I occasionally post on Random about books recently received and awaiting my attention. I always have a think before I do this because I certainly don't want to crow about all the lovely stuff I get, but I do want to share it with you. Also, there are so many of them and it is unlikely that they are all going to be read in a timely manner, so at least this way I can bring them to your attention and the publishers do know I appreciate their largesse and thank them. Most of you know I read very very fast (two books yesterday) but I am still falling behind.
First up, lots of lovely thrillers and mysteries to discuss.
At the bottom of this pile you will see the latest Jo Nesbo, Phantom. Have just started this, am finding it a bit scary and not sure that I can say I am enjoying it, though it is compellilng stuff. Discovered this author last year when I read The Snowman and nearly scared myself witless.
We all Fall down – Michael Harvey. Have read a couple of this author, American, sharp, snappy and with that lovely gritty Big US City feel.
The Namesake – Conor Fitzgerald. An Alec Blume thriller. Think this is the third in the series and set in Rome and I like them very much indeed.
Lisa Jackson – Devious. New author to me. Read a few of them in 2011 when sent to me and found them a tad far fetched but once started could not be put down.
Sara Paretsky – Body Work. I know she has a huge following but I have never read any of hers so looking forward to seeing what I think about this one. Ditto, The Dying Minutes by Martin O'Brien; Spilled Blood by Brian Freeman and Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark. I have also received, not pictured, The Summer of Dead Toys by Antonio Hill a detective story set in Barcelona. I think this may be my first Spanish detective.
OK now the next pile. 
Sorry this pic is a tad out of focus, think I was zooming in on the tulips which I put there because they are just so lovely.
The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn. I have read this and will be reviewing later. Love story starting in the glorious gilded summer before the start of World War I when the Edwardian era came to an end. Rather delightful.
Dodie Smith – The New Moon with the Old. Reprints of some of her titles and beautifully timed as I have been Doing a Dodie recently.
Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding. One of the books brought home from the Bloomsbury Tea and looking forward to this. Her earlier novel The Spy Game was brill and reviewed by moi here.
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson. A proof copy, again from the Bloomsbury Tea, where we were lucky enough to meet the author and hear her discuss her book. Sounds fun.
Julian Clary – Briefs Encountered. Have already dipped into this and it sounds hilarious. Well, it would be with Julian involved.
Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins. One of the new Persephone books which aficionados will already have spotted by the lovely grey cover. As always, comes with a book mark matching the end paper, and the books from this publishing house are so beautiful to have and to hold as well as to read.
Titanic on Trial – Nic Compton. This is one of the many books in the year of the Titanic Centenary and has real life accounts from the survivors. Have read some of them and they are incredibly moving and some of them so matter of fact it beggars belief. I do wonder how I would react when placed in a dreadful situation such as this. Would I be calm, cool and collected or would I shriek the place down? I shall never know – I hope.
Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World – Simon Callow. Gorgeous book from a delightfully erudite, flamboyant and witty actor whose Dickens readings I have seen on TV. His love and delight in Dickens burst out of the pages.
OK that is it for now. Postman delivered another five books today and am already wilting under the strain….only joking, I love it. One of the books I read yesterday was on the Astaires – Fred and his sister Adele and could not put it down. Review imminent.
I keep some of the books I am sent, those I cannot bear to part with and which will be on my permanent bookshelves. Others I pass on to friends and some go to charity shops so I keep everything turning over and spread the word.
Au reservoir everyone.
PS – I watched the Test Match this week with my newly purchased Sky facility. RANT ALERT. Will save this up for the weekend….
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