Tag Archives: fiction

Books: The Seventh Son

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The Seventh Son, by Sebastian Faulks, begins with an intriguing premise but ultimately doesn’t live up to its potential because of flat characterization and a meandering plot.

The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulks

The story is spans three decades (from 2030) and follows Talissa Adam, a penniless student who becomes a surrogate for an IVF programme at London’s Parn Institute run by tech billionaire Lukas Parn who is conducting ethically dubious research involving earlier human species. The resulting child, Seth, is raised by his loving parents Alaric and Mary, unaware of his unique biology. The scientific concepts are interesting, touching on evolution and species selection, Faulks fails to bring much depth to the story. The characters are shallow: Parn is a generic tech villain, a ‘man-baby’ whose megalomania feels borrowed from contemporary headlines. But the biggest character error is in the book’s perspective – the story is told from the wrong character (in my opinion) – Talissa and not Seth.

Seth is the genetically engineered child at the story’s heart. He remains distant and opaque and I couldn’t help wondering how much more compelling his story would have been if told from his viewpoint, allowing readers access to his unique take on the experiment that created him.

The pacing suffers in the second half, weighed down by scientific expositions and descriptions of meals that added nothing to the story. At times I questioned whether this was written by Faulks. Where the story could have built tension and philosophical complexity, it drifted into mundane detail.

Books: Time Kneels Between Mountains

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Amra Pajalić’s Time Kneels Between Mountains is pitched as a mystery, but what unfolds is something far more sobering and powerful: a visceral account of life during the siege of Srebrenica.

Though fictionalised, this novel reads more like historical non-fiction—so grounded is it in the brutal realities of the Bosnian War. As someone who lives in the region and knows its complex history and culture, I found this book difficult, necessary, and ultimately worthwhile.

Seka Torlak is a strong and determined protagonist whose story echoes the trauma endured by thousands. Her town collapses into violence and scarcity overnight, and Pajalić captures the horrors of starvation, shelling, and moral collapse with haunting precision. The “mystery” centres on Seka’s quest to expose the black marketeers stealing vital supplies—but in truth, we already know how this story ends. It is not the resolution that matters, but the human journey through impossible circumstances.

The plot is taut and well-paced, and the relationships—especially between Seka and Ramo—add warmth and emotional depth. However, I felt more could have been explored in the hinted relationship between Torlak and the doctor’s daughter, which might have added another layer of complexity.

It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this novel—it hits too close to real tragedy—but I’m grateful to have read it. Fiction like this ensures we do not forget what happened in Srebrenica, and that matters deeply. Pajalić doesn’t offer comfort or easy answers, but she offers something more important: truth through storytelling.

For those interested in the recent history of the Balkans, and especially for those who think they understand it, Time Kneels Between Mountains is a must-read. It’s not a mystery in the conventional sense—but it is unforgettable.

Books: No Precious Truth

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I loved reading No Precious Truth by Chris Nickson.

No Precious Truth by Chris Nickson

It’s a suspense/thriller. Brother (Dan) working for MI5 and sister (Cathy) working for police/army in Leeds during WW2 are coincidentally together on a small team chasing down an escaped and dangerous German spy. The suspense comes from pressure on Dan by his bosses to capture the spy and close the case before collateral and psychological damage is done. The book is overflowing with scene setting (Leeds in WW2) and character development, e.g. Dan’s girlfriend being sacked from the spy catcher project, Cathy’s boyfriend shipped off on a troop ship to North Africa, the rest of the Special Investigative Branch in Leeds, as well as Cathy’s best friends and parents living their civilian lives under the threat of German bombs. The story is primarily told from Cathy’s perspective and although it’s hinted at several times, the book doesn’t dwell too much on the fact that she’s a woman struggling for acceptance in a male-dominated career/situation. The plot is well-paced, the characters are credible and likeable, and the ending is tense and satisfying.

Books: The Bookseller

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Tim Sullivan’s The Bookseller is an engaging murder mystery that explores the world of rare books.

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan

Set in Bristol (UK) where a bookseller is found murdered, the story follows DS George Cross and colleagues as he tries to solve the crime. George Cross is an intriguing protagonist, notable for his emotionless quirks and methodical approach. His relationships with his colleagues add some lightness to the story, though they might feel a bit too well-crafted at times – I suspect the police workplace may be a little less rosy than it’s portrayed in this story. Still, his unique personality keeps the narrative going along.

The is compelling, with the crimes and feuds within the book trade providing a new and intriguing backdrop. Sullivan uses the details of this niche industry effectively, adding depth without slowing the plot’s pace. It’s not just about solving the crime; it’s about understanding the characters and their motives, which makes this story satisfying. While the plot twists and turns, it remains clear and easy to follow. The resolution ties things together well, leaving no loose ends. It’s a straightforward but well-executed mystery that keeps you guessing without being overly complex.

The Bookseller is a very enjoyable read for anyone who loves murder mysteries with a unique setting and a slightly unconventional detective. It’s a satisfying story that balances intrigue, character development, and a good dose of insider knowledge about the book world.

Books: Small Lives, Big World: A Collection of Short Stories From Near and Far 

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R.M. Green’s Small Lives, Big World is an exquisite collection of short stories that masterfully weaves ordinary and extraordinary aspects of human experience together. The book captivated me with its skilfully crafted characters, richly detailed, vivid settings, and thought-provoking plots.

Small Lives, Big World: A Collection of Short Stories From Near and Far by R. M. Green

Green has a strong talent for bringing everyday moments to life while imbuing them with intrigue and poignancy that stay with you long after you’ve turned the page.

The characters in this collection are as diverse as the settings they inhabit—an Ottawa suburban housewife, a Chinese shopkeeper, a private in the trenches of World War I, and a six-year-old train traveler, to name just a few. Each of them feels authentic and fully realized, their emotions and struggles palpable. Green’s ability to create characters who are simultaneously specific and relatable is quite remarkable. You don’t just read about their little lives; you step into them.

Equally vivid are the settings, which range from the bustling Parisian streets to tranquil yet enigmatic corners of Central America. The book’s descriptive prose breathes life into each location, steeping the reader in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of these places. Whether it’s the tropical backwaters or the claustrophobic office of a factory, the settings feel essential to the stories they frame.

What truly places this collection on the top shelf, however, is the storytelling. Each story is intriguing and often takes unexpected, twisty turns that kept me thoroughly engaged. Humor and tragedy, despair and hope, are balanced to create a tapestry of human experience that is both entertaining and deeply moving – and real. Themes of love, fear, dreams, and resilience thread through the stories, uniting the characters and settings seamlessly.

Small Lives, Big World is a book that invites you to journey alongside its characters, sharing their lives, joys, and struggles – but only for a little while and with each story, I was left wanting more. For well-traveled readers and those with an interest in exploring the richness of human experience across the globe, this collection is a must-read. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

A later edit… I wanted to add to my review… this book is a perfect example of one of those wonderfully crafted books that is a totally satisfying read that for some random reason is not on best-seller lists, but jolly well should be because it’s a WAAAAY better read than most of the mediocre-to-rubbish stuff that the big publishing houses push onto consumers in the big book stores.