Ducks, lots and lots of chooks, alpacas and all (we live on a small farm). But I am particularly partial to my ducks. Now all I have to do is track down some geese and the noise from out there should be deafening.

LOL - very appropriate as I'm sitting here listening to our Saxony Ducks quacking away about something in their paddock - I suppose I'd better go check for hovering Wedge Tail Eagles like yesterday :)

Hi Michael - thanks for the add / love the profile picture incidentally :)

I'm good, thanks. You? :)

I've never read any of his co-authored books as of yet, but Worst Case does intrigue me. I'm dying to read I, Alex Cross. So far, I've read Cross Country, and I've yet to finish 1st to Die and Pop Goes the Weasel. So far, I'm liking them both.

I just discovered him a few months ago, and I really like how he writes in short chapters. In fact, that's how the chapters are in the novel I'm writing, and I find it great to keep the pace moving. Do have an opinion on short chapters versus longer ones? Do you have a preference?

I've never read Blood Work. I'm in the middle of 9 Dragons right now, my first MC book. Have you read The Brass Verdict? I'm thinking about getting that one next.

The only Baldacci book I have is True Blue, but I haven't started it yet. (I got a lot of books for Christmas, lol.)

Are you interested in Jodi Picoult's work at all?

So you're down to 3k, then!! There comes a point when you have to let go....! In the end I could have tweaked even more on mine but I decided - well, if it's meant to be a success it will be....and hit the 'send' button!

Meanwhile, I've been editing parts of the whole....but this weekend I have the place to myself (yay!!!) so I've earmarked a good amount of 'reading' time! Just started 'Dead Simple' by Peter James so I'm looking forward to that - already booked the sofa and a bottle of wine - and the dog can think again about 'walkies'!

Hi - How's your word-whittling going? Ready to submit your entry for the Debut Dagger? Just cheering/encouraging from the sidelines!

P.S.- Oh, and Michael Connelly, too. 9 Dragons is the best.

I love James Patterson and am a writer, too! :) Nice to meet you.

Michael - it must be an 'age' thing! I feel a bit sorry for Tom Thorne but I quite like the two Billingham books I've read so far - reading Scaredycat I was more au fait with the characters, so that helps, I suppose.

My Debut Dagger offering is the result of my NaNoWriMo novel - which was a 'first' for me this year(bullied into it by my daughter!) - now just going back to do some tidying up and editing! To give my brain a change of pace I've done some bits of flash fiction, etc., and that nice Mr Hilton has indulged me by accepting some to go on his 'Thrillers, Killers & Chillers' blogzine.