Douglas Rogers is an award-winning journalist and travel writer living in New York. April 2000 – whilst on a visit to Germany the author hears the news of the murder of a white farmer in Zimbabwe. The threatened invasions of white-owned farm land had truly begun. His first thought is for his parents Lyn and Ros Rogers who own and live on Drifters, a small game farm and back-packers lodge near Mutare and an hour’s drive from the murder scene. After seven years absence from his country of birth Douglas decides it is time for another visit to Drifters and embarks on an experience at times reminiscent of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. His account brilliantly portrays post 2000 Zimbabwe through the eyes and ears of the Rogers family at Drifters. Despite the bitter taste of the Mugabe government machinations the recipe includes sweeteners of humour and laughter with dashes of pathos. In its heyday Drifters was host especially to low budget travellers from around the world attracted by its warm hospitality, chalets and the conviviality of its bar and the Friday night pizza speciality. As the Zimbabwe economy deteriorated, so Drifters went downhill. But Drifters seemed to have taken on a personality of its own. Aided by the verve and determination of Lyn and Ros and in seclusion behind the trees and bush which were allowed to grow it was determined to stay alive albeit this meant ‘going local’ without the back-packers. To reveal more may spoil the read and suffice it to say that Drifters becomes the scene of eye-opening activities and political manoeuvres one of which is ‘the last resort’. This book gives valuable insight into the Zimbabwean situation right up to the present time when blood diamonds are so much in the news.
Reviewed by Cynthia Lake

When Juliet Ashton, a journalist and author, sold a spare copy of ‘The Selected Essays Of Elia’ (Charles Lamb), she little dreamt that it would end up on the Channel Island of Guernsey in the hands of a pig farmer Dawsey Adams. Finding her name and address in the book and fired up to discover more of the joys of Lamb’s essays Dawsey writes to Juliet asking for guidance. This is the start of a delightful series of letters and other communications between Juliet in a 1946 London and members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as the Island slowly recovers from its occupation by the Germans in 1940. Other interesting persons are drawn into the letter writing circle including Juliet’s publisher. To say more about the Society, other than it was born out of a spur of the moment white lie, will deprive a future reader of a lot of enjoyment. Do not be put off by the book’s title. Reading it takes one on a witty, wonderful and sometimes tragic journey encountering charming and amusing characters. The hardships and sometimes terrors inflicted by the German occupation are not forgotten and emerge in the letters. Eventually letters are not enough and Juliet visits the Island to experience the enchantment and meet these endearing characters. This book is one of those rather rare ‘feel good’ novels and brings back memories of ‘84, Charing Cross Road’ written by Helene Hanff in 1970.
Reviewed by Cynthia Lake

If you like the Irish, this one is for you. It’s a delicious, scrumptious and tasty book, with a touch of decadence thrown in, very moreish.No Reservations takes place in Dublin, Ireland, centering around ‘Dominic’s’, a hot, trendy restaurant owned by Dom, who is charming, good looking and a real sweetheart. His life is virtually his restaurant, his pride and joy that he has finally made a success of. Tanya, being his present girlfriend, sees an opportunity with Dom and takes him for a ride, using him for her own purposes. Then Carla enters the picture as a new waitress at Dominic’s. She is originally from New York and becomes popular with the other staff at the restaurant. She appears to be hiding a big secret. Dom’s mother Cici, is a chic, glamorous, flamboyant character, who lives by her own rules and is a woman who likes to live life to the full, is seeking her lost youth and gives it her all to get it back. Then we have the good doctor, PJ Sullivan, a grieving widower who has lost his beloved wife to cancer and fears he may never find love again. He is a very valued and regular customer of Dominic’s. Enter the Keatings, with mother Charlotte, who is ‘Mrs Perfect’ to a T and Candy, her daughter, a very spoilt rich kid who both contribute towards No Reservations as ‘A Listers’ and part of the high society life of Dublin. With all these colourful personalities, we find ourselves with a cast of characters with relationships of all kinds, shenanigans a plenty and laughter, bringing with it a mouth watering, delectable tale in which the reader will be totally absorbed, a warm, rompy read. I can certainly recommend this as The Dish Of The Day – Bon Appetite. This is Fiona’s second novel, she lives in Sandymount, Dublin.
Reviewed by Cynthia Lake

This is a classic family/friendship blockbuster embracing not only London, New York and Paris but also Cape Town and Zimbabwe. The story is about three girls, Nic, Caryn and Tory who all come from different backgrounds, meet at school in London and form a life of friendship together. They face their problems and lives head on with dramatic consequences when Estelle, a ruthless woman, does her utmost to destroy their lives. 'Rich girl Poor girl' is intriguing right up to the end, coloured by secrecy, lying, ambition, revenge and power which keep the reader enthralled. Lesley Lokko has written three previous novels which I highly recommend. She spends her time between Accra, London and now and again in Edinburgh. Before becoming an author she had various jobs from a cocktail waitress to a kibbutz worker. If you have not "found" Lokko, now is the time to hand in your reserve card.
Reviewed by Cynthia Lake

While I don’t usually care for books that move back and fore in time, I was glad of it in this particular novel. It was a relief to get away from the hell of the hospitals and battles of the Crimea and return to the sweet green quiet of the English countryside for a page or two. A young gently-bred girl, Mariella tells her cousin Rosa’s story and how, in following this rebellious, flamboyant girl, whose passionate wish is to become a Nurse, Mariella finds herself far away from everything she has ever known. We probably think we know all there is to know about Miss Florence Nightingale and her nurses and have probably read of the terrible bloodshed and waste of young lives in the various battles of the Crimea. There is so much more in this book, which sometimes makes it almost unbearably real. That’s when it is a relief to return to English life again, and picture Mariella, who is a gifted needlewoman, stitching exquisite tiny stitches on silk dresses and lace trimmed bonnets. The golden thread of mystery throughout is the enchanting Rosa and the effect her impulsive and dangerous actions have on those around her, and particularly those who love her. And yes, there is love. Tender enough to make you cry and passionate enough to sweep you off your feet. Oh and the ending – well – you didn’t really think I’d give it away did you? If you love historical novels with a factual background – this one’s for you!.
Reviewed by Anne Kelly

Fans of Jodie Picoult will not be disappointed with her latest book. This story revolves around a little girl, Willow, who is born with severe Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bones) - not genetic in this case. She will have to live a lifetime of pain and suffering. Her mother, Charlotte, files a lawsuit against her Ob/Gyn for not telling her in advance that her child would be born severely disabled. The monetary payout might ensure a lifetime of care for Willow. The hardship and battle of the case goes on with unforeseeable pain, heartache and destruction within the family. The Ob/Gyn who Charlotte is suing is also her best friend, which makes it more unbearable. "Handle With Care" explores the tangle of medical ethics and personal morality. The book, which is Picoult's 16th novel, provides suspense and tragic results, a must read for all those fans out there.
Reviewed by Cynthia Lake

Isn't the title alone intriguing? Although this book opens in London in 1981, the real story starts in 1915 at the time of Tsar Nicholas II. A young boy, Georgy, the son of a peasant farmer, inadvertently becomes a hero and is taken to St. Petersburg where he is trained as a bodyguard to the ailing, only son of the Tsar. It is the story of Georgy's life, a life of hardship and poverty which was, for a while, touched by the grandeur and glamour of the Imperial Royal Family. He meets the fabled Rasputin, is on friendly terms with the four beautiful Princesses, and grows to love his charge, the young Prince Alexei Romanov. He witnesses and is part of all the great drama of those times. He finds the love of his life amidst the cruelty and harshness, a love that brings tenderness and tragedy and a secret that they share to the very end. I recommend you only start this book when you have time on your hands, as I found it very difficult to put down.
Reviewed by Anne Kelly