Mid-Year Review

Happy Canada Day!!!

It's Jun3 30th and tomorrow is Canada Day, thought I should at least have a shout out for my country to start things off. :0)

Bonnie and Clyde plotting a Great Escape!

It's amazing to me that it is already half way through 2014. I have to say it's been a good year so far. Work is busy enough and I'm getting enough hours to keep my happy. Jo and I have put a few hours into the yard and garden and it's the best it's ever looked. Our two puppies; Bonnie and Clyde are now a year+ and adjusted well to us and we to them. Other than Bonnie trying to dig her way out of the backyard a couple of times and Clyde barking at pretty well anyone he sees, they are just fine and a joy to have. At the moment, Clyde is on his pillow in the den with me and Bonnie is out in the family room having her nap. Almost time to take them both for a quick walk; too hot to go too far, so maybe just down to the mail box. Then I'll finish this Blog before I head out to pick Jo up from her day downtown.

So let's see, where to begin. Well, let's see some overall stats. This year I decided to try and read 90 books as my Goodreads challenge. As of 30 Jun, I've completed 50 books and read approximately 18,000 pages, so if I can keep up my pace of about 9 books a month, I should be able to manage this challenge. Most of my books have been 3 or 4 star reads. My ratings usually go from 1 - 5, with 5 being my favourites. In my reviews I do sometimes break it down further, e.g. 3.5 or 4.5, but I won't bother with that here. This is how my ratings total out-

5 Star - 5 books
4 Star - 24 books
3 Star - 20 books, and
2 Star - 1 book

I'll provide a breakdown by book, but won't put all my reviews in. For the most part, I've provided the majority during my monthly review Blogs. Check them out.. :0)..

5 Star Ratings

1. Jussi Adler - Olsen (Scandinavian Mystery) - The Keeper of Lost Causes
2. D.H. Lawrence (Classic/ Fiction) - Lady Chatterley's Lover
3. Minette Walters (British Mystery) - Disordered Minds
4. Martin Walker (French Mystery) - Black Diamonds
5. Ford Madox Ford (Classic/ Fiction) - Parade's End

4 Star Ratings

6. Agatha Christie (Classic/ Mystery)  - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
7. Tana French (Irish Mystery) - In The Woods
8. Agatha Christie (Classic/ Mystery) - N or M?
9. Patricia Highsmith (US Mystery) - Deep Water
10. E.M. Forster (Classic/ Fiction) - A room with a View

11. Jenny White (Historical Mystery) - The Sultan's Seal
12. Oliver Potsch (Historical Mystery) - The Hangman's Daughter
13. Neil Gaiman (Fantasy) - Neverwhere
14. Lynn S. Hightower (US Mystery) - No Good Deed
15. Susan Hill (British Mystery) - The Pure in Heart

16. Kate Ellis (British Mystery) - Playing with Bones
17. Cornelia Funke (Fantasy) - Inkheart
18. Hillary Waugh (US Mystery) - Last Seen Wearing
19. Kate Ellis (British Mystery) - Seeking the Dead
20. Anthony Horowitz (Historical Mystery) - The House of Silk

21. Victoria Thompson (Historical Mystery) - Murder on St. Mark's Place
22. John Fowles (Fiction) - The Collector
23. Francis Iles (British Mystery) - Malice Aforethought
24. Ariana Franklin (Historical Mystery) - A Murderous Procession
25. Barry Unsworth (Historical Fiction) - Morality Play

26. Karen Irving (Canadian Mystery) - Mars Eclipsed
27. R.D. Wingfield (British Mystery) - Night Frost
28. Robertson Davies (Canadian Fiction) - What's Bred in the Bone
29. R.D. Wingfield (British Mystery) - Hard Frost

3 Star Ratings

30. Jefferson Bass (US Mystery) - Carved in Bone
31. Jefferson Bass (US Mystery) - Flesh and Bone
32. Margery Allingham (British Mystery) - Death of a Ghost
33. Patricia Wentworth (British Mystery) - She Came Back
34. Margery Allingham (British Mystery) - Dancers in Mourning

35. Lee Child (US Thriller) - Killing Floor
36. Lee Child (US Thriller) - Die Trying
37. George R.R. Martin (Fantasy) - A Feast of Crows
38. Matt Long (Biography) - The Long Run
39. Nevada Barr (US Mystery) - Endangered Species

40. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Adventure) - The Lost World
41. Nevada Barr (US Mystery) - Blind Descent
42. Alan Hunter (British Mystery) - Gently Down the Stream
43. Victoria Thompson (Historical Mystery) - Murder on Astor Place
44. Patrick Susskind (Historical Fiction/ Horror) - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

45. Peter O'Donnell (Thriller) - Sabre-Tooth
46. Peter O'Donnell (Thriller) - I, Lucifer
47. Karen Irving (Canadian Mystery) - Pluto Rising
48. Tony Hawks (Humour/ Travel) - Playing the Moldovans at Tennis
49. Arnaldur Indridason (Iceland Mystery) - Jar City

2 Star Ratings

50. V.S. Naipaul (Fiction) - Mimic Men

So there you have a list of what I've managed to finish over the past six months. At the moment I'm reading 3 books, but won't finish by the end of today.

Currently Reading

1. John P. Marquand (Spy) - Your Turn Mr. Moto (1935). I've previously read one of the Mr. Moto spy novels, Thank You Mr. Moto (1936) and enjoyed. Marquand wrote six Mr. Moto books and I've managed to find 3 for my collection. I decided to dust the two books I still have on my TBR shelves, Your Turn Mr. Moto and Mr. Moto is So Sorry as part of my Bedside Table challenge and also as part of one of a new challenge set up in my Mystery Book Club; Mysteries by the Decade. I consider this to be one of the classics and it definitely fits both challenges. I'm enjoying Your Turn Mr. Moto so far, it's a nice easy read. This is the synopsis "A down-on-his luck American airman... a beautiful international adventuress.. a mysterious Chinese courier.. a scrap of paper worth many lives and the peace of the entire world.. and a jigsaw pattern of treachery and sudden death that had been expertly designed to deceive and destroy... and that only the inimitable Mr. Moto could hope to decipher and destroy.

2. Hugh Howey (SciFi) - Wool (2012). Quite a few people in my Book Addicts book group have read and recommended this novel and I finally found a copy and made it part of my 12 + 4 reading group challenge. (As a matter of interest, when I finish Wool, I will have completed 11 of the books in this challenge) . I've barely broke the surface of the novel, but it seems interesting so far. "What would you do if the world outside was deadly, and the air you breathed could kill? And you live in a place where every birth required a death, and the choices you made could save lives - or destroy them. This is Jules's story. This is the World of Wool."

3.  Charles Todd (Historical Mystery) - A Test of Wills (1996). This is the first of the Inspector Rutledge series written by mother and son team, Caroline and Charles Todd. I've seen the series at my local book store and managed to find the first in the series. Recently, I found the next 3 at the local Rotary Club Book Sale. I decided to read this as part of my alphabetical Mystery Author Challenge and I'm enjoying so far. In some ways it reminds me of Anne Perry's Inspector Monk books. I won't put in the synopsis of this book as I did so in my previous Blog.

Looking at the various challenges I've got upcoming, these will probably be some of my next books.

Upcoming Books

1. Emile Zola (Classic Fiction) - The Ladies' Paradise (1883). My wife became quite addicted to the BBC TV series based on this book. I watched the first season and enjoyed as well, but for one reason or another never managed to keep up with it as she did. However, I decided to try the book and bought it for her for Xmas this past year and also added it to my 12 + 4 challenge. I hope I enjoy it. "The Ladies' Paradise recounts the spectacular development of the modern department store in late nineteenth - century Paris. The store is a symbol of capitalism, of the modern city, and of the bourgeois family; it is emblematic of consumer culture and the changes in sexual attitudes and class relations taking place at the time. Octave Mouret, the store's owner-manager, masterfully exploits the desires of female customers. In his private life too he is the great seducer. But when he falls in love with the innocent Denise Baudu, he discovers she is the only one of the salesgirls who refuses to be commodified."

2. Karen Irving (Canadian Mystery) - Jupiter's Daughter (2000). When I finish my Charles Todd book, I move back down the alphabet in my Alphabetical Mystery Author's challenge, back into the I's. Conveniently, I have managed to find the 2nd in Karen Irving's Katy Klein books, so that will be the next book for me and will also finish off the trilogy. I do hope she sorts out her publisher issues so that the series can continue. It's most enjoyable.

I'll stop there for now. I'm looking forward to the second half of 2014. So many books and authors to explore.

Keep on reading!!

Jun 2014 - Monthly review

It's the Canada Day weekend, starting off with some rainy weather, but that's OK. I've got the next 4 days off and I'm looking forward to spending with the missus and puppies. I hope to get a bit of reading in as well. I think I'll be able to squeeze in a bit.

In my next post I'll maybe look back at the past half year, but for today, let's look back on June itself. So far this month, I've managed to complete 7 books. I'm currently reading two others and I'm pretty sure I'll get them finished by the end of June.

Currently reading

1. A Test of Wills by Charles Todd - This is a new series for me. I managed to find four of the Inspector Rutledge mysteries at the Rotary Club book sale and this one is the first in the series. It's a period piece, set just after WWI. As I've gathered so far, Inspector Rutledge has just recently returned to work in his old job at Scotland Yard after spending a considerable time being treated for post-traumatic stress. He still suffers, he has conversations with Hamish, in his head. Hamish is one of his soldiers who it appears that Rutledge had executed for cowardice during the War. I'm enjoying it so far; in some ways his personality reminds me of Inspector Monk, somewhat grim, serious and adjusting to work again. This is the plot as outlined in the synopsis - "It's 1919 and the "War to End All Wars" has been won. But there is no peace for Scotland Yard inspector Ian Rutledge, recently returned from the battlefields of France shell-shocked and tormented by the ever-present voice of the young Scot he had executed for refusing an order. Escaping into his work o save his sanity, Rutledge investigates the murder of a popular colonel in Warwickshire and his alleged killer, a decorated war hero and close friend of the Prince of Wales. The case is a political minefield and it's resolution could mean the end of Rutledge's career. Win or lose, the cost may be more than the damaged investigator can bear. for the one witness who can break the case open is, like Rutledge, a war-ravaged victim... and his grim, shattered fate could well prove to be haunted investigator's own."
The series is written by mother and son writing team Charles and Caroline Todd who have written 13 books in the series. I guess I've got a few to go. :0)

2. Hard Frost by R.D. Wingfield - This is my second Inspector Frost mystery this month. R.D. Wingfield only wrote six Inspector Frost mysteries; I've so far read two and will soon complete my third. However, from this short bibliography came one of the most popular and enjoyed British cop shows of all time, running for 15 seasons and 42 episodes. Hard Frost is the fourth book in the series and once again we have Frost, bumbling, a bit of a dinosaur with his attitudes, but still using his gut feel to solve the many mysteries that come to Denton. The synopsis for Hard Frost is - "It's a high price to pay for a pack of smokes when Frost interrupts his vacation to filch some of Commander Mullet's cigarettes and fins himself pressed into emergency duty. Denton Division is shorthanded after a car crash involving several tipsy high-ranking cops, and on Guy Fawkes night there's more mischief abroad than just a few kids making the rounds begging pennies and lighting crackers. In the next few days, Frost will deal with a parade of miscreants, including a blackmailer, a shifty businessman, a not-so-grieving widow, a sexual pervert or two, a crazed housewife and a cold-blooded kidnapper. the clock is ticking and Frost is perilously short of clues."

Favourite June Read

3. A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin (4 stars) - This is the fourth instalment of the 'Mistress of the Art of Death' historical mysteries. I highly recommend. Each story is better than the last and the characters are well - developed and the stories are intense and excellently paced. This was my review. "I've mixed emotions about this one. I love the series and wanted it to go on, but with the death of Ariana Franklin a few years back, this is the last book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. I'm so glad I discovered the books, each one was better than the previous one. I've grown to feel a sentimental, personal attachment to the characters; the lovely, independent Adelia Aguilar, the Mistress of the art of death, who is confined to England by the King Henry II; her lover, Bishop Rowley, grumpy, irascible but always loving Adelia and their child; the aloof Mansur, the Arab eunuch who accompanied Adelia to England as her bodyguard and companion in the first book and has remained loyally by her side ever since and the others, an interesting assortment of well-crafted personalities who all enhance every story. Added in this story is the Irish Sea Captain, the O'Donnell, who also loves Adelia and you've got a fantastic mix. In this story, Henry assigns Adelia, Mansur and Rowley to escort his daughter, Princess Joanna, to Sicily to marry the Sicilian King as an alliance measure. An evil character from the previous story accompanies the party, with dangerous intent. A great story and mystery, as always, and a story filled with historical facts. Loved it. Try the series, you'll be hooked."

Remaining June Reads

4. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason (3 stars) - This is the first in the Reykjavik mystery series. It wasn't as good as I'd hoped but still held my interest enough that it won't dissuade me from reading any others in the series. My review - "I have somewhat mixed feelings about this mystery. A cop story set in Iceland, it features Police Detective Erlendur and his team of Sigurdur Oli and Elinburg. A man is murdered and the investigation leads them to previous rapes and a story involving genetics and hereditary disease. I had some difficulties with the overall plot, there were some great leaps of deduction made by Erlendur as he tracks down clues and the suspects. At the same time, there were interesting characters and I especially liked the troublesome relationship Erlendur has with his daughter and how they deal with each other. For all my difficulties, I felt a tug at the heartstrings at the ending. All in all, an interesting story, that wasn't perfect but still held my interest."

5. Morality Play by Barry Unsworth (4 stars) - Another new author for me, I enjoyed this historical mystery by Barry Unsworth. My Review - "Definitely an interesting, different story. It deals with a group of 'players', travelling acting troupe, travelling around England in the 14th Century. Running out of money, they decide to to a true play, a play dealing with the murder of a young boy. Normally their plays are based on the liturgy, but when they performed one in the village, it wasn't well received. Doing a true play, they hope will bring in the crowds as the play deals with happenings in their town. Little do they know that the play will also bring the troupe to the attention of those involved in the killing. The story was interesting, I think it needed a bit more oomph, but I still enjoyed very much. If you like historical mysteries, you'll probably enjoy this."

6. Mars Eclipsed by Karen Irving (4 stars) - This is the third and final (so far anyway) book in the Katy Klein astrological mysteries series. Last month I read the first and since, at the time, I didn't have book 2, I followed up with the third. An excellent series and even better that it is set in Ottawa, Canada, a place I'd lived for 18 years of my life. Lots of action and fun, interesting cast of characters. I've since found a copy of the second book so will be enjoying that soon, I'm sure. My Review - "I've quite liked this series. I do still have to read the middle book, as many of Katy Klein's issues that crop up regularly in Mars Eclipsed are a result of tragic events that appear to have taken place in the third book. However, not having read it yet, didn't detract from this story at all. Katy, her daughter Dawn and her Internet friend, Flavia, are to spend a weekend at an island retreat with other astrologers, but the trip is cut short due to a murder. A very complex plot unwinds through the rest of the story, involving Russian mobsters, multiple suspects, Katy's issues, and on and on. But ultimately, it ties all together very nicely and the story is enjoyable, especially because of the family relationships, which are the core of her stories. I do hope that there will be more books in this series, it's grown on me. I've ordered book 2, Jupiter's Daughter, and am looking forward to reading it as well."

7. Playing the Moldovans at Tennis by Tony Hawks (3 stars) - This is my second exposure to the humour of British comic Tony Hawks. I have to say I didn't enjoy this one as much as my first read but, still, it's entertaining and pretty gentle. My Review - "A nice light, entertaining read. The story follows English comedian to Moldova, Northern Ireland and Israel as he tries to win a bet with his friend Arthur. The bet is that Tony will beat the Moldovan national footie team at tennis, all 11 players. The loser of the bet will sing the Moldovan national anthem, naked on the High Street. Tony's experiences in Moldova are quite interesting; his attempts to contact the players and teams to set up the tennis matches, his feelings about Moldova, his thoughts on the lovely family with which he stays while in Moldova. It's the briefest of insights, but I found it all very interesting. He then must follow the National team to their match in Northern Ireland to try to play 3 players he missed while in Moldova and then to Israel to meet the final player. Does Tony win the bet? Well, you will have to read to find out. Entertaining story, generally a fun read."

8. Night Frost by R.D. Wingfield (4 stars) - I've discussed R.D. Wingfield and Inspector Frost in my Currently Reading post above. This is the third book in the series and as enjoyable as the one I'm currently enjoying. My Review - "A most entertaining, fast-paced police mystery. This is the third book in the DCI Jack Frost series that became one of the most well-loved British cop shows. From an eight book series, the creators spun out a TV series that lasted for 42 episodes. In this book, the Denton Police Dept is suffering with manpower shortages due to a flu bug that is running rampant through the station. New DS Gilmore is forced to work with scruffy DCI Jack Frost and finds himself working all hours, affecting his home life as he travels around with Frost trying to solve a multitude of crimes; the Granny Ripper, the Poison Pen letter sender, a young girl's murder. As well, Frost, who is sloppy about paperwork must deal with the Superintendent Mullet, who is concerned only with his image with the higher HQ. It's a non-stop mystery, well-written and entertaining. Highly recommend. This is the second in the series that I've enjoyed. Will be taking up Book 4, Hard Frost, next."

9. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies (4 stars) - The second book in the Cornish trilogy by Canadian writer Davies. I'd read the first, The Rebel Angels, last year and enjoyed immensely. It had been my first exposure to Davies' writing since my university days when I enjoyed the Fifth Business, The Manticore and World of Wonders. I managed to find the other two books in the Cornish trilogy and have been looking forward to reading the second for quite awhile. I added it to my Reading group challenge list for 2014. My Review - "This is the second book in the Cornish trilogy. It basically tells the life story of Francis Cornish, with side discussions by his daimon and an angel analysing how his life is progressing. The reason for this story is that Simon Darcourt is one of a trio, including Arthur Cornish (Francis' nephew) and Maria, Arthur's wife, are tasked with managing Francis' Trust. Darcourt is having difficulties writing Francis' biography, feels there are potential scandals in his life and finds too many secrets in his life. So the story begins then with Francis life and follows through until his death. What I do like about the story is the fluency of Davies' writing. It's intelligent but still accessible and flows so nicely. My only issue is that ultimately, it doesn't really mean much to me. I kind of felt, so what... but it hopefully ties into the final book, The Lyre of Orpheus to round up everything. Still so well-written and if read in concert with the first book, The Rebel Angels, I'm sure you would enjoy very much."

So there you go, my reading for June. I hope in my next post to do my half year review and also my plans for the next few reads. Until then, have a great week-end. Happy Canada Day week-end!!

Decisions/ Decisions - What to read in June?

So here we are, 9 days into June 2014. It's a lovely cool day and I'm presently avoiding doing housework or yard work. However after this short Blog, I plan to do some laundry (darks) and then if I don't work on my continued efforts to wash down the outside of the house, I think I'll cut down a few more dead trees out back.. The dogs have had their walk and are now resting awaiting my next step.

So back to my initial subject, what to read in June? I've managed to finish three books so far, all started just at the end of May and finished fairly quickly. All most enjoyable. What were they, you ask impatiently?

1. Morality Play by Barry Unsworth (4 stars) - "Definitely an interesting, different story. It deals with a group of 'players', a travelling acting troupe, travelling around England in the 14th Century. Running out of money, they decide to perform a true play, a play dealing with the murder of a young boy. Normally their plays are based on the liturgy, but when they performed one in the village, it wasn't well received. Doing a true play, they hope will bring in the crowds as the play deals with happenings in their town. Little do they know that the play will also bring the troupe to the attention of those involved in the killing. The story was interesting, I think it needed a bit more oomph, but I still enjoyed very much. If you like historical mysteries, you'll probably enjoy this."

2. A Murderous Procession (Book 4 in the Mistress of the Art of Death series) by Ariana Franklin (4 stars) - (Note, this was also published as The Assassin's Prayer) "I've mixed emotions about this one. I love the series and wanted it to go on, but with the death of Ariana Franklin a few years back, this is the last book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. I'm so glad I discovered the books, each one was better than the previous one. I've grown to feel a sentimental, personal attachment to the characters; the lovely, independent Adelia Aguilar, the Mistress of the art of death, who is confined to England by the King Henry II; her lover, Bishop Rowley, grumpy, irascible but always loving Adelia and their child; the aloof Mansur, the Arab eunuch who accompanied Adelia to England as her bodyguard and companion in the first book and has remained loyally by her side ever since and the others, an interesting assortment of well-crafted personalities who all enhance every story. Added in this story is the Irish Sea Captain, the O'Donnell, who also loves Adelia and you've got a fantastic mix. In this story, Henry assigns Adelia, Mansur and Rowley to escort his daughter, Princess Joanna, to Sicily to marry the Sicilian King as an alliance measure. An evil character from the previous story accompanies the party, with dangerous intent. A great story and mystery, as always, and a story filled with historical facts. Loved it. Try the series, you'll be hooked."

3. Mars Eclipsed by Karen Irving (4 stars) - "I've quite liked this series. I do still have to read the middle book, as many of Katy Klein's issues that crop up regularly in Mars Eclipsed are a result of tragic events that appear to have taken place in the third book. However, not having read it yet, didn't detract from this story at all. Katy, her daughter Dawn and her Internet friend, Flavia, are to spend a weekend at an island retreat with other astrologers, but the trip is cut short due to a murder. A very complex plot unwinds through the rest of the story, involving Russian mobsters, multiple suspects, Katy's issues, and on and on. But ultimately, it ties all together very nicely and the story is enjoyable, especially because of the family relationships, which are the core of her stories. I do hope that there will be more books in this series, it's grown on me. I've ordered book 2, Jupiter's Daughter, and am looking forward to reading it as well." When I looked up this series to see if there was a plan for follow-on books, it stated that "Following Raincoast Books' 2005 decision, the Katy Klein series has been put on hold indefinitely." Checking into this, it appears that Raincoast ceased its publishing arm at that time due to the rise in the Canadian dollar. While interesting, it's unfortunate that Karen Irving hasn't found another publisher; although I do like the quality of the books published by Raincoast.

Currently Reading

I've currently got three books on the go; two downstairs books and one bedtime book.

1. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies -  This is the second book in the Cornish trilogy by Canadian writer, Robertson Davies. I read the first book, this being the first time I'd picked up one of his books in about 30 years or so. I had originally read the Deptford Trilogy (Fifth Business, The Manticore and World of Wonders) back in my university days and enjoyed very much. Last year I read the first book in the Cornish trilogy, The Rebel Angels and was once again very impressed by the intelligence with which Davies writes. I've started the second book and am enjoying even after only the first 50 pages or so. (This is one of my 12 + 4 Reading Challenge selections for 2014) This is the synopsis. "Francis Cornish was always good at keeping secrets. From the well-hidden family secret of his childhood to his mysterious encounters with a small-town embalmer, a master art restorer, a Bavarian countess and various masters of espionage, the events of Francis's life were not always what they seemed. In this wonderfully ingenious portrait of an art expert and collector of international renown, Robertson Davies has created a spellbinding tale of artistic triumph and heroic deceit."

2. Night Frost by R. D. Wingfield (Inspector Jack Frost #3) - I have read the first book in the Jack Frost series and have also enjoyed the TV series very much. As part of my Bedtime Reading Challenge, I plan to read books 3 and 4 in this series next. "A nasty flu bug is going around the town of Denton leaving the police department woefully understaffed and overworked. That's not the only nasty thing making the rounds; a rash of poison-pen letters has broken out, prompting one recipient to commit suicide and another to make an attempt. Another of Denton's fine citizens is taking a more direct approach, picking off vulnerable senior citizens in a series of brutal murders. Reeling from too many bodies and too little sleep, Jack Frost is praying he'll find a clue - or succumb to the flu - before the Granny Ripper strikes again."

3. Playing the Moldovans at Tennis by Tony Hawks - I have read comedian Tony Hawks's A Piano in the Pyrenees before and I liked his light gentle sense of humour and his story - telling. When the genre challenge for June was Humour, I had an easy choice to make in selecting another of his books, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis. I'm enjoying already. "It doesn't take much - 100 pounds is usually sufficient - to persuade Tony Hawks to take off on notoriously bizarre and hilarious adventures in response to a bet. And so it is, a pointless argument with a friend concludes in a bet - that Tony can't beat all eleven members of the Moldovan soccer team at tennis. And with the loser of the bet agreeing to strip naked on Balham High Road and sing the Moldovan national anthem, this one was just too good to resist. The ensuing unpredictable and often hilarious adventure sees him being taken in by Moldovan gypsies and narrowly avoiding kidnap in Transnistria. It sees him smuggle his way onto the Moldovan National Team coach in Coleraine and witness (almost) divine intervention in the Holy Land." Sound interesting? :)

New Books

While I was wandering around Courtenay High Street, AKA 5th Street, on Saturday, I visited both The Laughing Oyster Book Shop and the Used book store. I was very good, only bought two books. The missus was very pleased at my restraint.

1. The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit - It caught my eye as I walked into the store and when I read the synopsis, I thought it was definitely worth giving it a try. "They arrived in New Mexico ready for adventure, or at least resigned to it. But hope quickly turned to hardship as they were forced to adapt to a rugged military town where everything was a secret - including what their husbands were doing at the lab. Though they were strangers, they joined together - adapting to a landscape as fierce as it was absorbing, full of the banalities of everyday life and the drama of scientific discovery. While the bomb was being invented, babies were born, friendships were forged, children grew up and Los Alamos gradually transformed into a real community: one that was strained by what they couldn't say out loud or in letters, and by the freedom they didn't have. But the end of the war would bring even bigger challenges, as the scientists and their families struggled with the burden of their contribution to the most destructive force in the history of mankind."

2. American Gods by Neil Gaiman - I have previously read Neverwhere by Gaiman and enjoyed very much. I've been keeping my eyes open for any others of his writing; managed to find Stardust at the local book fair back in May and this time I saw a copy of American Gods. If it's as interesting as Neverwhere, I will not be disappointed. "Shadow is a man with a past. But now he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and stay out of trouble. Until he learns that she's been killed in a terrible accident. Flying home for the funeral, as a violent storm rocks the plane, a strange man in the seat next to him introduces himself. The man calls himself Mr. Wednesday, and he knows more about Shadow than is possible. He warns Shadow that a far bigger storm is coming. And from that moment on, nothing will ever be the same.. "

Possible Next 3 Reads

So what's next on the table. I'm sure about two of them at least. I will be following up my Bed-time reading challenge book with the next in the series. And also I plan to get back to my Alphabetical Mystery Author challenge. My third choice might be one of my 12 + 4 challenge books. We'll see. Anyway, these are the possibilities -

1. The Ladies' Paradise by Emile Zola - The missus has been watching the excellent BBC series based on Emile Zola's classic and enjoying very much. I decided to get a copy of the book for Xmas 2013 and also added it to my Reading Group Challenge choices for this year. "The Ladies' Paradise (Au Bonheur des Dames) recounts the spectacular development of the modern department store in late nineteenth-century Paris. The store is a symbol of capitalism, of the modern city, and of the bourgeois family; it is emblematic of consumer culture and the changes in sexual attitudes and class relations taking place at the time. Octave Mouret, the store's owner-manager, masterfully exploits the desires of his female customers. In his private life too, he is the great seducer. But when he falls in love with the innocent Denise Baudu, he discovers she is the only one of the salesgirls who refuses to be commodified."

2. Hard Frost by R. D. Wingfield (Frost #4) - It's a high price to pay for a pack of smokes when Frost interrupts his vacation to filch some of Commander Mullett's cigarettes and finds himself pressed into emergency duty. Denton Division is shorthanded after a car crash involving several tipsy high-ranking cops, and on Guy Fawkes night there's more mischief abroad than just a few children making the rounds begging pennies and lighting firecrackers. In the next few days, Frost will deal with a parade of miscreants, including a blackmailer, a shifty business man, a not-so-grieving widow, a sexual pervert or two, a crazed housewife, and a cold-blooded kidnapper. The clock is ticking and Frost is perilously short of clues..." It's unfortunate that Wingfield only ever wrote six Frost mysteries. I've enjoyed them very much so far. I'll have to find the other 3 books to complete my library.

3. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason - I've enjoyed my exposure to Scandinavian mystery writers for the most part. I've had this book by Icelandic author Indridason for awhile and am looking forward to finally giving it a try. "A man is found murdered in his Reykjavik flat. There are no obvious clues apart from a cryptic note left on the body and a photograph of a young girl's grave. Detective Erlendur is forced to use all the forensic resources available to find any leads at all. Delving into the dead man's life, he discovers that forty years ago he was accused of an appalling crime. Did his past come back to haunt him? Finally, Erlendur's search leads him to Iceland's Genetic Research Centre in order to find the disturbing answers to the mystery."

So there you go, a recap of the latest reads, currently reading and a forecast of the future.. Now off to saw some branches.. Have a great day!

Another month, May 2014 Review

Jun 2nd already. I spent the day with the puppies while the missus was out. Read a bit, climbed up and down ladders cleaning another portion of the siding. At this rate, I'll finish in August.. ;0).. But that's OK. Relaxing with Jo and the dogs on a nice cool breezy evening. Longmire has started up again, one of our favourite series. I do have to start reading the books and see if they are as interesting. I've got the first one on my book shelf waiting my attention. But, for now, while the missus catches up on Coronation Street and I do from the other room, time to look back at May and see how I'm doing so far this year.

As of the end of May, I've completed 42 books, approximately 15,000 pages. My goodreads challenge was up'd to 90 books this year. I think I'm well on the way to completing that challenge. Looking at some of my other challenges;

12 + 4 Challenge. I've completed 8 of the books so far, two of them this month. Both of the books I read this month were 5 star reads, I thought they were both excellent.

1. Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford - "This was a challenging, but ultimately, an enjoyable, but interesting read. The book is made of four separate books, Some Do Not, No More Parades, A Man Could Stand Up and, The Last Post. It is set in England and France, before, during and after WWI. It deals with Christopher Tietjens, his wife Sylvia and Valentine Wannop, a young woman who has captured Christopher's heart. Around these people are family members, Christopher's brother, Mark; friends, associates and many others. Christopher's relationship with his wife is bitter and harsh, she goes out of her way to destroy his life, even though she won't grant him a divorce. At the same time, Christopher has fallen in love with the young woman, Valentine, who he met as a result of his father's friendship with her mother. Amidst these personal issues is the war, life in the trenches, all these matters. The story is detailed, it takes time to get used to the flow of the story, but when you do, it is most enthralling. The second and third books, which deal more with the War itself, I personally found the most interesting. Critics have said that there needn't have been a fourth book, that Christopher, himself, isn't really even present, but ultimately, I found that it wrapped up so many of the unresolved issues very nicely. Definitely worth reading, if you want to try a classic."

2. The Keeper of Lost Causes  by Jussi Adler Olsen - This was the first in the Department Q mysteries from Denmark. "What a surprisingly excellent mystery and story. I've had it on my bookshelf for awhile and am so glad that I finally pulled it down to read. The mystery, the cold case involving the disappearance of Merete, was different from any I've read before. The main characters, Carl Morck, head of new Division Q and his assistant, Assad, were so well crafted. Carl is a police detective just coming back to work after he and his two partners were ambushed, one killed, one a cripple still in hospital and Carl, recovered, now trying to get back to work. His boss assigns him to a newly created unit as its chief, partly to keep him away from the other detectives. Carl avoids work until his new assistant, Assad brings him the cold case involving Merete, who became missing, presumed dead, five years ago on a ferry to Germany. The story weaves between Carl and Assad, working their way through the old case and Merete, working from the past, 5 years before, until the present as she tries to adjust and sort out where she is and why she was abducted in the first place. Carl is an interesting character, his personal life also slowly being developed and his investigating talents becoming more visible. All in all, it was an excellent story, witty, but also with a great deal of tension as the story winds up to its climax. Loved it and am looking forward to reading more Department Q mysteries."

Alphabetical Mystery Author Challenge - I finished two books in this challenge in May, one five star read and one 4 star.

3. Black Diamond by Martin Walker - This has definitely become one of my favourite mystery series. I love the characters and the locale and the stories, which get better and better. "There is something about this series that I love. I picked up the first book, Bruno, Chief Of Police, because I was firstly attracted to the cover. And then when I read the synopsis, I had to give it a try. I wasn't disappointed, quickly falling in love with Bruno's life, his village and friends. I've since read the second book, The Dark Vineyard|, which was even better, further developing Bruno's character and letting us know more about his friends and his village. I finished this third book this morning; I had to find out how it would end. I have to give this a five-star rating. I find that Martin Walker writes the story in such a way that I find myself drawn into the life of the community of St Denis in the district of Perigord. I find myself caring for Bruno, worrying about his future, his personal life and the lives of his close friends; the Baron, Pamela (the English resident), the lovely Fabiola (the doctor) and all of the others. This story is filled with action, from illegal truffle activities, illegal Asian immigrants, gang wars and political intrigue. But even with all that, there is time to delve into the community that Bruno patrols and into Bruno's life. He loves his community and will do anything to protect it. The people are colourful and different from my own experiences and Walker describes them gently and lovingly. And the food... ah, the food, my mouth waters as I watch Bruno prepare his repasts. At any rate, it's an excellent series and I'm happy to discover that there are at least three follow-on books for me to find and see what will happen next? Will Bruno settle down with Pamela? Or someone else? :) Enjoy!"

4. Malice Aforethought  by Francis Iles - I had previously read one of his mysteries, under his true name, Anthony Berkeley Cox and enjoyed. I also thought this was quite excellent. "I quite enjoyed this mystery. It develops very nicely, with Dr Bickleigh, unhappily married, a man who falls in love with and has romantic liaisons with other women. His wife is sharp, bossy, but tolerates these affairs until one particular. Dr Bickleigh now has to decide to do something so he can realise this love; there is murder, further attempted murders, a trial, with a surprising outcome. It's well-written, the personalities well-developed and the story is interesting and entertaining. I liked it much more than I thought I would. Excellent."

Bed-time Authors - This month I finished my second Victoria Thompson, Gaslight mystery, two Peter O'Donnell, Modesty Blaise mysteries and the first in the Karen Irving, Katy Klein mysteries. All were interesting reads, none rated 5 stars but I enjoyed them all.

5. Murder on St. Mark's Place by Victoria Thompson - This was my second Gaslight mystery and I enjoyed it even more than the first. Victoria Thompson has provided more details into her characters and the story was quite interesting. "I enjoyed the first Gaslight series mystery earlier and must say I liked this one even more. I like both of the main characters, Sarah Brandt, the midwife who also gets involved solving mysteries, and Police detective, Frank Malloy. They make a very nice team and the mysteries they work on are well-crafted and well-paced. I like reading about the time frame the stories are set in, turn-of-the- century New York City. I like how both characters personal stories are developing and I like their relationship, which is developing into a very nice friendship. I also like that Sarah's neighbour, Mrs. Ellsworth is taking shape and becoming more three-dimensional, not just a busy-body neighbour. Victoria Thompson has moved the series to a new level with this second story and I hope the others continue to develop her characters and her writing style. Excellent and most enjoyable. And an interesting, tensely crafted mystery to boot."

6. Sabre Tooth by Peter O'Donnell, and
7. I, Lucifer by Peter O'Donnell. These were the 2nd and 3rd Modesty Blaise thriller adventures. I've been collecting the series, but haven't been able to get my hands on the first of the series, yet. I will though, especially now that I've read books 2 and 3. Interesting, James Bondish, thrillers set in exotic locales and with interesting villains. Modesty is a lovely, smart, athletic woman who can handle most anyone. And with her partner Willie Garvin is more than capable of coming out on top. Very enjoyable stories.

8. Pluto Rising by Karen Irving - This is the first in the Katy Klein mystery trilogy. Katy Klein is an ex-psychiatrist, who has switched to a career as an astrologist and finds herself entwined in a murder and suspenseful mystery. I particularly enjoyed that the books was set in Ottawa, Canada as I lived there for a good 18 years. It's always nice to know where the events are taking place. "A solid 3.5 star rating. It reminds me somewhat of a mystery series set in Niagara Falls, the Benny Cooperman books. Katy Klein is a Jewish/ Canadian ex-psychologist who has made a drastic career change and now works as a professional astrologer in Ottawa, Canada. She lives with her teenage daughter, Dawn and her ex-husband lives in the upstairs flat. Adding to the mix is her friend, Greg, a psychologist. The four make a nice, friendly team who find themselves caught up in the 'suspicious' death of a client of Katy's, Adam, who also had previously been treated by Greg for serious issues. Adam ends up dead and almost against their wills, Katy and friends get caught up in trying to solve what happened and what, in Adam's past, led to his killing. It was fun being in Ottawa again, a city I spent about 20 years in, over various periods, and it was nice to read an easy, interesting story as well. I wish more had been made up about the astrological aspects of the story as the bits that were provided added to the interest. I especially wish Karen had explained the header of the various chapters and how they related to what was going on; For example, Chap one starts off Sun opposition Uranus, Moon opposition Mars, Mars in conjunct Uranus. What does it mean?? All in all, entertaining story, with interesting characters."

Miscellaneous

9. The Collector by John Fowles (a four star read) - "A strange, interesting story about Frederick, a butterfly collector, who comes into a large sum of money. Frederick has been in love, from a distance, with Miranda, but had no hope of her falling in love with him. He is a strange, withdrawn man with no social skills and she is a young, beautiful art student. Frederick prepares his house (bought with is new found money) and then captures Miranda and installs her in his cellar. Thus begins a strange relationship, he the collector, she his butterfly. The story is told in two parts, first from his perspective then, from hers, in diary form. A very interesting, but also depressing story. Worth reading and also worth trying to find the movie and seeing it. I don't know which I preferred."

10. Perfume; The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind - Probably the most disappointing book I read in May. I had quite high expectations of it, but it just never lived up to them. "I'm afraid I was disappointed with this story. The write up sounded intriguing and the story started off very interesting but ultimately I don't think it really went anywhere. There was enough in it to hold my interest, but that was about it. Not what I expected I guess but it ended up only being average to me. Sad to say."

So there you have it, my May reads. All in all, I enjoyed everything I read. Some interesting new authors and series and some old reliables. A nice mix.

Enjoy your June!