Today I am reviewing a book that I predict will feature on my books of the year post for 2024. If you know of a bigger spoiler then let me know! But first let's rewind to the weekend. We enjoyed a chilled Saturday celebrating our move to our home in North Yorkshire by enjoying a pootle round our local town. This did include a visit to Waterstones, a coffee and a cake. I was allowed to buy a book as I am seeking the final #12booksofchristmas book. I am pleased to report, I think I have found it! We celebrated with a takeaway, Strictly and lots of cuddles with Hattie. It was heaven.

Read my 2021 Review of the Year Post

Read my 2023 Review of the Year post.

On Sunday I travelled to Wentworth Garden Centre near Sheffield. Each year, my three girlfriends and I head to the Garden centre for a catch-up and a shop of all things Christmas. The Garden centre is brilliant with lots to see and do, and we started off with yet more coffee and a cake before heading into the gift shop. I picked out my advent calendar and some figurines for our Christmas Village. I am close to capacity in the village which has come a long way since the 2 small houses I started with. I am sure we are now contravening several planning rules, but it looks lovely when it is all set out. I picked up an advent calendar and this year's decoration for the tree. It was a perfect weekend in wonderful autumnal weather and I ended the weekend tired, but full of Christmas cheer.

Have you see that the BBC's Between the Covers series is back? This year as well as BYOB (Bring your own book) there is a discussion of a new release. It is all available on the BBC iPlayer and is a very comforting programme.

Now, I am sure many of you who frequent bookshops, supermarkets or shop online, have probably spotted the latest release from the wonderful Richard Osman. Osman is the author of the very successful Thursday Murder Club series, which he is taking a small break from writing to pen We Solve Murders. I will admit to feeling a little trepidation. How would this fare against the brilliant Thursday Murder Club. I am delighted to report very well, very well indeed.

Steve Wheeler is retired, but picks up work as a private investigator. He likes his routines, does not like travelling, and has a cat waiting for him at home. His daughter-in-law, Amy works in private security and enjoys the adrenaline and travel that the job brings, and is currently on assignment to protect author Rosie D'Antonio. But then a number of murders take place featuring influencers, bags of money and the mysterious and terrifying Francois Loubet. As a threat is made to Amy's life, Steve goes to help and what follows is a jaunt around the world being pursued by some very dubious people indeed.

Well this is terrific. I did not think Mr Osman would ever be able to top The Thursday Murder Club, but by jove he has only gone and done it. The story is great fun, glamorous locations, well-written characters and it made me laugh out loud. Without a doubt, my favourite character was Rosie, who had clearly gotten to the time of her life where she did not really give a stuff about what people thought.

The mystery of Loubet's identity is involving, and I suspected just about every character in the book and probably Mr Osman himself! This is another enjoyable novel, and I do hope that there is more to come.

So, my dears, if you are wanting a gentle read with a great plot which is a lot of fun, then you would do very well with this. It is a 5 star read from me, and one which you will see me talk about again at the end of the year.