This is the first book in one of my favorite series from last year. They are so good! ? Multiple layers of London and each has a special messenger who can travel between the very different London kingdoms. I actually put it on the Brit Trip list for Spooky London........Amy your Dh would like these I think. The author has the first book in a new series coming out soon.

Yesterday was our 30th anniversary and Dh’s birthday so four of us celebrated with an afternoon at the beach and dinner out. I did manage to finish the first Amory Ames Mystery in the car while the kids read their textbooks. Murder at the Brightwell (Kent and Sussex)was good enough to put the next book in the series on hold but not great. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19561924-murder-at-the-brightwell I liked the main character, Amory, whose husband is probably not what he is being portrayed as, a high society philanderer. The curiosity about her husband’s secretive and convenient appearances is what will make me keep reading these books.....I think he might be a spy ?. Lol. Her marriage is not good, with her husband just home from a solo trip to the Riviera, when Amory’s exfiance asks her to go with him on a holiday to convince his sister not to make an unhappy marriage like her own. She goes......Murders happen. Definitely a cozy mystery. Another cozy series that I have been dipping into the year is Catherine Lloyd’s Kurland St. Mary’s which starts with Death in a Village. The village is apparently on the Suffolk and Essex border so could count for either, imo. I am mentioning this partly out of excitement because my overdrive just added the rest of the series. Once again I simply really like a couple of the characters.......https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16073004-death-comes-to-the-village

I am in the UK also. No longer home educating because my dc’s are all grown up.

Hugs

Just making sure you know that most charity shops have a book section too. There may be clothes in the window but there is normally a shelf with cheap books too! I read Essex Serpent when it first came out after listening to the bookseller in Waterstones rave about how it was her favorite that year. I remember that it had several different stories to tell. I enjoyed two of the four and could tolerate the other two. Not the best book of the year but the portions I enjoyed were good and worth reading. One thing the book has is the most wonderful cover art ever. I loved looking at it and carrying a book that beautiful was fun, I actually abandoned my Kindle for that book.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075861-the-essex-serpent

I suspect I will be saying this next Sunday too.......my current audiobook is Woman in White. It’s actually really good but also 25 hours long. I just haven’t had the listening time! I needed a light read so started Murder atBrightwell by Ashley Weaver. It’s one of those books that I have seen and passed over dozens of times. It’s actually pretty good at the 25% mark ? if you are looking for a nice easy cozy...... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19561924-murder-at-the-brightwell For Essex I am planning to read Death at Bishop’s Keep by Robin Paige. This is another series that I have planned to try for awhile and I hope to like this series because of other county potential. It will also put me back on the bus! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/538396.Death_at_Bishop_s_Keep Technically I have already read two books for Brit Tripping set in Essex that happen to be the first books for a couple of really famous and prolific mystery authors. I believe both Cover Her Face by PD James and The Mysterious Affair at Styles are both set in Essex.

I was too lazy to try and figure out if she had started the next one. I am glad and relieved to know it’s in progress! The epilogue was a shock in many ways. Without doing a spoiler I have to say I have never encountered the particular problem in any of my other books with paranormal characters.......honestly I am pretty puzzled about how but I can go with it! ? Thanks for all the compliments on the Hedgehogs.....I played with a pattern for what is known as a Hazel the Hedgehog quilt. Machine quilting again today, a bookcase quilt that I am figuring out as I sew. I have one more gift I need for the fall (this one will be going to conservatory with a different friend’s dd) then I can go back to my hand piecing and listening to audiobooks.

I finished Dark Queen late last night and loved it! It’s the latest in the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter (which I haven’t been liking too much of late). I can’t wait to read the next installment.......I just hope there is one. It ended a bit odd really and it could end with this book. ?. What were your feelings about the ending, Robin? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36001084-dark-queen I picked up the graphic comic yesterday for my Mercyverse reread/fill in the blanks read. I may just reread the Yellowrock series when I finish Mercyverse.

This is the quilt I finished today. It’s nickname is the Hippy Hedgehogs. After the Horticultural Show in September it will become a gift for my friend’s daughter to cuddle up with when she studies for A levels.

We wore uniforms but no monogram. Ours were stretchy powder blue and white. The only book that seems to be holding my attention is Faith Hunter’s Dark Angel. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36001084-dark-queen I have to say it’s really good but I have fallen off the bus. I have passed the halfway point in Woman in White. It’s wonderful but really long.......sewing machine is back out today so no listening.

Thank you! ? I suspect Outsider in Amsterdam is the book I remember because I can get it at one of my physical libraries. I am very tempted to transfer it in........lol. The only problem is I don’t seem to be finishing paper books right now, at least a Kindle book has a chance of being completed. At this point I am going with the detective series set in Bruges that is in Overdrive. Terribly lazy! Btw Pieter Aspe is the author for the Bruges series.

I think Baantjer just be the author i was hunting for but no books on Overdrive. I do have one Judge Dee but it takes place in China....... I found two books by Aspe! I love Bruges! We have the winner..... ?https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39947170-the-square-of-revenge I also found a book called The Dinner which looks pretty goodhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33517723-the-dinner#. I also found a book called The Tenth Witness which intrigues me. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17233995-the-tenth-witness?ac=1&from_search=true

Hanging my head because I haven't colored but we both know where me coloring a map created! I just have a list of the counties on my iPad and I am trying to add the books onto my list in the right spots as I complete them. So far I have visited all but three of our counties in some way. There are several multi county reads so I am far from done! My update.......Dere Street still needs Tyne and Wear. Durham too! ;( For Ichneid Way,........... Isle of Wight ,..........Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham Dorset........To Ruin a Queen by Fiona Buckley at this point but planning to switch Hampshire,.........I am listening to The Woman in White Berkshire,...........The Killings at Badgers Drift by Caroline Graham Buckinghamshire.......Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin Hertfordshire.....hoping to change but I have A Talent for Murder by Andrew Wilson. Essex..........I have Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige on hold Suffolk........planning to listen to I Capture the Castle Dodie Smith Norfolk..........The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths I didn't know Monarch of the Glen was a book but am familiar with the tv show. Glad you arrived safely! Thank you! I do have access to 6 of his books so it might be him but I am hoping for more of a detective type mystery which none of those are. I really thought I had one marked somewhere that would work.

I have been trying to find my book for this month’s Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.........I haven’t been overly successful with my libraries. ? Nothing I have actually found is quite right ......lol Last year I remember a discussion about a popular Dutch? Mystery author. The books were in my overdrive I think. I think someone here was reading the series, maybe Penguin. Thet sounded good.....

Holling Clancy Holling’s books. Pagoo http://bfbooks.com/Pagoo was the best book ever, seriously. We had so much fun with it! Wonderful drawings of hermit crabs, mollusks, and pretty much everything else that lives in the ocean. We did a huge independent study That we designed as we went along wher we did several drawings and wrote a report about each creature that caught our fancy. I had a stack of additional books from the library......... We also did similar activities with Minn of the Mississippi.

Some Brit Tripping ideas https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/best-books-set-in-uk-england-novels-beach-holiday-read-recommendations-staycation-author-emma-claire-sweeney/167540

I just requested Red Clocks mainly because you loved it.

Appetizers......My one experience was my wedding. We had a similar time gap. Keep them light and few and I would only serve it you have alcohol. My guests filled up on them thanks to My Fil ordering more and more without consulting us (he did pay for them and had intended to apparently) and people were too full to enjoy the buffet that my parents paid for. Dh and I both noticed that our appetizers were stretching really far and couldn't figure out why until the final bill arrived with 3X the cost for the appetizers. It wasn't a mistake.

I had a great time delving into the history part of my St. Cyr re-read too. The author has pretty extensive notes at the back of each book but they really aren't convenient on the Kindle. Lol I did read them at the end and was pleased that I generally had researched the right things and managed to catch a few of the times she adjusted history slightly. Overall these books are quite accurate and I also learned tons about issues frequently not discussed. I have to say I loved the main characters simply because they cared. I am pages away from completing Lily so will just lost now..... L. Where the Read Lie by CS Harris I. In Prior's Wood by GM Mallory L. Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear Y Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

I have been glancing at this thread only periodically so you may have already figured out table coverings. I get Joann Fabrics emails and saw this fabric advertisement. Today only, by the bolt, cheap shipping https://www.joann.com/olyfun-10-yard-bolt/zprd_14065353a.html?utm_source=Joann&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=20180604E4&utm_term=Anchor07&rId=20180604E4&jid=2078655762. I have never seen Oly brand fabric in person so have no idea what it actually looks or feels like but it sounds like it might be easy to work with and be far cheaper than renting linens. It comes in several colors, is indoor outdoor, and best of all you get 10 yards of 60 inch wide fabric for $17. If the tables are rectangular I think that it would do three tables prettily. If you want to keep it simple just cut it as you set up. Add a mason jar flower decoration , causal garden in season type flowers.......... bright disposable place settings.......I think you could have a beautiful setting for your reception. Btw, the fabric is washable too.

VC, Safe travels! I hope your daughter enjoys her Jaffa Cakes! ?

Welcome back Negin! We missed you.....beautiful photo! I finished the tenth book in the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths and really enjoyed it. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34830283-the-dark-angel My only complaint is there is an on going cliff hanger that never gets solved! Lol. I guess I will bw waiting a few months for the next installment. This is a series set in Norfolk (one of Brit trippers next counties) mostly. This particular book was set partially in Italy with a side trip to Lincolnshire. The series features a female forensic archeologist who lectures at a local university and works with the Kings Lynn police department also. The series is well done and a personal favorite. Ruth is a real woman with real problems which I like. I wouldn’t class this series as filled with adult content but there is adultery throughout the series. I am close to finishing spelling Lily and will report as soon as I am done. I also need to enter several books into my Brit Trip records and will get things figured out later this week. We currently have a guest staying with us and my days have been busy!

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the second book in the series. I have only read the first book so am far from the expert but the tv series seemed a bit less grim imo. Of course I read the book with the impression it was going to be a cozy mystery thanks to one of lists. I had a hard time with it because it was suppose to be cozy! I keep meaning to get back to that series because it probably was not a fair try. My understanding is some of the later ones are a bit easier emotionally.

Loesje, I hope you have a peaceful book filled holiday! I just finished Lorraine Heath’s latest historical romance. It’s a bit different and I enjoyed it. ? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068744-beyond-scandal-and-desire

These are from my original notes for Brit Tripping ...... Sorry for the odd print. West Midlands(44) 10/28 Judith Cutler, Power on her own (DS Kate Power) Dying Fall(Sophie Rivers) The Worm in the Bud by Chris Collett Maureen Carter’s Bev Morris and DI Sarah Quinn The reluctant Detective by Martha Oakley Dominion by CJ Sansom Staffshire(45) 11/4 Wedgwood Butterflies by Peter Corbishley Lost River, Stephen Booth Arthur&George Julian Barnes Winding Up the Serpent by Priscilla Masters Blind Justice, Bruce Alexander So far I think all of the CJ Sansom books have visited Staffordshire. Dark Fire definitely did. I love these! West Midlands is Birmingham and the surrounding area. Much of Black Country around Dudley is called West Midlands. I plan to read a Judith Cutler. I love her series set in Kent and haven’t read the Birmingham ones.