Tasmin's first brush with crime

 Currently on the Paramount+ streaming service is the prequel to the film Sexy Beast. The film featured an Oscar nominated by Ben Kingsley as Don Logan, a criminal with a hair trigger temper. In the series Don's sister is by Tasmin Greig. Her better known TV work comes from comedy shows like Black Books, Green Wing and Friday Night Dinner. In one episode of Black Books entitled The Fixed Tasmi's character Fran develops a forceful personality from working in an office. This comes when her pals Bernard (Dylan Moran) and Manny (Bill Baily) are having to teach a violent crook how to read.  Good preparation for what was to come.

Book review: Shadow Network by Tony Kent

 Tony Kent brings us Joe Dempsie, a former British special forces operator now member of a United Nations group investigating war crimes. When a mass shooting in The Gauge sees a witness for a trial  to the run Dempsie and his fellow agents are brought in to track him down with another agent on the trail of the wife of the witness. There are a great many action scenes such as a helicopter attack. Some reader's might take offence to the idea main villain The Monk having a hand in real life events. To sum it a most enjoyable read.

Michael Jayston (1935-2024)

 The death has been announced of Michael Jayston. The actor had a wide range of credits. On film he  played Russian Tsar Nicholas II in Nicholas and Alexandra, other films he appeared in include Cromwell and Zulu Dawn. On TV Michael played MI6 agent Peter Guillam in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and he played the Valeyard an evil version of The Doctor in Doctor Who. Other TV credits included Only Fools and Horses and Tales of the Unexpected. Michael played James Bond in a radio version of You Only Live Twice.

Michael Jayston R.I.the

Ian Lavender (1946-2024)

 The death has been announced of Ian Lavender. Best known for playing the likeable but clumsy Pike in Dad's Army. His other TV work included Eastenders and Rising Damp. Stage work included appearing in the musical version of Sister Act.

Ian Lavender R. I. P.

Basil takes to the stage

Fawlty towers is being turned into a stage show by the man who was both creator and star, John Cleese. He will adapt three episodes for the stage show. There has been talk of an new series but no new news in recent months.