A darker shade of blue by John Harvey

I know short stories aren't everyone's cup of tea, but fans of crime novels will be doing themselves a disservice if they ignore the latest offering from the man who has been described as 'the master of British crime.'
I'm a fan of Harvey's long-running series of novels featuring jazz-loving Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick, and his more recent creation, DI Frank Elder. I can't remember if I've read either of his two earlier short story collections, but this new book was unputdownable.
According to the blurb, Harvey's 'finely crafted vignettes perfectly encapsulate life in the badlands of modern Britain'', which sounds pretty gloomy - but it isn't.
Each of the stories, featuring Elder, Resnick or former footballer turned private investigator Jack Kiley, was gripping, challenging, exciting and absorbing - do you get the idea that I loved this book?
Rating - I give this 4/5

GREAT!!

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Reviewed by Jan@ Ballarat branch

The young Victoria (DVD)

Concentrating on the early years of the reign of Britain's longest-reigning monarch when she was young, hopeful and lovely, this DVD is just gorgeous.
The locations are picturesque, the costumes are exquisite and the performances excellent - particularly those of Emily Blunt as the young girl who became Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Rupert Friend as her German cousin, Albert, the love of her life and Paul Bettany as the subtly scheming Lord Melbourne.
The Girls Rule OK thread that runs through the story is so satisfying , with the young princess - who succeeded to the throne when she was 18 years old - caught in a struggle for power and determined to rule her kingdom and the love story of Victoria and Albert is - well, lovely. The young girl who is initially under the thumb of her scheming mother and her mother's ambitious advisor grows into a woman who knows her own mind, to the extent of throwing a few hissy fits when Albert tries to help out.
This is one with the lot - intrigue, drama, tragedy, happiness and of course those costumes. What a winner.

Rating - I give this 5/5

GREAT!!

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Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat branch

From Baghdad, with love : Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman

They were tough, they were focussed, they gave no quarter in one of the most dangerous places on earth - but the members of the First Battalion, Third Marines in Fallujah, Iraq at the beginning of the American invasion lost their hearts when they met the abandoned pup they named Lava.

Suddenly, in all the mayhem of war and danger, they had something small, precious and furry to love, fuss over and look after - just what they needed.They would do anything for the little pup, keeping him on the base against the rules, lavishing him with love and food and eventually going through the hoops that would hopefully allow Kopelman to take him home to the States rather than abandoning him.

A fellow dog-loving friend recommended this book and I'm so glad she did. Kopelman writes so well and captures the dangers and difficulties of his life at the time, as well as the humour. It's obvious these tough men relished - and needed - the light relief this little dog gave them.

Rating - I give this 4/5

GREAT!!
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Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat

Now, by Morris Gleitzman

"Once I didn't know about my grandfather Felix's scary childhood. Then I found out what the Nazis did to his best friend Zelda....At least he's got me. My name is Zelda too. This is our story."In Felix and the two Zeldas - Felix's wartime friend and his granddaughter - and trilogy of Once, Then and Now, renowned Australian writer Morris Gleitzman has created characters and stories that leap off the page.

Having read the first two books, Now was a must-read for me and I was curious to find out how Gleitzman could take the boy Felix, with his scarring wartime experiences, into the present day. Now an old man, Felix is a retired surgeon who has spent a lifetime helping people - including his granddaughter when she is bullied at the school she is attending while her parents are away.

Felix's disturbing memories of his past, the cruel treatment Zelda experiences at school and a frightening bushfire, plus Gleitzman's masterly storytelling, combine to make Now a compelling read. Despite dealing with serious issues, there is some wonderful humour in these books - Gleitzman at his best. And while the series is aimed at mature young readers, it's very suitable for adult readers too - although be warned: it will probably make you cry.

Rating - I give this 5/5

GREAT!!

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Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

'Truth or dare?' she asks. I hesitate. I have so many secrets, so many things I don't want to reveal, but this is only a game, only a bit of fun. 'Truth,' I say finally. 'I can imagine one of your dares, and I don't fancy running down Oxford Street naked tonight.' Katherine has moved away from her shattered once-perfect family to start a new life in Sydney. There she keeps her head down until she is befriended by the charismatic Alice, and her life takes her in new directions. But there is a dark side to Alice, and as we learn the truth of Katherine's sister's death and Alice's background their story spirals to an explosive finale. A potent, intense and simply unputdownable psychological thriller from an exciting voice (from the publisher).
A great novel for young adults that reveals the story of Katherine and her secrets little by little, bit by bit, while Alice puts Katherine under her spell. Everything seems fine for a while before things start to unravel again in Katherine's life. Rebecca James is an Australian author who has been described as the new J.K Rowling as she went from rags to riches after a bidding war erupted over the rights to this book.
Rated 4.5/5 GREAT!!

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Reviewed by Michelle @ admin

Bride Wars (DVD)

It's light, it's fluffy and it's a lot of fun. Bride Wars on DVD was the perfect choice for a cold, wet day off recently.
Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have been best friends forever and become engaged within hours of each other. But when a clerical error turns their childhood dreams of marrying at New York's prestigious Plaza Hotel into a nightmare, with one bride potentially forced to find another venue, they're friends no longer. Gatecrashing each other's parties, sabotaging beauty treatments ... nothing is safe. Over-the-top is the way to go for these two.
Hudson and Hathaway - both gorgeous women - are perfect as the warring Bridezillas and Candice Bergen too is great in her role as the wedding planner. It's all a bit daft and ditsy, really, but SO enjoyable.
Rating - I give this 4/5

Not bad

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Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat branch