Fool’s Errands - `Michael Smit-Drury

 

Very much a curate’s egg of a book. There were times when I wasn’t sure whether it was a full-length fiction or a series of short stories that interconnected. At other times I wondered whether the author was using fiction as a vehicle to get across his feelings about the technological age in which we live and the capacity for its future.

 

There were parts of the book that I found fascinating. Sequences and situations that were compelling.  There were characters I found engaging, especially Henny, but equally there were parts of the book which just went over my head. 

 

However, I think the book has a lot of promise. I think a lot of what the author has to say about technology, social media, AI and its place in this beleaguered world in which we live is important. But I think the book would benefit from some editing. I would love to think that one of the big publishing houses would take it on and allow an experienced editor to help hone this book into the story it could potentially be. I think it might take its place as a significant work. 

 

My thanks to the author and Librarything for a copy of the book. 

This is How You Remember It – Catherine Prasifka

 

I read Catherine Prasifka’s first novel, None of This is Serious a couple of years ago. Blogged here - https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2023/05/none-of-this-is-serious-catherine.html - this second novel seems to continue the exploration of how our lives can be shaped by the internet, and social media specifically. 

 

I found it quite a sad book.  The protagonist, who is never named, but narrates the book in the second person, begins as a curious, innocent child seeing life though a lens to a degree until at the age of nine the family buys a computer, and her life is changed irrevocably by her exposure to the internet. 

 

From computer she moves to phones and smartphones, documenting her life on social media, a slave to peer group pressure and when an intimate moment in her life is captured and shared across a social media platform her mental health is compromised.

 

The world of teenage girls is accurately depicted as they compete and bitch, uncaring of the consequences. This is a coming-of-age story where there is redemption towards the end, but for an old lady who grew up free from the shackles of the internet it makes for unconformable reading and a fervent fear for the youngsters of today. 

 

However, I think it is important to have stories like these because the damage the internet can inflict needs to be articulated.

 

Prasifka’s book begins with a captivating portrait of the young protagonist. It’s a well-sustained study of a child’s innocence slowly becoming corrupted. As the child becomes teenage schoolgirl and then student the story becomes more oppressive and reminiscent of some of the stories one reads of the exploitation and impairment the internet has caused to young lives. 

 

There is a balance, though, in the character of Lorcan. He is a childhood friend of some influence who endures throughout the book and somehow manages to remain largely aloof from social media. 

 

There’s a rawness and honesty to the writing that I found quite chilling. Whilst as an ‘oldie’ I can’t relate to the lure of social media, as a book blogger it’s a necessary evil (!), the writing makes me think that the author is writing from first-hand experience which also made me sad. And what is even more regrettable is that this experience is not unique. However, I think the book is, to a degree and that makes it important reading. Those who have been though these experiences may feel comfort from it. And any parents who read it may wish to draw their children close and consider strongly how they allow their offspring to interact with the internet. 

My thanks to Canongate Book for my gifted copy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marriage Rule – Helen Monks Takhar

 I had the pleasure of reading Helen Monks Tahar’s debut novel, Precious You, (although I believe it has now been retitled as That Woman) a few years ago and experiencing that strange paradox that sometimes occurs with a book where the narrative has you feeling edgy and unsettled, it’s uncomfortable reading yet so utterly compelling that you can’t put it down.

 

So, when the good folks at HQ Stories sent me a copy of The Marriage Rule, I felt like I knew what I might be in for. However, when I began the prologue, I encountered a kind of ‘genre gymnastics ‘where I thought I might have hit a chick lit/rom com story! That’s okay, I thought, a writer diversifying. Nothing wrong with that. But, by the time I reached the end of this opening section I knew I was headed for another thriller – domestic maybe, psychological possibly?

 

Elle appears to have the perfect husband and doting father to her baby in Dom. Competent at her job until the new boss, Anton, thinks otherwise. But all is not well, as we might surmise, or we would not have a book!

 

It’s an unsettling narrative, yo-yoing between the past and the present, spanning three weeks, and creating an atmosphere that is both claustrophobic and tense. It’s a slow drip feed to begin with but the astute reader will discern what is going on between Dom and his wife. 

 

I couldn’t really warm to the characters which is not intended as a criticism as I don’t believe I am supposed to. None of their behaviours were beyond reproach, all flawed people in their own ways, responding to situations as they thought best.  There were times when I wanted to shake Elle and get her to wake up and get the hell out of Dodge! 

 

There are twists a plenty to keep you on your toes and guessing all the way to the end with a pacing that I might call syncopated for want of a better word, which adds to the unrest you experience.

 

It’s dark, brutal even, with some challenging themes that offer much food for thought. The ending was not wholly conclusive. For some readers that can be unsatisfying, for others it allows their imaginations to continue where the story left off. 

 

I thought there were elements of implausibility but ultimately this was mitigated by the points that the author is trying to convey, important points for all women. 

 

My thanks to HQ Stories for my gifted copy.

April Round Up

 With a generous helping of sunshine this month, I've had the opportunity to sit outside and read. But I find when I do that I want "easy" books to read. Ones where I'm not reaching for a notepad and pencil to remind myself of salient points and pertinent quotes.

So, first up this month was a charity shop find  - Val McDermid's 1979. Blogged here - https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/04/1979-val-mcdermid.html

I've been an infrequent visitor to my local bookshop this year. That's due to my slow Covid recovery so I was delighted to make a trip there where I treated myself to a book. I heard a programme, I think it was on Radio 4, about Shirley Jackson and I thought that I would like to read something of her work. I chose the Haunting of Hill House. Amy, the assistant in the bookstore is a firm Shirley Jackson fan and was thrilled that I chose this book. She recommended that I also read We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I'm not normally a fan of ghost stories or horror stories, but I do like good Gothic fiction. And I was intrigued to read this. I blogged about it. https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-haunting-of-hill-house-shirley.html

My yoga teacher had recommended Anne Youngson's Meet Me at the Museum which I read last month and really enjoyed. However she reckoned that Three Women in a Boat was her favourite Anne Youngson book so this was one of my Library books this month. I really enjoyed it. I wanted to be on that boat and sail with them. And I thought Anastasia was a brilliant character. It's a lovely story of friendship and chance and the taking of opportunities.

The next book was a book that I won from the Library thing March giveaway. It's a collection of short stories about female hypnotists. An unusual subject and I found the stories quite entertaining. I blogged about them. https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/04/probably-something-of-niche-volume.html

Regular readers of this blog, (are there any though?) will know that I am passionate about using my local library. If we don't use libraries, we will lose them and that would be an absolute tragedy. So I try to read a couple of library books a month at least. Some I reserve, usually if I've heard some buzz about them on social media. But sometimes I just see a book there on the shelf and I think I'll read that. And that was the case with Natasha Pulley's The Mars House. I would think it's something of a marmite book. It's genre blending, ambitious in its concept and pertinent in many respects. I guess you'd call it science-fiction but it's also political and cultural, difficult to summarise but basically a politician from Mars and ballet dancer from earth agree to a marriage of convenience! Definitely not a premise I’ve come across before.

Useless blogger and reviewer that I am I do still get the occasional proof to read and review. And the wonderful Isabelle Kenyon from Fly on the Wall Press still sees fit to include me and offer me such diverse and stimulating books that I am eternally grateful to her. This book from Donna Moore, the Devil's Draper, is a sequel to The Unpicking which I read a couple of months ago. And features Mabel from that book as a police woman in 1920s Glasgow. I have prepared a review but I am holding onto it until publication day. Watch this space!

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-devils-draper-donna-moore.html

This next book was definitely one that I didn't read outside! In fact it's taken me months to read as I kept making copious notes because it's really quite difficult to understand and get your head round. It's Barbara Hand Clow's Alchemy of Nine Dimensions. It's a book that explores the concept of the nine dimensions of human consciousness. And it builds upon the teachings of the Pleiades. It's incredibly complex and I'm not sure I've understood it all. There's lots of maths and science in it. But I did find it quite mind blowing and uplifting and something I'd like to explore further.

But the next book was definitely a sitting outside in the sun book. The Night Visitor by Lucy Atkins. I picked it up in a charity shop. It wasn't an entirely random purchase as I had previously read and enjoyed Magpie Lane by the same author. I guess you'd call them psychological thrillers.

This one is very creepy and uncomfortable almost as the uneasy relationship between Vivian and Olivia is described. It's quite sinister in places but completely gripping.

Sometimes I'm bold enough to approach a publicist on social media and ask if I might have a proof of a book. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it did! I had the pleasure of meeting Nina Allan a few years ago when The Doll Maker was published. Since then, I've always read her books. So I was thrilled when Ana McLaughlin at Riverrun sent me a copy of her current book A Granite Silence.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-granite-silence-nina-allan.html

I'm not a fan of romantic fiction on the whole. It just doesn't do it for me. It's generally too saccharin, predictable and unrealistic but that is the nature of some fiction. I do understand the appeal. If you want pure escapism and upliftment, then it's a great genre. It just isn't one I seek out. However, I make an exception when it comes to Beth O'Leary. I read all her books. They're an easy read, a quick read and I cannot put my hand on my heart and say I don't enjoy them because I do. But they won't turn me into a romantic fiction fan! I think that one of the reasons I enjoy them is because some years ago when I was still a blogger of repute, I was invited to a book event at Quercus Books. They were pushing Beth O'Leary's first book, The Flatshare. I had a proof copy and I asked Beth to sign it for me. She said it was the first time she'd been asked to sign a book. Looking at her success now it's a moment I treasure. I guess I'll continue to read her books. I borrowed Swept Away from the library. 

The Devil’s Draper – Donna Moore

 

Well, I have three words to say after reading this book.

 

     More. Mabel. Please.

 

Hmmmm, I don’t think I’m going to get away with that as a review, am I?! 

 

I read Donna Moore’s The Unpicking, which was an unsettling tale in many respects, and quite dark. Three generations of brave Scottish women endure abuse and the corruption of a police force. All three protagonists were resourceful, plucky and my heart broke for them. An atmospheric piece of historical fiction. At the end of that book, we meet Mabel trying to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. And it never crossed my mind, after I had finished the book,  that I would ever get to meet Mabel again. 

 

Fast forward to The Devil’s Draper, where Mabel is now a fully-fledged member of the police force. Some of the characters we first met in the previous book return here, including the indomitable Winnie and some of the policeman, and the tragic Lillias. But it’s a new story with some new characters. Again, it’s a trio of women who dominate the narrative. Johnnie, a 1920’s female Artful Dodger, Beatrice, a shrewd but caring businesswoman team up with Mabel to investigate rumours of abuse at one of Glasgow’s prominent department stores. They’re all prepared to go that extra mile, even at risk to themselves, to try and uncover the truth.

It's a meaty, substantial story that you can just enjoy as the uncovering of a crime, a competent piece of story storytelling, or you can dig a little deeper and consider the place of women in society, in the police force, in employment and the misogyny that endured during that period in history. 

 

It's well written and well plotted. There are sub plots that nestle obligingly alongside the main one. Unanswered questions from The Unpicking are addressed. The narrative flows easily. The characters, new and old, are well rounded and believable. The historical research is excellent, and the reader is quickly transported to the streets of Glasgow. 

 

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve read The Unpicking or not because you get the general gist of what’s happened in the past within the narrative of the current novel. But my guess is that if you haven’t read it, you will want to after reading this.

 

I’d love for there to be more stories with Mabel as a policewoman. In fact, I’d love to read more of Johnnie and Beatrice too! There are lots of crime solving duos in fiction. Perhaps we could have a crime solving trio?!

 

My thanks to Isabelle Kenyon from Fly on the Wall Press for my gifted copy.

 

 

 

 

 

A Granite Silence – Nina Allan

 

My tummy goes wobbly when I know there’s a new Nina Allen book published. Since The Doll Maker I’ve read each one of her novels and I continue to explore her back catalogue. One of the things I love about her books and her work is that it cannot be easily categorised or compartmentalised. I’ve used the term “genre defiant” many times before in respect of her work and I’ll continue to do so. Like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.

 

A Granite Silence Is quite extraordinary. It is offered as a novel but so much appears as factual, believable facts, autobiographical,  social history, that I would like to call it a “ficumentary”. I even went as far as googling Helen Priestly just to confirm that the events depicted in the book did have their feet in fact and truth.

(I even found a photo of the little girl’s grave.😢)

So it’s in part an historical novel depicting 1930s Aberdeen yet it also hints of autobiography where the writer is travelling on the later cusp of covid and lockdown coming across the true crime story of Helen Priestley’s murder from a photograph. She states that her journey is not essential, and we learn that the initial idea for a new book has nothing to do with murdered children. It’s to do with a Russian émigré, escaping the Bolsheviks! But she doesn’t leave that idea, or cast it aside when another idea seems to take precedence. It’s all woven into the complex narrative.

 

Nina Allen has always layered her work. One thinks of The Doll Maker were there are stories within stories, epistolary and a first-person narrative but it seems that with The Granite Silence she’s become more sophisticated, more diverse with these layered techniques.

 

Much of the book appears to be a direct account of the crime itself. Courtroom transcripts, newspaper articles are all referenced, some in full. But the book shifts in times and places pausing the crime exploration to examine the lives of those involved. From Jeannie Donald, accused of the crime, to the forensics professor who was instrumental in the progress of the crime investigation. The lines between fact and fiction become blurred and it’s as if a collection of short stories, thematically linked, are fused together to form a cohesive novel.

 

And if, after reading the factual parts of the book, the reader is left in any doubt that it is a work of fiction, the concluding chapter is utterly masterful.

 

The book is empathic, cathartic even. It looks at people, their motivations, their frailties. It tells of a community bonding through a crisis. It’s about telling a story. It’s about the different points of view. Who do we listen to? Who do we believe? And it leaves you almost breathless knowing that you have just read something quite extraordinary.

 

My thanks to Ana McLaughlin at riverrun books for my gifted copy.

 

The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson

 

I’m not usually a great one for ghost stories or horror stories per se. My imagination is far too active for them, and they play on my mind. But I listened to a programme about Shirley Jackson which I found it fascinating. I was browsing in my local bookshop and came across this volume, considered to be a modern classic by penguin. So, I treated myself to it. The cover blurb suggests the story is acclaimed as one of the finest ghost stories of the 20^th century. I couldn’t comment on that because I’ve not read enough! But I have to say this was most absorbing. 

 

The word Gothic is much bandied about these days, but I would say that this really does tick all the boxes. The entire narrative has a chilling quality to it. Even the most prosaic of events still makes you feel a little off kilter. The description of the house’s layout made me feel like I was in one of those theme park houses with uneven floors and ceilings. Come to think of it they often have a haunted house theme!

 

It Isn't an out and out in your face, scary, ghosty, story. And I think that what makes it so disquieting. For it is subtle, nuanced, suggestive. The characters are all flawed, misfits in a certain sense with sub texts that leave the reader wondering and questioning.

 

Ultimately, I found myself struggling to differentiate between an actual haunting or whether the mental state of Eleanor was in question. So, I guess it’s also a psychological thriller as well as a ghost story!

                                                                                       

I won’t rush to read any more Shirley Jackson, but I won’t pass any by if they come my way.