Plautius should have asked the fascinating witches who put the scintilating stiches in the britches of the boys who put the powder on the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus, who had just passed by.
Can't fault "The Moonstone". Found "The Woman in White" a bit harder. And I think her 'inner strength' was in place long before the rape. WQ - try Geoffry Archer - much better.
Know what you mean about the perv thing. What I mean is that I'm very easily put off by recommendations. Anything that's Booker Prize or, God forbid, Richard & Judy approved is the kiss of death for me. Larsson was so lauded that I avoided him for ages and was pleasantly surprised. Can't tell you how disappointing "The King's Speech" was when I saw it - for the same reasons.
No sympathy - I did scoff at the time. Having finally paid my library fine last weekend, I've gone a bit mad. In the last 10 days I've read: "Toast" - bit of a bitch our Nigel "The Winter Ghosts" - absolute drivel "Cider with Rosie" - charming and perceptive all three Larssons - hype justifiable; "Trust Me I'm a Junior Doctor" - funny and poignant "An Empty Death" - makes Kate Mosse look erudite "Don't tell Alfred" - delightful puff, makes one hanker after hats and gloves the last two "Joshua Files" - pretty good (teen stuff so don't bother unless you are weird like me) "The Woodcutter" - bloody brilliant and am currently enjoying "The Complaints" - juicy non-Rebus cop stuff.