The Content Reader

Another wonderful story by Karin Fossum. This is the 5th book about detective inspector Konrad Sejer, but can be read independently.  I love Fossum's writing and story telling, and this is a very touching story about a middle aged, rather lonely, man.  "Gunder Jomann thinks his life has been made complete when he returns from a trip to India a married man. But on the day his bride arrives in Norway she vanishes. Then the town is shocked by the news of an Indian woman found bludgeoned to death in a nearby meadow. Inspector Sejer and his colleague Skarre head the murder inquiry, planting seeds of suspicion in a community which has always believed itself to be peaceful and safe." As one can imagine finding the dead woman is a big event in a small town where nothing much usually happens. Fossum  creates a set of ordinary people who reacts in different way to violent actions. Her characters are so well defined that you really think you know the people. You probably do, because...

On the way back from our trip to the north of Sweden, Finland and Norway, we passed by my parents again. The common book shelves are standing outside the guest flat so I took the opportunity to go through it one more time. I found seven books in June as I told you about in the post Just checking in... . They have already been read and I was quite pleased with my choose and enjoyed the books. Another look generated another five books, and they are: Rose Tremain - Restoration - It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1989, as well as being the Sunday Express  Book of the Year. In 1995 it was made into a film with Robert Downey Jr., Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Polly Walker and Meg Ryan. " Robert Merivel, son of a glove maker and an aspiring physician, finds his fortunes transformed when he is given a position at the court of King Charles II. Merivel slips easily into a life of luxury and idleness, enthusiastically enjoying the women and wine of the vibrant Restoration age. But ...

The reading has been rather slow for me in June. Being on the road does not give much time for this pleasure. We have bought a camper van and is now touring the north of Sweden. Wonderful experience of nature. For those of you who speak Swedish, or just want to look at pictures, can follow me on Den   tillfälliga besökaren .  Another obstacle with a van is that there is not so much space for more than the necessary things. As mentioned in the post ' Just checking in.. .' I choose a few books from self-service book shelves and those I have brought with me. I leave them at various camping as I have finished them. Here a few summary reviews of what I read.  Black Skies by Arnaldur Indridason  Another thrilling and intriguing story from Iceland. Detective Sigurdur Oli is contacted by friends to investigate a blackmail. Upon visiting the suspected blackmailer Sigurdur Oli finds her murdered. The friendship makes the solving of the case more difficult for him, and many tim...

When you want an easy read, something exciting and thrilling, then a thriller or mystery book comes in handy. I have already read six such books this year and two during the present worrying times. Reading all the gruesome news in the papers is enough for the time being. Not that thrillers are less gruesome reading, but at least it is in a book. Here a few short notes on good mysteries, easy to read and they keep up the thrill until the very end. Byron's Shadow by Jason Foss - a different story set at an archeological site in Greece. A golden pen found at the dig, with the name 'Byron' on it, sets a chain of events in motion. Archeologist, Dr. Jeffrey Flint is in the middle of the action when his boss suddenly is murdered and he is accused of the deed. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, he is in for more than he asked for. Thrilling and hiding the culprit until the very end. The Dry by Jane Harper - a favourite author and this is the first book about her detect...

At the recent Book Fair I tried to be very selective and not buy too many books, considering I am moving, and my shelves are already overburdened! I did come out with four books, which is far less than usual. Apart from one author, Karin Fossum, they are all new to me. Here they are with blurbs from the back cover. A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly The short review from Sunday Telegraph on the back cover, made me buy this book: "If George Clooney had walked into the room I would have told him to come back later when I'd finished". Must be a good read I would say! " Based on a real murder at the turn of the century, this outstanding debut novel is a powerful and moving coming-of-age book. Mattie is torn between her familial responsibilities, her desire to be a writer, and the excitement of a first romance. Her dilemmas and choices are quietly reflected in the life of a young woman found drowned in a lake, a woman that Mattie only gets to know through ...