Reviews and Comments

Disappointed by the book. While the plot in itself is not bad, what killed me is this: the hero is supposed to be french, and the action happening in Paris. First anywhere he's going is described with plenty of useless details which only give the impression the author has never set foot in Paris and is working with a map in front of him: He took rue Lepic then made a left rue Chambrol to end up at the crossing of rue Bicagnol and Posmeyer or something in the way thereof. Talk about I'm paid by the word so I'll add as many as I can, never mind if they're useless. And then of course the french is plain wrong - gender and grammar error kill it completely if you happen to really speak french. I'm sure for english readers throwing in the odd word adds a je-ne-sais-quoi to the story, but I just couldn't believe that somebody as known as the author couldn't be bothered to have the french checked by a french speaker. Spoiled it a lot for me. But if you don't speak french, go ahead, have fun !

J'aimais bien Alistair, mais cela a quand même un peu (tout petit peu) vieilli :-)

Third installment - can be read separately, but as usual, better if you've read the previous ones (and can stand the repetitions for those who haven't). Again - nice and easy reading, many plot twists :-)

Kind of follow-up to the previous one. Still nice, but the author doesn't play fair. For me the reader should have all the pieces to be able to solve the riddle, and here, you don't, so no much of a chance to solve the mysteries. Too bad. Still does for nice reading.

Probably the first McCall I did not fully and thoroughly enjoyed. Rare enough to be mentionned. Somehow not his usual style ? Or maybe I'm tired ? You figure it out...

Comme tous les ouvrages collectifs, certains auteurs sont plus intéressants que d'autres, et les histoires varient aussi; Certaines énigmes ont été résolues, d'autres pas. Et les grandes énigmes de l'histoire sont essentiellement française, sans toujours un intérêt évident pour les non-français. Tout cela mis à part, cela reste une livre à lire :-)

A novel on the side of the series,so quite a lot re-told for those who haven't read the series. Not sure it was necessary but then again I hardly ever do. As usual nice stories entertwined. You can't go wrong with Alexander McCall.

Instalment #2 in the Passion series. A bit predictable, but nice reading, as usual wiht Alexander McCall :-)

Again a nice easy reading from our friend Alex. Definitely what you need when it's 38C outside and don't feel like doing anything :-)

nice little Perry Mason. Didn't even know I had that book. It was late at night and very hot (25C @11.45pm !) after a 38C day. I usually like the Perry Mason old TV series both before and after his accident. Anyway. go for it :-)

As usual with McCall-Smith, a nice easy read. A bit surprised with this one as Ulf seems to wander in paths usually reserved to Isabel Dalhousie (I know, you can't understand if you're not familiar with MCS' opus, but in that case you won't care either, so.. :-) )