Midweek Music Medley

The doggies are going on an adventure tomorrow. We're going to Victoria and are going to try then out in a pet-friendly hotel. 

Here is your midweek music medley for Wed 28 Sep 2022.

Midweek Music Medley

1. English R&B singer Jaki Graham - Round and Around (1985).

2. American disco singer Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation (1980).

3. American R&B singer Truth Hurts - Addictive (2002).

Emnjoy the rest of your week.

A Sunday Reading Update

Not trying to jinx the Jays, but they are a step closer to a play-off position

It's been a lovely day so far. I had a good, albeit tiring run this morning. Jo and I went out this afternoon to an open house. It's nice being able to go to them again. Then we watched the end of the Blue Jays game. Relieved somewhat that they managed to come back from losing the first two games to win the next two. Very important. Now the Yankees are coming to Toronto for a 3-game visit.

Now for an update. I've finished 2 books since my last reading update. I've added a couple to my bookshelves. I'll provide my reviews of the two and also the synopses of the next two I'm starting, then the synopses of the new books. And away we go!

Just Finished

1. Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire (2022). I bought this because of the cover. So bright and colorful. Turned out to be an excellent story as well.

"I think I needed this story right now. I think it would be great to read to young kids, not too young but say 7 - 10?? I don't have any, but I tried reading it to my puppies, but they got a bit restless and just demanded a walkie. Anyway, Cress Watercress| is the 2nd book I've read by American author Gregory Maguire, the other being his take on Wicked (also excellent). Cress is his most recent effort.

I saw it when I was visiting a bookstore in Qualicum and got attracted by the bright cover and lovely drawing on it. When I read the synopsis and scrolled through a few pages and enjoyed the drawings within, I thought I should give it a try. Because I was waiting for my wife to finish shopping, I started it then. Cress Watercress is a little rabbit, who, along with her mother and younger brother Kip, are forced to find new lodgings. Father rabbit has disappeared. He went out to get honey for Mother Rabbit to make honey & ginger root tea for Kip's allergies, but he never returned. Mother needs a new location, so they move to a one-room flat in the bottom of the Broken Arms, an old tree run by an owl who lives in the top branches. The tree is also residence for songbirds, a family of squirrels and the superintendent, Manny the Mouse and his wife Sophie. 

Cress isn't happy about this situation, now away from her rabbit friends, the smallness of their apartment and the noisiness of the new neighbors. Oh, the rent is ten moths a day for Mr. Owl. The story is a series of little adventures where Cress discovers more about herself, discovers new friends, like Tunk the Honeybear (who competes for honey), Lady Cabbage (the skunk who lives at Two Chimneys and wants Cress as a maid) and Fricasee Sunday (a wandering chicken). There are others too and they all enrich this lovely story.

There are no bright new lessons to be taught here, just a lovely, growing up story, fun adventures and wonderful drawings. Cress and friends draw you in. For reading to children, the chapters are short enough to keep their attention and make them want to listen to or read one more by themselves. The ending leaves you feeling comfortable, a little sad and happy and hoping you might see more stories about Cress and the Broken Arms. (4.5 stars)"

2. The Face-Changers by Thomas Perry (Jane Whitefield #4). This was an excellent suspense thriller.

"The Face-Changers by Thomas Perry is the 4th book in the Jane Whitefield thriller series. It was excellent. For the uninitiated, Jane used to be a person who helped people in trouble disappear, providing them with new lives, identities, homes, etc. Jane married a surgeon in her hometown and he asked her to give up her career because he was worried about her safety.

Things change when Carey treats his mentor Doctor Dahlman for a gunshot wound. The doctor is suspected of murdering another doctor who worked with him. He asks Carey to help him find Jane Whitefield, not knowing that Jane and Carey are married. Carey asks Jane to help Dahlman escape. This starts a chain of events that turns this into a fascinating chase across the US, as Jane and Dahlman try to avoid people trying to kill him and also avoid the FBI and police who want to capture him.

There are so many neat twists in this story. Who are the Face Changers? Why are they imitating Jane?  I'll let you discover how this works out. Jane is a wonderful character, smart, resourceful, matter-of-fact, somewhat mystical. She is a Seneca woman who sees native spirits, has visions. The story progresses at a steady pace. It seems dry at times but it's just the methodical way Jane approaches each situation. There is so much going on and Jane manages to wade into the midst of it and make decisions that will affect her life with Carey, the lives of the runner(s) she's trying to help and also her very life itself. I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It was a pleasure to read. Most enjoyable. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold (2021).

"When a deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico's father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old, abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and love in a world gone dark. The Electric Kingdom is a sweeping exploration of art, storytelling, eternal life, and above all, a testament to the notion that even in an exterminated world, one person might find beauty in another."

New Books

1. The Little White Bird by J.M. Barrie (1902).

"The Little White Bird is a series of short episodes with tones ranging from fantasy and whimsy to social comedy with dark aggressive undertones. It accounts the narrator's day to day activities in London of its day, and fanciful tales set in Kensington Gardens and elsewhere. This book also includes the very first appearance of Peter Pan."

2. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Wizard of Oz #4 / 1908). I've been enjoying exploring this classic fantasy series.

"During a California earthquake Dorothy falls into the underground Land of the Mangaboos where she again meets the Wizard of Oz."

3. MaMa by Ruby Jean Jensen (1983). A new author for me and a genre I'm not all that familiar with. I have been exploring Horror more now.

"There once was a dolly, with the face of an innocent little baby. She could eat and breathe through the hole in her mouth. Her single eye stared relentlessly, some would say malignantly, as though full of evil, watching, waiting . . . As the years rolled away, she waited in the attic to be picked up, cooed over, and set free to work her will . . .

Dorrie had lost her father and was trying to adapt to her new surroundings. She found happiness in the attic, with her new-found dolly. Her mother, brother and sister seemed busy doing other things. If she had better understood this life and death thing, she might have been concerned when her little doll began to move on its own. If only Dollie had understood that her little doll might have a mind of its own, she might have wondered if the doll was capable of killing … killing …"

4. Home Sweet Home by Ruby Jean Jensen (1985).

"Steve and Connie had to figure out how to manage while Connie traveled to the hospital for a major operation and several days' recovery. Ten-year-old son Timmy had already missed the opportunities to go to summer camp with one of his buddies. It was somewhat of a relief when family acquaintance Dan offered to take Timmy to the mountains for two weeks of hiking, camping, and taking pictures of wildlife. Dan was a camera salesman that the family had known for about four years. His parents said it would be lots of fun, a perfect vacation. Timmy tried to argue against the trip, as he had never felt really comfortable around Dan. However, his parents won the argument and off he went. The closer they got to the cabin, the less friendly Mr. Walker's smile became. The scarier the sound of his voice. After driving all day, Dan and Timmy arrived at a remote cabin. But Timmy was very, very, drowsy, and had some very strange dreams that first night. He awoke in the morning surprised to find that he was not the only child in the cabin. Thirteen-year-old Rex, eight-year-old Dale, seven-year-old Joey, and even five-year-old Susie shared bunkbeds in a common room. He quickly sensed their dread, felt their terror, and later heard their screams in the night. Over the next few days, "Uncle" Dan seemed to change personality from one minute to the next. And he was constantly telling the children that they should strive to please "Little Mother". If they made Little Mother happy, perhaps he would introduce them to her. Timmy slowly became aware that Dan had no intention of keeping his promises to Timmy's parents . . . Then he peeked through the keyhole of the forbidden locked door and saw the blood-curling horror that awaited him. He began to make plans, although he had little hope of escaping the deadly welcome of their HOME SWEET HOME . . ."

5. The Shadow Moth by Francesca Gibbons (A Clock of Stars #1 / 2020). Gibbons is a new author for me, but I'm familiar with Chris Riddell (Goth Girl) who does the illustration for an interesting looking YA fantasy story. It's supposed to be a trilogy.

"Imogen should be nice to her little sister Marie. She should be nice to her mum’s boyfriend too. And she certainly shouldn’t follow a strange silver moth through a door in a tree.

But then… who does what they’re told?

Followed by Marie, Imogen finds herself falling into a magical kingdom where the two sisters are swept up in a thrilling race against time – helped by the spoiled prince of the kingdom, a dancing bear, a very grumpy hunter… and even the stars above them."

There you go. I hope you find a book that sounds interesting. Have a great week.

Midweek Music Medley

The other night when Jo and I were taking the dogs out for their last walk, our neighbor was standing in her driveway looking up into the night sky. She asked us to look too so she could verify what she was looking at. Well, what a neat sight. There was a steady flow of lights across the sky. They were equally spaced and started at one point and flowed to another and just disappeared. It went on for a few minutes and then stopped. We had no idea what it was. I've been checking online to see if anyone else had seen it. Well, it seems that Space-X is launching communication satellites. Here is a link to an article on the CBC website. It was really neat.

Here is your midweek music medley for Wed 21 Sep 2022.

Midweek Music Medley

1. English art rock musician John Foxx - Underpass (1980)

2. English folk rock musician Passenger - Sword from the Stone (2021).

3. English new wave musician Stephen Duffy - Icing on the Cake (1985).

Enjoy the rest of your week. Remember. Always look up.

A Tuesday Update

I'm going to finally mow the lawn this afternoon but first a quick update on new books, completed and just started.

Just Finished

1. To Journey in the Year of the Tiger by H. Leighton Dickson (Upper Kingdom #1). A new series for me. Most enjoyable.

"To Journey in the Year of the Tiger is the first book in the Upper Kingdom series by fantasy author H. Leighton Dickson. What an interesting intro to what I hope will be a most entertaining series. Let's see, it kind of reminded me of Planet of the Apes, from the apes (or in this case, Cats) perspective or also a bit like Phyllis Gotlieb's Space Cats Sci-Fi series (but only from the aspect of cats as major players)

The story is set in the Upper Kingdom, in a future Earth, the Upper Kingdom being in Asia, mainly a future Nepal. The Empresses Captain of the Guards, one Kirin Wynegarde-Grey (a grey lion) is sent by the Empress to the monastery of Sha-Hadin, where the 7 Seers are dying. He is to ascertain why and try to stop any further deaths (murders?). Accompanying him are his twin brother, Kesser, an explorer who will guide them and also take care of the horses; the Scholar, Fallon Waterford, a tiger; Sherah al Shiva, a leopard and the Alchemist; and Major Ursa Laenskaya, a snow leopard, Kirin's right-hand woman; plus 8 leopards of the bodyguard. Firstly, let me say that I love the character's names. There must be an explanation in later books where they came from; some Russian, some English, etc. Just fascinating.

The journey to Sha-Hadin is interesting and what takes place at the monastery just adds to the interest in this world that has been created by Dickson. There will be a twist that makes you go, huh? Wow! (I'm sort of paraphrasing Fallon Waterford, a wide - eyed innocent and a bit of a Valley Girl, but just adorable). The characters are all fascinating, each with their own characteristics, Kirin, with his strait - laced personality and his belief in Bushido, Laenskaya, filled with anger but with the best skills as a fighter maybe, Fallon, I've already mentioned; Sherah, mysterious, almost magical and filled with sensuality... Kerris is a gadabout, free spirit. I haven't yet mentioned Sireth, the Seer, a mixed breed cat, who will be the link to another world, in the person of Solomon (I won't say anything more about him)

The journey to Sha-Hadin will result in another journey, along the Great Wall and carrying into the 2nd story. It's a great introduction to this series. I loved the culture; the characters and the story were well-crafted and so interesting. It takes a little while to get into the story itself, but it's worth the effort. Try it, you'll like it! (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Day Shift by Charlaine Harris (Midnight, Texas #2).

"There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, where the residents like to keep to themselves. When psychic Manfred Bernardo finds himself embroiled in a scandal and hounded by the press after one of his regular clients dies during a reading, he turns to enigmatic, beautiful, and dangerous Olivia Charity for help. Somehow, he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight..."

New Books

1. Roadside Picnic by Boris & Arkady Strugatsky (1972). Back a couple of years, I had a list of Sci-Fi books I wanted to explore. I couldn't find a copy of this particular book (or it was too expensive to order) but the other day when Jo and I were out for a walk, I saw it in one of my local bookstores, Blue Heron Books. 

"Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of those young rebels who are compelled, in spite of extreme danger, to venture illegally into the Zone to collect the mysterious artifacts that the alien visitors left scattered around. His life is dominated by the place and the thriving black market in the alien products. But when he and his friend Kirill go into the Zone together to pick up a “full empty,” something goes wrong. And the news he gets from his girlfriend upon his return makes it inevitable that he’ll keep going back to the Zone, again and again, until he finds the answer to all his problems.

First published in 1972, Roadside Picnic is still widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction novels, despite the fact that it has been out of print in the United States for almost thirty years. This authoritative new translation corrects many errors and omissions and has been supplemented with a foreword by Ursula K. Le Guin and a new afterword by Boris Strugatsky explaining the strange history of the novel’s publication in Russia"

2. Agents of Dreamland by Caitlin R. Kiernan (2017). I just saw this in 2nd Page Books, and it looked kind of neat.

"A government special agent known only as the Signalman gets off a train on a stunningly hot morning in Winslow, Arizona. Later that day he meets a woman in a diner to exchange information about an event that happened a week earlier for which neither has an explanation, but which haunts the Signalman.

In a ranch house near the shore of the Salton Sea a cult leader gathers up the weak and susceptible — the Children of the Next Level — and offers them something to believe in and a chance for transcendence. The future is coming, and they will help to usher it in.

A day after the events at the ranch house which disturbed the Signalman so deeply that he and his government sought out help from ‘other’ sources, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory abruptly loses contact with NASA's interplanetary probe New Horizons. Something out beyond the orbit of Pluto has made contact.

And a woman floating outside of time looks to the future and the past for answers to what can save humanity."

3. Young Men in Spats by P.G. Wodehouse (1936). I've enjoyed Wodehouse's humour in previous books, his Jeeves & Wooster plus others.

"These eleven stories describe the misadventures of the delightfully idle "Eggs," "Beans," and "Crumpets" that populate the Drones club: young men wearing spats, starting spats, and landing in sticky spots. For the first of his many appearances in the Wodehouse canon, Uncle Fred comes to what he believes to be the rescue."

4. A Cursed Inheritance by Kate Ellis (Wesley Peterson #9). I've enjoyed Ellis's mysteries so far.

"The brutal massacre of the Harford family at Potwoolstan Hall in Devon in 1985 shocked the country and passed into local folklore. And when a journalist researching the case is murdered twenty years later, the horror is reawakened. Sixteenth century Potwoolstan Hall, now a New Age healing centre, is reputed to be cursed because of the crimes of its builder, and it seems that this inheritance of evil lives on as DI Wesley Peterson is faced with his most disturbing case yet.

As more people die violently, Wesley needs to discover why a young woman has transformed a dolls house into a miniature reconstruction of the massacre scene. And could the solution to his case lie across the Atlantic Ocean, in the ruined remains of an early English settlement in Virginia USA?

When the truth is finally revealed, it turns out to be as horrifying as it is dangerous."

There you go. I hope you see something interesting.

A TGIF Update

I refuse to run in the rain (drizzle)

We actually had a bit of rain (maybe more like drizzle) overnight. I had planned to go for a run this morning but chickened out because I thought I might melt.. 

As is always the case, yesterday a bunch of books came in, one through the mail and others I'd ordered at one of my local bookstores, Books4Brains. Three fantasies, one fiction (spy / war) and one mystery. I'll provide the synopses for those and since I haven't finished any more books, I'll continue with my ongoing thread on Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying.

New Books

1. Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer (Exmoor #3). I've enjoyed the first book in this trilogy as well as a standalone by Bauer. 

"The eight-year-old boy had vanished from the car and—as if by slick, sick magic—had been replaced by a note on the steering wheel: “You don’t love him.” At the height of summer, a dark shadow falls across Exmoor, as children begin to disappear, with each disappearance marked only by a terse, accusatory note. There are no explanations, no ransom demands, and no hope. Policeman Jonas Holly (a character returning from Bauer’s first two novels) faces a precarious journey into the warped mind of the kidnapper if he’s to stand any chance of catching him. But—still reeling from a personal tragedy—is Jonas really up to the task? There are some who would say that, when it comes to being the first line of defense, Jonas Holly may be the last man to trust."

2. Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony by Chris Riddell (GG #4). I enjoyed the first book so very much. I'm so looking forward to continuing this series.

"Lord Goth is throwing a music festival at Ghastly-Gorm Hall, with performances from the finest musicians in the land.

Ada can't wait, but it's quite distracting when her grandmother is trying to find her father a fashionable new wife, there's a faun living in her wardrobe, and Maltravers is up to his old tricks. Ada must make sure everything goes to plan, and luckily help is at hand from a very interesting house guest..."

3. Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright by Chris Riddell (GG #3). What I said above. 😉

"People are flocking to Ghastly-Gorm Hall from far and wide to compete in Lord Goth's Literary Dog Show. The esteemed judges are in place and the contestants are all ready to win. Sir Walter Splott is preparing his Lanarkshire Lurcher, Plain Austen is preening her Hampshire Hound and Homily Dickinson and her Yankee Poodle are raring to go. But there's something strange going on at Ghastly-Gorm - mysterious footprints, howls in the night and some suspiciously chewed shoes. Can Ada, the Attic Club and their new friends the Vicarage sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne) work out what's going on before the next full moon?"

4. To Walk in the Way of Lions by H. Leighton Dickson (Upper Kingdom #2). I'm currently enjoying the first book in this unique fantasy series.

"The conclusion to the sweeping epic that began in 'TO JOURNEY IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER, the story picks up where Journey leaves off, in the harsh deserts of Khanisthan. The team is running under a very set of different dynamics than before, for not only will they be forced to confront enemies tracking from the North and a hostile force from the Palace following from the South, but they must face their own demons that are plaguing them from within. It's man against man, cat against cat, Seer against Alchemist, knowledge versus ‘the Way of Things’ – a Sci-Fi 'Pride and Prejudice and Lions', like you’ve never read it before.

From the ruthless wilds of Khanisthan to the wind-swept shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the beauty and savagery of the Upper Kingdom unfolds like a living thing before them as they travel, and Kirin will find out what it means to follow the code of Bushido to the gates of death and beyond…

This is the journey of six individuals as they travel beyond the edges of the known Empire, into lands uncharted and wild. Theirs is a journey of magic and mystery, science and swords, romance and intrigue. It is a journey of different perspectives and unexpected karma and love found in surprising places. It is a journey that takes place five thousand years or so in the future, naturally in the Year of the Tiger."

5. The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin (2022). A new author for me. I saw this book when I went to pick up my orders at Books4Brains and it seemed interesting.

"Ava thought her job as a librarian at the Library of Congress would mean a quiet, routine existence. But an unexpected offer from the US military has brought her to Lisbon with a new mission: posing as a librarian while working undercover as a spy gathering intelligence.

Meanwhile, in occupied France, Elaine has begun an apprenticeship at a printing press run by members of the Resistance. It’s a job usually reserved for men, but in the war, those rules have been forgotten. Yet she knows that the Nazis are searching for the press and its printer in order to silence them.

As the battle in Europe rages, Ava and Elaine find themselves connecting through coded messages and discovering hope in the face of war."

Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying - P.D. James

P.D. James

English writer P.D. James lived from 1920 - 2014 and was responsible for the excellent Inspector Dalgleish mystery series. As well, she wrote other novels, Sci-Fi, Fiction, etc. Over the course of her life, she wrote 19 novels. I've managed to read 5 so far, 4 of the Inspector Dalgleish series (all excellent) and her Sci-Fi novel, Children of Men, which was better as a book, not so good as a movie. I'll look at the three most recent books I've purchased to give you a flavor for her stories.

1. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (Cordelia Gray #1 / 1972). P.D. James wrote two books in this series.

"Handsome Cambridge dropout Mark Callender died hanging by the neck with a faint trace of lipstick on his mouth. When the official verdict is suicide, his wealthy father hires fledgling private investigator Cordelia Gray to find out what led him to self-destruction. What she discovers instead is a twisting trail of secrets and sins, and the strong scent of murder."

2. Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales (2017).

"A holiday gift for all P. D. James fans to stand alongside her bestselling The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories six previously uncollected stories from the beloved "Queen of Crime"--swift, cunning murder mysteries from throughout her extraordinary career.

Put your feet up and enjoy a good read! Longtime P. D. James fans will devour these short tales of criminality and deception, each one a pleasure, evocative and engrossing. Including several stories originally published in magazines, this enchanting arrangement of memorable whodunits treats the reader to atmospheric storytelling, mysteries to be solved, and enjoyable puzzles that will keep you guessing. With wit and warmth, P. D. James pays tribute to her English crime-writing forebears, delighting in the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface of quintessentially English settings."

3. A Private Patient (Inspector Dalgleish #14). This is the last book in the Inspector Dalgleish series. I've always been impressed with the thoughtfulness and intelligence of the Dalgleish mysteries.

"The scar on Rhoda Gradwyn's face was to be the death of her . . .

When the notorious investigative journalist, Rhoda Gradwyn, books into Mr. Chandler-Powell's private clinic in Dorset for the removal of a disfiguring and long-standing scar, she has every prospect of a successful operation and the beginning of a new life. But the Manor holds a secret and deadly enemy. While she lies drowsily recovering from the anesthetic a white-shrouded figure stealthily enters her bedroom and within minutes Rhoda is dead.

Dalgliesh and his team, called in to investigate the murder, and later a second equally horrific death, find themselves confronted with problems even more complicated than the question of innocence or guilt."

In case you're interested, this was my review of the first book in the Dalgleish series.

1. Cover Her Face (1962).

"I've previously read a couple of other PD James' Inspector Dalgleish mysteries before and enjoyed very much. I like how intelligent James writes. This is the first Dalgleish mystery and I must say I enjoyed as much as the others I've read. Dalgleish is almost a peripheral character in the story, James rather focusses on the other characters/ suspects and their activities, motivations as she develops the story. Basically, Sally Juup, a housemaid is found dead (strangled) in her bedroom. All of the family members are suspects. The story follows Dalgleish as he performs his policework, interrogating the family members, travelling around the area to discuss Sally's character and past with family members and other relations. But at the same time, the story also follows around the people from the estate, allowing us to see their motivations, their thoughts on the murder, their own investigations. It's an interesting way to present a case and I found the story well-written and interesting. There were some nice little surprises which added to the story. All-in-all, most enjoyable and I will be continuing my experiences with Inspector Dalgleish. (4 stars)"

The complete listing of James's works can be found at this link. Enjoy your weekend.

Midweek Music Medley

Here is your midweek music medley for Wed 14 Sep 2022

Midweek Music Medley

1. Australian singer Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss (2002).

2. American actress Marisha Wallace - Faith (2021).

3. English singer Sandie Shaw - Long Live Love (1965).

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Tuesday Update

Jo is out getting a few groceries so while she's gone (late lunch is 90% ready), I'll take this opportunity to update some reading and new books.

Just Finished

1. The Horror of the Heights and Other Tales of Suspense by Arthur Conan Doyle (1992). This is my 4th book completed in September, a collection of excellent short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

"I've enjoyed the variety of Arthur Conan Doyle's work, his classic Sherlock Holmes stories, his historical adventures (Sir Nigel and the White Company) and his Sci-Fi (Professor Challenger). The Horror of the Heights and Other Tales of Suspense is another opportunity to see what Doyle could do, a collection of short stories featuring supernatural themes. 

The one constant about Doyle's writing is his ability to present a story, his clearness of writing, his interesting characters and his story-telling. Short stories especially require a different quality in a writer (in my opinion anyway), the ability to grab your attention quickly, to get into the gist of a story and finish it off satisfactorily. Doyle definitely can do that.

The book contains 14 short stories, all excellent and entertaining. Some are creepy, starting with the first, The horror of the Heights (what sort of beings / creatures live above the clouds?), transference of spirits between bodies, spell casting like in The Winning Shot. There are some very suspenseful stories like Our Midnight Visitor, as a visitor travels to a small Scottish island with creepy results. Doyle explored the supernatural a great deal in his life and these explorations do feature in these stories; the seeing of spirits of loved ones, the hunting for a ghost to haunt a mansion, etc.

All in all, the stories were all entertaining and most enjoyable. Nothing really terrifying but a creepiness pervades in many of the stories. Well worth exploring this genre of Doyle's writing. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Red Rising #1 / 2014). I've had this book on my shelf since 2016. It's about time I tried it to see if I want to continue the fantasy series.

"The Earth is dying.

Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie.

That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labor, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought. Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside.

But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda.

Break the chains.

Live for more."

New Books

1. Do Not Fold, Spindle, Or Mutilate by Doris Miles Disney (1987). Disney is a new mystery author (for me) I'm interested in exploring.

"After filling out a computer dating service card with a fictional name, Sophie's clowning days were about to come to an abrupt end. For one of her suitors was very, very serious. And he would make sure that this was Sophie's last laugh..."

Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying - Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson lived from 1916 - 1965 and was the author of several Gothic horror novels, as well as the classic short story, The Lottery. Over the years I've enjoyed 3 of her novels and The Lottery as well. Let's take a quick look at them.

1. The Haunting (1959).

"I expected a bit more from this story, probably based on some of the write-ups that I read about it and how it influenced other writers, such as Stephen King, etc. However, having said that, I enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House. I've seen both movie adaptations and I tended to picture Theodora as Claire Bloom and Eleanor as Julie Harris. The book was suspenseful, not horrific at all. You could see the mental changes or the impact of the house on Eleanor as the story progresses. There was definitely tension and the story was well-paced. I'm glad I finally have read it, will definitely have to see the 1963 movie again to compare. A solid 3.5 stars for me."

2. We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962).

"This is the third Shirley Jackson story I've read and each, including this one, was strange and unique. I won't say it was scary but it had a creepy quality about it that gave me the shivers. Basically told by Merricat Blackwood, one of three Blackwood family memories, including Constance, her sister and Uncle Julian, it is the story of this group who live in the Blackwood home, hidden from the nearby town. Throughout the story there are hints and intimations of a family catastrophe that occurred many years before, which I won't spoil for you, but which colors all of the actions of this group and the surrounding community. Their life is disrupted by the arrival of a relative who tries to stir up their lives and the resulting incidents. Definitely a unique writer. (4.0)"

3. The Bird's Nest (1954).

"The Bird's Nest is a strange story by Shirley Jackson, not necessarily terrifying but more psychological horror. A story about Elizabeth Richmond, a young woman living with  her aunt Morgan, whose mind is peopled with different personalities. Something has happened during her childhood that has affected her deeply. These personalities, thoughtful Beth, wild Betsy and money-hungry Bess all fighting for ascendancy. Dr. Wright (or Wrong as named by Betsy) tries to unite them into one personality. The book is somewhat confusing with many incidents alluded to but not fleshed out. What did her mother do that caused this imbalance? What impact has Morgen's influence had on Elizabeth's mind? I did like how the various personalities made their presence, how they watched each other, how they would appear and disappear. There were moments, when Bess is in charge but still unable to control Betsy, as Betsy takes the pencil and writes her little witticism's while Bess watches. Not a perfect story, but very interesting. (3 stars)"

4. The Lottery (1948).

"I heard about this story on Jeopardy, oddly enough. It's a simple, straight-forward short story, but at the same time, creepy and shocking. I read that she got hate mail after she wrote this and also that people were writing to her to find out what town the story took place. You need to read to find out what the Lottery is. I recommend. (4 stars)"

An author who is well worth trying. The complete listing of her works can be found at this link.

A Quick Sunday Post

Comox Tennis Club

As I relax on the couch on a Sunday morning with our puppies sprawled beside me and Jo having a bit of a lie-in, I think I'll put down a quick post. Jo and I had a nice day yesterday, did a bit of shopping on 5th Street and then hit a tennis ball around for an hour at the local tennis courts. What a great facility and free to boot. Perfect time to do it as well. We had one court free to ourselves and there were two other couples using the other courts. There are 4 courts in one grouping and then two more just beside. We've been lucky to have the two on the right side to ourselves. Considering it was only the 2nd time we'd hit a tennis ball in anger for maybe 20+ years, it was a great idea. Lots of fun actually.

I've finished one book since my most recent update, an excellent mystery. I'll provide my review of that. I'll also continue with my year long+ look at Women Authors whose works I've been enjoying. Last time my focus was on Tanya Huff. 

Just Finished

1. Tucker Peak by Archer Mayor (Joe Gunther #12). I've read 4 books in this cop series set in Vermont. As you can tell I've not read in any particular order. I'm sure the personal aspects of Joe Gunther' life would be better told if I read in order but the criminal cases being investigated seem to stand very well on their own. This was an excellent mystery.

"This is about the 4th Joe Gunther police procedural mystery I've read so far and this one was quite a perfect, entertaining story. Tucker Peak is the 12th book in the series written by author Archer Mayor. The series is set in Vermont and at this point Gunther is lead investigator of a small team of the newly formed Vermont Bureau of Investigation.

This story involves break-ins at the Tucker Peak ski resort and grows to include destructive activity at the resort (possibly perpetrated by environmentalist protesters) and ultimately to murder(s) and other activities. Gunther and his team work with local police, both working undercover and following other standard police practices, to try and find out what the heck is going on.

As I said, it's quite a perfect story. Gunther and his group are great characters, empathetic, smart, dedicated and great investigators. We get into their personalities just enough to draw you in to the story. The investigation follows a neat process, gathering evidence, interrogations, done in a manner that seems logical but also very interesting. There is also sufficient action and the story is so well-paced that it's a real page turner. And the various ongoing cases are also interesting and satisfyingly solved to let you close the book at the end with a pleased sigh and then go try and find another book in this excellent series. I know I haven't delved into the case too much but I don't want to ruin an excellent story for you to discover on your own. (5.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Through a Glass, Darkly by Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti #15). This has been one of my favorite mystery series since I discovered it in early 2000's. The setting, Venice, the characters, the great tantalizing food and, of course, the mysteries, have all been so entertaining. I hope this one is as good as the others.

"It is a luminous spring day in Venice, as Commissario Brunetti and Inspettore Vianello come to the rescue of Vianello's friend Marco Ribetti, who has been arrested while protesting against chemical pollution of the Venetian lagoon, only to be faced by the fury of Marco's father-in-law, owner of a glass factory on the island of Murano.

But clearly there is another victim who has uncovered the guilty secret of the polluting glass foundries of the island of Murano, and whose body is found dead in front of the furnaces which burn at 1400 degrees, night and day. The victim has left clues in a copy of Dante and Brunetti must descend into an inferno to discover who is burning the land and fouling the waters of the lagoon. A man is dead - but will politics and expedience prevent the killer from striking again?"

A Fantastical Aside

Each month I try to focus on a different genre of novel. September is Fantasy (see the witty attempt at using fantasy in the title of this thread.) I've got 3 books on the go at the moment and am enjoying each of them. I hope to get a couple of more in during the month but these are all reasonably long books. These are the books I'm currently enjoying in this challenge.

1. To Journey in the Year of the Tiger by H. Leighton Dickson (Upper Kingdom #1). Enjoying this. It's taking a bit to get used to the setting and characters but it's fun doing so. I'm at the point where the story seems to have taken a strange twist. Can't wait to see where it leads.

"TO JOURNEY IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER is the first in a Ground-Breaking Original Series by H. Leighton Dickson. This is a powerful, post-apocalyptic story of lions and tigers, wolves and dragons, embracing and blending the cultures of Dynastic China, Ancient India and Feudal Japan. Half feline, half human, this genetically altered world has evolved in the wake of the fall of human civilization. Fans of Tolkien, Game of Thrones, Redwall or Japanese anime will be entertained in these intelligent and beautifully written pages in a blend of science, fantasy and zoological speculation. 

Kirin Wynegarde-Grey is a young lion with a big job - Captain of the Guard in a Kingdom that spans from the mountains of western China to the deserts of the Middle East. When an ancient threat awakens in the West and threatens to overthrow the Empire, he must lead a team that includes his enigmatic brother, a lethal swordswoman and three radically different and mysterious specialists through a world where humans are legend and animals walk like men. This is the journey of six individuals as they travel beyond the edges of the known Empire, into lands uncharted and wild. It is a journey of magic and mystery, science and swords, romance and intrigue. It is a journey of different perspectives and unexpected karma and love found in surprising places. It is a journey that takes place five thousand years or so in the future, naturally in the Year of the Tiger."

2. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor (Vol 3 of the Chronicles of St. Mary's). I enjoyed the first two books in this series very much. History, time travel and fun and games abound. This one seems interesting so far.

"Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research, a different kind of academic work is taking place. Just don’t call it “time travel”—these historians “investigate major historical events in contemporary time.” And they aren’t your harmless eccentrics either; a more accurate description, as they ricochet around history, might be unintentional disaster-magnets.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s tells the chaotic adventures of Madeleine Maxwell and her compatriots—Director Bairstow, Leon “Chief” Farrell, Mr. Markham, and many more—as they travel through time, saving St. Mary’s (too often by the very seat of their pants) and thwarting time-travelling terrorists, all the while leaving plenty of time for tea.

In A Second Chance, it seems nothing can go right for Max and her fellow historians. The team confronts a mirror-stealing Isaac Newton and later witnesses how the ancient and bizarre cheese-rolling ceremony in Gloucester can result in CBC: Concussion By Cheese.

Finally, Max makes her long-awaited jump to Bronze Age Troy, only for it to end in personal catastrophe. And just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, it’s back to the Cretaceous Period to confront an old enemy who has nothing to lose."

3. The Sea is Full of Stars by Jack L. Chalker (Saga of the Well World #6). I read the first five books in this series many, many years ago. It's sort of a combination Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I'm enjoying this so far.

"This exciting, action-packed novel marks Jack Chalker's triumphant return to his celebrated multivolume saga: The Well World. The Sea Is Full of Stars explores an unknown interstellar civilization, stars an all-new cast of characters, and reveals fresh secrets. But of course, The Well remains . . .

After three passengers--Ming, Ari, and Angel--embark on an elite starship journey into the Realm, they unwittingly become ensnared in one man's bloodthirsty vendetta that will alter their very beings. That man is Jeremiah Wong Kincaid. He vows to destroy Josich Conqueror Hadun, the evil genius who has wreaked unspeakable havoc throughout the universe. It is an obsession that will take him to lands of demons and strange races--and into a deadly new cyberworld where humans are mere pawns of the godlike computers they have created.

But it is only after Kincaid and his unwitting fellow travelers enter Well World and discover the water hexes that he confronts the mad tyrant--and learns their universe is threatened by something far, far worse . . ."

I'm not sure what other books, if any, I'll try in this challenge but I'm considering one or two of the following - The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan #2), The Mask of Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer (Fu-Manchu #5),  Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #4). So many options. We'll see.

Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying - Karen Irving

(I have not photo of Karen Irving)

Karen Irving is a Canadian mystery writer, featuring sleuth Katy Klein, with three books to her credit. I discovered this series, like many others, in my searches through ABC Books in Courtenay back in the early 2000's, before it went out of business. Irving was born in Victoria, BC but now resides (at least last I've been able to ascertain) in Ottawa, ON. The trilogy of books is set in the Ottawa area. Irving had difficulties with er publisher and stopped producing the series after three books, the mystery world's loss in my opinion. It was an entertaining series, with nice astrological references in each. I've got the 3 books still sitting on my bookshelves, hoping there might be additions to the collection at some point. So let's look at the 3 books.

1. Pluto Rising (Katy Klein #1 / 2001).

"A solid 3.5 star rating. It reminds me somewhat of a mystery series set in Niagara Falls, the Benny Cooperman books. Katy Klein is a Jewish/ Canadian ex-psychologist who has made a drastic career change and now works as a professional astrologer in Ottawa, Canada. She lives with her teenage daughter, Dawn and her ex-husband lives in the upstairs flat. Adding to the mix is her friend, Greg, a psychologist. The four make a nice, friendly team who find themselves caught up in the 'suspicious' death of a client of Katy's, Adam, who also had previously been treated by Greg for serious issues. 

Adam ends up dead and almost against their wills, Katy and friends get caught up in trying to solve what happened and what, in Adam's past, led to his killing. It was fun being in Ottawa again, a city I spent about 20 years in, over various periods, and it was nice to read an easy, interesting story as well. I wish more had been made up about the astrological aspects of the story as the bits that were provided added to the interest. I especially wish Karen had explained the header of the various chapters and how they related to what was going on; For example, Chap one starts off Sun opposition Uranus, Moon opposition Mars, Mars inconjunct Uranus. What does it mean?? All in all, entertaining story, with interesting characters. There are three books in the series; unfortunately, at the moment I don't have the second. Will check this weekend at my used book stores, otherwise, I'll be reading book 3 next.. :) (3.5 stars)"

2. Jupiter's Daughter (Katy Klein #2 / 2001).

"This is the second book in the Katy Klein series (unfortunately it was stopped at 3 books, so far, due to publishing matters). I haven't read the books in order, but it doesn't seem to have affected my reading pleasure. I do recommend you read them in order as there are personal aspects of Katy Klein's character and social life that develop over the course of the series that are better sorted if you read in order. I have to say this has been a most enjoyable series. 

The first book was a nice intro to Katy, the astrologer, her friends and her life. Each other story has improved on the intro. The stories have moved along nicely, I particularly enjoy the setting (Ottawa, Canada) as I lived there for many years and it has been fun visiting again. The stories are mystery light, a la MC Beaton and such writers, but still, there is nicely developed tension and interesting plot lines. I do hope Karen Irving decides to continue the series as it's excellent. (4 stars)"

3. Mars Eclipsed (Katy Klein #3 / 2002). 

"I've quite liked this series. I do still have to read the middle book, as many of Katy Klein's issues that crop up regularly in Mars Eclipsed are a result of tragic events that appear to have taken place in the second book. However, not having read it yet  didn't detract from this story at all. 

Katy, her daughter Dawn and her internet friend, Flavia, are to spend a weekend at an island retreat with other astrologers, but the trip is cut short due to a murder. A very complex plot unwinds through the rest of the story, involving Russian mobsters, multiple suspects, Katy's issues, and on and on. But ultimately, it ties all together very nicely and the story is enjoyable, especially because of the family relationships, which are the core of her stories. I do hope that there will be more books in this series, it's grown on me. I've ordered book 2, Jupiter's Daughter, and am looking forward to reading it as well. (4 stars)"

Let's hope that some day Karen Irving starts writing this series again. Check it out.