I don’t usually find time for novels, but I’m enjoying Quintin Jardine‘s two crime series at the moment. Having tracked down a copy of his first book, Skinner’s Rules, I’m two-thirds of the way through and it’s been enjoyable so far – humorous, not too dark, enough mystery to maintain interest. I’ve already read the second but I’m now aiming to read them in order. After this one, I need to choose between the third Skinner book or the new Oz Blackstone novel.

Many of the novels are set in Edinburgh which is helpfully expanding my knowledge of the city. Last night, on the way to a pub rendez-vous, I went via the sites of the first two (fictional) murders, Advocates’ Close and Jackson’s Close. Such are the trivial little things that entertain me…