Just Finished, Currently Reading and My Ongoing Author's A - Z

Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating.. 

We've already had Thanksgiving in Canada. We celebrate in October. So today we're watching a stack of Big Bang Theory shows. What more can you ask for. :0)

I've finished two books since my last update and have started two more. I'll also continue with my Author's A - Z entries.

Just Finished

1. Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Fantasy / 1920).

"I found Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum purely by chance. I honestly had no idea that Baum had written so many books based on his wondrous world of Oz. Glinda was first published posthumously in 1920. I'm now trying to find other books in the series.

In this book, Glinda, while reading her Great Book, discovers troubles between the Flatheads and the Skeezers in northern Oz. She has never heard of either of these people but she worries that people might be harmed in a war. She goes to the Emerald City to consult with Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz. Ozma decides to go to the north, taking along Dorothy, to see what she can do.

This begins a quick but grand adventure for the two friends, which will eventually involve all of her other friends, and quite an assortment of strange but wonderful beings they are; Glinda, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, but also Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and so many others.

Ozma and Dorothy are taken prisoner by the wicked Queen of the Skeezers and her friends have to come and try to save them. And there is your story. Of course, it's a children's fantasy but very entertaining, an easy, comforting and enjoyable read. Put away your troubles for a day or two and enjoy this excellent story and then find the other Oz books.. (4 stars)"

2. Shift by Hugh Howey (Silo #2).

"Shift by American author, Hugh Howey is the 2nd volume in the Silo trilogy. It contains 3 parts; Part 1 - First Shift / Legacy, Part 2 - Second Shift / Order and Part 3 - Third Shift / Pact.

Like the first book in the series, Wool, Shift is a deeply intricate, involved story. We learn many things in this volume, the origins of the Silos and we move, in the deep dark future, between Silo 1 and Silo 18 and also 17. It's a bit confusing at first but as you get into the flow of the stories and the time and location shifts, you find yourself drawn into the world Howey has created.

The stories can be quite depressing. We get more inklings about what might have happened to the world and who might have caused the 'disaster' that caused the creation of the Silos in Georgia. At the same time, there still remain many questions about what actually happened and what the plan is for the future of those inhabiting the 40 silos. My impression is that it doesn't bode well for many of those living in the majority of the Silos.

We have nano-technology which seems to have been used to preserve the lives of those creators who live in Silo 1; long periods of hibernation, with periods of activity (Shifts). They monitor and direct the other silos, passing on the Legacies, controlling the Mayors and who else run those silos and also seemingly shutting down those silos where problems occur (riots, war, etc). Maybe they are looking for the best run and organized silos? Hopefully, the final book in the series, Dust will provide those final answers (Yes, there is still one more book!!)

Besides Donald and those main characters in Silo 1, we also meet Mission in Silo 18, a porter caught up in a revolt and Jimmy (Solo) in Silo 17, struggling to live as the Silo degenerates into chaos. And who is the Cleaner???? (Is she the Juliette???) Questions, questions!!!

Not a happy view of the future but a fascinating story once again. Hoping I don't wait quite so long to read the 3rd book (4 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Murder on Mulberry Bend by Victoria Thompson (Gaslight Mystery #5).

"Sarah Brandt, a midwife in turn-of-the-century New York City, has seen more than her share of joy and sorrow, birth and death. Now she will see for the first time how the squalor of the streets can breed madness and murder…

The Prodigal Son Mission on Mulberry Bend stands as a refuge for girls who otherwise would have to live by selling the only thing they have of value—themselves. The work being done there so impresses Sarah that she volunteers to help out however she can—with clothes, with medical assistance, with the organization of a benefit dinner. And when one of the girls is found dead and refused burial because of her former life, Sarah’s passion for justice is aroused.

Reluctantly, Sergeant Frank Malloy agrees to look into the death, if only to keep Sarah from endangering herself by pursuing the matter. But Sarah cannot be kept out of the investigation—and just as Malloy feared, her attempts to find the cause of the unfortunate girl’s death in the circumstances of her life put her in deadly danger—from an unexpected source…"

2. The Hand of Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer (Fu-Manchu #3).

"Dr Fu-Manchu is back once again! His very existence seemingly proves him immune from natural laws, a deathless incarnation of evil! Brand new editions of the world-famous novels featuring one of the most iconic characters of the 20th Century, standing alongside Sherlock Holmes and James Bond.

And this time the Devil Doctor is not alone. Sir Denis Nayland Smith and his associates learn of a deadly organization that stalks the shadows. Their goal is to undermine the balance of global power, and they allow no one to stand in their way. They are the terrorist assassins known as the Si-Fan.

'The hand that held my arm was bony and clawish; I could detect the presence of incredibly long finger nails--nails long as those of some buried vampire of the black ages! Choking down a cry of horror, I opened my eyes... and looked into the face of my guide. It was Dr. Fu-Manchu!"

Bill's Author's A - Z

In my last entry, I highlighted P. N. Elrod, Marina Endicott and Howard Engel.

Loren D. Estleman

1. Loren D. Estleman. American writer Loren D. Estleman was born in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1952. He is an author of crime stories and westerns. I've only recently discovered his work and have read the first book in his Peter Macklin mystery series. There are five books in this series.

a. Kill Zone (1984).

"Kill Zone by American author Loren D. Estleman is his first book in his Peter Macklin mystery / thriller series. Macklin is a hit-man for the Michigan mob. In this first book a tour boat on Lake Erie is hijacked by a group called the Ziegfrieds. The FBI is struggling to find a way to save the people on the ship when they are approached by the lawyer for a mob boss currently residing in prison. His offer; he'll send his hit-man Peter Macklin to the ship to deal with the hijackers if his sentence is commuted.

An interesting plot line. There are some other twists in this story of course. The current mob boss (or the guy filling for the main guy) sends his own hit-man after Macklin as he is enjoying filling in and wants to stay in charge. As well, Macklin has family difficulties. And the FBI is trying to keep tabs on Macklin.

The story is nicely paced. Macklin works to find out more about the 8 people who make up Ziegfried. The story moves between Macklin, his opponent, the ship, the FBI and keeps you very interested in the goings on. Macklin is an interesting character, smart, capable and efficient. The story is tense and has plenty of action.

I enjoyed it very much, found it to be a comfortable, exciting read and it held my interest throughout. It'll be interesting to see how Macklin's life evolves after this first story (4 stars)"

The other books in the series are -

- Roses are Dead (1985)

- Any Man's Death (1986)

- Something Borrowed, Something Black (2002)

- Little Black Dress (2005)

Janet Evanovich

2. Janet Evanovich. American writer Evanovich was born in 1943 in South River, New Jersey. I discovered her Stephanie Plum during my explorations in ABC Books in downtown Courtenay. I discovered many of the excellent mystery series I've enjoyed over the past years at ABC Books. I was first attracted to the Stephanie Plum series by the titles and the flashy book covers. Over the years I've enjoyed the first nine books in the series. It's now up to twenty-five books. They are always funny, full of action and sexy, pure entertainment.

a. One for the Money (#1 / 1994).

"You've lost your job as a department store lingerie buyer, your car's been repossessed, and most of your furniture and small appliances have been sold off to pay last month's rent. Now the rent is due again. And you live in New Jersey. What do you do?

If you're Stephanie Plum, you become a bounty hunter. But not just a nickel-and-dime bounty hunter; you go after the big money. That means a cop gone bad. And not just any cop. She goes after Joe Morelli, a disgraced former vice cop who is also the man who took Stephanie's virginity at age 16 and then wrote details on a bathroom wall. With pride and rent money on the line, Plum plunges headlong into her first case, one that pits her against ruthless adversaries - people who'd rather kill than lose."

(A perfect introduction to the series. I gave it 4 stars)

b. Two for the Dough (#2 / 1996).

"Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum debuted in Janet Evanovich's award-winning "One for the Money".
Now she's back, packing a whole lot of attitude -- not to mention stun guns, defense sprays, killer
flashlights and a .38 Smith &; Wesson -- on the trail of Kenny Mancuso, a boy from the working class  burg of Trenton, who's just shot his best friend. 

Mancuso's fresh out of the army and suspiciously wealthy. He's also distantly related to Joe Morelli, a vice cop with ethics that lean toward the gray one, a libido in permanent overdrive, and a habit of horning in on Stephanie's investigations. 

Aided by her tough bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and her funeral-happy Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's
soon staggering knee-deep in corpses and caskets, trying to shake Morelli ... and stirring up a
very nasty enemy ... " (4 stars)

c. Three to Get Deadly (#3 / 1997).

"Stephanie Plum's fast becoming the most unpopular woman in New Jersey. Even her own mother can't love her for taking on the job of tracking down Uncle Mo, everybody's favourite candy store owner. Cursed with a disastrous new hair colour and an increasing sense that it's time to get a new job, the world's favourite bounty hunter sets off on her latest adventure, with a little 'help' for her new sidekick, hooker turned file clerk Lula, who's just itching to get a felon in the back of her racy red 

Firebird ..."  (4 stars)

I won't list the remaining books in the series but if you want to see the list and the books from other series, click on the link. 

Liz Evans

3. Liz Evans.  I've mentioned Evans before in my Mystery genre lists. She is an English writer born in Barnet. It took me quite awhile to find the first book in her PI Grace Smith mystery series and I am so glad that I did. I've since procured the second book in the series, which as of 2006 consists of 6 books. Grace Smith is a PI in the vein of Kinsey Milhone and Kat Colorado. The first book was excellent.

a. Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? (#1 / 1997).

"Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? by Liz Evans, the first book in the PI Grace Smith series, was an entertaining, fun surprise. Of course, I was somewhat mislead by the title, of course, it had nothing to do with Marilyn Monroe. Grace Smith is a struggling PI working for Vetch Associates, somewhere on the coast of England (struggling because she never seems to have any money and seems to get the odd ball cases).

Marilyn Monroe is a donkey, belonging to December Drysdale, who runs them down to the beach for tourists to take pictures of and to ride them. Unfortunately, Marilyn has been murdered and Drysdale doesn't think the police will take the death seriously enough. Grace 'Smithie' is assigned the case and thus begins an interesting, odd case which might also involve the murder of one of Drysdale's neighbors, a young woman, who was also murdered the same evening.

While it seems an unlikely story, but Evans puts it together nicely, making for an interesting, even fascinating story. She develops her characters with loving care and you find yourself drawn into them and the story. As Liz Lemon would say, "I want to go to there" and meet Grace and the other people in her community; from bar owner and aging rocker, Shane (who feeds Grace for free and entertains with loud rock music), her co-worker, Annie (sarcastic and a tolerant, helpful friend); the residents of the old age home, even Drysdale's donkeys. You find yourself loving these characters.

Evans weaves a fun story, somewhere between Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books and Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone mysteries. Grace Smith is at times hapless, but always determined. She's scruffy, sexy and lovable. I've already ordered the next book, JFK Is Missing!. If you like a cozy, but action-filled, at times humorous mystery, try Liz Evans (4.5 stars)"

b. JFK is Missing! (#2 / 1998).

"Liz Evans is in top form in these, the first three investigations in the PI Grace Smith mystery series. Featuring a feisty and engaging heroine, and packed with cracking one-liners and unexpected twists, these pacey novels will keep you guessing to the end.PI Grace Smith is back, walking the mean streets of Seatoun, a seedy town on England's southern coast. Client Henry Summerstone has asked her to find a missing person, but he has no idea of her name, where she lives or works, or what she looks like -- he's been blind for years. In fact, he's not even sure she's missing. But he's offering cash, an offer that Grace finds hard to refuse. Soon she's got a lead on the girl -- several girls, as it turns out -- but instead of them leading her to Miss X, Grace finds herself caught up in government fraud, family feuds, and cold-blooded murder."

The remaining books in the series are -

- Don't Mess with Mrs. In-Between (2000)

- Barking (2001)

- Sick as a Parrot (2004)

- Cue the Easter Bunny (2006)

Well, there you go. I hope you see something that interests you. I'm off to watch From the Vaults on CBC. It's about music and its history on CBC TV, featuring archival footage that they've managed to keep from the early days of CBC. The TV network started broadcasting in 1952. The first episode was very interesting, featuring Sammy Davis Jr, Joan Baez and others. It was an interesting history. I hope tonight's show is as good. 

Take care and enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving....