Review: The Teacher

The Teacher by Katerina Diamond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good debut novel and as the blurb states "not for the faint hearted". A teacher apparently commits suicide. Other deaths follow and DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles are on the case. Switiching between points of view and time frames it's a little bit tricky to follow at first.

The killer is systematically working their way through a group that tortured young boys but initially it's hard for the police to join the dots. As they begin to make progress they also uncover police corruption leading to a tense climax.

Definitely graphic at times but a well woven plot and 3D characters.

View all my reviews

Friday's Fave Five 10/3/17

 

It's Friday Saturday so it's past time to join Suzanne for Friday's Fave Five. Click here for full details.

Well I'm a day late but considering I missed last week completely that's an improvement.  I didn't blog much at all last week as I've had a bad back.  I managed to pull something somehow and could hardly move from Thursday to Sunday but it has gradually eased over the week so I'm digging hard to find some blessings for this week:

 

1)  My back has improved over the week.  It's not 100% OK yet but sooo much better than last weekend and there was also progress with my knee - had my first physio appointment on Monday and was reassured that although the kneecap tendon is inflamed the joint is ok.  I have exercises to do before next appointment but nothing load bearing.  No cycling, no jogging nothing that involves jumping.  I can live with that!  Walking is ok though. 

2)  Grateful not to have to work - the current issues would have made that difficult.

 

3)  Hubby made some progress in the room we're decorating.  I made a good start on it - got the ceiling done and the first coat of paint on the walls and then my  back went.  (Not from doing the decorating - I think I just stretched awkwardly during a coughing fit!)  It was frustrating not being able to get on with the decorating but hubby had all this week off and got the second coat on the walls.  Hopefully next week I can get the woodwork done.

 

4)  Coffee with friends.  One of our friends recently lost her husband.  He was diagnosed with cancer last autumn and underwent chemo but unfortunately it spread and he died 2 weeks ago.  Our regular get togethers have been a bit haphazard while he was ill but we managed to get together on Thursday just for coffee and cake.  It was good to get our friend out and just do something normal.

 

5)  The get together with friends also involved some walking on what was a really nice spring day.

 

 

Not a bad week really - I've had lots of time for reading and knitting.  Haven't felt much like blogging as it's all been a bit frustrating.  So many things I want to get done and my body says No! lol  

 

Have a good weekend all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 8/3/17

Today we celebrate the 300th edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge with a lovely new image.  Congratulations to our host Joyce who blogs at:  From this side of the pond

Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the list.

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing? 
I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist in anything but I’m old fashioned in that I hate using text speak or being sloppy in written exchanges.  I don’t see that as a bad thing.
2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous? 
The way the greeting card industry has latched on to occasions to make them real money makers.  The commercialism is definitely ridiculous – I particularly object to what seems to be a new craze – gender reveal parties with balloons, confetti etc.  Whatever happened to waiting until the baby was born?  (And yes I do know that my future grandchild is a boy but that came by way of a phone call, no bells, whistles or any other nonsense.)
3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?
Knitting.  Although my current project is really testing me.  I’ve unravelled several times already.
4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast? 
The full works:  cereal, followed by egg, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, hash brown and sausage with toast, followed by croissants/Danish pastries.  Preferably in a hotel so that neither hubby nor I get the washing up to do!
5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.
Hard to decide.  We’ve had some good trips including a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords and of course our trip to the US in 2014 was pretty special but that was combined with our son’s wedding which was of course perfect but then so were our other children’s weddings.  All different but all perfect.  (Of course nothing is ever 100% but knowing all of them were happy was the important thing.)
6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close? 

Motivation without mobilization means only frustration     Nido Qubein

I pulled my back last week so I’ve not been able to get on with things as I’d like.  It’s a lot better than it was, much less painful, but it is limiting what I can do.
7. How would you spend $300 today? 
If I had a windfall of $300 I would probably arrange a family meal at a nice restaurant.  I’m not particularly in need of anything and I’m not great at spending money just on myself.
8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
Has anyone seen my blogging mojo?  It seems to have gone missing!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at

From this side of the pond

Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the list.

1. 'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time this was true in your own life. 

I find as I’ve got older that I try and pace myself more.  I can’t keep going the same way I used to so if I’m working on a project at home or just trying to get chores done I make sure I take breaks.

2. 'As slow as molasses'...Do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favourite of the slow moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favourite food made with that sweet treat?  

Not a molasses fan but I like the other 3.  Caramel would be my favourite and I love banoffee pie made with caramel sauce.

3. Your favourite slow song? 

Impossible to pick just one but I’m definitely a fan of Lionel Richie when it comes to slow songs.

4. Your favourite thing to make in a slow cooker or crock pot? 

A tasty coq au vin.

5. 'You may delay, but time will not.' ~Benjamin Franklin Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?
Well I’ve spoken many times about how good I am at procrastinating but I’ve started decorating our second spare bedroom and although I’m not hurrying I’m moving in the right direction.

6. Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.
Checkout queues in the supermarket.  The internet at times.  Service in restaurants.  But since I’ve been at home and have more time I find waiting less annoying than I used to.
7. March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us about something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'd like to try or wish you had the skill to make happen. 

I like to think I’m crafty.  I’m currently working on a knitting project.  I hope that once I’ve got the spare room decorated I’ll be able to do more sewing as I’m going to move my sewing machine into there.  It’s currently getting more use as a table in our bedroom.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’d already deleted a few games such as Candy Crush from my iPad but today I deleted all the other time wasting games.  That’s Lent sorted out hopefully.  When time is your own it’s very easy to fritter it away.

Thanks to all those who offered to pray for my brother.  No update yet but your support is appreciated.