It’s a day early for “What Are You Reading”, but I was in St. Louis Monday night and Tuesday. Great trip, and I have lots of pictures to show you. So, I’ll share those on Thursday’s blog.
Instead, let’s talk about what you’re reading or listening to today. And, if you miss today’s post, and want to talk on Thursday, I’m okay with that. It’s always fun to talk books. (And, I went to a bookstore while I was gone, so I’ll share that on Thursday.)
So, do you mind stepping into the gap? What are you reading or listening to? I’ll share my trip on Thursday.
Lost Book and Old Bones by Paige Shelton
Alison Gaylin, IF I DIE TONIGHT
Jeffrey Siger, AN AEGEAN APRIL (I missed that this had come out around the time we were leaving for Florida)
Rudyard Kipling, PLAIN TALES FROM THE RAJ
I finished Jane Harper's FORCE OF NATURE yesterday, and read Denis Johnson's posthumous collection, THE LARGESSE OF THE SEA MAIDEN.
I finished three mysteries this week
TROUBLE AT RED PUEBLO by Liz Adair. It was a free read on kindle and the 4th in a series but I liked it enough to order the first two
WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE, the newest cupcake mystery by Jenn McKinlay which was a quick read
DEATH & THE VIKING’S DAUGHTER by Loretta Ross. I wish she wrote faster because I really like this series. The main character is a private detective but the books have a lot of elements of cozy mysteries
I finished I'LL BY YOUR BLUE SKY by Marisa de Los Santos which I found beyond wonderful.
Then I read WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE by Jenn McKinlay which was fun and breezy. I love it when Angie's Brothers make an appearance.
Now I am reading I WAS ANASTASIA by Ariel Lawhon. So far I think it interesting.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures tomorrow.
I can’t believe it.
I haven’t finished any books this week.
I am still reading these two:
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, just a few chapters.
The Annie Szabo Mystery (book 1) by Meredith Blevins
Looking forward to the new season of Bosch starts April 13 on Amazon. Books about Bosch are written by Michael Connelly. I am sure everyone here already knows this.
Find time for reading some 📗📒📕 this week.
Only two to report on this week. First was Gwendolyn Womack's The Fortune Teller, which is a fascinating, highly complex novel about Semele, an antiquities appraiser in NYC. When sent to appraise the collection of a recently deceased mega-collector, she discovers a centuries-old manuscript written by a women who accurately predicts future events, both personal and international, and even includes personal messages naming Semele herself. An ancient, elusive deck of tarot cards also figures prominently in the plot and ultimately involves Semele in the intrigue. Not a quick read–you will want to slow down and savor the details. It made me want to read Womack's debut steampunk novel, The Memory Collector, as well.
I won Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian on another blog and found this first in a series promising. I was drawn to it because its setting on the Jersey shore was partly inspired by Ocean City, NJ, where my family spent many happy hours while living on the East Coast. Kashian already has a romance series so she isn't a new writer. The protagonist left NYC after
being passed over for a promotion at her law firm and is now helping her family out with their Mediterranean restaurant. An ex-high school boyfriend is still interested, and is also interested in buying the restaurant. The son of the next-door bike shop owner (reputed to be a gangster–the father, that is–is also showing interest in her. Of course, the murder of a high school enemy who happens to be the nasty current health inspector also has to be solved. I'll look for the next in the series later this year.
Christie,
Can't wait to see your note to me about that book.
Jeff – Oh, Jeff Siger's book. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Sandy & Sharon, Nice to see both of you reading Jenn's book.
Charlotte, I'm sorry. I rushed you this week. Maybe next week you'll have had the time to finish a book. Hugs!
Thanks, Margie. I was interested to read your comments about Hummus and Homicide. And, the other book sounds fascinating.
Just finished Black Diamonds by Martin Walker, the third in his Bruno Chief of Police series. Absolutely love Bruno and the story line in each book. Then was on to The Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry – a fun, silly cozy. It is the first in the series. Next up is Dread Line by Bruce DeSilva. It has been out over two years but am just getting to it.
Lesa, even if we were doing the what are you reading this week on Thursday I still would not have finished these two books. Not your fault for moving up the day. I am just not moving fast in my reading of these two books. I still have 26 chapters in the Annie Zeabo Mystery to go. I still have 130 pages to go in the Into the Water book. So close to finishing this book. Hugs also to you.
Also, I'm sure you know this already, but the next Kate Burkholder book by Linda Castillo, A GATHERING OF SECRETS, will be out in July.
Netteanne, I need to try the Bruno books. I just haven't gotten around to them yet. I read both of the other authors you mentioned, and enjoy them.
Oh, yes, Jeff! That's not in my closet, but I'm looking forward to Castillo's next one. One of my favorite series.
I read an old time Ace Double Western.
The Slime Beast by Guy N. Smith, an old fashioned Creature Feature type book.
Collision by Jeff Abbot, an espionage novel published in 2008, when everything seemed to be going wrong in the War on Terror.
Glen, years ago in England, my wife and I got to visit Guy N. Smith at his home near the England-Wales border. Nice guy. He had copies of all of his many, many books – I was able to get a couple signed for a good friend – as well as books he was selling (ostensibly my reason for being ther).
Just started the newest Elizabeth George – The Punishment She Deserves. She is my absolute favorite author – her mysteries are always complex and a new one comes out around every 3 years. She is the author of the Inspector Lynley series that was on TV a few years ago.
Glen, You and Jeff have some of the most interesting titles and connections.
Donna, I'm sorry you have to wait 3 years for a new book by your favorite author, but it's so good that she has one right now, and, it's a big one, if I remember correctly.
I just finished reading Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo and am going to pick up The Siren by Kiera Cass. Can't wait to read about your trip.
I’ve been wanting to comment on the Veronica Speedwell books, which I read on your recommendation. Thank you! I liked them better as the series went along, perhaps because I got used to the narrator’s voice. I also like the way she seems to be caring more about other people. I borrowed them via Overdrive from my library, which was great.
Just finished The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz – should be released in the US in June, I think. I’m really enjoying his books – he’s playing with the mystery form and that’s really interesting. Then halfway through The Money in the Morgue, a book left unfinished when Ngaio Marsh died and finished by Stella Duffy. It features Inspector Allyn, but I’m finding it a bit slow. But there's a map and list of characters and I always love that. Leaving the new Elizabeth George until I have a bit more time – I think it’s 690pages… That’s it for me.
I hate reading two mysteries at the same time and I have a lot of my mysteries in my TBR and review pile so I am do a mystery and something else.
Almost finished a great book, The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani. It is children's book with tough issues for a little girl. She is about ten and living with her father and her twin brother at the time of the partition of India and Pakistan. She grew up in what was India but now has to move because her father is Hindi and it now too dangerous there anymore. Confusing and frightening so she write a diary to her mother who died and pours out her feelings.
Also reading Still Lives by Maria Humme, an edgy and scary mystery set in Los Angeles. And it is in small print! But the story really keeps you reading.
I'm reading an advance review copy of Cirque by Mary Ellen Dennis. This is a historical novel from Five Star's Frontier Fiction line.
Thank you, Abby! I hope you enjoyed today's post.
Trisha! Thank you for commenting. I don't often learn if people have read what I reviewed, although those that comment on What Are You Reading usually mention it. I'm glad you're enjoying the series.
I read multiple books, but seldom two mysteries at a time, Carol. You're right. Unless the time periods and settings are very different, it's hard to keep them straight. The Night Diary does sound tough for a child.
Patricia, Five Star often has some very good books.
Just finished His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray. Will be continuing (and hopefully finishing) Written in Blood by Layton Green. Currently listening to True Fiction by Lee Goldberg.
Shelley Shepard Gray is extremely popular at our library, katstev.