Let’s hope WordPress does a better job this week with formatting of the site than they did last week. I’m glad all of you stepped up anyways, and still read and submitted comments even though the blog was giving all of us a hard time. Thank you!
Hot here, in the 90s and humid, but I know our weather isn’t as bad as what some of you are having. Stay safe!
This week, I’m reading a story collection that comes out in October for Kindle and November in hardcover. Many Deadly Returns contains “21 stories celebrating 21 years of Murder Squad.” In 2000, Margaret Murphy asked a small group of British midlist writers to join her in an effort to gain a wider audience by working together. They had all been well-received by reviewers, but readers hadn’t caught on. They did events together, wrote a newsletter, and promoted their work. John Baker and Chaz Benchley have since left the group, and Stuart Powson died. The group now consists of Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Cath Staincliff, Chris Simms and Margaret Murphy. The current members all contributed three stories to the collection, and there is one story from each of the former members. This collection really is worth celebrating. I’ll remind you about it again in early November when I review it here.
What about you? What are you reading this week? I’m always curious.
Suddenly, this week, I was approved for four books I had requested from NetGalley–one that had been pending for months. It was a pleasant surprise, but now I have to get them all read and reviewed so my feedback ratio isn’t negatively affected. I’m not complaining, though! But here’s what I finished this week:
In JUDGMENT AT SANTA MONICA by EJ Copperman, Sandy Moss is settling into her job as an attorney in a family law firm in LA, having left her New Jersey prosecutor job behind. She has one murder case under her belt, but she can’t shake Patrick McNabb, a popular actor who was the defendant in the aforementioned case. He’s convinced himself he’s in love with her, and that he can be helpful with her next case because he has played a lawyer on TV! Sandy is defending a woman who is accused of prostitution when Patrick insists she also take on the case of Cynthia, an actress who has been arrested for stabbing her (soon to be ex-) mother-in-law with a TeeVee Award statuette. It’s up to Sandy to figure out why Cynthia couldn’t possibly have been the murderer, while she and her team sort through everyone else who might have had a reason to kill the victim, including the victim’s art gallery clients and even the police. I wouldn’t say this series qualifies as cozy, since Sandy works in law enforcement, but it is certainly “murder mystery lite.” And this is a genre in which E.J. Copperman excels. The characters and the plot are entertaining, the violence isn’t graphic, and the courtroom scenes are convincing. (September)
THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE is the latest from Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. In 1937 in New York, Violet is dying of cancer, and she wants her grandnieces to do one final thing for her. She asks them to deliver personal letters to three people from her early life–in Paris, in Venice, and in Austria. By doing so, she also hopes to bring these very different sisters back together. Clara is an artist who dresses fashionably and is frightened of new experiences. Madeleine is an aspiring journalist who doesn’t care how she dresses and embraces excitement. Neither can disappoint their beloved great-aunt so they embark on the Queen Mary for what promises to be a memorable summer in Europe. WWII is looming, but it plays a minor role in the story (thankfully). More important is the fact that Clara’s art tutor will be in Venice at the same time, which makes her wonder whether her devoted but somewhat clueless fiance, Charles, is the right life partner for her after all. And Maddie makes a new male friend who keeps turning up wherever they go. They also learn more about Violet’s past and their own in the process. This is a charming, quick read with lush descriptions of romantic European venues.
In LADY SUNSHINE by Amy Mason Doan, Jackie is a music teacher who learns she has inherited her uncle’s estate in a coastal town in Northern California. Her uncle had once been a famous singer, and he encouraged his musician friends and their families to spend time at The Sandcastle to write and record music. Jackie had spent a summer there in 1979, when she was 17 and her family and housekeeper in Boston were not available during the summer months. It was there that she met Willa, the daughter of her aunt and uncle. They gradually formed a deep friendship and began to write music together. But their plans to have Jackie stay on during the school year were dashed when tragedy struck at the end of the summer. Now Jackie’s aunt and uncle are both dead, and Willa’s disappearance has been deemed a suicide. Jackie is again at the Sandcastle, allowing some musicians to make a tribute album in the onsite studio before selling the property, when she starts learning more about what really happened 20 years ago and in the interim. The story shifts between 1979 and 1999 with almost every chapter, which I found somewhat disconcerting, and I didn’t find the characters engaging. Although I enjoyed one of Doan’s earlier books, I felt this one let me down until something interesting and life-affirming finally happened at the end of the book.
FATAL FAMILY TIES is the third in the delightful Ancestry Detective Mystery series by SC Perkins. Genealogist Lucy gets involved when her not-so-friendly former coworker Camille needs her to look into her ancestor’s history as a Civil War soldier and beyond. A highly critical article has just been published that labels Charles Braithwaite a deserter and blames him for making money from his spurious self-portrayal as a war hero. A resulting lawsuit from one alleged victim may be pending, and the whole family’s reputation is at stake. Lucy agrees, at first somewhat reluctantly, but she can’t help being intrigued by the opportunity to use her genealogical skills to prove or disprove Braithwaite’s claims. She doesn’t expect to be present when a murder occurs, and an ugly triptych of battle scenes suddenly becomes the focus of the mystery. I enjoy learning about the many ways a genealogist can locate critical information from the past, and I view Lucy as a realistic, appealing protagonist. Her new romance with an FBI agent is an engaging secondary plot. I’m hoping for more in this well-written series.
Except for Lady Sunshine, the books all sound good, Margie. I read and liked Fatal Family Ties. I’m always interested in the genealogy aspects in this series. Copperman excels at light and entertaining, doesn’t he? As always, fun reviews. Thank you!
We’re back to roasty, toasty Arizona temps (think 112) after a great monsoon July and early August. We’ve loved the rains so I guess this is our payment.
I just finished The Light Changes Everything by Nancy E Turner for Book group. We are all big fans of her first book, These is My Words. This book focuses on the Arizona Territory in the years 1908- 1909.
On audio I have The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Set in Sault Ste Marie and Sugarbush Island in the UP of Michigan. A crime fiction YA novel featuring the Ojibwe tribe, the meth epidemic and the toll on the people and the tribe as a whole. The narrator is amazing at the Anishinabe pronunciations!
Finally, reading The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth and Power
Book by Deirdre Mask and loving it!!! I love narrative nonfiction and this is right up my alley.
Hope you’re staying safe – we got this!!
I hope we do, Gaye!
I know how popular These is My Words is in Arizona. I had heard of it before I moved to Arizona, but people there love it.
Interesting. I never would have even thought of The Address Book as narrative nonfiction. Thank you!
Our town was having it’s last outdoor summer concert last night but when we got there we found that they’d moved it into the senior center because it was in the 90s and humid all day. Neither my boyfriend or I were comfortable with being in there so we headed home.
I read an ARC of HER NEW STORY by Laura Bradford. A reporter is so wrapped up in her divorce that she misses a big story right in front of her. So instead of an overseas story she’s sent to live on an Amish farm. She’ll either have to find a story worth publishing there or lose her job.
THE SUCK STOPS HERE by Kristen Painter. The vampire governor of NJ and her staff travel to the North American Queen’s funeral. Too bad she’s fictional- she does a better job governing the state than our actual governors do.
An ARC of MURDER BY THE BOOKEND by Laura Gail Black. A librarian is murdered after attending the reopening party for a bookstore. This book has one of my pet peeves – a main character who’s too stupid to live.
Ouch. Right there with you, Sandy, on those Too Stupid to Live characters.
I love your comment about the vampire governor, though. That’s funny.
I also agree with you. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable with that concert in the senior center.
Stay safe!
Hi Lesa and everyone,
I hadn’t heard of The Murder Squad Lesa, it looks great and I look forward to your review.
This will be shorter than usual (do I hear sighs of relief? 🙂 ) as I am about to head out to meet a friend for a long walk. Our weather has been a lot cooler, which is fine with me (even though we never have the kind of temperatures you have to deal with.)
I wanted, however, to tell you that just this morning I finished The Bookshop of Second Chances. I am pretty sure that you reviewed it recently Lesa, and that that is what led me to request it from the library – I did try to search for it on your blog but I don’t think my computer is trying very hard today.
Anyway, I absolutely loved it. I think I have been in a lttle reading slump lately, and this was just the thing to bring me right out of it. As you know, I am easily irritated by books that are set in Scotland but get it all wrong – this one, however, gets it all right. Small town life in Dumfriesshire (the very rural SW of Scotland), a grumpy but handsome bookseller, a woman (and one who is not 25 – hoorah) who’s husband has been caught cheating with her best friend. Of course it is full of some of the usual cliches – I mean, as we have discussed before, who DOES actually inherit a house and a collection of rare and valuable books from an great uncle she’s hardly ever met? Is it just me who fails to score on that one? BUT this was so well written that I didn’t mind – of course, like everyone else, I could see the ending from very early on, but this is a romance, not a mystery, so I didn’t mind, I just wanted to see how they got there.
So thanks Lesa! it was only when I looked this book up on Amazon that I discovered that it is not officially published here till 6th September. My wonderful library service had a copy at another branch and got it for me very quickly – do they get advance copies?
Apart from that I listened to a truly excellent audiobook on BBC Sounds. Still Life by Sarah Winman was the most unusual, intersting and ultimately uplifting story I have heard in a long time. It begins just after the war, when a small section of the British army is looking for stolen works of art in Italy. An art historian and Italy-lover from London, Evelyn, persuades them to let her work with them. One of the soldiers, who is from a poor background in the East End of London, becomes friendly with her, and through her learns to love Italy and its art. He returns to London, but finding that his wife wants a divorce, and at the same time discovering that a man whose life he saved in Italy has left him a house (yes, that one again! – but it works here) he ends up going to live in Florence with an assortment of people from London – and the parrot from his local pub. The story continues across the years, and is just beautiful. And the central character, Ulysses Temper, is perfect. I haven’t yet read the book,but I think I will now. I’ve often said I don’t cry over books, but the last two chapters of this one really did bring a tear to my eye (it’s not by any means a horrible ending though.)
I also listened to an Agatha Christie – Mrs McGinty’s Dead – which was fun. Poirot was played by john Moffat, who made a refreshing change from David Suchet, good as Suchet is.
On TV I am back watching more of my box set of The Darling Buds of May. Last night was the episode called A Stranger at the Door – a young man turns up in the viilage and soon becomes a great asset to all, helping on the farm. doing people’s gardens, fixing things – everyone thinks he is wonderful so long as they believe he is Danish, but when Charlie accidentally discovers that he is in fact German, many people in the village turn against him, and against Pop and Ma Larkin, who refuse to disown him. It was one of the best episodes I’ve seen so far, and addressed some real issues amongst all the rose-coloured rural nostalgia. Unfortunately racsim is sitll horribly alive and well in the UK (viz Brexit) but after the war it was of course at fever pitch.
Right, got to go!
I hope everyone has a good weekend. It is a public holiday in England on Monday, but we don’t have it in Scotland – and as one who is privileged to be at home, I’m actually quite glad we don’t have all of the holildays on the same days, as I’m sure all of the coastal resorts in the south will be heaving on Monday, with no social distancing whatsoever.
I’m sticking with the masks and my inborn anti-social-ness!
Those of us who are naturally introverts do very well on paper (or Internet), don’t we, Rosemary? Hope you enjoyed your walk!
Actually, I mentioned The Bookshop of Second Chances on a Thursday, but I have never gotten back to finish it. Too many books backed up for review. Now that you say it’s better than other books set in Scotland, though, I need to finish it.
I finished the anthology by The Murder Squad, and there were some excellent short stories in it. I really enjoyed Ann Cleeves’ three stories. One featured Vera Stanhope. But, it was “The Queen of Mystery” that I really enjoyed. It takes place at Malice Domestic, our conference for traditional mysteries. She certainly has the atmosphere right for a mystery conference.
Enjoy your day, Rosemary!
Lesa, I will definitely look out for that collection when it comes out in November. Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, and Kate Ellis are all on my list.
We actually went to Manhattan for the first time since December of 2019 on Tuesday and (so far) seem to have survived intact. We had a concert – The Eagles at Madison Square Garden (excellent show). Everyone had to show proof of vaccination to be admitted, but we still felt a little wary about thousands of people, not to mention the crowds in the streets, etc. We did wear masks for the most part.. Rather than have to worry about a late night trip home, Jackie got us a free room using points at a Marriott nearby (free breakfast buffet) and everything went well. It is hot and humid hear too (91 yesterday, hotter today). Usually we start to cool off by the middle of August, but not this year. Also, what with the hurricane, we are now the second rainiest summer ever.
Anyway, to books. I had a good week this time. First, Jackie read (for the second time) Christine Feehan’s ARK SYMPHONY because it was related to her THE SCARLETTI INHERITANCE, which she read a couple of weeks ago. She is now read SUBURBAN DICKS on my recommendation.
I mentioned the thriller STEEL FEAR last time, and I really liked this one by Brandon Webb (an ex-Navy SEAL, like the main character, Finn) and .John David Mann. It is worth reading for the fascinating setting on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf alone, but it is just a terrific fast-moving thriller and the 565 pages fly by.
Next (at last!) was RAZORBLADE TEARS by the great S> A. Cosby. While it might not be 100% believable, it is a great read, like his previous book (BLACKTOP WASTELAND). Ike Randolph is a former gang member out of prison for 15 years, running hos own landscaping business near Richmond. His son Isiaih and his son’s white husband Derek were ambushed and executed on the street. Now Ike and Derek’s father Buddy Lee, another former convict, become an unlikely team to track down the killers and enact revenge, at least partly as atonement for not accepting their sons for who they were, two gay men. A couple of the plot twists (one in particular) are just too coincidental, but believe me, you won’t mind as you race through this one. Warning: the theme and the language is rough, so cozy readers will probably want to avoid it. Otherwise, highly recommended.
As in most of her other Kate Burkholder series, Linda Castillo’s latest, FALLEN, begins with the brutal murder in Amish country, this time “the only girl who was worse at being Amish” than Kate herself, Rachael Schwartz. She left Painters Mill a dozen years ago, so what is she doing back at a local motel? The sheer, vicious brutality of the murder clearly points to it being very personal – Rachael published a tell-all book about the Amish a couple of years earlier. As usual, when I start reading one of these books I race through it very quickly.
ALso finished the short stories of Dino Buzati, CATASTROPHE and Other Stories. Currently reading collections by Brian Garfield and Antonya Nelson. Not sure what I will read next. I have the new Megan Abbott book (THE TURNOUT) and have the new Joe R. Lansdale on the way to the library.
STay safe out there!
Jeff, encouraged to read that you went to the concert. We had tickets to see The Rolling Stones last year, which was cancelled. The newly rescheduled date is mid-November at a 60,000 seat stadium. Between the delta variant and the passing of Charlie Watts, I am hoping the show will be rescheduled. Despite being fully vaccinated, I am worried about attending, but not wanting to throw away the cost of the tickets.
Good morning. Wow, the amount of rain we had on Sundy, here in New Jersey, was overwhelming. Thankfully no wind. I feel bad for all the rain we had and the lack of rain out west. I wish I could bottle it up and send it out there. You can’t control Mother Nature.
I just finished A Distant Grave by Sarah Stewart Taylor. I know some of you mentioned that you felt it was even better than The Mountains Wild. I have to agree. I really liked it and look forward to the next one in the series. Now onto The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen.
On audio I am listening to The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan.
Enjoy what’s left of the summer. Time is going way too fast. I guess that’s a sign that I am getting older.
Right there with you, Kathleen. The summers seem to rush by. As long as winter does, too. I know. Don’t you feel bad for the rain we get, and they don’t?
I’m so glad you liked A Distant Grave!
Jeff, I always think of you when I read an anthology that isn’t out yet, and I definitely thought of you with this one. Some excellent, original stories in the book.
Oh, I’m with you on Linda Castillo’s books. I race through them. Not what I usually read, but I really like her characters, especially when she keeps them home. I have the feeling Kate is going to be elsewhere in one of the next books, and I’ll miss her team.
You’re right. Razorblade Tears wasn’t 100% believable, but it was wonderful. Another book I raced through. I just wanted to keep going with that one.
You give me hope that you actually went to a concert, and stayed at a hotel! I can’t wait. I have tickets to a small concert in October, providing COVID doesn’t shut it down. It’s in Ohio.
You’re right. Stay safe!
Twenty-one years of The Murder Squad is impressive. Looks like the concept worked as several of the authors are known names now.
I’ve read most of Laurie King’s books and now add Castle Shade, the latest in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, to the list. Set in the Transylvania area of Roumania, part of the fun is seeing a new location in previous time. Delightful and well-researched as usual. I enjoyed the e-book as I could immediately define the more obscure words and references.
Then on to the ARC of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell Publishing). A quaint and charming family relations story with interesting characters. I did expect the “Old Depot” to play a larger role, disappointed to find it just a name.
A debut novel that’s been getting good reviews, Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead (Emily Austin). This darkly funny story follows a young woman whose life is defined by her anxiety attacks attempting to solve the mystery of how Grace, the church receptionist, died. The memorable title originates in a church sermon.
And a Treasure from Lesa’s July Closet – Kathy Reichs The Bone Code. The 20th adventure in the Temperance Brennan Forensic Anthropologist series. Only my third one, so definitely a late-comer to the series. This story skates along the edges of the pandemic, acknowledging, but not making it a focal point. I enjoy the science involved, but maybe not for everyone.
I can see the sun this morning, a pleasant, although brief, change from the smoke filled skies. Extremely poor air quality most of the week from the California wildfires. Several new fires started this week and resources are stretched thin.
I hate that there are new fires on the west coast, MM. Stay safe!
I wondered about The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery when I ordered it for the library. It had some interesting ideas. I’m sorry the Old Depot didn’t play a larger part.
I agree! It looks like the idea of the Murder Squad worked! Readers did discover some of the authors.
I read a recent mystery with a lot of Spanish in it. I took Spanish in high school and college, and it’s been a lot of years. So, like you I was glad I was reading an ebook so I could look up phrases.
Central Ohio got some much needed rain after our soaring temperatures yesterday afternoon but today we are suffering from the heat, humidity and fog left behind. I am ready for open window season.
This week I finished YOURS CHEERFULLY by AJ Pearce. It is the sequel to MRS. BIRD which I really liked. This one was only mediocre to me. It focused on women working in the factories during WWII and it wrapped up Emmy’s romantic storyline with Charles.
Next up was MURDER MOST FOWL by Donna Andrews. I’ve read all 29 Meg Lanslow books and enjoyed some more than others. This one focuses on a Macbeth production Michael’s drama department is putting on. It has the trademark formulaic plot points. Rose Noire is still smudging everything with sage for cleansing. The Lanslow household is hosting numerous students, family, etc. There is an encampment in the woods with Scottish medieval reenactors…….and the murder doesn’t take place until midway through the book. I found it okay but decided I was reading it more out of habit than enjoyment. I think I might be breaking up with Meg and company.
Happy reading!
Oh, I’m ready for open windows, too, Sharon, but that’s it. I don’t want to move into winter at all. Thank you. Looks like I might not be reading Yours Cheerfully.
Don’t you hate it when you have to break up with a character and family after reading about them for so long?
Just heard about the attack at the Kabul airport! Awful. A suicide bomber killed people including childten!
Will just list what I am reading, want to go hear the reports.
Listening to The Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. It is an amazing story.
Reading The Girls Who Stepped Out OF Line by Major General Maria K, Eder. True stories of courage in World War II. The first one blew me away. Tiny print but worth the eyestrain I urge anyone in women and WWII to read it.
I know, Carolee. I saw the headlines. You’re right. It’s awful.
Thank your for the book suggestions!
Supposed to hit 100 here today. It’s been below that for a week or so. It’s still summer, so I’ll take it!
I have a lot I need to do for work today since it hasn’t exactly been a productive week so far. And I need to clean the condo since my parents are coming for a visit, staying with me, this weekend.
On the reading front, I should be finishing Essentials of Murder, the first in a new series from fellow book blogger Kim Davis. I’ve been enjoying it and am looking forward to seeing how it ends.
Up next will by Death of a Red Hot Rancher, another first in series, this time by Mimi Granger, aka Kylie Logan (which I know is also a pen name, but the name she’s best known as, at least to me).
Oh, you do that, too, Mark? When my family comes to visit, I spend time cleaning before they arrive.
Yes, I know her by Kylie Logan as well. I’ll have to look up Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis.
Enjoy your family visit!
I’m back to Lisa Unger, this time reading Darkness, My Old Friend (2011). I love her plotting and her characters so much. This one weaves together several characters and their families in a complex story about marriages gone wrong, women gone missing, and damaged people trying to recover. It’s easy to see how intertwined lives become in a small town.
They certainly do, Patricia. For instance, the children’s librarian I loved who once worked for me died recently. She was 91.But, I worked with her when I was a library page, and so did both of my sisters. My younger sister worked with her for 4 years. Then, I came back to that library as library director, and she worked for me for the years I was there. She introduced me to my husband. I went to school with her youngest daughter. Lives are very intertwined in a small town.
Morning….. I never had NetGalley work for me and the powers that be could tell it was not working at all, but could do nothing so I left that platform many years ago. I stick with what comes via mail, library, etc.
Sadly, Many Deadly Returns, is not listed in my library system yet and I have no idea if it ever will be. I just looked at the Amazon listing, laughed at the eBook price of $14.99, and ditched that idea.
Been playing catch up on reviews that I needed to write so no book news to report.
What could be HURRICANE IDA is spinning up in the western Caribbean. Once it crosses and gets by the Yucatan Peninsula, it will be in the very warm waters of the southern Gulf of Mexico and that means it will get way stronger than the current tropical depression status. Expect them to start evacuating oil rigs this weekend out on the Gulf and refineries will shutdown soon afterwards. This will affect everyone nationwide as have the ongoing spot gasoline shortages caused by increased traveling and a shortage of drivers for fuel trucks. While some of the tracks take it into the coast near New Orleans, other models indicate the Golden Triangle–basically where Texas and Louisiana meet—and home to much of the nation’s oil refineries and petro chemical plants.
So, even if you are nowhere near the coast, keep your gas tank full and stock up on grocery items as what happens on the coast will have a worse ripple effect than normal because of the ongoing supply issues in a variety of industries. If it hits, there are going to be a lot of delays in shipping goods and fuel as a ton of stuff goes through that region. Expect gas prices
to steadily increase on a daily basis for the next couple of weeks, at a bare minimum. This will be on top of the normal increase we see each year in the days running up to Labor Day.
Thank you, Kevin. I really appreciate the update. I don’t pay as much attention as I did when I lived in Florida. You’re right about the Gulf. And, I’m sure the waters are plenty warm right now to set up the hurricane. I really mean it when I say thank you.
the Gulf has been running about five to seven degrees warmer than normal. The area where the sea caught fires a few weeks ago is still having the undersea leak from the oil site and Pemex had a second rig blowup a few days ago. Some rig workers are missing, others are injured, the facility is damaged and on fire, and near the original sea on fire zone. Both locations are in the projected path of what is now called Tropical Storm Ida.
With the shape the Texas power grid remains in, not to mention the overwhelmed hospital system, I am a bit worried. The latest projections now take it into just west of New Orleans Monday morning .
I can see why you’re worried. Take care of yourself and Scott.
Forecast track has moved way closer to NO and it is predicted to be a Cat 4.
Our weather has been stormy with more storms to come. Nothing like the hurricanes, but wind and rain in abundance. I am out of town helping my mom, so will brief.
I read Home by Marilynne Robinson – the second in the Gilead series. I didn’t like this one as much as Gilead. She is an amazing writer, just kind of an uncomfortable read.
Now I am reading The Diabolical Bones by Bella Ellis – the second in the Bronte Sisters series. I’m living it so far.
Hope you all have a safe and pleasant weekend.
Gretchen, You take care, and take care of your mother.
Thank you for taking time to stop by since you’re busy right now. At least we get to read your note, and we know you’re busy!
I feel kinda guilty about our cool weather here in the North Carolina mountains . . .
I read one so/so book this past week, one good book, and one really good book.
I won’t mention the so/so book.
The good book was an ARC of Laura Morelli’s THE STOLEN LADY. Historical fiction centered around the true story of the heroes who moved priceless artwork from The Louvre to several locations around France in efforts to keep them out of the hands of the Nazis. Told from several viewpoints and from several periods of time, including Leonardo DaVinci while he was painting Mona Lisa.
The book I loved was Constance Sayers’ A WITCH IN TIME.
– Helen Lambert has lived several lives-a young piano virtuoso in 1890s Paris, an actress in 1930’s Hollywood, a rock star in 1970s Los Angeles — only she doesn’t know it. Until she meets a strange man who claims he’s watched over her for centuries, bound to her from the beginning.
At first, Helen doesn’t believe him. Her life is as normal as any other modern career woman’s. Then she begins having vivid dreams about ill-fated love and lives cut short.
Caught in a curse, Helen will be forced to relive the same tragic events that ruined her previous lives. But with each rebirth, she’s developed uncanny powers. And as the most powerful version of herself, Helen must find a way to break the curse before her time runs out.
Today I’ll be picking up the new William Kent Krueger novel. I am a huge fan and have been looking forward to enjoying my time with this book. I know I’m going to love it.
Oh, I know you’re going to love Lightning Strike, too, Kaye. No doubt.
I think it’s great when you find a book you love, and share it with us. A Witch in Time sounds fascinating. I’m too busy, as always, but I’m always happy when you find a good one.
Love you, sister of my heart!
I am also one who will be looking for that book of short stories by the Murder Squad in November. I don’t need another short story book, I am inundated with them and have a surplus, but I think this one will be special. I do remember that group and their presence on the internet from when I was first researching crime fiction there many year ago. Unfortunately I checked out their website and the About page lists two other short story anthologies that they have put out that I would love to have.
I recently finished THE MOUSE IN THE MOUNTAIN by Norbert Davis, a book I have been meaning to read for nearly 10 years. It is vintage crime fiction from the US, published in 1943. The story is humorous and in the past I avoided humor in mysteries, but this one worked for me. One of the characters is a large dog named Carstairs, a Great Dane. It is a very short novel, set in Mexico, about 150 pages.
I was interested to find out that Norbert Davis was related to an author I mentioned last week, Frances Crane, who wrote a series about a sleuthing couple, Jean and Pat Abbott. Norbert Davis was Frances Crane’s son-in-law and they wrote mysteries in the same time period. Unfortunately, Davis committed suicide in 1949 at the age of 40.
Before that I read THE WOMEN IN BLACK by Madeleine St John, set in Australia in the late 1950s, in a department store. This is general fiction, published in 1996. My opinion on this was split, and I am still not sure how I feel about it. I enjoyed reading the book, I cared about the characters, but it was too light and “feel good” for me.
In a review of a new edition of the book, the New York Times called it “A Love Letter to Old-Fashioned Department Stores.” That was another good aspect of the book, the depiction of a department store back like the ones I remember from my childhood. And it was set at Christmas, in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day and then the after Christmas sales. It was adapted to film fairly recently (2018), titled LADIES IN BLACK; the director was Bruce Beresford.
Last but not least, I just started JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER by Jodi Taylor last night. I have read one third of it (100 pages) and am loving it. I first heard about this series at Rick Robinson’s blog and Lesa has given it a good review. I love time travel and it seems like the perfect series for me.
Tracy, I didn’t know the Norbert Davis/Frances Crane connection. Interesting. I’ve read all of his Doan & Carstairs books. They are all short and fast and fun. THey are: The Mouse in the Mountain (1943), Sally’s in the Alley (1943) and Oh, Murderer Mine (1946).
Jeff, I have copies of all of those in the Rue Morgue Press editions. Looking forward to reading the other two now that I started the series. I also have the Altus Press omnibus, Doan and Carstairs, with an introduction by Evan Lewis. That volume includes two Doan and Carstairs short stories.
It was in the Introduction to the Rue Morgue Press edition of Frances Crane’s The Turquoise Shop that I read about her relationship to Norbert Davis.
I read all the Doan and Carstairs mysteries, and the Bailbond Dodd stories. Norbert Davis was very talented.
Glen, I have read one of Norbert Davis’s stories about Max Latin and have a book that collects those stories with an introduction by John D. MacDonald. I had read about other short stories he wrote but haven’t run into any of those.
Yup, followed your steps and ended up buying the first two anthologies, in ebook format.
I just love it when readers discover and share the background of the books they read. Thank you, Tracy & Jeff. Now, you make me want to look up these books. Don’t you hate it, though, Tracy, when I tell you about one collection you want to read and you find two more?
Lineage most lethal. Ok.
I like that series, Carol Jeanne, but I can see why you might say just okay.
Hey, Lesa. I remembered to stop by here before the day was out. I love reading about what others are reading. You provide such a great forum for that. I have requested Many Deadly Returns from NetGalley and am keeping my fingers crossed. I’ve had pretty good luck with them lately, so I’m hopeful.
I was so interested in our different takes on Louise Penny’s The Madness of Crowds, Lesa. I, of course, read your review, and it was such an excellent one, explaining your take. I’m looking forward to seeing what LJ comes up with in her review. I know she’s been struggling with it, and I’m expecting some well-thought out comments, like your review.
I’ve just finished Sharon Bolton’s The Pact and Jen Danna’s Shot Caller. I have loved Sharon Bolton’s books for ages, but she has missed the mark for me twice, with Daisy in Chains and The Split. One of my favorite books by Bolton, and one of my favorite books, is Dead Woman Walking. The Pact was an excellent read, but I had a bit of a problem with the ending, felt a bit unsupported by the tale. However, I would recommend it. My review is up for it. I’m working on the review for Jen Danna’s Shot Caller, the second in her NYPD Negotiator series, which comes out next Tuesday. I love this new series and all of Jen’s other books. She and Ann Vanderlaan collaborate as Sara Driscoll on the FBI K-9 series, and the new book in that, Under Pressure (#6), comes out Nov. 30th. I will be reading that book soon, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the books in that series.
Today, I’m starting on Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, a popular book from last summer. I’m fitting it in my busy reading schedule because my daughter Ashley has started reading it, and I had told her when she did we would do a buddy read and discuss it. I need to read J.D. Allen’s 4th Sin City/Jim Bean, Flat Black Ford, that comes out next Tuesday. I have only read one in this series, the last one entitled Body Zoo, out earlier this year. I was surprised that I really liked it. It is based in Las Vegas, not a favorite setting for me, but Body Zoo took place outside the city of Las Vegas, so that worked. And, I need to get These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall read, as it comes out on Sept. 1st.
You sound as backed up as I am, Kathy. As I said, I enjoyed reading other reviews, after I had written mine for The Madness of Crowds. I can appreciate the other viewpoints. I’m looking forward to L.J.’s as well.
I liked the first in the NYPD Negotiator series, just haven’t had time for the second. Funny, when I love a series I do find the time, though.
Happy Reading, Kathy! And, thank you for stopping by. It’s thanks to all of you readers who enjoy talking about books that Thursdays have turned out to be so interesting.
I am about halfway through THE WOMEN OF CHATEAU LAFAYETTE by Stephanie Dray. I really like it but it is slow reading, glad I have it in print. It’s about three women in different times, Lafayette’s wife, a WWI story and a WWII story. I like the WWII character the best. I just finished ICE AND STONE by Marcia Muller and I wasn’t impressed. Did someone talk about it here last week?I felt like it was time for her to write another book but her heart wasn’t in it. Some hints that Sharon McCone might retire and I assume if she does the series will end. Can’t fault Muller for that after 40 books.
I know someone talked about Ice and Stone here last week, Cindy. I was surprised when this one came out because I thought Marcia Muller had retired.
And, I don’t remember who else read The Women of Chateau Lafayette. I’m curious about Lafayette’s wife in that one.
I forgot, but I also read the Max Latin stories by Norbert Davis.
Lots of fires, but somehow, the air has improved a lot. I can go outside without a mask.The temps are down a bit due to all the smoke.
Allegations of voter fraud are already starting. Can’t wait to work this election!
I read:
Ghosts by Mark Dawson; John Milton is something of an English Jack Reacher. He’s arrested for beating up a sheriff’s son, and gets bailed out by the Russians. Out of the frying pan, into the fire! Introduces Milton’s other series characters, Beatrix and Isabelle Rose.
A Touch of Greed by Gary Ponzo; I keep winning these on goodreads, but not in order! It’s the usual Cartel stuff.
Mystery of the Corriganville Craven by Darryle Purcell; Hoot Gibson and friends take down a corrupt producer. Very MeToo.
Man Up by Alex Cay; hockey player turned bounty hunter turned sports agent gets in deep trouble when somebody sends hit men after one of his dimmer clients, and his CIA agent girlfriend shows up. Florida weirdness.
Murder at the Royal Botanical Gardens by Andrea Penrose; an engaged Noble couple investigate murder at, you guessed it, The Royal Botanical Garden. The man acts a lot like Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady. If he weren’t a Lord, some Andy Capp type would knock his block off.
The Thicket by Noelle H. Ihli; Effective slasher movie in book form. More Scream than Cabin in the Woods.
No Grater Crime by Maddie Day; A fair to middling cozy set in Indiana. I can see why people from other states don’t like Californians moving in if they act like the protagonist in this book.
Glen, here’s my favorite quote from you today. “The man acts a lot like Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady. If he weren’t a Lord, some Andy Capp type would knock his block off.” Love that!
Is it politically incorrect of me to say I’m not really interested in reading “MeToo” novels?
Our former President has a lot to answer for with all of this voter fraud crap.
Well, they did just arrest a guy in SoCal with 300 ballots in his car.
There’s also issues with the envelopes in LA.
But I live in NorCal and don’t really need the drama.
WordPress is the worst! We use it for Chicks on the Case and it gives me agita.
I’m traveling right now, so I’m using the time to catch up on books I have on my Kindle Fire. Right now, I’m reading Alecia Beckman’s suspense novel, BITTERROOT LAKE. Alecia is the pen name for Leslie Budewitz, who is a wonderful writer in any genre!
I beg to differ, Ellen. Blogger became the worst when they changed everything. Blah. Although I understand the complaints about WordPress after last week’s fiasco.
Thank you for stopping by while you’re traveling! You’re right about Leslie being a wonderful writer.
Safe travels, Ellen!
Quick drop by to say the new Krueger that I thought I’d be reading right now, sits to one side. Why? Because The Rose Code by Kate Quinn has FINALLY arrived from the library. I put the hold on the book in January. The check-out info shows 119 people waiting for a copy! So I’ll read it now and get it back so someone else can read it.
Oh, my gosh, Rick! I’m sorry for everyone waiting for a book that’s almost a year old. 119 people! I haven’t seen that kind of list on a book in years. (I bought a copy of The Rose Code and haven’t read it yet, but at least it’s mine so I’m not holding anyone up.) Now, back to your book!
I’m sure we’ll talk soon.
Hi Lesa,
I am reading Hostage by Clare Mackintosh and The Sinful Lives of Trophy Wives by Kristin Miller. I just started listening to 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
Let us know what you think about 56 Days, Katherine. I’m curious.
Lesa, I’m not loving 56 Days so far. It is a slow moving story right now. Hoping it gets moving soon.
Thanks, Katherine. Not that I always agree with anyone’s opinion, but your comments mean there’s no hurry, and I might not put it on my TBR pile at all. Thank you!