An Almost End - August Reading Update

So I'm watching an afternoon Blue Jays game while Jo is at work. I won't make any comments as any time I say something I tend to jinx teams for whom I'm cheering. We've had a couple of rainy days and today it's sunny and fresh. Sort of perfect right now.

As we wind down August, I've completed two more books. Happy with my August reading. I'll provide the reviews of both and the synopses for the next to books in line. September will focus on Non-Fiction, besides my other normal challenges. I'll also provide synopses of a couple of new books as well.

Just Finished

1. The Stepdaughter by Debbie Howells (2020). A new author for me.

"The Stepdaughter, written in 2020, was my first exposure to British thriller writer, Debbie Howells. As of 2023, she has published 13 books. The Stepdaughter is an interesting mystery, told from the points of view of three characters; housewife, Elise, her daughter, Niamh, and police investigator Nicki. 

Niamh's friend, Holly is having problems at home but it's not clear what they are as she is very mysterious about them. Holly disappears and this starts a police investigation. Nicki is called in by her DI. She seems to have been off on some sort of medical leave (more will become apparent of course).

Elise is a stewardess and is away on day trips fairly regularly. Her relationship with husband, Andrew, a local GP, is strained. Andrew is domineering, cheats on her and is basically a nasty individual. Niamh is dealing with this as well as some other secrets.

When Holly's body is discovered, the investigation becomes more and more intense. There are also intimations of a local child porn ring. Nicki must determine if Holly's disappearance is related.

It's a very nebulous story at times, lots of threads that are difficult to grasp onto. The suspects keep changing, the secrets become irritating at times. I wanted to shout to the characters, 'Just tell the truth!!'. It is very much a psychological thriller, with spousal abuse (maybe), child porn (maybe). It was interesting all in all. The ending was somewhat unsatisfying but still, I found my intro to Howells' writing was interesting and worth continuing to explore. (4.0 stars)"

2. Vanish in an Instant by Margaret Millar (1952). Probably my favorite mystery writer. Check her out.

"I've said it before and I'll trumpet it again. Since I discovered her mysteries, Margaret Millar has become my favorite of the genre and just a favorite author. Vanish in an Instant, published in 1952, was no exception.

Philanderer Claude Margolis is found murdered and troubled Virginia Barkeley is charged with the murder, Virginia's mother and her assistant, Alice, fly to Michigan from California so Mrs. Hamilton can help her daughter. Lawyer Eric Meecham gets involved in the case. Before it goes too far, Virginia is released as Earl Loftus confesses to the murder.

Although Meecham isn't representing Earl, he finds himself continually involved in the case as he doesn't seem to believe that Earl did commit the murder. So the follow-on investigation and the relations between the various characters is where the story continues to develop.

I love how Millar develops and presents one of her stories. There is a clarity to her writing. Each and every character, no matter how minor, seem real and accessible and add to the richness of the story. Millar presents the setting so you feel you are there, feeling the chill and dampness. You get to know the characters. Meecham and Alice, especially are interesting and their developing relationship grabs you and pulls you in. It's an interesting story and even though the ending was a bit nebulous, it was satisfying and the story was pretty darn good. I've ordered two more of Millar's books. I look forward to trying my next one. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962). A book I should have read many, many years ago.

"Silent Spring came as a cry in the wilderness, a deeply felt, thoroughly researched, and brilliantly written argument that changed the course of history. Without this book, the environmental movement might have been long delayed or never have developed at all.

-- from the Introduction by Vice President Al Gore

Rarely does a single book alter the course of history, but Rachel Carson's Silent Spring did exactly that. The outcry that followed its publication in 1962 forced the banning of DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. Carson's passionate concern for the future of our planet reverberated powerfully throughout the world, and her eloquent book was instrumental in launching the environmental movement. It is without question one of the landmark books of the twentieth century.

Silent Spring served as a touchstone for Al Gore while he was working on his widely praised, bestselling book on the environment, Earth in the Balance. Now Rachel Carson's message is more important than ever, and no one is more qualified than Al Gore to introduce her classic book to a new generation of readers."

2. The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America by David Hajdu (2008).

"In the years between the end of WWII & the mid-1950s, the popular culture of today was invented in the pulpy, boldly illustrated pages of comic books. But no sooner had comics emerged than they were beaten down by mass bonfires, congressional hearings, & a McCarthyish panic over their unmonitored & uncensored content. Esteemed critic David Hajdu vividly evokes the rise, fall & rise again of comics in this engrossing history."

New Books

1. Wallace of the Secret Service by Alexander Wilson (Wallace #3).

"Extreme Nationalists are fighting to relinquish the British government’s power in Egypt. Secret agent Henderson, deployed to Egypt to assess the trouble, sends a coded message to say he’s on the trail of something big. But there’s been no word since."

2. The First Lady of WWII: Eleanor Roosevelt's Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back by Shannon McKenna Schmidt (2023).

"The first book to tell the full story of Eleanor Roosevelt's unprecedented and courageous trip to the Pacific Theater during World War II. On August 27, 1943, news broke in the United States that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was on the other side of the world. A closely guarded secret, she had left San Francisco aboard a military transport plane headed for the South Pacific to support and report the troops on WW2's front lines.  Americans had believed she was secluded at home. As Allied forces battled the Japanese for control of the region, Eleanor was there on the frontlines, spending five weeks traveling, on a mission as First Lady of the United States to experience what our servicemen were experiencing... and report back home. "The most remarkable journey any president's wife has ever made." ― Washington Times-Herald , September 28, 1943 "Mrs. Roosevelt's sudden appearance in New Zealand well deserves the attention it is receiving. This is the farthest and most unexpected junket of a First Lady whose love of getting about is legendary." ― Detroit Free Press , August 28, 1943 "By a happy chance for Australia, this famous lady's taste for getting about, her habit of seeing for herself what is going on in the world, and, most of all, her deep concern for the welfare of the fighting men of her beloved country, have brought her on the longest journey of them all―across the wide, war-clouded Pacific." ― Sydney Morning Herald , September 4, 1943 "No other U.S. mother had seen so much of the panorama of the war, had been closer to the sweat and boredom, the suffering." ― Time , October 4, 1943"

So there you go, some reading ideas for you. Check them out.

A Quickie Update

Sweet Salvage

It's Thursday and Clyde and I are currently ensconced on the sofa. Bonnie has been at the vet all day as they do blood tests to see if the insulin she is on is working satisfactorily. I just dropped Jo off at work as they're doing a special evening at Sweet Salvage. I'm glad she is enjoying working there, it's a great little shop.

So since I don't go pick up Bonnie for another half hour, let's do a quick update; book(s) completed, book(s) started and any new books.

Just Finished

1. The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan #2 / 1913). I should have got back to this entertaining adventure series a bit sooner.

"The Return of Tarzan is the 2nd book in the Tarzan of the Apes series by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It's been about 5 years since I read the first book. Like the first book and other Burroughs' adventures I've enjoyed, there is no lack of action in this novel.

The story follows Tarzan as he returns to Europe (specifically France), then onwards to Algeria and finally to the west coast of Africa from whence he started his life amongst the great apes. Tarzan leaves America after giving up on his desire to marry Jane Porter. He basically gives his rightful estate to his cousin, Jack Clayton, so he can marry Jane and she can live the life of comfort she deserves.

On his cruise he gets involved with a French couple and a Russian blackmailer, Rokoff, a nemesis who will crop up throughout this journey. Rokoff is determined to blackmail his sister and when Tarzan intervenes, is then determined to destroy Tarzan. Tarzan has a variety of adventures in Paris, then begins working for the French military, a job that takes him first to Algeria, and then when he gets on a ship to South Africa, a disaster which will see him wash ashore in western Africa.

It's an entertaining, action-filled adventure. Tarzan shows his strength of character, his class and at the same time, his barbaric power. Quit a mix. The final chapter is a satisfying ending and leads nicely into the next book. If you want to read an entertaining story, check this out. (3.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Murder by Matchlight by E.C.R. Lorac (Robert MacDonald #26 / 1945). This is a new series for me. I like how the story is flowing.

""A man who played about on the fringes of the Black Market, who had fought for Sinn Fein, who lived by his wits - and who finally became dangerous to somebody and was knocked over the head in the blackout. It may prove to be a sordid story, but I certainly find it an interesting one."'

London, 1945. The capital is shrouded in the darkness of the blackout, and mystery abounds in the parks after dark.

During a stroll through Regent's Park, Bruce Mallaig witnesses two men acting suspiciously arounda footbridge. In a matter of moments, one of them has been murdered, Mallaig's view of the assailant but a brief glimpse of a ghastly face in the glow of a struck match.

The murderer's noiseless approach and escape seem to defy all logic, and even the victim's identity is quickly thrown into uncertainty. Lorac's shrewd yet personable C.I.D. man MacDonald must set to work once again to unravel this near-impossible mystery."

New Books

(As of this time last year I'd already purchased 52 books. I've been much better this year, purchasing only 18 books. I'm trying just to ensure that I buy the next book in a series or some new authors who have interested me. Since my last reading update on Saturday, I've added only one new book, this time a new author for me)

1. The Unquiet Night by Patricia Carlon (2001). I saw Carlon's books listed at the back of another mystery I'd just finished, that being Death of a Red Heroine. Carlon's books sounded interesting.

"Nine-year-old Ann has been taken to a nature reserve by her Aunt Rachel. As they are leaving, she sees a strange young man staring at them. After his panic subsides, the young man, Mart, realizes that they may be able to connect him to the girl he's just strangled. Hence a game of cat and mouse begins as Mart stalks them and other inhabitants of their small Australian town. Will Ann and her aunt escape?"

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Margaret Millar

I'm told I can pick up Bonnie at 4:45. *fingers crossed* everything is improving. So I'll work on this a bit longer then. Margaret Millar was born in Kitchener Ontario (at the time it was Berlin, Ontario) in 1915. She died in California in 1994. She was a noted mystery author, as was her husband, Ross MacDonald. Quite a pairing, eh? Over the course of Millar's life, she wrote over 25 novels. Since I discovered her work, I've read 10 of her stories. She is such an excellent mystery author; I've rated a few as 5-star reads. (Not that my rating amounts for much in the great scheme of things. 😎😎) I'll highlight my 5-star reads plus provide the synopsis of the one book I have on my bookshelf.

1. The Soft Talkers (1957). Also An Air That Kills.

"I've read a couple of Margaret Millar's stories before; they can be hard to find. I enjoyed them quite a bit, as she has a very accessible writing style. The Soft Talkers, also published under the name An Air That Kills was a pleasure to read. It was a perfect little mystery. Millar has such a smooth writing style, even little details like "she buttoned up her sweater to the very top", fill the story and make it even better. The story basically deals with the disappearance of Ron Galloway, who is supposed to meet his buddies at a cabin he owns north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He never shows up and the rest of the story deals with the follow-on reactions of his friends and family and the follow-on search for him. The story is told from the perspective of his various friends and his wife and also even small sub-stories by side characters. Even these sub-stories are interesting and so well-written. It's a story that I just enjoyed reading and the ending had a nice surprise that I actually didn't see coming. Being Canadian, I also enjoyed the setting; the city of Toronto and cottage country north of Toronto. The story was written in 1957 and in some ways reminds me of some of the Patricia Highsmith stories I've read, just better. Such a simple but entertaining read, clear, concise and intelligently written. I highly recommend. (5 stars)"

2. Beast in View (1955).

"Beast In View was a true gem. I've enjoyed a couple of her other books in the past few years, when I've been able to find copies. The Soft Talkers was one of my favourites of last year. Beast in View is another 5-star read. It's such an interesting story. I love how Millar develops her plots. Is it about Helen Clarvoe, who lives alone in her apartment, isolated from the world about her? Is it about Mr. Blackshear, Helen's financial adviser, bored with his work, who she asks to help her find the woman who made the distressing call to Helen and who begins to conduct an investigation on Helen's behalf? Or is it about Evelyn Merrick, the woman who makes the initial call to Helen and who seems to be making many calls to other people that have upset her? I loved how it moved along, from the one character to the other, how the tension builds, how the story surprisingly makes a turn to the left. Excellent, excellent!! She is such a wonderful writer. (5 stars)"

3. Wall of Eyes (1943) (Inspector Sands #1).

"Wall of Eyes is the 7th book by Margaret Millar that I've enjoyed. The more books by Millar that I read the more I discover what a great mystery writer and just plain author that she is. Wall of Eyes was her 4th book published in 1943. What an entertaining, rich story!

Basically, the Heath family, father, son John, daughters Alice live under blind daughter Kelsey's power in their home in Toronto. Also living there is Philip James, Kelsey's fiancé and the hired help. Two years ago, Kelsey caused a car accident, blinding her and killing brother John's girl friend. Since that time she has deteriorated and Alice finally goes to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Loring asking him to try and help Kelsey.

Quickly after this meeting, Kelsey tries to kill herself with morphine and then the same night is murdered. This action begins an investigation by the Toronto police, led by Inspector Sands. This investigation will also ultimately lead back to the original car crash; are they related events.

It's a simple case, so it seems but the more you delve into it, the more intricate and fascinating it becomes. The story isn't told from any one specific perspective, but like Millar's The Soft Talkers, even minor characters get to have a say. I liked these small details very much; for example when we see the female police detective at the hospital and Sands refers back to an earlier case where this detective is interested. 

The story seems at times to be sparse and matter of fact but there are also lovely descriptive moments that give you a clear picture of the events and thoughts of the characters; e.g. 'Ida's breasts rode her in cross-rhythm like twin riders on a galloping horse'. 

There are nice little details that made the story more interesting and help provide a picture of the time the story was written. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of Chapter 14 where there is a radio alert for one of the murder suspects. It really tickled my fancy '... in cooperation with the police department, the makers of Crispcrunch, the ideal new breakfast food that is teeming with vitamins and good flavor, are broadcasting this description of a dangerous criminal....' It had a nice surreal touch to it.

The mystery seems straight forward as you progress but more and more gets added to the story and the list of suspects grows. The final solution was a surprise but not an unrealistic one. It was deeply satisfying. I liked the setting of Toronto, having lived there for my university years. I liked the story, the characters (Inspector Sands is fantastic), everything about this story. I am so very glad that I finally discovered Margaret Millar's mystery writing. She is one of the very best. It matters not one bit that her stories were written 50+ years ago. (5 stars)"

4. The Murder of Miranda (1979) (Tom Aragon #2).

"Where is Miranda Shaw? She had just been widowed and her lawyer needs her signature for probate, but her mansion is empty and two addled teenagers, Cordelia and Juliet, are wearing her jewelry. Has she eloped? With Grady, the lifeguard at her club, who is also missing? Is she dodging her lawyer? Or has she been murdered ... ?"

(Update: Bonnie is back from the vet. The insulin is working but she needs one more unit per day. Another check-up in two weeks. She had a good dinner and is now relaxing. 😀"