New Books and a Reading Update

Happy Anniversary Mommy & Daddy! Any cake?

 

Big day in the household today, it's Jo and my 19th Anniversary. Jo got me a globe and a new wallet; love them both. We've been dieting since January but today we treated ourselves with a Tim Horton's dream apple cake donut. So good! Tomorrow we plan to go to the Black Fin for dinner. We haven't been out for dinner in over a year, probably a year and a half. 

Saturday, Jo and I went out to check out some local thrift shops. It was something different to do. There was a really nice on 5th Street in Courtenay; a charity shop that donates its profits to women, children and families in the Valley. I have to say, they really had nice stuff. I bought a suit and a suit jacket for $12.00. Great cause, great value. 

At one of the other Thrift shops, we bought this illustrated collection of Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, etc. We have another collection of his works that we bought at an antique show in Chemainus many years ago, but this was so excellent.. and only $4.00.

As the month winds down, I've been trying to finish a few of my challenges. I hope to read one more. I'll provide my monthly reading update tomorrow or Sep 1st. I've finished two books since my last reading update and also have purchased a few books to wind down the month. I'll provide my reviews of the two books I've completed and the synopses of the next books in line. I'll also provide the synopses of the new books. I'll continue with my ongoing look at Women Authors in a future post.

Just Finished

1. Crimson Lake by Candice Fox (Crimson Lake #1). An interesting Australian mystery series.

"Crimson Lake is my introduction to Australian mystery writer Candice Fox and it was an excellent introduction to her stories. What have you got? Ted Conkaffey is an ex-Sydney detective whose life was turned upside down when he was accused of a brutal abduction of a young girl. His trial was closed without conviction but in everybody's eyes, Ted was still guilty. He loses his wife and daughter and is forced to move out to the hinterland of Australia to try and hide from everybody and to live a life. He moves to Crimson Lake, in the northern corner of Queensland, in a cabin on a croc filled lake.

Ted gets a job working with a private detective, Amanda Pharrell, another person with a back story; convicted as a young girl of murdering another girl, spending time in prison, and now working as a PI in Crimson Lake. The two main characters have issues; Ted is menaced constantly by two local cops, bursting into his house, stopping his car, physically assaulting him. He also has nightly visitors of local vigilantes, breaking windows, the usual vigilante stuff. But he does have one good thing in his life; an injured mother goose and her kids. That is definitely a bright spot in this story, that has a steady tone of menace.

Ted works with Amanda to discover what happened to a famous local Sci-Fi writer. Of course this is an ongoing thread throughout the story, although it picks up really in the last half. Amanda is a strange, quirky? character. Because of what happened to her in the past (I think, anyway) she won't ride in a car, but instead follows Tom on her bicycle. Makes for interesting situations.

Besides their case, Tom is dealing with a reporter who is trying to investigate his previous situation; the reporter, Fabiana, is another interesting character. As well, Ted begins to surreptitiously look into Amanda's case because of perceived inconsistencies in the investigation.

It's all very interesting and moves along at a nice pace; jumping from the present to the past (Ted's trial, critical events in his life, etc); from their investigation, to letters from an 'admirer' of the missing man (Jake Scully that is), to the turmoil in both Amanda and Ted's lives. Amanda is remarkably casual (except for a few incidents) while Ted is still very broken. But they make an interesting, excellent team and the results of their investigation(s) are ultimately very satisfying. It's a scary story at times; the incidents with the cops and vigilantes, the crocs (rarely seen, but just a menacing sidelight). It was an entertaining first story and whetted my appetite to continue the series. I've #2 currently on my bookshelf. (4 stars)"

2. The Hat of Authority by John Sanders (Nicholas Pym #2). Book 2 of a historical adventure series (a la Sharpe or Hornblower).

The Hat of Authority is the second book in the historical adventure series featuring Oliver Cromwell's spy, Nicholas Pym, by author John Sanders. Pym is called out of mourning (for the loss of his wife, dying during child birth) by his father-in-law and boss, Mr. Thurloe.

Pym is given command of one of the Protector's (this  being Cromwell) newest ships. He is sent to the Caribbean to check on the Governor or Jamaica (not trusted) and given papers of warrant as an accredited privateer. His job is to find a cargo of Spanish gold, taken by the Right Hand, and hidden on the island of Tortuga. Unfortunately, the island is owned by the French and populated with a gang of pirates. Pym must figure out how to distract the pirates so he can get the gold. Plotting with privateer, Henry Morgan, he comes up with a plan to attack Spanish fortifications in Panama.

The story is filled with plots and counter plots, lots of action and adventure, and life threatening action; a beautiful woman (can she be trusted?) and even the Spanish Inquisition. Pym moves from the situation to situation, relying on his wits and intelligence to keep himself alive and achieve Cromwell's aims. It's an entertaining, sometimes dark, story and moves along quickly. I'll try to finish the series as I find the historical setting interesting (not a time I'd want to live in, mind you), religious intolerance and lots of war. Worth trying if you like historical adventures. (3 stars)"

Currently Reading (I've only started one new book as I've so many on the go right now)

1. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin (Book 2 of the Earthsea fantasy series). I love LeGuin and am trying to get into the books I've missed.

"In this second novel in the Earthsea series, Tenar is chosen as high priestess to the ancient and nameless Powers of the Earth, and everything is taken from her—home, family, possessions, even her name. She is now known only as Arha, the Eaten One, and guards the shadowy, labyrinthine Tombs of Atuan.

Then a wizard, Ged Sparrowhawk, comes to steal the Tombs’ greatest hidden treasure, the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. Tenar’s duty is to protect the Ring, but Ged possesses the light of magic and tales of a world that Tenar has never known. Will Tenar risk everything to escape from the darkness that has become her domain?"

New Books

1. The White Mirror by Elsa Hart (Li Du #2). I just finished the first book in this historical mystery series and thought it was great.

"In The White Mirror, the follow-up to Elsa Hart’s critically acclaimed debut, Jade Dragon Mountain, Li Du, an imperial librarian and former exile in 18th century China, is now an independent traveler. He is journeying with a trade caravan bound for Lhasa when a detour brings them to a valley hidden between mountain passes. On the icy planks of a wooden bridge, a monk sits in contemplation. Closer inspection reveals that the monk is dead, apparently of a self-inflicted wound. His robes are rent, revealing a strange symbol painted on his chest.

When the rain turns to snow, the caravan is forced to seek hospitality from the local lord while they wait for the storm to pass. The dead monk, Li Du soon learns, was a reclusive painter. According to the family, his bizarre suicide is not surprising, given his obsession with the demon world. But Li Du is convinced that all is not as it seems. Why did the caravan leader detour to this particular valley? Why does the lord’s heir sleep in the barn like a servant? And who is the mysterious woman traveling through the mountain wilds?

Trapped in the snow, surrounded by secrets and an unexplained grief that haunts the manor, Li Du cannot distract himself from memories he’s tried to leave behind. As he discovers irrefutable evidence of the painter’s murder and pieces together the dark circumstances of his death, Li Du must face the reason he will not go home and, ultimately, the reason why he must."

2. Me and White Supremacy; Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad (2020). I was looking at books in Books4Brains, a relatively new book store in the Valley and they had a few books on this subject. I felt an obligation to get one and try it.

"Me and White Supremacy teaches readers how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of colour, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.

When Layla Saad began an Instagram challenge called #MeAndWhiteSupremacy, she never predicted it would spread as widely as it did. She encouraged people to own up and share their racist behaviors, big and small. She was looking for truth, and she got it. Thousands of people participated in the challenge, and over 90,000 people downloaded the Me and White Supremacy Workbook.

The updated and expanded Me and White Supremacy takes the work deeper by adding more historical and cultural contexts, sharing moving stories and anecdotes, and including expanded definitions, examples, and further resources.

Awareness leads to action, and action leads to change. The numbers show that readers are ready to do this work - let's give it to them."

3. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4). I enjoyed the first book very much, a unique Sci-Fi series.

"Murderbot wasn't programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right?

Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the Gray Cris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah — its former owner (protector? friend?) — submit evidence that could prevent Gray Cris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who's going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue?

And what will become of it when it's caught?"

4. The Diamond Bikini by Charles Williams ( Uncle Sagamore #1 / 1956). Williams is a new author for me.

"Two Chicago hoodlums and a beautiful nightclub singer on the run decide to hide out in the bayou country of the deep South, land of moonshine whiskey and easy loving. Then Miss Choo-Choo Caroline disappears wearing nothing but a very tiny G-string encrusted with diamonds, and the neighborhood erupts into a fevered search of the woods"

5. Madame Maigret's Friend by Georges Simenon (Inspector Maigret #33). It's fast become one of my favorite mystery series.

 

 

 

 

 

"Madame Maigret takes the lead in a disturbing investigation in this new translation, book thirty-three of the new Penguin Maigret series.

When he got to his door, he was surprised not to hear any noise in the kitchen and not to smell any food. He went in, crossed the dining room, where the table had not been laid, and at last saw Madame Maigret, in her slip, busy taking off her stockings. This was so unlike her that he could find nothing to say, and when she saw him standing there wide-eyed, she burst out laughing.

Inspector Maigret's wife turns sleuth after a strange encounter in a Paris square leads her on the trail of a woman in a white hat, and towards a grisly tale of deception and greed." 

There you go, some reading ideas for you. Now to try and finish Silent Shadows by Ann Cleeves by tomorrow. Jo is now cooking our anniversary dinner; roast chicken and veggies. Yummy!

A Reading Update, New Book and Women Authors

It's been a nice, cool Thursday. I had a good run this morning and breakfast. Then Jo and I had mini-quiches from a recipe she found on line when we started dieting. They are excellent and make a nice low calorie, tasty meal.

I finished two books since my last reading update. It's been a slowish month so far but I do have a few tomes on the go. I'll provide my reviews of them. I'll also provide the synopsis of the next book I'm trying. Then I'll continue with my ongoing look at Women Authors I've been enjoying. (Some books to lead you into the weekend)

Just Finished

1. Red Bones by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #3).

"It's been a couple of years since I've read one of Ann Cleeves Shetland series and it was nice to get back to it with the 3rd book, Red Bones. My wife and I have enjoyed almost the complete TV series based on the books and both the TV show and the books are excellent. The big difference between the books and the series is that DS Alison (Tosh) McIntosh has yet to appear in any of the books. I'm assuming she is a TV addition. She's a great character but the books are excellent even without her.

This third book finds us on Whalsay, one of the outlying isles off of the main Shetland island, also the home of DC Sandy Wilson. Sandy could not wait to get away from Whalsay as a young man, didn't want to be a crofter and he now lives in Lerwick as one of DI Jimmy Perez's detectives. However in this story, we see Sandy visiting Whalsay at the request of his Gran, Mima. She had indicated that she wanted to talk with him. But before Sandy gets to her 'house', she is killed and Sandy finds her body. Initial investigation seems to indicate that Sandy's best friend, Ronald Clouston may have shot her by accident, tipsy and hunting rabbits at night. A group of two young female archaeologists, Hattie and Sophie, are also involved, working a dig in Mima's yard, although they were not on site when Mima was found.

The death brings DI Jimmy Perez into the picture and while the death appears accidental, and even though the Procurator Fiscal (kind of the local AG for the island) wants it closed as an accidental shooting, Perez has his doubts. And with this background, he begins his investigation, with the help of Sandy Wilson.

It's a very interesting case and story, involving a very closed community, especially the Wilsons and the Cloustons. Perez, originally from Fair Isle (sweaters), another of the outlying islands, finds the whole situation claustrophobic, and leaves Sandy on the island to keep up the investigation while he makes trips back and forth. Jimmy is also dealing with his feelings for Fran and her daughter Cassie, both of whom are visiting friends and family in London.

The case revolves around the archaeological dig, maybe around an old WWII incident, maybe around family jealousies, and maybe around 'money'! The WWII story is particularly interesting. Fishermen from Whalsay had helped the Norwegians in the struggles against the Nazi occupiers, building small boats for use by the Norwegian freedom fighters. Is this bit of history somehow involved in the death of Mima? She was around at the time. What about the bones discovered at the archaeological dig? There will be another death(s?) as this story progresses. What about the past relationship between Hattie and her boss, Paul Berglund? There are issues and are they related?

It's a fascinating character analysis, overbearing mothers, filial conflict, neighbour friction, frustrated women who want more out of life than just being wives and mothers, stresses because of monetary issues and competition between island families. Perez must sort this out and try to get the most out of Sandy, who has his own family issues to deal with. The story moves along at a satisfactory pace. The characters are well - developed and rich and the island is at times bleak and at other times inviting. The mystery itself follows many tangents and ultimately is resolved quite satisfactorily, even if there is a bit of a leap from, 'where do we go from here'? to yup, that's it and all she wrote. But still satisfying. I've enjoyed this series and also Cleeves George & Molly books and her Vera series. Now it's back to Vera (4 stars)"

2. Locke & Key, Volume 3; Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key #3).

"Locke & Key, Volume 3: Crown of Shadows is the 3rd graphic novel in the Locke & Key (obviously) series by horror novelist Joe Hill and his illustrator partner Gabriel Rodríguez. I got hooked on this series quite quickly once I decided to give it a try.

Like the first two books, it's a page turner, scary, emotional and so well-drawn. The three Locke children Tyler, Kinsey and young Bode continue to grow and develop as people and characters while their damaged mother continues to cycle down into drunkenness and darkness. 'Evil spirit' or whatever he / she is continues his search for the key to the Black Door (what will that key do) and engages the help of Shadows to scare the Locke kids into giving it up. We do find out another interesting fact about Dodge, although I guess it'll have to wait until one of the next chapters to find out what it means.

We also get some new characters; the two geeks who become friends of Kinsey and take her to the place where her father had inscribed his name on the walls (risky time that). The basic story in this chapter is Dodge's search for the key to the Black Door and his battle with the spirit of killer Sam, who wants a body to use and likes Dodge's. By the end of this story we will see eight keys and their purpose, one that will help Tyler protect his brother and sister from the Shadows and one that offers interesting potential.

It's too fascinating to try and explain and, really, you should just get the 1st book and try it. Trust me, you will be hooked by the great characters, the fascinating story and excellent artwork. TRY IT! (4 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Silent Voices by Ann Cleeves (Vera #4).

"When DI Vera Stanhope finds the body of a woman in the sauna room of her local gym, she wonders briefly if, for once in her life, she's uncovered a simple death from natural causes. But a closer inspection reveals ligature marks around the victim's throat - death is never that simple."

New Book(s)

1. Hour of the Rat by Lisa Brackmann (Ellie McEnroe #2). I enjoyed the first book in this crime series very much. It was a breath of fresh air.

"Iraq War vet Ellie McEnroe has a pretty good life in Beijing, representing the work of controversial dissident Chinese artist Zhang Jianli. Even though Zhang's mysterious disappearance has attracted the attention of the Chinese authorities. Even though her Born-Again mother has come for a visit and shows no signs of leaving.
 
But things really get complicated when Ellie's agrees to help out an old Army buddy with his search for his missing brother. Ellie finds herself entangled in a conspiracy that may or may not involve a sinister biotech company, eco-terrorists, an art-obsessed Chinese billionaire, and lots of cats—a conspiracy that will take her on a wild chase through some of China's most beautiful and most surreal places."

Women Authors Whose Work I've Been Enjoying - Tana French

Tana French

Tana French is an Irish - American crime author. She has written two standalone novels most recently but started out writing her Dublin Murder Squad series of six books (So far?) French was born in Vermont in 1973 but has settled in Dublin, living there since 1990 with her husband and two children. There was a TV mini-series developed based on two of the books. Jo and I watched it and enjoyed enough. I didn't see a point in combining the two books. It seemed to make more sense to do two separate shows. So far I've read two books in the series. I have one more book on my shelf awaiting my attention.

1. In The Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1 / 2006).

"A very thoughtful, well-crafted mystery. I will admit that at times I thought it was maybe a hundred pages too long, but in the end everything belonged and made the mystery complete. I liked the main characters, Rob Ryan and his partner Cassie Maddox, and how they changed as they got deeper into the investigation. All in all, I enjoyed this story and will look for the other books by Tana French. (4 stars)"

2. Faithful Place (Dublin Murder Squad #3 / 2010).

"Faithful Place by Tana French is the third book in her Dublin Murder Squad series and the 2nd that I've read. This book features Undercover cop, Frank Mackey.

Mackey's life is turned upside down with the discovery of a body in an abandoned house on the street, Faithful Place of the title, where he grew up. It turns out to be the body of his old girl friend, who he had planned to leave for London with when she disappeared. Frank left his neighborhood anyway and became a member of the Guard.

Frank is a troubled and angry man. He has issues with his ex-wife Olivia, long-term issues with his family back in Faithful Place. He's not been back since he left 20 years ago. The only member that he is in contact with is his younger sister, Jackie. His father was an angry drunk who beat his wife and kids and had issues with his neighbour across the way. (the reason will come out later in the book.) Of course, Rosie Daly, Frank's girl-friend is the daughter of this neighbor, who refused to let Rosie and Frank see each other.

Returning to Faithful Place to find out who killed Rosie is fraught with tension and memories for Frank and his siblings. Who killed Rosie and dumped her body in the abandoned house; her father?, his father? someone else?

Frank is told to stay away from the investigation by the investigating officer from the Murder Squad, 'Scorcher' but, well you know, he can't do that. Frank continues his own private investigation and also uses a young member of the Murder Squad to keep him informed. Another death / murder adds further impetus to the investigations.

I readily admit I struggled with this book. Frank wasn't sympathetic to me whatsoever; his anger is off-putting at times and often seems irrational. When he finds out that Jackie and Olivia have been letting Frank's daughter meet his family, I felt his reaction was unreasonable. But then again, I've not been in that situation. The investigation is part of the story but the more important part is Frank's dealings with his family and his ex-wife and his own internal feelings about his past and present. I liked Olivia and there daughter, Holly and actually liked Jackie and Frank's other sister Carmel and Frank's younger brother, Kevin. But Frank made it difficult for me to really love the story. Still worth reading and I will look for French's other books. (3.5 stars)"

3. Broken Harbour (Dublin Murder Squad #4 / 2012).

"In Broken Harbour, a ghost estate outside Dublin – half-built, half-inhabited, half-abandoned – two children and their father are dead. The mother is on her way to intensive care. Scorcher Kennedy is given the case because he is the Murder Squad’s star detective. At first he and his rookie partner, Richie, think this is a simple one: Pat Spain was a casualty of the recession, so he killed his children, tried to kill his wife Jenny, and finished off with himself. But there are too many inexplicable details and the evidence is pointing in two directions at once.

Scorcher’s personal life is tugging for his attention. Seeing the case on the news has sent his sister Dina off the rails again, and she’s resurrecting something that Scorcher thought he had tightly under control: what happened to their family, one summer at Broken Harbour, back when they were children. The neat compartments of his life are breaking down, and the sudden tangle of work and family is putting both at risk . . ."

The complete listing of Tana French's works can be found at this link. Check it out. Enjoy the rest of your week. Take care. Stay safe. 😷

Midweek Music Medley 25 Aug

Heading out shortly to run some errands. Here is your midweek music medley to help get you through the rest of the week.

Midweek Music Medley - 25 Aug 2021

1. American singer / songwriters Ashe and Finneas - Till Forever Falls Apart (2021). 

2. English singer / songwriters Ella Henderson & Tom Grennan - Let's Go Home Together (2021)

3. English producer Nathan Dawe and English singer Anne-Marie - Way Too Long (2021).

Enjoy the rest of your week.

New Books and Women Authors

Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria. (We'll be back!)

Yesterday Jo and I decided to go down to Coombs and treat ourselves to our first dinner out in over a year, at Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria. It being a Monday we thought it might not be busy. Were we wrong! It actually felt claustrophobic with all of the people wandering around the Goats on the Roof market and there was a line-up waiting to get in to Cuckoo. We were quite disappointed but we decided to wander around Qualicum Beach instead and have lunch at Baileys if it was still open and not busy. It was open and while the food quality isn't up to Cuckoo's standards, we were satisfied enough with everything and then had a nice wander about town. Unfortunately for me, the one book store that I really wanted to visit was closed on Monday. But other than that it was a great day; just really nice to get away from Comox for a little bit and see some other sights. Of course the puppies weren't thrilled that we were gone for 4 hours or so, but they've probably become much to dependent on us being here every single day.

In the last two days, I received a couple of books. I'll provide my synopses of them both and then I'll continue with my ongoing look at Women Authors whose work I've been enjoying.

New Books

1. Locke & Key, Vol 3: Crown of  Shadows by Joe Hill (Locke & Key #3). I've read the first two graphic novels in this series and enjoyed so very much.

"The dead plot against the living, the darkness closes in on Keyhouse, and a woman is shattered beyond repair, in the third story-line of the Eisner-nominated series, Locke & Key! Dodge continues his relentless quest to find the key to the black door, and raises an army of shadows to wipe out anyone who might get in his way. Surrounded and outnumbered, the Locke children find themselves fighting a desperate battle, all alone, in a world where the night itself has become their enemy."

2. An Easy Thing by Paco Ignacio Taibo II  (Hector Belascoran Shayne #2 / 1977). Taibo is a new author for me, writer of Mexico crime noir. I thought I'd like to see how his stories are.

"Set amidst the political turbulence and social unrest of contemporary Mexico City, An Easy Thing introduces English-speaking readers to Taibo's human and world-weary protagonist, independent detective Hector Belascoarán Shayne. In this debut outing, our hero, who, incidentally, possesses an insatiable appetite for Coca Cola and cigarettes, tackles three cases simultaneously: a killing in a corrupt factory; the deadly threats against a former porn starlet's teenage daughter; and, strangely, the search for Emiliano Zapata, folk hero and leader of the Mexican Revolution, rumored to be alive and hiding out in a cave outside Mexico City. Combining black comedy, social history and a touch of surrealism, Paco Taibo's wonderfully idiosyncratic detective novels are admired the world over and are particularly popular in Europe and in the Spanish-speaking world."

Women Authors I've Been Enjoying - Ariana Franklin (nee Diana Norman)

Ariana Franklin

Ariana Franklin was born in London in 1933 and died in Datchworth, England in 2011. She began writing under Diana Norman in 1980 and then began writing mysteries under Ariana Franklin. I discovered the first book in her Adelia Aguilar historical mystery series in 2007 and was hooked immediately. Before she died, she wrote 5 books in this excellent series, with the last book finished by her daughter, Samantha Norman. I've read the 1st four books so far and have the last book sitting on my bookshelf tempting me.

1. Mistress of the Art of Death (#1 / 2007).

"A most enjoyable mystery. Set in the England of Henry II, the story is about a Mistress of Death, Adelia Aguilar, a doctor who listens to dead bodies to find out how they died. She is sent to England to solve the murders of children in Cambridge. The story moves along so very nicely and involves you in the plot and characters immediately. Loved the setting, the characters were very interesting and the story was excellent; a great mystery that contained humour and horror.. Excellent (4 stars)"

2. The Serpent's Tale (#2 / 2008).

"What a great story! I enjoyed the first book, Mistress of the Art of Death very much, was surprised how good it was. This story was even better. The characters are interesting, the plot intricate and the setting, King Henry II's England, well-described. I read the story voraciously, it flowed so smoothly. Super story. (5 stars)"

3. Grave Goods (#3 / 2009).

"I do so very much enjoy this series. The stories are well-written; I like the main characters and the plot is always interesting and a page - turner. I enjoy a historical mystery and also like mysteries set in the UK for some reason. Maybe it's just the history and culture that draws me. This story revolves around Henry II's task to Adelia to ascertain if the bones discovered after the fire at the Abbey at Glastonbury are those of Alfred and Guinevere. Adelia and her friends journey to Glastonbury to follow Henry's orders. Along the way, of course, other mysteries intrude on the initial mission. The people that Adelia meets during this adventure/ mystery are interesting and make the story that much better. I especially liked the Tithing (I think I've got that right), poor men, forced into petty theft, but with honour and morals. I won't write more as I don't want to ruin the story for others, but Grave Goods lives up to the first two books in the Mistress of Death series and kept me interested throughout. Highly recommended. (4 stars)"

4. A Murderous Procession (#4 / 2010).

"I discovered Ariana Franklin a few years back, this is the last book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. I'm so glad I discovered the books, each one was better than the previous one. I've grown to feel a sentimental, personal attachment to the characters; the lovely, independent Adelia Aguilar, the Mistress of the art of death, who is confined to England by the King Henry II; her lover, Bishop Rowley, grumpy, irascible but always loving Adelia and their child; the aloof Mansur, the Arab eunuch who accompanied Adelia to England as her bodyguard and companion in the first book and has remained loyally by her side ever since and the others, an interesting assortment of well-crafted personalities who all enhance every story.

Added in this story is the Irish Sea Captain, O'Donnell, who also loves Adelia and you've got a fantastic mix. In this story, Henry assigns Adelia, Mansur and Rowley to escort his daughter, Princess Joanna, to Sicily to marry the Sicilian King as an alliance measure. An evil character from the previous story accompanies the party, with dangerous intent. A great story and mystery, as always, and a story filled with historical facts. Loved it. Try the series, you'll be hooked. (4 stars)" (Ed Note. It seems as though I actually have one of Franklin's standalone novels. There is one more book in this series though and I will have to find it.)

e. The Siege Winter (2014). This is a standalone historical novel finished by her daughter.)

"1141 a.d.: King Stephen is warring with his cousin Empress Matilda over the throne of England. Every cathedral, every castle, every seat of power will swear fealty to one or the other—but not every stronghold is as strategic or as valuable as Kenniford Castle in Oxfordshire. Its mistress, sixteen-year-old Maud of Kenniford, swears fealty to Stephen, but Matilda’s forces have decreed that she marry the odious John of Tewing.

Life in the fen-lands carries on as usual—that is, until the mercenaries ride through the marsh, and a small red-haired girl named Em is snatched and carried off. After the soldiers have finished with her, they leave her for dead. But fen-land girls are not easy to kill.

Although she has lost all memory of her past life, including her name, Em survives and falls under the protection of Gwyl, a Breton archer. Together Gwyl and his new protegé—now crop-headed and disguised as a boy—travel through the countryside giving archery exhibitions. But there is one man who hasn’t forgotten the little red-haired girl. He has some unfinished business with her, and he is determined to see it through.

And one freezing winter in an Oxfordshire castle completely besieged, he might well get his chance..."

The complete listing of Franklin's work can be found at this link. Enjoy the rest of your book.

New Books and Women Authors - A Sunday Post

Jo and I had a bit of a reaction to our Shingrix vaccinations. My arm was slightly tender but Jo had considerable pain in her arm for a couple of days. Much better yesterday and she seems even better today. While she was sleeping this morning I took the dogs out for a bit of a drive to check out the local Little Free Libraries. I dropped off a few books and picked up some at the same time.

Oh, the Blue Jays are so very frustrating at the moment. It seems that the pressure of trying to win a wild card spot is getting to them. Their starters are doing a great job, but their bats have dried up and the bullpen seems to have faded. You never know whether they are going to shut down the opposition or blow another save opportunity. *sigh* That's what happens when you cheer for a team, eh?

So, anyway, I'll provide the synopses of the new books I discovered on my wandering today. I'll also continue with my look at women authors whose work I've been enjoying.

New Books

1. Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp #10). I've read one book in this series so far, enjoyed the tense plot and action.

"No longer willing to wait for the international community to stop its neighboring enemy, Israel brings down Iran's billion-dollar nuclear program in an ingeniously conceived operation. The attack leaves a radioactive tomb and environmental disaster in its wake, and has Iranian president Amatullah calling for blood --- American blood. Seeing opportunity where others fear reprisals, Mitch Rapp devises a brilliant plan to humiliate Iran's government and push the nation to the brink of revolution. But when a back-channel meeting between CIA director Irene Kennedy and her Iranian counterpart goes disastrously wrong, Rapp is locked in a showdown with a Hezbollah mastermind in league with Amatullah --- and he is given twenty-four hours to do whatever it takes to stop unthinkable catastrophe."

2. The Stranger by Camilla Lackberg (Patrick Hedstrom #4). I've read the 1st book in the series. I look forward to continuing it.

"A string of suspicious deaths points to a potential serial killer who has turned his eye toward Fjällbacka and her dark forests, where two children vanished decades before.

A local woman is killed in a tragic car crash, but it isn’t a clear-cut drunk driving case. The victim’s blood contains high alcohol levels, yet she rarely drank a drop. Meanwhile, a new television series begins shooting in Fjällbacka, and as cameras shadow the stars’ every move, tempers start to flare. When a drunken party ends with an unpopular contestant’s murder, all eyes turn to the cast and crew. Could there be a murderer among them? The ratings spike as the country tunes in to a real life murder mystery.

Detective Patrik Hedstrom finds himself increasingly unable to focus on the strange circumstances of the first case, but what if that holds the key to a series of other unsolved cases across Sweden? Under the unforgiving media spotlight, Patrik tackles his most challenging investigation yet."

3. Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea Cycle #5). I've enjoyed books from LeGuin's Earthsea and Hainish series. She is such a great fantasy / SciFi author.

"Five stories of Ursula K. Le Guin's world-renowned realm of Earthsea are collected in one volume. Featuring two classic stories, two original tales, and a brand-new novella, as well as new maps and a special essay on Earthsea's history, languages, literature, and magic.

The Finder
Darkrose and Diamond
The Bones of the Earth
On the High Marsh
Dragonfly"

4. The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules by Catharina  Ingelman - Sundberg (2012). A new author for me. The synopsis sounds entertaining. Reminds me of a movie whose name escapes me... D'oh!

"Martha Andersson may be seventy-nine-years-old and live in a retirement home, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to stop enjoying life. So when the new management of Diamond House starts cutting corners to save money, Martha and her four closest friends—The Genius, The Rake, Christina and Anna-Gretta (a.k.a. The League of Pensioners)—won’t stand for it. Their solution? White collar crime!"

5. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (2019). I read Ware's first novel, In a Dark, Dark Wood. She has written 5 more since then. This is her 5th.

"When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the home’s cameras, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman.

It was everything.

She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder—but somebody is."

Women Authors I've Been Enjoying - Karin Fossum

Karin Fossum

Norwegian author Karin Fossum was born in 1954. While she has written some standalone mysteries, she's best known for her Inspector Sejer series. Since 1995, she has written 13 books in the series. I've enjoyed one so far and it seems I've acquired another six books in the series. I'll take a look at 4 to give you a feel for the stories.

1. When the Devil Holds the Candle (Sejer #4 / 1998).

"When two teenagers steal a purse from a stroller, it results in an infant’s death. Unaware of the enormity of their crime, Zipp and Andreas are intent on committing another. They follow an elderly woman home, and Andreas enters her house with his switchblade. In the dark, Zipp waits for his friend to come out.

Inspector Konrad Sejer and his colleague Jacob Skarre see no connection between the infant’s death and the reported disappearance of a local delinquent. And so while the confusion outside mounts, the heart-stopping truth unfolds inside the old woman’s home.

Unflappable as ever, Sejer digs below the surface of small- town tranquility in an effort to understand how and why violence destroys everyday lives."

2. In the Darkness (Sejer #1 / 1995).

"Eva is walking by the river one afternoon when a body floats to the surface of the icy water. She tells her daughter to wait patiently while she calls the police, but when she reaches the phone box, Eva dials another number altogether. The dead man, Egil, has been missing for months, and it doesn't take long for Inspector Sejer and his team to establish that he was the victim of a very violent killer, but the trail has gone cold. It's as puzzling as another unsolved case on Sejer's desk: the murder of a prostitute who was found dead just before Egil went missing.

While Sejer is trying to piece together the fragments of a seemingly impossible case, Eva gets a phone call late one night. A stranger speaks, then swiftly hangs up. Eva looks out into the darkness and listens. All is quiet."

3. He Who Fears the Wolf (Sejer #3 / 2003).

"A boy arrives - breathless and aghast - at his police station, to report the discovery of a horribly maimed body outside an isolated house in the woods. Yet there was another person in the woods that day - standing nearby, hidden within the trees, was the mysterious figure of the local misfit, Errki. The next morning a bank in the nearby town is robbed at gunpoint. The gunman takes a hostage and flees. As his plans begin to come apart he, unlike his passive hostage, rapidly loses control. Meanwhile the search for the killer has developed into a manhunt - everyone is looking for the enigmatic Errki."

4. The Water's Edge (Sejer #7/ 2009).

"Reinhardt and Kristine Ris, a married couple, are out for a Sunday walk when they discover the body of a boy and see the figure of a man limping away. They alert the police, but not before Reinhardt, to Kristine’s horror, kneels down and takes photographs of the dead child with his cell phone. Inspectors Konrad Sejer and Jakob Skarre begin to make inquiries in the little town of Huseby. But then another boy disappears, and an explanation seems more remote than ever. Meanwhile, the Rises’ marriage unravels as Reinhardt becomes obsessed with the tragic events and his own part in them."

The complete listing of Fossum's works can be found at this link. Have a great week. Stay safe and get vaccinated. 😷

New Books and Women Authors

Owiee!

Jo and I had our Shingrix (for shingles) vaccination this morning at our local pharmacy. It hurt briefly, but both feeling ok so far. I had shingles when I was much younger but not for many, many moons. 

I have lost a bit & yes that's the family smile...

We did a bit of clothes shopping afterwards, new clothes to fit our dieting bodies. We both are feeling great. I had a nice run / walk this morning. Back at the beginning of the year I was just walking but I'm now I'm running / walking, basically 35 minutes running and 15 minutes walking. It's so nice being able to get back to running again. I kind of alternate with the stationary cycle every second day. Jo and I decided to get one as we both started exercising more. Oh for lunch we had a piece of a yummy cheese cake that Jo made the other day; along with a variety of fruit; honeydew melon, strawberries, cherries, a nectarine and I included a kiwi and blueberries in mine. Jo is making a spaghetti for dinner with cauliflower rice. I haven't talked much about our dieting but it's been successful for us both and I'm so proud of how determined Jo has been.

So anyway, let's see about books. I received two books in the mail on the last day of the week, one by a new author for me, the other a series continuation. I'll provide the synopses of both books. I'll also continue with my ongoing look at women authors whose books I've been enjoying; starting the letter 'F' today.

New Books

1. The Big Jump by Leigh Brackett (1955). This is the 2nd book I've purchased by screenwriter / author Leigh Brackett, the other was a noir mystery. This one is in the SciFi genre.

"All signs pointed to the fact that no human could come back alive from Barnard's Star. Something elusive, beyond comprehension, existed out there; something that was a perpetual bait, a perpetual trap. But Arch Comyn knew he had to join that second fated mission. For somewhere beyond the veil of the Transuranae lay the answer to the question that was more important than life to him."

2. Come Death and High Water by Ann Cleeves (George & Molly #2). Ann Cleeves have been my August focus author and I read the 1st George & Molly book as my first selection. I'm currently enjoying the 3rd book in the Shetland mystery series. I hope to read one more book by Cleeves (maybe one from the Vera mystery series( but it depends if I can finish Red Bones this weekend, I think).

"The privately-owned island of Gillibry off the North Devon coast is the perfect site for murder. A routine weekend visit by the Gillibry Bird Observatory Trust is made memorable by the owner's announcement that he is going to sell the island. A sale would mean the end of the Observatory...and of all that, for some of them, made life worth living. A fire in Charlie Todd's cottage added to their distress. And when, next morning, after a fierce storm, they found Charlie dead in a bird hide, their pleasant September weekend assumed a dangerous new face. Charlie Todd's murder can be seen as the deed of any member of the Trust. And it falls to one of their own, George Palmer-Jones, to unravel the identity of killer within their midst."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Elizabeth Ferrars

Elizabeth Ferrars

Elizabeth Ferrars was a British mystery writer. She was born in Rangoon, Burma in 1907 and died in 1995. Over the course of her life, she was a prolific writer of both series and standalone works. Since I first tried her books in the early 2000's I've managed to read 4 of her books. I'll highlight the last three.

1. Murder of a Suicide (1941).

"When Toby Dyke and his companion, George, get caught in torrential rain one night, they are surprised to find that they are not the only ones out in such a fierce storm: Edgar Prees, aging botanist of prestige and reputation, is attempting to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff top.

The two men drive Edgar home, collapsed and shaken. When he is then found the following morning shot dead with his own revolver, it seems that his attempt at suicide has succeeded - but is the case really as clear-cut as it appears?" (3 stars)

2. The Crime and the Crystal (Andrew Basnett #3 / 1985).

"Christmas in Adelaide promises to be a pleasant vacation for Andrew Basnett, retired professor of botany and amateur sleuth. But the shadow of an unsolved murder hangs over the lives of his hosts, Tony and Jan Gardiner. The police still suspect Jan of her first husband's murder and it doesn't help when a second killing takes place under the same bizarre circumstances. What can a guest do in such a case but try to clear his hostess and solve the crime?" (3 stars)

3. The Cup and the Lip (1975).

"I've read three other books by Elizabeth Ferrars; Skeleton Staff, The Crime and the Crystal and Murder of a Suicide and for the most part enjoyed them. The Cup and the Lip was also entertaining. It moves along at a nice clip and kept me interested in what was happening.

Author Dan Braile has a number of friends, fellow writers for the most part, up at his home, Gray Gables. He is to take part in a question and answer session with some of his compatriots and the local arts society. But Dan has been ill for awhile and friend Peter is asked to come up from London to replace him in the session. Strangely, Dan thinks he's being poisoned, maybe by one of his visitors so Peter gets involved in that mystery.

After the function, Dan disappears and another acquaintance, Rolfe, shows up. As the group tries to find Dan and wonder whether they should call the police as well, a dead body is discovered.

 So there you go, many questions to be answered and they are all explored. Is Dan being poisoned? Is one of his guests the perpetrator? Why would someone want to poison him? Whose body is discovered?
The book keeps you entertained and the ultimate solution was satisfying. I enjoyed. (3 stars)"

The complete listing of Ferrars' books can be found at this link. Have a great weekend. Stay safe and get vaccinated. 😷