It’s Thursday already? It’s been a hectic week, but I’m ready to talk books with all of you.
Lately, I’ve been picking up books, and putting them down unfinished. That includes several of the books I’ve mentioned here on Thursdays. I just haven’t been in the mood for some of them.
That isn’t the case with David P. Wagner’s latest Rick Montoya Italian Mystery, Best Served Cold. I like this series, set all over Italy, featuring a translator/interpreter. I’m halfway through this August 1 release, so I know I’ll finish this one.
When an old college friend leading a religious tour in Assisi asks interpreter Rick Montoya to fill in for their guide who’s gone missing, Rick is happy to oblige. He’s looking forward to seeing his old friend, and the food and wine of Umbria sound like the perfect reward for a tense translation job he’s just completed for the police in Palermo involving witness testimony against the mafia.
But when the shady tour guide is found dead the next morning under suspicious circumstances, Rick’s relaxing gig turns into an unofficial job assisting the local police inspector with her interviews of the tour group members. Could one of the pious pilgrims be a cold-blooded killer? Or has one of the victim’s many shady dealings finally caught up with him?
For fans of Martin Walker and Donna Leon, BEST SERVED COLD takes readers on a delicious excursion through the Umbrian hills as Rick leads his tour—and the police investigation—to a killer conclusion.
If you haven’t read Wagner’s series, I can recommend it for the atmosphere and the food. Cold Tuscan Stone is the first in the series.
What about you? What are you reading this week?
I’m with you, Lesa. I took two books back to the library because I just didn’t feel like reading them, although I had been looking forward to both. For one I read about 60 pages, the other none. Maybe I’ll try them again later. I did finish three books this week, and here they are:
THE WRONG GOOD DEED by Caroline B. Cooney takes place during one week in South Carolina, focusing on two elderly friends who live in a retirement community. Both have troubled pasts and different names than the ones they were given at birth. Back in the turbulent desegregation days, Muffin left her name behind when she took drastic steps to prevent her husband and his friends from carrying out a heinous crime, running away from him in the process. Clemmie’s past, which isn’t fully explained, resulted in her stealing a dead woman’s name and Social Security Number and pursuing a quiet life as a high school Latin teacher. As the two women try to cope when the result of Muffin’s interference 50 years earlier suddenly come back to haunt them, another senseless tragedy occurs. The book title comes from the central issue–can a good deed be a bad idea when it negatively affects the lives of many people in lasting ways? I found the book depressing and repetitive, and I was unable to connect with Muffin’s character. I wasn’t at all surprised at one of the twists in the story. I understand the author’s last book, Before She Was Helen, which delves into Clemmie’s past, was an Edgar nominee, so perhaps reading that book first might have shed more light and understanding on this book.
Readers who love Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton Mystery series, as I do, need to read her novella, MISTLETOE AND MURDER, to experience the postponed wedding between American antiques dealer Kate and her British detective fiancé, Tom. With just one week until the big event, there are last-minute obstacles–lots of them–to nailing down all of the details of a Christmas wedding, even though Kate’s landlady is acting as their almost military-like wedding planner. At the same time, Kate is shocked by the disappearance of her friend Sheila, who figured prominently in a previous book in the series. Sheila is planning her own second wedding, to take place in Portugal. She is counting on bringing some unexpected cash to the marriage by selling some valuable coins, one of which may have historical value, but she has experienced more than one break-in by others interested in profiting from the coins themselves. Now Sheila is nowhere to be found. Of course, Kate and Tom are on the case, but will they make it to their own wedding and honeymoon? I was hoping for a bit more of the holiday festivities promised in the title and the Amazon summary, but the length of the novella didn’t allow for it. However, I enjoyed spending time with some of my favorite characters and look forward to the next full-length entry in the series. (October)
On the basis of my love for Jackie Fraser’s previous book, The Bookshop of Second Chances, I sought out THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING, and I’m so glad I did. There is something about Fraser’s characters that makes me want to embrace them, even when they are acting in unbelievable ways or when they can’t see themselves as they really are. Both in their mid-forties, Jess and Gethen are escaping from unhealthy (and in Jess’s case, potentially dangerous) relationships. Jess has been living rough in a cemetery, so finding an empty house is a blessing, and she quickly takes a dishwasher job to save for her own living space. But Gethen, who has just bought the house, trustingly allows her to stay in return for her help renovating and decorating the house. And although they develop a friendship which could turn into something more, Jess insists on paying rent, maintaining her status as a lodger, and guarding her emotions. I don’t consider this a romance, but a deeply felt character study. Although Jess has helped Gethen to emerge from his depression, she sadly feels that because of her past experiences, she has nothing to offer him, or anyone. Gethen is a treasure–a very appealing character, but he has a hard time breaking through Jess’s almost impermeable shell. Fraser tells the story in a matter-of-fact style that works perfectly with the plot and the protagonists. I will definitely continue seeking out her books and her quirky and endearing characters. (September)
I’m still not happy, Margie, that the wedding occurred in a mystery that some of Berry’s readers won’t be able to read.
I wonder what made this a difficult reading week for so many of us.
Margie, once again we agree on a book and author. The Beginning of Everything is a book I will be recommending.
This is the first time I can ever remember not finishing at least one book. I had back spasms last Friday and the muscle relaxer the doctor gave me makes it hard to concentrate on a book. Instead we’ve been watching the last season of Doc Martin and the first season of Pie in the Sky. It’s a British show from the 90s about a police detective who wants to retire and open a restaurant. His boss lets him open the restaurant but won’t let him retire and keeps calling him in to solve cases.
This is a good week for indoor activities since we are getting smoke from the Canadian wildfires and the air quality is swinging between unhealthy and hazardous.
Oh, I remember Pie in the Sky, Sandy. I saw a few episodes sometime.
I hope your back is doing better!
Sandy, enjoy! We’ve seen all of the PIE IN THE SKY and DOC MARTIN episodes. Just finished rewatching the second series of HAPPY VALLEY now that the third series is out.
Both Sandi and I very much enjoyed PIE IN THE SKY.
A friend of mine gifted me MISS MORTON AND THE ENGLISH HOUSE PARTY MURDER, knowing that I enjoy historical mysteries. This is the first novel I’ve read by Catherine Lloyd. I wouldn’t call it a cozy because it gets nasty, but it does hold the reader’s interest.
I’m glad you enjoyed Catherine Lloyd’s mystery, Jacqueline. I read several of the Kurland St. Marys mysteries, and just wasn’t a fan. But, this is a different series, and Lloyd does have a background in history.
An unusual spring here with other week of rain and thunderstorms adding to the wettest year recorded in Reno. Water years are measured October through September, so still a few months remaining.
Started off the week with Emily Pennington’s FERAL subtitled Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks. The author combined travelog and memoir of her year long trip to sixty-two National Parks. Unfortunately, the year was 2020, so a pandemic & wildfires along with her emotional issues and a bad case of strep made for more angst less Parks than I anticipated.
DEATH AND CROISSANTS is the first of the Follet Valley Mysteries, cozy mysteries featuring Richard Ainsworth, a retired film historian, would-be author and co-owner of a bed and breakfast in France. First published in GB in 2021, published in US this year. Richard had settled into his not-so-exciting life when a guest disappears. The outraged & outrageous maid, Madame Tablier, discovers a bloody handprint. Valerie, a very attractive and determined guest, seems intent on finding out what happened. Movie references are sprinkled throughout giving the cozy its own niche.
HIDE: A Detective Harriet Foster Thriller by Tracy Clark, the first book in a new police procedural series. Introduced here in December and reviewed again by Kevin in April. I agree with those reviews about it being a well-written police procedural, but neither mentioned the totally creepy antagonist(s) the author created.
I’m about half way through THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon.
The story features Christopher, an autistic fifteen-year-old boy. Mathematically-gifted and a Sherlock Holmes fan, he decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor’s dog.
I don’t think I mentioned the creepy antagonists when I reviewed Tracy Clark’s Hide, either, MM. I enjoyed the police procedural part more than the antagonists.
I’ve never read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
I don’t think I mentioned them as I felt that to do so would be a spoiler. I try very hard not to give spoilers.
Her next in the series comes out in December.
You’re right, Kevin. It would have given too much away.
I won two books that I didn’t like and I said why in my reviews. Now need to review a box of posters that I got for $1.00 but sells for $110.00 Not excited about it. I may be exaggerating but it seems to weigh a ton! I am going to take to my scales later! Anyway, it is supposed to be the whole bible on 100 posters! There is some blurb on the reverse of the poster. The thing is that a lot of the posters seem lackluster to me!
On the brighter side, I am reading Drizzled With Death by Jessie Crockett. It is cozy but so for the main character who is starting a green maple sugar business does not seem very interested in who killed the victim. But I am still enjoying it. A goofy thing happened. some exotic animals got out and this New Hampshire, so people are worried about their survival-both animal and human survival. There is a wonderful scene with the main character and a sloth that had me laughing and picturing it. Not done with it but I highly recommend for majoring in comic relief.
I never saw so many of us in one week talking about books we didn’t like, or books we couldn’t get into, Carol.
I’m glad you found one, Drizzled With Death, that you could enjoy.
Only one book this week. Homecoming by Kate Morton. It was excellent. It starts out with a murder of a mother and her 3 children in Australia in 1959 and then jumps to 2018 with the victim’s great niece returning to Australia from London when her grandmother falls ill. She uncovers the family tragedy reading a true crime book written about it. I just loved everything about this. The lyrical writing, the characters, the layered story. It was simply terrific.
Much needed rain for the weekend coming but we’ve enjoyed afternoons on our courtyard with mid 70` weather.
Happy reading!
Only one book this week. Homecoming by Kate Morton. It was excellent. It starts out with a murder of a mother and her 3 children in Australia in 1959 and then jumps to 2018 with the victim’s great niece returning to Australia from London when her grandmother falls ill. She uncovers the family tragedy reading a true crime book written about it. I just loved everything about this. The lyrical writing, the characters, the layered story. It was simply terrific.
Much needed rain for the weekend coming but we’ve enjoyed afternoons on our courtyard with mid 70` weather.
Happy reading!
I am not sure why this posted twice and I have no clue how to delete it. Sorry!
Don’t worry about it, Sharon. I did want to comment on Homecoming, though. Enormous book, so congratulations on that “one” book. My mother is a big fan of Kate Morton’s books. I think she’s read everything Morton wrote.
Oh, I loved Homecoming. I think it might be Kate Morton’s very best
I suppose you’ve heard about (or seen on the news) our hideous and dangerous weather yesterday. The Air Quality Index (0-500) is considered Unhealthy at anything over 200. Once you get to 300+ it is HAZARDOUS to your health. At one point yesterday we were at 413! We went out and you could SEE and SMELL and TASTE the air, which cannot be good. Masks helped somewhat, but it gave me a headache and a cough. We drove to the store and home. It was an apocalyptic looking sky. Today is “only” st 209, still Unhealthy, but it looks a lot better and as supposed to improve the next couple of days, as it moves farther south and west of us. Be careful if it comes your way!
/end weather apocalypse report
Haven’t had that much reading time lately, and I’ve felt too scattered to read a lot, which is unfortunately as book after book has been popping up at the library, either for a Kindle download or at the local branch. I ddid download James R> Benn’s colleciion, THE REFUSAL CAMP, and read a story yesterday. Also downloaded Anne Hillerman’s latest Leaphorn/Chee/Manuelito book, THE WAY OF THE BEAR, but I haven’t even looked at it yet. And I won’t for a while, as this morning I got a notice to download the S. A> Cosby book, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED. Yay! That goes to the top of the list.
I did finished the Pronzini/Malzberg collection I was reading. Also downloaded and read the latest Linda Castillo/Amish novella, HALLOWED GROUND, where bones from long-buried bodies start turning up. I finally got back to T. J. Newman’s FALLING yesterday and hope to finish it quickly so I can get to the Cosby. And I have several things in transit to the library, including CAMERA GIRL about Jackie Kennedy in Washington before she got married.
Jackie finished the J. R> Ward and is reading an Eve Duncan book by Iris Johansen, A FACE TO DIE FOR.
We also saw a show last weekend – KIMBERLY AKIMBO, which was very good. And Saturday we have another – ROCK & ROLL MAN, about Alan Freed, featuring the music of the day. Plus next Wednesday is FUNNY GIRL at last.
Now I’ll go back and rad all of your comments. Stay safe out there!
You and Jackie stay safe, Jeff! That weather sounds awful. My niece and nephew, one in VA and one in Boston, called my Mom yesterday for her birthday, and they were both telling her about the awful air.
I hate to say this, but if you’re having a hard time getting into a book, wait until you read All the Sinners Bleed. Then, nothing will seem as good.
I can’t wait to hear what you and Jackie think of Funny Girl.
Thanks for the tip about the Anne Hillerman book!
I’m working on FATAL FUDGE SWIRL by Meri Allen, the third in her Ice Cream Shop Mysteries. So far it’s good. We’re still in the set up stages, but I’m enjoying it. I’m about 10% into the book, but hoping to get further today.
That’s good, Mark. I’m glad someone is enjoying books this week!
We have been under Ozone Action Day alerts for three plus weeks straight with our air quality straying above 100–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups— every afternoon. One day last week we were 175 which is Unhealthy for All. We are getting some smoke from Canada as well as smoke from Mexico and Central America as they burn land to plant crops. That with very light winds is a bad combo. We have had pop up storms every afternoon for several days now and all we are getting here in NE Dallas is thunder. It is like the damn late night tv ads for food–all tease.
The ransomware attack crap continues. The librarians know nothing regarding what is being done–if anything– to get them back up and running. Allegedly, vital city services such as police and fire are all back to normal. The city is claiming that, but the posts in my NextDoor feed indicate a far different situation.
I have not read that much this week as some things have been going on here. The current read is THE BITTER PAST by Bruce Borgas. Lesa pointed it out to me on NetGalley awhile back and told me she thought it was in my wheelhouse. I put in for it, got it, and am enjoying the heck out of it. This police procedural comes out net month.
KRT in Big D
Oh, good, Kevin! I’m glad you’re enjoying The Bitter Past. It did sound like a book you would like.
That ransomware attack is terrible. I can’t imagine being a reader without access to NetGalley and Libby, someone dependent only on the library.
You and Scott stay indoors, and stay safe.
Under the gun for severe weather today–safe so far– and wanted to mention that I finished THE BITTER PAST late yesterday. Incredible book. Hope this is going to be a series. Still have to write the review.
Big time thank you, Lesa, for pointing me to it. Great read.
You’re welcome, Kevin! I hadn’t read the book yet, but thought the setting and premise sounded like something you’d enjoy. Feels like a series, doesn’t it?
The Canadian wildfires have been affecting us in the NC mountains as well. Weather index is Code Red and we can even smell it in the house.
I join those of you who can’t seem to settle into a book this week so I have immersed myself in a re-read of Nora Roberts’ Dragon Heart Trilogy. The Awakening is a balm for the senses. The descriptive phrases are beautiful and calming and comforting and have me wishing for Ireland and kind people.
Oh, Kaye. That’s terrible that you can even smell the smoke in your house.
We’ll all get back to reading eventually, but at least we can talk about comfort books.
I have been sick most of this week, starting Friday, so my reading has slowed to a crawl. I haven’t finished a book in the last week. I have had a lot of fatigue and occasional stomach problems lately. On Friday I felt so bad by late afternoon that Glen took me to the Emergency Room. My symptoms were similar to when I had the bleeding ulcer 6 years ago (and was hospitalized). I am glad to say it is not a bleed ulcer. I saw my regular doctor yesterday and I will take some medication for excess stomach acid for a month and see her again after that, and I am optimistic that all will be fine.
I am reading THE MITFORD MURDERS by Jessica Fellowes and I am liking it a lot. I had some reservations before starting it (might be too cozy for me, not sure about so many real life characters in a novel, etc.) but I have gotten immersed in the book.
I sympathize with all the people affected by smoke from the Canadian wildfires. In Santa Barbara we have experienced that a lot of times over the years. In December of 2017, the city college I worked at closed for two weeks due to ash and smoke in the air, and I spent as much of that two weeks as possible indoors. My husband’s work did not shut down and he had to out most days.
Tracy, It’s good to know you’ve seen your regular doctor, and that you don’t have a bleeding ulcer. Take care of yourself.
This seems to have been a bad week for reading for many of us for some reason. At least you’re liking The Mitford Murders.
Hi everyone, I missed last week so I’ll cover two weeks worth of reading. It’s been a little slow for me, too. I thoroughly enjoyed The Poisoner’s Ring by Kelley Armstrong (second in a series Lesa has recommended here, about a 21st century police detective stuck in Victorian Edinburgh). It took me a while to get into No Life for a Lady by Hannah Dolby but as the character got to know herself and the world more the book got better. I can’t decide if the clunky opening parts are a deliberate choice, mirroring the protagonist’s state.
I also finally dove into Never Name the Dead by D.M. Rowell. The character here was also pretty unsettled at the beginning, and it felt like she and the plot floundered around a bit. Again as the protagonist gained a better sense of herself and the job at hand the book improved.
On the nonfiction side I finished up Blood and Ink, about a famous murder and the rise of tabloid journalism, for a book club and started listening to Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I like the way she tells stories and uses them to support her argument about how our relationship with the natural world, especially plants, should be reciprocal, not just extractive.
I also tried to listen to Do Hard Things by Steve Magness. The premise of the book, that we have the wrong ideas about what it means to be tough, is interesting to me but his lens felt too narrow.
Weatherwise my area had the worst air quality in the nation last night as a result of the Canadian wildfires. Today is a tiny bit better but nowhere near good.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, is speaking for our library next month, Trish. It’s part of an on-going speaker series.
Stay inside! Stay safe, as I told Jeff. That air quality sounds horrid.
I am happy you enjoyed The Poisoner’s Ring. It did take a little time to get into that one as well.
Greetings from the smoky DC area where it’s Code Red and we can see and taste the air. I went out to a medical appointment this morning and came back coughing and feeling worse than before I ventured into the haze. The loss of homes and precious forest to the flames is heartbreaking.
I’m still having trouble finding much fiction that interests me, but I was blown away by S.A. Cosby’s All the Sinners Bleed. Outstanding work that rises far above the average crime novel. I would love to see this book on bestseller lists.
I agree with you, Sandra. All the Sinners Bleed deserves to be on bestseller lists, more than some books that make it. It’s an outstanding book. It’s definitely on my favorites list of the year, along with Dennis Lehane’s Small Mercies.
We’ve been having thunder storms. Haven’t had weather like this since the Clinton administration. We’ve been having smoky weather almost every year for 5 years now, at least. Seems like they want everybody to be wearing masks again..
This week I read:
Tiny House, Big mystery by MZ Potts; Somebody is murdered, but there is no mystery or investigation. At least there’s some tiny houses.
Turkey Flambe by Nancy Fairbanks; Sounds like a good way to get salmonella, if you ask me, but somebody is murdered, and our celebrity chef/sleuth has to clear her name.
The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly; Bosch and Co. solve a murder during the pandemic. Saying Follow the Science unironically almost made me hurl.
The Last Songbird by Daniel Weizmann; Or Tuesday, The Rabbi’s idiot nephew listened to Fleetwood Mack. When a 70 year old songstress is murdered, her Lyft driver investigates. This is possibly the most self conscious Jewish book I’ve read not authored by Kemelman.
Glen, I have to say I’m not impressed with any of your books this week. I don’t think many of us had a good reading week this time.
I hope we all do better next week.
Thankfully this time eastern Washington state has not had bad air quality from wildfires. Everyone here, though, thinks it is so ironic that the smoke in the east is getting so much press when we didn’t under similar conditions two (I think) years ago.
Several good suggestions for my reading list, thanks. I had not heard about the Connie Berry novella and I am anxious to read it.
Like several of you, I have started and quit many books in the past few weeks. Then I read one I loved, AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND by Lucy Connelly. I loved the characters and the small town life. I did think a couple of the charaters were over the top (how did Ewan run a business and spend so much time with Emilia?) and I guessed the bad guy part way through but I still enjoyed it. I looked to see if the author had written any other books but it looks like this is her first mystery.
I just started BONES UNDER THE ICE by Mary Ann Miller and I really like it so far. I have THE PHYSICIST’S DAUGHTER on order – had to buy it, none of my libraries has it and am looking forward to her new one after I finish it.
But, you know the media only cares about the east, Cindy.
I’m so glad some of you enjoyed An American in Scotland. Just a little different.
I just started in print “Killing Me” by Michelle Gagnon and “Hard rain” by Samantha Jayne Allen (loved her first Annie McIntyre book). On audio, I am listening to “The Museum of Ordinary People” by Mike Gayle, loving it so much!
I hope you enjoy Hard Rain, Katherine.
Finished American in Scotland I think is the name. Am not home, but in Louisville so can’t check but it was really good. Reading The Last Lifeboat now. Just started it. Came from my aunt😊
I’ll be interested to see what you think of The Last Lifeboat, Carol Jeanne. What are you doing in Louisville?