This week in Corduroy Mansions 2…

So did y'all sign up for Alexander McCall's Smith's latest digital serial novel, Corduroy Mansions 2: The Dog That Came In From The Cold?

I will do anything to avoid housework and this FREE novel that gets delivered to my laptop is a perfect way to whittle my time away now that the girls are all in school…

Last week we were introduced to William the wine merchant, his 28-year-old son (who only just moved out of his father's flat); William's Pimlico Terrier, Freddie de-lay-Hey; Marcia, a caterer who has (had?) her eye on William; and Angelica, a bespectacled beauty, who recently re-entered William's life. We also met Caroline and James, friends (more than?) that are recent graduates of Sotheby's Art Institute. After a surprise visit to William and a cup of tea, Angelica revealed that she worked for the Mi6 and they needed William's help…

I just previewed the next five chapters and are just as intriguing (though my had-too-many-babies-brain is starting to have a hard time following the amount characters). Next week's installment is mainly devoted to Caroline and James' relationship, and two new characters Rupert and his nemesis Barbara (both in publishing). There are some great London scenes, a brush with a secret society, more Latin, and oh, I can't tell you about that… I was pleased to see one of my favourite English terms "schadenfreude" make its way into the text.

So if you have an extra few minutes each weekday and need a good excuse to skip the ironing … sign up and get the daily chapters via email or mobile … It's loads of fun!