A All About Ella by Meredith Appleyard
P Portrait of an unknown woman by Daniel Silva
R Revenge in Rubies by A.M. Stuart
I In a Great Southern Land by Mary-Anne O’Connor
L Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
Family relationships, ageing and new beginnings
At 70 Ella chooses to escape from her family.Her husband of 50 years has recently died and her family appear to be more interested in her money rather than her welfare. Ella drives away from Adelaide in desperation and finds herself in a small seaside town. Angie, a 40 year old drifter and Zach the local policeman rescue her from her car.
This story is about trust, community and family stress. Resolution occurs through the restoration of an old building and the intervention of a grandson. A satisfying read.
Art restoration, crime, action
Another title in the Gabriel Allon series. I have read and enjoyed at least 6 of these titles but each title stands alone as a complete story.
The renowned art restorer and former head of Israeli intelligence is leading a peaceful life in Vienna when he is called upon to investigate the appearance and sale of the work of an old master.
Intrigue and and suspense as he decides the work is definitely that of an expert forger. What follows in the pursuit of the forger has a completely unexpected twist in the tail of this engaging novel.
Colonial life in Singapore with a dash of crime and detection
The second in a series set in the steamy tropics of Singapore.
In 1910 Harriet Gordon is housed with her brother Julian head of the nearby school. Her employment as typist the Straits Settlements Police Force provides some independence, some much needed income and a sense of worth. A brutal murder in the community has her friend and employer Robert Curran investigating. His plea for her help in comforting the distressed, leads to some interesting revelations placing both of them in danger.
As soon as I had finished reading this, I knew I would have to read the third in the series too.
I keenly await the fourth and final in the series to be released later this year The Harriet Gordon Mysteries.
Colonial Australia, opportunity and oppression
In 1851 fate throws Eve Richards a newly arrived convict and charismatic Irishman Kieran Clancy together. One has seen her misfortunes multiply after the death of her father and the other is escaping the poverty of County Clare with his brother Liam.
Fortune favours the brave as Eve finds a secure position after surviving a shipwreck in southern seas. From the farmlands of New South Wales Kieran is lured to the goldfields of Ballarat.
The depiction of events on the goldfields and the aftemath of the Eureka stockade are well covered. I enjoyed this novel with its portrayal of life in difficult colonial times.
I have just read another title by Mary-Anne O'Connor Where Fortune Lies set in 1879 in colonial Australia. Combine history of the times with romance thrown in, some bushrangers, vineyards and varying fortunes, that combination makes for an enjoyable read.
.png)
