pickAn excellent re-read. Forgot how absolutely jam-packed the first book in this series is. I think it's that only book series where I would recommend the audiobook over the physical and insist on 1x playback because Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is THAT GOOD of a narrator/performer. The jazzy chapter intros don't hurt either. Might take a bit with the library hold list, but I think I'm set to reread the whole series at this point. 1/?
pick(Sleepy cat on lap review 2)
Dougal Douglas may be the devil, although realizing so won't help you any. He comes to Peckham and wreaks suburban corporate havoc. Breakdowns, failed marriages, violence. All in a day's work.
Spark has a lovely humor on the wry side, if not Rye. I think of it as a Spark-yness. This 1960 novel has extra-heavy wry humor. Is it too much? Probably not for Spark lovers.
March #12booksof2025 @TheEllieMo
Part 1: This year I read 177 books. Here are my top ten, plus a couple bonus reads because I couldn‘t help myself.
1) The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
2) There‘s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib
3) Emma M. Lion vol. 1-8 by Beth Brower
4) Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman
5) The Winners and Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
pick16-7 Dec 25 (audiobook)
I enjoyed listening to this Christmas story in the lead up to Christmas. Emma seems to have accepted her grief somewhat and be potentially ready to embrace life again. Islington, Pearce and Hawks are all wonderful characters but I also enjoy the more minor characters, such as Jack, Mr and Mrs Penury, Arabella and, of course, Agnes. Hawks has my heart.
pick15-6 Dec 25 (audiobook)
Continuing to race through the series. Maybe when I finish I should listen again and do a proper review of each. They have been a pleasant distraction as I try to get organised for the chaos of having numerous birthday celebrations for Polly in the week before again hosting Christmas.
pick12-4 Dec 25 (audiobook)
As I previously remarked, I really cannot recall where one volume starts and the next stops but I do love the neighbourhood of St Crispian‘s and the lovely vicar, Young Hawks. He may be my favourite character.
pick9 Dec 25 (audiobook)
Listening to these on audiobook and I am very much enjoying them. I do have a complaint though - they are so short that I begrudge spending a whole credit on each volume. And at this stage (I am not midway through volume 6) I cannot really distinguish between any particular volume. I am not sure why they were not published as one or perhaps two novels but being slightly cynical I do wonder whether it was for mercenary reasons.
pickAnother series where I care more about the detectives than I do the mysteries, even with the inclusion of then Princess Elizabeth and her suitor Prince Phillip. Still, I have so much fun with these characters that I have the next couple of books ready and waiting for when I am next in the mood for a light, historical mystery.
⚠️ You also get a generous serving of gore, including the death of an infant, so be careful out there. now