Alexandria by Lindsey Davis

Synopsis

This is the 19th 'Falco' Book by Lindsey Davis, set in first century Rome, , Marcus Didius Falco works as a private “informer,” often for the emperor, ferreting out hidden truths and bringing villains to ground. But even informers take vacations with their wives, so in A.D. 77, Falco and his wife, Helena Justina, with the rest of the family travel to Alexandria inEgypt. But is isn't long before Falco finds himself in the midst of disreputable going ons—when the Librarian of the great library is found dead, under suspicious circumstances.

Review

This is the first of the 'Falco' books I have read, jumping straight in at number 19, but it turns out that they can be read as individual novels.  I am a fan of whodunits, Holmes, Parrot, Barnaby etc and this book sits well in this genera and quickly gets you caught up with the story and being book 19 the characters are well rounded and believable.

What also comes across with this book is a sense of humour and camaraderie between the principal characters, this book has all the ingredients of a good whodunit that just happens to be set in the Roman Empire in 77 A.D.  

Defiantly a book I can recommend and a series i will be coming back to  

Rating

I give this book 8 out of 10, an enjoyable book that was hard to walk away from

WW

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Synopsis

This is the third of the ‘Odd Thomas’ novels from the prolific writer, Dean Koontz.  Odd is looking for a peaceful time and takes some time out in a monastery in the High Sierra. It is winter time and the abbey is besieged by a snow storm. A white dog named Boo befriends him along with the ghost of Elvis. Meanwhile a world-famous and reclusive physicist is conducting experiments in his catacomb laboratories at the abbey. Could this be why Odd can once again see bodachs, shadowy harbingers of death and violence? They prowl the halls, suggesting terror to come. But what form will it take? And how will Odd defeat and try to prevent what is about to come?

Review

This was the first Dean Koontz book I have read, and I was quickly impressed how well it flowed in a manner that meant I dint really want to put it down. 

I did not know that it was actually the third book in a series when I picked it up, but I can gladly say that this book stands up very well to being read on its own.

The underlying theme to the story isn’t a new one, mad professor, remote cut off lab and murder is not a new one but Koontz handles it very well, the characters are well rounded and believable and the whole book suits its first person style, with Odd Thomas providing the narrative in a manner that helps you feel the story as it unfolds around him.

In short I found this book a really enjoyable easy read. 

Rating

I give this book 8.5 out of 10, an enjoyable read that will probably mean I will read more of Dean Koontz