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Revision as of 15:48, 18 February 2011
, 15:48, 18 February 2011Created page with '{{infobox |title=The Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell |sort= Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell |author=Joolz Denby |reviewer=Lu…'
{{infobox
|title=The Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell
|sort= Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell
|author=Joolz Denby
|reviewer=Luci Davin
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=A quirky story of two women with special powers
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|paperback=0956778607
|hardback=0956778607
|audiobook=
|ebook=
|pages=121
|publisher=Ignite Books
|date=January 2011
|isbn=978-0956778604
|website=
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0956778607</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0956778607</amazonus>
}}
I was a bit surprised by this book when it arrived. Joolz Denby is a punk poet, and has written four noir crime novels, including Billie Morgan, longlisted for the Orange Prize. This quirky little novella with a long title features a large black cat and recipes at the back. Has Joolz really written a cosy?
No, not quite. This is a story of two strong women with special powers and a passion for justice. They first met at a stall for Amnesty International, the human rights campaigning organisation. Now they have moved into neighbouring houses in a rough area of Bradford. They offer some of the local children a safe place to hang out and their friendship, and they become fond of Joey, Tiff and Rav. One day, though, Joey turns up with a black eye, and as they try to find out how it happens, his mum comes looking for him, and he disappears. Is he in need of their help?
Of course he is. Despite the title, this isn't really a mystery or crime novel, but a tale about helping a child at risk. Joey's mum has come under the influence of a pseudo-religious cult guru and gone from merely neglecting him to treating him in a far more oppressive and unpleasant way.
I enjoyed reading this book, with its strong female characters on a mission to help someone in need. The best of the child characters is actually Joey’s friend Tiff. It’s also quite funny. Some readers might find it a little whimsical, but it’s worth reading on to find out what happens.
Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
Further reading: [[Dishonour by Helen Black|Dishonour]] and [[Blood Rush by Helen Black|Blood Rush]] by Helen Black feature Lily Valentine, a family lawyer trying to help children and teenagers in trouble.
{{amazontext|amazon=0956778607}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8377883}}
{{commenthead}}
|title=The Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell
|sort= Curious Mystery of Miss Lydia Larkin and the Widow Marvell
|author=Joolz Denby
|reviewer=Luci Davin
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=A quirky story of two women with special powers
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|paperback=0956778607
|hardback=0956778607
|audiobook=
|ebook=
|pages=121
|publisher=Ignite Books
|date=January 2011
|isbn=978-0956778604
|website=
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0956778607</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0956778607</amazonus>
}}
I was a bit surprised by this book when it arrived. Joolz Denby is a punk poet, and has written four noir crime novels, including Billie Morgan, longlisted for the Orange Prize. This quirky little novella with a long title features a large black cat and recipes at the back. Has Joolz really written a cosy?
No, not quite. This is a story of two strong women with special powers and a passion for justice. They first met at a stall for Amnesty International, the human rights campaigning organisation. Now they have moved into neighbouring houses in a rough area of Bradford. They offer some of the local children a safe place to hang out and their friendship, and they become fond of Joey, Tiff and Rav. One day, though, Joey turns up with a black eye, and as they try to find out how it happens, his mum comes looking for him, and he disappears. Is he in need of their help?
Of course he is. Despite the title, this isn't really a mystery or crime novel, but a tale about helping a child at risk. Joey's mum has come under the influence of a pseudo-religious cult guru and gone from merely neglecting him to treating him in a far more oppressive and unpleasant way.
I enjoyed reading this book, with its strong female characters on a mission to help someone in need. The best of the child characters is actually Joey’s friend Tiff. It’s also quite funny. Some readers might find it a little whimsical, but it’s worth reading on to find out what happens.
Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
Further reading: [[Dishonour by Helen Black|Dishonour]] and [[Blood Rush by Helen Black|Blood Rush]] by Helen Black feature Lily Valentine, a family lawyer trying to help children and teenagers in trouble.
{{amazontext|amazon=0956778607}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8377883}}
{{commenthead}}
