DCI John Luther
investigates a murder involving a man who brutally kills a young couple and
steals a newborn baby from the mother’s womb. In a race against time Luther
must track the killer and the newborn before it’s too late.
The book is a gritty read and it’s
not for the faint hearted. Once you pick
the book up you will not be able to put it down. It will have you on the edge of
your seat. Rating: 5/5 Reviewed by Clive Neal
SCOLA's Blog that Book! Books read and reviewed by Skills for Life Literacy students.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Book review: Follow Me
Author: Sheila
O'Flanagan
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group, 2011 (Quick Reads)
This book
is a romantic story about a career girl and a handsome stranger, who has turned
her life upside down.
Pippa was
twenty-nine years old with curly red hair and single. Her job was a sales rep and her company sold
computer security systems. She was a
very competitive person and last year she had the highest sales figures in her
company as a result, so she won an expensive trip to Paris for the weekend. She
planned to be the best sales person this year too because the company offered a
week in New York to anyone who beat Pippa's record sales of the year before.
That is why she really wanted to beat them herself, to go to New York.
I think
once you start reading this book you will wonder about what will happen next
and you will ask questions to yourself, such as, who is he, what is he really,
and why is he always following her? I
would like to recommend this book to students who love to read books because
this book is a very interesting love story and a page-turner.
Reviewed by: Ho-Kyoung Song
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Black Eyed Devils
Author: Catrin Collier
Publisher: Accent Press Ltd. 2009
This book is about a secret love story between Tom Kelly and Amy Watkins.
Tom is 23 years old, comes from Ireland and looks tall and handsome. His eyes are dark and gleam. That is why the title of this book is Black-Eyed Devils. He has only been in Tonypandy in Wales for a couple of weeks and he is on his way to America to make a fortune but the town's people think he came there to steal their jobs.
Amy is 19 years old and her family are Welsh. She is tall, slender with silver blonde hair and looks attractive. She falls in love with Tom very quickly, in a week, and dreams of a future with the stranger.
Amy's family warn her that she should not be close to him because Tonypandy in 1911 is a dangerous place for the Irish. However, unfortunately Tom has become a blackleg as a victim of deception, because when he lived in Ireland he signed a legal document agreeing to work in the colliery. Finally he is treated as a blackleg man and his ribs are splintered and his lung is pierced. His right arm is broken in three places, his left in two, worst of all his skull is fractured by Amy's third brother Mark and some of his friends.
It is because Mark hated Tom, he saw Tom and Amy were kissing each other outside of the front door of Amy's house. However, eventually Tom and Amy have been offered to go to America together by a secret person.
I would like to ask the readers; do you think they indeed have to believe the secret helper? If you read this book very carefully, you will find the truth and it makes you realise that the story was turned around. While I was reading this book, I felt it was an interesting story about their secret love in spite of their risky situation. They fell in love with each other in a week even though there were lots of risks. They did not fear their situation and worry about people's gossip in a small town. I think on the one hand, they are so romantic and a lovely couple. On the other hand, they had to feel pain at the cost of their love.
I would like to recommend this book to teenagers or foreign students. It will be interesting and they will learn a little of early 20C's history.
Reviewed by: Ho-Kyoung Song
Publisher: Accent Press Ltd. 2009
This book is about a secret love story between Tom Kelly and Amy Watkins.
Tom is 23 years old, comes from Ireland and looks tall and handsome. His eyes are dark and gleam. That is why the title of this book is Black-Eyed Devils. He has only been in Tonypandy in Wales for a couple of weeks and he is on his way to America to make a fortune but the town's people think he came there to steal their jobs.
Amy is 19 years old and her family are Welsh. She is tall, slender with silver blonde hair and looks attractive. She falls in love with Tom very quickly, in a week, and dreams of a future with the stranger.
Amy's family warn her that she should not be close to him because Tonypandy in 1911 is a dangerous place for the Irish. However, unfortunately Tom has become a blackleg as a victim of deception, because when he lived in Ireland he signed a legal document agreeing to work in the colliery. Finally he is treated as a blackleg man and his ribs are splintered and his lung is pierced. His right arm is broken in three places, his left in two, worst of all his skull is fractured by Amy's third brother Mark and some of his friends.
It is because Mark hated Tom, he saw Tom and Amy were kissing each other outside of the front door of Amy's house. However, eventually Tom and Amy have been offered to go to America together by a secret person.
I would like to ask the readers; do you think they indeed have to believe the secret helper? If you read this book very carefully, you will find the truth and it makes you realise that the story was turned around. While I was reading this book, I felt it was an interesting story about their secret love in spite of their risky situation. They fell in love with each other in a week even though there were lots of risks. They did not fear their situation and worry about people's gossip in a small town. I think on the one hand, they are so romantic and a lovely couple. On the other hand, they had to feel pain at the cost of their love.
I would like to recommend this book to teenagers or foreign students. It will be interesting and they will learn a little of early 20C's history.
Reviewed by: Ho-Kyoung Song
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay
Published by Quick Reads.
The main characters are Keisha Ceylon, Wendell Garfield and Melissa Garfield
A con artist, claiming to be a clairvoyant, offers to help a husband to try and find his wife but is there more to the husband than meets the eye?
Slow to start off with, but soon gains pace. A gripping read that’s bound to have you on the edge of your seat.
I would give it 4/5 - a gripping read.
Reviewed by Clive Neal
The main characters are Keisha Ceylon, Wendell Garfield and Melissa Garfield
A con artist, claiming to be a clairvoyant, offers to help a husband to try and find his wife but is there more to the husband than meets the eye?
Slow to start off with, but soon gains pace. A gripping read that’s bound to have you on the edge of your seat.
I would give it 4/5 - a gripping read.
Reviewed by Clive Neal
The Little One by Linda La Plante
This is a ghost story published by Quick Reads.
The main characters are Barbara Hardy and Margaret Reynolds.
A struggling journalist, desperate for a scoop, goes to the home of an ageing actress. She tries to get a scoop on her but is the house what it seems?
I enjoyed the book. It was a bit slow to start with but soon gets into the story and offers plenty of chills and thrills.
A good chiller bound to give you some chills.
Rating: 4/5
Reviewed by Clive Neal
The main characters are Barbara Hardy and Margaret Reynolds.
A struggling journalist, desperate for a scoop, goes to the home of an ageing actress. She tries to get a scoop on her but is the house what it seems?
I enjoyed the book. It was a bit slow to start with but soon gets into the story and offers plenty of chills and thrills.
A good chiller bound to give you some chills.
Rating: 4/5
Reviewed by Clive Neal
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Jack and Jill
Author: Lucy Cavendish
Publisher: Penguin books
This book is about a young boy who is called Jack and his sister who is called Jill. He is 7 years old and she is 3 years older than him. They live in London with their mum. Their dad left them when Jill was 5 years old. She does not know much about him because she has only a little memory of him and there are no photos of him at home. Also she could not ask some questions about her dad because her mum never liked it.
Jill loves her brother very much but her brother cannot speak at all and she does not know why that is. Actually he is not dumb because her mum said he used to speak until he was two and he had a lovely voice, pure and high like an angel.
One day they had to go to Auntie Glenda's and Uncle Paul's house in the country because their mum said that she had to work over the summer holidays so she could not take care of them. However, when they went to their auntie's house Jill heard some bad news about her brother from a boy, who is called Dick and lives next door. It was a story about a murder and a horrible thing that had happened to Jack. Jill was very angry and she really wanted to know about it. Uncle Paul told her about the reason why Jack could not speak and their father's secret.
While I was reading this book it was a bit disturbing for me because it made me have lots of questions and doubts. Firstly, why Jack cannot speak. Secondly, why they do not live with their dad and why they have to live in their auntie's house. Thirdly, what the village people talked about; about her brother and why it was a secret. Finally, is their dad really a murderer?
I thought this book was gripping because I could not stop reading it. The reason was because the plot was so interesting and the secret was not revealed until the ending. I would like to recommend this book to children and students who learn English at intermediate level because you will be interested.
Review written by Ho-Kyoung Song (Skills for Life English Language)
Publisher: Penguin books
This book is about a young boy who is called Jack and his sister who is called Jill. He is 7 years old and she is 3 years older than him. They live in London with their mum. Their dad left them when Jill was 5 years old. She does not know much about him because she has only a little memory of him and there are no photos of him at home. Also she could not ask some questions about her dad because her mum never liked it.
Jill loves her brother very much but her brother cannot speak at all and she does not know why that is. Actually he is not dumb because her mum said he used to speak until he was two and he had a lovely voice, pure and high like an angel.
One day they had to go to Auntie Glenda's and Uncle Paul's house in the country because their mum said that she had to work over the summer holidays so she could not take care of them. However, when they went to their auntie's house Jill heard some bad news about her brother from a boy, who is called Dick and lives next door. It was a story about a murder and a horrible thing that had happened to Jack. Jill was very angry and she really wanted to know about it. Uncle Paul told her about the reason why Jack could not speak and their father's secret.
While I was reading this book it was a bit disturbing for me because it made me have lots of questions and doubts. Firstly, why Jack cannot speak. Secondly, why they do not live with their dad and why they have to live in their auntie's house. Thirdly, what the village people talked about; about her brother and why it was a secret. Finally, is their dad really a murderer?
I thought this book was gripping because I could not stop reading it. The reason was because the plot was so interesting and the secret was not revealed until the ending. I would like to recommend this book to children and students who learn English at intermediate level because you will be interested.
Review written by Ho-Kyoung Song (Skills for Life English Language)
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Jack and Jill by Lucy Cavendish
This is heart-warming mystery story about a brother and sister. She understands what he's thinking. Jack doesn’t speak.
They are taken to the country to stay with an aunt and uncle. Jill decides to find out what’s going on, why she cannot speak about her dad and the truth about her brother's silence.
I could relate to this story. It made me think of my own brother. We were so close when we were little. I always answered for him.
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
3 stars
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
They are taken to the country to stay with an aunt and uncle. Jill decides to find out what’s going on, why she cannot speak about her dad and the truth about her brother's silence.
I could relate to this story. It made me think of my own brother. We were so close when we were little. I always answered for him.
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
3 stars
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
A Cool Head by Ian Rankin
This is a murder mystery story, and the main character is Gravy.
It’s about a man called Gravy who works in a graveyard, until his friend Benjy turned up with a bullet in his chest and asked Gravy to hide his gun.
Gravy looks in the car to find blood, a balaclava and a bag full of money. Gravy is now caught up with some very nasty people who will do just about anything to get their money back.
Gravy is not his real name. It’s just a nickname because he works in a graveyard. I don’t know why he just didn’t call the police. He’s a bit simple.
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
4 stars
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
It’s about a man called Gravy who works in a graveyard, until his friend Benjy turned up with a bullet in his chest and asked Gravy to hide his gun.
Gravy looks in the car to find blood, a balaclava and a bag full of money. Gravy is now caught up with some very nasty people who will do just about anything to get their money back.
Gravy is not his real name. It’s just a nickname because he works in a graveyard. I don’t know why he just didn’t call the police. He’s a bit simple.
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
4 stars
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay
This is a murder mystery. The main characters are Kelsha Ceylon and Mr Garfield.
Ellie wakes up covered in blood. She is trapped in a car on a frozen lake. The ice is breaking.
This is a good book to read. You never get close to finding out who killed her until the end of the book. I won't tell you who the killer is. You will have to read the book to find out.
I rate this book 4 stars.
Reviewed by Derek Gunnell
Ellie wakes up covered in blood. She is trapped in a car on a frozen lake. The ice is breaking.
This is a good book to read. You never get close to finding out who killed her until the end of the book. I won't tell you who the killer is. You will have to read the book to find out.
I rate this book 4 stars.
Reviewed by Derek Gunnell
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Chicken Feed by Minette Walters
This is a true-life murder story, and the main characters are Norman Thorne and Elsie Cameron.
It's about a murder which took place on a chicken farm, based on a true story in the
county of East Sussex in December 1924. Norman Thorne was found guilty of murdering Elsie Cameron.
I liked this story. It was easy to read. He was executed in April 1925 still swearing his innocence. You have to read this story to make up your own mind.
Rating: ****
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
It's about a murder which took place on a chicken farm, based on a true story in the
county of East Sussex in December 1924. Norman Thorne was found guilty of murdering Elsie Cameron.
I liked this story. It was easy to read. He was executed in April 1925 still swearing his innocence. You have to read this story to make up your own mind.
Rating: ****
Reviewed by Tracy Blakeman
The Corpse's Tale by Katharine John
This is a murder mystery published by Quick Reads. The main characters are David Dai Helpful, Sergeant Trevor Joseph and Sergeant Peter Collins.
It tells the story of a man who was sent to jail for 10 years, who was then released and who may or may not be guilty of a murder.
The book was OK, a bit slow to begin with, but soon builds momentum.It has strong characters and it keeps you guessing right till the end, then surprises you. Fans of stories about forensic evidence and solving cases will definitely get a kick out of this book.
I give this book 3/5 - mostly gripping throughout.
Reviewed by Clive Neal
It tells the story of a man who was sent to jail for 10 years, who was then released and who may or may not be guilty of a murder.
The book was OK, a bit slow to begin with, but soon builds momentum.It has strong characters and it keeps you guessing right till the end, then surprises you. Fans of stories about forensic evidence and solving cases will definitely get a kick out of this book.
I give this book 3/5 - mostly gripping throughout.
Reviewed by Clive Neal
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
The Perfect Murder by Peter James
This is a murder mystery. The main characters are Victor and Joan Smiley, who are
a couple who are fed up with each other. They decide to try and kill each other, but who will succeed and who will fail?
I rate The Perfect Murder very highly. It is funny and suspenseful. An element of the supernatural thrown in for good measure, it will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. Well worth the read.
I give The Perfect Murder 4/5. It’s a great little read. Once you pick the book up, you will find it very hard to put it back down.
By Clive Neal
a couple who are fed up with each other. They decide to try and kill each other, but who will succeed and who will fail?
I rate The Perfect Murder very highly. It is funny and suspenseful. An element of the supernatural thrown in for good measure, it will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. Well worth the read.
I give The Perfect Murder 4/5. It’s a great little read. Once you pick the book up, you will find it very hard to put it back down.
By Clive Neal
The Perfect Murder by Peter James
The Perfect Murder is a comic murder story. The main characters are Victor and Joan Smiley.
Victor and Joan both have murder on their minds, but only one of them will get a nasty surprise. Bit by bit, the badly planned murder unravels, and you won’t be disappointed when you have finished this page turning book!
What better way to introduce new readers to start reading than this murder mystery. You will be hooked to the end!
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
*****
by Christine Hobbs
Victor and Joan both have murder on their minds, but only one of them will get a nasty surprise. Bit by bit, the badly planned murder unravels, and you won’t be disappointed when you have finished this page turning book!
What better way to introduce new readers to start reading than this murder mystery. You will be hooked to the end!
Recommendation and Rating (1-5 stars)
*****
by Christine Hobbs
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Published by Penguin. This is a science fiction book. The main characters are
Bernard Marxx,Lenina Crowne and John the Savage.
This book gives a vision of the future with the state in complete control over the people's emotions. Then John the savage arrives from the old world with human emotions of fear, hate and love.
I found this book quite scary - the thought that the state could control me from birth till death,with no free will over my destiny! John the Savage shone a bright light on their shallow lives. The state tried to civilize John away from his so- called savage way, but instead he showed the state what being civilized really means.
I would rate this book with 5 stars.
Book review by Robert Smith
Bernard Marxx,Lenina Crowne and John the Savage.
This book gives a vision of the future with the state in complete control over the people's emotions. Then John the savage arrives from the old world with human emotions of fear, hate and love.
I found this book quite scary - the thought that the state could control me from birth till death,with no free will over my destiny! John the Savage shone a bright light on their shallow lives. The state tried to civilize John away from his so- called savage way, but instead he showed the state what being civilized really means.
I would rate this book with 5 stars.
Book review by Robert Smith
The Perfect Murder by Peter James
Published by Pan Books Quick Reads.
The Perfect Murder is a funny murder story.
The main characters are Victor Smiley and his wife, Joan.
Victor starts a plot to kill Joan, not knowing his wife is thinking the same. It is a great read - very direct with some funny twists and turns along the way.
I just wonder how many other couples are thinking the same.
Rating: *****
Book Review by Matthew Turland
The Perfect Murder is a funny murder story.
The main characters are Victor Smiley and his wife, Joan.
Victor starts a plot to kill Joan, not knowing his wife is thinking the same. It is a great read - very direct with some funny twists and turns along the way.
I just wonder how many other couples are thinking the same.
Rating: *****
Book Review by Matthew Turland
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