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The Dirty Dozen opening line: It was a rainy and overcast April morning as the brown 1976 Mark 4 Ford Cortina saloon parked up on the offside of Aylmer Road, a few metres down from the junction with Leytonstone High Road. My blurb: Jane Tennison is going to prove to everyone that she has what … Continue reading The Dirty Dozen, Lynda La Plante
I really liked the different chapter names and descriptions in Share, compiled by Errieda du Toit. My impressions: What I did not like was the empty space layout. This and the lack of photographs influenced my choices, or clear lack thereof. I was also frustrated that not all the pages were numbered. Share Champion of … Continue reading Share, Errieda Du Toit | Review
Home Truths opening line: 'Don't go! Please ... Oh G-d no, please don't...." My blurb: Angie had it all, and then she didn't. First her son went completely off the rails. And then her husband died. Thinking life could not get worse Angie tries to carry on as usual. But then the money runs out … Continue reading Home Truths, Susan Lewis | Book Review
The Museum of Broken Promises opening line: A twenty-year old girl with a bandaged hand waits on an Austrian station platform with a suitcase at her feet inside which is stuffed a rucksack but nothing else because it is only there for pretence. My blurb: Laure is in love, for the first time in her … Continue reading The Museum of Broken Promises
The Flexitarian Cookbook has adaptable recipes compiled by Julia Charles for part-time vegetarians and vegans. The Flexitarian Cookbook Today many of us are looking to eat less dairy, meat and fish, as the host of environmental, ethical and health-related reasons for doing so stack up. The concept of not centring every meal around an animal-based … Continue reading The Flexitarian Cookbook, Julia Charles
19th Christmas opening line: It was four nights before Christmas Eve, and the city of San Francisco had decked the halls, houses, and grand public edifices in a sparkling, merry Christmas display. My blurb: When a hot tip comes in about a heist, Sargeant Boxer knows she has to follow it. But Lindsay is … Continue reading 19th Christmas: Women’s Murder Club
Summer Food The photographs in Summer Food that were used for the recipes made me want to cook more from the book. This is always a good sign to me, even though it is not an indication that all the recipes have been made and tested. Chef Tjaart Walraven may trace his ancestral roots to … Continue reading Summer Food, Tjaart Walraven
Cilka's Journey opening line: Cilka stares at the soldier standing in front of her, part of the army that has entered the camp. My blurb: Cilka has found a way to survive Auschwitz. But the way in which her survival is guaranteed will be the reason she is not liberated. Seen as a Nazi collaborator, … Continue reading Cilka’s Journey, Heather Morris
The Glenlyn Hotel offers convenient accommodation with on-site parking, in Finchley. Glenlyn Hotel Dave and I stayed across the road from The Glenlyn Hotel last year when we were in London. As we liked the area, and the look of the hotel, we decided to book here for this visit. The hotel and apartments are … Continue reading Glenlyn Hotel, Finchley London
The Warehouse opening line: Well, I'm dying! My blurb: Cloud reigns supreme They have taken over the retail space in such a manner that no-one can compete. And in order for them to be the best they have to ensure that everything works properly. Are they hiding something sinister, and if so, can Zinnia work … Continue reading The Warehouse, Rob Hart
500 Meals For One is a great compendium of solo recipes. In fact, it is even perfect for a family of two like we are. Chapters are divided into: breakfast boosts sandwiches & wraps soups & salads keep it simple comfort food sweet treats make ahead Recipes that caught my eye: spiced buttermilk pancakes (p24 … Continue reading 500 Meals For One, Carol Beckerman
Shadow opening line: Through the window of the carriage, the close ranks of the fir trees crowded in along the sides of the railway line. My blurb: Marc Dane has been sent on a mission by his boss. The very wealthy Ekko Solomon, who is trying to right the wrongs of the world. Ekko has … Continue reading Shadow, James Swallow | Book Review
The Last Widow opening line: Michelle Spivey jogged through the back of the store, frantically scanning each aisle for her daughter, panicked thoughts circling her brain: How did I lose sight of her I am a horrible mother my baby was kidnapped by a pedophile or a human trafficker should I flag store security or … Continue reading The Last Widow, Karin Slaughter
Dave took a walk down memory lane when we stopped for lunch at The Crown in Cookham, England. The Crown Dave had last eaten there in 1982 and on our visit in 2019 the ownership had just changed hands! The pub has an old world feel to it, which is no surprise as it dates … Continue reading The Crown, Cookham England
The Rosie Result opening line: I was standing on one leg shucking oysters when the problems began. My blurb: Don Tillman thought he had it all planned out. Things with Rosie are running smoothly. His lectures are going to plan - or so he thinks. And Hudson has his routine. But then things go awry … Continue reading The Rosie Result, Graeme Simsion