Madeleine

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....

Sorry the parade got rained on (literally), glad you enjoyed it though. Glad to hear Coran's friend is OK.

Yep that last line was a good one! I must admit the opening scene threw me completely at first, it was certainly different! Lots of storylines being set up.

The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher

Yep I thought the ending was a cop-out too, apparently the film ends differently.

We rarely get storms like that either, just as well probably!

She likes her comfort doesn't she!

I loved St Clare's as well, and some of the Adventure series, don't think I read all of them. Read a bit of Dahl, bit of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I also liked the Mary Plain books (another story about a little bear, this time from Switzerland), the first What Katy Did, the Follyfoot books (although I wasn't a horsey person!), Mary Poppins, Alan Garner (mainly because Elidor was serialised on TV). As an adult I've read mainly Potter and the Dark Materials, and some YA stuff eg Mortal Instruments.

That sounds bad about the knee, are you wearing a support on it or anything? Hope the rain stays off, forecast for the west country and south isn't that good for today so hope it clears. I heard the first mention of the "C" word yesterday - our walking group chair was talking about organising the usual meal, there are normally about 40 of us so it does need to be booked up early, but still.....!

they're all lovely. I reckon Pamuk could have a fair bit of Labrador in her? How do you look after Boris's coat?

I always preferred the Famous 5 to the Secret 7 as well. Only read The Hobbit as an adult. I also liked the Paddington Bear books, and the Alfred Hitchcock/Nancy Drew books as well.

200 pages is fine - I gave The Book Thief about 250 before I ditched it - depends on the size of the book obviously, but if it's a longish book than the 200 zone is an honourable attempt.

We had rain again last night, and a bit this morning, but no more storms, although it's still looking pretty threatening and is quite muggy again.

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Dull and humid here, felt a few spots of rain at lunchtime but so far it's stayed dry.

We finally got the storm last night - lightning flashed around for ages, almost continuously, for quite a long time - I stood watching it out of the window for about 20 minutes, it was behind the clouds most of the time and looked amazing, although there was no rain and the thunder was a long way off, just a faint rumbling - eventually it woke me up around 4.15, with torrential rain and thunder overhead. Very muggy now and looking threatening again.