the whaleboat house by mark mills

Review by Katie

The second installment for our book club is Whaleboat House by Mark Mills. I have to admit that I read this book a while ago now (November?) and can hardly remember it - I have had to skim read the first few chapters to remind myself what the book is about - probably a sign that this isn't the most thought-provoking book ever written. It is a mystery set on the NE coast of the USA, where the traditional fishing communities live side-by-side with the rich weekenders from New York. The book was written by a British author, but actually on reading the book it felt like it was written by an American. I did enjoy the book - I thought the book was very well written, unlike most detective books, although the characters aren't particularly memorable. I recommended this book on the strength of Savage Garden, a recent best-seller this summer by the same author, which I preferred.

On another note, since the birth of my baby last Summer I have read at least 20+ books (all those long hours breast-feeding). I thought I would share with you my top 10 (in no particular order) - all of which I can highly recommend: Behind the scenes at the museum, Case Histories and One good turn - all by Kate Atkinson, who writes great books with very memorable and credible characters; Restless, Fascination and Any Human Heart, all by William Boyd; the Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield; the House at Riverton; Mission Song, by John Le carre; and Savage Garden by Mark Mills.