Dreams Of Gold ~ Jonathan Chamberlain

Disclosure: I received a copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis: Circumstances collide to set Rowan Jones (a Welsh poet) as the spokesperson for a previously unconnected group of athletes choosing to compete in the London 2012 Olympics. A little political, a little sporty and a lot funny, Dreams of Gold pits together a cast of characters who, individually posses varying degrees of sanity, but together make a formidable team of athlete-cum-detective-cum spies to save the Olympics from themselves and an enigmatic dictator.

One must read this book as though they are watching a sporting event with an extremely knowledgeable, yet unidentified presenter/broadcaster. Considering this is a book about the Olympics (sort of), I think it really helped to set the tone. I did wonder if perhaps this broadcaster-cum narrator would turn into a Hercule Poirot as it became more of a detective story, but alas no Belgian accent popped up.

For the most part, Chamberlain sticks to the Martin Millar approach of writing chapters in fewer than 5 pages, with a Jasper Fforde-ish quirkiness of prose. Add to this a dash of information about Olympic regulations and a host city's neurotic need to produce the best event...evaaaah, Chamberlain successfully navigates the planet and the diverse reasons athletes have for wanting to compete on the world stage.

We are given just enough detail about each character to understand what each has at stake and why their individuality improves the whole of the group. We also learn how pinning one's hopes on a singular decision can derail an entire concept while simultaneously exposing everyone to relatively esoteric ideas. Not to mention a dose of unique poetry from time to time.

I don't know that this writing style would appeal to all, but I do believe it is a story that everyone should read. The work is riddled with lessons in tolerance, reading the fine lines, doing research, having faith in one another and that differences between people make for a very spherical world. Plus, it's just simply a fun read.

Publisher: Long Island Press
Publication Date: 2 January 2012
Format: Paperback

Review first appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

A Man Of Value ~ Anna Markland

Disclosure: I received a copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis: This is the second instalment of the historical romance series The Montbryce Legacy, set in the Borderlands of England and Scotland during the 11th Century. Caedmon Woolgar, a warrior caught up in the struggles between the Normans to the South and the Scots in the North must decide where he loyalties lie and when he meets Agneta Kirkthwaite. As his feelings for her grow, he discovers that his knowledge of historical events aren't based on fact which serves to put both their futures in jeopardy.

I really wanted to like this book; it's set in a part of the world with which I am not only familiar but for which I have an affinity. It's a period that is little represented and a location that is rarely used in historical romances; therefore, is ripe for picking. The premise of the story intrigued me and appealed to my knowledge of the politics of the time, but it unfortunately fell short. Less so the story than the way it was told.

I often find that historical romances could be a little shorter, but in this case, I found myself wanting more. More conversation between the protagonist and his lover, his mother and his mates. I wanted more description, more tension, more humour, more, more, more...of just about everything. I found the conversations between the characters stilted and they tended to repeat precisely what was forewarned in the narrative. Then when I got to the scene where Caedmon goes 'fishing' I asked myself, "Why couldn't the rest of the book be like this one"? It had detail, flowing conversation, tension and feeling. It was the flow found in this scene that was lacking in the others. I also found that the best insight into the protagonist's mind was found is in his diary writing when fighting in the Crusades.

Knowing that the author is able to write this way made me wonder if the whole thing wasn't just a bit rushed. I really feel that more of what is found in those two elements would have taken the story to a completely different level.Clearly, the bones are there. The structure is pretty much there too, but the execution was a bit lacking for me. I think it could be a fairly brilliant novel if it was twice as long. More development of the characters and less stilted conversations with a better sense of location and the fundamental push and pull of relationships would do wonders for this story.

While I found Caedmon, his mother, Agneta and some of the characters believable even though we don't get a full picture, I could not say the same of Ram and his immediate family. I just don't see how they all basically accepted Earth-shattering news as if it were asking for the peas to be sent across the table. At one point one of the sons mentions that the situation had him upset, but again, we never ever saw it.

As noted above, I was intrigued by the premise of the larger story of the series, but I get the impression by reading the blurbs about the other books that what occurs in this novel will have little impact on future instalments.

Publisher: Anna Markland
Publication Date: 6 January 2012
Format: Paperback

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

An American Spy ~ Olen Steinhauer

Disclosure: I received a copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis: In this third installment of Steinhauer's The Tourist the CIA's Department of Tourism has been eradicated and the survivors are coping with the changes in varying ways, while the Chinese spymaster tries to figure out how exactly they intend to exact revenge, if at all.

I had not realised that this was the third installment in The Tourist series. This speaks volumes about Steinhauer's ability to provide enough back story so that new readers never feel like they need to read the previous books to understand what is happening in the one they are holding.

The sense that this is a stand-alone book is primarily due to the use of multiple P.O.V.s. With German Erika Schwartz questioning world events, the Chinese spymaster Xin Zhu outlining the root of his intentions, and ex-CIA agent Milo Weaver's bafflement of his friend's behaviour, one gets a real sense of how espionage and counter espionage is riddled with deceit, distrust, abuse of position and the blatant use of the unsuspecting. However, what the novel's strongest message is simply, that there is only one way out once you've entered this life of secrecy.

Set just prior to the 2008 Olympics, the author deftly interweaves of each character's story within the political climate set by a distrustful America and a taciturn China. As one might expect from a spy novel, each of the characters is intent on protecting their beliefs, their loved ones and their respective backsides. I admit that I know nothing about the author, but did wonder at whether any of the tricks he used would actually work. Then I thought that I'd have to either be an actual spy or extremely paranoid to want to delve into this travel arsenal.

Once I get through the mountain of books I have waiting, I will likely get my hands on the first two books, and if luck is with us, a follow-up to this one.

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 13 March 2012
Format: Hardcover

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog