What I've read lately: Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

You'll remember that I had a new book delivered recently, and that it came with a miniature of Southern Comfort - which as first impressions go is a pretty good one.  I hoped that I'd reach the part of the book that needed a stiff drink at an appropriate time, and so far I've not needed to pour myself a drink, well not yet anyway.

The other thing that struck me about this book when it arrived was its size. It's on the larger side of the paperbacks and is quite thick too, and I think initially this put me off.  It does fit into my handbag, but with a driving commute I've found it hard to really get into this book.  What I have read has been good and I want to carry on reading it, but for me this will be a slower read than the books I've read recently.  I'm not sure why, but I know I want to understand the story.

Unusually the front cover doesn't include the book's title, but instead "The hunt for Edith Hind starts here" is given prominence with the title relegated to the spine and the rear cover.  I found this confusing initially too - I've a simple mind, clearly - and while I like the cover image, I think I prefer to have the title there in its more traditional place.

I think one of the reasons I've struggled to really get into this book is that it shares a main character - Edith - with the listening book I have in the car. Both are young adults approaching marriage but their lives couldn't be more different. Edith, in this book is reported missing and once you get to this part the title of the book is obvious.  I think the vast difference between the two Edith's lives have also hindered my ability to become immersed in this story.

It's well written and I think I will enjoy the story, I've heard that others have said they'd read this in a couple of days. Right now this book hasn't grabbed me and got me hooked, but I'm more than willing for that to happen. 

As usual I won't share the ending of the book, usually that's to avoid spoiling the story, but in this case it's because I really don't know what that'll be.  I know this sounds like a negative review of the book, but I don't mean for it to be. I'm going to continue to read this book because already I care about some of the characters - Manon, the detective on the case who it seems is unlucky in love but is clear that the first 72 hours in a case are crucial, and Miriam, Edith's mother who early in the book lifts the Le Creuset onto the draining board and wonders why people rave about them when they are almost un-lift-able - and because I want to know more of what happened.  

And if I'll need that Southern Comfort.

Update:  As I thought, a train ride to and from Birmingham last Saturday was a good opportunity to spend some time with this book.  There was a twist that you expect from thriller books and at one point I considered part of it.  Not the other though.  

I hadn't remembered to take the miniature of Southern Comfort with me, so I've still got that for another day!  It is a good book - and once I'd got into it, I wanted to finish it.  I didn't quite manage that on my journey back, but while MOH cooked dinner that night I put my nose back into the book and finished it.  

Thanks to Mumsnet and Borough Press for providing  a copy of Missing, Presumed in return for an honest review.

 

What I've read lately: The Winter Children

When I last posted what I'd been reading in October (I know, how long ago?) I said that I'd been struggling with a book. More on that later, but in truth it stopped my reading and I think I just got out of the habit...

Since then I've listened to a couple of audio books in the car - Rosanna Ley's Return to Mandalay and Philippa Gregory's The White Princess - both of which I was certain I'd enjoy and both of which I'd highly recommend. But I knew I'd need to find something to break the reading rut I've found myself in.

So when I saw the opportunity to review The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor I thought it could be just the thing. When it arrived I was immediately drawn to the cover, and like many have said before me there's nothing quite like holding a real book. But I didn't start reading just yet, I wanted to build some anticipation and let's be honest it's a busy time of year with lots going on.  

Then last Friday I was working in another office and commuting by train instead of driving, so what better opportunity. I soon learnt though that it's a quick journey and there wasn't much time for reading, even though I did get a seat in the tube! 

#commuting today with company #agoodbook #londonlife

A photo posted by Stephanie Robinson (@lifeat139a) on

But even after a quick read that morning I was hooked. I read it on the journey back and then again later that evening as I took the tube to my Christmas party. It was just that kind of book, one that as soon as it started you cared about the characters and their situation. I'll not share more of the plot than you'd get if you read the back cover, because I don't want to spoil it for you but the story is one of a childless couple who desperately want to conceive. There's strong opinions by one on what their next steps are and then a generous offer from a university friend which helps them along the way. 

As the story develops it's quite clear that the generous offer was made with an ulterior motive. Does it pay off? Well that would be telling wouldn't it? Let's just say the book, like all good stories has twists and complications along the way, but I think ends true to the characters and not far-fetched like some can be, nor leaving you wondering like others.  

Infact I enjoyed this book so much I read it in three days flat, even attempting to read it on my post-midnight journey home after the Christmas party. I reread those pages the next morning to make sure I hadn't missed anything and was pleasantly surprised by how much I remembered as I read!

So yes, I'd recommend this book - and I don't think you need to have been in a reading rut to enjoy it. As for the book I was stuck on, I went back once I'd finished this and completed that too. It didn't end as I expected it too, so I probably could have carried on before - but of course, I didn't know that at the time. I'm glad I finished it though as its not often a book beats me.  

 

 Thanks to Mumsnet  and Pan Macmillan for providing  a copy of  The Winter Children in return for an honest review.