poverty. People die from taking these drugs, which they think are legitimate medicines. As she digs deeper Suzanne finds herself in serious danger and realises that she can trust no-one.
Not a long novel, I read it in 24 hours (mainly in two sittings). I particularly enjoyed the insights into the pharmaceutical industry. I was not really aware of the trade in counterfeit drugs and their devastating impact. Having spent her working life in the industry, in countries across the world, Elizabeth's story has an authentic touch. (I also love the cover by the way - very clever)

The next in my A-Z of Devon writers challenge is Sweet Encore: A Road Trip from Paris to Portugal, via northern Spain by Karen Wheeler. Karen lives in East Devon but also lived in France for some years. She is a former fashion editor for a national newspaper.

This is a very engaging read, combining memoire, travel and wider observations on life. Karen writes with honesty, humour and has a very light touch - even when talking of very personal life experiences. I smiled a lot whilst I read it, laughed a few times and was moved at others.

I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting Karen but feel that I already know her - this book really lets the reader into her life.
A substantial part of the book tells the story of her journey from rural France, through northern Spain (nothing about that part of the journey makes we want to go there) and then through to Portugal with her 16 year old niece and her little dog, Biff.

But we also get introduced to a flirtatious expat, a woman in her 90s who is deliciously frank and full of life and a range of other quirky and colourful characters.

This is a lovely book and I hope others will enjoy it too.
Karen has written a number of other books - you can find them here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-Wheele...

My latest read for this challenge was the e-book version of Sealskin by local Devon author Su Bristow . Whilst I am not a fan of the fantasy genre,I do enjoy a well written piece of magical realism - and this wonderful novel hit just the right note with me. It is based on one of the many legends about the selkies (mythical creatures that resemble a seal in the water but assume human form on land) which inhabit the northern coasts of Scotland.
The elegant writing has a dream-like quality to it which reeled me in to the gently paced action of the plot, and the characters are well rounded and believable.
Suspend disbelief and give it a go - you will not be disappointed!
This debut novel won the Exeter Novel Prize in 2013 - I really hope that more will follow in due course.

Thank you, Angela - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Btw it is 99p on kindle at the moment. We launched it in Exeter on Saturday at the 4th Exeter Novel Prize awards, and things went very well. The new winner is Briony Collins, only 21 and - I'm told - an excellent writer, so she'll be one to watch out for...

My third book in the A-Z of Devon Writers Challenge has been: The Last Treasure of Ancient England

This book drew me back to the kind of mystery/adventure stories I read as a child and to my own child. Written in the vein of C S Lewis, Marjorie Phillips and in some ways J K Rowling (Harry Potter series) it is one of those tales which can be equally enjoyed by a teenager and an adult. There is a wonderfully old-fashioned feel of 'good and bad' about the story. It is also remarkably packed with historical facts, many of which are intriguing.

The story is divided into three sections time-wise, the first part set around the Norman conquest and subsequent events, the main part in the twentieth century - nineteen eighties - and the third which peppers the main part, is set in the nineteen thirties. They blend together extremely well.

The plot centres around a schoolboy and his friends attempting to solve a mystery. In the beginning, though, we are led through the first part of that mystery which takes place in the eleventh century, the final twist being pushed into the third section. Odd, ghostly or supernatural happenings are well described as they enter the plot, and the story never lingers for too long on anything.

The school in which the main section is set is a remarkably old-fashioned private school with which the author is extremely familiar. The majority of the action takes place in Devon, although the area around Hastings and Norman France have been well researched and are beautifully described.

This book is very well-written and I enjoyed it. I must comment though, that as an older adult reading it, the school setting was amusing but much of the school-type adventure would, I feel, be more appealing to a far younger reader. This is simply a personal view, and not exactly a criticism, but I have deducted a star from my rating as I felt the book's audience was not really me! Would I read it again? I might.

[Note about the Kindle version: at the end of each chapter the words 'Go to top' indicate that perhaps this version was written in html? A simple edit removing these intrusive little words would be a great improvement, especially as the author(s) has gone to so much trouble with lovely chapter headings!]

P.R. wrote: "My third book in the A-Z of Devon Writers Challenge has been: The Last Treasure of Ancient England

This book drew me back to the kind of mystery/adventure stories I read as a child..."

Excellent review - thanks - I'll post it on Facebook too. I'm winning this challenge at present with 6 - get cracking everyone!

This sounds like a great challenge - not too late for me to join in. I shall have to go exploring now to find something.

Tonia wrote: "This sounds like a great challenge - not too late for me to join in. I shall have to go exploring now to find something."

Not too late at all - you have until mid December so loads of time - and lots of great writers to choose from

Next up in my A-Z of Devon writers challenge is Lucy Banks debut novel - The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost a supernatural So many great Devon writers. Looks like a great read:

"Kester Lanner didn’t know what to expect when he followed his mother’s dying request to contact the mysterious Dr. Ribero, but he wasn’t expecting to find his long lost father. Nor was he expecting to join the family business: catching supernatural spirits.
Kester is intrigued despite his fear, and finds himself drawn into an ancient ghost story that will test the entire agency.He soon becomes enmeshed in a struggle with the spirit, who is so malevolent and haunting that his first real case might just be his last".

So, coming late to the party I'll add
- T P Fielden. A gentle murder(s) mystery set in a fictions Devon costal village just after ww2. Interesting characters and hints about the main lady's past to continue into a sequel. Film star intrigue and local gossip are intertwined.
- Colin Beazley. Shorter story featuring another fictional Devon village but this time during Ww2. Lots of local characters with their own problems. Lots of knowledge of natural world. Loved the ending. Also start of a series.
Enjoyed both of them for different reasons.
So F and B completed!

At last, I have finished my first of this challenge!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Murder at Ashgrove House (Rose Simpson Mysteries Book 1)
by Margaret Addison
I really enjoyed this story; there was a good evocation of the time period in the description and the language.
There was a fair bit of scene-setting at the start of this story but as this one was the first of a series this was pretty important to get to know everyone. The benefit of that was that I got a very rounded idea of all the major players and their motivations, which made picking up the clues a bit tricky, at least for me.
It got to the point where I could see a motive in everyone’s behaviour, the author had made them all suspects. And there was a very clever use of the social and moral restrictions of the age to drive the plot.
In the end, it all made perfect sense, I never worked it out myself, in fact, I had the wrong suspect. Once I knew who it was, I had the feeling that I should really have spotted the clues, the mark of a clever author.
Book two will be going on my list.

Well my plan was to do this in alphabetical order but when I read the synopsis had to read Blood-Tied-Wendy Percival sooner rather than later!! About page 50 ( library sent lp edition) and loving it!

P. . Wendy PercivalI don't want to give anything away! Esme's sister Christine has been injured in a suspected mugging. Esme has a past and as a researcher will not let the snippets of the past lie. So often I thought I'd worked it all out ......... Thoroughly enjoyed it

Sue wrote: "P. . Wendy PercivalI don't want to give anything away! Esme's sister Christine has been injured in a suspected mugging. Esme has a past and as a rese..."

I have just recently read this one too - a fabulous book! - even once the direction of the story became obvious there were still plenty of little twists.

Sue wrote: "So, coming late to the party I'll add
- T P Fielden. A gentle murder(s) mystery set in a fictions Devon costal village just after ww2. Int..."

Not too late Sue - and sorry for my tardy reply - I have been absent for a few weeks and just trying to catch up again. Great that you are participating - I'll post these and others on the Facebook Page over the weekend too

Richard wrote: "At last, I have finished my first of this challenge!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Murder at Ashgrove House (Rose Simpson Mysteries Book 1)
by Margaret Add..."

Fabulous- thanks for the review - don't forget to put something on Amazon too - and feel free t post on the FV page

Sue wrote: "P. . Wendy PercivalI don't want to give anything away! Esme's sister Christine has been injured in a suspected mugging. Esme has a past and as a rese..."

It is a great read - I enjoyed it too - and don't worry about alphabetical order - be radical!

Tonia wrote: "Sue wrote: "P. . Wendy PercivalI don't want to give anything away! Esme's sister Christine has been injured in a suspected mugging. Esme has a past a..."

Thanks Tonia - I loved this one too. This is a great challenge - lots of tremendous writers in the county

Just read book 3 in the DI Nick Dixon series by Damien Boyd. Review posted on Amazon and on Goodreads, and repeated here as entry to the competition: "Kickback is book 3 in the DI Nick Dixon series and they just get better. This one centres around the racing world and the reader gets the impression that Damien Boyd does as much research in reality as Dixon does in the books. The level of detail is great, without being overwhelming. Another great outing for Nick, Jane and Monty." Kickback

Elizabeth wrote: "Just read book 3 in the DI Nick Dixon series by Damien Boyd. Review posted on Amazon and on Goodreads, and repeated here as entry to the competition: "Kickback is book ..."
Thanks Elizabeth, you've just sold it to me! And the Kindle version is only 99p which is a steal... :)

Another one for the challenge. I've just posted this with 5*s on Amazon and Goodreads:

Lily meets Max and Henry in the 1960s on her first day at Oxford - and they fall in love. Different kinds of love, but strong and enduring nonetheless. And over the next three decades, they all make choices which significantly affect their own lives and those of the others around them.

Margaret James once again brings all the emotions to the fore: her wry hunour made me laugh out loud; the poignant moments brought me to tears; and one scene positively made me wince. The cultural references of the 1960s and 1970s in particular brought back many memories.

This is the sixth in the Charton Minster series and I loved it just as much as all the others. A great read; highly recommended." Girl in Red Velvet

Finally found time to read! I read Death and deception by B A Steadman

It was great to have a detective story set in Exeter - I loved being able to visualise them whizzing down Heavitree Road!

I enjoyed reading this. With plenty of plot twists, red herrings & red herrings which weren't red herrings I had to keep reading.

The murder is set out in deliciously gruesome fashion and there is a very satisfying number of suspects - enough to keep me guessing throughout the book, but not so many I forgot who was who.

I won't give away the end, except to say it was nail biting and disturbing in equal measure!

Back to the A-Z of Devon writers challenge. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Lucy Willetts again - this time at the Tiverton Literary Festival. Having been inspired by chatting with her for Tiverton Community Radio, I bought a copy of her book, Cross Killer.

I read it very quickly - it is that kind of book - a very accessible read. I don't read many crime novels but Lucy's book kept me turning the page and I was guessing to the end. I didn't see the reveal coming.

This is Lucy's debut novel and, on the evidence of this one, I am sure that there are more to come and that she will develop a loyal following.

Together with Lucy and Julie Archer I am planning a bookshop event for Dartmouth in the Autumn so that will be a chance for you to hear from her and Julie about their work.

Elizabeth wrote: "Just read book 3 in the DI Nick Dixon series by Damien Boyd. Review posted on Amazon and on Goodreads, and repeated here as entry to the competition: "Kickback is book ..."

Thanks Elizabeth - duly added to the list