Fforde, Jasper: Shades of Grey

Set in an unspecified future on a planet where one's colour designation, which is set by the
colours one is able to see, determines one's rank in life though upward and downward
mobility is possible by marriage.   The story tells of a Red, Eddie Russett, who accompanies
his father to what is supposed to be a locum position in an area of the planet well away from
the civilised centre.   Here he meets and falls in love with a Grey called Jane who is rebellious
and anything but friendly at first.   However, a series of events including his volunteering for
what is expected to be a deadly expedition changes this.   This is a definitely eccentric world
with deadly trees, a self-mending road which absorbs anything left on the surface and a
single rather un-roadworthy van.   Quite enjoyable though I missed a lot of the satire, I am
sure.   it has made me interested in reading the two sequels should they still be available.

Izzo, Jean-Claude: Total Chaos

This is another book that I bought some years ago but have only just found the time to read.
It is the first book of the writer's Marseilles trilogy which the introductory eulogy describes
as Mediterranean noir.   The difference from other crime novels considered as noirs is that
it deals more with the general background of organised crime rather than the standard
concentration on a single event and its ramifications.   It is certainly different from most
crime novels, written in the first person singular by the police detective protagonist.   There
are several amorous dalliances to round out his character in the book which deals with his
relationship with two childhood friends who, unlike him, stayed on the criminal side of life.
Their separate deaths provide the impetus for the book which, even with the occasional
digression on the background, is pacy and interesting.   The translation reads well as I
suspect that the original may not have been in standard French in view of the setting.

Vargas, Fred: An Uncertain Place

Commissaire Adamsberg, together with Danglard and Estalere, attends a conference in London
when seventeen feet in shoes are found at the gates of Highgate Cemetery.   Returning to Paris,
the three are immediately involved in the violent killing of a rich old man whose body has been
completely dismembered.   The man's gardener is a suspect as he is the prime beneficiary but
Adamsberg hides him away as he believes him innocent.   Similar deaths have occured in
Germany with the link being that of distant relationship to a Serbian forebear.   Adamsberg
goes to the ancestral village where he narrowly escapes death.   His career is at risk as one of
those involved is a senior magistrate who has the power to get him dismissed but he does have
the help of others.   The plot is very complicated but it does eventually make sense with the
perpetrator finally being unmasked, again with some risk to Adamsberg.   Well up to this
excellent writer's standard.

Carroll, Jonathan: Bathing the Lion

Five residents of a small New England town have exactly the same dream even though one of them is
many miles away on a flight to Europe.   Some of them know each other, some not.   The story
develops almost magically as they eventually learn they have been sent to Earth from elsewhere.
The plot development is anything but straightforward with a strong f surreality pervading it.   Though
as well written as all of Carroll's books have been, I did find this one less gripping and memorable.
It has actually been a few months since I read the novel and I confess its impact has not lasted.