Rosie’s Book Review Challenge – Alistair reviewed Death In A Red Canvas Chair by N. A Granger.

Today we have a review from Alistair.

He chose “Death In A Red Canvas Chair” by N.A Granger.

Here is Alistair’s review.

Review – Death in a Red Canvas Chair

 

Could be the start of an interesting series

 

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well drawn and believable. The plot moved along at a good pace most of the time. Towards the end I thought it slowed down as the main characters discussed the evidence and worked out who had done what but suddenly it was all action again.

The plot was well worked but having an ER nurse (Rhe) lead the investigation made me glad I do not live in Pequod as the police department seemed to be unaware of what was going on in their town. Without Rhe who knows what additional disasters might have befallen on the inhabitants.

For me there was a bit too much description of meals, snacks and menus. Of course we all have to eat, but I found it a bit annoying to have so much detail so often. Maybe I was just hungry!

An enjoyable first novel. I look forward to the next.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 

Book Review Challenge – Review from Elizabeth

Today we have a book review from Book Review Challenger Elizabeth Lloyd.

She chose to read and review “Death In A Red Canvas Chair” by N.A. Granger

Here is her review.

Death in a Red Canvas chair by N A Granger

The eye catching title page of this murder mystery exactly reflects the prologue where the victim is deposited in full sight of a group of mother’s watching their sons’ soccer match, but the scene has been set specifically for Rhe Brewster, our heroine and narrator. Rhe is a part-time emergency nurse, wife and mother whose stubborn, determined character make her an ideal investigator with a penchant for putting herself in danger, which adds to the drama.

Gradually, Rhe’s life growing up in the small Maine coastal town help her to unravel both the reason for the victim’s death and a conspiracy involving many significant people in the community. The back story of communication problems within her marriage and valued relationships with others ensure that the reader will want to return to Rhe’s life in future mysteries.

Characterisation is well developed, especially in the case of Sam, the police chief and some, apparently minor characters, tease the reader. Are they only a small part of the plot or will they prove to be part of the major criminal activity?

As a British reader I had trouble with some of the vocabulary. I had to look up Mirandized (read your rights) and had no idea what a “red slicker” was but generally Ms Granger has a fluent, clear style of writing which advances the storyline while enabling us to understand Rhe’s feelings. Some of the quotes she makes from literature and songs are unfortunately misquotes which are difficult to ignore, but Rhe’s original comments such as her, “peculiar sense of ownership of this crime,” enhance the narrative.

The balance of problem solving, “edge of seat” events and a heroine who is likeable and real, make this an enjoyable read and I shall certainly look forward to her next venture into the precarious world of crime.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book review Challenge Book Review from Book Club Mum

Here is our next book review from the Book Review Challenge.

Book Club Mum has been reading “Death In A Red Canvas Chair” by Noelle Granger.

 

Death in a Red Canvas Chair by N.A. Granger Rating: ***

When a female body is posed at the far end of a youth soccer field, no one seems to notice. No one, that is, except Rhe Brewster, an emergency room nurse with an eye for detail and a knack for putting her nose where it doesn’t belong.

Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Noelle Granger’s debut mystery novel, the first in a series about Rhe Brewster and her adventures as an amateur detective. It’s set in the fictional town of Pequod, Maine and offers a nice backdrop of New England coastal living. I don’t read a lot of mysteries, but I do know that all mysteries follow a certain framework, and Death in a Red Canvas Chair is true to this format. Granger presents an intriguing crime, introduces some shady characters, some good guys and muddles it up with some characters you’re not too sure about.

It’s a well-organized, light and entertaining plot-driven read that invites you to solve the crime before you reach the final pages. It’s not too gory or too violent, but there’s enough action and suspense and a few rough moments to keep the story moving. And there are a couple of red herrings to mix things up a little. The author also adds a running list of what Rhe and her colleagues eat, and frequent references to coffee suggest that this mystery will be solved with a great deal of caffeine.

The author’s PhD in anatomy certainly shows, which comes in handy with the medical lingo and, being a sailor myself, I appreciated accuracy of the boat scenes. She offers some character quirkiness as well, mixed in with humour and that helps flesh out the characters and make it an enjoyable read. Marital and family conflicts also add dimension to Granger’s characters.

I’m a bit of a stickler for details, however, especially typos (a few here and there), facts and accurate quotes, and there are a couple that aren’t quite correct. For me, that takes away from the polish of the plot. A little research might have fixed these.

For example, when we learn about Kelly’s character, a possibly violent football player, it might have made more sense to give him a defensive position, not quarterback, because the quarterback is the guy everyone else is trying to sack. Saying Kelly is “rough on the football field” as a quarterback, might occasionally be true, but making Kelly a defensive end or a linebacker is much more plausible.

Rhe remembers a slogan at a coffee shop she used to visit and quotes T. S. Eliot. The real quote from “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons,” not “My life is measured out in coffee spoons.”

The words to Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” are permanently etched in my brain, so the author’s reference to this song was fun for me, but the quote isn’t quite right. The real lyrics are “I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee” – not “there are clouds in my coffee, clouds and dreams.”

Also, I’m not sure that drying out a phone in a bag of rice is a new idea. That’s been done many times at my house, thanks to rain, laundry mishaps and other water-related accidents!

All in all, however, Death in a Red Canvas Chair is polished and tight and it’s easy to imagine Rhe Brewster becoming mired in a lot more mysteries!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

More books for the Book Review Challenge

Good Morning, Good Morning, come and pull up a seat once again. So how are you feeling? Glad it’s Friday? Come and take the weight off your poor weary limbs and take a relaxing deep breath. In and out, that’s it release the stress. Pull up a pew or find a comfy seat, kick off your shoes, nobody minds here, we’re all friends.

So what have you missed since you last dropped by? We’ve got some more delicious books for you, just whispering to be read…

If this is your first visit or you’ve been too busy to call we have a little book review challenge planned. It’s SO easy to play just a tiny part. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t like books, who doesn’t like a story? We’ve so many to tempt you.

What’s that I hear? It’s too much effort? Not at all. You haven’t got time? What a terrible shame. A whole month to read a book? Could you possible try? Just for me? Please? Pretty please?

I hear you sigh, what to you have to do? It’s JUST SO EASY. Skip on down the page and find a book to tickle your fancy, tweak your eyebrow, or nudge your curiosity.

LIFT your weary limbs and type a few words in the sign up form at the bottom of the page. Now relax and have a cup of tea.

Is that it, you ask? Is that all? W-e-l-l just one more tiny teeny weeny thing….when we send you the book, the one you’ll enjoy, you’ll fly through it in the month of July, I know you will, just one more teeny weeny ever so small….WRITE A REVIEW? WHAT?! I hear you gasp, not a REVIEW surely not? I can’t do that, I don’t know how, they take too long, what if I don’t like the book? Please not a review.

BUT, and my BUT is REALLY important please listen, how’s the tea? BUT when you read a book do you ever talk about it? Do you ever tell others about a good book you’ve read? I see you nod and purse you lips, is that a YES? So couldn’t you possibly, just for me, write down your thoughts on this lovely book, not much, I don’t need an essay, just a few lines. I pause, I see the cracks in your armour you’re beginning to agree, is that a smile and a twinkle in your eye? YIPPEE! I’d grab your hands and we’d dance a little jig but I don’t want you to think I’m more crazy than I am, QUICK, QUICK, QUICK pick a book now. And don’t worry next week we’re doing all sorts of posts about writing that teeny weeny book review that will mean SO MUCH to the authors and me. THANK YOU. Now GO, GO, GO CHOOSE A BOOK.

From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.

We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a review.

When books are requested I will confirm by e-mail. Please check your SPAM folder if you think you haven’t heard from me. Similarly when books get sent out by authors they may go into SPAM please do check. I always try to reply within a reasonable time but super efficient spam folders do foil me sometimes.

First come first served.

  Do you fancy an adventure in the forests of Windemere with young warrior Luke Callindor sent to protect the heir of Duke Soloman? REQUEST A COPY OF BEGINNING OF A HERO BY CHARLES E. YALLOWITZ (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

  How about a modern twist on Tudor history? Relive the life of Henry VIII through the eyes of Harry Lanchester and his merry wives. REQUEST A COPY OF KINGS AND QUEENS BY TERRY TYLER (Contemporary) (1 copy left)

  Are you in a romantic mood? How about a romantic Highland fling? REQUEST A COPY OF TALL, DARK AND KILTED BY LIZZIE LAMB (Romance) (2 copies left)

  Or how about a romantic romp with journalists in Norfolk with wedding bells in the air? REQUEST A COPY OF BOOT CAMP BRIDE BY LIZZIE LAMB(Romance) (2 copies left)

  Want to escape your superpowers? Null City is they place to be in this New Adult paranormal fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF ONE WAY FARE BY BARB AND HANNAH TAUB(Paranormal NA Fantasy) (2 Copies left)

  Perhaps you’ve read One Way Fare? Here’s a chance to read the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF DON’T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB(Paranornal NA Fantasy)

  How about a bit of gruesome history? England 1647, civil war and Matthew Hopkins sweeps through the land as the Witchfinder. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BLACK HOURS BY ALISON WILLIAMS (Historical)

  Could you see yourself at a tournament of Gamesmen as they play a game of Comet? There’s a mystery man and a potion maker in this fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BIRR ELIXIR BY JO SPARKES (YA Fantasy)

  Love a thriller? Travel with John Cannon as his relaxing leave of absence turns into a nightmare when his boat is attacked by terrorists. REQUEST A COPY OF MY GRL BY JOHN W. HOWELL(Thriller) (1 copy left)

  Can we tempt you with a spiritual quest? Albion, is the oldest name for Britain. Wen and Don take you on a mystical journey through Myths and Legends of these blessed Isles. REQUEST A COPY OF THE HEART OF ALBION BY SUE VINCENT & STUART FRANCE ( A spiritual quest around England) (1 copy left)

  Crime? The first book in the Georgie Connelly crime series. Join feisty documentary film-maker Georgie as she dangerously plans to expose Gentleman’s Clubs. REQUEST A COPY OF BUSINESS AS USUAL BY E.L.LINDLEY(Crime) (2 copies left)

NON-FICTION here’s the chance to get some help promoting your work. REQUEST A COPY OF HOW TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK BY MADI PREDA (Non-Fiction) (2 copies Left)

  There’s more romance on it’s way.  Marianne Coltrane’s writes an award winning scoop about the sale of babies. Destiny will take her to an island off the wild west coast of Ireland. Love a mix of Ireland and romance? REQUEST A COPY OF THE HOLLOW HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN(Romance) (2 copies left)

  If you’ve read The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan, here’s your chance to loose yourself in more Irish themed romance with the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF A CHANGE OF HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN (Romance) (2 copies left)

  How about a murder mystery set in a coastal resort in Maine? REQUEST A COPY OF DEATH IN A RED CANVAS CHAIR BY N.A GRANGER (Murder Mystery) (2 copies left)

 Step back in time to Georgia and the deep south for this book, real people struggling to survive with segregation and inequality. This is a fictionalised real story. REQUEST A COPY OF RED CLAY AND ROSES BY S.K. NICHOLLS

 TJ Therien has his fantasy book for FREE on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble (Nook), so no limit on the number of copies but he’d still like reviews. (Fantasy) Only

 British Adult comedy comes in the form of the Derek series, we have the first book available as a kindle download for UK reader/ challengers only. REQUEST A COPY OF PLEASE CALL ME DEREK BY MAC BLACK (British Adult Humour)

 1867, the American Wild West. British raised girl Annie meets wild man Colt McCall after a stagecoach crash. Fantastic cowboy romance. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF AN ENGLISHWOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE COWBOY BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical romance) (1 copy left)

 1924, the English Shires. Jazzing flappers and a half share in a million acre ranch in Texas. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF THE 20’S GIRL, THE GHOST AND ALL THAT JAZZ BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical Romance) (2 copies left)

 16 year old Jade discovers her Grandmother was murdered. She sets out to find the mystery commune killer. REQUEST A COPY OF JADED BY KRISTY FELTENBERGER-GILLESPI.(YA Thriller) (2 copies left)

Books for the Book Review Challenge

REQUEST A BOOK TODAY AND GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST – BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE START OF JULY FROM AUTHORS

ANYONE CAN REQUEST A BOOK, ALL WE ASK IS A REVIEW IN RETURN BY THE END OF JULY 2014

Books are rolling in for this book review challenge. It’s open to anyone and everyone, not just readers. Are you an author? What can you give back to others who read your books? Ever heard of “What you give out you get back ten-fold?” Take action today.

From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.

We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a book review from one of the many books authors have kindly donated for the challenge.

Why not choose your book today? First come first served.

 Beginning of a Hero by Charles E Yallowitz (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

 Kings and Queens by Terry Tyler (Contemporary) (1 copy left)

 Tall Dark and Kilted by Lizzie Lamb (Romance) (2 copies left)

 Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb (Romance) (2 copies left)

 One Way Fare by Barb and Hannah Taub (Paranormal NA Fantasy) (2 copies left)

 Don’t Touch by Barb Taub (Paranornal NA Fantasy)

 The Black Hours by Alison Williams (Historical)

 The Birr Elixir by Jo Sparkes (YA Fantasy)

 My Grl by Hohn W. Howell (Thriller) (1 copy left)

 The Heart of Albion by Sue Vincent & Stuart France ( A spiritual quest around England) (1 copy left)

 Business As Usual by E.L. Lindley (Crime) (2 copies left)

How to Promote and Market Your Book by Madi Preda (Non-Fiction) (2 copies left)

 The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan (Romance) (2 copies left)

 A Change of Heart by Adrienne Vaughan (Romance)

 Death In A Red Canvas Chair by N.A Granger (Murder Mystery) (2 copies left)

 Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls (Fictionalised real story of the deep south)

 Scrolls Of Scion by T.J. Therien (Fantasy) Only Available as a free download from Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/434284 Or Free from Barnes and Noble (Nook)

 Please Call me Derek by Mac Black (British Adult Humour) only in Kindle download for Uk readers/ challengers

 An English Woman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns (Historical romance) (Uk readers. – all others please enquire, we’re working on a plan) (1 copy left)

 The 20’s Girl, The Ghost and All that Jazz by June Kearns (Historical Romance) (Uk readers. – all others please enquire, we’re working on a plan)

 Jaded by Kristy Feltenberger-Gillespi (YA Thriller)