ManicMammy's Blog

Reviews, news, family, wine and me

Wexworlds

Wexworlds, Wexford town’s Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fiction festival is coming back. From Friday November 26th till Sunday November 28th, a host of events for both children and adults is taking place in many venues around the town. Guests include Eoin Colfer, Herbie Brennan, Andrew Donkin, Kate Thompson and Oisin McGann. There is a wide and [...]

David Walliams – The Boy in the Dress

I’m writing this review on behalf of Oscar, our 9 yr old son. He recieved this book as a Christmas pressie from his Auntie Fiona and he loved it. Its the first book in a good while that he has raced to finish, there are many about that have been started and discarded as they [...]

Double Fault by Lionel Shriver

So Wimbledon was in progress, I was in my local bookshop and this novel caught my eye. Its the story of Willy, a low ranking tennis professional on the way up when we first encounter her. She’s been playing tennis since aged four and is now in her mid twenties so time is running out [...]

My Favourite Wife by Tony Parsons

Having read and enjoyed “Man and Boy” and “One for my baby”, I was looking forward to reading this latest novel from Tony Parsons. Alas it was a major disappointment. Having just finished it, I am left with a sense of frustration and annoyance. The main character Bill, a hotshot lawyer begins the novel moving [...]

Review of In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods by Tana French My mother in law lent me this book a few weeks ago and it was a good read up to a point. My main gripe is its very disappointing ending which then tarred the whole novel as I wondered “why the hell did I bother reading that?” Its set [...]

Review of The Sculptress by Minette Walters

The Sculptress by Minette Walters “Well written, gripping crime novel, that keeps you guessing. “   Its been a long while since I’ve enjoyed a crime novel. The latest ones I’d read all seemed run of the mill, too predictable or too incredible. I’d almost given up on the genre till my sister in law [...]

Review of George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking Great fiction for preteen children with even the vaguest interest in the universe, planets and stars. This kid’s book is a great mix of fiction and scientific fact. Its the  highly entertaining story of George, whose parents abhor any modern conveniences including electricity or computers. Then [...]

Review of Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs

Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs Run of the mill book in the Dr Temperance Brennan series of crime thriller novels. I read this novel over a couple of days last week, but to be honest, I’ve forgotten most of it already. As the latest in the Kathy Reich’s Temperance Brennan series, it just didn’t grab [...]

Review of The Overlook by Michael Connelly

The Overlook by Michael Connelly Disappointing conveyor belt thriller which was rather mundane and predictable I grabbed this novel in the local newsagents as had managed to forget to bring the many half read books that I have on the go on our week’s holidays. I have read a few of Michael Connelly’s Bosch detective [...]

Review of Helping Hercules by Francesca Simon

Helping Hercules by Francesca Simon Greek myths with a twist as Susan travels back in time. Oscar has been a fan of the Horrid Henry books for a few years, so I was delighted when I spotted this book by the same author. He initially was a bit put off by the Greek names but [...]