A Monday Update

Jo is working today because her boss was curling in a competition on the mainland over the weekend so she said she'd work today. Monday is a short day so I'll go get her around 3ish. The Blue Jays spring training game just finished so I've time for a quick update before I do a few chores.

Just Finished

I completed 2 books since my last update.

1. An Amateur Corpse by Simon Brett (Charles Paris #4 / 1978). Brett is my March focus author. I hope to read 3 or 4 of his mysteries.

"An Amateur Corpse is the 4th book in the Charles Paris mystery series by English author Simon Brett, one of 3 of his mystery series that I'm enjoying. Charles Paris is a struggling actor who gets involved in mysteries in each story. Simple, eh? Yup.

In this story, Charles is helping his best friend Hugo Mecken. Hugo is an ad executive who has provided Charles with an excellent opportunity to get into voice work. As a result Charles agreed to act as a critic for the Back Stager's production of The Seagull. The Back Stagers are an amateur troupe who present works and it so happens that Hugo's wife, Charlotte had the lead role.

Unfortunately, Charlotte, who is one of the few actual talents in the play, will end up murdered and Hugo will be arrested and also will confess to the murder. Relations between the two have been tense and Hugo has been drinking himself senseless. While Hugo can't actually remember committing the act, he figures he probably did and in any event doesn't actually care.

Charles doubts his friend's guilt and that is the crux of the story, as he conducts his own investigation, comes up with various suspects and ultimately... (well, I won't tell you if he actually solves it. I wouldn't want to ruin your reading fun)

It's an interesting series as it combines murder mysteries, with a behind the scenes look at the acting industry (in Great Britain) and the struggles of people to get into it. Paris has struggled for years, has ruined a marriage, is a bit of a drunk, and makes an interesting detective. His friend, Gerald, an entertainment lawyer, usually comes along for the ride and in this case represents Hugo. The rest of the cast are the actors in the Back Stager's troupe, all different and all possible suspects. 

An enjoyable read as always. I plan to explore Brett's other series this month and hope to read at least one more Paris as well. We'll see. Check them out. (3.5 stars)"

2. Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan (2016). One of my favorite graphic novel series.

"Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan is, of course, the sixth volume in the Saga....er.... saga? It consists of Chapters 31 - 36 in this entertaining outer space adventure series. 

Hazel, the daughter of warring space tribes, is now growing up, maybe 6ish and is a prisoner, along with her grand mother on the planet of Landfall, her mother's home planet. Mother and Dad have been reunited and are searching for Hazel. Two reporters are out on the hunt for the two, Mom a female soldier from Landfall and Dad a fighter from Wreath. (Hazel is their love child). Prince Robot IV, now a simple civilian is hiding out with his son. Mom and Dad of Hazel think he can help them get Hazel back. Oh yes, there's also a bounty hunter out there, seeking revenge because his girl friend was killed by Mom and Dad.

So the story wanders between the various groupings. There is lots of new info. There are reconciliations, new alliances and lots of action... It's an excellent story, just like the others, page turners as they are called. Great artwork. Great characters and lots of fun. I'm currently waiting for Volume 7 to arrive. If you like Sci Fi, you really should check the series out. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Murder in the Museum by Simon Brett (Fethering #4 / 2003)

"Bracketts, an Elizabethan house near town of Fethering, is about to be turned into a museum. Once the home of celebrated poet Esmond Cloudleigh, it has been decided that it should now become a shrine to his life and poetry.

But the transition from house to museum is running far from smoothly, and Carole Seddon soon begins to regret her decision to be on the Board as the witnesses bitter antagonism and rivalry amongst the members.

Then a shocking discovery is made: Buried in the kitchen garden is a human skeleton. And before too long, there is a second body, not yet cold."

No new books since my last update. Surprised? 😎😁

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Jodi Taylor

Jodi Taylor

It's been two months since I last worked on this thread. Time goes by so quickly. Amazing. English fantasy author Jodi Taylor is the creator of the Chronicles of St. Mary's time travel series. I took a chance on the first book, Just One Damned Thing After Another and got hooked on the series. I've read the first three books of the now 15 book series and look forward to continuing with it. She has also started a new Time travel series, the Time Police and I look forward to trying that as well. She has also started two other series which I may have to check out. For the time being, let's look at the last book in the St. Mary's series that I've enjoyed and then the other two books I've got on my book shelf. 

1. A Second Chance (St. Mary's #3 / 2014).

"A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor is the 3rd book in the Chronicles of St Mary's time travel series. Each one seems a bit better than the previous book. So far anyway.

In this story, Max, head of the History department of St Mary's travels with her teams to Troy, a cheese rolling competition and the battle of Agincourt. Oh yes, she will meet up with arch-enemy Ronan again too. Her relationship with head engineer Leon is up and down and there will be tragedy and historical arguments (shocking and scary). Max is considering her retirement; will Troy be her last visit into the past?

The Chronicles are gritty and realistic and when necessary hold back no punches. Troy is a violent and shocking battle. The way it is portrayed and how the team prepares for observing the events is very interesting. Taylor presents a fascinating representation of the events at Troy. It's a very dark time, quite scary. 

The story is so well-crafted, moving from the time traveling to relationships. The cast of characters are all excellent and fleshed out. Jodi Taylor deals with the space-time conundrum, sometimes ignoring but it's always present.  The ending is surprising and makes you want to move along to the next book. RIGHT AWAY! So entertaining and 'enjoyable'. Just don't expect light fluff. I look forward to continuing the series and also trying the Connie Willis time travel series to compare the two. (4.0 stars)"

2. A Trail Through Time (St. Mary's #4 / 2014).

"St Mary’s is back and is facing a battle to survive in this, the fourth instalment of the Chronicles.

Max and Leon are re-united and looking forward to a peaceful lifetime together. But, sadly, they don’t even make it to lunchtime.

The action races from 17th century London to Ancient Egypt and from Pompeii to 14th century Southwark as they’re pursued up and down the timeline, playing a perilous game of hide and seek until they’re finally forced to take refuge at St Mary’s – where new dangers await them.

As usual, there are plenty of moments of humour, but the final, desperate, Battle of St Mary’s is in grim earnest. Overwhelmed and outnumbered and with the building crashing down around them, how can St Mary’s possibly survive?

So, make sure the tea’s good and strong…"

3. Doing Time (Time Police #1 / 2019).

"A long time ago in the future, the secret of time travel became known to all. Unsurprisingly, the world nearly ended. There will always be idiots who want to change history.

Enter the Time Police. An all-powerful, international organisation tasked with keeping the timeline straight. At all costs.

Their success is legendary. The Time Wars are over. But now they must fight to save a very different future - their own.

This is the story of Jane, Luke and Matthew - the worst recruits in Time Police history. Or, very possibly, three young people who might change everything."

The Chronicles of St. Marys got me interested in time travel series and I've since tried Connie Willis's Oxford Time Travel and others. The complete listing of Jodi Taylor's books can be found at this link.

One final note. Jo and I enjoyed the Oscars last night. During one of the commercial breaks, they advertised a new movie. Let's go back a place first. In my last reading update, I provided a review of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It was an excellent Young Adult fantasy. In fact I bought the other two books in the series because I enjoyed it so much and want to see how it ends. Anyway, during one of the commercial breaks last night, there was an advertisement for a new movie based on The Wild Robot! It looks fantastic! I'll have to try and finish the other two books before it comes out.