Tag Archives: World War II

The Secret by Katharine Johnson

Katharine Johnson is one of my favourite authors. I read her book The Silence earlier this year so when I heard she had a new book out, The Secret, I was keen to read it. I did read it – in one sitting! This is such a thrilling book. The Secret is set in the …

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All the Nice Girls by Joan Bakewell

This novel was recently book of the month at our local book group. I was interested to read it because, although I know Joan Bakewell as a presenter and author of factual works, I did not know she had written any novels. Although this novel was set in North West England, with a back ground …

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The Turncoat by Alan Murray

I was given the novel, The Turncoat by Alan Murray’s publisher for review. It is a debut novel by Murray but he has written many factual pieces previously and that is somewhat reflected in the language and layout of this book. The Turncoat opens with a prologue detailing the death and destruction wrought on Clydebank, immediately …

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The Last Fighting Tommy by Harry Patch & Richard van Emden

I usually avoid books with more than one author. However, I was interested to read about Henry (Harry) Patch, an ordinary man who got coaught up in both World War I and lived through World War II. I found a book written about him just after his death. However, I then noticed The Last Fighting …

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The Hunger Angel by Herta Muller

My friend, Aileen, gave me her copy of Herta Muller’s The Hunger Angel when she had finished it. It is not a book that I would have chosen myself. However, I am so glad that I read it. It is spellbinding. The author, Herta Muller is most interesting. She was born in Romania, and grew up …

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The Collini Case by Ferdinand von Schirach

My sister gave me The Collini Case by Ferdinand von Schirach as a Christmas present. I had not heard of the book nor the author. However she established her local book group and reads a lot. So I trusted her judgment and was sure this would be a book that I would enjoy. It is a murder …

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Back From The Brink by Alistair Darling

I first became aware of Alistair Darling in the 1970s when I was reading law at the University of Edinburgh. Little did I know what great heights he would reach. He rose to be Chancellor of the Exchequer during the period the Gordon Brown was Prime Minister of the UK. Darling and Brown were not a match …

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A Hebraic Obsession by Mort Laitner

There was a lot of discussion about A Hebraic Obsession by Mort Laitner on Linked In. It seemed such a remarkable tale that I wanted to read it as soon as I could. I ordered it on Amazon, although I try not to use that company too often. I prefer to buy things in the …

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Staying On by Paul Scott

I went to a marvelous English Literature course run by Anne Scott, lecturer at Glasgow University, Scotland.  At the end, one of the other students, who was moving house, was giving away some of her books. Just what I needed – more books! I could not resist, and this was one of the books I …

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The Changeling by Robin Jenkins

John Robin Jenkins OBE (Order of the British Empire) was born on 11 September 1912 in Flemington, near Cambuslang in the West of Scotland.  He died on 24 February 2005.  He and his three siblings were brought up by his mother after his father died when he was only seven years old.  His mother did …

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