The Sniggard's Revenge: A Fantasy Adventure by Jeff Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normally I find it very difficult to enjoy a fantasy tale having long ago cut my reading teeth, so to speak, on the novels of Dennis Wheatly, J.R.R. Tolkein and Mervyn Peake. But, after just a few pages my imagination was caught by The Sniggard’s Revenge. Jeff Chapman’s initial scenario of poor Ethan’s teen infatuation for Arabella, the rich squire’s daughter, has all the necessary elements required to intrigue the reader. We suspect it will all end in tears, although we would not be human if we didn’t hope that the lad will find success; and that there will be a happy-ever-after ending. Well, no spoiler from me! Read it and find out for yourself because there’s an exciting roller-coaster of a plot to read and enjoy ahead of you.

Some rather gruesome and bloody events will confront our main protagonists along the way. And there’s plenty of intriguing magic to help or hinder Ethan and Arabella. The Sniggard monster and Brom Trillbidill, a forest faerie, did sound a little like characters from Lord of the Rings, or at least inspired by them at first, but no matter. They each had their own individuality and both played a great part in the story. Chapman’s tale twists and turns throughout the book between three main scenarios and it kept me on my toes just the way you hope with a thriller, notwithstanding that this is a fantasy tale.

I enjoyed the way that the author is constantly bringing in sayings, myths and legends through the dialogue of the Faerie characters like Brom and his witch wife. It gave them a distinct authenticity for the plot settings. It is extremely well written and the end leaves the reader wanting more because Ethan’s brother is left back there in a very disconcerting situation. Presumably there is a sequel to follow since Ethan is an amusingly fallible hero and we want to know more about him.


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Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I do not think you need to have read any of the previous books in Trollope’s Barsetshire series, it was nice to find so many of the characters from all three novels turning up in this delightful novel. The author’s ability to get under the skin of both unwise Mark and unpleasant Mrs Proudie with his sympathy and satire is remarkable and very enjoyable. The tale is amusing throughout and intriguing about the various potential romantic entanglements. This alone was a big surprise to me since I usually try to skip past any ‘love bits’ finding them unreal and boring. But when it comes to the typical trial between class and love, so often found during those times, Trollope included personal drama and social class climbing so well that I had to know what would happen to the various characters - right to the end.

Mark Robarts, the central male character, goes through so many unwise behaviours I found myself exclaiming aloud: ‘idiot’ and ‘not again’ more than once. His sister, Lucy Robarts, is a great heroine, perhaps a little too withdrawn to begin with, but eventually you have to admire her strength and integrity. The way she handles the awkward Lady Lufton, as well as Mr Crawley while nursing his seriously ill wife left me full of admiration. Other great characters were Mr Sowerby and Mrs Grantly, each contrasting the good and the bad side of events, but no spoilers.

As usual in these books the author delights in pursuing religious and political matters throughout. His ability again to mix humour and sarcasm while doing this is a feat of writing talent to be wondered at. Framley Parsonage has become a rival for my favourite Trollope novel, pushing Doctor Thorne for the place.


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Gone for Good by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gone For Good is a thriller with all the expected twists and turns and a final chapter that is full of surprises. When Will's mother is on her death bed she whispers something to him about her other son. Ken vanished years earlier after their neighbour, Julie, had been murdered. Julie was Will’s girlfriend and so the mystery begins. No spoiler here. The characters and dialogue are very convincing, including the evil character known as the Ghost! Much of the plot is fast moving and just as convincing, but I thought the revelations at the end difficult to believe. I really enjoyed the sudden introduction of a child because things became even more intriguing, despite the complications for the reader to understand. The main protagonist, Will Klein, is a likeable character and I was rooting for him right to the end.
This is an exciting and pacey thriller from Harlan Coben that should satisfy his fans and anyone else who also enjoys crime thrillers.


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