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Tuesday 2 July 2013

From Weymouth

Also in Tilley's this morning were two lovely old friends who were looking forward to calling in at the shop.

Sue and Mervyn Gale, having traveled all the way up from Weymouth, were disappointed to find the bookshop had closed.

Nice to see you again folks. Coffee's on its way.


Tuesday at Tilley's

On most Tuesday mornings, about 11am, you may find some of the Cotswold Bookstore staff having coffee and giggles at Tilley's, next door to the shop.


Here is a shop regular, Linda, Nina (the boss) and David.


Here is John who seems to be of interest of all, even the guy outside, Tony with a mad grin and Dee, that's Nina's lovely Mum. Of course Nina's Dad was behind the camera.

Monday 1 July 2013

The Second Life of Amy Archer



Sorry, no image yet as this book is not released till July 17th. However, as the author lives quite close, I scrounged a proof from him and here are my thoughts.

The Second Life of Amy Archer by RS Pateman.
Hardback at £18.99. Large format paperback at £12.99

The central character in this most unusual psychological thriller is a young woman, Beth, whose daughter was snatched from a playground ten years before the novel starts. Beth has never recovered from her loss and the event and her reaction ends her marriage. She sufferers from bouts of depression relieved only by a hope that she can contact Amy through a medium. Then, Amy turns up on her doorstep, looking no older than when she disappeared. Is this a con or reincarnation?
   This tale  is remarkable both for its quality and the for the convincing voice of a woman in turmoil  for the author is male. Beth continually flips between mistrust and belief, between despair and elation and her tale will keep you guessing up to and beyond the last page and, I’m certain, will cause heated discussions in book groups across the land.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Rebecca Tope Signing

Just because our shop has closed it doesn't mean that Rebecca Tope will turn her back on The Cotswolds.

In fact, she will be signing her latest Thea Osborne book, (set in Winchcombe) at The Borzoi Bookshop in Stow-on-the-Wold on Saturday 30th March at 11am.

As well as launching her new hardback, Shadow in the Cotswolds, her latest paperback, Malice in the Cotswolds, will also be available.

I'll be there and perhaps Nina and David may make it too, but don't let that put you off!




If you are new to Rebecca, give her site a look - http://www.rebeccatope.com/ 

Monday 11 March 2013

Blog back on Air

OK We're back in the driving seat now. After a slow re-assembly of the computer and peripherals (small choux pastry balls filled with cream and topped with chocolate) we're now back in charge of the blog.

So here's our first review for a while -


A Game of Thrones: by George R.R. Martin
Paperback at £8.99

With a link to the history of fourteenth century Europe and perhaps our own 'Wars of the Roses', this sprawling epic is just the start of a huge and gripping saga. This first book runs to 800 pages (what value!) and describes the lives of Kings and Princes, knights and traitors, as various families vie to rule the land. There are few men of honour, in these pages. Everyone plots to satisfy their own ambitions. Perhaps everyone, that is, but Eddard Stark, called away from his family to virtually rule while the King enjoys the hunt and too much wine. However, there is a suspicion of murder at court and, at the King's death, Eddard must take command only to find that he can trust no one. As his control slips, the country spirals into war. I was soon gripped by the lives of the vast list of characters as they dance around each other. You'll soon find your favourites among them, some of them are very amusing, and there are plenty to hiss and boo as the plot develops. The non-stop action, secrets, plots and battles spread across a brilliantly imagined landscape rush you to the last page. Much better than the TV series starring Sean Bean as Stark, this is superb. I've already rushed to the next in the series, A Clash of Kings, which I'm enjoying just as much. 

I know it's an oldie but for years I've read for the shop while my favourite authors output piled up in the 'library'. (Large box under the bed!)

Saturday 26 January 2013

More from Peter Gibbs

Those of you who bought (and for certain enjoyed) the excellent cricket novel, Settling the Score by Peter Gibbs, might be interested in Arthur's Hallowed Ground starring Jimmy Jewel which is one of Peter's most enjoyable plays.

It's on Film 4 at 15.20 - short notice this but I've just spotted it. There's always I-player.


Monday 14 January 2013

Father Brown - Mark Williams

Hits from all over from folk looking up Father Brown after today's first screening. I thought it most enjoyable.

Good to see Mark Williams on top form and various Cotswold villages in the sunshine.

The former was expected but however did they manage the latter in the wet and miserable summer, just past.


Despite the shop having been closed for two weeks now, we still receive requests for copies of Justin Thyme and Thyme Running Out. I have my own store of 'em!

I will endevour to put something on our blog, now and again

Saturday 5 January 2013

Schools - WBD freebies

Calling local schools.

There's not much time as we're clearing the premises at Cotswold Bookstore, quite quickly.

However, we do have boxes of  World Book Day books stored up over the past 10 years.

They were given away in exchange for a token or there was a price of £1.00 on them.

Free to schools for library or small prizes.

Please give us a ring on 01608 652666 if you think you can use them.

Friday 4 January 2013

Happy New Year

A belated Happy New Year to you all.

There's a few books that I've enjoyed recently and, when I can make the time, I'll knock up my thoughts on them.

Of course, if you like the sound of them, you'll have to go to The Borzoi Bookshop in Stow or Jaffe and Neale in Chipping Norton for them. We're fresh out of books.*

The poor old shop really looks a wreck as we've been busy fetching down years of accumulated junk from upstairs and either getting folks to take it away or piling it in the skip outside.

Someone wanted the scrap wood but we cannot remember who that was. If you know - get in touch.

The same applies for our large rug. Someone asked for it but who?

Lots of kind people still arrive to tell us how sorry they are to see us closed. It would have been great if someone had taken over but it's not that kind of world any longer. Sad.

(* Might have a few Justin Thyme's around the place somewhere)