Ellis Peters | Words And Peace

Picture found at: https://www.melindatognini.com.au

#6Degrees

Six degrees of separation:
from a place to a killer

Time for another quirky variation on this meme:

Using my own rules for this fun meme hosted by Kate at Booksaremyfavouriteandbest (see there the origin of the meme and how it works – posted the first Saturday of every month).

Here are my own quirky rules:

1. Use your list of books on Goodreads
2. Take the first word of the title (or in the subtitle) offered and find another title with that word in it – see the titles below the images to fully understand, as often the word could be in the second part of the title
3. Then use the first word of THAT title to find your text title
4. Or the second if the title starts with the same word, or you are stuck

Click on the covers
links will send you to my review or to the relevant Goodreads page

1. Second Place, by Rachel Cusk

I have not read this book, should I?

“A woman invites a famed artist to visit the remote coastal region where she lives, in the belief that his vision will penetrate the mystery of her life and landscape. His provocative presence provides the frame for a study of female fate and male privilege, of the geometries of human relationships, and of the struggle to live morally in the intersecting spaces of our internal and external worlds.
With its examination of the possibility that art can both save and destroy us, Rachel Cusk’s Second Place is deeply affirming of the human soul, while grappling with its darkest demons.”

2. Second Sister, by Chan Ho-Kei

VERDICT from my review:
If you are looking for something different, geeky, suspenseful, and smart, don’t wait, read Second Sister now.

3. Hikikomori and the Rental Sister, by Jeff Backhaus

From my review:
“It’s a very deep book I think, that will stay with me. The ending was very satisfying.”

4. The Rose Rent, by Ellis Peters

OK, I could not find another title in my list with the adjective ‘rental’, so I went with ‘rent’, though it doesn’t mean at all what it meant in the previous title. I warned you about the quirkiness, didn’t I?

I have devoured this whole Cadfael series by Ellis Peters, alas no review here, as it was mainly before I started blogging. Highly recommended! The movies as well.

“A late spring in 1142 brings dismay to the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, for there may be no roses by June 22nd. On that day the young widow Perle must receive one white rose as rent for the house she has given to benefit the abbey or the contract is void. When nature finally complies, a pious monk is sent to pay the rent – and is found murdered beside the hacked rose-bush.
The abbey’s wise herbalist, Brother Cadfael, follows the trail of bloodied petals. He knows the lovely widow’s dowry is far greater with her house included, and she will likely wed again. But before Cadfael can ponder if a greedy suitor has done this dreadful deed, another crime is committed. Now the good monk must thread his way through a tangle more tortuous than the widow’s thorny bushes — or there will be more tears…”

5. The Lady Agnès Mystery vol 1: Book 1. The Season of the Beast Book 2. The Breath of the Rose, by Andrea Japp

VERDICT from my review:
Suspenseful saga set in France in the 14th century, at the time of the dreadful Inquisition. Rich in historical details and ripe with secrets powerful enough to kill or to die for.

6. The Lady Killer, by Masako Togawa