I regret the change in cover as I don't much like sensational covers and prefer the previous covers.
As in previous novels, the location becomes a character. The Lincolnshire fens are both beautiful and mysterious and getting lost in the fens can be risky.
Ellis' human characters ring true and feel like old friends when you meet them again. I liked that Cat gets more attention in this book when she teams up with Ben, a Derbyshire detective who has not given up on a case similar to the one Galena's team is tasked with solving.
An interesting twist relates to an unsolved case from a previous book. Nikki's mother Eve plays an important, if brief, role. Eve has an intriguing background, and I hope she will continue to play a part in future books.
It is not necessary to read these books from the beginning--each one works perfectly well on its own thanks to Ellis' skill, but if you follow the series, it is rewarding to see connections and get reacquainted with characters from previous books.
Captive on the Fens has a kind of serpentine effect going on that keeps the reader following closely, trying to weave the various threads into whole cloth.
NetGalley/Joffe Books
Crime/Police Procedural. Jan. 25, 2017. Print length: 315 pages.
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Some books read in January, but not yet reviewed:
Over the Hills and Far Away by Matthew Dennison--biography of Beatrix Potter
The Last Hack by Christopher Brookmyre--cyber suspense
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti--coming of age? mystery
The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova--contemporary and historical; behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria
The Undesired by Yrsa Sigurdardottir--set in Iceland; chilling story of a home for young offenders in 1974 and a current investigation of the situation.
Two versions of covers of The Undesired.
I've been known to not read a book if I can't stand the cover. ;<)) I'm interested in the Ellis book. I've seen several UK crime shows that focus on old orphanages or young offenders homes. Creepy.
ReplyDeleteIf I had not read Ellis' previous books, I would have hesitated on that cover as well. The Undesired is the first book I've read by Sigurdardottir and one of the few books I've read set in Iceland.
DeleteI have to admit, sometimes it's the location of the story that makes me want to read the book. And who can resist the fens? :) And I love Yrsa Sigurdardottir! The first book of hers that I ever read I read because it was set in Greenland. Am looking forward to hearing about The Undesired. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to read more by Sigurdardottir--this one really surprised me. I was not expecting it to turn out the way it did!
DeleteBoth of these, Joy Ellis and Yrsa Sigurdardottir, are authors that I've meant to read. I think I own at least 3 books by Sigurdardottir. And I have Kindle Unlimited and can read the Ellis books that way. Just need to get around to it.
ReplyDeleteAs to covers - yes, I do understand that a cover like this is a turnoff. You know, covers used to be more lurid at times though on those old mass market paperbacks. Lots of dripping knives and such. I remember when my daughter was young, she was creeped out by many of the covers on books I read. I got in the habit of putting the book facedown and she didn't turn them over. I still do that, even though she is now in her mid-30's. LOL
Covers really carry an impact, don't they? So easy to be drawn to a cover--or not! It is also interesting to watch cover trends and to see images repeated when a book is popular.
DeleteYou've a great list of books there, Jenclair. Haven't read any of those so will have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your letter arrived!
Oh, good! I mailed that one the first week in January! I'm glad it finally arrived in Singapore. :)
DeleteI didn't know Elizabeth Kostova had written another book! How was it? The book about Beatrix Potter looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the cover, but the book does sound good. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Hmmm...I'm still a bit undecided about Kostova's latest. The part I liked will stay with me, but I didn't feel that way about the book overall. I have a review scheduled here on the blog for March, but I've already posted it to Goodreads.
DeleteI have the Hannah Tinti book on my kindle and can't wait to read it. Looking forward to your review. I Looks like a great reading month.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to know what you think. I'm still not sure what I think about it.
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