A CHRISTMAS LIST

I’ve been told that people like a list. I know I do. I write a Things To Do list each day and enjoy crossing the items off as the day progresses; the more demanding the task the more vigorous the crossing off. The red pen works hard some days.

So, with that in mind here’s a selection of lists with a festive theme.

First up is my list of suggested book presents.

A) Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. No relation. Because it’s a tale of forbidden first love, but lauded by some many critics, at least one must be right

B) The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown. Because if Harlan Coben thinks he’s a must reads, that’s good enough for me. Langdon and Prague sound like a great combination, plus the cover features the famous astrological clock in the Staro Mestske, so every time you pick the book up, you’ll be whisked away to the old town.  

C)   The Winter of our Discontent by John Steinbeck. Because it’s always good to keep the brain ticking over and this is another great Steinbeck novel filled with wonderful characters.  he creates. The plot is basically a discussion of life choices; is it best to be good and struggle on or is it ok to cheat and duck and dive a bit to get by.  

D) Fawlty Towers -The Fawlts by John Cleeese. Because I saw him recently on his tour and he was hilarious. A bit down on the BBC but funny nonetheless and we all need some humour at Xmas.

Next is a list of what each of the leading characters in my Inspector Bee would be hoping to get from the office Secret Santa.

Scott Bee - some underground newly discovered Springsteen material - he always wants the impossible

Ron McTierney - whisky miniature(s) - he knows there’s a £10 limit on gifts, so he won’t get a big bottle but a small one that is not too much to ask for, is it?

Fran Itzkowitz - something edible, preferably chocolate - everyone gives chocolate at Xmas so surely that should be easy.

Lisa Springfield - an escape from the boredom of rural life. A day trip to Paris would be heaven but that’s too much, but maybe London. Okay it’s expensive and would break the rules but her team seems to break the rules every damn day so why not today.

Carol - some time alone with Inspector Bee when he doesn’t talk about police work - okay that never happens but it is the season for miracles!

Following quickly on from that, here’s a final list of the books I’m hoping to receive

A) How to make your lead detective sound clever

B) How to name a villain without sounding like a Saturday morning cartoon.

C) If Santa ran a detective agency

However, you spend your Christmas, whether it’s with a good book or in front of the tele, I wish you a peaceful and joyous few days.

Today’s musical selection is I believe in Father Christmas, a 1975 on the face of it a delightful combination of modern and classical music - it draws heavily on Prokofiev’s Troika. But underneath it’s a story of disillusionment at the commercialisation of Christmas. If he felt like that in 1975, goodness knows how he would feel today if still alive.