Hobbies and Crafts

I eventually got round to listening to Meet Me at the Pier Head.

It was my first Audi book experience, involving sitting. or standing in the vicinity of my computer for over sixteen hours. Thank goodness for the pause button! The book was on fifteen c.d's. So there were "natural breaks" too.

I found it to be a book of two flavours (or courses). The gritty story of poverty, abuse, inequality and murder. Coupled with a romantic story of people meeting, falling in love and living happily ever after.
Linked together by the authors obvious love of Liverpool and dcouse humour.


I loved the realistic, social history part of the story. But felt that it was let down by the Mills & Boon esque romance, which at times took over the main story line. Also felt that the Liverpool was given a major character, and would have been better as a minor one.

Perhaps my (individual) opinion was affected by the fact that I had to listen yo every word. If I had read it to myself I could have hurried through the bits that I found boring. I would have them enjoyed the story a lot more, being able to concentrate on the serious issues in the book. The serious story was excellent!
P.S. Don't let my review put you off, I am sure that a lot of people would enjoy the book.

The Girl on the Train. by. Paula Hawkins.

The story is told by Rachel, (the girl on the train), Megan, and Anna.
I was gripped by the story from the first chapter onwards. A thrilling tale of modern life and its difficulties, with a look back at the causes of the mindset of the women concerned.

I found that I liked Rachel, flaws and all. But don't think that that was necessary to the "enjoyment" of the book.

Rachel is an observer, watching people she sees from the train windows and weaving her own stories around the.

Megan and Anna are real people, with there own real stories to tell. The three women are connected in both Rachel's fantasy world. and the real world, where their lives collide.

I don't want to give away any of the plot, as part of the thrill of the story is its unpredictable nature.

I'm not sure if this has already been made into a film, but if not, it really should be.

I can,'t recommend this book highly enough. Paula Hawkins writes with a sure pen, her three women are all believable, perhaps because they are not always "nice" women.

I did guess some of the plot, but not the twist at the end!!

Read it and see what you think, I would love to know if others share my opinion.

I am off to read the other reviews of these two books. and to fiind out more about Paula Hawkins.

Still on the waiting list at the library for Throwaway Children..

Tess, Paula Hawkins got awards for that book.. it is her first and I can't wait to read her next one.

The other author who is excellent - a little different is Paula Daly.. I read her book "The Secrets we Keep" a few twists in it.. and held me all the way through.. so much so I have read her second book which has the same woman police detective the second book is "Keep your friends Close" and I am being very patient waiting for her third as I also want to find out what happens with the detective.

Thanks Perse.

I should be going to the library this Saturday. Will be collecting one of this months books to review. Still waiting for. Throwaway Children and the other one for this month.

Will look out for Paula Daly books too.