Walking Forward, Looking Back: A District Nurse's Life Journey
Book
The book tells the story of a retired district nurse and midwife reflecting on her life whilst...
Plot 29: A Memoir
Book
'When I am disturbed, even angry, gardening has been a therapy. When I don't want to talk I turn to...
Art for the Ear: Forty Years of Illustration for BBC Radio Publications
Book
For much of the period from the 1920s to the 1960s the BBC not only dominated broadcasting, but...
Cook's Camden: The Making of Modern Housing: 2018
Book
The housing projects built in Camden in the 1960s and 1970s when Sydney Cook was borough architect...
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Death of an Old Girl in Books
Sep 19, 2018
The body of an 'old girl' is found in the art room after the annual reunion ('Festival') of the Old Girls. Beatrice Baynes had remained near her old school, living within walking distance, and had a reputation of being a busy body - and quite unpleasant with it. When her body is found, Scotland Yard send Inspector Pollard and Sergeant Toye to solve the murder.
I've read quite a few police procedurals recently, and the modern version can be gritty, violent and very graphic. This isn't any of those things. I do assume that it portrays the way in which murders were investigated back then quite well (I'd have to ask my Dad. He was in the Met Police in London in the 1960s, 70s and 80s!). Although I'm pretty sure that the investigating officers weren't all as pleasant as Pollard and Toye.
I loved all the old language ("frocks" for one!) and attitudes, even if they were very old fashioned. It's just so different to what's on offer now.
Well worth a read - and it's interesting to note that the Pollard and Toye series consisted of something like 19 books! Lots to be getting on with!
Still with the Music: My Autobiography
Book
Music is a language that speaks to us all. But the music of Sir Karl Jenkins transcends boundaries...