This is my own personal list of books which I have read and enjoyed, from July to December 2002. Brief reviews after each. For my most recent reading, see my books blog. For the books I read earlier in 2002 see the Jan-June 2002 page.

July 2002

Monica Dickens - Man Overboard

Ben, a widowed naval officer, starts an affair with the glamorous but self-centred actress Rose Kelly. Then he loses his job and struglges to find another, while trying to stay close to Rose, and also to his 11-year-old daughter Amy. He tries a variety of jobs including dish-cleaning at a restaurant, before finally finding somewhere that he can be content, and meeting a woman who can bring him lasting happiness.

Agatha Christie - The Hollow

The hospitable Lucy has gathered a houseparty together, and invited Hercule Poirot to lunch, when a man is murdered by the swimming pool Eventually Poirot pinpoints the murderer, as ever; someone who is not entirely unexpected. Not one of Agatha Christie's best, but fast-paced and mostly believable.

Agatha Christie - Lord Edgeware Dies

Jane, an actress, hates her husband Lord Edgeware - so when he is found murdered, she is the first suspect. The plot is complicated by another actress who does an excellent imitation of Jane, and who is also found murdered. Several people are possible suspects, but Poirot eventually solves the puzzle. Lively, and leaves the reader guessing until the end. Very clever.

Carol Shields - Larry's Party

Interestingly constructed book, starting with a chapter about Larry, a florist, then a chapter about Larry and his wife, then about his wider family, and so on - each one spreading wider around his circle of acquaintances, and progressing through the years. The climax comes with a remarkable dinner-party which Larry holds, inviting his two ex-wives, co-hosted by his current girlfriend. An unexpected but satisfying conclusion.

Agatha Christie - The Clocks

A young typist discovers a murdered man, so is a suspect in a dramatic case. There are four clocks in the room, which belongs to a blind woman. As the police investigate the murder, Colin Lamb, in Secret Services, is trying to find a spy in the same neighbourhood. When another typist is strangled, Hercule Porito becomes involved, and solves the puzzle clearly and logically. As so often, there is a totally unexpected murderer unmasked.

Rebecca Shaw - The New Rector

Peter (the Rector) and Caroline are new to Turnham Malpas. Peter soon has to comfort the bereaved Suzy Meadowes. Meanwhile some teenagers are running wild, and a nasty joke is played on Muriel, an elderly spinster, who is devastated - but later cheered by the arrival in the village of Ralph, an old friend. There is some violence, and somewhat complex intertwined plots, but still pleasant light reading.

Katie Fforde - Stately Pursuits

Hetty tries to recover from a broken heart by house-sitting in a stately home. She quickly gets caught up in village life, and the battle to save the house from its heir, Connor, to whom she is quickly attracted. Good plot, but rather flat characters. Too much conversational banter and recorder thoughts, making some of Hetty's reactions a bit unlikely. Pleasant reading, though a little explicit at times.

Alexandra Raife - Moving On

A sequel to some previous books by this author. Catriona's dog has died, and Helen decides to leave her husband Walter. Helen moves in with her son and his family, and Catriona goes to college. Eventually Helen buys an old run-down house with a cottage, whcih she rents to Catriona. Delightful characters in a gently-moving plot as Catriona finally finds someone who loves her.

Betty Burton - Goodbye Picadilly

Otis is on holiday wiht her parents in Southsea, and finds her friends Jack and Esther also staying there. They have all grown up somewhat since the last time they met. Their lives continue to cross as they become adults, go through war, and take part in sufragette rallies. Not really very interesting, although I read to the end.

Nora Naish - The Butterfly Box

The book opens with Lucy's 80th birthday and a famly reunino, with inevitable tensions. An old heirloom, a box with a secret, is opened, and there is a lengthy flashback to the past, to find an unpleasant family secret. Not actually very exciting at all.

Georgette Heyer - Arabella

Arabella, the eldest daughter of a Vicar, goes to Regency London having hinted - in anger - that she is wealthy. She shocks her godmother by her humanitarian streak, leading her to rescue a mongrel dog and a sweep's boy. The bored Mr Beaumaris is fascinated by this unusual girl, and the book races to a happy conclusion. Delightful.

August 2002

Georgette Heyer - Bath Tangle

Another excellent novel set in Regency England. Lady Serena is furious to learn that her fortune is held for her by Lord Rotherham, to whom she was once engaged. She takes a house with her young widowed stepmother Fanny, and meets Hector, a man to whom she was once very attracted. Hector and Serena decide to get engaged, but gradually Fanny finds that she is in love with him. All is resolved in happy Georgette Heyer style.

Georgette Heyer - Cotillion

Kitty, an orphaned ward of Mr Penicuik, learns that he will leave his fortune to her if she marries one of his great-nephews. Kitty things she loves one of them, Jack, but he does not turn up or offer to marry her. So she suggests a pretend engagement to another of the great-nephews, Freddy, a dandy who lives in London, so she can spend some time there. Freddy agrees reluctantly and finds his hands full guiding Kitty in matters of fashion and etiquette. Lots of humour, interesting people, and a well-resolved and satisfying ending.

EM Forster - A Room with a View

Lucy is on holiday in Italy with Miss Bartlett, and they're offered better rooms by two gentlemen. The younger gets a little too close, so they move on - only to end up, some time later, living in a similar neighbourhood. Amuxing in places, this is a book about relationships in the early 20th century, with a happy ending.

September 2002

Clare Darcy - Georgina

Gerogina refuses to marry Mr Smallwoods, so her grandmother sends to her to Ireland in disgrace. There she meets Mr Shannon, who had previously eloped with her cousin (now dead), and who owns the family estate. The two are attracted, and a fast-paced book results. Not as well-written or amusing as Georgette Heyer, but a pleasant light read.

Charlotte Bingham - Stardust

Elizabeth is both beautiful and selfish. Jerome is very handsoem. The two are superb actors. Elizabeth wants Jerome, but he loves - and marries - Pippa. Elixabeth does what she can to come between tehm and eventually succeeds. Exciting, set in the drama/film world with a satisfactory conclusion all round.

October 2002

Adrian Mourby - We think the world of him

Duncan becomes a 'house-husband' after a redundancy, and takes over the household and children competently, while his wife returns to full-time work. Duncan meets several women at the school gates, who befriend him, anxious to help - and also an attractive but not-so-nice businesswoman. He succumbs to a temptation which nearly destroys his marriage before realising what is important to him. Fast-moving and believable, with a good mixture of people, and an encouraging ending.

November 2002

Georgette Heyer - The Convenient Marriage

Horatia, youngest of the impoverished Winwoods, offers herself in marriage to Lord Rule in place of her beautiful eldest sister, who is in love with someone else. Rule, who is quite a rake, is enchanted with Horatia, but worries that he is too old for her. She in turn is jealous of his mistresss, and determined to conquer even the hearts of the hardest. A gentle romance set in Regency England, entwined with suspicion, gambling, and even a duel. As ever, a cleverly plotted happy ending.

Tracy Chevalier - Girl with a Pearl Earring

Historical novel loosely based on the life of hte painter Vermeer, inspired by some of his paintings. Griet, aged 16, goes to work in his household as a maid after her father has an accident and can no longer work. As well as being kitchen maid, she cleans Vermeer's studio, and he gradually gives her more to do, aware that she has an artistic eye, and eventually choosing to paint her. Meanwhile her family suffer extreme poverty and Griet is courted by Pieter the butcher's son. Very readable and believable, with a natural and reasonably satisfying conclusion, including one surprise at the end.

December 2002

Barbara Taylor Bradford - Everything to Gain

The story opens with Mallory uncertain about a marriage proposal - obviously deeply scarred by the death of her husband soem years previously. As she considers, the book flashes back to the last year o fher marriage, when she is content and fulfilled, with a loving husband, delightful twins, good friends, pleasant relatives, and a charming house. Even with the warning in the prologue, the tragedy is shocking when it occurs; we feel with Mallory as she falls first into suicidal despair, then gradually begins to build a new life. The last chapters come back to the period of the prologue, and Mallory eventually makes her decision. Gripping and realistic.

Anne Tyler - The Accidental Tourist

Macon, writer of a travel series for businessmen, is slowly recovering from his son's death when his wife leaves. He tries to live alone, minimising effort, but breaks his leg and then stays with his sister and brothers. He meets a dog-trainer, totally different from anyone he has ever met, who finds him attractive. He becomes caught between her and his wife. Gentle humour mixed with bittersweet emotions, and enjoyable caricatures.

Jane Aiken Hodge

When Henrietta's aunt in Boson dies, she discovers that her father in England did not know she was alive. So she saisl to the UK amid threats of war, and is taken into her father's household, with his new wie and her son Cedric. She falls in love with the handsome Charles Rivers. Soon embroiled in London life, Henrietta learns of family scandals, and eventually discovers who her friends really are. Moving and fast-paced; not quite Heyer, but still a well-written and enjoyable historical novel.

Libby Purves - Passing Go

When Roy loses his job, it's the last straw in his dull life of denial. He takes to the streets, initially in protest, then in reluctance to return to his wife helen and son Zack. In dire financial straits, Helen takes on a menial job and finds herself loving it; Zack, staying with friends, decides to contact his sister - a shocking artist - to find out what happened to her twin Danny, whom his parents refuse to mention. A moving book with a startling exposé when Zack meets Danny again. Some caricatures don't detract from the careful plotting and likeable main characters. A hopeful ending.

Jan Karon - A Common Life

The story of Father Tim's proposal, engagement and marriage to his neighbour Cynthia. Not a very long book, but extremely moving and beautifully written. Tim's genial bachelor image crumbles as he falls deeper and deeper in love. Mildly humorous anecdotes and cameos of his parishioners move th story onwards to its happy conclusion. Written as sixth in the Mitford series, this falls chronologically between the second and third books.

Previous (Jan-June 2002) | Next (Jan-June 2003)