Maybe I shouldn’t have talked about the Blizzard of ’78 last week on the blog. Look what happened to the East coast last weekend! And, as I’m writing this, we’re expecting an ice storm to start tonight, and continue most of the day tomorrow – ice. There’s nothing I hate worse.
So, instead, I’ll talk about the book I just started.
Peter Lovesey’s lastest collection, Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories, just arrived yesterday. It’s going to be treat for any fan of Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master, who is also a Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger Winner. Lovesey’s foreword mentions his first published short story, and the correspondence that ensued with Ruth Rendell. That first story appears in this collection, along with three new short stories. But, there are other ones, previously published, in the collection. I read the final piece, “A Monologue for Mystery Lovers”, a fun poem. I won’t spoil it for anyone who intends to read the book. There’s also “A Peter Lovesey Checklist”. His first book, Wobble to Death, came out in 1970. A librarian co-worker introduced me to Lovesey and Sergeant Cribb ten years later after Cribb appeared on PBS Mystery! I proceeded to read most of the Sergeant Cribb books.
What about you? What are you reading or listening to this week? Stay safe!
Good morning. I hope you don’t get too much ice. We had about 6 inches of snow last weekend which isn’t too bad except that we have to dig out two houses since we do my boyfriend’s and my mom’s. We have rain today and tomorrow and then it’s supposed to drop below freezing tomorrow afternoon so things may get icy here which means my brother may not get up for another week to give me a break from taking care of mom.
I read THE ABSENCE OF MALLETS by Kate Carlisle. Shannon Hammer and her crew are building a community of mini homes for veterans when one of the artists who was working on the project turns up dead. Although there were plenty of suspects it wasn’t too hard to figure out who the killer was but I still enjoyed the book.
RUNNING IN PARALLEL by Kara O’Toole Treece. The chapters alternate between two women in two different universes who are both running for their lives. The concept was interesting but I never connected with the characters and there’s no ending because the story continues in book two which isn’t out yet. I won’t bother with the next book.
Oh, Sandy. That’s rough, clearing two houses, and your brother not getting up to give you a break. Plus, a book that just wasn’t great, Running in Parallel. I hope your day goes better.
Ice storm, yuck! I experienced one while living in Missouri, once was plenty. Highs in the upper thirties here this week, but thanks to the full sun and low humidity we were able to enjoy a mid-morning meal outside. Perenns cafe/viennoiserie was recently named best bakery in the state.
Much anticipated, The Maid, became available in January. The story of an eccentric hotel maid who lives for her job. She’s accused of the murder of a rich, but rude guest and life turns upside-down. The final reveal did have me wondering if I missed some clues along the way. But it was a good story, a plot featuring a main character with ASD – different but the same.
Grave Reservations, reviewed here last Oct. Leda is new travel agent with psychic abilities that possibly saves a police detective’s life. She gets involved in the murder investigation he can’t let go. Vaguely set in Seattle, a good portion of the book is devoted to the Castaway bar and Leda’s unpaid gig “klairvoyant karaoke”. The humor and the cast of characters are definite positives. Maybe call it a cozy-with-an-edge.
Following those two successes, a miss.
The Wicked Watch (2021) by Tamron Hall and T Shawn Taylor. Marketed as a celebrity thriller, it was not the expected fast-paced crime novel, rather a didactic and slow novel full of clunky dialogue. Blame it on the marketing, but disappointed.
Then a couple of great short reads.
Michael Chabon’s novelette, The Final Solution (2004). An homage to the nineteenth century detective classics. “A boy with a parrot on his shoulder… a promising anomaly.” Wonderfully intricate for a short story.
The Cat Who Saved books. I was #7 on the ebook wait list, but the physical book was on the library’s shelf. Sosuke Natsukawa’s well told tale will delight anyone who knows books are more than just words on paper. And a good example of the benefit of reading translated fiction.
Whew, Maureen. At least the three books suggested here were all hits, and not the miss. I was going to read the Tamron Jones, but someone here, or on my library group said the same thing you did. I’m glad you liked The Cat Who Saved Books!
Good morning! I’m with you Lesa on hating the ice. We are having some very cold days, -7 this morning. But, the sun is shining and we haven’t had any snow for a week. I was noticing yesterday on my walk how clear the sidewalks were. There have been years when the sidewalks are so icy you just can’t use them. So, something else to be thankful for!
I read Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico. I had been wanting to read this since reading My Mrs. Brown by William Norwich last year. Mrs. Harris is a widowed London charwoman who falls in love with the idea of having a beautiful dress in her closet, even if she never wears it. She sets out to save her money and finally is able to make a trip to Dior in Paris. I really enjoyed Mrs. Harris and all the people she meets and lessons she learns along the way.
Next I read Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling. This is part of a series about a family descended from Norway that immigrates to North Dakota. The time frame of this book is 1907. A hospital has recently been set up in the small town of Blessing, run by two female doctors. A circus train shows up in town with sick people on board. It turns out they are sick with diphtheria and it is spreading like wildfire. The antitoxin was relatively new and not widely available. The doctors have to figure out the best way to treat the sick while also protecting others. This is an enjoyable series.
Hope you all stay safe and have a great weekend!
Oh, I loved the Mrs. ‘Arris books, Gretchen! I read them years and years ago. I do remember there was a fun cast of characters. I read several of Paul Gallico books. If you get the chance to look for The Snow Goose, you might want to try it.
No anti-vaxers in Streams of Mercy, I hope. How times have changed!
Gretchen, I also enjoyed Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. I think Paul Gallico wrote several Mrs Harris books.
It is pretty nasty in the Cincinnati area. Rain all day yesterday. This morning we currently have sleet turning to ice with snow on the way. Pretty much everything is closed.
I have piecing a new quilt so not much reading this week. I read Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis. I usually enjoy this series with Florrie Fox, a coloring book artist and bookshop manager. This one took place over Halloween. I thought there were too many characters and it got muddled in the middle. Not my favorite of the series.
Next was The Moon, the Stars and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan. I enjoyed this one very much.. I haven’t been disappointed with a Ruth Hogan book yet.
Stay safe and Happy Reading!
I know, Sharon. I was up at 4 AM with the cats, took a shower and did a load of wash in case we lost power. We haven’t, but everyone here talks about the ice storm of 2009 when they were without power for a week. That’s the main reason no one was excited about this storm.
I was like that last weekend Lesa – I found the torches and candles, charged every device I had, and filled the kettle. Thank goodness nothing happened here, but after the last time I wanted to be as prepared as I could be.
When we were driving back from our meeting with our son (see below) we stopped briefly in Fyvie, a small village in Aberdeenshire. As I was turning the car round in the car park, we saw a big catering van. It was a smart one, and we wondered what event could possibly be going on on a cold Sunday in January, and in a tiny place like Fyvie, to need such provision. Later I saw on the news that these vans had gone out to many of the communities with no power, and were offering hot drinks and meals to the residents – I think the food was bring provided by the council, but the workers were providing their services for free. This is a new thing here, as I recall many long power cuts when my children were very small – once we had 5 days with no power, and we also sometimes had water pipes frozen for days at a time – and there was no assistance whatsoever. We survived (we did have a wood stove, but I was hopeless at getting it to light.) I think it’s great that people are being so helpful – but it was a bit irritating to read some people still complaining on Facebook, because the van had run out of burgers, or ‘only’ had something they didn’t choose to eat. Some people are never satisfied!
I hope you are OK and that your power stays on.
The third Lily Adler Mystery, DEATH AT THE MANOR by Katharine Schellman, is a worthy successor to the first two, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and in this book Lily has an intrepid accomplice–her recently-married friend, Ofelia. It’s Regency England, and young widow Lily, along with Ofelia and her adoring husband, Ned, have looked forward to spending a few months in the country with Lily’s aunt and her longtime companion. But no sooner do they arrive from London than they are caught up in an implausible ghost story at a neighboring family’s estate. By all accounts, a menacing ghost has caused many of the servants to leave, especially after one of them is injured while fleeing from the apparition. When the family’s matriarch is found dead in her bed while locked–from the inside–in her bedroom, even the police are inclined to give some credence to the ghost story. But Lily, who has helped law enforcement resolve two previous murders, believes the woman’s son and daughter have their own reasons for wanting her dead. This story has everything I look for in a historical mystery–an intelligent, caring heroine, a plethora of promising suspects, interesting supporting characters, a well-drawn setting, and a satisfying conclusion, not to mention a burgeoning romance between Lily and dashing Matthew Spencer. I’m sure there will be more installments to come. (August)
Another historical series I really like is the Laetitia Rodd Mysteries by Kate Saunders, set in Victorian England. Laetitia is the middle-aged widow of an archbishop who makes her living as a private investigator specializing in discreet inquiries. Fortunately, Scotland Yard Inspector Blackbeard appreciates her help, as she is not squeamish or easily frightened, and her insights and intuition are often spot-on. The third in the series. THE MYSTERY OF THE SORROWFUL MAIDEN, starts with a request to assist the wife of a prominent stage actor in receiving a reasonable divorce settlement from her philandering husband. But it soon becomes much more, as Laetitia is drawn into the investigation of two murders–one 10 years in the past–and both involving the theatre community. Laetitia is an appealing character, and her relationship with Blackbeard is intriguing. Other interesting characters include the divorcing actor’s also-philandering soon-to-be ex-wife, their three grown daughters, all of whom have performed at the family’s theatre, and the members of a rival theatre’s family. The setting and the depiction of actors’ lives in the 1850s are also well drawn, and Laetitia’s narration keeps the story moving.
NPR’s Linda Holmes’ long-awaited second book, FLYING SOLO, is just as entertaining as Evvie Drake Starts Over. Set again in Calcasset, Maine, it is a unique, satisfying story featuring 40-year-old wildlife journalist Laurie (next assignment: turtle trafficking), who returns to her hometown after years living in Seattle to sift through the possessions of her adored nonagenarian great-aunt Dot. Her four brothers can’t be bothered, but Laurie wants to make sure everything Dot has left behind is seen and honored. Digging through endless boxes of travel souvenirs, college textbooks, finished and unfinished crafts, vinyl records, books, and love letters from multiple lovers, Laurie finds a beautifully painted duck decoy at the bottom of a cedar chest. With the help of a “bereavement decluttering” service, she tries to determine the provenance and value of the decoy, but when that effort takes an unexpected turn, she marshals her own task force of her actor brother, a former beau, his grandmother, and two new acquaintances to get to the bottom of it. But there are many more layers to this engrossing story. Laurie had cancelled her wedding over an extravagant waffle maker her betrothed couldn’t live without. Former hometown boyfriend Nick, now running the local library, gave up his own marriage because he couldn’t bear to leave Calcasset when his wife relocated for her dream job. Nick loves his life and knows what he wants. Laurie loves her life and knows what she doesn’t want. But their mutual attraction can’t be denied. There are so many things to love about this book: strong elderly characters who lead active lives beyond all expectation (one lives in a lighthouse and owns a minor-league baseball team); literary and pop culture shout-outs that are alternately hilarious and poignant; relatable personality traits that you don’t often read about; sage advice from true friends. I could go on and on, but it’s better to read it yourself. I guarantee that you will agonize with Laurie over her life choices and cheer her on as she wrestles with what she really wants . . . and doesn’t want. (June)
Thanks for the heads up on the Kate Saunders book, Margie. It’s been a while since her last one. I put it on reserve at my library.
Margie, I love the sound of all three of these books, especially Flying Solo. I hope I can get them in my library. Great reviews.
Thank you, Margie! I didn’t know if Katherine Schellman would continue that series or not since she has a new series set in Jazz Age New York City. Good to know because I really like the characters in that series. And, I love the sound of Linda Holmes’ book. I’ll have to watch for it!
Lesa, I have to say I like this series more than her new Jazz Age series–the writing seems better (or maybe it’s just me). But I think she may relax into the Jazz Age series and characters more as the series progresses.
I started reading the Sgt. Cribb books in the ’70s. I’ve read several previous collections of Lovesey’s stories – including one published in England that was later published here with different stories – and I have this one on my list. Looking forward to it. And good luck with the weather! South Florida has returned to normal, with temperatures back to the mid- and upper 70s.
Books. Jackie read Tightrope by Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz), the third in her Burning Cove series, only to discover that they are all connected to the Arcane Society (and the Jones world) books written under all three of her names (Jayne Castle is the third). So now she has gone back to the first in the series, The Girl Who Knew Too Much.
I have a problem with books.
I am a believer in Thomas Jefferson’s tenet that “I Cannot Live Without Books” (I even have it on a T-shirt that I bought at Monticello). I have a long list of writers (mainly mystery writers) whose books I read as soon as they are available. Then there are the short story writers (mystery and straight fiction mostly, with occasionally other genres), a list that grows every year. Since we’ve gone to the Kindle, the number of books I have – unread – seems to be higher than ever, at least partly because when there are HUNDREDS of books on the Kindle, you don;t see them the way you do with actual books on the shelf, Plus, there are books (often short story collections) that come out only as ebooks, so what choice to I have> Then my library started buying and loaning out more and more ebooks. In addition, reading the recommendations here and on a few other friends’ blogs adds more new authors to the list. ANd other reviews and recommendations and…I’m snowed under.
So yes, I have a problem. It’s a good problem, a happy problem, but a problem.
So, this week, I read Seasonal Work by Laura Lippman, a new short story collection that was very entertaining. I’d read a couple of the stories before (“The Book Thing” and “Waco 1982”) but enjoyed reading them again. Currently reading Edward D> Hoch’s The Night My Friend, a collection of nearly two dozen stories by the modern master of the mystery short story. These are “Stories of Crime and Suspense” published in the 1960s, all non-series stories, as well as a useful bibliography of the 264 non-series stories he published between 1956 and 1990. As a rule I prefer Hoch’s series stories about characters like Dr. Sam Hawthorne, who solves “impossible crimes” between the 1920s and 1940s in small town Connecticut, and Nick Velvet, the third who only steals worthless things…for a fee. “Day for a Picnic” is a very Hawthorne-like story, a small town picnic in the mid-1930s, a man poisoned by a glass of beer poured from the same pitcher others drank from without incident, Again, this was a reread for me and a very entertaining one.
I watched the adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People on Netflix and enjoyed it quite a bit, so decided to read the book. The adaptation was pretty faithful to the book, which I liked more and more as it went along. Very good.
I’ve been reading Nick Petrie’s Peter Ash series from the beginning, though some I’ve liked a lot more than others. The latest, The Runaway, to me is more like a Reacher novel than an Ash, as he is on his own for most of the book (though June and Lewis do eventually show up to help him). It’s uneven, with flashbacks that I almost skimmed through as they were somewhat unnecessarily vicious and just got us to where we were at the beginning. Peter is driving alone through the Midwest when he gives a lift to a very pregnant young woman fleeing her evil psychopath of a husband. It’s not the kind of book I often read, but I did race through it in two days of very quick reading, if that is a recommendation.
Currently reading P. J. Tracy’s second California-set book, Desolation Canyon. I have only the vaguest recollection of the first in the series, other than that I remember liking it, and I’m sure this one will be much the same.
Jeff, I am interested in your comments on Anxious People, as I think it is on the list of Netflix recommendations my daughter wrote for me. Now I will move it nearer the top!
And I like the sound of Edward D Hoch’s Sam Hawthorne series – another one to look out for.
I, need I tell you, have precisely the same problem as you. I have overflowing bookcases in two houses at present, plus a huge stack of books from the library. Yet, when I went to return ONE book this afternoon, I could not stop myself from having a little browse. Fortunately it was much busier than usual, as the children had just come out of school, so in the end I left without borrowing any more – for now…. My favourite time to visit the library is the morning, when it’s usually very quiet. Then I come out with as many books as two library cards can support…
Jeff, LIke you and Rosemary, I have a problem with books. And, the Kindle doesn’t help, as you said. Books disappear there!
I read The Runaway. Unfortunately, it was the first Peter Ash I had read, and it didn’t impress me. My brother-in-law reads all of the books, so I”m sure he found it okay, as you did, since he’d read earlier ones.
I also read P.J. Tracy’s earlier book, and, because I don’t remember it either, Desolation Canyon is just sitting here. Too many other books to read!
I think your problem is contagious Jeff! I put a hold on the two PJ Tracy books.
It should have read that Nick Velvet is the thief not “the third” as it says there.
I never proofread until it’s too late!
Good morning. Luckily, last week’s storm brought only about 7 inches of snow to my area of New Jersey. Areas just south of us got walloped with a foot or more. I spent the day cooking so that my shovelers (husband and daughter) would remain energized.
I am reading The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White. I enjoy reading about the renovation of historic homes in Charleston and the mystery with a paranormal element to it. However, I found the main character Melanie to be immature for her age of 39. Namely in her relationship with her love interest Jack. She acts like a teenager and I feel that’s not in line with her age. I will continue on to the next book in the series with the hope that Melanie and Jack’s relationship matures.
On audio, I am listening to A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry. I am enjoying this story’s setting and antiques theme, but again, I find the daughter Christine’s immaturity and behavior very annoying taking away from my enjoyment of the book. I will continue on to the next in the series hoping that Christine is either written out of the story or her role minimized.
Stay safe, especially in those parts of the country expecting this ice storm. Covid cases in our next of the woods are on a down swing, so that’s good news.
Have a wonderful week!
Kathleen, I couldn’t stand Christine, either, in Connie Berry’s A Legacy of Murder. Keep reading. She’s not in the third one. I think I actually hinted to Connie Berry that I would be happy if Christine got a job in Russia and never returned. I didn’t like her at all.
I read Fine Me by Alafair Burke – I usually like her books but this one is only fair. Since we are expecting ice tomorrow I am planning on doing some cleaning and then spending the afternoon reading which will actually be a good day!
Donna! Enjoy your reading day. Those are always terrific days for me.
It was overdue books that she was fined for, I bet.
We had a freezing rain, then an ice storm, last night and this morning, several hours of sleet and then snow, maybe up to three inches. When that is over, the temperature, about 24 now will drop to the single digits and winds powering up. Inter, esting to hear what weather everyone has.
The good news is that we have electricity.is still going. I finished The Chief’s Kiss, a romantice comedy and loved it. Now listening to Ann Tyler’s Amatuer Marraige. I read a several bad reviews, so I had low expectations, but I am enjoying it. It is sort three generations of people with character sketches.
Also, started an unusual book for me, As Fas As Her by Kendall Coyne. I don’t watch much sports but like to cheer women on,The author is gold medalist from the Olympics in ice hockey. Her family was as passionate about sports as mine with reading. At the age of three, she was in a learn to play ice hockey course. I have no idea what I did when I was three. Excelling in school and being a “rink rat” after school and church, it is no wonder that suceeded. I am learning how dangerous to the face and limbs those can be,
Carolee, your weather sounds the same as ours. Even the major grocery store here opened late and they’re closing early today. They’ve never done that in the years I’ve been here.
Lesa, I hope your weather doesn’t get too bad there.
I am happy to report that things are going well following my husband’s eye surgery. We saw his doctor yesterday; the healing is going well and he can discontinue the face down positioning, which is not only inconvenient but caused him back pain. The gas bubble will be in his eye four more weeks (gradually dissipating) so his vision will be blurry in that eye until it goes away. How it will affect his vision long term is not known but one thing at a time.
I finally got back to NEMESIS by Jo Nesbo. A police procedural, although it feels more like psychological suspense and a thriller. The protagonist is an alcoholic, and I don’t really like flawed policemen that much. Or at least not this one. I guess it depends on a lot of things. I thought about giving up on the book, but I got interested enough in the story that I plan to see it through to the end. The writing is good and the characters are convincing.
I have been reading short stories, lately some science fiction and fantasy stories, and that book of Peter Lovesey’s stories looks very good. I have read a few of his short stories and liked them and books from several of his series over the years and THE FALSE INSPECTOR DEW… many years ago.
Well, the good thing, Tracy, is that we haven’t lost power. In 2009, this area lost power for a week following an ice storm. People remember that, but I didn’t live here then.
That’s such good news about your husband and his eye. I hope the good news just keeps coming.
Barbara really likes Jo Nesbo’s books with Inspector Harry Hole, and has read them all.
I am not surprised that Barbara likes the series, Rick. The writing is very good, I guess I am just not in the mood for this kind of book right now.
Hi Lesa — we have a little less than a foot of snow here in Northern Colorado from the Tues/Weds storm, but today the sun is out so even at -7 degrees, I’ll be able to get outside a little (assuming neighbors clear their sidewalks all the way to the mailbox). This morning I started reading Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart. I haven’t read any of her books before, so this will be interesting. My next fiction read will be Phillip Margolin’s The Darkest Place as I just received the ARC I won from Goodreads.
Stay safe, Patricia. Don’t try to get to the mailbox if the neighbors haven’t cleaned.
I’ll be interested to see what you think of Atlas of the Heart. I haven’t read it, but have heard of that one.
A flash mob of Bush Tits and Finches on the bird feeder, quiche for breakfast and the Winter Sweetbox just outside the front door in full bloom and smelling heavenly. Ah, February is here. It was clear and bright last week, with temperatures in the 40s, chilly but nice but we could use both snow and rain. Sorry about your ice though, ice storms are nasty.
Reading: Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. It’s been decades since I read her The Shell Seekers, a copy that was my Mothers’. Comments here prompted me to get this one from the library, and though it’s not my usual reading type I decided to try it. It’s long, at 454 pages in hardcover, and took me several days to read, but when I finished the last page I was sorry there weren’t another hundred pages to go. That’s how much I liked it, and wanted to read as the story of these characters continued. Since this was Pilcher’s last novel, that can’t happen.
W. J. Burley’s Wycliffe and the Guilt Edged Alibi (1971) is the third in the Wycliffe series. A thriving business owned by two brothers in Treems, Cornwall, becomes the focus of a murder investigation when the dead body of Caroline Bryce, wife of one of the brothers, is dragged from the bottom of a local river. Baffled as to a possible motive for the killing, Detective Chief Inspector Wycliffe mulls several possibilities. Could it have been a lover’s quarrel, a family feud, or perhaps even the explosion of long-held resentment of the woman? There are facts, and rumors, and suspicions aplenty, but sorting out the why of the death, and then a second one, takes all of Wycliffe’s considerable powers. I like the character and writing of these, and have been reading them in order, spaced well apart.
Monday, from the library, came A Thousand Steps, T. Jefferson Parker’s newest. Set in Laguna Beach in 1968, it starts with a missing sister, and the hunt for her takes her brother Matt through the city’s environs. I lived in Laguna Beach in 1968 and know the location well. I could visualize everyplace in the book, which added to my enjoyment. Parker’s first novel, Laguna Heat was also set in the town, and was very good. I’ve enjoyed all of his I’ve read, which would be about a third of them.
Next up is todays featured book, due to arrive today. Until it comes, I’m filling in with short stories.
Reading how much you enjoyed Winter Solstice made me smile, Rick. If you haven’t read her Coming Home and September, I recommend them as well.
I put a hold on September. Should I read Coming Home first?
Won’t matter a bit. Enjoy!!!
I see Kaye commented, Rick, on Rosamund Pilcher’s Winter Solstince. I was hoping she’d see your comments about the book. She did such a wonderful job with characters.
We were lucky that our ice storm wasn’t as bad as they expected. That means probably back to work tomorrow. We’ll see.
Oh February sounds great where you are Rick! Though I must admit I’ve never had quiche for breakfast.
I have Winter Solstice on my table – which is where books that are nearing the top of my TBR convene, so I might even get to it soon. I have seen two different film versions of The Shell Seekers, and enjoyed them both.
I do like the sound of A Thousand Steps, and the Wycliffe book – I’ve never read any of those or watched the TV series, but they do look good. More for the list!
Honestly, I liked the Wycliffe better than the Parker.
Rick, I envy you all your birds. We really only get hummingbirds in our tiny back area in summer and fall, and we love them but I wish we could see other birds here too. My father was a bird lover and enjoyed feeding the birds.
I am going to have to try some of the authors you have mentioned: Rosamunde Pilcher and T. Jefferson Parker. I have three of Parker’s books: California Girl, L.A. Outlaws, and The Fallen.
Also, I have several books in the Wycliffe series and I need to get back to reading that series.
Good morning. I won’t talk about the weather in So Cal so I’m not banned from this blog in the future. 😉 (Let’s just say I’m doing a mud run on Saturday, and I never sign up for them in winter far in advance because I fear it will be cold. It should be a perfect day for it.)
Instead, I’ll say I’m reviewing MURDER IN MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, one of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries. I’ve seen a few plot points coming early (as I often do), but I haven’t figured out the killer yet. Enjoying it as always.
Oh, that’s okay, Mark. I lived in Florida for 18 years, and Arizona for 8 1/2. That’s the weather I miss. I can take it. I won’t ban anyone lucky enough to still live someplace with beautiful weather. Enjoy every minute of it!
Good evening everyone; it’s almost 5pm here and beginning to get dark, though the days are definitely getting lighter, and this afternoon was lovely, very mild and sunny.
We had two storms at the end of last week; on Saturday the wind was ferocious (luckily we didn’t need to go anywhere) and on Monday there was a repeat performance. We were very fortunate in that we did not lose power – many local communities did, some of them just a mile or so from here, and some were only reconnected yesterday. Scottish Power says they had about 70 homes still to reconnect today.
On Sunday we went up to the north coast to meet our son and his wife at Gardenstown, a traditional fishing village. Although some of its very pretty little cottages have now become holiday homes, it is still very much a working harbour for small boats. The access to the harbour and beach is via a precipitous single track road with several bends – it feels a bit like San Francisco without the glamour. I had to drive both ways as my husband is not yet able to do so after his surgery – I have no idea how I got down and up that road, but somehow we made it. There is a very good cafe/craft shop among the boat sheds, and we enjoyed excellent coffee and scones there beside a roaring wood stove. We got home fine, but by Monday morning many roads up there were completely blocked by fallen trees and power cables.
Lesa, I am amazed to find that the Aberdeen Library service does have some Peter Lovesey books in its collection – and even has Reader, I Buried Them on order. Wonders will never cease!
This week I finished LOVE, OR NEAREST OFFER BY Adele Geras. I enjoyed this, it’s light reading but well written. Iris is an estate agent who likes to go the extra mile for her clients and make sure that they all end up in the right house for them. We are of course in the realms of fantasy here, as I have moved many, many times, and never met an agent who was remotely concerned about the suitability of a house for the purchaser….But anyway, Iris is an endearing character; she has just moved out of her controlling boyfriend’s flat and is currently living back with her mother, who thinks she should never have left Neil.
Iris’s clients include a childless widower who needs to downsize, a divorced lady who wants to get away from all the bad memories in the house she shared with her unfaithful, patronising husband, a wealthy couple who live in a fabulous Thameside penthouse but now have a 2 year old who wants a dog and needs a garden, and a successful (handsome, rich…) artist moving back from New York who wants ‘lots of walls’ to hang his paintings on. Each of the characters is well drawn and interesting, though I did question the fact that the first two seemed to have no idea of the immense value of their North London homes – I don’t know what it is like in the US, but here – and especially in London – everyone is OBSESSED with property prices and knows exactly what they might get for theirs.
Anyway, putting inconvenient reality aside, this was a good read and I liked all of the main characters. Sometimes you need a happy book! I didn’t even mind them all being so affluent, as at least there was for once no ‘returning with my broken heart to my seaside village home where my granny has just by chance left me a cafe/bookshop’ nonsense…
I am now reading RUNAWAY by Claire MacLeary – I think I mentioned another of Claire’s books PAYBACK a while ago. I’m reading them in the wrong order, but I don’t think it matters too much. Once again the private detetctive agency run by Maggie Laird and her neighbour Wilma Harcus is on its uppers. While working class Wilma’s life with her new husband is going reasonably well after years of poverty and domestic violence, middle class Maggie is struggling as a young widow trying to make ends meet and keep her son at his private school for another year. I like these women; they’re far from the standard maverick, ex-police, alcoholic loners, and they have real problems – money, teenagers, aging parents – as they try to keep the agency (which Maggie’s late husband started up) afloat while juggling other low paid jobs. Maggie is also still trying to clear her husband’s name after he was accused of corruption while a serving police officer.
In Runaway, a woman has gone missing from her home. The wife of an oil man and the mother of two children, there seems to be no explanation for Debbie Milne’s disappearance. She had a beautiful home, and was devoted to her family. She has not taken any clothes or other personal items with her, and her phone is switched off. The police are on the case but getting nowhere, so Scott Milne, Debbie’s husband, comes to Maggie and Wilma. Their investigations lead them into some very seedy parts of Aberdeen; meanwhile the police officer in charge of the case believes that a body found in a skip in Dundee could be, or be connected to, the missing woman…but why has it turned up over a hundred miles away?
Claire Macleary develops her characters well. Wilma is a brilliant creation and would be instantly recognisable to any Aberdonian, but although she’s had a terrible background, she is determined to improve herself and make up for the education she missed. The police officers at Queen Street are also well differentiated and interesting.
The setting is of course of special interest to me as someone who has lived in the area for decades; I’m really glad that someone is putting Aberdeen on the contemporary literary map (the other crime writer doing so is Stuart MacBride, but although his books are very good, they are just too gory for me.)
On TV we are watching VIENNA BLOOD, which I think i did see when it first came out, but I couldn’t remember most of it. It is set in turn of the century Vienna; a young doctor, Max Liebermann, has rejected his lecturer’s traditional and inhuman treatments for mental illness, and has instead attended the lectures of Sigmund Freud. His businessman father is a friend of the chief of police, who arranges for Max to witness a criminal investigation. When a woman is found apparently shot dead in a carefully ‘curated’ scene in a beautiful apartment, the detective in charge – who has not been doing well at work – really does not want Max following him around – but when he can find no leads to help him solve the case, he reluctantly asks Max for his help. Meanwhile anti-semitism is rising in Austria, and will soon affect the lives of everyone in Max’s family. It’s an unusual drama, and I think we will stick with it as there is now a second series.
We also watched a film, FALLING FOR FIGARO, which was absolutely terrible, despite the cast including Joanna Lumley and Hugh Skinner. Sometimes you do wonder how these things get off the ground.
And on the radio I am listening to MRS DALLOWAY, which I think I will now need to read. I’m also enjoying BRIGHT LIGHTS, DEAD CITY, a thriller based in Northern Ireland and written by Séamas O’Reilly. An American film crew arrives in Derry to make a lavish drama series about the Troubles. Then the lead actress disappears.
And I have just started THE TOFF ON THE FARM – another story featuring the late Terence Alexander as the Hon Richard Rollinson, man about town and amateur detective. Rollinson is of course far less famous than Peter Wimsey, but I like him better. His valet, Jolly, is a great character, and Terence Alexander himself was an excellent actor (probably most famous for Bergerac.) In this story, Rollinson travels to Sussex to look at a farm that a friend of his is begging him to buy for £1 to get a female friend out of a fix – but in the meantime, the woman’s brother has been kidnapped.
Tomorrow I am walking with my friend Karen, who spent Christmas (very deservedly) in Antigua – so I am looking forward to hearing all about that!
Have a great week everyone. And avoid that ice if you can – it really is the worst weather in my opinion. Snow I can deal with, but ice has no redeeming features whatsoever.
Rosemary
You are so right, Rosemary. Ice has no redeeming features. Walking and driving are both hazardous. I like the sound of both books that you mentioned. I probably won’t find them when I go looking.
I am glad you found Peter Lovesey. Since he’s such a popular British author, it doesn’t really surprise me that you found some of his books in Aberdeen.
Even grocery stores shortened their hours because of the weather here. That’s a surprise. But, at least we haven’t lost power. That would be terrible. Evansville lost power in 2009 during an ice storm, and they didn’t get it back for a week for most people.
Thank you for spending time on the blog today, commenting on people’s posts!
Oh I love chatting Lesa – you know that!
The little Co-Ops in some of the villages had to close because if they have no power they can’t work their tills. When our power was off for 3 days in November, both of our small grocery shops had to close – it did make me grateful for my store cupboard and freezer (our garage was so cold that I had few qualms about opening the freezer door now and again.)
I hope you have enough provisions for you and those cats! Cat food is always my biggest worry – hence I always have several boxes in hand, though with my girls it would have been just like them to turn their noses up at all of it. Fortunately Charlie is a boy and would rather eat than starve any day.
You will enjoy Season 2 of Vienna Blood, Rosemary. We just finished it up. I hope there will be more season. The Adele Geras sounds good as well.
Rosemary, seems we’ll all be reading the Lovesey book about the same time! The realtor we had when we were searching for our present home was terrific, and the o home she found us is wonderful. There are good agents out there.
The Rolliston book sounds interesting, but… who is the author and where to start?
Oh! John Creasey. None of the library systems here has a single Toff book. Darn.
I’ve been going through books a mile a minute recently. All “feel good” books. My fave of the most recent bunch is The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander (ARC). And now I’m antsy for the next J.D. Robb to pop up on my Kindle in a few days. Definitely in need of a Roarke and Eve fix!
We still have a lot of snow but I think this latest mess of ice is going to miss us. Stay warm and safe, everyone!
Jackie feels the same about Roarke and Eve, Kaye.
I sorta thought she might, Jeff. I love that we can look forward to two of those every year.
I’m looking forward to both of those books, Kaye!
The weather here has been sunny but windy. Just what we don’t need!
This week I read:
Dior Or Die by Laur E. Akers; Sort of a cross between Crazy Rich Asians and Jack Reacher as a woman soldier inherits a fortune and finds herself in trouble among the 1%.
The Honeymoon was Murder by Jon R. Minks; Two couples go to Vegas, and find themselves embroiled in murder and human trafficking. I couldn’t really tell any of the characters apart.
The Llano Kid: No Illusions by PK Brown; The Kid goes up to Seattle, and finds work, trouble, and romance, not necessarily in that order. One of the better western series going, IMO.
Real Easy by Marie Rutkosky; A dancer working at a strip club has disappeared, and a Harvard educated cop tries to find her, but is lucky to find her way home. Seems like someone was watchng Halle Berry movies.
The Colour of Robots by James Marson; a nebbish finds robots that aren’t supposed to exist on a deserted planet, and finds himself thrust into one of the lamer conspiracies.
I also watched Matrix: Rsurrection, Every movie after the first just gets worse and worse.
I hate those books, Glen, when I can’t tell the characters apart. It seems to happen a lot in women’s fiction when, instead of sticking to 3 friends, all of a sudden there are 6 in the group.
I’m glad, though, that someone is writing westerns.
Dare I say that it’s warmed up from last weekend’s freezing temperatures to 80 degrees and sunny today? Nah, I better not share that with all of you snowbound or cold!
I’m still reading the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. I’m on #8 Among the Wicked. Creepy story with Kate going undercover to an Amish community in New York where the bishop is wacked. I’m sure she’ll get away, but the journey will be fascinating to watch. There’s certain to be some sort of twist at the end as well – every book has had at least one. Part of what I like about the series.
It seems there are a bunch of short stories interspersed with the books at this point. I’ve read several so far, trying to keep things in order. They’re alright and fill in some gaps but don’t present anything crucial. At 50-60 pages, they’re a quick read. Reading one between each novel sort of slows the pace back down and allows my heart rate to return to normal!
Of course, you can talk about the weather, Sandie! What’s the fun of having gorgeous weather if you can’t gloat now and then? I know I did, especially when I was in Arizona.
Among the Wicked was one of my least favorite books in the series. I’m not crazy about books when the detective leaves their home area, and the supporting cast. I think Kate’s small police force and Tomasetti add so much to the books.
I’ll agree with you there Lesa. It’s never my fav when the characters leave their home turf and go somewhere else for the entire book. That being said, Kate is able to explore in ways she usually can’t, posing as part of the community. I’m getting creeped out by this so-called bishop and I fear we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg at this point in the story. I do wonder what the twist at the end will be, since the previous books have all had a surprise at the end. We’ll see…
I neglected to mention that with the Winter Olympics beginning tonight, opening ceremonies tomorrow (3pm my time) and ongoing, that will cut into my reading time some. Although I don’t care for curling or hockey, I do like seeing the skiing and skating events.
Greetings…
The weather is wonderful here on California’s central coast.
I’m about 3/4 through the latest Michael Connelly book, ” The Dark Hours”. It’s another one featuring Renee Ballard with Harry Bosch assisting from the wings. It’s not my favorite Connelly line-up but still very enjoyable. At least Ballard is not camping out on beach!
Prior to this title, I enjoyed the short story collection from Mick Herron, “Dolphin Junction”‘ I’m not usually drawn to short stories but Mick Herron is tops right now in my book. I noticed today that it’s available on kindle for 2.99 (good deal if your local does not stock it). Then, I discovered that an Apple TV version of Slow Horses starring Gary Oldman is due shortly (hopefully). I’ve always felt that Herron’s characters would make an ideal show. So now we’ll have a chance to see them in action. Oldman wouldn’t have been my first choice as Jackson Lamb but he’s been so good in past performances that I’m sure it will take me about 3 minutes to buy into his portrayal!
I always get so many great recommendations here! I am going to look for the Lily Adler series. Last week I read Lost & Found, a memoir about love and grief and loss. It was really beautiful. I’ll spare you my weather comments since my love for snow is a bit excessive.
Hope you stay safe during these storms, Lesa. I am listening to A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham and reading in print, Lucky by Marissa Stapley