The year is winding down. We've had a few days of snow and everything is messy. Jo and I had a nice day downtown the other day. Had lunch at Beninos and then wandered out onto the Comox Wharf. It was just lovely, watching the sun falling behind the glacier. We even saw a seal swimming into the harbor. Anyway, it was a nice way to finish off the day.
So, here is my first reading update of the month; books read, started, a couple of new books, all the good things.
Just Finished
"The Detective's Daughter by Lesley Thomson is the first book of 9 in her Detective's Daughter series. Ex police superintendent Terry Darnell, now a PI, is still investigating his white whale, the murder of Kate Rokesmith, when he dies of a heart attack. His estranged daughter, Stella Darnell, owner of a successful house cleaning business, while going through Terry's papers comes across his files on the case and she decides to continue with the investigation.
Also involved is Jack Harmon, a strange young man, who works evenings as a Tube (subway) driver and also seems to hide out in other peoples' homes; his Hosts, as he calls them. Jack is hired by Stella to help clean some residences and he implicates himself into Stella's investigation. There are also other 'weird' characters; Stella's 'ex' boyfriend Paul, who sort of stalks her and also seems aware of the murder, Dentist Yvan, whose office Stella cleans (well, actually, she gets Jack to clean it) and with whom she has a budding relationship. There are other people who may have been witnesses to the murder.
It's a sometimes-confusing story, wandering between Stella and Jack, but also jumping into the past where we follow Stella as a child with dad, Terry. There is also a story line about a young boy at boarding school and we don't really get clarity (somewhat) into that situation until much later. So, there are imperfections. As always, PEOPLE KEEP TOO MANY SECRETS! And Stella is not necessarily likeable, although this does change as the story progresses. As the story progresses, the clues begin to pop up more and more and it draws you deeper and deeper into the story.
It's a cold story, set in London during winter so reading it now was appropriate. LOL. I liked how things came to a head, resolved themselves, both from Stella's and Jack's perspectives and ultimately, even from Terry's. I was doubtful about the story at the beginning, but it just got better and better. I quite enjoyed and look forward to reading the next story, Ghost Girl. (4.5 stars)"
"I have no rating to offer for Red Rising by Pierce Brown as I chose not to finish it after reading about 1/3 of the book. It's an interesting concept but I just found that it was too easy to put down.
Basically, as I understand the story, it's set on Mars. Darrow is a miner who lives and works below the surface with his tribe and his wife. The leaders, the Golds, (Darrow is a Red) convict Darrow and his wife of treason... sort of. Darrow is given the lash and his wife is executed. Darrow is also executed but he doesn't die? (I may have this all wrong, of course. It's slipping from my memory). He is brought to the attention of a group of rebels who use surgery and such to make Darrow a Gold so he can infiltrate the Gold hierarchy. To do this he has to go to Gold school.... (And that's where I ended it)
I probably should have focused on it more and put aside other books, but it really didn't grab me enough to do so. It's unfortunate as I know others who have enjoyed the series. Oh well. This is a DNF and NR."
"This is the 2nd collection of Ms. Tree, Vol. 2: Skeleton in the Closet 'comics' that I've enjoyed. It contains 5 or 6 individual graphic novels and one short story. Most enjoyable.
Ms. Tree, aka Mike Tree, runs a detective agency in Chicago. She took it over when her husband, also, Mike Tree, was murdered on a case. She runs it with his partner, now hers and one other detective. The stories are all pulp detective stories at their best and they touch on very strong subjects; Satanism, homophobia, college rape, the Vietnam War and good old horror stories (the overnight stay in a haunted mansion classic tale).
Mike Tree is tough, hard-nosed detective who doesn't mind using her fists or guns to finish off a case. She has a reputation as the female Mike Hammer. She stands up for the underdog, her son-in-law (who features in some of the stories) and her friends. The police use her when they can't get justice following their own rules.
The artwork is excellent, and the stories action packed and nicely crafted. They might gloss over the issues covered but they cover them, making them important. Detective stories in the hard-boiled tradition placed in the graphic novel format. Most enjoyable. (4.0 stars)"
"March: Book Two by John Lewis is the 2nd book, in graphic novel format, detailing Representative John Lewis's life as a civil rights leader in the 60's. It's a powerful story covering the Freedom Riders, efforts to obtain equality for Blacks in the South and finally the Freedom March in Washington, DC. Interspersed with this story is the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
It's a fascinating history, one that I knew a bit about, but it provided me with new insights into the events around the Civil Rights' movements. The anger and hatred and violence of white Southerners against peaceful demonstrations; even just trying to buy tickets at movie theaters or to sit as a lunch counter, is so disturbing. The violence of the police, especially highlighting Chief of Police Bull Turner, the ascension of Governor Wallace and other segregationists, never ceases to astound me.
We meet Martin Luther King, Jr and I found his hesitance to be involved at times surprising We also meet President JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy. Technically, the artwork is excellent and the storytelling first - rate. I'm so glad to find out more about this portion of American history and now trying to relate it to the current situation in the US, the rise of hatred, suspicion of government, etc. There is one further book in this excellent graphic novel series, and I have it on order. I'd suggest this must-read history. (4.5 stars)"
Currently Reading
(My focus in December is graphic novels, wo you will see a few)
"It took two lifetimes and countless victims, but Lucas "Dodge" Caravaggio has his terrible prize at last: the key which will open The Black Door. Disguised in the form of little Bode Locke, Dodge descends into the Drowning Cave, to throw back the door and release the demons on the other side. Those who have stood against him for so long - Tyler, Kinsey, Scot, Nina, Rufus, and all the rest - take their places as the final tragedy unfolds... A confrontation between decency and hate in the caverns a hundred feet beneath Keyhouse, at the threshold of an evil kept for generations under lock and key."
"From the pages of Newbery Medal winner Neil Gaiman's The Sandman comes the young, pale, perky, fan-favorite character Death in a new Absolute Edition collecting her solo adventures! Featuring the miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living 1-3, in which Death befriends a teenager and helps a 250-year-old homeless woman find her missing heart.
The Absolute Death collects the miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living and Death: The Time of Your Life together with "The Sound of Her Wings" and "Façade" from The Sandman 8 and 20, the P. Craig Russell-illustrated "Death and Venice" from The Sandman: Endless Nights, and the never-before reprinted stories "A Winter's Tale" and "The Wheel." This deluxe volume also features an introduction by The Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer as well as extensive galleries of Death portraits and retail products, sketches by artist Chris Bachalo, and the complete original script by Gaiman for The Sandman 8."
Baron Bodmin, an adventurer with more failed quests than fingernails, has vanished in circumstances that are odd even for him. While he is supposedly hunting the fabled Eye of Africa diamond in the Nubian desert, his expeditionary airship is found adrift off the coast of England.
Maddie was the last reporter to see the potty peer alive. If she can locate the missing baron or the Eye of Africa, her career will be made.
Outraged investors and false friends complicate her quest, and a fiendish figure lurks in the shadows, ready to snatch the prize... at any price."
No comments:
Post a Comment