It’s Thursday, and I’m back to see what you’re all reading! Thanks to everyone who pitched in last Thursday, and thank you to Kevin Tipple for publicizing the various posts, and to Kevin and Sandie Herron for their reviews during the week. I hope everyone is okay, with tornadoes and fog and other weather. We were fogged in last Thursday at LaGuardia Airport when we should have been flying back to Ohio.
I just started The Suite Spot by Trish Doller. It’s a novel about a woman who is rebuilding her life after she’s fired for something she didn’t do. I picked it up, though, because I noticed the setting when I ordered the book for the library. Rachel Beck accepts a job at a brewery hotel on Kelleys Island. Kelleys Island is an actual island in Lake Erie, and everyone in my family has been there. Some of us went to 4-H camp there. I read a couple paragraphs to one of my sisters, and she and I laughed, and said it was accurate. Both of us dumped a mystery series once that was set on another island in Lake Erie. How can you write about an actual island, and not at least mention the monument that is the most important feature of the island? I don’t know how this book will go, but at least the author knows how to describe Kelleys Island.
What about you? What are you reading this week? I’m looking forward to catching up with you!
Happy Thursday, and happy to be here, even though it’s really just awfully late Wednesday night and I’m still up reading. Have I mentioned how much I love being a retired person?!
A book I couldn’t wait to share. If you read, and enjoyed, The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, I highly recommend Alexandra Lapierre’s Belle Greene.
I enjoyed The Personal Librarian quite a lot, but was confused about how certain things could be presented as facts with no supporting evidence. I do realize it’s fiction, but I was still bothered by what was, to me, a glaring omission.
Without going into all that here, Alexandra Lapierre tells us the rest of the story, and how it came to be known.
A fascinating story about a fascinating woman.
From NetGalley:
“Based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, a woman who defied all odds to carve out a destiny of her own choosing, this is a richly imagined novel bursting with atmosphere, lush period detail, and many unforgettable characters.
New York in the 1900s. A young girl fascinated by rare books defies all odds and becomes the director of one of the country’s most prestigious private libraries. It belongs to the magnate J. P. Morgan,darling of the international aristocracy and one of the city’s richest men.
Flamboyant, brilliant, beautiful, Belle is among New York society’s most sought after intellectuals. She also hides a secret. Although she looks white, she is African American, the daughter of a famous black activist who sees her desire to hide her origins as the consummate betrayal. Torn between history’s ineluctable imperatives and the freedom to belong to the society of her choosing, Belle’s drama, which plays out in a violently racist America, is one that resonates forcefully, and illuminatingly even today.
The fruit of years of research and interviews, Alexandra Lapierre’s magnificent novel recounts the struggles, victories, and heartbreaks of a woman who is free, astonishingly determined, daring, and fully, exuberantly alive.”
I’m going to let Donna know about this one, Kaye. She’ll want to read it. It did feel as if things were missing in The Personal Librarian. I agree.
And, I have a year and a half until I’m “a retired person”!
There’ll be no stopping you then Lesa! Having your time to yourself is the absolute best – though where it actually *goes* is often a mystery in itself!
And that time will FLY!!!!! ❤❤❤
Kaye, Belle Greene sounds so good that I requested it this morning on NetGalley, and I have already been approved! Oh, and I forgot to mention that my April book club meeting has “book with a color in the title” as our theme.
Margie, that worked out well! Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Checking in from my family vacation in San Diego. I’m working on MURDER IN THE BOWERY by Victoria Thompson. I’m enjoying it, but I’m not reading as much as usual since I’m enjoying time with my family.
I’m impressed you checked in, Mark. I don’t read anything when I’m with my family.
Good morning, all. A week from today we will be on the road for home after three months in Florida, so may not have time to comment then.
Anyway… this week’s short stories have come from two books – John Lutz’s collection of short mysteries UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD, all non series (so far ,at least) and Robert Aickman’s COMPULSORY GAMES, a much stranger collection.
I really liked Dervla McTiernan’s first two Cormac Reilly books, THE RUIN and THE SCHOLAR. Her third, THE GOOD TURN, was not available in the library so I bought an ebook copy. This one (again, set largely in Galway and surrounding area, with some Dublin scenes) was more problematic, with Cormac’s fight against corruption in the Garda likely to end his career. There is a child kidnapping and several suspicious deaths, with Cormac and his protege Peter Fisher working on different cases that have them both in jeopardy for most of the book. Fans will want to read it, but I’d definitely recommend starting with the previous books first. And let’s hope the next one is happier.
After finishing the J.D. Robb book, Jackie has been raving about Louise Penny & Hillary Clinton’s political thriller, STATE OF TERROR, so I started it yesterday and it is a very fast read. The star is the Hillary-like Secretary of State, Ellen Adams, appointed for some unknown reason by her bitter political rival, the newly elected President, who clearly wants her to fail (so why appoint her then?) Then comes a series of terrorist bombings in Europe, with no one taking credit and everyone unclear on who the target(s) might be. As I said it is a very fast read, Penny’s writing is smooth as ever. But not recommended if you hate the Clintons and love Donald Trump.
Kaye Barley, like Jackie, raved about State of Terror, Jeff. I have it, but haven’t read it. I just haven’t picked it up because I felt disappointed in the last Gamache book. I’ll get to it eventually. I believe Kaye & Jackie when they rave about it.
Safe travels next week, although I’m sure we’ll be in touch before that.
Jackie said to tell you, “It does not resemble Louise Penny’s books in any way. You would never guess she was involved.”
Totally agree!
I loved it too. I hope there’s a sequel. The doors were left wide open for one.
I didn’t get much reading done last week but I did get through two books.
DEATH OF A GREEN-EYED MONSTER by MC Beaton and RW Green. According to the introduction MC Beaton was too I’ll to actually write it so RW Green wrote it with her input and revisions. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t quite have the feel of the earlier books. My mom enjoyed it more than I did.
BATTEN DOWN THE BELFRY by Diane Kelly. Whitney and her cousin Buck buy a vacant church to rehab and flip. Between a neighbor who claims he owns the property and a dead body in the belfry they may lose all of the money they invested.
I’m also reading an ARC of THE AUDREY HEPBURN HEIST by Mollie Cox Bryan. I’m struggling with it because I don’t really care for the main character but it’s a review copy so I’ll try to keep going with it.
Sometimes, it’s a struggle to get through books when they’re disappointing. I’m sorry your reading week wasn’t better, Sandy.
Good afternoon from a cloudy Aberdeenshire. We’ve had some beautiful weather for the past week, so I am not complaining, but the forecast for more sun today clearly did not apply to my corner of Scotland. On Monday Nancy and I had a fabulous walk at Crathes Castle. As well as the grounds, which were full of snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils, the walled garden was open and looking so lovely. Nancy had a chat with one of the gardeners – they are always so helpful and keen to advise you about plant care.
My husband is using up leave that he will otherwise forfeit. His chosen occupation for today is one of his favourites – Turning Out. Unfortunately I am supppsed to join in, and unlike him I am the opposite of minimalist, so I am hiding in a bedroom to write to you instead…
This week I have been trying to write my review of the Elizabeth Spy book, and it is hard work! I have had to reread great chunks of it, which is fine and I know that notice more if I do this, but it takes up so much time! And it’s sitll only half written.
I have, however, started another Scotland Street Press book, ERRANT BLOOD by CF Peterson. So far it’s quite confusing. Eammon Ansgar, the son of a Scottish landowner returns to the family estate after his father’s death – but this is definitely not Monach of the Glen country. The house is run by one old housekeeper, with a local gardener for the grounds. Eamoon is a vetaran of the war in Afghanistan, where he seems to have been involved in a variety of operations, some of them probably covert – but he’s not done especially well. Now he’s back in the leaky ancestral home, and wondering what he ought to know about his land and the people who live on it.
Before he can get very far, a child is murdered in what looks like a ritualistic killing in one of the low cost houses that his father grudgingly builit beside the village. The child’s mother seems to be Congolese. The apparent murdered is Joel, a local boy whom Eammon knew and liked before he (Eaammon) was sent away to boaring school. In Eammon’s absence, Joel has become dependent on drugs, supplied by a local dealer and thug who lives in an old caravan by the quarry. For unknown reasons, Eammon’s father resisted evicting this man.When Eammon visits the mother, officials whom he takes to be social workers are already there. When he goes back again, the mother is gone, and on his way home Eammon is beaten up by a Latvian thug.
Eammon starts to ask questions of his father’s somewhat slippery land agent, and uncovers all sorts of strange goings on. He joins forces with Rona, a local girl whom he treated very badly in his youth, but who seems to be prepared to forvive him. So far there is no romance, they are just trying to find out about the numerous strange and probably nefarious things going on on the estate, and what really happened to the child.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a millionaire scientist is bringing his ocean going yacht back to Scotland. On board are only his dying wife, his questionable associate and himself.
I presume all of these threads will eventually tie in! The plot is interesing but the style is a bit too literary for me – lots of long descriptions – sometimes I can enjoy these, but here I just want to know what’s going to happen.
On TV we have almost finished the new adaptation of THE IPCRESS FILE, which is excellent. I’ve read mixed reviews, but in my opinion Joe Cole is perfect as Harry Palmer, as is Lucy Boynton as Jean, and Tom Hollander is of course wonderful as their handler, Major Dalby.
Last night David was out, so I nobly didn’t watch the last Ipcress episode, but instead started flipping through the channels. Sometimes things that I would normally enjoy watching as light relief just don’t seem to work for me, so after discarding a few I settled on a programme about Margot Fonteyn – IN SEARCH OF MARGOT – presented by another world famous dancer, Darcy Bussell.
I know next to nothing about ballet, although when I was a child absoluely everyone – even my family! – had heard of Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev (we all thought they must be married to one another – how innocent we were.) It was such an interesting, sad, story. Fonteyn was brought up by her mother to be a top dancer, and felt that this was her entire identity until she met her Panamanian husband. From then on things did not go well, but she remained devoted to him for the rest of his life. When she herself was dying, she had little money left to pay her biils, and Nureyev anonymously helped to fund her treatment.
On the radio I listened to what seems to be the fouteenth and last omnibus of A SMALL TOWN MURDER, in which Meera Syal plays a Police Family Liaison Officer. In this one she is contacted by some of her previous clients – with mixed results – and also experiences some developments in her personal life (which thankfully has been hardly mentioned in the rest of the series.)
But the most enjoyable thing for me this week was listening to Salley Vickers’ THE LIBRARIAN , also on Sounds and read by Barbara Flynn. It’s the story of Silvia, a young woman who, in 1958, arrives in the village of East Mole to be the new children’s librarian. There she befriends her neighbours and their children, helps a young girl who is doomed by the system to be sent to the secondary modern school instead of the grammar, but also finds herself up against the prejudices of another neighbour, and of the head librarian himself. It’s a wonderful story, and I liked the way in which the author added a little postscript to let us know what happened to the main characters in the end.
Salley Vickers is such a versatile writer. I also loved MISS GARNET’S ANGEL, but the two books are entirely different. I now want to find more of her work – it seems she’s produced quite a lot.
Don’t think I can hide for much longer…..I am doomed to join a trip to the municial dump and another one to a charity shop where I won’t be allowed to buy anything – can you imagine?!!!
Have a good week everyone – Jeff I can hardly believe you’ve been in Florida all that time, it feels like you only left last week! have a safe journey home. I found that my library has one of those Cormac Reilly books you mentioned – The Scolar – so I have reserved it – thanks for the tip.
Rosemary
Rosemary! I’m so happy you had the time to hide and write to all of us, even though you’re doomed to make a trip today.
Well, good for Silvia, The Librarian. Oh, I like those kind of postscripts as well. If there isn’t going to be a follow-up, it’s nice to know how the characters went on with their lives.
Doomed by the weather! If you had a sunny day, you might have escaped that trip to the dump.
Have a good week!
Oh Rosemary do tell, what is “Turning Out”?
Good Morning!
I finished The Suite Spot by Trish Doller. I loved the Kelleys Island setting and the references to the parts of Cleveland I still call home. I didn’t love it as much as The Float Plan though. I felt something was missing between Mason and Rachel. I’ll be interested to read your thoughts, Lesa.
I allm almost finished reading Dearh of a Green Eyed Monster by M. C. Beaton an R. W. Green. It is nice to catch up with Hamish Macbeth but like Sandy I felt it wasn’t the same. Much of the charm is missing.
Happy Reading!
Oh, good, Sharon. It’s nice to know Trish Doller did a better job with location than a mystery author I read. Yes, I’ll let you know what I think. I’m supposed to let my sister know as well. She’s on a waiting list at the library, and she said she can always cancel if I don’t like the book.
Good morning, everyone! Here’s what I finished this week (quite a bit, as it turns out):
The writing is the star in Allison Montclair’s outstanding Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series–unpredictable plot, often-witty dialogue, and extraordinary character development. Fearless Iris Sparks was a covert operative in World War II. Ostensibly retired from the spy business, she occasionally consorts with previous intelligence contacts. Gwen Bainbridge was confined to a mental institution when her husband was killed in the war, and although she has been living with her disapproving in-laws for months, she still hasn’t regained custody of her young son. The two women came together to form The Right Sort Marriage Bureau in 1946 and have forged a tight friendship despite their very different personalities. But in the fourth book in the series, THE UNKEPT WOMAN, a young Polish woman is found murdered in the apartment where Iris has been living–an apartment belonging to her former paramour and fellow military veteran. While Iris is grudgingly respected by the Scotland Yard police force from previous adventures, she is still a suspect and needs to use her contacts to help her identify the real culprit. Gwen tries not to become involved so that she can clear her “lunatic” designation and reclaim her son but finds it impossible not to help her close friend and business partner. Secondary characters are just as fascinating, including a protective gangster, another of Iris’s former lovers, Mr. Bainbridge Sr.’s out-of-wedlock son (now living with the family) and his visiting uncle, and more. One chapter describing the brand new Victoria and Albert Museum’s wonderful displays is absolutely delightful, even as it also serves to introduce an important character to the story. Highly recommended. (July)
I loved LUCY CHECKS IN by Dee Ernst for its charming setting–a 1700s chateau in France’s Brittany region–its older (middle-aged) heroine, and a diverse group of hotel residents that come together to help the protagonist turn her life around. Lucy had found success as the manager of a luxury hotel in New York City and a loving relationship with its owner. But she was blindsided along with other hotel employees and investors when her lover absconded with millions of dollars, leaving her behind to fight a 2-year legal battle that exonerated her but took most of her life savings and ruined her professional reputation. The only job she can find is at the Hotel Paradis in the aforementioned French chateau, and it it not at all what she had envisioned. The hotel is in ruins, hosting only six permanent residents, and her job is to restore it by tourist season to a potentially successful business. It didn’t take long for me to be all-in on the delightful story and eccentric characters, not to mention a very slow-burning romance with a man who has to learn not to be obnoxious. The writing is sharp and the plot is engrossing and uplifting. (August)
HOMICIDE AND HALO-HALO, the sequel to Mia P. Manansala’s popular debut, Arsenic and Adobo, finds Lila Macapagal preparing to open the Bru-ha CafĂ©, which was postponed as a result of the events of the first novel in the series. Lila is also a judge for the Miss Teen Shady Palms (IL) Pageant, a contest she herself won a number of years back. But when another judge is found murdered, it threatens to derail the whole event. Lila’s cousin and often-nemesis, Bernadette, is the prime suspect, and although the two are often at odds, Lila works with a team that includes law enforcement and her nosy “aunties” to prove that Bernie is innocent. Filipino foods are at the forefront of many scenes–they are tempting and sound delicious (and there are recipes at the end). I enjoyed spending time with the characters and hope that Lila is further developed as the series progresses–she seems a bit loosely drawn and immature at this point, especially when dealing with two potential suitors. The pageant events and all of the backstage politics are fun to read, and as for the mystery . . . I didn’t guess the murderer.
I really enjoy books that give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of show business, and veteran director James Burrows has written a truly extraordinary one, DIRECTED BY JAMES BURROWS. Burrows had a famous father, legendary Broadway theater writer and TV panelist/personality Abe Burrows. And although James got the show biz bug from his dad early on, Abe “cast such a long shadow in theater” that his son decided to pursue a career directing TV sitcoms instead–and to date he has directed more than 1,000 hours of sitcoms. James was not only a co-creator of Cheers (with writers Glen and Les Charles) but directed every episode (240+) of Will and Grace, not to mention directing 75 pilots that became series (including The Big Bang Theory). The list of multi-camera comedies to which he has significantly contributed includes Friends, Taxi, Newhart, Frasier, and many more. And almost five decades after he started his directing career, he was tapped in 2019 to direct the live tribute episodes of All in the Family and The Jeffersons. What makes this memoir special is an inside look at how to be a successful director of sitcoms–lots of guidance for those who are starting their careers. Burrows is known for creating an atmosphere where actors and writers are respected, and cooperative collaboration is key. There are lots of snippets of dialogue from his most famous shows–hilarious, poignant, and surprising. Also scattered throughout the book are paragraphs about the now-famous actors who brought the shows’ iconic characters to life–their strengths and personal touches and what made them memorable. If you have ever watched one of these classic shows and wondered “how did they do that,” treat yourself to this lovely, entertaining book–you won’t regret it.
In UP TO NO GOUDA, the first book of a new cozy series by Linda Reilly set in small-town Vermont, Carly has recently opened her dream business, a grilled cheese eatery. The descriptions of her gooey concoctions will get your tastebuds to stand up and salute. But Carly is stunned to find out that her high school boyfriend has given her an eviction notice, intending to take over the property and turn it into a fashion store operated by his current girlfriend. He’s a real bully, so it’s no surprise when his lifeless body is found outside the shop, or that a lot of people had something to gain by his demise. It doesn’t help that Carly’s friend and employee Suzanne was heard threatening him shortly before his death. It’s a light, fun story, centered around young widow Carly and her friends. I enjoyed the mystery, although I felt the killer’s motivation seemed to come out of nowhere. And I wondered: how does Carly eat her own grilled cheese creations so frequently, not to mention huge desserts provided by her landlady? Great metabolism, I guess! Carly isn’t exactly TSTL (too stupid to live), but she could stand to be more cautious about the situations in which she finds herself. Having said that, I will still look for the second in the series, due out in July.
I do like the sound of LUCY CHECKS IN, Margie – I feel I need some light relief after spending so long in the company of James VI and Elizabeth I.
And I agree with you about all that cheese in UP TO NO GOUDA – I don’t want characters to be on diets all the time, but this does sound more than a tad unrealistic!
Dee Ernst is quickly becoming one if my favorite writers, Margie.
Thank you for the recommendation, Kaye. I thought it was you who recommended this one. I will look up more of Dee Ernst’s books.
Well, Margie, on recommendations from you and Kaye, I’ll have to watch for Lucy Checks In, and Dee Ernst’s other books, for the library system. Thank you!
I think I skipped Up to No Gouda recently when I was asking about review titles. I know you said she wasn’t TSTL, but I’m not fond of those characters.
Directed by James Burrows sounds terrific. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but even I’ve seen some of the shows he’s directed.
Another Dee Ernst fan here. I have some of her mysteries if I can ever get to them
I wondered the same thing when I read Up to No Gouda, Margie. I am not sure I will be reading the second one in the series. I will be interested in what you think.
Hi Lesa — I’m glad you had a great time on hour trip (not counting the fog/flight delay). This week I’m happy to be reading an advance copy from Net Galley of James Lee Burke’s new book, Every Cloak Rolled in Blood. Burke is my favorite author, so I’m a happy reader!
Isn’t it wonderful to have an advance copy of a book by a favorite author, Patricia? It makes me feel special. Enjoy Every Cloak Rolled in Blood. James Lee Burke has some of the best titles.
Hi Lesa – Loved hearing about your trip – so glad you had a good time. I read “Abandoned in Death” by J.D. Robb and as Jackie said I thought it was good too. If you like her In Death books you will like this one. Do you know what Rosemary meant in her post that her husband was spending day Turning Out – I’m curious – please explain.
Donna. what it means is clearing out the garage (or clearing out anywhere) – ie sorting through all the accumulated possessions and sending most of them either to a chairy shop or the dump. On these occasions I either keep out of the way or leap in to rescue my treasures (eg little things my children made for me when they were small, and on this occasion even the cards I received when I got into Cambridge. I know I am sentimental, but really – blink and your entire life ends up in landfill…
Well you just made me laugh! My husband and I were antique dealers for over 25 years so we have so much stuff you wouldn’t believe it and no children to burden it with! My husband has no interest in getting rid or selling anything – thinks he will live forever!
Thank you, Donna! I did know what Rosemary meant by “Turning Out”, but I saw she answered. I’m with her!
This week just flew by and my only traveling was a drive to see how a local mountain lake was recovering from last summer’s wildfire. The fire was moving so fast, it jumped across the lake, burning trees all around.
Only managed to read a couple books.
On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis is an older (2001) book mentioned here a few weeks ago. Subtitled Living and Cooking in a French Town. Absolutely charming book of the author’s immersion in French cuisine and culture. She first lived in Paris as a student apprentice, returning to France with her young family and a contract for a cookbook. Glimpses of daily life as the family rehabilitates a dilapidated convent and joins in village life.
The theme of the 2021 Mystery Writer of America’s anthology is also the name of the book When A Stranger Comes To Town. Short stories from nineteen mystery writers some well known, many new to me. A bit creepy compared to previous years.
MM, Now, I want to know how the trees and the lake area are recovering. If you see this, please let us know!
Oh, good. I have On Rue Tatin at home, and haven’t gotten to it yet.
The “Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area” leading to the lake still has some green areas and the trees around lake itself looked green. But the road around the lake was still closed, one side for snow removal, the other for debris and rocks. The campground in the canyon lost a lot of its tree cover. It used to be a lovely place to stroll along the stream in the shade of the large pines.
My sleeping has turned topsy turvey. Up at 4 a.m and later at 9 a.m. I know I am very late!
Finished All the Light that We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Loved his wrting style, it is a true treasure. Also finished All That Fills Us by Autumn Lytle. The book about an anorexic woman who refuses the rehab program and declares that she wants to do it her way. The author is a recoverng anorexic but the battle is never completely over. Melanie hikes from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Mpunt Rainier in Washington. It is like the idea of two steps forward and one step back with her battle. What helped her the most of all is meeting what I now call “nourishing people. people who gave her unconditional love and related their own struggles to her to help her out of the black abyss of depression. I want to encourage her to write more.
Finished Here We Are On Route 66 by Jim Hinckley. The photography was good and picked up the spirit of the culture surrounding this fabled route. But the writing was very disappointing/ I would have loved to help the author to spend less time on the mundane history, like the date that the post office opened and more on the exciting historical background. More research and more excitement could helped the book so much!
Lasty, I started Clean Air by Sarah Blake, a real change for me, a dystopian novel set after climare change. People have to live in domes. The only thing really growing are the trees which are producing so much pollen that to go outside with special masks will make you sick and probably kill you. There is a serial killer in the book, I usually try to avoid but the after the change is written so vividly that I can barely stop reading the book!
Carolee, I wondered about Clean Air. It’s good to know it’s written so vividly.
That’s too bad about Jim Hinckley’s book, a good subject with disappointing writing.
Very late, as usual. I was out weeding earlier in the morning. At least it is nice weather to do that, and start planning some planting.
Lesa, I enjoyed your post about the trip and I am glad you were able to share the pictures.
From last week I am still reading OUT by Natsuo Kirino. It is crime fiction but not so much of a mystery, since we know from the beginning who did the crime. I am not entirely comfortable reading this book, but I haven’t given up on it yet. This is relatively highly rated on Goodreads, but it has more graphic descriptions of violence than necessary. The story line is sort of like Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino (published later), but that one would be considered a cozy next to this one. OUT is set in the Tokyo suburbs, and the main characters are four women who work the night shift at a factory assembling box lunches. That part is very interesting and showed me life in Japan from a different perspective.
Moving on to two more fun mysteries that I finished this week: DEATH LIKES IT HOT by Edgar Box (a pseudonym for Gore Vidal) and MONK’S HOOD by Ellis Peters.
DEATH LIKES IT HOT is #3 in a short series about a publicist who also ends up investigating murders. This one is set in the Hamptons and was published in 1954. I have an omnibus edition published in 2010 with introductions for each book by Gore Vidal. Very interesting introductions. I loved the story.
MONK’S HOOD is the third book in the Brother Cadfael series. I am enamored of this series and both this book and the previous book were fantastic. Rick Robinson recently sent me THE CADFAEL COMPANION, a reference book about the series, especially locations and historical background. And maps, I love maps. It is very cool, tons of information, and I am learning a lot. This one is set in 1138 and that time in history is totally new to me.
That is enough. Hope every one else’s reading was good. I will read more comments now.
Tracy, Isn’t it great to find an informative mystery series? I love those! That was so kind of Rick to send you The Cadfael Companion!
You are right, Lesa, it was kind of Rick to send that book and I am enjoying it so much. Rick has sent me many of other books to read.
Hey Lesa, Glad you made it back home safely. I am currently reading All I want by Darcy Bell and listening to A Safe House by Stuart Woods. Will be listening to The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich next.
The Recovery Agent even received a good review in The New York Times Book Review, Katherine. I may have to try it after we get through our holds list at the library.
Interesting. I am not a Janet Evanovich fan, but if this series is different, I might have to give it a try.
I’m glad you had a good trip Lesa! I got a pamphlet from The Music Circus in the mail, so theatre is coming back here as well.
This week I read:
No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan; The Angels are hired by a convict’s daughter to prove he isn’t a murderer, but he wants to stay in jail. Mac, the main character’s paramour is out of town, which reveals how important he actually is in the series, even though I could definitely do without all of the descriptions of his rppy muscles.
Raccoon Gangs, Pigeons Gone Bad, and Other Stories by Trish Ann Konieczny; A woman finds a litter of raccon kits in her backyard, and decides to rescue them, which leads to rescuing pigeons, squirrels, and everything else, not always with complete success. Light hearted and fun, but I kept thinking that Snuffy Smith would raid her yard for dinner.
The Honey Revolution by Ron Fessenden; I won a gift basket in a raffle. Turns out the the basket was from a local apiary, so I got a lot of honey, and this book that tells me why i should eat it.
Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day; In this 10 Country Store novel, Robbie goes to a fireworks show where an old lady is stabbed to death. Sheinvestigates, and finds senior citizens aren’t always squeaky clean.
Mischief in March by Juliet Kincaide; Third in the Calendar Mystery series. In fin-de-sicle Kansas City, a secretary for a large detective agency is getting married to a detective, who just happens to be the grandson of the owner. There’s family squabbles, a contested inheritance, and problems with a trust before murder even happens.
China Death Food by Ahbonbon LLC; Propaganda about how China is sending unhealthy food abroad. Buy local.
Buy local & eat honey!
I love your comments, Glen.
I’m glad live theater is back, no matter where it comes back!
Thanks to Aubrey Nye Hamilton​, who sent me her copy after she finished it, I am currently reading NO ACCIDENT: A POSADAS COUNTY MYSTERY by Steven F. Havill.
I have a copy, and I just can’t bring myself to start it, Kevin, after discussing it with Aubrey. I’ll wait to see if you like it.