Madeleine

I love those dogs!

Very windy, lots of rain yesterday! Mild though.

Both.

I know what the rules are, please don't patronise me. I actually think there is an issue with my computer, it's the work computer and I have similar issues with work applications whereby it will suddenly "jump" to something unrelated, I think this is what is happening here. I have tried to have it repaired, as recently as two weeks ago, and it keeps happening.

Enjoy!

It's been abysmal here, lots of wind and rain with more to come.

Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen

I've seen some of the You Tube videos, they're hilarious aren't they, they're so sweet! And I love his commentary.

Fear on the Phantom Special by Edward Marston - Inspector Colbeck's latest assignment takes him to the Lake District in November, after a young man, Alexander Piper, disappears during an excursion he's arranged for his friends on a special train journey to a haunted wood on Halloween - when the train is suddenly brought to a halt by a fire, he dashes off to investigate, and is never seen again. But he was very unpopular - arrogant and conceited, he'd ruffled many feathers and broken a lot of hearts, and not many people are sorry to see the back of him. So Colbeck and Leeming, his sergeant, have plenty of suspects, as well as trying to unravel Piper's private and business life. This was an enjoyable, if slightly dry read, and a subplot involving Colbeck's wife, who is back home in London and trying to help her father when he claims that his long service medal on the railways has been stolen, felt rather pointless. 7/10

Just started number 29.

Bush

Lonely this Christmas - Mud

I don't think it was there, it's got quite an eye catching cover hasn't it, will have another look next time I go.

I've just found out by chance ie surfing on Amazon, that False Values has been out in paperback for a month, yet I haven't seen it promoted, or even on a table, in one bookshop locally. But they promote the new novel by some reality TV star with no writing experience whatsoever.

No not horror at all, it does have a slightly creepy atmosphere but I don't think it's any creepier than The Corset. So yes more atmospheric than scary!

worm

People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks

Bone China" by Laura Purcell - this book is set in Cornwall in the early 19th century, and Hester Why has fled London after a disastrous incident, not only that, she has changed her name and does not want to be found. She thinks she is safe in Cornwall at the remote Morvoren House, perched on a rocky clifftop, when she takes up the post as companion to the lady of the house, Louise Pinecroft, who is almost mute and partially immobile, following some sort of stroke. Louise spends most of her time in the China Room, with it's collection of Willow pattern china, which she seems to watch intently, and if she does manage to get to her own bedroom she is locked in. The other resident of the house is Rosewyn, a young woman who has what we would now call learning difficulties, and who is also kept locked in her room most of the time, and is looked after by the strange servant Creeda, a woman who seems to be obsessed with fairies, convinced that they are everywhere. Hester at first thinks this is nonsense, but as strange events start to happen she begins to wonder if there is something supernatural going on. Meanwhile her past seems to be threatening to catch up with her, but more danger seems to be in the present, as she realises that she must protect both her mistress and Rosewyn, but from what or whom she isn't entirely sure. We also get Louise's story and find out about her own past, as we learn of her father's bathe to find a cure for TB - he's a doctor who's been disgraced in London, and whose own wife and other children have all succumbed to the disease - so he too flees to Morvoren House, where he tries out a radical treatment, using convicts as guinea pigs. Louise helps, but trouble brews when she finds herself attracted to one of the younger men. I enjoyed this, it was well written and very atmospheric and vivid, nice and gothic too without being too creepy! I thought all the main characters - Louise, Rosewyn and of course Hester/Esther - were believable and sympathetic, although Hester is a bit unreliable as she spends a lot of time dosed up on either gin or laudanum! One minor point is that I thought the ending, although gripping, did feel a bit rushed. But a great gothic read for Halloween. Purcell is becoming one of my favourite authors. Her books are very descriptive and this one in particular has a slight other worldly feel to it. I won't look at the Willow pattern in the same way for a long time! 7.5/10

bag

Mine too!

Great review! I have both her books.

Last Christmas - Wham!

It's always worth another look isn't it, just for the last part ie the dance.

Lonely this Christmas - Mud

Only the Lonely - Roy Orbison