It was a much better week here, weather-wise, and I had good reading time as well. I hope you did, too!
I’m finally getting around to reading a book I’ve wanted to read for a while, the latest Sheriff Samuel Craddock mystery by Terry Shames, Guilt Strikes at Granger’s Store. I finished a book for review today, so I’m only about thirty-five pages into this one. But, Kevin R. Tipple reviewed it here in October. And, my editor at Library Journal picked it as one of the top mysteries of 2023. So, until I have a chance to finish and review it, you can check out Kevin’s review. http://tinyurl.com/473xkjur Thank you, Kevin.
What about you? What are you reading this week? We’d all love to know!
Hello, all! I just finished and reviewed my fourth book of the week–in time to include it and to finish off the month.
Having read only Nora Roberts’ last (fantasy) trilogy and the first book of her new trilogy, I wasn’t sure what to expect of her new standalone, MIND GAMES. So I was surprised to find a unique combination of an idyllic rural setting and intense trauma that kept me reading compulsively to the end. Thea and Rem are 12 and 10 when their lives change forever. Although they love spending two weeks each summer with their grandmother in rural Kentucky, they find themselves moving there permanently when their parents die tragically at the hands of a crazed 18-year-old man. Thea suddenly discovers that she is able to see into the murderer’s mind and to give the police enough detailed information that they are able to to apprehend him quickly and send him to a maximum security prison for the rest of his life. But that’s just the beginning of the story. The murderer is also able to see into Thea’s mind, and they become locked in a mental struggle to defeat each other that physically drains both . I admire the way the author follows the siblings through college, into their careers, and even into romantic connections. The way that Thea engages the killer is fascinating and sometimes difficult to read–a fierce good vs. evil battle. But it is also the engaging secondary characters that make this a memorable read. Lucy, who shares Thea’s “talent” to a lesser degree, is the ultimate nurturing grandmother. Rem develops into a lively, supportive brother, and Ty, a former rock star, and his adorable young son make all of their lives richer. And who doesn’t love a huge dog who loves everyone back? My only quibble is that I would have liked more development of Ty’s relationship with Thea to lend authenticity to events late in the book. (May)
A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE, fifth in Daryl Wood Gerber’s delightful Fairy Garden Mystery series, has all of the elements that I love about these charming books. Courtney, owner of the Open Your Imagination fairy garden shop, specializes in teaching her customers how to make their own fairy gardens. I can’t get enough of the descriptions of the figures of fairies, humans, and animals that she sells, along with tiny buildings, water features, and other objects that make the fairy garden–and the client’s chosen plants–come alive. You don’t have to believe in fairies to enjoy this series, although one of the plots involves Fiona, a “righteous fairy’ who may eventually be the next fairy queen, and who lives with Courtney. Fiona has spent a month in the fairy realm but has returned with her sister to teach her some lessons the current queen has commanded. Most people can’t see fairies, of course, but a few of Courtney’s human friends have “opened their heart” enough to view them. There is a mystery to be solved as well, and this time, one of Courtney’s friends has been murdered after taking her influencer job too seriously, stooping to criticize in print) and anger even her friends and their businesses. More mayhem ensues, as Courtney tries to help identify the culprit and motive. But I was most interested in the details of beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea, the local Summer Blooms Festival, the lives of Courtney and her fellow entrepreneurs, her delightful cat, and a healthy portion of magical realism (April)
What intrigues me about OFF THE AIR is what feels like an inside look at TV investigative reporters, balancing humdrum “news” and less-than-challenging assigned projects with breaking stories that catch the attention of news stations beyond the Phoenix, Arizona area. And the fact that author Christina Estes is herself a Phoenix investigative reporter lends authenticity to the story. It doesn’t matter that Jolene Garcia doesn’t undergo much character development throughout the book. What makes the plot memorable is that we see her insinuating herself into every possible situation and trying to interview every person of interest, while negotiating with a high-level law enforcement officer for tidbits that will thrill her boss by clinching exclusives, and interacting with followers on social media at the insistence of management. It’s interesting to see how competing reporters garner their own exclusives–some with their sex appeal. The case they are covering is the murder of a recently retired conservative radio host who is beloved to many followers but hated by some with their own agendas. It all makes for an absorbing, exciting read that kept me in suspense and thoroughly entertained me. (March)
If you’ve read any Connie Willis, you might suspect (correctly) that THE ROAD TO ROSWELL is about a road trip like no other. Unless, of course, you think it’s normal that a young woman on the way to her friend’s wedding, a con man selling abduction insurance, a sweet, elderly gambling addict, an obnoxious, know-it-all UFO believer, and a cowboy movie enthusiast would willingly spend time in a vehicle with an alien that looks like a tumbleweed made up of multiple tentacles. And although none of them was actually willing to be abducted by an alien, things take a Stockholm Syndrome-like turn as they try to find a way to effectively communicate with “Indy” and discover why he seems to need their help. It’s a convoluted story filled with suspense, humor, and a cast of quirky characters. Personally, I would have cut it down by at least 50 pages (it is repetitive) and eliminated an unnecessary, unconvincing romance, but I am always entertained by what Connie Willis writes, and I recommend it for science fiction fans who like a dash of whimsy in their stories.
You liked Off the Air more than I did, Margie. I wanted to like it – Hillerman Award winner, Arizona author. I didn’t care for the main character.
I didn’t expect to like Off the Air, Lesa, because the average rating from NetGalley readers was 3. So I was surprised to find I really did enjoy it.
Margie, Jackie says that unless it is about something she finds interesting – firefighters, Alaska – she finds those Nora Roberts stand alones to be too dark for her taste.
I turned down a Nora Roberts standalone, Jeff. Like Jackie, I find them too dark.
Who would have thought that Mind Games was such a popular title, even a series. Or rather that Nora Roberts wouldn’t have something unique? But I found it and placed my hold. Thanks Margie
I also have a hold in for Off The Air, hopefully I’ll like that as much as you did.
Margie, as so often happens, we agree on one of the books you mention ( Nora Roberts), and I’m adding two to my list to read (Daryl Wood Gerber and Connie Willis).
This week I managed to read:
The Double A Detective Agency by Steve Hockensmith; Old Red and Big Red go to New Mexico to help their first clients, only to find themselves in the middle of a range war. Hock tries to insert some literary stuff that doesn’t necessarily make sense.
Beastly Things by Donna Leon; A body is found in the canals, but Inspector Brunetti is more worried about the destructive effects of cows.
Antiques Foe by Barbara Allan; The Bourne girls are back at it again, only this time Vivian is the primary suspect. I hope they never get Vivian’s medication right.
Dying for a Decoration by Cindy Sample; Laurel starts the holiday season t loose ends, but soon enough she has her hands full with a part in a play, a new client, her daughter back from college, and her nonagenarian grandmother’s new, much younger boyfriend. She’ll be happy if she can ring in the new year!
Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child; Jeremy Logan is at a retreat to write an academic paper nobody will read, when he gets sucked into a mystery involving full moon murders. An old fashioned werewolf story with some modern dressing.
Death By Dumpling by Vivien Chien; Finally found the first book in this excellent series. There’s really a bit too much world building, but you can see why the series has caught on.
Fury by Jim Austin; Old fashioned western about a frontiersman guilted into taking over as captain of a wagon train, complete with a school marm and a card sharp. I was surprised he didn’t break into song at regular intervals.
Glen, I’ve rarely read any of the books you mention, but your comments make me laugh so much – especially that last one about the frontiersman who could’ve burst into song at any moment. Also the very succinct summary of the Donna Leon novel!
I’ve seldom read the books Glen reviews either, Rosemary, but I do enjoy those comments.
Glen, It sounds as if Vivien Chien’s cozy series is satisfying. I may have to look for Death by Dumpling.
And, you made me laugh today with your comment about Barbara Allan’s book, you hope they never get Vivian’s medication right.
Thank you for the humor first thing in the morning.
Glen, as much as I enjoy – generally – Max Collins’s books, I can’t read the Barbara Allen stuff. The mother is fingernails on the blackboard to me.
Glen, you seriously crack me up. Thank you!
I’m currently 2/3 of the way through DM ME FOR MURDER, the third in a series from Sarah E. Burr about a social media influencer. This time, an even bigger influencer has come to town and wound up dead. I’m enjoying at as always.
I recently finished THE SECRETS WE KEEP by Liz Milliron. This is the fifth in her Homefront Mysteries, set in Buffalo during WWII. This is another series I always enjoy, and this book was great as well.
I don’t know if I’ve ever read a series set in Buffalo, Mark. I’ll have to look for that one.
Wow, got up in the middle of the night and there was your post!
Going through the last of my unread books!
Finished Tiananmen Square last night, one of my son’s books that he left here when he returned to China for his job. It is a book by two reporters and reports the background and history of the uprising that was famous for a while worldwide and squelched by the leadership. It was a shock to the government that it would happen and a shock to the people who demonstrated in the square that their own army would kill them! It was such a fragile movement and not likely to happen again while people were still living to remember the bloodshed. Of course, my son could not take it back with him!
Also, I accidentally bought a Kindle book online and it was too late to return it. So, I am struggling to read it on my laptop. My eyes like paper books so much more. It is One Was a Soldier by Julia Spenser Fleming. I have only read the first chapter but is good.
I do try to post it for early in the morning, Carol, knowing the west coast readers might respond then. I don’t get around to reading it until 8 AM or so.
I can see why your son could net take Tiananmen Square back with him. It doesn’t sound as if it’s an easy book to read.
I’m listening to THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE, the second in Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club Series.” So far (about 1/4 of the way in), I’m caught up by the plot, the pace, the clever writing, and my strong interest in the four main characters, who live in an independent living community. If I were forced to decide now, I’d say I’ll read the next two books in the series, too.
Before going to sleep, I’m rereading Dorothy Sayers’ THE NINE TAYLORS. I’ve read all the Lord Peter Wimsey books many times; MURDER MUST ADVERTISE and GAUDY NIGHT are my favorites, but The Nine Taylors is a great pleasure, too.
Kim, The Nine Tailors is one of my favourite Dorothy Sayers’ novels. I find it so much more interesting than the terminally dull Five Red Herrings. I have Gaudy Night on my shelf – I think I did read it years ago but it’s due a re-read.
Kim, I really think the fourth in the Osman series is the best. I hope you get around to it.
Good morning from a sunny-ish Scotland.
It’s been cold and VERY windy here, but apart from that the sun has mostly shone – and no snow or ice, which is the main thing.
On Monday a friend and I walked, with her little border terrier, at the Crathes Castle policies. It was a fine day but so cold – when I got home it took me about 2 hours (and a cup of tea + two chocolate biscuits…) to thaw out.
Tuesday Nancy and I walked at the Blackhall Fisheries. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and the Dee looked absolutely magnificent. On this section of the river there are rocky areas which send the water crashing down quite spectacularly. Although it was cold, it did give you hope that spring is coming at last.
And yesterday my friend Karen and I were planning to do a walk, but it was SO windy that we decided just to go to the Mains of Drum garden centre and have a cup of tea instead. We had not met since before Christmas so it was great to catch up. Like many of my friends Karen is retiring this year, and she cannot wait. It does make me realise what an easy life I have had since I left the Cathedral at the beginning of the first lockdown – it’s great being a free agent, and I have never for one second been bored.
The 52 Book Club 2024 Challenge is continuing to improve my reading rate. I got through 11 books in January, which I know isn’t many for plenty of you, but for me it’s something of a record. Last week I read:
SUPER-INFINITE: THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF JOHN DONNE by Katherine Rundell. I studied Donne for A-level, so I knew a bit about him already. This book won the 2022 Baillie Gifford prize for non-fiction, and the author is a Fellow of All Souls, Oxford (ie she’s a very successful academic) but I’m sorry to say I found Super-Infinite rather superficial. It didn’t tell me much I hadn’t known before, and I am no Donne scholar. I also didn’t appreciate her rather tricksy style. But she’s had lots of 5* reviews (though also some negative ones), so what do I know? I think part of the problem is that there simply isn’t that much known about Donne, and I felt at times she was drawing conclusions without any tangible evidence to support them.
LEAVING ALEXADRIA: A MEMOIR OF FAITH AND DOUBT by Richard Holloway, which I mentioned last week. I gave this one five stars and would recommend it. A fascinating and very honest man.
CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas. This is the prequel to THE HATE U GIVE, which I have not read, nor have I seen the film. I thought this novel was brilliant.
It’s narrated by Maverick, a young black man from a housing scheme called Garden Heights, in an unnamed (I think) American city. (Thomas lives in Jackson, Mississippi, so it could be based on that.) Maverick is still at school, but mainly living his life on the edge of the city’s gang culture – his father is in prison, and advised him to join a gang for his own protection. Also in the gang is his older cousin Dre, who is the best role model he has. Maverick is dealing drugs. Dre has given all of this up as he is now a father.
When Maverick discovers that he too has fathered a baby – by the girlfriend of another gang member – his life is upended. The baby’s mother, who has problems of her own, dumps the 3 month old child on Maverick and his hardworking mother. Suddenly Maverick has a father’s responsibilities at the age of 17. How he copes with this forms the backbone of the book, but it also focuses on the local community, the tough-love support they give him, and the relationship he has with his more affluent girlfriend. When two more pivotal events happen, Maverick must work out his own way to manage his life, and to make decisions that are not always easy.
Concrete Rose gives a voice to people who are rarely allowed to speak up. As a YA book it also tells young black men that their stories are worth hearing. But it’s no polemic, it’s a page turner of a novel (I read it in two days) with wonderful characters who are never cliched, but rather have real depth and nuance.
On my solitary walks I’ve been listening to THE MOOKSE AND THE GRIPES podcast, which is always so interesting, and a hundred times better than any other book podcast I have tried.
Paul and Trevor are so well read, so modest, and so good at talking about books. They are especially keen on NYRB books, which we don’t really get here, and a couple of other publishers, but they read very widely. This week they were talking about books featuring holidays. I love these themed episodes, and it’s always interesting to me to see how different other people’s choices are. I started to think of the books I would have chosen, and we had only one in common – RC Sherriff’s wonderful THE FORTNIGHT IN SEPTEMBER (republished by Persephone) – so I got lots of new ideas this week, plenty to add to my groaning TBR lists. I might even do a post about holidays in books myself, it’s such a fun topic.
The English blogger Jacqui Wine recently did a post about hotels and boarding houses in novels; we did, perhaps predictably, have some ideas in common, but I still got some great new suggestions.
I also listened to an episode of DESERT ISLAND DISCS with Patrick Grant, one of the hosts of THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE. He has been an entrepreneur and businessman for many years, though he did his degree in materials science (which he said has been very useful in the tailoring business he rescued from insolvency and also the textile mill that he bought and turned around.)
He was a very good interviewee/castaway. He said that when Covid arrived and no one had enough PPE, he realised that there were thousands of households all over the country with sewing machines, and suggested to the Westminster government that he could harness this resource and get everyone at home making masks and protective suits for doctors and nurses.
The government refused to listen, instead giving out very valuable contracts to their Tory friends, none of whom knew the first thing about PPE (one ran a chain of pubs, another was the disgraced peer, Michelle Mone) most of whom never produced a single shred of equipment, but still walked away with the cash. Meanwhile, said Patrick, ‘doctors were having to wear their pyjamas to work.’
He also chose some great music, including a version of My Heart is in the Highlands by Else Torp and Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (it’s on YouTube I think) and Young Fathers’ stunning ‘I saw.’
On TV I finished re-watching THE LONG SHADOW, which was really excellent.
Then I started to watch TRIGGER POINT (starring Vicky McLure of LINE OF DUTY fame) but I had to stop after ten minutes as it was just too stressful for late night viewing. It’s about a bomb disposal expert in London. I will go back to it as it’s had good reviews.
And now I must go into town. One of the things I want to do is buy tickets for Ballet Rambert’s DEATH TRAP, ‘A meta dance comedy, full of the turbulence of life and death.’
I hope everyone has a good week.
Rosemary
Rosemary, Thank you for continuing to share bits of your life, reading, and appreciation of the arts with all of us.
It’s a shame the government didn’t listen to Patrick Grant. It sounds as if he had practical ideas for helping during the pandemic.
I only retired five months ago, but I’m so happy that I did. It was time. Like you, I haven’t had time to be bored.
Rosemary, we just watched THE DROWNING (2021) because we wanted to see what Rupert Penry-Jones was up to 20 years after SPOOKS (MI-5 here), but it was stupider as it went along. The first two episodes were watchable, the last two were idiotic. If you haven’t watched it, don’t, is my recommendation.
Thanks for the warning Jeff!
Thanks for your review Rosemary and I always love hearing about your walks. Just put the audio version of LEAVING ALEXADRIA on hold. I too walk everyday and if I’m walking alone I listen to either a book or podcast.
It’s a great way to walk, isn’t it Susan?
I didn’t know there was an audio version of Leaving Alexandria. I wonder who reads it? Maybe Richard Holloway himself?
Yes Rosemary, it is read by the author. I’ll let you know if it’s any good.
It should be, he is a great public speaker, so fingers crossed!
According to Amazon, Holloway does read it, Rosemary.
Good morning. It was finally nice enough last Saturday that we were able to get out for a walk last Saturday. Of course then it was chilly and rainy when we went to the outdoor farm market on Sunday.
I didn’t read anything that I really enjoyed this week.
ARTIFICIAL CONDITION by Martha Wells is the second book in her murderbot series about a rouge security bot. It’s a popular series but I’m not really sure why.
MISLAID IN PARTS HALF-KNOWN by Seanan McGuire. It’s the latest in her Wayward Children series about children who don’t fit in and find their way through doors into other worlds. This one was more about wrapping up threads from previous books than telling a new story.
YELLOW FOG by Les Daniels. Probably the most boring vampire story I’ve ever read.
Well, Sandy, it sounds as if the highlight of your week was the walk on Saturday. I’m sorry that the weather and your books didn’t cooperate for the rest of the week.
Hi all, it has been a good reading week. This morning I finished up NO TWO PERSONS by Erica Bauermeister, which I had learned about here either in a post or a comment. I am so glad I read it. At first I thought it was kind of thin but then all the layers slowly accreted into something wonderful and lovely. All of the individual stories were good, and I relished how Theo’s story in the book they were all engaged with unfolded as I read.
I also read a charming gay hockey romance by Rachel Reid, A TIME TO SHINE, that had more emotional depth than I was expecting. And it had a really fantastic depiction of consent.
MIDNIGHT AT THE CHRISTMAS BOOKSHOP was really good too. Nonfiction wise I am still listening to Rachel Maddow’s really nonfiction book about fascism in the US in the run-up to WWII, PREQUEL, and took another look at the book about wealth in Western civilization that kiddo got me for Christmas.
Hi Trisha,
I know Kaye Wilkinson Barley loved No Two Persons, and talked about it here before I read it. I liked it, but didn’t love it as much as she did. Perhaps I had a harder time putting the characters together.
Always great to hear someone had a good reading week!
I’ve found myself reading a lot more non fiction early in the year, as I’ve read some very good books this past month. (And I think I have another one coming up.)
Last Thursday I finished The Upstairs Delicatessen, as mentioned last week, by Dwight Garner, a book I really enjoyed. He mentioned and recommended a lot of other books in his book about eating and reading, but the one that struck a chord with me was Tommy Tomlinson’s The Elephant in the Room: One Fat Man’s Attempt to Get Smaller in a Growing America (2019). Tomlinson wrote for the Charlotte Observer for 23 years and has continued in journalist, mostly sports these days. He has been fat all his life, topping out when he starts this book in 2015 at 460 pounds. He talks about his life, his family, what his life as a fat boy and man has been like,. He is clearly a smart, caring person who has issues with himself, and he sets out to try and change himself and his attitude as the year covered in the book goes on. It’s beautifully written and I would recommend it highly. (Hint: he seems to have finally gotten a handle on things by the end.) He has a new book coming out in April about the Westminster Dog Show called Dogland.
SHort stories. I’ve been reading a collection of pulpish stories by Gil Brewer called Death Comes Last: The Rest of the Fifties, which is self-explanatory.
Also reading two mysteries at once (as I do, foolishly) – Stephen Spotswood’s fourth Parker & Pentecost book, <b?Murder Crossed Her Mind, which starts with Will Parker in Coney Island, getting a new tattoo on her inner thigh. I really like these books, set just after World War II, and the atmosphere is as good and believable as always here. The other book I started (which I am reading more slowly whenever I get a break from the other) is David Mark’s Hull-set The Dark Winter, first (2011) in his Sgt. Aector McEvoy series, as the hulking but sensitive cop tries to solve a series of killings at Christmas.
Unfortunately, as tends to happen, several library books popped up almost at once, and I need to get to the new Caz Frear book too, Five Bad Deeds Plus, I got Kelley Armstrong’s time travel mystery, A Rip Through Time, which Jackie is reading and enjoying now. It is set largely in 1869 Edinburgh and is the first in a trilogy. Plus I got a new collection of stories I haven’t even opened yet, which I just noticed on my Kindle! This is Allegra Goodman’s The Family Markowitz.
The non fiction I was looking forward to, which just came yesterday, is Adam Kay’s This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Young Doctor, which has already been turned into a successful British TV show.
So, plenty of reading to get through. And the weather has been better – if cooler – this week. Stay safe out there!
Thanks to you, Jeff, I picked up The Upstairs Delicatessen at the library. Lucy Burdette mentioned on Jungle Red Writers (https://www.jungleredwriters.com/) today that she’s currently reading it, too.
I’ll be interested to see what you think of A Rip Through Time. It doesn’t surprise me that Jackie likes it. I’m not so sure about you.
It’s a good time for nonfiction, isn’t it? Enjoy your weather & books!
Jeff, I looked for The Upstairs Delicatessen in our library catalogue but predictably it wasn’t there, so I’ve added it to my Amazon wish list, it looks great.
I’ve also bookmarked The Dark Winter.
I’ve read the Adam Kay book, it’s very good but be warned, it is at times very graphic – especially towards the end. I wouldn’t read it just before dinner! It’s a very honest account of the utter mess our health system finds itself in, thanks to the endless financial cuts imposed by Westminster. Quite frightening really. I think the NHS is faring slightly better in Scotland, but everything’s relative and it’s still not great.
I have just flown through the first 4 DI Adam Fawley books by British author Cara Hunter. They are very well written police procedurals with a strong supporting secondary cast of officers. I had seen the first book at my library for a year or so but I think I was confusing the author with Cara Black and thought I’d already read it. Anyway, I was so glad I picked it up. Cara Hunter is a bestselling author in the UK and her books are just now being released in the US. I ordered the fifth book in the series from a UK bookseller because I don’t want to wait.
Weather wise it’s sunny and brisk here in Williamsburg, VA. I’m off to take my morning walk with a friend while the sun shines.
I need to get out in the sunshine this afternoon as well, Susan. It’s a rare treat this time of year.
I have the fourth DI Adam Fawley book coming my way, with promises of the fifth and sixth as they’re printed. And, I’ll be doing an interview with Cara Hunter sooner or later, as well.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the books!
I enjoyed THE SPOON STEALER by Lesley Crewe. Emmeline Darling is 74 and lonely so she joins a memoir writing class at her local library. We learn about her adventures where she sails from Nova Scotia to England when her brother was gassed in WWII. He always carried a leather pouch that included a small sppon because most people require just a spoonful of kindness. I loved Emmeline, her group of writing buddies, and her dog, Vera. This was humorous and touching and pretty wonderful.
THE EXPECTANT DETECTIVES by Kit Ailes had its moments but ended up only okay for me. Alice and Joe move to the Costwalds when she is 8 months pregnant. While at their prenatal class the owner of the herbal shop where it was being held winds up dead. The women in the class end up trying to solve the murder. There were a couple laugh out loud moments but it was too long.
Happy Reading!
Don’t you hate it, Sharon, when a book could have used more editing, and ends up too long?
I never heard of The Spoon Stealer, but it sounds good. Thank you for the review.
Earlier in January, Kevin’s Corner listed a review by Aubrey Nye Hamilton (here occasionally & of Happiness is a Warm Book) for THE MAYORS OF NEW YORK by S.J. Rozan. The fun part was that Aubrey won a character name from a charity fundraiser and that character is featured prominently in the story. The book is another well-plotted entry in the Bill Smith/Lydia Chin series with the mayor’s son missing. Worth reading as is Aubrey’s review.
I finished my second (and last) Nalini Singh thriller THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT. I hadn’t heard of this author before Lesa’s review last November and it seemed interesting. I listened to Quiet in Her Bones before this book. But I had the same problems with both books. Too many, poorly differentiated, characters and a slow to develop plot. I have to conclude that I’m not the target audience.
And then an example of a more engaging locked room mystery (in this case a Greek Island), the twisty FURY by Alex Michaelides. The author acknowledges standing on the shoulders of giants, who wrote it first and much better. Fury is a love story and murder mystery set in the world of actors and writers, full of unexpected twist and complex characters.
“We are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives”
An older set of Irish Fiction, THE COUNTRY GIRLS by Edna O’Brien. Re-released with a new introduction by Eimear McBride, it includes three novels – The Country Girls, The Lonely Girl, and Girls in Their Married Bliss. The country girls are Caithleen “Kate” Brady and Bridget “Baba” Brennan, and their story begins in the repressive atmosphere of a small village in the west of Ireland in the years following World War II. Very controversial when first published in the sixties.
Ignoring my huge TBR, I slipped in a funny short story featuring Finlay Donovan’s partner-in-crime. A look at Vero’s past and how she met Finlay, VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK is a nice addition to this series by Elle Cosimano.
MM, I appreciate the way some of our blogs and reviews intertwine. Thank. you for mentioning Aubrey Hamilton’s review of The Mayors of New York. Aubrey thinks I’ll like that series, which I’ve never read. She said with my love of New York, I should appreciate S.J. Rozan’s love of the city.
Oh, sometimes we need to slip in a short story or novella as a change of pace.
Lesa, S.J. Rozen’s books are terrific! Think you would enjoy the series.
I love The Country Girls and its sequels MM.
Edna O’Brien is a contemporary of Margaret Drabble’s, so it was interesting to hear Drabble talking about her on the Slightly Foxed podcast. She said that getting published was so much easier when that group of women started writing in the 1960s, and that it was particularly so for Edna O’B because she was so very attractive. I don’t know if that was true – but the publishing world, like so many others, was unbelievably sexist in those days, and almost entirely run by older men.
Hi everyone! Happy Thursday – mid 40’s for the foreseeable future! Crazy weather.
A good reading week for me.
I was thrilled to read “A Collection of Lies” – the 5th book in Connie Berry’s “Kate Hamilton” mystery series. Tom and Kate are on their honeymoon in Devon, where they also take on the official role of private investigators through the firm Nash & Holmes. Charged with determining the provenance of a mid-1800’s simple frock covered with blood, Tom and Kate must determine if a lace maker named Nancy Thorne was the owner, and if so, was she a murderess? And does a recent murder have ties to this past murder? A cast of characters that includes a present day eccentric living as a Victorian era gentleman who runs a cybersecurity business, conservators of a historical museum’s Local Crimes Display who seem to have something to hide and a sketchy politician and his affluent wife, there is much intrigue as their investigation unfolds.
I finished listening to “Tom Lake” – the author did a wonderful job of capturing the beauty and character of Northern Michigan. I could really relate to the portion of the book where the daughter was mad at her parents for tearing up trees that she treasured. Since we moved here eleven years ago, we have seen so many cherry orchards felled to make way for grapes and apples. With foreign trade from Turkey, it is no longer profitable to grow the cherries. I hate to see the stately trees come down, and I especially miss them in the Spring at blossom time.
I also finished the audio version of “The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose. I actually liked this book better than her first book “The Maid”. I’m wondering if the next book will be “Molly the Detective” instead of “Molly the Maid”? It sure seemed like the last chapter was paving the way for this to happen!
Wishing you all a relaxing weekend!
Mary, I liked The Mystery Guest better than The Maid, too. Although the author says she’s NOT writing a series, it seems that way to me.
A Collection of Lies was so good. I really enjoyed the parts about the lacemaker, and her sister, the seamstress. I hope I get to finally meet Connie Berry this year when her new book comes out.
A good reading week! There isn’t much better.
We had rain last night, and we may get more this afternoon. Starting Saturday, we are supposed to get a week of rain and there have been possible flood warnings already. But we will see how much rain we actually get. At least I don’t have to worry about watering our three citrus trees and the plants in the front for a while.
This week I finished a nonfiction book of essays that I had been reading since October: VESPER FLIGHTS by Helen Macdonald. It is essays about nature, mostly focused on birds, and I liked it a lot.
Otherwise my reading has been unsatisfactory. I started reading PALACE OF TREASON a week ago, but it was slow reading and there was too much sex and torture in it for me. It is the 2nd book in a spy fiction trilogy by Jason Matthews, and I think most reviews are very positive. At about halfway through (470 pages) I have finally decided I don’t need to waste more time on it. Too bad.
Glen is now reading LONDON 1945: LIFE IN THE DEBRIS OF WAR by Maureen Waller and liking it a lot. It is about the day to day details of life in London in the last year of World War II. This is a reread for him, he first read it about ten years ago.
This week we finished Season 8 of Shetland and are wondering whether there will be a season 9.
Keep that rain, Tracy, although if I have to pick rain or snow, I’d take the rain.
It’s good to hear that at least the Helen Macdonald books was satisfactory. Sorry about the rest of your reading.
Tracey, I think another series of SHETLAND has already been confirmed. I thought Ashley Jensen was really good as the new detective (much as I love Dougie Henshall (jimmy Perez.) )
I took my time reading A CALAMITY OF SOULS by David Baldacci, for a couple of reasons – 1. I didn’t want it to end, but conversely, it broke my heart and made me cry. 2. I am a little caught up in The Chiefs/Taylor & Travis/and the lunacy of the conspiracy theories. Please don’t judge me.
David Baldacci spent 10 years writing this novel, which is timely and, i think, important.
Description
Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially-charged murder case sets a duo of white and Black lawyers against a deeply unfair system as they work to defend their wrongfully-accused Black defendants in this courtroom drama from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.
Jack Lee is a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, who has never done anything to push back against racism, until he decides to represent Jerome Washington, a Black man charged with brutally killing an elderly and wealthy white couple. Doubting his decision, Lee fears that his legal skills may not be enough to prevail in a case where the odds are already stacked against both him and his client. And he quickly finds himself out of his depth when he realizes that what is at stake is far greater than the outcome of a murder trial.
Desiree DuBose is a Black lawyer from Chicago who has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for everyone. She comes to Freeman County and enters a fractious and unwieldy partnership with Lee in a legal battle against the best prosecutor in the Commonwealth. Yet DuBose is also aware that powerful outside forces are at work to blunt the victories achieved by the Civil Rights era.
Lee and DuBose could not be more dissimilar. On their own, neither one can stop the prosecution’s deliberate march towards a guilty verdict and the electric chair. But together, the pair fight for what once seemed impossible: a chance for a fair trial and true justice.
Over a decade in the writing, A Calamity of Souls breathes richly imagined and detailed life into a bygone era, taking the reader through a world that will seem both foreign and familiar.
Advance Praise
“A Calamity of Souls, the story of a murder in southern Virginia in the mid-1960’s, may be the best novel David Baldacci has ever written, which is saying a great deal. It has a gripping plot and a shocking ending, and even better than that, is also a perfect evocation of a difficult time in America’s history, propelled by deep and moving characters and beautiful writing. It captured me completely from the very first page.” —Scott Turow, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Kaye, It sounds as if you’d agree with Scott Turow, “It captured me completely from the very first page.” It’s hard to believe it might be the best book Baldacci ever wrote. It does sound timely, though.
The Taylor and Travis story is timely, too, right along with the stupid things people are saying about the woman who might be the most powerful woman in the music business. I can see why you’re following it, and laughing at some of the ridiculous comments. I’ve seen some memes about men that are upset that just make me laugh.