We’re having rain here. Frankly, I’ll take temperatures in the 50s and rain. That means we don’t have snow and ice. I am NOT a winter person, and every week we can hold off winter weather, the happier I am.
I’ll be late responding today, but I’ll be here! It’s our holiday breakfast at work, so I have fun activities for part of the morning.
As to what I’m reading, I’m slogging through Jane Smiley’s A Dangerous Business. Several people told me they loved it, and it’s only 208 pages. I’m halfway through it, and I do intend to finish. I loved A Thousand Acres, but I don’t think she ever reached that pinnacle again.
Here’s the quick summary. It’s a mystery set in 1850s Gold Rush California, as two young prostitutes, best friends Eliza and Jean, attempt to find their way in a lawless town on the fringes of the Wild West—a bewitching combination of beauty and danger—as what will become the Civil War looms on the horizon.
“Everyone knows that this is a dangerous business, but between you and me, being a woman is a dangerous business, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise…”
Monterey, 1851. Ever since her husband was killed in a bar fight, Eliza Ripple has been working in a brothel. It seems like a better life, at least at first. The madam, Mrs. Parks, is kind, the men are (relatively) well behaved, and Eliza has attained what few women have: financial security. But when the dead bodies of young women start appearing outside of town, a darkness descends that she can’t resist confronting. Side by side with her friend Jean, and inspired by her reading, especially by Edgar Allan Poe’s detective Dupin, Eliza pieces together an array of clues to try to catch the killer, all the while juggling clients who begin to seem more and more suspicious.
So, that’s what I’m reading. I hope to finish it for Saturday. I actually finished a delightful romcom to review for tomorrow. What about you? What are you reading this week?
“What are you reading this week?”
Reading this week is right. I’m working on Stellarlune, the ninth Keeper of the Lost Cities book by Shannon Messenger. It’s middle grade fantasy instead of one of my typical mysteries (although there are plenty of mysteries in it). And it’s 720 pages long. I started it Sunday, and my goal is to finish it up Saturday at the latest. I keep thinking I’m going to get a few pages ahead of my pace, but then life gets in the way.
This is fiscal year end at work, plus I’m trying to get stuff done for Christmas. So I’ve been rather busy outside of reading. But I am on pace to finish on Saturday.
Could a few pages have been cut? Yes. But from having attended launch parties in the past, I know that this series has a huge fan base who will eat it up and beg for more. My niece is one of them. She’s getting it for Christmas, but it is torture for her waiting until then.
I understand how that is with nieces and nephews, Mark. Years ago, I bought the latest in a series, just released, before flying to visit my sister. I had to stay up that night and finish the book so I could leave it for my nephews. They hadn’t realized it was out yet.
Mark, I love that you’re reading Stellarlune. I just bought it recently for my granddaughter. She’s read all the series, too. I love children’s and YA lit, too.
A couple of days ago I started Barbara Kingsolver’s new book, Demon Copperhead. The voice is astonishing and compelling, but I think it’s one I’m going to have to put aside until January when I’ll be retired. This book is going to require concentration, something of which I don’t have much right now. I’ve not read Kingsolver before, but if this book is anything to go by, I will definitely have to read more.
Dean, it’s lovely to see your comments here. I’m waiting eagerly for Hiss Me Deadly. I had hoped to request an ARC on NetGalley, but I see the publisher is Berkley, who has never approved one of my requests, so I will put it on hold at the library next year when it is available. Much continued success to you!
I’ve been sidelined by healthcare and followup for my mystery readers’ group, but I’m about 1/3rd through “The Maid” by Nita Prose, and 1/2 way through Gerry Boyle’s new book, “Robbed Blind,” both of which I an enjoying.
I’m ordering Robbed Blind for the library today, LJ. Somehow I missed it.
Take care of yourself! I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sidelined.
There are just some books like that, Dean. My sister couldn’t get into Louise Penny’s Three Pines books, and I told her to wait. Once she retired, she tore through the series, but she hadn’t been able to concentrate on them.
Congratulations on your retirement. It’s next September for me!
Good morning! Hope the week is going well for everyone. I just finished reading Salt Lane by William Shaw. Featuring DS Alexandra Cupidi, I found this to be a compelling read involving the murders of several undocumented workers. I found the plot to be very interesting, without feeling “preachy” and did not guess the perpetrator. I did have a difficult time warming to the characters at first, but there was enough character development in the story that changed that. Will definitely check out the next in the series.
Jennifer, I am a big fan of William Shaw. I’ve had to get a couple of his paperbacks from England before they were (eventually) published here, but it was worth it (and not too expensive). I like that coastal setting for the Cupidi books.
Good to know that you enjoy Shaw, Jeff. I used that as an excuse to order the remaining books in the series! Have you read the Breen and Tozer series?
I did read the Breen and Tozer series first, enjoyed them too. THE BIRDWATCHER is sort of a prequel to the Cupidi series, introducing a couple of important characters from that series. He has a new one out – looks like a non-series thriller type – in England. It is called DEAD RICH and published as by G. W. Shaw. I’m waiting for the AMerican edition.
I’m not familiar with William Shaw’s books. Now that you and Jeff both recommend them, I’ll have to take a look.
Lesa, the Breen & Tozer books are period, starting in Abbey Road in 1968. The others are modern, set in the salt marsh area in the East of England.
Jennifer and Jeff, I’m behind in the William Shaw books, but I really enjoyed The Birdwatcher. Lesa, William Shaw is good friends with Elly Griffiths/Dom and Lesley Thomson. They do a lot of events together in England.
A chilly ten degrees yesterday morning, this morning may bottom out at fifteen. Definitely winter, another storm expected this weekend. Although the recent four days of wintery mix yielded less than an inch of precipitation. That’s life in the rain shadow of the Sierra.
Lesa, last week you featured a book by Tamara Berry, the second in a series. While looking for your review of the prior book, I came across an author interview for Connie Berry & guest column “The English Country House Murder” from 2020 Delightful! The TBR pile grows, and Lesa, you keep encouraging it.
So I downloaded A DREAM OF DEATH, the beginning of Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton mystery series. Quite the interesting story,
On a remote Scottish island, American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton investigates a brutal killing, staged to recreate a centuries-old unsolved murder.
And I also have Tamara Berry’s first By the Book mystery, Buried in a Good Book in the queue.
I read the debut by Dwyer Murphy AN HONEST LIVING, but was disappointed. A PI novel set in NY City, it’s gotten some good reviews, but I found it rather weak on plot. Seemed more an homage to the neighborhoods of New York City.
I did enjoy reading the very short FOSTER by Claire Keegan. I can see why it taught in schools in Ireland, deceptively simple, but with much depth.
And Richard Osman’s third time for The Thursday Murder Club, THE BULLET THAT MISSED. Nice tribute to friendship. I read that the author recently married, so maybe this didn’t have his undivided attention like the first two, but still quite entertaining and funny.
MM, The Connie Berry series is one of my favorite mystery series. I learned about the books here from Margie.I will look for that interview. I am anxiously awaiting my library’s copy of the next Tamara Berry book.
MM, Thank you! I’m glad you’re finding books here that will grow your TBR pile. I always enjoy the discovery of new authors. I hope you continue to like both authors!
Like you, I enjoyed the recent Thursday Murder Club, but it didn’t quite live up to the first one for me.
Good morning. I’m reading a book I picked up from my library’s free cart – Reader, I Buried Them and other stories by Peter Lovesey. I’ve never read anything by him before but I’m enjoying his short stories.
Sandy, You can certainly find some treasures sometimes on those library carts!
Good morning!. It’s too cold (31) to go walking with my walking group this morning, but I’ll try to get in a walk around my neighborhood once it gets up to, say, 48 or so. Unusual for us in Northern California. We had our “second Thanksgiving” at my house for my immediate family on Sunday, and I finished my Christmas shopping earlier this week (hurray!) so I only got through two books this week.
I kept the second in Nora Roberts’ Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy, which I won last year from Goodreads, to read until now because I knew the last in the trilogy was publishing in November. I don’t often read fantasy, and I haven’t even read much of the prolific Nora Roberts’ work for some reason, but I can confirm that I am thoroughly enjoying this series. In the first book, Breen was a teacher who wasn’t enjoying her job, merely existing from paycheck to paycheck and yearning to become a writer. But after discovering a staggering secret her mother had been keeping from her, she quickly boarded a plane to Ireland and began a fantastical journey to claim her birthright in the magical land of Talamh. By the end of the first book, Breen had returned to her home and friends in Philadelphia, but now she returns to Talamh with her lifelong friend Marcus unexpectedly in tow. The Becoming is the story of how Breen continues her warrior training and the development of powers she never knew she had, in order to help return Talamh to a peaceful state by facing and destroying the evil god Odron, who happens to be her grandfather. Thank goodness for Marco, who is not merely along for the ride but determined to watch over his friend, delighting in learning to ride a horse, and preparing wonderful meals for Breen’s extended family. He also provides much-needed humor and heart to counteract what can often be very dangerous and deadly situations. Marcus also assists Breen with her burgeoning literary career, and both he and Breen have some good fortune in their romantic lives. And then there are the glorious (and friendly) dragons . . .! I love reading about beautiful Talamh and its inhabitants–the (mostly) marvelous and the malevolent–and I’m all in with the thrilling action scenes. I’m desperate to know what happens next, but I’m currently lost (sigh) in the library queue, waiting for The Choice.
What I most enjoy about Leslie Budewitz’s Spice Shop Mysteries is the immersion of both author and reader in the vivid Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, where Pepper Reece’s Spice Shop is housed. I especially loved it in the holiday season, this year with a Victorian theme, in PEPPERMINT BARKED. The Market is full of wonderful smells, shops of all kinds, interesting and diverse shopkeepers and products, and yes, the requisite intrigue. In the sixth in the series, a young female assistant in the wine shop is brutally attacked and left in a coma. One of Pepper’s employees seems to have a connection with her, so Pepper finds herself involved in the investigation to help identify and bring the attacker to justice. It’s an interesting mystery, but I was more interested in spending time with Pepper, her beau Nate, and her friends and colleagues, and the details about Pike’s Place Market put it on my bucket list to visit someday!
Lesa, after you listed EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES in your recent post, I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley, and I am about 60% through it. It’s a lot of fun, especially the second half–I’ll give more details next week.
Margie, You summarized the Dragon Heart Legacy series beautifully, including so much of what I love about the series – the setting, the community, friendship, Marcus, the dragons. I just loved it. And, The Choice is going on my favorites list this year.
I really enjoy Leslie Budewitz’s Spice Shop Mysteries. As you said, Pepper, her friends & the setting just make it.
I’m looking forward to your review of Emily Wilde’s…
Totally agree on 50s and rain (which we had the last two days) rather than snow. We have four more weeks here before we leave for Florida so fingers crossed. Jackie finished Chloe Neill’s DEVOURING DARKNESS, which she liked, but not as much as the earlier part of the series, with the older generation. She has started the new J. D. Robb now.
After PAY DIRT ROAD, I read REVENGE OF THE LIBRARIANS: Cartoons, which you reviewed here a couple of weeks ago, I believe. Fun book. I like his stuff.
Revenge of the Librarians was just fun, wasn’t it, Jeff?
Oops, posted that too soon. As I was saying…I read the new Michael Connelly, DESERT STAR. This one features Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch, back working together on the newly reformed COld Case Squad. Renee is in charge and the only active duty cop on it, with Bosch and others volunteering their time. It was sponsored by a new Councilman who wanted the case of his sister, who was raped and murdered in her bed at 16, reopened so that is their top priority. But Bosch has his own “white whale” – a family of four including two kids, who were killed and buried in the desert. He is sure he knows the killer but they were never able to prove it, and now he is in the wind. I know you said some people have had trouble with it, but I raced through the nearly 400 pages as in most of his books. I did have a problem with Bosch’s actions at the end, but it didn’t rise to a level where it ruined the book for me. The next book is going to be a Lincoln Lawyer book, with Bosch in it.
I like Donald Westlake’s books very much, both the humorous ones featuring the hapless Dortmunder gang and the stand lone crime novels, plus his Richard Stark and Tucker Coe books. No one did New York like Westlake, as books set there always have a few little tidbits natives will be nodding their heads over. A while ago I realized I had never read his PUT A LID ON IT, a stand alone from 2002. This one I’d characterize as humorous rather than hilarious, a short, fast read that, had I had a little more time to read, I would have finished in a day. Francis (never Frank) Meehan is a thief. He admits this. Yet he finds himself (by a fluke of bad luck) in Federal prison bound to do a long sentence when a political fixer named Pat Jeffords visits him. Seems the President is up for re-election and there is a potential “October surprise” out there that could derail his campaign, unless someone can steal it for them, in return for his freedom. As I said, this is not a Dortmunder book where everything goes wrong, but it is a caper of sorts and a lot of relaxed fun in the hands of a pro. You could do a lot worse. But for the best of wacky stand alone Westlake, I highly recommend DANCING AZTECS.
I’m also reading short stories by Dan Chaon, Amy Hempel, and a post-Apocalypse SF collection.
Jeff, I always enjoy your reviews because your reading is so eclectic. I never know what we’ll get. Thank you!
An advance copy of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. Not sure yet what I think of it. I thought A Dangerous Business was thoroughly entertaining. In a way, it’s a shame that Jane Smiley published her masterpiece early on (and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for it). Nothing else she publishes will ever live up to that. But taken on their own, without that comparison, her other books have all been good novels, IMO.
I have a hold on the “Everyone In My Family” book. The title if nothing else!
I’m liking A Dangerous Business, Sandra, but I’ve been sidetracked twice, more interested in several other books. I’m sure I’ll get through it. I think you’re right about A Thousand Acres and the comparison to it for her other books.
Finishing Dinner at the Homesick Restaurat by Anne Tyler, it is now a yellow paged paperback that I keep sneezing through because I bought at used bookstore and it was printed in 1982.
Continuing with John Lewis’s memoir, Walking with the Wind. It is a paper turner. He got his head bashed in many times by angry mobs and he gives an inside look at all the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Not quite half way through yet.
I thought I would read a Christmas cozy after I finish the sneezy book. White Colander Crime by Victoria Hamilton. I still more of my favorite cozy authors to read but this only Christmas one and the print is big enough for me to read.
Like you, Carolee, I like a Christmas cozy this time of year. Your other books are more serious, so it’s nice to get a break.
Thanks (again) to NetGalley, i just finished a book which will be on my list of favorites this year.
St. Martin’s invited me to read No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister.
I love this book. It is truly a gift from Ms. Baumeister to anyone who loves books.
Description from NetGalley:
“One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives. New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister’s No Two Persons is “a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives.”*
That was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go…
Alice has always wanted to be a writer. Her talent is innate, but her stories remain safe and detached, until a devastating event breaks her heart open, and she creates a stunning debut novel. Her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.
Together, their stories reveal how books can affect us in the most beautiful and unexpected of ways—and how we are all more closely connected to one another than we might think.
“With its beautiful parts that add up to a brilliant whole, No Two Persons made my reader’s heart sing.”—*Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair”
Kaye, I picked up an ARC of No Two Persons yesterday–it’s a Read Now on NG for 72 hours. I had just looked for it the day before because it was on my TBR list after reading about it on LJ Prepub Alert. I hope you will post your own comments. I’m looking forward to reading it, as I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books.
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Margie!
Oh, now I’m going to have to look for No Two Persons, Kaye. It sounds wonderful!
I loved both of the books I read this week.
The first was House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister. It is a memoir of essays about the house she and her family saved and rehabbed in Port Townsend, Washington. I found it informative about the actual process as well as learning about real estate. I am very much looking forward to her new book, Kaye.
The second was The Color of Ice by Barbara Linn Probst. It is the story of glassblowing and Iceland. I admit the fact that we’ve enjoyed Blown Away on Netflix was impetus for picking this up. I loved the story of Mack, a glassblower, and Catherine, the photographer who was hired to feature him for a Shades of Blue art flyer. I found myself down many rabbit holes looking for the places in Iceland mentioned as well as on the website of Peter Bremmer and his Iceberg and Paraphernalia glass pieces which Mack’s work is based on.
Happy Reading!
Erica Bauermeister must be hot right now! Thank you, Sharon, for sharing that title as well. I love memoir and essays.
Sharon, i loved The Color of Ice!!! And, yes, i bet we passed one another in some of the rabbit holes.
Hey Lesa, I am currently reading Murder at Black Oaks by Phillip Margolin and listening/reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
My sister and niece loved Lessons in Chemistry, Katherine!
Hi Lesa and everyone!
I’m so sorry I’ve been absent these past weeks, I just haven’t been in one place long enough to write anything (and I’ve hardly read anything either.) Two of our children have had health issues, and in the middle of all that my mother had a fall (luckily not serious), so we have been rushing around the country like mad bluebottles. Some things are now better, some are not, but I am back in Aberdeenshire for the time being at least – it’s a great relief to be up here.
Today we have had our first real snow of the season. There is only a thin covering down here by the river, but from local news reports it was clear that things were chaotic north of Aberdeen, with much more snow, lorries stuck on hills, cars stuck everywhere, and a few accidents, though thankfully none seems to have been serious. It’s now freezing over, which is the bit I really don’t like at all, as the pavements may well be very icy by tomorrow morning. I’m lucky though in that I don’t really need to go anywhere, though I am hoping to visit a friend in her new house.
The only book I have finished recently is Rebecca Humphries’ WHY DID YOU STAY? and I think I spoke about that before – I thought it was excellent. I’m now reading Ian Rankin’s A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, but I haven’t got far yet. And I’ve just collected Alan Rickman’s diaries – MADLY, DEEPLY – from my local library. I was 22nd on the wait list when I reserved it, but it seemed to come round quite quickly. I did read a bit of it in Waterstones and enjoyed it – David said ‘oh just buy it then’ (it was on offer) but I decided to wait, as if I have it from the library I will feel the need to crack on and read it, whereas if I buy it it may well sit on my shelves for ages. Also our extremely nice and helpful library assistant, Catriona, told me she is still on the wait list for it, so now I feel even more obliged to get it read and back to her!
Catriona had just read the autobiography of Matthew Perry, who I think was in FRIENDS. She said it was quite harrowing, with lots about his struggles with addiction – she said ‘why doesn’t anyone ever write a happy autobiography, about their happy childhood, career, marriage and so on’. I thought that was an interesting question – do such books exist, or do people only want to read about misery and troubles? I do remember reading Valerie Groves’ biography of Dodie Smith (author of A HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS & also I CAPTURE THE CASTLE’) and finding it all quite jolly – and I did enjoy it. But maybe that sort of thing wouldn’t be popular any more?
When we were in Edinburgh trying to sort out all these problems last week we noticed that Paul Heaton (ex Beautiful South and before that The Housemartins) was in concert in Glasgow on Friday night. We decided on the spur of the moment to by last minute tickets and drive over there (it’s only about an hour from Edinburgh) and we were so glad we did. It was a fantastic night, such a good show – the support was veteran activist and singer Billy Bragg, who was also excellent, and Paul Heaton was just brilliant (even though his musical partner Jacqui Abbott was off ill). The OVO Hydro, which is huge, was so well organised and stewarded, and everyone was so friendly (that’s Glasgow for you) that it really gave us a boost.
And we have just finally bitten the bullet and bought ‘glamping’ tickets for the Latitude Festival in Southwold next July. David and his friends have been to this 3 day event many times, but most of them can’t make it this year, and I was not prepared to sleep in a basic tent with no facilities…so we have booked a yurt with a proper bed, etc, all put up for us. The glamping area has dedicated, clean and well serviced facilities – hot showers, proper lavatories, etc, and also a separate breakfast café, places to charge your devices and use your hairdryers, and a few other things.
I have never done this before, so it will be an experience if nothing else! The headline acts are The Proclaimers, Paolo Nutini and (again!) Paul Heaton, with lots of others, and these festivals also have book events, comedy, art shows and goodness knows what else. I think it will be fun – I am making an effort to be more open to new experiences!
On television I am watching BODIES, an old Jed Mercurio series (pre Line of Duty) set in an obs and gynae ward in a big hospital. Although it is very gory at times (births, operations, etc are all shown graphically) it is really about the political games being played by the top doctors and more especially by the management. The medical staff are always jostling for position and trying to massage their statistics to make them look better than their colleagues, the management will do anything to attract funding – and that includes misrepresenting the results of drug studies to ingratiate themselves with big companies who will then send them all on wonderful holidays, and also put money into the hospital. It is so corrupt, and the series is most probably fact-based as Mercurio use to be a doctor himself.
I’m also watching BENIDORM, a sitcom set in a very tacky all inclusive resort in Spain – the kind of place that’s very popular with some British people. It’s complete rubbish, but well acted and very undemanding, so quite addictive. My daughter Madeleine tells me it’s become a cult classic with students, so now I don’t feel quite so bad about watching it. And it has at least seven series…
We managed to get to the Woodend Barn at Banchory (a nearby large village) to see a film about Eric Ravilious, who was an artist in the Second World War. This was a very good documentary film, with actors reading the letters Ravilious wrote to his long-suffering wife, and her replies. It looked at not only his art but his marriage, his affairs, and his family life, and his travels with the armed forces to the Arctic, which fascinated him. His style is unusual and easily recognisable. There were also contributions from people like the author Alan Bennett.
And on BBC Sounds I have found another Charles Paris mystery – DEAD ROOM FARCE – which I’m enjoying, especially as Bill Nighy is back playing Charles again in this outing.
I’ve had a few walks, mostly just down by the river as I haven’t had too much time. There was a lot of flooding a few weeks ago, so there are still trees down across the path – passable if you don’t mind doing some version of a limbo dance though. At this time of year we have some stunning sunsets – it’s dark by 4pm now, but before that the sky is often streaked with pink and blue, sometimes gold. During the brief daylight hours the birds are much bolder than they are in summer, I suppose they are hungry (I do put out seeds and fat balls for them at home) – robins, blackbirds, sparrows and magpies are very much in evidence, some feeding off the berries on the winter trees.
My walks have been rather solitary though, as my poor friend Nancy tripped over the pavement outside the cathedral in town 10 days or so ago and managed to fracture her shoulder. So she is out of action for a while – she is immensely stoic and says she’s just glad she’s not a refugee or a Ukranian living in a bombed out apartment, but instead has a nice warm house and a husband who is retired and good at cooking! I somehow can’t imagine that I’d ever be so positive in this situation.
I forgot to mention that when we were in Edinburgh we visited the excellent National Museum of Scotland to see their exhibition on Bernat Klein. He was a child of Orthodox Serbian Jews, but in the 1930s he was studying abroad. As a result he escaped the fate that the rest of his family suffered at Auschwitz. He came to the UK and studied art at Leeds, then eventually ended up in the Scottish Borders, where he opened a textiles studio in Galashiels. The area is famous for its textiles, but Klein was unusual – he wanted to bring ‘random colour’, often inspired by nature, into the dreary British post-war world.
His textiles are very distinctive, and were soon picked up by people like Chanel (ironically) and Jean Muir. After a while he also started designing haute couture himself. Later on, he went into interior design and décor, and the exhibition includes photos of some of the rooms he decorated, with his trademark emphasis on colour and tone. They reminded me of the Ideal Home magazines that my parents used to buy.
He was interested in minimalist architecture, and had both is studio and his own house designed by Peter Wormsley, a well known exponent of minimalism in design.
I found the exhibition fascinating, especially a kit that he created showing people how to choose their colour palette by starting with the colour of their eyes. Klein was a real ground-breaker in the UK, and also in Paris and Scandinavia.
From tomorrow the museum hosts the travelling Doctor Who exhibition. I am not interested in time travel, but so many people are obsessed with The Doctor that this is bound to be very popular. It’s a ticketed exhibition, but the museum is amazing for how much you can see for absolutely nothing. I wandered around the Fashion Galleries while David was looking at steam engines, and it was fun to see all the beautiful dresses designed by people like Bill Gibb, Jean Muir, Vivienne Westwood, Schiaparelli, Zandra Rhodes and many others.
I’d better stop and make dinner now (it’s already almost 7pm here).
I hope everyone has a good week, with as little snow as possible!
Rosemary
Rosemary, glad to see you back! Have you seen WHITSTABLE PEARL? It’s a new show (in series two) about a woman who owns a restaurant in Whitstable (yes, her name is Pearl) and who is a PI on the side. In series two, she is more of a PI while her mother runs the restaurant. She has a thing with the widowed cop but in series two they each have different romantic interests (though they clearly want each other still). It stars Kerry Godliman and Howard Charles, with Frances Barber as her mother. Also watching the fun anthology series INSIDE NO. 9 by Steve Pemberton (speaking of BENIDORM) and Reece Shearsmith. Believe it or not, we bought a BENIDORM boxed set on one of our last trips to England.
Hi Jeff, and thank you!
No I have not seen Whitstable Pearl – I will look it up this evening.
I’m aware of Inside No 9 but I’ve not seen it – it’s popular though. Again I’ll take a look.
It’s good to be back.
Rosemary
We started Season 2 of Whitstable Pearl. We enjoyed last night’s episode that was a take off of Rear Window.
That was a good episode, Sharon.
Hi Rosemary, It is SO good to have you back. I’ve missed your posts about your wanderings, shows, books, and exhibits. You seem to cram so much into life. I enjoy reading your posts.
I’m not much for TV or TV movies, but last week Amazon Prime kicked off Three Pines with just the first two episodes. The series is based on Louise Penny’s Three Pines, and Alfred Molina stars as Armand Gamache. He’s wonderful. You can see the kindness in his eyes.
I’m sending hugs, Rosemary!
We started Three Pines last night. I read where Alfred Molina said this was the role he was born to play. We enjoyed it.
I’m finally getting to read the last entry in the White House chef series by Julie Hyzy. I read (listened to) the first eight quickly as I made my Christmas cards this year but finished the cards before the series. I’ve had space between the last books, and it’s lost something because of it. Well, I think it’s more because i know what’s coming and it’s always made me sad. While the series ending and its conclusion were great, it was also sad that the characters had to give up everything they’d worked so hard for. So I guess I’m not looking forward to that ending. But I’ll persevere before I get to the new PJ Tracy, courtesy of SMP.
You’re right, Sandie. It was a sad ending to the White House chef series. I agree with you!
I have been reading Christmas novels and short stories since the beginning of December. I read nine stories from the Library of America AMERICAN CHRISTMAS STORIES, edited by Connie Willis. Very interest selections, from 1872 to 2004. A total of 59 stories in the anthology.
Also NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING by Jane Haddam. I have read that book three times, and it is my favorite book in the Gregor Demarkian series. I have read about 24 of them out of 30. The story begins a few days before Christmas when Demarkian is invited to Christmas dinner by Robert Hannaford, the immensely rich head of a large family in Philadelphia. When he arrives for dinner, Robert Hannaford is dead in his study. Demarkian is a retired FBI agent, and is invited to consult with the police to investigate the crime.
Now I am reading SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE by E. X. Ferrars (or Elizabeth Ferrars if you are in the UK). She wrote a lot of books; I would guess about 60 books between 1940 and 1995. This is the 6th book in a series of 8, and I haven’t read any of the others. Goodreads summary: “Andrew Basnett, a retired professor of botany, finds his Christmas getting complicated when he is caught up in the eventful aftermath of the death of Sir Lucas Dearden, who is killed by a mysterious bomb.” I like Ferrars writing a lot.
What a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday, Tracy. I have a collection of Connie Willis’ own Christmas stories. I know how much she loves Christmas.
I haven’t read any of the Andrew Basnett mysteries nor the Gregor Demarkian one. Christmas gatherings are perfect settings, though, for mysteries.
It’s supposed to rain here, but we haven’t seen any yet…
This week I read:
Demon Hunters by Ino Lee. A bit of a misnomer, as demons hunt humans for most of the book. It’s an Asian version of the usual fantasy stuff. Entertaining, though.
Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille; A conspiracy thriller without any thrills, as the usual false flag operation has the goal of bombing ten US cities so that The Middle East will be completely nuked. The only interesting part is how they chose which cities to bomb. A couple of cities were chosen because somebody’s ex lived there. I found myself thinking they could probably get Oakland and Frisco at the same time, and how I’d probably choose Dallas just because of the Cowboys.
The Wit and Wisdom of Yogi Berra by Phil Pepe; a biography of everybody’s favorite malaprop spewing catcher. It ends in 1988, and Berra would be relevant for another 25 years. He was still making commercials for AFLAC right before his death. That’s better than 99% of all entertainment figures. Just ask Bobby Sherman.
Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami; Not really a how to book, but more a reflection on how life as a novelist actually. Never once calls writing a “craft” like a certain pretentious inbred horror novelist i could mention.
Old Cowboys Never Die by William W. Johnstone; A pair of middle aged cowboys become outlaws after robbing the shyster lawyer who tried to embezzle their pay. They travel the west robbing the bad, and helping out the good. Might be the start of yet another new series from the machine.
I loved Yogi. I liked that book too. My favorite was DRIVING MR. YOGI (yes, a play on DRIVING MISS DAISY) about the relationship between Yogi and Yankee pitcher Ron Guidry, who would bring Yogi to Spring Training in Florida each year and sort of watch over and take care of his former Manager and coach.
Like a few other machines out there, the Johnstone team has become a machine. You’re right, Glen.
That’s funny about Bobby Sherman. After you said that, I looked up Bobby Sherman because I was one of those young teens who liked his music. I’m sorry. I don’t think you should look up musicians you liked when you were 13. That’s not how I want to remember Bobby Sherman.
I enjoyed (loved!) Perestroika In Paris so much more than A Thousand Acres.
Me, too, Kathy!!
It’s been a busy day, so I have good excuses this week for coming in here late. I so enjoy reading about everyone else’s reading. I have so much more reading I wanted to get done by the end of the year, but December is proving to be busy, so I’ll have to save some of it for next year. I managed to get my review written and posted for Scot in a Trap, and I’m currently reading Winter’s End, the new book in the Alaska Wild series by Paige Shelton. I’m enjoying it and hope to finish no later than Saturday, although tomorrow would be better. I think I’ll be able to get three more books read this month. I have a temporary Favorite Reads List that will be out through another blog in a few days, and then I’ll do a final one the end of the year. Happy Reading to everyone!
Like you, Kathy, any Favorite Reads List is only temporary until the end of the year. I reserve the right to change my mind, or continue to read books until the end of the month.
Enjoy your December!
Lesa, I’m starting to work on my list already!
Currently reading STORY WATCH by CJ Boxx thanks to a digital ARC via NetGalley. In a very dark place mentally, so this read is helping that a little bit.
I’m glad you found a book to take you away for a little while, Kevin. Sending hugs.