I've finished two books in June thus far. I'll provide my reviews of both. I've only started one since then so I'll provide my synopsis of that particular book. Then I'll continue with my ongoing look at women authors I've been enjoying reading.
Just Finished
"So back from my morning walk and I needed something fun and light to read. There you have Tank Girl: Apocalypse by Alan Grant. Tank Girl is feeling despondent so boyfriend Booga, the mutant kangaroo calls the doc in. Turns out TG is pregnant. Is Booga the dad? Will their home in the outback soon be filled with bouncing mutant kangaroo kids?
Outside the world is about to explode. Religious nuts are awaiting the re-awakening of Baal. Some think TG's newborn is the Messiah. Rich people are building bunkers to hide in to await the collapse of the rest of the earth. TG and friends, Booga, Sub Girl, Jet Girl (my fav, she's hot) and the rest attempt to save the world. Can they? Is it worth it?
Great art work as always, unashamedly funny. My fall back graphic novel series. (3.5 stars)"
"I read Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith back in 2011, and I've enjoyed another 4 of her unique mysteries since then. The Blunderer, first published in 1954 was her 3rd novel and also excellent.
Almost a reverse take on Strangers on a Train, this story follows lawyer Walter Stackhouse who is married to real estate agent Clara, and deeply dissatisfied in their marriage. He has tried to divorce her previously but her subsequent actions (attempted suicide) kept them together. However their relationship has continued to deteriorate especially with Carol's actions regarding Walter's friendships, making him increasingly persona non grata with many friends. Walter reads about the death / murder of Helen Kimmel in the newspaper. Helen Kimmel was killed while taking a bus to visit her mother. The main suspect was her husband, bookstore owner, Melchior Kimmel, suspected of following the bus and murdering her at a rest stop.
Stackhouse keeps the article and for some reason wants to visit Melchior, as he suspects him of the murder. Later Stackhouse follows his wife's bus as she goes to visit her dying mother. Clara is found dead; suicide is suspected except by cop Lt Cordy, who begins to investigate both ladies' deaths and becomes a constant irritant to the two men.
It's a fascinating journey as we watch the unraveling of both men's lives, relationships under the intense inspection of Cordy, whose reasons for this are only suspected - promotion enhancement? a bullying complex? Considering the current examination of police misconduct all across the US, it makes Cordy's actions even more interesting and topical. His treatment of Kimmel is especially current.
As I mentioned at the beginning, the story is almost a reverse Strangers on the Train with two related murders and two suspects, who aren't really working together but whose lives are closely entwined. One thing I find about Highsmith's writing is her almost emotional distance from her characters. For all of the displaying of their lives and interactions, there is still a coldness and distance in their characterizations. It's difficult to become emotionally involved with them. But this distant observation of them, the activities and lives are still fascinating and the story is engaging and interesting. I've enjoyed exploring Highsmith's world and stories. There are a few more I'll try to find and enjoy. (4 stars)"
Currently Reading
"When a bratty Hollywood child star and an English aristocrat exchange souls at the dentist in Laughing Gas, the result is transatlantic mayhem at its funniest."
Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Barbara Cleverly
Barbara Cleverly
"The Bee's Kiss by Barbara Cleverly is the 5th book in her historical mystery series featuring Scotland Yard Inspector Joe Sandilands. The series is set after WWI. The first four books found Sandiland assigned as a special investigator in India. In this fifth novel, Joe is back in London, now back with Scotland Yard and called to investigate the murder of Dame Beatrice Jagow-Joliffe who was found murdered in her room at the Ritz hotel. Two police officers, Det Sgt Bill Armitage and a female Constable, Tilly Westthorpe, were both on site when the crime was committed, Tilly as a guest at party and Armitage on security detail, keeping an eye open for a cat burglar who had been making the rounds. Both are assigned to Sandilands team.
The investigation kind of wanders hither and thither. The team travels up to the Dame's home outside of London and finds a place with lots of friction. There is one very lovely character that we meet there, Dorcas, daughter of the Dame's brother, Orlando. There are a number of suspects, including the brother, a boyfriend of Beatrice, her lady's companion as well. It turns out that Beatrice was a leading light in the WREN's during WWI and an excellent cryptographer. She continued to be involved with this organization.
The mystery includes the impending miner's strike, Bolshevists, maybe German spies and other possible intrigues. Sandilands is told to wrap up the investigation from the top but continues on his own, with help from his team and others in Scotland Yard. It took me awhile to get into this story, but I warmed to it. There were many good characters and the little twists and turns in the investigation added to the intrigue. Sandilands is a light-hearted character, a bit of a ladies man and intelligent. I enjoyed the ending and the overall story. Number 6 sits on my bookshelf, awaiting my attention (3.5 stars)"
"1926. The war-ravaged
vineyards of France. In this masterpiece of suspense from CWA Historical
Dagger Award-winner Barbara Cleverly, a nameless soldier plunges
Scotland Yard inspector Joe Sandilands into a shifting world of
deception, rage, and murder....
A well-earned vacation takes a sharp detour when Sandilands
is called to France, where a shell-shocked patient--a tragic casualty of
war--is in the throes of a violent nightmare. Trying to determine the
mystery man's identity proves a difficult, internationally delicate
task: several families are claiming the unknown soldier as their own.
But
it is at a famed chateau, where the wine flows and disturbing secrets
abound, that Sandilands meets a woman who takes his investigation in a
chillingly different direction. Strong-willed and alluring Aline
Houdart's husband has been missing and presumed dead for nearly ten
years. Her true motives are as elusive as the truth about a long-ago
night...when a horrific crime was committed and lives changed forever.
Now Sandilands, an ex-soldier himself, a man who has seen his share of
bloodshed and sorrow, is waging his own battle for justice. It is a
fight for his fallen comrades that will unmask a killer. Or bury the
truth forever..."
"Born into a background
of British privilege, Laetitia Talbot has been raised to believe there
is no field in which she may not excel. She has chosen a career in the
male-dominated world of archaeology, but she approaches her first
assignment in Crete the only way she knows how–with dash and enthusiasm.
Until she enters the Villa Europa, where something is clearly utterly
amiss…
Her host, a charismatic archaeologist, is racing to dig up
the fabled island’s next great treasure–even, perhaps, the tomb of the
King of the Gods, himself. But then a beautiful young woman is found
hanged and a golden youth drives his Bugatti over a cliff. From out of
the shadows come whispers of past loves, past jealousies, and ancient
myths that sound an eerie discord with present events. Letty will need
all her determination and knowledge to unravel the secrets beneath the
Villa Europa’s roof–and they will lead her into the darkest, most
terrifying place of all…."
Worth checking out. The complete list of Cleverly's novels can be found at this link. Enjoy the rest of your week.
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