This month you can read and review any Welsh authors you like for Dewithon! As you can see from my grandmother’s faded favourite teatowel there has been a bit of Welsh influence in our family. Some of these songs have made me very emotional over the years. And many readers will remember singing favourites in their school choir.
I have been recommended Gareth Williams book ‘Valleys of Song: Music and Society in Wales, 1840-1914′ from University of Wales Press. Quote ‘This enthralling social history focuses on such groups as the fighting choirs of Dowlais and Merthyr that raised armies of supporters, electrified massive crowds and aroused fierce passions.’
But I digress, I have participated in past Dewithons and enjoyed reading Welsh authors I had not previously known thanks to Paula Bardell-Headley aka Book Jotter.
This year 2024 I am reading a crime novel ‘The Silent Quarry’ in an eight book series featuring DI Winter Meadows written by Cardiff-born Welsh crime and mystery author Cheryl Rees-Price. 1.THE SILENT QUARRY 2.FROZEN MINDS 3.SUFFER THE CHILDREN 4.A KNOT OF SPARROWS 5.LIES OF MINE 6.RISE TO THE FLY 7.WINTER’S CRY 8.HARBOUR NO SECRETS (standalone ‘BLUE HOLLOW’)
“I do a lot of walking and, fortunately, living in Wales provides plenty of stunning places to inspire my imagination and feed the world of Winter Meadows.” Goodreads quote from Cheryl Rees-Price
Rather than me expounding how wonderful Welsh authors are, and the books I have previously read, I will give you some links (below) to Paula’s website which is jammed-packed with information and insights. Paula is the nicest, most organised and prodigious book-blogger that I have had the pleasure to read.
Remember those hashtags #dewithon24 and #readingwales24. Reading Welsh authors has broadened my reading awareness, as the saying goes ‘Try it, you’ll like it!’
Award-winning author Laura Jean McKay writes on another level of unusual. Clever, jolting and altogether quite unique.
A certain maturity is needed to feel the strength and hypnotic power of the ‘Gunflower’ short stories. It’s not what’s written which holds the key. It’s the unsettling subtext and intertextuality which means there is more here than meets the reader’s eye.
These short stories transcend the written words so that my own reminiscences began to colour the pages. I squirmed, I laughed, I cried and most of all I realised where the author was coming from with each character or creature, for better or worse.
Grouped under three headings Birth / Life / Death, don’t let the idyllic pastoral bookcover fool you. Written with a keen eye, read ‘Last Days of Summer’ or ‘What We Do’ and try not to shiver with guilt. Some tales are one page length, memorably short and punchy. Perhaps the longest story is ‘Gunflower’ a powerful premise on abortion.
There is loss as well as survivor moments. As I read I remembered a person I knew just like one of the deli characters Joni in ‘Smoko’ but then grasped that I didn’t know the real person at all until the character showed me their inner tenacity. As did all the women in these stories; Felicity and Barb are particularly liberated in ‘Ranging’ 😉
This book may not appeal to the mass market and I bet readers will have different opinions on what ‘Site’ is all about. First Fleet? Booklovers often have a conservative bent when it comes to the patriarchy and also communicating with pets and animals. We tend to shy away like skittish horses at difficult chapters, but I think the subjects earned their hard-won place.
Brace yourself, this is a wild ride and McKay’s novel ‘The Animals In That Country’ seems restrained in comparison. I do wonder if short story collections are the ones which never flourish into fully fledged books. But, hey, these are thought-provoking gems and many Australian authors never get this far.
Keep it different, Laura, keep shaking it up.
❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
Laura Jean McKay is the author of Gunflower, and The Animals in That Country (Scribe) was winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award, The Victorian Prize for Literature, the ABIA Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year and co-winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel 2021. The Animals in That Country has been shortlisted for The Kitschies, The Stella Prize, The Readings Prize and the ASL Gold Medal and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award.
A small selection of some of the books I read in 2023. Those shown are not block-busting bestsellers (yet) but very enjoyable reads. I liked them all and can recommend them.
The particular standout for me is Stone Yard Devotional because it was unexpected and different and engrossing—and believe it or not I did not write a blog post review. However, below I have re-posted my Goodreads review. I am sure this novel will win a literary prize in 2024.
View the 80+ books I have read and reviewed in 2023, click on link and browse my Goodreads webpage:
If you have time, here is my l-o-n-g Goodreads book review for my favourite Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood:
Charlotte Wood’s books opened up a new avenue of reading for me and I really, really, wanted to read this novel. The whole premise, ethos, structure of the story cried out to be read slowly and with feeling. It did deliver emotions, from the characters as well as from me. It was like bobbing along in a small row boat down a tranquil stream then coming to a bridge with pylons difficult to navigate; fast water swirling around rocks; clumps of bullrushes clogging the oars; finally being chased by hissing swans. These, of course, are my similes for the obstacles faced by the nuns who showed calm resilience in the face of adversity. Mainly a horrendous mouse plague which saw their Chapel and retreat overrun by thousands of hungry mice for quite some time. Then there is the arrival of the remains of nun Sister Jenny who died in Thailand and, perhaps the most unsettling, the enigmatic visitor Sister Helen Parry who doesn’t seem to want to leave. In fact it takes awhile to work out why she stays at all.
And still the mice invade everything and eat anything in their path. The religious sect is nameless and the protagonist is unnamed (at least I don’t think she is named) narrating Her role in the produce garden and general surroundings, written in beautiful prose, succinct, moving, observant, showing respect for others and the Monaro plain. On page 161, nun Simone takes Her to task over the way she prays “Praying was a way to interrupt your own habitual thinking” she told me. “It’s admitting yourself into otherness, cracking open your prejudices.” Enigmatic local farmer Richard Gittens helps out although his wife Annette doesn’t really approve. Many vignettes occurred to me to write in my review. Of course the overzealous rodents predominate but it would be difficult and unfair to isolate and convey the undercurrents in this book; the flashbacks, the past catching up with the future, the enlightenment. If asked, I would say this novel is semi-autobiographical. If not, it surely has those universally relatable feelings of loss, regret and the challenging moments which shape us throughout life.
A brilliant example of literary showing-not-telling with quite graphic moments, strange dreams, and egg-laying hens. Coupled with Her past memories it caused me to reflect on my own youth and how I retained snippets of a particular event but regrettably never found out the full story, or the true story behind a family’s grief. In fact, this story is layered with other people’s despair and made me delve into my own preconceived ideas of forgiveness. There is almost a comfort in not knowing the people whom Charlotte Wood weaves through the pages, I read, I understand, but I don’t have to take action. Just like the written characters, pursed lips, a head shake, a tut-tut and let’s move on; our society has been good at looking away for centuries. Through the unnamed narrator, sense has been made of all this and I came to grips with Her world without maudlin sentiment and saw the truth of what transpired in several dysfunctional lives. Perhaps a potential for trigger moments, this is a moving, insightful and significant adult read and holds up well to discussion.
Short bio: Charlotte Wood is the prizewinning author of six novels and three books of non-fiction. A recent book is The Luminous Solution about creativity and the inner life.
A clever and absorbing murder mystery set over Twelve Days of Christmas with every single ingredient mixed in, from the traditional festive food to huge old Endgame House deep in the Yorkshire countryside covered in a heavy layer of Yuletide snow. The characters, the guests, are mostly naughty or nice cousins related to each other, desperate to inherit old Endgame House by winning the long-established family game which takes them through every interesting room in the old house and outside in the grounds.
The Armitage family’s customary Noël treasure hunt takes the form of Anagram clues. This time the game is different; solve the twelve clues, find the twelve keys and the actual deeds to Endgame House are yours. What a prize! Keys are hidden in the most unlikely places. Readers can give it a go but I am hopeless with anagrams so I was content to soak up the vibe. The story is full of unsettling events, twists and turns and held me intrigued until the end.
The atmosphere kept me wondering, who stalks the Endgame halls? Naturally every guest has an opinion, attitude and past memories flecked with jealousy. Protagonist Lily Armitage is the quiet one lacking in confidence who still suffers trauma from her shocking childhood experience in the hedge Maze. She is good at the seeking game but initially has another private reason for being uncomfortable now she’s back in Endgame House.
Everyone remembers the deceased owner Mariana Armitage, Bowie music-lover and creative, who set the Anagram clues for their yearly family challenge. The same cook, Mrs Castle, still works delicious wonders in the kitchen producing meals and adjudicating the supply of clues. True to the trope, when the first party guest is murdered, suspicion begins to take hold but nobody really mourns and the game continues. The priority is to stay alive and not falter when another person is picked off by the killer and added to the ice house.
Living in Australia it is difficult to relate to freezing cold weather at this festive time of year. Nobody can leave because the snow-covered road is impassable and sabotage is suspected. Phone lines are down and their mobiles were taken from them on arrival; I can think of one or two ways to attract attention from the outside world but that would spoil the suspense. Lily is in a perpetual state of fear and determination, she really wants to find out if her mother was actually murdered all those years ago.
More keys found, more slaying and the loss of a Goodreads star (out of five) for a questionable ending as far as I’m concerned. Murder begets murder. I read the hardcover edition which contains family tree, floor plan, wordsearch and author notes. Also I liked the cover artwork and it fitted the criteria for Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Book Club on Goodreads, a group read for the month of December 2023 which required a Christmas tree on the cover and my suggestion was chosen.🎄
Jingle bells, jolly holly and happy holidays to you!
‘The Detective Up Late’ by Adrian McKinty (Book 7 Sean Duffy series 2023)
What a guy, what a book! I am talking about the author as well as the character. Straight to hardcover edition. I have read all Adrian McKinty’s novels but none so brilliant, clever, absorbing and addictive as Detective Inspector Sean Duffy of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Somehow Sean Duffy of Carrickfergus RUC is grounded, he tries to keep his humanity intact and his reality in focus but the halo frequently slips. I read the books in order (hanging out for each new publication) and got a strong sense of personality and practice, of common law and uncommon citizens, e.g. rioting and retaliation, cons, crooks and criminal matters that police deal with on a daily basis. Often a bit of Duffy tongue-in-cheekiness is thrown into the mix “Radio 2 was playing ‘Ebony and Ivory’ over in the Incident Room. I sat up and paid attention. I liked to hate that song” thinks Duffy.
What’s this story about? Well, McKinty’s book titles refer to songs. This title is derived from a Tom Waits song “Bad as Me” and fits well among the irony and dark observations. DI Duffy comes back from an Israel holiday to workplace boredom (nobody wants his bottles of holy water) until a missing Traveller girl Katrina McAtamney tweaks interest. Is she dead or alive? Like real life, Duffy’s work colleague Detective Sergeant “Crabbie” McCrabban is easing himself towards retirement and Detective Sergeant Alexander Lawson is settling in. I got the feeling Lawson’s the token “woman” cop in the story even though WPC Warren is seconded? Characters are diverse and leads are chased; suspects interviewed and statements are fully dissected. A big piece of evidence is discovered. Plenty of lead-chasing work back-and-forth from the cop shop but nothing brings the teenage girl’s whereabouts any nearer or clues any clearer.
During the 1980s I watched Irish TV news bulletins covering The Troubles but was removed from the IRA Belfast horrors. All I remember is the nightly updates “more bombings”. Now, thanks to McKinty and Duffy, a literary picture has been painted and it’s thought-provoking. Yeah, time moves on, now 1990, but Duffy still checks under his car for tilt bombs. Beware, Sean Duffy is not a squeaky clean cop. Although he now has a more “normal” homelife with Beth and little Emma, involving ferry crossings back and forth, he still gets righteously angry. This is tempered by his deep knowledge of music and literature and his strong sense of justice, even as he tweaks the rules and infers dire consequences on hapless suspects. Probably couldn’t get away with it now. And be prepared for swearing at appropriate times, although surprisingly none when they got lost in Coventry’s one-way street system enroute to an interview.
Author Adrian McKinty’s literary identifier, e.g. intertextuality and breaking the fourth wall, does not detract from this compelling story. They drew me through the story. See Chapter 18 “The Fourth Floor” for an excellent example. Apart from Sean’s unsubtle quotations, look for what I think are appropriate genre nods. A nice balance exists between high action, soft moments, cops-and-criminals, scenery and settings, using quick screenplay-scripted dialogue which at times can be philosophical or a tad predictable like the syrupy ending. You may never see me write it again but Sean Duffy could make a great character in a prime time Éire/UK television series. This is reflected in varying locations and grim humour. A strong actor could follow the threads, face the slog of interviewing, the hope of a confession, the tension of a life-and-death encounter.
You knowhow some crime books just click, you are absorbed into the story? Well, that’s what I find when I read Adrian McKinty’s work. Overall, the clues are there to identify the killer. Enjoy reading this investigative tale for yourself—and take a guess if it will really be the final book.
Adrian McKinty—Author Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. After studying philosophy at Oxford University he emigrated to New York City where he lived in Harlem for six years working in bars, bookstores, building sites and finally the basement stacks of the Columbia University Medical School Library in Washington Heights. In 2000 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he taught high school English and started writing fiction in earnest. In 2008 he moved to St. Kilda, Melbourne Australia with his wife and two children. In 2023 he is currently residing in New York City with his family. He has written numerous other books and won numerous literary awards. Visit his official website for more details: https://officialadrianmckinty.com/
After reading Hugh McGinlay’s first book “Jinx” I snapped up a copy of “Silks” from Clan Destine Press with many thanks for such a great read set in the southern city of my birth.
An entertaining author and musician, Hugh McGinlay says he’s surprised that readers accept his imaginary friends. Imaginary or not, I was right there with them every step of the way. This is book four about intermittent milliner (hat-maker) PI Catherine Kint and her offsider barman Boris Shakhovskoy. They witness the death of aerial circus performer, Silver, during her silks (or ribbon/tissu) performance but was it accidental or murder?
Vespa-riding Catherine “felt cold and sad and couldn’t stop thinking about the sound.” Boris felt the same, and he’s shaping up to be my favourite character, right from the start showing his multi-talented skills. I am not really sure I like Catherine calling him “dear” because she sounds like a mother-in-law. But between examining leads and serious allegations their dialogue is often laugh out loud; and this time Boris has two romantic interests.
Experience palpable tension walking home after the late shift, Boris continually looking over his shoulder, checking corners, concerned about being followed by the bad guys seemingly as interested in Silver’s death as the police. And naturally it involves her missing mobile phone. At one point Catherine and Boris escape detection by literally hanging by their finger tips. Later Boris hangs around as Catherine is lured into a life-threatening encounter.
Earlier, Silver’s distraught father Anthony Barwick says to Catherine “You don’t have many rules, and you’re smart. That’s what I’ve been told.” He wants her to investigate his daughter’s death. Can he be trusted? Silver, or Mia, by all accounts was an enigmatic wildchild. A family in crisis, a culture of secrecy and this plot kept me reading far into the night.
The location is again firmly set in Brunswick, Melbourne (Australia) with rainy day scenes and several digs at the cold weather.
“The rain might be cold, but I only notice because I’m living.”
Ciara Beretta Silks chapter 2 page 13
Author Hugh McGinlay writes believable crime fiction and pragmatic lead characters with unexpected traits, edgy yet loveable, cool yet kind. Remaining true to its roots, this series can be habit-forming for crime readers.
The Ten Penners have created an anthology of magical creatures and mysterious moments. Young humans took me on their humorous and enlightening adventures involving broomstick riding, crystal balls, a backyard concert, a magic mirror, intrepid Pixie P.I. Dandelia Oakleaf, frogs, friendships and more—read on!
The Ten Penners latest anthology Backyard Beasts and Curious Capers contains imaginative reading for that age group of children who love a good giggle at preposterous things. Or are they preposterous?
✨BOOK LAUNCH✨
Book launch at BOOKS ETC, Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise Saturday 21st October 2023 – 11.00am to 2.00pm “Come and have your book signed by a Witch called Floriece, a Pixie, and Jeremy the Spaceman.”
BLOG TOUR & BOGGLE COLOUR-IN COMPETITION DETAILS BELOW
Perhaps making a rocket is not such a strange idea?
‘Jeremy Albatross’ by Marion Martineer highlights the delight and disaster of making a backyard 🚀 rocket. This story is both funny and a health and safety warning during an action-packed BBQ for Dad’s birthday.
‘The Trees are Alive!’ by Jill Smith (of Poo Boom Cat fame) is a tale about Maggie and Caleb who get ‘a cubby house and a living garden’ during the school holidays when they rejuvenate an old tree 🌳 and receive benefits in return. Part awareness, part ecological, a story of nurturing and working with nature.
‘Wizardo’s Spell’ by Jennifer Scicluna involves Simon digging in the backyard with his father. Or not digging in the backyard with his father “Who wants to plant boring 🌸 begonias?” Simon relents and with a whack of his spade he falls through the earth into Muderoon where he meets irascible Agrim Kateus.
Only a quick glimpse at three Ten Penner author tales but you can discover a brave cat, a sensitive tree, a blue Quoggle and a fright night sleepover. In fact, twenty inventive short stories for young readers. Here’s the list:
Ten Penners, twenty stories! Always imaginative and highly readable, their newest anthology Backyard Beasts and Curious Capers contains fantasy and fun with cool character illustrations, kooky critters and silly stuff which appealed to me. Apologies if I’ve left out your favourite. There’s much more including a wakeboarding octopus and an old fairytale reimagined. Ideal for 8-12 year old readers and group reading. Story length would also suit reading before bedtime, or reading in your favourite tree. Just don’t laugh too hard!
Saturday 21st October—BOOKS ETC. Paradise Centre Surfers Paradise 11 am to 2 pm. Saturday 28th October—Big B Books 10 am to 12 noon outside the shop. Saturday 4th November—The Ten Penners monthly meeting (near Melbourne Cup) Saturday 18th November—Gold Coast Writers book launch/promotion 15 mins confirmed. Saturday 2nd December—Upper Coomera Library 1 hour 10 am to 11 am (then their Christmas Party lunch at the café) Saturday 9th December-—Bookness, Mudgeeraba (to be confirmed) Draw the Quoggle colour-in competition winner! NOTE: The PrizeActivity Packwill include more of their characters to colour-in. A badge. A Word Search. A copy of Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers, signed by the authors, and more. Please send your entry via email tothetenpenners@gmail.com Or hand them to The Ten Penners at their presentation. CONTACT: The Ten Penners look forward to your feedback on their new book so please visit their WIX site, become a member and make a comment: https://thetenpenners.wixsite.com/the-ten-penners/blog
The best audio crime book I have listened to for some time. Plot, setting and narration come together in an absorbing story which I couldn’t stop listening to. Every spare moment I had, I would tune in and be transported to Adelaide, South Australia, with DCI Jack Hawksworth as he investigates a crime scam which originally involved one of his London university students. He is an attractive character, a man with charisma and morals and, according to the women he meets, sex appeal. Flirtation certainly makes a nice change from grumpy Inspector John Rebus or grouchy private investigator Cormoran Strike.
The premise revolves around illegal trafficking of women’s oocyte (eggs) for IVF and shows three sides; the financial greed, the sadness of childless women, and the unethical way the ovum is obtained and unlawfully shipped around the world. At times I was hoping the details were not too gruesome because I find audio books can seem a bit more graphic when listening to the flow of words. Reading text I can avert eye-danger and skip ahead. Happily this was not the case and I enjoyed listening due to clever scene setting (often tourism info) and Jerome Pride’s skilful dialogue interpretations.
As some reviewers may know, I am against writers writing their novels (no matter what genre) as though they were a film script. Obviously chasing that lucrative yet elusive screenplay offer. They tend to skip over finer details, the ambiance is lost in a blur of speech and hand gestures. In Dead Tide, author Fiona McIntosh has managed to get all senses into play here. She deftly writes the sight, sound, smell, touch, taste (coffee flat white) atmosphere and tense inner monologues which bring together fallout for a courier, pain for a donor, an instable marriage, murder and the many evils of human manipulation.
❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
And the flirtation you ask? See book for details 😉 The coastline setting of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula and Wallaroo shine. The Wallaroo Jetty is real, as is a ‘dead tide’—see image below.
In my Goodreads reviews, I often add a small quotation which takes my fancy while reading. I always find this difficult with an audio book! Therefore this is an observation not a quotation—I was amused by Jack Hawksworth sitting with a lovely woman as he explained the meaning of the Medieval term ‘short shrift’ (I heard you yawn).
In the audio book, the term ‘short shrift’ is not exactly unknown today but rarely used. I recall my elderly aunt grumbling ‘I’m giving you short shrift, out of my kitchen until dinner time!’ So it means little sympathy and scant attention. I know this because I went to the bookshelves, took down the big old family dictionary and looked it up. I inherited this dictionary, and its frayed spine is held together with aged tape. But, oh, the wonders inside, the little treasures which have been pressed between its pages for over ninety years. Each section, the start of each letter of the alphabet, is embossed on a small indented leather pad to make it easy to find.
There will be no word relics from the 21st century generation. It is hard to muse over an obsolete, battery-dead, glass screened plastic/metallic sender/receiver information disseminator. The ever-changing WWW, internet, wi-fi, digital converters-and-containers of more false and ethereal information than ever recorded in the entire evolution of human history. (See, I just gave modern technology short shrift!) GBW.
A novel of far-reaching ideas and future prediction which looks from our careless past to a positive future where climate-change has radically reshaped the way people, animals and plants of the world live and thrive. I smiled at the concept of share cars, a great idea but I think it will be another century before it catches on.
Described as Solarpunk genre (see below) so much is lost yet so much is gained in the way of solidarity, community and compassion. Hard work, healthy food, clean water, fresh air, caring and sharing and generally making-do. All shaped through dire necessity due to past global pollution, neglectful land care and disregard for consequences, although the story has no recriminatory tone and looks to future sustainability.
Young Wren is a boy of the mountains, living with mentor Old Man and learning the ways of Nature until it is time for him to leave on a quest. Kee, his totem black cockatoo follows him. Young Hannah and old Libby have to leave the Street in the City in which Hannah was born and raised; a necessary yet bitter-sweet time for all three characters as they begin the prospect of a new stage in their lives.
On arrival at South Hills Pod, Hannah walks into her new shared bedroom noticing posters on the wall “photos from Before” a time we currently take for granted, like Libby’s jam-making skills. Unfortunately Melanie, the other occupant of the room, is rude and unwelcoming. Settling in becomes a challenge for Hannah, she likes art and does her school work online while longing for her old home and friends. South Hills homes are built partially underground (think Hobbit) cooler and not as claustrophobic as it sounds.
“I took a snapshot of the book opened out because the vivid art work continues the theme so well on the back cover” GBW 2023
Around Hannah and Libby’s new share home there are ponds and hectares of covered produce gardens with shade sails and monthly market days at the Gathering-Place. “Like the home-garth, the garden was in a huge amphitheatre terraced out of the hillside facing north.”
Page 67 ‘Starberries and Kee’ Cate Whittle 2023
Meanwhile, wild-child Wren is also having a rough time. He cannot understand the strange things he sees and the weird food he sneaks from the food growing domes. He calls Hannah’s new place “wombat-people’s camp”. Suddenly their two paths collide, there is a secret pledge, and a heart-racing life-threatening drama unfolds.
Author Cate Whittle has written a speculative fiction novel for middle grade/YA readers which is approachable and relatable. My preconceived idea of Wren was cleverly altered. He has bush knowledge and yet clear speech for someone raised in rugged mountains. Perhaps a story untold? Adults are kept to a minimum, friendships are made and broken, personalities clash, and families struggle to find a happy medium when mean Melanie adds to Hannah’s homesickness.
The environmental concept is outstanding and the setting is brilliantly realised including chapter 18 and the wonderful cameo when Kee is revealed to a crowd which brought happy tears to my eyes. Living in South Hills Pod would be hard work, but when past duties are shirked that’s what is needed in the future. Also tall trees for wild birds and a safe environment for every family!
SOLARPUNK EXPLAINED—A serious yet optimistic explanation—“Solarpunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction and a collectivistic social movement that envisions the progression of technology alongside the environment. While the ‘solar’ prefix signifies the term’s relation to solar or renewable energy, the ‘punk’ suffix groups it with other aesthetic sci-fi subgenres like cyberpunk, dieselpunk and steampunk.” I think Cate Whittle’s book has “The solarpunk aesthetic which depicts…a society where the climate crisis has been resolved or is being approached with camaraderie.” From Brennan Whitfield, 05 January 2023 https://builtin.com/greentech/solarpunk
P.S. I will let you find out the meaning of Starberries and Kee 😉 GBW.
Timekeeper Trilby Moffat’s highflying, hair-raising, non-stop adventures kept me glued to the pages far into the night. A brilliant story, it has exciting characters, dramatic situations and puzzling questions like What is going to happen next? Where is Time Keeper Trilby Moffat’s mother?
There are ideas, clues and cliff-hangers and Trilby has to navigate through it all. I enjoy Jasper Fforde and Jodi Taylor’s time travel books but Trilby takes it to another level of strangeness when she returns to the secret Island Between Time and investigates a time travellers festival suspiciously named Time Harvest Con. Of course, I am not the main reading audience for this book but it is easy to get hooked on the plot.
Book One
Among many inventive events, several digs at the adult world pop up e.g. Brian in a pink corporate shirt and a lanyard around his neck which reads ‘Assistant to the Assistant to the Assistant of Someone Much More Important’ a running joke. I have to add that Mr Colin, the archetypal baddie, is one of my favourites. Quote ‘Their eyes met, his grey like a dead pigeon, hers the colour of a summer cicada.’
Watch for interesting snippets e.g. ‘We made it out of shards of time treasures…the stuff that can’t be repaired or salvaged,’ added Beatie, and what about Tove, Thumbelina, Xipil, Arwen, recognise those names? Don’t miss a nod to Agatha Christie, flying prehistoric Anton, and find out what is stored in The Passage Of Time or bake cakes in a Time oven. But don’t eat cakes from strangers. Other beautifully inventive stuff kept me reading like Medical Grade Time Spray which has side effects.
I love the way ‘non-adult’ books can use squiggly writing to denote words like Time Swap, and add a chapter crossword puzzle with answers in the back of the book. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book in the series yet, this plot is exciting and soon sweeps you along. I do love the bookcover and when I read the related chapter and what the balloon contains I had shivers. Kate Temple is one genius author. I suggest buying this book for a classroom or young family then secretly reading it first.
❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
AUTHOR INFO: Kate Temple always wanted a promotion and a corner office with an assistant who wore a small dark poodle for a hat. This didn’t happen. Instead, Kate took on the perilous business of writing books for children. She has written more than twenty books with her writing partner, Jol, and The Perilous Promotion of Trilby Moffat is her second solo book. Kate lives in Sydney with her two children. When she is not writing, Kate enjoys eating cake, and so do the characters in this book.😊
Thoughts Become Words 