"Deep in the Cambridgeshire fens, Laura is living alone with her 12-year old daughter Beth, in the old tollhouse known as 'Ninepins'. She's in the habit of renting out the old pumphouse once a fen drainage station to students, but this year she's been persuaded to take in 17-year old Willow, a care-leaver with a dubious past, on the recommendation of her social worker, Vince. Is Willow dangerous or just vulnerable?"
This book sounds very different to the others of Rosy's books that I've read and I must admit I'm already intrigued by the fenland setting.
Yesterday I was wandering around W H Smith gazing at all the magazines, of which there are so many mostly looking the same, when I came across something new. I picked it up and riffled through a few pages and knew I couldn't leave it in the shop.
Featured seasonal flowers were tulips, lilac, freesias and bluebells and seasonal produce like rhubarb, rosemary, runner beans and asparagus with accompanying recipes. There were also articles on red deer, Dorset's Jurassic coast, wood working and willow weaving. I think it was the fact that a heroine of mine, Mary Anning, appeared in the article on the Jurassic Coast, you'll perhaps remember I've written about her in previous posts like the one - here - that finally convinced me to buy the magazine as I don't buy glossy mags very often, usually only as a treat on my birthday or for Christmas.
I'm hoping that the next issue will be just as interesting! If it is I will most probably buy it regularly, or perhaps take out a subscription - as you can see I'm hooked already.
I'll be back soon with the second part of our walk in the Goyt Valley
How nice to receive a new book to review! It sounds intriguing. I do like the look of the magazine. Its content looks very much like the types of blogs I read! x
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds as though it's going to be a good read, I like a bit of mystery. I can't believe you have a magazine that I passed by at the weekend. I picked it up and couldn't decide between that and one called "Good Ideas" which ultimately won. I was going to put my one on my post tomorrow - look out for it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Landscape and also a very similar one called Landlove which is the one I bought. I wasn't that impressed by it so may try Landscape and see whether I like that any better:)
ReplyDeleteNinepins sounds very interesting. I am hoping that I can find a copy n the library but alas many times, authors I have searched for are not there.
ReplyDeleteBoth look so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI do love those sorts of magazines. UK Country Living being my favourite. I always want to purchase a pig when I finish it.
Landscape sounds like a very interesting magazine - I'll have to have a flick through if I see it anywhere!
ReplyDeleteThis magazine is so my kind of magazine, thanks for mentioning this. All I have to do now is to remember to look for it when I'm next by shops! Suzy x
ReplyDeleteNinepins sounds rather interesting. I look forward to reading your review :)
ReplyDeleteI always think books that are set deep in the fenlands are atmospheric and a tiny bit creepy! Maybe it's because of Woman in Black which I saw at the theatre many moons ago.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of that magazine - wonder if I'll ever see it in Australia?
Alex x
You are a gem - I am always hunting for a good book and its great when someone suggests something. I am really hoping we can get that magazine in New Zealand - it looks fab! Have a great weekend hon. Becks x
ReplyDelete... you are working like Amazon does on me, Rosie... I read your post and have the urge to go forth and buy! Lovely thoughts and recommendations... ! It is always lovely visiting you, love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
ReplyDeleteLandscape is lovely, isn't it? I also saw a copy, quite by chance, in my local newsagent/post office (well as local as it gets these days, i.e. a car ride away!)
ReplyDeleteI have Ninepins on my Wish List but really, I do think I will have to order it - I loved Tapestry of Love although I didn't finish Hearts & Minds as I simply didn't relate to or even like the characters.
Current reading: Elly Griffiths (a favourite crime/mystery novelist) and the beginning of the 'House' trilogy by Norah Lofts, The Town House.
I meant to add that Mary Anning is also a heroine of mine, too! I have four books about her, two fiction, two non-fiction. I hope it won't be too long before I trot over the Border (I don't think I need a passport!) into Dorset and visit Lyme Regis and do a spot of fossil hunting myself.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Another PS - the books about Mary Anning you might like to try are:
ReplyDeleteThe Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling (non fiction);
Jurassic Mary - Mary Anning and the primeaval Monsters by Patricia Pierce (non ficton);
and Curiosity by Joan Thomas (fiction).
You have already mentioned the Tracey Chevalier novel on your post link.
Margaret P
Margaret - there is a Jurrasic Coast Fossil Festival 4th - 6th May in Lyme Regis, next weekend in fact. I have read Shelly Emling's book but not the other two you have mentioned so thanks for the info on those. I love Elly Griffith's books too:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that info! I wonder whether we might make it to Lyme next week!
ReplyDeleteMy next bit of info is that there is a rival publication to LandScape, although I've not yet seen a copy (I've ordered one online after chancing upon information about it online.) Whereas LandScape is from the Bauer group, Hubert Burda Media have brought out a look-alike magazine called LandLove. It will be interesting to see how they compare and who eventually takes the lion's share of the market!
Margaret P
Margaret - LandLove looks a nice magazine too, I must look out for it. Hope you get to the fossil festival - if you can let me know what it was like:)
ReplyDeleteYou do have such great maganizes on your supermarkets' shelves!
ReplyDeletexxx