Tag: Books

Book

New Book Haul

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

I recently purchased two new books and I am really excited to read them so I thought I would share them with you. I went into the bookshop looking to spend my vouchers and decided to spend it on the following two books;

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

murder on the orient express

Murder on the Orient Express is a book I have heard of for years but it wasn’t until the movie was released in 2017 that I had actually thought about reading it. It seems like a book that I would really like and I am surprised it has taken me so long to buy it. It is based upon the mysterious murder on the train, the Orient Express. The victim was stabbed numerous times in his compartment however the door is locked from the inside. With the train stationary due to a snowdrift everyone must find out who the murderer is as the ‘Murderer us with us – on the train now…’

It is the 10th instalment in the Hercule Poirot however you can read this book without reading the others without feeling confused. Due to the fact it was originally published in 1934 it has gained many fans and with the new movie it has become more popular again. In December 2014, the novel was included in Entertainment Weekly’s list of the Nine Great Christie Novels.

I have heard that this is a great novel to read in the crime/mystery genre which makes you think and engages you throughout and I am really excited to read it.

 

Talking with Female Serial Killers by Christopher Berry-Dee

talking with female serial killers

I tend to read fictional novels however I decided to take a look at the non-fiction crime sections whilst I was browsing the shop. I came across this book by Berry-Dee which took my interest. I find documentaries and films/TV programmes on real crime and serial killers really interesting and so therefore I think that I will find this book intriguing. It shares the stories of female killers such as Beverley Allitt and Suzanne Basso alongside women who kill under the influence of their male accomplices such as the famous serial killer Myra Hindley. It shares information and the cases of the women who not only kill but kill repeatedly.

This book was originally published in May 2018 so it is a recent publication so therefore may include more details that other books may not necessarily include. I have looked this book up on Goodreads and it does have mixed reviews with people saying the title may be misleading. Despite this there are good reviews and I am excited to read this book in order to make my own decision on the quality of this book.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on these books or if you have any new book recommendations)

My to-read list

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I have many books that I come across and really want to read so therefore add it to my to-read list. I have decided to share this list so if you are looking for a new book to read you can have a look at these

 

perfect silence

  1. Perfect Silence by Helen Fields. This book is yet to be released and is expected to be published on the 23 August 2018. It is the fourth instalment in the DI Callanach Series and if you have read previous blog posts you will know I am a big fan of this series. It follows DI Callanach and DCI Ava Turner as they investigate yet another brutal case whilst facign their own personal lives. I am very excited for this book to be released and I cannot wait to read it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36589626-perfect-silence?ac=1&from_search=true

 

 

diane-jeffrey
Cover not yet released
  1. He Will Find You by Diane Jeffrey. This is yet another book to be released and is due to be available in August 2018. This is the second book by the author following on from her 2017 best selling physiological thriller ‘Those Who Lie’. I really enjoyed this book buy Diane Jeffrey and therefore I am looking forward to reading another one of her novels. IT follows Kaitlyn Best. A girl who becomes pregnant after a one-night stand and begins a new life with her school crush Alex. But is Alex all what he seems?

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40773724-he-will-find-you?ac=1&from_search=true

pretty little things

 

  1. Pretty Little Things by T.M.E Walsh. This novel is a book that I have wanted to read for a few weeks now after having read ‘All Our Sins’. This book is about an investigation into girls who have gone missing but their bodies found. It follows a mother who is doing all she can to keep her daughter safe after these events and the investigation by DI Madelaine Wood into the murders. Do they know everyone the way they think they do?

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38091257-pretty-little-things?ac=1&from_search=true

 

how to stop time

  1. How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. This book is one I stumbled across whilst looking online and I was drawn to it. It isn’t something I would generally choose but the idea of it sounds like something that I might enjoy out of my comfort zone. It follows Tom Hazard, to anyone else he is a normal 40 year old man but this isn’t the case. He has been alive for hundreds of years and has had to change his identity regularly in order to survive. He now wants a normal life but can he find it?

I am really excited to read this book and see what it is all about. I would like to see how the author tackles this unusual storyline.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35411685-how-to-stop-time

can you hear me

  1. Can You Hear Me? By Elena Varvello is an Italian Thriller. It is an unbearably hot summer, not unlike many others. For sixteen year-old Elia Furenti, living an unremarkable life of moderate unhappiness, the summer promises little. That is, until the day the beautiful, damaged Anna – the mother of his new friend Stefano – returns to Ponte and firmly propels Elia to the edge of adulthood. Then everything starts to unravel. It is set in 1978 which would usually out me off as I prefer books set in current time however it sounds like a great read and I am looking forward to reading it.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/can-you-hear-me/elena-varvello/alex-valente/9781473654891

Many Thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment if you have read or want to read any of these books.)

The Carnivia Trilogy Review

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

 

The carnvia trilogy

The Carnivia Trilogy by Jonathan Holt is one of my favourite series and I think that it a series that engages your thoughts and draws you in. It is unlike anything I had read before as it is based in two different settings that intertwine. It is set in both reality (Venice) and an online world (Carnivia). In this online world you are completely anonymous and due to this it is both an exciting and scary world.

Venice as a setting is something that really helps with this story as it adds a new dimension to the plot. Venice is often romanticised in movies and literature however this book shines another light on the city showing the canals as a link to crime and death. The online version of Venice, Carniva, also shares this outlook with it being the setting of many crimes and secrets.

I found the books are complex however they are easily read. I find that there are multiple lines of story within the book but they link in a way that diffuses the confusion and allows for an enjoyable and engaging story. It is structured in a way that I enjoyed as it is short chapters which allows for a progression that you can aim for. It is a novel packed with characters and detail and action that is so engaging and exciting.

The books are also featured around a police procedural environment also as we meet Kat and Aldo who investigate these different crimes whilst stumbling upon this online world and having to deal with many twists and turns. The characters are both realistic and intriguing with keeps you enticed and wanting to read on. Each book leads onto the next as we wish to learn more about the characters and their part in this online world.  There are multiple more characters that are great to get to know and understand their place in the story also.

I would completely recommend this series and it is a series that would be enjoyed by most people as it is full of characters we love, exciting action, and extraordinary detailed. Set in both a reality and a virtual world which adds further dimension to the book.

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

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Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner is the first instalment in the DS Manon Series. It focuses in the investigation into a missing woman, Edith Hind, and how the police are dealing with this investigation with little leads and personal circumstances. This book features a police preocedural storyline however the characters are explored and can be seen as the main focus of the book. I agree that the character development is important in this book and seeing how the different characters deal with every situation is both intriguing and engaging. I like how the book isn’t necessarily set out in chapters but rather in character based sections. Each section is from a different characters viewpoint throughout the investigation which I feel was a great way to structure this book as each characters experience is important to the way the story is portrayed.

I find that character development is one of the most important things to me when reading a book. If the characters are not realistic or explored I feel as though the book is less engaging and enjoyable and I am glad this book features good characters with depth with likable and realistic characters.

DS Manon was the most developed character and I found her very likeable as a character and police officer. I think she is a strong character and she is realistically portrayed. She has realistic qualities which is relevant and relatable. She is affected by her job whilst dealing with her own personal circumstances and relationships. She is a strong character however she does show a vulnerable side which I think also makes her relatable and likeable as a character. Davy is also a likable character and seeing him through Manon section and viewpoint was good as you could see their relationship and friendship as he can see through her hard and negative exterior.

Even although I loved this book and would totally recommend it to anyone who is interested in police procedural novels that also features great characters. I do feel as though the ending was slightly rushed and not explored in a way that gave me a satisfying conclusion. The book explores the investigation and characters a lot throughout the majority of the book which I love whilst exploring new leads and twists however I feel that the concluding sections were as if the ending was not fully developed and I was slightly confused on first reading. I personally would have preferred for the book to be slightly longer to allow for further development of the ending sections as I loved the book and feel as though another section would strengthen my opinion.

Overall, I would say that this book is excellent at providing a book that features a police procedural storyline whilst giving a character development on multiple people. I would highly recommend this book and I am excited to continue reading the further books in the series and further books by Susie Steiner.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have read this series or one that heavily features police procedure and character development)

TAG – YOU’RE DEAD

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

By Douglas Skelton

tag youre dead

Tag- You’re Dead by Douglas Skelton is a book that surrounds the character of Dominic Queste who is a private investigator of sorts. As he is looking for a butcher by the name of Sam Price he realises that everything is much more dangerous that first thought and he is brought into a killers game. A simple favour has turned into his nightmare very quickly and he must play by the killers rules or be killed himself.

When I first started reading this book I was unsure if I was going to like it as the initial blurb didn’t necessarily catch my attention but upon reading it I have found that I in fact liked it a lot. The book is well  structures which always helps as it is laid out in short chapters. I prefer this structure when it comes to books as it shows constant progress and allows me to set goals whilst reading. The story itself is well thought out and portrayed well. The storyline has a lot of factors which you would assume to be quite a confusing read however I didn’t see this as the case. I do however feel as though the story was rushed. I didn’t get the time to fully understand the characters and be aware of their part in the book and in each others life before the action began. I would have preferred a longer book and further exploration of the characters and why the are the way they are. Even though I have said this it is the second in a series and I have read them in the wrong order due to it being a gift but I think that the character should still be explores slightly more so those who come across this book first understand more.

Although the characters were not explored in as much depth as I would have preferred  I liked the main character. Dominic Queste is someone who goes through life using jokes and smart comments to get him by. This allows humour to be present in the book which I feel is one of the reasons the book is likeable. Even although this is the case he can be serious when necessary (even if that’s very little). This comedic personality allows for his interactions with the other characters, especially with those against him and the police, to be interesting and take a serious problem within the book and a light hearted aspect. The character has been written well and this allows him to be likable.

Overall, I would recommend this book to people who enjoy crime novels and to those who would like to start reading this genre as although there are serious events and deaths there is a comedic aspect within the characters which allows for a good balance. I enjoyed this book and would love to read another book by this author as I feel it is well written and well structured.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment if you have read this book or one similar)

Re-Design of Little Red Riding Hood Book Cover

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

As part of my higher art course at high school I decided to reinvent a book cover as part of my design folio. I choose Red Riding Hood as it is a classic book that is aimed at children and I wanted this opportunity to adapt it for an older audience adding a more sinister atmosphere.

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Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment which book cover you would like to redesign)

My Birthday Gifts

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

img_20180615_1251137750410443576991694-e1529065587421.jpg

As it as my birthday recently I was lucky to receive a number of gifts, many book related so I thought I would share them. I got 3 books, two gift cards and a piece of artwork.

Warlord by Chris Ryan

warlordWarlord by Chris Ryan is the 5th instalment in the Danny Black thriller series and is based around the dangerous world of drugs and cartels. Set on the US-Mexico border it looks at how the CIA and SAS will combat the drug epidemic and the cartels that are running it. Whilst doing this however Danny realises that the drugs from these cartels can reach far and will discover that people close to him are affected by them also. I have yet to start reading this book however I am excited to as it seems like something I would be interested in.

 

TAG- You’re Dead by Douglas Skelton

tag youre deadTag- You’re Dead by Douglas Skelton is a book that surrounds the character of Dominic Queste who is a private investigator of sorts. As he is looking for a butcher by the name of Sam Price he realises that everything is much more dangerous that first tgought and he is brought into a killers game. A simple favour has turned into his nightmare very quickly and he must play by the killers rules or be killed himself.  I have began to read this book and so far I am enjoying it and love the way it is written. I like the main character as although he can be series there is a comedic aspect to him which is likeable.

 

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

missing presumed

 

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner follows the disappearance of a girl by the name of Edith Hind. It is written from the viewpoint of multiple characters which allows you further insight into what everyone is dealing with. With the lead detective aware of how critical the first 72 hours of a disappearance is she works to try to find Edith alive whilst facing the severe pressure from the press. I have also yet to read this book but I look forward to delving into it.

 

Gift cards

img_20180615_1253203695135610765223753.jpgAs part of my birthday I also received two gift cards, one for Waterstone’s and the other a national book tokens card. I loved these gifts as it allows you to enjoy whatever book you choose as you have the choice of the book shop. I will get the chance to go look and explore knowing that someone gave this to be as a gift. I think gift cards are always a good choice for any gift and for anywhere as it shows that you are thoughtful to buy a gift but allows them to choose something they would like and not something you think they will like.

Artwork by Stevie Spiers

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This image is part of his ‘My Little People’ series and is a photograph I immediately fell in love with. I believe it suits me very well as I love to read and my favourite books to read and murder mysteries and crime books. I was given this by my sister and I love it. I would highly recommend visiting www.steviespiersphotography.com to look at this series and it is both comedic and tasteful.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment what books related-gifts you have ever received)

Le Petit Prince

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

As part of my advanced higher French course I had to study Le Petit Prince which is a short novel written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It was first published in 1943 and has since been translated and published into more than 250 languages and dialects. It is very well known all across the globe and it has become one of the bestselling books ever published.
It is a riveting story about a pilot stranded in the Sahara desert. After crashing, he meets a young boy from asteroid B-612, who tells him about his adventures. This story has captured the minds of all ages from all over the world with its inspiring messages and enchanting story. It deals with themes such as friendship and love and explores them throughout.

This book is said to have been based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s own experiences. The plane crash of the aviators at the beginning of the novel mirrors Saint-Exupéry own experience, as in1935 Saint-Exupéry crashed in the Sahara desert alongside his mechanic-navigator after 19 hours in the air. He quickly became severely dehydrated due to the heat and his lack of water and he was said to have hallucinated many things including a Fennec fox, which has many similarities with the illustrations of le renard in the book. The rose also is said to have links to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s own life. It is said to represent his wife, Consuelo Suncin, who wrote a memoir about their relationship, titled the Tale of the Rose published after Saint-Exupéry’s disappearance in 1944. It is believed that Saint-Exupéry drew inspiration for the prince off of his self when he was younger as his family would call him Le Roi-Soleil (the sun king) due to his golden curly hair, similar to the Prince’s.

It is a book that explored the themes of love and friendship throughout and often the words have deeper meaning than first thought. Due to this it can be enjoyed by people of all ages even although it is intended to be more of a children’s book. As part of the course I had to analyze the book and due to this I got to look into the deeper meanings of the book and see how powerful it really is.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has written a book that explored powerful themes whilst being a great story and has managed to create a children’s book that is actually suitable for all ages. He has written a story that seems regular on the surface but once you look deeper it is so much nore. I highly recommend taking the time to read this book and take the time to explore the themes as there is more than just love and friendship.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on this book or one similar)

Genres

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

genres

If you have read my previous blog posts you would know that I love to read crime and mystery books. I love to delve into the world of detective and spies and learn about the way in which each author portrays them. The investigation and excitement that goes along with these books engages me and hook me on to the storyline. I also love how after each detective or crime books their tends to be some sort of resolution and ending that isn’t necessarily always a cliff hanger and if there is a cliff hanger something explored within the story has been resolved. Even although this is my favourite genre of book I would say that I am trying to explore others a lot more.

I don’t tend to enjoy romance books as I find them to be based upon the same thing. Someone fall in love and they live happy ever after. I know that this isn’t always the case and I understand that I haven’t read an awful lot so my outlook on this genre is not necessarily accurate. Call me by your name by Andre Acimen is a recent book that I would say is within this genre that completely proved me wrong. It isn’t always about the happy ever after it is about watching a relationship find its way into the characters life and thanks to this book I would like to explore this genre more.

When it comes to Sci-fi or action/adventure books I read them less than crime novels however it is not that I don’t enjoy them. They are exciting and hold my attention and in a way I feel that the crime novels are also action/adventure based. I think these genres although different are also often dealt with in the same book with aspects of all being identified. Horror books are the same I think with a lot of crime or action books have aspects of horror within them. I have only read a totally horror book once and I don’t think I would again if I am honest (unless someone recommend a really good one). I think this is the case as I didn’t enjoy how focused it is on the horror. I like to explore characters and see them develop which I think you see less of in the horror genre.

Overall, I would say that I am starting o explore other genres more and more and finding books that change my outlook on these genres is exciting and I would recommend that everyone steps out of their reading comfort zones. To explore more genres that you wouldn’t typically choose because when you find one that proves your wrong it is exhilarating.

 

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS feel free to comment your favourite genres and how you fell about exploring new ones)