virginia.c

Agreed re 'sickening descriptions' and in fact you remind me why i can't read these very graphic authors. I've just remembered Peter Robinson. Can't remember (surprise,surprise) his policeman hero but Robinson is an excellent story teller even if his language is slightly hackneyed. And how about David Audley? Anthony Price's hero from years gone by? If you like your medieval history he will interest you and he was writing during the interesting cold war years also.

Ooooooh la la........

I always understood it to mean 'very pretty' too. In this context he is DEFINITELY interested!!

But..... He always makes sure the bad guys get what's coming to them! And in the times we live in where even the most terrible crimes seem to go (relatively) unpunished, I for one enjoy the triumph of good over not so good! Some good tips for future reading on this thread, i will be trying some of those mentioned. And wasn't Alec Guiness perfect in the role of George Smiley??

Thank you both for the info, i will look into these because we currently run a dehumidifier when we are not there and a fan may be better in the warmer months.

Theiere What is VMC please?

I know i've made the comment before on a different thread, but Ian Rankin's Rebus series peaked in his penultimate book for me. He really did buck the trend. Again, only my opinion, but i think Frederick Forsyth and John Le Carre have only churned out pot boilers recently. I loved Forsyth's early stuff and George Smiley because i was (and still am) intrigued by that period of history. As a child i adored Victor Canning and Gavin Lyall, 'Venus with Pistol' anyone??

Completely agree about James Patterson - even the covers put me off.

But i can't remember most of what i've read, regardless of author. My excuse is that I've read so much!! Well done with your list by the way! But, i know i enjoyed most of them. Moving on in my random author vein, have you read Colm Toibin's Blackwater Lightship? Beautiful writing.

I'm the same!! He's written a fair few, I am struggling to remember all the titles and most of my books are in France. Cat Sanctuary? Little Bits of Baby? He has written at least ten.

And what planet are you on exactly? The poster asked a perfectly reasonable question. If you can't offer a constructive response then keep your 'clever' responses to yourself.

I'm very jealous, i wish there were some i hadn't read! Now here is a random thought, have you ever read Patrick Gale?

Ah, the reversal was good i thought but go back to the beginning RH, i'm sure you will like them. I do like his Haller character but i just prefer both him and Bosch on their own.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the Harry Bosch books. The only one which disappointed me was Nine Dragons because i found it just too far fetched. I think i like Bosch on his own too, without Micky Haller involved in the same book. Rebus, Bosch and Reacher... I'd give a lot to have three new titles drop into my lap this afternoon! This rugby is too difficult to watch!!

I think you very neatly summed up the appeal of the books. Lee Child certainly can tell a story. I am prepared to put aside all his failings for this crucial element. Every time i finish one i just wish there was another waiting for me!

Hhmm. Stumped now. Must be a hole. Hope it's easy to find and will be interesting to know what was the cause of the problem when you do get it sorted.

Richard, check your rainwater down pipes don't run into the cess pit? And it sounds like broken pipe(s) under your patio. What a bug""er eh? You move thousands of miles away and the old fosse septique attaches itself to your coat tails! Good luck in sorting it out and i hope you are enjoying your new life...

Hear, hear. I and my dog suffered very badly last year, before i had any idea of how dangerous these creatures are. I had the most terrible and very extensive rash, or hives which appeared overnight and caused great discomfort for weeks. I initially thought my poor dog had suffered a stroke until i went to the vet. We had two of the pine trees they like in our garden so we cut the larger one down (reaching the nests was impossible) and left the smaller one in situ. We destroy the nests by burning them as soon as they appear in this tree. Even though we haven't had any live nests since last year, the hairs from previous caterpillars seem to float around for ever because i always get a few hives now whenever we visit, although not nearly as many. John is right, they are an absolute menace.

How interesting because we were just having a discussion about the current situation in Libya. Our opinion was that the Government cannot be responsible for everything and yes, the various companies should play their part.

I've never been able to move fast enough to catch one of the bu'gers, let alone squash one.....

Those AWFUL caterpillar things which are more like millipedes with regard to the number of legs, but which look like the end of a well used scruffy broom, and, seem to move at the speed of sound. Have to agree with the previous comment re the absolutely dreadful but fortunately now defunct (i hope) pop group The Housemartins. I would rather face several thousand creepy crawlies than listen to one of their albums..

We have a Clearview and they recommended a thermometer from the start. I honestly don't know how we would have run it properly without one and refer to it all the time. As well as knowing instantly when it is getting too hot (or cold for that matter) it does mean that we burn fewer logs because we don't put more on until the temperature dictates we should.

A true lady would NEVER ask you to give up your dogs...

Images of your thermals Wooly??? You still wearing them in this nice weather??

Thanks john, armed with this info we will hopefully find something this afternoon.