Now I have never been a fan of the Harry Potter kind of fantasy..its just does not float my boat so to speak, but I have enjoyed the Rivers Of London which is a sort of mongrel novel made up of part real life police murder investigation and part apprentice wizard adventure.
It sounds a terrible mismatch of genres doesn't it? but the humour and detail within the writing is so entertaining, the story by first time writer Ben Aaronovitch, is a real page turner....if you are a fan of either kind of novel I would recommend you give it go
I particularly enjoyed this quote when Aaronovich described a difficult Chief Inspector
...like many Northerners with issues he moved to London as a cheap alternative to psychotherapy".......
Mind you he looks shattered with all the responsibility of it all
You are lucky to have a Deputy Dawg around to hold the fort whilst you're off galavanting.
ReplyDeleteMy mate Colin looks after my menagerie when I'm (rarely) otherwise engaged and he's a real God-send.
Hope you've brought him back something nice for his troubles.
Just catching up with your two blogs, John. The trip looked to be just as you said you wanted it to be and what you needed right now. See, Chris coped well while you were away. Knew that he would.
ReplyDeleteLook after yourself xx
Chris
ReplyDeleteI bought ME back!
I do appreciate the book recommendation--I am always looking for an engrossing read, and do love the Harry Potter series.
ReplyDeleteSo there you are, returning all refreshed and bright-eyed, and poor Chris is ready to collapse. Surely he understands now why you need to take more holidays, and will be sending you off again for another relaxing jaunt soon.
That's going onto my Kindle list...
ReplyDelete"...like many Northerners with issues he moved to London as a cheap alternative to psychotherapy..." Hmmm, after many years pounding the stressful streets of London, I think the reverse could also be the case...
ReplyDelete"...like many Northerners with issues he moved to London as a cheap alternative to psychotherapy..." Hmmm, after many years pounding the stressful streets of London, I think the reverse could also be the case...
ReplyDeleteLove the quote. Now I know where I went wrong.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back...so glad the kitty is doing well.
ReplyDeleteYay for Chris!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the book review. It does sound interesting.
Have a great day Wednesday!
Overheard A conversation in the Fat Cat on Sunday - the young lad behind the bar had been to London and was going on about the price of a pint - as you do. Glad you had a great time. xxx
ReplyDeleteglad to hear everyone was alive and kicking when you got back..
ReplyDeleteGill
Well done Chris. I bet he just takes all this in his stride. Wow that St Pancras Hotel is my kind of hotel! A world away from my most memorable accommodation in London: three weeks living on a narrowboat moored up with working barges at Bulls Bridge, the British Waterways depot at Southall. It felt like a lost island in the Waterways of London.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the break was everything you wanted it be.
First time writer? Mr Aaronovitch has been writing Doctor Who novels and tv episodes over the last 20 years. He wrote the episode 'Dalek' from the very first new series which I rudely insisted on watching whilst you cooked Bev and me a meal when we visited you and Chris at the Meliden cottage all those years ago. It does sound like my cup of tea though, I might pick it up. I'm glad you had a good time in London and Nuala is on good form. White water rafting in Botswana?! It's a different world...
ReplyDeleteI like both those types of books so may check it out, especially if it's sprinkled with twisted humor.
ReplyDeleteGlad Chris survived!
Before anyone else corrects me, it was actually Robert Shearman who wrote the episode Dalek, although it made for a nice anecdote I thought and brought back memories of a lovely weekend when you and Chris had just moved back to Wales permenantly. Ben Aaronovitch actually wrote the classic 7th Doctor story 'Remembrance of the Daleks' from 1988. I could go on but I may start to frighten your regular readers. He is a good writer though...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Chris was able to cope all right whilst you were away in the Big City.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the turkeys don't like him because they sense you favour Chris over them? Lord, that sounds crazy, although my family dog used to sit between me and my boyfriend. I got the feeling she was a bit jealous.
megan
The rivers of London - Fleet Street, that river still runs underneath the pavements.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that everyone has survived, even in your absence. Well done, Chris!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of moving "to London as a cheap alternative to psychotherapy." I would have thought the other way around would be more appropriate, John. Shows how little we know about things in this "colony across the pond."
Regarding the turkey attacks on Chris, how is his personal hygiene? If he's using "Lynx" to perfume his armpits he should cease immediately. Also by dressing in a turkey costume and spending a few hours up the field hanging out with the turkeys he should be able to develop a more mutually respectful bond with them. Just a thought and free of charge.
ReplyDeleteI like mongrel novels and this one sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSeems Chris survived. It is difficult to step into someone else's routine and suffer the resentment of turkeys.
Glad nobody died.
ReplyDeleteFeeling better?
Chris will no doubt appreciate your hard work, even more than before. Always worth stressing the point every so often!
ReplyDeleteThe sequel to Rivers of London 'Moon over Soho' is also good and I am really looking forward to the third.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that everyone survived your absence.
Commuting to London gave me more issues. Mind you, it persuaded me to move back 'up' the country.
ReplyDeleteGoing to have to find this!
ReplyDeleteI've had this sitting beside the bed waiting for me to read it for months...
ReplyDeleteawesome capture
ReplyDeleteGood ol' Chris!
ReplyDelete