Author Archives: boxa

Dogstar Rising

Dogstar RisingBy Parker BilalSnappy ReviewI love the way he writes, I love the way he puts people and places together. It’s subtle although the brutality of the circumstances weren’t. Tensions have been simmering for decades. And who or what will tip them over…? SynopsisIt is the summer of 2001 and in Cairo’s crowded streets the[Read more]

Blood Song

Blood Song – Raven’s Shadow 1By Anthony RyanSnappy ReviewBrilliant, gutsy, and fantastically told. Fantasy with a ruthless, cunning and stark edge. SynopsisWe have fought battles that left more than a hundred corpses on the ground and not a word of it has ever been set down. The Order fights, but often it fights in shadow,[Read more]

Snowflakes and Schnapps

Snowflakes and SchnappsBy Jane LawsonSnappy ReviewGorgeous and delightfully rich winter fare. As with most cookbooks this is a coffee table delight, and on those cold and wintry days, pull it out. I heartily recommend the Osso Bucco on pg 124, Meatballs with Vodka Dill sauce pg141, Janssen’s Temptation (swoon) pg 148. I also have it[Read more]

The Shadow Year

The Shadow YearsBy Hannah RichellSnappy ReviewIt’s one of those stories that slowly sucks you in, and just when you think you can’t possibly deal with the character’s pain any more the story twists and you’re left reeling. Ideals we held when we were young, and the mistakes we wear to this day – A wily[Read more]

God Save the Queen

God Save the QueenBy Kate LockeSnappy ReviewOh no! Back to vampires and werewolves, when I thought I was going to be reading a book about the Victorian underworld… Turns out it’s not so bad, light enough to read on a commute, and interesting enough to make you want to continue it on your lunchbreak. Conspiracy[Read more]

The New Republic

The New RepublicBy Lionel ShriverSnappy ReviewClever. An interesting account and eye-opening, not only in the way she writes. How much trust we give to the media and what they tell us. How much we’ve come to rely on them and the foibles of individuals, who are no less human than ourselves, and prey to the[Read more]

Mr Wigg

Mr WiggBy Inga SimpsonSnappy ReviewWords fail me but surely this will become a new Australian classic. Beautiful. Whimsical. A tale to touch the hearts of most anyone with a hint of rural upbringing. A story of our grandfathers. No roller-coasters, no sensationalism. No shock factor or twists. Just… Amazing. The best book I’ve read all[Read more]

Outlaw

OutlawBy Angus DonaldSnappy ReviewI have always been a fan of Robin Hood, in all but one guise (yes guess!) so I’m biased before I start. It’s a brilliant portrayal, with religion, politics, action, dirt, mud, blood and anger. We’re looking at Robin from a different face in the crowd, and the perspective is refreshing, as[Read more]

The Mermaids Singing

The Mermaids SingingBy Val McDermidSnappy ReviewWhen a Policewoman recommends a crime writer – that’s kudos right there – so I dived in. A little gorier than I was used to, but a fascinating tale, great twists, and a few things that I never saw coming.SynopsisGold Dagger Award winning serial killer thriller introducing Tony Hill, criminal[Read more]

The Mystery of Mercy Close

The Mystery of Mercy CloseBy Marian KeyesSnappy ReviewIt’s the crazy Walsh family again, although this time it’s Helen’s turn to tell the tale, and there’s less of the rest as we concentrate on her story. The twists and role of her depression is beautifully woven through the story as she slowly gets through the mystery,[Read more]