Last night was the first crime book club meeting of 2014. It was also our seventh meeting. I can’t believe we have been running seven months already! I am absolutely thrilled with how it’s going. Our members are global and so keen and enthusiastic, they just make it a wonderful experience. I love talking crime fiction with them! It’s brilliant how technology can bring us all together like it does. We had a new member join us from Germany last night. We’re really expanding. Even though the meetings themselves remain small, with the new members and enthusiasm, the freedom to pop in the months you can, makes it such a pleasure.
We discussed The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter by Malcolm Mackay. The first book in a Glaswegian trilogy.
Unfortunately the characters weren’t popular with the readers this month. There was a difficulty with connection. It was broached that it would be interesting to ask the author about his intent with this.
From there we discussed the hopes that the club has this year, for having some authors join us at meetings to discuss their books. We hope that with how easy this is to do, that we can arrange this, at least for a couple of the meetings.
We also discussed future themes for reading. March was going to be an all male author month because of an article I read earlier in the day, but then Margot suggested as it was St Patricks day in March we make it Irish author month. I like that idea. Other themes coming up are going to be cosy, violent and sexy – don’t ask, I think we got a little out of hand, but I’m sure we can cover all these!
The book voted in for February is Someone to Watch Over Me by Yrsa Sigurdardottir.
Berglind hurried to her son and pulled him forcefully from the window. She held him close and tried at the same time to wipe the windowpane. But the haze couldn’t be wiped away. It was on the outside of the glass.
Pési looked up at her. ‘Magga’s outside. She can’t get in. She wants to look after me.’ He pointed at the window and frowned. ‘She’s a little bit angry.’
A young man with Down’s Syndrome has been convicted of burning down his care home and killing five people, but a fellow inmate at his secure psychiatric unit has hired Thora to prove Jakob is innocent. If he didn’t do it, who did? And how is the multiple murder connected to the death of Magga, killed in a hit and run on her way to babysit?
February’s meeting is Wednesday 19th at 8 p.m. GMT. We’d love to see you! To make sure you can get into the meeting on Google+ Hangouts, please check out the “how to” post here. All previous meetings can be found Here.
Elle Turner says
Wow, can hardly believe it’s been seven months already! Well done, Rebecca and glad it’s such a success. 🙂 xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Elle. Hasn’t it flown!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Congratulations that so many tune in for the club!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Alex. For it to be so wide reaching wasn’t something I expected. It’s brilliant though and just shows how positively we can work with technology.
Margot Kinberg says
It was a great meeting, Rebecca! Looking forward to many more.
Rebecca Bradley says
They are great aren’t they Margot. And they’re made that way by the members! 🙂
DJ Kirkby says
Really enjoyed the meeting, and I am looking forward tot he next one. I’ve bought the book so I’d best get started reading!
Rebecca Bradley says
I saw you’d started it on Goodreads. I was impressed!
FictionFan says
I loved Someone to Watch Over Me – one of my favourite books of last year. Hope you all enjoy it!
FictionFan says
PS Yes, it is pronounced Mack-eye!
Rebecca Bradley says
Ah, thank you!
Rebecca Bradley says
A great endorsement. I’m looking forward to it!
diannegray says
This is a great idea, Rebecca. Looking forward to the reviews and comments from the club members. I find it interesting that you all had the same thoughts about the characters in The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter. I love good characters and if I can’t connect with them I always find it really disappointing (particularly if I’m enjoying the plot) 😉
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s surprised me how well the book club idea took off. It’s great fun as well. One of our members was unable to make it but she really enjoyed it. That would have made for an interesting but different conversation.
jamieayres says
Awesome idea! I got to attend 2 book clubs who read 18 Things, and am attending another one in April . . . sooo much fun 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Book clubs are great. I’m glad you’re able to attend with your book. I know as a member of a couple of real life clubs it’s great when we can get authors in 🙂