The Child's Child by Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell)

By far my favorite book of 2012 (even though I read it in 2013).  It is a strong, fierce thriller that combines social commentary and suspense...all in one well-written story.  It is no surprise to me that Ruth Rendell is still writing strong, highly literary pieces of fiction.  She is one of the leaders of the mystery genre, especially British mysteries.  Writing here as Barbara Vine, Rendell writes what I think is one of her best in years...lending truth to the adage that some things improves with age. 

The story here starts off in 2011 with a sister and her brother, Grace and Andrew, sharing a home in London.  They divide the living space of the house equally, a situation which works fine until the brother's lover, James, comes to live with them.  James sets off a series of events that neither Grace nor Andrew will ever recover from.  While coping, Grace begins reading a long-lost manuscript, never published because its storyline includes unwed mothers and homosexual characters in the 1920s.  That's when a completely different part of the story takes over.  Or at least we THINK it's different...because it is set in the post-WWI era.  Soon, correlations between Grace's modern-day dilemmas and the historical plot become evident. 

The historical storyline revolves around a sister, Maud, the youngest child in a very conservative Bristol family, who gets herself pregnant. After telling her family, they want to send her away.  But, her brother John has a different idea.  He is homosexual and aware that he will never be able to lead a respectable life as a gay man, so he and Maud begin living together as husband and wife...in name only...so that the child does not seem illegitimate. 

Both storylines are interesting and compelling but the historical one just captivates the reader with twists and turns that the reader never expects (or at least I didn't).  I found both tales together a great commentary on how things regarding sexuality and homosexuality have changed...yet how some things have stayed the same through the centuries. 

London 2012

This year, eyes and TV sets around the world will be focused on London, the capital of what is really a small island between the North Atlantic and the North Sea, also known as the United Kingdom.  London is in England, one of four countries that make up the UK...the others being Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.     What is it about London that makes it such a fascinating city?

Well, for one, unlike many European cities, London is seriously multicultural.  VERY multicultural.  And I'm not talking tourists.  I'm talking residents.  All races, religions, socioeconomic levels are on view throughout most parts of London.  Yes, in some of the swankier sections (Knightsbridge, Mayfair to name two), most of the people have more than their fair share of  Pound Sterling in their pockets.  But, London is a mammoth, vast city with section upon section of diverse areas.  Take Kensington...which borders ritzy area Knightsbridge and is not far from the also ritzy Chelsea.  Kensington has more Indian restaurants than British restaurants it seems.  The Indian dish Chicken tikka masala, not fish and chips, is even London's honorary national meal. When we think British, we think Protestant and white.  In the countryside, maybe...but not in London.

Let's move on to London's fascinating history.  Unlike our cities in this country, London has recorded history dating back thousands of years.  Yes...thousands.  From the Romans who founded the city as Londinium to the Anglo-Saxons to the Tudors, every corner of London bears some history worth repeating.  The formally-walled "City of London" is the present-day financial center of the capital and is one of the 32 boroughs of London.  There are still places within The City, or Square Mile, as it is sometimes called, where you can see some of the London Wall, first built around The City by the Romans.  Just to the east of The City lies Whitechapel, the former stomping grounds of that vicious deviant Jack the Ripper, who killed at least five prostitutes in the late 1880s.  And on the other side of the River Thames (which throughout much of history, was wider than the present-day river running through London today), there is the George Inn in Southwark...a pub that can date it's history back to the 17th Century.  Yes, that's right...the 1600s.  No, the George we see today is not the exact same one from the 1600s, but there has been a pub on that site for almost 400 years!  That's a lot of pints!

Lastly, let's look at London's cultural side.  Most major cities can boast opera houses and a smattering of theaters and maybe one or two concert venues.  But, London is the HOME of the stage production...with its West End surpassing our Broadway in both longevity, history and profitability.  Many famed Broadway productions began as West End productions...and many acclaimed actors and actresses got their start on the London stage.

As the Summer Olympics approach (the opening ceremonies are on July 27), we thought everyone might want to get into a LONDON frame of mind to prepare.  Here are some books and authors that might fit the bill:

Books set in London

40 Love by Madeleine Wickham

Abbot Agency series by Veronica Heley

Abdication by Juliet Nicolson

About A Boy by Nick Hornby

After You by Julie Buxbaum

Airs and Graces by Roz Southey

Alan Grant series by Josephine Tey

Amsterdam by Ian Mcewan

The Anatomist's Apprentice by Tessa Harris

Anatomy of Murder by Imogen Robertson

Anna Travis series & Jane Tennison/Prime Suspect series by Lynda La Plante

Anthem for Doomed Youth by Carola Dunn

Arthur and George by Julian Barnes

The Best of Friends by Joanna Trollope

The Best of Times by Penny Vincenzi

Bill Slider series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series & William Monk series by Anne Perry

Detective Stella Mooney series by David Lawrence

Blue Monday by Nicci French

Brock & Kolla series by Barry Maitland

The Brothers of Baker Street by Michael Robertson

Bryant & May Peculiar Crimes Unit series by Christopher Fowler

Chelsea Mansions by Barry Matland

The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey

Dead Beat by Patricia Hall

Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton

The Dog Who Came In From the Cold by Alexander McCall Smith

Eleven by Mark Watson

The English Monster, Or, the Melancholy Transactions of William Ablass by Lloyd Shepherd

The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne

Forget Me Not by Sue Margolis

Fraud by Anita Brookner

Free To Trade by Michael Ridpath

Get Maitland by James Patrick Hunt

Gold by Chris Cleave

The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

Get Me Out Of Here by Henry Sutton

The Good the Bad and the Uncanny By Simon Green

Hannah Wolfe series by Sarah Dunant

Hawkwood by James Mcgee

Helen West series by Frances Fyfield

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffengger

The High Flyer by Susan Howatch

The Honey Trap by Clive Edgerton

The House of Eliott by Jean Marsh

How It All Began by Penelope Lively

I Don’t Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson

In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway

In The Kitchen by Monica Ali

India Black by Carol K. Carr

Inglorious by Joanna Kavenna

The Innocents by Francesca Segal

The Invasion Year by Dewey Lambdin

Invisible River by Helena Mcewen

Jack Caffery series by Mo Hayder

John Coffin series by Gwendoline Butler

John McLeish & Francesca Wilson series by Janet Neel

Johnny “One Eye” Hawke series by David Stuart Davies

London Calling by James Craig

London Fields by Martin Amis

Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch

The List by Martin Fletcher

London Holiday by Richard Peck

Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear

Man of the Month Club by Jackie Clune

Mark Tartaglia series by Elena Forbes

A Married Man by Catherine Alcott

The Minority Council by Kate Griffin

Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia Macneal

The Mysterium by P. C. Doherty

Nigel Barnes series by Dan Waddell

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie

Notting Hell by Rachel Johnson

The Other Side of The Story by Marian Keyes

Park Lane by Frances Osborne

A Parliament of Spies by Cassandra Clark

Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes

Peter Fletcher series by Simon Shaw

The Piccadilly Plot by Susanna Gregory

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly

Rag and Bone by James R. Benn

The Reckoning by Jane Casey

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

Rescuing Rose by Isabel Wolff

Roommate Wanted by Lisa Jewell

Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen

Rumpole series by John Mortimer

Sacrilege by S.J. Parris

Sam Jones series by Lauren Henderson

Second Chance by Jane Green

The Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

The Silent Oligarch by Chris Morgan Jones

A Small Fortune by Rosie Dastgir

The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

A Special Relationship by Douglas Kennedy

The Spoiler by Annalena Mcafee

Strangers by Anita Brookner

Suzie Mountford series by John Gardner

A Tale of Two Cities by Ralph Mowat

The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman

Thomas Chaloner series by Susanna Gregory

Tides of War by Stella Tillyard

Tom Thorne series by Mark Billingham

The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart

Trish Maguire series by Natasha Cooper

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

Waiting For Sunrise by William Boyd

When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris

Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath by Kate Moses

The Yard by Alex Grecian

Yoga Teacher by Alexandra Gray

Zero History by William Gibson

British Mystery Authors

Agatha Christie

Ann Granger: Mitchell and Markby series

Anthea Fraser

Antonia Fraser

Arthur Conan Doyle 

Audrey Peterson

Barbara Vine

Bruce Alexander

C.S. Harris

Candace Robb

Carola Dunn: Cornish Mystery series

Cassandra Chan

Cassandra Clark

Charles Finch

Charles Todd

Chris Morgan Jones

Colin Dexter: Inspector Morse series

David Liss

Deanna Raybourn

Deborah Crombie

Deborah Grabien

Denise Mina

Diana Killian

Dick Francis

Dorothy Cannell: Ellie Haskell series

Dorothy L. Sayers

Elisabeth Bastion

Elizabeth George

Elizabeth Peters

Ellis Peters

Fiona Mountain

Gayle Lynds

Gillian Linscott

Graham Moore

H.R.F. Keating

Iain Pears

Ian Rankin (Scottish)

J.M. Gregson: Lambert and Hook series

James Craig

Jane Casey

Jeffrey Archer

Jeri Westerson

Jill McGown

Jill Paton Walsh

Joanna Challis

John Harvey

John Lawton

John Sherwood

John William Wainwright:

Judith Cook: John Latymer series

Kate Atkinson

Kate Charles

Kate Ross

Kenneth Cameron

Laura Joh Rowland

Laurie R. King

Madeleine Robins

Margaret Fraser

Margaret Yorke

Marian Babson

Marianne Macdonald

Marjorie Allingham

Marjorie Eccles

Martha Grimes

Martin Edwards: Hannah Scarlet & Daniel Kind Lake District Mysteries

Martina Cole

Mary Stewart

MC Beaton: Agatha Raisin series

Michael Robertson

Michael Robotham

Minette Walters

Nancy Atherton

Ngaio Marsh

Nicci French

Nicola Upson

P.C. Doherty

P.D. James

Patricia Hall: Michael Thackeray & Laura Ackroyd series

Peter James

Peter Lovesey

Peter Robinson: Alan Banks series

Peter Turnbull: Hennessey and Yellich series

Rebecca Kent

Reggie Nadelson

Reginald Hill

Reginald Hill: Dalziel and Pascoe series

Robert Barnard: Charlie Peace series

Robert Goddard

Robert Harris

Robert Lee Hall

Roberta Gellis

Rosamund Lupton

Rosemary Stevens

Ruth Rendell: Inspector Wexford series

S.J. Bolton

S.J. Parris

Sally Spencer: Monika Paniatowski series

Santa Montefiore

Sheri Cobb South

Simon Brett: Fethering series

Sophie Hannah

Stella Whitelaw: Jordan Lacey series

Stuart Pawson

Thomas Harris

Val McDermid

Veronica Black: Sister Joan series

Will Thomas

General Fiction Authors

Anita Brookner

Barbara Pym

Carla Neggers

Eloise James

Ian McEwan

Isabel Wolff

Jane Green

Jasper Fforde

Jeffrey Archer

Joanna Trollope

Julia Quinn

Julian Barnes

Madeleine Wickham

Marcia Willet

Margaret Drabble

Marian Keyes

Mark Haddon

Martin Amis

Mary Balogh

Mary Sheepshanks

Nicci French

Nick Hornby

Penelope Lively

Peter Carey

Salmon Rushdie

Sophie Kinsella

An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd

One of the best beginnings of a mystery (historical or otherwise) I've read in a long while.  I was just literally fixated for the first 100 pages.  After that, we gets a little too convoluted with less-than-necessary characters and too many plotlines that pop up and lead nowhere.  But, it is a must read for those first chapters!  The story revolves around nurse Bess Crawford who is working the frontlines during WWI when she stumbles upon a body that was not shot, but rather had its neck broken.  On her way to report this, she faints and succumbs to the Spanish flu, an epidemic that taking almost as many lives as the war. Once she is better, she finds out that the only people who know of this "mysterious" body are dead, most likely having been killed. Bess is a fabulously feisty character who is almost as good of an amateur sleuth as she is a nurse.  A mother and son writing team work under the pseudonym Charles Todd and their writing is highly vivid and strong and the way they create the mounting suspense leaves the reader craving more.  I could not put this one down.  I will continue to read this Bess Crawford series for sure!

You're (Not) The One by Alexandra Potter

Lucy and Nate kiss under the famed Venice "Bridge of Sighs" which has years of legend and mysticism about it, saying anyone who kisses under it is sealed for a lifetime.  After the couple loses touch, years later they reconnect.  Can the legend be true?  At first, Lucy thinks it might be, but then things change.  Not deep (it is chick lit after-all), but one of the better new chick lit authors I've read in a while, even though it gets a little silly towards the end.  And when the “mysterious” artist Lucy is trying to win over (she works for a NYC art gallery) is named ARTSY, ala Banksy, I almost lost the faith.  But, my persistence paid off with a rewarding ending.  Overall, this one is LOTS of fun and VERY sweet. 

London Calling by James Craig

A new London crime detective takes to the big city streets with a vengeance.  There is a little political intrigue mixed up with the murders John Carlyle is investigating...the case involves a former Cambridge University club filled with future politicos who are being killed off one by one years later. Carlyle is a believable London inspector who fights crime with a passion, though the writing could be a little better and the book does have its fair share of cliches.  Not the best British mystery (by a long shot) but far from the worst.  Definitely something for British mystery lovers to try. 

The Very Picture of You by Isabel Wolff

Once again, Isabel Wolff and her chick lit do not disappoint.  Yes, it’s light.  Yes, it’s predictable.  But, it’s fun.  And Wolff is a strong author who can create strong characters and semi-believable tales.  This one finds the main character Ella Graham as a popular portrait painter in London’s inner circles.  Her newly-engaged sister commissions a portrait of her fiancé and Ella encounters problems when she finds herself attractive to the fiancé.  Other fascinating storylines stem from the different clients Ella is assigned to paint, but the main focus is Ella’s woes with her sister’s fiancé.  Wolff combines just the right combination of wispy prose with heartfelt stories and quality writing for this to be a perfect weekend read! 

A Stranger in Mayfair by Charles Finch

Akin to Deanna Raybourn and her Lady Julia Grey series and Anne Perry’s William Monk series, Charles Finch puts together a smart, fresh historical mystery series with a debonair gentleman detective Charles Lenox.  In this book, the fourth in the series, Lenox begins working as a Member of Parliament in 1860s London, but called upon to do some investigating when the servant of a fellow MP turns up murdered.  Sadly, his new wife, Lady Jane Grey, is not too pleased his sleuthing…she would rather he be home with her, so that leads to some tension.  Mostly, Lenox is an easy-going and dapper fellow who appeals to all.  I think most mystery readers, especially those who like historical or British mysteries (or both) will like Finch! 

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

Another great, fun story by Wolff, who is getting stronger and stronger as a storyteller. The writing is solid, but Wolff's forte is forming bright, vivid female characters who face their troubles head on with passion. A British native, Wolff's young career women all start off less than resilient but then end up conquering heroes. In this novel, Phoebe starts off by opening her new vintage fashion shop, fresh from a badly broken relationship and the death of her close friend. Through both events and a series of wonderful supporting characters, Phoebe comes into her own (her store being a success doesn't hurt either!)! In addition to the story and characters, I also enjoyed leaning about vintage haute couture. A must read for chick lit-ters and those who enjoy light, breezy women's fiction.

Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis

A very entertaining read, for Du Maurier lovers and others as well...those who just like a good story and some good mystery. Challis takes the future authoress and fictionally creates her as an amateur sleuth, all the while allowing her to use her sleuthing for material for her novels, mostly Rebecca. Set in Cornwall, England (Du Maurier's home county in England), Challis sets up a Rebecca-esque story here with all the trimmings...money, a large manor house, an austere housekeeper, a mysterious young woman of a questionable background, and, of course, the sea in the background, its waves crashing against the cliffs. Daphne as a young pre-novelist sleuth is very appealing. She's innocent, yet worldly. She's careful, yet adventurous. Rebecca is one of my favorite books and I'm always skeptical when someone tries to "improvise" on already-near-perfect work. Here, I think Du Maurier herself would be proud.

The English American by Alison Larkin

As an Anglophile, I guess my most deep, dark fantasy (no, NOT that kind) is that I will find out that I was switched at birth…and that my real parents are British! Trust me…this is not an insult to my American parents. They would be MORE than happy to trade me to an unsuspecting couple across the pond. But, alas, my fantasy is just that…fiction. Well, in this novel, the first by stand-up comedienne/actress Alison Larkin, the main character, Pippa, is raised by British adoptive parents in England but finds out that her biological parents are truly American. This immediately makes sense to Pippa, since she’s always considered herself something of an American-phile but most importantly, she is NOTHING like most the British people around her. This information propels Pippa on a quest to find her true identity and the reasons for all of her non-British idiosyncrasies. Larkin, herself, is a biological American and adoptive Brit, so the story resonates very true. Larkin’s writing style is sharp and witty and Pippa is a truly engaging and highly enjoyable character. We want her to be happy…whether in America or England. For me, I will just keep searching for that one day when I find my true parents…and I’m able to go home where I belong...England! Sorry mom and dad.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

One of the more delightful surprises in fiction in recent years, this Keyes book was a beach read that turned out to be a little more than that. I’ve read quite a few of Keyes books before but this one is probably my favorite of hers…it’s fresh and engaging and simply delightful. Told from the POV of three London ladies: 1. Gemma, who has a neurotic mother and is still mourning the loss of her stolen-out-from-under-her-by-her-best-friend boyfriend…2. Lily, who is the best friend who stole Gemma’s boyfriend…and 3. Jojo, a literary agent who ends up representing both Gemma and Lily. I loved the way Keyes weaved all three stories together…yet giving each of the 3 enough space for us to get to know them all. Even though each change of character is marked with the ladies’ name before the chapter, towards the end, we knew each of the three enough to know whose part we were reading. A great way to tell a fun, entertaining story!

The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman

This book is a well-written exploration into the world of love. From three different angles, love and being in love is explored and examined. We have the love of two sisters and one of the sisters’ illicit, unimaginable love. Next, we have the infatuation type of love…love that is more about the “getting” than about the “keeping.” And finally we have the tale of tragic love, told from the POV of a young girl who gets caught in the middle of a doomed love affair. Hoffman brings all of her characters to life, as well as London…the city is brimming with vitality…which contributes to the book passion.