Review: High Tech and Hot Pot

High Tech and Hot Pot

Stephan Orth

After hosting a Chinese student in his Hamburg flat, Orth decides to embark on a journey across China. Of course, he doesn't divulge to the authorities that he is a journalist. He wants to travel around and try his hand at "couch-surfing" with locals, if possible, to see how they view their own country and the wider world.

I found some of this book interesting, and I'm always amazed at how quickly the Chinese can build and develop sprawling metropolises. It often makes me feel like the West is lagging behind. But as Orth shows while he travels from one large city to another, all the development might come at a price, which made his chapter about searching for Shangri-la all the more enjoyable.

I do wish he had included a map of China for reference; it would have been a great addition. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like this book added anything new about China's development. I liked that the author showed how his hosts were feeling about their own lives and sometimes about how they view the rest of the world. He also dealt a lot with the increasing security surveillance in the country, which some readers will view as a restrictive practice. But, it would be useful to point out that in the West, especially the United States, our habits and movements are tracked by large data companies and credit companies that also, significantly, determine how we can live our lives.

I was hoping for a little more focus on the country's phenomenal economic growth and maybe a bit more about ordinary people and their expectations. To be fair, this is a travelogue, and it does what it claims, it showcases the author's journey from one area to another.

Thanks to Library Thing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: The Hour of Death

The Hour of Death

Jane Willan

When Sister Agatha of Gwenafwy Abbey in Wales learns that Tiffany Reese, head of the local arts committee has been found dead at the Parish Hall, she immediately thinks foul play has been involved. Sister Agatha starts her investigation with a little help from her trusted friend Father Selwyn. As they set out making a list of possible suspects, strange events begin to occur in and around the Abbey, convincing Sister Agatha that there is more to the story of Tiffany's death than first realized.

Sister Agatha is a fan of mystery novels, and when she isn't dealing with the Abbey's library or the cheese production venture the Reverend Mother has recently invested in, she spends her spare time writing mystery stories. Now that she is facing a real mystery she will have to rest her pen and think carefully if she intends to find out what happened to Tiffany and root out any killer hiding in the area.

I fell in love with Sister Agatha who loves nothing more than a good mystery and honing her skills as an amateur sleuth. Jane Willan has written a thoroughly satisfying mystery with interesting twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the end. It's full of fun and lovable characters who make it a delightful read. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than curled up with The Hour of Death and a good cup of tea.

This review was originally written by me and published by City Book Review. 

Review: The Sleeping Car Murders

 

The Sleeping Car Murders

Sébastien Japrisot

When a woman is found dead on a train from Marseille to Paris, it's the job of Detective Grazziano to find her killer. Once a witness to the woman's death is found dead, the case becomes much more complicated than at first glance. Will Grazziano be able to stop a killer in his tracks? Or is he on the wrong track? It looks that way when another witness is found dead.

With a unique writing style, Japrisot takes the reader on a journey through the streets of Paris to find a killer who thinks he's committed the perfect crime. A gripping noir mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. This is an author I hope to read again.

Thanks to Gallic Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Murderous Morning

Murderous Morning

Bernadette Calonego

When Tessa Griffins finds out her foster sister, Fran, is missing, and Fran's husband and children have been found dead, she drops everything at the law firm where she works in Vancouver to get to the small town of Whatou Lake, in British Columbia where her parents live. She hasn't been back for some time, and she's not sure what she will find, except old memories she's tried to forget. But, she has to help out in the search for Fran. She will also have to dig deep to find out what happened at the remote farm where Fran's husband and children died. Could it be poachers? Or is it something more sinister that's responsible for all the carnage?

Calonego has written a riveting mystery that will keep fans glued to the page. I loved that this story had many exciting elements, such as family drama, a mystery, and enough tension between the various characters to keep me guessing until the end. Frankly, I felt like I'd been on an expedition through the Canadian wilderness by the time I finished this book. The atmosphere and descriptions were so wonderfully developed that I had a hard time putting it down. If you are craving a mystery with a depth of story, character, and plot, this is definitely one to read.

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: A Better Man

 

A Better Man

Louise Penny

After being suspended and demoted, Armand Gamache is back as Chief Inspector of Homicide. A position he is sharing with Jean-Guy Beauvoir before Beauvoir leaves the force for a job in Paris. Quebec is in the grip of a hundred-year flood but, a woman is reported missing by one of Gamache's team, Inspector Cloutier, a friend of the woman's family. They all set out to find her, even as Gamache's village of Three Pines is threatened by the raging Bella Bella river. What has happened to Vivenne Godin? Did her abusive husband kill her? It sure looks that way to Gamache but, will this case present more questions than answers?

A Better Man has to be one of Louise Penny's finest works; she is clearly a master of the mystery. It's brilliantly plotted and oh so hard to put down. Captivating and engaging throughout, it has to be one of the best mysteries I've read this year. Like a fine wine, Penny and Gamache seem to get better with time. I'm addicted to her sleight of hand and ability to whisk me off to the village of Three Pines, where I find old friends from past books. Without a doubt, this is one not to be missed.

This review was written by me and originally published by City Book Review.

Review: The Books of the Dead

 

The Books of the Dead

Emilia Bernhard

Rachel Levis discovers a body in a cafe restroom in the middle of Paris. The men's room, to be exact. The body in question belongs to Guy Laurent, who worked at France's Bibliothèque Nationale in the reading room. Rachel's friend in the Paris police, Capitaine Boussicault, would like her to assist him by working at the library to observe his suspects. But can Rachel simply watch and refrain from action? Of course not. And her best friend Magda is just itching to get involved in the investigation as well. After all, that's what the two do best, solve crimes. Maybe even better than the Paris police.

If the Paris setting isn't enough to make you pick up this book, then the fun, engaging and witty writing style of the author is. The Books of the Dead is a must for mystery fans who like a little international drama and an enticing amateur sleuth. This is the second in the series, and I sure hope it isn't the last, as I've enjoyed strolling around Paris with two friends seeking to find answers to life's mysteries.

This review was written by me for City Book Review.

Review: Fasionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes

 

Fashionopolis

Dana Thomas

Fashionopolis is a well-written and researched book that looks at the cost of fast fashion in terms of labor relations, environmental damage, and changing forms of production. It asks, “is the current trend of quick output and rapid turnover in shops like Zara sustainable?” Not surprisingly, the answer is no.

Many are probably well aware of new reports about labor exploitation in the garment industry, but there is also an environmental impact that has been gaining attention. For example, a large amount of water is consumed to grow cotton to produce items such as t-shirts and jeans. Not to mention the vast amounts of pesticides and chemicals needed to grow the crops and process clothing. And what happens when we are tired of wearing these items? Throwing them in a landfill is not the answer since many fabrics are not biodegradable.

The author focuses her attention not just on the history of production but also on how businesses and researchers are seeking new ways to help the industry change to a model of production and use that is better for consumers and the environment. But will customers be satisfied with the idea of buying less but paying more for quality? I'm not so sure but, after reading this, I will be thinking more about the real cost of the garments I'm wearing.

This review was written by me originally for City Book Review.