It’s the third week of the month, so I’m on deadline for Library Journal. I read four books over the weekend to review for them, and I’m finishing the last book today. That means I don’t have a book to discuss this week. I read all of those books, but reviews will be showing up in October and December when the books are released. I have nothing to talk about, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you.
What are you reading? What are you doing this week? Are you okay as COVID seems to be spreading again? Stay safe! I want to be able to hear from you when you have books to share!
Fresh peach pie, nice and cold from the ‘fridge. Ahh, what a great Summer treat, and in this heat – though it’s cooled into low 80s, it’s especially welcome, as have been the tall glasses of sun tea and many books arriving from the library.
I finished The Last Commandment by Scott Shepherd, and Lesa was certainly correct in her assessment of it as reading as if it was written to be a movie, which comes as no surprise given the author’s background in film and television. I thought it was a standalone, but read in an interview that it the first in a new series. Shepherd is working on the next book now, to be published next year. Also like Lesa, I figured out who the murderer was fairly early on, but that didn’t keep me from continuing to its Alpine conclusion. Pretty good, I’ll probably try the next one, mostly to see what the main character, Commander Grant of Scotland Yard, (ret.) will do next.
Sorting out the Timber Creek K-9 series by by Margaret Mizushima, I read the second one, Stalking Ground, which was as good as, perhaps better than, the first book. In this one, a pretty young woman has gone missing, and eventually, through the skill of Deputy Matti Cobb and her K-9 dog Robo, she is found buried in rough mountainous terrain, shot with an arrow and buried. An unusual weapon, but it is Winter now hunting season. Could it have been an accident? No, not with her being buried like that. Another question: is there any connection to the unusually ill horses Mattie’s friend the vet is treating?
Next I read the third book, Hunting Hour, which had a different feel to it. In the Afterword/Acknowledgments, the author said this is her “mental health book”, and is it ever. Deputy Matte Cobb has serious problems stemming from her abusive father, other characters are acting oddly and one young girl has died and another is kidnapped. An elderly farmer is paranoid while a high school student is keeping secrets. It was good to visit with the now familiar characters, but of the three series books, I found this to be both the most angst-filled and weakest.
With the library books stacked by due dates, the next book was The Keepers by Jeffrey Burton, the sequel to his first novel in the series, The Finders, with protagonist Mace Reid and his K-9 cadaver dog Livia. More K-9? you say. Yes, though very different in style and setting. While I thought this second book was good, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first book.
Now, I’m reading short stories from a handful of anthologies – both mystery and science fiction – while awaiting the Tuesday arrival of the latest William Kent Krueger novel, reviewed by Lesa days ago. Also arriving Tuesday is the new Chief Inspector Gamache novel by Louise Penny. I’ll probably read the Krueger first, but it’s a tough choice, isn’t it?
Oh, the peach pie sounds great, Rick. Like you, I’ll probably check out the next Commander Grant book just to see what happens with it. And, as much as I like the Timber Creek K-9 series, I’m wondering if the personal situation with Matti’s past will ever get put to rest.
I’m currently reading the Helen Grace series by M.J. Arlidge, which is AMAZING.
I’m reading the new Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary
And I’m reading the new Stephen King: Later
All such good books 🙂
Esther, That’s terrific that all your current books are good ones. I’m not familiar with the Helen Grace series. I’ll have to look it up.
Two good books this week.
A FIANCEE’S GUIDE TO FIRST WIVES AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman and WAIT FOR IT by Jenn Mckinlay. I stayed up late to finish that one.
Happy Reading!
I agree with you on both those books, Sharon. Loved Wait for It! I really liked both of them.
Just started THE PERSONAL LIBRIARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Finished RISING AND OTHER STORIES by Gale Massey.
Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl. Don’t you have a new book out?
Just received my large print copy of that book!
Like Rick, I found Burton’s THE KEEPERS disappointing after the first book in the series. It started slowly and it did pick up, but I came to the conclusion that Mace is in the “damsel in distress”/Had I But Known role here, and Kippy Gimm is the alpha in the relationship. If he just listened to her and did what she told him, he wouldn’t keep finding himself on the wrong side of the door from his dogs. Margaret Mizushima and Paula Munier are definitely ahead of the game with their K-9 series.
Also read the latest Sharon McCone book by Marcia Muller, ICE AND STONE, in an incredible series that started with EDWIN OF THE IRON SHOES in 1977. I’ve read all of them. Sadly, this is not one of her best, McCone is in far northern California near the Oregon border, trying to find out about the murders of two Native American women when the racist Sheriff just doesn’t seem to care. The problem for me was, I didn’t care that much either. McCone away from San Francisco and her team and family is just not as interesting. This is proven by how much the book picks up in the second half when they do come into it. Frankly, I find these rural mysteries are done better by Muller’s husband, Bill Pronzini. As always, however, it was a fast read and the 250 or so pages zipped by.
I mentioned Christopher Fowler’s RED GLOVES horror story collection, and I did finish both Volume 1 and Volume 2. I’m still read Dino Buzzati’s collection, CATASTROPHE and Other Stories.
Only 20% done so far, but for anyone who reads thrillers by Lee Child about Jack Reacher or Nick Petrie’s Peter Ash series, you need to immediately look for John David Mann and former SEAL Brandon Webb’s STEEL FEAR. It is set on the nuclear-powered Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, described as an “unhappy” ship, in the Persian Gulf. Our hero (anti-hero?) is simply Finn, an unlikely looking former Navy SEAL hopping a ride home, possibly in disgrace. All of a sudden, murders start to occur and Finn is clearly going to be the one to solve them, if only out of self-preservation as he is the obvious suspect. The setting is great – we’ve been on one of the carriers during Fleet Week and they are huge – and it sounds like there will be a series to come.
Have a good (and safe) week, everyone.
I agree with you and RIck about The Keepers. After enjoying The Finders, I was so disappointed with this second book that I couldn’t finish it. I should have stuck with it (it’s pretty short) but I always have so many other books waiting.
Right there with you on The Keepers. I really ended up finishing it because I’m a fan of the dogs. Love your comment about the damsel in distress, Jeff!
We went to The Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ last weekend. They’re limiting tours to 50 people so even though it’s outdoors there was plenty of room to social distance. It’s really eerie to be surrounded by 4 packs of wolves when they start howling.
I read THE MOONSHINE SHACK MURDER by Diane Kelly. I liked the characters but I’m not sure if I’ll want to read about different flavors of moonshine for more than a couple of books.
DEATH IN CASTLE DARK by Veronica Bond. A member of the cast is murdered during a mystery dinner. This is another series that I feel may be hard to keep fresh due to the limitations of the setting.
THE HISTORY OF DINERS IN NJ by Michael C Gabrielle. Since I’ve lived most of my life in NJ and diners are a fixture of the landscape I found this interesting even though it mostly covers the older modular diners that were built up until the 1960 which are rapidly disappearing. We drove past one of the diners in the book last weekend but didn’t have time to stop.
I’m currently reading another nonfiction book, OUR NATIVE BEES by Paige Embry.
I have Death in Castle Dark on a TBR pile, Sandy. I’m looking forward to reading it, but you might be right. I think (may be wrong) that the publishers for cozies plan on a 3 book ARC, and then they’ll see what happens.
Good morning to all. I read a book I really enjoyed called Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper. This book was a recommentation from one of the older Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guides. I loved the humor of the main character Margot. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a lighter read.
I am listening to Circle of Influence by Annette Dashoffy. I am really enjoying it. I realize that I prefer a standard mystery over what is now called pyschological thrillers or domestic thrillers. Not to say I won’t read them but I just like plain old mysteries (I guess it dates back to my Nancy Drew days). Wisdom comes with age.
I just purchased a Kindle! I read both “hold in your hand” books and ebooks. I was reading the ebooks on my IPad and that worked well for a time. When I was at the beach, I had a hard time reading because of the glare. I also carry the IPad back and forth to work which makes my bag very heavy. So I will try the Kindle. When I opened the package last night, I could not believe the small size and weight of it! Tonight I will set it up. The one draw back is the Kindle does not support Hoopla. So I will have to use my IPad for any reading I do on Hoopla.
Have a wonderful week.
Renewed reading mojo has come to my corner of Arizona along with LOTS of rain! It may sound like a drop in the bucket to those of you with lush green lawns, but to see almost 9 1/2 inches of rain in our community this year feels miraculous. Our desert is literally blossoming. Wahoo!
This week I finished Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson. The Flying Leap is a “divorce ranch” in Reno in the 1930s staffed by “dimestore” cowboys. The story featured in these pages are the misadventures of two wealthy women who await their divorces. I enjoyed the wry sense of humor and the use of a 2nd person narrator. A story well told.
Hooked: Food, Free Will and Howbthe Food Industries Exploit our Addictions by Michael Moss was a close look into both the science and study of Addiction as well as into the Food Industry. This book was fascinating and important.
I listened to 2 middle grade audio books that were superb, Ground Zero by Alan Gratz (better fitted for 7-8th graders) and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. I finished Ground Zero about both September 11th and the continuing war in Afghanistan on the day Kabul fell to the Taliban yet again. So complicated but such a great way to teach and digest these subjects to youth that never saw the Towers or knew a life without American presence in Afghanistan.
Finally I am reading in preparation for Book Group this next week. We are going back to our Arizona roots and reading the final book of a series written by Nancy E Turner that started with These is My Words. Titled The Light Changes Everything, this is the story of Mary Pearl who leaves the Arizona territory in 1908 to attend Wheaton College and study art. I’ve just started but have enjoyed falling back under the spell that Nancy Turner weaves.
Happy Rain and Reading!
Oh, Kathleen, I hope you love your Kindle. I am so smitten with mine, and it goes everywhere with me. I know this won’t be popular with some readers, but – – – it has become my preferred way to read a good book.
Kaye, Jackie feels exactly the same. She constantly asks me to check if a book is available on Kindle and would rather wait until the library gets the Kindle edition to read it. It started when she was having problems with arthritis in her thumb that made it hard to hold a paperback open (hardbacks were OK), but now she wants to read everything on the Kindle, if possible.
I started doing it for convenience – why carry a dozen or more books on vacation when I can take a Kindle? – but now that my library has so many ebooks, it is much easier than putting something on hold and going to pick it up. Plus, I have so many books on it (over 600, but some are “complete” author collections, so surely at least 700) that it makes sense.
Jeff, yes. All those things! And it’s worth having Kindle Unlimited too. I have said this in jest, but there’s a lot of truth in knowing I may not be allowed to bring my personal library with me when it’s time to go into assisted living, but I can bring my Kindle loaded with many many many books.
I’ll guess this will fall beneath the other replies. I tried a (friend’s) Kindle and very much disliked the smallness of it. The screen is TINY for reading! I like and read ebooks but on my iPad, which has a nearly book-sized screen. It also is easy to carry with me, and has full email and internet access too.
I don’t know all the different styles/types of Kindle devices. Mine is a Fire and the screen size, for me, is just right. Any smaller though and I would not like it.
Kathleen, I have only recently discovered the Modern Mrs Darcy podcast, and I can’t make up my mind about it. She does interview some interesting people, but sometimes I find her voice just too, too saccharine – though that might well be the unfair cynic in me. Also I do find the adverts jarring – ‘readers, I’m always looking for comfortable books, so i was delighted to find these comfortable bras’ – that kind of thing! I think it’s that the adverts just pop up without any warning, so you think she is talking about a book then realise it’s actually shoes – or indeed underwear…
I’ve started listening to a few US book podcasts, and they really are quite different from the British ones. It’s fascinating.
Rosemary
Rosemary, I’ve been listening to Modern Mrs. Darcy for a long time, and you get used to the advertisements, which quite commonly are delivered by the person doing the podcast. I always find it interesting to hear what people are reading and what they are looking for in their reading lives. The suggestions from Anne Bogel are interesting as well. Occasionally I find myself looking for a book she recommends if I’m not already aware of it.
I definitely agree about the book suggestions Marge – I love hearing about what other people are reading, especially when Anne Bogel has guests with very different lives from mine.
I also sometimes listen to ‘Currently Reading’, and I love ‘Tea or Books’, a much more amateur UK podcast with excellent blogger Simon Thomas and his friend Rachel. They talk mainly – but not exclusively – about books from the mid-20th century.
‘Backlisted’ is also a very good English podcast, though sometimes I think one of the two hosts has so much book information in his head that he hardly lets anyone else get a word in! But it’s all with good intentions, and they also have interesting guests (eg I might already have mentioned their session with Jenny Colgan, which was an eye-opener for me, as I think I had stupidly and wrongly assumed that she would only know about the types of books she herself writes, when in fact she is one of the widest-read authors I’ve come across (and also funny and modest.)
They do, of course, all add more and more to one’s TBR lists, but although I will never get round to reading everything on mine, I find it strangely comforting to have the titles sitting there waiting for me.
I love your comments, Rosemary, about your assumption about Jenny Colgan. We all make those kinds of assumptions, don’t we?
Good morning, Kathleen! Congratulations on the new Kindle. I know. Kindle doesn’t always work with OverDrive either. Sometimes, it does, and other times people have to use workarounds.
Totally agree with you. I much prefer traditional mysteries over psychological thrillers or domestic thrillers. I tend to avoid the others.
Kathleen, I love my Kindle Oasis which was a surprise to me. I thought e-readers would never replace the printed page but being able to change the font size sold me. I still read printed books but not as many. I use Libby to get my books from my library.
SUNRISE BY THE SEA, book #4 in Jenny Colgan’s Little Beach Street Bakery series, reintroduces us to Polly, Huckle, and their now-5-year-old twins, who live in a lighthouse in the seaside village of Mount Polbearne in Cornwall. Polly owns and operates the Little Beach Street bakery, while Huckle owns a honey distribution business, and Neil the puffin is still their frequent companion. But the focus of this book is on Marissa, a town registrar, whose landlord suggests she move to one of the vacation cottages in Mount Polbearne when she can’t shake an anxiety disorder following the death of her treasured grandfather in Italy. Marissa keeps herself housebound after her move until her new therapist prescribes a gradual plan to expand her horizons. Complicating the plan, however, is the bear-like piano teacher who moved in next door on the same day Marissa arrived, driving her crazy with his loud and seemingly discordant playing at night, not to mention his easily-heard commentary on his students’ progress by day. Like all of Colgan’s wonderfully appealing books, this one has unique and lovable characters, drama (a hurricane and financial near-disasters). food (from both Polly and Marissa), and a satisfying ending. It also includes the most extravagant children’s birthday party you’ve ever seen, as well as the ingenious idea to leave a FaceTime connection open 24/7 between Marissa and her grandmother in Italy. Always charming, always reliable and heart-warming.
I was very impressed with FAULT LINES by Emily Itani, a debut novel. It is a first-person narrative by Mizuki, who admits to having beautiful children, a beautiful husband, and a beautiful apartment in a Tokyo high-rise. Her husband, Tatsuya, works the usual insane hours and is rewarded with promotions and a comfortable lifestyle for his family, but Mizuki faults him for taking her for granted and wishes he would “phrase things more pleasantly.” After spending a year as a foreign exchange student in the US as a 16-year-old, Mizuki couldn’t wait to go back to New York and pursue a career as a singer. She ended up playing some gigs in both countries but gave it up after marrying Tatsuya and having their son and daughter, now aged 4 and 10. She spends some of her time as a consultant teaching American and English businessmen how to navigate Japan’s unexpected cultural idiosyncrasies so they can avoid offending the locals. But it’s not enough. She wonders: “Is it normal to fluctuate so quickly between feeling tender toward your husband and fervently wishing him a violent death?” Mizuki can’t help striking up a friendship with Kiyoshi, an attractive restaurant entrepreneur, and realizes she has to decide what she wants her life to be. Itami’s writing is at its best when she is ruminating about the highs and lows of motherhood, the traps foreigners can unknowingly fall into when they are not familiar with Japanese customs, the conflicting desires of a privileged but unfulfilled woman, and the potential dangers of Tokyo’s subway system. She has a way with prose–I found it to be clever, luminous, and accessible. It’s a comparatively short book (220 pages) but is absolutely worth your time. (September)
In ISN”T IT BROMANTIC? by Lyssa Kay Adams, another member of the Bromance Book Club is featured–this time it’s Vlad, the sexy Russian ice hockey star. He’s been in a marriage of convenience with his childhood friend, Elena, for six years so she could come to the US and get an education as a journalist (which he has funded). Vlad has harbored hopes that eventually it will become a real marriage, but Elena has been in Chicago so long with little communication on either side that it seems highly unlikely. Subplots include Elena’s investigation into the murder of her journalist father and Vlad’s “secret” attempt to write a romance novel. This episode of the series fell flat for me, unfortunately. I didn’t think either Vlad or Elena demonstrated enough gumption to make their relationship work, and the subplots were largely ignored and seemed implausible. Scenes with the other members of the book club were more entertaining, in my opinion. I am hoping for better the next time around.
I love Julia Buckley’s Hungarian Tea House Mysteries–an excellent, well-written cozy series. Hana, her mother and grandmother run a tea house serving Hungarian delicacies. Her grandmother is well known for her psychic gifts, and Hana is just starting to develop her own. In DEATH ON THE NIGHT OF LOST LIZARDS, a professor of Hungarian language is killed on campus at the nearby university, where there is rumbling over the determination that one of the languages taught at the university will be eliminated. Further complicating things are the affairs the victim has had with coworkers and the rumors of large gambling debts. Hana’s boyfriend is a detective (of course), and she is able to feed him some valuable information about the crime that she gleans from friends and other locals. But she generally doesn’t put herself in danger in the process, as so many cozy protagonists do. I enjoyed the fact that this book is set during the Christmas season (don’t we all need that year-round?) and hearing about various holiday events at the tea house, Christmas shopping, Hungarian folklore, and Hana’s extended family– both biological and “acquired.” The best combination of a good plot, convincing characters, and a comforting setting.
In A GLIMMER OF A CLUE by Daryl Wood Gerber, the second book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series, set in Carmel, CA (near Monterey), the setting is a big part of the enchantment. Courtney owns Open Your Imagination, a shop where she teaches interested patrons how to build their own fairy gardens and provides the pots, figurines, plants, and other necessities. She has a budding friendship with the owner of the local cafe, but it hasn’t become a romantic relationship yet. And the shop has its own fairy, Fiona, who has flunked out of fairy school but is trying hard to earn her second and third pair of wings. There are others in Carmel who believe in fairies–some who can even see and hear them–but there are just as many skeptics. Lana Lamar, a seductive art critic, has a number of enemies, but when she is found murdered with Courtney’s friend’s mother standing over her holding the murder weapon, the police draw the obvious conclusion. But the alleged murderer is a sleepwalker and doesn’t remember doing the deed. There are a lot of characters in play and, fortunately, there is a listing of characters and their occupations at the beginning, which I referred to frequently. I enjoyed the twisty plot, the seaside environment, and the “glimmer” of the supernatural.
Sandie Herron will offer her review of Isn’t It Bromantic here on Sunday, Margie. I read the first book in the series, and just never went any further. Interesting collection of books this week!
Indeed. I enjoyed Isnt It Bromantic a great deal. I love the cast of characters and their interactions with each other.
Not as much reading time this week as I took an impromptu trip to the Bay Area in CA. Family, food and a couple hours of paperwork. Unfortunately, the wildfire smoke came along. The Dixie Fire is burning in five counties, over 600,000 acres, (1000+ square miles). The scale is hard to imagine, significant property damage, but no fatalities and very few injuries.
Hard Cold Winter (Glen Erik Hamilton) is the second novel in the Van Shaw series, with the sixth a 2021 release. Set in the Seattle area featuring a retired Army Ranger who was raised by his criminal grandfather. There are a couple of well defined characters and an assortment of family, friends and bad guys. Amid the good guys/bad guys plot, the author weaves in his take on PTSD and reentry to civilian life. Not my typical selection, but a good story. Lesa wrote a nice descriptive review in March 2016 when the book came out.
The closest I’ll get to a travel holiday this year is a popular beach read – People We Meet on Vacation (Emily Henry). An homage to the movie version of Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally.
Finally, Silence in the Library, the second Lily Adler mystery by Katharine Schellman. The widow Adler assists with two murder investigations in 1815 London. Lesa wrote a lovely review in mid-July.
I remember the long, lazy days of August summer from childhood, but school started here last week. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
I know, MM. School is in session here, too. It just seems so early! I prefer our childhood when we got out about June 7, and went back to school after Labor Day. Then, we did get the entire summer off!
I loved Emily Henry’s Beach Read, but just couldn’t get into People We Meet on Vacation.
Lesa, for some reason, both my computer and my Ipad (both different services) will not load your website….or actually your page loads but the content is blank. I have had to go to the Bloblovin site to read your reviews. would you have any idea why that is happening?
Just to let everyone know, I’m having the same problem that Pat is. I’ve contacted my webmaster, and she’s working on it. I hope it will be up and working again soon! – Lesa
Mine actually had the blank page, but did have your bio info at the bottom. I did an elaborate work around via loading older reviews. Just found out if I click the blank screen where the review should be, it connects to the review. The comments, but not replies, are numbered now also.
I’m so impressed with the dedication you all have to our Thursdays that you do elaborate work arounds in order to talk about books. Thank you, all!
I also had a problem with it a couple of times today, but I kept trying until it worked.
It was another good reading week.
Three books I read featured interesting, intelligent, strong women; all of whom I liked. Lurking in the background of each of these novels were wealthy powerful creepy scumbag men who used their wealth as power and their power to do evil.
This was especially true in Karin Slaughter’s FALSE WITNESS and Michele Weinstat Miller’s GONE BY MORNING. To a lesser, but still visible degree, in IN POLITE COMPANY by Gervais Hagerty.
Karin Slaughter’s characters are not always likeable, but they are always distinctive and unforgettable and especially so in FALSE WITNESS. Wow. This was rough reading in spots, and some I actually just skimmed or skipped, but it is still a book I recommend.
I enjoyed GONE BY MORNING every bit as much as I thought I would after reading Lesa’s review. Excellent.
IN POLITE COMPANY is Gervais Hagerty’s debut novel, and I’m not sure she has found her voice yet, but it was an interesting look at Charleston and the movers and shakers who run the city from board rooms and boy’s clubs.
And finally, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles. Mr. Towels can tell a story. And he tells this story in a way to find and touch every emotion. I loved it, but not everyone will.
Kaye! I’m so glad you enjoyed Gone by Morning. As I said, not an easy book to review without spoilers. Such obnoxious men in that book!
And, I really am happy that The Lincoln Highway didn’t let you down.
An academic anthology of fiction, The Story and Its Writer, by Ann Charters is keeping me busy these weeks as I prepare to teach a creative writing fiction course. Many of those I’ve re-read are classics (such as O’Conner’s Everything That Rises Must Converge), but some are new to me including George Saunders’ Puppy and Miranda July’s The Swim Team. I was blown away by those latter two. Wow!
Laurie, I used to love academic anthologies, although I have to say my favorite was my drama textbook. Even as a kid, I used to read some of my textbooks ahead of time, but I loved those plays. I sometimes forget how much I loved that class, History of Theatre and Drama, when I think of my love of Broadway.
Hello Lesa and everyone
Autumn has well and truly arrived in northern Scotland. The days are cooler, the wild raspberries are largely over, and now the blackberries are darkening on the bushes. I like this time of year, even though it means my bedding plants are starting to fade, and to feel sticky to the touch (not sure what that is, but it happens every year.) The heron is back on the river – which has been too shallow for him/her to fish until a week or so ago.
Last weekend we moved our youngest, Madeleine, from Edinburgh to Glasgow. It was quite a trip, as there was a mix-up about keys, then the van hire place gave us a much, much bigger van than we had booked, and my husband had to get that down the narrow, double-parked, streets of Glasgow’s East End – we ended up just parking in the middle of the street, effectively blocking it owing to all the double parking – and unloading as fast as we could. But it all got done, she is established in her new flat, the friend she is sharing with will join her on Saturday, and my last baby is gone! Of course she has not been at home much for the past few years, having been at art school in Dundee, but somehow this seems more permanent. I’m really glad though, that two of my three children have decided to stay in Scotland.
What with that and various other stuff, my reading has been pretty limited. I am still on The Bachelor Brothers’ Pillow Book and Eve Garnett’s Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street, both of which I really should have been able to read in a day, but hey-ho, they’re both good.
On the radio I am listening to a crime series called Cordoba, in which the excellent Alison Steadman is Diane Mitchell, a washed-up journalist who has returned to work on a local paper in Swansea (Wales), ostensibly to be near her daughter. The daughter lives with her Welsh-speaking father, who is a former rugby international, Prior to this Mitchell has been in Nicaragua for 2 years, but so far it isn’t clear why. A once-famous but by then failing author is killed when his boat is blown up. Mitchell is sent to cover his memorial service, and is approached by a woman who tells her he was murdered. Before long – and before Mitchell can meet up with her – the woman is found hanged. Her death is ruled a suicide, but Mitchell doesn’t believe this – so she investigates, along with a BBC journalist she met at the service. Somehow the rugby club, a controversial agricultural research establishment, Welsh Nationalists (who, at the time this series was first aired, were very active in burning down holiday homes) and an animal rights group, are all interconnected. No-one is as they seem. It’s really very good, and I will finish it when I go for my walk before dinner. The author is Nigel Baldwin.
Yesterday I had to go into town to return some things for my mother, so of course I had to visit a few of my favourite charity book shops – and I had a very successful time. Some of the books I bought (at £1 each) were:
Stuart MacBride – Shatter the Bones (MacBride is local to Aberdeenshire; his books tend to be very graphic, but my son loves them, so I thought it was about time I gave them another try.)
Ann Cleeves – The Darkest Evening and The Long Call
Hamilton Crane – Miss Seeton Cracks the Case
Alan Bradley – The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag (I read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie recently)
Rebecca Tope – The Patterdale Plot (I get irritated by [but don’t seem to be able to give up…] Tope’s Cotswolds series, so I thought i’d see what her Lake District one is like!)
Margaret Truman – Murder at the Library of Congress
And some non-mystery books:
Elizabeth Strout – Olive Kitteridge (I’ve heard a lot about this book and its sequel, but not read either)
Anne Doughty – The Teacher at Donegal Bay
Laurie Graham – The Early Birds (sequel to The Future Homemakers of America, which I loved)
Angela Carter – The Magic Toyshop
Katie Fforde – The Rose Revived
Fannie Flagg – Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (I’ve seen the film but never read the book – decided to try it after enjoying A Redbird Christmas)
Alice Munro – Dear Life
Angela Bourke – Maeve Brennan – Wit Style and Tragedy: an Irish Writer in New York
Ruth Jones- Never Greener
Has anyone read any of these?
And finally Lesa, I must tell you that I am very excited finally to have found a breeder who expects to have a litter of Siamese ready for new homes in November – they are just 2 weeks old now. Not sure of all the details yet, but it looks promising!
Have a great week everyone,
Rosemary
Rosemary, I loved all the Margaret Truman Mysteries. I also read all the Elliott Roosevelt Mysteries if you ever come across them. They are good as well.
Thanks Sharon, it’s great to have a recommendation. I’ve only just realised that Margaret Truman was the child of President Truman.
Rosemary, I’ve read the Miss Seton book. I like the ones by Heron Carvic better
Sandy – there seem to be three different authors of these books! I’ve read a couple of the earlier ones. I’ll give this one a try – at least they’re short!
Rosemary, the Elliott Roosevelt books were NOT written by him. I believe William Harrington was the ghostwriter. And despite years of denial, Margaret Truman’s books were actually written by Donald Bain, most well known for writing the Jessica Fletcher series. It was only after they died (the Roosevelt estate tried to explain why the books kept coming by claiming he had left several finished manuscripts when he died, but…not) that the truth fully came out.
I’ve read Fannie Flagg’s FRIED GREEN TOMATOES… and a couple of others and they were terrific fun. Stuart MacBride was even too dark for me. I gave up after three or four of them. I did like his use of Aberdeen.
Well Jeff, I had no idea they were ghost written. I enjoyed them nonetheless. I did stop reading the Elliott Roosevelt books published after his death.
Thanks Jeff – I always enjoy backgournd!
I have only ever read one Stuart MacBride – it was the first I think, and a long time ago, so I thought I’d try him again, but I may well give up and re-donate this one. That’s the joy of charity shops – the books are often only £1 or even 50p, and then you can give them back and they make some more money. And I agree, i do like recognising the places he mentions, as with Ian Rankin (and also Alexander McCall Smith) in Edinburgh.
I’m working on WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN by Miranda James. Enjoying it so far. We will see how far I get into it today. My power is supposed to be out from 8 PM to 6 AM. I am planning to postpone my run until after the power goes out, but once I get back, I figure I can read without the distraction of the internet or TV. It will be close whether I get it finished before I go to bed.
Fortunately, we are having unusually cool weather right now. Yesterday, it was only 70. Today, it is supposed to hit 80, but cool way down at night. Can’t remember when it was this cool in August. I plan to crank down my AC before they shut off my power, then I can open windows if I need to later.
They are doing this because they are working on beefing up the infrastructure in my neighborhood so they won’t have to shut it off for high winds and other weather related things like that in the fall. Last year, the power shut offs were pretty bad for my neighbors (I never lost power with them), so I am happy to see them doing this.
Mark, I’m happy to hear they’re upgrading the infrastructure where you live. I’ve read the notes saying they were shutting off power here or there. We had rolling blackouts over Christmas one very cold year in Florida. People were not happy because Christmas dinners were ruined. There was no notice, and the power would go off for an hour or two. No where near as long as in California. I’m glad you’re having cooler weather while dealing with this!
I thought What the Cat Dragged In was one of Miranda James’ best books.
We had power outages this last year on Thanksgiving Day. It did not go over well. I actually was out of town, so it didn’t affect me, but I wouldn’t have been happy if I’d been home and trying to cook something.
A Siamese kitten, Rosemary! I once had a cat who was half Siamese, a beautiful one named Lammie. My husband named her that because she was all white when she was born, and looked like a little lamb. Unfortunately, we only had her for four years before she succumbed to liver disease. I hope you share a photo of the kitten on Facebook when it comes home!
I read both of the Ann Cleeves books. Big fan! The Alan Bradley. Please read the acknowledgements in the Bradley book. If they’re the same as in the U.S. edition, I’ll tell you about it after you read the book. I haven’t read that Katie Fforde, but I have read some. There are a lot more published in Great Britain than here. I own Love Letters, though. That one is just perfect for me – a bookseller, a book fair, an author, and Ireland. (sigh)
I thought it was Jasper Fforde. ?
Jasper Fforde is a mystery writer, Rick. You’re right. Katie Fforde writes women’s fiction and romances.
Hi Lesa — I’m reading The Mermaid Broker by Sue Hinkin, which I believe is the 4th book in the series. As always the book is well-plotted and the pacing is fine. The crimes are related to sex trafficking, so the story is intense.
In real life, we’re just being extra careful again, staying away from crowds and masking when necessary. I’m trying to focus on writing, so that’s keeping me out of trouble.
So smart to mask up and stay away from crowds, Patricia. Stay safe.
That’s an author I’ve never heard of. I’ll need to look at her books.
I finished WAY STATION by Clifford D. Simak. All I knew when I started it was that it was a science fiction classic about a man on earth, in the US in the 1960s, providing a station where aliens from other planets stop overnight while traveling from planet to planet. This is completely hidden from the rest of the world. It is a very interesting and entertaining book, with lots of tension, because his station is discovered, and I was surprised at the ending.
Next book was THE GRAND SOPHY by Georgette Heyer. I have read Heyer’s mysteries (some of them) but this was only the second Regency romance I had read. I enjoyed it but I could see similarities to the previous one I read, FREDERIKA. The next one I will read will be ARABELLA, sometime in the next few months. Any suggestions for favorite Georgette Heyer books would be appreciated.
I just finished THE TURQUOISE SHOP by Francis Crane last night. It is a mystery published in 1941 featuring a couple, Jean and Pat Abbott, although in this first book they meet for the first time in a fictionalized version of Taos, New Mexico. This was the first book in the series and until Rue Morgue Press released a new edition in 2004, it was very hard to find. The series has 26 books, and all but the last have a color in the title. The only other one I have read is THE INDIGO NECKLACE, set in the French Quarter in New Orleans during the closing months of World War II. For me, these books are enjoyed for the setting in place and time, and the mystery is just a sideline. [Although The Turquoise Shop is inspired by a real person and a real event.]
Tracy, I’m no help because The Grand Sophy was one of my favorites. I read so many of those books, but looking back they were quite similar. I loved them, though.
I’m going to have to check out The Turquoise Shop. Your description of this series is enticing!
Thanks Lesa – I also had a half-Siamese cat when I was a teenager. I called him Dilwyn, which is a Welsh name and I have absolutely no recollection of where I got that from, as my family has no Welsh connections whatsoever (or didn’t then – my elder daughter’s partner is Welsh through and through, with a wonderful accent!) Dilwyn was black but with a very Siamese shape, and of course the Siamese voice. I am so sorry your Lammie died young – I think the vet told me that they are particularly prone to liver disease (also teeth trouble – the number of dentals I forked out for doesn’t bear thinking about! Old neighbours used to have oriental cats, one of whom (Ajax) had had to have all of his teeth removed owing to some kind of jaw malformation – despite this he was a furous hunter, we used to say he must’ve sucked those hares to death…)
I had always wanted a Siamese since reading Doreen Tovey’s books. I finally got my two full Siamese girls years later, and as you know the last one died earlier this year. At times they both used to drive me round the bend, but they were so funny, so clever, and such good company, that I soon realised I needed to look for another (or possibly two…)
I’ll certainly post a photo!
I’ve just rushed to read those acknowledgements in The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag! You are a star (as we all already knew, of course…) !!! I look forward to hearing the story behind that. (Also I thought Alan Bradley lived in Canada but I see this book says he lives in Malta?)
I have had mixed experiences with previous Katie Fforde novels, but she is such a nice person that I always feel drawn to try another one. I believe she is very generous with her help and encouragement for newer writers too.
And I am also seeing your website in a rather strange format. I’m glad you mentioned it so at least I know it’s not my computer.
Rosemary
Alan Bradley did start out in Canada, but they moved to Malta. He did a book tour for his first book, and came to The Poisoned Pen when I was still in Arizona. I took a librarian friend, and we went to hear him. Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, asked if I wanted to go out for drinks with her and Alan after the program. I said, well, I have a friend with me. She said bring her along. So, Cathy & I went, and we all sat and talked for several hours. Actually, we listened more than anything as he and Barbara discussed their world travels. Wonderful evening! We were so surprised to see the acknowledgements when the second book came out.
Yes, the website still looks a little weird, although things are better now. WordPress did some sort of upgrade. Hah! Anytime you hear upgrade, think it downgrades everything you worked on.
I’ve liked some of of Katie Fforde’s books better than others. That’s so great to hear she’s a nice person and generous with her time.
Maybe two Siamese, siblings! That sounds so sweet. I can’t wait to see those photos.
…and now I can leave a reply. Good old WordPress (😠)
I know, Rick. I was doing some of my replies sort of blind today.
Such a great story Lesa – I have already told several of my friends about it!
I never had a Siamese, but I had Himalayan cats when I was a kid. Loved all of them. I’d like another, but can’t find one for less than $500.
It was so smoky here yesterday, we couldn’t even see the sun. People are getting heated about the recall,
This week I read:
Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber; Somewhere among the social commentary, there is a mystery. A German lady moves to England for her health, and the locals aren’t very happy. I guess we’re supposed to be appalled, but honestly, If I’d been in the trenches, I might very well feel the same way.
Stagecoach to Purgatory by Peter Brandvoldt; Adventures of profane bounty hunter Lou Prophet. Almost a throwback to the pulps, but nobody speaks in that era’s western palaver.
The Damsel by David Dixon; A pair of lovable losers try to make a living with their decrepit spaceship. Their desperation causes them to take mission they probably shouldn’t. Another throwback!
The Carnacki Casebook volume 1 by William Rankin; pulp about a supernatural detective battling the paranormal in England. Entertaining, but lacks Jules de Grandin’s panache.
Instead of buying a purebred, rescue a senior (4 or older) and you’ll both be happy!
I too have had to look up Himalyan cats – they are beautiful.
I had to look up photos of Himalayan cats, Glen, after your post. They’re gorgeous! I guess I find most cats beautiful, though.
Even your sentences about he smoke – people are getting heated, is amusing.
I think the throwbacks sound fun.
Thank heavens for reading and books. As we all know, they get us through a lot. I had a CT scan yesterday with contrast and the stupid nurse put the IV in a tiny vein I told her collapses at will. Sure enough they injected the dye and it blew out the vein which was painful as hell, swelled my arm to double size and gave me a huge bruise. I’ve been alternating heat and ice to try and bring down the swelling, but I’m just pissed at the woman for doing what I told her not to and now me suffering the consequences! When I came home i finished Dianne Freeman’s first in her series A Ladies Guide to Etiquette and Murder. Quite a twist at the end and very enjoyable. So I purchased the second in the series which I’ll start today.
Sandie I hope your arm heals quickly. It’s a shame when medical personnel assume you don’t understand the body you’ve had your entire life. I’m glad you had a good book to take your mind off the pain.
You’re right, Sandie. Thank heavens for books! I’m right with you and MM. Why don’t they listen?
I’m glad you liked Dianne Freeman’s book!
I have had a lot of vein blow-outs during my iron infusions Now my right forearm is gray in color. They are truly painful. I have found a way to prevent blow-outs in case you have to have another CT scan, and they allow you to do it. I warm gel bag in the micro wave for a minute and hold it with a cloth over the area where they are going to start the infusion. That expands the veins and really works.
I had the same problem getting the site up last evening at 10:15 Pacific Daylight time, but finally did that tap where it ought to be thing to get in and leave my comment.
It looks like it’s finally all fixed, Rick. The webmaster spent a good portion of the day trying to get it right, and it was because of an update with WordPress, nothing she did.
Re: Covid, with the Delta surge, cases are up, deaths are up, the anti-mask, anti-vax people are up to their necks in the stupid barrel. I rarely go out, but when I do (eye doctor Tuesday, new glasses coming) I double mask and distance. Stay safe! Use common sense, if such still exists.
Lifting a glass to common sense.
Blowing a raspberry to the anti-mask/anti-vaxxers
You and Kaye are both right, Rick!
I started a book by Laura Blackett. It is a little weird but addictive so far, The Very Nice Box. Long with small print. Many reviews were negative about the ending,
All Sunday, I will be prepping for a capsule endoscopy. Will need to drink about 1 1/2 gallons of Miralax (4th prep like this in two months), I don’t want to do it another time for 5 years. The capsule that I swallow will take 8,000 pictures to try to find out why I have severe iron deficiency anemia.
Also, I started Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation: The Knee Owner’s Manual
Daniel J. Brugioni on my laptop version Kindle-will that surgery on 9/13 Only have read 50 pages so far.
On Monday night, will try to call my son to wish him Happy Birthday in Shanghai, China. Now eating a piece of my husband’s green tea mousse birthday cake!
Delta is raging here. The Governor still has the no-mask mandate. I have seen some hospitals here are cancelling elective surgery. I am hoping that my surgery date will not get cancelled.
Oh, Carolee. I hope your surgery isn’t cancelled, too. It sounds as if you’re ready for it. Sending good thoughts.
I do hope you get your surgery Carolee.
From our vantage point here in Scotland, it seems very strange that masks are no longer mandatory in England, nor indeed in parts of the US. It’s not as though they are even an invasive procedure, it’s such a simple thing.
Oh, Rosemary. I know. It’s such a simple way to try to help others. (sigh)
I am working but staying safe. In North Carolina, several counties are back to requiring masks be worn indoors, no matter your vaccine status. I am reading The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (for book club) and Along a Storied Trail by Ann Gabhart. In audio, I just finished Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown which is a historical fiction set during prohibition.
Like you, Katherine, I’m working but trying to stay safe. I have a half dozen errands to run tomorrow on my day off, but I’ll be wearing my mask, and trying to stay away from people.
Ann Gabhart’s name is familiar, but I don’t think I ever read anything by her.
The forbidden. Ok.
Well, just ok, Carol. I won’t be looking for that one.
Hi Lesa,
It’s been great going through your comments and seeing all of your readers awesome recommendations. Thank you for facilitating this! I just finished a new book titled “West Texas Dead: A Kailey and Shinto Mystery” by author Frances Hight. I was searching for “buddy” detective novels and my google search led me to this book. I have always been fascinated by the dynamics of a crime fighting partner duo and I love the way this one is written. The author manages to weave a believable and gripping tale in such a flawless and realistic way that you really have to pry this thing out of your hands for a break. It’s chilling, exciting, action packed and has some dark humor as well! The main characters, Kailey and Shinto are relatable, inspiring and you root for them from start to finish. The crime is heinous and the web they have uncover is deep and disturbing. Also – it’s only book one of the series so I was stoked to find out that there will be more! You can read more about the author and the book here – https://www.franceshight.com/
If you do end up checking it out I would love to know your thoughts!
Welcome to the site, Susan! I’m always interested in new titles and authors. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to it because I’m often on deadline with eight to ten books to read, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for mentioning it. I hope you stop by on Thursdays and share your reading with the other readers. Thank you!