Arrowood has a problem. It isn't the fact that his sister has returned. Nope. It isn't the fact that his wife left - his fault that. It isn't that the beer has gone off.

It is Sherlock Bloody Holmes.

Finlay's book is about the anti-Holmes and Watson. Not bad guys, no, but the ones who handle those cases that are not classy enough for Holmes. Along the way, Finlay also subtley digs at Watson's martial status.

Overall the book is good. The mystery is a bit wrapped up in a bow, if you know what I mean, but the characters are engaging, and Finlay nails the period. He also puts in commentary about Holmes, and quite frankly, I think he should get a bonus for the whole riff about Adler because honesty, after what Moffat did with her, I so needed that.

This seemed to be the most referenced book in Stoned by Aja Raden. So I picked it up from the library as well. I'm glad I read Stoned first. I liked Raden's style of writing more than Finlay's.

Jewels is an interesting read too, I just found it a little dry. Also I wish the book had footnotes rather than notes at the back. It was annoying to have to keep flipping back and forth while reading.

This novel takes place after a previous one and follows on with the plot – which is a little tricky if you haven't read the previous one - like me. There is an explanation to some extent of what has come before but it emerges as the book proceeds.

Robert Finlay is an ex-SAS operative now in the police force and having recently survived an attempt on his life. He is assigned to a sex trafficking unit but his previous experiences also come into play. This book includes action from both the SAS/MI5/MI6 world and from the police environment. It's quite a page-turner, exciting and engaging. However I feel that this will lead into another book and I prefer my thrillers to be stand-alone unless I know in advance that I am looking at a series. Recommended to all fans of both genres.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

v

Having studied art history, I was somewhat familiar with the history of the use and symbology of color, but I knew little about the historical and social origins of each color. This book has contributed to filling that gap in my education. It is a history of colours organised around colours instead of following a chronological order, which contributes to the fleshing out of each color in a way that prevents them from “blending” into another (pun intended).

Written with a younger audience in mind, this book would probably be at home in an art class for teens. It is informative, captivating and easy to read. It is also lavishly illustrated with works of art and supporting materials. The stories are presented in such a way that it read like the best History books: as a succession of fascinating stories about Human ingenuity.

It will certainly influence the way I look at colours (in art and elsewhere) from now on.

Note: I got this book for review purposes through NetGalley.