scribbler

Not just a girlie tale, 8 Jan 2013

I bought this book as a Christmas read, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The descriptions of wine growing and the French countryside, landscapes and people were excellently drawn. The book did what it said on the blurb, a thriller with a French bouquet. The style was sharp and well observed and evocative, the thriller part, (and speaking as a bloke), I would have liked to have been a little more "Ooomphy", but that is a very minor criticism and does not detract from the five stars I have given, and which this book richly deserves.

Chick-Lit with a twist., 6 Jan 2013

This is Chick-Lit with a twist, and a squeeze of class. The style is comfortable, fluid and at ease with itself. As a bloke it's probably not really my preferred genre, but then, that said, I read Daphne Du Maurier, The Bronte's, Mantel, Emily Dickinson, Beecher Stowe, Zora Neale Hurston etc.,so why should the genre (or the gender) pose an obstacle.The story is crisp, well constructed, and not quite, (in the end)what one would expect. Wester is a class act with a knack for descriptive form. It is difficult to create layered characters in a short story, but she achieves characterisation with a deft touch.If there has to be a criticism,(and it does not detract from my 5 star rating), it would… Read more

Well crafted, 6 Jan 2013

This story evokes the flavour of Norse life, as well as its descriptions, clearly well researched it is a ripping good read. The writing style is fluid and the imagry is crisp.In truth, I felt it bordered between 4 and 5 stars as I did feel it could have been 50 pages shorter and that would have made it a little more punchier, but it's a very minor criticism and I have erred on the 5 star side. However, that said, it is a delightful work, and I could gladly read it again.The characters are real, structured, develop believably and solicit emotion. Very enjoyable.