The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

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Genre - General

This is a delightful little read, set in the early 50’s about a young boy who boards a huge liner on the Indian Ocean sailing to London to stay with his relations.

The Cat’s table is in actual fact the last table from the Captain’s level, and usually sits the scrum of the selection. A tale of intrigue of what goes on behind closed doors in this era, and how a young lad survived and learned possibly what he should not have. 

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci

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Genre - Thriller

Edgar Roy an alleged serial killer held in a secure Federal Supermax facility is awaiting trial and almost certain of conviction. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are called in by Roy’s attorney Bergin to help. Bergin ends up being murdered, and the more King and Maxwell dig into the past, the more obstacles they encounter.

A good read and most enjoyable as a David Baldacci fan.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Bonnie by Iris Johansen

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Genre - Thriller

This is the third from the series of QUINN, EVE and now BONNIE. It is important that you read these books in order as it brings you up to date in a more realistic read. However, the story can be picked up without reference.

A great read if you are into Iris Johansen, with plenty of thrills involving Eve, whose daughter Bonnie disappeared at aged 7 and her now husband, Joe Quinn and friend Catherine Ling who are both CIA agents. 

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Poodle Springs by Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker

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Genre - Mystery

Raymond Chandler died in 1959 and produced a half-finished mystery of which Robert B.Parker discovered and finished the story.

The story of the usual mystery fiction love, murder, hate is anything but. It is set in the 1980’s and a delight to delve into the 80’s with a storyline to match. A good plot and not too gruesome and any sexual connotations are brushed over, as at that time it was not the right thing to do to advertise any extremes of a sexual nature.

A delightful read putting the reader into the era of the 80’s with not only the lifestyle, but every detail from dressing to eating, living accommodation and cars. This makes the story different in its perception of an 80’s era murder mystery.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Sticky Fingers by Nancy Martin

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Genre - Mystery

This is a very light-hearted murder which is glossed over by the day-to-day antics of the main character’s life style and surrounds.  The main character is Roxy Abruzzo  (and her somewhat dubious relations) are tied up in finding out who murdered who.  Although Roxy is not a PI, she seems to stick her nose into what is not considered ‘lady like’ and consequently involves a very haphazard way of not only her life style, but her view to people in general. Light reading if you can follow her train of thought which changes like an express train.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Bangkok Bob by Stephen Leather

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Genre - Mystery

Long-term Bangkok resident Bob Turtledove who is a former New Orleans policeman since retired, but seems to have a knack of finding people.  He is approached by the parents of a young Mormon from Utah who has gone missing. What starts out as a missing person ends up in a deadly mission for Bob Turtledove.

The references to Bangkok makes the reader believe they have lived there (whether you have been to Bangkok or not) with a bit of old world charm, and also gives a good understanding of localities and their customs. Regardless of what you read from the media on Bangkok as it is today, this book seems to relate to an era before today and with plenty of charm. The storyline is good with plenty of action, but also a book that has its humour and well worth keeping in your home library.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle

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Genre - Mystery

Delightful book and although a mystery, not in the least gruesome. Main character is Clare Cosi who is head barista of the Village Blend Coffee House. Clare and her staff make the most unusual coffee and at the back of the book are her coffee making tips with the most decadent chocolate recipes to try out.

Clare makes coffee to die for especially for her boyfriend NYPD Detective Mike Quinn and finds ways when the pressure of murder is around to come up with very decadent soothers.

The main story is based along the lines of a new coffee product in the local village which will make millions. Unfortunately murder gets in the way, and Clare herself unwittingly is put in a position that she must work out the murderer against the ire of her boyfriend.

A most enjoyable read, considering it is a mystery.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Bookchat-Rowville

Black Glass by Meg Mundell

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Genre - Science fiction

This was an interesting book. Set in Australia in the not too distant future where climate change has caused major social change, two young sisters are left homeless when their father blows up their house and himself while cooking drugs. They are separated and make their way to the city where they each try to exist on the streets while attempting to find one another.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville