It was a tough week for mystery lovers, first the death of Peter Robinson, and, then earlier this week, we lost Angela Lansbury. Fortunately, we have their bodies of work to help us through. Would you believe I never read one of Robinson’s books? I’m not sure when I’ll get to it, but I did check out the first Inspector Banks mystery, Gallows View.
I’m currently reading Con Lehane’s fourth 42nd Street Library mystery, Murder By Definition. It’s not released until December 6. However, I’m moderating the mystery panel for the Library Journal Day of Dialog next week, and Con is on the panel to talk about this book. “Crime-fiction librarian Ray Ambler gets more than he bargained for when he acquires the archives of a controversial hardboiled crime author in this contemporary twisty mystery set in New York City. Ambler’s ready for the controversy that greets news of the acquisition. He’s not ready, however, for what he finds when he finally receives the papers: a gripping unpublished short story apparently based on a real case, with an explosive author’s note. If it’s true, there’s been a shocking coverup at the heart of the NYPD – and a cop has got away with murder.” These are always complex mysteries, and I seldom know where they’re going.
What about you? What are you reading this week? Let’s catch up!
Most of the reading I did this week was one book–a very, very long book!
I am a big fan of Robert Galbraith’s (aka JK Rowling) Cormoran Strike series. The heart of these books is the evolving relationship between private investigators Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Unfortunately, THE INK BLACK HEART is my least favorite of the six books in the series. The hardback weighs in at 1,012 pages, which is unnecessarily long. Each book in the series has been longer than the last–will the next be even longer? I found the pages and pages of chats inside an online “game”–sometimes up to three going on at the same time–tedious and repetitive (in the Kindle version I understand they are difficult to read as well). I skipped over them after a while because the contents were often subsequently commented upon by the protagonists. But I read to the end because I found the details of the investigation compelling and because I have a fondness for the main characters. Cormoran is brilliant, damaged, and rough around the edges but treats his employees exceedingly well, giving them full credit for their accomplishments and loyalty. Robin, who started working at the firm as a temporary secretary, is now a full-fledged PI because of her commitment, creativity, and hard work. Series readers know that Cormoran and Robin should end up together romantically, but it’s fun watching their (very slow) progress and getting to know them better with each book. I’ll still read the next installment, but I’m hoping it will be less self-indulgent and more focused, as longer isn’t necessarily better!
I went to high school with LaDoris Hazzard in the Philadelphia suburbs and remember being delighted when she was voted the first Black president of the student council. I never knew her personally, but she and I both moved to Silicon Valley over the years, and (as LaDoris H. Cordell) she became the first Black female jurist in Northern California, ultimately elected to superior court. So I was delighted to find her memoir, HER HONOR, with a subtitle that says it all: My Life on the Bench . . . What Works, What’s Broken, and How to Change it. Cordell touches on her experiences with juvenile court, family matters, probate, adoptions, name changes, juries, judicial elections, judicial misconduct, mental health cases, sentencing, and plea deals. In a very articulate, thoughtful way, and with good humor, she describes programs she has put into place and states specifically how our laws and courts can be improved. Still a popular commentator on legal issues, Cordell is a graduate of Stanford Law School. I highly recommend this book to those who would appreciate an insider’s look at our country’s judicial system.
Jeanne M. Dams’ long-running Dorothy Martin Mystery series–26 books in as many years–is for readers who enjoy a low-key cozy mystery with a lovely retired couple as unofficial investigators. Dorothy had a long career as a school teacher, and Alan was chief constable of the county in which they reside in Sherebury, England. Both had been widowed, meeting when Dorothy, an American, was vacationing in England and Alan was still a constable. Since that time they have helped solve many murders together–with the help of law enforcement, of course. This book focuses on Alan’s “unofficial” grand-niece, who is visiting the couple as she presents lectures at the nearby university on fund-raising. Lucy has barely arrived when her fiancé, who is traveling from Illinois to meet up with her, is killed in a hit-and-run accident. The search for clues as to why the murder occurred, and whether Lucy’s fiancé was really who he claimed to be, results in an interesting plot that requires both Dorothy and Alan to use their contacts from their previous investigations across several countries. I enjoy spending time with this engaging couple who have such an admirable marital relationship–they really do “complete” each other–not to mention their friends and their pets, including an adorable, tiny kitten adopted by the family dog. And yes, the kitten plays an important and unexpected role in the plot. I recommend it as a quick, comfort read. (November)
Margie, The best-sounding book in that group is the Jeanne M. Dams’, but you didn’t tell us the title!
You’re right–sorry! The Jeanne M. Dams book is A DEADLY WEB.
Thanks, Margie!
This week I read:
Moth Busters by Margaret Lashley; Just about hitting rock bottom after getting shot between the eyes,and having her head shaved, a mysterious stranger arrives in town with a broken down RV. They go hunting for Moth Man. I was never sure whether she was improving her life or digging a deeper hole.
Tainted Trail by Wen Spencer; In the 70’s, there was a show called Lucan, about a guy raised by wolves who had 70’s style adventures. If somebody decided to make an edgy 90’s style comic book about the series, this is probably what the script would look like.
The Mediterranean Caper by Clive cussler; A WWI fighter plane attacks an American air base. A scientific experiment is being sabotaged. Are the two related? Dirk Pitt certainly thinks so. Before the formula, and that makes it a lot better than the cookie cutter later books..
Oh, that’s nice that the Clive Cussler book was before they started to become formulas, Glen.
This week I read three books and I liked all of them.
An ARC of A TROPHY TARNISHED by Scarlett Moss is a mystery featuring retired K9 Law and Carter, his owner. While they are out for a walk on the beach an out of control paraglider crashes. When they go to help the man is dead. The author also writes an international house sitting series and she crossed the main characters from that series into this book.
AN ARC of BUTCHERY AND BINDINGS by ACF Bookens. This series has turned into more of a light spy story than a cozy mystery but I don’t mind. This one is set in Capetown South Africa and the mission is to bust a ring of black market booksellers.
An ARC of A TRIP WITH TROUBLE by Diane Kelly. A woman’s motorcycle club’s vacation at a mountain lodge doesn’t go as planned
Sandy, I may have to look for Butchery and Bindings. Black market booksellers?
Rosemary wasn’t able to post this morning for some reason, so she sent it to me. Here’s today’s letter from Scotland.
Good morning Lesa and everyone,
Lesa I too have never read a Peter Robinson book, though I do have at least two of them. I’ve got a feeling he maybe wrote in the present tense, which I always find a bit off-putting (but maybe it wasn’t him I’m thinking of – I should check.)
The autumn has definitely arrived here in Aberdeenshire; the trees are looking spectacular, and it is already dark by 6pm. At the end of this month the clocks will go back – so 6pm will become 5pm. But I love this time of year.
I’ve had quite an arty week one way or another. On Friday Aberdeen Art Gallery hosted a talk by Morag Myerscough. I had never heard of her, but it seems she is very famous – she makes large scale installations, many in London but also a full size sentry house erected on top of Hadrian’s Wall. It’s only a temporary structure but, as you can imagine, it’s proved very controversial, especially as all of her
work is in very loud colours – a lot of pink and yellow. She’s also transformed Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
I’m not sure what I really think about the artist or her work, but it was an interesting talk.
On Saturday my friend Jon, who is a graffiti artist and DJ, led a walk around the city visiting various galleries. I thought I knew all of the places in Aberdeen, but I didn’t; Jon took us to one that was also a tattoo parlour and another connected to Peacock Printmakers (a wonderful community led studio.) He also showed us lots of street art – Aberdeen has a world famous annual festival called Nuart, for which street artists come from many different countries and paint huge murals on the side of buildings, but Jon also showed us some random stuff that I’d never have noticed.
I also had some lovely country walks; my friend Karen and I climbed Scolty Hill above Deeside – wonderful views. The weekend before Karen had done a 65 mile cycle ride, and had persevered even when she got a puncture. She has so much more fortitude than I do.
And I went to see Nicola Sturgeon address the SNP conference, which was this year held here in Aberdeen. I was sent a free pass by my local branch, wasn’t sure if I could spare the time, but then thought – why not? I’ve never seen our First Minister ‘in the flesh’ before, and it would be an experience if nothing else. In fact it was great. Before the FM appeared there were a series of resolutions from local councillors across Scotland, and I was so impressed with how some of the youngest ones (who are probably still students) spoke so eloquently and passionately about causes close to their hearts – eg the murder of Mahsa Amini by state law enforcement officials in Tehran (she was arrested simply for not wearing her headscarf tightly enough.) Young Iranian women are attempting to fight back at the outrageous restrictions placed on their everyday lives; they deserve our support.
When Nicola S did appear she spoke brilliantly; there were so many standing ovations that when I went home the palms of my hands were sore. I’m so glad I went.
On television we have just finished the second series of THE CAPTURE. I enjoyed it very much; Holliday Grainger is so good as a fast-tracked police detective who suddenly finds herself thrown into the murky world of M15/M16. Spying these days is clearly nothing like it was in John Le Carre’s day (Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy, etc); now it’s all data manipulation, hacking, ‘correction’ of live CCTV to manufacture evidence, and so much more. Chilling to watch, but also fascinating.
This week I read EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES by Erich Kastner. It was written in 1929 and is about a young boy who lives in a small town in Germany with his widowed mother. His mother sends him to Berlin for a holiday with his grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousin. She is very poor but gives him money, which is pinned to his inside pocket. While on the train he falls asleep (and has a totally surreal dream) and is robbed by a ‘bowler-hatted gentleman.’ Emil is so horrified by this that he gets off at the wrong station in an attempt to pursue the thief. In the course of this he meets Gustav, one of a group of boys who play on the streets (they are not urchins – in fact they are quite middle class, they’re just out all day having fun.) Gustav decides that the boys will join Emil in his quest – and the adventure begins.
It is a simple story but beautifully told, and evokes life in pre-war Berlin so well. No-one worries about these boys provided they go home every night. Emil’s Berlin relations don’t have a phone, so one of the boys is despatched to take them a note explaining that he’ll be there as soon as possible – and despite grandma and Emil’s cousin having waited for hours in vain for him to arrive at the station, they are all fine with this. The messenger returns with cousin Pony (no idea), a feisty 12 year old girl who cycles everywhere; Pony is hilarious and comes out with so many precocious remarks;
‘Woman’s work is never done, worst luck!’
Unlike the boys, she is not supposed to be away from home (she points out this inequity with great feeling), but she still manages to play her part in the story, always assuming an air of superiority to the boys, but in such a way that they are happy to let her join in.
Whether life was ever really like this I can’t say. My mother was the youngest of five in a London working class family, and they were certainly out on the streets all day whether they liked it or not – my grandmother needed them out of her hair, and didn’t want them messing the house up. My mother recalls being told to go out and stand round the brazier being used by workmen who were tarring the road, as the fumes from the molten tar were thought to be good for chest ailments. Kastner writes with such a light touch, I’m not surprised this book has lasted so well.
I also read WISE BEFORE THEIR TIME: PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS AND HIV TALK ABOUT THEIR LIVES edited by Anne Richardson and Dietmarr Bolle. The book includes the personal stories of men and women across the world, and makes you realise that, horrific as the AIDS epidemic was in the US and the UK, for people in some other countries it was even worse (and probably still is.)
From the library I have borrowed:
THE ARTIST’S WAY IN RETIREMENT: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO DISCOVER CREATIVITY AND MEANING by Julia Cameron. I have had THE ARTIST’S WAY on my shelf ever since it first came out, but I didn’t know about this relatively (2016) new one.
POSY SIMMONDS by Paul Gravett: I had no idea there was a biography of this wonderful cartoonist, whose Webber family stories graced the pages of The Guardian for many years. Through Wendy, George and their six children (plus their numerous relatives, friends and colleagues) Posy Simmonds captured the lives of the middle class, well meaning, left-leaning, literati in London through the 1970s-90s. Her cartoons are hilariously funny but also gentle; I can certainly identify with Wendy in so many situations, as she tries to juggle teenagers, babies, her writing career and her permanently morose polytechnic lecturer husband George.
Simmonds has also written complete graphic novels such as TAMARA DREW and GEMMA BOVERY (an update on the French classic; in Posy’s version a young London socialite marries a man much older than her, and moves with him to a remote farmhouse in the Normandy countryside. Bored to tears, she observes the locals, and gets caught up in their lives. Again Simmonds is deadly accurate in her skewering of the affluent chattering classes, who buy up cheap property in France then only mix with one another.)
WHY DID YOU STAY? by Rebecca Humphries – I just saw this on the New Books stand, don’t know anything about it, but it’s apparently Humphries’ account of a very toxic relationship that she (eventually) left, and widens out into an examination of ‘why good girls are often drawn to darkness, whether pop culture glamorises toxicity, when a relationship ‘rough patch’ becomes the start of a destructive cycle, if women are programmed for co-dependency, and – ultimately – how to reframe disaster into something magical.’
ART MATTERS; BECAUSE YOUR IMAGINATION CAN CHANGE THE WORLD by Neil Gaiman (a small book with lots of pictures.) I had a rifle through the art section in our central library in town this week – I hadn’t realised it contained so many interesting books.
MURDEROUS MAYHEM AT HONEYCHURCH HALL by Hannah Dennison. I don’t know this author, who is English-born but lives in Los Angeles. Catriona MacPherson is quoted on the back as saying ‘Downton Abbey was yesterday. Murder at Honeychurch Hall lifts the lid on today’s grand country estate in all its tarnished, scheming, inbred, deranged glory.’
As I spent some years living in a village surrounded by huge country estates, I’ll be interested to see how this compares with my own experience.
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson. I don’t know why I’ve never yet read anything by this acclaimed Scottish author. This one looks good.
This morning I am off to Edinburgh once more, just for five nights. Anna and I have tickets for a Black/LGBT storytelling cabaret at the Fruitmarket Gallery on Saturday. It should be different if nothing else, I just hope it doesn’t involve audience participation….we will probably sit a the back and hide… Other than that I will be going to the dentist, meeting up with a couple of friends, and visiting my mother.
So now I had better get going. I hope everyone has an excellent week!
Rosemary, I don’t know if any of us read such diverse books & have such a wide range of activities as you do. Enjoy your time in Edinburgh!
Rosemary, we don’t have THE CAPTURE as it is going to be on Peacock, one of the channels we don’t have. I am anxious to hear what you thought (if you watched it) of SHERWOOD. We have two episodes left and think it is terrific. And what a cast! For those who haven’t seen it (it is on Britbox here), it is about the aftermath 30 years later of the coal miners’ strike on 1984. A former striking miner (who still – 30 years later – yells “Scab” whenever he sees someone who crossed the pickete lines) is murdered with a crossbow. Anyone who watches British crime (and indeed, other) shows will recognize much of the cast, led by David Morrissey.
We have (sadly) only one more episode of SHETLAND (next Tuesday) to finish series 7. The last series of DOC MARTIN is starting here tonight.
No, Peter Robinson does NOT write in the present tense. He writes long books but most are really good.
This has been a challenging 6 weeks, with a cancer diagnosis for my mother. We spent a month with her. Thankfully, her prognosis is very good. Have really struggled with reading during this time. I was finally able to settle enough to read Down a Dark River by Karen Odden. This mystery is set in Victorian times. I really enjoyed both the historical detail, characters and the mystery itself. I have just started reading Die Around Sundown by Mark Pryor, which I won on this blog. Thank you so much, Lesa! It is just what I needed! This mystery is set in Occupied Paris and am really enjoying the setting. Am looking forward to escaping back in to the book.
Oh, Jennifer. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. I’m sure you need books to escape into right now, something that takes you away from present times. Both the books you mentioned sound as if they work.
I’m sorry.
Jennifer, I am very sorry about your mother. Sending good wishes.
I’ve just had the week from hell – my work computer crashed and now am in the process of recovering work. You’ve given me a shock about Peter Robinson – he was one of my favorites – I’ve read all of his books and you must read Detective Banks -always good plots. I read The Second Husband by Kate White – fair -and I didn’t like the ending – so don’t waste your time. Wishing everyone a great weekend!
Several things we’ve come to depend on – our cars and computers, and it is hell when there’s a problem with one or the other. I’m sorry, Donna. And, I didn’t mean to shock you! I’ve checked out the first Detective Banks, and I’ll get to it eventually! I hope your weekend is better than your work week!
I was so sad to hear about Peter Robinson. I love his series which is similar to Deborah Crombie’s. I was lucky enough to meet him at the Bouchercon in Baltimore and found him to be quite gracious. He will be missed.
I read a book I was really looking forward to, but was awfully disappointed.
And i re-read Pamela Terry’s The Sweet Taste of Muscadines which will be hard to top – again.
Today I’ll be in front of the TV watching the Jan. 6 panel.
Kaye, I’m so glad you reminded me about the Jan. 6 panel today. I’ve been caught up in book deadlines, and hadn’t realized it was happening today. Thank you!
Good to know you love Peter Robinson’s series.
Sorry to hear about a book disappointment, though.
Sending hugs!
Good morning, Lesa! This week I’m reading Spirits and Sourdough by Bailey Cates, from the Magical Bakery mystery series. As the featured author for one of this month’s Sister in Crime-Colorado book clubs. Bailey (aka Karye) will be on our Zoom meeting to answer all our questions. The series is light (even considering the murders) and the characters, many of them witches, great fun.
Oh, that will be a fun book discussion with Bailey participating. Enjoy, Patricia!
This week I read Lost Coast Literary by Ellie Alexander. Emily left her high powered job in Silicon Valley to become an editor in New York. She learns she inherited her estranged grandmother’s Victorian in Cascata, California but there is a catch. She has to edit old manuscripts to inherit. While in Cascata she discovers that anything she edits in the manuscripts becomes true. She meets her long-lost family and uncovers secrets from her past. This may have been a case of the right book at the wrong time, but I didn’t enjoy it very much.
I did enjoy The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar although it was not a particularly happy book. The author said she got the idea for the story from her own husband’s accident with a chainsaw. Like the main character she and her family also live off the grid. Elsa was born into money and more of an artsy type. She meets Silas who was raised on a farm with a degree in land management. They get married, have children and start building their own home off the grid in rural Wisconsin. Silas is killed in a tragic logging accident leaving unequipped Elsa to manage on her own. It is a story of loss, love, and self-redemption. I thought it was very good.
We will be watching the Jan. 6 panel this afternoon as well as hopefully watching our Guardians tie up the series with the Yankees in the playoffs tonight.
Happy Reading!
Go Guardians, Sharon! I hope they can tie up the series.
Sometimes, even the unhappy books are the right ones. I had seen The Net Beneath Us, but it didn’t jump out at me. Glad to hear it was good!
Like Kaye, I met Peter Robinson at Bouchercon and I’m glad I got to tell him how much I enjoyed his books. The last few had a little too much about human trafficking to suit my taste, but they were always worth reading. I read them all, plus a couple of his non series books and the two short story collections. I think I have only CAEDMON’S SONG (THE FIRST CUT in the US) left to read. That’s the one I had him sign. It’s set in Whitey, an area we spent a fair amount of time in while book hunting.
Books. Jackie read Patricia Briggs’s SOUL TAKEN, which she thought was not as good as some of her other Mercy Thompson books. She has a Jesse Mihalik SF book up next.
I’ve talked about THE LIFE OF CRIME< Martin Edwards's massive book on the genre, and I finished it last Thursday. Reading mostly short stories since, and I am close to finishing the Edards-edited anthology, MURDER BY THE BOOK. I'm also reading Dan Chaon's first collection, whihc is kind of depressing to be honest. FITTING ENDS is the title.
I did finish Eric AMbler's WAITING FOR ORDERS, subtitled Memories and Other Fictions. If you are interested in Ambler at all this is a good place to start. Besides the six stories about Dr. Czissar, who "helps" Scotland Yard (somewhat about their wishes) in solving tricky murders, there are several non series tales. But there is also quite a bit of autobiographiical material about Ambler's life, when and how he wrote these stories, and his life in California and Switzerland after WWII. Well worth looking for.
Currently reading, and very much enjoying, THE BULLET THAT MISSED, Richard Osman's third book about The Thursday Murder Club. So far there is less of Joyce than usual, but plenty of the rest of the delightful crew. Start with the first book. You won't be sorry.
You’re right. You won’t be sorry if you start with Osman’s first book in the series, and I think you need to do that in order to follow the characters.
Murder By the Book is one of my giveaways, starting tomorrow on my blog.
Jeff, thanks for always letting us know what Jackie is reading, too. Tell her I said hi.
And, if I make it through next Thursday, I’ll start the Robinson books.
Jeff, I’m so impressed that you’ve finished The Life of Crime. Martin is so knowledgeable and talented and such a nice person. I haven’t tackled this tome yet, and to tell the truth, it will probably be the first of next year before I get to it. I do want to read Murder by the Book before this year is out. I have The Bullet That Missed ready to read soon, definitely another one before the year is out.
I’m just starting a new book today – Broken Heart Attack by James J. Cudney. I’m only a chapter in, but so far so good.
Now, I’m going to have to look that one up, Mark, because I don’t recognize the author or title.
Hope work is going okay!
We are still recovering from Hurricane Ian. We got power back after 6 days but it has fluttered off and on a few times along with the internet. We still have piles of debris at the curb which should be picked up shortly. Went to the doctor the other day and saw debris at almost everyone’ curbs.
Since I was having trouble really concentrating, I decided to re-read Julie Hyzy’s White House chef series which i’ve enjoyed twice already. I’m already on book 5 having read 1 – STATE OF THE ONION, 2 – HAIL TO THE CHEF, 3 – EGGSECUTIVE ORDERS, 4 – BUFFALO WEST WINGS, and now reading AFFAIRS OF STEAK (5). But I think I’ll need to take a break to read a book I just got from Net Galley – Alyssa Kay Adams – A VERY MERRY BROMANCE. I would have preferred an audiobook, since I love the narrator, but the book is out November 1st, so I’ll take what I can get! Review to follow.
Sandie, I am glad you mentioned Julie Hyzy’s White House chef series. I have had STATE OF THE ONION on my bookshelf for years and not read it yet. I need to read it soon.
Tracy, Good stories with likable characters. Comfort reads.
You’ll definitely enjoy it. Good mystery, great characters, great setting. And the entire series builds on the previous books, so it flows almost like one long novel with spaces between. I’m enjoying it for the third time, if that tells you anything! (My reviews are on Goodreads if you’d like to read them.)
Oh, Sandie. If you’re still dealing with the aftereffects of Ian, I can’t even imagine what’s going on in Lee County. Take care of yourselves!
And, I’m glad you found some comfort reads!
Lesa, I’m not sure you want to know how Lee County is doing. Consider this – we went to Waffle House on Clark Road in Sarasota, a major east-west road toward the southern end of town, and they were still on a generator on Tuesday, almost 2 weeks after Ian came thru. They got the road to Pine Island reconstructed. And now the road to the Sanibel Causeway. It’s a complete disaster. They say power is restored, but I’m positive there are still places without. Everyone for miles and miles were touched somehow.
Actually, Sandie, I do want to know how Lee County is doing. Any news is more than I know. Thank you. I know it’s a complete disaster there. And, I worry about the libraries because I’ve heard nothing. But, they can’t get to Captiva, except by boat. Boca Grande is a small library, but Lee County runs it. Pine Island Library’s roof leaked even when it was new, so I don’t know about that building. It may be a while until I hear. Thank you.
My good news is that my husband and I have started going out for walks, which we have need and wanted to do for our health for a long time. Monday we walked around the grounds of Stow House, a historic site in Goleta. Wednesday was the Santa Barbara harbor and the breakwater. And tomorrow we are going to Rocky Nook Park, one of my favorite places ever. Just a small park in the Santa Barbara Mission area, where we first lived when we moved to SB in 1980. My husband takes his camera and takes photos, which keeps him at a slow enough pace that I can keep up.
I have read only the first three books by Peter Robinson. I read the third one in 2020 and enjoyed it and I do want to read more. I have three more of his books somewhere in the house. He is a Canadian author and has won many Arthur Ellis awards for his books, although he was born in the UK.
The only book I have finished since last week is THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by Richard Osman. Since most people here will have heard of the book, I don’t need to describe it. I loved it just as much or more than the first book. And now I want to read the third book soon.
The book I am reading now is THE LISTENING HOUSE by Mabel Seeley. I picked it for October because the description sounded like it would be sufficiently suspenseful and scary for this time of year, and still within the limits I will read. It is close enough for me, and I like the boardinghouse setting, with all types of suspicious and sinister types in the house.
Great news, Tracy! It’s always good when you have a walking partner.
I’m glad you enjoyed The Man Who Died Twice, and found a book that’s perfect for you for October.
Tracy, I read the Mabel Seeley book and I remember thinking it very spooky and fun. I read a couple of others of hers as well. Hope you enjoy it.
And I forgot to mention Angela Lansbury. She was an amazing performer. I don’t think I ever saw the TV show MURDER SHE WROTE, and I remember her most from movie roles. My favorite role in a movie was in THE HARVEY GIRLS (with Judy Garland). My husband’s was THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.
It seems I need to watch The Harvey Girls. You’re not the only one who mentioned that film, Tracy.
Eeeek! I almost missed posting here today. I’ve been mixed up about my days all week. A bit of sad news to follow up last week’s comments about my friend’s sister still missing in Ft. Myer’s Beach. Her body has now been recovered, and although it’s not the outcome anyone wanted, I’m glad that the family isn’t left wondering.
My reading seems to have slowed down to a snail’s pace right when I need to get quite a few books read by the end of the year. I really need to do nothing but sleep, eat, and read. I did have a great book I finished this week. Elly Griffith’s third Harbinder Kaur book, Bleeding Heart Yard, is another fantastic addition to this series. Harbinder, who was a DS in Shoreham, West Sussex, has been promoted to DI and transferred to London where she’s in charge of a Murder Investigation Team based in West Kensington. She’s gone from living with her parents as a thirty-something (it actually worked well and I love her parents) to now sharing a flat with two other women. Harbinder gets a big case right off, a murder at the 21st reunion at a posh high school. The victim is an MP, so the pressure is on to solve this one fast. Bleeding Heart Yard will be out on November 15th here in the states. I have and advanced copy, but the UK edition is also on sale now at Book Depository. I’ve finished my review, but it won’t post until next week.
I’m doing something I rarely do in my reading. I’m reading two books right now, but one is a collection of short stories, so my brain seems able to handle that. The short story collection is the recently released Marple: Twelve New Mysteries. Twelve Miss Marple stories have been created by twelve great authors, including Elly Griffiths, Val McDermid, Lucy Foley, Kate Moss, and more. I’ve read four so far and am enjoying them. I’ve also just started Laurie R. King’s new book, Back to the Garden. It is being called a stand-alone, but I think it’s actually the first in a new series featuring Inspector Raquel Laing of the San Francisco Cold Case Unit. I’m only twenty pages in, but it’s going to be another great read from Laurie.
Lesa, I so appreciate you stopping back here at night to see who has posted late.
Good morning, Kathy! Actually, I stopped back on Friday morning, but I’m glad you posted. Your note reminded me I want to read Back to the Garden. I have it someplace in my stash of books. Big fan of cold cases, so I’m looking forward to that one.
I am so sorry about your friend’s sister. The not knowing had to be so terrible. This isn’t any better, but at least the family isn’t still wondering about her.