Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 25

Merry Christmas to family and friends 

Here is your Advent Calendar book for today on this wet Xmas morning.

Dec 25, 2023 - Idoru by William Gibson (Bridge #2 / 1996).

"William Gibson has been hit or miss for me. There are times I just don't get and don't want to get his books; The Difference Engine (w/ Bruce Sterling) and The Peripheral for example. I gave up on both books. But when it works and, for the most part I'd say it does, it really works. The Bridge Trilogy, Virtual Light (#1), All Tomorrow's Parties (#3) and now Idoru (#2) are perfect examples. I enjoyed this whole trilogy, having given 5 - stars to Virtual Light and now to Idoru.

Gibson's take on Sci-Fi, like Philip K Dick and others is unique. Idoru is a wonderful mix of Sci-Fi and excellent, sympathetic characters and just a downright excellent story. I won't say I understood all of the technology, but what the heck, for such a great story, it didn't matter. I just sort of swam in it and enjoyed the ride.

Let's see, the story in brief. Two characters, teenager Chia and middle-aged? man, Laney find themselves in Tokyo. They are there for different reasons but their lives will become intertwined. Chia is a rep from the American fan club for an experimental internettish band, Lo-Rez who has been sent by her club to find out what's the what with Rez, the band's leader. It seems that Rez has fallen in love with an internet, hologram, the Idoru and they plan to marry. Laneey used to work for  a ... um.... public relations sort of company, Slitscan, but was fired after a girl he was tracking online (he uses nodal research... see what I mean about technology??) committed suicide. Laney is trying for a new job working for Rez's security team, using his nodal abilities to find out about Idoru.

So, that's it, sort of. There are a few little twists. Mary Alice, who flies to Tokyo on the same flight as Chia, slips some kind of contraband into Chia's backpack, without Chia realizing. This will bring the Russians, the Kombinat, and Mary Alice's boyfriend into the picture as they try to find Chia. Laney's old boss, Kathy, is after him, trying to blackmail him to helping them get Rez. 

There are fantastic characters in this story. Besides, Laney and Chia, there are Blackwell, the Aussie man mountain who protects Rez. There is Mr. Yamazaki, the mild assistant to Blackwell, who will make another appearance in All Tomorrow's Parties. There is Masashiko, brother of one of the Tokyo fan club members of Lo-Rez, who is a member of The Walled City, a 'free' internet site who will assist Chia so very much. My favorite character is Arleigh, who works for Blackwell as well, and who, while a reasonably minor character, helps Laney so very much. She's just lovely, common sense, brave... Even Mary Alice is neat. Not to forget Chia's fan club member Nona Rosa, a troubled character whose story, such as it is revealed, will hit you in the heart.

It's such a well-crafted, drawn story. Future Tokyo is fascinating, the story moves along at a steady, attention-grabbing pace, each chapter alternating from Chia to Laney's storyline. As their lives become more intrinsically linked, thanks to the Idoru, the pace picks up and your involvement with the story and characters will deepen. Fascinating, excellent story. Loved it so much. It reminded me of why I enjoy Sci-Fi so very much. Thank you, William Gibson (5.0 stars)"

Have a wonderful, relaxing day and enjoy the last week of 2023!

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 24

Wow! It's Christmas Eve! Here is your penultimate (I like using that word) Advent Calendar book for 2023.

Dec. 24, 2023 - Dust by Hugh Howey (Silo #3 / 2013). The end of a fascinating Sci Fi series.

"I finished the Silo series this morning with a bit of sadness. Such an excellent Sci-Fi series. Dust| was the 3rd and final book in the series by Hugh Howey. It had been awhile since I had finished the 2nd book so it did take me a little bit to get into this final book.

The story moves from Silo 18 / 17 to Silo 1, featuring Mayor of 18, Juliette and brother and sister Donald and Charlotte in Silo 1. Donald has been communicating with the other Silos, presumably trying to help them from devastation from Silo 1. Juliette discovered Silo 17 when she went out to 'clean'. She discovers that people still live in this Silo and determines that she can tunnel between the two Silos. There are few people left in Silo 17, due to some strife and an attack from Silo 1 (so it appears).

With conditions in Silo 18 breaking down, she feels it's necessary to join the two Silos. Disaster occurs when Thurman discovers what Donald has been doing. Thurman is one of the originals who set up the Silo complex. With a push of a button he tries to destroy everyone in Silo 18.

It's a somewhat confusing story. Juliette must fight her own people to try and ensure their survival, as well as decide what to do with Silo 1. Donald and Charlotte hide out trying to help the remaining Silos before Thurman can exact his plan. (You have to read the story to find out what it is.) 😀

But it's a fascinating story of man's destructiveness and weakness but at the same time we meet people who provide hope for their future. Hoping there are people here who have the same values to protect our future. Great series, great story. Not perfect but still worth a 5.0 star rating."

Happy Christmas Eve! Have a great of last minute shopping.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 23

 I think I was probably snoring last night and chased Jo downstairs. I hadn't for a few days, hoping it's just some remnant of the head cold I've been suffering. Lovely day yesterday, bright and cool. Looks a bit the same this morning as I glance out my den window. 

Here is your advent calendar book for today. 

Dec 23, 2023 - Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (2020).

"Five Little Indians by Michelle Good tells the story of 5 survivors of Canada's residential school program, basically a form of state-sponsored child abuse. Indian children were taken from their parents by the Church (I believe the whole school system was run by the Christian Churches) and with assistance of the RCMP, and spent their childhoods in schools run by these churches. It was discovered years later the extent of the abuse through which these children were put. In recent years, many of the schools were discovered to have bodies of children buried on their grounds. This story is a devastatingly sad story of the impact of the schools on 5 such children as they are released from their school in British Columbia and how they try to survive as adults.

The story follows Kenny, Lucy, Carla, Howie and Maisie, reflecting somewhat on their pre-school childhoods, intimates what life was like at their particular school and then their efforts to adjust to adult life; with mixed results. 

The story follows each individual, how their lives are inter-related; their work, their personal relationships, their nightmares... It's a terrifying story in its way; how can humans be so evil, how can they treat children so awfully? The Canadian government has been trying to rectify what happened, tried to bring the evil of the residential school system into the open, but the effect on Indian children and their parents and families was still devastating.

It's one of those books that should be read, even if just to make the public aware of the treatment of these children. It saddened me terribly and I am sorry for what happened to these children. But it is well-written, emotional, with beautiful characters, very spiritual and ends with a positive hope for the future... (5.0 stars)"

Enjoy your last bits of Xmas shopping. Two more days!

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 22

 The Friday before Christmas. Wow! Here is your Advent Calendar book for today. 

Dec. 22 2023. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018). Elizabeth had two of my 5 - star reads of 2023. She was a real find.

"Young adult story

Not my normal reading style

Took my breath away.

When I look at myself in the mirror and then at my bookshelves, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo probably had everything going against it.

Mystery? Nope

Sci-Fi? Nope

It's poetry! I've said many times that my relationship with poetry is a troubled one, albeit, in the past few years, it has improved somewhat.

So let's continue.

Is the story about a senior citizen? Nope

A grey haired, bearded older gentleman (using that term loosely)? Nope

A white, sort of Anglo / Franco mixture of a guy? Nope.

Someone who lived a fairly normal life with a reasonably mild family life? Well....

It's a story told by a young high school girl of Dominican / American descent who can't deal with her overly religious mother and hides behind her poetry. Yup, that's definitely me. Not!

Ok, with all of those caveats, I have one thing to say. Wow! This book just took my breath away. Beautiful writing, easy to grasp poetry, powerful, breath-taking story. By the end, my heart was beating quite loudly, as I turned page after page, hoping that things would turn out better for Xiomara and her twin brother both dealing with an overbearing, strict mother. I'll let you read it to find out.

Read it! Read it! Open your minds and hearts. Such a rare talent. (5.0 stars)"

Enjoy your last few days of shopping before Christmas. Stay safe.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 21

Heading off to the vet with Clyde shortly. He's getting a glucose monitor attached so we can see how his insulin is working on him. Bonnie has had that a few times. Oh well, poor little guy. Here is your Advent calendar book for today.

Dec. 21 - March, Book 3 by John Lewis (2016).

"I began my journey with The March trilogy by American Member of Congress, John Lewis in August of 2022 when I discovered the first book in my local book store. Each chapter covers another portion of his fascinating life and his work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as he worked to get equal rights for American negroes, especially in the South.

Each story was powerful, educational, striking in its emotional impact. I think this third book, March: Book Three was the most powerful of all, as it covered the bombing of the Sixteenth Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama, which resulted in the deaths of four young girls; Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair. It also covers the murders of the three civil rights workers in Mississippi, and that of Malcolm X. But that is the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the crimes perpetrated against the Negroes in the South as the struggled for equality. 

This last book also covers the friction between the various civil rights organizations, John Lewis's SNCC, Martin Lewis Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as they sometimes competed for the same cause. The efforts to have Negro representation from Mississippi at the 1964 Democratic Convention is also covered. Of course the final chapter is the march between Selma and Montgomery where Mr. Lewis was so brutally attacked by Alabama State troopers.

It's history in action, riveting, terrifying, featuring peaceful, loving bravery in the face of armed opposition and hatred that sends chills down your spine. The fact that there are Governors in the US to this day that don't want this story told is sad and dispiriting. Those people who would keep this history from their citizens, because they don't want to be 'embarrassed' by it, shows that these people are the new George Wallace's and Sheriff Clarks, maybe put in nicer suits. The story should be read and told. (5.0 stars)"

The countdown to Xmas continues. 

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 20

Quite tired this morning. But that's life, eh? Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec. 29 - Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (2020).

"My first exposure to the poetry / story - telling of Dominican / American poetess Elizabeth Acevedo was her 2018 novel The Poet X, a gem of a story written in 'free verse'. My apologies if I have the terminology wrong. I've just completed her latest novel, Clap When You Land, written in 2020, another wonderful, touching YA story.

It tells the story of two young high school students, Yahaira Rios, who lives in New York City and Camino Rios, who lives in the Dominican Republic. Both experience a tragedy at the same time, as their father is killed in a plane crash, on a plane taking him to the DR. Unknown to them, they have the same father, as he has lived a secret life, traveling back and forth to spend time with his two daughters.

The story is told from both girls' points of view and Acevedo presents each girl's character in a unique style; Camino's in three lines per verse, Yahaira's in two. This is especially useful once the girls meet, when there is some overlap.

Basically the book tells the story of both girls, their lives and struggles in their communities and homes. It tells of the conflicted feelings towards their father, especially poignant as they begin to discover the secret he kept from them. And finally it tells of their interactions as they finally meet. It's a wonderful, powerful story, beautifully presented and described. You learn to love these characters, feel their pain, admire their strength. I highly recommend it and think that teenagers would enjoy and even enjoy the exposure to Acevedo's unique writing style. (5.0 stars)"

Check it out. I'm sure you'll enjoy. 

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 19

A mizzy sort of day and the dogs and I are about to head out for our mid morning walk. Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec. 19 - A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (Monk & Robot #2 / 2022). One of those lovely little surprises. I will read more of Becky's books... In fact I am. LOL!

"Back in my earlier years, when I was discovering the joys of reading, I used to focus on one book at a time. More recently, as I joined online book groups and became an enthusiastic participant with various reading challenges, I started reading 2 of 3 books at a time (oh, who am I kidding, 5 - 7 at a time, depending on my mood). I'd read two or three a day, around 30 - 50 pages each and feel satisfied with my daily results. Every now and then, as I start a book, I just don't even bother putting it down and focus on it until I'm finished.

With that preamble out of the way, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky  Chambers, the 2nd and so far final book in the Monk & Robot duology, was one such book. Like the first book, it was so easy to sink into the two characters and the wonderful story that I just had to finish it before I went back to my other books.

Sibling Dex is a monk who, in the first book, began a journey on a tea cart, traveling to village after village, opening his tea shop and serving and providing counsel to other citizens of the small moon, which they call home. On this journey, he met a free robot, Mosscap, who wanted to visit humanity again (robots were granted freedom and had gone into the wilderness to live) and see 'what they needed'? This second story is their journey around their home, visiting various communities.

It's a gentle, slow moving story, basically small vignettes as the two get to know each other, become close friends, and visit with communities. Thoughtful discussions, humor, positivity, just a book that leaves you feeling good. Sibling Dex and Mosscap are wonderful creations. The moon is a fascinating, interesting place. The people are neat. Don't expect action, just a gentle, loving, positive, entertaining story. For the moment, there are two books in the series. If Becky Chambers decides to keep it that way, I'll be perfectly happy because the ending was so satisfying. If there are no more books, I'm happy to start her Wayfarers series. (4.5 stars)"

And the puppies and I are off. Have a great week!

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 18

It rained last night but it's cloudy and mild this morning. About to take the puppies for their morning stroll. First here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec. 18 - Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle (1999).

"I had only previously read one book by Peter S. Beagle, that being The Last Unicorn from 1968 and I enjoyed it well enough. A friend had recommended another, A Fine and Private Place (1960) and while I do have it now on my bookshelves, I instead decided to try another, Tamsin, originally published in 1999.

Simply put, this was an excellent fantasy story, rich, interesting and peopled with fascinating characters, both human and ghostly (and others). Jenny lives with her mother Sally in New York. She is relatively happy with her life; has good friends and gets to see her itinerant father when he's in town. Sally has fallen in love with Englishman, Evan and they are moving back to England. Jenny is very unhappy about this and determines either to stay with her father in New York (that ain't going to work) or make sure her mother is miserable for forcing her out of her comfort zone. 

So taking along her pet, Mr. Cat (who will be in quarantine for six months), Jenny, Sally and Evan pack up and move to England. The initial plan was to live with his sons, Julian and Tony in London. But the plans change, when Evan, an agriculturalist, is offered a job and estate in Dorset. When they all arrive, they see a decrepit estate that needs to basically be rebuilt and a farm that will need major work if it is to survive.

So begins Jenny's life in Dorset, getting established in a new school (she will make a great friend in Meena there) and also try to get accustomed to the quirks of Dorset and her new home. She will also find that Dorset is rich in supernatural beings; the Pooka (a sort of goblin), the Oakmen (who haunt the oak forest), the Black Dog (who watches over and provides warnings), etc. Oh, yes, the Wild Hunt will make appearances. Of most interest to Jenny is Tamsin Willoughby, the spirit of a young girl who died on the estate (it was her family estate) and who Jenny becomes very close to.

There is a mystery surrounding Tamsin and Jenny will be called upon to help solve it, to try and save Tamsin. This is the core of the story and Beagle makes his way through the beginning, slowly and caringly until it builds to a very exciting climax; a battle for Tamsin's spirit against an evil that is truly scary. It's a rich, well-crafted story. The characters are all interesting, even down to those who play minor roles. And there are nice surprises in some. It's a growing up story for Jenny as well and that is also handled lovingly. I didn't mind taking my time with this at all. It was easy to put down but also easy to get back into Jenny's life and her story with Tamsin. Excellent. Just loved it. (4.5 stars)"

Check it out. Enjoy your week!

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 17

Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec. 17 - When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #3 / 2008).

"Who can you compare Kate Atkinson to? I hesitate to try to compare to 'mystery' writers because her stories are more than that, but how about Margaret Atwood, Margaret Millar, Helen MacInnes, P.D. James, Holly Roth, Minette Walters. Michael Gilbert or Hillary Waugh. Now I'm just naming names. Anyway, it's the richness and intricacy of Atkinson's stories and the wonderful characters she creates that I enjoy about her writing. Whether it's the Jackson Brodie 'mysteries' or the Todd Family. She has a knack for drawing you in and making you go back and forth in time, from character to character that makes her story - telling so fascinating.

When Will There Be Good News? is the 3rd book in the Jackson Brodie series, which started with Case Histories which was published in 2004. There are now five books in this series, with a new one coming out in 2024!! Yay!!! While this is a Brodie mystery, the real star is teenage girl Reggie, baby-sitter to the Hunters, 'student' & helper to former teacher, Ms. MacDonald and sister to troublesome, Billy.

But, wait, let's go back a step. The story starts with the Mason family, mother, three children and dog walking along a country lane, returning home. Dad is absent, having made them move to the country, then basically abandoning them. One of the children is Joanna Mason (who will become Joanna Hunter, see the first link?). A stranger comes upon them, with tragic results, leaving only Joanna, hiding in the corn fields. (some crop anyway.)

Back to the present, where Joanna Hunter is now a GP with a little boy and a dog and a somewhat useless husband. Reggie, parentless due to the death of both mother, who she misses, and father, who she cares not a whit about, survives on her own and works for the Hunters. 

Events are going to take a quick turn for the worse. DCI Louise Monroe (who has featured in the other Brodie books) tells her that the murderer of her family is being released from prison and the press are looking for her. Events begin to spiral after this, making for an exciting story.

Hey wait a minute, you say! What about Jackson Brodie? He is in the story. Heading home to London  from some sort of case, to meet his wife, he discovers that he's on the wrong train, instead heading to Edenborough. And there is a train crash, just outside where Reggie is staying, waiting for Ms. MacDonald to return home. So there is Jackson, who will ultimately play a role in resolving this intricate, fascinating story.

But it's Reggie who is the real hero. When Joanna disappears, she is the one who prods and pokes Louise and Jackson to find out what happened. She is the one who is being terrorized by 'friends' of Billy, her waste of space brother. She is the one who takes the dog from the Hunters and keeps it safe. Such a wonderful character, brave, smart, mouthy, in a good way.

It's a beautiful story which wanders around from character to character, delving into their pasts, into their lives, filled with snappy dialogue and neat little connections that satisfy and excite you. If you've never read an Atkinson story, you don't know what you're missing. I loved it. (4.5 stars)"

Enjoy your upcoming week.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 16

Happy Saturday. Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec 16 - Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #4 / 2002).

"Over the past 20 or so years, I've enjoyed a few series that are set in the faerie, supernatural worlds, or more appropriately, set in the normal world, but peopled with vampires, faeries, weres, etc. You can see this in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake and also her Merri Gentry books, Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse and Midnight, Texas books, or Mike Carey's Felix Castor series... to name a few. I've enjoyed them all. Added to this list is Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Of course this list isn't all inclusive, just provides some ideas. Butcher has written 15+ books in the Dresden Files series. 

So far I've read 4 books in the series, not in any particular order (although I am trying to rectify that). Summer Knight is the 4th book in the series and the 5th that I've enjoyed. As I look through those books, I seem to grab one every three or four years. I will say it doesn't seem to matter how much time it takes between books as when I pick up a Dresden book, I find myself right back into his world and just enjoying the characters, the world Butcher has created and the story itself.

Let's see. In this story, we find the Wizard's Council in a battle with the vampires, due to an incident in a previous story in which Harry played a key role. Harry is struggling with the loss of his fiancé, who has been touched by the vamps and is now away, trying to sort her life out. The Wizard's council is being attacked by vamps and they want Harry. Part of the council is in favor of giving Harry up, but if he takes on a mission for them and succeeds, Harry will be freed from this obligation.

Harry is hired by the Winter Queen to find out who murdered her right hand man, the Summer Knight and she will free him from a debt he owes her. Harry reluctantly agrees and this is the basis of this story. With help from my favorite character Lt Murphy of a special police squad that investigates supernatural  happenings and a group of Alphas (young werewolves), Harry tries to straighten out his life and stop a war between the two branches of the faerie world, the Winter Sidhe and the Summer Sidhe.

Let's just say that the story is a complex, entertaining, action-filled story with just 'neat' stuff going on all the time. Harry and his friends travel between our world and the faerie world as he tries to solve the mystery, battle with all sorts of beings, especially a ghoul of a hit-person, literally a ghoul, and just so on and so on. Pure entertainment and a fantastic, entertaining fantasy. (4.5 stars)"

Have a great weekend.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 15

Clyde's visit to the vet yesterday wasn't too traumatic, in my opinion anyway. He's not talking. His insulin injections have been adjusted and he had his arthritis shot. I stocked up on Bonnie's meds for the rest of the year. My pet pharmacy is full.... almost.. LOL. I forgot one. Today I went to visit the egg man but he was out of eggs so I got them at Quality Foods instead. Also got my free turkey for Xmas. A productive morning... in the drizzle. So now it's time for today's Advent calendar book and then I'm retiring to the sofa in the family room with Jo to watch Perry Mason.

Dec 15 - A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple #5 / 1950).

"A Murder Is Announced is the 5th book in the Miss Marple series by Golden Age artist Agatha Christie. As always it was an enjoyable, circuitous mystery with a satisfying ending. 

In the town of Chipping Cleghorn an announcement is made in the local Gazette. A group of people are intrigued by it and show up at Little Paddocks, home of Miss Blacklock. The notice says, 'A Murder is Announced and will take place Friday, October 29th at 6:30 pm.'

The group are all friends of Miss Blacklock; Mrs. Cleghorn and her son Edmund, Colonel Easterbrook and his young wife Laura, friends and roommates Miss Hinchliffe & Miss Mugatroyd and the Reverend's wife, Mrs Harmon (a lovely character). With Miss Blacklock are her residents, Dora Bunner, a childhood friend, Julia and Patrick Simmons, brother and sister, Mitzi the immigrant cook and Philippa Haymes, a widow who works as a gardener locally.

All of these people gather at Little Paddock to await 6:30. At the exact moment, the lights go out, a flashlight is shone in their eyes, a voice tells them to stick them up, two shots are fired, seemingly at Miss Blacklock and then another. The body of the intruder is found, dead of gunshot, in the hallway.

Thus begins a fascinating investigation by the local police led by Inspector Craddock and also by a certain Miss Marple who comes to visit with Rev and Mrs Harmon, providing insight and ideas to the good inspector. It's nice in this story that Inspector Craddock willingly accepts Miss Marple's ideas and even is concerned for her safety. Especially as their will be other murders. Oh yes.

It's all most entertaining, easily paced and peopled with interesting enough characters for you to become involved, both to try and solve it yourself and also to hope those you like aren't the murderer. So many questions. Is Miss Blacklock the target? Are the others who they purport to be? Who is the Swiss waiter who conducted the 'robbery' and was murdered or who committed suicide? Was he working for someone else?

All excellent questions. Thank you. 😎😃👍 All will be revealed and it will be most satisfying. The setting is lovely. The people are interesting and entertaining and it's a nice, cozy, intelligent mystery for you to try and solve. Enjoy. (4.5 stars)"

Enjoy your upcoming weekend.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 14

I'm going where!!!

This morning Clyde and I are making a trip to the vet to check on his glucose levels and to get an injection for his arthritis. It seems to be working. He's actually jumping up on the sofa again and even manages to hop up onto the bed when nobody is looking. Let's hope his glucose levels are more normal. 

Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec 14 - Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong (Inspector Chen Cao #1 / 2000).

"Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong is the first book in the Chief Inspector Chen mystery series set in Shanghai. I bought the book in 2017 and it sat on my shelf until Nov 2022 when I dusted it off and finally gave it a try. It's now the beginning of Feb 2023 so it did take me some time to get through it. However this is no fault of the author or the story. It was well worth the effort and I'm glad that I kept reading it. (These days I usually have 4 or 5 books on the go so a relatively deep, involved story can rest on my night stand as I read shorter, quicker reads).

OK, let's get into this story. As I said, it's set in Shanghai. Chief Inspector Chen is new to his position as head of the Special Case Squad and also relatively young for the job. His promotion is an indication of his favorability within the Communist Party, a chance to promote younger members to senior positions. Celebrating his promotion and new one room apartment, Chen is having a party with a few close friends. He's advised that a body has been discovered floating in a canal a short distance from Shanghai. He assigns Detective Yu to initiate the investigation. Yu is an older cop, his father was a cop, and he's a bit jealous of Chen for his promotion. Yu lives with his wife, the lovely wife Peiqin, their son and his father, Old Hunter, in a 2 room apartment.

The investigation discovers that the body is of one Guan Hongying, a young woman who worked in a department store and who is what is called a national role-model worker; one who represents what's best in the Communist Party. Thus begins a long investigation that has criminal elements but when delved into deeper, also political aspects that will threaten Chen's career and that even of his partner, Detective Yu.

It's a rich, deep story with many intricate, related themes; crime, politics, corruption, love, friendship, cowardice, bravery, all intertwined to make a fascinating story. It portrays Communist China as it tries to convert from a socialist society to a modern, economical society. The history of China is covered, to highlight the effect the various revolutions had on people's lives; especially Chen's and his family, Yu's, etc. It's a fascinating portrayal and well worth checking out as it makes the story that much more interesting.

Chen and Yu must walk a tight-rope, but they will find that they have brave friends, colleagues and family who will help them as they try to solve the murder and bring the suspect to justice. Will justice be served? Well, you've got to check it out. Don't be intimidated by the size and scope of the story, as I almost was. It's an excellent read. (4.0 stars) (Number 2 in the series is on order). 😀"

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 13

Time for the midweek shuffle... 12 more reading days until Xmas. Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec 13, 2023 - The Cat Who Turned On and Off by Lilian Jackson Braun (Qwilleran #3 / 1968).

"The Cat Who.... has been such an enjoyable series so far. I recognize that I've only read the 1st 4 books but they have been getting better and better. The Cat Who Turned On And Off by Lilian Jackson Braun| is the 3rd book in the series so, yes, I read the 4th out of place. Sue me! 😎

Fearless feature writer for the Daily Fluxion, Jim Qwilleran, has been forced to live with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, in a local hotel. Their antics are causing complaints from the other residents. Qwill, an ex crime reporter for a big newspaper, is given the opportunity to write a Xmas feature. He finds himself in Junktown, not drug's 'Junk', but antiquing Junktown and his editor tells him to writer a heart-warming feature about the antique dealers who reside there. 

Against his better nature, Qwill begins to conduct research and 'luckily' for him, finds an apartment to rent at the home of one of the antique dealers, CC and his wife Iris Cobb. Of course the house is haunted. Qwill discovers that recently one of the locals was found dead in his antique shop. The police say it was an accident, but Qwill's magic moustache twitches and he thinks it might have been a murder.

His boss doesn't want Qwill to investigate, he wants a happy Xmas story. So combining the two, Qwill writes a series of articles about the interesting, quirky dealers and also tries to find out what happened to Andy; liked by some, disliked by others.

It's a fun, easy, comfortable read. Koko and Yum Yum provide fun and games and Koko continues to discover clues. The people are interesting, especially Iris and another dealer, Mary Ducksworth, for whom Qwill has developed a bit of a crush. The story flows nicely, it's difficult to put down and ultimately, the ending is satisfactory and pleasing. Most enjoyable. Now on to #5 (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 12

A bit late with this today. But here you go with today's Advent book.

Dec 12 - The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger #3 / 2011).

"The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry is the third book in the Joe Ledger action / thriller series and it doesn't let you down one bit. As the other ones the story moves from location to location, from person to person, keeping you on your toes and holding your breath.

It starts with the destruction of a major hospital in London. Joe Ledger is basically on leave and potential retirement due to the death of his lover grace Courtland but his boss Church has called him back to help investigate the bombing. Also the story follows Gault, a villain from previous book, who is being courted by the 7 Kings to fill a gap in the organization, that being the King of Plagues. We also meet Circe, who works for a secret organization, Terror Town, trying to track terrorists and other baddies. And, oh yeah, there is Nicodemus, a prisoner in Philadelphia, who somehow has everyone in the prison under his thrall and seems to know everything that is going on.

So, that's the basic premise. The Kings are sowing discord and chaos and have many plans in the mill. Joe and the DMS team are seemingly one step behind as they try to track down the next attack. Santoro, of the Kings, is their lead man, terrorizing people to get them to follow their plans. 

Slowly, the DMS gather info as they continue to fight; facing attacks in the Nevada desert, on an island in Scotland, even a Starbucks in Pennsylvania. The body count mounts but DMS persists! It all comes to a climax on a cruise ship off Brazil where the high and mighty in the entertainment world and political world gather for a huge concert for charity.

It's all very exciting. Joe tries to sort out his feelings, is he a policeman, a killer, or what. It's exciting, introspective and filled with action and personalities. Circe is a welcome addition. Entertainment plus. (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy your week.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 11

A gloomy start to this 11th of December but so far it isn't raining. That is your brief weather forecast for today. Now your Advent Book.

Dec 11, 2023 - The Cool Cottontail by James Dudley Ball (Virgil Tibbs #2 / 1966) 

"The Cool Cottontail by John Dudley Ball is the 2nd book in his Virgil Tibbs mystery series. I enjoyed the first story, In the Heat of the Night, and this book was just as entertaining. In the 2nd volume, Tibbs is once again back in California as an LAPD investigator.

Tibbs is called out to the scene of a murder. A dead body has been found in the pool at a nudist park. The body also is nude. Tibbs begins the investigation, helping the local cops with the investigation. It's all done very methodically, first the work to identify the victim and also the final investigation to discover the murderer. It's a well-crafted and presented story with nice character development as well.

There are interesting, topical (for the period, the 60s) issues covered as well as a crime investigation. Tibbs' constant having to deal with being a black cop, even to the questioning of his actual job, is an ongoing issue. I also enjoyed the discussion of the nudist park people, of their standards. It's not made a big issue but it is an ongoing theme. Tibbs is an excellent character and his methods make me think of the Spenser books by Robert Parker. He's low-key and capable, both physically and mentally. Excellent 2nd story and I look forward to the next one. (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy your week!

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 10

 At least it's not steady rain this morning. But there is a kind of misty haze over everything. Enjoy your Advent Reading book for this damp Sunday.

Dec 10, 2023 - The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Athenian Mysteries #1 / 2010). One of my more recent selections.

"The Pericles Commission is the 1st book in the Athenian mysteries by Australian author Gary Corby. The story is set in 460ish BC in Athens Greece. Nicolaos is the protagonist, son of Sophronicscus, who is a sculpture and wants Nicolaos to take over the business. Nicolaos isn't interested in this work and events will put him on a different, more political, pathway. As a side note, Nicolaos's younger brother is one Socrates, who provides insightful inputs throughout this story.

Nicolaos out for a walk, is surprised when a body falls from the sky (from the Acropolis) at his feet, dead from an arrow. Pericles, a young Democratic politician, arrives on the scene and offers Nicolaos a job to find out who murdered the man. The man is Ephialtes, a political leader trying to bring Athens into a Democracy. 

That's the gist. The story follows Nicolaos as he wanders around Athens trying to find clues to the murderer, wandering into troublesome situations, upsetting various politicians, and risking his life to solve the crime.

It's a fascinating setting. How crime is treated makes for an interesting premise. How women are treated, how slaves are treated and how they fit into Athenian society, all make for a rich, entertaining story. The murder is always in the background, but it is the setting and the relationships that make the story interesting. There is tension but at the same time, humor as well. Nicolaos is a sympathetic character but there are many others; Socrates his brother who provides great insight (even it if's unwanted by Nicolaos); Diotima, daughter of the murdered Ephialtes, by his mistress (who is a strong character, budding priestess of Artemis and with a frisson between her and Nicolaos); Euterpe, the mistress of Ephialtes, sexy and funny and a strong woman; and Pythax, leader of the Scythian Guard, who helps and hinders Nicolaos.

All in all, the story moves along nicely, is eminently readable and enjoyable and the ending is quite satisfying; from a crime solving and political perspective. #2, The Ionian Sanction is now on order. (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy your upcoming week.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 9

 Ah yes, regular like clockwork. It's raining again. And we're all feeling blue. And Brighton could only manage a draw against Burnley! Good grief. Oh well.

Enjoy your Advent calendar book for today.

Dec 9 - Quiller Barracuda by Adam Hall (Quiller #14 / 1990).

"I haven't been reading this series in any particular order. I've read two previous books in this spy series. Quiller Barracuda by Adam Hall is the 14th book in the series and finds Quiller on assignment in Florida. His mission is to  find and bring home an agent, Charles Proctor, who seems to have gone off the radar, after starting to act irrationally. Quiller will find himself involved in political intrigue and also with Florida drug dealers as he gets his feet wet.

The Quiller books are quite different in tone from other spy series I've read. Quiller spends much of the book in his own self-analysis, at the same time moving the story along. I also find it interesting how they conduct the 'administration' (wrong word, I think) of conducting a mission. Quiller is the Executive, his name on the big board at MI6, assigned to Barracuda. Ferris is his Controller, sent to Florida to debrief Quiller, to assign followers, to maintain security and to provide the link back to London. The whole process is fascinating.

Quiller finds himself in an international plot, a group that wants to affect an upcoming Presidential election, affect the World order. Proctor is involved, he's hooked on drugs, he wants Quiller dead and has set a contract out with the local drug lord. The Russians may be involved. It's a complex, interesting plot. There are various intelligent, independent, beautiful women who help Quiller in various ways to advance his investigation. There is a terrifying episode involving a shark.

It's an interesting take on the spy story and I will continue to explore the series. (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy and have a dry weekend.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 8

How the weather has changed. Pouring rain a couple of days ago and today it's bright sunshine and mild. Just lovely. The puppies and I had a nice walk before lunchtime.

Here is your Advent Calendar book for today.

Dec 8 - The Decent Inn of Death by Rennie Airth (John Madden #6 / 2020).

"One of my aims in 2023 is to finish some series I've been enjoying. The first one completed is the John Madden mystery series created by South African mystery author Rennie Airth with the sixth book in the series, The Decent Inn of Death. Funny factoid; I actually thought I'd finished the series in 2020 when I read The Death of Kings, but then I discovered that Airth had published Inn that same year.

OK enough rambling preambling. 😎 It this is the final book in the series, it was a satisfying story with which to conclude the series. Retired Chief Inspector Sinclair takes a trip to visit an old friend from Scotland Yard and becomes involved in a possible mystery, that being the death of Greta Hartman. Hartman had lived in a community near Winchester, a German who'd moved there before WWII had settled in. Her husband had been executed in a concentration camp and she had escaped to England and gradually become accepted in the community. 

Greta had been found dead, after seemingly slipping on a stone crossing a creek and bashing her skull. While the death is deemed an accident by local police, her best friend, Vera, can't believe it. Sinclair arriving for his visit, listens, does a little investigation and thinks there are enough questions to keep investigating on his own. He plans to make a brief visit to Oxford to check on a mysterious man who was seen the day Greta died. Sinclair is struggling with a weak heart and hopes to return to his home, in Sussex before the Madden's, vacationing in Italy, return as Helen Madden, his doctor and friend, wants to keep an eye on him.

Unfortunately for Sinclair, his visit to Oxford and then onward the isolated manor of cripple Julia Lesage will result in him being snowed in and isolated, possibly in a dangerous situation for them all, as  he tries to discover if a cold-blooded psychopath might be threatening Julia's life, and all those at the manor. John Madden, arriving home also heads to Oxford to find out what the heck Sinclair is up to and, more importantly, where the heck he is! The phone lines are down, dontcha know.

The story is a slow build, introducing characters, nicely developing the plot and mystery; kind of cozy but threatening at the same time. The list of suspects is small but there are nice little twists and turns as Sinclair and Madden, with the help of Scotland mates, Billy Styles and Lily Poole, try to discover if there is a mystery, and if so, who is this murderer who seems to have left a series of murders, from Argentina, through Mexico to Germany in his wake. It's an entertaining mystery people with interesting characters and finishes with a tense, satisfying conclusion. Will John Madden possibly come out of retirement one last time? We'll see. But if not, The Decent Inn is an excellent way to close down the series. (4.0 stars)"

Check out this series. They seemed to get better and better. Have a great weekend.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 7

Thank goodness. My cold / flu is basically just a stuffed up nose and sore throat now. And Jo is getting over hers too. Looks reasonably nice out today. I'll post this then take the puppies for their walk. As they sprawl on the floor, they don't look too enthusiastic about it. Oh well. Enjoy your Advent Calendar book today.

Dec 7 - Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2 / 2018)

"It's been a couple of years since I read and enjoyed the first Murderbot book by Martha Wells. I finally dusted off book 2 of the Murderbot Diaries, Artificial Condition and sat down to it earlier this month. Such an enjoyable read.

Open your mind to a future of Murderbots, officially SecUnits, Sexbots, augmented humans, living ship's computers (ART), etc and enjoy the world that Martha Wells has created for you to experience. The Murderbot from the first book is now searching for clues to what actually happened at the massacre where humans under his protection were massacred. 

Somehow either his memories were wiped by someone or he wiped them 'himself'. He was freed from his obligations as a SecUnit when his boss, Dr. Mensah bought him. The Bot is now traveling on a cargo ship, captained by ART who is interested in him and decides to help the Bot. They travel to the RaviHyral mine where the massacre took place (although all evidence and news of it seem to have disappeared.) ART helps make the Murderbot more human, with various surgeries.

Murderbot hires himself out to a group of scientists who were fired by Tlacey Excavations as a security expert. They want their research data back and he agrees to help. He also wants to discover what happened at the mine, so this, he hopes, will allow him access to the site. His new job turns out to be more dangerous that he thought as Tlacey has decided to get rid of the 3 scientists. So with ART's help, Murderbot will try to assist the scientists and also discover what really happened at the mine.

It's a neat, entertaining, excellent story. What a world! Do I understand everything that's going on? Nope. Does it matter? Nope. ART is a great character to go along with Murderbot. The scientists are interesting and take hold of Murderbot's heart (Does he have one?) The story is quick, with lots of action and computer stuff, to keep your attention and interest. Great story and I look forward to joining Martha Wells' world again in the near future with Book 3, Rogue Protocol (4.0 stars)"

Enjoy the rest of your week and the upcoming weekend. Stay safe.

Reading Advent Calendar 2023 - Dec 6

Yesterday was not a good day. I felt pretty crappy. Not too bad this morning though, so that's good. Anyway, your Advent Calendar book for Dec 6th follows.

Dec 6 - The Mystery of Tunnel 51 by Alexander Wilson (Wallace of the Secret Service #1 /  1928)

"Alexander Wilson was an English writer and a spy with MI6. He lived from 1893 - 1963 and authored, amongst other books, a spy thriller series featuring Chief of the Intelligence Department, Sir Leonard Wallace. Of his 20+ novels, 9 featured Wallace. The Mystery of Tunnel 51 was the first book and was originally published in 1928.

The story starts in India, in Simla, where Maj Elliot arrives with a package of Top Secret documents for the Viceroy of India. Unfortunately he has just missed the Viceroy, who had returned to New Delhi. Elliot is a target of Russian spies and eventually murdered as he and a companion travel by train to Delhi, in Tunnel 51. When the Viceroy's personal secretary arrives in Delhi with the documents, it is discovered that in fact all he had were blank sheets of paper. Questions arise. How was Elliot murdered in the train? And what happened to the documents? The Viceroy decides that along with the police investigation, he needs help from Britain's spy chief, Leonard Wallace.

This begins an excellent adventure. Wallace, along with his competent, faithful Maj. Brien and his assistant, Batty, head off by plane to India and begin an investigation into the crimes and an effort to stop the Russian spies from disrupting the British rule in India. They will travel from one end of India to the other as they chase the stolen documents and ace Russian spy and arch enemy, Levinsky.

It's a fascinating story and Wallace and his companions are excellent characters. It's neat seeing how all this is done back in the 1920's; plane travel and all of the other things. It's neat getting a picture of India in that time as well. It's an entertaining, action-packed adventure with all the appropriate life-threatening situations through which Wallace and his team must navigate with an ultimately satisfying ending. The Devil's Cocktail sits on my bookshelf awaiting my attention. (4.0 stars)"

Have a great day!