Madeleine

I like Montalbano too, but I prefer the younger version! Love his house though.

Every time I've been in Waterstone's recently they've asked if I'd read The Dry, think it was one of their books of the month in July and they seemed to really be pushing it. I enjoyed it but I don't think it's particularly original (although the ending is different to the usual confrontation that this type of book has). yes LSA has good reviews, I have her previous one too which was also well received.

The Dry by Jane Harper - this is the debut novel by a journalist, and is set in the small town of Kinnewara, which has been sweltering under a relentless heatwave and subsequent drought for nearly 2 years. Aaron Falk, who left the town after an incident during his teens, for which he took a lot of the blame, returns for the funeral of his best friend Luke, who reportedly shot his wife and son, and then himself. Aaron is now a cop, but is mainly involved with fraud and other financial crime, but finds himself drawn into finding out what really happened to his friend, and also finally laying to rest the ghosts of all those years ago. Some of the locals aren't that thrilled to see him either, but with the help of the local policeman, he gradually unravels the truth. I enjoyed this, it was very well-written, despite the story not being very original, and the characters were vividly drawn, although some of them were a little bit cliched. And the book became more gripping as the truth was slowly revealed. A very promising debut. 8/10 The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch - the 6th in the Peter Grant series, and just as amusing as the earlier instalments, with Peter becoming involved in the "demi-monde" yet again, this time following the investigation of an accidental drugs overdose. Lots of dry humour, and some good action scenes. And we finally learn more about the Faceless Man. Not sure where the title comes from though, as the titular tree is only mentioned very briefly, and doesn't play much of a part in the story. 7.5/10

The dog sounds lovely, glad he was rescued. Hope you feel better and the move goes well.

Dull.

I'm just about to start The Muse too.

Binge watched over the weekend and have now caught up - Augury I totally agree with you about the dragon scenes at the end of Episode 4, and the cliffhanger ending! I had to go straight onto the next one to find out what happened....and Jerome Flynn owned those scenes, he must have had a ball filming them. Looking forward to tonight's episode, we've had the fire now it's the ice's turn!

Glad you and Kizzy found each other, hope you have great times together!

I spoke too soon on Friday - poured at lunchtime, then we had a storm around 3.30. Saturday wasn't bad - dull and windy - Sunday was better but started raining around 1800 and hasn't stopped since!

Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie

I loved TRM, haven't read "Cat" yet.

I've been hit so many times in car parks etc and unless someone has seen it happen, no one's ever owned up. My old car practically seemed to have a target painted on it, it got hit so many times, and of course I don't always notice the damage immediately eg if it's dark or I don't approach it from the affected side.

Probably a better idea to hire a car, as a lot of train lines carry out engineering work at the weekends, and have replacement bus services instead (which are an experience in their own right!). Back to Raven's original point - I agree up to a point about car ownership, but like others on here, I think if you're not near a major town or city, then a car is probably essential.

Rained heavily for most of the night, but quite sunny now.

Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins

Hi and welcome!

Hi and welcome, do you have any favourite books/authors?

Glad she came through Ok, love the idea of a lisping cat though, can't imagine what that sounds like, and as long as her appetite is OK!

Crowner's Quest by Bernard Knight - this is the 3rd in the Crowner John series, and again is a highly enjoyable tale set in late 12th century Exeter, where Christmas is put on hold after an elderly priest is found hanged. Initially suicide is suspected, but then John notices some suspicious features on the body which lead him to suspect murder, and duly finds himself being involved in a land feud, and also having his colourful love life dragged through the mud and, most worryingly of all, he's hauled off to prison on a trumped up charge of assault. But help comes from an unexpected quarter, which turns out to be rather touching. This is a solid mediaeval crime novel, set against the background of a country which is becoming increasingly disillusioned at having to keep paying out ransoms for it's absentee king (Richard I), whilst a rebellious attempt to put the King's brother, John, on the throne also seems to be brewing, and keeps John busy as well as all his other cases, and trying to stay on the right side of his brother-in-law, who also happens to be the sheriff, and who is highly ambitious and would love to see John fall. But there's quite a bit of humour too, with some amusing, albeit awkward scenes, between John and his wife. 7.5/10

it's quite a bit cooler now, although a bit muggy, and the nights are definitely drawing in! When we were away last week I even had to put a blanket on the bed one night, and have come home with a cold

Dreamcatcher - Stephen King

I think the second book in the Dark Materials trilogy is the best one, I found the third one too long, too derivative and had too many storylines that dragged.

Just back from a week in Devon, it was nice but the weather could have been better! Had a couple of nice afternoons but it rained every day. and on the last night some moron decided to rip off one of my wing mirrors, so goodness knows how much that will cost to get fixed

buttons

Just back from hols and 3 episodes behind, don't know how I'll catch up! have been too tired to watch in the evening.