northernnutter

Finished Michael Connelly's Black Echo. Went to the library and took out The Big Over Easy and The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde. Also took out The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, as this seems quite popular and a bit of a favourite by quite a few people, and I've never read it , so thought I'd give it a try.

Having put the 'thursday next' series firmly on my christmas wishlist, I couldn't wait for my next Fforde 'hit', so went down to the library today and took out the first two 'Nursery Crime ' novels. And DI Spratt's won me over already!! Purely through him driving an Allegro!!!. This was my dad's car of choice when I was a kid, and we spent more time 'pushing' it than 'driving' in it!! Great memories.

Just Finished, The Black Echo , by Michael Connelly. The first of Connelly's Harry Bosch detective series, this novel follows Bosch on the trail of a murdered fellow Vietnam vet, someone who Harry knew, and who Harry once let down. What looks like a 'run-of-the mill' OD doesn't sit right with Harry, therefore, he goes against the general concensus, and starts the hunt for a murderer. This leads him into his Vietnam past, puts him on the trail of some very adept Bank Robbers, and threatens his job and ultimately his life. The Verdict. Having read this series some years ago, I was quite happy in re-emersing myself into the world of Bosch. Connelly paints his detective well- a thinker, a bit of an outcast in the job he does, not 'one of the boys'. But good at his job, and not one to back down when he gets a 'feel' for a case. This is not a 'slasher/gore' type thriller. Connelly focuses on Bosch's analytical skill and good old detective skills to carry the story...and he does it well. If I were murdered??? I think I'd want Harry Bosch on the case!! Just a darn good detective thriller! 8/10

In total agreement with you, Mexicola! Spitting is one of my real hates! Foul and disgusting. Also, people gobbing their chewing-gum on the pavement, which usually ends up on my shoes, and lovely carpet!! Ughhh!!

Couldn't agree with you more! I've been a fantasy fan since being a small girl having read 'Rebecca's World', and then onto 'The hobbit', and through the years I've read so many that the formula becomes repetetive and weary. Almost lost my fantasy 'mojo' there for a while-, so, it was great to come across Fforde's novel, purely for the refreshing direction and imagination it contains!!

Yep!! And sod's law, it's a library book!

I'm a sofa girl too..in my pyjamas and snuggle-blanket, with a cuppa tea and a choccy biscuit. I also used to love reading in the bath, but ruined that many books by giving them an accidental 'dunking' that I try and stop myself doing it now!!

[quote name='frankie;326875) - C. J. Sansom: Dissolution (I haven't heard of Sansom before' date=' has anyone read his/her books? It seemed really interesting, it's historical fiction, and the paperback version I bought is beautiful![/quote'] I've read all of Sansoms' books frankie, and have really enjoyed them. Set in historical Tudor England, they follow Mathew Shardlake, a London lawyer/investigator and Dissolution is the first of four novels. (The fifth due out some-time next year.)They are unusual as Shardlake finds himself often dragged into the upheval/politics of the time, giving you a good historical insight into the era. (Particularly the religious changes happening in medieval England.) The running order of the novels is : Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign and revelation. Enjoy!! P.S. The Author is a 'he'.

Thanks for the review, Catwoman. This will also be added to my TBR pile. I love P&P so this should be very intersting!!

I'd second Michael Connelly's 'Harry Bosch' series. Just re-reading them at the moment. Cracking thriller's!!

Sorry, Bookjumper!! I have no idea! All I can tell you is that it was A Library book, the whole trilogy in one volume, and the front cover was dark and forebodeing....a picture of the castle, (if I remember correctly.) Had no problems with ink, or typo's as far as I recall!! (But then, I was quite engrossed, and probably wouldn't have noticed much anyway!!) And it's well worth reading!! (Well...the third part goes wayward a little, but I can forgive Peake that as he was apparently falling into insanity at this point....!)

The 'Gormenghast' trilogy, by Mervyn Lawrence Peake. Unlike any 'fantasy' I've ever read before! Descriptive prose at it's best, with the best 'baddie' ever created in 'Steerpike'. (Now, probably, one of my favourite literary characters!). Probably not for everyone though....

Hi guys...hope you don't mind me joining the discussion.. Bookjumper, having read GE, I think I can put your mind somewhat at rest, as Miss havisham's character is pretty forcefull in the original too!! 'A wee bit 'crazy', a woman scorned (and then some!!), manipulative, completely focussed on her own ends....' sound a little familiar?? I'm looking forward to comparing the two!

A service well appreciated! (You should start charging for it!!)

Thanks for the recommendations Bookjumper! They sound right up my street! But as you say lesser-known, how 'lesser- known' are we talking here? Are they readily available, for eg, 'High street' available, or are these special order jobs?? As, unfortunately, my OH forbids the use of credit card usage over the internet. (He's an I.T. bod and veeery paranoid!!). Therefore, my buying abilities are limited!!

Finished The Black Angel, by John Connolly last night. The Blurb. A young woman goes missing from the streets of New York. Those who have taken her believe that nobody cares about her, and that no-one will come looking for her. THEY ARE WRONG. She is 'blood' to the killer Louis, the man who stands at the right hand of private detective Charlie Parker, and Louis will tear apart anyone who stands in the way of his attempts to find her. The Verdict. This book, another in John Connolly's detective 'Charlie Parker' series, is a real cracker!! Whilst it is helpful to have read some of the previous series, to understand the characters of 'Parker', 'Louis' and 'Angel', and their relationships, this can also be read as a stand alone thriller in it's own right. And what a thriller it is! Dark and chilling, with supernatural undertones, incorporating religious dogma and the macabre, murder, nasty 'bad' guys, often 'dodgy' good guys and an overall feeling of suffering and redemption, particularly for the main characters' Parker and louis. It's fast paced- set in the urban grittiness of New York, to the atmospheric country of Romania. Violent in nature, but not gratuitously written where violence over-rides the principles of the story-telling. Connolly is great at giving you just enough to let your own imagination fill in the blanks!! If you've never read Connolly, but like a real good thriller with exciting characters, give this series a try! You won't be disappointed! Rating: 8/10.

Finished The Black Angel by John Connolly last night, and have started reading The Black echo, the first 'Harry Bosch' novel, by Michael Connelly.

Keep on name dropping Bookjumper!! I had never heard of this author's work before joining here, and would have just passed on by without knowing the joys of Mr Fforde!

Roast pheasant with roast parsnips/potatoes and....you guessed it!....more brussel sprouts!!

Good idea!!! With all that wind behind him, I'd not be surprised if he wakes up in your neck of the woods in the morning!!

Curry for us too tonight. My hubby makes a mean curry!! Only one problem.....we usually have Bombay potatoes too, but on checking the larder,we found the taties were a little worse for wear, so my OH had the amazing idea of making........wait for it..............Bombay sprouts!!!???? I kid you not!! They are stinking out the flat as I type!! Suffice to say, I will not be partaking of this culinary experiment, and I have come to the conclusion, after 12 years, that I am married to a complete crazy person!!....with no taste!!

Better???....is this possible?? I'm practically slavering with anticipation! But alas...the next installment will have to wait! Well, untill I recieve all those lovely book voucher requests for christmas! Then it shall be a full-on Fforde fest in the New Year. (And what a great way to start a new 2010 reading list!.)