On the first Saturday of every month, a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six other books to form a chain. Readers and bloggers are invited to join in by creating their own ‘chain’ leading from the selected book.
Six Degrees of Separation: Kate
Regular readers know that I’ve spent the last month in the Balkans and Barcelona, where copies of this month’s starter book, Meg Mason‘s Sorrow and Bliss weren’t readily available. So I haven’t read it. But I will.

It appears to be about a woman struggling with mental illness. So I’ll go for my first link to the struggles of a teenage girl, Sal, by Mick Kitson. This is the story of Sal and her half sister Peppa’s escape from life with their alcoholic mother and abusive step-father. Thirteen year old Sal, who narrates the story, has long planned this escape, making use of carefully learnt bush skills to live rough in Galloway Forest Park Scotland. Circumstances have made her wise beyond her years, though failing at school. It’s an incredible, yet credible story of the consequences of one man’s unremitting abuse, and of a mother totally unable to protect her daughters. An involving read both for an adult and YA audience.


I’ll link this to Mary Lawson‘s A Town called Solace. This is a small, fictional town in Northern Ontario, where it’s easy to imagine that life is simple, perhaps a little dull. But 7 year old Clara’s rebellious but much-loved older sister has run away – disappeared completely. Clara’s responsible for feeding her elderly neighbour Elizabeth’s cat during a hospital stay. And during this time, an unknown man, who turns out to be called Liam, seems to be moving into Elizabeth’s home. Clara, Elizabeth and Liam each have a story which develops told from their own perspective. It’s multi-layered: in their own ways these characters are dealing with grief, bewilderment and remorse. They have secrets they’re reluctant to share, and have lost faith in at least some of their fellows. They’re richly developed as complex, satisfyingly likeable characters. This is a book to savour.


The next character has a simple and apparently dull life too, just like Solace. She appears in Convenience Store Woman by Sakaya Murata. Our heroine, Keiko, despite her university education, has contentedly spent her whole 18 year career working in a convenience store. She lives for her work there, striving to be a dependable employee. No husband, boyfriend, or child: she doesn’t feel the lack of these, though her family worries. She’s a misfit, a cog, but a contented one. And then …. A quick and quirky read, though one which poses questions to ponder after the last page has been turned.


Another loner is the hero of The Janus Stone, by Elly Griffiths. The second book in the series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives up to the promise of the first. The character of Ruth herself, and the detective with whom she works on this case continues to develop in an interesting way. The plot, involving the discovery of the bones of a child on a site currently being redeveloped is intricate enough to be intriguing, without being over-complicated. I took this book with me on holiday. Ideal reading in the circumstances.


A long-ago crime brings me to my next link. The Statement by Brian Moore. My recent life in France had made me familiar with tales of the Resistance in WWII France, as well as knowing something of the unpalatable doings of the Vichy Government and their unpleasant foot soldiers, the Milice. So I was eager to read this story, based on a true one, of one man’s unsavoury war time crimes and of his post-war protection by the Catholic church. Will he escape justice in the end? This is a clever, complex thriller leaving us in little doubt as to Moore’s feelings about the Catholic hierarchy. There are twists till the very last page. To be read perhaps more than once for full impact.


Although we’ll stay with WWII, we’ll lighten the mood. Operation Mincemeat by Ben MacIntyre. A really absorbing and interesting read. This book tells the story of an ultimately successful attempt by the British to deceive the Nazis about their plans to invade in Southern Europe. Such an attempt is bound to be complex, involving political acumen, spying know-how, involvement of those in high places and yet secrecy at every level. Ben Macintyre handles his material and the wealth of characters skillfully, and turns out a rollicking tale. Yet he does not ignore the pathos surrounding the life of the almost unknown Welshman who is at the centre of this story: you’ll have to read the book to find out what I mean.


Next month’s starting book is one that formed part of the very first Six Degrees chain that I ever joined in on. It’s Katherine May‘s Wintering. And very appropriate for the less than sunny British summer we’re currently experiencing here.
Finally, an apology. Last month, hardly any of you who commented on my post received replies. I’m so sorry. I planned to write these on my return from Europe, but WordPress decided otherwise and firmly closed comments, despite my best efforts to open them again.
Have you seen the film of Operation Mincemeat, it’s very good.
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I have actually, Susan. Yes, I enjoyed it – but I preferred the book.
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I shall get the book then.
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Any books by Ben MacIntyre I highly recommend. He knows his stuff, and tells a compelling story.
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And I have no idea what Wintering is about. I enjoyed your chain, and have actually read one, Convenience store woman. Such a good read.
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It was, wasn’t it? Lots to think about too.
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All of your books sound so good (though I think I’ll remain satisfied with the film version of Operation Mincemeat).
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The choice is yours, but honestly, I far preferred the book.
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I haven’t seen the recent film Operation Mincemeat but I have seen The Man Who Never Was, the 1956 film adaptation based on the book of the same name by Ewen Montagu who had a leading role in Operation Mincemeat.
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Ah, I’d not come across this. I wonder if it’s still ‘out there’ somewhere?
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It occasionally turns up on BBC2 but I just checked and it’s not on iPlayer unfortunately.
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One day, maybe ….
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Interesting selection…I’ve earmarked The Janus stone and The Statement for reading
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Good choices, especially The Statement, which is an involving, meaty read.
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Sal has gone onto my wishlist. I love the Galloway Forest. An interesting chain, Margaret. Operation Mincemeat and The Statement both appeal, too.
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From what I know of your interests, The Statement will go to the top of your list. But all are worth reading.
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Nicely varied chain, as ever. I’m looking forward to reading the Lawson.
I hope you enjoyed your European trip. How annoying of WordPress!
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The Lawson totally engaged me from start to finish. I’ll read more from her. The trip was great. WordPress less so ….
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That’s an interesting chain. I’ve been wanting to read something by Brian Moore and The Statement sounds as though it could be a good one to start with.
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It would, Helen. But if you can’t get hold of it, any if his books are well worth reading.
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You always find interesting books but I can never keep up with you.
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Well, I know it’s harder to source what you want when you want it whilst abroad. I bet you read plenty!
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Another brilliant “Six Degrees” post, Margaret! Thank you.
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Thanks Rebecca. Back on track now.
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I’m a huge Ruth Galloway fan! And A Town called Solace sounds interesting. As for comments can’t you go into Settings, Discussion settings and change the time limit on Other Comment Settings – Automatically Close after XYZ days?
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Ooh, thanks Jude. I’m not good ‘under the bonnet’, but I’m off to try to fix this now.
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…and I’ve done it. Thanks Jude!
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Like Cathy, I’ve seen The Man Who Never Was based on Ewan Montagu’s memoir of Operation Mincemeat. I believe both Montagu’s book and the DVD are available.
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Thanks! I’ll look them out.
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You chain makes me want to add all six to my TBR pile. I particularly like the idea of Sal, but I’m also fascinated by novels about World War II, especially when it’s stories centred around ordinary people living through it (rather than the battles). Have you read anything by Natasha Lester (an Australian author who write historical fiction set during World War II, often set in France)?
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I haven’t. In fact I haven’t come across her at all. Time to put that right. Thanks!
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I enjoyed your chain and have read some of these books – A Town Called Solace, The Janus Stone and Operation Mincemeat – all very good. I’m not sure I’d like Sal – a story of unremitting abuse, and a mother totally unable to protect her daughters sounds grim, although Sal’s escape in the Galloway Forest Park sounds interesting.
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In fact, we only get enough of the ‘back story’ as it were, to have us understand why Sal ha taken this drastic step. It’s their story as they live it out in the wild that takes centre stage.
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Enjoyed your chain as well. Convenience Store Woman and Ruth Galloway are already on my list to explore; and A Town called Solace is going on my list too!
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I doubt if you’ll regret it.
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I like the sounds of several of these books. I will make a note and see if I can find any at our local library. The Statement sounds really good.
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Very nice! I didn’t even know this book by Moore
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Definitely worth hunting for. I had to source a second-hand copy.
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A great chain as usual, Margaret. Mary Lawson’s books have been high on my list for so long. There are just too many books!
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Aren’ there? But Lawson is someone I’m very glad to have – finally – got round to.
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Oh thanks Margaret for reminding me of Brian Moore. I read quite a few of his books when I was in my twenties, but missed ‘The Statement’. Your tantalising review has prompted me to add it to my Audible Wish List. I was surprised when I Googled him to read he’s been dead for over twenty years.
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I know. He sounds very fresh, doesn’t he? This is the best that I’ve read from him, but he never disappoints.
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I’m looking forward to it when I permit myself to spend another credit!! Thanks again for jogging my memory.
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Thanks – I really enjoyed reading this chain. We have a copy of Operation Mincemeat that I have not got around to reading yet, so perhaps now maybe I will!
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It’s a story that carries you along easily, so no need to fear getting launched in!
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