Shirley Marr

What a great murder mystery! Spoilt, little-rich-girl, Eliza (Lizzie) Boans has just been arrested for murder and is an unreliable narrator with a smart mouth and caustic humour. Tough, stubborn and opinionated, I found her a delight. At first she is quite unlikeable, but gradually as she sits in the police station and her story unfolds, you find yourself admiring her spirit and loyalty to her closest friends, Lexi and Marianne.

From the start the reader knows 'whodunnit' but not who the show more victim is, and Marr keeps you guessing for quite a while. Alternating between past events and Lizzie's interview with the detective, the book deals with friendship, pain and revenge. Fast paced and tense, with biting humour and clever dialogue this is a fabulous read. show less

This book blew me away. It's one of those stories that will be with you long after you turn the last page.

It is a little slow to start with but I found myself intrigued by both the format and the main character. Particularly towards the end I started flying through it unable to tear myself away.

I really loved Neil and wish we saw more of him but I understand why it wasn't really about that. The characters were so vivid and utterly flawed. It was nice to see characters who aren't all that show more likeable. And honestly their whole little weird dynamic was what made it so utterly realistic and honest. The brutal portrayal of school life was what sold it for me.

I doubt it would be everyone's taste but it is refreshing to read something which is so original and well written. show less

Wistful book about looking back in time. James' parents are splitting up. He wishes he could go back in time to when things were better....or were they? Is he remembering the past with rose coloured glasses? His new friend Yan is an eccentric girl with no friends like him, who hides out in the Library and invents a time machine. James travels back to what he thought were the good old days...but he sees that his Mum is much happier now despite living in a tiny apartment, and he must make a show more decision. Stay in the past ( and never meet Yan) where his parents are unhappy but together or living in the now with Yan and happy, divorced parents. Nice book for kids who are going through separations. Reviewed for VPRC. show less

I go along enjoying the snarky voice of Eliza, the Austenian elements of balls, and names, and clothes, the wealth, the architecture, it's all great.

And today I read the last forty pages and I feel gut-shot. Totally blown away. And, of course, filled with fury. Brava, Shirley Marr. Not many books hit me on such a visceral level.

Seriously, I need to go look at video of an extremely fluffy kitten wearing a beret.