Heef 166 Posted January 6 8 hours ago, Great Uncle Bulgaria said: The Last Devil to Die - the 4th in Richard Osman's series about 4 nearly-80 year olds who go round solving murders that the police can't. Found the previous 3 a mixed bunch and wasn't entirely convinced that a 4th helping was the way to go, but I found this possibly the best to date. This is a bit darker than previous ones and the gear changes between light comedy and serious murders are a bit less clunky than previously. No specific comment on Richard Osman as I've not read any of his books yet, but this growing trend of celebrities writing novels or books for children and using their profiles to achieve sales that writers can't hope to achieve without marketing support is quite annoying. I don't want to hear constant drones about what celebrity has managed to churn out a novel 8 hours ago, Toast said: These are useful - can be used as a bookmark as well as a place to make notes. I bought a set as a gift for a friend who is in a book group. Reader's Notes Hmm. That's a decent idea. When I think of something of interest when reading, I'm rarely near paper and pen. Most of my reading is done on the daily commute when I'm on the train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThereWillBeDeaths7 597 Posted January 6 8 hours ago, Great Uncle Bulgaria said: The Last Devil to Die - the 4th in Richard Osman's series about 4 nearly-80 year olds who go round solving murders that the police can't. Found the previous 3 a mixed bunch and wasn't entirely convinced that a 4th helping was the way to go, but I found this possibly the best to date. This is a bit darker than previous ones and the gear changes between light comedy and serious murders are a bit less clunky than previously. You still need to suspend belief about a couple of central conceits (why don't the hardened criminals just shoot all the annoying geriatrics on initially encountering them rather than engaging with them, why are some of these supposedly masters of evil essentially comic characters rather than objects of fear, etc) but, once you've accepted this, if you enjoyed the first three there's no reason not to buy the 4th instalment (or have someone give it to you for a birthday present, as I did). I haven't read the Thursday Murder Club series yet, but have heard (non-spoiler) good reviews about them. Additionally, I found Osman to be quite funny on Taskmaster and other UK panel shows so could imagine that showing in his writing. Gave the first book as a christmas present to my partner, I will probably read it sometime later this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,017 Posted January 9 On 21/12/2023 at 09:29, Spade_Cooley said: Having been sat on my "to read" list for nearly a year, finally got around to cracking open "In Perfect Harmony - Singalong Pop in '70s Britain" and it's a very, very enjoyable read that I'm sure would appeal to a bunch of DLers. Some great stories and revelations from in there, everything from Middle of the Road drinking Motorhead under the table to Clive Dunn being an avowed socialist and The Foundations nearly scuppering their career by stealing microphones from every recording studio they visited and selling them on. Thanks - may well have to get myself this. Middle of the Road were working class Scots one and all, not that surprising! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Great Uncle Bulgaria 1,051 Posted February 28 On 09/01/2024 at 23:17, maryportfuncity said: On 21/12/2023 at 09:29, Spade_Cooley said: Having been sat on my "to read" list for nearly a year, finally got around to cracking open "In Perfect Harmony - Singalong Pop in '70s Britain" and it's a very, very enjoyable read that I'm sure would appeal to a bunch of DLers. Some great stories and revelations from in there, everything from Middle of the Road drinking Motorhead under the table to Clive Dunn being an avowed socialist and The Foundations nearly scuppering their career by stealing microphones from every recording studio they visited and selling them on. Thanks for the recommendation. Just finished this and I agree it's a very good read for the most part, although the early chapters are stronger on the music and the latter ones are a bit heavy on the social history (bit too much winter of discontent and the like). Leo Sayer was a strange choice to devote most of the chapter on disco to and a few of the band choices I had never heard of, despite growing up in the 70s and being something of an authoritative sad case on its pop music - I had no recollection of Design or Hector, for example. Fwiw it was Rita Ray from Darts, not Middle of the Road, who drank Motorhead under the table. Recommended, particularly for the older ones amongst us on here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
