September Reads: Thrills & Insights

A Slow Burning Fire

It must be difficult for a writer whose debut thriller was a blockbuster in print and film to follow that act. But ‘The Girl On The Train’ novelist, Paula Hawkins does a fine job in her third thriller, set on a London canal where a man is found stabbed to death in his houseboat.

A local community of suspects is quickly introduced: a bunch of misfits including a busybody neighbour, a troubled one-night stand, and exes with a backdrop of tragedy and a reason to kill.

Hawkins cleverly racks up the tension without losing sight of her motley crew of characters and their tangled web of secrets, while the slow fire of jealousy, hatred and lust for revenge gradually emerges. Paying huge attention to detail in the light and shadows of the canal and its surroundings, Hawkins’ atmospheric tale may not enjoy the fanfare of ‘The Girl On The Train’, but anyone who loves a good page-turning thriller should consider bagging a copy. 8/10

1979

Crime writer Val McDermid debuts a new series following ambitious reporter Allie Burns.

Set in 1979, the background is the winter of discontent and the sexism of the newsroom. A colleague Danny is trying to expose tax fraud and ropes Allie in. In return, she seeks his help with a story she’s uncovered relating to the Scottish devolution referendum.

There are all sorts of reasons to love this book, from the unvarnished truth about newsrooms in the late 1970s, the glimpses into food, fashion and social history of the period together with a music soundtrack. We get to know Allie, what drives her and her strengths.

But while there are most definitely thrills and tension, it takes time for the full-adrenaline experience to kick off. If you are wanting a dead body by page five this offers a different – but equally engrossing – kind of read. 8/10 

Let That Be A Lesson- A Teachers Life in the Classroom

Following ex-doctor Adam Kay’s ‘This Is Going To Hurt’ and ‘Blood, Sweat And Tea’ by ambulance driver Tom Reynolds, the latest entry to the ‘insider diary’ genre is Ryan Wilson’s recollection of his 10 years as an English teacher.

It’s very funny, mainly due to the students – from a swaggering self-styled gangster to one who knows the set text better than he does – but also thanks to the mistakes new teachers inevitably make.

The anecdotes are rather superficial, perhaps because it is a recollection, rather than a diary written at the time. Poignancy fills the gap: life’s highs and lows and Wilson’s struggle to accept his sexuality.

In this he holds the next generation in awe: one pupil’s casual mention of the fact she is gay and her classmates’ lack of interest, floors him. His reasons for leaving the sector should give all readers pause for thought. 7/10 

We’re Going To Find The Monster

It is nearly breakfast time, but first Eddie and Charlie are going on a monster hunt.

Their journey takes them over the ocean, up mountains, through jungles and the bubbly bubble lake until they finally come face-to-face with the monster in its lair, but who could the mysterious creature be?

Discovering the identity of the monster and the children’s imaginary encounters are the best part of the story, alongside Dapo Adeola’s beautifully illustrated pictures of the characters and the setting.

Malorie Blackman’s book is peppered with juicy adjectives and alliteration, making for an adventure story both children and adults will enjoy reading aloud time and time again. 8/10