For those of you in the parts of the country that were in the freezing temperatures yesterday, I hope
you were snuggled in with a good book. What are you reading?
I’m reading a debut cozy mystery. It’s not a debut. The author wrote novels under another pseudonym, but this is his first mystery. R.J. Lee’s Grand Slam Murders is set in a Mississippi town in which four of the community’s doyennes sit down for lunch before a bridge game, and die at the table, poisoned. The newspaper’s society columnist, eager to move into harder news, takes on the investigation.
So, tell us what you’re reading or listening to this week, please.
Steve F. Havill's LIES COME EASY, the latest Posadas County mystery (says it is #23), a series I've been following since the beginning. It seems to have jumped ahead a few years (though I can't remember the exact details of the last one), as Estelle's sons are now 25 and nearly 22. A man dumps his two year old out of his truck on a cold night near Christmas (the boy is quickly rescued), and the guy is later found dead, an apparent (but questionable) suicide. Meanwhile, life goes on with the usual crew as Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman's sons are coming home for Christmas. I like this series a lot. It's one of the better regional mysteries. (For those who haven't read it, it is set in New Mexico, just above the border and near to Arizona.)
I also read THE MAN WHO READ MYSTERIES, William Brittain's short story collection, with all "The Man Who" stories and seven about high school science teacher Mr. Strang, and Susie Steiner's second Sgt. Manon Bradshaw book, PERSONS UNKNOWN.
I am still reading Ethan Canin's collection EMPEROR OF THE AIR, first published when he was 25, and Barry Hannah's AIRSHIPS. I've also started Robert Silverberg's collection of 16 time travel stories, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, most of which I've read before.
I agree with you, Jeff. I really like the Steven Havill series. And, it hadn't dawned on me how it skipped ahead by a few years, but I felt a little disoriented. Thank you.
I finished THE GOWN by Jennifer Robson this week. As a quilter, I found the description of the embroidery on Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown fascinating. Ann's storyline was rather predictable but everything was tied together nicely at the end. I also enjoyed the end note interview with Betty Foster who actually worked on the gown.
Because I enjoy Ellery Adams' Secret Scone and Book Society mysteries so much, I decided to check out her book retreat mysteries. I am about a third of the way through MURDER IN THE MYSTERY SUITE. I am enjoying it very much.
Happy Reading!
I read THE SECRET POISON GARDEN by Maureen Klovers. This is the first in a new series and I hope there will be more. A sixty something Italian mother and grandmother gets a job as a reporter for a local paper. She gets involved in trying to solve a murder when she thinks one of her children might be a suspect. I have one of the librarians reading this now.
STORM RISING by Sara Driscoll. This is the third book in her FBI K-9 series. Meg Jennings and her dog Hawk are sent to help look for victims after a hurricane and stumble on a human trafficking ring. This is another series that I hope continues
THE SCORPIA MENACE. This is the 3rd book in Lee Falks The Phantom series. This wasn’t my favorite since the action doesn’t really start until the second half of the book. These are basically pulp fiction that I read back when the series first came out in the 1970s but I’m enjoying re-reading them after all these years.
MUTTS AND MISTETOE by Natalie Cox. Not something I’d usually read but I like dogs so I gave this a try and wound up enjoying it.
I'm not in a 'coldest' part of the country, but we've been cold enough for this Central Texan! Just saying! Hope everyone else is safe and cozy. Reading – well, I did something I don't do very often – shared a 'less than positive' review of my last audiobook today – Tana French's THE WITCH ELM. Sigh. I rarely finish a book that I don't like, but I kept thinking I would eventually like this one – her first standalone. I didn't. So, I think I will stick with her more cop-centered books. And move on.
I've decided to listen to Deb Crombie's series from start to finish before the new book comes out in the fall. I love that series and have finished #1 and moved on to #2. It's been a good change.
I'm also reading the latest book in Susan Hill's series – THE COMFORTS OF HOME. Also liking this one very much.
Reading wise, I'm working on The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen. It's definitely different for her, but I'm enjoying it.
And I have an audio book going this week – The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley. This is the only way I've read the Flavia de Luce novels, and the narrator is fantastic. I don't know that I could physically read one, I'd miss Jane Entwhistle's narration too much.
Sharon, I am having the opposite experience with Ellery Adams' series. I have read all of the Book Retreat Mysteries (love them!) and I just finished THE WHISPERED WORD, second in her Secret, Book and Scone series. I think it's even better than the first. For those who haven't read it, Nora Pennington is one of four damaged women in Miracle Springs (NC) who have formed a society to provide mutual support, as well as assistance to selected others in the small town. In this book, the focus of their support is Abilene, who shows up in town with no possessions, wearing a hospital bracelet, and providing no explanation. Then a universally-disliked woman turns up dead, and the Society members start wondering if Abilene is involved. Or did it have something to do with the dead woman's book collection? Or the new cyber business in town, Virtual Genie? There is a slight tinge of magic realism in these books, but what attracts me is the main character of Nora, proprietor of Miracle Books, and her troubled journey back to a good life, as well as the unexpected and original descriptions of just about everything, including Nora's store. A delightful series.
Having loved Steve Cavanagh's THIRTEEN, I am working my way backwards through his Eddie Flynn series. Here, attorney Eddie is sucked into another impossible case, as the teenage daughter of a former fellow con-man is kidnapped. Ironically, her father is now owner of a security company that specializes in dealing with kidnapping, and he is prepared to skirt the law to get her back. Eddie ultimately finds himself embroiled in a case where nothing is as it seems and his own career–and life–are threatened. If you're intrigued, I recommend listening to an interview on Cavanagh's Facebook page. He is Irish, yet he writes convincingly about a NY attorney. And although his plotting is sublime, he is a pantser–no outlining! I can't wait until his new standalone, TWISTED, is available in the US at a reasonable price. Give him a try if you like convoluted legal page-turners (short chapters!) without a lot of graphic violence.
All I can say about WOMEN ROWING NORTH, which Lesa recommended a few days ago, is that author Mary Pipher "gets" me, especially the chapter about what it really means to be a caregiver to a terminally ill spouse. But it's not a downer book. In fact, I made the mistake of reading a few chapters just before bed last night, and it was so "on the nose" and inspirational that I had a very restless night–but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. More on this next week.
Sharon, Thank you for sharing your opinion about The Gown. I was curious. Now that Sandy and Margie have both spoken up about Ellery Adams' latest, I need to get to it sooner. I have it! Just need to make time. I'm afraid I've heard that about Tana French's latest, Kay. Some readers have said, well, okay. Thanks, Mark! I'm glad you're enjoying The Victory Garden. I told my Mom about the book. Margie, ah, Women Rowing North. Wonderful book, isn't it? I think she gets a lot of us.
Finished
A Choice Cocktail of Death ( book 2) by Christine Zane
Reading:
False Profits by Patricia Smiley
I hope you've found a series or two you like, Charlotte.
Nice and warm here on the west coast.
I read
Stars for the Toff by John Creasey; Saint ripoff meets psychic.
The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry; Clive Cussler ripoff concerning Alexander the Great and a council of nine.
The Outsider by Anthony Franze; a chump becomes law clerk for the Supreme Court. To be honest, I think the author chickened out.
The Lum Family Saga by Kim Luke-Lum; Memoir of a lady who immigrated from China.
Klosterman IV; essays from a guy who writes mainly for music magazines, and mistakes his job for something important.
I just started The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams. The whole idea of bibliotherapy is very interesting!
Sure, make me jealous of your weather, Glen. And, jealous of your pity summaries.
I agree, Holdenj. I like the concept.
About finished with Louis on the Front Lines by Samantha Seiple. A great little book about Lousia May Alcott's nursing experience during the Civil War. Lots of new details like when she was growing up, she loved to run.
Also reading Finding Dorothy by Elizabet Letts. I love reading about Maud Baum! The writing is great humorous and very lively.