I worry about all of you. I watched the weather, and saw the mudslides in California, and I know Mark mentioned the possibilities of them last week. I hope you’re okay, Mark! And, of course, it’s bitterly cold here in the Midwest, although we didn’t get as much snow as we anticipated. I’ll be so glad when winter’s over.
Speaking of Mark Baker, he’s our guest blogger tomorrow for “Favorites of 2024”. I hope you stop by to check out his list of books.
I just love this cover for Carlene O’Connor’s Murder in an Irish Garden. In Kilbane, County Cork, Ireland, gardens are blooming for Kilbane’s Top Garden Contest. But, havoc takes over when the gardens are found vandalized, and several people are missing. One of the missing is found dead, and garda Siobhan O’Sullivan has to set aside her studies for the Detective Sergeant exam to investigate.
Murder in an Irish Garden is a quick read. I’m already half way into it. And, I’m going to say something offensively sexist about this eleventh entry in the series. Siobhan is acting like a shrew at the beginning of this book. She’s studying for the exam, struggling as she watches her siblings grow up and leave home, and she’s taking it out on her poor husband. He can give as good as he gets, but I’m blaming her. But, when I guessed why she was shrewish, I was right.
I enjoy this series, but Siobhan needs to tone it down. And, there’s a reason for her behavior. It’s probably a good sign for a book, though, when I get upset over the behavior of a character.
What about you? What are you reading this week? How has the weather treated you?
I am always happy to have a new book written by Barbara O’Neal (or any other name she’s written under) in my hands. NetGalley granted my latest wish and I spent a quiet day reading THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH.
It helped transport away from a world I’m unhappy and afraid in.
Description
Two women overcoming past traumas embark on a healing journey across continents in a novel about friendship, family, and rediscovery by the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids.
Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.
Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.
Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.
Thanks to you, Kaye, I’m uploaded this from NetGalley, too.
And, I’m so glad it was a good escape. We need that.
Greetings from Victoria! David and I are halfway through our little getaway vacation and having a great time. Today we went to the Abkhazi Gardens. It’s only an acre in size but beautiful even in February. Georgian Prince Nicholas Abkhazi and his wife Princess Peggy began work on their garden in 1946 and slowly brought it to life over the years. Built around some ‘glaciated rock’, there are beautiful old trees and the first signs of spring flowers, ponds, and slate steps to various areas, with meandering walkways everywhere so you don’t miss anything. It was raining and winds were strong all day but I still loved every minute we were there.
One book read this week, that I know several people here have also read:
A CRYPTIC CLUE by Victoria Gilbert.
Forced to take early retirement from her university library job, 60-year-old Jane takes a job working for wealthy 33-year-old Cam, the slightly eccentric owner of the large estate called Aircroft. He has hired Jane to catalogue his vast book collection. The morning of her first day on the job she discovers the dead (murdered) body of Cam’s ex-girlfriend Ashley on the floor in the library. Jane and Cam team up to find out who killed Ashley, if for no other reason than that of clearing Cam’s name since he’s the prime suspect. Not that there’s a lack of those; almost any one of the characters could be the murderer and they all seem to have something to hide. So far, so imteresting then.
Despite the promise of a good story, I ended up being a bit disappointed. Although I’m certainly in the minority in feeling that way. It wasn’t a bad book, just a bit tedious for the most part. Jane tends to tell us her every thought to the nth degree, not leaving much for the reader to imagine. It is also a bit unbelievable that for someone brand new to the staff, an awful lot of people seem to have no qualms about telling Jane all manner of things when she asks. Not that any of it helps to propel the story in a forwards direction. There is a lot of stilted dialogue, no ‘detection’ as such, and hardly anything in the way of suspense. Then suddenly and abruptly the mystery is solved. That said, I didn’t guess the killer’s identity until it was revealed.
The second book in the series might be more enjoyable since Jane and Cam come to a meeting of the minds and this seems to promise more in-depth
co-sleuthing adventures to come.
Thank you, Lindy! I knew nothing about the Abkhazi Gardens, so I appreciate the history, and your description.
We’ll see what you think of Gilbert’s second in the series. Maybe this one isn’t for you. I know I didn’t care for her latest series.
It’s kind of foggy and rainy, but not too bad. I’ve been drinking a lot of boba tea lately. It’s a phase, I guess.
This week I read:
The Gatekeeper by James Byrne; I went through an experience very similar to the one Lesa described a couple of weeks ago. After some stellar reviews from the group, I tried it, and DNF’ed, for much the same reason as Lesa, in that I couldn’t stand the protagonist. After about the 50 time he said,” Ta,” I was done.
Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation by Zaakir Tameez; I get suspicious of anyone called a “conscience.” It’s about the congressman best known for getting beaten within an inch of his life by another congressman. It’s scholarly, yet woke, and comes off like a very special episode of History’s mysteries, or something. I’m sure Ken Burns is a big fan, though.
Writers Crushing Covid; I got it on kindle unlimited for the Barry Lancet story, which was not from the Jim Brodie series. Come on, Lancet, it’s time for another book. And that goes for the dude that wrote Winter Counts, too.
Raging Spirits: Tokyo Thunder by Thor Bernard; A bar bouncer/translator gets a job offer with a free trip to Japan, and takes it to maybe see if he can find his old girlfriend. She, and a Yakuza guy, find him, and there’s karate in the streets! Pretty decent martial arts thriller, which are always in short supply.
Crime Machine by Giles Blunt; Widowed Canadian cop tries to close cold cases and solve a murder of Russians attached to the fur trade. At least it doesn’t involve Mexican cartels.
Apalach Affair by Wayne Stinnett; Meth dealers find an ingenious method to cook their wares and not get caught. Jesse McDermott finds a dead horse in the ocean, then takes care of them with relative ease. I don’t know what the horse has to do with anything, either.
Tokyo Black by Andrew Warren; First book in the Thomas Caine series, which is also about due for a new book. Burned spy Caine gets sent to Tokyo to find a girl maniacal ex-Yakuza dudes are also after, as well as the guy who burned him. Fast moving and exciting. I sure hope Japan isn’t as dangerous as in the books I read!
I go through phases as to what I drink, too, Glen. Tea every morning, hot chocolate every morning, and right now, just water.
I’m sorry you didn’t like Dez in The Gatekeeper. I thought he was fresh and original.
I agree about the Mexican carttels, though. I don’t even bother if they’re in the summary.
Lesa,
I was thinking it was some sort of Karmic payback, but surely the universe has better things to monitor than a misguided book recommendation!
I think I made it 40 pages or so in to The Gatekeeper and bailed. Reminded me too much of action adventure movies I have seen numerous times. That main character dude needed a slap or maybe five to the head.
I also hope that Mark was not affected by the mudslides in Southern California. In 2018, following the Thomas fire that started in Ventura County but moved down into Santa Barbara County and Montecito, the Montecito area was devastated by mudslides. I never saw the damage in person, but in pictures and videos the area looked terrible, just unbelievable. And it took a long time to rebuild after that.
I will start out with Glen’s books. This week he was reading THIS PLACE OF SILENCE: OHIO’S CEMETERIES AND BURIAL GROUNDS, which we first saw here on your blog last August. He got a copy towards the end of 2024. He finished it on Tuesday and enjoyed the book a lot. The photographs are gorgeous. Glen lived in Dayton and left Ohio after college. He has been to the cemeteries in Cincinnati and Cleveland. While he was reading THIS PLACE OF SILENCE, it led him to three other books he wants to read about rural cemeteries in the US.
Glen is still reading UNDER ALIEN SKIES: A SIGHTSEER’S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE by Philip Plait. Which gets pretty technical at times.
Last week I read THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO BROKE ALL THE RULES by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg, a Swedish author. I don’t really know how to categorize it; it is definitely crime fiction with robberies, carried out by elderly pensioners. I would describe it as a combination of comedy, heist, and romance but the romance is not the emphasis at all. The main characters are all about 80 years old and living in a retirement home that is going downhill (two males, three females). Reading it required suspending my disbelief a lot. It is not a new book, it was initially published in 2012 in Sweden, but this was the first I had heard of it. It was an interesting picture of Sweden. There are three more books in the series that have been translated to English. Has anyone else read this book? There are things I liked and things that irritated me. I keep going back and forth on my rating.
Now I am reading a comedy by Shakespeare, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. It is one of the books on my Classics Club list. I thought it might be a difficult read, but so far it is fine. I have seen two adaptions on film, one directed by Kenneth Branagh (1993) and one by Joss Whedon (2011), but I don’t remember much about the Branagh version.
Tracy! I’m glad Glen liked This Place of Silence. The photos are gorgeous. I agree. And, let us know if he reads any of those other books about rural cemeteries. I’m curious.
Yes, I read The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules quite a while ago. I didn’t care enough to go on to the next in the series.
I can’t wait to see if there are any good books recommended tomorrow. 😉
Seriously, thank you for your concern. I’m fine. We got to work from home last Thursday because of the rain, so I stayed dry watching it from inside. The closest I got to the mud slides was the news. As much as I love mud runs, I don’t want to go play in any mud slides, so I am thankful.
Reading wise, I was in Alaska for the first snowfall of the season with TERMINATION DUST by Sue Henry. I enjoyed it, although it took a while to get started.
Now, I’m on a fictional Caribbean island with SOMETHING’S GUAVA GIVE by Carrie Doyle. It’s the second in a series, and I’m enjoying it. I’m getting very intrigued, so I can’t wait to see exactly where the book is going.
Thank. you, Mark, for letting us know you’re okay. If you hadn’t mentioned the mudslides last week, I wouldn’t have known you were close. Stay safe!
Oh, I hope there are some good books mentioned tomorrow! Thank you again, for participating.
Sexist remarks in books get under my skin, will avoid that book, We are under a severe cold weather warning, record breaking cold weather. I have to tell James not get the groceries until the warmest part of the day. He grew up in Taiwan and is not familiar with real cold temperatures!
I am reading Clean Getaway by Nic Stone and I am a little bewildered by the white grandmother is a jewel thief! The rest of the book is fine when a lot of historical references like the green book.
Oh, no, Carol. That was MY sexist remark, not in the book. I know shrew is a derogatory term for a female, but that’s how she came across to me. You could read the book, and might not feel the same way. And, the author didn’t say that. I did.
You’re right. You and James need to stay home and stay warm, if you can.
Ok, thanks for the added information, I misunderstood. Can’t believe this weather not like Texas, more like Indiana.
Hello, everyone. Another very gray day and me working at my computer. I just finished listening to a Lydia Chin/Bill Smith mystery by S J Rozan called ON THE LINE (2010). I am a fan of this series in general, but this one didn’t work very well for me. The villain, who has kidnapped Lydia and threatening to kill her, is crazy, and I usually find crazy people very hard to read about–and even worse to listen to, ranting. I finished the book and will keep catching up with the series, but maybe I’ll read the next one!
I liked Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (real name Sarah Monette) so much that I tried her 2020 novel THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS. It’s set in the time of Jack the Ripper and is based on a number of well-known Sherlock Holmes stories. In this version, Holmes is an angel (don’t even ask for an explanation; London is full of angels in this book, and the reader just has to accept that), and there are also werewolves, vampires, hell-hounds, and more. The main characters are likeable, and Addison’s a good writer, but I wouldn’t recommend the book unless you love Holmes pastiches.
I’m looking forward to Allen Eskens new book, THE QUIET LIBRARIAN, which I just got.
Well, The Quiet Librarian will be quite a change from The Angel of the Crows, Kim.
I’m glad you have a day to keep you at the computer rather than gorgeous weather. I can’t wait to see some sunshine or trace of spring.
Good morning. We had heavy rain on Sunday in NJ and even with having to detour off a flooded section of highway we managed to celebrate Valentines Day. We saw Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. It was funny although I’m sure I appreciated the cute guy running around in his underwear for most of the play more than Roger did. Then we went out for a nice dinner.
This week I read THE BITTER BAST by Bruce Borgos. When a retired FBI agent is brutally murdered Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck learns that the killing may be related to a Russian spy who stole secrets from the nuclear testing site in the 1950s. The book jumps back and forth between the 1950s and present day. I’m not always a fan of dual timelines but this was well done.
STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS by Jennifer Chow. I enjoyed this cozy mystery while I was reading it but I’m sure I won’t remember it in 6 months. I read the first in the series but don’t remember it.
I’m glad you enjoyed Valentine’s Day despite the weather, Sandy!
You’re right. Borges did a good job with that novel. I’m usually not a fan of dual timelines, either.
I agree with you. I enjoy cozies as a nice escape, and enjoy the worlds the authors created, but often can’t remember them six months later.
One would hardly know it was winter here, except the days are too short and the stickery weeds haven’t started growing yet.
An abundance of good reading this week…
First, MAY THE WOLF DIE. After seeing a review for this debut by Elizabeth Heider – recommending as an intriguing mystery in a gorgeous setting – I had to give it a try. It’s unique in my reading as it features a liaison officer between the US Military and the local police in Naples, Italy. It has a multifaceted detective, a potentially unsolvable mystery and a great setting. With a captivating opening scene, it promises to be a series worth reading.
So is it just me, or does “wolf” seem to feature in quite a few titles currently?
One wealth-obsessed man who thrives on cheating. His status-obessed wife, all about NY society. Their four inheritance-obsessed children. And a murder-obsessed outsider looking to expose them all. Bella Mackie’s darkly comic, WHAT A WAY TO GO, is told by three voices in alternating chapters, Anthony, Olivia and The Sleuth. The South Gloucestershire Processing Centre is a surprise star of the story.
Someone mentioned a book by Ira Levin here and, I think Jeff listed other books by the author. I’d never read his debut A KISS BEFORE DYING (probably because it’s classified as suspense-horror). The introduction to this edition by Otto Penzler says it is a “superior illustration of the mechanics that can make a mystery so absorbing.” Interestingly, while very reminiscent of, it predates Patricia Highsmith’s Riley novels by a couple of years.
In translated fiction, THE WOMAN IN THE BLUE CLOAK is a compact mystery with earthy dialogue, clever plotting, and memorable characters. Early on a May morning in the depth of South Africa’s winter, a woman’s naked body, washed in bleach, is discovered. The woman was Alicia Lewis, an expert in old Dutch Masters paintings. She was seeking a rare painting by Carel Fabritius (reference the Delft Thunderclap)
By Deon Meyer, translated from Afrikaans by K.L. Seegers.
To round out the week, a visit to 1894 England, THE NAMING OF THE BIRDS. Reviewed here last month. Paraic O’Donnell’s writing is superb, the tale, hypnotic and twisty. But patience required! “when he was not impenetrably silent, he was voicing undecipherable misgivings”
On a sad note, bestselling Scottish author Denzil Meyrick has died at the age of 59. The crime author has written more than 20 novels including hits such as Murder at Holly House and The Christmas Stocking Murders.
That is a sad note, MM, although I never read any of his books. But, since Robert Heinlein died, I’ve always felt authors should be given a gift of life as long as they continue to write. I know. Sounds odd. Just how I feel.
You’re right. It does take patience to plow through The Naming of the Birds.
First snow, now rain. We’re just having lots of fun here in Idaho. After today, we’re supposed to have 50-degree weather. A false spring, but we’ll take it.
I read two books this past week. The first one was DEATH IN DIAMONDS by SJ Bennett. Someone on Queen Elizabeth’s staff is sabotaging the Queen. She needs someone to ferret out the culprit, so she promotes a typist to the press secretary office to spy on them. In the meantime, there’s a murder involving a tiara and the queen can’t resist snooping around on the case.
I’ve read all “Her Majesty the Queen Investigates” series and while I found this to be a good addition to the series, it wasn’t my favorite one. I think it was the alternating chapters. It made for rather slow going.
The other book was the one for my murder mystery book club. I read AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND by Mary Stewart. Written in 1965, the descriptions of Vienna were beautiful. It was like being transported into the country itself. Vanessa who is still in the honeymoon phrase of her marriage, is asked to chaperone a friend’s son from London to Vienna to be with his dad. She originally said no but then heard about her husband been in Vienna. When he left her, it was to go on a business trip to Stockholm. She changes her mind and tells the friend that she will go to Vienna so she can hunt the husband down. The mystery has to do with the Lipizzan stallions. Considering the age of the book I was surprised that cocaine was involved.
The book club was cancelled because of the snow but I get to talk about it next month so all is not lost.
Right now, I’m reading THE BUSY BODY. I’m about ½ way through it and enjoying it.
I was a huge Mary Stewart fan when I was younger – especially her books about Arthur and Merlin (The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, etc.) and I was crazy about the Lippizzan horses – our local library had a picture book that I repeatedly checked out. I got to see them in person at a show at our Civic Center when I was 16. When I actually got to Vienna, they were in their summer location – it was a huge disappointment. Thanks for the flashback memories this morning!
I’d take that false spring, Bev. Bring it on! We’re supposed to get over 40 next week. That would be so nice.
Oh, Airs Above the Ground! I don’t remember much about it, other than I loved the Lipizzan stallions. I’m glad you still get to talk about next month.
Williamsburg was hit with the arctic blast and received so much snow for that area of VA. I imagine it will be a week before most of it has melted. On a surprising twist of luck my husband and I are in St Martin enjoying glorious weather. Maybe it’s good karma from the ice and snow we had in NYC last week while babysitting our grandson. Anyway, I’ll take it!
Since I’m at the beach I just finished a really nice book IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? by Sophie Cousins. I have read several of her other books and they don’t disappoint. Also read BACK AFTER THIS by Linda Holmes. Again, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books. Highly recommend. Both books are also good on audio.
I also just finished binge reading all 9 mysteries by Scottish writer Marion Todd. It’s a nice series, sort of reminded me of the novels by Terry Shames. We get to know the characters, the setting is St Andrews/Dundee and there are interesting plots. I’m not sure where I saw the books recommended. Maybe here?
Hope everyone’s weather improves. I think we are all more than ready for spring.
Oh, that’s a recommendation I can appreciate, Susan, reminds you of Terry Shames. I’ll have to look for the first book by Marion Todd. Thank you!
And you’re right. I am not cut out for winter.
Good morning all! The sun is out for a second here in Northern MI – oops, now its gone! Oh well, it was wonderful to see it!
This week I read “Searching for Van Gogh: A Novel” by Donald Lystra. A coming-of-age novel that I could not put down due to its lyrical prose and depth of feeling. Nathan Walker is a young man, living and working in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the year 1963. He is from Detroit and now the only son of a upper middle class family. His brother, Gary, was shot by friendly fire at an Army training camp just the year before. Gary was not meant for military life, as he was a gentle soul who could play the piano like Van Cliburn. Gary’s father pushed him into enrolling to toughen him up and now he is dead. Nathan has put physical distance between himself and his family, not really sure what path he wants to take in life. He has the mind of an engineer, loving all things electronic, but when he is not working in a factory, he has taking up developing his artistic talents painting landscapes. This is how he meets Audrey Brubaker, another lost soul, who also is separated from her family, living a hard scrabble life, earning her keep giving business men tours of the city (and perhaps more?). Gary is still very wet behind the ears, Audrey not so much. Through their friendship, and a trip to recover Gary’s body to bring home to bury, Nathan learns truths about life, about his brother, and about himself.
Good one, Mary. Darn that sun for playing peek-a-boo.
Searching for Van Gogh sounds like a tough read.
Amazingly enough it wasn’t a tough read. The author did a good job with it!
I had what our British friends would call a “lie in” this morning. Can’t remember the last time I slept until 8:00. So still catching up and will be back here later. Besides, I have 85 pages to go in a book and wanted to finish it before commenting here, if possible. It’s cooled down from 82 yesterday to 72 today, which is good. See you later. Have a good day.
Jealous, Jeff. I’m just jealous.
Good morning! Weather here (northern CA) has been pretty good lately, with just a touch of rain. On Tuesday evening Nick and I went to the Harris Center to see R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (a tribute to Aretha Franklin). It was spectacular! The three women who sang all the songs had wonderful voices and talked about the different stages in Aretha’s life when she recorded those songs. There was a terrific 4-piece band on stage with them. This was the second stop in a new tour of this show, and there was no program so I had to check out the singers online the next day. I found out that Cristina Rae, the lead singer, got a Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent a few years ago and has appeared on Broadway.. When she recreated (on the show we saw) Aretha’s last-minute sub for Pavarotti by singing Nessun Dorma (a famous opera aria) on the Grammys, I thought she actually was better than Aretha (broader voice range). I can tell you that they got the whole audience up dancing at one point, and the sellout crowd was enthusiastically into it all the way through. If you get a chance to see this show and like this kind of music, I highly recommend it. As for what I read this week:
The four female assassins of Killers of a Certain Age are back in Deanna Raybourn’s sequel, KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS. They narrowly survived an attack more than a year ago that followed their official retirement, but they are now bored and ready to get back into the assassination game. It’s a challenge with ties to a former case of theirs, and it takes the ladies to locations throughout the world. Again, we appreciate each one’s specialty, and they are all impressive. What’s more, they often go undetected because . . . well, you know how senior women are often totally disregarded. Each woman is distinctly portrayed, and we also get a welcome glimpse at others in their life–a loyal significant other, a supportive wife, and an impressive young hacker. the story is familiar if you’ve read the first book. There is lots of case analysis by all four, and the action scenes are exciting and detailed. But I have trouble engaging with protagonists of any gender who kill for a living. Although I enjoyed both books in this series, and I can see how much fun the author had writing them, I prefer Raybourn’s charming (and equally exciting) Veronica Speedwell historical mysteries. (March)
SHOPGIRLS is another charming read from Jessica Anya Blau (I enjoyed her novel Mary Jane back in 2021). This time it’s set in San Francisco in the 1980s, when 19-year-old Zippy (yes, that’s her real name) has been hired to work in the Petite Dresses department of the celebrated luxury store, I. Magnin. She can’t afford to buy any of the clothes sold there, but she is thrilled to spend her week learning about clothing sales and forming bonds with some of her coworkers–particularly Miss Lena, who enjoys sharing her long experience and her spirituality with Zippy. Of course, Zippy has some detractors, mostly from employees who are envious of her ever-growing success, and her personal life continues to be fraught as her stepfather loses his hardware store job after a careless accident. Zippy isn’t sure whether she should keep her cherished but low-paying job when a position cutting lumber at the hardware store is much more lucrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely story, which sometimes veers into almost fairytale territory. Zippy is a character that touched my heart, and Miss Lena and Zippy’s roommate, lawyer Raquel, are also delightful. Even Zippy’s otherwise unpredictable mother and stepfather have their hearts in the right place where Zippy is concerned. Zippy has an encounter with someone unexpected from her family and there is a dollop of romance with someone she meets. It’s a quick read with a satisfying ending. And although the author typically writes standalones, I’m harboring some hope there might be a sequel for this one. (May)
ALL THE SIGNS by Jessie Rosen might first appear to be about astrology, but it’s really about how trying to be something you are not can throw everything out of alignment, and how self-discovery can profoundly change your life. Physician Leah has taken over her family’s medical practice after her father’s retirement, and it’s wearing on her. When she suddenly experiences violent vertigo that could have endangered the patient she was examining, she has to step back temporarily. Although she is a staunch skeptic, her well-meaning friends urge her to have an astrological reading, and she is thrown by the suggestion that her medical problem may be the result of misalignment with her star and moon signs. So Leah initiates a research project to prove that her “Star Twins” haven’t experienced the same types of major stresses and changes that she has, at the same times specified by the astrologer. In the process, Leah appears on a podcast, attends a most unusual retreat, travels to New Orleans and Turkey, re-engages with a childhood friend, and suffers devastating upheavals with her current and past family members. And her vertigo continues until . . . I found this to be a surprisingly affecting novel about finding and accepting your true self. It is definitely not a paean to astrology–quite the contrary–but it was interesting to read about the history of astrology and how it has been found useful by all sorts of people. It is an unusual story, beautifully told, which gave me a lot to think about. And I especially appreciated the much-needed epilogue.
Like you, Margie, I like to read about the performers I see on stage. I skipped +Juliet last night at the theater, due to weather and health. But my sister took her son, so I can’t wait to hear what they thought of the performance.
I didn’t enjoy Kills Well with Others as much as the first one. You’re right, though. The Veronica Speedwell books are better.
Margie, I was unsure about ALL THE SIGNS, but was quickly caught up in the storyline. It was beautifully told and it’s a book I’m happy to have stumbled upon.
Kaye, I totally agree. I received a widget for the book, and it’s one of the few I accepted. I’m so glad I did. I think I need to look for the author’s first book, The Heirloom.
We got a couple of inches or so of snow on Sunday and there was enough snow to coat the driveway yesterday and again today. Mostly it is just bitterly cold. Lots of soup and chili on the menu at my house.
Two books this week. First Time Caller by B.K. Borison was a sweet steamy romance that she used Sleepless in Seattle as an inspiration. I enjoyed reading about Lucy and Aiden, but the secondary characters really made the story fun.
My second book was Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon. It is one of her older books based on the story of socialite spy Nancy Wake an Australian who worked with the French Resistance. She was highly decorated and lived a fascinating life. This was very good too but the parallels between the brown shirts and our current political climate hit a little to close to home.
Warmer weather next week!
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading!
OK, I’m back. Still haven’t done any reading yet today, what with making breakfast, cleaning up, checking the morning newspapers (I know I shouldn’t), playing Wordle and another 10 games, etc. But I have a couple pf hours as Jackie is having her hair dyed, so…It is cool and cloudy, by the way, though “cool” is relative, as it is 70 degrees.
After her J. R> Ward book, Jackie really loved the new J. D. Robb, BONDED IN DEATH. She thought it was one of the best in the series and stood out particularly after the last one, which she thought was a very weak mystery. She thought the addition of the “urban wars” people gave it a Thursday Murder Club feel, on top of the usual Dallas/Roarke thing.
She is currently reading the new Kelley Armstrong book, I’LL BE WAITING, which she said has some of the feel of some of Heather Graham’s ghost/supernatural books, though she is still trying to get a handle on where it is going.
Dead In the Frame was book five in Stephen Spotswood’s Pentecost & Parker series, with the post-WWII PI Lillian Pentecost framed for the murder of the awful Jessup Quincannon, a man whose life she certainly threatened. The police are more than happy to get this thorn in their side locked up, and Will Parker has to rally friends and associates to save her boss. Spotswood is really on top of his game now, and this is a good one.
I finished Dorothy M. Johnson’s The Hanging Tree collection with the title novella, which was made into a 1959 movie with Gary Cooper that I have never seen. The rest of the book consists of 8 short stories. I liked it way more than I expected to when I started.
As for the book I plan to finish today, it’s a little hard to talk about before finishing it, but I do want to recommend it highly. It is the first adult book by Ashley Elston, who has written half a dozen successful YA books. First Lie Wins centers on Evie Porter, which we quickly learn is not the heroine’s name. Instead, she is a young woman working for the unseen Mr. Smith, who sends her on assignments complete with new names and detailed backgrounds, to infiltrate various communities, find her mark and get involved with him to whatever extent she needs to in order to complete the assignment, whether that is stealing a painting, ruining a political career, or whatever. In the current case, she is involved with Ryan Sumner, a businessman and local favorite in small town Louisiana, but though she has a lot of information on him, she still doesn’t know what her assignment is. Meanwhile, her feelings toward Ryan are becoming stronger. She messed up her last job, so this one is important, and she knows the boss is – always – watching, but she wants to free herself. This is a fast moving, involving story and I’d definitely recommend it. Where I got it: I’ve mentioned George Easter’s publication Deadly Pleasures, which has been running for many years. He and his writers review current and forthcoming mystery books and recommend their favorites. Each year now, he gathers as many Best of the Year lists as he can – this year there were 107 (including Lesa’s Library Journal list). He collates them to see which books were named on most lists. There were no new S. A. Cosby books this year, so the most picked books were:
Liz Moore, The God of The Woods (37 lists)
Chris Whitaker, All the Colors Of the Dark (33)
Richard Osman, We Solve Murders (33)
Tana French, The Hunter (26)
Amy Tintera, Listen For the Lie (first novel, 24)
Attica Locke, Guide Me Home (23)
Ashley Elston, First Lie Wins (21; first novel)
I have the Tintera book on hand to read next (maybe).
One more point to add: Lesa knows how bad so many of the Edgar Award choices and nominees have been over the years, like the aforementioned Mr. Cosby not winning for his superior fiction more than once. Year after year there are books and authors chosen that almost no one has heard of, let alone read. This year, George listed the three top Edgar fiction categories and inserted how many times each was listed on the Best of the Year list by these top critics. Well, in the Best Paperback Original category, 4 of the 5 had NO mentions and the other had ONE. In the Best First Novel By An American Author, 4 of the 6 had NO mentions, one had 1 and the other had 2. And for Best Novel, 2 of the 7 nominees had NO mentions (just think about that for a moment), one had 1, one had 2, one had 4, and only THE GOD OF THE WOODS (37) and LISTEN FOR THE LIE (24) stood out. You might want to remember that when considering the Edgar Awards, as well as your future reading.
/end unsolicited opinions
Jeff, thanks so much for sharing your opinion regarding Edgar Awards. i will add, simply, this. YES!
First, I’m still jealous that it’s a cool day there, in the 70s. Sounds wonderful right now, Jeff.
I think Jackie and I felt the same way about Bonded in Death. The urban wars survivors added so much to this story. It was one of the best in the series.
Ah, the Edgars. I never say to much because I’ve judged books before, and I know how much time it takes out of your reading life. But, it’s just strange when those of us who read so many crime novels have NOT heard of the nominees, or read just one book in the categories. And, they don’t ignore S.A. Cosby, but he should have won. He has a new book due out in June – King of Ashes. I’m already on a long waiting list at the library. The public appreciates him more than the Edgar judges do.
Lesa,
While I definitely respect the time and effort that goes into judging books for the various awards, I can’t help but wonder how much weight such awards have.
The Oscars and such have lost a lot of prestige in recent years, and I have to say that I’ve never discussed Edgar or Dagger or whichever book awards with anyone in real life. Even The Newberry Awards seem to have lost their luster.
Jackie said you’re welcome to visit. She said it was “cool” today because it was 69 and mostly cloudy. But now the sun finally came out, so it’s beautiful.
I finished the book – FIRST LIE WINS – and it was very good. Definitely recommended. For those who keep track of these things, it a Reese’s Book Club pick.
Jeff thanks so much for that info on the Edgar’s. A few years ago I decided I would go back and read some of the Edgar winners as I was obviously missing something in my reading life. After about 5 mediocre books (my opinion) I gave up. Now I don’t feel so bad for not continuing.
Good Afternoon from frigid Michigan! We have had quite a bit of snow over the past week. On Sunday, we went sledding with our grand kids, which was great fun! I am now heartily sick of the cold, snow and darkness. The past week, birds have been chirping in the mornings. I hope this means warmer weather is imminent.
I read one book this week and it was fabulous! The Barn by Wright Thompson is a non-fiction book set in the Mississippi Delta. The author’s family has lived in the area for generations. The book covers the period from the Civil War to the present. Plantations, share cropping, the birth of Blues music as a form of protest, segregation and race. The Barn is the place of Emmett Till’s horrible murder and the book is largely about how this crime could happen, how an aquittal could happen and the aftermath in which no one talked about the crime. This was not talked about. The author grew up not knowing about Till and the history of the Barn. He became friends with family and friends of Till and of those who were witnesses. An absorbing, illuminating and horrifying read. Highly recommend it.
Currently reading Autocracy, Inc by Anne Applebaum. After that, back to mysteries for a while.
I’m with you, Jennifer. We had snow again overnight. And, I am so sick of winter. I don’t do winter well. Yesterday, my brother-in-law brought over two meals, and even picked up my mail for me.
The Barn sounds like an important, but difficult, book to read.
Hello from Walla Walla WA! We finally had snow but not so much we couldn’t get out.
I read THE FROZEN RIVER after someone recommended it here. It was a slow read. I liked it but found the end hard to take. I would recommend it to my book group but it might have too many triggers.
Even though I am getting tired of WWII books I liked THE LIVES WE LEAVE BEHIND by Noelle Salazar. It has a twist I didn’t see coming.
The next book was a change of pace! I read EVERY TOM, DICK AND HARRY by Elinor Lipman. Maybe her best book, a really fun read.
And I am jealous of those of you who got to read the new Barbara Samuels. She’s one of my favorite authors.
Oh, nice to hear that about Elinor Lipman’s book, Cindy. I’m up and down on her books.
Stay safe!
I’m the same with Elinor Lipman books. But I just put this one on hold at the library.
Just like Lesa, I have liked some Elinor Lipman books, not others. But you made this one sound so good so I just put it on hold at the library. Thank you!
So, here in NE Dallas we got down to 10 this morning while it was officially 12 out at DFW airport. This sort of nonsense usually happens every other winter, sometimes multiple times in the same winter as it has this year, so I knew it was coming. I still remember being in school as a kid in the 70 and the natural gas lines froze up (as they did in 2021 which caused the rolling blackouts in large part) and we did not have school for days at a time as everything that came through went to houses.
Next week we are supposed to be in the 70s.
Current read is Robert B Parker’s Hot Property: A Spenser Novel by Mike Lupica. I’m not very far into it as I have been working on a short story for an anthology that I was invited to submit to and a doctor’s appointment. That was supposed to be a routine visit with the ENT.
Instead, I got some bad news as I, apparently, still have some fluid trapped in the drum of my left ear. That means it has been sitting in there around none or so months now. I have some more hearing loss, even though I can’t tell a thing is wrong. They are pushing hard for surgery and insertion of some sort of drainage tube. Don’t want that. So, as a last ditch hail mary, they are adding a second prescription nasal spray to the one I already use and I am top use both every evening.
I go back on May 1st. If this does not work, I have to have surgery and they will get with the cardiologist and discuss how to safely do that with anesthesia, my heart, and everything else I have going on. Blah.
Kevin, I am sorry to hear about your new health problems. I can understand you not wanting to have surgery. Anesthesia wipes me out for a long time every time I have to have it. Although I know your problems are more serious than that.
As always, I am thinking about you, hoping your health improves.
TracyK at Bitter Tea and Mystery
Thank you, TracyK. I have some sort of allergic reaction to it and there is some weird heart deal thrown in for good measure. It isn’t good when afterwards a doc leans over the bed and says something about how he has been doing this thirty years plus and never had a patient do that before.
Gave up on the new Spenser book. That Lupica dude still can’t pull it off at all.