OK, it's not really a miracle, it's just a reading update, but still, miracle did have a great ring to it. Actually though, there was new news to end the year off. I got my first Old Age Pension cheque in December. It's all down hill from here. 😏
I finished my 128th book of 2020 this week. I've got two books on the go and I've lined up my first 5 (as per my 2021 challenges) for January1st. I'll provide my review of the book completed and will also provide the synopsis of the book that replaced it. I also received a book in the mail today, part of a bonanza of cards we received in the mail today. I'll provide a synopsis of that book as well.
Just Finished
"I'm not sure where I first heard of Holly Roth. I have a feeling the book The Crimson in the Purple was listed at the back of another Penguin crime book. At any rate, for the past few years I have looked for the book and finally found a copy. I'm very glad that I took a chance on it as I've enjoyed it very much. I will definitely find other books by Roth (Ed Note. In fact I have ordered another of her books, The Content Assignment).
Bill Farland, a Private Investigator in NY and also a wannabe playwright, is hired by Catherine Hadden because she feels someone is trying to kill her. Farland is initially hesitant to take the job because he doesn't really believe her and also feels he might not be good enough for the case. But when he discovers that she comes from a famous acting family, he decides to go to the Hadden's home for a dinner party, ostensibly as her date. The party is a somewhat fractious affair with Farland not getting along with famous actress, Terrata Hadden. At the follow-up dinner, Catherine is taken severely ill (food poisoning?), the family doctor is called. Farland stays the night to watch Catherine and there is a murder..... Thus starts this excellent mystery, with the rest taken up with the investigation by Police Captain Rhine.
The mystery is described in the synopsis as 'melodrama'. Melodrama - "a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events designed to appeal to the emotions." I guess that sort of describes this excellent mystery. It kind of reminded me of Dynasty mixed with Margaret Millar's story crafting. The characters are all interesting. The Hadden family is filled with issues and personalities. Farland is an interesting character, struggling with his desire to even be a PI, with feelings for Catherine, wanting to connect with the family leader Dominic to get his play brought to the stage. Captain Rhine is a tired, smart, matter-of-fact investigator. He explores each character (suspect) with wit and intellect, an excellent, likeable investigator.
The story moves along very nicely, is so well-written and laid out. There is tension, mysterious characters / intentions, hidden back stories, all that comes out as the story is presented. It's eminently readable and Roth presents wonderful pictures of the setting and the characters. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. I'm looking forward to the enjoying the next book. (4.5 stars)"
Just Started
"A mystery set in the underworld of burlesque theater, The G-String Murders was penned in 1941 by the legendary queen of the stripteasers—the witty and wisecracking Gypsy Rose Lee. Narrating a twisted tale of a backstage double murder, Lee provides a fascinating look behind the scenes of burlesque, richly populated by the likes of strippers Lolita LaVerne and Gee Gee Graham, comic Biff Brannigan and Siggy the g-string salesman. This is a world where women struggle to earn a living performing bumps and grinds, have gangster boyfriends, sip beer between acts and pay their own way at dinner."
New Book
"A roller-coaster ride
with NYPD Detective Jack Yu, illuminating the underground world of
Chinatown gambling, smuggling, and protection
He’s been
transferred to a different precinct, but Detective Jack Yu cannot get
away from Chinatown’s criminals—his old friends—who have hooked up with
the Hong Kong-based triads in an elaborate nationwide credit card fraud.
He also cannot escape the Chinese victims whose stories cry out for
justice, like the teenage Chinese take-out delivery boy brutally
murdered in the projects."
So there you go, my Xmas Eve post. I'll get back to my look at my favorite authors in my next posts. I'll also begin to look at my challenges for 2021 and other things in the next week.
For now please have a Merry Xmas and I wish everyone a peaceful, safe holidays and that 2021 is much better. 😷
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