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THREE MORE ...

Posted by Christine L, 12 months ago

28. UNINVITED GUESTS by Sadie Jones. The Torringtons live on an estate that is about to be foreclosed upon. It is the eve of eldest daughter Emerald’s birthday and despite everything they are determined to welcome their invited guests and celebrate properly. After seeing off their stepfather, who is going on an attempt to stave off the foreclosure, they are informed of a nearby train wreck and the fact that they are to receive the survivors until the railway company can arrange to pick them up. Sure enough, a small group of shell-shocked people soon arrive on their doorstep. Something is not quite right about the group, and they are given tea and shut into the morning room, so as not to interrupt the birthday festivities. Neither the survivors nor the homeowners are happy about the arrangement and sure enough, chaos ensues. Chaos is given a hearty helping hand by a single mysterious stranger who seems to know much more about the family than he should.

I was expecting to like this book. It is billed as a combination mystery, ghost story and English social comedy. For me it was none of the above. Oh, there were humourous moments, and some mystery, but overall it just failed to deliver because everything seemed so improbable. I know its fiction, but still? It lacked the elegance of a good Edwardian story. The only saving grace in this book is the character of Smudge, the youngest daughter. She charmingly walks to the beat of her own drum and for the most part also cannot fathom what is happening in her own home. A feeling she had in common with this reader.

29. WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE by Stephen King. We revisit with Roland Deschain and his ka-tet in this addition to the dark Tower series. As a sudden and deadly starkblast (storm) traps our travelers Roland once again assumes the roll of story- teller. Going back in his memories to the time when he was a very young gunslinger sent to find out more about an elusive “skinman”, a shape shifter plaguing a small town in Mid-World. There he meets a young witness and another impending starkblast. As he is holed up with his young witness he tells him the story of Tim Southeart. And an interesting tale it is.

In the forward to the book Mr. King describes this as part 4.5 in the Dark Tower series. Chronologically in the series that may well be where it falls, but it can stand alone as a good tale. It may help to know about the Ka-tet and their travels as background, but they quickly fall to the misty edge of the book once Roland’s story gets started. It is a story within a story, within the framework of Mid-world. For Mr. Kings “constant readers” there is also a reference to “Eyes of the Dragon” and Merlin. It comes together nicely. Mr. King once again shows us what he does best … tells a good yarn with appealing characters and enough action, magic and mystery to keep his reader happy.

30. THE ROAD TO GRACE by Richard Paul Evans. In this third instalment of the series we once again walk with Alan Christoffersen, eight months into his pilgrimage, this time through the Dakotas and Missouri. Once again there are a few adventures along the way and most assuredly the heartwarming tales that Mr. Evans is famous for.

I have read all three in The Walk series and enjoyed them. It is Alan’s story and with him I enjoy the people he meets along the way. This one is no different, although I was not pleased with the ending. Kind of saw it coming, but now have to wait until next Spring to know the outcome. But, alas, that is the sad reality of reading a series. If I were forced to note one bad thing about this book it would be that it had a little bit of a “travelogue” tone to it that the first two did not. Interesting, but sometimes I got the feeling that it was a bit of filler.

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