On Friday I asked you to make nominations for July’s book club read as we were going to take our book from the Theakstons crime writing festival, crime novel of the year long-list. You will find that post and the list Here.
From the comments on the post and responses via email from the Newsletter, the voting choices for July are as follows;
Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer
The dead can’t speak to us,’ Professor Madoc had said.
That was a lie.
Because the body Patrick Fort is examining in anatomy class is trying to tell him all kinds of things.
Life is already strange enough for the obsessive Patrick without having to solve a possible murder. Especially when no one believes a crime has even taken place. Now he must stay out of danger long enough to unravel the mystery – while he dissects his own evidence.
But as Patrick learns one truth from a dead man, he discovers there have been many other lies rather closer to home…
Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
Ruth Galloway is shocked when she learns that her old university friend Dan Golding has died tragically in a house fire. But the death takes on a sinister cast when Ruth receives a letter from Dan written just before he died.
The letter tells of a great archaeological discovery, but Dan also says that he is scared for his life. Was Dan’s death linked to his find? The only clue is his mention of the Raven King, an ancient name for King Arthur.
Then Ruth is invited to examine the bones Dan found. Ruth travels to Lancashire-the hometown of DCI Nelson-with both her eighteen-month-old daughter, Kate, and her druid friend, Cathbad, in tow. She discovers a campus living in fear of a sinister right-wing group called the White Hand. She also finds that the bones revealed a shocking fact about King Arthur-and they’ve mysteriously vanished. When Nelson, visiting his mother in Blackpool, learns about the case, he is drawn into the investigation, especially when Ruth and his beloved Kate seem to be in danger. Who is willing to kill to keep the bones a secret?
The Chessmen by Peter May
A new start has brought new optimism for Fin Macleod. Now permanently re-settled on his Hebridean childhood home of the Isle of Lewis, the ex-Detective Inspector has been employed by a local landowner to oversee security on his estate: ostensibly a simple task for a man of Fin’s experience. When an investigation into illegal activity on the land brings Fin into contact with elusive local poacher and former school friend Whistler Macaskill, Fin is afforded an opportunity to connect with the happier days of his teenage years. But as Fin catches up with Whistler, the two witness a freak natural phenomenon – a ‘Bog Burst’ – which spontaneously drains a Lewis loch of its water, revealing a mud-encased light aircraft with a sickeningly familiar moniker on its side. Both men know what they will find inside – the body of friend and musician Roddy Mackenzie, whose flight disappeared more than seventeen years before. But when Whistler’s face appears to register something other than shock at the sight of Roddy’s remains, Fin feels an icy chill of apprehension. As he closes in on Whistler’s secret, Fin is unprepared for how the truth about the past will alter the course of the future.
You have until 8p.m. Wednesday when the next meeting is, to vote, unless of course you are attending, then you can leave give your choice on the night. July’s meeting will be Wednesday 16th at 8 p.m. GMT. We’d love to see new members!
If you don’t know what the book club is about yet, you can find details Here and a playlist of all previous meetings on YouTube Here. They really are great fun!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I think that’s really cool you guys have this club online and do video meetings. I’m sure there are others, but it’s a really unique idea.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Thanks for putting this together. My vote’s for Rubbernecker. And Alex, it’s a great group – highly recommended.
FictionFan says
As it happens, I’ve read all of these – and they’re all excellent! So whichever you pick you’re in for a good read. I don’t vote since I don’t participate – but if I did, I’d pick Rubbernecker, just because it’s a standalone and not part of a series.
Rebecca Bradley says
Vote from Mel via email as she can’t make tonight for The Chessmen.