Tomorrow the Comox Valley Rotary Club starts its semi-annual book sale. It runs for 4 days. I usually go for the first day and the last day. There are always a few books there and the price is right.
Well, on to my 2018 reading.. I finished one this morning and started a new one as well. I'll continue with my ongoing list of Authors from my Goodreads book list. So without further ado, let's go!
Just Finished
"Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist is the first book in the Riftwar Saga and was my first experience with his stories. It's an interesting concept; the world of Pug, the self-titled Magician's Apprentice, is being invaded by enemies from another world, through a rift in 'space - time'? Or something like that.
Pug has reached the age where he and his friends of the same age, especially his best friend Tomas, are chosen for their apprentice roles within the castle of the Duke of Crydee on the West of the Kingdom. Tomas is chosen by the sword master and Pug by the Wizard Kulgan. As events occur and time passes, Pug and Tomas realize that they are being attacked by people from this other world. The Duke takes a group of his leaders, along with Pug and Tomas, to the castle of the King to warn them and encourage the King to raise armies to battle the Tsurani. It's a long journey and some things happen but a lot of it is introducing people who will probably appear in future books.
The story is an easy read but it's also a bit of a slow burn. The last half has a lot more action and adventure with the group from the beginning being separated and having their own adventures. The focus at the end is Crydee just as it started and it ends without ending. That is the way of a series isn't it?.. :0)
I liked the book but wasn't overwhelmed by it. However there were enough questions raised that I will try to find the 2nd book to see what happens next. It's an interesting concept for sure and there are many interesting characters. I hope in the next book we learn more about his enemy who for the most part have been relatively faceless. Worth trying if you enjoy fantasy. (3.5 stars)"
Currently Reading
"Miles is a spy. He wants, just for once, not to botch a case. Given one last chance for redemption, he is sent to Belfast, which quickly becomes a flight of terror, murder and shocking discoveries. But can he survive in a world of violent action?"
Bill's Author's A - Z
 |
| Lilian Jackson Braun |
"This is my first exposure to Lilian Jackson Braun's cozy Qwilleran and Koko (the Siamese cat) mysteries. I had previously avoided them as the concept of the reporter, aided by a cat, solving mysteries didn't really appeal to me. However as I've begun to explore the mystery genre more and more and due to recommendations from a number of Goodreads friends, I finally bit the bullet and took the plunge (how's that for mixed metaphors). And I have to say, this introduction to Qwilleran, the new reporter on the art beat of the Daily Fluxion, and his burgeoning acquaintance with Koko, his landlord's Siamese cat, was most enjoyable. This is definitely a 'cozy' mystery, a murder of a local art critic welcomes Qwill (and his bristly moustaches, which seem to have a life of its own) to his new job on the art beat. Qwill previously was a crime reporter on another paper, but due to unexplained circumstances, now finds himself exploring the local art scene of the Fluxion, a paper in some unnamed city. As he explores the art scene and familiarizing himself with it, he rents an apt from the Flux' art critic and his Siamese cat and finds himself embroiled in this mystery; one murder, maybe two, maybe three. I wanted to give this mystery a 3 star, maybe a 3.5, but ultimately, it was such an enjoyable read and the characters were interesting and the mystery was a pleasure to delve into, that I had to give it a 4 star. Looking forward to reading more of the developing relationship between Koko (the real detective) and Qwill in mystery number 2, The Cat who Ate Danish Modern."
"The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern is the second mystery in the Qwilleran and Koko series. Qwill is a down on his luck news reporter who has found new life working for the Daily Fluxion. He inherited his Siamese cat, Koko, from a friend who was murdered in the first book. In this 2nd book, Qwill discovers that he is to become the editor of a Design supplement to the newspaper, much to his chagrin. However, with a promotion as part of the job title and more money in the salary packet, he attacks his new job with gusto. Along with his camera man, Odd Benson, they head out to take photos and write the first article on an exclusive residence whose owner also is a jade fanatic. When a death occurs just after the publishing of the article and with much of the jade disappearing, it looks grim for Qwill's new career as a design reporter. However with Koko's assistance, ,Qwill works through the story and mystery, hoping to solve it and keep his job. The story is written nicely and flows smoothly. I like the characters and enjoy sitting down to this cozy mystery. Book 3 is currently on my shelf and I won't wait too long to give it a try. (4 stars)"
 |
| Richard Brautigan |
"A book I bought by chance after seeing it in the display cabinet of one of my favourite used book stores. It happened that Sep was Western genre month so this being a 'Gothic western' and liking the cover, I decided to give it a chance. A very easy, flowing read and a quirky interesting story. The gist being that two gunslingers are hired by a young woman to come to Oregon to kill a monster that resides in the ice caves below their house in Oregon. Many, many strange occurrences, which I'll let you discover until the face-to-face meeting with the monster. I liked the two gunslingers, Cameron and Greer, both straight-forward, easy going hit men, hit men with standards and ethics. I liked the Hawkline sisters. At times it's almost childish, the story, but it held my interest and I enjoyed it thoroughly. A solid 3.5 stars."
"A novel which is both playful and serious, hilarious and melancholy. It takes a journey which starts at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin statue in Washington Square, San Francisco, and wanders through the wonders of America's rural waterways."
 |
| Simon Brett |
"A Comedian Dies by Simon Brett is the first Charles Paris mystery that I've read (it is the 5th in the series). I have read 3 or 4 of the Fethering series and enjoyed them. My wife used to listen to BBC radio dramatizations of the Charles Paris books, starring Bill Nighy as Paris. That is what got me interested in Simon Brett's books.
Paris is a struggling actor who gets involved solving mysteries. He has an on again / off again relationship with his wife and an on again / off again relationship with his career. The story starts with Paris and his wife attending an afternoon variety show where there is a bit of excitement; the lead performer, an up and coming comedian is electrocuted as he starts his act. The police say it was an accident, but being nosy and drawn to mystery, Paris comes to believe that, in fact, the comedian was murdered. Thus begins his rambling investigation of all of the people involved in the show. He picks up and drops suspects faster than a hot potato.
At the same time, Paris has been offered a TV job with an aging comic who is trying to reinvigorate his own career. Paris juggles this new job with his continuing investigation. It's an interesting story and an interesting conclusion. (3.5 stars)"
"This is the first book in the Fethering mystery series by Simon Brett and I enjoyed very much. It was well-paced, with enough action to keep me reading and with two likable characters who I hope to find out more about. Carole Seddon is a retired public servant who has settled in the seaside town of Fethering, located near Brighton on England's southeast coast. Carole lives a routine life, walking her dog, following the routines and mores of the other retired people who have settled there. A new neighbour, Jude, arrives to unsettle Carole's routine and to bring along some excitement and friendship. The other change is the discovery, by Carole, of a body on the beach, which starts the chain of events that make up this story. It wasn't a perfect story, but it was entertaining and I will continue to read this series and take a chance on the others written by Simon Brett. Glad that I finally got a start on this series."
"I've read books from other series by Simon Brett; 3 of the Fethering books and one of the Charles Paris books. I enjoyed both series so have been looking to try the Mrs. Pargeter mysteries and have just finished the third book in the series, Mrs. Pargeter's Package. Overall, I preferred the other series but I still liked this book. It was cozy, light and entertaining.
Melita Pargeter is a 60ish widow. Her husband was a successful businessman, some of his methods may have been less than legal. But he also had many friends and it seems that they feel an obligation to support Melita due to their working with her hubbie.
Melita is taking a trip to Corfu, the Greek Island, with a friend, Joyce, who is trying to get over the death of her husband. There is a mystery here. Joyce is looking for something in Corfu and she ends up dead. The local police officer says it was suicide but after looking the situation over, Melita feels that it was murder.
With the help of Larry Lambeth, a fellow pretty good at forgery, Melita searches for clues to Joyce's death. Back in London, detective Truffler Mason and wheeler dealer Hamish Ramon Henriques (HRH), help Mrs. Pargeter look into deaths and other clues that might help.
It wasn't a complex story but it moved along nicely and it kept me interested. Call it light and fluffy and a fun read. (3 stars)"
Well, there you go. I just realized that I've missed one author but I'll try to remember to include that next entry. Enjoy the rest of your week. I'll let you know if I get any books at the Book Fair tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment