Retired scientist, I read a lot, fiction and non-fiction, on a wide range of subjects, though science, politics, philosophy, law, science fiction and historical detective stories are favourites.
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The true 'Cinderella' tale of how the daughter of a Thames waterman married the son …
Real life Cinderella story showing a case of unexpected social mobility in the Georgian era. I discovered interesting things about many local Oxfordshire places.
A Christmas present, filled with mysteries written, and hence set, in an earlier era, the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Interesting to reflect on how many of these stories could not happen now for various reasons, but they give a window into their times - which range from the 1890s to the 1950s
On Christmas Day in the Morning by Margery Allingham
In past times the Postman would deliver cards on Christmas morning!
Give me a ring by Anthony Gilbert
Doing a favour for a stranger leads to Christmas eve peril.
Father Christmas comes to Orbins by Julian Symons
A jewel thief thinks he has the perfect disguise.
The Turn Again Bell by Barry Perowne
Does a drunk driver's loss of control have fatal consequences for his daughter's future father-in-law?
A Surprise for Christmas by Cyril Hare
Memories and reminders of the past unearthed at Christmas
Dick Whittington's Cat by Victor Canning.
A jewel thief picks the wrong person to blame for a robbery
The Christmas Eve Ghost by Ernest Dudley
A murderer gives themselves away and a ghost is not what it might seem.
The true 'Cinderella' tale of how the daughter of a Thames waterman married the son …
The author gave a talk, telling the story, and I bought the book, looking forward to reading it.
Justice seems to be one of the big unsolved (possibly unsolvable) problems and here is another perspective.
In the long hot Roman summer of AD74, Marcus Didius Falco, private informer and spare …
Another enjoyable Falco tale, in which the Roman worlds of banking and publishing have similarities with those of today.
In the long hot Roman summer of AD74, Marcus Didius Falco, private informer and spare …
Engrossed in the world of ancient Rome and interested to see where this one will take me
Amazing amount of religious diversity in ancient Rome, not just the Jovian dynasty from traditional Roman mythology.
Lumbered with working alongside reptilian Chief Spy Anacrites, Falco has hit upon the perfect plan. …
The next Falco mystery - with the Roman Circuses of 'Bread and Circuses'
Follow up to The Firm
First-century Roman sleuth Marcus Didius Falco seeks a serial killer who keeps leaving the body …
As usual with Lindsey Davis the detective element also leads to insights into the Roman water supply system, even bringing the real Julius Frontinus in as a character.