Date: 13.05.2006
From: textqueen
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Subject: anyone know a good book like martina cole
ive read all her books also mandasue heller, denise ryan, im lost as what i would like anyone have any idea, i like to read crime as in martina style. thankyou.
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Date: 13.05.2006
From: Jason
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
You might like Sheila Quigley
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Date: 13.05.2006
From: dave
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
I believe Kevin Lewis, who wrote his autobiography The Kid, has published his first foray into crime fiction. It's entitled Kaitlin(spelling?)and from what I can gather very much in the Martina Cole/Mandasue heller mould. Possibly Gilda O'neil may be worth a look too. Best.
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Date: 24.05.2006
From: NIKKI
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Subject: Re:KEVIN LEWIS KAIYLYN
DAVE HI READ KAITLYN VERY GUD BK BIT LIKE MC BUT NOT AS GUD ADVISE U READ
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Date: 24.05.2006
From: NIKKI
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
TEXTQUEEN READ ALL OF MARTINA COLES BOOKS MY FAV TWO WOMAN CANT WAIT TILL OCTOBER 06 FOR HAR NEW BOOK OUT THE ;CLOSE SHUD B AS GUD AS THE REST
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Date: 13.06.2006
From: pauline ross
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
lynda la plant is very good, quite meety books like Martine cole, she has about 8 books out.
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Date: 13.06.2006
From: Russell
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
"Shooting Up at Malory Towers" by Enid Blyton
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Date: 13.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hi Russell, I often think that someone should write a story about how the girls at Mallory Towers ended up. I remember Miss Grayling, the headmistress, wondering about their futures when she interviewed them prior to their leaving the school. Alicia might well have been sensation-seeking enough to 'shoot up', but who can say?
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Date: 14.06.2006
From: Russell
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Mo, I'm glad you spelt Mallory with two Ls because I'm sure it's what I remember from years long past, yet several sites I found after doing a Google spelt it Malory. Now I'm annoyed I spelt it the way I did! And some viewing this might wonder at my childhood upbringing when a red-blooded male (as I turned out to be) was reading little girlie books by Enid Blyton as a teenager.........think I read the whole Mallory set and most of the St Claire's as well or was it St Clare's .......aaaarrrrgggghhhh
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Date: 14.06.2006
From: Nikki
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hee hee russell, you are right and it was Mallory with two ls (like Darrell) and it was St Clare`s......... i think LOL. Text Queen, have you tried Mo Haydor. She is good. A bit shocking in places and she goes to the same dark places that Martina goes. Shes a brit author too.
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Date: 15.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Well, Russell, I think that is wonderful about you reading those books! If you want to know a secret, I still read them, which is why I am so up on the characters! I think they are really good, and if anyone wants a conversation about Mary-Lou, or Jean, the shrewd Scottish girl, or Gwendoline Mary Lacy and her 'awful mother', I am the woman to speak to! How come you read them, though, do you have sisters? I think that a lot of boys would have liked these books, but would not have got the chance to try them, unless they had sisters, and the same might apply to girls reading boys' books. I used to read comics called things like Astounding Tales, but I don't know if they were meant for boys.
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Date: 16.06.2006
From: Russell
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Well Mo it's true I do have two sisters although I'm not sure that either of them had anything to do with my curious affection for Enid Blyton books. It's so long ago - I'm about the same age as Val by the way - that I just can't remember where I got them from. I later moved onto more 'boy's own' stuff from the 1950's writer Willard Price (African Adventure, Amazon Adventure etc etc) which do not make me blush when I mention them. The book that makes me go red today, for a variety of reasons, is a little-known novel called The DaVinci Code, and there's something about the general style of Dan Brown's approach that vaguely reminds me of those 'Adventure' stories of my youth. There's a sense of immaturity to his writing that might not have been noticed had his target audience been teenage boys. Having said that, I quite enjoyed The DVC and it was only when I moved on to Angels & Demons, and particularly Digital Fortress that my estimation of the man as a thoroughbred novelist plumetted vertically. And although I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, I can't help but feel that JK Rowling is the more authentic storyteller because she has correctly identified the age group of her target audience and it's no disgrace if (as is the case with films such as Toy Story & Shrek) they end up appealing to all of us regardless of age. So Enid Blyton, Willard Price and JK Rowling fall into a loosely singular category of authors for a younger audience but who proved to have a wider appeal; Dan Brown meanwhile has tried to write kids' stories for grown ups, millions of whom have been fooled. I was initially, but not any more..... Meanwhile there's Martina Cole, who left a slightly similar impression upon me after I had read her second novel. My point is that she seems to have found a 'template' in the manner of Dan Brown which she seems to vary only slightly from one tale to the next. Clearly it works from a commercial perspective, and who knows, maybe the likes of Brown and Cole are actually told by their publishers not to change the tune - and while that may be true, I'm not convinced that either writer is capable of anything remotely as versatile as the portfolio of our heroine Val McDermid.
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Date: 16.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hi Russell, I am currently reading the Da Vinci Code! I decided to buy it, to see what all the fuss was about, and I am enjoying it. Dan Brown is a much better writer than I thought he would be. (I don't know what I thought, but for some reason had felt 'put off' until now). I have not read any others of his books, but probably will now.
I agree that Val is a brilliant writer. What other writers do you like?
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Date: 16.06.2006
From: Russell
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Mo, after you've read the DVC try Angels & Demons, if anything it's marginally better but please note that this is based on Dan Brown Standards! Val is one of my favourite writers, hard to pick a best one but The Torment of Others might just pip A Place of Execution. Other books I have pleasure in remembering even years after I closed the final page (and that's the real test, isn't it - TIME) would include The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, and Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman. I just wish I hadn't read any of these so that I could have the pleasure of reading them for the first time all over again. You just can't beat the first time, can you.....
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Date: 18.06.2006
From: Val
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Russell, Mo -- did you also read the Chalet School books by Elinor M Brent-Dyer? I loved those, still do, and have often thought of setting a murder mystery at a CS reunion... Yes, that's what I think about in the small hours of the morning when I can't sleep, which is most nights at the moment as a result of my second major bout of anaesthesia in five months...
Going off on a slight tangent -- Denise Danks' first novel, The Pizza House Crash, has a tongue-in-cheek relationship to the Famous Five as grown-ups.
Happy reading.
Val
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Date: 19.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hi Val,
Yes, I loved the Chalet School books, and often dreamed of being a polite young lady at boarding school, sipping orange juice out of a tooth-mug at a midnight feast!
Unfortunately, I was misunderstood, seen as impolite and wild, and always getting on the wrong side of the teachers and prefects.
I think that you were a prefect, but, don't worry, I am not blaming you!
I can still hear the prefect shouting at me 'Who is your Housemistress?' when I was caught behind the bikesheds, smoking, and gave her a cheeky reply, causing people to laugh.
Another time I set off the fire alarm, but really did not mean to. It was as if it was an impulse that was beyond my control. I literally shook with fear straight after, and my friends had to hold me up. Luckily, the boys, also waiting to go into class, accepted the blame.
Count me in for the murder mystery set at the CS reunion!
I am sorry to hear that you cannot sleep. Anaesthesia, (I don't think) should really cause this, but maybe you are in pain, and not being prescribed sufficient painkillers?
There is nothing worse than insomnia, so maybe you should ask your doctor if it's all right to take Nytol as a short term solution.
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Date: 19.06.2006
From: betyousaidohno
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
"it's all right to take Nytol as a short term solution" I quite agree. About 8 hours long enough? that or become a night owl.....
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Date: 19.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hi Russell,
I am still reading the Da Vinci Code, and intend to move onto Angels and Demons next.
I think that Dan Brown seems quite a good writer, although not anywhere as good as Val. She is my favourite writer of all time, and I thought that A Place of Execution was the best book I ever read, and I still do.
When I read one of Val's books for the first time, I sometimes cannot stop, which wreaks havoc with everything.
The good thing about the dvc is that I can read bits of it, and then put the light out or whatever.
I will try some of the other books that you mention, as they sound good.
The one mentioned by Val about the grown up Famous Five sounds good! I read those too, and the Secret Seven, and all the fairy tales.
Did you read the Famous Five?
Did you read the Jennings books? I did, and these were about boys at school. I don't know if they were written for boys or girls, primarily, but I remember them as being really funny.
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Date: 19.06.2006
From: Mo
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Hi betyousaidohno, I agree, I think that most people need about 8 hours sleep a night, and that the need for this is not always appreciated. The good thing about Nytol is, provided it is okay for the person to take it, that it can get someone back into a good sleep pattern. I personally get grilled whenever I try to buy stuff at the chemist, so maybe this resulted in me being ultra cautious. E.g., once I bought the Nytol along with some Benylin and I felt quite alarmed at the tone of the questions, e.g. you are not going to take these together, along with any possible alcohol, I hope? The chemist staff are quite right, though, as sometimes folk do not realise the dangers in buying medication over the counter.
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Date: 21.06.2006
From: Russell
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
"Russell, Mo -- did you also read the Chalet School books by Elinor M Brent-Dyer?"
Hi Val - no, those are unknown to me. The only books I remember reading in my formative years are a number of Enid Blyton books presumably aimed at girls of my age at that time. These would be the Mallory Towers and St Clare's series. A little later I must have discovered my gender because I moved onto the Willard Price 'Adventure' series which were written back in the fifties I believe. I'm trying to think what my first 'grown-up' book was, apart from Jane Austen/Shakespeare/Chaucer etc etc that I studied for my English Literature A Level, my guess would be Mario Puzo's The Godfather around 1973/4 but I'm far from sure. Maybe if that had been in the A Level curriculum, I would have achieved higher grades; I found stuff like Persuasion and metaphysical poetry pretty boring as a teenager! Come to think about it, I used to find some, ahem, interesting magazines that my dad hid in the spare bedroom that were low on intellectual stimulation but rather better at serving the needs of a desperate student.....
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Date: 05.07.2006
From: Cheryl
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
You must read all of Denise Ryan's Books (6 in total) they are fab and very MC
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Date: 12.07.2006
From: vicky
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
What about Nicci French? Have you tried anu of her stuff? I think you might like her if you like MC
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Date: 18.07.2006
From: Angie
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Have you read Kaitlyn by Kevin Lewis, it is on the same level as Marinta Cole x
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Date: 29.08.2006
From: T
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
new one I have just read is Tess Gerritsen but you are better to read the first 6 in order as the same characters are in them i am just starting the 5th one
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Date: 29.08.2006
From: T
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
new one I have just read is Tess Gerritsen but you are better to read the first 6 in order as the same characters are in them i am just starting the 5th one
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Date: 29.08.2006
From: T
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
other good writers that I have read recently are Karin Slaughter, P.J Tracy and of course James Patterson and Tess Gerritsen
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Date: 09.03.2007
From: drena
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
ve just read TRUST NOBODY by JUNE HAMPSON . I found it a good read and can t wait for her next one.similar to martinas books
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Date: 22.04.2007
From: coral
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Like you love Martine Cole but I have just read a really good book by Kevin Lewis called Frankie can thoroughly recommend it.
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Date: 11.05.2007
From: yolanda maloney
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
kevin leweis writes similar to martina cole. i thought that no other auther could come close to her. but do read the kid.the kid moves on. katlyn. i have read them all incl.frankie and can't wait for his next book, hope his busy writing one, if not he better hurry it up as i'm addicted to his books. i would like to know the titles of all martina's books that she has already written could you help
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Date: 06.07.2007
From: NIKKI
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
MANDASUE HELLER IS A PRITTY GOOD WRITER, VERY MUCH THE SAME AS MC YOU WOULD LIKE THEM IF YOU READ THEM.
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Date: 25.07.2007
From: sadie
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi everyone just wanted to know if anyone would be able to tell me (if they know) when martina cole is bringing her next book out. is it any time soon?
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Date: 25.07.2007
From: one-eyed Jack
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Best go to http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/martina-cole/ for Martina Cole FACES comes out this coming October
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Date: 26.07.2007
From: Jason
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Lets all guess what this book is going to be about.
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Date: 26.07.2007
From: one-eyed Jack
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
erm.....
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Date: 02.08.2007
From: Kookima
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
There are no other good books like Martina Cole, she is one hard writer and brilliant with it.
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Date: 15.08.2007
From: jean.
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi.try tess gerritson.great action,blood and guts.
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Date: 19.08.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi peeps.is there anybody out there?????
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Date: 25.08.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
whats the point of having a forum if everyones gone to the moon...???.
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Date: 03.09.2007
From: Becksielou
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
i love martina cole! try karin slaughter grant series it's brill! also denise ryan and sheila quigley are very similar! i'm still looking for other authors anybody have any others to try?
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Date: 06.09.2007
From: jean hannon
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi Becksielou, i'd given up hope of ever encountering anybody on this forum. i'm new to this site and new to the web.A complete computer virgin,you could say.but i also love martina cole and have read all her books,so if you or anyone knows when her next book is due let us know. try Mandasue heller.she's very good.just finished one of hers.got the tip about her from this page.
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Date: 07.09.2007
From: lorraine w
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
martina cole's new book is due out on the 18th of octit is called faces.read kevin lewis's they are very good
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Date: 07.09.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi lorrain ,looking forward to getting mc's new book.must say i've never heard of kevin lewis,but always willing to give any writer a go.have you read tess geritson? she is worth a look,but try and read in sequence as characters run through the stories.
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Date: 08.09.2007
From: becksielou
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi jean! i like mandasue heller 2. i've been told that sheila quigley is the most similar author to martina cole ive only just bought her first novel not read it yet so i don't know as yet if that's true but it looks good! will now try tess geritson!
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Date: 08.09.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hi,jean here.i've juat started reading the club by m,heller,quite good so far.hav'nt read any sheila quigley yet,but am going to libary on monday and i'll cheque her out.do you like dean koontz,just finished two of his recently,recomend him highly as he is one of my favourite authors as is stephen king and sean hudson.horror/fantasy dos'nt come any better!!
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Date: 13.09.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
update on m hellers the club.good story,i am realy enjoying it. no luck on sheila quigley at tha libary.must be popular.will keep trying.
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Date: 14.09.2007
From: Grammarian
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
This thread dominates this site. Please, can someone come up with a grammatical title! matina cole (sic) is not a book, she's a f***ing author, is that really so hard? She must be so proud of her readers.
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Date: 15.09.2007
From: one-eyed Jack
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Grammarian, I share your frustration. AFAIK, Martina Cole does not have a website nor, in turn, a forum of any kind - God only knows what the spelling and grammar would be like if one did exist.... I wish THIS forum generated more debate about Val's novel's (and the WITB TV series). She is an immeasurably better writer - imho of course - sadly I can only conclude that the 'domination' of this thread is a reflection of the demands of the UK reading community in terms of its style and, dare I say, its ability to understand. International participants in this forum might not know what a 'chav' is (suggest Wikipedia) but I fear that the domination of this forum that you refer to, Grammarian, is a reflection of its chav fan-base.
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Date: 15.09.2007
From: Grammarian
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
OEJ You expressed a clear value judgement! A capital crime on this site - you know you will be punished. Those who believe that every written work is equally valid and all judgements are merely subjective, will fall on you screaming their relativistic rage. Brave man...
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Date: 15.09.2007
From: jean
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
hello grammarian,hello one-eyed jack.do us all a favour and bog off.
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Date: 15.09.2007
From: one-eyed Jack
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Subject: Re: anyone know a good book like martina cole
Q.E.D. Thanks for confirming my point, Jean!
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