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<metadesc>Book review siteExpert, with books full book reviews from the many most walks of literary life - ; fiction, biography, crime, cookery and anything else that takes our fancy. There are also lots of author interviews and top tens.</metadesc>Hello from The Bookbag, a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life non- [[:Category:Fiction|fiction]], [[:Category:Biography|biography]], [[:Category:Crime|crime]], [[:Category:Cookery|cookery]] and anything else that takes our fancy. At Bookbag Towers the bookbag sits at the side of the desk. Itchildren's the bag we take to the library and the bookshop. Sometimes it holds the latest releases, but at other times there'll be old favourites, books for the children, & self-published books for the home. They're sometimes our own books or books from the local library. They're often books sent to us by publishers and we promise to tell you exactly what we think about them. You might not want to read through a full review, so we'll give you a quick review which summarises what we felt about the book and tells you whether or not we think you should buy or borrow it. There are also lots of [[:Category:Interviews|plus author interviews]], and all sorts of [[:Category:Lists|& top tens]] - all of which you can find on our [[features]] page. If you're stuck for something to read, check out the [[Book Recommendations|recommendations]] page.</metadesc>
|rating=5
|genre=BiographyScience Fiction|summary='Chance … really the way things happen,' wrote Howard Beck, the Chicago School sociologist. I visit Bookbag Towers with There are few preconceived ideas about the next greater joys than a book for review. I'll allow myself which lives up to fall for a quirky title or appealing cover, despite only a smattering of interest in the subject mattercompelling premise. Just occasionally And this way, I stumble on a golden nugget so fascinating and well-written that I realise how lucky I am to be a revieweris one of them. I'm so pleased to have chanced upon this inviting biography of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0701178922</amazonuk>0356522776
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Conway and Melanie Williamson0008517061|title=The Great Nursery Rhyme DisasterDeath in a Lonely Place|author=Stig Abell
|rating=4
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Little Miss Muffet is fed up of being constantly scared by a spiderFormer Metropolitan Police detective, so she ups sticks and heads for a different page of the bookJake Johnson, to see if the characters of another nursery rhyme will let her join inhas settled into his rustic life at Little Sky. She tries one rhyme after another, but things never quite work to plan. Will she find a nursery rhyme that suits her to There’s perhaps a T?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340945087</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Alistair Duncan|title=The Norwood Author - Arthur Conan Doyle and the Norwood Years (1891 - 1894)|rating=4|genre=Biography|summary=At little uncertainty about the age future of 32 Dr Arthur Conan Doyle moved from London to a house in South Norwoodhis life with his vet girlfriend, at that time part of SurreyLivia and her daughter Diana, as moving in June 1891. It found him at the stage when he was torn between pursuing together would mean a career as an eye specialist lot of compromise: does Jake give up his off-grid and trying to make a living through his writing, after he had sold a few stories relaxing life to magazines. Shortly before the move, he had been confined to bed for three weeks in with influenza, and while recovering from what had briefly threatened Livia or does Livia move to be a fatal illness (Little Sky despite her reservations about whether or so he believed), he took not this is the decision to abandon medicine in favour of becoming a full-time author. future she wants for herself and her daughter? A few Sherlock Holmes stories had been published, but For the man with moment they’re enjoying life in the deerstalker present and pipe had yet to make an impact putting the future on the reading public, and his creator could not yet call himself an established writer. Nevertheless, within the next few years he and the fictional detective were to become household namesback burner.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904312691</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jean Ure1786482126|title=Ice LollyThe Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=It's Builders were demolishing an old house in Norwich - the funeral. Laurel - Lolly site was going to those that love her hold seventy- is concentrating very hard and trying desperately to turn into an ice lolly. Ice lollies are frozen, you see, and they donfive 't feel so much. They canluxury't miss people apartments - mothers - who are gone and people who are still around can't hurt themwhen they discovered the bones of a child beneath a doorway. There was no skull. A frozen heart is Was this a sad thingritual killing or murder? Inevitably, but itDr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. It's a safe thing. Auntie Ellen difficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn't like the music at the service, that she thinks it's inappropriate. It isn't even is pregnant with his child as a hymn. But it was one result of Laurel's mother's favourites, and Laurel think it's just perfect. Special. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007281730</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=John Wilcox|title=The Shangani Patrol|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=This is the latest in the adventures of Simon Fonthill, a cross between a Victorian James Bond and Indianna Jonesone night they spent together some three months ago. Although one of a seriesHer condition will be obvious before long, it stands alone as a novel. It's steeped in the history (and there's a lot of it) not least because Ruth is prone to sudden bouts of the late 19th century when Queen Victoria 'ruled the worldsickness.'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755345614</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Philip Womack0008551324|title=The LiberatorsDevil You Know (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster
|rating=4.5
|genre=TeensCrime|summary=Ivo's parents have gone off on a South American expedition. As itIt's unusual for anyone from the school holidays, Ivo is off Hardie family to London to stay with some glamorous relativesapproach the police. Aunt Lydia is a socialite and art expert who arranges exhibitions and parties Neither side likes or has any respect for the great and the goodother. Uncle Jago But Davie Hardie is struggling in finance prison and there isn't much about wheeling and dealing that he doesn't know. They're fond s prepared to tell the police where the body of Ivo a missing person is buried and the kind of guardians who are likely to practise some benign neglectwas responsible for her death. This person, he promises, so is someone big and it will be worth the police doing what he wants. And what Ivo he wants is really looking forward to about be transferred to an open prison to serve the remainder of his stay sentence and to get an early parole date. Not much to ask, is freedom it? The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she's even prepared to do the other thing that Hardie demanded - he intends to explore London make certain that DS Max Craigie and enjoy everything it has to offeranyone who works with him is kept well away from what's happening. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0747595526</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Emily Gravett0008405026|title=Blue ChameleonA Stranger in the Family (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey
|rating=5
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=The chameleon is feeling blue because heIt's lonely, so he goes sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night. She was never found and visits the investigation ground to a yellow bananahalt. Now, pink cockatooher mother, swirly snailHelena, brown bootand her father are dead in their bed. Initially, it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the positioning of the bodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and so onher boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. Each time, not only does he change his colour What looked as though it was going to match be an open-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Kerrigan is convinced that the object or animalexplanation lies in Rosalie's disappearance: others (such as Derwent's boss, but he also contorts himself into a shape that matches themUna Burt) are less convinced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230704247</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Inga Moore0571379877|title=Six Dinner Sid - A Highland AdventureThe Kellerby Code|author=Jonny Sweet
|rating=3.5
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Sid the cat has six owners in six different housesEdward Jevons is a working-class young man, obsessed with his upper-class friends, Robert and he munches his way through six dinners Stanza. Robert's a daytheatre director. This big ol He' greedyguts s also self-obsessed, demanding, handsome and entitled and uses Edward to run errands for him. Edward has a great life, but then one day his owners all decide they want been in love with Stanza since their university days - and he's drunkenly confided how he feels to go on holidayRobert. They consider putting him Most men in Robert's position would stay away from Stanza or tell Edward that a cattery, relationship had begun between them but they have strange rules he's not like one meal per cat, not six. They give it some thought, and eventually decide most men: Edward is left to all go on holiday together, taking Sid with stumble upon the two of themkissing in a dark passageway.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340988940</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jaclyn DolamoreJo Callaghan|title=Magic Under GlassLeave No Trace
|rating=4
|genre=TeensCrime|summary=Namira When a man is found crucified on the top of a trouser girl - a music hall performerhill in Nuneaton, DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her sidekick, the AI detective Lock. In Lorinar, she It's regarded as their first live case together, having previously been very successful with several cold cases. But when there is a faintly risque curiosity but at home in Tiansher it wasn't like this. Performers like her mother were feted and respected and Namira grew up in second body found crucified a palace. In Lorianarfew days later, she lives in poverty, performing for drunken fools who don't understand her art. And then Kat is suddenly, she's freed from the seedy music hall by Hollin Parry, struggling with a wealthy man potential serial killer and a member very high profile case that draws a lot of Lorinar's Sorcerer Councilunwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. Parry has an automaton Will they be able to solve the case in time, a curiosity that plays or will Kat find herself taken off the pianocase and, and he wants Namira's unique voice to accompany it. potentially, out of a career?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408802120</amazonuk>139851120X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Foreman1399613073|title=Why The Animals Came To TownMoral Injuries|author=Christie Watson|rating=34.5|genre=For SharingThrillers|summary=A young boy looks out Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the first day of his bedroom window medical school and sees their friendship would keep them inseparable for a parade quarter of animals walking up his streeta century. They've come Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, which is a bonus when you aim to show him be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Laura is a perfectionist and a trauma doctor. Anjali is the free spirit of the deserts group and ice caps, she becomes a GP. When we first meet them they're at a drug and alcohol-fuelled party and it's going to warn him of end in tragedy. We don't know who suffered the tragedy or the importance of taking care of Earthconsequences. Without Twenty-five years later there will be an eerily similar event that will impact the animalsthree friends. This time, he realises the world would be a much more desolate placeit's their teenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406318019</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gaby Morgan (editor)0241636604|title=In My Sky at TwilightThe Trading Game: A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating=4.5|genre=TeensAutobiography|summary=Off the back If you were to bring up an image of the success of Stephenie Meyer's [[Twilight by Stephenie Meyer|Twilight]] series there has been a boom city banker in vampire novels aimed at teenagersyour mind, you're unlikely to think of someone like Gary Stevenson. In My Sky at Twilight A hoodie and jeans replaces the pin-stripe suit and his background is perhaps one of the most unusual books East End, where he was familiar with violence, poverty and injustice. There was no posh public school on his CV - but he had been to come out the London School of this craze as it Economics. Stevenson is bright - extremely bright - and he has a collection facility with numbers which most of love poetry aimed us can only envy. He also realised that most rich people expect poor people to be stupid. It was his ability at teenage fans of the serieswhat was, essentially, a card game which got him an internship with Citibank. Eventually, this turned into permanent employment as a trader.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230745865</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John Burdett1035021803|title=The Godfather of KathmanduAntique Hunter's Guide to Murder|author=C L Miller|rating=43.5
|genre=Crime
|summary=Sonchai Jitpleecheep is half 'farang' the son of a brothel madam and an American GI, but itIt's the latter rather than the former which is likely twenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to hold up his promotion in the Thai police force, English country village where heshe grew up. She's back now because of a detectiverequest for help from her beloved aunt, Carole. HeFreya's former mentor and Carole's also the part owner of a brothel where his motherclose friend, NongArthur Crockleford, is dead and the madam in chargecircumstances seem suspicious, to say the least. It's no problem for his bossArthur was the reason why Freya had not been back to the village: Arthur, Colonel Vikornshe feels, who has a few illegal interests of his ownlet her down badly. He's currently Even though they were in competition with business together as antique hunters, she has not felt able to be near the man or pursue the head of profession she loved. After the armysplit, General Zinnashe worked in a cafe, to see who can raise met and married James (on the rebound from the finance for a forty million dollar shipment love of heroin which Sonchai's Kathmandu-based guru has for saleher life, who was murdered) and Freya and James have now divorced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0593055462</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gary BlackwoodAllTomorrowsFutureCover|title=The Great RaceAll Tomorrow's Futures: The Amazing Round-The-World Auto Race Of 1908Fictions that Disrupt|author=Benjamin Greenaway and Stephen Oram (Editors)
|rating=5
|genre=Children's Non-Science Fiction|summary=In 1908, Henry Ford's Model T hadn't yet brought cars to the masses. The pioneers Opening up new ways of thinking about the world shape of automobiles were experimenting and discovering just what the car could do, by driving right round the world. Except they didn't want things to be pioneerscome. One of the competitors, Antonio Scarfoglio, put it so perfectly when he said 'We had set out to perpetuate an act of splendid folly, not to open up a new way for men. We wished to be madmen, not pioneers.' Isn't that about the best quote you've ever read?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0810994895</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=P J Reece|title=Roxy|rating=3.5|genre=Teens|summary=Maddie was at Aunt Gretchen's funeral when she got the phone call to tell her that her father was in a coma and likely to die. This might sound like a double whammy but Maddie's father had deserted her soon after her birth (during which her mother died) and she was brought up by Aunt Gretchen, who never missed an opportunity to point out that she was an unwanted burden.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1896580017</amazonuk>}}
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Pseudonymous BoschSunny Singh|title=This Book is Not Good for YouHotel Arcadia
|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident ReadersThrillers |summary=Cass The Hotel Arcadia is not having the best of time when it comes to secretsa luxury hotel in an unnamed city that has suddenly been violently taken over by a terrorist group. It's all very well being involved in Hiding from the terrorists who are rampaging through, killing everyone on site, there is Sam, a top-secret societywartime photographer and Abhi, designed the hotel manager. As Abhi continues to try to keep care remotely for the secret of residents who are still alive in the most secretive secret everhotel, he forms a bond with Sam who refuses to be cowed by events, but those pesky people called adults are keeping things from and keeps on venturing out of her as well - namely, room to try to capture what's happened through her very originsphotography. Can Max-Ernest and she wade through Although they only ever talk over the phone, their junk store base friendship grows as Abhi tries to help her keep safe and find the box she was delivered in? Can they survive the mysterious clown school both wait to see if they end up visiting? And can will be rescued before they keep a mystical tuning fork from falling into are discovered by the wrong hands?terrorists.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1409506312</amazonuk>086154742X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Russell Kirkpatrick1529153298|title=Beyond the Wall The List of Time (Broken Man)Suspicious Things|author=Jennie Godfrey|rating=45|genre=FantasyGeneral Fiction|summary=It's 1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. (A couple of aspects have summed up Russell Kirkpatrickwoman? I mean, honestly...) She's not what's worrying Miv'Broken Man'' trilogy for me so fars family, though. There has Women have been a fascinating story with some wonderful character building that has made it highly enjoyabledisappearing. There have also Well, they've been some of the most detailed maps I murdered, but to have ever seen in a fantasy series, offering more variation than I've seen in maps before and actually adding detail disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. Miv's upset because she's overheard that her father wants to some parts of move the storyfamily 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, not merely acting as Down South is a guidefrightening, foreign place, best avoided. I was expecting more of For Miv, the same from the final partmove would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, and she'll do anything to prevent that. She'Beyond s not worried about the Wall of Timedangers or that her Mum'' and very much looking forward s stopped talking - to itanyone.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841496715</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Hosp1398524085|title=Among ThievesHas Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?|author=Nicci French|rating=45
|genre=Crime
|summary=In 1990Charlotte Salter was expected at her husband's fiftieth birthday party but never turned up. Her children, sons Niall, Paul and Ollie and her daughter, Etty. are all worried but - strangely - her husband, Alec, some valuable paintings were stolen from is not. Shortly afterwards, Etty and Greg, find the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston body of Greg's father, Duncan Ackerley, in the United Statesriver. The It was an easy assumption for the police investigation failed to find them make that Duncan had murdered Charlie and many felt they were lost foreverthen committed suicide when he couldn't stand the guilt. But soon the paintings and their whereabouts would be impacting on many people The Salter children are not convinced but there's lives…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230707238</amazonuk>little else they can do but get on with their lives and wonder about what really happened.
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Shields1035906708|title=Reality Hunger: A ManifestoDiva|author=Daisy Goodwin|rating=4.5|genre=Politics and SocietyGeneral Fiction|summary='The Novel is Dead' is not really what a novelist wants We tend to think of Maria Callas as Greek, but she was born to Greek parents in Manhattan, New York, in December 1923 and only moved to read first on picking up a new book – Athens when she was thirteen. Her original surname was Kalogeropoulos but I persevered with Shieldsher father changed it to ' manifesto and ICallas'm glad I didto make it more manageable in the States. This is a thoughtWhen she was back in Athens -provoking wakesupposedly so that she could get appropriate training for her voice -up call that any artistshe was raised under the Nazi occupation by a mother who mercilessly exploited her and made no secret of her preference for her elder sister, writer or book-lover will enjoyJackie.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>024114499X</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Ian Rankin and Werther Dell'Edera Christopher Edge|title=Dark EntriesBlack Hole Cinema Club
|rating=4
|genre=Graphic NovelsConfident Readers|summary=Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the nickname of 'The producers Black Hole'. All big movie fans, they're looking forward to lots of Dark Entriesexciting films, the latest hit reality TV showand many, are worried. many snacks! Yes However, as the six housemates are theremovie starts, present and correctthey very quickly realise that something about this new film format is very different, and they are ready to be scared witless en route swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. But as they lurch from one film genre to the one way next, can they figure out, and the brilliant prize that might await them somewhere in the merry-go-round of horror that what on earth is their new home. going on? They are already being scared witlessWill they ever get back to the cinema, by phantoms - but that's nothing and to do with the TV producers.their real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848563426</amazonuk>1839942738
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{{Frontpage
|author=Rachel Greenlaw
|title=Compass and Blade
|rating=3.5
|genre=Teens
|summary=''I can hear the song of the sea. The call of the deep, the answering beat in my heart.''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Keith MansfieldJames Sherwood Metts|title=Johnny Mackintosh: Star BlazePlanet Storyland|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Before I get into Things have been a bit sticky for the review of this bookEarthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, Ioften replacing jobs they'd like re paid to suggest that if you haven't read Keith Mansfield's first Johnny Mackintosh book, [[Johnny Mackintosh do and the Spirit of London by Keith Mansfield|The Spirit of London]], you go off and read the review of other tasks that first and then go and read the book itselftook time to accomplish. It's a fantastic read. But because Just as they were beginning to get used to all this is a sequeltechnological change and starting to think of other, there are obviously going new ways to be some SPOILERS aheadspend time, along came an awful pandemic. SoLife was pretty much shut down and, along with it, done that have you?all the many daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1849161267</amazonuk>1736128426
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chinua AchebeMatthew Tree|title=The Education of a British-Protected ChildWe'll Never Know
|rating=4.5
|genre=AutobiographyLiterary Fiction|summary=This book is Timothy Wyndham wants nothing more than to be different from his father, a collection drunk and chronic underachiever whose dreams of autobiographical essays by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, whose best known work is the novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. Topics covered include Nigerian, Biafran and Igbo history and culture, African literature and the legacy being exceptional at any of colonialism in his country artistic passions all failed miserably and the rest who had endless crises of Africaself confidence. Some of the essays are taken from guest lectures at universities around the world and conference papersSo Tim applied himself to his studies, cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and others are written for this book, particularly many of the more personal pieces about Achebe's familyset himself high but achievable ambitions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846142598</amazonuk>B0CVFXPGP8
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{{Frontpage
|author=A G Slatter
|title=The Briar Book of the Dead
|rating=5
|genre=Fantasy
|summary='' There's a part of me that wants to keep this just to myself for however long I can. This secret magic of my own, all mine, at last. I just want to enjoy it for a while.''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie 1529900360|title=Legacy and Spellbound (Wicked)The Ghost Orchid|author=Jonathan Kellerman|rating=4.5|genre=TeensCrime|summary=Holly Cathers has returnedIt hadn't been Lt Milo Sturgis's fault that Alex Delaware had been badly injured but he felt responsible and even after Alex recovered, Sturgis was reluctant to ask for his help on difficult cases. His assertions that there were only open-and this time-shut cases which didn't need the help of a psychologist only worked for a while. Finally, it was Robin, sheDelaware's more powerful than everpartner, who nudged Milo into asking for help again. She knew that the involvement was something that the man she loved needed. The war between next case did look simple, though. Two lovers were murdered in the House swimming pool of Cahors witches a remote property in Bel Air. He was the heir to an Italian shoe empire and House of Deveraux warlocks still rages on, she is married to an extremely rich man and only one side will eventually triumphit's not the Italian.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184738689X</amazonuk> But which of them was the primary target?
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Kees van Deemter1529395224|title=Not Exactly - In Praise Of VaguenessLetting the Cat Out of the Bag: The Secret Life of a Vet|author=Sion Rowlands
|rating=3.5
|genre=Popular ScienceAnimals and Wildlife|summary=How warm is Siôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. His father was a warm day? Or ratherGP and Rowlands didn't want to follow in his footsteps, given particularly when he considered the weather at strain that being on-call put on his father's life. When he was seventeen he took the moment, how chilly is opportunity of doing work experience with a chilly day? Is it better to know I want family friend who was a small helping of peasvet and was convinced this was the job for him. Before long, or to know that I want 82 peas? There are times when vagueness is more useful than being specifiche was at Liverpool University. Kees van Deemter makes this point, sharing It hadn't - as with so many examples from students - been his dream since he was a number of fieldschild. If anything, including maths, philosophy, linguistics and AIhe'd wanted to be a professional footballer.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0199545901</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris Wormell0861541774|title=One Smart FishA Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows|rating=54|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=ManyDCI Domenic Jejeune's close friend and former colleague, manyDanny Maik, many years agohas taken a short holiday in Singapore to meet up with an old ally, the ocean was full of amazing fishGuy Trueman. The most amazing fish Maik was involved in a boringstreet brawl -looking silver fish, who he would later maintain that he was smarter than all the others. He played chess (against himself), drew pictures facing a man armed with a knife - and performed playshe killed a Ghurka. One day Initially, he decided faced a charge of manslaughter but evidence came to light that suggested that he might have planned to see what life was like on land, so murder the man. Now he invented feet could be facing the death penalty. Domenic Jejeune can do nothing to help as any interference from another police force could provoke a diplomatic incident and went for a walk. Yep, youwouldn've guessed it: it's a picture book about evolutiont help Danny at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224083546</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Stevie DaviesAlexander McCall Smith|title=Into SuezThe Perfect Passion Company
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=We are introduced The Perfect Passion Company is a dating agency in Edinburgh, run by Ness and operating as an alternative to all the main characters Ailsa and Joe Roberts and their young daughteronline apps in providing a more personal, Niatailored service. Joe Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the business, as Ness is planning to take a down-trip to-earth Welshman who's been posted Canada to Egypt get away for a while. Katie is coming out of a break up with a bad boyfriend, and so jumps at the RAFchance to come home to Edinburgh. They are making a And so begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, bringing us to an Edinburgh we already love, thanks to 44 Scotland Street and exciting life for themselves amidst the heat and poverty of the Middle EastIsabel Dalhousie novels, but with some new characters who quickly begin to charm. Ailsa is EnglishKatie has no experience in running a business, or in match-making, but Ness has full confidence in her abilities, and there's always her very helpful (and rather headstrong and clever. Her parents said shehandsome) neighbour, William, to lend a hand…|isbn=1846976596}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0811771741|title=InstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman|rating=4|genre=Crafts|summary=Melissa Leapman's ''InstaKnits for Baby'd 'the brain gives us a collection of a boyknits from toys to blankets.' There Some will be quick knits - others are two strands to of the novel which interweave throughout: 'long, cosy afternoons in front of the 1950s which see fire' variety. The projects are divided by the early married life of Joe time they'll take to complete - less than five hours, five to ten hours, ten to twenty hours and Ailsa more than twenty hours. All the projects are attractive, modern and then thereuseable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 's the postsocial-invasion of Iraq period when the grownmedia-up Nia returns to Egypt to lay some ghosts, as it wereworthy projects' but that's me being picky.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906998000</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Norah VincentDean Koontz|title=Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony BinThe Bad Weather Friend|rating=34.5|genre=LifestyleParanormal|summary=''Voluntary Madness'' Benny is journalist Norah Vincent's account of her visits to three mental health facilities in Americahaving a terrifically bad day. The first is an urban He loses his job, he loses his fiancee, public hospital that houses mainly homelessand his house gets trashed. Oh, psychotic patientsand someone has delivered a really weird, many of whom are addicted disturbing coffin-sized object to drugs. In this hospitalhis home, the doctors are overworked and jaded and medication it's possible that whoever or whatever was inside is always the answer. Soonthing that has trashed his house! The thing is, Benny is the author finds that her latent depression (which led her very last person to do the book in the first place) deserve all this bad luck. He is returninga nice person. The process of being institutionalised breaks her sense of self-worth down astonishingly fast A really nice person. Indeed, she suggests So fortunately for Benny it turns out that it the delivery to his house is the lack of autonomy in institutional lifea new friend, a bad weather friend called Spike, even for those patients who voluntarily commit themselves, that makes it so hard has been sent to help him since Benny is clearly under attack from nefarious forces for them being a good person. Spike is going to rebuild independent lives when take care of Benny, and will certainly take care of Benny's enemies, if he, Benny, and Harper (a waitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they finally leave the institutionare.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099513439</amazonuk>1662500491
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Neal ShustermanAdam Stower|title=EverwildMurray and Bun|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Neal Shusterman continues his part zany adventureMurray is supposed to be a humble, part philosophical enquirytidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and part coming-eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of-age story that began with Everlost in this follow-up that is perhaps even better than its predecessorthe two. Everlost is But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a kind of limbo hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and home to children - Afterlights - who have diedthe catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back garden, but somehow missed the tunnel and the light - wherever into a world of frightening adventure and whatever the light actually iswhiffs. Adults never make This time round it theredrops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, but significant or one much-loved objects and buildings sometimes do. Mary Hightowerbigger than Murray was, for instanceto be honest, is so-called because she took but he's turned up residence in New York in the Twin Towers. Mary thinks Everlost is a wonderful place and she "saves" the Afterlights she finds by giving them repetitive but addictive tasks he'll have to fill eternity. do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847387322</amazonuk>0008561249
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{{Frontpage
|isbn=B0C47LV1PC
|title=Fragility
|author=Mosby Woods
|rating=4
|genre=Literary Fiction
|summary= Can you make a ''Yo birthing person'' joke? And if you could, is the question should you make it? Or is the question if you did, would it land? The catch is that the answer for both could well be.... no.
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Baldacci1529431735|title=True BlueThe Winter Visitor|author=James Henry|rating=4.5
|genre=Crime
|summary=Jamie MeldonIt's February 1991 and Essex is bitingly cold, which made Bruce Hopkins' return all the more surprising. He'd been exiled on the Costa del Sol as a wanted drug smuggler for a decade. The return has come about because he's had a letter from his ex-criminal-defence attorneywife, now in private practice, leaves his office very late one nightsaying that she's ill and hasn't long to live. HeIt's met by hard to feel any sympathy when Hopkins is abducted, stripped to his underwear and sent to a watery grave in the FBIboot of a stolen Ford Sierra. Very shortly afterwards Jamie Meldon Is it a warning from a Spanish gang or a problem closer to home?}}{{Frontpage|author=Alex Bell and Tim McDonagh|title=The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Eli is dead a busy lad – by day an apprentice in the wondrous library we start by visiting with him, and in the evening a dumpsterhelper at the dessert cafe his gran owns and runs. Mace Perry Eli lives with his lovely gran, too – for there is working outa generation missing in the family. A few short years ago, trying Eli's parents were both lost to stay fitthe titular race, trying a globe-trotting adventure where all entrants have to stay sane, trying to stay alive long enough to get out jail navigate the world in the company of a couple of days' timemagical beast. Perry was This has made the race anathema to the pair – but when a cop. Under-cover, maverick and darn good bad incident at her job. Until she ended up stoned on meththe eatery leads to a confession from gran, busted for robberyEli knows his only hope is to dare to enter what he most hates, convicted and sent downwith the sole aim the prize of magic at the end – the only thing to possibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0230706134</amazonuk>0571382231
}}
