There's always a welter of newspaper articles about best book of the year around now - for me the best new book I've read is Ami McKay's Virgin Cure but there has been a huge amount of dross. Unless you like heaving bosoms and badly written mild porn (50 Shades Of Cliché), pickings have been poor.
So then, let's return to an old master, Ross Thomas. I've recently reread a few of his, including Chinaman's Chance.
Wishing everyone who's kind enough to read this blog a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year.
I am not pleased! I go to Brussels for a few days - for vital EU business, not for a bit of pre-Christmas duty free shopping, as a few have churlishly commented. Sam may well pick up some Ferrero Rocher at the airport but that's none of your damn business. I don't send people to count the mince pies in your shopping bag (well, I do if you're on benefits but that's by the by).