It's rainy out this morning. Jo is in bed sort of listening and watching the Grand Prix. The puppies are downstairs with me as I write (type) this and listen to the Blue Jays spring training game in the background. While I do that, I'll provide a brief update on new books (not too many), books completed and what books I've started to replace those completed.
New Books
Two books arrived at the end of the week.
"TO JOURNEY IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER is the first in a Ground-Breaking Original Series by H. Leighton Dickson. This is a powerful, post-apocalyptic story of lions and tigers, wolves and dragons, embracing and blending the cultures of Dynastic China, Ancient India and Feudal Japan. Half feline, half human, this genetically altered world has evolved in the wake of the fall of human civilization. Fans of Tolkien, Game of Thrones, Redwall or Japanese anime will be entertained in these intelligent and beautifully written pages in a blend of science, fantasy and zoological speculation. Kirin Wynegarde-Grey is a young lion with a big job - Captain of the Guard in a Kingdom that spans from the mountains of western China to the deserts of the Middle East. When an ancient threat awakens in the West and threatens to overthrow the Empire, he must lead a team that includes his enigmatic brother, a lethal swordswoman and three radically different and mysterious specialists through a world where humans are legend and animals walk like men. This is the journey of six individuals as they travel beyond the edges of the known Empire, into lands uncharted and wild. It is a journey of magic and mystery, science and swords, romance and intrigue. It is a journey of different perspectives and unexpected kharma and love found in surprising places. It is a journey that takes place five thousand years or so in the future, naturally in the Year of the Tiger."
""Sister Anne," said the Mother Superior unperturbed, "died on Wednesday evening sometime after supper, probably in the corridor leading from the Great Hall to the kitchens. Her body was put into the broom cupboard and later thrown down the cellar steps. "Who would want to kill a cloistered nun? But, astonishingly, someone had. It was as much of a surprise to the sisters of the Convent of St. Anselm as it was to Inspector C. D. Sloan, Criminal Investigation Department. But now it was up to the Inspector to find the motive and the murderer."
Just Finished
Three books finished since my last update, one short graphic novel, one psychological mystery and one noirish mystery.
"Northwest Resistance is the 3rd book in the YA / graphic novel series by Katherena Vermette. It comes under the A Girl Called Echo series of 4 graphic novels.
Echo is a Métis girl living in Winnipeg Manitoba, adjusting to her mother being in rehab, to a new school and also to jumping back and forth in time to see events that take place in the 1800's in Canada. She follows the Métis people trying to fight for their rights against a recalcitrant Canadian government that is flexing its powers as it tries to expand to the West.
In this story, we see Louis Riel again as he tries to unite the Métis and nearby Indian tribes as they try to establish their communities against incoming English settlers. It's a tragic story and ends with Riel being surrendering to the Canadian authorities to stop the warfare and protect his people. Echo views these tragic events and we see the effect it has on her. At the same time her mother is soon to be out of rehab, another event that will affect her life.
The artwork is clear and beautifully colored and the story is interesting and also provides a perspective on a portion of Canada's history that I knew little about. One more book in this short but interesting series. (3.5 stars)"
"The Diamond Bikini by Charles Williams was basically just silly. But a quick check revealed it was silly enough to be turned into a movie in France; Fantasia chez le ploucs (1971).
Seven - year old Billy and his dad, Sam Noonan, live in a trailer, and follow the race track circuit until Dad is forced to hit the road. They end up in Louisiana where Sam's brother, Sagamore Noonan, resides. (Now this story is told from the perspective of Billy and is colored by his childish vision. But, the gist is that Sagamore is a shifty fella, and the local sheriff has been trying to catch him at his illegal activities for years.
Also showing up at the farm is 'Dr.' Severance and his 'charge' Caroline Harrington. Thinking they can make some money off them, Billy's pop rents out some space for the duo's trailer. It becomes apparent (not to Billy necessarily) that the two are on the run from someone. Caroline seems a very nice lady. She takes a shine to Billy, teaching him to swim in the lake. (Much is made about her skimpy bikini and her tattoo....
Things start to pick up. Men armed with tommy guns show up trying to remove Caroline. The police try to arrest Sagamore and Pop for an illegal still. Both events have dire consequences. When another attempt is made on Caroline's life and she disappears, Sagamore and Pop see it as a great money - making opportunity and it degenerates from there.
It's a silly story but an entertaining read. Does it fit in the noir genre? That's why I tried it. It doesn't seem noir to me, but maybe the French are the best arbiters of that style of mystery. Try it and see what you think. (3 stars)"
"My first and only previous exposure to Julian Symons was The Blackheath Poisonings: A Victorian Murder Mystery. I enjoyed it very much and now that I've finally tried a second, The Players and The Game, I think I may have to explore a bit more of his work. Luckily I have a couple of more books by him on my shelf.
At its most basic, The Players and The Game is a police procedural, as we follow Inspector Hazelton and his fellow coppers, Paterson, Brill and Plender as the investigate first the disappearances of a French au-pair and another young woman, then as they discover a possible serial killer, a deeper, more comprehensive investigation begins. But as I got into this story, I discovered there was much more to it and thought that it had sensibilities to others I've enjoyed, by authors Hillary Waugh and Michael Gilbert.
The story follows the police investigation but it also explores the lives of various suspects, especially Paul Vane, a newcomer to Rawley, a man who has his own issues; both with his family and his work. We also get to read the diary of one Dracula, who is discovering his own personality, quoting Nietzsche as he explores his 'criminal' activities with partner Bonnie. I don't want to ruin this story by getting into much more detail about the plot, suffice it say that the mystery is well-crafted, the characters are all fascinating; from the police themselves to the victims / suspects as well, and that the story moves along nicely as everything begins to tie together in such a satisfying fashion.
It's a pretty darn perfect psychological thriller and even though the murderous act(s) seem to have been perverse and shocking, they are left for the most part to your imagination... that can be shocking enough. I enjoyed the story so very much. The deeper I got into it, the more I had to keep reading it. The solution was satisfying and believable. The police aren't perfect but they are hard working and imaginative enough to work through the clues to come to the final result. But as you will see, their work can have unintended tragic consequences as well. Excellent mystery. (5 stars)"
Currently Reading
"Having been invited to spend Christmas in the country, fishing for pike, Gently finds himself hunting a completely different predator when a guest at Merely Hall, a nearby stately home, is found dead at the foot of the grand staircase on Christmas morning.
At first the tragedy is assumed to be a simple accident, but Gently is not one to jump to conclusions and is soon in no doubt whatsoever that this was murder.
No comments:
Post a Comment