There might be a more important question today than “What are you reading?” How are you feeling, or how are you doing? I don’t remember a time when I was so ashamed to be an American.
My sister did two internships in Washington, D.C., one with our congressman; one with the Attorney General’s office. In between her terms there, I spent a year in grad school in D.C. I met one of her friends, and one evening we went down to the Capitol so he could show me his favorite view in D.C., the mall lit up at night when you could see all the monuments. Now, the thought of the Capitol and the domestic terrorists who invaded it yesterday sickens me. They have no right to call themselves Americans, destroying property that belongs to the American people, not to them. And, violence in the Capitol. The last time the Capitol was invaded was in the War of 1812.
I’m sick at heart. I hope this country can recover from the way one man and one party have tried to tear this country apart, and made a mockery of what we’ve always called “a peaceful transition of power”.
That’s how I feel. Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? Or would you rather move on to books?
I’m actually rereading The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett, a March release. It’s a delightful mystery featuring Queen Elizabeth II as the amateur sleuth. She investigates with the aid of her assistant private secretary after a guest at Windsor Castle is murdered, and her staff comes under suspicion.
What about you? What are you reading? Or, would you prefer to talk about how you’re doing?
Good morning. I just finished reading KILLING CRAZY HORSE by Bill O’Reilly. It’s about the wars against the American Indians so I can’t say that our country acting shamefully is anything new.
I also read
An ARC of WHERE THERE’S A WILL by Judy Penz Sheluk. This was billed as a mystery but really wasn’t. Two estate appraisers find a newer will in a locked desk.
APPLES AND ALIBIS by Gayle Leeson. An enjoyable cozy mystery.
THE FIFTH SENSE by Michelle M Pillow. A paranormal romance where the main character’s deceased husband is trying to kill her. I like her writing style.
You’re right, Sandy. We have a lot to be ashamed of. As to books, Where There’s a Will doesn’t sound like much of a mystery. You’re right.
As usual, I need reading as a comfort and a distraction. I’ve started reading an Advanced Review Copy of DEATH IN BLOOM by Jess Dylan — loving it.
I am reading several ARCs that have book releases next week as well as a few in prep for some upcoming virtual book events this weekend/early next week:
A CURIOUS INCIDENT by Vicki Delany (Sherlock Holmes Bookshop #6)
A STRANGER AT THE DOOR by Jason Pinter (Rachel Marin #2). I know HIDE AWAY was one Lesa’s top books of 2020. It barely missed being on my top picks list too, and I am looking forward the next in the series
SHADOW RIDGE by M.E. Browning. A new author for me who is going to be on Sunday’s virtual COPS AND LAWYERS panel.
WITHIN PLAIN SIGHT by Bruce Robert Coffin (Detective Byron #4). I love this police procedural series and Bruce will also be on the Sunday’s COPS AND LAWYERS panel.
SCORPION SCHEME by Melissa Yi (Hope Sze medical mystery #8), Melissa is an ER doctor working not far from me in a small Ontario town and is a friend. She has a virtual book launch next Tuesday that I plan on attending.
I hope that America will move forward after yesterday’s stunning events.
Shocking to see the events on TV last night, and this is the top news story in Canada this morning, too.
Be well.
I liked A Curious Incident, Grace. It was one of my favorites in this series. I really need to find the first in Bruce Robert Coffin’s series. You and Kevin Tipple have both recommended that series.
AMONG THE SHADOWS is the first Detective Byron book, Lesa. I was fortunate to meet/chat with Bruce at the NOLA, Toronto and Dallas Bouchercons. He is one of the nicest authors I have met, and there are plenty of kind and generous people in the mystery fiction community,
I finished A LADY’S GUIDE TO MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM by Manda Collins and really liked it.
Now I am reading ABIDE WITH ME by Jane Willan. It is terrific! Thanks for the heads up Margie.
I was horrified by what I watched yesterday on my television. A sad day to be an American. I was reduced to tears through much of it.
Hopefully better times ahead.
Oh, good to know about A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem, Sharon! I have that at home.
I’ll stick to books, Lesa. I’m still reading Judith Starkton’s fantasy, Of Kings and Griffins, and am very much enjoying the worldbuilding she’s done. It’s a long book and I’m short on reading time this month, so I might be working on it for another week or two.
I posted a few of my favorite mystery series by Colorado and Rocky Mountain Region authors at the Bood-Red Pencil blog. You might enjoy seeing the list: https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2021/01/addicted-to-reading-mystery-series.html
In WRITTEN IN THE STARS by Alexandria Bellefleur, Darcy is a quiet actuary who has been hurt in the past and isn’t really looking for a new love, but her brother Brendan keeps trying to hook her up. Her latest date is with Elle, a free spirit whose family doesn’t really appreciate her approach to life and who is looking for a serious relationship. Elle’s astrological business is on the verge of a merger with Brendan’s online dating service. Both young women are gorgeous, of course (it’s a contemporary romance after all), but they couldn’t be more different. They reluctantly agree to have a fake relationship to satisfy their respective families during the holidays. I think you can see where this is going. Entertaining, but nothing special.
I agree with Lesa that Harlan Coben’s THE BOY FROM THE WOODS is a superior thriller. I’ve only read one other Coben standalone since 2006, when I started keeping track–it was The Woods, which I also liked. I’ll have to look for more. Wilde was found alone in the woods at an early age, and after almost 30 years there has been no definitive information on how he survived and learned to read. Now he is called upon to find a high school girl who has disappeared, and later, another person. Together with his first foster mother, Hester, now a 70ish attorney with her own legal commentary TV show, and his PI foster sister, he joins the investigation. There are subplots involving politics, bullying, false imprisonment, upper class privilege, and more, and a twisty and satisfying ending.
Since MUDRER AT AN IRISH CHRISTMAS by Carlene O’Connor was my first experience with the O’Sullivan family of the Irish Village Mystery series, it took me a few chapters to get to know the family members a bit, especially Siobhan, who is now with the garda (police) and engaged to her colleague, Macdara. They are all away from home, spending Christmas with the family of James’ new fiancee and looking forward to a Christmas Eve concert conducted by Enda, the patriarch of the family. Unfortunately, Enda dies in a fall, with a harp falling on top of him, and it turns out there are many suspects in his own family (including his last two wives), as well as his orchestra members and local townspeople. I enjoyed the characters and the locale descriptions and appreciated the twists and turns of the plot.
I loved Clara McKenna’s Murder at Morrington Hall in 2019 and recently discovered the sequel. MURDER AT BLACKWATER BEND. In the first book, in 1905 beautiful Stella accompanies her wealthy father from Kentucky to England to deliver some racehorses to an aristocratic but financially-lacking family and (unbeknownst to her) to deliver Stella to be the wife of the family’s playboy son. Although reluctant at first, Stella finds herself falling in love with her intended. In this book, they are eager to be married, but Lyndy’s mother doesn’t like the brash American and a former flame of Lyndy’s is trying to attract him after the sudden death (murder?) of her new spouse. Another murder ensues. I didn’t think this follow-on had the same spark as the original so I probably won’t seek out the next installment, due in 2021.
As for what happened yesterday in DC, I found it hard to believe. I never thought I would see something like this. Once the Capitol was secured (and why isn’t it secured as well as a fortress?), I managed to watch some coverage in the evening, but it is indeed very scary and disheartening, to say the least.
Well, Margie, I don’t feel bad not reading the two books that are new to me. Thank you for our excellent summaries as always! And, thank you again, for yesterday!
Yes, you’re right. It was pretty sickening. I guarantee that if the NYPD was in charge of security rather than the Capitol Police and security force, they would have BEEN PREPARED and not one of these insurrectionists would have gotten anywhere near the Capitol, let alone inside. Imagine if this had been a Black Lives Matter march. How many dead people would there be today? How many in jail? Instead some of the cops (many were heroic inside the Capitol, doing their jobs at great odds) posed for selfies with the traitors, moved aside barricades, opened doors, and later escorted them out courteously while congratulating them. Every one involved needs to be fired TODAY, and that includes the head of the Capitol Police or whoever was in charge of pre-riot “security” (sic).
OK, books. Actually, I was in the den reading yesterday while Jackie watched nine hours of MSNBC. I read and saw enough. I did finish Caz Frear’s latest DC “Cat” Kinsella book, SHED NO TEARS. Also MURDER & OTHER ACTS OF LITERATURE, edited by Michele B. Slung. I’m reading the very entertaining THE BURGLAR IN SHORT ORDER by Lawrence Block, his collection of all the Bernie Rhodenbarr stories, most of which I’ve read before. There are a number of very short pieces I hadn’t seen.
Not sure what I will read next because I downloaded two more library books that came in – a huge Otto Penzler collection, THE BIG BOOK OF ESPIONAGE (short stories), and Michiko Kakutani’s EX LIBRIS: 100+ BOOKS TO READ AND RE-READ. And I got three from the library, including another collection of stories, JEWISH NOIR (edited by Kenneth Wishnia), and THE SUBWAY CHRONICLES: SCENES FROM LIFE IN NEW YORK, essays by Jonathan Lethem, Francine Prose, Calvin Trillin, Lawrence Block, and others.
I read and liked Ex Libris, but none of the others, so I can’t give any suggestions. I’d be with Jackie. I watched when I got home from home, stayed up too late, and then watched again this morning before leaving for work. It’s just sickening.
I have just started THE BROKEN SPINE, the first in a new series from Dorothy St. James. I’m about 15% into it, and so far, I’m really enjoying it.
Oh, I think I saw The Broken Spine someplace, Mark. I’ll have to look at the summary.
Hello Lesa and everyone
I think it is fair to say that we in the UK were agog at what went on in Washington yesterday. I was so shocked I only realised it was almost 8pm (here) when my husband started clattering the plates onto the table to point out that there appeared to be neither dinner nor even a whiff of dinner….I was still glued to CNN on the computer. One of my daughters messaged me to remark on how differently those people would have been treated if they were BLM protesters, and indeed that has been one of the topics in The Guardian today. I was amazed at how easy it appeared to be to get into the building, especially as this can hardly have come as a surprise. If you even want to go into the Scottish Parliament cafe (which is open to the public) you have to go through airport-style security, have your bags scanned, etc.
But enough about that.
I finished Mary Wesley’s The Camomile Lawn, which I enjoyed – probably more than I had first time around – and now I am reading Bill Richardson’s The Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast. I think I first read this maybe 10 years ago, when an American friend lent it to me. I did return her copy (!) but I started thinking about it again the other day for some reason – maybe partly in the context of my food & drink reading theme for 2021, or maybe because I knew it would be a comfort read – so I bought a copy, and it is just as I remembered it.
For anyone who doesn’t know it, it’s about a (fictional) pair of unmarried twins who have always lived in the house in which they were born, in a rural valley on an island near Vancouver. When their (unconventional to say the least) mother dies, they decide to open the house as a bibliophiles’ bed and breakfast. The books takes the form of entries by each of the brothers, Hector and Virgil, and some of the guests, all of whom have their own reasons for seeking out this haven of books and tranquility. There’s also a cat called Waffle and a parrot called Mrs Rochester who is ‘full of days’, and who gained her name by flying in through an open window one day, making straight for the attic and perching there, screaming her head off.
It is a gentle, beautifully written, book, but I don’t want it to sound twee, as the brothers each have a nice line in (mild) sarcasm, and in places it’s very funny. It’s hard to find out much about Richardson – I believe he presented a Canadian radio programme for many years. He sounds like a nice person. The book reminds me a little of Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe books, which I also plan to reread soon.
When I am out walking (which at the moment is more akin to skating without the skates…) I’ve been listening to Dorothy Sayers’ Have His Carcase, with Ian Carmichael as Peter Wimsey and Moira Aitken as Harriet Vane. In the tradition of ‘Golden Age’ mysteries, this one depends very much on timings and concealed identities – in other books this emphasis bores me, but fortunately Sayers develops her characters and you can just enjoy Lord Peter, Harriet and co without worrying too much about who did it and when. I’ve also just started listening to The Cinderella Killer, a Charles Paris mystery written by Jeremy Front and based on the Simon Brett book. Bill Nighy plays Charles in all of these adaptations, and I could happily listen to him reading out the back of a cereal packet.
And today I collected from the library Martin Edwards’ The Golden Age of Murder, which has been highly recommended to me by a friend. It is the story of British detective fiction between the wars, and the people who wrote it. It quotes PD James, who apparently said ‘You can learn far more about the social mores of the age in which a mystery is written than you can from more pretentious literature.’
We have now finished watching (or in my case re-watching) John Le Carre’s The Night Manager. I do hope they will show The Little Drummer Girl next.
Have a peaceful day all.
Rosemary, I had no idea that Ian Carmichael had narrated so many of the Lord Peter Wimsey books. I don’t listen to many audiobooks, but I will definitely check to see if my local library has any of these audiobooks in the collection.
Rosemary, thank you for reminding me about the Bachelor Brothers. I looked on my list of what I’ve read since 2006, and I read that one in 2008! Gave it a good rating, too. It sounds like the type of comfort read I’m looking for these days.
Rosemary, I agree with your daughter. And, a lot of friends on my Facebook page have remarked that it would have been a different scene if they had been BLM protestors. Your daughter is right. I still can’t believe what happened with security. That in itself is a crime.
I read, and loved The Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast years ago! It’s a delightful book, isn’t it? I haven’t run across a copy in quite some time, but I like that one.
I agree about Bill Nighy. Enjoy listening to him. And, sending grateful thanks for all of your comments.
My wife certainly agrees with you about Bill Nighy. We watch LOVE ACTUALLY every Christmas and he is one of the main reasons. We’ve seen him on stage too.
I’ve read THE CAMOMILE LAWN (surprise!) and seen the television adaptation, in which Rosemary Harris plays the older version of the character played by her daughter Jennifer Ehle (Calypso), also with Toby Stephens/Richard Johnson, Tata Fitzgerald/Virginia McKenna, Rebecca Hall/Claire Bloom, plus Felicity Kendal and Paul Eddington.
Grace – just to say, he doesn’t narrate them, he plays Peter Wimsey in these adaptations. He also played the same character in the TV adaptations made in the 1970s. As a child I thought Carmichael WAS Peter Wimsey! The radio adaptations were, I think, recorded in the early 1980s. They are fun.
I have just had a look on Amazon UK and there appear to be lots of CDs, all part of the BBC Radio Drama Collection, each one with three or four adaptations. Unfortunately they are not cheap! But they seem to be available via Audible, which I don’t have but I know many people do. I hope your library has some of the CDs. I see that ours has a (very) few.
Rosemary,
Thanks for the clarification. I also watched the TV adaptations with Ian Carmichael on the PBS station years ago and always thought of him as Wimsey! I checked our library catalogue, and they have one downloadable audiobook in the collection which is better than a CD: Gaudy Night.
No, I don’t have an active Audible account. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t listen to too many audiobooks so the monthly subscription price is not worth it for me.
Nor me – that’s why I like BBC Sounds, it’s free and there’s no subscription! I suppose you get a lot more choice on Audible, but I find more than enough to keep me going, and I also listen to a few podcasts, especially one by a book blogger friend of mine, ‘Tea or Books?’
I will check out BBC Sounds online then. I have all the Sayers books on my shelf but I rarely re-read books. But listening to a familiar read sounds good right now.
Oh, Lesa. You know I agree with everything you said, and you said it well.
Living only a couple hours away from DC when I was growing up gave us many opportunities to visit as a kid, and remained a place to play while I was in college, just a short train trip away.
Trump and his band of corrupt clowns have left a stain. But DC is stronger than an ignorant mob of rednecks whose names are known and being shared by journalists as we speak.
They will pay.
What I’d read:
Birds of a Feather by Lise McClendon – latest in the sisters series that I just love.
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin (ARC) * – ALREADY in the running for a favorite book of the year!
Strapless by Deborah Davis – Bio of John Singer Sargent focusing on his famous Madame X painting.
NO idea what I’ll read next. I think I’m too angry to read.
I know. I haven’t read anything in the last 24 hours, Kaye. I know how angry you and I both are. It’s still stirring me up, although I’m at work. I can’t really settle today, so it’s a good thing I had meetings this morning. I hope they do pay. And, I hope the terrorists pay as well. I do know one has already been fired by his employers. He was identified, and he was wearing something that identified him as an employee of that company as well.
Oh! I’m so glad you loved The Last Bookshop in London! I just put it on my want-to-read list today.
Hugs, Kaye.
Margie – I’m so glad someone else has heard of The Bachelor Brothers! It is indeed a good comfort read, and well written too. It certainly stands re-reading. I bought a used copy on Ebay, and to be honest it is as good as new. I think there is at least one sequel as well. I found an old interview with Richardson in ‘January’ magazine via a link on his Wikepedia page:
https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/202/300/january/2001/01-01-08/brichardson.html
In talking about the radio show that he had at that time, he said:
‘So what happens is you get these small, slice-of-life stories called in from all across the country. It’s that thing that happens where something that’s absolutely small and overlooked and domestic becomes a window into the wider life. It’s what I like in books, as well. So, it’s very rich, in that way. And I know that the show will come to an end and my job will come to an end — probably sooner rather than later — but that will never come to an end. It’s what drives people. It’s what keeps them going and sustains them: these stories. And all the show does is to make that human imperative a little more formal. People like to hear stories that they can identify with and that will make them think of their own family stories. So that’s what it’s about. ‘
I really like that, those ‘small and overlooked things’ are precisely the things that I enjoy too.
What a beautiful quote, Rosemary. Yes, I do like to identify with stories. And, they do make me think of my own family. Isn’t that great?
Kaye, I’d not heard of The Last Bookshop in London – it’s now added to my wish list, thank you. I also searched on Amazon for Strapless – and was offered every variation that exists on a bra…. Found it in the end, I am thinking of getting it for my art student daughter – so again, thanks.
This has been coming a long time. I remember when I was a kid, republicans simply didn’t protest. It wasn’t done. Times have changed.
I read:
The Myth of Rantu Island by Brett Scott Ermlio; A boy detective fights bullies, looks for a treasure, and tries to keep his family’s house. Pretty good for an obvious juvenile.
Sell Shock; A commercial pitchman is called in to write a infomercial for a mountain of marijuana. Things go bad.
Oh Bury Me Not; A beginning professional wrestler is framed for murder in 1989 Texas, and has to keep his career going while trying to bust the frame. Surprisingly effective.
The Fylking; A sort of viking ranger patrols with the help of magical beings, trying to stop other magical beings from taking over the world. If Vikings were like this, how did they terrorize England?
And some other books I’ve forgotten.
Two books that were pretty good this week, Glen, the juv and Oh Bury Me Not. Not bad.
I can’t think about reading today. I’ve been glued to my TV. I sat down yesterday expecting to watch the tallying of the electoral college votes and the show that promised to turn into and watched the insurrection from the beginning. I was appalled, shocked but not surprised, ashamed, and so much more. Today the House is talking impeachment but has called on VP Pence to invoke the 25th amendment, which is a procedure that would probably put POTUS on high alert and refuse to go. What we need is to put him on a plane to Florida and have him go golfing for 2 weeks straight. And then it would be done.
I’ve read The Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast. I loved it too.
Now they are calling for the Capital Police Chief to resign. The FBI is looking for help identifying some of those people who posted selfies from the raid on the Capitol. Four people died. Officers were injured. It’s such a mess. Maybe reading really is the answer.
I know what you mean, though, Sandie. If I was home, I’d be watching, too. If gives me that same unsettled feeling as when we closed the libraries and sent everyone home that Friday in March, and we didn’t go back for 2 months. Those first 2 weeks, I couldn’t read a thing because I felt so unsettled. I get it. Sending hugs.
I read and enjoyed the latest in Angela Marson’s DI KIm Stone series, DEADLY CRY. I was well into the book THE LAST SISTER by Kendra Elliot and enjoying it as well, but yesterday’s events have left me unable to read. Am sickened that a president would act in such a despicable manner. Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. And yes, the lack of preparation by the police speaks volumes about race when looking at the responses to the BLM marches.
I’m sorry, Jennifer. Yesterday just hurts, and I understand why you can’t read. It does say so much about race in this country. And, when I said this isn’t America, I was wrong. Yes, it is right now.
The other book I am reading (I found it free online) is THE FEDERALIST PAPERS, which I have never read in its entirety. They were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in 1787 and 1788.
(I finished the Block book today.)
I meant to add that all three men had high schools in Brooklyn named for them. Hamilton High School opened in 1903 and closed in 1984 in Crown Heights. James Madison (my own Alma Mater, as well as the school of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer – a classmate of my brother’s, and Judge Judy) opened in 1925. John Jay (opened 1902, closed for subpar performance in 2004, reopened as several small schools) is in Park Slope. My mother in law worked there as a school librarian before moving to better schools – Forest Hills High, then Edward R. Murrow.
I don’t know that I knew your mother-in-law was a school librarian, Jeff. That’s interesting about the schools, and the authors of The Federalist Papers.
She was, Lesa. She went back to college and graduated the year Jackie finished high school, but she loved school so much that she had 200 graduate credits past her B.A. She was not too successful at controlling high school kids, but eventually found her niche as a school librarian, which she loved.
I can relate. I did student teaching for my B.S., knowing I was going on and intended to work in public libraries. But, I was not too successful at controlling high school kids, either.
Late as my custom! I have been watching the insurrection and crying. When the terrorists came into the Rotunda, I remembered being there a long time ago with my family. The memories kept coming. Later when the man was caught in the doorway and squeezed and hearing his pain so piercing, I wanted to be able to free him but I was here in Texas. I later received Time magazine read about things that were too terrible to report on TV. All so vivid. I thought later of people who I have met and worked in D.C. and who passed before it happened.
I started Glow by Jessica Maria Toccelli and only had the story of the two women sink in. I cannot connect all the book.
Also reading Connecting with Autism spectrum by Casey “Remrov” Vormer. He was not diagnosed until he was 22. His book means so much to me! My brother is severly autistic, To me the book answers so many question and I agree with him about the hurtful things that people ask.
Also, I picked a great book off of my To Be Read bookcase for escape. Love in Disguise by Carol Cox. It is a funny mystery about a woman who suddenly lost her job and applied to be a case worker for the Pinkerton Agency-set in the 1880s. It is exactly what I need to read. Amazing pageturner!