Hi, everyone! I’m at my Mom’s until Sunday, and enjoying every minute of it. We went out to lunch twice. We probably found a venue for Mom’s 90th birthday party next June, and we’ll rent it today. Friday, we’re meeting with the caterer for the party. We’ve enjoyed time with my sister, Christie, making these plans, and doing jigsaw puzzles. It’s just been a nice visit.
What about you? What have you been doing this week? What are you reading?
I’m reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman. Yes, it’s taking me a while, but it’s because of my visit, not because of the book. I’m enjoying the book. Here’s the summary.
Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman.
Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she’s left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she’s not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library’s Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she’s there to help solve a murder— that has not yet happened.
But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.
What about you? Tell us what you’re reading, please.
Your mom is an amazing woman, Lesa. Ninety. And still going strong. Sending her a hug.
Books. i’ve read a few.
i’ve also read a few (ha!) articles about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. And have loved every one. Pafooey to all those who don’t like them. MUCH better, imo, to have a happy story posted everywhere rather than the toxic gloom and doom and hatefulness that seems to have become the norm. I’ll take a fairy tale any day over the hate.
The most recent book that kept me up late was The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
Description from NetGalley
“New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins is back with a thrilling new gothic suspense set in a Gulf Coast beach motel where hurricane season can be murder.
St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…”
Kaye, She said hi back!
I don’t read a lot of them, but a good Gothic is wonderful. Those were my first adult books.
I’m happy for you Lesa that you’re having such a great time at your mom’s! It all sounds perfect to me.
Not much to report from here. It’s too hot for me; hovering around 32C (90F). Three family birthdays this past week. The only encounter with wildlife this week was a large mouse running directly across the path in front of us on our walk. Not nearly as beautiful as the bear last week! (note to Jerry: the bear didn’t attack our daughter’s dog because said dog was ‘bravely’ barking at it from the safety of the living room. Today we went out for breakfast at the Tomahawk Restaurant in an area we used to live in more than 45 years ago, although it’s an hour’s drive away from where we live now. It’s family-run, and first opened in 1926. It’s full of native carvings and artefacts, all of which were gifted to the family; so many wonderful things to look at. David remembers going there when he was 12 years old, so that’s at least 60 years ago. Our younger daughter worked there as a server for five years, earning money to put herself through university. Anyway, great breakfasts and yummy pies. And today, lots of memories.
This week I read:
THE NEW RECTOR by Rebecca Shaw
The first book I’ve read by this author, it was written over thirty years ago but was re-released last year. First in a series, and I’m having a lot of trouble finding the next couple of books.
The village of Turnham Marpas has a new rector; Peter and his wife, who is a doctor, have just arrived and this is the story of how they manage in a brand new village, and how the villagers manage with their new rector. You think it’s going to be a quiet story of English village life and in some ways it is exactly that, but in oh so many other ways it is not. There’s murder, for one thing. And a spiteful prank has serious consequences.
We’re introduced to many characters in this first book, ad they each play a significant part. Like people anywhere, some are flawed, some are kind, others not. Besides the rector and his wife we have 64 year old Muriel, prim and proper with a strong moral compass and content enough with her life and its routines, but adventure manages to find her anyway.
Lady Sheila and Sir Ronald Bissett – he has recently been bestowed with the title of ‘Sir’, and Sheila is tickled pink.
Suzy, a mother of three girls, has a hard time making ends meet and to make matters worse he husband is very seldom home.
There’s also the school headmaster, the pub owners, Ralph, and many others but there’s no difficulty keeping track of who’s who.
A lot goes on but the book is easy to read, it never gets too deep, and most issues are resolved fairly quickly. yet somehow it’s compulsively readable and you do get caught up in all the goings on, yet you’re never taxing your brain while reading.
A SCHOOLING IN MURDER by Andrew Taylor
A mystery with a touch of the supernatural, the story takes place in 1945 At Monkshill Park School – a second-rate boarding school for girls. Annabel Warnock, a teacher at the school, is missing. She left for holidays and never returned. Teachers and girls alike assume she just decided to leave, but in fact she was murdered – pushed off ‘the Maiden’s Leap, a viewpoint on the clifftop Gothic Walk, and was washed out to sea’. Intriguingly, it is Annabel’s ghost that narrates the story and attempts to discover how she was murdered and who did it.
I liked that Annabel’s ghost was the main character, and I was well able to feel her frustration with not being able to do much of anything to solve her murder, despite being able to sort of communicate with one living person. Because she was a ghost she could go almost anywhere in the school and on the grounds to eavesdrop, which was an interesting way for the reader to learn the secrets various other characters were keeping close.
The author did a great job of describing the school and the lives of its inhabitants; it all felt suitably gloomy and moody, and almost claustrophobic in its remoteness. There were red herrings galore, mistrust everywhere, and a whole heap of suspects.
It was a mystery with a unique angle but overall it wasn’t a favourite of mine. I think that was mostly due to absolutely none of the characters being likeable. Consequently – even though there were aspects to admire – I didn’t ever connect with either the characters or the story; always felt a bit removed from it all. There was also one small thing that bothered me, which was one of the characters often being referred to as Mrs. Hitler. I think the author would have done better to choose a different name that would do the job of making us understand her demeanour without being offensive. To me, anyway.
You’re right, Lindy. It has been a perfect visit. You’d like the weather we’re having, 70s and 80s.
Tomahawk Restaurant sounds so nice. I enjoyed reading about your family connection to the restaurant.
I’m glad you are having such a nice, relaxing visit with your mom.
Thursday, I should be finishing THE TELL-TALE HOMICIDE, the second book from Daphne Silver. I’m struggling with this one. Not only is the story moving forward slowly, with more focus on the small town political storyline vs. the mystery (unless they merge), but there have been some editing whoppers. But I appear to be alone, most of the reviews I’m seeing are super positive.
Sorry about the book, Mark. Don’t you hate it when a book just chugs along, when you liked the first one.
We had a heatwave this week. What a good time to go to an outdoor concert! I went to a Cyndi Lauper concert in 107 degree heat. Saw some people I knew who were tailgating, so I helped them dispose of their adult beverages. Just trying to be helpful! After an opening DJ who did nothing for me, there was another opening act, a guy from Missouri who spoke with an English accent and sang warmed over emo music.
Cyndi was definitely older, but still energetic. I think she should have talked a little less and sang a little more, but it was a pretty good concert. Going out while she’s still got it. Good for her!
This week I read:
There’s Something Wrong in Hugo Creek by Lumen Reese; a sort of horror western that I didn’t even come close to finishing, even though it’s a short book.
Assault Force by Don Pendleton’s Ghost Writer; Another of those late era Mack Bolan books that don’t actually feature Mack Bolan, but some guy that claims to be him.
The Sac and Fox Indians by William T. Hagan; Two nations that got removed like The Cherokee. They couldn’t control their borders, and became dependent on other countries, so they lost their own country. Might be a lesson there. I found it interesting that the Sac Indians were always wanting a factory in their lands to manufacture goods, but seemed to have no real idea of what a factory actually was. Even in those pre-industrial days, a factory needed a work force, and raw materials, and the Sacs had no way of getting those things. They seemed to think a factory was some sort of magical device that created stuff they wanted.
Force of Nature by CJ Box; A book that identifies something wrong with the country, but lacks the guts to follow through. The new governor gets Pickett to look for an English lady who vanished. Sure, we know there’s dozens of Native women who disappear, but who cares about them? The only reason the governor even cares about this missing lady is that his wife talks about her at cocktail parties. Quick everyone, name the only major presidential candidate of this century who didn’t go to cocktail parties! Hint: it’s not the guy who belongs to the LDS Church. Maybe if the governor paid closer attention to his actual job, instead of going to cocktail parties, Wyoming might not be such a den of iniquity in these books.
Player Elimination by Shelley Jones; The obnoxious landlord of a game store owner is offed in the game store, and the owner, who has rheumatoid arthritis at age 27 investigates. There’s a character with They/Them pronouns, and that got very distracting, because there were also groups of people, and sometimes that character was in the group, and you had to figure out which ‘them’ the author was discussing.
Thunder of Eagles by William W. Johnstone; Another bounty hunter catches up to a paycheck. The outlaw escapes prison, the railroad is coming to town, and there’s a lot of shooting.
A Murder in A Different Light by Brendan Gerad O’Brien; It’s 1947, and Ireland is trying to dig its way out of the coldest weather it has ever known. A kid goes missing, and that leads to the discovery of the murder of a formerly rich guy who used to support the whole village. There’s other stuff going on too, and it all sort of whirls around. Not bad, even if the village seems a bit too small.
Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! by Roger Carp; Popular history of the toy train company and its connections to Hollywood. I’ve heard the train hobbyis still going strong, which makes me glad. It’s good to hear a hobby besides staring at your phone is thriving.
Glen, I enjoy hearing about your weekends. An interesting collection of books this week. I love model trains, and used to have one. I have to admit, though, I loved to watch Gomez blow them up on The Addams Family.
Lesa, I’m glad you’re enjoying your visit. Posting the Goodreads blurbs for the books this week because it’s way too early to write anything.
An ARC of The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber. This was my favorite of the week.
Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.
Newly-single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books—and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.
When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.
Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis.
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine.
The Midwatch Institute For Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell. I enjoyed the blurb more than the book.
Maggie Fishbone is not expecting much when she’s sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls—the last resort after causing a ruckus at the orphanage where she was living. Except . . . the Institute isn’t some dreadful, dreary place like she thought.
Instead it’s full of curious girls training to solve mysteries, fight bad guys, and keep the city safe. In between fencing lessons and discovering all the shortcuts in the building, Maggie finds herself making friends at the Midwatch and finally feeling like she’s home. And when a woman goes missing, Maggie’s off on her first assignment, with each step leading her deeper into the secrets of the city.
I love the sound of The Forget-Me-Not Library, Sandy. Combines a road trip and library and friendship.
Thank you for checking in on the blog even if it was about 5:30! You’re right. Early to have to summarize books!
Sandy, The Forget-Me-Not Library sounds terrific. It now has a prominent spot on my wish list.
Glad you’re having a nice visit. We’re having a nice stretch of weather, so that’s good. Things have been hectic with two cataract eye surgeries on the horizon. First, I went in Tuesday at 7:45 am to have my left eye done. The procedure went fine, but something in the anesthetic made me a little sick and I was there several more hours recovering before getting home late afternoon. I was much better yesterday, but naturally have not gotten any reading done. And I had to go back downtown early yesterday for the doctor to check it out. But things definitely are brighter through the new lens, which I’m told will let my vision get sharper day to day.
Up next: the right eye next Tuesday, with the follow up on Wednesday, after which – knock on wood – I should be done.
Books. After the Nora Roberts, Jackie is reading Jayne Castle (Jane Ann Krentz)’s IT TAKES A PSYCHIC, set on her Harmony world. She likes it but hasn’t spoken much about it.
As I said, I haven’t had much chance to read. I did finish Jane Smiley’s THE AGE OF GRIEF last Thursday. Since then I’ve been reading mostly short stories by Nicole Krauss (TO BE A MAN) and Maggie Shipstead (YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN 10A). Neither is a mystery and both should be finished fairly soon.
I read and enjoyed Deanna Raybourn’s KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE last year, as she introduced Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie, four women in their early 60s forcibly retired from The Museum, the organization where they served as very effective assassins over 40 years, killing drug dealers and others who needed to be killed. But then, it turns out the organization is not just throwing them a retirement bash, they want them dead. But it isn’t that easy to kill them, and they solve who is behind all this, as well as taking out many who want them dead. It was a very entertaining book.
Now we have the sequel, Kills Well With Others. A couple of years have passed since the action of the first book, The Museum has been reorganized, and the women are called back, unofficially, to find out who has killed a former worker, as well as targeting the women themselves. This may not quite be as good as the origin story – the following book seldom is – but if you enjoyed the first book you will definitely want to read this one too, as life and the women move on,
I hope your second surgery goes even better, Jeff, without getting sick afterwards. And, your vision will be better for reading!
I agree. If you liked Deanna Raybourn’s first Killer book, you will want to try the second.
Enjoy the weather!
Lesa, I finished KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS Pretty good, overall.
Tonight we’ll watch THE THURSDAY CLUB MURDERS on Netflix.
Hope the second procedure goes well, Jeff, and the healing process goes smoothly.
Thanks, Jennifer. I appreciate the thought. Got a call this morning that I had to be there at – wait for it – 6:15 on Tuesday. That’s too early! (The first time it was 7:45.) But it should get be done earlier, assuming … etc.
Jeff, That’s a real shame that you felt sick from the anesthetic. I hope they can use a different one for you on Tuesday. You’re halfway there already. Yay!
What fun to plan a birthday party for your mom! I would have never guessed from photos that you have shared that she was going to turn 90! Good for her. Enjoy your visit!
Kitchen update – I was able to get the two appliances delivered last week after I contacted the supplier. Dishwasher is installed but I haven’t tried it yet. New flooring is finished – yay! Now we wait for the cabinets. Will be so happy when the remodel is done and life returns to normal in my space.
I listened to the audio version of the Wedding People by Alison Espach. At first I wasn’t sure what I had signed up for when I started listening – a woman named Phoebe had gone to a hotel to commit suicide. Her marriage had ended, she was in a dead end job as an adjunct professor, she was not able to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom – basically life sucked. This did not sound like an uplifting book. But soon Phoebe’s life is turned upside down by a soon-to-be-bride named Lila. Lila has booked the entire hotel for her wedding week, and having an uninvited guest show up in “her” hotel, and killing herself is not going to happen on her watch. I loved Lila – she had no qualms about spending money, getting exactly what she wanted when she wanted it, saying whatever was on her mind, and was a force to be reckoned with. Surrounded by sycophant friends, she realizes that Phoebe is the only one that she can trust and corrals her into becoming her maid of honor. Phoebe begins to see that life is worth living under Lila’s command and rises to her assigned role. Unfortunately, along the way, she falls in love with the groom, and perhaps the groom is in love with her too? Funny, uplifting, life affirming, this is a fabulous book. Easily one of my favorites of the year.
Just chiming in with how much I loved The Wedding People by Alison Espach!
What’s even better, Mary, is that she’s working on the guest list with my youngest sister, and she’s having fun.
I’m so glad you’re getting part of your kitchen together. I can’t imagine living without the appliances!
Love the sound of Lila!
I finished Sharp Objects and decided to never read another of the author’s books. UGH! In retaliation, I am reading Elin Hildebrand’s The Hotel Nantucket, which I found at a library book sale for a dollar. The rest of the books were terrible and I wasn’t sure about this one, its OK. It has a bit of a mystery about and a ghost who has been through a lot. Much better as far and no giving me nightmares.
Carol, that’s how I felt too, only I quit the book long before the end. I know most people think Gone Girl was great, but I couldn’t read it either.
I agree with you and Jeff, Carol. I didn’t care for Sharp Objects and quit reading Gone Girl. Gillian Flynn wasn’t for me.
Good morning! I’m glad your trip is going well, Lesa, and I applaud you and your sisters for planning your mom’s birthday party so far in advance. It’s been a much quieter week this week for me (hurray!), and the only event of note was Henry’s piano recital. This time it was in a different location, and I wasn’t able to ride with my son because his family was going on to another (faraway) location afterward. So I drove myself the 40 minutes to an unfamiliar location and was devastated to find that there were only a few parking spaces at the Polish American Community Center, and they were all taken, although I went early. Fortunately, I was able to find parallel parking across the street after making a quick U-turn, but I don’t know how everyone else did. I say that because there were 30 (!) performers. Henry was great–first time playing with both hands–but I have to vent about the rest. The owner talked so softly–no microphone–that I had to strain to hear her, and that included her announcements of who was playing next. She spoke for 20 minutes before anyone started playing, though what we all came for was to hear our family members play. Many played more than one piece, which was great for the beginners but totally unnecessary for returning students (adults) and piano teachers. It lasted more than two hours. But I have to say that one of the teachers played a Debussy piece so well that it brought tears to my eyes. And the room itself was very nice and comfortable, with fans blowing just the right amount. OK, now what I read this week:
I’ve read a few books where the protagonist is a contestant on a baking show, but they’ve always seemed a bit hokey and not at all like the Great British Baking Show (or Bake Off) on which it is modeled and which I have enjoyed watching for years. But I was pleased to find that Rebecca Connolly’s THE CRIME BRULEE BAKE OFF is more respectful to that venerable show and its many fans. The way it is filmed, the hosts, the judges, and the types of bakes seem very similar, except that these contestants must create “historical bakes,”where only ingredients and kitchen devices that existed in 1900 and before are allowed. School teacher Claire is surprised and excited to be accepted as one of the aight contestants, and while she doesn’t expect to win, she is determined to do her best in the hope that her appearance will lead to a future career as a professional baker. Lord Jonathan (Jonny) Ainsley, the Viscount of Colburn, has agreed to host the competition at his estate to earn some money for its upkeep and is determined to keep his distance from everyone associated with the show. But he never expected to feel such an attraction to Claire, and the feeling may be mutual. But when one of the contestants is found dead on the estate early in the competition, the local constabulary is quick to call it an accident and the showrunners want to avoid bad publicity, but a less experienced detective feels it may be more, and encourages Jonny and Claire to help him collect the evidence. The book qualifies as a cozy mystery, as the main characters are not in law enforcement themselves. It is a fairly low-key story with likeable protagonists and a suspenseful plot. I suspect that in real life, the competition would be shut down in the face of a participant’s suspicious death, but keeping it going is, of course, instrumental to the story. I finished the book in a day and spent several pleasant hours with it. My thanks to Lesa for reviewing and recommending it.
SandyG I agree with you! I have loved reading five previous standalone books by the talented Heather Webber, so I was delighted to win an ARC of THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY from Goodreads. Like her other books, there is an intriguing magical realism element, the characters shine, and the setting is an important part of the plot. Juliet is on a road trip to try to fully recover from an unexpected disaster that robbed her of a beloved person in her life, as well as her childhood memories. She stays only a few days at each stop, but it seems that her car–along with one particular town–has other plans. It’s a breakdown that will take a while to fix, as the mechanic searches for the necessary part, and Juliet has an opportunity to get to know some of the generous and quirky locals. Tallulah has returned to town to live with her grandfather after an unexpected divorce. She is raising two daughters: precocious Katy will soon be in third grade, and the often-fussy Mary Joy is a young toddler. Tallulah also works in the town library, where she meets Juliet and reluctantly allows her to help out with the children while she waits for her car to be repaired. The magical realism comes in when Juliet learns that the town has a reputation for steering newcomers in the right direction. Deckle, the library cat, pushes books off the shelf that give Juliet flashbacks and even panic attacks, and a robin who is often seen becomes a touchstone for her suppressed emotions. There is a bit of romance for both women, and both romantic partners are interesting and relatable. And characters of every generation, from children to seniors, are beautifully drawn and detailed. But the book is. like all of the author’s books, really about damaged people finding happiness and love, a community coming together to help each other, and redemption for a couple of characters. I recommend it for those who enjoy entertaining, heartfelt stories that will resonate and brighten your day. (November)
DESPERATE SPIES by Mark de Castrique continues the adventures of 75-year-old Ethel Crestwater, a former FBI agent who runs a boarding house for government agents and law enforcement employees in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, DC. Petite Ethel, who retired 18 years ago–we learn the reason for her early retirement in this book–is still formidable. She isn’t afraid to make use of her contacts on both sides of the law when necessary, as she gets pulled into some dangerous situations because of her impressive experience and her still-sharp analytical and strategic skills. After a mob-related attorney informant is killed as he is about to divulge classified activities and information that are sought by more than one source, Ethel finds herself involved in efforts to dismantle a conspiracy that revolves around quantum computing advances that could be used for nefarious purposes. At her side, as usual, is her engaging college-age cousin, Jesse. f know nothing about quantum anything, and although it was explained briefly, I would have appreciated a theme that was a bit easier to digest. In addition, I missed the element of human interest that was present in Secret Lives and Dangerous Women, the two previous books in the series. The prose is dense (although the book is short), and everything that happens is explained in excruciating detail, step by step, which I found to be somewhat tedious. I did enjoy the references to the UFOs (United Flying Octogenarians) that provide assistance when needed. This is a story where violence cannot be avoided, but it is mostly non-graphic, except for one memorable scene. I’m hoping there will be more of a return to what made the previous books so entertaining in future series entries. (November)
Margie, If we wanted a venue, we had to plan ahead. Originally, we wanted Saturday, June 6, but the venue ( and probably a lot of others) was booked every Saturday in June. Weddings and graduations. We went for Sunday, June 7, which is Mom’s actual birthday. Tomorrow, we’ll meet with a caterer, and my niece will do simple decorations.
It’s a shame about parking, and the woman who made the announcements. It’s great you were able to hear Henry.
I’m going to get one of Webber’s books when I get home next week.
Glad you are able to spend time with your Mom this week, Lesa. These times are precious.
We have been having splendid weather this week. I was able to open all the doors and windows to give the air conditioning a break. It has been glorious.
Three books for me this week.
I finished JILL IS NOT HAPPY by Kaira Rouda. Sharon was not happy that she bothered to finish it. Advertised as a thriller it was just dark with not very nice characters. Jill set her eyes on Jack from college as her future husband. Fast forward twenty-some-odd years and Jack has decided he wants out of the marriage. Jill proposes a trip to Utah to rekindle the romance, and she won’t take no for an answer. Suffice it to say they both deserve each other.
I also read BUG HOLLOW by Michelle Huneven. I thought this one was very good. It takes place over decades with the Samuelson family who lost their golden child in a freak accident. Each chapter tells the story from a different family member trying for life to go on after Ellis’ death.
My last book was also very good but very sad. DAYS YOU WERE MINE by Clare Leslie Hall is a story about an adopted man who finds his birthmother and father. She ends up becoming the caretaker for his infant son Samuel and problems ensue. The chapters are alternating between Alice and how she became pregnant and gave Luke up for adoption and Luke’s adult story trying to cope with being adopted. It was excellent.
I put your book on reserve, Lesa. It sounded good.
Happy Reading!
Our weather was actually a little cool for me, Sharon. The first day was glorious, and then a little too cool. I’m sitting here wearing a heavy sweater that was my Dad’s! Enjoy it, though.
None of your books really jump out at me. I hope you enjoy the Agatha Christie one. I’m liking it, but just don’t have much time this week.
ACK! I have no idea why autofill repeated my name twice. Sorry.
Lesa, I know you are having a great time visiting your mom and planning her 90th Birthday party for next year? How cool!
It is mostly the same old stuff here. We have made some litter box adjustments for London the cat and set him up at the new vet we are going to try. They said he did not need to see the vet right away as long as he is healthy and they are checking into his shots received at place we adopted him from.
We are planning for lots of book buying starting in September!!! We have not bought any books all year (except for inexpensive Kindle books) and we will go to the Planned Parenthood Book Sale in three weeks with a list of books we want and also start looking for books that we put off buying until now.
What Glen is reading… First, a nonfiction book, THE PLEASURE OF READING, edited by Antonia Fraser, published in 1992. The description from Goodreads: “40 leading writers explain what first made them interested in reading. They describe the comics and childhood classics that first inspired them to read, and what today continues to do so.” So far, in that book, he is finding that the essays are kind of dry. We will see if it gets better… since he always finishes a book if he starts it.
He is also reading a book of short stories by Cornell Woolrich, NIGHT AND FEAR. He has only read the first story in that book and he liked it.
What I am reading… I finished the book I was reading last week: THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO TOWN: 9/11 IN GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND. It was an interesting read. It reminded of much that I had forgotten about 9/11. I liked reading about the passengers and crews on the planes that had to land in Gander when US airspace was shutdown; and how the people of Gander and nearby towns helped and supported those people during their stay.
I am now reading PESTICIDE by Kim Hays, and enjoying it very much. I am about halfway through the book. Most of you here already know about the book because Kim joins in here on Thursdays, and the book has been reviewed here by Kevin Tipple. Police procedurals are one of my favorite types of mysteries and this one features Detective Giuliana Linder and Investigator Renzo Donatelli. The related cases that they are working on is the death of two men; one a young man in Bern, the other is an elderly man who owns and works an organic farm in an area outside of Bern. The focus on organic farming is fascinating, and I am always interested in the different ways the police and the legal system work in various countries. I have ended up reading too late at night for the last two nights because I have trouble putting down the book.
I’ve come along late today, but I’m so glad I made it, because I got to read your great comments about PESTICIDE, Tracy! Thank you. I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the book.
Kim, I am glad you made it today, too, because I wanted you to know how much I am liking your book. I will be getting a copy of book 2 in the series soon.
Hurray!
Feel free to tell me about London any week, Tracy. I miss my cats.
Love the sound of your booksale. I hope you can load up.
I like your latest reading!
Tracy, I’ve never read a Woolrich novel, but I’ve read a lot of his short stories, including the book Glen is reading. Good stuff. Of course, I’ve read all of Kim’s books.
Here I am at last–we’re leaving tomorrow for three weeks in England, with my niece’s wedding in the middle of the trip, and I’ve been getting last minute things done since this morning.
Always wonderful to hear how well your mother is, Lesa. My mother, the librarian, has been gone for 15 years, but my mother-in-law is turning 90 at the end of September, and she is a force of nature! Lives alone in her house with no help; shops, cooks, and cleans; and handles all her own business affairs with only an occasional request for advice from one of her two sons. She keeps up with what’s going on in the world and enjoys talking about it with us.
Reading: I’m listening to FRACTURED, the second Will Trent police procedural by Karen Slaughter, and finding it interesting and exciting. Two murders of teenagers and the kidnapping of a third. Will, an FBI agent in Georgia, is a very appealing and complex character–I’m glad there are more books about him.
Enjoy your trip to England, Kim.
Good for your mother-in-law. My Mom can take care of everything, too. Sometimes, she has technology questions, but someone in the family can usually answer them. I admire her for everything she does.
I read a couple Karen Slaughter, but made the mistake of not reading them in order, and I regret it.
My review of Splintered Justice runs Sunday. Finally got Hoopla to cooperate long enough I got the book read, Kim.
Just finished. Run For the Hills. It was so refreshing and good. Just regular fiction.
Happy Birthday tomorrow, Carol Jeanne!
I’m reading a recent biography of Carson McCullers by Mary Dearborn. Very interesting, but I think I enjoyed the older biographies a bit more. Modern biographers seem to be interested in inserting their own sensibilities into their subjects, instead of just letting the individual and their work speak for themselves.
And, Mary Ann? My favorite biographies were actually those “Childhood of Famous Americans” books that were at the library when I was a kid. Do you remember those?
Lesa, yes! I read all the ones my library had, which wasn’t very many. I distinctly remember the Lincoln one.
Good evening from NE Dallas where we hit 100 a few hours ago and now are in the 70s with a thunderstorm. Power has been shaky the last hour.
PSA— If you have a safety deposit box with CHASE BANK, check and see if your branch is eliminating them. My parents had then since the 80s at nearby Casa Linda. I had to go in Monday and close them and retrieve paperwork that was in them as my local branch has then gone in thirty days. I was told that, no, the branch is not closing. That the powers that be at Chase are ending safety deposit boxes at all branches nationwide. It is a rolling shutdown and we are in the front part of the wave.
As to books–If you like the Virgil Flowers series stuff, come to my blog today and check out my review of Bump and Run: A Wade Durham Novel by Richard Helms. It is Flowers in a different character and without the adult language that annoys some folks.
Current Read– Via NetGalley where I can’t get FRAMED IN DEATH despite massive begging to the author, publisher, etc.— Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen.
NetGalley Description — In the peaceful California coast city of Playa Maria, CRIME WRITER ZOEY KOZINSKI joins a local police officer for a ride-along in hopes of breaking through her writer’s block. But during a routine traffic stop, the cop is shot, the victim of a brutal homicide.
Zoey realizes she is the only witness and the number one target on the killer’s hit list. PTSD kicks in, sending her into a tailspin. It doesn’t help that she lives on an illegal cannabis farm and that her estranged mother has just arrived. Even the police officer’s widow points a finger at the writer, claiming she was a distraction, and the police department knew it.
Lurking on the fringes is a man who stopped briefly at the crime. Good Samaritan or sinister suspect? For her safety, Zoey needs to find out.
And the thunder rolls…
That’s just lousy that Chase isn’t going to keep their safe deposits boxes, Kevin.
Sorry about the weather.
I love Virgil Flowers, and that series might be ending with the direction it has been taking. I may have to check it out. Thanks.
Shows you how much banks care about their customers.
I could sort of understand it for new branches. But those boxes have been there fifty some odd years. So, they have long since paid for themselves.
I could sort of see it for brand new branches. But, these boxes have been in place since the 70s when it was Texas Commerce Bank.
A neighbor says young people don’t use Safety Deposit Boxes. That they put everything on their phones.
Heck if I know.
I never did get FRAMED IN DEATH. I pulled my request on NetGalley today as I understand that the system will auto deny on pub day and that would count against me. I will have to wait about a month for the Dallas Library to get it in and then wait on the holds list for it to come up for me. Probably late November at the earliest. Sigh.
It took two hours to go through the shut down process. Then I had to go to my bank where it took over an hour to open two boxes. In the middle of it, and in front of everybody, my leg buckled and cane and I slammed into a wall. I then slid to the floor on my knees and hands. Hit so hard, that some boss, three rooms away thought a car hit the building and came flying down the hall to assess the situation.
Mortifying.
One of the complaints I see about the Flowers books from a lot of folks is the adult language. I never cared. But, for readers who do, this is a way cleaner read. It is also mighty good.
Just found out today that the author is going to make the eBook on Amazon free for several days starting 9/15 as he has a book launch event planned for that evening.
I was glad for the rain, but power flickers are nerve wracking for me. We had two rounds of rain last night, only hit 82 today (Friday) and are supposed to get more rain tomorrow and Sunday. Long range models indicate that the next two weeks are supposed to be way less hot than normal. The local weather readers have zero institutional memory and think the 100s are over. I am old enough to remember when the State Fair days during October hit 100s and the only shade was the occasional dragon flying by overhead on the thermals.
KRT
Kevin. few people have shorter memories than weather people, apparently.Most of them seem to be from some place else, and don’t actually know much about the local weather if happened more than a couple of weeks ago.
When they say “The young people” they usually don’t know what they’re talking about. There’s still a lot of stuff you can’t put on your phone. I read a lot of people went with another option when some government (Turkey? Indonesia? I don’t remember off hand) opened peoples’ boxes because the country’s currency collapsed. They didn’t just take money, but gold, diamonds, and whatever they wanted. If it could happen there, it could happen here.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if there was pressure from the government about the boxes to “prevent crime” and keep us safe.”
Taking two hours to close out a box because the bank is forcing you to do it is ridiculous. They’re the one that should be embarrassed. To be honest, I’m surprised they didn’t try to charge you for it.
I would have been charged if I had done this. I don’t know how much. They kept stressing that all fees were being waived because I was doing my part that they had started.
All that was in the three my parents had were the house deed, wills for them and their parents, and other stuff like that.
I did not think about the government being involved and yet that could easily be it. Maybe somebody watched tooo many action movies where somebody had guns and money stashed in them as they went from place to place.
You didn’t say if you were alright after that the leg buckling (scary all on its own) and the slamming into the wall (must have been painful!) Any injuries? I hope you wre alright, physically at least. My goodness.
Got banged up a bit and it jacked my normal pain level way up and I am still feeling the after effects today. But, I didn’t break anything AND i didn’t hit my head. Head injuries always worry me as I have had five concussions and a brain bleed killed my father after he hit his head so I am super aware that could happen.
No, the biggest thing was just the embarrassment. I tend to fall a bit and doing so in public is just horrible. everybody freaks out. Usually, somebody starts filming on their cell phone. Somebody else is rushing to call 911. I need a minute to assess where I am at and if everything still works. The more witnesses, the worse the chaos gets. Meanwhile, I am down and trying to figure out IF I can get up, If I should get up, and what the hell to say to get everybody to calm down as I can’t just go through the floor after all.
So, a bit battered and worse for wear, Lindy, but not as bad as it easily could have been. And their carpet is like going down on concrete. lol
I didn’t know that about requests until you said it once before, Kevin.
I’m so sorry about the safety deposit boxes, and your fall. Since I’m reading this on Saturday evening, I certainly hope you’re feeling better by now.
Just checking in, ever so late. We drove all day to get to the ocean. Listenjng to the waves, a wonderful 56 degrees.
Sounds blissful!
I hope you enjoyed your time at the ocean, MM! Thanks for checking in.