Scrappy Socks and Hidden Depths

 The knitting is some scrappy socks and the novel is Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves.

Do these socks look a lot like the last socks I paired (ha) with a Vera Stanhope mystery?

That's because I used the same yarn and a similar pattern, but this is a different project.  I had a cute idea to knit my parents matching socks for their wedding anniversary back in August, but couldn't finish the socks in time and I ran out of yarn.  

The dark green comes from some forgotten pile of stash yarn, but I think it's the same fiber content.

I dug out some scraps, though, and managed to make two pairs of socks (mostly) in time for their Christmas presents.  

I even had a tiny bit left over, which I kept for a scrappy pair of socks for my husband.  I've got a bag of leftovers from some of the socks I've knitted with Patons yarn this year, and he's about to enjoy some very colorful socks.  

And just for fun, here's some other socks I made this year.

I didn't get a picture of the finished socks I made my mother-in-law for Christmas, but this is what one leg looks like.  She liked them and I liked that she liked them.

On to talking about the novel: I almost remembered the TV episode based on the book.  I was distracted the whole time I read this because I kept trying to remember how the show was different.  But this was a good one.  Vera worries about her drinking and remembers her terrible dad, and Joe's wife has another baby.  Oh, and some people turn up murdered.  And!  There are bird watchers!

You know things are going to take a dark turn in British books and movies when there are bird watchers.  

Everyone is so messed up that I was actually surprised when the killer was revealed.  As always, I was a little unnerved by the narration that lets us know how characters view themselves and then switches to how Vera sees them. The book ends with Vera musing that if she had Joe's life (wife, kids, close family ties, church, etc.) she might be bored enough to commit murder herself, and I was a little taken aback.  I know it's a murder mystery and people like their damaged protagonists, but I like my good guys to be good guys when I'm reading something right before bed.  

Oh well, I'm a softie.  I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two, but I still look forward to the next book in the series.  I enjoy the pacing and the descriptions and reading about the routes Vera and Joe take to get to solution.  Even if I'm not ready to jump right in, it's something to look forward to.