Archive for October, 2010

Review: ‘A Study in Scarlet’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Title: Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Published: Headline Review, 2006, pp. 164 Genre: Classic mystery fiction Blurb: Arriving in the wilderness of London and in need of lodgings, Dr John Watson finds himself living at 221b Baker Street with one Sherlock Holmes.  When a corpse is discovered in a derelict house Watson, fascinated by his [...]

Review: ‘Twist of Gold’ by Michael Morpurgo

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Monday, October 25, 2010

Title: Author: Michael Morpurgo Published: Egmont, 2001, pp. 300 Genre: Young adult historical fiction Blurb: Sean and Annie have fled the potato famine in Ireland for America, leaving their dying mother behind.  They are the only O’Brien children to have survived their family’s suffering.  The worst is not over as they embark on a hard [...]

Review: ‘The Woman in White’ by Wilkie Collins

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Thursday, October 21, 2010

Title: The Woman in White Author: Wilkie Collins Published: Penguin,1974, pp. 648 Genre: Classic mystery fiction Blurb: Wilkie Collins’ sixth novel took the fashionable world by storm on its appearance in 1860 when everything from dances to dresses was named after the ‘woman in white’.  Its continuing power to fascinate stems in part from a distinctive [...]

Review: ‘Offbeat Bride’ by Ariel Meadow Stallings

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Title: Offbeat Bride – Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides Author: Ariel Meadow Stallings Published: Seal Press, 2006, pp. 219 Genre: Wedding planning Blurb: Unenthused by a white wedding gown and bored by the hoopla of the Hollywood-style reception, Ariel Meadow Stallings found herself absolutely exhausted with the nuances of traditional nuptials. So, she chose to [...]

In my mailbox

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Sunday, October 17, 2010

“In my mailbox” is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which people share the books that they have acquired that week. Once again, this is a fortnightly edition for me, thanks to a very busy weekend last week.  I have a feeling this is not going to be good news for the [...]

Review: ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ by Brian Selznick

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Sunday, October 17, 2010

Title: The Invention of Hugo Cabret Author: Brian Selznick Published: Scholastic, 2007, pp. 533 Genre: Young adult historical fiction Blurb: Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity.  But when his world suddenly interlocks — like the gears of [...]

Review: ‘Mary Anne’ by Daphne du Maurier

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Thursday, October 7, 2010

Title: Mary Anne Author: Daphne du Maurier Published: Pan, 1979, pp. 381 Genre: Historical fiction Blurb: In the glittering, corrupt world of Regency London, Mary Anne Clarke had beauty, brains and wit — but no money.  Spurred on by the demands of a drunken husband, a wastrel brother and four children, she chose an exacting [...]

In my mailbox

By oldenglishrose - Last updated: Monday, October 4, 2010

“In my mailbox” is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which people share the books that they have acquired that week. Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.  It has been two weeks since my last confession. Oh dear.  Oh dear, oh dear.  Well, it seems I do nothing by halves.  Not [...]