It's another nice day. Garbage day here on our crescent. I've been Spring Cleaning my bookshelves a bit, making room for new books I've received. My Little Free Library has new books in it and I've a pile to bring to my local Used Book store. We had a very nice lunch today, finished off the roast pork chops we had last night. They were great in sandwiches.
I got two books in the mail yesterday, one that I'll be reading for an April Group Read and one from a new author. I'll provide the synopses for both. I'll also continue with my new theme, Women Authors I'm Enjoying, this time an author I've just recently tried for the first time.
New Books
"As long as "The Unaffected" fought the Llralans, Earth would not die in its sleep!
Lulled into a coma by the exotic fumes from a strange plant, the people of Earth experienced terrible dreams while orange-skinned invaders quietly began taking control.
But even as the planet slumbered to its downfall, a few Terrans miraculously remained awake. These were "The Unaffected" - men like Brad Donovan and Jimmy Rierson who battled the invaders with every weapon of technology and psychology at their disposal to prevent Earth from becoming a land of the living dead."
"She was cool, attractive - a society lady - and in trouble. Benny Cooperman, a private eye with a hard head and a tender heart, was ready to help her in any way he could. When her husband committed suicide as he begins an investigation, the detective realizes he's no longer dealing with "a family affair". Probing into the curious circumstances surrounding the death, Benny finds himself in the midst of more suicides - or murders."
Women Authors I Enjoy - Charlotte Armstrong
Charlotte Armstrong Lewi was an American author, born in Michigan in 1905 and died in California in 1969. Under the names Charlotte Armstrong and Jo Valentine, she wrote 29 novels and also short stories, plays and screenplays. I recently discovered her works and have enjoyed one mystery so far. I've another sitting on my book shelf awaiting my attention.
"A Dram of Poison by Charlotte Armstrong was originally published in 1956 and was a unique, interesting story. Armstrong's writing reminds me of other female authors I've enjoyed of a similar time-frame; Dorothy Salisbury Davis, Helen MacInnis, Margaret Millar. Different types of stories in some cases but just a similar feel.
I found this a fascinating story. It takes a bit to get going but as the story progresses, it gets more and more interesting. Mr. Gibson is a poetry professor at a small California university. He is a quiet, unassuming man who gets involved in a fascinating story. Attending the funeral of a fellow professor Mr. Gibson takes the professor's daughter under his wing. He helps bring her health back and ultimately he marries her; a kind of bargain that he will help her but not it will be basically a platonic relationship. (Note: the story starts off with Gibson in his friend's office, and he notices that his friends has poisons in stock)
Gibson realizes that he loves Rosemary and they go to celebrate. Returning from the restaurant, they are involved in a car crash that will change their lives. Gibson is invalided (broken leg) so he calls his sister Ethel to come and help. She is one of those people who cause problems and she does. A series of events happen that will involve Gibson and Rosemary making a voyage through the city, gathering up various people in their wake. This is the best part of the story as we meet a great cast of characters who help the two on their search.
The story is basically a voyage of self-discovery; their own qualities, their relationship, their love, all the while trying to find something that could kill the person who might find it. Now I realize that's a bit obtuse, but you need to read the story to find out what. The first half was a bit slow at times, lots of self-doubt, self-rationalization but it really picks up so very much in the 2nd part, getting better and better. Well worth reading. (4.5 stars)"
"An unscrupulous actress
is perpetrating a supernatural hoax that has stunned the country. She's
the Dream Walker - a mysterious apparition who shows up in two
different cities at the same time, then disappears, untraceable. Olivia
Hudson, an acting teacher at a private Manhattan girls' school,
considers this no more than a mean-spirited prank born of desperation
and blind ambition. Until, that is, it tarnishes the deservedly spotless
reputation of a beloved, but famous, family friend. Now, Olivia
respects a good actress, but when this woman's antics begin to involve
murder... someone has to intervene. Someone who can best an actress at
her own game... to escape with her life!"
A complete listing of Armstrong's works can be found at this link.
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