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John Locked account

john@books.paladyn.org

Joined 2 years, 6 months ago

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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Iain Pears: An Instance of the Fingerpost (Paperback, 2000, Riverhead Trade) 4 stars

This book is set in the 1660's, and tells the story of Sarah Blundy who …

Glad I persisted

4 stars

Set during the Restoration, like Andrew Taylor's Marwood and Lovett series, which I enjoyed, and in Oxford, which I know, I still struggled to get into it at first. There are many references to real historical characters, but the Unreliable narrator technique made it hard like or identify with the main characters. It did come together in an interesting way at the end, and had broadened my knowledge of the period some of the notable people who appear in itl

Chris Byant: Code of Conduct (EBook, Bloomsbury Publishing) No rating

'Introduction: What's it all about' describes the Owen Patterson investigation by the Commons Select Committee on Standards (chaired by Bryant) which recommended he be suspended, and how a number of MPs manoeuvred to prevent this. He puts this into a context of a need to restore the reputation of parliament , pointing out that the majority of MPs of all parties aspire to do a good job, and are tainted by the actions of a few.