Allan Gaw’s novel, The Silent House of Sleep, won the 2024 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, and deservedly so. The historical mystery introduces Dr. Jack Cuthbert in a story that beautifully entwines Cuthbert’s years in medical school in Edinburgh, his time serving in World War I, and a case in post-war London. Cuthbert is a complicated,… Continue reading The Silent House of Sleep by Allan Gaw
Author: Lesa Holstine
I have been a library manager/administrator for over 40 years, in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, and, now, Indiana. Recipient of the 2022 Raven Award from Mystery Writers of America. Library Journal Mystery Reviewer of the Year 2018. Recipient of the 2018 David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award from Bouchercon Board. Winner of the 2011 Arizona Library Association Outstanding Library Service Award. I am a mystery columnist for Library Journal, Mystery Readers Journal, and ReadertoReader.com. Author of the “Mystery Fiction” chapter in Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (7th ed.) Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Spinetingler Awards for Best Reviewer.
Libraries and Bookmobiles
After our conversations yesterday, I changed the heading for today’s post. Bookmobiles are libraries, and some of you might want to talk about school libraries, so I just made it libraries, rather than public libraries. This is the Huron Public Library, my hometown library, although it looked nothing like this when I was a child… Continue reading Libraries and Bookmobiles
What Are You Reading?
It’s been a quiet week here, so I have nothing to discuss except for tomorrow and the book I’m reading. Tomorrow, we’re going to talk about libraries, favorites or memories. I have no other bright ideas about Friday topics, so unless one of us comes up with a bright idea for a June topic, we’ll… Continue reading What Are You Reading?
The Last Chance Road Trip by Sara Jane Woodley
I got sucked into this romcom by the words “Road Trip”, plus the fact it was a novella, and I was looking for something short. Sara Jane Woodley’s story, The Last Chance Road Trip wasn’t quite what I expected. Yes, there was a road trip, but it took place over a measly weekend. Val Reyes-Murphy… Continue reading The Last Chance Road Trip by Sara Jane Woodley
Deadly Force by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles’ DCI Bill Slider mysteries may be my favorite police procedurals. I’ve read all twenty-six of the books. Deadly Force, the latest in the series, is witty with the teamwork, grunt work, and black humor emblematic of an excellent police procedural. It’s all hands on deck when Police Constable Peter Bentley is found murdered,… Continue reading Deadly Force by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Kevin’s Corner Annex – The Lost Angels by Michele Dominguez Greene
How does Kevin Tipple know when I need a book review? I don’t email and ask. I only met him at a conference once. He just has a sixth sense. He sent his review of The Lost Angels by Michele Dominguez Greene just in time. Thank you, Kevin. The Lost Angels: A Thriller by Michele… Continue reading Kevin’s Corner Annex – The Lost Angels by Michele Dominguez Greene
Reverse by Steven F. Havill
Over the course of twenty-eight books in any series, there will certainly be some that are better than others. While Steven F. Havill leaves readers guessing whether Reverse is the last in his Posada County mystery series, this one is certainly one of the best in recent years. It brings together all the sheriffs and… Continue reading Reverse by Steven F. Havill
The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery
The title, and even the blurb, for Susan Mallery’s The Bookstore Diaries are a little deceiving. I liked the characters and the premise of the novel, however the diaries themselves are not the main focus of the story. They do change several lives, but the blurb makes the book sound more scandalous and secretive than… Continue reading The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery
June Treasures in My Closet
I have an odd selection of books, and a smaller one, for June. I suspect publishers think readers are caught up in graduations, weddings and vacations. They may be right. In my family, it’s the big birthday party. There’s still a pile of books. What ones did I miss that you’re waiting to read? I’m… Continue reading June Treasures in My Closet
What Are You Reading?
It’s been a good week, but I already told you we made good progress on Mom’s birthday party. We also attended a family baptism, and the lunch afterwards before we headed home. Since then, I’ve been reading, running errands, and working. What about you? What have you been doing? What are you reading? Like Mark,… Continue reading What Are You Reading?