The Duchesses

Author: Andrew Roden
Paperback: 237 pages
ISBN: 9781845135997
Recommendation: would read again


The Duchesses (officially the Coronation Class) were the most powerful passenger steam locomotives ever to work the British railway network. In this absorbing book Andrew Roden takes us through the history of these magnificent machines, from their inception through the record breaking trains the hauled across the country and right up to date with details of the three examples that survived into preservation. If you find steam engines fascinating then you will find this book just as fascinating.

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The Disappearing Spoon

Author: Sam Kean
Paperback: 346 pages
ISBN: 9780552777506
Recommendation: would read again


The history, discovery and use of many of the elements that make up our planer are vividly brought to life in this fascinating book by Sam Kean. From Gandhi to gold rush via the disappearing spoon of the title, this is no dusty science book but a collection of highly engrossing stories. Well worth a read even if you aren't usually interested in science.

3 comments

The Serpent Pool

Author: Martin Edwards
Series: Lake District Mystery, Book 3
Paperback: 347 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7490-0879-6
Recommendation: would read again


When DCI Hannah Scarlett moves house she starts to investigate an apparent suicide in the local tarn, the Serpent Pool. As Bethany was afraid of water, Hannah refuses to believe she would have committed suicide by drowning herself. When she discovers that her partner Marc Amos had kept quite about knowing Bethany, Hannah no longer knows who to trust, and turns to historian Daniel Kind for help solving the mystery. Before long they find themselves in real danger as they get closer to the truth than is comfortable for those with a secret to protect.

2 comments

The Arsenic Labyrinth

Author: Martin Edwards
Series: Lake District Mystery, Book 3
Paperback: 409 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7490-8004-4
Recommendation: would read again


Years ago Emma Bestwick walked out of her cottage towards the fells never to be seen again. Did Emma simply run away, have an accident, or was she murdered. After the local newspaper receives a number of anonymous tips about her disappearance it isn't long before DCI Hannah Scarlett re-opens the cold case.

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The Cipher Garden

Author: Martin Edwards
Series: Lake District Mystery, Book 2
Paperback: 343 pages
ISBN: 978-07490-8135-5
Recommendation: would read again


Historian Daniel Kind gets involved in solving another cold case when an anonymous tip-off to the lake District's Cold Case Review Team brings DCI Hannah Scarlett back into his life. Who would have wanted to kill gardener Warren Howe with his own scythe, and what secrets are hiding in the idyllic village of Old Sawrey.

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Mr Briggs' Hat

Author: Kate Colquhoun
Hardback: 282 pages
ISBN: 9781847443694
Recommendation: would read again


Just before 10am on the 9th of July 1864 two bank clerks entered a first class train carriage only to find it spattered with blood. The carriage was empty apart from an ivory topped walking stick, and empty leather bag and a hat. Later that evening an unconscious and badly injured body was found on the railway line and although a doctor was called Thomas Briggs died and became the first person to be murdered in a railway carriage. The only clue to the identity of his killer was the hat, as it didn't belong to the victim.

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The Other

Author: David Guterson
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN: 9780747596202
Recommendation: enjoyed


In 1972 Neil Countryman and John William Barry, two teenage boys from from different backgrounds, meet and start a life long friendship. As they get older Neil follows the American dream while John William drops out of society and makes a new life for himself deep in the woods. Only Neil knows where his friend has retreated to but will he keep the secret come what may?

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