Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Judy Astley's Excess Baggage defies categorisation. Is it a literary piece? Or a very funny and sharply written comic novel? Actually, Astley writes the kind of book that creates its own category, as anyone who has read Just for the Summer, Pleasant Vices and Every Good Girl will know all too well. Excess Baggage is quite her most beguiling novel yet, with a range of characterisation and hilarious situations that top even her previous books.

Astley's heroine, Lucy, is dreading the "Proper Family Holiday" that is in prospect. She has been struggling as a house painter with an uneventful love life and a 12-year-old daughter when her parents suggest that she forgets about the expired lease on her flat and joins them (along with her surly sister Theresa and vaguely paranoid brother Simon) on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Caribbean. For this, the siblings have been told to bring along children and even au pairs. But what is their parents' agenda? Quickly, the tensions that divide the family at home come bubbling to the surface and, in the course of some fraught situations, Lucy's life is not the only one to be changed irrevocably.

From the opening chapter when Lucy staggers blearily around to the Beatles on the radio (as she stuffs clothes into her hideous puce nylon hold-all) to the brilliantly orchestrated finale featuring (of all things) a hurricane, Astley rarely puts a foot wrong. The reader does not have to be a single mother to identify totally with the beleaguered Lucy, and her squabbling family are equally engaging, however horrible. However, it's Astley's authorial voice that is always sure-footed, such as the passage with Lucy's brother Simon remembering sex in odd places:

...there'd been the boat on the Norfolk Broads, holidaying with Plum's hearty outdoor cousins who were so scrubbed-clean wholesome that Simon had been sure they thought babies were made by some strange practical handicraft as per instructions in a scout manual. It had been almost disappointing to get married and realise that sex was not only permitted but compulsory, and in a safe dull duveted bed.

--Barry Forshaw

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Fantastic stuff, 10 Oct 2007
(This is my first ever review!)

What a wonderful book. I picked it up by chance some years ago when I fancied something new to read - and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Judy's descriptions of her characters are such that you feel you know them intimately after a page or two, and how she writes about the setting for the novel, Cornwall, makes you feel like you're there.

I adore this book and it has become not just my favourite Judy Astley novel, which it is, but also one of my favourite books. I must have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it...in fact it gets better at every reading as I know what's coming up next, and can't wait to read on! After having read this book I went on to get (nearly) every other novel by Judy Astley...there are a few I've still yet to read but I am working my way round to them.

This is a great book for taking on holiday....treat yourself and buy this book, and curl up somewhere warm and cosy and enjoy!

Funny, light harted and easy reading., 28 Feb 2001
Judy Astley has done it again! Just for the summer is all about the family holidays that we have all experienced at one point in our lives. Set in Cornwall the story tells of a families 6 week school holiday at their second home. It involves teenage romances, wild parties and some major flirting on behalf of the main character.A light harted and witty, easy reading book. Well worth a read!

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Fantastic stuff, 10 Oct 2007
(This is my first ever review!)

What a wonderful book. I picked it up by chance some years ago when I fancied something new to read - and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Judy's descriptions of her characters are such that you feel you know them intimately after a page or two, and how she writes about the setting for the novel, Cornwall, makes you feel like you're there.

I adore this book and it has become not just my favourite Judy Astley novel, which it is, but also one of my favourite books. I must have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it...in fact it gets better at every reading as I know what's coming up next, and can't wait to read on! After having read this book I went on to get (nearly) every other novel by Judy Astley...there are a few I've still yet to read but I am working my way round to them.

This is a great book for taking on holiday....treat yourself and buy this book, and curl up somewhere warm and cosy and enjoy!

Funny, light harted and easy reading., 28 Feb 2001
Judy Astley has done it again! Just for the summer is all about the family holidays that we have all experienced at one point in our lives. Set in Cornwall the story tells of a families 6 week school holiday at their second home. It involves teenage romances, wild parties and some major flirting on behalf of the main character.A light harted and witty, easy reading book. Well worth a read!

A satisfying read, 16 Aug 2008
Judy Astley writes about issues we can all relate to, and her latest book, 'Other People's Husbands', is no exception. This book is a light, enjoyable read. We meet Sara and Conrad who are both at crisis point, and who have to deal with their issues separately. We also meet their two daughters, Cass and Panda, along with some other family and friends. All the characters are likeable, and Sara is someone to whom you can really warm to, as well as relate to. Conrad is very humourous. Themes such as love, growing old, extra-marital affairs, being a parent/grandparent are all covered. Art also features, which adds an interesting dimension. There is a lot of insightful description. The ending leaves you feeling satisfied.

Interesting characters, 28 Jul 2008
Sara wonders whether she is suffering from a mid life crisis whereas her husband- Conrad - is determined not to grow any older as his 70th birthday approaches. The story follows Sara and Conrad and their two daughters, Cassandra and Pandora as they battle with life and its problems. Judy Astley creates interesting characters with issues all her readers will be able to relate to. Is Conrad really thinking seriously about ending it all? Will Sara step off the straight and narrow with the fanciable Ben? Can Cassandra and Paul get back together? What about Pandora? Then there's Sara's sister Lizzie who comes to stay. There's always something happening to keep you interested. I loved the ending - which wraps up the whole thing in a very satisfying manner. I enjoyed it and would recommend it as a good holiday read.

Funny, truthful, and just a little bit sad, 22 Jul 2008
Judy Astley's Other People's Husbands goes where other books fear to. She writes about life as it is, but with an insight most of us living life usually miss. This book is funny, full of scary insight and makes you cry, just a bit. Perfect.

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Fantastic stuff, 10 Oct 2007
(This is my first ever review!)

What a wonderful book. I picked it up by chance some years ago when I fancied something new to read - and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Judy's descriptions of her characters are such that you feel you know them intimately after a page or two, and how she writes about the setting for the novel, Cornwall, makes you feel like you're there.

I adore this book and it has become not just my favourite Judy Astley novel, which it is, but also one of my favourite books. I must have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it...in fact it gets better at every reading as I know what's coming up next, and can't wait to read on! After having read this book I went on to get (nearly) every other novel by Judy Astley...there are a few I've still yet to read but I am working my way round to them.

This is a great book for taking on holiday....treat yourself and buy this book, and curl up somewhere warm and cosy and enjoy!

Funny, light harted and easy reading., 28 Feb 2001
Judy Astley has done it again! Just for the summer is all about the family holidays that we have all experienced at one point in our lives. Set in Cornwall the story tells of a families 6 week school holiday at their second home. It involves teenage romances, wild parties and some major flirting on behalf of the main character.A light harted and witty, easy reading book. Well worth a read!

A satisfying read, 16 Aug 2008
Judy Astley writes about issues we can all relate to, and her latest book, 'Other People's Husbands', is no exception. This book is a light, enjoyable read. We meet Sara and Conrad who are both at crisis point, and who have to deal with their issues separately. We also meet their two daughters, Cass and Panda, along with some other family and friends. All the characters are likeable, and Sara is someone to whom you can really warm to, as well as relate to. Conrad is very humourous. Themes such as love, growing old, extra-marital affairs, being a parent/grandparent are all covered. Art also features, which adds an interesting dimension. There is a lot of insightful description. The ending leaves you feeling satisfied.

Interesting characters, 28 Jul 2008
Sara wonders whether she is suffering from a mid life crisis whereas her husband- Conrad - is determined not to grow any older as his 70th birthday approaches. The story follows Sara and Conrad and their two daughters, Cassandra and Pandora as they battle with life and its problems. Judy Astley creates interesting characters with issues all her readers will be able to relate to. Is Conrad really thinking seriously about ending it all? Will Sara step off the straight and narrow with the fanciable Ben? Can Cassandra and Paul get back together? What about Pandora? Then there's Sara's sister Lizzie who comes to stay. There's always something happening to keep you interested. I loved the ending - which wraps up the whole thing in a very satisfying manner. I enjoyed it and would recommend it as a good holiday read.

Funny, truthful, and just a little bit sad, 22 Jul 2008
Judy Astley's Other People's Husbands goes where other books fear to. She writes about life as it is, but with an insight most of us living life usually miss. This book is funny, full of scary insight and makes you cry, just a bit. Perfect.

Astley at her best!, 16 Mar 2003
This is my joint favourite Astley novel, along with the fantastic Muddy Waters. The characters and motivations in this book run deeper than in some of her other novels, and the story is particularly intriguing- and heart-rending. It's about a family whose world is turned upside down with the arrival of a young woman who turns out to be the mother's long-forgotten natural daughter, who was adopted as a baby. Her stay in the family home is the catalyst for a dissection of the morals of keeping secrets, and the dangers of unearthing them- as well as for an in-depth portrait of an 'average' family who are not so average after all. This is the kind of emotional upheaval Astley excels at portraying, and here she does it beautifully.
What's more, although the ending hints at resolution, not everything ends up all 'neat and tidy'- just like life itself. A great read!

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Fantastic stuff, 10 Oct 2007
(This is my first ever review!)

What a wonderful book. I picked it up by chance some years ago when I fancied something new to read - and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Judy's descriptions of her characters are such that you feel you know them intimately after a page or two, and how she writes about the setting for the novel, Cornwall, makes you feel like you're there.

I adore this book and it has become not just my favourite Judy Astley novel, which it is, but also one of my favourite books. I must have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it...in fact it gets better at every reading as I know what's coming up next, and can't wait to read on! After having read this book I went on to get (nearly) every other novel by Judy Astley...there are a few I've still yet to read but I am working my way round to them.

This is a great book for taking on holiday....treat yourself and buy this book, and curl up somewhere warm and cosy and enjoy!

Funny, light harted and easy reading., 28 Feb 2001
Judy Astley has done it again! Just for the summer is all about the family holidays that we have all experienced at one point in our lives. Set in Cornwall the story tells of a families 6 week school holiday at their second home. It involves teenage romances, wild parties and some major flirting on behalf of the main character.A light harted and witty, easy reading book. Well worth a read!

A satisfying read, 16 Aug 2008
Judy Astley writes about issues we can all relate to, and her latest book, 'Other People's Husbands', is no exception. This book is a light, enjoyable read. We meet Sara and Conrad who are both at crisis point, and who have to deal with their issues separately. We also meet their two daughters, Cass and Panda, along with some other family and friends. All the characters are likeable, and Sara is someone to whom you can really warm to, as well as relate to. Conrad is very humourous. Themes such as love, growing old, extra-marital affairs, being a parent/grandparent are all covered. Art also features, which adds an interesting dimension. There is a lot of insightful description. The ending leaves you feeling satisfied.

Interesting characters, 28 Jul 2008
Sara wonders whether she is suffering from a mid life crisis whereas her husband- Conrad - is determined not to grow any older as his 70th birthday approaches. The story follows Sara and Conrad and their two daughters, Cassandra and Pandora as they battle with life and its problems. Judy Astley creates interesting characters with issues all her readers will be able to relate to. Is Conrad really thinking seriously about ending it all? Will Sara step off the straight and narrow with the fanciable Ben? Can Cassandra and Paul get back together? What about Pandora? Then there's Sara's sister Lizzie who comes to stay. There's always something happening to keep you interested. I loved the ending - which wraps up the whole thing in a very satisfying manner. I enjoyed it and would recommend it as a good holiday read.

Funny, truthful, and just a little bit sad, 22 Jul 2008
Judy Astley's Other People's Husbands goes where other books fear to. She writes about life as it is, but with an insight most of us living life usually miss. This book is funny, full of scary insight and makes you cry, just a bit. Perfect.

Astley at her best!, 16 Mar 2003
This is my joint favourite Astley novel, along with the fantastic Muddy Waters. The characters and motivations in this book run deeper than in some of her other novels, and the story is particularly intriguing- and heart-rending. It's about a family whose world is turned upside down with the arrival of a young woman who turns out to be the mother's long-forgotten natural daughter, who was adopted as a baby. Her stay in the family home is the catalyst for a dissection of the morals of keeping secrets, and the dangers of unearthing them- as well as for an in-depth portrait of an 'average' family who are not so average after all. This is the kind of emotional upheaval Astley excels at portraying, and here she does it beautifully.
What's more, although the ending hints at resolution, not everything ends up all 'neat and tidy'- just like life itself. A great read!

A new reader from Kingston, 08 Apr 2008
This book was recommended by a friend who knew I have limited time to read. He suggested this Judy Astley book. Another friend who had a copy also felt it was worth passing on to me.
This well written entertaining easy reading book did not disappoint and has encouraged me to read more of this author. Many situations one can easily relate to. Judy, keep at it and Thanks.

Good to cheer you up in mid Feb, 06 Feb 2008
I read this because my grandma recommended it, it's not my normal kind of read. However it was a very nice thing to sit down to on a cold winter's day. Really good. I can't tell you too much of the plot or I'll spoil it, but it's written in a very amusing way with lots of good observations on modern life. The bit about what exactly "sick" means when a teenager says it, is a conversation my friend Janet was having only about a week ago. I also thought it had just enough danger and peril to make me really worried (that gruesome cupboard on the landing, I'll say no more....) and a nicely unexpected ending... I shed a real tear too! My only suggestion: I would have liked more of Mimi the brilliant teenager - bring her back in her own side-project please!

Judy Astley does it again, 04 Feb 2008
Another truly enjoyable read from Judy Astley - read cover to cover on train journey , a book best read in one sitting. A daring subject, often painful, gripping from beginning to end.

Another superb read, 31 Jan 2008
Another brilliant effort from Astley, I am recommending this book to everyone. I really look forward to Astley's novels every year and this years has not disappointed.

Anne-Marie, 29 Jan 2008
Astley has as ever managed another fantastic novel. If you are an Astley fan you'll love it, and for those who are new to this author it's a must! Highly recommended.

Muddy Waters = Gloomly reading ?, 09 Jul 2007
I was recommended Judy Astley as enjoyed Katie Ffordes books. Having read through the synopsises for a couple of her books, I choose Muddy Waters to start with, liking the idea of the island setting and potential conflict .

To begin with Judy Astley writing is delightfully effortless to get into. She has a chatty style of writing which keeps you buoyant through out the book. There are some nice characters that back up the main three (Stella, Abigail, and Adrian Stella's husband), Ruth is a particularly refreshing character (and stands out to my mind). You also are given enough information about the island to work out where everyone is and how things work, but not over dominating so you have endless paragraphs of description.

However I must agree with another reviewer not an awful lot happens! To be fair it feels like the last 75 pages got lost at the printers, but they went ahead a printed it anyway. The story works its self up to what appears to be a tense ending, but after the truth comes out there's no real explanation on how things will sort them self's out again (only three pages follow the exposure)? Only when you look back, you find that allot of the other characters storylines (which began very definitely) are ended abruptly with allot of the details skated over.

Having said that is still a excellent smooth undemanding read, worth indulging in!


What happened?, 27 Jul 2003
I listened to this audio book all the way through, waiting for some sort of culmination and in the end, nothing really happened! There were lots of little threads suggesting that something big was going to happen between Adrian (Stella's husband) and Abigail (Stella's best friend), but they never really led anywhere. I felt that the plot had potential, but this was unrealised and I felt unfulfilled at the end. The various characters weren't 'deep' enough to get involved with and I'm afraid that the voice of the narrator (various 'whiny' accents) got on my nerves about a third of the way through, which didn't help!

Good way to pass the time on holiday, 28 Nov 2001
Judy Astley is a good storyteller, she develops her characters well and the plot is believable. Muddy Waters was a good read on the beach far from home!

Amusing!, 19 Oct 2007
An amusing read and much better than the last one I read by this author, All Inclusive. However from the cover picture I did actually think the story was going to include some travelling, but it was all about the build up!! Some of the comments reminded me of our own situation, when as 'empty nesters' we decided to sell the family home and come and live abroad.

funny and enjoyable, 04 May 2004
a funny story with some really wacky characters in it. Very lighthearted but an enjoyable holiday read.

A frothy, flimsy fiction, 09 Aug 2002
This book promised a great deal. Whilst there are a few surprises, not least the extra-marital exploits of Tom, the characters are far from convincing. Iain is too smooth, too predatory while Heather is too accommodating. I felt the main characters lacked any core values and so were unable to convey deeper emotions accurately. Having said that, the book makes good light reading and is entertaining enough to keep your interest the whole way through - perhaps good holiday reading. I would consider reading other titles by the same author.

Away From It All, 24 Dec 2004
This is the first Astley book I read, and to tell the truth it is one of those books you can sit down one wet Sunday afternoon and read. It's very easy to understand and to read.
The main character takes her family to Cornwall to help with her mother, while there she realises what was missing from her life. Though she thought her life was perfect, the complete opposite to how she was brought up, it is in Cornwall where she realises there is more to life.
Though the book is not a life altering book to read, it does raises some questions about how saftisfied people are with their lives.

Bourgeois Books Galore..., 16 Sep 2004
Judy has a tendency to write about the middle class. I also get the feeling that she writes primarily for middle class 'ladies wot lunch'.... I'm not a lady and I don't have lunch, but Away From it All is such an easy summer read I'd full on recommend it to just about anyone with a day or two to spare (they can be ready a bit quickly)...

Set in the deep south of England (and a bit in London) this book oozzzes those lazy days on holidays in Cornwall, with (as always) a bit of zest thrown in for good measure (whether this is the Authors idea or publishers.. who cares)!

I would recommend all the other self contained books which Judy has written - especially this one.

away from it all, 04 Feb 2004
excellent book.This is the first Judy Astley book I've read and its got me hooked for more. I read this book in 2 days,I really could not put it down. Its light hearted and witty. A good holiday read if you want something easy going.It reminded me of holidays as a child down to Cornwall, it doesn't seemed to have changed much.

ENJOYABLE AND ENTERTAINING - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 28 Apr 2003
I have just finished reading "Away From It All" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a witty and touching tale of what transpires after Alice returns to her childhood home when her ageing hippy mother has a stroke.
This is not a run of the mill "mid-life crisis" book - it is more light-hearted than most and there is much in Alice's life that she is thankful for. The characters are all totally believable, the modern references are accurate and the descriptions of Cornwall are delightful.
I bought "Away From It All" on the spur of the moment and liked it so much that I will buy another Judy Astley title immediately. It has also made me determined to visit Cornwall as soon as possible!

Great little holiday book, 12 Jun 2005
I don't agree with the two star rating this book has received so far. This is a really light and amusing story about an extended family holiday in the caribbean (Antigua)and all the trials and tribulations when grown up siblings and their families get are thrown together too closely for too long, especially when there is a raging hurricane thrown in. One of the husbands has a tricky dose of a sexually transmitted desease caught from a hooker which is pretty hilarious scenario - give it a go.

Claustrophobic, 30 Oct 2004
I have read most of Judy Astley's books, and enjoy them as a light read. However, I would not rate them as great literature. I am always surprised to read the reviews from renowned newspapers claiming them as such.

In particular, this book was one that I found very hard to read. I found it very claustrophobic. Other reviewers have described it as "boring", I am not sure that is the correct word. Throughout the book, the impending hurricane is announced, but when it actually happens, near the end, it takes only a few pages and is not really that exciting.

I find all of the characters to a large extent unrealistic and this is a disappointment. I myself have two teenage children, and they simply do not react in a similar fashion to the way Judy Astley describes, neither do any of their friends.

So while I continue to read Judy Astley in bed before I fall asleep, that is unfortunately as far as it goes, especially with this novel.

Boring!, 29 Jan 2001
I have always enjoyed my time with Judy Astleys books, but Excess Baggage has been an exception. None of the characters had any qualities you could identify with, let alone sympathise with - definately flatter than a hurricane flattened island!

Excess baggage, 21 May 2000
I bought this book yesterday and so far Im finding it uneventful.Its boring, I feel no real connection with the characters as they all seem to be nothing but a handful of annoying habits with no depth and the story so far is uninvolving. I have never read any of the authors previous works so I really have nothing to compare this to ...

Fantastic stuff, 10 Oct 2007
(This is my first ever review!)

What a wonderful book. I picked it up by chance some years ago when I fancied something new to read - and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Judy's descriptions of her characters are such that you feel you know them intimately after a page or two, and how she writes about the setting for the novel, Cornwall, makes you feel like you're there.

I adore this book and it has become not just my favourite Judy Astley novel, which it is, but also one of my favourite books. I must have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it...in fact it gets better at every reading as I know what's coming up next, and can't wait to read on! After having read this book I went on to get (nearly) every other novel by Judy Astley...there are a few I've still yet to read but I am working my way round to them.

This is a great book for taking on holiday....treat yourself and buy this book, and curl up somewhere warm and cosy and enjoy!

Funny, light harted and easy reading., 28 Feb 2001
Judy Astley has done it again! Just for the summer is all about the family holidays that we have all experienced at one point in our lives. Set in Cornwall the story tells of a families 6 week school holiday at their second home. It involves teenage romances, wild parties and some major flirting on behalf of the main character.A light harted and witty, easy reading book. Well worth a read!

A satisfying read, 16 Aug 2008
Judy Astley writes about issues we can all relate to, and her latest book, 'Other People's Husbands', is no exception. This book is a light, enjoyable read. We meet Sara and Conrad who are both at crisis point, and who have to deal with their issues separately. We also meet their two daughters, Cass and Panda, along with some other family and friends. All the characters are likeable, and Sara is someone to whom you can really warm to, as well as relate to. Conrad is very humourous. Themes such as love, growing old, extra-marital affairs, being a parent/grandparent are all covered. Art also features, which adds an interesting dimension. There is a lot of insightful description. The ending leaves you feeling satisfied.

Interesting characters, 28 Jul 2008
Sara wonders whether she is suffering from a mid life crisis whereas her husband- Conrad - is determined not to grow any older as his 70th birthday approaches. The story follows Sara and Conrad and their two daughters, Cassandra and Pandora as they battle with life and its problems. Judy Astley creates interesting characters with issues all her readers will be able to relate to. Is Conrad really thinking seriously about ending it all? Will Sara step off the straight and narrow with the fanciable Ben? Can Cassandra and Paul get back together? What about Pandora? Then there's Sara's sister Lizzie who comes to stay. There's always something happening to keep you interested. I loved the ending - which wraps up the whole thing in a very satisfying manner. I enjoyed it and would recommend it as a good holiday read.

Funny, truthful, and just a little bit sad, 22 Jul 2008
Judy Astley's Other People's Husbands goes where other books fear to. She writes about life as it is, but with an insight most of us living life usually miss. This book is funny, full of scary insight and makes you cry, just a bit. Perfect.

Astley at her best!, 16 Mar 2003
This is my joint favourite Astley novel, along with the fantastic Muddy Waters. The characters and motivations in this book run deeper than in some of her other novels, and the story is particularly intriguing- and heart-rending. It