A Monday, pre-US Thanksgiving Week Post....

Fiona Hill - so impressive

I didn't realize it's been a week since my last post. Unfortunately or fortunately, I guess, I spent last week along with my wife, Jo, engrossed in the US Impeachment hearings. I spent lots of time being impressed with the bravery and honesty of those people who testified before the hearings, risking jobs in some cases and also threats from right wing conspiracy theorists. I also spent lots of time angry at the blockheads from the Republican Party on the committee, who either spent their time spouting these same conspiracy theories, mocking the witnesses or just plain old shouting at them. I guess they have small 'pricks' and it makes them feel important to do so.

Chrystia Freeland - Canada's Next PM?

I also took a look at our country's new Cabinet and I was very glad to see the previous Secretary of External Affairs, Chrystia Freeland named as Deputy Prime Minister. I'm hoping that she will be the next leader of the Liberal Party and then the next Prime Minister of Canada... *fingers crossed*.. Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants for those right wing misogynists if it happens.

Anyway, this past weekend I took a clean break from anything political and both Jo and I had a nice relaxing weekend. I caught up on reading, finishing two books and Jo discovered a jigsaw puzzle program online and had lots of fun with them. So it was a very nice break anyway.

I'll provide my reviews of the two books I read and also a synopsis of the book I've since started. I'll also continue with my look at the Mystery Genre - American Cops.

Currently Reading

1. The German Agent by J. Sydney Jones. This spy thriller is based on the Zimmerman Telegram of WW1.









"The German Agent is my first exposure to the writing of J. Sydney Jones. I have been looking for his Viennese Mystery series, but this was an excellent introduction to his work. This historical spy story is based on real events, the Zimmerman telegram. It is set in Feb 1917, with WWI moving along, Britain's supply lines being destroyed by German U-boats and Britain desperately trying to get the US into the war.

The British spies intercept a German telegram, the Zimmerman telegram, from German foreign minister Zimmerman to the Mexican government, encouraging the Mexicans to invade the US and offering assistance. The hope would be that this would occupy the US attention and keep it out of the European war.

The story follows a German spy and assassin who has been sent to Washington to murder the British envoy who wants to give the telegram to Woodrow Wilson. Wilson wants to keep out of the war and avoids this meeting and American congressman Fitzgerald must try to keep the British envoy safe from the assassin until the meeting takes place.

So there you go, that is the basic story and we follow Volkman, the German, Fitzgerald and his wife as one tries to perform his task successfully and Fitzgerald tries to keep him safe. It's an exciting action-filled story. You get an interesting perspective of Washington DC on the early 1900s and of the pressure on the US to make their momentous decision. I did see some of the events coming but it never took away from the overall story. I look forward to trying another of Jones's books. (3.5 stars)"

2. Nobody True by James Herbert. I have to say that Herbert is one of the more unique horror writers I've tried. This was excellent.

"I had previously only read The Fog by James Herbert before I started Nobody True. The basic premise is that the narrator of Nobody True, one James True is a successful ad executive, a husband and father and is also able to perform OBE's (out of body experiences). While on an OBE one night, he returns to his body to find that he has been brutally murdered (this is quite graphically described).

My first thoughts on starting the story was, 'heck, this is a long 'un'. It takes a little while to get to the crux of the story. (It is told in the first person, if you are interested). We learn about True's childhood, his poor relationship with his mother, a bicycle accident in which he suffers a head injury and finds himself observing his body from the outside. This starts his exploration of OBE's (there are neat little footnotes throughout the story that elaborates on things that James discovers over the course of his life, about these experiences). True becomes a successful graphic designer and forms a small, successful advertising agency with two friends. Later in his life, one of his partners wants to sell their business to a bigger agency, there is an argument and at this point True, alone in their hotel room, has an OBE and as mentioned previously, returns to find his body desecrated.

True's partner is suspected as well as a serial killer who has been committing similar murders, with some key differences. True now without a body, finds himself wandering around London, visiting his wife and daughter, his mother, the police and also finds himself drawn to a basement apartment where he meets the person who might actually be the serial killer. From this point the story takes off. It's gruesome at times, as True describes the killer's actions, but at the same time also fascinating. True meets with other spirits at a seance and is told he must stop the killer. I had ideas about this, but will let you form your own as you delve into this story.

There are neat twists and turns that are unexpected (to me anyway) and also some very emotional moments that caught me up as well. I wasn't expecting much from this story and it too me awhile to get through it (I partially blame it on the fact that I have a few books on the go at once), but I'm glad that I stuck with it and spent a couple of hours this morning finishing it off. Excellent, well-paced, well-written and totally entertaining. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Gently By the Shore by Alan Hunter (George Gently #2). It's about time that I finally read the 2nd book in this mystery series.








"When Chief Inspector Gently arrived in Starmouth, the 'body on the beach murder' was already the topic of conversation for the massed holiday-makers. First published in 1956, this was the 2nd of Alan Hunter's series of crime novels featuring George Gently."

The American Mystery Genre - American Cops
In my last entry, I highlighted Gregg Olsen's Emily Kenyon series.

Robert B. Parker

1. Robert B. Parker - Jesse Stone. I've previously discussed Parker's Spenser detective series. Over the course of his life he wrote 41 books in his Spenser series. He only wrote 9 books in his Jesse Stone series. It was also turned into a series of excellent TV movies starring Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone. I have read one of the Stone stories so far and enjoyed very much. I've got two more of the series on my bookshelf. And yes, it's probably always best to read a series in order, even though I don't know what I've missed by not doing so for this series.

a. Death in Paradise (Jesse Stone #3 / Oct 2001).









"Robert B. Parker is back in Paradise, where Detective Jesse Stone is looking for two things: the killer of a teenage girl—and someone, anyone, who is willing to claim the body..."

b. Sea Change (Jesse Stone #5 / Feb 2006).

"When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation. Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking-not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone-Jesse-has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way."

c. Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone #7 / Feb 2008).









"I have read one of Robert B. Parker's Spenser mystery series books and enjoyed very much. I've also enjoyed the Jesse Stone movies based on Parker's books. Stranger In Paradise is my first Jesse Stone book and is the 7th in the series. Most enjoyable I must say.

Jesse is sheriff in Paradise, Massachusetts. He's reinventing himself after moving from a police job in LA. He's got an interesting police department, about 12 cops; the two most interesting being Molly and Suitcase. His ex-wife, Jenn also lives in Paradise, trying for a career as a TV journalist. They love each other, see each other, but haven't decided where to go from there. Jesse is also seeing psychiatrist, Dix, trying to sort out his issues / problems. Of course there are other characters as well.

An old case from ten years ago resurfaces when Wilson Cromartie (Crow) shows up in Jesse's office. Crow was part of a bank robbery / kidnapping that took place then. Wasn't able to be convicted of anything and it seems he may have prevented the other robbers from killing the hostages, especially the woman. He likes women (you will find this out). Crow has been hired to find a mother and daughter for some fellow from Florida. He wants Jesse to know he's in town.

That's the gist of the story. When Crow finds the two, he is told to kill the mother and bring the girl to Florida. He refuses and this sets off a chain of events, involving a gang from the next town and also killers who work for the father. A minor story line involves Paradise protesters who don't want Latino children from the neighboring town to come to a small school near their residences. Are the two stories related? Read it and find out.

I really enjoyed this story. Parker has a sparse writing style but still manages to craft a rich, interesting story. The characters are interesting, some likable, some not so much, but still engrossing. The story moves along quickly and is difficult to put down. Once you get into it, say on page 1, you will want to see how it ends. And along the way, you will be fascinated. Most enjoyable. (4 stars)"

The remaining books in this series are -
 - Night Passage (#1 / Sep 1997)
- Trouble in Paradise (#2 / Sep 1998)
- Stone Cold (#4 / Oct 2003)
- High Profile (#6 / Feb 2007)
- Night and Day (#8 / Feb 2009)
- Split Image (#9 / Feb 2010)

Jo made a nice butter chicken and rice for dinner and I bought us apple streudels for dessert. All excellent. Now, it's time to watch All Rise. Have a great week!