Fully booked

For the first time since I joined the library, I managed to borrow the correct number/size of books to last me exactly the three weeks lending time. I finished the last one last night and they're due back tomorrow, so that's not bad going - just one bookless night to get through...

Unfortunately, it wasn't the best selection. There was a lot of variety, but none of them gripped me. Getting to the end felt like a chore, rather than a pleasure. Better luck next time, hopefully.

However, don't let me put you off...

The Necropolis Railway by Andrew Martin

The story is set in 1903 and centres around the rail line between London Waterloo and Brookwood Cemetery. Jim Stringer aspires to drive steam engines, but he has to work his way up through the ranks, in an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility. Strange things are going on, but can Jim get to the bottom of the mysteries before he becomes the next 'victim'?

It's all very promising, but somehow the story left me cold. I didn't care about the mystery, and the narrative was hard going (possibly because it was so 'atmospheric' and I missed the point). This book came highly recommended by the librarian, so maybe it was just me, but I'm unlikely to be rushing to find the next Jim Stringer mystery.

The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom

Another first in a series - the Mobile Library - in which we meet Israel Armstrong, a hapless librarian, moving to Ireland to start a new life and run a branch library. Except he arrives to find the library closed, no-one to meet him and, by various misadventures, he loses all his money and clothes.

By an unlikely set of circumstances, Israel is forced to resurrect the local mobile library, live in a chicken coop and generally be abused by almost everyone he meets. It felt like this was trying to be Wilt, by Tom Sharpe. But it really didn't work - the situations were so ludicrous and so unlikely that I had no sympathy for our 'hero' and couldn't care less whether he triumphed through adversity or not. Hmm...

Compulsion by Jonathan Kellerman

Compulsion is an Alex Delaware novel. If you're not familiar with the series, Delaware is a child psychologist in LA who works with the police department on cases involving children, usually getting more involved than you imagine is likely in real life. However, I've always found these novels to be a good read, with a familiar set of characters who we've got to know over the years.

This is not the best of the series, though. Delaware seems to just be along for the ride when his friend, Lieutenant Sturgis, begins investigating some previously unconnected murders involving expensive cars. With no children involved, it seems odd that Delaware gets to go off investigating all by himself, but we can suspend disbelief for a good detective story, can't we? Well, only just, because it's a bit of a thin story. However, it wasn't a chore to finish (unlike my previous two!).

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama

I managed (more by luck than judgement) to keep the best for last. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is about exactly that - a marriage bureau in India, set up by retired Mr Ali for something to occupy him and keep him out from under his wife's feet. It's a charming read, and reminded me of the first No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book, with the stories of the bureau's clients, and descriptions of the life and culture of India. The writing style was quite simplistic, and sometimes clumsy when trying to explain things, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. I actually cared about the characters, for the first time in 4 books!

So, I'm back at the library tomorrow for my next batch. Hopefully my hit rate will be better...