What are you reading this week? I’m reading a John Dickson Carr mystery published in 1931. Castle Skull: A Rhineland Mystery is one of the British Library Crime Classics. I always loved Carr’s locked-room mysteries, although I haven’t read anywhere near as many as he wrote. Castle Skull is a castle that sits over the Rhine River, with an appearance of a skull. Before I even started, I had to look up the French term juge d’instruction. “Juge d’instruction, (French: judge of inquiry) in France, magistrate responsible for conducting the investigative hearing that precedes a criminal trial. … If the juge d’instruction is not convinced that there is sufficient evidence of guilt to warrant a trial at the end of the proceedings, no trial will occur.”
Henri Bencolin is “the foremost police office in Europe”, a juge d’instruction. Along with his friend, Jeff Marle, who recounts the investigation, he’s asked by one of the richest men in the world to look in to the death of Myron Alison at Castle Skull. The English actor was shot and set on fire there. There is a second mystery that preceded Alison’s murder though. A magician, Maleger, disappeared from a train, and a body, supposedly his, was found at the bottom of a hill on the train route. Maleger’s heirs were Alison and Jerome D’Aunay, the man who hires Bencolin.
There. I haven’t even really told you anything that isn’t in Martin Edwards’ introduction to the book. I am enjoying it.
I hope you enjoyed your recent books. What are you reading this week?
I'm glad you're enjoying the Carr book. I read the Bencolin books – IT WALKS BY NIGHT, THE LOST GALLOWS, CASTLE SKULL, THE CORPSE IN THE WAXWORKS, and the later THE FOUR FALSE WEAPONS – way back in the 1970s. The first four were Carr's first four mysteries and Bencolin his first series character (with Marle as his Watson). I liked the eerie atmosphere of the European settings. They were all locked rooms/impossible crimes. There was another book, POISON IN JEST (1932), that featured Marle alone.
What am I reading? The third in John Scalzi's Interdependency trilogy, THE LAST EMPEROX. I like the snarky tone of these, though if the "f" word bothers you, it is used a lot in these books.
I've read all of Stephen King's short story and novella collections, and I'm halfway through his latest, IF IT BLEEDS, which is good so far. In general, I think he is better at these shorter lengths than in at least some of his overlong novels.
I finished Vol. 1 of the James Sallis short story collection (TIME'S HAMMERS) and have started Vol. 2. In his case, the novels are better, by a huge degree.
I did very much like most of Julia Spencer-Fleming's HID FROM OUR EYES, with sections in 1952 and 1972 as well as the present (2006, or thereabouts). Part of the book is left as a cliffhanger, though the murders are solved. I hope it isn't as long before the next one.
I've read John Dickson Carr off and on, Jeff – mostly off in recent years. But, that's only because there is so many other books to read! I still like him.
I like John Scalzi's snarkiness. I haven't read that trilogy, but I've read some of his other books, and I love him on Twitter & his blog. Great snarkiness.
I don't think it's going to be as long for Julia Spencer-Fleming's next book, but you never know. Life happens.
I’ve never read any of John Dickson Carr’s books. Maybe I’ll see if the library has any since I like locked room mysteries.
I read LONG RANGE by C.J. Box. It’s his most recent Joe Pickett book. This series has been hit or miss for me but I enjoyed this one.
An ARC of A FATAL FICTION by Kaitlyn Dunnett. I liked the idea of a book where the sleuth and many of the other characters are seniors but I had trouble staying interested in the story.
Two short paranormal romances:. FOREVER AT RISK: TERROR, MN by Larissa Emerald is set in a town of supernatural creatures. THE BEACHCOMBER’S BUCCANEER BOUNTY by Kerry Evelyn is a time travel romance. Of the two, I enjoyed Kerry Evelyn’s book more.
And I just started an ARC of SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE by Heather Webber.
I'm reading Get Real by Donald E Westlake. I was reading books in Hindi before that and wanted a change in language. I've read 38 pages till now. It's going good. Westlake's Dortmunder books are fun to read.
-Vikas Nainwal
I finished THE PRETTY DELICIOUS CAFE by Danielle Hawkins. Another of her older books but I like her writing and the setting of New Zealand.
I did not like THE OYSTERVILLE SEWING CIRCLE by Susan Wiggs very much.
I did enjoy PUMPKIN SPICE PERIL by Jenn McKinlay. I thought the last couple of the series were only so so but this one clicked with me. I always love when all The Brothers show up and there is less Olivia.
The last book I finished was THE LENDING LIBRARY by Aliza Fogelman. This had so much promise. The local library has been closed. Book lover Dodie takes it upon herself to start a lending library on the sunporch of her home to pick up the slack. What's not to love, right? Unfortunately, this went off track for me with themes of abandonment, biological time clocks, and adoption. They plot threads all connected but this was just all over the place and I almost gave up on it. The best part was the library, the books, and the quotes written on the bookmarks in the books. Loved the idea but it lost something in the execution for me.
Now I am reading THE HONEY-DON'T LIST by Christina Lauren. I don't think it will replace THE UNHONEYMOONERS as my favorite but I am enjoying it.
Happy Reading!
Sandy, I'll be interested to see what you think of South of the Buttonwood Tree.
Oh, a John Dickson Carr newbie! I'll be curious as to how his books hold up for someone who hasn't read him before.
Vikas, I have a friend who is about to read not only in his native language of English, but also in multiple Arabic languages. Those of you who are multilingual impress me. Donald Westlake would be a change.
Sharon, Now Susan Wiggs is an author whose books are hit-or-miss for me. I think I'll skip Oysterville. And, I'm really sorry about The Lending Library. I always feel bad when novels about libraries and bookstores don't live up to what they should.
Hello, everyone. I didn't post last week because it was my moving-in date in my new home. I guess I only managed to read three books during the past 3 weeks, but reading has been a great break for me in all of the packing and unpacking.
Lesa already reviewed HELLO, SUMMER. Mary Kay Andrews usually tells a good story, and her latest is a good example. Journalist and reporter Conley returns home to Florida when a promise of a fantastic new job falls through at the last minute. She reunites with her grandmother and her sister, owners of the local small-town Silver Bay weekly newspaper. Suddenly, a big story erupts on the scene–a local politician is found dead in a one-car crash, and his story is rife with secrets, betrayal, and warring relatives. Conley takes up the challenge of exposing the secrets and blowing the story up into one of national interest. I enjoyed it, with my only reservations being the title (misleading), a dearth of details about Conley's appearance, and a somewhat underdeveloped love interest.
THE SUN SISTER, sixth in Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series, was probably my least favorite. Electra is the youngest adopted daughter of a now-deceased, very wealthy man who names his daughters after the stars in the Pleiades. She is a supermodel who seemingly has it all, but who has developed an out-of-control substance abuse habit. Suddenly her biological grandmother finds her and introduces her to her African roots through the story of her family background and the other protagonist of the story. The action takes place in two timelines, as in the other five books. I found Electra the most unlikable of the sisters, but I did enjoy the story.
I always look forward to reading the latest in Kate Carlisle's long-running Bibliophile Mystery series. This time, it's only been a few months since book restorer Brooklyn married Derek, who owns a private security company. But it's hardly the first time they've come upon a murder or two. Though they live mostly in San Francisco, they have returned to Dharma, in Sonoma County, for the town's first book festival, which was originally founded by Grateful Dead followers and those seeking spiritual enlightenment. Brooklyn's mother, Rebecca, is running the festival committee, but her meetings are often disturbed by Jacob Banyan, who wants to be on the committee and to have a booth at the festival. However, Jacob is already persona non grata in the town, where he has forced some of the winery owners to sell out, and has plans to replace their fine wines with boxed wine. He is an over-the-top character, with no redeeming characteristics, so although a couple of other members are more tolerant (for their own reasons), he makes no headway and resorts to threatening Rebecca and other supporters with bodily harm. Other plot lines include a vintage copy of Little Women, the book which serves as the theme for the festival. Clyde, the book store owner, is cagey about how and where he got this first edition, which is in poor shape, but he engages Brooklyn to restore it to its former glory. Then there's the local performance of Little Women: the Musical, headlined by a movie star past her prime who is playing Marmee. There are two murders to complicate everything, and additional threats against several of the characters. And it's the characters that keep me coming back to this series. Rebecca, Derek's parents (who have moved to Dharma), Brooklyn and Derek's friends, Brooklyn's sisters, Dharma townspeople, and so on, are typically charming and interesting. The details of their daily lives in this unique environment are also fascinating. And the various plots keep things moving along. I consider the series comfort food and look forward to each new entry in the series.
I forgot to mention that the new Kate Carlisle mystery is entitled THE GRIM READER. Sorry for the long review–I am one of "Kate's Raters" who gets Kate's next book free after posting two reviews.
Been on a cozy reading binge so in the last week I have read Bree Bakers A Call for Kelp. This series is such fun and I enjoy the location and the characters, I feel as if I am in Charm when I read it. Just finished the first in Ellie Alexanders Baker's series – enjoyed it but a little too much Carlos references for me – she finally let the readers know the problem. It seems to have promise but I think I like the Allison Krause series better. And I have been reading all three main series from Jenn McKinlay. The Lindsay Norris library series is my favorite. And Maddie Day's Country Store series is wonderful, just finished Biscuits and Slashed Browns.
I believe I read some Carr books years ago – back in the day when Earle Stanley Gardner was my favorite author.
Have not gotten any books from the library – did take back two full grocery store bags the other day. they sit for 72 hours and then are processed.
Hi Lesa
I finished John D Burns' The Last Hillwalker yesterday and I was very sorry to reach the end of it, I enjoyed it so much. I tweeted about it and the author replied – we had a great conversation by DM. I really appreciate it when an writer engages with his or her readers instead of just (metaphorically!) repeatedly bashing them over the head with 'Buy my book! Buy my book!' Burns writes really well, and the book has many extremely funny moments as he recounts his life in hillwalking and mountain climbing. Now he has given up climbing and instead seeks out the remote bothys in the Highlands – usually very rudimentary stone buildings where walkers can spend the night for free. They do not have beds or stoves or anything much, serious walkers and climbers bring their own equipment, and always a bag of coal for the fire. I have visited a few bothys when our walking with my son, but only for a 5 minute look – I would not enjoy those spartan conditions, but many people love them, and they have become increasingly popular again of late.
I am now about to start Rebecca Tope's A Cotswold Killing – it is the first one in a long series, but I haven't read any of them before.
I have tried a few of those British Library Crime Classics but so far I haven't been that taken with the stories, though the covers are always beautiful. I do have other blogger friends who love them, so maybe I just haven't found the right one yet.
Rosemary
Margie, I'm looking forward to The Grim Reader. I'm a fan of this series, too. Love Brooklyn and Derek, and the connection to a special book in each mystery.
I totally agree. I wonder if someone at the publisher's picked the title of Mary Kay Andrews' latest book. It didn't fit at all. Instead, it seemed to a title trying to fit into the beach read market.
Netteanne! You and are have very similar reading taste. I really like Bree Baker's series & the people of Charm. Like you, I prefer the Sloan Krause series over the Bakeshop one. She's too hung up on Carlos. I know he's her husband, but she either has to decide to forgive him, or move on. And, he's in too many of the upcoming books while she still dithers away, so I'm giving up on that series. If there's anything I can't stand, it's indecisive women in my mysteries. I waited too long to dump Joanne Fluke's books. I'm not waiting that long on this series.
Rosemary, That is so nice when the author reaches out to a reader who obviously appreciated his work. I love that you now know what he's doing. But, you're right. A bothy doesn't sound fun to me either. Thank you for explaining what it is!
I'll be interested to see if you like Rebecca Tope's series since you haven't read any before. There's always a leap of faith when plunging in, hoping it's going to be a series to love. Good luck!
Some of the British Crime Classics haven't appealed to me either, but I bought this one because it's Carr. I couldn't pass it up.
I only read one book that I remember:
Hunter Killer by Brad Taylor; Complicated plot that centers in South Carolina and Brazil,as the Russians try to affect Brazil's presidential elections.
So often reaching for a classic like Carr is just what's needed, I think.
This past week has been more misses than hits for me. I've picked up several books that I thought sounded "just right" only to change my mind.
Here's what I did read:
The Last Piece by Imogene Clark (ARC)
Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst (ARC) – This is a book I almost put aside, but am awfully glad I didn't. At first I thought, uh oh, this Maggie and I aren't gonna really see eye to eye. Ended up like Maggie a lot, along with her supporting cast of characters.
Recommended.
The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan (ARC) – I love this book. Quite reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Really, Glen? The Russians have the time to influence EVERYONE'S elections?
I can't wait to read The Lost Manuscript, Kaye. Every time you mention it, I want it even more.
I kept forgetting to stop over here and chime in.
Today, I'm starting THE MOUNTAINS WILD by Sarah Stewart Taylor. It's a book with a New York cop over in Ireland trying to finally solve her cousin's disappearance 23 years before. So far, I'm enjoying it.
I am enjoying immensely Brit Bennett’s THE VANISHING HALF. The accolades are well-deserved for this beautifully written, evocative novel. I highly recommend it.
Hi, I am currently reading Hush by James Patterson and Bombshell by Stuart Woods. On audio, I am listening to My Calamity Jane which is a young adult novel and imagines Calamity fighting werewolves
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