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May 2024 May 2024
For the lemon syrup SOCIABLE BOOKWORMS
1 unwaxed lemon
1tbsp golden syrup The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
15g (½ oz) unsalted butter
120g 4oz caster sugar Our January novel was enjoyed by us all, and
offered intrigue and excitement round every corner.
First make the lemon syrup. Peel the lemon as thinly as possible and squeeze out Centred around a brother and his half-sister, Ben and
the juice. Put the peel, juice and other syrup ingredients into a small saucepan Jess, this murder mystery kept us gripped and
with 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water and heat gently, stirring until sugar is dissolved. guessing right to the end.
Leave to stand until needed Jess arrives in Paris to spend some time with Ben. As this
Pre-heat the oven to 190 C (375F). Gas Mark 5. Thoroughly grease a baking tin a pre-arranged visit, Jess is surprised that, on arriving at
or ovenproof baking dish. Sift the flour and baking powder into a food his apartment, Ben isn’t there to meet her. Her surprise
processor, add the butter and process to fine breadcrumbs. (Alternatively put in turns to concern, as Ben seems to have completely
a large mixing bowl and rub together wit your fingertips until they resemble disappeared. She seeks the support of a range of
breadcrumbs.) Mix in milk to form a dough characters (many with their own issues and secrets)
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a 20 cm (8in) square approx 5mm (1/4 and, during her search, realises that some are to be
in) thick. Spread the chopped apples and raisins onto the dough and sprinkle trusted more than others - but who can she rely on and
with the sugar and spice. Roll up very tightly like a Swiss roll and cut into 2.5 cm 1 who should she steer clear of?
in slices. Many cleverly woven twists and turns kept us on the
edge of our seats. A highly recommended read.
Arrange the slices in the greased
baking tin or dish in a single
layer. Remove the peel from the The Trial by Rob Rinder
syrup and pour over the slices.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes Our February novel had more mixed reviews. Some of
or until the slices are puffed up our members had some background knowledge of the author and had seen him
and golden brown. Serve with on television prior to reading The Trial. Others
custard or clotted cream. came in ‘cold’. I mention this as it appears that
those who were familiar with Rob Rinder were
able to benefit from their knowledge of his
background - both professional and personal.
They seemed to ‘hit the ground running’ as it
were, and became hooked by the story much
more quickly than those going in with no
expectation, finding it highly enjoyable and
difficult to put down. Those of us who hadn’t
heard of the author, or perhaps only knew the
name, were slower to get going, and didn’t find it
as compelling. An interesting division which, as a
group, we haven’t experienced before.
However, by the end, we all enjoyed the book,
and as well as the investigation into the poisoning
of policeman, Grant Clivedon, we also found the
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