Cross words

My review of the new Neil Cross novel appears above (I'll add the link when the 7 Days website is a bit more stable). Despite some of the griping about Cross's writing in the Times -- at least he can spell the word "night" -- and in the Guardian, not getting the author's technique for elevating a sense of domestic menace, Human Nature is a very good book (hat tip to Chris -- pictured -- for delivering me a copy).

Tourism is not terrorism ...

... although you wouldn't think so from reading Leo Hickman's book The Final Call. Since the book was published, he seems to have softened his line on Spanish holidays, according to articles here and here.