KALEIDOSCOPE

Gail Bowen. KALEIDOSCOPE. M&S, 2012.

Still enjoying these Joanne Kilbourn mysteries set in Regina. In KALEIDOSCOPE, Joanne retires, her house gets firebombed, and her running partner shot. Issues include urban blight, gentrification, cross-cultural communication, and the sources of violence.

WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER

Peter Robinson. WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER. M&S, 2016. 

Banks has been promoted. His first two cases involve sexual abuse--one historic, from 1967, and one involving a grooming ring of underage girls. 

CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION

Peter Robinson. CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION. Hodder, 2013.

I think my favourite D.C.I. Banks story yet. The body of a disgraced university professor is found on the tracks beneath a bridge, with an envelope containing 5K pounds in its pocket. Banks is warned off pursuing a line of inquiry which involves a local lady. 

THE CAT'S TABLE

Michael Ondaatje. The CAT's TABLE. Vintage, 2011.

Inspired by re-reading ANIL'S GHOST, I wanted to read this story of 11-year-old Michael's 21-day voyage on the Oronsay from Ceylon to London to reunite with his mother. It reads like memoir with subtle shifts into the future and how it was/is informed by the past. Also wanted to read this, waiting in a pile for several months, so that I am ready to read WARLIGHT which sounds so good. 

HANDWRITING

Michael Ondaatje. HANDWRITING. McClelland & Stewart, 1998.

Re-reading a favourite. Now I see how it is such a source for Anil's Ghost.

ANIL'S GHOST

Michael Ondaatje. ANIL'S GHOST. Vintage, 2000.

You know how you wake from a dream and you don't remember the details but you remember how you enjoyed being in it? That's what I felt about my first reading of Anil's Ghost. I enjoyed it, but could not remember any details (except it was about a female forensic anthropologist working in Sri Lanka during internal political strife). After re-reading this novel for book club, I still like it. Enjoyed a vicarious trip to Sri Lanka. Enjoyed a female protagonist who has a work and family and love history not dependent on some man. Enjoyed the importance of art and spirituality to the plot. And am reminded again of how lucky we are here in Canada where opposing factions as of yet are not going at each other with grenades, machetes, and guns.