Sanctus by Simon Toyne

This is just the opposite from  the last blog.......................

Sanctus is a conspiracy theory centred on an ancient fanatical sect.

In an ancient citadel in Turkey, the cradle of civilisation, live a community of secretive monks who shun the outside world and who accept new recruits only after the strictest of tests. They are rumoured to be the keepers of some of Christianity's most treasured artefacts, books and relics but no-one from outside has ever been allowed inside to see and none of the brotherhood has revealed any of the brotherhoods secrets. Until now. 

One of the brothers climbs to the top of the mountains citadel, a feat that was considered impossible and, waiting for the media to gather below, he then throws himself to his death. What follows is a race against time to establish and expose the ultimate secret of the citadel, which is far and away more profound than anyone could imagine. Where does the history of mankind begin and who was Eve?

Do I recommend? If you like Dan Brown, you'll probably like this. 'Nough said. 

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom also wrote 'Tuesdays with Morrie', among other titles.

This is a true story. Albert Lewis, a Rabbi with a lifelong relationship with his God, asks Mitch Albom to deliver the eulogy when he dies. But Mitch has almost left his faith behind and has certainly left his childhood life behind as he has built a successful career as a journalist  Nevertheless, Mitch agrees and, over the next 8 years Mitch visits Albert regularly and grows to know him as a man rather than just as the Rabbi and teacher of his childhood. Genuine affection grows between the two men and, as Albert's health deteriorates with advancing age, Mitch learns some valuable lessons about material and spiritual values.

As the story develops, it draws in another man of another faith, a Christian pastor converted from a life of crime and violence, who ministers in a Church of dire poverty who, nevertheless, shines a light of joy and hope.

Two very different men of different faiths who, nevertheless, make their worlds better places.

Thank God somebody has good news to tell!

Unforgiven by Jules Hardy

Sammy is an island boy. His early childhood is idyllic, spent on Cyprus with parents who have normal working lives during the week but are glamorous hippies at weekends. Then Sammy is traumatised by 2 tragedies that change him for ever. His island life ends when he is sent to school in England and he finds temporary joy only when he visits Sansobella, in the West Indies, as a teenager.

The story seems to meander through Sammy's life, following him through school, adolescence, a rather dissolute early adulthood and yet another tragedy. Sounds like one of those endless sob stories, doesn't it? Oddly, it doesn't read like that. We learn about Sammy slowly, rather like watching a flower unfurl in slow motion.

The ending, however, is a little puzzling given the way the story begins but I won't say more for fear of spoiling it for future readers. Recommended? Definitely, but don't expect action, mayhem or thriller stuff. This is humanity and the human heart.  

What the Nanny Saw by Fiona Neill

By the author of The Secret Life of A Slummy Mummy, I wasn't sure about this one, but my local library (Church Stretton) is quite small and I sometimes have to settle for something from a relatively small selection.

Anyway, here goes. Ali Sparrow is fleeing an unsatisfactory relationship with her University tutor (we don't find out about that for some time in the book) and lands herself a nanny's job in London, where she's never been before and which she finds confusing and troubling, looking after 4 children, one of whom (the eldest boy) is only 4 years younger than  herself. The time is 2006, and the family is rich, spoilt, with father working for Lehman Brothers and mother working in press PR form the rich and famous, mainly in the financial world.

Ali falls in love with her 2 youngest charges, twins Hector and Alfi; worries about Izzy, the 14 year old daughter and eventually begins a passionate affair with Jake, the eldest son. While the parents are preoccupied with their working lives, and with the causal friendship of other nannies, Ali learns how to cope with life as the all-responsible nanny in this chaotically purposeful family.

When Lehman's goes belly up, Dad is accused of insider dealing and, at the same time, Ali's affair with Jake is discovered. Her life comes crashing down around her head, but not before she shows herself as a capable female Sherlock Holmes to prove that her employer, Bryony, is innocent even though Bryony's husband might be guilty.

Much to my surprise, a satisfying read.

The Brothers Boswell by Philip Baruth

James and John Boswell are close; brought up in Scotland, in the mid-18th century in an age of primogeniture. James pledges his younger brother that this will not cause them to be rivals, as so often happened to brothers at this time in British society but time and nature intervenes. James travels to London, to seek out and befriend his boyhood hero, Dr Samuel Johnson, seek entry to London society and win a commission as an officer in a prestigious Guards regiment.

John joins the Army but, in a cruel twist of fate, finds that he has inherited the family trait of mental ill health and he spends time in an institution. A terrible place to be in those times. His intelligence allows him to earn an early release even though he is still far from well. John travels to London with revenge for real or imagined hurts in his heart so that the brothers are unable to recapture their boyhood loyalty. Misunderstandings, secrets and lies lead to violence.

This is a classy picture of London society in the mid 18th century of Dr Johnson's time. A good history lesson. Also an asute picture of brothers through boyhood and adulthood. We travel with James from his position of the loyal, kind older brother to being the self-centred, ambitious young man about town to the realisation that he has forgotten his boyhood vows and finding, again, his love for his younger brother through a time of trial. With John, we move from a safe, trusting boyhood through the conviction that he has been betrayed, to the confusion of mental ill health to the redemption of forgiveness and love.

I liked this very much. For lovers of historical fiction, recommended.

Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll

A modern fairy story, with vampires and a medieval alchemist, all in todays New York.

Garet (a new twist on Margaret) is a talented jewellery designer and maker who lives with her Dad, an art dealer with a dodgy reputation for insurance fraud. The economic crash of 2008 has left them in poor financial shape and Garet is looking for ways out of their mounting debts when disaster strikes.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Garet becomes the owner of a beautiful silver box by somewhat mysterious means, and menacing things begin to happen. New York is under siege and, much against her better judgement, Garet has to believe that she is the latest in a long line of defences against a (somewhat incompetent, it has to be said) master of the dark arts.

It's always difficult to write a convincing fairy story set in a factual setting. Most tales like this work best in purely fairytale settings, even if they have a foundation in the real world,  (Dr Who notwithstanding) think Gulliver's Travels and Harry Potter. Black Swan Rising just, somehow, misses out here. There are too many gaps for my liking. Still, it's a lively tale that moves along at a smart pace and, for readers who enjoy fairy stories with a bit of detective work thrown in with a rather kindly vampire, this is for you. Hope this hasn't spoilt the ending!