by Georges Simenon
Maigret is fed up with a change in the judicial organisation which has seen the examining magistrate getting more involved and controlling, so while supposedly investigating some jewellery heists Maigret gets sidetracked by a murder of a burglar he has known for thirty years. 8/10
by Janwillem van de Wetering
Seventh novel in a series I probably started twenty years ago. The main characters are two zany Amsterdam cops called Grijpstra and deGier who are very different but look out for each other and occasionally play music together.
This one involved a murder with no corpse and a corpse with no murder and a tenuous link between the two cases. Very enjoyable 8/10
by Ali Smith
A companion to Gliff which was published last year this book doesn't follow on but playfully references the previous book along the way.
It was an amusing read playing with language and perspectives throughout while still managing to make sensible comments on subjects like war and education.
I didn't really get the ending but rated the book and would probably read again. 8/10
by Rene Karabash
Written by a Bulgarian woman this is an absorbing tale about Bekija(or Matija) who becomes a sworn virgin hours before she was due to be married. This whole set up is alien and governed by the laws of the Kanun.
The voices are all mixed together which can be confusing at times but this adds to the tension as we gradually discover what actually happened on that night in the dairy. I really enjoyed this. 9/10
by Lina Munar Guevara
Set in Columbia, this is a tale narrated by 18 year old Melissa as she looks to graduate and deal with the demons from her adolescent years. Her mother has come to visit her but this is far from straightforward! An interesting book but not altogether my cup of tea. 7/10
by Ford Madox Ford
I am not sure how I came across this book but I am glad that I did.
It tells us the story of Christopher Tietjens and his life before,during and after the first world war. It is also the story of his wife Sylvia who is so obnoxious at times to verge on the unbelievable with out quite falling over. At times the language and classical references left me totally baffled but the style of writing kept me hanging on. Definitely a good read to start the year. 9/10
