Monthly Archives: January 2015

The Death Zone

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The Death Zone
by Matt Dickinson
Book of the Week: 25 January 2015

To mark the opening of our week-long Literary Festival by visiting author Matt Dickinson, our Book of the Week is The Death Zone.

Death Zone cover

“Ten expeditions were high on Everest, preparing in perfect conditions for their summit push. A day later, eight climbers were dead and more died later, victims of one of the most devastating storms to hit Everest. Matt Dickinson made it to the top by the arduous North Face route which had claimed so many lives. With Al Hinkes, he became the first Briton to film on the summit and return alive. His story is a gripping page-turner which tackles issues at the heart of mountaineering. Men and women died on the mountain without being helped – but is there room for conventional mortality in the Death Zone?” (Publisher’s blurb)

If you enjoy gripping stories of survival such as Touching the Void by Joe Simpson, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer or Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, then you should read this too.

The author’s website is here: http://www.mattdickinson.com/

Night Runner

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Night Runner

by Tim Bowler

Book of the Week:18 January 2015

Nightrunner

Zinny feels the whole world is against him and now there’s a man in the street watching his window. Why is a man in such a flash coat hanging around in a down-at-heel part of town and what is his interest in Zinny’s house?

This story starts with a feeling of menace and tension and doesn’t let up until the end of what is a short, but fast-paced read. Zinny has plenty of problems: an abusive father, an overworked mother and being bullied at school, but the arrival of Flash Coat (as he calls the sinister gangster who watches his house) tops them all. The threats of violence from the gang are grittily convincing, as are Zinny’s efforts to protect his family and his efforts to escape. The book is not called ‘Night Runner’ for nothing; the scenes where Zinny races through the streets are edge-of-the-seat stuff.

If you like Tim Bowler’s ‘Blade’ series or just enjoy fast-moving thrillers, this book is for you.

The author’s website is here

I Predict a Riot

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I Predict a Riot
by Catherine Brunton
Book of the Week: 11 January 2015

I predict a riot

Coronation Road in London is a mix of peoples, types and different cultures. The central character, Maggie, is someone who likes to watch what’s going on through the lens of her camera but as she is filming in a local children’s playground one day she witnesses an incidence of gang violence which changes the course of her life.

Maggie is the daughter of an absent father and is finding it increasingly difficult to relate to her busy mum who is an MP. As a result of the gang encounter she makes friends with Tokes, a boy living with his mum in a cramped bedsit, who is trying to avoid the pervasive gang culture of the area. Will their relationship survive the threats and violence they encounter in a troubled neighbourhood or is their situation doomed?

This is a story of tension rather than action, although the scenes of rioting in the streets are fast-moving and realistic. The central characters are all well-drawn and convincing, as is the inner-city setting.

If you enjoyed Salvage by Keren David or Saving Silence by Gina Blaxill, you may like this too.

The author’s website is here

Shadow of the Wolf

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Shadow of the Wolf
by Tim Hall
Book of the Week: 4 January 2015

Shadow

A book with a striking cover that does not show the title or the author’s name, Shadow of the Wolf, is the story of Robin Hood with a supernatural element.

“Robin Loxley is seven years old when his parents disappear without trace. Years later the great love of his life, Marian, is also taken from him. Driven by these mysteries, and this anguish, Robin follows a darkening path into the ancient heart of Sherwood Forest. What he encounters there will leave him transformed, and will alter for ever the legend of Robin Hood.” (Book blurb)

Most reviewers seem to agree that the book changes tone about halfway through and becomes much darker but also more exciting.

Grisliness and violence may make this unsuitable for younger readers.