Mini Reviews

Goldfinger by Ian Fleming read by Hugh Bonneville

51exhtjgw7L._SL500_From Goodreads: “A game of canasta turns out crooked and a golden girl ends up dead. It seems that Auric Goldfinger is a bad loser when it comes to cards. He’s also the world’s most ruthless and successful gold smuggler. As James Bond follows his trail, he discovers that Goldfinger’s real game is the heist of fifteen billion dollars of US government bullion. The final hand is played at Fort Knox, in a spectacular display of deception and intrigue.“

I love most of the Bond books on audio, but unfortunately I didn’t really enjoy this one. I know the story because of the Sean Connery film with Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore and Gert Frobe as Goldfinger, and I have to admit that I think the film is better than the book. There were very long scenes on the golf course that would only interest golfers. Also the card playing scenes at the beginning were too long as well. A shame as the rest of the story is good although as usual it is a product of it’s time, with very outdated ideas about life in general. Hugh Bonneville’s narration was superb saving me from switching off. I loved the interview with him at the end.

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Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner

53298875._SY475_From Goodreads: “Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman with more regrets than belongings who spends her life doing what no one else will: searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, Frankie starts looking.
A new case brings Frankie to Mattapan, a Boston neighbourhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier.
Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim’s wary family tells Frankie she’s on her own. And she soon learns she’s asking questions someone doesn’t want answered.
But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing will be her …“

This book was so good a real page turner, I can see why there’s so much love for it in the book community! I really liked Frankie, she was a great character who I wanted to succeed in finding the people she was looking for. I loved how I learnt more about her as the plot progressed. There were some fab minor characters that I loved too, and I know Frankie did as well. I definitely want to the next book in this new series!

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Tom Baker at 80

23155782From Goodreads: “In January 2014, Tom Baker celebrated his 80th birthday. On March 19th, Tom sat down with Nicholas Briggs to look back over his 80 amazing years – his youth, his early acting career, his great success with Doctor Who and beyond… and his return to his most famous role with Big Finish. This candid and intimate interview forms two fascinating hours of engaging entertainment in the unique company of Mr Baker.“

I listened to this via Scribd on Tom Baker’s 88th birthday as a sort of celebration of the day! It was fun and really interesting to learn about the great man. He was charming, but also a lot of fun when answering questions and reminiscing about his life as an actor. It’s definitely worth a listen if you’re a fan and have got a Scribd subscription.

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Secrets of the Cote d’Azur by Matthew Costello & Neil Richards read by Nathaniel Parker

58871808._SX318_From Goodreads: “When Harry and Kat head south to the French Riviera, they look forward to dazzling parties, a shimmering sea, and wonderful food. But once they step off the legendary Paris-Nice train, Le Train Bleu, things start to be anything but restful. Asked to assist in a dangerous case of blackmail – they soon find that the streets and alleyways of the Cote d’Azur hide not only cafes and bistros…but also secrets and danger of a most deadly sort.“

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and think it could be one of my favourite Mydworth Mysteries. It was lovely to accompany Harry and Kat on their trip to the south of France, I could almost feel the sunshine as they explored the area whilst being involved in a new mystery. I had my suspicions about what was going on but kept changing my mind as the story progressed. I was right in the end though which was rather satisfying! Nathaniel Parker’s narration was fab as usual, bringing Harry, Kate and the other characters to life perfectly. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy cosy mysteries set in the 1920s, and they’re all available via Scribd!