Industry Minister Melanie Joly. Future Canadian PM, maybe? |
So books, eh?
Just Completed
1. A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake (Nigel Strangeways #1 / 1935)."I have read a few other of Anglo / Irish author, Nicholas Blake ( Cecil Day Lewis )'s Nigel Strangeways mysteries. I've finally gotten around to the first book in the series, A Question of Proof, originally published in 1935. It was a most enjoyable introduction to this mystery series of 16 books.
The story is set at a public school for boys, Sudeley Hall, where old school chum of Nigel, Michael Evans is a teacher (master). Michael is having an affair with the Head master, Percival Vale's wife, Hero. They meet in various places on the grounds to conduct this illicit relationship.
The mystery begins the day of the annual sporting event where the parents of the students show up for an afternoon of sporting activities. At the end of the day, one student appears to be missing, one Algernon Wyvern-Wemys, the Head master's nephew. The next day a group of fieldmen, working on hay stacks discovers his body inside a haystack, strangled with a piece of rope. Unfortunately for Michael Evans, this is the hay stack where he and Hero had their midday lunch and smooching.
Inspector Armstrong comes to the school to investigate the murder, with Evans and Hero being suspects. Michael asks his friend Nigel Strangeways to come help with the investigation. Strangeways has worked with Scotland Yard previously, it seems, or knows someone there. Inspector Armstrong accepts his presence willingly.
It's a fascinating story, peopled with interesting, sympathetic characters, even down to the various young students who Strangeways asks for assistance. Even though it is a murder mystery, it's got a nice light feel to it. Strangeways is interesting and intelligent. The school masters are all well-presented and even Inspector Armstrong, who is a diligent, thoughtful police officer.
As the story progresses, Strangeways, of course develops his own theories, that he keeps to himself for the most part. He and the Inspector agree to share information but to keep their theories to themselves until they can offer proof. Blake is a great writer, probably not surprising as he was also an accomplished poet (even reached the position of Poet Laureate of the UK in 1968). He has a nice engaging style, descriptive and well-written. There were many highlights, especially the car chase, which you could quite feel.
There will be another murder and the story moves along quickly at that point to an excellent conclusion. All in all an excellent mystery with a main character sort of in the image of similar 'detectives' like Albert Campion, Peter Wimsey and Philip Trent. Most enjoyable and I have #2 on my book shelf. (3.5 stars)".
2. The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #16 / 2006)."It's been six years since I read a DI Rebus mystery, although to be fair, I did try one of Ian Rankin's next series, Malcolm Fox of the Complaints (aka Internal Affairs) division of the Glasgow police force. The Naming of the Dead is the 16th book in the Rebus series. The next book was the last until Rankin did the Malcolm Fox book, then Rebus was in a combined one and now there are 9 books... Will I ever finish it???
The Naming of the Dead was an excellent story, an enjoyable mystery with Rebus, his wonderful DS, Siobhan Clarke and his arch enemy, criminal Cafferty. The story takes place during the G8 conference in Edinburgh. Police from all over the UK arrive to deal with the expected crowds of demonstrators. Even Siobhan's parents arrive to take part and Siobhan plans to spend time with them.
While preparations are beginning, one of the conference participants, an English civil servant is found dead at the base of Edinburgh Castle, after a dinner. Was he pushed or did he commit suicide? Rebus and Siobhan find their investigation slowed by Steelforth, an MI5?? officer who is providing security for the conference.
At the same time, a series of bodies start turning up... or parts of bodies. The Chief Constable wants the investigation halted until after the G8, but Rebus and Siobhan continue to investigate. The bodies belong to a bunch of sexual predators listed on a website, Beastmasters. Is it someone from the website committing the murders?
The story is fascinating and the setting of the G8 summit makes it even more interesting. Siobhan is thrown for a loop when her mother is hit in the head during a demonstration. She desperately wants to discover who did it; the police? or someone else? Besides Rebus and Siobhan, the story has a number of other interesting characters; Mairie, a reporter who had previously written a biography of Cafferty and now is investigating the sales of arms to 3rd World nations and also helps Rebus with his investigation. There is Ellen Wylie, a fellow cop who has posted on Beastmaster, whose sister was sexually assaulted at some time and who also ends up helping Rebus and Siobhan with the investigation. Who else, oh yes, the local politician, Corbyn, who seems to find himself at the center of everything. What is his motive besides maybe trying to get rid of Cafferty? And of course, Cafferty himself. What an ominous, threatening character, even in his elder years. He and Rebus have a great relationship, if you can call it that.
It's a long story but it moves along nicely and is always interesting. I've enjoyed every single Rebus story and it's always 'fun' to enter his gritty world; the somewhat jaded cop who needs his work to justify his life. Loved it. (3.5 stars)"
3. Saga, Volume 8 by Brian K. Vaughan (#8 / 2017)."The Saga fantasy / Sci-Fi graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples is a favorite of mine. Saga, Volume 8 was as enjoyable as all of the others. The artwork is crisp, bright and beautifully colored and the story is always interesting.
Hazel, the narrator, daughter of two warring races, the Wreaths (magical beings) and the Wings (winged beings) are on a new planet trying to save her mother. Along for the ride is the robot prince and transgender Wreath Petrichor (Only Hazel knows). Mother and robot have gone to Abortion Town to help her mother. Pregnant in the last volume, the baby has died and to save mom, it has to be removed. Unfortunately, because she is late into her pregnancy, she has to go to an abortionist in the Badlands. (So two issues covered in this volume that I don't normally see in graphic novels)
There are side stories, Robot Prince's son is still back on the planet with his companions waiting the return of Hazel and friends. The bounty-hunter The Will is being tortured to gain knowledge of his family and friends so that the 'torturer' can wreak vengeance on them. Oh... mom's dead baby has transferred his powers to mom, so not only is she a Wing, but she's got some magical powers and the baby has appeared to Hazel as her ghost brother.
So now that I consider it, there is a lot packed into this volume. I love the characters. I love the stories. I love the characters. Always fascinating and entertaining. (3.5 stars) Vol 9 is on order."
4. Something is Killing the Children, Volume 4 by James Tynion IV (#4 / 2022)."I've been enjoying the Something is Killing the Children graphic novel horror series by James Tynion IV. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 4 was just as interesting. This volume provides the back story about how Erica Slaughter became a member of the Order of St. George, the secret order set up to destroy dragons and monsters.
Erica is saved from being destroyed by a monster that had already killed her best friend and her best friends by Jessica, a member of the Order. In fact, Jessica arrives just after Erica has killed the demon herself. Jessica provides an interesting means of disposal of the demon, once again explaining I wondered about in the first Volumes.
Normally, the Order destroys the demon and also destroys any evidence of the demon.... even survivors. But Jessica instead plans to bring Erica back to Chicago and enlist her in the Order. The remainder of the Volume explains the process, the friction between Erica and other members of the order and also, interestingly, the hierarchy within the Order and the meaning of the various colored kerchiefs that they wear.
I especially enjoyed this Volume. I liked the back story, the explanation of Erica's original trauma, how she got to where she is in the previous volumes and also being introduced to more members of the Order of St. George. The story was excellent, the drawing and artwork was also excellent. Every volume, I get more and more drawn into the story and its characters. Looking forward to Volume 5 now. (4.0 stars)"
5. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (2006)."I've been exploring the graphic novels of Iranian / French author Marjane Satrapi since I read her Woman, Life, Freedom. I next check the Complete Persepolis. Both were excellent looks at life in Iran. So I decided to check out Chicken with Plums, published in English in 2006.
Chicken with Plums is a non-fiction novella / graphic novel about Marjane's uncle Nassar Ali Khan, a celebrated Iranian musician. of the 1950's. While having an argument with his wife, she grabs his cherished tar (a 4-stringed long necked instrument of the lute family) and breaks it in two. Nassar is heart - broken and while he tries to replace the instrument, he can't find one that sounds the same. He even takes his young son (well, is forced to do so by his wife) on a two day trip up north in Iran to buy one. But it doesn't sound the way he wants and Nassar decides to die.
And that is the crux of the story, the 8 day period where he resigns himself to death and the things that happen during that time while he stays in bed in his room. Nassar is visited by family members, his younger brother, his wife, his children. He dreams of a lost love whose father had rejected his offer of marriage because Nassar was only a 'musician'.
It's a grim, depressing story but at the same time, a fascinating look at Nassar and his life and relationships. As portrayed by Marjane (who makes a brief appearance with her mother), he's not a very likable man, but his character is just another aspect of the story. As always, the artwork, basically black & white drawings, is stark and well - presented and the story is quite different and fascinating. I have to say that I'm glad that I've explored Marjane Satrapi's work. I'll continue to check her out. (3.0 stars)."
Currently Reading
1. Cloud Warrior by Patrick Tilley (Amtrak Wars #1 / 1983)."Ten centuries ago the Old Time ended when Earth's cities melted in the War of a Thousand Suns. Now the lethal high technology of the Amtrak Federation's underground stronghold is unleashed on Earth's other survivors - the surface-dwelling Mutes."
New Books
1. Solitaire by Alice Oseman (2014). I've previously enjoyed Oseman's Heartstopper series.
"In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story.
My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.
I really don’t.
This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers."
In Skin, Catherine Bush plunges into the vortex of all that shapes us. Summoning relationships between the human and more-than-human, she explores a world where touch and intimacy are both desirable and fraught.
Ranging from the realistic to the speculative, Bush’s stories tackle the condition of our restless, unruly world amidst the tumult of viruses, climate change, and ecological crises. Here, she brings to life unusual and perplexing a man falls in love with the wind; a substitute teacher’s behaviour with a student brings unforeseen risks; a woman becomes fixated on offering foot washes to strangers.
Bold, vital, and unmistakably of the moment, Skin gives a charged and animating voice to the question of how we face the world and how, in the process, we discover tenderness and allow ourselves to be transformed."