Madeleine

I'm up to this book in the series as well, and want to get started on the Infernal Devices too.

Hope you're OK Virginia, sounds scary. We have friends in the Boca Raton area but aren't sure what they're doing. Stay safe.

Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton

Cowboys and Angels by George Michael

Finished "The Last confession of Thomas Hawkins" the other day, it's the sequel to "The Devil in the Marshalsea" which was my favourite book of last year. Tom is now living happily(ish) in London with Kitty, but is bored and unwisely accepts an invitation to work for notorious gangster James Fleet. Soon he finds himself working for none other than Queen Caroline, who asks him to help out with a delicate situation involving the King's mistress, who is her one time friend and now main lady-in-waiting. Then Tom's neighbour is murdered, just after Tom is heard openly threatening to kill the man after a suspected break-in at his house. The plot twists and turns and Tom is up to his neck in it, literally as he is tried for his neighbour's murder and waits desperately for a pardon from the King or Queen. The fact that the 3rd book in the series has just been published means that there's no secret that he survives, however the manner in which he does so is thrilling (and not too unlike the current series of Ripper Street) and what follows is also gripping. Not quite as good as the previous book, but Tom is a great character, the book is well-written, fast-paced and quite humourous, and I look forward to the next one! 8/10

I think there was an inevitability that Anastacia would be in the dance off, I thought it was very unfair given the circumstances (trust the public to vote against her), I think they should have done what they did on the Bake Off when a competitor cut themselves and couldn't take part in the last round - they didn't have anyone booted off, but got rid of 2 people the following week. I wonder if she'll pull out, it sounds really nasty and perhaps she shouldn't have taken part? Feel really sorry for her though, I think she could be good if she was at full fitness.

I like the idea of a "found chicken" poster. Hope she's OK, sounds like she's safe with you!

I'm not sure how light they are, but I've heard the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett are very good (and lots of swashbuckling and roof-top chases). They can be expensive but there are a lot of cheap copies out there - I've started collecting them myself as I've heard so much about them, the first one is called Game of Kings. Probably more like Musketeers than fantasy. James McGee also has a series about Matthew Hawkwood, set in London, I think he' s a kind of cop/spy, but I've heard he's quite dashing if you want that type of hero! The first one is called Ratcatcher.

I usually manage around 50, last year it was 48 and I shall aim for 45 this year and any more will be a bonus! Might try some short reads to bump it up a bit

I loved Danny's waltz even though it was faster than a usual waltz! And the routine was great, they look like they've been dancing together for years. What's the betting he'll be James Bond in movie week? Liked most of the others too, agree it was very unfortunate about Anastacia, especially as she showed how good she could have been, she looked like she was in agony though poor thing. I thought that Greg's bottom stuck out a bit too! Most of the others weren't bad either. Not sure if I can bear to watch the Judge - he was on This Morning yesterday and said he's doing a Charleston.....as Fred Flintstone!

I love most of my books! But like FM, I have more that I haven't read than I have read, but I love most of them, any that I don't like go to a charity sale.

Gorgeous here too, really warm in the sun.

High

Thanks Athena, glad you had a nice time yesterday, the pastries sound lovely!

Yes it is by Veronica Henry - I find this genre of books does tend to be predictable, which is why I don't read that many of them, but the setting is lovely, Venice sigh

Have a fab time Talisman. Did something really silly today - couldn't get hold of a CD properly to take it out of the tray, and the tray slid back in, and came out again without the CD, which has disappeared into the depths of the CD player ! Any hints on retrieval would be most welcome.

Heavy rain on and off most of the day, with some sunny bits in-between. Definite chill though.

Had a quick count last night and 36 so far.

Yes a lot of us have sleep problem where I work too. Have a fab time in Prague, it's lovely.

Raining!

Yes apparently it's the most watched clip ever!

Nosy!

Thanks Athena. Finished "A night on the Orient Express" yesterday, it was a nice easy read, a bit predictable as it told of various people spending the night on the famous train as they head to Venice. No real surprises as to how all the plot threads turned out, but some lovely descriptions of the train, and even better ones of Venice. 7/10

I'm getting in the mood for some gothic fiction too, definitely the time of year for it.

Just done our office sweepstake and I've got Judge Rinder (desperately wanted Danny, he was fab wasn't he and a great partnership with Oti), oh dear, I also watched him open-mouthed; he could have potential but needs to be seriously reined in and be a bit more controlled, so let's hope his partner works on that. Looking forward to Anastasia's salsa tomorrow.