Sam

Skyfall Makes You Warble, 3 Jan 2013

As Adele sings, "Skyfall, make you Warble, Garble, Garble," over the opening credits of the latest Bond Epic(tm) there is a tingling in your spine that only a few films every decade can create. As a franchise Bond is brilliant, but this is a series that is far better as a whole than the sum of its parts. There are memorable moments in many of the films, but most individually are flawed. This is as true of the Daniel Craig era of films as any other - `Quantum of Solace' was confusing. Perhaps `Casino Royale' is one of the few great Bonds when watched on its own, can `Skyfall' recapture this glory?

The short answer is no, the slightly longer not quite, and the longest answer… Read more

A Pilgrim's Choice to Avoid, 3 Jan 2013

The reason that history is continually studies is not because history changes, but the way that we perceive it does. This is the same in historic fiction as the same scenarios are explored, but different authors bring their own personalities and beliefs to the subject. In the case of the Crusades an author may create an old fashioned story of heroes of villains, or you could go the way of James Jackson's `Pilgrim' and have a story packed to the gills with villains and villains.

`Pilgrim' has to be one of the grimmest historic fiction books I have ever read. This is a genre that basks in violence, most books are full of vicious battles and murder, but in the snack world of hist… Read more

Angel Cries, 3 Jan 2013

Robert Crais is one of my favourite writers of crime. His Elvis Cole novels are able to mix high action, quality crime, tension and humour. The books work because of Cole's quick wit and pithy remarks, he helps to lighten otherwise bleak situations. Perhaps Crais was fed up with being the writer of "those funny crime books" and decided to branch out with some more serious crime fiction in the form of ex-bomb disposal expert Carol Starkey. Starkey is a cop whose scars are both physical and mental, she is made lead of an investigation into the killing of a former bomb disposal colleague and the potential links to international bomber for hire, Mr Red. Can Starkey hold onto her mental… Read more