The Red Thread (The Straits Quartet #1) by Dawn Farnham Blog Tour Review

Information about the Book

Title: The Red Thread (The Straits Quartet #1)

Author: Dawn Farnham

Genre: Asian Historical Fiction

Publisher: Monsoon Books

Format: Paperback

Published: 7^th April 2015

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21149887-the-red-thread

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Thread-Chinese-Singapore-Straits-ebook/dp/B005DIAOSM

Summary:

Set against the backdrop of 1830s Singapore where piracy, crime, triads, and tigers are commonplace, this historical romance follows the struggle of two lovers Zhen, a Chinese coolie and triad member, and Charlotte, an 18-year-old Scots woman and sister of Singapores Head of Police. Two cultures bound together by the invisible threads of fate yet separated by cultural diversity.

Review:

I love learning about new cultures and countries so when I was asked if I wanted to read The Red Thread and write an honest review for the upcoming blog tour I simply couldn't resist. The Synopsis excited me as I wanted to know how everything would play out but firstly how everything would come to be. As a genre that I don't read, I'm actually pretty sure this is my first Asian Historical Fiction book I've ever read and it was an enjoyable first experience.

Set in the Singapore of the 1830's, the story follows Charlotte and Zhen in their different, yet intertwined paths, the Red Thread of the title binding them together. Charlotte is young and now in a foreign land which is not like the Singapore we know of today and Zhen  who's portrayed as super sexy, both of them I cared for and sympathised with them but part of me didn't feel all that invested in them in the end. They were both great characters in a great story I just didn't fully connect with them but I loved them all I could. Alongside our two main characters Dawn mixes a number of real-life characters from 1830s Singapore into the pages,  George Coleman and his partner Takouhi most notably, Coleman was an Irish architect who was responsible for the infrastructure of Singapore 

As a whole I thought the story was very well written, with some good prose and some suggestive passages, so I did enjoy the book, its a great mix of love and culture which in the set period of time and place are conflicting things. There has clearly been a large amount of research into each aspect of the cultural and historic moments within the story. Dawn has done a great job and I can understand why she has gone on to write another 3 books under The Straits Quartet series title.

I love the whole belief in the red thread.'The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmate or a destined flame.'

Despite not fully connecting with the characters but loving the plot and the history of the book I can easily give this book a 4 out of 5. Although I have read a few reviews which pointed out many negatives I didn't feel as though they were negatives to me in the situations regarding the plot and the time frame. One day I hope I'll be able to pick up more of Dawns books and enjoy them as I did this one. I recommend this book to anybody who loves history and/or romance. 

About The Author

Dawn Farnham is the author of The Straits Quartet (The Red Thread, The Shallow Seas, The Hills of Singapore and The English Concubine), as well as numerous short stories, plays and children’s books. A former long-term resident of Singapore, Dawn now calls Perth, Australia, home. Her new book, Finding Maria is published in October 2017. Learn more about Dawn at www.dawnfarnham.com.

Website: www.dawnfarnham.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/farnhamauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnfarnhamauthor/

*PLEASE NOTE* The Red Thread is going to be FREE on Amazon from 17th - 25th September

Monday 18^th September

Little Hux Tales

Book Lover Worm Blog

Tuesday 19^th September

Fiction Fascination

Our First Year Here

Wednesday 20^th September

Bibliobeth

The Bookish Fairy Blog

Thursday 21^st September

The Writing Greyhound

A Books Eternal Glory

Friday 22^nd September

Big Book Little Book

Two Book Thieves

Saturday 23^rd September

Tales of Yesterday

Rambling Mads

Sunday 24^th September

Rachel Bustin

Kraftireader

Blog Tour: Summary Justice by John Fairfax

So today is my stop on the book tour for Summary Justice by John Fairfax. Ill be giving information and then doing a mini review for all of you which will then be a full review on Saturday.

So lets get to it, here's all you need to know about Summary Justice.

The last time Tess de Vere saw William Benson she was a law student on work experience. He was a twenty-one
year old, led from the dock of the Old Bailey to begin a life sentence for murder. He’d said he was innocent. She’d believed him.


Sixteen years later Tess overhears a couple of hacks mocking a newcomer to the London Bar, a no-hoper with a murder conviction, running his own show from an old fishmonger’s in Spitalfields. That night she walks back into Benson’s life. The price of his rehabilitation – and access to the Bar – is an admission of guilt to the killing of Paul Harbeton, whose family have vowed revenge.

He’s an outcast. The government wants to shut him down and no solicitor will instruct him. But he’s subsidised by a mystery benefactor and a desperate woman has turned to him for help: Sarah Collingstone, mother of a child with special needs, accused of slaying her wealthy lover.

It’s a hopeless case and the murder trial, Benson’s first, starts in four days. The evidence is overwhelming but like Benson long ago, she swears she’s innocent. Tess joins the defence team, determined to help Benson survive. But as Benson follows the twists and turns in the courtroom, Tess embarks upon a secret investigation of her own, determined to uncover the truth behind the death of Paul Harbeton on a lonely night in Soho.

True to life, fast-paced and absolutely compelling, Summary Justice introduces a new series of courtroom dramas featuring two maverick lawyers driven to fight injustice at any cost.

Goodreads   Amazon

My Thoughts:

First of all I want to say that it was brilliant how easily I was able to fall into the world of John Fairfax's creation. I would easily be reading massive amounts of the pages before realising what time its been and having to call it a night because I've ben absorbed so well. The narration throughout the book is simple but powerful which was one point that really helped me return to the book. I've recently been reading quite a few crime/thrillers and this of for sure is different, very unique but yet just as great.

The characters helped make the more even more addictive besides the plot. Each character John created was fascinating, each of them has a full background which brings just that little bit more to the world. William Benson is one of those characters, he is clearly driven, passionate and strong but he is also the flipside, weak and secretive. All the things that keep you reading as you try to find out more about him and what has actually happened to him. Then there's Tess who is a vibrant character and also very strong-willed, every part of me just wants to know the ins and outs of their pasts.

The main reason that Benson and Tess have re-familiarized themselves with each other is the case, it's a difficult one, not so clean cut and there are some many angles in play. John really keeps all of his characters and his readers guessing as it all unfolds. It's hard to try and figure it out alone, you end up wondering that with so many angle to play if it will all be resolved in this book or not. And for that answer alone, you'll have to read to find out.

About the Author:

John Fairfax is the pen name of William Brodrick who practised as a barrister before becoming a full-time novelist. Under his own name he is a previous winner of the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger Award and his first novel was a Richard and Judy Selection.

                              Don't forget to check out everyone else's stop on the blog tour.