May 2011 - Book 12

Gone - Mo Hayder

When a car is hi-jacked with an 11 year old girl still in the back seat, DI Jack Caffery quickly realizes that he is dealing with way more than an accidental disappearance. When the hi-jacker starts to send letters to the victims and police, Jack knows that this was not the last child to be grabbed by this monster. He also realizes that he is dealing with the most intelligent criminal he has ever encountered.

Full of unexpected twists and turns and filled with a colourful range of characters, this book will keep you wanting for more and reading into the wee hours of the morning.

A thriller second to none, this will be only the first of many books by Mo Hayder that I will read.

Cat's mark: a well deserved 9/10

April 2009 - Book no 12

The shadow of the wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I have a very flexible list of top 10 favorite books of all time. And I have a top 100 list of books, which tend to stay more stable. This one made it to that top 100 list with the greatest of ease.

Set in charming time in the most intriguing city, it is the story of a young man that "discovers" a long lost book in the most amazing library. It quickly develops in the most amazing story that functions on many levels, connecting over characters and periods of time.

Really excellently written this very touching and intricate story will amaze and keep you intrigued. A warning though - it is a very long and not always easy read.

Cat's rating: a solid 9,5/10