Are you like me, and need some escape reading this week? I’ve been off to Australia and Paris with Charlotte Nash’s novel The Paris Wedding. Just after her mother’s death, a woman who willingly gave up her college education, her boyfriend, and ten years of her life to take care of her mother on their farm, is invited to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. In Paris. All expenses paid. I’m not far. She just landed in Paris. We’ll see what happens. Australia and Paris are great places for escape.
What are you reading this week? Let’s chat!
I just started reading Dead Cold Brew that I won on your wonderful blog. Really enjoying it so far.
I finished CAROUSEL BEACH by Orly Konig this week. Although the plot was about a miscarriage, death, and dementia it was such a hopeful book by the end that I just loved it.
I also finished BEYOND THE PALE by Clare O'Donohue. Thanks for the recommendation Lesa. I thought this was terrific and found Hollis and Finn great fun. I am looking forward to the next one.
Next up is THE RECIPE FOR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP by Shirley Jump. Something breezy I hope as we are going to the Chicago area to see the grandsons play The Baseball.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Marla. I'm glad you're enjoying the book!
You're right, Sharon. That first one doesn't sound hopeful. I'm glad it turned out that way. Thank you! I'm happy you enjoyed Beyond the Pale!
We are on a "real"escape – overnight at a Marriott on Long Island after seeing John Fogerty in concert last night – so can't be sure of titles.
I am reading the Harry Dresden story collection mentioned last time. I read Penelope Fitzgerald's HUMAN VOICES, a novel based on her time working at BBC Headquarters as a young woman in 1940, between the fall of France and the Blitz. If you're interested in the period, it's a short, fast read.
Now reading a terrific book, ALL THE PIECES MATTER, a behind the scenes look at THE WIRE, one of the great television shows.
I finished the following two books:
Prey on Patmos by Jeffrey Siger
Target: Tinos by Jeffrey Siger n
I really enjoy his books.
I am now reading:
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith
Desert Noir by Betty Webb
Reading is a good thing.
📕📕📕📕📕📕📕☕️
I'm reading an advance copy of Hank Phillippi Ryan's book that comes out later in the summer – Trust Me. Really good so far, but I'm only maybe 16% in. Review won't be up until early September. And I've been catching up on listening to some 'scary' books that came out in past months. They have all been pretty dark thrillers, but I seem to be on a roll with them right now. Just finished The Chalk Man and just beginning Final Girls.
The Last Place You Look is first in an exciting series by Kristen Lepionka featuring PI Roxane Weary, still reeling from the death of her father, a cop, with whom she had a troubled relationship. Roxane's client wants her to prevent her brother, Brad–in jail for 15 years–from being executed for the murders of a married couple. The couple's daughter, Brad's girlfriend, disappeared that night and has never been found. Now Roxane finds that her disappearance may be linked to the murders of other young women. Roxane is flawed–she is a loner, drinks too much, and puts herself in harm's way too frequently–but she is a relentless investigator and easy to root for. Lepionka's writing is masterful, and the story races along to a thrilling end.
Scottish author Catriona McPherson writes fabulously creep psychological thrillers and a historical mystery series,. In person, she is a hilarious speaker with a wealth of dry humor and a Scottish accent, but her newest book, Scot Free, first in a humorous series, was not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to those of you who recommended The Shadow of Death by Jane Willan, a Lutheran pastor. I absolutely loved the quirky, endearing nuns in North Wales, and particularly Sister Agatha, who has an MFA in creative writing and wants to write a crime fiction novel She also can't help getting involved (along with her "sidekick," Father Selwyn), in solving murders. At the same time, the abbey is in danger of closing and the sisters' cheese-making effort is sabotaged. Very charming and heart-warming. The next in the series is already out.
After enjoying the originality of Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murder last year, I had to check out his newest, The Word is Murder, and I wasn't disappointed. This time, British screenwriter Horowitz casts himself as a character, a writer approached by a disagreeable but brilliant detective to craft a book from the detective's investigation of the death of a woman who arranged her own funeral before being murdered that same day. I loved the way he intermingled details of his real life (and some imagined) with the plot. A very clever story, well told, and a quick read.
Human Voices sounds fascinating, Jeff. An actual escape sounds even better. I'm doing that in July.
You are so right, Charlotte, that reading is a good thing. And, Jeff Siger's books are good things as well!
I just finished The Floating Light Bulb, the newest Eli Marks mystery by John Gaspard. It was a lot of fun. Next up is A Souffle of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber.
Am listening to Kate Carlisle's Once Upon a Spine – one of the very entertaining bookbinders series. The future in-laws are visiting and they are delightful.
Just finished Denise Swanson's Tart of Darkness – enjoyed it and liked the interaction of the characters. The description of the food she prepares in the book is worth the read. The main character Dani is a chef. There were some flaws in the book – may have missed it but her kitchen was trashed and it was never clear who the culprit was and we never had a clear indication of why she left her previous position as the HR person.
Am about to start the newest Jeffrey Siger book An Aegean April. Have read all the previous ones and always look forward to this fabulous series. He is an author who deserves more attention. One thing he always does is include the current issues that are confronting Greece and that part of the world.
Kay, The Chalk Man is on a someday pile. Hank Phillippi Ryan's Trust Me is on a sooner than that pile, "Trust Me" about that. (smile)
Margie, Hoping to eventually get to the last two on your list – the Horowitz & The Shadow of Death since several of you like it so much. Thank you!
Mark, I haven't checked out Daryl Wood Gerber's new series yet. Another one to get around to sooner or later.
We're home. SIDE JOBS was the Jim Butcher book. Yes, HUMAN VOICES is quite short and quick reading.
I forgot: I finished (already mentioned) THEFT BY FINDING, the David Sedaris diaries, and now I'm reading his new collection, CALYPSO. My favorites of his pieces are the ones about his family, and so far this has plenty of that.
I finished two books in Amanda Flower’s A Living History series: THE FINAL REVEILLE and THE FINAL TAP. Now I’m getting ready to start the third book in the series THE FINAL VOW.
I also read THIRD TIMES A CRIME by Diana Orgain which was a cozy mystery that I had misse when it first came out.
I read a couple of books in the Aikido Mystery series. I'll be caught up next week.
Gone by Blair Howard; Chattanooga PI Harry Starke tries to find a missing girl, and finds a whole bunch of sleaze connected to an exclusive women's college.
Bit of a light week for me, I guess.
Welcome home! I liked Side Jobs. I have to admit I've never read David Sedaris although I did see him in person once, and really enjoyed hearing him read his material.
Netteanna, I had a few issues with Denise Swanson's new one as well. But, Jeffrey Siger's books? Never! I appreciate the timeliness of his storylines.
Sandy, Amanda Flowers is the nicest person. I need to try that Living History series.
Glen, That was a light week for you. I'll admit, though, that I've had a hard time concentrating this week.
Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts – slow start but it picks up speed and is quite timely. Fade to Black by Heather Graham – the first of 3 for the Krewe of Hunters this summer. I have, but haven't started The One Man by Andrew Gross.
Oh, Gram. I have Shelter in Place, but haven't had a chance to get to it. Yes, it is a timely topic.
I'm currently reading The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and am so far enjoying it. I'm not that far in (less than a hundred pages) but I feel like I'm going to enjoy it. The Paris Wedding sounds so interesting. I'll have to pick it up in the future.
The latest Stuart MacBride book came out earlier this month (The Blood Road, Logan McRae #11) and when it arrived I realized that although it's been sitting on my Nook since its release last year, I hadn't yet read his previous standalone, Now We Are Dead. So I read that this past week and am starting The Blood Road today. This is an author whose books I always pre-order and thoroughly enjoy but somehow have gotten caught up with social media or ARCs or lists of books to read or something. Anyway, taking a break this weekend and reading an old favorite author.
Finally finished reading reading last week's book and have started three!
1. Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakey- very tiny print so planning to read it very slowly. A book about a woman who is allergic to people! And she is a librarian!
2. Birds of A Feather by Lindner. This is the second time that I am reading a book with the same title. True story about a Bird Rescue place that helps heal veterans with PTSD.
3. Drag Teen by Jeffery Self. I have only had time to read the first page and I already love the sense of humor.
A Paris Wedding sounds good to me!