A fairly respectable number of books in August, no doubt assisted by my new-found liking for audiobooks. Slighly hampered by a bereavement, but whereas I haven't wanted to read, I have been quite happy to listen.
Paradise Valley
by CJ Box
Started 1 August
Finished 10 August
For once not a Joe Pickett novel, but just as enjoyable. Not many of CJ Box's books have disappointed me and this certainly didn't. The descriptions of the countryside are very evocative, something that I always appreciate and find very calming, even in the midst of a thrilling plot. I hadn't read the earlier books in this series, but it didn't matter: I want aware there had been when reading.
The X-Files Cold Cases (audio dramatisation)
I picked this for my August Audible allowance. Yes, I'm a big fan of the TV series, so I was likely to enjoy this, which I did. I would agree with some of the reviews which said that the acting from the main characters was a bit wooden at times: that of David Duchovny particularly. Maybe his style just doesn't translate that well to audio-only. It was great to get back into the X-files world and all the main characters were there, including my favourite, Walter Skinner. Mitch Pileggi has a wonderful voice, I could listen to him for hours!
Bryant & May: Wild Chamber (audiobook)
by Christopher Fowler
Read by Tim Goodman
Started 10 August
Finished 15 August
Good, as always. The most recent Bryant and May. Rambling at times, but then so is Mr Bryant. These are stories to savour rather than rush. They unfold gently and I find the audiobooks quite transport me into the world of the Peculiar Crimes Unit.
The Hunter's Prayer (audiobook)
by Kevin Wignall
Read by Karen Cass
Started 15 August
Finished 15 August
I like Kevin Wignall's books and I very much enjoyed this one - I listened to it in one sitting! I felt the ending was a little unsatisfactory, most likely because it wasn't what I expected. For the most part, it was tense, surprising and an interesting study of two people on different paths in life.
The Fountain of Daphne
by William Gordon (Bill Kitson)
Started 16 August
Finished 20 August
Enjoyable, but within a few pages a man and a woman have been introduced to the reader and I'm thinking "are they going to end up getting together ". I don't want to spoil the ending, so suffice to say I enjoyed the story. It was, perhaps, a little predictable, slightly grown-up Mills & Boon, but I was interested in the characters and the setting was beautifully described. That and the book was sold in aid of charity.
The Traitor's Story
by Kevin Wignall (audiobook)
Read by Simon Vance
Started 20 August
Finished 20 August
A day in bed thanks to illness got me through the whole of this book. I enjoyed it, as I do most of Kevin Wignall's books. A well-paced story, switching between the past and the present, drawing the threads together well. Narration was good, too. Simon Vance has a very pleasant voice and he made the various characters stand out just enough.
The Mysterious Mr Quinn
by Agatha Christie (audiobook)
read by Hugh Fraser
Started 26 August
Finished 27 August
One of my favourite novels, so I was happy to see it on offer with Audible. I passed some relaxing hours enjoying the tales of Mr Satterthwaite's encounters with Mr Harley Quinn. For me, the stories never get old. Can't go too far wrong with Hugh Fraser as a reader, either.