It’s Thursday! The end of the work week is in sight! I hope you’re all reading good books (or in Glen’s case, I hope he’s reading books that he’ll summarize with snarky one-liners that make us laugh.)
I’m reading Cora Harrison’s A Gruesome Discovery. It’s a Reverend Mother mystery set in Cork, Ireland in the 1920s. Reverend Mother opens a trunk that has been delivered to the convent. It reeks, and, inside is the dead body of a well-to-do local businessman. I’m not far, only on page 58. But, I love this series for Reverend Mother, the history, and some of the recurring characters.
What are you reading this week?
I finished MISSING, PRESUMED, the previously mentioned first in the Manon Bradshaw series by Susie Steiner, and liked it. There are some twists near the end. I'm reading HEART OF THE WEST, an early O Henry collection set, as the title states, out West, I got a new collection from Crippen & Landru, William Brittain's THE MAN WHO READ MYSTERIES, a collection of all his "Man Who Read" stories as well as some of his Mr. Strang stories, which I will start today. I may start the new Lee Child mystery too.
I finished I'D RATHER BE READING by Anne Bogel. I loved it! I felt like she was writing about my love of reading. This was a real gem for me. And how awesome would it be to live next door to the library like she did?
Now I am reading Susan Wittig Albert's THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE. I know they are mystery light. But I like this group of post depression era women and the chatty style she writes these.
Happy Reading!
I just started reading an ARC of Never Tell by Lisa Gardner. The next book in the DD Warren/Flora Dane book. And I'm listening to Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica.
Good morning, Jeff! I need to start that Lee Child book as well. So many books…, as you know.
Sharon! I'm so happy you enjoyed I'd Rather Be Reading. Totally hooked me. For one week when I was a kid, my parents babysat & housesat for friends who lived a block from the library. It was heaven! I walked there every day, brought home a stack of books, and laid in the hammock on the screened in porch to read. Truly heaven!
Lori, I read a couple in Lisa Gardner's series. I don't know why I ever got away from it because it's such a good series. Enjoy!
I finished the third alien truck stop book My Big Fat Alien Wedding by Fiona Rourke. It wasn’t as good as the first two. I knew about a third of the way through how the book was going to end.
I’m almost finished with an ARC of THE GOOD ONES by Jenn McKinlay. It’s a cute romance which isn’t something I’d normally choose but I like her mysteries
I am still reading:
Off the Grid by P J Tracy
Alas, She Drowed by Monica Knightley
No Cats Allowed by Miranda James
In this busy season, I hope there is some time for a 📕☕️
Just started David Rosenfelt's Rescued – needed something a little lighter and less depressing than the ones I have recently finished – just as long as nothing bad happens to the dogs! Lee Child's latest is very good – I enjoyed – also happy to hear that Tom Cruise will not be in any more of the movies – I still can't get over the fact that they picked someone so short to play Reacher who is 6'5" – I guess that's Hollywood for you.
I finished Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriraty. They should have remained strangers. Didn’t care for it. Currently reading Little Comfort by Edwin Hill. I am curious to see where it takes me. Love the lead character and setting since it is my hometown. Next up is Kingdom of the Blind. Love Louise Penny.
I've read two previous memoirs by Michael Caine so I was eager to read the latest, BLOWING THE BLOODY DOORS OFF. It focuses on lessons he has learned about acting which can also apply to life. There are plenty of specific examples involving his family and fellow actors. A very pleasant read, but if you want to know more about Michael Caine, I would recommend one of the two earlier books.
Second in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's series about the young Holmes siblings (Mycroft is 25, Sherlock almost 19), Sherlock plays a more important role in MYCROFT AND HOLMES. It is a complex story about a string of murders of Asian men, the opium trade, some mysterious symbols, and an orphanage run by Mycroft's friend. But I most enjoyed Mycroft's attempts to rein in the impetuous Sherlock, who goes to great lengths to put his analytical skills to work solving the murders. Kareem's co-author is Anna Waterhouse.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND by Jenny Colgan is third in an outstanding trilogy (maybe more are coming?). Lesa reviewed this one, and I heartily recommend that she read the earlier two. This book made me cry–sometimes of sadness, sometimes of happiness-and soothed my soul at the same time. No one does it better than Colgan, in my opinion.
In DARK SACRED NIGHT by Michael Connelly, Detective Renee Ballard, introduced in THE LATE SHOW, collaborates with veteran detective Harry Bosch to solve a cold case involving the murder of a teenage prostitute whose mother is currently living in Harry's house to recover from her addiction. In the process, several other cases are investigated in a complex story with a satisfying ending. I like Renee better this way–as part of a team. She is growing on me.
NIGHT OF MIRACLES, Elizabeth Berg's sequel to THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV, focuses on elderly, independent Lucille, who teaches baking in small-town Missouri and acts as surrogate grandma to both 5-year-old Nola (daughter of single-mom Maddy) and Lincoln, son of her neighbors who are going through a health crisis. She also plays a major role in the life of lonely middle-aged Iris, who becomes her assistant. And then there are Monica and Tiny, who have a major attraction to each other but just can't seem to get it together. Berg is an expert at exquisitely portraying human interaction, especially between senior citizens and children, and pulling your heartstrings at every turn. A short and memorable read.
I'm now about 75% finished with reading DIG YOUR GRAVE by Steven Cooper, also previously reviewed by Lesa. I first read his debut book in the Gus Parker (psychic) and Alex Mills (detective) series, and this one is just as enthralling. I think this is my favorite new series of the year. Try it!
Today, I should be able to finish up Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge by Laura Levine.
Sometimes, Sandy, one book in a series just disappoints. I hope the next one is better.
Charlotte, I hope you enjoy every minute of the busy season, and find a little time for books as well.
Oh, Rosenfelt wouldn't let anything happen to the dogs, Donna! I agree with you about Reacher, though. I was at a mystery conference after it was announced Tom Cruise would play him. Jungle Red Writers did a quiz show, and when asked who should play Reacher, the most popular answer was, "Anyone but Tom Cruise."
DJ, you made me laugh with that comment, "They should have remained strangers." That answers that question. I'll probably bring my copy into work. I love Louise Penny, too.
Thank you, Margie. I'll take your word for it, and pick up those Colgan books soon. Christmas on the Island was beautiful. I'm not surprised it touched so many emotions for you. I'm really happy that you're enjoying Cooper's books! I love your annotations. I hope you'll consider doing another list of favorites for us in early 2019. I'm going to mention it on the blog next week.
Mark, Someday (that seems to be a favorite word), I need to read Laura Levine. I like that title.
I also forgot to mention Stephen King's ELEVATION, which you reviewed recently and which I started yesterday.
Update ‼️
Just finished Off the Grid by PJ Tracy. The last few pages brought tears too mt eyes. Could hardly see the print. I have enjoyed this whole series so much. I only have two books left in this series and then I will start the waiting game for each book that comes out. I truly hope this will be a very long series.
Now starting:
Nothing Stays Buried by PJ Tracy
Plus the other two that I wrote about in my earlier comment.
Love reading 📚📚that cause you to want too read the next one in that series.
I hope you enjoy Elevation, Jeff.
I know, Charlotte! The last couple pages of Off the Grid brought tears to my eyes as well. I never expected that with the Monkeewrench series. I'm with you. I hope the series continues.
I love that kind of reading as well.
I've read all of Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series. I find it a superior cozy series.
I read Joanne Fluke's Christmas Cake Murder; Don't judge me! It's Hannah's origin story. There's no mystery or murder, just much of the cast fawning over Hannah.
The Badge by Jack Webb; Sort of an episode of Dragnet, the 50s version, in print. Reading this makes it seem like the 50s were the good old days, even with the murders, robberies, and other crimes.
Just Let Time Pass by Wendy Landers; Couldn't make head nor tails of this. Apparently it's about a rock band.
Toys in the Attic: A Spooky Lucas Mystery by Lori Allison; a kid sees a ghost, and enlists all of his small town friends to free it from earth.
Girl on a Bicycle; A guy is executed and a painting is missing. Three detectives, who were Dead End Kids try to find it.
Death at the Selig Studios by Frances Mcnamara; In fin de siecle Chicago, a woman who seems like Margaret from Dennis the Menace all grown up solves a mystery at an early movie studio.
I read my first (and last) Joanne Fluke book this past week. I was not impressed. I read it for a mystery book challenge I was participating in, needed something with food in the title and it was timely as well – Christmas Caramel Murder. I just finished This dog for Hire by Carol Lea Benjamin – I have no idea why I ordered that book from the library, but I'm guessing someone here mentioned the author? I did like it. I'm more a dog person than a cookie person, I guess. Now I am looking for the Lee Child book, thanks to the discussion here.
Glen, I never judge reading taste. It's part of being a librarian and readers' advisor. Rosenberg's First Law of Reading – "Never Apologize for Your Reading Taste." – Betty Rosenberg. But, I liked to read what you said about Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series. Thanks for mentioning it!
Nan, Neither Jeff nor I have read the Lee Child book yet, but I've read good reviews. I hope you like it.
Glen, I finish Christmas Cake Murder earlier this week myself. I can't judge you for reading it either. It was definitely not one of the better books in the series.
The last several years have been like watching somebody fall down a flight of stairs. Every time you think she's stopped herself, she starts falling again.
Jeff, I loved William Brittain's Mr.Strang when he wrote short stories for EQMM. Even the state library system doesn't have any books by him now! It's sad how authors go out of favor so quickly.
I'm reading -The Season of My Mother by Marcia Gay Harden, about her Mom and her descent into Alzheimer's disease. How that beast takes our loved ones away even when they are still here, I hope they can find a cure. Whiplash by Catherine Coulter – drug companies do their worst – how timely.
I'm almost finished with William Gear's Civil War saga, This Scorched Earth. It definitely does not glorify war or the times, but it's paced well and the characters are interesting.
Gram, I hope they can find a cure for Alzheimers as well.
Not light reading, I'm sure, Patricia.
Will look up The Season of My Mother by Marcia Gay Harden, thank you, Gram. I have Mild Cognitive Impairment now do to TIAs which I am working on. My cholesterol levels are fine but I need to upgrade them to Preventing A stroke level -70 for bad cholesterol so will discuss that with my primary. I had a bad adventure due to PA upping my the dosage of one of meds. Two to three weeks of thought whizzing through my brain and me not being able to catch them My new neurologist correct the dosage and now I am back to my normal. I want to avoid vascular dementia! I have relatives who died of Alzheimer's. We need cure for all dementias including Alz!
Still plugging away with Valiant Ambition ( my current tiny print). Also reading No Place To Call Home by JJ Bola. I am not as lost as before but I will be glad when it is over. It is not an easy story to follow. I think the story is in the Congo and then find out that is in London. No transitions.
Now reading Definitions of Indefinable Things by Whitney Taylor. Can follow the story but it is a little bit weird. I enjoy the funny parts.
Hope to finish my current tiny print book soon so that I can advance to the next tiny print which is from LibraeyThing! (I could not find out the print size so I took a chance on it. Will have be more cautious from now on!