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The Russian opening line: I checked the street in both directions in front of an upscale coffee house called Flat Bread and Butter on Amsterdam Avenue near 140th Street. My blurb: Michael Bennett has multiple issues he is trying to deal with. There is his upcoming wedding and he needs to write his vows. Then … Continue reading The Russian, James Patterson & James O. Born
Serpentine opening lines: My best friend, a seasoned homicide detective, is a master of discontent. Some say Milo Sturgis enjoys the cold comfort of a sour mood. My blurb: Money really can buy you anything. And for Ellie Barker that means a dedicated detective. She wants someone to look into the murder of her mother and … Continue reading Serpentine, Jonathan Kellerman
When we pulled into the parking lot at Powell House, Dave was not sure they were open. Ours was the only car there but as we ventured up the stairs we could see lights on. We were the first table to arrive for the night, but given that it was a Monday night in a … Continue reading Powell House, Swellendam South Africa
Before She Disappeared opening lines: The water feels like a cold caress against my face. I kick deeper down into the gloom, my long hair trailing behind me like a dark eel. My blurb: Frankie Elkin learnt very young that alcohol could make her disappear. She could become someone new, and not the person she … Continue reading Before She Disappeared, Lisa Gardner
It is amazing how much difference an owner makes to an establishment. The first time we visited Schoone Oordt there was only a manager on duty. We were suitably impressed to want to book again. But there had been some failings on the night we stayed there. For the last 2 evenings of our mini … Continue reading Schoone Oordt, Swellendam South Africa
NYPD Red 6 opening lines: It took Bobby a week to decide where to park. It had to be close to the wedding, but not too close. My blurb: Erin Easton is an influencer. One who has got used to the high life and the big money. So when she gets abducted at her wedding … Continue reading NYPD Red 6, James Patterson & Marshall Karp
The Last Days of John Lennon opening lines: He sits in the airplane, inside a cloud of cigarette smoke. He opens his wallet and looks at the permit for his handgun. My blurb: Mark David Chapman will be a name a generation of people will never forget. He changed the face of history, and took … Continue reading The Last Days of John Lennon
Completing the family of solution-based cookbooks. Jamie Oliver is back with new achievable, exciting and tasty recipes in 7 Ways. These recipes really are easy ideas for every day of the week. Jamie's done his homework and looked at the top ingredients people in the UK buy week in, week out. We're talking about those … Continue reading 7 Ways | Easy Ideas For Every Day Of The Week
The End of Her opening line: The snow has fallen heavily, relentlessly, for two days now, and shows no signs of letting up. My blurb: Erica has always liked the good life. And in order to live it, she needs money. And not money that she has had to work for. Patrick is back on … Continue reading The End of Her, Shari Lapena
Invisible Girl opening lines: I duck down and pull my hoodie close around my face. Ahead of me the girl with red hair is picking up speed; she knows she's being followed. My blurb: Saffyre is broken, and Roan is meant to fix her. But for all his skills as a child psychiatrist, he never … Continue reading Invisible Girl, Lisa Jewell | Book Review
Named after the mountain range surrounding the area, Mont d'Or Swartberg Hotel, in Prince Albert, was the second stop on our staycation. This National Heritage Site has been home to a hotel for over 150 years. Offering a spa, gym, swimming pool and conference facilities, the hotel is ideal for a getaway. Swartberg Hotel Room … Continue reading Swartberg Hotel, Prince Albert, South Africa
Private Moscow opening lines: "Remember dunker training at Pendleton?" There was a smile pinned to Karl Parker's face, but his eyes made a liar of his mouth. My blurb: Jack Morgan is a Marine through and through. And despite no longer serving his country, he will always be a patriot. So it makes no sense … Continue reading Private Moscow, James Patterson & Adam Hamdy
Dear Child opening lines: Student, 23, missing in Munich. Munich (LR) - The Munich police are searching for clues relating to the whereabouts of Lena Beck, 23, from Munich-Haidhausen. My blurb: Four thousand nine hundred and ninety-three days. That is how long Lena Beck has been missing before her parents get a phone call. They are told … Continue reading Dear Child, Romy Hausmann
We often do meze platters for starters when we have guests over for a meal. The idea of a recipe book to inspire me with snacks, small plates and street food from the Middle East, really grabbed my attention. But before I even paged through the book I gave it to my mom. I wanted … Continue reading Meze, Sally Butcher | Book Review
The Searcher opening lines: When Cal comes out of the house, the rooks have got hold of something. Six of them are clustered on the back lawn, amid the long wet grass and the yellow-flowered weeds, jabbing and hopping. My blurb: Cal is a retired policeman who has left big city America to settle in … Continue reading The Searcher, Tana French | Book Review
The Coast-to-Coast Murders opening lines: Where will you be when your life ends? I was in the grocery store, squeezing a mango. My blurb: Can a killer be created? When a Los Angeles killing leads the FBI directly to a suspected serial killer, Detective Dobbs has two choices. He can assist Special Agent Jessica Gimble, … Continue reading The Coast-to-Coast Murders, James Patterson
In October 2020 Dave and I decided to embark on a short road trip. Our first stop was the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein. We left work at lunch time and headed there via Ceres, taking a leisurely drive through some passes, and detouring into Tulbagh. A trip back in time The entire village of … Continue reading Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein South Africa
Marauder opening lines: Captain Omar Rahal tracked the small boat racing across the placid waters of the narrow strait. It was approaching his California-bound oil tanker from dead ahead, and far too quickly to be a fishing boat. My blurb: Captain Juan Cabrillo and his team are out testing their new ship. The Oregon is … Continue reading Marauder, Clive Cussler | Oregon Files #15
Deadly Cross opening line: Devon Monroe tore his eyes off the two dead bodies in the powder-blue Bentley convertible, top down, idling not twenty yards away, and glanced at his best friend. My blurb: The Vice President wants to know every step of the investigation being taken into his ex-wife's death. And Alex Cross is … Continue reading Deadly Cross, James Patterson
Out Of An African Kitchen is a quirky anthology of recipes, reminiscences, anecdotes and stories from a bush kitchen set high up on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Written in memory of Steve and for Anna, the book is written in honour of the chefs at Angama … Continue reading Out Of An African Kitchen | Recipes And Stories