The Twenty Three is the title of the last book of Linwood Barclay’s trilogy set in the fictional town of Promise Falls somewhere in New York State. As soon as I delved into the first few pages I had already braced myself for what the hell could happen next? And then an expletive escaped out of my mouth and I was only on page eighteen!
Each of the three begins differently so much so the reader can have no idea where they are being taken to. What ‘nightmare’ will have to be confronted. Even when shit-is-happening there are real people with their own personal problems. Our local cop, Barry Duckworth, wants to shed a few pounds, but I ask, is the stress killing him? Maybe he won’t last and be around for the final chapter.
It is a busy ‘Day One’, with 307 pages written for that twenty-four hours. There is so much going on in Promise Falls it takes that many pages to say it all. There is a clue in the title and Chapter 23 and even the 23rd day of a month could trigger any sort of happening.
Later on there is a conversation that harks on to people close to the victims and how they can be affected. “Sometimes, Cal said, “in a perfect world…….it would be better if they never knew in the first place,” These words for me are poignant and so relevant.
We move towards the end and still there is much to draw us in and actions to deceive us. The end is as good as all of it. What book can I now read to match this trilogy?
Monday, 25 June 2018
FAR FROM TRUE - SECOND IN THE TRILOGY BY LINWOOD BARCLAY
Far From True by Linwood Barclay, a man who is described by Stephen King as ‘A suspense master’. The chapters deal rapidly from one part of the plot to another with the interchange of personnel and then a chapter ends. You are left suspended and is there another tragedy coming? There is so much to absorb and the fact that he has three books linked together is a substantial reason why the pages contain stacks of detail. You have to keep up.
Now back to Far From True. I gave myself a couple of days break after Broken Promise before picking up the second book in his trilogy. I needed it, because he introduced more new characters and in different circumstances. Where was he taking me now? And that was only the start for later we have more ‘meat’ thrown at the reader. It is enthralling. There was a small portion of sex in the previous story and now it is a major theme.
Characters run through these pages and drive the book onwards. There are many authors who have ‘super heroes’ - of either gender - who are flawed but can work tirelessly with only a modicum of rest. That idea seems to suit the writer and that one ‘super cop’ limits the need for other investigators. I suppose that is something we can acclimatize to and does it tend to spoil the telling? I suppose not, because after all the writing is what really matters and this master story teller does all of that.
I never plot spoil, but if you decide to read the book anyway do not look inside the front cover unless you want to know something about it before you start. But you don't need to.
And still the third part to go.
Now back to Far From True. I gave myself a couple of days break after Broken Promise before picking up the second book in his trilogy. I needed it, because he introduced more new characters and in different circumstances. Where was he taking me now? And that was only the start for later we have more ‘meat’ thrown at the reader. It is enthralling. There was a small portion of sex in the previous story and now it is a major theme.
Characters run through these pages and drive the book onwards. There are many authors who have ‘super heroes’ - of either gender - who are flawed but can work tirelessly with only a modicum of rest. That idea seems to suit the writer and that one ‘super cop’ limits the need for other investigators. I suppose that is something we can acclimatize to and does it tend to spoil the telling? I suppose not, because after all the writing is what really matters and this master story teller does all of that.
I never plot spoil, but if you decide to read the book anyway do not look inside the front cover unless you want to know something about it before you start. But you don't need to.
And still the third part to go.
Friday, 22 June 2018
BOOK REVIEW - BROKEN PROMISE BY LINWOOD BARCLAY
The first in the Trilogy, Broken Promise, by Linwood Barclay is a stunning read.
I turned over the page and read the last few words and ‘You Bastard’ flew out of my mouth.
Hmm, you could say and what does that mean? I am not prone to giving clues away but Broken Promise, first published in Britain in 2015, is the first one in a trilogy and that is all you will get from me. I met Linwood Barclay in Harrogate two years ago and he is back at The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival again in July. He is fun to listen to. I thought that I should read another one of his books before then. It is set in Promise Falls, a fictional town located in the mind somewhere near to Albany in New York State.
Barclay has so much going and as the characters and the plots unfold you are led through the pages at a surprising pace. The interactions between family members are key. The chapters switch from one aspect of the main story to another part without confusion. Along the way there are side issues that also draw you in. It is a book about people, relationships, addiction and some very bad things. I loved it. He is an excellent story teller and a writer. I am a fan. But what will the next one, Far from True, reveal?
I turned over the page and read the last few words and ‘You Bastard’ flew out of my mouth.
Hmm, you could say and what does that mean? I am not prone to giving clues away but Broken Promise, first published in Britain in 2015, is the first one in a trilogy and that is all you will get from me. I met Linwood Barclay in Harrogate two years ago and he is back at The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival again in July. He is fun to listen to. I thought that I should read another one of his books before then. It is set in Promise Falls, a fictional town located in the mind somewhere near to Albany in New York State.
Barclay has so much going and as the characters and the plots unfold you are led through the pages at a surprising pace. The interactions between family members are key. The chapters switch from one aspect of the main story to another part without confusion. Along the way there are side issues that also draw you in. It is a book about people, relationships, addiction and some very bad things. I loved it. He is an excellent story teller and a writer. I am a fan. But what will the next one, Far from True, reveal?
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Estepas De Yecla
On Tuesday 5th June at 7.25am we left Gran Alacant with the temperature a very pleasant 21 degrees. We arrived on the edge of Estepas de Yecla just an hour later in heavy cloud, some light rain and only 9 degrees. However, it didn't matter that much as we already had our first raptor when an adult Bonelli’s Eagle flew across our vision and we were able to watch it for several minutes. We had some target birds in mind and this area being very good for Larks we spent some time searching the various suitable habitats for them. One particular field had been recently worked and what vegetation had been growing, in this stony soil, was drying out on top. We took our time and had easy views of Crested, but with Thekla being more difficult. Calandra were very evident, calling, flying and feeding on the ground. Short-toed were easily spotted in the tracks and when perched.
(Greater) Short Toed Lark
Calandra Lark
It was when we were paying attention to Larks that a large white bird was seen in an Almond Tree. Again we watched our second raptor fly away. This time it was a very pale Short Toed Eagle. We already had heard Sandgrouse calling and then four Pintailed flew around us and then again they too disappeared in the distance. We kept on hearing them and they flew twice more with our last sighting quite low and near to the car. That was the closest I have been to this species.
The farm buildings were devoid of Lesser Kestrels, but there were two feeding in the air and on the ground nearby. A photo of a grounded male proved that the ID was correct.
Other species were Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Serin, Linnet, of the seed eating birds and with Green-woodpeckers both seen and heard. In many respects it was a disappointing list and some of the frequently previously seen not in evidence. Bee-eaters and Woodchat Snrikes have been very common here in the past, but today, only a small number of the former and just two Shrikes.
Woodchat Shrike
Of the Corvids, Crows showed well, a few Jackdaws too and six Chough flew and perched. Several Little Owls were on show too.
We normally see more Kestrels here, but it seems that things are changing. We know that Spring was very late and the weather still is very unreliable. As another example we only saw two Black-eared Wheatears and no other wheatear species.
Black-eared Wheatear
Photographs by Bryan Thomas Copyright 2018
(Greater) Short Toed Lark
Calandra LarkIt was when we were paying attention to Larks that a large white bird was seen in an Almond Tree. Again we watched our second raptor fly away. This time it was a very pale Short Toed Eagle. We already had heard Sandgrouse calling and then four Pintailed flew around us and then again they too disappeared in the distance. We kept on hearing them and they flew twice more with our last sighting quite low and near to the car. That was the closest I have been to this species.
The farm buildings were devoid of Lesser Kestrels, but there were two feeding in the air and on the ground nearby. A photo of a grounded male proved that the ID was correct.
Other species were Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Serin, Linnet, of the seed eating birds and with Green-woodpeckers both seen and heard. In many respects it was a disappointing list and some of the frequently previously seen not in evidence. Bee-eaters and Woodchat Snrikes have been very common here in the past, but today, only a small number of the former and just two Shrikes.
Woodchat ShrikeOf the Corvids, Crows showed well, a few Jackdaws too and six Chough flew and perched. Several Little Owls were on show too.
We normally see more Kestrels here, but it seems that things are changing. We know that Spring was very late and the weather still is very unreliable. As another example we only saw two Black-eared Wheatears and no other wheatear species.
Black-eared Wheatear Photographs by Bryan Thomas Copyright 2018
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