bookshelves: published-2010, mystery-thriller, e-book, britain-england, summer-2014, film-only, series, yorkshire, kidnap, betrayal, tbr-busting-2014

Description: Banks' old neighbour Juliet Doyle comes to tell him that found a gun, wrapped up, in her daughter Erin's bedroom. Helen leads a raid on the house, resulting in Erin's father Peter being tasered and ending up in hospital. Consequently Annie is asked to head an investigation into Helen's decision. Erin tells the police she was given a parcel, unaware that it contained a gun, by older boy-friend Jaff Kitson. The gun was used to kill DJ Richard Martin and Banks makes a connection with villainous local businessman Al Jenkins. However Jenkins tells him that he sacked Kitson before the murder. A further interview with Erin reveals that Banks' daughter Tracy has left town with Kitson - and she has told him that her father is a policeman.

Suspenseful episode. Two Smith and Wessons, and one and a half heart-attack inducing tasers.





3* Gallows View (Inspector Banks, #1)
3* A Dedicated Man (Inspector Banks, #2)
3* A Necessary End (Inspector Banks, #3)
TR The Hanging Valley (Inspector Banks, #4)
TR Past Reason Hated (Inspector Banks, #5)
3* Wednesday's Child (Inspector Banks, #6)
3* Dry Bones That Dream (Inspector Banks, #7)
3* Innocent Graves (Inspector Banks, #8)
TR Blood At The Root (Inspector Banks, #9)
TR In A Dry Season (Inspector Banks, #10)
3* Cold Is The Grave (Inspector Banks, #11)
4* Aftermath (Inspector Banks, #12)
TR Close To Home (Inspector Banks, #13)
3* Playing With Fire (Inspector Banks, #14)
3* Strange Affair (Inspector Banks, #15)
3* Piece Of My Heart (Inspector Banks, #16)
3* Friend Of The Devil (Inspector Banks, #17)
TR All The Colours Of Darkness (Inspector Banks, #18)
3.5* Bad Boy (Inspector Banks, #19)

bookshelves: african-continent, nonfiction, pirates-smugglers-wreckers, autumn-2012, published-2010, turkish-and-or-ottoman-root, afr-morocco, afr-tunisia, afr-algeria, war

Read by Clive Chafer

Overview -
The true story that's "bloody good entertainment" (New York Times) about the colorful and legendary pirates of the 17th century.

If not for today's news stories about piracy on the high seas, it'd be easy to think of pirating as a romantic way of life long gone. But nothing is further from the truth. Pirates have existed since the invention of commerce itself, and they reached the zenith of their power during the 1600s, when the Mediterranean was the crossroads of the world and pirates were the scourge of Europe. Historian and author Adrian Tinniswood brings this exciting and surprising chapter in history alive, revealing that the history of piracy is also the history that has shaped our modern world.

Starts off with the modern day Somali Pirates and there is nothing pretty to report.

The Rainbow (left) unsuccessfully engaging John Ward's flagship

Issouf Reis of Tunis, fervent in his devotion to Islam, was so wealthy that that by 1615 he had built himself a ‘faire Palace, beautified with rich Marble and Alabaster stones’. His household was so big that when he had guests for dinner, it was served not by a demure maidservant but by 15 male waiters. Very short, white-haired but nearly bald, he had a swarthy complexion.

A typical North African, you might think. Only he wasn’t. He had been born and bred in Faversham, and his real name was John Ward. The exact date of his birth isn’t yet known, but it was around 1553. Maybe he was the John Ward who is recorded as living on the west side of Preston Street on 31 December 1573 and 31 May 1574 and by 22 December 1574 had moved to Court Street - and then disappears from view. Source: http://www.faversham.org/history/peop...

Europeans enslaved by North African captors - two mosques in the background.

John Ward (aka Yusuf Reis): Arch Pirate Of Tunis; in 1608, feeling insecure in Tunis, Ward offered James I of England £40,000 for a royal pardon, but this was refused, so he returned to Tunis, where Uthman Dey kept his word and he remained for the rest his days.





Sir Francis Verney (1584 – 6 September 1615) was an English adventurer, soldier of fortune, and pirate. A nobleman by birth, he left England after the House of Commons sided with his stepmother in a legal dispute over his inheritance, and became a mercenary in Morocco and later a Barbary corsair. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_...





Peter Easton (c. 1570 – 1620 or after) was a pirate in the early 17th century who operated along the Newfoundland coastline between Harbour Grace and Ferryland from 1611 to 1614. Perhaps one of the most successful of all pirates he controlled such seapower that no sovereign or state could afford to ignore him and he was never overtaken or captured by any fleet commissioned to hunt him down. However, he is not as well known as some of the pirates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Space and Mars aren't usually my thing but when it comes to Genesis, it turns out that doesn't really matter. In fact, that setting, along with Earth is what made this book all the more thrilling. Set 500 years into the future, enough humans have settled down on Mars that children are already born on that planet. Pip is one of them, which makes him stand out among the Ferals on Earth, although not any less menacing to Rosie, a Banker.

Since I don't generally read books set in outer space, Genesis obviously offered something very different for me. I also appreciated that the setting wasn't a gimmick but rather added to the plot as a whole. Written from a third-person omniscient view, I thought the characters needed to all be well-developed. Lara Morgan did not disappoint. Rosie is a believable character who as brave as she is, depends on the guidance of her elders, particularly her Aunt Essie. Pip in a way represents the typical brooding type, yet never fails to be full of surprises. Mr Yuang is a mysterious man who charming as a is, has many secrets to hide. Not to be outdone, Riley has many secrets of his own, making it difficult at first to pick any side, be it as Rosie or as the reader.

Throughout the book, I was completely kept on my toes. Although by the time I was done, I was convinced that Lara Morgan is a fan of Murphy's Law. Anything that could go wrong, just had to go wrong, so that was a bit much for me. I like happy books but sadly they don't build up as much tension. So I do have to concede, this is what builds conflict and that is why I couldn't stop reading. I had to know how they all would work through these obstacles to reach their goals.

I feel like I should say more but I've already jumped right into the next book in the trilogy, so I don't want to accidentally spill any spoilers. All I can say is, do try to pick up this book if you can. It might be difficult to find for those not living in Australia but hunting it down is well worth the extra effort!

This review is also available on dudettereads.com.