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Milleen (47 KP) rated The Empress Of Ice Cream in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)
This was published back in 2010 but I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical novels or gourmet food. This is a gastronomic romp through history. Based on the real-life of Louise De Karouelle, who went from Louis XIV French court at Versailles to 'keep company' with the British King, Charles II. An Italian chef, Carlo Dimirco, is sent to tempt the Royal British taste-buds with ices, sorbets, cordials and ice creams. His observations about the royal household, experiments in the ice house and the addition of extracts from 'The Book of Ices' balance Louise's view of her life. You'll come away with a dozen summer recipes and a good knowledge of a woman who is distantly related to both Princess Diana and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.
Pathlands: 21 Tranquil Walks Among the Villages of Britain
Book
'When we walk, we walk through two landscapes: an exterior land of trees, seas, cities, mountains...
Paul Atterbury's Favourite Railway Journeys
Book
Paul Atterbury shares a wealth of memories and stories about the many railway journeys he has taken...
In a Cottage In a Wood
6.3
Rate It
Book
A strange encounter Neve comes across a troubled woman called Isabelle on Waterloo Bridge late one...
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Paranormal Cornwall in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<b>3 Stars</b>
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/sXx2zjN.gif"; width="200" height="160"/>
There is just so much information packed into this gem, I was entertained, I was interested and I was definitely fascinated...to an extent.
I love to read about the paranormal, especially when it's to do with where I'm from and have lived all of my life; Cornwall really is a beautiful and mysterious place.
This book features many different locations in Cornwall which are thought to be haunted as well as different types of myths and legends. One of the locations I have visited myself, which is Pengersick Castle, is where I have personally experienced some paranormal activity. I would definitely like to return for a second visit so if you get the chance to go it is definitely worth it.
On first glance this book is beautifully presented with a thought provoking front cover and glossy pages which are a pleasure to read.
<b>Then why 3 stars you ask?</b>
When I was reading this book I came across many spelling and grammar errors, I know that's probably really fussy of me but when you encounter these errors constantly then it does effect the enjoyment of a book. The layout didn't turn out too great either in my opinion. On one hand the photographs are great, however, they weren't very well positioned within the book...I was reading about one location but underneath there was a photo about something completely different, this became quite confusing after a while.
I removed 2 stars instead of 1 as due to errors and image misplacement I ended up not enjoying this book, however, I believe it's worth reading for some of the information.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/sXx2zjN.gif"; width="200" height="160"/>
There is just so much information packed into this gem, I was entertained, I was interested and I was definitely fascinated...to an extent.
I love to read about the paranormal, especially when it's to do with where I'm from and have lived all of my life; Cornwall really is a beautiful and mysterious place.
This book features many different locations in Cornwall which are thought to be haunted as well as different types of myths and legends. One of the locations I have visited myself, which is Pengersick Castle, is where I have personally experienced some paranormal activity. I would definitely like to return for a second visit so if you get the chance to go it is definitely worth it.
On first glance this book is beautifully presented with a thought provoking front cover and glossy pages which are a pleasure to read.
<b>Then why 3 stars you ask?</b>
When I was reading this book I came across many spelling and grammar errors, I know that's probably really fussy of me but when you encounter these errors constantly then it does effect the enjoyment of a book. The layout didn't turn out too great either in my opinion. On one hand the photographs are great, however, they weren't very well positioned within the book...I was reading about one location but underneath there was a photo about something completely different, this became quite confusing after a while.
I removed 2 stars instead of 1 as due to errors and image misplacement I ended up not enjoying this book, however, I believe it's worth reading for some of the information.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Golden Rule in Books
Jun 3, 2021
I really enjoyed The Golden Rule, and I was intrigued as to how it was going to link to Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train AND Beauty and the Beast. Well, the first of those was obvious. Hannah, whilst travelling to Cornwall to see her terminally ill mother, is convinced by a woman in First Class to sit with her and drink a bottle of wine. Whilst drinking, they swap stories of their terrible husbands (and Hannah’s husband really does come across as an abusive and thoroughly unpleasant person), and Hannah’s fellow traveller, Jinni, comes up with the idea that they should kill each other’s husbands. Two problems would be solved. Now this is the part of the book that made me pick it up in the first place. After all - how intriguing is this idea? Could Hannah trust that a complete stranger would stick to her side of the bargain? And what’s more, Hannah seems so nice - could she kill a complete stranger? Well. That was ME hooked!
This is a novel that not only looks at abusive partners and the effects their behaviours have on those around them, but also brings in such topics as Brexit, and why certain regions in the UK (i.e. Cornwall) voted for it, when it was clear that they’d get nothing out of it. It looks at poverty in London and the South West, and how the rich seem to asset strip the poor areas of the country even more, even under the pretence that they’re adding value. It’s about how a person can reinvent themselves despite the hurdles put in front of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and finished the last page feeling as though I’d just read a really good, satisfying book. I’d most definitely recommend it!
This is a novel that not only looks at abusive partners and the effects their behaviours have on those around them, but also brings in such topics as Brexit, and why certain regions in the UK (i.e. Cornwall) voted for it, when it was clear that they’d get nothing out of it. It looks at poverty in London and the South West, and how the rich seem to asset strip the poor areas of the country even more, even under the pretence that they’re adding value. It’s about how a person can reinvent themselves despite the hurdles put in front of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and finished the last page feeling as though I’d just read a really good, satisfying book. I’d most definitely recommend it!
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Key in the Lock in Books
Feb 22, 2022
The Key In The Lock is an atmospheric, slow burner of a historic mystery - and it’s full of what I love in a book. You know that there’s a specific end in sight: that of the cause of the fire at the Great House and how exactly the grandson of the master of the house died.
Along the way, we meet Ivy, the local doctor’s daughter, who helps out at the house after the fire, and falls in love with Edward, his son. Something happens, though, and we see her in the future mourning her son’s death - her son with Boscawen the Coroner, NOT Edward.
The story is told in flashbacks to Ivy’s youth and the fire. The impact of the fire is still felt in the present for Ivy, her husband and all those involved. Ivy’s chance contact with Edward makes her feel that she can find out exactly how her son died, and how the fire started at Polneath. Edward is only too happy to help her find out more information about her son. But is he reliable?
The descriptions of Cornwall and London are such that I had no problem with building the pictures of the places in my head: the dourness of Polneath, a place that seemed unhappy even before the fire. The busyness of the town and of London, the beauty of the village (it made me want to go on holiday to Cornwall!!).
I felt so sad for Ivy, especially when she finds out the truth.
This is an elegantly told story, that made me think more than once of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It had me gripped throughout. I loved it. Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising another great book.
Along the way, we meet Ivy, the local doctor’s daughter, who helps out at the house after the fire, and falls in love with Edward, his son. Something happens, though, and we see her in the future mourning her son’s death - her son with Boscawen the Coroner, NOT Edward.
The story is told in flashbacks to Ivy’s youth and the fire. The impact of the fire is still felt in the present for Ivy, her husband and all those involved. Ivy’s chance contact with Edward makes her feel that she can find out exactly how her son died, and how the fire started at Polneath. Edward is only too happy to help her find out more information about her son. But is he reliable?
The descriptions of Cornwall and London are such that I had no problem with building the pictures of the places in my head: the dourness of Polneath, a place that seemed unhappy even before the fire. The busyness of the town and of London, the beauty of the village (it made me want to go on holiday to Cornwall!!).
I felt so sad for Ivy, especially when she finds out the truth.
This is an elegantly told story, that made me think more than once of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It had me gripped throughout. I loved it. Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising another great book.
Britain's Greatest Cycling Climbs
Book
Comprising a total of 525 ascents from the tip of Cornwall all the way up to the highlands of...
The GWR Handbook: The Great Western Railway 1923-47
Book
For many the GWR was synonymous with holidays by the sea in the West Country, but it was built to...
Celtic Myth Podshow
Podcast
The Celtic Myth Podshow will tell you ancient tales, stories, legends, folklore and mythology of...