Speaking of long-ago books, did anyone ever read any of the Berry series? So very determinedly an example of their time, and so hilarious. I literally wore out the one where they built a concrete house on a mountainside, and to this day I mentally blame them for my interest in off-the-beaten-path architecture. I also have a tendency to recall their incident with the bear in the woods when I'm hiking and come across blackened stumps. For some reason it makes other hikers nervous when an old lady sees the humpy remains of a lightening-struck stump and begins to guffaw. And memory so often is feline, disappearing when most wanted. I have a poor memory for authors and it's worse for titles, but let me read the first page and --if I've read it before-- I can give you a summary of the contents. I have boxes of books in the attic, waiting for me to forget their existence. I went up the other day and rummaged through a few of the dustiest boxes, and discovered that while I couldn't quote word for word, I still remember the full story line and characterizations of most of them. I guess I'll let them rest undisturbed for another decade or so. A vineyard of books, may not become champagne but hopefully will age into a delightful rosé.

Thank you. This thread has kept me from the gardening and a possible bee sting. I see many old favorites and more exciting, new authors to try. One of my favorites not listed is Robert Van Gulik, Dutch, world reknown expert on China, son of a diplomat I believe and wrote about Judge Dee in the Tang dynasty. Warning, one book has descriptive scene - 'drawn & quartered' for a mean malevolent being. Was Nevada Barr mentioned? Her lonely ranger, Anna Pigeon, works in the natl. parks. Rarely have physical locales' descriptions stayed with me as strongly. I can still go back to the depths of Lake Superior or the Anasazi cliff dwellings. Perhaps a bit on the dark side.

Timallan, be warned that Patricia WentworthâÂÂs books vary widely in quality. Some are frankly dreadful. Ngaio Marsh also wrote a handful of not-so-good books. IâÂÂve read all of her Alleyn mysteries and my absolute least favourite of the lot was Spinsters in Jeopardy, with Black as He's Painted (by some reckoned to be among her best) a close second.. Josephine Tey was a good, good writer. I especially liked The Franchise Affair and To Love and Be Wise. You might want to consider adding Georgette Heyer to your list. Her mysteries are generally not on par with Christie and Sayers - the plots tend either to be ridiculous or overly convoluted - but she writes great characters and dialogue.

I apologizes if I have been a little rude, may be, I should have written "I have to dissent" Instead of " I must", but the fact is, that I know badly one language, my own (Italian) and I know a few words of another one (English) besides I forgot to say that, when I read The da Vinci Code, I, like Cindy, enjoied it , but it was clear to me that....ok Cindy has already said the same thing I want to say it was a page turner for me. I think it was towards the end when things got too convuluted that I screamed 'enough'. I was surprised that it took such a hold. And very surprised how many people read this as non fiction. Anyway I want also back Woodnynph2 advice about Tim Parks, he is a really good judge of Italian behaviour, I've only read his non fiction books, because his novels are a little too intelectual for my poor education grelobe p.s. of course one Brown's book...is enough Here is a link that might be useful: Tim Parks non fiction books and other