#175. The Martian by Andy Weir

Title:	The Martian
Author:	Andy Weir
Genre:	Future/Space Travel/Survival
Synopsis:	Mark Watney is assumed dead after an accident and left alone on Mars when the mission is cancelled and his crewmates evacuate. He has to use what he has, his knowledge and his wits to try survive long enough to be rescued.
Verdict:	An absolutely excellent book that mixes adventure, science and survival with beautiful sarcasm. The personality of the main character makes it a quick and enjoyable read, the science is explained in a way where you can get a decent idea of what is going on if you aren’t science-inclined and can enjoy the detail if you are. This is going on my favourites list. Bonus comment: They did an excellent job with the movie, didn’t leave out anything key and didn’t add anything stupid.
Pages:	369
Read:	August 2015

#174. The Seance: A Victorian Mystery by John Harwood

Title:	The Séance: A Victorian Mystery
Author:	John Harwood
Genre:	Victorian/Mystery/Romance
Synopsis:	After turning to séances to soothe her mother’s grief, Constance starts down a path which involves unexpected inheritances, strange disappearances, and family mysteries.
Verdict:	A very well-told period piece with some hints of the gothic and romantic traditions. The interplay of deception, spiritualism, the unlikely, and the pragmatic is quite fun.
Pages:	294
Read:	June 2015

#173. Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs

Title:	Bones Never Lie
Author:	Kathy Reichs
Genre:	Crime Fiction/Thriller/Forensics
Synopsis:	Called in on a cold case, Brennan finds it linked to a killer who got away from her in the past. She draws in the ex-cop Andrew Ryan to finish the case.
Verdict:	Looking more at the effects of this kind of work on the law enforcement officials who carry it out, we see some resolution for the characters featured as part of the process.
Pages:	323
Read:	April 2015

#172. The Death Relic by Chris Kuzneski

Title:	The Death Relic
Author:	Chris Kuzneski
Genre:	Adventure/Action
Synopsis:	When a research team disappears in Mexico, an archaeologist must call old acquaintances in to find out what happened and to prevent the same thing happening to her.
Verdict:	The history and some of the second-tier stories are good but the two main characters are clumsily written and sexist as hell. The author explains away or rationalises their shitty behaviour by insisting they’re good guys and super amazing at their jobs.
Pages:	501
Read:	April 2015

#171. Bones Of The Lost by Kathy Reichs

Title:	Bones Of The Lost
Author:	Kathy Reichs
Genre:	Crime Fiction/Thriller/Forensics
Synopsis:	The body of a teen girl is found by the side of the highway, unidentified but connected to a recently deceased local businessman.
Verdict:	Once again Reichs uses her writing to illuminate a problem with our society that often goes unacknowledged.
Pages:	320
Read:	April 2015