Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Care of Wooden Floors by Will Wiles
Why I have it: One of those books that independent booksellers were raving about a few years ago.
Summary: Oskar, a ‘minimalist composer’ has to make a trip. He entrusts a friend to look after his cats and take care of his perfect apartment. Despite leaving detailed instructions, one tiny oversight initiates a disastrous chain of consequences.
I’m thinking: Yes – I just loved the description of the apartment.
“Taste and money had met in the crucible of this space and sublimed.”
A Child’s Book of True Crime by Chloe Hooper
Why I have it: I picked it up after reading The Engagement (yes, years ago!).
Summary: Schoolteacher Kate is having an affair with the father of one of her students. Her lover’s wife has just published a true-crime story about a brutal murder. Kate herself has become obsessed with the murder and writes her own version of what happened – this one for children, narrated by Australian animals.
I’m thinking: Yes – the opening chapter’s a ripper.
Tell No One by Harlan Coben
Why I have it: No idea.
Summary: David Beck’s wife was taken (presumably murdered) eight years ago. A message appears on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck wonders, is she still alive?
I’m thinking: No.
Have you read any of these? Yay or nay?
I’ve read Tell No One and although I normally like Harlan Coben’s book, it was not very good.
The first few chapters felt a little bland and flat – I expected more of a hook from the outset.
Love the quote from Care of Wooden Floors – it gets my vote.
The first chapter was quite funny (in an odd way).
Read Care of Wooden Floors when it came out and it was enjoyable – very witty in places too!
It was one of those books that got lots of praise from book bloggers that I follow.
I bought A Child’s Book after reading (and loving) The Engagement. Did it live up to my hopes? Unfortunately not. I felt the author was trying to do too much rather than just be clever with doing one thing well (as she did with The Engagement – focus on contemporary gothic with an Aussie twist). Regardless, glad I read it as I won’t be left wondering.. It’s a fairly quick read.
She certainly has a unique (and consistent) style of writing. I don’t normally go for ‘gothic’ but I thought The Engagement was incredible.