I took the comment moderation off the blog for today because I want you all to have a chance to share your book titles. I’ll put it back on after today so maybe I can shut down this stupid spam. But, it’s no fun for you or me if it’s on for a Thursday.
I’m finishing a June release, Sarah Stewart Taylor’s new mystery, The Mountains Wild. It’s everything I love in a mystery, and it’s even called a mystery, not a thriller or novel. It’s about an American homicide detective who returns to Ireland when a clue comes up twenty-three years after her cousin went missing there. Cold case, atmospheric story set in Ireland, police investigation. Perfect for me. And, it appears it will be the first in a series. Yay! Watch for it in June. I’ll remind you in a review then.
So, what are you reading this week? I hope you have tons of books to keep you occupied for the next few weeks or even longer. The library where I work changed our closing from through March 29 to indefinitely. However, I’m on the Admin team so I’m still working, just mostly from home.
Let us know how you’re doing and what you’re reading. Stay healthy and take care of yourselves!
This week I finished HERE COMES THE Body by Maria DiRico. I ended up not liking it all that much by the end.
Now I am reading Lyssa Kay Adams' UNDERCOVER BROMANCE. It is her #metoo book. It is funny and sexy but to me not as charming as her first book.
Stay healthy and Happy Reading!
Darn! You have Undercover Bromance, Sharon. My copy is probably in a box at the library, and will remain there until we reopen. I wondered if it was going to be as good as the first one.
You stay healthy as well! Thank you.
At the moment, nothing but the Arthur Train short stories, as we decided enough was enough and packed up and headed for home yesterday, eight days ahead of schedule. We did not want to risk getting stuck – or worse, sick – in Florida for an extended period, and we decided that even with everything going on in New York, we will be more comfortable at home. We should be there on Saturday.
I did read TRACKING GAME, the latest by Margaret Mizushima, and agree with your review. At least they get together at the end.
Safe travels, Jeff. And, I hope you and Jackie stay healthy. You're right, though. I'm sure it's more comfortable at home. At least you'll both have plenty to read when you return.
I have a June title for you, the first in a K-9 series, The Finders by Jeffrey B. Burton. I'll remind you in May or June.
I'm reading a very interesting book "The Impossible First" the true story of Colin O'Brady who walked solo across Antarctica. The challenges he faced and over-came seem to be just the thing I need right now during this stressful time. I went to B & N and bought 5 books to add to the ones I have from the Library and to try and ease my thoughts of having no books to read. I am hoping that B & N is able to stay open as many things are shutting down. I think more people during this stressful time will turn to reading – which is one good thing. Hope everyone has a good book to enjoy!
New Gunn Zoo Mysteries by Betty Webb can't come too soon for me–it's been 2 years since the last. In THE PANDA OF DEATH,Teddy Bentley is a zookeeper whose current favorite animal is the adorable red panda (more the size of a cat than a panda). Teddy used to live on her boat, but now she is married to a police officer with two children, and with a mother-in-law living in their "granny cabin." When Teddy hears that a neighbor and universally-hated man was found drowned near her boat, she can't help getting involved, especially when her husband's newly-discovered grown son is arrested for murder. The victim was also co-producer of the local children's TV show that features marionettes, dinosaurs, and a beloved new character . . . a red panda. I love Teddy's adventures at the Gunn Zoo, the harbor culture (she still docks her boat there), and the interesting characters that populate these books.
Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell Mysteries are in a class by themselves, Steeped in late 1880s London atmosphere, including the social issues and monarchy of the day and the antics and debauchery of the aristocracy, her stories are told in a sophisticated and engaging manner like no other. Veronica is a lepidopterist by trade and the uncredited daughter of the Prince of Wales. But her passion is joining her colleague, the dashing Stoker, in dangerous high adventures. In A MURDEROUS RELATION, Lady Wellie Beauclerk is concerned that the young heir to the throne, nicknamed Eddy, has unwisely given a diamond star to the owner and proprietor of an exclusive after-hours club, potentially ruining his chances of marrying a more suitable young woman. At the same time, Scotland Yard is totally immersed in the search for the deadly Jack the Ripper. And the attempts of Veronica and Stoker to bring their so-far chaste relationship to the next level is an over-arching theme.
Several of you have already commented on Maria DiRico's HERE COMES THE BODY, which is the first book in Ellen Byron's Catering Hall Mystery series (under a pseudonym), and so far I prefer her Cajun Country Mysteries. Back in New York after her cheating ex-husband went missing and is presumed dead in Florida, Mia is excited about her new job as assistant GM for her ex-mafioso father's catering hall. But when a dead prostitute is found inside a cake out of which a stripper was supposed to pop at a bachelor party, Mia finds herself embroiled in protecting her father from suspicion. The story is populated with many characters, both "connected" and not, and the plot is engaging enough for the first installment.
Donna, I think that's a fear of a lot of people, running out of books with libraries closed and bookstores possibly closing down. Like you, I hope bookstores can survive.
Don't you love the Veronica Speedwell books, Margie? One of my favorite series. And I'm looking forward to The Panda of Death. Thank you for mentioning that series.
Perfect for you!!!!
I've been the lucky recipient of several awfully good books from NetGalley lately –
The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards (ARC)
The River Home by Hannah Richell (ARC)
Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger (ARC)
South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber (ARC)
The Paris Hours by Alex George (ARC)
I enjoyed each one and recommend them.
And I hope everyone is able to stay home and stay healthy.
I'm looking forward to Sarah Stewart Taylor's new book. I'll be reading it closer to release, but I have an ARC for NetGalley.
Today, I'm starting an ARC of MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE by Erica Ruth Neubauer. It's the first in a new series set in 1926 Egypt. I'm only a couple of chapters into it, but so far, I'm enjoying it.
I read:
Rogue; A Bigfoot is killing people in backwoods Mississippi, but there's also a guy who was turned into a bigfoot by a lab experiment.
The Devil's Country; A former Texas Ranger finds himself in a small town dominated by a cult. Not a bad Jack Reacher type deal.
Payback (The Eliminator #2): A vigilante kills gangsters.
The Dream of Scipio; A confusing book about guys in three tragic time periods.
Make Me by Lee Child; Jack Reacher finds himself in a small town in Kansas. Even more predictable than most of these.
The Bureau and the Mole; About Robert Hanssen, the FBI double agent. The FBI hasn't improved its performance since.
It is perfect for me, Kaye. Lots of Paris books for you on that list. And, I have South of the Buttonwood Tree. That looks good. Happy to know you enjoyed and recommend it!
Oh, I have Murder at the Mena House somewhere, Mark. Good to know you're liking it to start! And, I hope you like The Mountains Wild when you get to it.
Oh, Glen. Sounds as if the Jack Reacher-type book was better than Child's recent one. And, I love your comment about the FBI. As always, I look forward to your comments.
Kaye – I'm so jealous – a new Lisa Unger book – I read all of hers – just looked up when it is coming and not until October – Ugh!
I read ON THE LAMB by Tina Kashian. It was a slower read for me than the earlier books.
SUDDENLY PSYCHIC by Elizabeth Hunter. Three women are in a car that goes into a lake. They are saved and all wind up with different psychic powers.
HOW TO LOVE YOUR ELF by Kerralyn Sparks. A predictable paranormal romance that took way too long to get through.
I've read three of my favorite authors recently and loved the books. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths (out here in June), Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen, and Murder in Deep Regret by Anne Cleeland. I'm about to start and ARC of Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming. Then it will be Beginnings by Laurie R. King and Death of a Mermaid by Lesley Thomson. Death of a Mermaid is an ARC, so I need to check when it will be out here in the states.
I just ran a blog post on books I've read recently and ones on my reading list to read soon. Here's the link to that. https://www.readingroom-readmore.com/2020/03/reading-our-way-through-covid-19.html
The new read listed above in your blog post sounds good, Lesa.
I have a ton of stuff here to read. The problem is that I can seem to focus well enough as the stress of what is going on is really working on me.
If I am a robot, my system user really needs to adjust my settings.
Kevin
Oh, Sandy. I'm sorry this week's books weren't up to snuff.
Kathy, I'm glad you reminded me about Hid from Our Eyes. I just came off deadline so I have time to read for me. I have to read that one. I have a couple others on my must-read list, too.
Whoops. Meant to thank you, Kathy, for the link to your site.
I know, Kevin. I'm sorry.