I read all of your comments last week about what you were reading then. However, I read them late,
and didn’t comment because I thought you probably wouldn’t come back to see the comments. After my dentist appointment today, though, I’ll be around to read your posts.
I’m reading the book Mark Baker mentioned last week, Laura Bradford’s A Killer Carol. It’s the seventh book in Bradford’s Amish Mystery series. As you would guess, this one is set during the Christmas season when Heavenly, Pennsylvania holds its first Christmas festival. But, the joy isn’t all it should be due to the murder of an elderly Amish couple.
Speaking of Christmas festivals, before we move on to another discussion of what you are all reading, I wanted to mention Old Wethersfield, Connecticut. While on vacation, we went to this town, a place that has over 150 houses that pre-date the Civil War. Naturally, that makes it a picturesque New England town. That also makes it the perfect setting for cozy Christmas shows. Last year, Hallmark filmed in Old Wethersfield. The resulting show was “Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane”. While we were there, a show was being filmed to show either on Hallmark or Lifetime this year. While I don’t know the name, I can show you the setting. And, this same location was part of last year’s show.
Just thought you’d enjoy this. If you see this building in a Christmas show, you’ll know where it was filmed.You can even tell where “Christmas” ended, and September grass began.
Now, let’s talk about your books. What are you reading this week?
(Oh, and I haven’t read as much as I should this week. I’ve been watching Ken Burns’ “Country Music” on PBS. If you appreciate country music and the history of it, I’ll be happy to talk about that, too. It’s a terrific series. Well-done, as Burns always does.)
Nice picture of the 'Christmas' town, Lesa! I can see why they film there. Very festive looking.
I finished Shirley Jackson's WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE and also a few of her short stories (including The Lottery) this week for our October mystery group meeting. I was glad that I read some of Jackson's work. Think she influenced a lot of the mystery/horror writers that came after and also don't think she is as well known as she should be. She died young and so her body of work is not as large as it might have been.
The afternoon book group that I attend discussed Susan Orlean's THE LIBRARY BOOK on Tuesday. It was a good discussion and very well attended. Most liked the book or loved it – a few thought it was a little dry. One of the library staff members attended and told the group about trends in libraries these days – things like having a 'seed' library or providing a place for creative pursuits, along with the tools to do them. Also she mentioned how expensive e-materials are for libraries and told why they might not be able to afford to purchase enough copies of a book, even though the hold list is long, long, long. Funnily enough, we didn't end up talking very much about the fire at the Los Angeles Library or not as much as I would have thought.
Not finding that much enjoyment in recent books. That is, nothing is grabbing me and pulling me right through the book in a hurry, like recent books by Michael Connelly and Linda Castillo (to name two) did. But, I keep trying.
The latest was STONE COLD HEART by Caz Frear, which started well and was well written, only every one of the suspects in the murder of a 22 year old Australian woman visiting London was so unpleasant and unsympathetic that it was hard for me to care much which one did it.
Short stories. I'm reading the next in the complete O. Henry collection, WAIFS AND STRAYS (originally 1917), and have started SILVER BULLETS, a collection to mark the 25th Anniversary of Doug Greene's Crippen & Landru Publishers, with stories by Brendan Dubois, Jon Breen, Edward D. Hoch, Edward Marston, Liza Cody, Terence Faherty, Bill Pronzini & Marcia Muller, among others.
I've started (dumb, I know) two ebook downloads from the library: Richard Russo's academic comedy, STRAIGHT MAN, and Laura Lippman's LADY IN THE LAKE. Also started David Koepp's first novel, the thriller COLD STORAGE. We'll see which if any catches my attention. Jackie read the first ever book by Maggie Shayne, which she extensively rewrote for Kindle republication, RECKLESS, and is reading the Charlaine Harris collection you reviewed yesterday.
I've been slow this week on my reading as I'm trying to finish the Mrs. Pollifax series, but I did start The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs, and will be going to the library today to pick up Ice Cold Heart by P.J. Tracy.
This week I finished AND THEN THERE CRUMBS by Eve Calder. It is the first book in a new series. I thought it was wonderful. Pastry chef Kate leaves Manhattan for Coral Cay, Florida and gets a job with curmudgeon Sam at The Cookie House. When Sam is accused of murder, it is up to Kate and her new friend Maxi to not only help Sam but get The Cookie House back up and running. I loved how the community not only welcomed Kate but rallied around Sam. I was extremely satisfied with the resolution . My only quibble was all the supporting characters were introduced at the book club and when they appeared again, I had a hard time remembering who was who.
Now I am reading THE LOST DAUGHTER by Gill Paul. It is the second in a trilogy of alternative history about the Romanov family. This one is about Maria. I really enjoyed the first one and this one is just as good.
My daughter and I read the Mrs. Pollifax one summer together. It was a good series.
I have Ken Burns' country music sitting on my DVR. We are waiting to finish up The Republic of Doyle on Netflix and Penelope Keith's Village of the Year on Acorn before we start.
Happy Reading!
I watched the first episode of the Country Music series and loved it. I have more recorded to watch. As for reading, I'm almost finished with David Bell's Layover.
I finished A CALL TO CHARMS by Denise Swanson. Her take on Magic was different enough to hold my interest.
I’m currently reading WONTON TERROR by Vivien Chief. I like this series but I always find it strange that when her family goes out for dinner the always go to a Chinese restaurant and order Americanized Chinese food.
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles is a book that should be read slowly because it is a treasure trove of beautiful description and incisive observation, with a charming character you can't help but root for. Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to exile in the luxurious Metropol hotel, although his suite is soon exchanged for much humbler quarters. Rather than bewail his fate, the Count makes the best of it, faltering only occasionally. And it is there that he meets the people who will enrich his life. Here we get a glimpse of Russian history through the Count's eyes, but it is his personal journey, and those of the people whose lives he affects, that is at the heart of the story. A must-read.
I also forced myself to slow down while reading Louise Penny's A BETTER MAN, so I could pick up every nuance and every piece of information, not to mention the lovely prose. I don't know how Inspector Gamache is still alive after everything he's been through, but he is back to work for the Surete even though he had to take a demotion after the disastrous events in the last book. A young woman is found dead, and her brutal husband is almost the only suspect, but the case isn't as open-and-shut as it appears. I felt the frustration of Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir (his son-in-law and colleague), and others on the force as they try to make the case bulletproof. There's also a pending flood to fight, and, a few of the usual Three Pines characters play roles in the story. No one writes literary mysteries like Louise Penny. I've read them all, and she shows no signs of slacking.
QUEEN BEE isn't my favorite of Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry novels because I prefer a more realistic story. It features a 30-year-old woman who has never had a boyfriend, has to wait on her ungrateful slug-of-a-mother, has conversations with the honeybees she keeps in her yard, and is in love with her widowed neighbor and his two young boys. Her older sister's husband suddenly decides to become a female impersonator. It's all over the place. Yet I found it strangely entertaining and and welcome palate cleanser after the previous two more challenging novels.
I might be tiring of this series, of which A DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT by Ashley Weaver is the sixth entry. Husband and wife Amory and Milo travel to New York from their home in England for the wedding of Amory's childhood friend. But as wedding plans progress, disturbing things begin to happen. Not the least of these is the murder of one of the groomsmen, who is rumored to have abandoned his mobster boss's organization to work for another gangland boss. The 1933 setting reflects the times, with period costumes, Prohibition, speakeasies, and other local color. But the plot is slow-moving and there isn't anything new going on with the protagonists.
I think all but one of the Queer Eye guys has written a memoir. I enjoyed the one from Tan France, and I was OK with KARAMO by Karamo Brown, the show's "culture" expert. I truly enjoy Karamo on the show–he seems to have key insights to help each episode's "hero." But I found the long chapters about his drug abuse a bit tedious. His thoughts about racism and fatherhood (he learned he had a son about 9 years late and ultimately adopted both that son and his younger brother), along with memories of his childhood and family, were more interesting. And, of course, I was most interested in the chapter about Queer Eye.
I'm still in early Christmas mode. Last night, I finished Christmas Cocoa Murder, which has three novellas by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Alex Erickson. I really enjoyed all three of them.
Today, I'm starting The Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking by Leigh Perry. This series is always fun, and I'm looking forward to it.
Kay, It was a gorgeous town.
I think I only read Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, and nothing else. Quite a story, though.
I have to admit, I found The Library Book a little draggy at times, too.
Don't you hate it, Jeff, when nothing lives up to the last books you've read? Not easy to get into the next book, then.
Oh, I hope you like Ice Cold Heart, Gram! And, I've heard good things about Susan Wiggs' book.
I read:
Sunday The Rabbi Stayed home by Harry Kemelman; I can see why this series was popular, but this seems as dated as the bell bottom pants everyone was wearing back then.
After The Flood by Kassandra Montag; A well received dystopian novel, but I thought it wasn't that great. It's possible I missed something, but this was Waterworld with a woman protagonist.
15 Seconds by Andrew Gross; I think this is supposed to be a statement about Death Wish type fantasies, but it's really just a Florida novel.
The Dragon Man by Garry Disher; I got this because I heard a lot about Disher, but I thought this was pretty average. Maybe his Wyatt series is better.
Brimstone by Childs and Preston; Pendergast goes on the trail of what looks like the Devil killing people. We get the usual Pendergast mash up of 2004 trends. What I found most interesting is a section that was a lot like the Occupy movement, and the helplessness of the authorities to do anything. What a foretelling.
Sharon, I hope you enjoy "Country Music" as much as I am.
Gill Paul's alternative history sounds fascinating.
Patricia, I've been recording them, too. So far, I've been able to watch them, but I was afraid I'd miss one.
That is a little odd, Sandy, that they wouldn't go to another type of restaurant, or, at least, an authentic one.
Margie, I agree. No one writes mysteries like Louise Penny does. I have a friend who considers A Gentleman in Moscow the best book she read this year. And, I was never able to get into Ashley Weaver's books. I just didn't like the characters.
Mark, I just put a hold on Christmas Cocoa Murder yesterday. It seems I'm a little behind you. Good to know you enjoyed it!
Glen, I read all the Rabbi books, but I read them at the time they were coming out, so they weren't dated then. I can understand what you mean. I'm never read The Dragon Man, so I can't speak up for that Garry Disher book.
Glen, I was going to say the same as Lesa. I'm sure the Rabbi series is dated. I read it 50 (!) years ago.
On Disher, try his non-series books.
Another vote for the Rabbi books, but like everyone else, I read them years ago.
I am starting to get into the Christmas reading mood as well. I have Vicki Delany's Silent Night, Deadly Night, waiting at the library, and hopefully David Rosenfelt's Dachshund Through the Snow (love that title, for the pun and the fact that I used to have a dachsie) will be coming soon. I'll look for Christmas Cocoa. It's never too early!
I was a little late to the Country Music documentary party. I have watched half of the first episode on On Demand and will have to do the same for the next two episodes. Starting with episode four, I'm DVRing them. Looks promising!
Lesa, my husband has been watching the same show. He agrees with you. He has enjoyed it.
Hallmark made a Christmas movie here in my town. It was played last year. The scenes go so fast you really don’t have time to recognize anything. It was interesting to see the materials they used for snow everywhere. The local newspaper showed pictures of town in show and it was summer.
Hugs~~
Charlotte
I'm reading "The Chain" – very good -the question is If you were a parent and your child was kidnapped what would you do to get him back – I certainly can understand how they react – can't wait to see how it ends.
Donna, I read it last week. Not sure I totally buy the ending, but it was certainly a fast read.
Glen, the Dishers I read: BITTER WASH ROAD (set in the north of South Australia) and the new one, UNDER THE COLD BRIGHT LIGHTS (in Melbourne).
Margie, I'm on hold for a couple Christmas books, too. I know as we get into December, I won't have much time to read them. But, I always enjoy holiday books.
I've been a country music fan for 49 years now, but it was the music of the 50s-70s that I liked. I saw Roy Acuff and Little Jimmy Dickens and Johnny Cash, the 2nd version of the Carter family, Dolly Parton, and others perform. I know the earlier history. So, it means a lot to me.
Charlotte, I think they really only filmed a couple scenes in Old Wethersfield. They were moving on that night to Hartford. So, if I happen to catch the show, I won't recognize much. But, it was fun to see.
Those of us who are older will appreciate all that early history of country music, I"m sure. If he goes up to the 2000s, I probably won't even care.
I like Adrian McKinty's backstory, Donna, and I like his Troubles series. So, I"m happy to see The Chain do well for him. I actually didn't read it, although I gave away a copy here. I'm not a fan of domestic thrillers or women and children in jeopardy novels. I'm still happy to see the success of this book, though.
Glen, I really liked the character in Under the Cold Dark Lights. Maybe not totally realistic, but I'd like to see him in future novels.
I finished TOUGH 2: Crime Stories and A DANGEROUS MAN: AN JOE PIKE AND ELVIS COLE NOVEL in the last few days and have ny reviews running next Tuesday and Wednesday. Tomorrow on the blog as part of Friday's Forgotten Books, I iffer my review of PARKER FIELD: A WILLIE BLACK Mystery which is the third book in that series.
As to currently reading, I have not popped open anything in digital or paper formats. Not sure what I am going to grab next.
Kevin
https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
Kevin, It’s good to see you reading and reviewing right now. Sending hugs. I hope you’re still planning on Bouchercon next month, unless all of Texas gets wiped out by Imelda. Watching and thinking of everyone there.
Right now I'm reading Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke. I just ordered Cliff Diver: Emilia Cruz Novel by Carmen Amato, from the library. I have the 3rd book from the Mischief Bay series by Susan Mallery, waiting for me on my book shelf. Thanks for sharing a "Killer Carol by Laura Bradford". I will definitely have to check out that series. I enjoy watching PBS too.
Mindy, If you want to check out the Amish Mystery series, start with Hearse and Buggy. There's a lot of development of character & relationships in this series.
I like Susan Mallery's books.
Finished The Chain this morning – I agree with Jeff that you kind of have to just go with the flow re the ending – but it does show that a woman can power through anything to protect her child.
I've been watching the Country Music documentary myself. Country radio used to be a lot different, where you got music from the past along with current stuff. Nowadays, it seems like it's all Bro country all the time.
Just a shame, Donna, that the ending didn't live up to the rest of the book, if that's what I understand you and Jeff to be saying.
I don't even listen to it much anymore, Glen. I'm not a fan of the Honky Tonk sound of the early country music. I was a Johnny Cash fan.