Thursday's Children by Nicci French (a Frieda Klein novel)

What is it about?

Frieda Klein's past intrudes harshly on the present, when a young girl she counsels tells a story of rape that bears a remarkable similarity to something that happened to Frieda herself, more than twenty years ago.

Worth the read?

I give it 9/10, definitely my favourite Frieda Klein story so far. The characteristic bluntness is still present in French's writing, but my perception of Frieda as a slightly chilly character has been softened by this view into her history, and her efforts to rekindle some kind of contact with her estranged mother.

The Wolf in Winter by John Connolly (the 12th Charlie Parker novel)

Just a warning upfront: this book is for the fans. There are no long character or event introductions, the story has been woven so that readers familiar with the cast and their histories can effortlessly slot into the plot, cheering for Charlie Parker, Louis and Angel all the way.

What is it about?

Charlie Parker and his cohorts are drawn into the ancient and sinister practices of a town called Prosperous. The town's fortunes are true to its name, but only because the residents all collude in making sacrifices to their hungry god.

Worth the read?

YES! The atmosphere is rich and bright with impending violence, even though very little action is actually described in the book. Uneasy and unlikely alliances are formed against a greater enemy, and the scenes describing the interactions between good and evil were downright delicious to read.