THE WEEK AHEAD

This promises to be an interesting week in one form or another. Monday I will be paying a visit to a Psychiatrist for the first time. I have been told by Carol, the lady from the Aspergers group who support me that all that will happen is that they will either change or increase my medication. This visit is not about my Aspergers but more about my eternal depression. Following that in the evening Carol, Jayne and I will be going to something called the Monday club which was set up about 10 years ago as a support group for people with ASD. We are going along with a view to setting up a "Satelite" group which (will function along similar lines in) Market Harborough.

Thursday, the lady from social services will call round to discuss with both Carol and myself the need for ongoing support, re- the finance. Now, for me, all this constitutes a very stressful and packed week, let's hope things run smoothly, otherwise......well let's not go there.

Some covers, I was not sure who to do this week, so I plumped for:-

Ngaio Marsh "Opening Night" First U.K. published by Collins for the Crime Club 1951, p256.

Ngaio Marsh " Off with his head" First U.K. published by Collins for the Crime Club, 1957, p287.

MONDAY, MONDAY blah blah, blah blah blah blah

No medals for recognising the Mammas and Pappas, but blah blah etc seems just right for this Monday. I stayed up way too late last night whilst watching the American Football and as a consequence feel jaded and melancholy this morning.

Josephine Bell "Death in Clairvoyance" first U.K. edition published by Longmans Green and Co 1949, p244.

Finished this book this morning and to be honest it was a bit of an anti climax to say the least. Recently I have lost my ability in identifying guilty parties, but in this case either everything fell in to place or it was ridiculously easy. All I was originally missing was a motive, but even that became glaringly obvious when first introduced. No quality characterisation, muddlesom rambling ons about psychic powers. The only times I found myself enjoying any parts of the book were when the heroes children got involved. Alright enough, maybe I've been spoilt recently with good choices and was due a downer, but someone else has also been disappointed with a Bell book, so maybe it's not just me. A disappointing 5 out of 10.

So, what's next? Well David Roberts has just released his 9th and penultimate book containing his protagonists Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Brown. Although the previous eight sit upstairs proudly on a makeshift book shelve, I have so far only read the first book.

David Roberts "Sweet Poison" first U.K. edition pub' by Constable 2001, p277, jacket by Ken Leeder.
David Roberts "Bones of the Buried" first U.K. edition pub' by Constable 2001, p342, jacket by Ken Leeder.
The forward to "Bones of the Buried"
Lord Edward Corinth returns to London after six months in New York to find his old sleuthing partner and friend, journalist Verity Browne, insisting he investigate a murder in Madrid. It is 1936 and Spain is about to erupt into civil war. Verity is now correspondent for a national newspaper and passionately committed to defending the Spanish Republic against the Fascist threat. Her lover, David Griffiths-Jones, a senior figure in the Communist Party, has been convicted of murder and Verity appeals to Edward to help save him from the the firing squad, even though she knows he sees him as his rival in love.
Against the odds, he succeeds, but is suddenly called back to England before he can tidy up all the loose ends, in London, Edward becomes embroiled in the investigation of a second murder, that of a banker who had been his contemporary at Eton. Edward uncovers a connection between his dead friend and the victim of the unsolved murder in Spain. Both had been to school with him and there is a third man - another Eton contemporary - whose earlier death in a shooting accident on safari in Kenya now arouses his suspicions.
Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Browne, attracted to each other but at odds politically, join in an awkward alliance to discover the truth. Political and personal danger surrounds them and there is no guarantee that justice will be done and murder avenged.

"GHOSTS"

What a strange few days. Firstly, I must apologise to Jayne for being in such a withdrawn and insular mood, to be perfectly frank i don't know what or why I get into this moods. Anyway, last Monday I went to my MIND group drop in to find a new lady there called "Shell", towards the end of the evening Shell suggested that she knew me from my school days, sorry Shell but I couldn't place you at all. Anyway Shell was at the group again yesterday and we sat nattering to each other for a good hour. It was lovely to talk with somebody about old things, places and lost friends. What's more I am looking forward to seeing Shell next week as well, we seem to have struck up an almost instant friendship.

Ghost number 2 showed up a day or two later. This was Mark, a very good friend whom again I had gone school with. He made contact with me through "Friends reunited" and has now e-mailed me and told me a little of what he has done with his life. Although from the outside looking in, everything seems to be rosy in his garden, he has hinted at one or two hurdles that he and his family have had to go through. Whilst i am delighted to have heard from Mark, I know that it won't be as easy for me to communicate with him as it is with either Shell or Kay. Another unfortunate trait I suffer from all in the glorious name of Aspergers. So why more trouble with Mark, well it's got to have something to do with a sense of common ground not shared. We will see where we go with that one.

Ghost number 3, a much more recent acquaintance made, this being the both intelligent and informed Shelly from Minnesota. Jayne and I met Shelly in Ireland and we exchanged e-mail addresses, but for one reason or another I made a mess of writing Shelly's down. I then consigned Shelly to the "Met on holiday, we'll keep in touch, but never do" pile. Oh Shelly I cannot say sorry enough, "Oh yea of little faith" I should have realised that you were sincere when you said you wished to stay in touch.



Cliffs of Moher, beautifully spectacular.

The beach on Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran islands.
Scary monster, just before "All Hallows Eve".
Gladys Mitchell, "The Twenty-Third Man", U.K. first edition published by Michael Joseph, 1957. p 247. Jacket by Kennith Farnhill. A little sub note to this book and that is , it is the only one of Glady's books that I own that carries her signature. It also has an inscription in Latin.
Answers on a post card.

WHOSE FINGERPRINT?

One of the beauties of going on holiday is the amount of time available to just sit down and do a bit of quality reading. No TV, no Internet, no work and in my case no mobile phone to distract. So whilst on holiday in Doolin an ideal opportunity to complete my present read.

Anthony Gilbert "The Finger print" U.K. first edition, printed by Collins, 1964, pages256.

My second Gilbert book and it just confirms what I already knew, that these books are well worth both my time and money. Gilbert is a pseudonym for the British author, Lucy Beatrice Malleson 1899-1973. Her first book was published in 1925 under another pseudonym, that of J. Kilmeny Keith. Her first book carrying the name of Anthony Gilbert was published in 1927 "The Tragedy at Freyne ". In total Malleson had 70 books published.

Patricia Wentworth "The Finger print" U.K. first edition, printed by Hodder and Stoughton, 1959, pages 254.

This was my first attempt at Patricia Wentworth, and the "blurb" gave me every reason to be optimistic about it.

"The fingerprint was the pride and joy of Jonathan Field's collection, and he enjoyed telling the story of how he acquired it from a self-admitted murderer who was probably still at large. When he himself was murdered, the print was torn from his album."

However, I felt slightly let down at the conclusion of the book. Well worth a read, however given a choice between the two finger prints, I know which one I'd choose.

"And now for something completely different" as somebody said before. I finally got an appointment through to see a psychiatrist, not before time, as it has been 8 months in coming. It will be interesting to see whether there will be any benefit to gain from any consultations.

OUR HOLIDAY

Last Thursday Jayne and I went to Ireland for a 4 night stay. Flying from East Midlands to Shannon only took about an hour. At the airport we picked up our hire car (Always pay with a credit card) and then made about an hour journey to Doolin. We stayed here http://www.dubhlinnhouse.com/ for 3 nights. It was a beautiful, tranquil and very friendly experience. We loved every minute. Met Shelly from St Pauls, Pauline and Gary from Brisbane. These suspicious characters were met in O' Connors pub on the Friday night. The undoubted highlight of the break was our trip out to Inishere, one of the Aran Islands. Some photos, others will follow on other entries.

The center of Limerick, which way ?

O'Connors on a friday night, blurry picture thanks Jayne.

Fisherman Jayne.

Me slurping away at more coffee, in Doolin's Magnetic Music Cafe. A super little stop off.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Saturday night out and about, socialising and not with just Jayne, what is going on? Last night we went along with Carl and Lynne, from across the road to a quiz night. Generally very enjoyable and also quite surprising to actually find out how much trivial knowledge is floating around inside ones head. Out of about 16 teams, we finished a very respectable 4th. But no night out for me can run smoothly, as the lady behind me had to mark one answer incorrect because I had neglected to put the "The" in front of "Look of love" by ABC. To then compound my misery she then has to touch me, completely unaware that I can't abide unwanted physical contact. This then sets me on a road of cynicism, scathing comments and mutterings aimed at all sundry. Now this would be fine if nobody can hear or take any notice of you, but unfortunately I start to effect my fellow 3 team mates. The fact that trivial nonsense like this has stayed with me deep in to today only goes to show why going out and "Enjoying" yourself is not such a good idea for me.

Anthony Gilbert has managed to rise to the top of my to read list, however it isn't "Riddle of a lady" as was listed 31/08. No, the one that has fell in to my hands is "The fingerprint". More will follow when read. Meanwhile some Gladys.

Gladys Mitchell, No winding-sheet, first U.K. edition published by Michael Joseph 1984, p208, jacket Graham Rogers.

Gladys Mitchell, Uncoffin'd Clay, first U.K. edition published by Michael Joseph 1980, p189, jacket Graham Rogers.

Baseball final positions; Fleckney Flyers, 201 overall, in the 8 BJ div'
Nice 'n' Sleazy, 161 overall, in the 6 BJ div'

SOMETHING ELSE

Just to say that this has not suddenly turned into an Eddie Cochran tribute site, it's just that I thought I would give murder/mystery a break for a couple of books and read some fantasy novels instead. The author I picked is Terry Brooks and his 2 novels, Armageddon's children & The Elves of Cintra. I find Brooks work very easy on the eye, alright I admit his tales are so heavily influenced by Tolkien, it is almost like re-reading. However, what I will say is that his books are far easier to read, more up to date and equally thrilling.

Fantasy novels were once upon a time, long long ago a very firm favourite of mine, often finding themselves in mortal combat with that other favourite genre of the Horror book. If you should require recommendations in either of these fields, then I am happy to suggest the following author. ROBERT R McCAMMON. He has posted 3 exceptional works, including what happens to be my second favourite book of all time. These books are;

They Thirst, first U.S. 1981, first U.K. 1988.

Swan Song, first U.S. 1986, first U.K. 1988. (My second favourite book)

Stinger, first U.S. 1987, first U.K. 1989.

All of his other efforts are well worth a read, but to me these are exceptional.

The last few days have been the usual diet of routine, until yesterday, then WHACK, the car decides to break down. Got it to the garage, checked out and been told to expect the worse, a bill in the region of £600, or quite possibly even more. It's frustrating that for all my planning and calculations regarding my finances, due to my need for detail and precision (Aspergers again), that all the last 4 months and the forthcoming 2 months plans have gone out the window. I have also just spent £70 on a Gladys Mitchell, I could probably do with that money now.

As far as work is concerned I had a word with my Line Manager about the lack of rotation that I had had recently, and magically today was the day that I would receive a rotation. How ironic then that due to my car capitulating, I had to phone up and ask for a holiday. Life seems to have a tendency to kick you when you're down, but hey-ho, worse things happen at sea.

Dance to your Daddy, has now been completed and I have to say this is unquestionably the best and most rounded Gladys that I have up to now read. Although some may say the ending was hurried, and unsatisfactory. To these comments I say rubbish. This book is a firm 10 out of 10.

Gladys Mitchell, "The Man who grew Tomatoes" first U.K. edition published by Michael Joseph 1959, p248. Wrapper by Kenneth Farnhill.

Gladys Mitchell "Twelve Horses and the Hangmans Noose" first U.K. edition published by Michael Joseph, 1956, p236. Wrapper by Peter Curl.