Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: lost

  • The Lost Song of Paris

    The Lost Song of Paris

    Inspired by the remarkable heroic achievements and bravery of women involved in World War II espionage, Sarah Steele’s enthralling third book “The Lost Song of Paris” is not only a tribute to them but also an absorbing story of love, courage and unsung service to country.  By using a dual timeline, it links two women from different periods of time together; Amy in 1997 and “Colette” during WWII”.

    Archivist Amy’s interest is captivated when the “Colette” file is released under the Official Secrets Act from WWII. Determined to discover the true identity of the much maligned, renowned concert pianist “Colette”, who was thought to be a Nazi collaborator, she discovers the workings of the amazing Special Operations Services and spy network and thereby uncovers some remarkable stories of bravery and self-sacrifice.

    This well written, comprehensively researched piece of WWII fiction is based on true facts and real people, whose dedication to defeating the Nazi regime cannot be underestimated.  The touching stories, of the well-developed, deep, main characters Amy, Verity, Sophie and Alec will keep readers engaged until the unexpected turn at the end. It is a wonderful, enlightening, powerful story.

    A riveting must read which won’t disappoint and should be shared with a friend or book club.

  • I Lost My Granny in the Supermarket

    I Lost My Granny in the Supermarket

    Now, just how much trouble can one Grannie get into when she and her grandson Harry set out to go to an award giving ceremony. Well, as it turns out, lots and lots as you will discover in Jo Simmons latest, hilariously funny I Lost My Grannie in the Supermarket.

    Harry is asked to go with his Grannie, Millie, to an award ceremony. Grannie has won an award for being ‘Caught Short’ and is to get a lifetime achievement award, which is a pretty big deal when you are a Grannie.

    Now Grannie is short and feisty, while Harry is very tall for an eleven-year-old so you can already imagine how that is going to look, but Harry, who desperately wants a puppy, has been on a mission to gain puppy points. He makes the most of this bribing his Mum to give him 50 puppy points for giving up his afternoon with his friends.

    He thinks it can’t be that hard going with Grannie, but what he doesn’t know, is Grannie has other plans, very different other plans. Poor Harry!

    One thing his Mum says to him is ‘Don’t Let Grannie eat toffees’ as it makes her go funny, but before they go to the awards at the Metro Hotel, Grannie needs to get a new outfit, a haircut and a few other things, which is when things begin to go a bit wrong, then very wrong and even terribly, terribly wrong. How, says Harry in a panic could he possibly have lost his Grannie in the supermarket, because he has and even he, from his height can’t find her! And when he does: Oh boy!

    Nathan Reed has joined in the fun with his quirky illustrations which just add to the fun as Harry and Grannie, along with a little bit of help from a few others, manage to create mayhem in a single afternoon.

    Once again Jo Simmons has created a funny, laugh out loud story that is great fun, with easy to reads text perfect for the 7-9-year-old reader, and let’s face it, even slightly older readers who love a good laugh.

  • Sketches

    Sketches

    Improv piano is always delightful to enjoy as the music has that certain something, that unexpected element of surprise, as if to say to the creator, let us see what happens when you simply let the melody develop without specific control, expectation or reason.

    Sketches from Michele McLaughlin is an album of improv pieces which when put together create a light, fresh, breezy work that lifts the spirit, gladdens the heart and creates a real dose of that wonderful ’feel good’ feeling.

    A jaunty little piece is the Traveler, depicting an element of the unexpected as a journey is undertaken, a destination in mind the various aspect of the voyage yet to be seen, enjoyed and discovered. A magical little piece full of light and fun.

    The Long Night begins as slightly hesitant piece, reminiscent of those nights when sleep seems so far away, the endless dark allowing those disenchanted elements to enter, to be reviewed, let go into that some other place, where errant thoughts wander, before a fresh morning arrives.

    Somewhere we have all been is Lost: whether emotionally, physically or on a journey where arriving at the destination is via a route which at the beginning of the journey was unplanned. Such can be said of life’s journey as the pathway is always other than what is expected or even foreseen. This lovely solo piano piece captivates perfectly offering the elements of unexpected within the composition.

    Rounding out a lovely collection is the rich, enjoyable Unshakeable which perfectly draws to conclusion a varied, light and very entertaining collection of Sketches.

  • The Lost Man

    The Lost Man

    As with many of the best murder mysteries, Jane Harper has interwoven sub plots and relationships to create a realistic story in The Lost Man. We are introduced to the Australian desert in outback Queensland.  The descriptions of the arid, scorched land with the unrelenting sun have been powerfully told. Some people may have difficulty in comprehending the vastness and dangerous nature of the area, but the author presents this truly.

    Two brothers meet up at a local monument called the Stockman’s Headstone. It is in the middle of their lands and surrounded by desert. The younger brother Bub has come across his older brother, Cameron, who lies dead at the base of the headstone. The middle brother, Nathan has also arrived, and the police and doctor are on their way. How did Cameron get here? Where is his car? How could such an experienced cattleman who had lived here all his life die of exposure?

    With the gradual unravelling of the story, we learn about Nathan and his past. All the family live in the area; Nathan’s father divided the land in his will. The original homestead houses his mother Liz, Cameron’s wife and two girls, Uncle Harry and two backpackers who teach the children. Bub is also living there.

    Realistically there can be no one else involved in Cameron’s death. The mystery though, is whether Cameron deliberately left his car or was lured to the headstone and left. We learn about each of the characters but no one in the family has an obvious motive.

    The Lost Man is a genuinely puzzling story which murder mystery fans will relish. Good luck if you think you can solve this one.

  • Ella and Mrs Gooseberry

    Ella and Mrs Gooseberry

    Ella lived next door to Mrs Gooseberry who always slammed her front door shut and did not seem to be very happy. This worried Ella so much that she finally asked her mother why Mrs Gooseberry was always so grumpy, even though she talked to her chickens in her backyard and grew lovely large tomatoes.

    Ella’s Mum said Mrs Gooseberry had lost her love, which was a very confounding thing indeed. How, wondered Ella did people lose their love? After all what did love look like? She he asked her mother, her teacher and her dance teacher, her grandma and grandpa who all had lovely answers as to what is love.

    Within this delightfully whimsical tale about grief and grieving, there could be a small issue with the solution to the problem, which may need to be explained by parents or teachers to children, but the sentiment expressed within the solution is lovely.

    This same issue can also be used as a discussion point for many of the aspects presented throughout the story, which could prove to be an interesting and informative experience as children do have vastly differing perspectives to adults on so many things.

    In this enchanting story, accompanied by gentle and gracious illustrations, Ella learns a lot about life, and a lot about love, happiness and being kind when someone around you ‘loses their love.’

    A lovely, gentle introduction for children to help them to understand grief, sadness and finding love once again.

  • Sundowner of the Skies The story of Oscar Garden THE FORGOTTEN AVIATOR

    Sundowner of the Skies The story of Oscar Garden THE FORGOTTEN AVIATOR

    Mary Garden has written a biography of her father, which is unusual in several ways. She has researched his family history and learned of his Scottish ancestry, as well as researching the flight he made which should have brought him great notoriety. From her perspective as the daughter of a great Australian aviator, this is a warts-and- all story, which makes it credible and also emotionally revealing for Mary.

    Oscar Garden was a Scottish lad from a somewhat dysfunctional family. He seems to have grown up with little understanding of the impact his actions and behaviour had on others. He moved to New Zealand where he bought a garage and ran that for several years. He was well known to the local police for fast and reckless driving. For reasons unknown, Oscar decided to sell his garage and move to Australia even though most of his family were now living in New Zealand.

    This was the 1930’s, when aviators such as Ben Hinkler and Charles Kingsford- Smith were taking to the air. Having travelled to England, Oscar, while in Selfridges in London, came across the very plane he felt could carry him from England to Australia. It was a Moth aircraft which had the fuselage made from welded steel tubing. He took the aircraft to Brooklands to prepare for the flight.

    There is a detailed diagram and many notes to outline the journey that Oscar made. It was not without many dramas and dangers. At that time, his flight captured the imagination of the world. The extreme difficulties he faced, flying hunched over, in an open cockpit, together with stress and lack of sleep, make his journey seem like a nightmare. Oscar said the greatest difficulty was not being able to eat, and that next time, he would take a case of fruit.

    It is a little uncomfortable to learn about this brave, talented young man who was a hero of the skies, and then to see him described as cold and abusive, as well as a very disinterested family man.

    Mary has been honest and courageous with all the revelations.