I was in a charity shop a couple of days ago, and I saw a copy of Paul Scott’s The Jewel in the Crown, the first book of the Raj Quartet, for sale. I thought I’d have a go at reading it – I have vague memories of the television series, and I suspected I’d enjoy the book.

Then I spotted the other three novels – The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence and A Division of the Spoils – and decided to get the entire Quartet.

Then I saw the price. Paperbacks 69p. And it was also “buy one get one free.”

The entire Raj Quartet for £1.38.

Result.