THE CASUAL VACANCY by J.K.ROWLING

 THE CASUAL VACANCY

by

J.K. ROWLING

THE BLURB:

In the idyllic small town of Pagford, a councillor dies and leaves a “casual vacancy”- an empty seat on the parish council.

In the election for his successor that follows, it is clear that behind the pretty surface this is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, wives at war with husbands, teachers at war with pupils... Pagford is not what it first seems.

From the smallest of elections in a sleepy British town, J.K. Rowling conjures an epic, emotional and completely readable tale that has had millions of readers hooked.

THE REALITY:

This was the first J. K. Rowling book I have ever read. Had I been a child when the Harry Potter series was released, then I would have devoured them as they would have been right up my street. But I was an adult and, by that stage, not in the least bit interested in fantasy or sci-fi. Incidentally, I've not seen any of the Harry Potter films, nor the television adaption of The Casual Vacancy. This looked to be quite a tome, and I'm a big fan of a tome/ saga. So therefore I was quite surprised (given that and the author's credentials) to find that I couldn't finish this book. I didn't even get half way, and what I did read was a struggle to enjoy.

I'll start with the positives... The characters are varied in nature, interesting and well-described. They are also universally unlikeable, but I don't hold that against a novel- after all, I love Wuthering Heights, and just about every person in that classic is despicable. The sections were also relatively short, so the book was well-paced, and shifted along nicely (despite the subject matter dragging, if that makes sense.) But... The storyline did not enthral me. I mean, the thread of a councillor dying and having to be re-elected seems just so banal and pointless. It's hardly like a whodunnit, when the race is on to find the perpetrator, or a rags-to-riches story where you're interested in finding out if the main character succeeds. Also, the location of Pagford did not charm me in the least (maybe that's because I'm not familiar with village life?) What is it with these “famous” novels and me? Another book I had to put down was Zadie Smith's acclaimed White Teeth. And I think this has offered me the solution to my lack of interest- both books were just too gritty and real. When I read a novel I seek escapism- if I want real life then all I have to do is open my front door.

A bookseller said to me, when I mentioned that I was struggling to get through this book, “There are millions of great novels out there- if you're not enjoying the one you're reading, then just put it down and pick up something else.” So that's exactly what I did. Maybe one of you can give me your opinion of this book?

YOUTUBE VIKTOR WYND MUSEUM OF CURIOSITIES VLOG NOW LIVE!

  My Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/ZZMYfNSR6qA

Friends, fellow oddballs and downright weirdos... Roll up! Roll up! Join me for the thrill of a lifetime!

Today I've been to the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, which is in Hackney, East London. The building it is situated in is home to The Last Tuesday Society, which puts on literary and creative events with a macabre twist, such as seances; masquerade balls and taxidermy classes. Upstairs they have an atmospheric cocktail parlour, and that decadent, late 19^th century artists' poison- absinthe- features on their menu.

A warning to the curious- if you're easily offended, with delicate sensibilities, then don't come here or watch the video! If, however, you are as disgusting and perverted as I am, then you will love this museum.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and I'll show you shrunken heads; animal skeletons; a chocolate John Major; an eight legged sheep and a two-headed sheep. I will also show you a jar containing Madonna's panty liner (yes, really), a box containing Russell Brand's pubes, and a jar containing Amy Winehouse's poo, which you can sniff for an additional fiver!

I have also blogged about this museum, and here's the link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/12/miss-elaineous-visits-viktor-wynd.html

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TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS THE PHOENIX GARDEN...

The Phoenix Garden sits in an area of central London known as St Giles.  It's at the end of Phoenix Street and behind the Phoenix Theatre, hence its name.  It is free to enter and is open seven days a week, from dawn till dusk.  It is right near busy Charing Cross Road, its nearest Tube station is Tottenham Court Road and, when you're in here it's hard to believe that you're just seconds away from the busy heart of London.

Here is the entrance, and this community garden was established in 1984, and is a registered charity, funded through donations and grants.

The multi-purpose building at the bottom of this section was completed in 2016, and was designed by architect Gurmeet Sian.  The charity is run from here, it hosts community and education workshops and it can also be hired for corporate events and other occasions, such as birthdays.

You can even get married here if you wish, as the garden is a registered Camden wedding venue.  A gazebo can be erected over this grassy section to extend the space and offer shelter for your guests.

The garden is thick with trees and shrubs, and objects such as this battered horsey add to its charm...💓

This looks like a bird bath/ drinking utensil, and the garden is home to an urban wildlife population...

This mannequin has seen better days!

Plants are being propegated in this mini-greenhouse...

Looking back towards the entrance, and I had a go on the swing to the right...

I always wanted one of these as a kid!  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the swing doesn't swing that far back, as its movement is marred by the fence...

The plants are for sale, and here's the price list...

Herbs and what looks like a mini-Christmas tree...

There were once seven community gardens in the West End of London...

...Now there is only this one...

Some of the plants are clearly labelled, so you can find out what you're looking at... 

This is a little nook, and the garden was established on land that had been in use as a car park...

The car park itself stood on the site of a World War II bombing...

This larger nook is by the community building...

The site was once the place of many homes and even a pub...

A cute seating area, and the garden was designed with one eye on sustainability...

Before 2016 re-landscaping, the garden had been used as a fly-tipping site...

The pretty pond, and the garden apparently houses the West End's only frog population...

I had a good gawp, but the frogs were not comin' out to play on this rather cold day!

Archway to the end of the garden, and compacted rubble and earth had to be removed before re-landscaping could begin...

A little path to another nook, and many on-site materials were re-used.  Rubble was passed through a mini-crusher by volunteers, as building waste removal is incredibly costly...

I love the mural on the building over the road, overlooking the garden...💗

This bench dictates: "I like worms and woodlice."

The crushed rubble was used to construct raised flower beds, and wheelchair/ pram friendly paths...

I like the way that the odds-and-sods contaminating the garden have been repurposed...

This pink wheelbarrow- a donation from cosmetics firm Benefit, no doubt- adds a spash of colour amongst the greenery...

Brickwork path...

The far end of the garden, and a 20 year lease on the land was signed in 2015 (following nine years of negotiations); so the garden's safe from being sold off to developers- for now.

The garden was able to be re-designed, with the new community building replacing a mice-infested concrete shed, after receiving a £300,000 grant.

"100,000 greenfly = 1 blue tit."

This quirky reference serves as a reminder that blue tits keep the greenfly population down, negating the need for chemical fertilisers.

 

Finches have also been spotted in the garden- maybe they like to come and play in this hanging contraption here?😊

It was a very chilly day when I visited, although there were a couple of other people in the garden as well.  To use a cliché, this garden is a real oasis of charm, and a hidden gem and then some!  If I worked in the area I would take advantage of it by visiting whenever I could.

I know the name of the garden reflects the area in which it sits, but its name is apt- it really is like the mythical tale of the phoenix rising from the ashes- or in this case, the rubble!

Here's my final view down the length of the garden.

The Phoenix Garden, I will return!

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE MANOR PARK CEMETERY & CREMATORIUM VIDEO NOW LIVE!

  My Manor Park Cemetery & Crematorium YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/3htrfaEtlCA

Manor Park Cemetery & Crematorium sits in the East End of London. It is a beautifully kept cemetery; although it does have older, more interesting and more sunken graves on site, complete with wonky tombstones. Dating back to 1874, a heritage trail consisting of 20 notable graves and landmarks was introduced in 2024, to mark 150 years of the cemetery's existence.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and I'll show you the grave of Annie Chapman- the second of Jack the Ripper's victims- although the siting is approximate as she was buried in a public grave which has since been reused. Nearby is the rather sad site of another Chapman, Sarah, who married and later became Sarah Dearman. She played a leading role in the 1888 Bryant & May matchgirls' strike, and was one of the pioneers of the trade union movement. Aside from the part-Victorian/ part-modern chapel and crematorium, there is a columbarium, a memorial pavilion and more than one war memorial.

But the piece de resistance has to be the granite tomb in the shape of a BMW convertible, which weighed one ton and had to be lowered into position by crane. It commemorates car fanatic Steve Marsh, and has to be the most stupendous tombstone I have ever seen!

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM VIDEO NOW LIVE!

  My City of London Cemetery & Crematorium YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/empTMTl875c

The City of London Cemetery & Crematorium is in the East End of London, equidistant between Ilford and Manor Park Stations on the Elizabeth line. It dates from 1856 and is very much a working cemetery. It is Grade I listed, 200 acres in size and is said to hold over 1 million burials. Wow!

I ventured in for some macabre nosy-parkering on a dank, damp, January day. I wandered up to the church and the chapel, slipped inside the columbarium, and saw both the modern and traditional crematoriums (the latter does have a foreboding look about it- but then I suppose a crematorium is not going to be the most pleasant place on earth!)

Come and take a walk in my shoes and we'll take a look at some of the well-known people interred here. Aside from the cemetery's engineer and designer, William Haywood- who is housed in a grand mausoleum- it is also home to football legend Bobby Moore; actress Dame Anna Neagle; two of Jack the Ripper's victims and the Elephant Man.

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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THE FORGOTTEN COTTAGE by HELEN PHIFER

 THE FORGOTTEN COTTAGE

by

HELEN PHIFER

THE BLURB:

Things finally seem to be looking up for police office Annie Graham. After a tumultuous couple of years, she is settling into a normal and happy life. Her wedding is fast approaching, and her fiance Will has found a forgotten but beautiful cottage for them to make their own.

But as Annie begins to have increasingly vivid nightmares, she realises their new home may not be as unoccupied as it first seemed. Her arrival has stirred up the ghosts of a tragic past, and she needs to put them to rest once and for all.

But while Annie's distracted, another threat is emerging from the shadows. And if she doesn't act fast, her days may be numbered...

THE REALITY:

I flattened this book rather quickly, so it must have had something going for it, but I did feel like there were things left unexplored, and also unnecessary arcs to the storyline. The idea of the haunted cottage was thrilling, and explored just nicely within the modern and historic time frames, and I loved the character of evil, unmaternal Betsy! But why was the story behind Annie's wedding dress not expanded upon? She's a psychic, who had a “feel” for the dress, so that's something that could have been examined. I also didn't see the need for the Henry and Megan characters at all. Incidentally, I couldn't help but think of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle whenever I read about them, and this raised a smile (the book predates their romance). I gather that this book is part of a series, and that the author was kind of setting the scene for the next book (I say “kind of” because this story ends with the Harry and Megan duo capturing a woman, but the blurb for the next book indicates a vanishing man as their first victim). On the plus side, they are both truly horrible characters, and characterisation throughout this book appeared to be strong.

The author states influences such as James Herbert, and tries to create scary books, and this did have a good level of suspense; in particular with (spoiler alert!) Will's half-sister, kidnapper Amelia. I also enjoyed reading about Will's dad, his partner and his house, so the descriptions made the book come alive. I would definitely give this author another go, but I wouldn't rush to do so. The book was light, and an easy size to to pop into my handbag. Annie and Will are interesting characters but just didn't grab my heart.  

YOUTUBE DALSTON CURVE GARDEN VLOG NOW LIVE!

   My Dalston Curve Garden YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/lQWg2OXf4eY

This is a really special, secretive place, tucked away behind the urban hustle and bustle of Hackney.

Dalston Curve Garden is also often referred to as Dalston Eastern Curve Garden- that's because it sits on the site of the old Eastern Curve railway line, which closed in 1944. It is repurposed space, and it serves a real community need in providing a green environment for people who might not have access to their own garden.

Opened in 2010, this delightful garden offers numerous social, environmental and health benefits to the local population, and provides somewhere for people to join in activities, relax, and hopefully make friends. The garden funds itself through its licensed cafe, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise. You can buy beer, cider, wine and spirits here, they also have their own pizza oven and even sell Queen of Hearts cookies!

Come and take a walk in my shoes through this hidden gem, and see if this Queen of Tarts was tempted by the cookies!

I have also blogged about Dalston Curve Garden, link:-https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2025/11/miss-elaineous-visits-dalston-curve.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MURDER IN THE GREEN by LESLEY COOKMAN

 MURDER IN THE GREEN

by

LESLEY COOKMAN

THE BLURB:

Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran become involved in the strange rituals of the local Morris Men after one of them is found dead on May Day and another seems to have vanished into thin air.

Libby goes out of her comfort zone as far as Cornwall in search of the solution which, in the end, is found much closer to home, turning out to be the most unpleasant case she has dealt with yet.

THE REALITY:

Ye Gods, this was a hard one to plough through from the start! I found this read difficult to get into- although the pagan/ goth/ druid/ ancient/ ceremonial/ witchcraft theme is right up my street- and I think that was down to waaaaay too many characters being introduced at the beginning of the novel. This pace of introduction didn't seem to let up enough for me to catch my breath! I found it hard trying to establish who everyone was and certainly had to backtrack to investigate (I have to take some of the blame here- this was one book I found putdownable, and that meant that I'd forgotten certain things, which forced the need to double-check characters and names). It continued to be relentless, though, with characters added constantly and all over the place, although they mostly did seem to have some relevance to the story.

I also didn't gel with the style of writing on offer here. There were long dialogue scenes without speech tags, so you had to concentrate really carefully, or you had to backtrack to make the “who-said-what” make sense. Also, some of the connecting explanations were unspecific, so I ended up having “who-did-what?” and “who-is-doing-what?” moments as well. Whilst studying creative writing I was always warned against creating expositions which lead nowhere. On page 74, the Wildes and the Parkers were mentioned. Now, these were two families, but neither had been mentioned before, so I found myself flicking backwards to the start of the book trying to pinpoint exactly whom a character was referring to. It's only when you get much further into the book that you realise that Ben's surname is Wilde- and I never did find out who the Parkers were as they were never even mentioned!

Apart from that, the book romped along in its quest to find the murderer of both Bill and John, and the storyline was not awful- it's just a shame that the writing wasn't great. It started off less-than-best and never got better. By the time we got to the conclusion, which involved someone you never would have thought was guilty, I just didn't care, and was keen to get this book over and done with. 

For some strange reason, when Libby was with Lewis in Cornwall, she seemed to develop a different accent.  Was she easily influenced by Lewis, who did speak in a rather affected way (although I did like this character)?  Incidentally, I didn't like Ben as a partner for Libby from the start- he didn't sound like a good match for her, and she almost seemed to fear upsetting him. He wanted a commitment that she seems unsure of, so my initial instinct was that she should have just dumped him.

I feel I have to name some good points, and the country/ village settings and “olde-English” traditions basis for the book was very appealing, and definitely for fans of countryside romps (although this read wasn't overtly sexual.) You also had a good mix of interesting characters.  But I don't think I'll be wanting to read another novel by this author anytime soon.

YOUTUBE KYOTO GARDEN VLOG NOW LIVE!

  My Kyoto Garden YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/fTFVgIQTDCc

The Kyoto Garden sits in Holland Park, London, and is a place for peace and quiet contemplation. It was opened in 1991 and was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain. I've always found Japanese culture fascinating- I read Memoirs Of A Geisha (my first ever Amazon purchase, back in 1998) and saw the film at the cinema. I also read Geisha, by Liza Dalby, an American anthropologist known as 'the blue-eyed geisha' who was the first western woman to train as a geisha.

I wandered past ruined Holland House to get to the Kyoto Garden. It was created in 1605 and was once a glittering social, literary and political centre. But in 1940, the house was hit by twenty-two incendiary bombs and largely destroyed, leaving only the east wing and library standing.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and we'll meander past the large house- sections of which have been seen on film and TV- and then we'll head into the Kyoto Garden, with it's perfect waterfall, Koi carp, Egyptian geese and a solitary peacock. Did he show me his fantail? Check out my vlog and you'll find out...

I have also blogged about the Kyoto Garden before, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/09/miss-elaineous-visits-kyoto-garden.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE LONDON MITHRAEUM VLOG NOW LIVE!

 My London Mithraeum vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/23Y9tEoJmx8

The London Mithraeum was a temple dedicated to the Roman god Mithras, was built in the 3rd century AD and lies on the site of the long-gone London river, the Walbrook.

The lost cult of Mithras first appeared in the 1st century AD and spread over Europe during the next 300 years. The temples- which were often constructed below ground, and built to resemble a cave- were dark, windowless and mysterious. The mythological scene of killing a bull within a cave- a tauroctony- was at the heart of this strictly male-only cult. The cult was very secretive, so therefore workings were unknown to outsiders. No written texts from the cult have survived, and what we know comes from archaeological research and brief references by Christian and Roman writers.

It it's believed that the killing of a bull was considered a cosmic event; and accompanied by zodiac signs. But did the killing of a bull really happen, or was this event merely symbolic? Come and take a walk in my shoes into this rather spooky space, see the interactive show depicting a ritual meeting, and find out. I really enjoyed making this video- it includes a bit of writing, and I'll always be about the written word!

I have also blogged about the London Mithraeum, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/12/miss-elaineous-visits-london-mithraeum.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE MUSEUM & HERB GARRET VLOG NOW LIVE!

 My Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/2-n7hQAknjE

The Old Operating Theatre Museum dates back to 1822, but lay sealed up when St Thomas' Hospital moved from its ancient Southwark site to make way for a railway line into Charing Cross Station in 1862. It was rediscovered in 1956 and, along with the neighbouring Herb Garret, was restored and opened as a museum in 1962. This place is a truly delightful hidden gem, and I compared the Herb Garret- which is packed to the rafters with interesting medical and medicinal artefacts- to Miss Havisham's bridal chamber!

It's believed that the use of St Thomas' Church garret for the hospital apothecary to store herbs dates back to its construction, and herbs have been used for medicines since ancient times; with many modern medicines originating from plant sources. The Old Operating Theatre consists of five stands, which would have been packed with medical professionals and students back in its heyday.

Come and take a walk in my shoes, and I'll show you artworks, hospital paraphernalia and gruesome medical implements; one of which will make all female viewers wince and cross their legs!

Remember, I will always be a writer before anything else, and I have also blogged about the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2025/11/miss-elaineous-visits-old-operating.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

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The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS DALSTON CURVE GARDEN...

Dalston Curve Garden is in Hackney, East London, and is a community garden and cafe/ bar.  It is also referred to as Dalston Eastern Curve Garden; that's because it sits on the site of the old Eastern Curve railway line, and is a real hidden gem.  The railway stopped running in 1944, and the tracks were removed in 1965.

Here is the brightly lit entrance...

The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural sits right next to the garden.  This mural was created in 1983, to celebrate the GLC's (the Greater London Council, which is now defunct) Peace Year.  It shows a crowd of local faces making music and includes anti-war slogans and references.  It was designed by muralist Ray Walker, to celebrate community and multiculturalism.

Inside, under the sheltered space, and the garden is open all year round, for as many hours as possible...

Walking through into the open space, with the staff/ volunteers' space to the left.  Laptops are banned at this table, to encourage human interaction.

The garden provides a much-needed community space, in an urban area where people might not have access to their own garden.  Many people in this densely-populated, urban area live in flats.

Opened in 2010, this delightful garden offers numerous social, environmental and health benefits to the local population...

The garden is free to enter, and a programme of activities is on offer- the aim being to break down social isolation...

The area is very built up, and Hackney is the third most densely populated borough in London...

I love the expression on this concrete face- the SuperDean would describe the expression as him with a hangover!

The garden is run by staff, and an extensive supply of volunteers...

The garden funds itself through its cafe, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise...

The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, cakes, bread and soup, and they even have their own pizza oven...

You can also bring your own food...

The garden is licensed, and you can buy beer, cider, wine and spirits...

The garden contains wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs, and is a charming rural oasis!

Hawthorn, birch, bracken and hazel complement plants that were already growing on the site.

The railway once connected Dalston Junction station to the old North London line (now part of London Overground; recently re-christened the Mildmay line).

The site had been used as a scrapyard for a while after the Eastern Curve railway closed, but stood derelict after that...

There is a stage right at the end ot the garden, and performances do take place here, during special events.  They also have the annual Dalston Pumpkin Lantern Festival at Halloween- it's such a shame I missed that by a few weeks...

The Pineapple House is a conservatory-style greenhouse, and workshops are held here...

Raised planters have been added to the garden; for the purpose of growing herbs and vegetables...

The flowers and plants support insect life; and birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to this urban bucolic area...

Dalston Curve Garden came about following the "Making Space in Dalston" project, commissioned by Design for London...

...This is where Hackney Council and local residents and groups got together to discuss the paucity of green public spaces, and how to address the issue...

I have worked in this area before, and I used to buy my fabrics for college- when I was studying fashion design- from nearby Ridley Road Market.  This garden wasn't here then, but I don't think Dalston has changed that much.

The bar/ food counter, and this strikes me as a lovely venue to nip along to for relaxation, and to meet people.  For that reason, the garden is not available for private hire- it is a COMMUNITY space, for EVERYONE.

My eyes were drawn to the Queen of Hearts cookies here- I managed to resist scoffing one, but next time I won't!

Dalston Curve Garden, I will return (possibly with the SuperDean in tow- he'd love the pizza, and he'd certainly love the bar!)

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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