Jeremy Poldark (by Winston Graham)

It took me a while to get round to reading Winston Graham's books - they've been sitting on my shelf for a while. But having started, they're becoming compulsive reading so I'm now on the third of the 'Poldark' series, set in Cornwall in the 19th century.

'Jeremy Poldark' takes place almost immediately after the end of 'Demelza', second in the series. Ross is on trial for his life, after encouraging his friends to plunder a wrecked ship. Demelza does what she can to help.

Eventually - not surprisingly - he is acquitted, but their relationship suffers, partly due to the terrible time he had while in custody.

Bankruptcy threatens as war is declared in France, and Ross comes up against the Warleggan family whom he has never liked.

Very fast-paced and exciting. Not my normal style of book, but well worth reading - ideally after the first two in the series.