Happy Thursday! I’m not sure how much I’ll be around during the day today. Library Journal‘s Day of Dialog is today. They have a terrific schedule of virtual panels featuring authors who have books coming out in the late summer and fall. I’m moderating the Mystery panel in the afternoon with authors Naomi Hirahara, William Kent Krueger, Marcy McCreary, Wanda M. Morris, and Richard Osman. I’m looking forward to it.
I am reading a mystery that isn’t for a review or a panel, though. The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait by Cleo Coyle is the seventh in the Haunted Bookshop mystery series, featuring bookstore owner Penelope Thornton-McClure and Jack Shepard, the ghost of a private investigator who died in the bookstore. I feel lucky that this series is still published. It started in 2004 and the fifth book was released in 2009. Nine years later, the sixth book came out, and now here’s the seventh. I love this series that combines one of Jack’s old cases with a current murder investigation.
What about you? What are you reading this week?
If you need some other suggestions, the Anthony Award nominations were just announced this week. Unlike the Edgars, I’ve actually heard of, and read, some of these books.
Here are the nominees –
Best Hardcover Novel
What You Don’t See– Tracy Clark – Kensington
Blacktop Wasteland – S.A. Cosby – Flatiron Books
Little Secrets – Jennifer Hillier – Minotaur Books
And Now She’s Gone – Rachel Howzell Hall -Forge Books
The First to Lie – Hank Phillippi Ryan – Forge Books
Best First Novel
Derailed – Mary Keliikoa – Camel Press
Murder in Old Bombay – Nev March – Minotaur Books
Murder at the Mena House – Erica Ruth Neubauer – Kensington
The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman – Pamela Dorman Books
Winter Counts – David Heska Wanbli Weiden – Ecco Press
Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel
The Fate of a Flapper – Susanna Calkins – Griffin
When No One is Watching – Alyssa Cole – William Morrow
Unspeakable Things – Jess Lourey – Thomas & Mercer
The Lucky One – Lori Rader-Day – William Morrow
Dirty Old Town – Gabriel Valjan – Level Best Books
Best Short Story
“Dear Emily Etiquette” – Barb Goffman – EQMM – Dell Magazines
“90 Miles” – Alex Segura – Both Sides: Stories From the Border – Agora Books
“The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74” – Art Taylor – AHMM (Jan-Feb) – Dell Magazines
“Elysian Fields” – Gabriel Valjan – California Schemin’ – Wildside Press
“the Twenty-Five Year Engagement” – James W. Ziskin – In League with Sherlock Holmes – Pegasus Crime
Best Juvenile/Young Adult
Midnight at the Barclay Hotel – Fleur Bradley – Viking Books for Young Readers
Premeditated Myrtle – Elizabeth C. Bunce – Algonquin Young Readers
From the Desk of Zoe Washington – Janae Marks – Katherine Tegen Books
Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco – Richie Narvaez – Pinata Books
Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall – Alex Segura – Disney Lucasfilm Press
Best Critical or Nonfiction Work
Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy – Leslie Brody – Seal Press
American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics and the Birth of American CSI – Kate Winkler Dawson – G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club – Martin Edwards, ed. – Collins Crime Club
The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia – Emma Copley Eisenberg – Hachette Books
Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock – Christina Lane – Chicago Review Press
Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession – Sarah Weinman, ed. – Ecco Press
Best Anthology or Collection
Shattering Glass: A Nasty Woman Press Anthology – Heather Graham, ed. – Nasty Woman Press
Both Sides: Stories from the Border – Gabino Iglesias, ed. – Agora Books
Noiryorican – Richie Narvaez – Down & Out Books
The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell – Josh Pachter, ed. – Untreed Reads Publishing
California Schemin‘ – Art Taylor, ed. – Wildside Press
Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic – Nick Kolakowski and Steve Weddle, eds. – Polis Books
I just finished Kent Krueger’s new book Lightning Strike. Wow! I was in tears at the end. Beautifully told and very touching. I’ll write a full review shortly but had to stop in and encourage anyone interested in trying Kent’s books to pick this one up. It’s a prequel, taking place when the series’ main character Cork O’Connor is 12 years old. It centers on his relationship with his father, who is the sheriff. We learn more about the forces of the conflict between the white man and the Native Americans via the investigation into the death of an Indian. The pace was steady, never lagging. The characters well thought through. With just a touch of mysticism. Excellent entry. A great place for the beginner to the series.
I totally agree, Sandie, since I am a newbie with this series. It is beautiful, as well-written and thoughtful as any of Kent Krueger’s books. You’re right. It’s a great place to start.
Kent Krueger is another of those incredible authors that remains a secret to a large number of people. He is very very good.
And, now that I read the prequel, Aubrey, I want to read the other books.
I guess we should add that the book is coming out on August 24.
Since it’s a prequel, that may be a good place to start, though I haven’t read it as it’s not yet available to us common (wait until publication) folk. I do maintain that the series should be read in order if possible.
It is a good place to start, Richard. I normally don’t talk about books in advance of publication, but, since I’m moderating a panel today with Kent Krueger on it, I went ahead.
I can only claim one from the entire list. Although that is a 100% increase over the Edgar nominations.
Stayed up late to finish CJ Tudor’s latest suspense novel, Burning Girls. Set in a small English village famous for its historic martyrs. A few current mysteries to round out the plot made for an entertaining read.
I agree, M.M. At least I’ve read some of these!
I haven’t yet read C.J. Tudor’s books, but someday!
Good morning. This week all of the books I read had women as the main characters.
EXIT STRATEGY by Jen J Danna who also writes as Sara Driscoll. The main character, a hostage negotiator with the NYPD, is called in on her day off when a hostage situation develops in city hall. I liked the fact that the book had a strong female lead and there was plenty of action. There’s a second book coming out soon.
THE SPIRAL PATH by Katharine Elissa Kimbriel. This series is set about 1810 in an alternate United States. The first two books take place in the newly settled territories and feature Alfreda, a teenager who can control wild magic. In this book she’s sent east to her cousin’s school in NY City to learn ritual magic for her protection. I enjoyed the first two books this series when I read them back in the 90s and was happy to find that the author had written a third book back in 2014. Hopefully there will be a fourth since the author left a lot of plot threads hanging.
FRESH BREWED MURDER by Emmeline Duncan. A dead body is found outside a coffee truck in Portland, Oregon. The story wasn’t bad but I just never connected with the main character.
Oh, I liked Exit Strategy when I read it, too, Sandy. I’m glad there’s a new one coming soon. Thank you!
Don’t you hate it when you can’t connect with the main character? Then, I don’t pick up the sequel because I don’t care.
Hi Lesa and everyone,
Good luck with your panel Lesa, it sounds like fun. The only book I have even heard of on those lists is The Thursday Murder Club, but I’ll be interested to hear who wins.
Sandra, thanks for that recommendation re Lightning Strike, I will see if the library has that one as it did not have the one Lesa mentioned last week. The author certainly sounds like someone whose work I would enjoy.
I’ve had a really nice thing happen this week, though it arose out of something sad. My father’s brother, who lived in southern California and whom I had not seen for well over 30 years, passed away, but my mother could not find out what had happened, so i decided to see if any of his children, my cousins, were on social media. I tracked down his oldest son, who is just a little older than me, and whom again I had not seen for many years. I was a little nervous about getting in touch, but I sent a message and he immediately replied. Since then we have exchanged a lot of family news and memories (we all lived in south London when we were children, then moved to California when my uncle’s company, then called Burroughs, offered him a better job there. I think it became Unisys?) My cousin lives in Capistrano Beach. I am so pleased to have re-established this connection. My father died when I was 8 years old, so I have very little information about that side of the family apart from what my mother has told me. My own children are also excited about all of this, and I am glad that they will know more about their ancestry.
Last Saturday we finally got to see our youngest daughter, who is at art school in Dundee. We are still only allowed to meet outside, although thankfully we are now able to go into cafes (not quite sure of the logic of that one, but I suppose people are more likely to break social distancing rules, etc, inside their own houses than in public places?) – anyway, we were able to join her for a cup of tea, which was very nice. I don’t know when we will manage to see our middle daughter in London, but two out of three is a lot better than none.
On Friday I had a great walk with my friend Sue at the Dunecht Estate, which she didn’t know before. We deliberately got there early (9am) because the parking is so limited – but even then the usual spaces were full, and we had to park on the road. And it was only April – goodness knows what time we will need to arrive as the summer moves on.
And on Tuesday Nancy and I had a lovely afternoon pottering around the policies at Drum Castle. Our weather has been pretty awful, and we almost didn’t go, but in fact we somehow avoided all the rain and hail storms, and the weather also kept people away so it was very quiet. We discovered that the National Trust has made a wildlife garden, with some fantastic insect shelters and woodpiles. It’s behind an old cottage that was once the estate laundry; we looked through the dirty old windows and saw that all of the laundry equipment was still there – old mangles, boilers, washboards, even a Singer sewing machine. They had all been labelled, but then just heaped up any old how inside the rather derelict building. Nancy was so frustrated that we couldn’t go in to look at them – she even thought we should maybe volunteer to sort them out, though I very much doubt the NTS would let that happen.
I don’t feel I have got much reading done this past week – I joined in the monthly #6Degreesof Separation challenge at the weekend, and that took up quite a bit of time, especially as the starter book was Beezus and Ramona, of which I had never so much as heard. I think it must be an American classic, as all of the US participants remembered it from their childhoods. I presume it was chosen as the author, Beverly Cleary, died in March. I read up about her, and she sounds like an amazing woman – she was 104 when she passed away.
In the end I linked most of my books with the theme of siblings – but I’ve been reading the other chains, and some are nothing short of ingenious. It’s always fascinating to see what people make of these things.
The starter book for June is The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld. I have reserved it at the library. I believe it’s about violence against women over three time periods, and also references the East Lothian witch trials (the Bass Rock is an extinct volcano in the Firth of Forth just off North Berwick, and a seabird sanctuary, but it has had a wild and chequered history, being used as a prison, and playing a role in the Jacobite rebellion.) The book has been called ‘a modern gothic triumph. Spectacularly well-observed, profoundly disquieting and utterly riveting’ – so I just hope I can cope with it!
The book I did finish this week was Angela Thirkell’s Wild Strawberries, which I loved. It’s Thirkell’s usual light hearted nonsense; the various adult children of an aristocratic family come to stay with their elderly parents at Rushwater, their lovely estate in Barsetshire. The oldest son has been killed in the war; his son Martin is now 16 and will eventually inherit. The only daughter, Agnes, is staying at Rushwater for the summer with her three young children, her husband being abroad for some unspecified reason. Agnes’s niece by marriage, Mary is also in the party. Mary falls madly in love with Agnes’s irresponsible brother David, but it is his older, widowed, brother John who falls in love with Mary. The vicar has also let his vicarage to a French family for the summer; they too have three adult children with them, which of course leads to more shenanigans and broken hearts. The older generation – both English and French – are all predictably eccentric and entertaining. There are lots of cricket matches, tennis sets, teas on the lawn, cocktails in the drawing room, parties…. The reader has to remember that this book was written in the 1930s – many of the views expressed would be entirely unacceptable today – but if you can put those reservations aside and enjoy it as a social comedy, it’s great fun.
I’ve now picked up Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman and No Cure for Death by Hazel Holt, I started CeeCee this morning and am enjoying it so far. I always enjoy Hazel Holt too. I think it was you, Lesa, who recommended Beth Hoffman’s book?
On BBC Sounds I’ve just listened to A Small Town Murder by Scott Cherry; it is, I think, the ninth one of these stories, in which the actress Meera Syal plays a police family liaison office. In this outing, a young man is found shot dead in local woods, the family shotgun lying under his body. It looks like suicide, but there are no fingerprints on the gun, and the dead man was not wearing gloves. Syal gradually peels back the layers of deceit and control at the heart of a very dysfunctional family. I enjoy these dramas, they’re very well acted.
We are also still pressing on with The Crown on Netflix, which we both enjoy despite our views on the monarchy! The most recent episodes have covered the Profumo affair, Sir Anthony Blunt’s espionage, Princess Margaret’s marriage to Tony Armstrong Jones, and most shocking of all, Prince Charles’s miserable years at Gordonstoun, with flashbacks showing Philip’s own time there, the tragedies in his own, very strange, family, and the reasons why he insisted on Charles going there rather than the Queen’s choice of Eton (‘it’s only up the road darling [ie from Windsor Castle!] – you can just run home!!’)
The entire country came to a standstill on Sunday night for the last episode of what may or may not be the final series of Line of Duty. I think we were all on the edge of our seats, though things did not turn out quite as anyone had expected. Although there was a lot of complaining about the way Jed Mercurio brought things to a close, there was also a good argument for saying that it could only have ended this way. I won’t say any more in case any of you are watching it on catch-up!
Today we have Scottish Parliamentary elections. A huge amount is riding on the results. Madeleine and I have already voted by post, but my husband forgot to apply (!) so I will be frog-marching him up to the polling station (it’s all of 2 minutes away…) if necessary. A guy I know who runs one of my favourite charity shops in Edinburgh found someone’s postal vote in a bag of donations! The city council assured him that if he posted it yesterday they would get it in time, so let’s hope they’re right.
OK I’ll stop now!
Have a good weekend everyone.
Rosemary
Rosemary, I totally agree with Jeff. I love reading about your walks and Scotland, and what you’re reading listening to. Thank you for sharing here.
Thank you for the good luck wishes! I hope everything goes well for the sake of the authors.
It might have been me who recommended Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, although I know others have read Beth Hoffman’s book. She’s only written two, and CeeCee was the first. I loved it. There’s so much heart and humor and love in that book. I hope you enjoy it.
I hope everything goes well in the Parliamentary elections today. Good luck!
You’re right. That is so wonderful that you reconnected with family – both family in California, and immediate family that you were able to meet with locally. I’m looking forward to seeing my Mom and sisters next month for my Mom’s birthday. And, we’ve all been vaccinated, and I’m going to hug them all. I miss hugs!
Have a good weekend, Rosemary, and thank you for everything!
Thanks Lesa, that’s very kind of you. I do look forward to our weekly ‘meetings’!
The votes are now being counted, but we do not expect a full result till some time tomorrow. They usually count overnight, but said they were not doing so this time ‘because of COVID’ – I must say I find that one puzzling, but never mind, we can wait.
I’m glad you’re getting to see your family soon!
First of all, I love all your stories. Rosemary, I almost feel I was in Scotland with you! Line of Duty is starting here in a couple of weeks, so glad there were no spoilers.
I don’t have a vote in the Anthonys, but if I did, mine would go to S. A> Cosby and Richard Osman. And speaking of same…I got my pdf. copy of George Easter’s indispensable ‘zine Deadly Pleasures #92 yesterday, and it looks like there are a lot of books coming out the rest of the year that will be on my list (especially in September). For a teaser, here are the titles I wrote down, along with publication dates:
7/6 Megan Abbott, The Turnout
7/6 S. A. Cosby, Razorblade Tears
8/10 Marcia Muller, Ice and Stone (Sharon McCone)
9/7 Allen Eskens, The Stolen Hours
9/7 Ann Cleeves, The Heron’s Cry (Two Rivers)
9/7 Margaret Mizushima, Striking Range (Timber Creek K-9)
9/14 Julia Dahl, The Missing Hours
9/21 Spencer Kope, Echoes of the Dead (Special Tracking Unit)
9/21 Craig Johnson, Daughter of the Morning Star (Walt Longmire)
9/21 Andrea Camilleri, Riccardino (the last Montalbano)
9/28 Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club)
9/28 Archer Mayor, Marked Man (Joe Gunther; I swear I just read the last one)
11/9 Michael Connelly, The Dark Hours (Renee Ballard & Harry Bosch)
9 out of 13 are September publications. Can’t wait!
No big news here other than eating out a couple of times (our favorite Italian restaurant has outdoor and indoor dining open, but Jackie was the only one who knew about their outdoor garden in the rear, so we had private dining there Sunday) and somewhat warmer weather. They announced that Broadway will reopen with full capacity seating in September, but unless and until they clarify things – if they are going to have a full house sitting side by side, is proof of vaccination going to be required? – we will not be attending. 35-40% (or whatever the current total is) completely vaccinated is NOT herd immunity and since there are still no tourists here, I’m not sure who they expect to fill the theaters. But we’ll see, I guess.
Will end this here and put the reading in a separate post. Stay safe, everyone.
I don’t think we’ll see “herd immunity” on Covid, Jeff, too many anti-vaxers and naysayers.
I don’t think so either, Richard.
Thank you so much for your kind words Jeff. I also look forward to your posts, and imagine you and Jackie in your house in Brooklyn. Of course I know almost nothing about Brooklyn so I tend to think everyone lives in one of those brownstones as shown in ‘Sex & The City’….. When the film ‘Notting Hill’ came out it drove us all mad as so many people infeered that everyone and anyone could live in some boho flat in Portobello Road, when in fact even at that time the area had become mage-expensive – I expect I am making the same uninformed judgements abouit Brooklyn!
We are still hoping to get to Islay in September, but I very much doubt the jazz festival will take place, and even if it does, the venues are small and packed (many are rooms in distilleries) and I would not feel happy about that. I do think jazz as a whole is going to suffer hugely from all of this, as so many of the venues are small – in Edinburgh the Jazz Bar is a tiny windowless cellar, much loved and always crowded, but hardly ‘safe’ these days. A lot of jazz here is also played in pubs.
I do hope you enjoy Line of Duty – is this the most recent series that you are about to see, or is the whole thing just starting in the US?
sorry I messed up the italics
Don’t worry about the italics, Jeff. It’s fun to see the list. I’ve read the Richard Osman book, and I’m 1/3 of the way through S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears. Osman’s book is as good as his first one. I didn’t read Blacktop Wasteland, but I can say that Razorblade Tears is wonderful so far. I’m on hold at the library on a couple of the other books on your list. September is going to be a good month!
I agree with you about Broadway. That’s a big leap going to full capacity immediately. I heard something on the news about proof of vaccination will be required, along with masks, but I don’t know if they’re right or not.
Thank you!
Good morning Lesa and all!
The weather has been a little on the cool side in Wisconsin. But, the sun has been shining which makes it seem warmer and lifts the spirits.
This week I read The Mugger by Ed McBain – the 2nd in the 87th Precinct novels. This was the first of the novels I had read. I became interested in reading one after learning that the series was the inspiration for Hill Street Blues. My husband and I were able to watch several seasons last year and enjoyed it, so I wanted to give the books a try.
I am currently reading Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason – the first in her latest series Danger Never Sleeps. Army Special Ops Sergeant Asher James and his team are sent to bring in a fellow soldier who is suspected of treason. Before they can get to him, a bomb goes off killing half of the team and the man they were trying to bring in. Several months later Asher is back in the States after having left the army and is dealing with PTSD. He finally decides to get help and sets up an appointment with former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams. When Asher arrives for his appointment, he finds Brooke’s assistant dead on the floor.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
A little abrupt there, Gretchen. “He finds Brooke’s assistant dead on the floor. Hope you all have a great weekend!” (smile) I’ve only read a couple Ed McBain. I always said I’d save them for retirement.
It was a bit abrupt : ). I was hurrying – shouldn’t do that.
People started giving me 87 Precinct books,so I started reading them. Toward the end, I started to resent Carella, but most folks really like him
That’s interesting, Glen. I didn’t care for Carella in the first book I read. Maybe that’s why I never went back and picked up a second one.
I tried to make myself read the 87th precinct series but never particularly liked them. I much preferred Westlake as Richard Starke.
I started reading the 87th Pct. in the ’70s. At the time I read them as I found them, and that occasionally caused a problem due to Bert Kling’s rather checkered love life. I read every one and liked most of them (with a couple of exceptions). As someone who cut his teeth on Agatha Christie, there was one book (I won’t say which) where I “got” the murderer in chapter one, because it was so obvious to a Christie fan. I also read his Matthew Hope series (not as good), plus many mysteries written as Evan Hunter or other pseudonyms, as well as some non mysteries like LAST SUMMER and STREETS OF GOLD. I’d say I’ve read about 85 of his books.
But since he died al,ost 16 years ago, I wonder if he is still being read.
Good morning. This week I read Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto. The plot was a bit over the top but a fun read just the same. The dialogue among the Aunties given the circumstances they were in was very funny.
On audio I am listening to A Shameful Murder by Cora Harrison. I was interested in this book based on your review Lesa. I am enjoying it. I am especially enjoying how the author mixed the mystery with the history and circumstances as they were in Ireland in 1923.
I wondered how Dial A for Aunties was, Kathleen. Thanks for the summary.
Thank you. I like that series by Cora Harrison, with the history and culture as well as mystery.
OK, back with books.
Owen Laukkanen, LONE JACK TRAIL. This was the sequel to DECEPTION COVE, with yet another damaged Afghanistan vet with a dog. This one is Jess Winslow, whose husband died (can’t remember the details from book one) while she was overseas. Her main interest is protecting his pit bull mix, Lucy. The man who saved Lucy from a career of fighting is Mason Burke, an ex-con who is now Jess’s boyfriend, as she is a Deputy on the northwest Washington coast after they survived the corrupt cops trying to kill them in book one. But things don’t get easier, as Burke becomes a suspect in a murder and goes on the run. Not s good as some recent series it calls to mind, perhaps (like Nick Petrie’s) but a fast moving thriller.
Wallace Stroby is one of my favorite writers of the last decade or so, not least for his terrific series about (rare) female thief and driver Crissa Stone. His books are set in New Jersey, mostly in the Shore area where he lives. HEAVEN’S A LIE is a stand alone and a short (260 pages), very fast (like, less than a day for me) read. A young widow is down and out, working at a run down motel, when a car crash occurs practically in front of her. She bravely pulls the driver out of the car (he doesn’t survive) and, on an impulse a bag with a lot of money, which she does not report to the police but hides. Needless to say, I’m sure, the bad guy (who is very bad indeed) comes looking for his money. Highly recommended, as are most of Stroby’s other books as well.
Currently reading a nasty book (or is that redundant?) by Stephen King, THE INSTITUTE. It’s about a group of kids with telepathy or telekinesis who are kidnapped from their homes and deposited in the woods of Maine, for what purpose we do not know so far. But the weird thing is, when you start the book you would never know this, as the entire first section is about a former cop from Sarasota, hitchhiking north to New York, who ends up as a sort of night watchman in a small town in South Carolina. Now so far, this has absolutely nothing to do with The Institure, but I’m sure at some point it will all come together, In any case, it is a fast read.
I did finish BERLIN STORIES, the collection by Robert Walser, and I’m not reading stories by Jean Thompson.
That’s just an odd way to start a book, Jeff. I read Richard Osman’s latest, and if you pay too much attention to the opening page you’ll wonder why nothing is said about that character again until the last page or two. I can’t imagine reading Stephen King’s, and the entire first half seems unrelated.
It’s worth finishing THE INSTITUTE. I am not a horror fan so I don’t read a lot of Stephen King, but I thought this one was terrific. And yes, the stories will come together!
Oh, I know they’ll come together, Margie. It is King. I haven’t read one of his books since Misery. I just couldn’t read that one.
I definitely wouldn’t read Misery, and I wouldn’t watch the movie. But The Institute is nor horror.
I really enjoyed THE INSTITUTE as well. Thought it was fantastic!
Yes, so far, so good. My favorite of his is THE STAND, which I’ve read twice, once the original edition and once the expanded one. Also a big fan (the whole theme struck a personal note with me) of 11/22/63. I’ve read all of his short story and novella collections and his non fiction and a number of others – CARRIE, ‘SALEM’S LOT, THE SHINING, etc. I can’t believe that I was the only one who saw a scary connection between Trump’s election and THE DEAD ZONE. The ones I didn’t like for one reason or another: CUJO, IT (endlessly too long). Some of the really long ones since then I’ve just skipped.
Jeff, Bag of Bones was really good as well!
There are several on that list that I really want to read and have entered contests for. I finished the audio book for Plenty Ladylike by Claire McCaskill. Only 6 CDs long but I was curious about her. I did learn a lot about having a political life, and she had some great tales about her children.
Almost finished with The Ghosts We Keep. On the surface, it is about a younger son and his parent’s experience of grief over the loss of the older son, but it is much more complex than that.
Sounds as if this week’s reading was varied and interesting, Carolee.
Enjoy your panels today, Lesa.
This week I finished THE GOOD SISTER by Sally Hepworth. I figured out most of it but there was the twist at the end that surprised me. I found it chilling. Sally Hepworth has yet to disappoint me. The book gave off a vibe of that old black and white movie, The Bad Seed. Two sisters are raised in a dysfunctional single parent family. Fern is on the spectrum and older sister Rose has always looked out for her. When Fern discovers Rose is infertile, she makes up her mind to help her sister by having the baby for her. I was a little concerned about the autism aspect at first. I read somewhere that the author has a child with sensory sensitivity. So the character of Fern was written not as if she was different but that was just her normal. I still think THE MOTHER-IN-LAW is my favorite Sally Hepworth book but this comes a very close second.
Yesterday I finished THE KINDRED SPIRIT SUPPER CLUB by Amy E. Reichert. The main character of this book suffers from anxiety. It is heightened by the fact that the women her family see ghosts that they help with their unfinished business so they can move on to the other side. Like all her other books, this one takes place in Wisconsin with the focus on the Wisconsin Dells. Sabrina moves back home to her parents’ house after being fired from her Washington D.C. journalism job. She meets Ray who has moved back to Wisconsin to take over The Otter Club from his dying uncle. Together they help the spirit of Ray’s late uncle and Molly a ghost from the Prohibition Era. I am not really a fan of ghost storylines but I liked this one enough to finish it. A good read but not a great read for me.
Now I am reading THE MEMORY COLLECTORS by Kim Neville. I haven’t gotten far enough to have an opinion. I got too wrapped up in the Cleveland/Kansas City baseball game last night.
Rosemary, thank you for the Line of Duty recommendation. We can stream it on Acorn TV. I think that will be the next series we try. We watched the 4 part Jed Mercurio show Bloodlines last month. That was very good. You have a while to go with the Crown. I loved Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret in the later episodes. Atlantic Crossing about Norwegian Crown Princess Martha and FDR is our current favorite program airing on PBS Masterpiece.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Sharon. I enjoyed all of your summaries. I haven’t read Sally Hepworth, but I know how popular she is here. And, I’d heard of the other two books, but haven’t read them. So, I appreciate your comments!
Sharon, I also saw Bloodlines and I have to say, Line of Duty is head and shoulders above that, although I did enjoy it.
LOD may take a few episodes to get into, as it seems quite confusing at first, but as you will know, that’s the way Jed Mercurio works, and it always does make sense in the end! I do hope you enjoy it – I wish I still had all those series to watch! But I rewatched almost all of them before this most recent series as my husband hadn’t seen it – and I still enjoyed it so much; every time I watch it I notice something else that i’d missed. It’s brilliant.
Always nice to hear what others are doing besides reading all these great books.
I’ve read two of the Anthony Award Nominees.
Best Hardcover Novel -Blacktop Wasteland – S.A. Cosby – Flatiron Books
Best First Novel-Winter Counts – David Heska Wanbli Weiden – Ecco Press
Both are deserving for the honors and have won some other awards.
Oh, how I wish I could remember where I heard about the book I just finished, Just My Luck-Adele Parks, published last month. Perhaps it was Lesa.
If you’ve ever dreamed of winning the lotto this is the book for you. When CT first started their lotteries, a ticket I had matched 5 of the 6 numbers. At that time there was not prize for this but I thought about what I would do with a big win and how it might change my life. After much soul searching I decided I never wanted that big win as I could see all kinds of complications.
I really liked Just My Luck. It was a good peak at the sudden wealth for the Greenwood Family, Lexi & Jake, and their two teenage children. Kirkus’ review summed it up nicely with this quote “A thrilling and suspenseful story about how money can bring out the very worst in all of us.” Don’t often want to see the movie but in this case…if one is in the works, maybe.
Just My Luck sounds interesting, Carol. I think that big win would change anyone, whether or not they wanted to change. I’m not the one who suggested it. I don’t even remember reading the review or comment here.
I liked Winter Counts, too. I’d like to see David Heska Wanbli Weiden win something for that book. As I said, I’m reading Razorblade Tears by Cosby and really liking it.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Winter Counts win more awards. It is just that, a winner.
I’ve read the first two Cosby Books and enjoyed them both.
You’re right, Carol. I’ve been disappointed that it hadn’t won its category several times when I thought it was the best book. I’m reading Razorblade Tears by Cosby right now, and really liking it.
That sounds like a great Mystery Panel. I have read books by Naomi Hirahara and Kent Krueger, and want to read Richard Osman’s book.
I finished CURTAIN: POIROT’S LAST CASE last night. An interesting end to the series. Now that I finished that, I started POIROT AND ME by David Suchet. A light fun read so far.
I started THE MIRROR & THE LIGHT by Hilary Mantel in late April. I am enjoying it but it is a slow read and 750 pages and I have to supplement it with other reading. Usually I read one book at a time, with maybe a nonfiction book on the side.
I keep hearing about Wallace Stroby being a good author. I guess I should get the first in the Crissa Stone series and try it.
That’s quite a contrast, Tracy, with Poirot and then The Mirror & The Light. I understand why you need to read something else at the same time.
I haven’t read Stroby yet, either.
Survived another month end close! Actually, it wasn’t too bad. Now, I’ve got some reports to get out today.
Reading wise, I’m enjoying MURDER IN MURRAY HILL by Victoria Thompson. Tackling a very serious issue via 1890’s New York. Not a cozy topic, but a good book.
Mark, happy to hear the month end close wasn’t too bad. You need a break at work.
Victoria Thompson is another author who I haven’t read, although she has so many books in the series.
I read a few of the Gaslight series by Victoria Thompson and I was amused to find one in which the butler actually did it. I no longer remember the title but I am sure Thompson was highly entertained as she wrote that book.
I bet she was, too, Aubrey, knowing that no one would suspect that the butler did it!
Happy Thursday to all, and Lesa, I hope your panel activities go well. It’s dry and cool here in Portland, OR and we need rain.
Reading: THE THREE LOCKS by Bonnie Macbird, the 4th in her series of Sherlock Holmes pastiches, and while I enjoyed it, I think it’s weaker than the first two.
I tried DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE by Deepa Anappara, which won the Edgar for Best Novel. I’m sorry to say I only made it about 40 pages before giving it up. Why? I didn’t like the setting, characters or where the story seemed to be going…
I’m still reading short stories from at least three collections, and an anthology, will report on them when (if – they are all very thick) finished. Meanwhile, today I’ll finish SWORDSMEN FROM THE STARS, a collection of three novelettes by Poul Anderson, written for Planet Stories back in the 1950s. They’re fantasy-adventure in the Robert Howard / Fritz Leiber tradition.
I have THE TEN SECOND STAIRCASE set aside to read next, plus whatever the library disgorges.
Richard, Djinn Patrol doesn’t interest me either. I think that’s one Edgar winner I won’t ever read.
But, it sounds as if at least your anthology reading is going well this week.
Oh no! I have the Djinn Patrol on hold at the library. I’m hoping it appeals to me more than either of you. I have a tendency to finish any fiction I start unless its poorly written.
I was a little nervous to read Kate Quinn’s “THE ROSE CODE” because I often find wartime stories to be a downer, but I definitely enjoyed this one. There were some unpleasant moments, but I loved reading this story about the codebreakers–especially the young women–at Bletchley Park during WWII and its aftermath. Osla, a wealthy socialite, and Mab, from lower-class Shoreditch, met on their way to their new jobs and were later joined by Beth, the repressed daughter of the mentally abusive mother who served as their landlady. The story is rich with details about what went on at Bletchley and how it was said to shorten the war by at least two years, as well as with characters who existed in real life or were based on real-life people. The author talks about her research at length at the end of the book, which was fascinating. And the last 100 pages (of 625) of the book are an extremely exciting roller coaster that sails to a very satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
DEATH OF A WANDERING WOLF by Julia Buckley is second in the engaging Hungarian Tea House Mysteries. At a garage sale, tea house proprietor Hana spots a designer figurine for sale for $5 which she knows is worth much more. She tells the seller he’s asking too little, but he says he just wants to get rid of it, so Hana purchases it, along with a striking hand-knit sweater for her beau and a couple of paintings she loves. Later that day, she is stunned to learn that the seller has been murdered in his home. It also turns out that the sweater she bought her detective boyfriend Erik is actually from a company run by his amazonian twin sisters, who are fascinating characters. With their black belts and former police academy experience, they help to protect Hana when her boyfriend fears she may be in jeopardy since the figure she bought has a tiny track device imbedded in it. There is also a paranormal component to the story, as Hana reluctantly begins to realize she may share the psychic tendencies of other female family members. I love this intriguing and well-written series that qualifies as cozy but is really more of a traditional mystery.
LIFE’S TOO SHORT is the third contemporary romance written by Abby Jimenez, and I have enjoyed all three. Vanessa is a popular YouTube influencer who has traveled the world. But now she’s given up travel temporarily as she tries to raise her addict sister’s baby alone. It’s a struggle, and her brother and father are no help. Adrian lives next door and meets Vanessa when the baby is screaming, the apartment is a mess, and Vanessa hasn’t had time even to shower. He has no idea what Vanessa does for a living, or that she is convinced she will not live past age 30 because the other women in her family have succumbed to a deadly disease. Vanessa doesn’t know that Adrian is an attorney who owns the apartment building. And although both have had relationship issues, they are quickly drawn to each other. They try to keep it platonic, but this is a romance, after all.
THE HIDING PLACE, the third in Paula Munier’s excellent series about Mercy and the military dog she brought back from Afghanistan is as wonderful as the first two. Mercy has broken things off with Vermont Game Warden Troy when his almost-ex-wife suddenly and brazenly came back into his life, but they are thrown together again when she hears that the man who killed her grandfather has escaped from prison and her beloved grandmother, a veterinarian, may be in jeopardy. The escapee may also be looking for a rumored treasure and for his wife, who had disappeared years ago along with her friend, a battered wife. It’s a strong and interesting plot, but the last part of the book was truly spectacular–a very satisfying and heartwarming ending.
I am stunned and disappointed that Louise Penny’s “All the Devils Are Here” is not an Anthony nominee. I’ve read all the books in the Best Hardcover Novel category (except for one that i didn’t finish because I was bored with it). I liked some of them quite a lot. I liked some of them okay. I think “All the Devils Are Here” deserves to be in this list.
I’ve read some awfully good books this week, all widely and wildly different, and recommend each of them:
The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer (ARC)
Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin
The Dressmaker of Paris by Georgia Kaufmann (ARC)
The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny (ARC)
Bloodless by Preston & Child (ARC)
The Cover Wife by Dan Fesperman (ARC)
And I’m about half way through S. A. Cosby’s “Razorblade Tears” and thoroughly enjoying it.
I’m not as far as you are in “Razorblade Tears”, Kaye, but I’m loving it. What a voice! Those two men are terrific characters.
Of course, I haven’t read The Madness of Crowds yet. But, I agree with you about All the Devils Are Here. It should be an Anthony nominee.
Margie! I’m so glad to hear that you thought the last part of The Hiding Place was as satisfying and heartwarming as I did. Of course, I cried over it.
And, The Rose Code (sigh). It’s sitting on my dining room table. I bought a copy, and just haven’t had a chance to read it. Eventually! It sounds so good.
I’m glad you like Julia Buckley’s series. I own the first couple in that series, but, again, time. I need time!
I’m impatiently waiting for THE ROSE CODE to pop for me at the library. *sigh*
It kept having to go back to the library with people waiting, Richard, which is why I bought my own finally.
This week’s been really busy, but I had tome to read a few books.
Live Fast, Soy Hard by Max Allan Collins; It’s about a guy upon whom Fleming based James Bond. Now too well known to be an undercover agent, and married besides, an old enemy surfaces, and his wife disappears.
A little lighter than James Bond, but fits in well with the raft of imitators back in the day.
Skyjacked by KJ Howe; a kidnap and rescue expert is skyjacked by an old enemy and has to keep her wits about her while her husband tries to rescue her. Tries way too hard to be PC,and winds up being a self parody.
Fast Ice by Clive Cussler; Insane billionaire, check. Plan to end civilization as we know it, check. Numa steps in and Kurt Austin avenges another dead girlfriend, check. All the boxes checked, and a more stentorian attitude. Somebody needs a stronger editor.
Garfield The Big Cheese by Jim Davis; Not as many spider squashing jokes as usual this time.
Garfield. I’m a fan of the Garfield one, Glen. I like the sound of the Max Allan Collins, though.
This week I read Don’t Lose Her by Jonathon King, his 7th Max Freeman. Lesa recommended the first in the series, it was an Edgar winner, and I will no doubt get around to reading all of them.
I am finishing my review for tomorrow, Well Dressed for Murder by Laverne Rice. This is a book some folks here would enjoy. Published in 1938, it reads as if it took place in the 1950s or early 1960s.
I also finished my review of Lost You by Haylen Beck, which is a hair-raising thriller. I read the ARC of Death by Equine, Annette Dashofy’s new book which will be released next week. My review will appear a week later.
Next I’m finishing the ARC of Body Zoo, JD Allen’s 4th Jim Bean book. It will be released in June.
I hope you do read The Blue Edge of Midnight sometime, Aubrey. That’s one that deserved to be an Edgar winner.
I’ll look forward to reading your reviews for Forgotten Books, and on Kevin’s site.
I agree on the Johnathon King. I really liked the series, wish he had written more of them.
I forgot to mention that Jackie is reading the first Paula Munier book (A BORROWING OF BONES) and I downloaded the second one (THE HIDING PLACE) for her to read next.
She is excited about THE BULLET, the new Eve Duncan book by Iris Johansen, coming June 6, I think.
Thank you for keeping me posted as to Jackie’s reading, too, Jeff.
Lesa, general question: when we are commenting on books and listing the titles, do you prefer we format The Title like that, or THE TITLE, or The Title like that in ital? You’ll probably say any, but really, what’s your preference?
You’re right, Richard. I will say any because I just want people to participate, but I like The Title just like that.
This week, I was wrapped up in a pretty good non-fiction book about the Medici Family in Florence. I did read WHERE IT HURTS by Reed Farrel Coleman and THE SHOOTING AT CHATEAU ROCK by Martin Walker. Where it Hurts was enjoyable, although a bit far fetched. The Martin Walker book was also good. It is always nice to reconnect with Bruno and the other characters. The pace of the books in the series is slow and this one seemed a bit more slow than others. I was glad to read it, but happy when it wrapped up.
Currently, I am reading DEAD MAN RUNNING by Steve Hamilton. This is the latest entry in the Alex McKnight series. Alex is a former Detroit Police Officer, currently living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is off to a fast start and I will be staying up late tonight to finish it!
Lesa, I also love the Haunted Bookshop series by Cleo Coyle. I have The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait on order and can’t wait to start it. I really love the character of Jack, the ghost. I don’t typically read many cosy mysteries, but am hooked on this series.
Have a good weekend everyone!
Yes, I love Jack Shepard, too, Jennifer. He’s a terrific ghost.
And…three more ebooks bought as a result of today’s post.
I hope you enjoy them all, Richard!
Yeah, Rick, that’s what happens with me too.