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| Sweet Salvage |
So since I don't go pick up Bonnie for another half hour, let's do a quick update; book(s) completed, book(s) started and any new books.
Just Finished
"The Return of Tarzan is the 2nd book in the Tarzan of the Apes series by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It's been about 5 years since I read the first book. Like the first book and other Burroughs' adventures I've enjoyed, there is no lack of action in this novel.
The story follows Tarzan as he returns to Europe (specifically France), then onwards to Algeria and finally to the west coast of Africa from whence he started his life amongst the great apes. Tarzan leaves America after giving up on his desire to marry Jane Porter. He basically gives his rightful estate to his cousin, Jack Clayton, so he can marry Jane and she can live the life of comfort she deserves.
On his cruise he gets involved with a French couple and a Russian blackmailer, Rokoff, a nemesis who will crop up throughout this journey. Rokoff is determined to blackmail his sister and when Tarzan intervenes, is then determined to destroy Tarzan. Tarzan has a variety of adventures in Paris, then begins working for the French military, a job that takes him first to Algeria, and then when he gets on a ship to South Africa, a disaster which will see him wash ashore in western Africa.
It's an entertaining, action-filled adventure. Tarzan shows his strength of character, his class and at the same time, his barbaric power. Quit a mix. The final chapter is a satisfying ending and leads nicely into the next book. If you want to read an entertaining story, check this out. (3.0 stars)"
Currently Reading
""A man who played about on the fringes of the Black Market, who had fought for Sinn Fein, who lived by his wits - and who finally became dangerous to somebody and was knocked over the head in the blackout. It may prove to be a sordid story, but I certainly find it an interesting one."'
London, 1945. The capital is shrouded in the darkness of the blackout, and mystery abounds in the parks after dark.
During a stroll through Regent's Park, Bruce Mallaig witnesses two men acting suspiciously arounda footbridge. In a matter of moments, one of them has been murdered, Mallaig's view of the assailant but a brief glimpse of a ghastly face in the glow of a struck match.
The murderer's noiseless approach and escape seem to defy all logic, and even the victim's identity is quickly thrown into uncertainty. Lorac's shrewd yet personable C.I.D. man MacDonald must set to work once again to unravel this near-impossible mystery."
New Books
(As of this time last year I'd already purchased 52 books. I've been much better this year, purchasing only 18 books. I'm trying just to ensure that I buy the next book in a series or some new authors who have interested me. Since my last reading update on Saturday, I've added only one new book, this time a new author for me)
"Nine-year-old Ann has been taken to a nature reserve by her Aunt Rachel. As they are leaving, she sees a strange young man staring at them. After his panic subsides, the young man, Mart, realizes that they may be able to connect him to the girl he's just strangled. Hence a game of cat and mouse begins as Mart stalks them and other inhabitants of their small Australian town. Will Ann and her aunt escape?"
Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Margaret Millar
I'm told I can pick up Bonnie at 4:45. *fingers crossed* everything is improving. So I'll work on this a bit longer then. Margaret Millar was born in Kitchener Ontario (at the time it was Berlin, Ontario) in 1915. She died in California in 1994. She was a noted mystery author, as was her husband, Ross MacDonald. Quite a pairing, eh? Over the course of Millar's life, she wrote over 25 novels. Since I discovered her work, I've read 10 of her stories. She is such an excellent mystery author; I've rated a few as 5-star reads. (Not that my rating amounts for much in the great scheme of things. 😎😎) I'll highlight my 5-star reads plus provide the synopsis of the one book I have on my bookshelf.
"I've read a couple of Margaret Millar's stories before; they can be hard to find. I enjoyed them quite a bit, as she has a very accessible writing style. The Soft Talkers, also published under the name An Air That Kills was a pleasure to read. It was a perfect little mystery. Millar has such a smooth writing style, even little details like "she buttoned up her sweater to the very top", fill the story and make it even better. The story basically deals with the disappearance of Ron Galloway, who is supposed to meet his buddies at a cabin he owns north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He never shows up and the rest of the story deals with the follow-on reactions of his friends and family and the follow-on search for him. The story is told from the perspective of his various friends and his wife and also even small sub-stories by side characters. Even these sub-stories are interesting and so well-written. It's a story that I just enjoyed reading and the ending had a nice surprise that I actually didn't see coming. Being Canadian, I also enjoyed the setting; the city of Toronto and cottage country north of Toronto. The story was written in 1957 and in some ways reminds me of some of the Patricia Highsmith stories I've read, just better. Such a simple but entertaining read, clear, concise and intelligently written. I highly recommend. (5 stars)"
"Beast In View was a true gem. I've enjoyed a couple of her other books in the past few years, when I've been able to find copies. The Soft Talkers was one of my favourites of last year. Beast in View is another 5-star read. It's such an interesting story. I love how Millar develops her plots. Is it about Helen Clarvoe, who lives alone in her apartment, isolated from the world about her? Is it about Mr. Blackshear, Helen's financial adviser, bored with his work, who she asks to help her find the woman who made the distressing call to Helen and who begins to conduct an investigation on Helen's behalf? Or is it about Evelyn Merrick, the woman who makes the initial call to Helen and who seems to be making many calls to other people that have upset her? I loved how it moved along, from the one character to the other, how the tension builds, how the story surprisingly makes a turn to the left. Excellent, excellent!! She is such a wonderful writer. (5 stars)"
"Wall of Eyes is the 7th book by Margaret Millar that I've enjoyed. The more books by Millar that I read the more I discover what a great mystery writer and just plain author that she is. Wall of Eyes was her 4th book published in 1943. What an entertaining, rich story!
Basically, the Heath family, father, son John, daughters Alice live under blind daughter Kelsey's power in their home in Toronto. Also living there is Philip James, Kelsey's fiancé and the hired help. Two years ago, Kelsey caused a car accident, blinding her and killing brother John's girl friend. Since that time she has deteriorated and Alice finally goes to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Loring asking him to try and help Kelsey.
Quickly after this meeting, Kelsey tries to kill herself with morphine and then the same night is murdered. This action begins an investigation by the Toronto police, led by Inspector Sands. This investigation will also ultimately lead back to the original car crash; are they related events.
It's a simple case, so it seems but the more you delve into it, the more intricate and fascinating it becomes. The story isn't told from any one specific perspective, but like Millar's The Soft Talkers, even minor characters get to have a say. I liked these small details very much; for example when we see the female police detective at the hospital and Sands refers back to an earlier case where this detective is interested.
The story seems at times to be sparse and matter of fact but there are also lovely descriptive moments that give you a clear picture of the events and thoughts of the characters; e.g. 'Ida's breasts rode her in cross-rhythm like twin riders on a galloping horse'.
There are nice little details that made the story more interesting and help provide a picture of the time the story was written. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of Chapter 14 where there is a radio alert for one of the murder suspects. It really tickled my fancy '... in cooperation with the police department, the makers of Crispcrunch, the ideal new breakfast food that is teeming with vitamins and good flavor, are broadcasting this description of a dangerous criminal....' It had a nice surreal touch to it.
The mystery seems straight forward as you progress but more and more gets added to the story and the list of suspects grows. The final solution was a surprise but not an unrealistic one. It was deeply satisfying. I liked the setting of Toronto, having lived there for my university years. I liked the story, the characters (Inspector Sands is fantastic), everything about this story. I am so very glad that I finally discovered Margaret Millar's mystery writing. She is one of the very best. It matters not one bit that her stories were written 50+ years ago. (5 stars)"
"Where is Miranda Shaw? She had just been widowed and her lawyer needs her signature for probate, but her mansion is empty and two addled teenagers, Cordelia and Juliet, are wearing her jewelry. Has she eloped? With Grady, the lifeguard at her club, who is also missing? Is she dodging her lawyer? Or has she been murdered ... ?"
(Update: Bonnie is back from the vet. The insulin is working but she needs one more unit per day. Another check-up in two weeks. She had a good dinner and is now relaxing. 😀"
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