Challenge 10: 'A Is For Alibi'

When I was thirteen, my family took a very long train trip, and I had the worst ear infection I've had in my whole entire life. I also read my first Sue Grafton book. On the same trip, I also read my first Janet Evanovich, so that year was really the beginning of my detective fiction reading.

Luke, your Challenge is the first in Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series, which if you ask me really went downhill after a while and also this is why you don't start theming your titles if you're not going to be able see it through, A Is For Alibi.


As I said to Luke, I don't think he will enjoy the Challenge when he hears it, but I think he will enjoy the book. There are bad guys, shooting, swearing, and um other things guys like.

New Bookshelves

When I moved into my new house, I decided to treat myself to some new bookshelves. I was thinking of buying them in a set of three, but I think two is enough... for now.

Review 9: 'The Ambassador's Mission'

For the first time I went into this challenge full of enthusiasm. The first few chapters of the book were a tad confusing as they referenced an earlier series which I haven't read (Will be getting onto them now though). I gradually figured out what had happened, and from there on in I enjoyed the book immensely. I think I might have gotten more out of it if I had read the books before it, but they really aren't necessary.

I can't really compare this book too much to The Way of Shadows, as they are fairly different; TWoS is far more action-y, whereas The Ambassador's Mission focuses more on the politics (Well hello, 'Ambassador's Mission'?) and intrigue.

I would definitely read this again, probably after I have read the earlier series. After which I'd read the books which immediately follow it - as much as I want to go straight to them (Cliffhangers #rage) - I think I'd enjoy them more after I know all of the back story.

Review 8: 'Hunting Party'

This is definitely the most satisfying round yet. Two Challenges, two happy customers.

I enjoyed Hunting Party.

Heris Serrano was an officer born of a long line of officers ... until a treacherous superior officer forced her to resign her commission. ... Heris finds employment as 'Captain' of an interstellar luxury yacht. Being a rich old woman's chauffeur isn't quite the same as captaining a Fleet cruiser ... Or so she thinks.

I had read the Elizabeth Moon/Anne McCaffrey novel Sassinak, and thought this would be quite similar. The writing style was, but this book, I thought, wasn't sure what it was supposed to be - it starts out all spacey and catching criminals and the like, quickly becomes a book about fox-hunting, before turning into a cross between Survivor and Swallows and Amazons.

I do feel like this book was quite a set-up for the rest of series, which is hopefully set in space, chasing bad guys. I will read another one to find out - especially as the only copy I could get my hands on was a three-title omnibus edition.

Oh and also, character names should begin with different letters. I'm easily confused.