Enough Jane Shaw for now

[callmemadam]

I’ve been re-reading some of her non-series books.
House of the Glimmering Light is a wartime spy story set in Scotland, enlivened by Jane Shaw’s humour.
Crooks Tour - very slight story about a school holiday in Europe with Ricky seeing crooks everywhere.
The Crew of the Belinda, about three sisters forced by circumstances to spend summer in a houseboat on Loch Lomond with no money. I can’t help being amused by the bus from Glasgow to Luss. If you know Pimpernel Petroleum you’ll understand why. Jane Shaw could have thought up a better reason for the girls being in their difficult situation, but as usual the book is redeemed by her humour and of course by the tracking of crooks. Interesting to see JS described as ‘this young Scottish author’. It was 1945 and before she found greater fame with Susan.

Now I’m moving on to comfort reading of the kind I’d recommend to anyone else needing it. My first choice is Summertime, by Raffaella Barker.

Comments

[gwendraith.livejournal.com]

It's good reading weather isn't it. Snuggled by the radiator with a hot cuppa of something :)

I'm reading a a good book at the moment, a kindle freebie - In The Blood by Steve Robinson. The hero being a American genealogist over in Cornwall tracing the family history for an American client whose family came to Cornwall in the 1700s. Murder, mystery, south Cornwall geography and intrigue all the way and some tips for the genealogist readers too!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

That sounds good and right up your street.

[gghost.livejournal.com]

The Barker books sound lovely, perfect for cozy winter evening reading. I just ordered one called Hens Dancing, which, judging by the plot summary at Amazon, may be the prequel to Summertime.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

It is the prequel but I prefer Summertime. The best character is the youngest child, called The Beauty.

[(Anonymous)]

Summertime sounds good. I'll see if I can get it from the library. Need something to remind me that it won't snow forever! nicola@vintagereads

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Hens Dancing comes before Summertime but I didn't like it as much. There's plenty of sun and sitting in the garden in Summertime, just the ticket.