Sherlock Unlocked: Little-known Facts About the World’s Greatest Detective by Daniel Smith

Sherlock Unlocked: Little-known Facts About the World's Greatest Detective

This book is well written and well researched. An essential for anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes. 

Consulting detective Sherlock Holmes has been fascinating generations of readers, watchers and listeners for over 130 years, since he first appeared in print in 1887. Now an internationally renowned cultural icon, his name appears on books, films, television dramas, radio plays, stage adaptations and the rest right across the world and he is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as ‘the most portrayed movie character’ in history.

With all this material readily available, one might think there’s not much to find out about Sherlock, but in Sherlock Unlocked, Daniel Smith looks behind what we think we know about the well-known sleuth and reveals little-known facts of which every Sherlock aficionado should be aware. From the eccentric and odd characters to the bizarre plot twists, and from Conan Doyle to Moriarty, this book will appeal to Holmes’ fans old and new.

Full of fascinating facts, such as:
– The shameful addiction of Watson’s that Holmes kept secret – a dark gambling habit.
– The part the legendary Langham Hotel played, in both Conan Doyle’s literary friendships – including with Oscar Wilde – and in the storylines he created for Holmes and Watson.
– The Real Moriarty? The true-life London underworld thief-taker, Jonathan Wild, was a model for Professor Moriarty
– Holmes’s retirement passion was bee-keeping.
– One of Conan Doyle’s childhood teachers, Eugene Chantrelle, became a notorious murderer.

 

Sherlock Unlocked is available here.

 

Book Review: The Strength of Wills by Allen Walker

The Strength of Wills by Nigel GoudgeThere’s humour and Nazi horror in equal measure in Allen Walker’s brave new WW2 novel, finds Lucy Bryson.

By Lucy Bryson

On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched an invasion of Poland that triggered the start of World War II. The battle for Poland only lasted about a month before a Nazi victory. But the invasion plunged the world into a war that would continue for almost six years and claim the lives of tens of millions of people.

Allen Walker’s exceptional new novel, The Strength of Wills, tells the remarkable, and at times heart-wrenching true story of two Polish men fleeing that German force.

In his introduction, Walker sets the brutal scene: “Buildings were torn apart by the huge eight-inch guns of the Schleswig Holstein, supported by Ju-87 dive-bombers, familiarly known as Stukas, along with Ju-88s and Me-110 fighter-bombers…their incessant thrum punctuated by the terrifying screams of the dive-bombing Stukas.”

At the centre of the action is Jedrek, a Polish teenager who, after losing his home and mother in a Nazi bombing, begins a perilous, 2,500-mile escape across war-torn Europe. Injured and afraid, he encounters the very worst of humanity before meeting an older man who takes him under his wing. Together, the pair forge an unlikely, moving friendship and strike for freedom. 

Walker based the book on the true story of a Polish immigrant who he met in England in the early 1980s. He spent the next 30 years bringing those graphic events to the page through the medium of historical fiction. Walker necessarily tackles the shocking violence heads-on; at times, its unflinching descriptions of the horrors or war – including sexual abuse – make for difficult reading. But the horror is tempered with humour, and with engaging, snappy dialogue throughout. Maps and detailed footnotes about key events are especially helpful.

The Strength of Wills is an impressive, emotionally-charged work of fiction that is highly recommended.

The Strength of Wills is available now on Amazon priced £12.90 in paperback and £4.99 as an eBook. For further information, visit www.allenwalker.me

The Perfect Gadget Helping Babies Sleep: Rockit

Frost took the Rockit with us when we went on holiday and were very happy indeed. It rocks the pram just so and baby falls into a peaceful sleep. We managed to enjoy a good meal while the Rockit took over parenting duties. Highly recommended for frazzled parents everywhere. A great invention.

Travelling tech for weary infants and worn-out parents.

Pack this on your pram to stop their sleepless nights (and your arm ache) with this ingenious gadget the Rockit – Portable Baby Rocker.

Soothe your babies tiresome tantrums and help them drift off to sleep with the Rockit device, designed to gently rock the pram with it’s adjustable speed setting and thirty minute automation.

This astronomical inspired baby gismo is ideal for new parents to put their baby to sleep wherever they are as it’s universal bracket is easily adjustable to any pram or pushchair.

Keep moving and snoozing with this simple space like product for bouncing babies. The super-quiet motor ensures your baby isn’t disturbed, and it’s even rain showerproof suitable for inside and out.

The liberating Rockit assists busy adults by freeing up their hands for those tricky moments where you’re unpacking the food shopping or enjoying a coffee with friends.

As seen on Channel 4’s TV show Buy It Now – just £39.95 now at Prezzybox.com.

 

Matt Dyson, inventor of Rockit said: Rockit was designed by three dads with seven children between us. Nick Webb came up with the initial concept when his three-month-old daughter Abby refused to sleep in the pushchair at the supermarket checkout.

 

“He noticed this problem affected other weary parents but couldn’t find a product available on the market that was cost effective and portable to help.  One evening he had a lightbulb moment. He took an old printer apart, salvaged the motor and soldered together a simple circuit. The resulting prototype worked and the very next day Abby remained asleep even when the pushchair stopped moving.

 

“After two years of hard work and support from the Design Council, Rockit has now become an award winning product that is helping babies to sleep all over the world.”

Book of The Month: Love on the Waterways By Milly Adams

New to Frost is the Book of The Month. We review a lot of books at Frost so picking one will be hard but we do not mind. It is our job to bring the best to our readers. The first ever book of the month is the latest from Milly Adams. The second book in her new saga, it is yet another corker. love on the waterways, milly adams

THE SECOND NOVEL IN MILLY ADAMS’ BRAND NEW SAGA SERIES. Perfect for fans of Daisy Styles and Nancy Revell.

March 1944, West London: it’s been five months since Verity Clement fled home for a life on Britain’s canals and she could never have imagined how tough it would get. Yet hauling cargo between London and Birmingham is far easier to face than the turbulence she’s left behind.

When Verity’s sweetheart returns unexpectedly from the front line, she dares to dream of a brighter future. But life aboard the Marigold is never smooth sailing. New recruit Sylvia is struggling with demons from her past while crewmate Polly must carry on in the wake of devastating news. Verity does her best to help, but a shocking discovery is about to turn her own life upside-down.

As the realities of war begin to take their toll, the waterway girls will have to pull together if they are to survive the uncertain times ahead…

Available from Amazon.

 

Frost Loves: Hape Happy Hour Clock | Toy Reviews

Frost loves this amazing clock toy from Hape. It helps children to count and tell the time. Fun and educational: this is a brilliant toy. 

What time is it? Here Hape is introducing the Happy Hour Clock to help. Time telling is an essential skill for both adults and children. Why not have fun while learning about time and numbers.

This Happy Hour Clock is colour and educational, perfect for children aged 3 years and older. The Clock consists of 13 pieces. Sticking with a restricted colour range of 4 colours, red, blue, yellow and green, the toy is not overwhelming and keeps the entertainment of learning. The Clock has a big smiley face and easy portable pieces that children can take out of the base. Get involved and watch child grow in confidence as they develop new skills.

The Happy Hour Clock help teaches time, like hours and minutes along side learning about numbers and colours. With the movable clock hands help your child understand the differences with hours, minutes, o’clock and half past. Developing their recognition skills and differentiation skills.

Learning about time is essential because it will help the children understand planning and arranging things. Also, time keeping, and management is an excellent skill to have, no what matter how old.

Hape keeps a high standard and quality of toys using natural, durable and sustainable materials. The Happy Hour Clock consists of Wood and Water-Based Paint. This clock is eco-friendly and safe for your kids to use thanks to Hape’s absent use of harmful chemicals. Doing regular safety and quality checks, Hape is a company that parents can trust. Hape’s goal is to make sure their toys are both fun and learning experience, to inspire children through play and learning. These toys put no barriers in your child’s learning and developing experience. Promoting social, emotional, sensory and physical skills.

See your child’s knowledge grow as they play with the Hape Happy Hour Clock. Understanding how to read time. Practising their new skill and learn to think independently.​​

The Hape Happy Hour Clock has dimensions (LWH) of 30 x 30 x 3.6 cm and cost is £13.99 from Amazon.co.uk

Frost Loves: Hape Pound N Tap Bench

hape, toys, reviews, This glorious musical toy arrived at the weekend. Much to the delight of the Frost toddler. The Frost baby was also fascinated by the colour and the noise, but was swiftly moved along for being too young to play with it. It is a smart idea and well made. As all Hape toys are. Lots of fun is to be had with this and the xylophone also pulls out and can be played with individually. Frost loves….

The Hape pound and tap bench features a pull out xylophone and pounding station. Explore cause and effect as balls drop when they hit the pounding area which sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. Experiment with playful rhythm patterns for a musical delight and sound experience

 

Suitable from 12 Months+ The Hape Pound N Tap Bench is available from Poppets for £24.95.

Frost Recommends: BabyBlooms For Christmas , Gorgeous Gifts For Babies

babyblooms, parenting, baby gifts, christmas, personalised Frost absolutely adores Babyblooms. Babyblooms is an online baby gifting company who do gorgeous personalised gifts. They are always presented in a gasp-worthy way. We cannot recommend them more. 

Babyblooms, the UK’s online baby gift company, in conjunction with their friend, Bertie Bear, have launched a gorgeous range of Christmas gifts sets to make Christmas truly special. All gifts come perfectly packaged in beautifully illustrated gift boxes and will create magical memories for years to come.

Christmas morning is finally here and after all the excitement of opening his stocking, Bertie wants to sit down to a special Christmas breakfast. Create a family Christmas tradition with this fabulous, festive bone china, Christmas breakfast set that can be personalised with the name of your choice.
Bertie Bear Christmas Morning Breakfast Set – RRP £50.00

Also available from BabyBlooms.

Why not start a new family Christmas tradition with this beautifully personalised wooden Christmas Eve box? Complete with a luxury, cloth bound version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and a personalised Christmas Eve plate for Santa’s snacks and Ruldolph’s carrot, this is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Personalised Christmas Eve Box with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas book and Personalised Christmas Eve Plate
– RRP £49.99

Preparing for Christmas Eve bedtime is a magical time and Bertie loves this soft and snuggly personalised bathrobe with bear motif. He will be there in his personalised jumper to hop into bed and cuddle ‘til Christmas morning.

Bertie Bear Christmas Bathrobe Set
– RRP £50.00

 

Babyblooms pride themselves on their unique and beautiful packaging inspired by their home town in the Cotswolds. Each of these gorgeous Christmas gifts will be sent in a beautifully illustrated box that, once opened, will make perfect keepsake boxes or nursery storage. Available from http://www.babyblooms.co.uk/

 

Flic Smart Button Review

Frost has reviewed this cute little smart button. It has a variety of uses. We hooked it up to our Spotify so it could control the music. It is very smart indeed and very handy. It is easy to set up. Makes a great present, for Christmas or beyond.

 

Flic smart button

Available at flic.io or amazon.co.uk | RRP £29.99

Flic, the world’s first ‘do anything’ smart button is the ultimate tech accessory for the that brings simplicity into the smart home. This simple stand-alone button acts as a shortcut for your favourite smartphone apps, including Domino’s Pizza, Uber or Spotify with endless possibilities to use.

Flic buttons can be used to:

  • Turn smart light switches on or off, set a mood colour or dim
  • Connect through the Flic Hub to SONOS, Samsung Multiroom, Bose Sountouch or Spotify to control music from anywhere
  • Act as a doorbell, open and close blinds or control heating
  • Order pizza, Uber or services like cleaning or in-home pampering

In fact, if there’s an app for it, chances are you can access it with a Flic button, so uses and combinations of uses are almost endless.