Madeleine

I think it's what you call a Marmite book!

Dull and looking like it's going to chuck it down any minute!

I got nearly halfway through before I gave up - I found it boring and too whimsical for me.

The Body on the Beach by A J Mackenzie - first in a new historical crime series set in late 18th century Kent - when a young man collapses on his doorstep with a fatal gunshot wound, Reverend Hardcastle feels compelled to find out what happened to the stranger, or to at least find out who he was. His death seems to be linked to the local smuggling gangs - everyone knows that low level smuggling goes on, and most, including himself, turn a blind eye, but this seems to be something bigger than a few bottles of illicit brandy or port (to which our hero is very partial!). With the help of young widow Amelia Chaytor, who's recently moved to the village, he starts to find out what exactly is going on in his parish, especially when yet another body turns up, this time in the churchyard, and just how many people are involved in the smuggling chain, including, it would seem, some of the higher standing members of the community. I enjoyed this, the Reverend and Amelia are likeable characters and there were lots of twists and turns, with some great atmosphere and also a nice sense of humour, and a supporting role for a young artist called Turner.... A promising start to a new series. 8/10

Been lovely today, glorious and warm in the sunshine.

Not raining yet but it seems to be blowing up for a storm, very dull and windy.

Yesterday was lovely, although it was raining heavily when I went to bed around 11.00. Today is dull so far.

Headlines

Foggy first thing, but sunny now.

I usually manage about 4 a month.

Ugh!

Dull and chilly first thing, sunny now but not sure how warm it is, haven't been out yet.

Wet

Caught the last hour or so of Dirty Dancing last night, great film. And it hasn't dated in the way that Saturday Night Fever has, which looks horrible dated now!

Oh yes and those little typos like an extra "is" or "as" or "a" suddenly appearing in the middle of a sentence, the book I've just finished had a lot of this - is the problem with the proof reading or type-setting?

Last night I ditched The Book Thief, sorry but I'd struggled through 240 pages and couldn't face another 300!

Well done on your win, glad you had a nice time celebrating it.

Same here, lovely when the wind drops!

The second book has a much more playful tone to it, it's very much a come along for the ride sort of book. Hope you like it!

Hit double figures - 12.

Bought yesterday: The house on Sunset Lake by Tasmina Perry Ordeal by fire by Sarah Hawkswood A Date with Death by Julia Chapman

Same here, nice and sunny today.

Oh Cliffhanger's an enjoyable popcorn movie, great scenery.

Much better! It's totally different, you get Lestat's voice which is much stronger than Louis's, it's much funnier and probably my favourite of the whole series.

I'm beginning to feel the same about The Book thief - am giving it til page 250, then it will be decision time.