Is This Mutton?

Friday, 28 March 2025

March in Review {2025}

Dear friends. We're now fully immersed in Spring and have even had some suitably mild weather.

My focus in March was mainly on cycling, as we're back in the routine of 3 rides a week.

I did manage a few other activities, including a theatre trip, another colour club meet up, the Ideal Home Show, a massive clear out and a refurbishment of my home office.

Dear friends. Today's book spotlight is on a real tour de force. Both heart breaking and inspiring, Bare tells the story of Lorna Tucker, now a successful documentary maker, whose life spiralled into degradation on the streets of London.

It's my turn on the blog tour for Bare by Lorna Tucker.

The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson

Dear friends. Today I'm on the blog tour for a book that's exciting on several levels, The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson.

It's a thriller set in Moscow in the late 1950s, and centred, unusually, around a female "spy" at a time when they didn't officially exist. It's based on the real-life diary of the author's mother.

March Books

Dear friends. Spring has arrived and with it a lot of exciting new books, most of which I read last year, thanks to NetGalley.

It's a superb array this month with something to tempt everyone. Those with an asterisk are books I bought myself. Those without were sent to me as digital advance copies in return for an honest review.

Get Great Arms over 60

Dear friends. One of my fitness goals at the start of the year was to get toned arms. I didn't wear my sleeveless tops much last year because I suddenly had bingo wings and crepey skin.

You might think that's to be expected after 60. But I knew I'd slackened off, and wasn't lifting weights. Improvement was possible.

The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey

Dear friends. I'm back with an intriguing thriller today. A renowned crime writer comes under suspicion when the body of a woman is found on Exmoor in this twisty novel from Diane Jeffrey. Join me on the book blog tour for The Crime Writer.

Every Day Colours

Dear friends. I'm back after a brief blogging hiatus, and full of inspiration for new posts. Join me again for topics including: toned arms for sleeveless tops, best trends from the fashion shows, more book reviews and more beauty products with honest reviews.

Today I'm sharing a few of my every day outfits. Now that Spring seems to have arrived my thoughts turn even more to the bright colours that suit me best.

Death at Horsey Mere by Ross Greenwood

Dear friends. Regular readers will know I enjoy a Ross Greenwood. He writes crime thrillers that have complex plots, realistic and memorable characters, and a bit of humour.

I must confess I don't care for the name of his latest book - it makes it sound like cosy crime, which it certainly isn't. But the story itself is a winner. Join me on the blog tour for Death at Horsey Mere by Ross Greenwood.

Blog tour dates for Death at Horsey Mere by Ross Greenwood

PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

When a teenage couple go missing, the police aren’t too concerned. Young lovers often make bad choices. Then a body is found near a Suffolk lighthouse, and shortly after, two girls seem to vanish into thin air. Newly promoted DI Ashley Knight knows she has a battle on her hands to keep the public safe, and she’s going to need expert help.

Ashley turns to her old protégé, Hector Fade, seconded from The Met to analyse an avalanche of data. But neither Hector nor Ashley are prepared for the chilling connection his work uncovers to the body by the lighthouse.

Another victim is found at Horsey Mere and their worst suspicions are realised. A member of an Eastern European gang has gone rogue and is taking lives for fun. When Hector uncovers a pattern in the choice of victim, time is against the detectives to stop the murderer killing again.

MY THOUGHTS

Death at Horsey Mere is a showcase of Ross Greenwood at his best - there are gritty prison scenes, scenery, human interaction, poignant moments, and organised crime gangs - plus kidnap, prostitution and murder.

This is number four in the Norfolk Murders series but it can be read on its own.

Our police investigator is DI Knight and this is her most challenging case yet. It revolves around a trafficking group who were active in Europe but have since moved to Norfolk and Suffolk.

Another Greenwood character from a different series, Inspector Barton, pops in, which is fun.

I enjoyed the vivid and evocative descriptions of the Norfolk surroundings, having never visited that area. It's a fast paced and tense thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ross Greenwood has had an eclectic career, ranging from financial advisor to Prison officer. The advent of parenthood and the terrifying rise of Spice in prison led Ross to become a stay -at-home parent and a novelist.