Contents:

What can you find here? Reviews of new and not quite so new Sherlock Holmes novels and collections. Interviews with authors, link to blogs worth following, links to where you can purchase my books and some reviews of my work garnered from Amazon sites. Plus a few scary pics of me and a link to various Lyme Regis videos on YouTube...see what we do here and how....and indeed why!!! Next to the Lyme Regis Video Bar is a Jeremy Brett as Holmes Video Bar and now a Ross K Video Bar. And stories and poems galore in the archives.

Saturday 28 June 2014

THE COTSWOLDS WEREWOLF

The Cotswolds Werewolf is a collection of stories by Peter K Andersson. I was intrigued by the title as my last two books feature the Cotswolds and I was eager to see a Holmes story set in that beautiful area of England. The Cotswolds Werewolf is the lead-off story and is very well constructed with nice, very nice pacing and with nice philosophical asides for Holmes to get his teeth into. Which is just as well as Homes is suffering from what may be termed depression  and the countryside is not able to
rouse hi from his ennui but a spot of sheep murdering does the trick. There are some lovely eccentrics who people this tale and the author keeps  a tight hold on the proceeding while staying true to the Holmes and Watson we know and love. The accompanying shorter stories again display the author's grip on all things Holmesian. The Adventure of the Velvet Lampshade is particularly effective with a fabulous twist. In many respects, it is perhaps the best story in the collection, it is difficult to fault it. But the other stories all have their quirks and foibles and come recommended as a worthy addition to anyone's Holmesian library.

 
The Cotswolds Werewolf and other Stories of Sherlock Holmes is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon KindleKobo, Nook and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).
 

Sunday 15 June 2014

THE SECOND LIFE OF SALLY MOTTRAM

The Second Life of Sally Mottram is David Nobbs's latest 'comic' 'humorous' novel. You know how it is, you see a review which tells you how the book in question is 'heart-warming' or 'uplifting' and you think ho-hum, really? Well, let me tell you, this novel really is. It tells the story of how one woman, Sally Mottram (but you guessed that) sets out to rescue her town from a terminal decline.
This is something she cannot accomplish alone and with a small band of helpers and supporters she sets out to restore pride to her home town of Potherthwaite. We are introduced to this motley band at a leisurely pace, giving us time to identify with them and get to know them. We learn of their weaknesses, their foibles. David Nobbs's humour is, as always, nicely observed..not forced in anyway. The humour comes from the characters themselves, no funny lines tacked on at random here. The build up to the big day when Sally delivers her speech outlining her plans on the Town Hall steps may be leisurely, but it's involving and is a mix of comedy plus the odd tragedy which David is so adept at. From the moment Sally addresses the townfolk, the novel really moves forward at a pace, the effect for the reader as for the people of the town is uplifting. I found the book very moving and very funny. Sally's second life is really the gift of giving a second life to others. She is changed, they are changed and ultimately we are changed through the experience. The novel is a triumph and is one of David Nobbs's very best which considering his output is high praise indeed. Actually, thinking about it some more, it may well be his best novel. I loved it....can you tell? Heart-warming and uplifting..so there.

www.davidnobbs.com