Nails.

To most of us men, they're just bits of hard keratin at the ends of our finger and toes, useful for picking, a nuisance when they get too long and have to be cut.

But to most women they're precious jewels to be painted and decorated and beautified.

I don't normally notice nails, except when Mrs Shan says, "I got my nails done. Are they nice?" To which the answer is always a resounding (albeit slightly befuddled, since they usually don't look that different to me), "Yes!" To be honest, they've always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I've struggled to understand why people spend so much time glamming them up.

But, reader, I am confused no longer! A fan called Adele has opened my eyes to the wonders of nails. Taking inspiration from my Cirque Du Freak series, she has finally shown me the magic that can be achieved on the nailicular front (I very much doubt that "nailicular" was a proper word before, but it is now!). The way has been shown -- let the rest of humankind follow suit!! :-)

While you're waiting for those nails to dry, you might want to check out the July issue of the Shanville Monthly, which could provide you with some ideas for your next nailicular makeover -- there's also a fab new COMPETITION, the details of which can be found here: https://www.darrenshan.com/news/shanville-monthly/