I had a great week! My best friend, Donna, came in from Evansville. She and I worked together at the library there for ten years. When I first started, I worked on the first floor and she worked on the third. We’d meet in the stairwell in between and talk books. It was much easier to talk books after I changed jobs within the library, and moved to the third floor for the last few years. We’ve traveled frequently together, to New York City, St. Louis, to book conferences in Tennessee, Kentucky and Tucson, to concerts in Indiana, Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis. I introduced her to my favorite Celtic music. We travel well together, and always have a good time. It’s been two years since we’ve seen each other.
Once she was here we went to a couple bookstores, my local library, met at Linda’s one day, and met up with Linda at a fun restaurant called Asterisk Supper Club. It’s so much fun that Donna and Linda are so much alike. It’s like spending time with two sisters when the three of us are together. And, we talked and talked and talked. We had such a great time again, and I’m hoping I can get to Evansville to see her and her husband in September.
So, my week was spent with my best friend. I hope you had a good week.
I’ve kept up with my reading until Wednesday. So, I’m just starting Murder Most Delicious by Daniella Postell-Vinay. It will be released on Tuesday. Here’s the description.
In Paris, murder is a dish best served with chocolate éclairs.
Starting over in Paris was supposed to be the opportunity of a lifetime for American sommelier Olivia Beech—until her dream job ends in murder.
Once a rising star in the wine world, Olivia was one of a handful of women in the world to hold the distinction of being a Master Sommelier before COVID stole her sense of taste—and her career. Adrift and depressed, she gets a second chance when beloved celebrity chef Jacques de Bizet invites her to Paris for a job interview. But as the interview begins, he collapses, poisoned, making Olivia the prime suspect.
Olivia is in trouble, but she has an advantage: her extraordinary nose is still sharp enough to detect the subtlest of scents, including the poison that killed Jacques. Olivia knows she’s innocent, but how can she prove it?
What about you? What are reading this week? What have you been doing while I’ve been hitting bookstores and libraries?
I’m glad you had such a good visit Lesa, two years is a long time.
Sunday’s weather here was a return to winter. Windy & overcast with bits of snow in the air. Perfect time to settle in with a murder mystery. HOW TO CHEAT YOUR OWN DEATH is the third in Kristen Perrin’s Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series. Two interlocking mysteries occurring decades apart with a London setting.
After seeing a mention on Kevin’s blog, I was curious about this Rex Stout novel set outside New York. DEATH OF A DUDE is a 1969 Nero Wolfe mystery, notable for being set entirely outside of New York City, in Montana, where Archie Goodwin is vacationing at Lily Rowan’s ranch. Fortunately, my library had the audio via Libby.
Someone recommended the Chief Superintendent Fran Harman series by Judith Cutler. I read the first book in the series COME TO HARM (originally published as Life Sentence) and was impressed. The series follows Harman’s career in the Kent Force. Sympathetic characters, complex cases and personal challenges.
Finally, the 2026 British Book Awards Book of the Year – Crime & Thriller was announced and I think it was Lindy that recommended this book.
A Case of Mice and Murder, Sally Smith’s “exquisitely written” murder mystery, set in London’s Inner Temple, was singled out by the judges as a “standout in this category”. Edwardian barrister Gabriel Ward KC a new “memorable sleuth” on the crime and thriller shelves.
I’ve read this one and the sequel, A Case of Life and Limb, and can totally support the selection.
MM, I hadn’t heard that A Case of Mice and Murder won that award. I’m so happy it won! I recently read that there will be a third book in the series – A Case of Fear and Favour. Being released in the UK in January 2027; probably later over here.