Neither rain nor storms nor snow nor 78 degrees in Florida can prevent us from gathering here on a Thursday to talk about books. I hope you’re all doing okay this week. Let us know!
I can tell you what I just finished, but it won’t be released until May 30. I read and reviewed The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies for a journal, and I’ll review it here at the end of May. Alison Goodman, the author, is Australian. She’s also a fan of Georgette Heyer, so she set this mystery in Regency England, and wrote about the social ills of that time period. The narrator is Lady Augusta Colebrook (Gus) who is 42, and, along with her twin sister, Lady Julia, spinsters who have money for their own household, and, fortunately, are not dependent on their brother. But, Gus is bored, and after the sisters successfully retrieve letters for a friend threatened with blackmail, she decides they should take cases to help women. For their first case, they hope to rescue a woman who fears her husband is trying to kill her since she can’t have children. But, along the way, their carriage is attacked by highwaymen, and Gus shoots and injures one of them. Julia recognizes him as Lord Evan Belford, who supposedly killed a man in a duel twenty years earlier, and was exiled to Australia. Once he wakes, he insists on helping the sisters with their plot. That one may have been successful, but now they have an escaped felon as an ally.
Great characters, especially Gus. Goodman does an excellent job incorporating the social issues into the twins’ cases. Mystery, a little romance, Regency England, and to be continued in the next book. It’s slow to start, but if you can get past the slow beginning, it’s entertaining.
What about you? What are you reading this week?
The rain seems to have finally slowed down here in Northern California, but not before we had a 2-hour power outage last Saturday evening. It was a good excuse to play four games of Rummikub with my son! The cold temperatures are still with us, though, and I miss going on my walks. Hopefully I can at least start to walk around my neighborhood in the afternoon, when temps have risen. Here’s what I read this week:
I rarely stay up later than my self-imposed 11 pm bedtime reading a book, but I made an exception with Louise Penny’s latest, A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES. The last 50 pages were so suspenseful, so unbearably intense, that I couldn’t stop turning the pages until I reached the breathless conclusion. This story has so many layers that it is not easy to summarize. Suffice it to say that it involves memorable characters, unmitigated evil, child abuse, buried treasure, mysterious artwork, a historical mass shooting, mistaken identities and, of course, multiple murders, all delivered through Penny’s impeccable prose. And there are the Three Pines characters we have come to know and (mostly) love in the 18-book series, all but one of which I have read and enjoyed. At the center of the action is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, the damaged, compassionate, brilliant thinker and family man who often struggles under the weight of his responsibilities. Many of the scenes are flashbacks to when Gamache and his now-son-in-law, Jean-Guy, first reluctantly worked together, and I wish Penny had labeled the flashbacks instead of interspersing them with present day scenes with impunity, but it is a minor complaint. The author hasn’t shown signs of stopping this outstanding series, which is good news for her adoring audience. I’m happy to count myself as one of them.
Having enjoyed Matthew Perry so much in Friends and other assorted movies and TV shows, I also knew that he had struggled with addiction even at the height of his popularity. In his memoir, FRIENDS, LOVERS, AND THE BIG TERRIBLE THING, he candidly reveals what was really going on, and it is heartbreaking. Sixty-five bouts of rehab? Fifty-five pills a day? That’s just the beginning. There are some interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Perry’s show business career but not enough to relieve the sadness that permeates this memoir.
E. J. Copperman has created quite a few interesting protagonists in his multiple mystery series, but I think the first Fran and Ken Stein Mystery, UKULELE OF DEATH, has the most . . . unusual . . . main characters. Siblings Fran and Ken have their own private detective agency, and their investigative skills complement each other. They have chosen to specialize in finding clients’ biological parents because they lost their own mother and father at an early age. It’s also worth mentioning that both are very good-looking, very tall, and capable of physical confrontation when necessary. But what really sets them apart is that while they appear human and are definitely not robots, they have been created rather than born. Their latest client asks them to find a very rare ukulele because she thinks it will lead to her own missing father. But the twisty case quickly involves Fran and Ken in secret identifies, cryptic clues, high-stakes auctions, kidnapping, and murders. And it becomes more and more obvious that their scientist parents’ research might have dangerous consequences, even years after their fatal automobile accident. I loved the often-sarcastic, snarky voice of Fran, the appealing narrator, and her reluctance to engage in a budding romance with a local cop. Sure, the reader is called on for the willing suspension of disbelief regarding the siblings’ origin, but it’s an engaging story with memorable characters who will surely have more to investigate about their own family if there is a second entry in the series. (May)
I wondered about Ukulele of Death, Margie. I’d seen it listed on NetGalley. Thank you for the review!
So hard to review a Louise Penny book, isn’t it?
Margie, i agree with Lesa’s comment about how hard it is to review a Louise Penny book. You did a great job. I loved A World of Curiosities.
Margie, My husband and I play 3 games of Rummikub every Saturday and Sunday. We also play a word card game called Quiddler. Aside from power outages, I am glad you are safe.
Sharon, I had never played Rummikub before the local Newcomers Club announced a monthly game. I was hooked from the beginning and had to buy my own set immediately. We taught my other son and daughter-in-law how to play recently, and they enjoyed it just as much as we did. Just played with the gals yesterday, and our table of four somehow got in 7 games in about 2 hours. Fun!
It was cold on Saturday here in NJ but there was a fire and ice event just across the border in PA so we spent the late afternoon and early evening checking out the ice sculptures and fire twirling. They still had all of their Christmas lights up so it was pretty after dark.
This week I read a fantasy book, Yarrow by Charles de Lint. I read it once years ago and now I know why I’d never read it again. But it filled in the letter y for an a to z challenge I’m doing.
I’m really enjoying a paranormal romance, Monster in the Mirror by Kristen Painter. A woman who doesn’t believe in supernatural creatures moves into the town of Shadowvale and finds out that her new neighbor is Dr. Jekyll. And then she sees a tiger strolling down the street. And her job interview turns out to be with a vampire.
Last night brought a bit more snow to northern Nevada. The coming week is forecast for sunny skies (yeah), but very cold temperatures. Hopefully all the folks that relocated here during the past couple years will finally accept the reality of winter driving conditions.
This week I enjoyed reading two books I discovered from some favorite reads-of-the-year lists:
OUT OF DARKNESS historical fiction by Ashley Hope Pérez (2015) A sad story loosely based on a school explosion that took place near the oil fields in New London, Texas in 1937
And MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE
A blend of magic, romance and Southern small town charm. Heather Webber was featured in an author interview here mid-2019 when the book was first published.
But mostly I’ve been reading a lengthy historical novel which follows dozens of characters over wide stretches of Central Europe in the mid 18th century. Written by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk & translated by Jennifer Croft, it’s been on my TBR list for a year. Fascinating!
I’ll just share the title as it’s one if the longest subtitles I’ve seen –
THE BOOKS OF JACOB: or a Fantastic Journey Across Seven Borders, Five Languages, And Three Major Religions, Not Counting the Minor Sects.
Told by the DEAD, Supplemented by the AUTHOR, Drawing from a Range of BOOKS, and Aided by IMAGINATION, the which being the greatest natural GIFT of any person.
That the WISE might have it for a record, that my compatriots REFLECT, laypersons gain some UNDERSTANDING, and Melancholy Souls Obtain Some Slight Enjoyment
Ah, MM. Are you a “Melancholy Soul”? What a title!
Northern Nevada! It’s Northern Nevada. What did they expect for driving conditions in January?
I love the sound of the fire and ice event, Sandy, but it still sounds too cold.
I read a Charles de Lint book once. Just not an author for me, or, at least that book wasn’t.
I discovered a new author – Peter James – and read his newest Picture you Dead – which I enjoyed. I can’t believe I never noticed his books before – there are a lot of them -and will look for more. This one had appeal to me as it was about a couple that buy an oil painting at a flea market and discover another possibly famous painting underneath. Since I sold antiques for 25 years it was quite fun to read and,of course, murder involved!
Oh, i’m going to look for this! I am such a sucker for books centering around art and/or antiques. Thanks much!
Donna, if you have access to Britbox, you can watch the GRACE series starring John Simm (who was the star of LIFE ON MARS too). They’ve done a few of his books so far – I think two in the first series and three in the second, starting with the first book in the series. They are definitely worth watching.
I know I would enjoy Britbox but we currently have so many other channels we are trying to refrain from indulging in more!
Oh, yes. I think Peter James did a guest post here at one time, Donna. It’s been a few years, though.
I’m reading the fourth book in Con Lehane’s library series, Murder by Definition. Raymond Ambler is a librarian who is always getting himself involved in murder. Very ligh-hearted and entertaining series.
Forget 78 – we are supposed to hit 82 in South Florida today! I seem to be busy online or running around to restaurants and shopping all the time, so just have not had that much time for reading. Or, I have the time but have been spending it otherwise. My bad.
One of the purchases was a new laptop, as the old one was just too slow and giving me other problems.
Books. Jackie finished the J. R. Ward book she was reading and is reading SWORD OF DARKNESS by Keri Arthur, and she has yet another Christine Feehan book from the library waiting to be read next.
I did read the Mary Ladd Gavell collection I was reading – I CANNOT TELL A LIE, EXACTLY, and I am nearly done with Rudolph Fisher’s THE CITY OF REFUGE, but I am getting less and less enjoyment out of the latter, frankly. Yes, the pictures of Harlem in the 1920s are fascinating, but the use of dialect and the repeated dull story lines – two men fighting over a woman they both want – is boring me.
A friend recommended Marc Myers’ ANATOMY OF 55 MORE SONGS, and since I got here I got the first one too – ANATOMY OF A SONG: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop. He interviewed the people who made some iconic records – the writers, performers, musicians, producers, etc. The first book starts with Lloyd Price’s “Ladwdy Miss Clawdy” in 1952 and includes things like “Shout,” “Runaround Sue,” “My Girl,” up to R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” (1991). The second book starts with “Walk on By” (Burt Bachrach, Dionne Warwick) and “Dancing in the Street” and includes “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Truckin’,” “Rocket Man” and “Burning Down the House.” Needless to say, these are books made for me.
I just got back to Lren D. Estleman’s PAPERBACK JACK and hope to finish that this week too.
Those Anatomy of a Song books do sound right up your alley, Jeff.
82 degrees! Oh, I’m jealous. Eighties are my temperatures. Enjoy every minute. Nice change with different restaurants. Enjoy your Florida months!
Oh I love the sound of those Anatomy of a Song books Jeff – I’m going to look them up. I was just belting out ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ in the kitchen yesterday! I’ve got Neil Tennant’s 100 Lyrics and a Poem, but much as I like him/it, he doesn’t give too much away about how the lyrics were written.
(I do, however, like the story he tells about how ‘you only tell me you love me when you’re drunk’ was what somebody actually said to him – and he immediately thought ‘that’s a good song title.’…. ‘I’m a bit ruthless…’
A dreary day in the NC mountains. Perfect for candles, coffee and a good book.
I ‘ve stayed up way too late the past couple of nights reading books (ARCs from NetGalley) I have really enjoyed –
Standing in the Shadows by Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson’s latest, and last, book. I have followed this series religiously since book one, and I will miss Banks and his supporting cast. Of course, the estate could choose to continue the series with another writer. Personally, i hope that doesn’t happen. First of all, it seems, to me, to be disrespectful and always, IMO, unsatisfactory.
Description from NetGalley:
“The 28th twisting installment in the DCI Alan Banks mystery series that Stephen King calls “the best now on the market.”
In November 1980, Nick Hartley returns home from a university lecture to find his house crawling with police. His ex-girlfriend, Alice Poole, has been found murdered, and her new boyfriend Mark Woodcroft is missing. Nick is the prime suspect. The case quickly goes cold, but Nick cannot let it go. He embarks on a career in investigative journalism, determined to find Alice’s murderer—but his obsession leads him down a dangerous path.
Decades later, in November 2019, an archaeologist unearths a skeleton that turns out to be far more contemporary than the Roman remains she is seeking. Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and his team are called in to investigate, but there is little to be gleaned from the remains themselves. Left with few clues, Banks and his team must rely on their wits to hunt down a killer.
As the two cases unfurl, the investigations twist and turn to an explosive conclusion.”
And –
Sally Brady’s Italian Adventure by Christina Lynch –
I love Sally Brady.
“Description from NetGalley
“Richly evocative of the charms and contradictions of Italy. Brava!”—Chris Pavone, New York Times bestselling author
What if you found yourself in the middle of a war armed only with lipstick and a sense of humor? Abandoned as a child in Los Angeles in 1931, dust bowl refugee Sally Brady convinces a Hollywood movie star to adopt her, and grows up to be an effervescent gossip columnist secretly satirizing Europe’s upper crust. By 1940 saucy Sally is conquering Fascist-era Rome with cheek and charm.
A good deed leaves Sally stranded in wartime Italy, brandishing a biting wit, a fake passport, and an elastic sense of right and wrong. To save her friends and find her way home through a land of besieged castles and villas, Sally must combat tragedy with comedy, tie up pompous bureaucrats in their own red tape, force the cruel to be kind, and unravel the mystery, weight, and meaning of family.
Heir to Odysseus’s wiles and Candide’s optimism, Sally Brady is a heroine for the 21st century.”
And a good Thursday to you all.
Looking forward to Peter Robinson’s last book – always loved all of his.
Italy! You’re loving a book set in Italy instead of Paris, Kaye. Next adventure for you, eventually?
Enjoy the candles, coffee & good book today. Hugs!
Good morning, Lesa. It’s a cold 10 degrees here in Northern Colorado, so reading will be higher on my agenda than going anywhere outside the front door. I’m almost finished with Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan. The novel is very well written and nicely paced. The topic of racism often overshadows the excellent murder mystery, police procedures, and interesting characters. I’ll be interested to see if the next book in the series follows the same formula..
Blackwater Falls is on my holds list. I read a couple books in her previous series and was amazed at all the details she packs in to the storyline.
Like MM, I have Blackwater Falls on an eventual list. Thank you for the reminder, Patricia. And, I’ll take Jeff’s 82 degrees over the 10 degrees in Northern Colorado anytime.
I am reading a book for YA about money! Cash is Queen by Davina Tomlison. An educational book about how to handle your money. Talks about gender bias, like males are encouraged to learn investing like the stock markert and real estate and women, more household budgeting and how to save money on groceries. The table is cleared the author teaches everything you could imagine about money. I wish I had this book when I was much younger. Even the credit ratings are addressed. A great book for teens.
The other one, Mountain Girl by Marilyn Moss Rockefeller had me reading in the middle of the night. Growing up very poor in West Virginia, she ends up as a President and CEO of a company in Maine that went international and married a Rockefeller.
Her mother had a lot of drive and taught school in a lot of little country towns in West Virginia. When her father left to do construction jobs, her mother could not raise Marilyn while teaching and driving many miles so she sent her daughter over the state line to Virginia and Marilyn lived with her grandparents. Being surrounded by nature on a farm, feeding, killing, and plucking the chickens, shee felt the love that she was lacking from her mother. She loved being in the country and reading all the books in library.
Her mother brought her back to live her and she felt that she had to please her all the time, wear frilly dresses instead of the jeans she loved, learn to speak properly, not like a hillbilly. It was very painful having to act perfect all the time. Later in life in different situations, she felt that she had to act to please people over and over again.
Her first marriage was long and something that had to be endured. But when the company her husband and another designer was sure to fail, her step father talked her into stepping and running it. Not knowing about about running a company, she had lessons to learn and became more self confident and began to change into the real Marilyn.
Mountain Girl sounds fascinating, Carolee. I love the confidence Marilyn’s stepfather showed in her. I may have to look for that book.
Weather-wise, it’s 44degrees in NorCal and finally, no rain coming at us.
I just finished Michelle Gable’s THE LIPSTICK BUREAU, a very engaging WWII Woman-in-the-OSS book set mostly in Italy. I have really avoided WWII histfic (so I have no way of saying how this ranks in the genre), but I can recommend this book.
That’s a different setting, Ana, for a WWII book. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sticking my head up to report that we continue to be very dry here in Dallas and we hit 85 earlier this week. A front came through yesterday and we are back to near normal as we should get to around 60 today. Wild fires have once again been a problem.
Current read is DARK ANGEL by John Sandford thanks to an ARC from NetGalley. This second read in the Letty Davenport series is due out early April.
You could use a little of California’s rain, Kevin, but I’m not wishing flooding on anyone!
I am waiting to see what you think of Dark Angel.
I finished The Little Cafe in Copenhagen by Julie Caplin. It is the first in her series of travel romances. I got caught up in the story of a PR manager taking a group of journalists to Copenhagen in hope of getting press for a new Danish store opening in England. I loved the quirky characters and the descriptions of the landmarks and life in Denmark.
Next, I finished Call of the Penguins by Hazel Prior which was a continuation of How the Penguins Saved Veronica. I enjoyed this one too, but it seemed a little scattered. Veronica is recruited by her friend, Sir Robert to provide commentary on penguins in the Falkland Islands for the BBC. But there seemed to be just a little too many plot points around Terry and Locket Island on Antarctica, young cancer victim Daisy who is staying with Veronica and winds up in the Falklands with a make a wish foundation request and Veronica’s son Patrick’s quest to find out the truth of his parentage. Still a good story and I learned much about different species of penguins but not as charming as How the Penguins Saved Veronica.
Thanks for the heads up about Grace on Britbox, Jeff. We are currently watching Sherwood right now and trying very hard not to binge watch all the episodes of this season’s All Creatures Great and Small.
Happy Reading!
Julie Caplin is a new author for me, Sharon. I’m not familiar with her, or her series. I’ll have to check it out.
Happy Reading!
Sharon, I had no idea there was a sequel to How the Penguins Saved Veronica. I loved that one and the author’s Ellie and the Harpmaker. I know you have some reservations so I’ll probably feel the same way, but I’m going to buy it anyway on Kindle, where it’s just $4.99, and we’ll see if I ever get to it!
I have How the Penguins Saved Veronica and Ellie and the Harpmaker. I have to find time to fit them in.
Dreamland. The jumping around threw me off till it all connected in the end. Started Light Pirate. Ok so far.
I couldn’t remember who wrote Dreamland (Nicholas Sparks), Carol, so I had to check.
By the way, I was just on NetGalley and there is a new one in this series, Philanthropists:
Inspector Mislan and the Executioners by Rozlan Mohd Noor. I am a big fan of this series (Kevin, you are six foot three and 320 pounds, you are a big fan of everything—yes, I know, so shut up) and I pass the news on for those who might be interested in the read that comes out in March.
Kevin, Your note to yourself made me laugh. I’m glad you’re finding some titles that appeal to you lately.
I am currently reading The Last Invitation by Darby Kane, Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews and At Home in Mitford (for book club) by Jan Karon.
I hope you’re enjoying your books, Katherine!
Good evening everyone,
I’ve escaped back to Deeside for just a few days and I wanted to travel light, so I’m writing this on my phone – apologies for all typos.
It’s very cold here – currently 37F – and extremely icy. I’ve just slid down the path from the bus stop to our house – unfortunately it’s the only access and it’s always bad in this weather. But it was a beautiful ride up from edinburgh on the bus; the winter fields looked just wonderful.
My reading is still not progressing very well, but I’m finally nearing the end of Alan Rickman’s diaries, which I’ve enjoyed. I’m increasingly amazed, though, at the extravagant lives these people lead. Rickman became super famous as Snape in the Harry Potter films, and prior to that he was already a star, with lots of film and stage performances under his belt, but even before he appeared in HP he seems to have lived a very ‘celeb’ sort of existence – constant dinners at The Ivy (‘I think I probably own half the place by now’), almost non stop trips to the USA, South Africa, Italy, France, etc – whether for filming or holidays (he and his partner Rima owned a house in Tuscany). And he knew everyone, from Emma Thompson to Ruby Wax, Juliet Stevenson, Sting & Trudy Styler, Lindsey Duncan, Zoe Wanamaker, Natasha Richardson, Richard Attenborough, Stanley Tucci….
Very interesting.
I have also borrowed from the library:
PRAY FOR SILENCE by Linda Castillo (the library lady pointed out that I’d had this one before, but I don’t think I ever got around to reading it.)
AN ALMOST ENGLISH LIFE by Miriam Gross, which is about her life as a journalist and writer, and includes her interviews with Anthony Powell, Philip Larkin, Francis Bacon and Harold Pinter.
THE GOOD PRIEST by Gillian Galbraith
NOW YOU SEE THEM by Elly Graham.
My middle daughter Anna has gone back to singing at Old St Paul’s church in the Old Town. Last Sunday I attended Evensong there, and discovered on arrival that it was something called Lucinarium (?) – which they conducted entirely by candlelight. We were each given a small candle to hold, and the choir and altar were illuminated by larger candies. It was quite hard to read the service sheet! But the service follows the same pattern every evening so it didn’t matter too much, and the almost total darkness was really peaceful and calming. They’re doing it again this Sunday so I plan to go along.
On the television Anna has introduced me to Travel Man, in which the comedian Joe Lycett spends a long weekend in a different place each time, with another comedian, actor, etc. The ones we’ve seen so far include Iceland (which I have to say looked awful), Bilbao (lovely), Marseilles and Cyprus. It’s funny and very easy to watch.
I tried again to watch A Spy Among Friends but I just couldn’t get into it, despite excellent performances by Anna Maxwell Martin and Ben Wishart.
We haven’t had the opportunity for much walking lately, and although I’d hoped to get some walks in while I’m up here, I’m not going to try unless this ice melts. We did have a nice walk from Leith to Newhaven recently – the harbour at Newhaven is much less industrial than Leith’s, with lots of little boats moored, and a fine view across the Forth. Leith harbour is presently accommodating a huge supply boat belonging to the company my husband works for, and a cruise liner that’s being used to provide temporary homes for Ukrainian refugees.
Have a good week all!
Rosemary
No, Rosemary. You hardly need to slip on ice right now, so it’s good to hear you’re not going to try much walking until the ice melts.
The candle service with the choir does sound peaceful and calming. Now, that, I’m sure is helpful right now.
I’m sure it’s hard to believe the lives those people live. We watched Alan Rickman in a movie just the other day, Quigley Down Under. He plays a marvelous villain in it.
You take care of yourself. Hugs!
We got some rain, but it isn’t too bad. Most of the state is finally out of drought conditions. Of course, we didn’t build any new storage or de-salinization plants the last 10 years or so, and could be back in drought conditions next year. We do have a lot of brand new potholes, though!
This week I mostly filled in holes in the series I’ve been reading:
The Tribune’s Curse by Joh Maddox Roberts; It’s election time in Rome, as usual, and a Crassus, the richest man in Rome is building an army to invade Parthia, despite the objections of just about everybody else. When Crassus leaves Rome, a minor politician curses him, and the city. Decius has to find the man, and a way to lift the curse. A harrowing ordeal and almost getting killed several times doesn’t deter Decius.
Antiques Liquidation by Barbara Collins; When Vivian blackmails an auctioneer into selling some things to her in the middle of the night, murder comes calling. This is one of the weaker books in the series. A little bit of Vivian goes a long way, and they didn’t solve all of the murders, which is a peeve of mine in this genre.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Janice Thompson; It’s election season in Martha’s Vineyard, and there’s a campaign against the oleaginous incumbent. Then the pol’s wife disappears from a ferry. Priscilla investigates, and starts working for the opponent, who puts the moves on her. An illusion of high stakes, and the love triangle make this book stand out from the rest of the series. Somebody gave me 24 of these. Only 15 more to go…
War by Ino Lee; The war with the demons is in full swing. Shaolin is on the defensive, but has several strong allies. Wong the Weapons Master fights alongside monkey men, then goes to the city to find The Chosen One, who is pretending to be a ninja.
Kowabana Volume 9 by Tara A. Devlin; More Japanese ghost stories form the internet.
Glen, I never even heard of Janice Thompson, so I found it really interesting to learn she had at least 24 books. You never know what I’ll learn here. Thank you!
No, no, every book in the Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard Series is by a different author or writing team. I guess that’s how they got so many of them published in a couple of years. There’s a similar companion series based in Cape Cod, too.
Oh, thank you for telling me this!
Am I the only one reading Prince Harry’s SPARE? So far it’s a very sad book, Did you know that Harry was convinced that his mother didn’t die until about ten years later? He and Willy decided she’d gone into hiding to avoid the paps who hounded her mercilessly for photos. Yet at the same time he believed she was dead because he mourned her terribly. The power of the tabloids in the UK is amazing and runs the lives of the monarchy. He and Willy pleaded with Charles not to marry Camilla but she ran a campaign through the tabloids against them and eventually won. I’m just about a quarter of the way through so we’ll see where this goes.
I imagine it’s a sad book, Sandie. I do believe the tabloids have a great deal of power in the UK. It’s just all sad.
I am reading Spare as well. I agree, it is a sad book. Prince Harry had many years of unresolved grief and spend a good portion of his life hiding from it. Anytime he did find happiness, the press would eventually creep in and destroy it. They were downright cruel to Meghan Markel. I have not finished the book yet but I do hope that Prince Harry does find the relatively normal life he so desperately needs and wants.
Today my husband and I are celebrating our 43rd wedding anniversary. That also means we have been living in Santa Barbara for 43 years, because we moved here about 2 months before we got married. We will go to Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, a favorite for decades, for dinner.
Now to reading… I finished two books.
THE BURGLAR WHO LIKED TO QUOTE KIPLING by Lawrence Block: This is the third book in the series starring Bernie Rhodenbarr, who makes his living as a burglar. In this book, he owns an antiquarian bookstore, and his friend Caroline, a dog groomer is introduced. Bernie is hired to steal a very rare book, and in the process gets involved in another crime. This is the standard plot for the books so far. I liked the first two books but I think this one is much better done than the first two. This series is lighter and more humorous than the Matthew Scudder series. I like the characters and the writing. And will read more books as I locate them.
A MIDSUMMER’S EQUATION by Keigo Higashino: This is part of a Japanese mystery series, featuring Manabu Yukawa, a physicist, often referred as “Detective Galileo,” who sometimes consults with police detective Kusanagi on his cases. This is the third one I have read, and it is set in a coastal tourist town which is having economic issues. Yukawa is staying there because of an investigation into the environmental impact of planned mining in the area. I enjoyed the book, thought the characters were very well done, and I cared about what was happening to them, even when it got exceptionally confusing. I am reading this for the Japanese Literature Challenge from January to March, and I plan to read at least one more book by this author during that time.
Tracy, The Bernie Rhodenbarr series has long been a favorite here!
I may well pick up A Midsummer’s Equation. I like Japanese mysteries.
Happy Anniversary, Tracy! 43 years is an accomplishment nowadays. I was married 27 before my husband died, and I know there’s a lot of give and take. Good for both of you!
Someday, I need to read the Bernie Rhodenbarr series.
Happy Anniversary. Tracy. Believe it or not, we’ve been married 52 years.
I’ve had doctor appointments today, so a good excuse for coming in this afternoon. I had to stop by and report that I finished Elly Griffith’s last (at least for a while) Ruth Galloway book, The Last Remains. It was such an amazing read that I’m struggling for words to describe it. I’m not sure how I’ll review it because I absolutely do not want to spoil anything. We fans of the series have waited years for some answers, and we get them, but not until the very end. I stayed up until 4 this morning to finish it. There was no way I could put it down. I’m not even going to add a description of the book here, as some may want to read it without any preamble. The UK edition is out on Jan.31st and the U.S. is out on April 25th.
I’m not sure if I’d finished Where the Guilty Hide by Annette Dashofy by last week’s check-in. It’s Annette’s new series set in Erie, Pennsylvania on Lake Erie, and it’s called the Matthias Honeywell series. Matthias is the detective who is faced with solving a home invasion ring and a murder that occurred in relation to one of the break-ins. I love Annette’s Zoe Chambers series, and I’m going to love this new series, too. Where the Guilty Hide comes out tomorrow.
Next up for me is Hide by Tracy Clark. I hope to get it read by Sunday when I’m taking part in a discussion. I should have read Tracy before now, but this will be my first by her.
I love Tracy Clark’s books, Kathy. I hope you enjoy Hide!