A Reading Update, New Books and My Favorite Authors

The Study Mar 2017

OK here we go. It's Friday 7 Aug and the dogs are glaring at me because I haven't fed them supper yet. I'm in the den (yes, we do have a den) and my wife Jo is in the family room, listening to BBC 2 Radio on line and singing along with the show. 

Took five minutes, fed the dogs. Now on to books. I received one in the mail yesterday. I finished one this morning. I'll update those plus continue with my look at favorite authors.

New Books

1. The Lair of the White Worm & The Lady of the Shroud by Bram Stoker.

"Here are two great, neglected horror novels by Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, together in one volume for the first time. It is a double treat for lovers of blood-curdling fantasy fiction.

The Lady of the Shroud, published here in its full and unabridged form, is a fascinating and engrossing concoction of a vampire tale, Ruritanian adventure story and science fiction romance. The novel fully demonstrates the breadth and ingenuity of Stoker's imagination.

The spine-chilling The Lair of the White Worm features a monstrous worm secreted for thousands of years in a bottomless well and able to metamorphose into a seductive woman of a reptilian beauty who survives on her victim's life blood. The novel contains some of Stoker's most graphic and grisly moments of horror."

Just Finished

1. You Think You Know Someone by J. B. Holman.

"Just one qualifier before I get into my review.

 

I'm reading this as a member of Booktasters; a friendly place where you offer to read and provide honest reviews of books. (Ed Note - I would provide an honest review of a book in any case)

If you like thrillers with twists and turns and lots of action, you might want to try You Think You Know Someone by J.B. Holman. The book starts off running and never slows down until the end. The book starts off with the 'assassination' of the British PM by a sniper. This starts an investigation within the British government by special services folks with shoot to kill orders. We move to Brighton where a man in drag is attacked by 3 neanderthals and rescued by a former member of the SAS. We will soon learn that all is not as it seems.

It's a complex, twisty plot that I won't try to describe in detail as you've got to delve into it yourself to feel the complexities and sometimes 'good' confusion of the story as Eduard Foxx, a secret agent, analyst tries to sort through the mess and prevent a major political disaster. Along the way he will co-opt  Julie Connor, a mild civil servant into his actions, as they try to resolve the mystery of who is behind the assassination and try to survive until the bitter end.

There is a frisson between the two as well as  a constant friction. Julie will come out of herself, gaining confidence as the thrill ride advances. There are frustrations with the book, I readily admit; all I think aspects of the political thriller. So many suspects all working together and against each other. There is the 'I hate you, I love you... no, I hate you' relationship between Eduard and Julie. But they are minor issues. It's a neat, confusing at times, action packed adventure and political thriller. Just close your eyes and enjoy the ride (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Where the Dark Streets Go by Dorothy Salisbury Davis. Enjoying this already.

"Father McMahon is struggling to write a sermon when a boy runs into his office. A man in his tenement is dying, the boy says, and it is too late for a doctor or the police. In the basement of the apartment house, Father McMahon kneels beside the blood-soaked man, who has been stabbed with a knife. The man asks for no absolution. He wants to talk of life, not death, and takes to his grave the identity of his killer—and his own.

No one in the neighborhood—not his lover or his friends—knows the man’s real name, where he came from, or why someone would want to kill him. But in his final minutes, he reveals one clue that sends Father McMahon, a cop, and a wealthy young woman down New York’s dark streets, where a killer is waiting to strike again."

My Favorite Authors - Simon Brett

Simon Anthony Lee Brett

Simon Brett, born in England in 1945, is both an author and radio producer. He has written three excellent, varied mystery series and I've started all of them. You've got Charles Paris, a jobbing actor who gets involved in murders and mysteries. I first heard of this when Jo listened to a BBC Radio dramatization of the books, starring Bill Nighy as Paris. Mrs. Pargeter is a recent widow who gets involved in mysteries and uses the services of her dead husband's friends to help solve them. In Fettering you have two neighbors in the seaside community. They are very different, one buttoned up and one gypsy-like, but they become friends and a neat partnership. I've read 5 of them so far. Let's check them out.

1. Cast, In Order of Appearance (Charles Paris #1).

"Cast in Order of Disappearance by Simon Brett is the first book in his Charles Paris mystery series. I've read a couple of others of this series and enjoyed. I've also tried Brett's Fethering and Mrs. Pargeter series, preferring the former I think. 

Charles Paris is a jobbing actor, working where he can, sometimes writing radio scripts when he can't find acting jobs. For him, acting has somewhat lost its luster, more of a job now than a career. He drinks too much, lives on his own but still troops back to his wife's residence for some good food, laundry and comforting cuddling. Other times he spends in bars with other actors and friends and also spending time with the odd lady friend. Yup, he's a bit of a player.

Paris has just finished working on a radio play and is between jobs. He spends an evening with a young lady, Jacqui, who is being set up on by various troubles. Her boyfriend is pushing her aside due to an evening they had spent at a sex party (pictures taken) that is now the subject of a major trial. She wants Paris to help, to deliver the pictures to Marius Steen (the boyfriend) to let him know that all is well and that Jacqui has nothing to do with the black mailing.

Events begin to blow up; the black mailer is murdered, the boyfriend is found dead in bed (was he murdered?) and Paris and Jacqui begin to receive threats and actual violence. Paris reluctantly tries to resolve the situation, in the meantime also working on a new job, a movie entitled The Zombie Walks. Paris uses his acting skills (there are a great many nice asides listing critics comments about particular roles) to try and find out more about what has happened. Things move along very quickly with a nicely satisfying ending. Paris is an interesting, curmudgeonly character who has sudden insights into what he is working on. The story is also a fun, entertaining read, with excellent, quirky characters. There is enough sex on the side to provide a nice little bit of titillation as well. Enjoyable read and good introduction to this series. (3.5 stars)"

2. A Comedian Dies (Charles Paris #5).

"A Comedian Dies by Simon Brett is the first Charles Paris mystery that I've read (it is the 3rd 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)"

3. Mrs. Pargeter's Package (Mrs. Pargeter #).

"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 hubby.

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)"

4. The Body on the Beach (Fettering #1).

"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 neighbor, 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. (3 stars)"

5. Death on the Downs (Fettering #2).

"This is the 2nd book in Simon Brett's Fethering mysteries, featuring amateur sleuths, Carole Seddon and her neighbor, Jude. I liked this one more than the first; Brett has found his way now that he's got over the introduction phase of the series. The characters are familiar and interesting and the case was also enjoyable. Carole finds a cache of human remains while taking shelter from a walk on the Sussex Downs. This starts an investigation into possible suspects by the two friends, which ultimately leads to threats on Carole's life. Well-paced and most entertaining and I'm looking forward to reading more in the Fethering series and also giving a start to Brett's Charles Paris and Mrs. Pargeter series as well. (3 stars)"

Well there you go folks. See anything that interests you? Enjoy your weekend!