Lilian HarryKirja-arvosteluja

Before starting out, this review is going to contain possible SPOILERS. I'm finding it almost impossible to talk about CATCH US THE FOXES without them.

Flagged as Twin Peaks meets The Dry, this is also described as a deliciously dark and twisted tale that unravels a small town.

Voiced in the main by the central character - Marlowe 'Lo' Robertson, the novel starts out with her being introduced to a Sydney Opera House audience, about to speak about her best selling true crime book 'The Showgirl's Secret', the account of the tragic death of her friend in their small NSW town, around seven years before.

Lo was a 22 year old journalist intern at the local paper when she found Lily's body in the stables at the showground, on the night of the local show. The place is teeming with locals, and carnival workers, and Lily was the winner of that year's Showgirl contest. Lo was there to photograph her and write a special story for the newspaper, or so she thought. But Lily ran, obviously scared by something to do with the Ghost Train, captured for a fleeting moment by Lo's camera, not long before she was found dead. Strangely, in a sinister way, as opposed to a keeping vital evidence quiet way, Lo's father, the local police chief, is particularly concerned to make sure that Lo doesn't mention some symbols carved into Lily's back. But that's nothing compared to the shock she gets when, after being given Lily's journals, it appears that there were reasons some of the towns most prominent citizens, including her own father, might have wanted Lily dead.

Long story short, we're talking a very bizarre and nasty cult operating in this small town. Despite the fact that one of the local carnival workers is charged with Lily's murder, there's something threatening and very disturbing about the cult behaviour and Lo's determined to get to the bottom. Or is she?

Lo's voice is everything in this novel. It's well drawn too - starting out with her being funny, slightly odd, brave, and seemingly sure of her path. She was raised by her dad after the death of her mother, and there are lots of references back to that death, and the story around it. As with everything here though, nothing is really as it seems, and there's heaps of ambiguity, odd behaviour and slowly eroded trust, something that seems to matter more because of the smallness of the town. There's also a past history of bullying behaviour and homophobia and everything that you'd sadly expect from that timeframe and that sort of location. But there's also something edgy about Lo herself. There are suggestions she's suffering from PTSD, she muses she's some sort of psychopath, inwardly contemplates suicide at one point, she's never been quite right after the death of her mother. There are lots of hints that her narration may not be trustworthy, that she's not as "nice" or as "perfect" as she appears, it's subtle, clever at points, the author handles these aspects reasonably well.

There's also a very clever manipulation of place going on here as well - the use of a small town, externally pretty, a holiday location, that's controlling, dark, possibly corrupt. It's a town where insiders have plenty of things that they would prefer were kept private, covered-up.

Whilst many of the twists and turns in CATCH US THE FOXES really worked, some of them were considerably less convincing. There were so many stereotypes and cliches that it felt like checklist material. The creepy psychologist; the flamboyant gay man; the pushy journalist; the decidedly Stepford wives feel about many of the women, including Lily's own mother; the over-reaching reasons for the symbols engraved on Lily's back; aspects of the cult and their very weird rituals. It all sort of got a bit... over the top ...

Culminating in an ending to the novel that threw everything you could possibly have thought was coming out an unopened window, and you can see how it will create a bit of "will work for some readers / will drive others utterly bats" controversy. I'm really struggling with this ending - a while after finishing the novel, the more I think about it, the more conflicted I'm getting. I've got no problem at all with the idea that twists and turns can happen right up until the last minute when unreliable becomes downright nasty and everything comes down to something very base and venal but... I'm still not sure if it just didn't ring true, feasible, possible, or even vaguely likely; or did it feel less psychopath, more after-thought? Having said that, we're talking a plot that's all about a weird cult in a country town, dreadful things happening to young girls and people behaving badly, ridiculously, horribly everywhere you turn, so under those circumstances, why not a thumping great weird turn of events at the end.

CATCH US THE FOXES is one of those novels that I can't help thinking is going to have a very big, wide your mileage variation factor about it, and one I can't help thinking is going to make it onto bookclub lists in the not too distant future.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/catch-us-foxes-nicola-west

Catch Us the Foxes is a dark, enthralling thriller from debut Australian novelist, Nicola West.

The novel opens with a prologue where Marlowe ‘Lo’ Robertson, is being introduced to an audience at the Sydney Opera House. She is to speak about her best selling true crime book, ‘The Showgirl’s Secret’, an account of the tragic death of a young woman, Lily Williams, seven years previously.

Marlowe was a 22 year old intern at the local paper when she found Lily’s body in the stables of the town showground. When her father, the town police chief, asked Lo to lie about some of the details of the crime, including the symbols carved into the young woman’s flesh, she reluctantly agreed, but then she is given Lily’s journals which suggest Lo’s father, and other prominent citizens, may have a reason to have wanted Lily dead.

West presents a compelling, intricate mystery where the truth is shockingly elusive to the very last page. Lily’s diaries suggest a frightening cult is operating in their small coastal town, and while the allegations seem absurd, Lo is prompted to dig further when a carnival worker is arrested for Lily’s murder on threadbare evidence. If what Lily has written is true, there are plenty of possible suspects among the townsfolk, and West cleverly portrays them with an interesting ambiguity. Suspense builds as trust is eroded, and Lo attempts to ascertain the truth.

Lo presents as smart, resourceful and ambitious but there is an edge to her character that is disquieting. Doubt is thrown on the validity of her investigation when other characters suggest Lo is suffering from PTSD, and the possibility is a nag as she continues to piece information together, so that her reliability as a narrator is in question. It’s a clever conceit that West manages well.

The plot makes good use of the setting, small towns seem capable of hiding secrets behind their bucolic facades. I’ve been to Kiama (on NSW’s south coast) where Catch Us the Foxes takes place, and it’s a pretty coastal town, not so different from the one I live in now, but West successfully paints it as a claustrophobic, corrupt community.

With its clever structure and twisting, gripping plot, Catch Us the Foxes is an impressive read. The stunning final reveal seems to divide readers, but I thought it was terrific.

Follows three small ships through the Dunkirk evacuation. Enjoyed it. Very informative with many ships names recorded including Royal Daffodil and Ben-my-Chree but some ends left untied frustratingly.

A quite moving depiction of England after WWII. This is apparently part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.

I really liked Dair but Jenna, oh my gosh she was so immature and created so much drama in this relationship that all could have been explained at the very beginning. All she needed to do was to explain to Dair why she was so upset instead of acting like a child. Ridiculous story.

Surprises in Burracombe by Lilian Harry is the 10th book in her Burracombe series about a small English village during the 1950’s and by now, there isn’t much to say about these books other than I am still enjoying the series. This entry concluded a few storylines but opened a few more to follow along with in the 11th book.

Although this is a tiny village in Devon, the author always mentions what is going on in England so we are given the wider picture to relate to. This book mentions that Churchill has stepped down as prime minister and people are nervous to see what changes this will bring. Also as one of the characters is serving his military time in Crete so the unstable political situation there is making some of the villagers very nervous.

I have the feeling that this series is winding down as each of the many characters finds their destiny. Romances, marriages and births provide much of the drama in these books and the familiar characters make me feel like I am catching up with old friends.½

This is the 5th book in the Burracombe village series, set in a village on the edge of Dartmoor in the county of Devon. The book works as a stand-alone read without needing to read the series in the correct sequence. I have now read 2 books in this series and am becoming addicted to finding out more about the lives of the various characters.
The plot of this novel centres on the unexpected arrival in the village of the beautiful and scheming Marianne Aucoin and her 13-year old son Robert who bears a striking resemblance to Barden Napier, the deceased heir to the large estate in Burracombe. This sets the village grapevine into action with much speculation about who the visitors are and their exact relationship to the Napier family. I have given a rating of 5 stars as it is a very enjoyable and easy read and reminds me of the Rebecca Shaw and Miss Read books.

This was an enjoyable read, scenes of a cosy village life set in a village near Tavistock, Devon in the 1950s. Nostalgic, and a life of simple pleasures back then, but it's not all plain sailing here, with a number of problems and crises for the residents and their visiting families. It was very reminiscent of the books by Miss Read and Rebecca Shaw. I had not read this author before, but will certainly look for some more of her novels, when I want something easy and comforting.

3.5★s; 7 out of 10. An enjoyable read, will read more in the series, and keep a look out for her other series.½

A decent Harlequin, although nothing special. I'm surprised the average ratings for this book on Goodreads is that bad. Compared to other Harlequins that are average, it really isn't worse. Could be because Jan is simply an annoying character - feminism so in-grained I gritted my teeth. There's no realistic friction between the leads really - the small stumble between them isn't too big to overcome. The jealousy with Kurt is rather silly and in the end, when the author reveals his true intention and why, well...it just doesn't make the most sense. Some of the dialogue was hokey, and of course the book stands cursed with some melodramatic servings. There's no credible reason the leads should have fallen in love as not much bonding is done, no major moments had, but so many of these short and romantic fairy-tales are like that.

Celebrations in Burracombe by Lilian Harry is the 9th book in her series about life in a small English village during the 1950’s. The celebrations mentioned in the title are simple ones, weddings, births, fall harvest and the end of meat rationing in England. The story moves slowly but nevertheless there are events, secrets and occasions that call for the villagers to pull together and to face both hard times and good times. The author captures the small Devon village and it’s residents effortlessly and reveals how village life moves at it’s own pace as the seasons come and go.

These books are sheer comfort reads for me, and I am sad that there are only two more books in the series.

A war-time story about a family whose mother holds them together despite hardships and tragedies. Moving in places, occasionally shocking (though never gruesome). Took a while to get going, then quite gripping.

Weddings in Burracombe by Lilian Harry is the 8th book in this series set in a small British village in rural Devon in the early 1950’s. There isn’t too much to say about these books that I haven’t already said in previous reviews. I turn to these books when I am in the need of a quiet, joyful read and although everything in them isn’t all light and happy, there is always the knowledge that things will work out eventually. This book was no exception with three weddings for the village to celebrate, but also a case of thievery at the local school, a son who stayed on in the army only to return home now, with a German wife, expecting the family to agree to all the changes he wants to make, and unhappiness for Hilary Napier whose love affair has taken a very bad turn.

There is at least one more book in the series and I have high hopes that all the problems will be wrapped up and there will be happy endings for all. Burracombe is a special place and I enjoy my time spent there.

The Burracombe series by Lilian Harry have been comfort reads for me. Snowfall in Burracombe is the seventh book in the series about an English village and it’s inhabitants during the 1950’s. This book is set in December of 1953 and is appropriately about the festive season. There are romances and tragedies as well as the simple day to day routines of this quiet rural village. Of course the scenes depicting the various villagers celebrating Christmas were my favourite as they brought back memories from my own childhood.

There is some darkness brewing on the horizon as there are secrets being kept, a scandal brewing that could have serious consequences and important life changing decisions that need to be made. After seven books, I feel as if I know these characters so well, but it is a bit of a challenge to reacquaint myself with some thirty residents. This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order as there are many different plotlines to follow.

I did love the Christmas scenes and I felt very much like I was visiting with old friends and getting caught up with all the gossip. I look forward to the next installment.

I started listening to this book as an audiobook and decided to read it at the same time. (It's quicker to get through books this way.. I leapfrog from listening in the car to reading in bed and back to the car...)

This is a saga set in a fictional West country village with characters that remind you of the cast of The Archers and homespun values and emotions prevail. If you are looking for murder and mayhem,turn away now. Set in 1953/4 this book drips with nostalgia for better times, when home entertainment was playing dominoes, mother stayed at home and baked bread and people made did and mended.

I never thought I would pick up a book from the Saga section of my library but I think the author was writing for my generation as much as for older people. Some of the descriptions of 1950's life ring very true for me and although the plot is slow moving, and not something to keep you awake at night, nevertheless, Lilian Harry writes engagingly. I shan't go back to the earlier books in the series, but I shall read the sequel to this.½

Secrets in Burracombe by Lilian Harry is the 6th book in her gentle series revolving around a small English village in the early 1950’s. Britain is still recovering from World War II, but now, having crowned a new young queen, appears to be looking forward to seeing what the future will bring. These stories are simple, yet ring with such positivity and earnestness that, now, after six books, I feel as if I know all the villagers.

This book opens with two American visitors arriving. Joe Tozer, who emigrated after World War I, has come home for a visit and has brought his 24 year old son with him. We see Burracombe through their eyes as they become involved in village affairs and tour the Devon countryside. Of course all is not lightness and gaiety, as some of the younger members of Burracombe seek changes in their lives, and tragedy is about to strike.

These books make a lovely escape, and I enjoy visiting this village and its people.

An Heir For Burracombe by Lilian Harry is the 5th book in the Burracombe Village series, and it starts up immediately where the 4th in the series left off. It is the morning after the new Queens’ Coronation and the village is in the process of cleaning up after the celebrations. Up at the manor, the busy day is interrupted by the arrival of two strangers, a young, French woman with her twelve year old son. Their arrival is no accident, she has come bearing a wedding certificate, along with the announcement that her son is the son of Baden, the eldest boy of the family who didn’t return from Dunkirk.

This event draws the curious villagers to speculate on who the heir of Burracombe is and what is going to happen in the future. Along with this main storyline, we catch up with all of the various village characters. From the planning of weddings, expecting a baby, or choosing a new puppy, life at Burracombe Village is always interesting and varied.

I had thought this was going to be the last book in the series, but I see there is a 6th books already out, and of course, I will be looking forward to reading it as well. These simple books, set in the years after World War II and now into the 1950’s have a genuine appeal and are great comfort reads of a quieter, gentler time and place.

Springtime In Burracombe is the fourth entry in Lilian Harry’s series about a small English village in the early 1950’s. In this one we are in the early months of 1953, leading up to Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation.

England is looking forward to this celebration, and the village of Burracombe is no exception. Throughout the planning and presenting of their Coronation Celebrations, we catch up with the characters from the previous three books and learn how their life is progressing. Some are planning weddings, some are preparing for a birth in the family. Unfortunately some are also mourning the passing of beloved members of their families. With all their feuding, gossip and closeness, reading about Burracombe is like spying on a close knit family. Scattered throughout the book we are treated to rural life in England where the seasons play an important part in the day-to-day events.

I can always rely on Lillian Harry to give me a great, escapist read and Springtime in Burracombe is no exception. With is time capsule feeling, I can experience a little of what life was like in an England that was still overcoming some of it’s World War II hardships. I look forward to the next episode in this series.

This is the follow-up book to A Girl Called Thursday. The first book covered the first two years of the war as Thursday Tilford joined the Navy as a Volunteer Nurse. A Promise To Keep covers the remainder of the war years, and has Thursday being sent to nurse in Egypt for a couple of years and then back to Haslar Naval Hospital in Portsmouth.

The book follows Thursday and her friends through their trials as nurses and for some it’s romance and engagements, for others death or widowhood. Thursday meets a new man in Egypt, another doctor who declares himself in love with her, and this one may be the one to make her forget her promise to Connor.

As the war comes to an end the young nurses face the uncertainty of civilian life, they realize how much they have changed over these war years and that they can’t go back to the way things used to be. Women have learned to manage careers and have no desire to let the men come home and take over. Thursday also has a difficult romantic choice to make between her two doctors.

A well written story that the author obviously researched extensively, I enjoyed following these nurses through their war years. Lilian Harry is an author that I can rely on to provide a very readable story and with A Promise To Keep she continues to please.

A Girl Called Thursday by Lilian Harry is about a young woman during World War II that, wanting to do her part, trains as a volunteer nurse. She is sent to Haslar Naval Hospital in Portsmouth when she nurses mostly wounded sailors. This is the first part of two and covers the years of 1939 to 1942.

As the VAD’s train, the war seems faraway, and on days off there is time for picnics, bike trips and walks along the beach. When Dunkirk happens things change drastically for both England, the nurses, and Thursday personally. With a missing brother and a cousin who died on the beaches of Dunkirk, Thursday now must face nursing severely wounded men and, along with most of England, faces the relentless bombing raids that come close to crippling the country.

I have read and enjoyed many books by this author. She knows how to tell a good story, gives lots of detail (in this case about nursing) and keeps it real, romance is there but not overdone or sugar coated. I found Thursday a fairly realistic heroine and I am looking forward to reading Part II of this story.½

This is an exciting true book , emotional and very good read

Not the best Lilian Harry, but worth it if you fancy a trip back in time½

Comfort reading at it's best.