Another entertaining read from Mr Magrs - Rated 
I bought this book after seeing it advertised in the Fortean Times (great magazine) and found it was the second book in the series (Never the Bride being the first book). I have read both books and have really enjoyed them. They have some real laugh out loud moments in them and the heroine, Brenda, is a really likeable character. The books are set in Whitby, a town of many strange and mysterious goings on. Brenda, a curious woman with a dark and exciting past, has settled in to the town after many years of adventure and mayhem and is desperately trying to live the quiet life, running her B&B, but she and her best friend, Effie, never seem to stay out of trouble for long. If it isn't strange goings on at the Hotel Miramar, its poison pen letters and terrifying hauntings. These ladies clearly haven't heard of a quiet retirement!
It made me smile to see words being used in this book that clearly haven't seen the light of day for many years - a funny little quirk of Brenda's which I really liked.
I sincerely hope there's another 'Brenda' book coming out soon ... in fact I'm just going to double check on Amazon in case it's out already!
Fun and enjoyable, but not memorable - Rated 
I read this novel in January and when now that I've finally got round to writing this review, I've realised that I can't really remember much of the plot! And I think this sums up the book - it is an enjoyable, easy read and I gripped throughout, but it is not going to make it onto many people's favourite reads ever list!
I want more and I want it now! - Rated 
I thoughly enjoyed this book, as the reader below did, and I've come to love Brenda and Elfie. The heart to heart they had in this book was very poignant.
Whereas the first book was almost a collection of short stories with each new adventure separated from the last. I found this installment to be much more of a cohesive novel, with the various plot lines running the full length of the book. It gave the book more depth, and less of a light read. Once I got used to this switch and stopped waiting for it to end, I very much enjoyed it, as it allowed Paul to fully realise his plot lines and add more complexity.
So well done Paul Magrs! and after that last letter, waiting for the new book is going to be absolute torment! I cannot wait! (so please hurry up)
More fantastic adventures with Brenda and Effie... - Rated
Following on from `Never the Bride', `Something Borrowed' sees the return of Brenda and Effie and follows them on further adventures around Whitby. If you haven't read `Never the Bride', it might be better to start there but it isn't essential.
Brenda, the original Bride of Frankenstein (literally), is called on by her elderly friend Effie to help investigate a series of poison pen letters being received by Whitby folk. The most prominent recipient is Sheila Manchu, the wife of the notorious Mu Mu Manchu.... In order to solve the mystery Brenda will be forced to delve into the past that she has kept buried deeply.
If you have read the first book, you'll know to expect fantastic black humour with a gothic twist. The novel borrows from other gothic novels and characters including Dracula, Day of the Triffids, Frankenstein and The Wicker Man.
Another glorious instalment with an ending that means I can't wait for the next book in the series!
If you only read one book this year, make it this one. - Rated
After reading the first instalment by Magrs in this series "Never the Bride" I was left eager to find out what happened next in this funny, dark and thrilling adventure story. So it's great to say that "Something Borrowed" does not disappoint. Magrs' protagonist Brenda, a Whitby B&B landlady with a hammer horror past has come to retire at the Yorkshire coast for the quite life, to spoil her guests and gossip with her best friend, the spinster next door, Effie. However, it's more than the lure of whitebait at Cod Almighty, and walks along the peer that have drawn Brenda to Whitby. It's become her destiny to battle with all the creatures that are spat straight from hell to run amok in the seaside town.
"Something Borrowed" is pure indulgence, with its original mix of the macabre, humour, detection and the supernatural. What is surprising is how much I have come to care about Brenda, who is not a freak of nature but of science. Whilst utterly enjoyable and thrilling, once the book is over, not only am I Ieft wanting more again, but questioning what is a freak? If I can love this woman of many human parts, is it the other we can see that we should be scared of, or the darker side of humanity that lurks within? In this case it is the unknown other who is the hero. If you only read one book this year, make it this one. I've recommended "Never the Bride" and "Something Borrowed" to many friends, of completely different literary tastes and without exception they have loved it. I just can't wait for Magrs' third instalment in what is becoming an exciting genre of his own.
|
