The 100 Books Pact 60/100

51/100 After You( Me Before You Series, Book # 2) by Jojo Moyes

This is a series of 2 books (I don’t know if we can call it a series if it has only 2 books). So I read the second one first (not knowing that it’s second) and I could easily make out that it’s a sequel to something. However, fortunately, I had seen the movie “Me Before You”, long back that I faintly remembered, which happens to be based on its prequel and I could connect the dots. So Lou Clark is all lost after the death of Will Traynor. She is doing a job which she has no interest in. She survives the fall from her terrace and gets to meet Will’s daughter, Lily, the existence of whom was unknown to Will himself. She also meets Sam Fielding along with a couple of other characters. I appreciated how Lily challenged Lou to move on without feeling guilty and Sam for teaching her how to love again.  It’s an emotionally charged story about healing and learning to move on after a painful loss. 

52/100 Me Before You (Book # 1) by Jojo Moyes

As mentioned above, I had seen the movie based on this book, so I already knew the plot, I still decided to read it as the characters were still fresh in my mind. This is a story of two individuals, Louisa Clark and Will Traynor, who meet each other by chance and change each other’s lives forever. After an accident Will is left in a wheelchair with no hope of recovery. Lou gets fired from her job and is looking for a new one. Will’s mother is looking for a caretaker for Will who can keep him company, make him see the beauty of life and hired Lou for this job. After that memorable first day, she and Will start to get used to each other and even on occasion opening up a bit one with the other. And what follows after that is a series of outings with Will, to try and make the 6 months that he has left as memorable as possible.

It lovely. And Sad. And full of life. And frustrating. And heart breaking!

53/100 Third Class in Indian Railways and Other Essays by Mahatma Gandhi – I had never read Mahatma Gandhi until this. It’s an interesting peek into Gandhi’s early thoughts. This book is a compilation of 6 essays on various things like travelling third class, non-violence, swadeshi and his dressing style. It’s written almost 100 years ago there has been no drastic change in the third class of Indian Railways. Do read it once to have a picture of what pre modern India looked like.

54/100 The Janus Stone (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 2) by Ellie Griffiths

After reading the first book in the series The CrossingPlaces (Book # 30/100), I wanted to read more about Dr Ruth Galloway and her adventures. I had placed a hold for this one long back and finally got to lay my hands upon it after 2 months of wait. So as soon as I got this one, I placed a hold for the next one in the series until I finished 8 books. I was obsessed with Ruth at one point in time, she was the last thought that came to my mind at the end of the day and also the first one next morning. So coming back to The Janus Stone, I still liked the main characters, Ruth, DCP Nelson and the quirky Cathbad. This time Ruth is investigating the body of a young girl, found dead in the old house. She also finds herself pregnant.

The plot has many layers, is quite intricate as it twists and turns upon itself and is fun to read.

55/100 The House at Sea’s End (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 3) by Ellie Griffiths

I absolutely loved this one. The plot is fascinating ant the characters empathetic. Ruth is just back from her maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter. How she struggles as a single parent along with the mystery dated in 1940s with a background of WW 2 forms the essence of the book.

56/100 A Room Full of Bones (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 4) by Ellie Griffiths

We are at Book 4 and this is the weakest book of the series. So far. The first half is too long and dull going on about the exploration of Australia and the aboriginal holy relics. In the second half, the pace picks up. As usual there is humor and mysticism.

57/100 A Dying Fall (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 5) by Ellie Griffiths

This was an enjoyable read where the setting changes to Blackpool where Nelson was born and raised. And coincidentally, Ruth has to travel there with now 18 month old Kate to investigate the death of her college friend Dan. There are several new characters while a few old ones like Clough and Judy have minor roles. It had plenty of suspects and actual danger for some of the characters. My heart skipped a beat when Cathbad had that nasty fall! I thought I had the culprit figured, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong.

58/100 The Outcast Dead (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 6) by Ellie Griffiths

In this book a woman gets accused of killing her own child and at the same time Ruth has discovered the body of who they think is notorious Mother Hook who was hanged 1867 accused of killing children. The story revolves around the two center plot lines. Cathbad is my favorite character in the series. There is a major positive development for some of the characters and I was so happy for them as if I really know them. The pace never lets up and I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and never guessed the perpetrator at all. 

59/100 The Ghost Fields (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 7) by Ellie Griffiths

In this book, during the clearing of a field in preparation for development, a World War Two era plane is discovered. The surprise is the body in the cockpit. For further details about the body, I refer you to the book, but I also suggest you begin with the first book in the series. I missed Cathbad in this one, however we see more depth in other charters, one of them being DS Clough. I loved this book until I read the ending. I thought Ruth was a fool for not accepting Frank’s offer to move to the UK. Why Ruth, why?!

60/100 The Woman in Blue (Ruth Galloway Mystery Series, Book # 8) by Ellie Griffiths

I think by now I am growing pretty tired with Ruth. Her belittling herself for being old, unattractive and fat, so many times is getting on my nerves. Also archaeology has taken a back seat to religion in this one. It’s not preachy, just historical with a sub plot with women priests. There is also a major revelation and I hope that there is a resolution to this relationship triangle. There is one more book in the series which is not available in my library at the moment. I will still read the next book to find a closure. I don’t like to give up on characters I was so fond of once!