I was unable to make last night’s meeting, so want to thank Marina for taking the host role from me for the evening. I’ve watched the video and she did a brilliant job. Thank you Marina.
The book club discussed February’s read, which was Crossbones Yard by Kate Rhodes. It was a pretty mixed bag of views, with one member having already having read the next book in the series and others using the word predictable in relation to the story. So, as you can see. It divided the group. As all good books do! If you want to view the meeting, watch the video below. For some reason, when another person hosts the meeting, even though they have their own settings on gallery view, it always records on a one to one setting, with only the person speaking being on screen at a time. Whereas when I’m recording as owner of the zoom platform we use, it records the gallery view. I’ve viewed it and it doesn’t spoil the experience.
The books we are voting on for next month are below. Read the blurbs and leave your vote in the comments below. You have until the end of Friday to cast your vote. The theme for the month is exotic locations, which can be widely interpreted. The next meeting is Monday 28th March 8pm GMT (British time zone).
A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee
Places in Darkness by Chris Brookmyre
Hundreds of miles above Earth, the space station Ciudad de Cielo – The City in the Sky – is a beacon of hope for humanity’s expansion into the stars. But not everyone aboard shares such noble ideals.
Bootlegging, booze, and prostitution form a lucrative underground economy for rival gangs, which the authorities are happy to turn a blind eye to until a disassembled corpse is found dancing in the micro-gravity.
In charge of the murder investigation is Nikki “Fix” Freeman, who is not thrilled to have Alice Blake, an uptight government goody-two-shoes, riding shotgun. As the bodies pile up, and the partners are forced to question their own memories, Nikki and Alice begin to realize that gang warfare may not be the only cause for the violence.
Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
A claustrophobic thriller set over twenty hours on one airplane flight, with the heart-stopping tension of The Last Flight and the wrenching emotional intensity of Room, Hostage takes us on board the inaugural nonstop flight from London to Sydney.
Mina is trying to focus on her job as a flight attendant, not the problems of her five-year-old daughter back home, or the fissures in her marriage. But the plane has barely taken off when Mina receives a chilling note from an anonymous passenger, someone intent on ensuring the plane never reaches its destination. Someone who needs Mina’s assistance and who knows exactly how to make her comply.
It’s twenty hours to landing. A lot can happen in twenty hours.
The Split by Sharon Bolton
The remote Antarctic island of South Georgia is about to send off its last boat of the summer – which signifies safety to resident glaciologist Felicity Lloyd.
Felicity lives in fear – fear that her ex-husband Freddie will find her, even out here. She took a job on this isolated island to hide from him, but now that he’s out of prison, having served a term for murder, she knows he won’t give up until he finds her.
But a doctor delving into the background of Felicity and Freddie’s relationship, back in Cambridge, learns that Felicity has been on the edge for a long time. Heading to South Georgia himself to try and get to her first is the only way he can think of to help her.
Wendy Turbin says
My vote this month is for Places in the Darkness
Margot Kinberg says
Thanks, as always, for doing this, Rebecca. My vote is for the Mukherjee, but the rest look interesting, too.
Marina Sofia says
My first choice is Graeme Kent – Solomon Islands for a bit of heat and escapism. And if I get a second vote, I would go for Antarctica, so Sharon Bolton’s The Split.
Cindy Bronson says
It was nice to be able to join you all again last night! Because I really liked A Rising Man, one of our earlier selections, I would vote for A Necessary Evil. Tangerine would be my second choice. 🙂
Jane Beresford says
Sorry to miss last night. Currently away in exotic location (Antigua) 😂 My choice for next month is Hostage. Would have been A Necessary Evil but have read it – and would recommend so will be very happy if it gets most votes!
Joanne Goss says
My vote is for Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
Michaela says
Really hard to choose! But A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee looks most intriguing
Kathy L says
I vote for Devil-Devil.
Kathy L
Norman Barnett says
I vote for Hostage
Hilary says
My vote is for A Necessary Evil.
Karen says
My choice would be devil devil but they all love ok good, I’ve read a few of them and enjoyed them all
Charlotte Martinez says
The ghost marriage by Peter May
Set in China
Rebecca says
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for the suggestion. Only books listed can be voted on though, I’m afraid. But members do get the opportunity to suggest books for the vote. Those members who attend the meeting are informed of the following months theme and have the night to email a suggestion for the vote to me. Several of these are member suggestions. We’d love to see you.
Rebecca
Donna says
I’m going to vote for Places in the darkness as I think brookmyre is a really interesting author
Chris says
I will vote for Hostage please.
Wendy Turbin says
I vote Places in the Darkness.
Chris says
Please can I vote for Hostage.
Vera Luz says
Sorry to have missed this week’s meeting. Great theme for next month – I’m actually voting from an exotic location, Maldives 😁.
I think i will go for a necessary evil, but would be happy to read any of the other suggestions. I think we all need something to distract us during this very sad period for Europe.
Jacqui Jolleys says
What an interesting selection. My vote is for either A Necessary Evil or Hostage although I will be happy to read any of them.
I really enjoyed last month’s read despite the plot being contrived. The style of writing was so easy to read.
Hope you are feeling better Rebecca
Loraine Punch says
I’m partial to A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee.
Loraine Punch says
I’m rather partial to A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee
Ellen says
I vote for Places in the Darkness but all look worth a read.
Whatever the read I always enjoy the discussion and learn so much.
Mitzi says
A Necessary Evil is the second book in a series. Will I need to have read book 1 if it is chosen?