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Mystery! Science fiction!

Posted by Candice on Saturday, May 11, 2013

I wanted to do a quick update on what I've been reading...I realized that the most recent titles I posted about were nonfiction, and I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about me suddenly having switched to the dark side. No, I'm still firmly rooted in the world of fiction, happily delving into some good ol' fashioned pleasure reading (dedicated readers of nonfiction, please take no offense...I have nothing against it,  I'm just generally more of a murder and mystery type of gal. This says more about me than it does about nonfiction.).

I'm just a few chapters into Stuart MacBride's Birthdays for the Dead, a gritty little tale of a serial killer who has abducted 12 young girls who are 12 years old. With each girl, he waits one year after the abduction, then starts sending the parents photographs that document the torture and eventual death of their child--one photo each year. Investigators are just beginning to find the bodies of some of the victims of the 'Birthday Killer' when a 13th girl goes missing. Even more harrowing is that one of the investigators, Det. Constable Ash Harrison, has a daughter who went missing years ago; he has already received five pictures from the Birthday Killer, but Harrison continues to tell people that she ran away so that he can stay on the case. Each time a body is found, his tension is palpable as he prays--begs--for it not to be his daughter. There's a small amount of relief provided by the new forensic psychologist Harrison has been partnered with; Alice McDonald is young and has keen insight, but is also a bit neurotic and has some odd issues to deal with. Overall, though, this is a proper Scottish thriller, violent and a bit grimy, with some dark humor thrown in.

As for the science fiction, I'm not reading but watching...I'm a bit of a latecomer, but I've just gotten into the Dr. Who series that began in 2005. I know!! I've had many people tell me to watch it, and so now I am, and it's far better than what I imagined. Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, watching a few episodes from the original series, I was totally hesitant to watch it again. Then I saw Torchwood (SO good!) and made the commitment. I'm only a couple episodes in, and am very happy I have more than 80 to go.

About the Author

Candice's picture

I work at the Info Desk on the second floor, and I select books for the adult nonfiction collection. I have a degree in anthropology, which really helps in selecting...well...almost anything. I also manage the Art To Go collection of framed prints and original art, and the nonfiction DVDs.
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    Calling all history buffs! This isn't just a well-researched, comprehensive history of one of the most fascinating cities in the world (past and present), written by someone who is from there: it's also wildly interesting! Many of us already know the high points--Alexander and Ptolemy, Cleopatra, the Ottomans, the British, the library (oh, the library!)--but really there's so much more to learn. Islam Issa tells the story of this city with thought and skill, resulting in a delightful book that gives Alexandria the respect it deserves in the minds of readers. -Candice
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Comments

Submitted by Adam on May 12, 2013 - 4:50pm

Leave it to the Scottish to find a place for humor, however dark, in the story of a serial killer. If they decide to do an audiobook, maybe they should hire Mike Myers: he could do the voice of Fat Bastard from Austin Powers!

Submitted by Candice on May 13, 2013 - 4:30pm

That would certainly be a unique recording...now I'm having a horrible vision of one of the victims in the book (who is found buried with her skull placed in her abdominal/pelvic region) yelling 'Git een mah belly!' Ugh.

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