chuntzy

What a bad time for you Meg . Very sorry.. Had to smile though at the diverting seamy tales you were treated to.

My Brilliant Friend - Elena Ferrante

Also a big Steinbeck fan so will track this novella down.

Enjoy being a homeowner iff.

Yes luna I had read the first one but forgot to get the second. To be remedied.

I thought this an excellent historical crime novel set in the London of the 1660s. A murder has occurred in the palatial house of one of the highest courtiers in the land. The main suspect is a woman wnho had previously been raped by the deceased. It is a very tangled web for James Marwood to unravel. I particularly liked the way all levels of society were dealt with in a city in the very early stages of recovery from the Great Fire and the rifts from Ctomwellian times.

The term "a full English' has another resonance today. Congrats to the four Premiership clubs who have succeeded in appearing in the European finals, not forgetting 'my' Arsenal.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O"Farrell

Force of Nature by Jane Harper P.S. i gave up on this book a day later. The story - such as it was - was not involving. Second book syndrome I'm afraid.

Appreciate the interesting reply. I have Jamie's 'Five Ingrefients' book but hadn't tried this one. Also have lots of Ottolenghi clippings which, despite me having a fairly comprehensive larder, usually means another trot round the shops. My success with them varies. Only a small back garden here so just grow herbs. I'll have a go at some of 'your' dishes!

Good to hear this. I can almost feel the buzz. P..S. what sort of recipes. I like trying new things.

This book wad recommended to me as something a bit different from the usual crime fiction. A best-selling novelist is murdered in his house the night before he emigrates with his wife to Canada. A friend is apprehended as the main suspect. We follow the diligent work of the senior detective in unravelling background and possible motives. For about 75% of the book's length I was intrigued but the monologues in the finsl sections started to bore me.

Millions of euros/dollars pledged towards the costs involved. What a very sad sight it was.