In “Gingerbread Cookie Murder” by Joanne Fluke, Hannah Swensen finds her neighbor Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah’s Gingerbread Cookies but who could have done it? Yes, we know that this one is technically a Christmas book but why not celebrate throughout the year! This collection of novellas contains three festive mystery stories, each with a sweet/candy theme. Read My Book Corner’s interview with Candy Gourlay. She shares her writing tips, current favourite reads and Bone Talk‘s journey to publication.Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanna Fluke Only once the last page has been read will they come up for air, wondering how they will ever read anything quite like it again. They will feel every stone under their feet, every whisper from the trees and every laughter and tear shed as they delve deeper and deeper into the book. Candy Gourlay‘s prose takes the reader by the hand beckoning them on Samkad’s journey. Even now, Samkad, Luki and all the well-crafted characters in this novel, still remain in my thoughts long after I finished this astounding book. Would I have been so brave and quick-witted to survive such a journey? I doubt it. Every page grabbed me into his world and beyond. Samkad soon realises that leaving the village unprotected was a disastrous decision for them all.Ĭonstantly rooting for Samkad and his friends, I found myself unable to put Bone Talk down.

Betrayed by American soldiers and with no way out, they have no choice but to follow orders. Separated at birth, Kinyo not only comes back to the village he left all those years ago, he brings an American friend with him.ĭelighted and somewhat curious of the visitor to their village, the joyous celebration of his arrival soon turns into terror.

Only once they are reunited will the spirits consent to his rite of passage. The truth eventually comes out, forcing his father on a pilgrimage to bring back the answer to Samkad’s prayers – his friend Kinyo. His attempts to persuade them that he is ready, are repeatedly denied as Samkad and his friends, Luki and Tambul, find themselves in a predicament that puts the villagers and their way of life in jeopardy. Samkad must prove his worth to his father and those that protect him in order to go through the life-changing ritual. The place he calls home is yet to be touched by the invaders he hears about in night time tales spoken in whispers by the Ancients.Ībout to ‘come of age’, he will soon leave his childhood years behind and become a man. 1899 – Growing up in Bontok, a village set deep in the Philippine mountains, Samkad is surrounded by nature and leads a life filled with family, love and tradition.

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