Madeleine

We're just saying the same thing - how is it August! And the nights are already getting darker earlier....

Ooh anything with a nice landscape/seascape cover, or those historical covers with a woman in a lovely dress against a castle background, or a lovely house.

I didn't like the Tenth circle very much either, in fact I've gone right off her books now, although I may still read Plain Truth at some point. I liked The Pact and Salem Falls though.

Had a nice meal out last night with some friends I haven't seen for ages, just went shopping today, and had our guest dog stay until this morning, so we managed a walk yesterday before it started raining.

Rained most of last night off and on, including an absolute deluge around 4.00 which woke me up, but so far no rain today, contrary to the forecast, and it's not been too bad.

This morning was quite nice, but started raining around 12.30 and hasn't stopped since, horrible,

I think I remember the TV version of Silent Voices - I have the Vera books but they seem to film them quite quickly before I read them! Unlike Shetland which has deviated completely from the Perez books. Brenda Blethyn is great as Vera, so shambolic, and she seems nice in real life too.

Congratulations Will - not jealous at all!

I really enjoyed this, thought it was a ripping yarn! Perhaps it's just too well known now?

Yes they can be tacky but enjoyable! Just got "The Black Friar" by S G MacLean (2nd in the Damian Seeker historical crime series, set during Oliver Cromwell's "reign")

Not sure if it's still raining, but it looks very damp.

Don't worry it's not a soppy romance, although it is a tad predictable.

Dull again, and I think it's raining now.

Probably why they're called "terriers" as they're little terrors!

As long as they get some decent stories she might have a good chance of it being a success, personally I think it's looking very jaded and she could be the boost it needs. Wonder what will happen with the companion as Bill seems to be definitely out of it now.

Thanks for clearing that up, she's a lively one!

Was quite warm at lunchtime but wouldn't call it a scorcher! Better than the last few days though.

The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart - this is another enjoyable mystery, this time set in Northumberland near Hadrian's Wall. Mary Grey is visiting the wall when a young man approaches her, telling her that she is the image of his cousin Annabel, who ran away several years ago and is now presumed dead. Eventually they realise they are distantly related, but later when Mary is back in the café where she works she becomes aware of a woman who comes in every day and sits and stares at her. When she confronts the woman, she admits that she is the half sister of the man, Con, and is also interested in Mary for her resemblance to Annabel, mainly because their grandfather is very ill, and looks likely to leave their large house and estate to another cousin, Julie, who doesn't want it and lives in London. If Mary could impersonate Annabel and get the old man to change his will so that she inherits, well.... you can guess the rest. Naturally there would be something in it for her, and after much thought and several "training sessions" from Lisa she finally arrives at Whitescar in the guise of "Annabel". There's one major twist in this, which I did suspect, and although it dragged a bit in the middle, once the twist was revealed the second part was much more gripping. Enjoyable if a bit predictable! 7.5/10 Holy Island by L J Ross - this is the first in a series of crime novels (6 so far) also set in Northumberland, and almost entirely set on Holy Island, which gives it a slight locked room/country house feeling. When 2 young women, and then one of the local coastguards, are found dead in ritualistic settings, it looks like there is a serial killer around, and given the island's isolation, it has to be one of the locals. Detective chief Inspector Ryan, who has suffered a trauma of his own, is now living on the island and as a local is heading up the case, with his house being turned into a temporary police station. Another young woman, Anna Taylor, whose sister turns out to be one of the victims, is brought in to help as she is an expert on rituals, and no prizes for guessing what happens between her and Ryan. However their relationship is fairly convincing, and both are likeable, if flawed characters (and yes Ryan is quite a hunk and both are in increasing danger as the investigation progresses. A good introduction to the series, with a great, atmospheric setting. 8/10

I've read a couple in this series and they're great fun. Her Vicky Bliss series is also worth a read, it has a definite 1980s vibe to it, but is good fun, I'm about halfway through it and there are only 6 books so it's much more manageable as a series, there's a bit of love interest and some comedy moments too, and great locations.

We actually had our heating on last night as it got so chilly. Sun shining at the moment but still quite cloudy. Wasn't that warm when I left this morning.

Yes it's a great photo, hope she doesn't fall off! And how does she get up there, does she have help or does she use another surface as a launch pad?

Must be around 30 by now. Like you, I haven't had any outstanding reads so far, it was the same last year as well, no 10/10s at all. Edited to say just had a quick count on another book forum and it's 29 so far, although I've just started reading 30 & 31.

We had a few distant rumbles but no proper storm. Rained overnight and drizzly now, and very grey (and quite chilly too!).

Same here - yesterday morning was lovely...until about noon when it started raining and didn't really stop all day. Today was threatening to rain, and it finally started about 15 minutes ago.

Penny sounds like the spaniel we look after, except she won't go on her own bed/blanket - every night my mother has a battle with her to move her so that she (mum) has room to get into bed! Then she works her way up the bed until her head is on the next pillow! They certainly like their comfort don't they....