Janet

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle The ‘blurb’ ‘It came with the wind through the silence of the night, a long, deep mutter, then a rising howl, and then the sad moan in which it died away. Again and again it sounded, the whole air throbbing with it, strident, wild, and menacing.’ When the body of Sir Charles Baskerville is found on the misty and desolate Devon moors, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson decide to investigate. The locals blame his death on the family curse, a legendary phantom hound which has supposedly haunted the Baskervilles for generations. Holmes’ detective skills are put to the test as he battles to discover the truth behind the fearsome legend and to solve one of the most macabre mysteries of his career. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead it appears that the mysterious and legendary Hound of the Baskervilles has struck again. With a new heir due to take the helm at Baskerville Hall, a large house in the middle of Dartmoor, Sherlock Holmes sends his trusty sidekick to Devon ahead of him to check out the situation - his visit coincides with the escape of a dangerous prisoner from the notorious prison at Princetown. Among the people Watson encounters are the late Sir Charles's butler Barrymore and his wife and a naturalist called Stapleton who lives nearby with his sister. As Watson struggles to piece together all the clues in Holmes's absence, he discovers a number of suspects. Is the legend of the Hound real, or is there some other explanation for the strange goings on that only Sherlock Holmes can solve…? I read this whilst we were visiting Devon – we crossed Dartmoor and went past the prison – it was easy to imagine the action from the book taking place there! It wasn't particularly bleak the two days we visited as the sun was shining on us, but on a drab winter's day it must be very atmospheric! Obviously I had heard of this story before, but this was my first encounter (if one discounts the BBC Sherlock version – I must watch it again as I can't really remember much about it!) – it is a really enjoyable story – I'm looking forward to meeting Mr Holmes again soon. The paperback edition is 160 pages long and is published by Collins. It was first published in 1902. The ISBN is 9780008195656. I read it on Kindle. 4/5 (I really liked it) (Finished 30 March 2017)

Some interesting stats there, @willoyd I have loved some of those that you have disliked but have also loved some of those that you loved. Well done for completing the challenge. I'm so happy that you changed your opinion of A Christmas Carol as a result of this challenge. I've enjoyed reading your reviews (only the ones of those books I have read - I still have 13 to go).

Thanks, @willoyd.

Thanks, @Little Pixie - they're gorgeous ,aren't they! Thanks, Gaia. It was lovely inside too. Thanks, @Alexi I hope you love the book as much as I did!

He's a fascinating man. I read a book about him by Wendy Jones in 2015 which was good.

I'm currently reading Descent of a Man by Grayson Perry on Kindle, and we're listening to One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

Anna of the Five Towns is good. When I reviewed it (2010) I described the writing as being a bit dry, but my reading has evolved such a lot since then that I'd probably find it less so now. I really ought to read some more too.

Very well done. I don't see me finishing this challenge in 2017. I loved The Old Wives' Tale. Have you read any other Bennett books?

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry The ‘blurb’ London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge. On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both. The Essex Serpent is a celebration of love, and the many different shapes it can take. When Cora Seaborne’s husband dies she is relieved. He was controlling and their relationship wasn’t a happy one and Cora is thankful to be freed from the bonds of marriage. Intrigued by rumours of the return of The Essex Serpent, Cora and her son Francis head to Aldwinter and, after being introduced by her friend Charles, they stay with the local vicar and his wife. The Reverend William Ransome is frustrated by the stories and refuses to believe in the mythical creature, whilst William’s gentle wife Stella seems to be becoming ever more obsessed with the colour blue. As William's parishioners become more and more stirred up, a feeling of hysteria takes over the community, and as William tries to calm the situation he clashes with the headstrong Cora… I'm not sure what to say about this novel, except that I loved it and it's definitely my favourite book of 2017 (so far). I loved the setting, and the characters, especially Cora and William, and William's ethereal wife Stella. There is more to this novel that just what is happening in Essex including not only Stella's story but also an episode of pioneering surgery (some of which I found… challenging to read, being rather squeamish!). I also loved the beautiful, poetical writing. Coincidentally, we recently visited a couple of settings from the book – Colchester, where we visited both hotels mentioned in the book, and Brightlingsea, which is said to be (although not confirmed by the author as far as I know) the basis for the fictional village of Aldwinter. Colchester Brightlingsea We even spotted the Essex Serpent swimming off up the river…! The paperback edition is 448 pages long and is published by Serpent's Tail. It was first published in 2016. The ISBN is 9781781255452. 5/5 (I loved it) (Finished 22 March 2017)a

I've read 109 pages of Five Rivers Met on a Wooded Plain by Barney Norris today. Goodreads tells me this is 38%. I wasn't sure for the first few pages, but I'm really enjoying it now. We're also listening to The Blackhouse by Peter May in the car - it's goooood!

I tried, but I pretty much had my chin on the desk! Haha - that's funny! There is nothing much behind me (a door to the room that is currently a stock room and the photocopier). He went out to lunch early today so I ate my sandwich when he wasn't there! It's not a cubicle (I don't think I'd like that) our desks face one another so it's a partition between the two. I'm sure things will get better. Thanks, @Athena , @Nollaig and @bookmonkey

Thanks, @Madeleine, @chesilbeach and @bobblybear He does seem very nice - I'm sure it's just a matter of getting to know him!

I have a new person sitting opposite me at work. He's very nice, but I'm feeling really uncomfortable. This is an odd feeling, as I would generally describe myself as a quiet extrovert! I'm not bothered by new people/situations normally, but I'm not an extrovert in the same way as my husband is - I don't do being the centre of attention. Not that I think he's looking at me, but it just feels like he is. One thing... he never eats! This makes me uncomfortable even though I only have a wholemeal roll and a yogurt and fruit, it makes me feel like I'm always eating. We have a panel between us, but I wish it was higher!! I know this is not book related, but I felt the need to tell someone!

Me too!

I haven't read any of those books, Chrissy. I just wanted to give you a hug ( ) and say I hope things have improved now.

I've said it elsewhere, Diane, but thanks so much for the gorgeous postcard. What a lovely surprise when I got home from work.

I've just started The Road to Wigan Pier Revisited by Stephen Armstrong. I am at work in an open plan office and it's hard to concentrate sometimes, but I found some 'relaxing rain' on YouTube and so tried that in the background and it worked beautifully, enabling me to switch off completely from the noise! We have a new member of staff - he's sitting opposite me. He looks a bit like Benedict Cumberbatch!

That's good to know - I have it on my wish list.

I've only just seen this, @willoyd - I'm really curious to know why you say this. I haven't read any Jacqueline Wilson books, but I have several friends whose children love them (on friend is a primary school teacher). Wasn't she the Children's Laureate at some stage too? Edit: Gosh - I didn't realise that your post was so long ago!

Sorry for the HUGE pictures above, @Raven - those are what I see on my mobile phone. The first is 'inside' a thread, the second is 'inside' a forum (clicking on the dark blue star takes one to the first unread post) and the third is the front of the forum. I'm using an Android phone (Sony) on a Chrome browser - I think they're really easy to navigate.

Could you give us a screenshot of what you're looking at? Are you on Android, Windows (yuk! ) or an Apple phone?

The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín The ‘blurb’ From the author of Brooklyn, in a voice that is both tender and filled with rage, The Testament of Mary tells the story of a cataclysmic event which led to an overpowering grief. For Mary, her son has been lost to the world, and now, living in exile and in fear, she tries to piece together the memories of the events that led to her son's brutal death. To her he was a vulnerable figure, surrounded by men who could not be trusted, living in a time of turmoil and change. As her life and her suffering begin to acquire the resonance of myth, Mary struggles to break the silence surrounding what she knows to have happened. In her effort to tell the truth in all its gnarled complexity, she slowly emerges as a figure of immense moral stature as well as a woman from history rendered now as fully human. A friend recommended his as a good introduction to the work of Irish writer Colm Tóibín. Heading towards the end of her life, Mary recalls the life of her son, Jesus – the way that she remembers him, which is not necessarily the way the people writing down the story of his life do. She reflects on his birth, the miracles he performed from turning the water into wine at the wedding at Cana in Galilee through to the raising of Lazarus from the dead and then, of course, on his death on the cross. Two men (disciples, I think, but as ever I'm behind with my reviews and my memory is hazy!) are interested in Mary's recollections, although sometimes they are angry with her when they don't agree with her version of events… From a story point of view, I suppose it is quite controversial (if you believe in the usually accepted version of events). It was nominated for a Booker Prize back in 2013 and although it didn't win, it was shortlisted. I can't say I was mad about the story, but from a writing point of view, I enjoyed Tóibín's style and may look out for something else by him. The paperback edition is 112 pages long and is published by Penguin. It was first published in 1908. The ISBN is 9780241962978. 3/5 (I quite liked it) (Finished 9 March 2017)

I've just looked at my orders (not for this) and noticed that it now says I've pre-ordered a free sample, not a full book. I've cancelled it. Haha - that's funny!

I didn't realise you'd been poorly, @vodkafan Fingers crossed you can get back to it soon.