The Dead Sea cipher by Elizabeth Peters

*****

Yet another standalone Elizabeth Peters with an archaeological subject. Great sense of place if a little implausible by the end. I should probably not be reading all these so close together – they’re getting a bit predictable in their unpredictability.

Genre: Mystery

Read: 31/05/2008

On the way to the wedding by Julia Quinn

***

Shades of The Graduate here in a climactic wedding scene. Overall, very predictable and the whole wedding thing seemed out of character. Just didn’t work for me. Unfortunate ending for the Bridgerton saga.

Genre: historical romance

Read: 31/05/2008

The ultimate Sashiko sourcebook by Susan Briscoe

****

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese type of embroidery, initially used to reinforce cloth. Being no expert on Sashiko I can hardly comment on how “ultimate” this is. However it is well set out and contains everything you need to make a start. The projects are a bit uninspiring, but then I’m used to a more modern approach. This stuff seems destined for cushions and picture busywork, not really very practical or beautiful. I’m not a fan of making stuff for the sake of it!

Genre: craft

Read: 31/05/2008

Persuading Annie by Melissa Nathan

****

A bit reminiscent of the earlier Jilly Coopers this. Partly because of the characters, partly because the plot is very like oooh I can’t remember. The one where she is a flipperty gibbet and he comes in to sort out her family’s company. Anyway, thats the plot. They met in the past and now he wants revenge. It is a much bigger/deeper book than the Jilly Cooper, but strangely has barely any interaction between the hero and heroine. I seem to remember this from a previous book too. Quite odd. The character stuff is great though. The supporting characters have a real life of their own.

Genre: contemporary romance

Read: 31/05/2008

The Viscount who loved me by Julia Quinn

***

I don’t know what happened. I loved this one last time, but now it is boring. Bridgerton fatigue has set in. Anyway, one of those where the hero falls for a girl then falls for the sister. Entertaining but blah.

Genre: Historical

Read: 31/05/2008

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

****

This book solves the great mystery of the Bridgerton series. Who is Lady Whistledown? There is also a story of unrequited love. A little implausable but fun.

Genre: Historical

Rad: 31/05/2008

Harriet by Jilly Cooper

*****

Marvellous stuff as always. This is the one where she gets pregnant by an attractive idiot and ends up nannying for a writer. Hero a bit too opaque (as always) but its part of the charm in this retro romance. I’ve read this more times than I can remember.

Genre: romance

Read:
31/05/2008

When he was wicked by Julia Quinn

***

More of the same chick-lit historical. A bit of a change for the Bridgerton series. This is one sibling that apparently doesn’t fit into the family so much. All the same, I am tiring of the Bridgertons.

Genre: Historical (barely)

Read: 31/05/2008

Baby bloom by Erika Knight

***

Interesting angle on the baby knitting book, this also includes patterns for maternity clothes for the expectant mother. I was expecting more from this than it gave. After looking at sites like Knitty, the patterns here are written in a somewhat old-fashioned style (lots of piecing together) and there isn’t really anything really new. The maternity clothes were alright, but perhaps didn’t make as much of being for pregnant-shaped people as I was hoping for. Empire line stuff from elsewhere would be just as good for me, and probably have a lot less seaming!

Also known as “Knitting for two”

genre: knitting

read: 17/05/2008

An offer from a gentleman by Julia Quinn

*****

Good re-working of the Cinderella story. Fluffy, but doesn’t cop out on reality entirely (as we find out in later books).

genre: historical romance

read: 17/05/2008