The Rosie Result - Graeme Simsion

I adored Graeme Simsion's novel The Rosie Project, the first book that introduced us to Don Tillman. (my review)

The Rosie Result is the third book chronicling Don's life. And life has moved on. He and Rosie have moved back to Australia - along with their eleven year old son Hudson. And you know that old saying - like father, like son? Well, Don and Hudson fit that description. But....is Hudson really autistic? Rosie and Don debate over having a formal diagnosis done. In the meantime, Don's latest project is to help Hudson fit into his new school and environment.

I truly like Don and his take on life. This latest book only cements that opinion. Hudson is just well drawn. I enjoyed seeing life from Hudson's viewpoint as he attempts to circumnavigate friendship, bullying, sports, academics, social norms and all the other things that go with with making your way through life. I did find the behaviour of the school towards Hudson to be upsetting. But I applaud Don and Rosie's advocating on his behalf.

Don and Rosie are also having difficulties - especially with work. Don of course comes up with a brilliant idea - opening a bar to take advantage of their cocktail making talents. His problem solving skills are always ingenious and for the most part effective. Although there are a few that don't go quite as planned - the video clips of animals mating for sex-ed purposes is one example.

Supporting cast members from previous books also end up in Australia. Dave is a perennial favourite of mine. I must admit, I didn't really like Rosie in the second book. I'm happy to say that she has redeemed herself in this latest and is much kinder.

The Rosie Result is by turns humorous, eye-opening and heart warming.  Those who have have enjoyed the previous two books will enjoy catching up with Rosie and Don and meeting Hudson. I did. I wonder if there will be another book in the future for Don as Hudson grows up. Read an excerpt of The Rosie Result.

I think the book could have been shortened up a bit. It comes in at 386 pages and I did find that some situations were re-hashed and began to feel repetitive.

The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder

The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder is Sarah J. Harris's  debut adult novel.

"Synesthesia: the subjective sensation of a sense other than the one being stimulated. For example, a sound may evoke sensations of color."

Jasper Wishart hears colors. For everything - words, sounds, people's voices. He also cannot recognize faces and is on the autism spectrum.

"I'm glad I'm not like most other teenage boys because I get to see the world in its full multicolored glory."

The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder opens with Jasper being interviewed about a neighbour's disappearance - although Jasper is sure it is murder. He needs to "untangle the long, snaky ticker tape in my head." Because he thinks he's the one who killed Bee......

Harris has created a wonderful lead character in Jasper. My heart ached for him as he is bullied at school, subjected to angry neighbours and at times disparaged by his father. (Who, to be fair, is struggling himself) Jasper desperately misses his deceased mother, who could also see the colors. (she alone is cobalt blue) But Harris also transmits the joy Jasper feels when painting and when observing and journaling the lives of his beloved wild parakeets. His desire and determination to find the truth will have the reader firmly in his corner. I loved his voice and thoughts.

Jasper's color descriptions of people, things, sounds and words make perfect sense. An angry dog - 'red triangles stretch into pointed deep orange darts." "Estranged was a gray gravel-chip word and not pleasant to look at for long."

As the book is told through Jasper's narrative, the reader has only his memories and flawed observations to go on. We can slowly put together the pieces that are laid out, but there is no way to guess the final whodunit before the final pages.

A really good read - Here's an excerpt of The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder. If you enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, you'll love the Color of Bee Larkham's Murder.