Elspeth Thompson 1961 - 2010

It was with great sadness that I read of the tragic death of Elspeth Thompson
prior to discovering her wonderful blog Off the Rails
I had spent many a Sunday enjoying her gardening column in the Telegraph
so I'm sure you can imagine my delight in finding a comment from Elspeth on my old blog.
It was probably THE highlight of my blogging experience.
As the news of this tragedy spread across the world of blogging it has become obvious that so many of us have been bouyed up by the charm and grace of Elspeth.
Frank and Mary you have my heart felt condolences.

Mad About the Boy? A Jack Haldean Murder Mystery

ISBN-10: 1845296095
ISBN-13: 978-1845296094

Mad About The Boy? by Dorores Gordon-Smith

Now this I liked:

"It’s the height of summer 1923 and Isabelle’s parents are celebrating their Silver Wedding with a ball at their country house, Hesperus, in Sussex. Isabelle has a problem: two men, the glamorous, earnest Malcolm and the quiet, troubled Arthur are in love with her, but worry is soon replaced by tragedy. One of the guests apparently commits suicide at the ball. Jack Haldean, the hero of A Fete Worse Than Death, thinks it’s murder, but everything is thrown into chaos when a group of Russian Revolutionaries become involved in the affair. In a case involving deception, greed, jealousy, kidnap, torture and more murder, Jack faces an agonizing choice on his journey to the truth – a journey which will change Isabelle’s life forever. "

A thoughly British murder mystery set in the "Golden Age" of murder mysteries and throughly enjoyable. Highly recommended.

The Shakespeare Curse by J L Carrell

ISBN-10: 0751542229
ISBN-13: 978-0751542226

One of those books one picks up from the newstand when desperate for something to read.

"A brutally murdered body is discovered on a remote Scottish hillside ? with a mysterious ancient knife beside it. The victim was a beautiful young woman, throat slashed by an unknown assailant. The circumstances of the murder suggest ancient Pagan sacrifice. Then a trench on that same hill is found filled with blood. The shocking discoveries all seem to be linked by the ancient curse of Macbeth. From the streets of New York to the twisting corridors of Hampton Court Palace to a remote loch in the Scottish Highlands, the race is on to stop a deadly modern serial killer who will do anything to uncover priceless ancient treasures...A thrilling, action-packed page-turner, The Shakespeare Curse blends present-day crime with fascinating revelations from the life and work of Shakespeare. "

Readable but it doesn't string together that well. It's Carrell's second "Shakespeare" book maybe they will get better.