Saturday 31 July 2010

Summer read

Read a gripping thriller, The Bed I Made by Lucie Whitehouse.  I understand this has been featured on the TV Bookclub, so there you go, must be OK. Should you need another recommendation here is a review from the Independent (contains spoiler). I much enjoyed the novel.  Trouble is, I became so involved that I read until 1a.m., skipping through the later chapters because I was anxious about the heroine. This is a pity as Lucie W is a good writer and so I probably missed some interesting descriptive writing.  
   Much of the book is set on the (even) quieter western end of the Isle of Wight in winter. I have visited the I of W fairly frequently and agree about its old-fashioned charms, though I think the heroine was unfair in describing Cowes as having dusty dress-shops with demure mannequins. Believe me, Cowes shopping is the height of trend compared to most seaside places.
   Reverting to the plot: Course afterwards I thought why didn't the besieged heroine just call the police, but maybe that would've been explained if I'd read the book more slowly. Anyway they might not have believed her, as so often happens in fiction. The Guardian described it inaccurately as modern D du M, but I'd say it was more Nicci French, only scenic.

Walking - went for an excellent walk around the river at Itchen Abbas.  So beautiful.  Charming to see kids paddling and even cycling (new idea?) in the river.

Gardening.  Not great this year.  Friend said it's amazing you manage to make your garden look so good on your blog.  Backhanded, I thought.

7 comments:

Jan Jones said...

Hmm, with friends like that...

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Charming. I'm sure your garden looks lovely.

Vintage Reading said...

I do like the sound of this book. I'm very fond of the IoW and I've always thought it would make an excellent setting for a novel.

Faye said...

I'm guilty of rushing through the last chapters of a book too, especially if it's a long one. Try to tell myself that it's better to put down and finish the next day. So many books, so little time.

I really enjoy your garden and travel photos Susie--even if the photographer has to pull out a few tricks. :-)

Susie Vereker said...

Thanks for your comments. Debs is a commenting trooper!
Panic gardening at the mo. Hasn't been a good summer.

Talli Roland said...

Back-handed alright!:)

I always love your photos, Susie. They're so restful!

Jenny Beattie said...

I am reading it RIGHT NOW. Well, not as I comment but all day today since it's the last day of my holiday. It's brilliant.

(I will not rush it!)