Our trip to the theatre on Monday night was a painful experience, only saved by a mad dash for the exit at the interval. It was supposed to be comedy and music around the theme of science and space. However, the comedians were not funny and the musicians could not sing. As Dave said, the only reaons for coming back for the second half would have been to see how many other people gave up when we did!
I bought The Last Days of Newgate by Andrew Pepper on the same day as The Railway Detective, since they are both Victorian-set police novels. However, Pyke, the Bow Street Runner who stars in Newgate, turned out to be essentially the anti-Colbeck - a criminal himself, who resorts to violence as the way to solve most problems, has many unpleasant characteristics, and consorts with lowlifes. The book itself was sensationalist and quite nasty - probably much more realistic than The Railway Detective, but not nearly as much fun. I persevered until Pyke did something utterly idiotic purely because the result would provide more action and excitement than the sensible course, and then I gave up. I think I shall return to the world of Detective Inspector Colbeck, where everything is civilised and orderly.
I bought The Last Days of Newgate by Andrew Pepper on the same day as The Railway Detective, since they are both Victorian-set police novels. However, Pyke, the Bow Street Runner who stars in Newgate, turned out to be essentially the anti-Colbeck - a criminal himself, who resorts to violence as the way to solve most problems, has many unpleasant characteristics, and consorts with lowlifes. The book itself was sensationalist and quite nasty - probably much more realistic than The Railway Detective, but not nearly as much fun. I persevered until Pyke did something utterly idiotic purely because the result would provide more action and excitement than the sensible course, and then I gave up. I think I shall return to the world of Detective Inspector Colbeck, where everything is civilised and orderly.