As a reader, I’m a little melancholy. I’m sorry. Three authors, Jeffrey Archer, Peter May, and Mark Pryor, are not supposed to die within three weeks. I wasn’t as shocked at the deaths of Archer and May, but Mark Pryor was only 59. Way too young. That’s enough. Too much loss for the reading community. I do admire what his family wrote for the last line of Pryor’s obituary. “In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests patronizing and supporting your local bookstore, in memory of Mark’s passion for literature and his unwavering support for the written word.” Because I asked friends to give to their local public library when my husband died at age 59, I felt this.
Other than that, it’s been a quiet week here. I’ll take a quiet reading week.
A couple weeks ago, one of you reviewed Mariah Fredericks’ Murder on 34th Street. It’s set in November 1932 when Santa was threatened before the 9th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Harry Gardner, the man who is playing Santa, shared a threatening note with Grace Verlander, the assistant to the head of personnel.
As I’m reading it, the parade is halfway over, so I don’t know if it’s Santa or another dead body that is found on a float.
I haven’t read one of Fredericks’ novels since she finished the Jane Prescott series five years ago, although several of her standalones such as The Wharton Plot have been popular. But, this one? Fredericks has the voice exactly right. Grace is a perfect narrator, familiar with the store employees. Murder on 34th Street makes me feel as if it’s 1932, during the Depression, but with a store that’s hoping people will see it as a place where wishes come true. I’m looking forward to the rest of the book.
What about you? What have you been doing this week? How’s your weather? (I have a cousin in Montana who has had snow!) What are you reading this week?
I have a book to recommend. (and excuse my laziness, but I’m just cutting and pasting this from my blog. We have a lot going on in our lives right now – deer colliding with cars, hot water heaters failing and flooding, all just to much).
Those of us who read a lot have learned over the years that certain books just somehow find their way into the lives of the readers who need them at the perfect time.
I read across all genres, but I tend to stay away from books and authors who advertise as “laugh out loud funny.”
I enjoy laughter as much as anyone, but, to me, many of a these books just seem to try too hard.
I prefer a more natural approach to a laugh – a line the writer surprises you with; one you just did not see coming.
This book, THE MIDLIFE BIRTHDAY CLUB by Rachel Hanna, did make me laugh out loud. It also had me dripping tears down my face. Sometimes both those things happened all on one page. And i loved it all.
Because I am a big fan of Southern Fiction, and of Women’s Fiction, I have read and enjoyed Rachel Hanna’s work.
THE MIDLIFE BIRTHDAY CLUB, however, spoke to me in ways that I am not even going to try to explain. Let me simply say that I found it be one of the most moving novels I’ve read and quite special. It’ll be included in my list of favorites for this year.
With a review like that Kaye, how could I not immediately order this book?! The answer of course is that it wasn’t possible not to, so it’s now on order. Looking forward to it!
I also tend to avoid books advertised as side-splittingly funny because I end up feeling that the author is trying too hard. But you make this one sound like the real thing! Thanks for the tip.
If it made you feel good despite what’s going on in your life, Kaye, I’m in. Like Lindy, I ordered it based on your recommendation.
I hope you find a few more books to help you make it through this mess.
Count me in among those who couldn’t resist buying this book after reading your description. Only %6.99 on Kindle! Thank you, Kaye.
It does make one melancholy Lesa, to read about the deaths of authors (and others) we love, especially when there there are so many so close together. I was unhappy earlier in the year when Sophie Kinsella died at a young age as well, because I’d enjoyed so many of her books, especially the earlier ones. I think The Undomestic Goddess was my all-time favourite of hers. And Mark Pryor’s death would be extra difficult because of the exact age. A sad business all round.
This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. David and I went to our son and daughter-in-law’s house for a delicious dinner. Evelyn had written out the menu for us. When I read it I clutched it to me because I thought it was so cute and she kindly said I could take it home after dinner. One of the items was ‘mashed potatoes by Evelyn.’ She was very proud that she’d made them herself. Curiously, considering she reads a lot, her spelling is atrocious. Hopefully it will sort itself out over time. Some things on the menu: brocoleane, satted (sautéed) carots rosted, are frid chicpees (air fried chickpeas), juse, ham with aprocot glase. I can’t wait to give it to her ten years or so from now and see what she thinks of her former efforts. While the grownups were talking after dinner she took herself off to a chair in the corner to read Calvin and Hobbes.
Books this week:
SPELLSTRUCK by Martha Waters
This was just an OK book for me. Intriguing premise though – set in an alternate 1920s London, where magic has been banned, yet there exist a number of clubs where people can enjoy themselves with the usual alcoholic drinks or (illegally of course) with slightly enchanted ones. These special drink offerings are little temporary spells such as changing one’s appearance or allowing one to levitate above the floor. All harmless but providing a bit of extra fun for an evening out.
Suddenly here and there, clubs start experiencing a series of unexpected accidents with their spells.
Vesper Holloway runs one such club on her family’s behalf. Enter Max Ashbridge, once a friend of Vesper’s brother and now employed by the government to enforce the ban on the use of magic. But he rather likes Vesper so offers her club immunity if she will help him investigate these accidents.
The accidents increase as does the chemistry between Vesper and Max as they try to uncover who’s responsible for the irresponsible use of magic.
The book has a bit of fantasy and magic, a mystery to be solved, and a bit of romance. It was mildly entertaining but that’s it. I much preferred the author’s novel ‘And Then There Was the One’.
MURDER IN BELGRAVIA by Lynn Brittney
Bk 1 in the Mayfair 100 mystery series. An older book published in 2018, but new to me.
From the jacket:
‘London, 1915. As World War l engulfs Europe, a special task force is formed in the affluent Mayfair district to tackle the city’s thorniest crimes against women. When the bobbies and Scotland Yard come up short, there’s only one number to dial: Mayfair 100.
An aristocrat has been murdered, and his wife, a witness and possible suspect, will only talk to a woman. With the blessing of London’s chief commissioner, Chief Inspector Beech, a young man invalided out of the war, assembles a crew of sharp, intrepid, and well-educated women to investigate. But to get at the truth, Beech, Victoria, Caroline, Rigsby, and Tollman will venture into the city’s seedy underbelly, a world where murder is only the first in a litany of evils.’
I really liked the way the five main characters – the chief inspector, a lawyer, a doctor, a young police constable, and a retired policeman – were introduced and right from the beginning I felt I knew them which made me care about them which made an already strong story even better. It was an interesting mix of a cozy type of historical/mystery/police procedural and a much more serious, gritty novel exposing some quite disturbing scenes from the time period the novel was set in.
I learned lots of history I hadn’t known before, such as Forced March tablets which were given to soldiers before a battle to fire them up; these were actually cocaine tablets. Or the existence of a freely available medicine to give to colicky babies which were opium-based and often killed the babies! The bits of history did sometimes feel like being given a history lesson rather than learning about them incidentally, but at other times the learning was an immersive heart-wrenching experience. I’ll definitely be trying to find a copy of the next book in the series to see this special task force in action again.
Lindy, I wonder if Evelyn will be embarrassed ten years from now, or just happy that you enjoyed her menu so much that you saved it. It sounds as if she made it extra special.
I was happy to read your reviews today because I almost picked up Spellstruck, but now I’ll skip it. On the other hand, Murder in Belgravia sounds excellent! Thank you for both reviews!
Lindy, thank you for sharing the Evelyn stories. They put a smile on your face.
Thank you Jeff! We don’t see them that often; they’re an hour’s drive away and both parents work and Evelyn has so many activities on the go that I don’t know how they keep track of it all. Soccer (our son coaches the team), tae kwon do, Girl Guides, and at school there’s cross country running and choir. She’s only 9 years old.
Lindy, I think. I would consider putting Evelyn’s menu in a frame and putting it in my kitchen if I had a spot.
I like that idea Sharon.
MURDER ON 34TH STREET definitely sounds fun. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it.
I’m working on DEATH DOWN THE AISLE, the new Phyllida Bright Mystery from Colleen Cambridge. As the title suggests, this one involves a wedding. Phyllida is Agatha Christie’s housekeeper, and she’s getting involved at a murder that takes place after the wedding of someone in the village where they live. I’m a third of the way in, and we’ve just found the body, so I’m curious to see where things go from here. And this is why I’ve been prioritizing this series this year. I can be up to date when I finish this book, which comes out the end of the month.
If you’re like me, Mark, you always feel behind. There are so many series I want to read, and I just feel as if I never have enough time. Isn’t it nice to feel caught up for once?
Looking forward to the new Colleen Cambridge book. Thanks for mentioning Mark.
We drove out to Peddler’s Village in PA for their Oktoberfest last Saturday. Fortunately we know enough to get there an hour before it starts. Otherwise there’s no place to park and traffic trying to get there is horrible. It was busier than usual because they were predicting heavy rain for Sunday and wound up having to cancel the event on Sunday.
I read Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima., the latest in her Mattie and Robo K-9 series. It was the first book I’d read in a while that I didn’t want to put down.
From Goodreads
A routine welfare check becomes a nightmare when Deputy Mattie Walker finds a young mother dead and a hysterical toddler, possibly the only witness to a brutal crime. Before the investigative team can start piecing together what happened, Mattie discovers another criminal act in Timber Creek.
During a traffic stop for speeding, Mattie observes a nervous driver and a teenage passenger frozen with fear. A quick sweep of the car with her K-9 partner, Robo, reveals a dangerous mix of drugs and suspected human trafficking, providing Mattie with grounds to arrest the driver. After she places the teenager in protective custody, the sheriff’s department hands the case over to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
As the team gathers evidence and information, Mattie’s husband, veterinarian Cole Walker, notices suspicious activity during ambulatory calls at dog kennels, indicating yet a third crime lurking in the shadows. What begins as isolated incidents quickly reveals a chilling Organized crime has infiltrated their rural mountain community.
Every clue leads to more questions, and each answer brings them closer to greater danger. Do Mattie and her law enforcement partners have what it takes to shut down this criminal ring before it claims more victims? And could its next victim be someone Mattie loves?
And I read a cute book about a spider who helps an orphan mouse find the local mouse colony, Beanie and the Spider by Chris Norris. Of course they have adventures along the way.
It’s starting to be that season, Sandy. First, there are Oktoberfest celebrations. Then, soon, there will be Christmas fairs and craft shows. Linda and I went to one really good one at a nearby church last year, and I’m going to watch for it once Halloween is over. They seemed to be jammed in on Saturdays during November.
I agree. Fighting Edge kept my attention. I’m not sure about Beanie and the Spider, though.
And we have a little holiday called Thanksgiving in there, too!
Two very different books you read this week Sandy! Both sound good though, so I shall research. Beanie must also be a series?
Lindy, I don’t think there’s more than one Beanie book so far. It was a read now book on NetGalley
This is the first Thursday since I returned from my month-long trip to the US, where I visited family and friends in eight cities. I had a wonderful time, and I didn’t take my laptop. So you haven’t heard from me for ages, and I read a lot of books while I was gone. I thought I’d just list what I read and get back to regular reviewing next week.
THUMBPRINT (1936), by Friedrich Glauser and THE BASEL KILLINGS by Hansjörg Schneider: I’m taking a once-a-month course in which we read Swiss mystery writers. These are two Swiss classics. Interesting to me as a local, but old-fashioned and not really recommended.
PRESUMED GUILTY, by Scott Turrow. Well-done and enjoyable, but it didn’t grab me.
BIG LITTLE TRUTHS, by Liane Moriarty. I’m glad I read it, but I found the plot too scattered between the different characters from BIG LITTLE LIES (which I liked better).
IMPERIUM, by Robert Harris. The first in his series about Cicero. I know very little Roman history, and I found Harris’s detailed description of how Cicero slowly rose to power fascinating.
2 Lord Julian mysteries by Grace Burrowes. These are low-key and funny but also slow, and only enjoyable if you like the Regency period. I’ve read nine of them over the last year and have four to go.
THE DYING LIGHT, by Ann Cleeves. This is the most recent Matthew Venn mystery, and I thought it was outstanding. It’s heavy–two teenage girls are killed, and we aren’t spared the grief of one mother in particular. The situations are complex and confusing at the beginning; the characters are opaque, and it takes time for things to become clear. But Matthew is his usual quiet but competent, unsure but likable self, and by the end he has worked everything out despite all the red herrings. I recommend highly.
I’m sure I read a few more books, but these are the ones that come to mind as worth mentioning. Next week I’ll review THE SALT KING by Natasha Pulley, a favorite fantasy writer, which I’m in the middle of listening to and, so far, loving.
Welcome home, Kim! It’s good to have you back here.
I’m so glad you mentioned The Dying Light. Michael Venn isn’t my favorite of Ann Cleeves’ characters, so I’ve been putting off that book. I do like the scenarios in that series, though. Now that you’ve read and recommended it, I’ll give it a try. I already have a copy here. Thank you!
Welcome back Kim. It seems you were gone for longer than a month.
Kim, I can’t believe how many books you read while away. Where did you find the time?! I’m a slow reader so this many books seems unattainable to me at the best of times.
I think I’ll get David started on the Matthew Venn books. See how he likes the first one anyway
Hi Lesa! That book sounds really fun! I’m blowing through The French Illusion by John Grisham and then I want to read Girls by Freya India. I’m also listening to Greenlights. This upcoming week is going to be an interesting one for me because I’m having a lumpectomy and will be recovering.
Hope all goes well with the lumpectomy, Melissa, and that there will be nothing to worry about afterwards
I agree with Jennifer, Melissa. I hope everything goes well. Take care of yourself afterward! I’m sure it’s worrying ahead of time.
Melissa, Sending good thoughts. Hopefully all will be well.
Interesting isn’t the word I would have chosen Melissa. Something stronger for sure. I hope it all goes smoothly and the results are good.
Good morning all. Not a great week for me. On Sunday I suddenly got sick – various cold and other symptoms – and for two days I felt sick as a very sick dog. I can understand why the CIA and others who want to break people down use sleep deprivation. I couldn’t even lie down Sunday night and, though I slept Monday, I woke up every hour or so. It’s been a slow recovery and today is the first time I feel even close to normal.
And now, inevitably, Jackie is sick, though so far it’s nothing like what I had.
Needless to say, I couldn’t concentrate on anything, let alone reading. I have managed to read a few more stories in COUNTRY CHRISTIE. I’ve read them all before but this time they’re just OK. But when you’re brain is foggy that’s all you can handle. I’m currently reading James Sallis’s final, posthumously published novel, BACKWATER. More on that next time.
I did finish one book before I got sick, Harlan Coben’s PLOT TWIST: LIFE,CRAFT AND THE MESSY FIRST DRAFT: A MEMOIR ON WRITING. Lesa covered this a few days ago, and I agree with her. Good book.
The one story I’d heard from Harlan that was not in the book was when he started a new school (can’t remember what level it was) and knew no one, he was befriended the first day by someone you may have heard of: Chris Christie. Yes, they became friends.
So sorry to hear about Mark Pryor. I agree 59 is way too young.
Jackie has been reading a lot more than me. She has her Kindle next to the bed, so if she wakes up and can’t fall asleep she reads a chapter, sometimes many chapters. She read the Jayne Castle book mentioned last week and Christine Feehan’s TWISTED ROAD, and has started the new Margaret Mizushima.
Otherwise, her recovery continues well. She has PT twice a week and does exercises at home.
I’m sorry, Jeff, that you had a lousy week of sickness. Rest! Thanks for stopping by even though you’re probably still feeling sick. I hope both you and Jackie feel better soon. I hate feeling sick. At least I was able to sleep (a lot) the last time.
Take care of yourself, and maybe you can get some sleep now. Sending hugs to both of you!
I’ve heard about this bug through social media, and it sounds nasty! Keep over on the East Coast, Thanks!
Very sorry you were so ill Jeff. Sounds horrible! If you got sick suddenly, it seems as though it’s the flu. There’s a lot of sickness out there already. At least you’re getting it over with early.
I’m glad Jackie isn’t quite as sick as you, but it can’t be nice for her to deal with being sick as well as still recovering from knee surgery. Sigh.
We finally dropped down to the 60s and 70s here with cold mornings.
I went to north Idaho over the weekend for a funeral. No snow but it was cold. We were originally going to go through Montana to get there but when we seen that it was predicting snow, we changed our route. Thank goodness we did. They got quite a bit for this early in the season.
Being the primary driver doesn’t allow much time to read. But I have been listening to Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar and reading Very Bad Neighbors by Sue Hincenbergs.
Next Thursday, I’ll be in Calgary for Bouchercon. Is anyone else going to be there?
Bev! You have fun, and let us know all about Bouchercon afterwards, who you met, who you saw. Have you been before? I always enjoyed it, but enjoyed it most when I was with a friend. It’s enormous!
Yes! This will be my 3rd time. I’m going with one of the ladies from my book club. She’s gone before too. This year, I volunteered to work the bookroom.
We are still in the 90’s here! I am almost to the middle of The Girls With No Names by Serena Burdick. It is set in New York City in 1910. A rich family has two daughters, Luella and Effie. Luella is beautiful, and her mother thinks of her as the beautiful one. Her mother was a ballerina from Paris. During one of the shows, her costume caught on fire and her hands were badly burned. She had saved her life by batting at the flames but now wears gloves all the time to hide them from people and has to apply ointment every night.
The father, Emory, is an extremely handsome man on the outside but a philanderer.
Luella and Ellie are devoted to each other. Effie was born with a terrible heart defect, and her parents were told that she would live to be three years old. Now, because of the heart defect, she has clubbed fingers, which she hides under gloves and “blue fits”, struggling to get oxygen.
The two girls, looking out the window, see their father kissing a well-known suffragette. Luella is enraged and, after a while, runs off to Maine.
Because her father and his mother say to tell Effie nothing. Effie fears that her sister has been put in the House of Mercy, a notorious Catholic house for wayward girls. Effie manages to get herself admitted and finds out that her sister is not there! Now I am very mad at the parents for not telling her the truth.
Sounds like quite a book, Carol. I can see why you’re upset with the parents.
Cold weather suddenly appeared with several nights barely above twenty degrees. I’m so not ready for winter! My reading week got off to a strong start, but that didn’t last.
THE MYSTERIOUS BOOKSHOP PRESENTS THE BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR 2026 Kevin Tipple reviewed this collection last week just as I was starting the book. Twenty short stories are selected from all the submitted stories, 10 by Otto Penzler, with the remaining 10 by this year’s guest editor, Tess Gerritsen. All the stories are good, although one does have personal favorites. I rather liked Murder By The Creek by H.K. Slade.
Amy Bloom’s debut detective novel, BLUNT INSTRUMENT, is an entertaining read, featuring Dell Chandler, a failed academic and self-taught PI. The author brings a bit of psychological depth to the characters. And lust, lots of lust!
Phillippa Perry’s mystery debut and possibly the start of a new series, SHRINK SOLVES MURDER. Set in coastal Sussex, a murder disguised as a suicide, a psychotherapist who insists she’s right and a cast of village characters all make for a compulsive read.
I’m currently reading three books, all different series. Those three, at least, will be completed for next week..
MURDER BY THE CREEK was one of my favorites as well.
By the way, next Tuesday on my blog I will have my review of THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE 2026. Unlike some years, the stories that they highlight in this one were way different than the ones found in The Mysterious Bookshop Presents deal.
I agree, MM. I’m not ready for winter yet either. Stay warm!
I can do three books, but, not if they’re all crime fiction. I need a nonfiction or romance or something different in there so I can remember who’s who.
One is an “occult detective” for an October event. Not something I typically read.
Good morning, all! Not a lot to report this week, other than grandson Henry kicked for 4 more points in his Junior Peewee Trojans football game on the big high school field and also had two quarterback sacks (reminder: he is 9). The team won 24-0, but we don’t know yet whether they qualify for the playoffs. And while chatting during the game with his sister Autumn (age 7) about Starbucks cake pops (her passion), I told her that cream frappuccinos (without the coffee) are available. Her whole face lit up, and I’m sure her parents won’t thank me. Oh, well . . .
Here’s what I read, including the one that I finished the previous week but hadn’t yet reviewed for last week’s blog:
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE POISONED PROFESSOR is the first Welsh Village Mystery in Lucy Connelly’s new series after concluding her Scottish Isle Mysteries, all five of which I have enjoyed. Dr. Gwen Griffin is an American who attended the university in Dillynaidd years ago for her degrees and is returning to head the journalism department. Carolyn, the university’s dean and Gwen’s old college friend, has stirred up excitement among the staff about separating journalism from literature and extending the journalism curriculum to attract more students. Gwen’s previous job as managing editor of a large Dallas newspaper and her Pulitzer Prize make her popular among her new colleagues, with one exception. Dr. Alice Rice thinks she should have gotten the job and wastes no time insulting and baiting Gwen in front of their coworkers. Soon after, Alice knocks on Gwen’s door in the building where they both reside and collapses on top of her, never to be revived. It’s true that she has alienated everyone around her, but was her death a murder? If so, is the culprit a university employee or someone from her troubled past? And are Gwen and her teaching assistant in danger themselves? I particularly enjoyed the university and town venues and the relationship between Gwen and assistant Ellis. THere also appears to be the start of a romantic relationship between Gwen and the local detective, so there is no doubt we’ll be seeing him in future series books.
Julie Caplin’s CHRISTMAS AT THE RITZ takes place in London during the Christmas season.. Belle’s high-powered boss is called away suddenly on business and directs Belle to be at the service of her beloved nephew, who was to have spent several weeks with her during the Christmas holiday. Belle expects someone much younger, but Finn turns out to be a gorgeous, hulking Scot with an exaggerated accent, determined to play along to get as much attention from Belle as possible. Belle is prickly at first but soon gets into the Christmas spirit as the pair explores the myriad events, places, and experiences that make London a magical place, especially during this special time of year. As a natural scientist and author, Finn typically spends months at a time away from home on one assignment after another, while Belle loves living in London and values her job there, even though her boss can be very demanding. Can a romantic–sometimes spicy–relationship meant to last only a few weeks evolve into something more? What I enjoyed most was the portrait of London in all its glory during the holiday season–including the sumptuous Ritz Hotel, described dazzlingly by the author to the point where I wanted to schedule a Christmas trip to London immediately. Both of the main characters have issues with their parents, which are developed sensitively throughout the story. I also loved Belle’s two roommates, who have distinct personalities and support Belle in helpful and sometimes humorous ways. The later chapters weren’t exactly what I expected, but the ending makes sense and is gratifying. This is a very entertaining book for those who would like to enjoy the story of a relatable couple and revel in the pleasures of the season. (November)
I was thrilled when Matt Goldman’s entertaining Nils Shapiro series continued last year after a 5-year absence. And now there’s book #6 in the series, COLD BLADE. Nils co-founded a private investigation firm with a fellow PI after his Minneapolis police chief wife was killed on the job several years back, and the firm is thriving. Now he is approached by Leah, a high-powered attorney who was once the firm’s receptionist to ask him to assist with a tricky case. Paige WIlletts, the wife of financier and art collector Jonathan Willetts, is under arrest for the murder of Jonathan’s colleague, and the police have so much evidence against Paige that they have stopped looking for another suspect. Leah thinks Paige is being framed, and Jonathan is desperate for someone to find the real killer. The Willetts are not well liked, as they are not only high-handed with everyone, but they also have an open marriage that has left several disgruntled exes behind. Other Willett family members have even been identified by Paige as possible suspects. Like the other books in the series, Cold Blade has a fascinating plot, distinctly described characters, and writing that pulls the reader in from beginning to end. And, of course, Nils himself is multi-layered and relatable. His 7-year-old daughter is touring Europe with her mother, Nils’s first wife, so family life is not the center of the story this time, but it is an important part of Nils’s personality. And although he didn’t have much of a love life after the tragedy with his wife, it seems that not one, but several potential romantic partners have appeared in this book. Any more details might lead to spoilers, so it’s up to you to read this excellent book (and preferably all of the books in the series) if you enjoy a fulfilling crime story written by a master.
Margie, Three good-sounding books. I can vouch for the first one. I really enjoyed it. Now, I have to look for both of the others. They sound good.
You’re right. Autumn’s parents may not be happy, just with the cost of those drinks.
Hurray for another Niks Shapiro!
I read two books this.
The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield is the 5th in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney mysteries by Claudia Gray. Jonathan Darcy is recovering from the events of the previous book and is summoned to his Aunt Jane’s house in Netherfield when one of Mr. Bingley’s brother-in-law’s is found dead. He requests the help of Miss Tilney not only with the investigation but to have a chance to see her again after his parents had forbidden any contact after her ruination. Each of these books just gets better and better. This one might be my favorite yet. My only quibble is the relationship between Jonathan Juliet moves at a glacier pace which is pretty much like the events in Jane Austen books. This one had an interesting development at the end, so I am anxious for the next installment. These books have become one of my favorite mystery series.
I did not love my next book nearly as much. The Last Letters of Sally and Walter by Cammie McGovern. It was the story of a later in life couple amongst the backdrop of competitive Scrabble. I enjoyed all the bits about playing Scrabble and the strategies of competing. I didn’t enjoy Sally and Walter with their unhappy first marriages, dysfunctional adult children and their health ailments very much.
The snowbirds are starting to leave my neighborhood so hopefully colder weather is on the way. We broke a record with 89 degrees on Tuesday.
Happy Reading!
I think you felt about the same way about Sally and Walter as I did, Sharon.
My mother is seeing her snowbird friends and neighbors head for warmer climes, too, one couple to Texas, one to their other home in Virginia. I agree with them. Not a fan of cold weather.
I read two books this.
The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield is the 5th in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney mysteries by Claudia Gray. Jonathan Darcy is recovering from the events of the previous book and is summoned to his Aunt Jane’s house in Netherfield when one of Mr. Bingley’s brother-in-law’s is found dead. He requests the help of Miss Tilney not only with the investigation but to have a chance to see her again after his parents had forbidden any contact after her ruination. Each of these books just gets better and better. This one might be my favorite yet. My only quibble is the relationship between Jonathan Juliet moves at a glacier pace which is pretty much like the events in Jane Austen books. This one had an interesting development at the end, so I am anxious for the next installment. These books have become one of my favorite mystery series.
I did not love my next book nearly as much. The Last Letters of Sally and Walter by Cammie McGovern. It was the story of a later in life couple amongst the backdrop of competitive Scrabble. I enjoyed all the bits about playing Scrabble and the strategies of competing. I didn’t enjoy Sally and Walter with their unhappy first marriages, dysfunctional adult children and their health ailments very much.
The snowbirds are starting to leave my neighborhood so hopefully colder weather is on the way. We broke a record with 89 degrees on Tuesday.
Happy Reading!
I apologize for posting twice. It wouldn’t take the first comment so I tried again and then it ended up taking it twice.
The posting does seem to take a bit longer now. It caught me wondering if I forgot to press submit.
It does take longer and, at least in my case, flashes up an error box telling me I already submitted, did not do the email thingy, or did not genuflect before Lesa first. The last is just brutal on my knees.
Yes Kevin. I got the error box as well. That’s why I did resubmit.
Strange,although I had talked to my webmaster, and we think there are Russian bots missing. Sorry about the knees, Kevin!
Not a lot of reading here as I have been working on the Santa Rage II anthology I compiled and edited. I c an breathe a temporary sigh of relief as I submitted it to the publisher this morning. Still on track for a mid November, or maybe a touch earlier, release.
For those interested, Aubrey Nye Hamilton reviewed Murder on 34th Street: A Novel by Mariah Fredericks earlier this month on my blog. She does a guest post review each Monday. https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2026/10/aubrey-nye-hamilton-reviews-murder-on.html
Maybe that’s where I read the review, Kevin. Thank you!
The weather’s cooled down to the 80’s, but there is a curious lack of rain.
This week I read:
Ring of Fire by Brad Taylor; The team chases all over the world trying to stop a terrorist attack in the wake of the release of the Panama Papers. Remember when those were oh so important?
Frenzi: When in Rome, Kill! by RJ Calder; Firinzi is minding his own business when some Italian radicals kidnap the daughter of an industrialist. He gets a free trip to Rome, but it’s certainly a busman’s holiday.
Cagney by John McCabe; James Cagney is slowly being forgotten, but this is certainly a great biography of a guy smart enough to know when to retire.
Kauai Refuge: After the Wave by KA Jarvis; A woman’s marriage is dissolving while on vacation in Hawaii, then TIDAL WAVE! I was rooting against them, and hoping for some shark god to awaken and eat everyone.
None Dare Call it Murder by DL Whipple; a green beret comes back from Vietnam to do something about the murder of his brother. Set in the 70’s, but not quite authentic. It felt like one of those robots that seem almost human, and manages to creep you out.
Actually, I don’t remember the Panama Papers, Glen.
But, I do remember Cagney, an that’s wonderful that it was a great biography.
And, darn that there was no shark god.
It is sad to lose those three authors so close together, and 59 is indeed too young to die. I have only one book by Mark Pryor, plus one that I picked up recently at the book sale, so I should read one of those soon. I have read and enjoyed several books by Peter May, but I haven’t read anything by Jeffrey Archer. Now I will have to remedy that.
I liked the request in Pryor’s obituary about “supporting your local bookstore.” We went to our independent bookstore this morning after visiting the medical clinic for an appointment, and purchased five books. Two mysteries, two fiction books, and one graphic novel.
Recently Glen started reading a nonfiction book: DINNER WITH KING TUT (subtitle = How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations). He usually finishes all books he started, but this one he actually gave up on after 70 pages, because he didn’t like the fictional elements in each section. It had a wonderful cover.
Then he started reading THE HOUNDING by Xenobe Purvis. It is a weird story and he is already enjoying it. This one also has a great cover.
I have been reading spy fiction novels lately. I read THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER by Joseph Finder. It is the first book I have read by him and I liked it a lot. Then I read THE SPY COAST by Tess Gerritsen. That one also has a Russian Oligarch in it but in a much smaller role… at least so far. It was partially set in Maine, partially in London and Istanbul and Bangkok and more. Lesa, I remember that you reviewed THE SPY COAST and the latest book in the series, and now I am looking forward to reading books more books in the series.
I didn’t read Tess Gerritsen’s medical books, Tracy, but I like this spy series.
I don’t know how they hold up since I read them so long ago, but I would suggest two of Jeffrey Archer’s early books – Not a Penny, More, Not a Penny Less or Kane and Abel. Both excellent at the time. I can’t believe I read his books for so long.
Hurray for another Nils Shapiro!