It’s
Thursday! I always look forward to see what you’re all reading.
Thursday! I always look forward to see what you’re all reading.
I’m reading a new-to-me book and the start of a
series. Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit is a mystery
by Patricia Marcantonio. It’s set in Victorian England. I’m not far into it,
but Felicity reminds me of a grownup Flavia de Luce, for those of you who read
Alan Bradley’s series. When the book opens, the twenty-year-old Felicity has
just set fire to the east wing of her father’s house with a chemistry
experiment that goes wrong. But, she finds a way to stop the fire from
spreading. She makes a bomb, and sets it off. Felicity yearns for her father’s
affection. Her mother and brother died years ago. Now, she’s of marrying age.
But, she sets her troubles aside when she learns her mentor was murdered at the
British Museum.
series. Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit is a mystery
by Patricia Marcantonio. It’s set in Victorian England. I’m not far into it,
but Felicity reminds me of a grownup Flavia de Luce, for those of you who read
Alan Bradley’s series. When the book opens, the twenty-year-old Felicity has
just set fire to the east wing of her father’s house with a chemistry
experiment that goes wrong. But, she finds a way to stop the fire from
spreading. She makes a bomb, and sets it off. Felicity yearns for her father’s
affection. Her mother and brother died years ago. Now, she’s of marrying age.
But, she sets her troubles aside when she learns her mentor was murdered at the
British Museum.
What
are you reading this week? Have you had time to read?
are you reading this week? Have you had time to read?
That does sound like Flavia.
I read Steven Cooper's DESERT REMAINS, as mentioned last time. I liked it enough that I will read the sequel when the library gets it, but I wouldn't rave about it. The characters and setting were better than the serial killer plot, for the most part.
I'm close to finishing BIBLIOMYSTERIES – Volume Two. I must admit I prefer shorter stories as a rule to the longer ones as here. Some good writers in this group.
After your review of the new Elinor Lipman book, I found her book of essays as a library ebook, and I am halfway through it – I CAN'T COMPLAIN: (ALL TOO) PERSONAL ESSAYS. I like it and will definitely check out her other books. I know she did a book of short stories but the library doesn't have it.
I've started a big book of science fiction stories, Christopher Anvil's INTERSTELLAR PATROL, after a friend's recommendation, and I plan to start Bill Crider's final Sheriff Rhodes book, the aptly named THAT OLD SCOUNDREL DEATH, today.
I'm reading an ARC of Layover by David Bell (Love his stuff). And I just started listening to Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly.
I finished THE BUTTERFLY CONSPIRACY by Vivian Conroy. It reminded me of the Victoria Speedwell mysteries but a little softer around the edges. I really liked Merula and Raven as the main characters as well as Galileo and Bowsprit as the valet and friend. I am looking forward to the second in the series. Thank you Margie for recommending it.
Now I am reading GRAND SLAM MURDERS by R. J. Lee. I am intrigued enough by the mystery to finish it but not enjoying the writing style so I will probably pass on another installment.
Happy Reading !
I finished "The Suspect" by Fiona Barton – very good so now I am reading her earlier book The Widow. Fast reads as you are compelled by the "need to know".
I finished LIVE AND LET PIE by Ellie Alexander which I enjoyed.
I’m about halfway through SEVEN DEADLY ZINS by Nancy J Parra which is OK.
A little bittersweet with that Bill Crider one, I'm sure, Jeff. I like essays. In fact, it's a book of essays that is my go-to read when I can't get into anything else.
I have The Butterfly Conspiracy someplace at home. I'm going to have to look for it, Sharon.
I haven't read Michael Connelly in quite a while, Lori, but that's one I want to try.
Isn't it great to find a new author, Donna?
Sandy, I read one in that series by Nancy Parra. It's was okay, but I'm not interested in others.
This week I managed to finish four books, so I'm hoping I'm getting back up to speed. I enjoyed your review of GOOD RIDDANCE, Lesa, but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I usually love Elinor Lipman's books. Maybe I just wasn't in themood.
I liked Joanna Schaffhausen's first book, so I read the sequel, NO MERCY. Ellie Hathaway, who was the lone survivor of a serial killer in her early teens and later became a police officer, is reluctantly going to group sessions with other violent crime survivors, and she involves herself in investigating the crimes related to two of the other members. One woman's rapist is still at large, and the convicted murderer of another woman's toddler may be getting out of prison soon. Ellie again works with FBI agent Reed Markham, who saved her life years ago and who is still drawn to her in a personal way. Schaffhausen writes engrossing stories, but I would like to see Ellie evolve more and allow herself to heal and let others into her life.
Actress Ellie Kemper's essays (complete with footnotes) in My SQUIRREL DAYS are just what I expected from the star of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"–personal, quirky, and often comically exaggerated. This is a bit different from the usual show biz autobiography, in that the essays go back and forth in time and there is less content about her acting life than expected. It's a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but Kemper may be an acquired taste.
In Jane Harper's third novel, THE LOST MAN, the fact that there is not a lot of action didn't negatively affect its impact on me. The most striking element is the beautiful but unforgiving Australian outback, which is perhaps the most important character in the book. When middle son Cameron, who seems to have it all, is found dead of dehydration near the grave of another man, with his well-stocked truck nowhere in sight, his brothers wonder why he would commit suicide this way. Older brother Nathan has struggled to make a living with his own homestead and with an error he made in the past, and he wishes he could see more of his teenage son, who lives with his mother far away in Brisbane. Younger brother Bub has his own problems, and all of the brothers' lives have been tainted by their brutal father, now deceased. And Cameron's wife, Ilse, has a history with Nathan. Harper is a master storyteller, and I breathlessly read on and on to reach the stunning conclusion.
THE COLORS OF ALL THE CATTLE, Alexander McCall Smith's latest in the No. Ladies Detective Agency Novels (I've read all 19) is one of my favorites. I always enjoy spending time with Precious and Grace in their laid-back detective business in Botswana (everything stops for their frequent tea breaks), but this one features Charlie, a part-time mechanic in Precious's husband's business and a detective-in training for the two women. He is brash and egotistical and still has a lot to learn, but this story reveals another side of Charlie, to great effect. I have more respect for him now. Another plot concerns Precious's decision of whether or not to run against eternal irritant Violet for a council seat–you'll love her campaign slogan.
I’m about to finish SURVIVE OR DIE by Catherine Dilts. It’s about a company retreat at a survivalist competition camp. Of course, there’s a murder or two along the way. Too many characters but quite fun overall.
Up next is KILLER THRILLER by Lee Goldberg.
I've just finished 2 books in a series – "A Dark and Stormy Murder" and "Death in Dark Blue" by Julia Buckley. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll read the next in the series, I've lost interest in the characters and their troubles.
I listened to "The Ravenmaster" by Chris Skaife for a book club. This was interesting, I enjoyed the reading by the author.
Currently, I'm reading "Storm Front" by Jim Butcher.
I read:
Climb to Conquer by Peter Shelton; about the formation of the Mountain Divisions during WWII. Like Ski Troop Attack.
Death and the Devil by Frank Schatzing, a historical novel about assassins in Kologne.
The Dead of Winter by Rennie Airth; John Madden investigates the death of his Jewish refugee lodger.
Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward; psychological thriller about PTSD.
I left a comment earlier today, it is here so I will leave another one.
I finished 0 📕this week.
I have started 0 📘this week.
Happy reading to everyone.
Margie, I love that we all have different tastes in mysteries. I recently read a forthcoming Alexander McCall Smith mystery, and I just can't get into his books. It would be such a different world if we all liked the same books!
Mark, I just read about Survive or Die. I'm not a fan of books with too many characters, so thank you for your comments.
Jim Butcher, Ruth! I have to know next week if you liked it. I'm a big fan of the Dresden Files.
Sounds as if this week's books were okay, Glen.
Some weeks are like that, Charlotte. Sending you hugs.
I always get great ideas for new to me authors on Thursdays…I am reading The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman, Tip of the Iceberg by Mark Adams – non-fiction and very good. Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts – I finall got the large print version..and finishing a few of Kay Hooper's books.
I'm so pleased you find some new to you authors, Gram!
On audio I am reading Our House by Louise Candlish. On ebook it's Lies by T.M. Logan. In print, I hope to finish The Lost Man by Jane Harper (lost it in my car & just found it this morning.)
Three books with a lot of chatter, Katstev. I'll be interested to hear what you think.