Clothes in Books
@clothesinbooks.bsky.social
I am screaming out loud all the time I write which takes off my attention rather and I hope will excuse mistakes. Moira Redmond in another life
Blog at https://clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/
Blog at https://clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/
Pinned
Nothing says fun holiday outing like a visit to a dead poet's grave
Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, a lost novel from 1940, full of interest. She was one of the inspos for Cold Comfort Farm, this excerpt pre-empts a Love Actually storyline, and we have a bridgecoat used as a bedjacket - could it BE more Clothes in Books?
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/fest...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/fest...
Festive Cheer: Her Heart felt as cold as her hands…
We’re into December, so it’s time for the annual Clothes in Books project of Christmas in Books – seasonal scenes from random books, for n...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, a lost novel from 1940, full of interest. She was one of the inspos for Cold Comfort Farm, this excerpt pre-empts a Love Actually storyline, and we have a bridgecoat used as a bedjacket - could it BE more Clothes in Books?
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/fest...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/fest...
December! So I've begun the usual Christmas in Books trope - and the first entry is the new book by Martin Edwards, author Miss Winter in the Library with a knife. Great book, and one that would make a great present clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
The snow-bound village…. and a Christmas-y Mystery
We’re into December, so it’s time for the annual Clothes in Books trope of Christmas in Books – seasonal scenes from random books, for no be...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:17 PM
December! So I've begun the usual Christmas in Books trope - and the first entry is the new book by Martin Edwards, author Miss Winter in the Library with a knife. Great book, and one that would make a great present clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
More on theatrical mysteries, and death on stage when the props go wrong during a 1930s musical. And wouldn't we all like to see the Rough Riff Ruffian Rag? Quick Curtain by Alan Melville, and I am very pleased with the pics I found.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/deat...
Death by Theatre: Quick Curtain by Alan Melville
Quick Curtain by Alan Melville published 1934 We have been having quite the discussion here on people being killed on stage by w...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:36 AM
More on theatrical mysteries, and death on stage when the props go wrong during a 1930s musical. And wouldn't we all like to see the Rough Riff Ruffian Rag? Quick Curtain by Alan Melville, and I am very pleased with the pics I found.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/deat...
I like a Patricia Moyes vintage mystery now and again, but sometimes she takes up a subject that I find uninteresting. In the case of Sunken Sailor, it is..... sailing clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/how-...
How boring is sailing?
The Sunken Sailor by Patricia Moyes aka Down Among the Dead Men (in USA) published 1961 This was the second of Patricia Moye...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I like a Patricia Moyes vintage mystery now and again, but sometimes she takes up a subject that I find uninteresting. In the case of Sunken Sailor, it is..... sailing clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/how-...
After looking at theatrical mysteries, time to revisit Ngaio Marsh's Vintage Murder, where the victim is hit on the head with a bottle of champagne. The story itself has not improved with age... but there were points of interest & rather a good photo clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/thea...
Theatricals ahoy: Vintage Murder
Vintage Murder by Ngaio Marsh published 1937 After looking at theatrical mysteries last week, and reading all the erudite comments,...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
After looking at theatrical mysteries, time to revisit Ngaio Marsh's Vintage Murder, where the victim is hit on the head with a bottle of champagne. The story itself has not improved with age... but there were points of interest & rather a good photo clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/thea...
Mary Stewart and Eric Ambler - coming to the thriller genre from different directions, but they coincide sometimes. I've been reading My Brother Michael and The Schirmer Inheritance - both looking at post-WW2 Greece, both great. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/gree...
Greece, Ambler, Stewart
My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart published 1959 The Schirmer Inheritance by Eric Ambler published 1953 I recently posted on a roma...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Mary Stewart and Eric Ambler - coming to the thriller genre from different directions, but they coincide sometimes. I've been reading My Brother Michael and The Schirmer Inheritance - both looking at post-WW2 Greece, both great. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/gree...
The theatre can be a dangerous place, particularly if there are 'fake' weapons involved. There's a great new take on it (guillotine!), Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss - and I seized the opportunity to look at some other theatrical mysteries clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/thea...
Theatrical Murders, and a Trial in Three Acts
Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss published 2025 + many other theatrical books I have often mentioned how much I enjoy books with...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
The theatre can be a dangerous place, particularly if there are 'fake' weapons involved. There's a great new take on it (guillotine!), Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss - and I seized the opportunity to look at some other theatrical mysteries clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/thea...
A 1969 murders story, very traditional: Only a Matter of Time by VC Clinton Baddeley. small town, classical music festival, antiques, academic sleuth, Midsummer's Night Dream... it's all there So why did I want to rewrite it? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/only...
Only a Matter of Time by VC Clinton-Baddeley
Only a Matter of Time by VC Clinton-Baddeley published 1969 I had an unexpected reaction to this book: I wanted to rewrite it. VC Cl...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A 1969 murders story, very traditional: Only a Matter of Time by VC Clinton Baddeley. small town, classical music festival, antiques, academic sleuth, Midsummer's Night Dream... it's all there So why did I want to rewrite it? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/only...
Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means is a long-time favourite:: it contains the greatest metaphor in any book for the requirements of women’s shapes – an absolute spine chiller. And also the Schiaparelli dress the girls share clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/anot...
Another Challenge Pic, and The Girls of Slender Means
The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark published 1963 She lingered, shivering a little, but with an appealing grace, like a woun...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means is a long-time favourite:: it contains the greatest metaphor in any book for the requirements of women’s shapes – an absolute spine chiller. And also the Schiaparelli dress the girls share clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/anot...
As a by-product of recent books and discussions on the blog, we are now looking at books with a question mark in the title. Why Didn't they Ask Evans? Are you there God? It's me Margaret. Add some more to our list - or try answering a question.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
What are we on about? Do we have some questions?
The blog discussions came in waterfalls lately, fabulous chitchat below the line – modern cosmetics, would seed cake be nice, shou...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 AM
As a by-product of recent books and discussions on the blog, we are now looking at books with a question mark in the title. Why Didn't they Ask Evans? Are you there God? It's me Margaret. Add some more to our list - or try answering a question.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
A Gothic mystery in a Welsh castle, and a look at Undine and Patricia Wentworth. A very obscure crime book from 1931 - by the author of the Jill pony books clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/murd...
Murder, Gothic Castles and Undine
Death on Tiptoe by RC Ashby published 1931 (reprtinted 2007) The Listening Eye by Patricia Wentworth published 1955 When I saw ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A Gothic mystery in a Welsh castle, and a look at Undine and Patricia Wentworth. A very obscure crime book from 1931 - by the author of the Jill pony books clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/murd...
It is always a joy to revisit Adrian Mole, a hero for the ages - and even more so Pauline Mole, Cleopatra with a cig hanging out of her mouth, drink in hand. Mother Courage.
And we also have Pandora in a Janet Reger slip.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/adri...
And we also have Pandora in a Janet Reger slip.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/adri...
Adrian Mole and his mother
The Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend published 1982 The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend published...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It is always a joy to revisit Adrian Mole, a hero for the ages - and even more so Pauline Mole, Cleopatra with a cig hanging out of her mouth, drink in hand. Mother Courage.
And we also have Pandora in a Janet Reger slip.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/adri...
And we also have Pandora in a Janet Reger slip.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/adri...
Another Halloween entry - very different book but also Scottish. @catrionamcp.bsky.social Cartiona McPherson's Edinburgh Murders is second in a great new series - and the children's Halloween party is excellent. More apples, and also treacle scones clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/more...
More Halloween More Apples
In Place of Fear by Catriona McPherson published 2022 The Edinburgh Murders by Catriona McPherson published 2025 [ excerpt ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Another Halloween entry - very different book but also Scottish. @catrionamcp.bsky.social Cartiona McPherson's Edinburgh Murders is second in a great new series - and the children's Halloween party is excellent. More apples, and also treacle scones clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/more...
A Halloween-themed entry from 1920s author O Douglas - a most unnerving story, and what do you do with those apples in a tub of water? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-sp...
A Spooky Story for Halloween, and Apple Grabbing
The Proper Place by O Douglas published 1926 [ excerpt ] Dr. Kilgour had already drunk two large cups of tea, and was enormously...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A Halloween-themed entry from 1920s author O Douglas - a most unnerving story, and what do you do with those apples in a tub of water? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-sp...
New post on great clues in books, but also a mention for the fabulous discussion on Jane Austen's Emma on the blog - that's what the 5 stars are for clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/good...
Good Clues: Who is Simon Warwick? By Paricia Moyes
There has been a delay in offering a new blogpost because the last one - on Jane Austen's Emma - produced such a remarkable discussion...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New post on great clues in books, but also a mention for the fabulous discussion on Jane Austen's Emma on the blog - that's what the 5 stars are for clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/good...
I posted on Emma recently, and readers have produced an amazing discussion btl, more than 100 messages long, so if you want to read an incredible, funny erudite chat about seducers, court proceedings, Emma's advice, parents in JA - still room for more.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/grow...
Growing up with Jane Austen's Emma
Emma by Jane Austen published 1815 Earlier this year I wrote extensively about Jane Austen adaptations for the i newspaper ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I posted on Emma recently, and readers have produced an amazing discussion btl, more than 100 messages long, so if you want to read an incredible, funny erudite chat about seducers, court proceedings, Emma's advice, parents in JA - still room for more.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/grow...
I've read Jane Austen's Emma many times - most recently for my articles on JA adaptations. Great books change with us as we grow older. What was new to discover, and is it still my favourite? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/grow...
Growing up with Emma by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen published 1815 Earlier this year I wrote extensively about Jane Austen adaptations for the i newspaper ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I've read Jane Austen's Emma many times - most recently for my articles on JA adaptations. Great books change with us as we grow older. What was new to discover, and is it still my favourite? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/grow...
Nostalgic romantic thriller set in a Swiss Finishing School: but how does the setting compare with the Chalet School? Why was she fooled by the fake message? And a chance to use an all-purpose thriller-heroine-abroad picture. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/myst...
Mystery at the Villa Bianca by Mabel Esther Allan
Mystery at the Villa Bianca by Mabel Esther Allan writing as Priscilla Hagon published 1969 This is a Young Adult (YA) book be...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Nostalgic romantic thriller set in a Swiss Finishing School: but how does the setting compare with the Chalet School? Why was she fooled by the fake message? And a chance to use an all-purpose thriller-heroine-abroad picture. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/myst...
What a great writer Margery Allingham is - I've been doing some re-visiting, and loved Dancers in Mourning. A favourite moment: Uncle William and the banderloggy. Plus some great 1930s pictures to enjoy. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/danc...
Dancers in Mourning by Margery Allingham
Dancers in Mourning by Margery Allingham published 1937 This is one of the few Allingham books that I have only read once, a long ti...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:58 AM
What a great writer Margery Allingham is - I've been doing some re-visiting, and loved Dancers in Mourning. A favourite moment: Uncle William and the banderloggy. Plus some great 1930s pictures to enjoy. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/danc...
I asked my readers for suggestions of books to match up with pictures I had collected. they came up trumps - of course - and today we have this: A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey. And a question - is Tey the anti-Marsh (ie Ngaio)? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/chal...
Challenge Result: A Shilling for Candles
A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey pubilshed 1936 When I asked people to look at my file photos and suggest books, the first ans...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I asked my readers for suggestions of books to match up with pictures I had collected. they came up trumps - of course - and today we have this: A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey. And a question - is Tey the anti-Marsh (ie Ngaio)? clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/chal...
Comfort read: Angela Thirkell's social comedies always entertain, and we get hats again. Before Lunch (she was running out of nice lightweight titles) clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/befo...
Before Lunch by Angela Thirkell (and hats again)
Before Lunch by Angela Thirkell published 1939 This was, I believe the last of Thirkell’s books to appear before WW2 broke out: she ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Comfort read: Angela Thirkell's social comedies always entertain, and we get hats again. Before Lunch (she was running out of nice lightweight titles) clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/befo...
Why did I reread Trent's Last Case by EC Bentley? Because Shedunnit were doing an episode with spoiler zones, so I wanted to make the most of it. The mystique surrounding this 1913 book, and its lasting influence, are fascinating.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/shed...
Shedunnit, and Trent’s Last Case
Trent’s Last Case by EC Bentley published 1913 Caroline Crampton’s Shedunnit podcast is a great favourite round here, and when she ...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Why did I reread Trent's Last Case by EC Bentley? Because Shedunnit were doing an episode with spoiler zones, so I wanted to make the most of it. The mystique surrounding this 1913 book, and its lasting influence, are fascinating.... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/shed...
What is it about DE Stevenson? Massive bestselling author of the mid 20th Cent, strange structures, page-turners, and excellent details of life - from ironing nylong to hatshops. This one is The Blue Sapphire, early 1960s. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/iron...
Ironing Nylon & a Hatshop: The Blue Sapphire by DE Stevenson
The Blue Sapphire by DE Stevenson published 1963 [ excerpt ] ‘Miss Julia,’ [the housekeeper] said. ‘Are you sure you’d not lik...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
What is it about DE Stevenson? Massive bestselling author of the mid 20th Cent, strange structures, page-turners, and excellent details of life - from ironing nylong to hatshops. This one is The Blue Sapphire, early 1960s. clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/iron...
Robert Travers' Anatomy of a Murder was a 1950s bestseller, turned into an Oscar-nominated film. Its story of a trial is highly-rated - and its attitude to women very much of its time. Looking at the importance of a respectable woman wearing a girdle... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/anat...
Anatomy of a Murder, and of attitudes to women
Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver published 1958 [ excerpt ] “What were you wearing that night?” I said… “Were you dressed as y...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Robert Travers' Anatomy of a Murder was a 1950s bestseller, turned into an Oscar-nominated film. Its story of a trial is highly-rated - and its attitude to women very much of its time. Looking at the importance of a respectable woman wearing a girdle... clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/anat...
One of my all-time favourite poems on the blog today: The Album by Cecil Day Lewis. I only recently found out he wrote it about Rosamond Lehmann.... a favourite author clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-...
The Album by C Day Lewis
The Album by C Day Lewis [published in a collection 1943] [poem] I see you, a child In a garden sheltered for buds and playtime, Lis...
clothesinbooks.blogspot.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:32 AM
One of my all-time favourite poems on the blog today: The Album by Cecil Day Lewis. I only recently found out he wrote it about Rosamond Lehmann.... a favourite author clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-...