Jo and I are spending a quiet Saturday. It's warm but there is a bit of a breeze and the fan is keeping it cool enough. We gave up on the Blue Jays early, they seem to be fading into the All-Star break. So instead we watched a feel-good TV mystery, Signed, Sealed & Delivered about the US Postal Service Dead Letter office. Of course it was filmed in Canada.. lol. But it was a nice movie, just right for a Saturday afternoon. Luckily it's a series of movies so we get to watch a few more. Now, while Jo prepares dinner, we're doing our weekly viewing of The Closer. We've watched six or seven times, at least, but it's always good viewing.
I've finished two books this weekend. I'll provide my reviews and also the synopses of the next books in line. I'll also continue with my ongoing look at women authors whose books I've been enjoying.
Just Finished
"The Cadfael historical mystery series by Ellis Peters is one of my favorites. The Potter's Field is the 17th book in the series and the 15th I've enjoyed thus far. Six more to go... Always happy to finish a series but sad to leave a great character.
Two stories taking place in this 17th edition. The monastery, at Shrewsbury, where Cadfael lives and works at trades one field for another with another monastery (with this trade, each gain fields that are closer to the individual monasteries). While they begin an initial plowing of the field, a corpse is discovered buried in the field (more bones than body). It is a woman but they have no way of identifying it. This becomes the main story; discovering who the body is and who might have been involved in 'murdering'. The second story involved the Sheriff Hugh Beringar, who must build up an armed force to help King Stephen in a battle against one of his enemies, while still trying to investigate the body.
This makes for one of the more interesting of the Cadfael stories; I mean they are all entertaining, but this one seemed more to the point and actually kind of straight-forward if that makes any sense. The mystery of who the body was made for a very interesting premise, especially as the story progressed and more possibilities arose. I thought I had it figured out and in some ways have some correct ideas but Ellis Peters managed to throw a neat little twist that made the ending even more satisfying.
Cadfael is always a wonderful character, down to earth, sensible, thoughtful and perceptive. Hugh Beringar is a great partner to Cadfael, the two feed off each other nicely. There are other good characters, Abbot Radulfus, who runs the monastery, plays a nice role in this story; a sympathetic, understanding sounding board for Cadfael. The new characters, Brother Ruald, the ex potter who had owned the field and is an apprentice monk trying to find himself; Sulien Blount, another apprentice monk, escaped from the battlefield, returned to Shrewsbury, who plays a key role in discovering the identity and possibly the murderer of the body. Even though they play minor roles, Hugh's lovely wife Aline and their precocious son and Cadfael's godson, provide nice moments in the story.
The story progressed nicely, although there were moments when I wished they wouldn't cover old ground and would get to the point, but all in all, I enjoyed the mystery, the characters, the historical aspect and, ultimately, the satisfying conclusion. (4.5 stars)"
"Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power is an excellent biography of current House Speaker, Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi by USA Bureau chief for USA Today, Susan Page. I've admired Speaker Pelosi since I've watched her interactions with the previous President. She's a strong, intelligent woman who kept America from being destroyed during an extremely trying time. (My opinion only, of course).
But Nancy is so much more than that; a caring, loving mother from a political family who didn't run for office until her 40's. But she was involved in politics from her early days, helping her father run for Mayor of Baltimore and for office and helping her mother organize her father's campaigns. She learned valuable lessons from their campaigning and leadership that stood her well in her future political career. She was Speaker during some of the most consequential moments of the past 15 years; one of the few Reps who spoke out against the war in Iraq, who was a key to helping President Bush navigate the financial crisis and also pushed through the ACA in support of President Obama.
What I think I liked most about Nancy is that she had standards, wasn't in power just to be in power but to enact legislation to help Americans, even at the risk of losing that power. The passing of the ACA gave medical coverage to millions of Americans but also put the Dems out of power for six years. Her battles against Trump's transgressions helped the Dems to overwhelmingly regain the House. Nancy may have been a polarizing individual but there is no denying that she worked for the betterment of America, the defence of those in need.
I liked one of the descriptions of Nancy especially; 'an iron fist in a Gucci glove.' This is how Nancy described herself in the book, 'I consider myself a weaver. I'm at that loom valuing every single thread for what it brings, he or she, brings to the tapestry and the beautiful diversity of it and the strength of it" She tells her members of the Democratic party, "Our diversity is our strength; our unity is our power."
A fascinating woman who will go down in history as one of the most powerful, consequential Speakers in US history. An excellent biography, well-written and eminently readable. (4.5 stars)"
Currently Reading
"The 19th chronicle of Brother Cadfael. In the chill autumn of 1144, rising flood waters endanger the sacred remains of St. Winifred, the abbey's most cherished possession. When the bones disappear and a corpse is found, Brother Cadfael needs his prayers answered to catch a killer."
"Kipling's own drawings, with their long, funny captions, illustrate his hilarious explanations of How the Camel Got His Hump, How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, How the Armadillo Happened, and other animal How's. He began inventing these stories in his American wife's hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont, to amuse his eldest daughter--and they have served ever since as a source of laughter for children everywhere."
Women Authors I've Been Enjoying - Dorothy Salisbury Davis
American author Dorothy Salisbury Davis lived from 1916 - 2014, born in Chicago, Illinois, died in Palisades NY. Over the course of her life, she wrote 20+ novels and also many short stories. I finally found a couple of her books and have enjoyed two of them very much. I have one more on my bookshelf awaiting my attention. Let's take a look at the three to give you an idea of her work.
Dorothy Salisbury Davis
"My first experience reading Dorothy Salisbury Davis was The Pale Betrayer (1965) and it was such a nice surprise; a new author for me and a pleasant surprise. Davis did write a couple of short series but mainly standalones. I've had some difficulty finding her books but diligent searching did help me find a few others. Where the Dark Streets Go (1970) is my second attempt at her books.
Father McMahon, a priest in a poor district of NY City, trying with difficulty to prepare his sermon. Young Carlos, one of his parishioners, comes running. He needs McMahon. He leads McMahon to a dying man in the basement of a slum apartment building. They have a brief conversation and the man dies, of a knife wound. This is the beginning of an interesting story, partly an investigation into discovering the identity of the man and his murderer, and partly a discovery by McMahon and others about themselves.
It's a fascinating story, simple in many ways but one that draws you in, to the characters and their lives. McMahon is a troubled priest; questions his vocation, his life, is a bit of a drinker and it seems maybe also hasn't always succeeded in maintaining his vow of celibacy. There are other characters, my favorites being Nam, a budding artist and the girlfriend of the dead man and a young lady who tests McMahon's beliefs. There is Mr. Rosenberg, the owner of a local pawn shop, who knew the dead man and had many conversations with him. He is often a sounding board for McMahon. There are the Phelans, a married couple, McMahon trying to assist with their marriage difficulties, and the husband who is a suspect in the murder. Of course there are the cops, Lt Traynor and Det Brogan, who are interjected into the story at times, as they try to investigate.
For a relatively short story, it is rich and fascinating. Davis has a way with her characters, making you see them clearly for their faults and characteristics. I like McMahon a lot and Nam is a lovely character. It was an enjoyable story, don't look for action, but just enjoy the experience. The ending will leave you feeling loss but still satisfied. (4.5 stars)"
"I'm not sure where I heard of Dorothy Salisbury Davis, but I think The Pale Betrayer was listed in the back of another similar type story I read. The plot looked interesting so I ordered it and have finally got around to reading it. Sort of a simple plot, a scientist, a physicist who works in nuclear physics, returning from a conference in Greece is murdered on his way to his university labs to show a movie hehad received from a Russian physicist. This is during the Cold War period, which adds one possible motive. As well, his friend, who may also love his wife, seems to have some involvement, as he might be being blackmailed. The story is a slow-burn, but from the beginning I liked some of the main characters; the police investigating the crime, the young female physicist student, Anne Russo, who the lead cop, Lt Marks, is taken with. All are interesting and I liked them very much. As well, Louise Steinberg, best friend of the wife of the victim is down-to-earth and adds nice colour. The story moves along at a nice pace and ultimately, gets you hooked and as the plot becomes clearer, even more enjoyable. I did like this and it was worth getting through the vagueness of the first few chapters to get into the story. Well worth reading. I think I will look up more of her books now. (4 stars)"
"For generations, bitter
old Andy Mattson terrified the children of Hillside and puzzled his
adult neighbors. How did the scowling old codger, who seemed to spend
his life stroking his cat on the front porch, support himself? How did
he pass the days? And why did he die such a gruesome death?
The
police find Andy dead on his sofa, covered in blood, eyes wide with
fear. The most likely suspect is the dead man’s cat, a howling beast
that resembles a trapped badger. But as Chief of Police Waterman digs
into the strange death, he finds that beneath Hillside’s sunny surface
runs a river of hate. An old man was murdered, and it seems many people
in town had motives to commit the crime."
The complete listing of Davis's books can be found at this link.
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