Beautiful Benderloch and I got a dip!!! Loved this so much, a cool 12° outside the water and 9° in the water just beautiful
Sunday, 1 November 2026
Saturday, 31 October 2026
October reading and Storygraph
The body on Audible by Stephen King
Nobody does coming of age like Stephen King. This was beautiful and so wonderful hearing it beautifull narrated by Wil Wheaton. Just a wonderful story about childhood and childhood friendships 5 🌟
Five go to Demon rocks by Enid Blyton
I remember this as being a favourite. It has less misogyny (but still some) than others in the series and less racism. Its a nice story 5 🌟
Murder in Belgravia by Irina Shapiro
Fantastic as ever. Another wonderful addition to the Tate and Bell series
A great cast of characters with many suspects along the way. All leading to a surprising conclusion. Great atmosphere the details of prostitution in Victorian London are heartbreaking. With thanks to the author and Netgalley for the copy. 5 🌟
Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
I did enjoy this but the writing is very much of its time.
I loved the films but always strongly suspected an undercurrent of racism. The book didn't really dispell that. 3.5 🌟
Death at Sam's mine by Maisie Graves
A new Tilly Lafleur mystery is always a treat and this is no exception.
A lovely twisty mystery with a goodly amount of suspects and red herrings.
As ever one of the highlights is seeing the backstory develop, after the bombshell ending of the last in the series this one doesn't let up the pace, a real cracker 5 🌟
A lovely twisty mystery with a goodly amount of suspects and red herrings.
As ever one of the highlights is seeing the backstory develop, after the bombshell ending of the last in the series this one doesn't let up the pace, a real cracker 5 🌟
Whispers from the black bog by Karsten Knight
Fantastic series finale. I think this might be my favourite of the series.
As ever, great plot great pacing, the right amount of horror and a surprise ending. 5 🌟
Broken earth devastation by Barbara Barker
Just not for me DNF
The phantom of the temple by Robert Van Gulik
I do love the shorter stories whuch concentrate on one mystery (or a few mysteries which turn out to be intertwined) 5 🌟
Five have a mystery to solve
Oh so many mixed feelings about this one. Its nice to see Ann get more feisty but its still muted and the misogyny is still rife. The ending was really rushed, it had been a half decent story till the end 4 🌟
Lord Peter Wimsey BBC radio collection vol 3 on Audible by Dorothy L Sayers
Murder must advertise
I always really enjoyed this one but unfortunately no Harriet Vane and no Bunter. Yes there is Inspector Parker but he's not the same.
But a lovely mystery all the same.
Nine tailors
Yea! Bunter is back. I really think this is one of my favourites. The story the ending with the flood. I remember the TV programme it was wonderful and this is as good
Gaudy night
I was never sure if I liked Harriet Vane or not. I think I always felt she usurped Bunter which I didn't like. But this is one of my favourite stories I think and it's told mainly from Harriet Vanes pov, it's a sad story but with a happy ending.
Busmans honeymoon
What a perfect ending to a fantastic re listen. Brilliant cast, Kenneth Cranham, Rosemary Leach, Peter Vaughan, Roger Lloyd Pack. We have both Harriet and Bunter, brilliant. It's a nice mystery too. I have just loved re listening to these stories. 5🌟
The wrath of the triple goddess by Rick Riordan
Loved it more than the previous one in the series. While still not as good as the original series its still got allbthe hallmarks of a great tale 4.5 🌟
The drowning Glen by Andrew James Greig
What a compelling story! This is my first in the series but it worked well as a stand alone, there was enough explanation about any back stories for any new reader.
I felt it was a bit slow to grab me but once it did I couldn't put it down. Corstorphine felt like an authentic MC he has his share of troubles but it wasn't over done. All the team felt well fleshed out and believable.
The mystery was emotional and I was desperate to know the fate of Noah. A very believable and unexpected ending left me wanting to read the rest of the series 4 🌟
I felt it was a bit slow to grab me but once it did I couldn't put it down. Corstorphine felt like an authentic MC he has his share of troubles but it wasn't over done. All the team felt well fleshed out and believable.
The mystery was emotional and I was desperate to know the fate of Noah. A very believable and unexpected ending left me wanting to read the rest of the series 4 🌟
Five are together again by Enid Blyton
Giving this 4 stars purely for nostalgias sake. Enid Blyton wrote great stories but this wasn't the best of them. Several old plots hashed together in a very rushed story. Sad its the last in the series its not the best 4 🌟
The chinese nail murders by Robert Van Gulik
Sad at times but another excellent one in the series 5 🌟
Night before her wedding by Jessica Huntley
Just brilliant I love anything Jessica Huntley writes.
This is no exception an engaging main character who you really root for throughout the story (even though she does make some dodgy decisions) all the characters feel authentic and relatable.
The pace is great, I read this in 2 sessions I was so keen to find out the ending. And what an ending! I had flip flopped about who I thought was responsible there are many to choose from. Quite a few red herrings but not too many make for a break neck read.
And the ending was perfect. 5 🌟
Bitter end by CJ Carmichael
A good addition to the series but perhaps not the best so far? I felt the murder took a bit of a back seat and was a bit rushed at the end.
Still a great read though 4 🌟
The willow pattern by Robert Van Gulik
Beautifully atmospheric 5 🌟
The Tsar is dead by Milan Ivanisevic
I had high hopes for this book. It sounded like Name of the rose or a CJ Sansom book. Although well written and with a very authentic sense of place and history. It was rather too long and a bit dull to be honest. Lots of length dialogue didn't help 3.5 🌟
Murder in Canton by Robert Van Gulik
Im giving it 5 stars because it the last in the series but its not my favourite.
I miss Ma Joong, also the ending! But it was a fabulous series and I've loved rereading them all again. 5 🌟
Skullduggery pleasant by Derek Landy
Just too slow for me DNF
A Halloween murder by Mary Grand
Not for me DNF
The Denburn by John Duncan
Whilst I did enjoy this book I did feel there was a certain naivety about the plot and the writing. I simply can't believe that 4 murders in Aberdeen would not have been identified as a serial killer by the press. The main characters were enjoyable but again there was a naivety in the way their interactions were portrayed
The author obviously deeply loves Aberdeen and this come across in the portrayal of the city, I know and love Aberdeen well and it was partially this which kept me engaged 3.5 🌟
The lady of shadows by Johan Rundberg
Loved it, excellent addition to the series. Engaging well plotted great pace 4.5 🌟
Cradle breaker by Delphine Woods
Absolutely fabulous. Delphine Woods always packs a lot of story into a small space. The two main characters are complex relatable and enjoyable. Its not an easy story but its well told 4 🌟
Tom Wasp and the murdered stunner by Amy Myers
Far too "cor blimey guv" for me DNF
Castle abductions by David Field
I was quite enjoying this until the end. The mystery itself is slight but it was an easy read but the ending with the Queen was so unbelievable it spoiled it for me. 3.5 🌟
The heiress of Linn Halgh on Audible by Karen Charleton
Absolutely dire DNF
A quiet life in the country on Audible by T.E. Kinsey
Really disliked the flippant tone when discussing hanging DNF
The witches of mystic springs by Mona Marple
Really enjoyable. A bit of a diversion from the main characters. It works well. 4 🌟
The grave in the ice by Satu Rämö
Absolutely loved this. So well written. All the characters are so well fleshed out. Incredible plot deftly handled.
And the ending! 5 🌟
And the ending! 5 🌟
Marked by time by Philip Robertson
Just loved this one, what a great romp. Thoroughly enjoyable characters, great pace. I knocked 3/4 of a star off because i couldn't believe Morgan didn't see Julian was Cael. 4.25 🌟
The undertakers assistant by Amanda Skenandore
Not for me DNF
Embroidered evidence by Thea Duek
Not for me DNF
Midnight wedding murder by Ron Tucker
Nice fun little cosy 3.5 🌟
Confronting the invisible by David Field
I felt the plot in this was quite slight but soon the story really developed and took off. Quite sad at times but sucked me in completely 4 🌟
Garters and gargoyles by Nancy Warren
I just love this series, its so dependable. You are guaranteed a great story, fabulous story arcs. Characters you genuinely care about and a good solid mystery 5 🌟
Syracuse will burn by Jim Loughran
Not for me DNF
Circus of mystic springs by Mona Marple
While I did enjoy this it felt a bit disjointed in places
Nice ending though 3.5 🌟
The lost ones on Audible by Johan Rundberg
This is a wonderfully dark series and very moving at times. I loved this audio version the narrator was excellent 4 🌟
So what do the stats say!
Book source, well I've started KU again so lets see what new authors I can get from that. Plus catching up on old favourites! Quite a few red reads again which is nice.
A lot of series, I do seem to be a series person. Not many don't follow ups but that may change with my KU trial.
October Furtle
Im slowly get on with hooping up or finishing off older embroideries its nice being able to see these and use them again.
Whoof! This is such biggie! My first over the balcony quilt since 5th June 2024🎉🎉 the tiny 9 patch challenge quilt, blogged about here
New needle minder🦇
The stitching is finished but I wasnt able to get it fully finished off in time for Halloween
Another embroidery hooped up
Meet Bernice the bat! Isn't she adoreable 💕🦇 blogged about here
I got this cross stitch from a selkie chums over 2 years ago. I had made a small start but it's not really my style. But I decided to take it up to Benderloch with me because its small. Ive actually managed to do quite a lot up here it has stitched up very quickly. I just have to do the (mostly half stitch) outer bits now
How did i do with intentions? Not bad, 2 out of 4. The hollygon wreath has been on hold while I concentrated on Halloween things so I can pick it up again now. The Halloween cross stitch is mostly done. Im happy with this.
°Finish hollygon Wreath (carried over from September)
°Finish Christmas cross stitch (Carried over from September)✅️
°Finish autumn leaves ✅️
°Finish Halloween x stitch
(Carried over from August)
Intentions for next month
°Finish hollygon Wreath (carried over from September)
°Finish Halloween x stitch
(Carried over from August)
°Siblings blocks (October and November)
°Dolly's Stroll cross stitch
October look back
No it's not K9 🤣 Mark has a new hobby ... hot tent camping 🤦♀️ this is the stove for the tent
A fabric present received 💕
There were some buds on the roses which wouldn't bloom outside so we took them in
Thanks to a royal mail delivery 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
We took the roses up here with us and some came out quite well
Sunday, 25 October 2026
Bats
I've only recently started following Sew Yeah. But I have quickly fallen in love with her felt creations. When i saw her pattern for Bernice the bat I knew i had to make it. We start with a cute little body. Look at those adoreable fangs! 
The body then gets stuffed and the legs sewn in
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)