SPOILERS FOLLOW

Or perhaps it's just a little later, writes Richard Lea. After 24 hours with Harry Potter I'm looking forward to a golden day of peace tomorrow.

After 24 chapters of watching and waiting, of hints and clues, Rowling's machine finally hits top gear. Just four short chapters later there's been a dangerous journey, a pitched battle and a breakneck chase.

Dire warnings from the seer are the first sign that Rowling is attempting to ratchet up the tension. Somehow the spring fails to wind. Perhaps she is conscious of a duty to her younger readers, or maybe it's the strong odour of unfinished business, but Harry never really feels in real danger, and the finale lacks a certain something. I wonder what Dickens would have made of it ...