Day 14 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

The puppies have survived their ordeal at the groomers yesterday. Lisa has been busy with trying to keep up with the pre-Christmas demand so she fell behind somewhat with our knotty, tangled pups. But both Bonnie and Clyde look loverly and smell clean and fresh. They are currently curled up in bed with Jo and I, patiently waiting the lunchtime walk and then their noon meal. Jo is also patiently waiting for her lunch sandwich; not sure if it'll be tuna or chicken. Depends what I feel like making I guess.

After a year or more absence, I went for an early morning walk today. My hip and back have bothered me a fair bit and I haven't felt like doing any exercise for awhile. But it was nice out this morning so I decided it was time for me to do something. After the dogs had their walk and brekkie, I put on my track suit and went for an hour walk. I felt it but do feel a bit better now. I'll try to continue every two or three days. I do miss it. It was nice and fresh and cool, a perfect morning for a walk. And the battery in my head lamp held out for the whole walk, so that was good. I'll see how I feel on Monday if I continue.

Now on to my Day 14 Countdown book and song.

Book 12

Raymond Chandler

Raymond Chandler - The Lady in the Lake.

I've discussed Raymond Chandler previously in my look at the Mystery Genre, when I talked about those authors who featured American PI's. Chandler lived from 1888 - 1959 and was one of those, like Dashiell Hammett (Sam Spade), Ross Macdonald (Lew Archer), John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee), who wrote so many excellent novels in the hard-boiled detective genre. Chandler wrote 7 novels over his life and a number of short story collections. The Lady in the Lake was his 4th Philip Marlowe mystery. My review is below.

"I probably said this when I read The Big Sleep but I don't know why it has taken me so long to enjoy Raymond Chandler. But I'll say it again, I enjoyed The Lady in the Lake very much. Chandler wasn't a prolific writer; he only wrote 7 novels. Lady in the Lake was his 4th Philip Marlowe novel.

Marlowe is hired by wealthy Derace Kingsley to find his wife. Not a happy marriage, she had gone to their cabin up in the mountains (Little Fawn Lake) above LA and then sent him a telegram to let him know she wanted a divorce. Now worried about her, he asks Marlowe to find her. Thus begins an investigation for Marlowe that will take him to the mountains and then to Bay City.  Bodies will begin to crop up, firstly the titles lady in the lake. Marlowe and Bill Chess discover the body floating below the pier in Little Fawn Lake. Chess is Kingsley's handyman and lives in a cabin on the lake. The body is his wife, who, it turns out disappeared around the same time as Kingsley's wife.

I won't discuss the plot anymore as it is a relatively short story, but it is a fascinating mystery. Chandler provides a rich descriptive setting. Marlowe is one of the excellent characters and I love his investigation style. One thing I found interesting about Marlowe is that he isn't in the military, but it may be an age thing, or possibly it was mentioned in one of the other novels. The war is mentioned somewhat, noted by the soldiers guarding the dam on the way to Little Fawn Lake. That is a minor question on my part.

The story holds your attention and follows interesting path ways. I found the ending somewhat intricate but all in all, I enjoyed this story very much. I'll definitely continue until I finish the stories. (4.5 stars)"

Song 12

Harry Styles

Harry Styles - Lights Up.

English songwriter, Harry Styles, was born in 1994 in Worcestershire. He's had a successful career so far. He auditioned for The X-Factor in 2010 was voted off early but also brought back to form the pop group, One Direction. The band had 4 #1 albums and 5 top five singles on the Billboard Hot 100. He signed as a solo artist in 2016. His solo album was released in 2017 and debut single topped #4 on the Billboard Charts. He released his 2nd album in 2019. Lights Up was the first single off the album and peaked at #3 in the UK.

There you go. Strictly Come Dancing is about to start so I'd better pass my pc back to the missus. Have a great Saturday.