Even looking at these you can see June was a complete mish-mash of genres. We had cosy crime with Debbie Young and Julie Wassmer, some reading for research with Philip Serrell, myths and legends told by a master storyteller and a little health advice to top it off. Other than Eat Better Forever, they’ve all been read on my kindle.
Okay, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Best Murder In Show, Trick or Murder, Murder In The Manger – all by Debbie Young
I originally bought these for research purposes – given that my next project will be a cosy crime series. Debbie Young is an indie author and does very well with her Sophie Sayers mysteries – and it’s not difficult to see why. They’re light, easy to read and, written in first person, take you along with Sophie – even though there are times I wanted to yell at her for being obtuse or insensitive. Anyhoo, the perfect read for a Sunday afternoon or a day by the beach.
Sold To The Man With The Tin Leg and What Am I Bid? – by Philip Serrell
I’ve been watching Philip Serrell for years on Bargain Hunt and, more recently, Antiques Roadtrip. He’s usually seen with a massive scarf around his neck and is partial to some of the more off-beat pieces. He’s also incredibly knowledgeable. These two books are memoirs, and I picked them up as part of my research into the lead character for my upcoming Philomena Barker cosy mystery series.
They might have been research, but they were both easy to read and I found myself giggling often.
Eat Better Forever, by High Fearnley-Whittingstall
I’m not into diet books and even though I’m currently having to reduce the amount of cholesterol in my diet, that doesn’t mean I’m going to deprive myself.
I’ve long been a fan of Hugh and what he’s done with River Cottage, so was always going to prick my ears up and listen to what he has to say about eating better. And he makes sense. It fits very much into my self-styled Food Writer’s Diet…although, as I said, a diet it ain’t. It is, however, a way of eating that is sustainable.
Scottish Myths and Legends, by Daniel Allison
This one was my wild card for the month and I loved it. I’m a massive fan of a folk story or a fairy tale and this one fit that bill. The stories are all bite-sized and whisk you off to another time in a land far far away. And, every so often after a difficult week in the day job, that’s exactly what I need.
The Whitstable Pearl Mystery, by Julie Wassmer
I’ll be honest – I watched the TV series (on Acorn) before I read the book. I enjoyed both, equally – even though there were (as there always is) differences.
I want to read more about Pearl and Dolly (who reminds me so much of my late grandmother, Mavis) so I’ll be downloading more of these.
Cosy crime set on the Kent coast of England amongst the oyster leases – and my read of the month.
What have you been reading? Any recommendations?