A Weekend Reading Update, New Books and Women Authors

I have to say I just don't get it! The Blue Jays win their first game of a double header against Cleveland. Confused #1 - why didn't they let Stripling pitch into the 6th inning at least? They used two relievers when I don't really think they needed to. Even Buck and Dan seemed confused. They did win the first game at least. In the 2nd game, Matz was cruising along with a 4-0 win when the 3rd baseman bobbled the ball and gave up an out. So they let Matz pitch a bit more but he gives up a couple of runs. So they bring in Chatwood, who proves he can't throw a strike and after the 6th, it's now tied 4-4. Blue Jays take the lead in the 7th (it being a double header, they only play 7 innings. So Chatwood comes out in the 7th, walks 4 straight batters to tie up the game, without anyone EVEN warmed up in the bullpen!!!!! And of course, the final guy comes in with the bases loaded, one out and gets an out but the runner scores from 3rd. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!! There, got that out of my system.

OK, it's the penultimate day of May 2021. I finished one book yesterday and plan to finish one more in the final day(s). I'll provide the review of the book I completed and the synopsis of the next book in line. Yesterday, I also dropped off a few books at my local and bought 4. I also received one in the mail on Friday, so I'll provide the synopses of those as well. Then I'll continue with my latest theme, Women authors I've been enjoying reading.

Just Finished

1. The Kindness of Strangers by Julie Smith (Skip Langdon #6).

"The Kindness of Strangers is the 6th book in American author Julie Smith's Skip Langdon crime series. Skip is a New Orleans police detective and as this sixth story begins, is suffering from depression from a shooting in the previous novel. Her Sgt tells her she needs to take a leave of absence and get some psychiatric help.

Skip is trying to find some focus and it centers on Errol Jacomine, a preacher / politician running for Mayor of New Orleans. He is a mysterious person and from things that Skip has heard, she feels he is a dangerous threat to New Orleans; a cult like following, miracle healings, prostitution, etc. Jacomine (aka Daddy) hears about Skip's informal investigation into him and starts a campaign to discredit Skip.

Side stories in this complex mystery, all of which begin to tie together, include Torian, a teenage girl, friend of Skip's 'niece' Sheila. Torian has problems with an alcoholic mother and divorced father. She is having a relationship with Jacomine's press secretary, for whom she babysits. The story around Torian and Sheila will coalesce as the book progresses, ultimately leading a life threatening crisis. As well, Hurricane Hannah is bearing down on New Orleans and will hit as the crisis hits its peak.

The story moves from Skip and her ongoing fight with Jacomine, to Torian and her struggles with her mother, Lise, to Jacomine and his hit man, Potter, to Noel Treadaway, his frustrations with his home life and the friction working for Jacomine, etc. The story is complex and moves along at a quick pace, pushed along by the impending threat of Hurricane Hannah. I can't say I related to or particularly liked many of the characters. So many issues, shouting, crying, anger... I do like Skip. She's a complicated person and I felt sorry for her initial depression, but liked how she struggled to find a focus to get herself out of it. I do like her boyfriend Steve; he brought her some joy and encouragement and was actually of assistance in this story.

Lots of action, a good perspective and portrait of New Orleans, building tension and a reasonably satisfying conclusion; not everything works out perfectly in life. Now to fill in the gaps with the remaining books in this series. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Doors Open by Ian Rankin (2008). This is part of my 12 + 4 Challenge, reading the 16 books I've had on my Goodreads' bookshelf the longest.

"Mike Mackenzie is a self-made man with too much time on his hands and a bit of the devil in his soul. He is looking for something to liven up the days and settles on a plot to rip off one of the most high-profile targets in the capital – the National Gallery of Scotland.

So, together with two close friends from the art world, he devises a plan to lift some of the most valuable artwork around. But of course, the real trick is to rob the place for all it’s worth whilst persuading the world that no crime was ever committed…"

New Books

1. Old Flames by John Lawton (Inspector Troy #2). I finished #1 just recently.

"Ten years on from BLACK OUT, it is 1956 and the Cold War is at its height. For the first time, Soviet leaders (Bulganin and Khrushchev) visit Britain. The body of a diver is found floating near a Russian ship at Portsmouth. Is this the excuse Bulganin and Khrushchev need to storm out and freeze the Cold War still further? Chief Inspector Troy, by parentage a Russian speaker, investigates ..."

2. Under Occupation by Alan Furst (Night Soldiers #15). It's been awhile since I read one of the books in this series. I'll have to try one this year.

"Occupied Paris in 1942, a dark, treacherous city now ruled by the German security services, where French resistance networks are working secretly to defeat Hitler. Just before he dies, a man being chased by the Gestapo hands off to Paul Ricard a strange looking drawing. It looks like a part for a military weapon; Ricard realizes it must be an important document smuggled out of Germany to aid the resistance. As Ricard is drawn deeper and deeper into the French resistance network, his increasingly dangerous assignments lead him to travel to Germany, and along the underground safe houses of the resistance--and to meet the mysterious and beautiful Leila, a professional spy."

3. The Morgaine Saga by C.J. Cherryh (Morgaine and Vanye #1 - 3). In my previous BLog post the woman author I highlighted was C.J. Cherryh. I saw this book in my local so thought I'd give it a try.

"Sword-and-sorcery meets hard sci-fi in C.J. Cherryh's epic story of a woman's mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe."

4. The Marching Season by David Silva (Michael Osbourne #2). Silva is a new author for me. I've got two or three of his books on my shelf and look forward to finally trying one.

"When the Good Friday peace accords are shattered by three savage acts of terrorism, Northern Ireland is blown back into the depths of conflict. And after his father-in-law is nominated to become the new American ambassador to London, retired CIA agent Michael Osbourne is drawn back into the game.

He soon discovers that his father-in-law is marked for execution. And that he himself is once again in the crosshairs of a killer known as October, one of the most merciless assassins the world has ever known..."

5. They Used Dark Forces by Dennis Wheatley (Gregory Sallust #8, Black Magic #7). I've enjoyed two or three of Wheatley's books, some wartime adventure, others B Movie horror. He was an interesting, prolific author.

"It is 1943, World War II, and secret agent Gregory Sallust is parachuted into Nazi Germany. In the company of an ex-Bolshevik General named Stefan Kuporovitch, the two of them join forces with the widow of a German diplomat who is in contact with Allied Intelligence. It is through her that Gregory becomes unwillingly involved with a Black Magician and when, 16 months later, they meet again, each decides to use occult forces in an attempt to destroy Hitler once and for all...."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Dame Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie

I've probably highlighted my enjoyment of Agatha Christie's mysteries in most of the various themes I've posted on. Since I started reading her books 'again' in the early 2000's, I've enjoyed 17 of her stories. She was one of my Focus authors in 2021 and I believe I read at least 4 of her books, one Poirot, one Marple and a couple of others. Even with that, I've barely scratched the surface of her prolific writing. I have another ten or more sitting on my bookshelf and will continue to enjoy her work for a long time to come. I'll highlight 6 of the books I'm looking forward to enjoying.

1. The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6).

"Bound for the Riviera, detective Hercule Poirot has boarded Le Train bleu, an elegant, leisurely means of travel, free of intrigue. Then he meets Ruth Kettering. The lovely American heiress--bailing out of a doomed marriage--is enroute to reconcile with her former lover. But by morning, the young bride's private affairs are made public when she's found murdered in her luxury compartment. The rumor of a strange man loitering in the victim's shadow is all Poirot has to go on. Until Mrs. Kettering's secret life begins to unfold . . ."

2. The Golden Ball and Other Stories (1971). Christie is one author who is comfortable with both full length novels and the short story.

"Is it a gesture of good will or a sinister trap that lures Rupert St. Vincent and his family to magnificent estate? How desperate is Joyce Lambert, a destitute young widow whose only recourse is to marry a man she despises? What unexpected circumstance stirs old loyalties in Theodora Darrell, an unfaithful wife about to run away with her lover? In this collection of short stories, the answers are as unexpected as they are satisfying. The Queen of Crime takes bizarre romantic entanglements, supernatural visitations, and classic murder to inventive new heights."

3. By the Pricking of Their Thumbs (Tommy & Tuppence #4). I've enjoyed almost all of this short series. I believe this was turned into a Miss Marple in some TV versions.

"When Tommy and Tuppence visit an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they think nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada is a very difficult old lady.

But when Mrs. Lockett mentions a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs. Lancaster talks about "something behind the fireplace," Tommy and Tuppence find themselves caught up in a spine-chilling adventure that could spell death for either of them . . .

A duty visit to Tommy's elderly and unpleasant aunt results in a strange inheritance, black magic--and danger for Tommy and Tuppence Beresford."

4. The Big Four (Poirot #5). 

"Framed in the doorway of Poirot’s bedroom stood an uninvited guest, coated from head to foot in dust. The man’s gaunt face stared for a moment, then he swayed and fell. Who was he? Was he suffering from shock or just exhaustion? Above all, what was the significance of the figure 4, scribbled over and over again on a sheet of paper? Poirot finds himself plunged into a world of international intrigue, risking his life to uncover the truth about ‘Number Four’."

5. Hickory Dickory Dock (Poirot #32). As you can see, Poirot seems to have been Christie's favorite protagonist.

"An outbreak of kleptomania at a student hostel was not normally the sort of crime that aroused Hercule Poirot’s interest. But when he saw the list of stolen and vandalized items – including a stethoscope, some old flannel trousers, a box of chocolates, a slashed rucksack and a diamond ring found in a bowl of soup – he congratulated the warden, Mrs Hubbard, on a ‘unique and beautiful problem’. The list made absolutely no sense at all. But, reasoned Poirot, if this was merely a petty thief at work, why was everyone at the hostel so frightened?"

6. Elephants Can Remember (Poirot #40).

""The Ravenscrofts didn't seem that kind of person. They seemed well balanced and placid..." And yet, twelve years earlier, the husband had shot the wife, and then himself--or perhaps it was the other way around, since sets of both of their fingerprints were on the gun, and the gun had fallen between them. The case haunts Ariadne Oliver, who had been a friend of the couple. The famous mystery novelist desires this real-life mystery solved, and calls upon Hercule Poirot to help her do so. Poirot is now a very old man, but his mind is as nimble and as sharp as ever and can still penetrate deep into the shadows. But as Poirot and Mrs. Oliver and Superintendent Spence reopen the long-closed case, a startling discovery awaits them. And if memory serves Poirot (and it does!), crime--like history--has a tendency to repeat itself."

Besides these six, I have another 10 of Christie's books on my shelves. I may have to focus on her again. So there you go, some reading ideas for you. Enjoy your new week and upcoming June. Stay safe. 😷

A Reading Update, Some New Books and Women Authos

Congrats on your 1st Blue Jay win!

Excitingish baseball news today as youngster Alek Manoah gets his first major league start with the Toronto Blue Jays today and against the Yankees. I wish him well and am watching. (Ed Note. Since this Blog program was acting up, I can now report that Mr. Manoah won his first game in the Pros. Congrats!)

I finished one book yesterday and hope I'll finish two more before end May. I'll provide my review of the book and also the synopsis of the next book in line. I've also got a few new books in the past week so I'll provide the synopses of those as well. Then I'll continue with my ongoing look at women authors I'm enjoying. 

Hailstorm hitting us right now.. Wow!

Just Finished

1. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (Ruth Galloway #1).

"The Crossing Places is the first book in English author Elly Griffiths's Ruth Galloway series. It's one of those series I'm glad I finally discovered and tried because I will find the next books and maybe try her other series as well.

Ruth Galloway is a forensic anthropologist who teaches at the University of North Norfolk. Ruth fell in love with the starkness of the marshes when she took part in an archaeological did there ten years ago. She lives in a small isolated cottage, one of three, on the edge of the salt marsh, loving the open skies, the smell of the salt marshes. Ruth is called by DCI Harry Nelson to examine a body that has been discovered in the marshes, the body of a small child. Nelson feels it might that of Lucy Downy, who disappeared ten years ago, a cold case he still frets about. It turns out that the bones are those of an Iron Age girl. However, this interaction between Ruth and Harry will continue as another young girl disappears and they continue to work together. Harry has been receiving letters from the purported 'criminal' who may have abducted Lucy, letters that continue to goad him about his failures and which offer clues in mythology and religion to her whereabouts. As Ruth gets more involved, she also begins to attract the attentions of a mysterious person.

It's a tense, well-written story. The area is such an interesting place and not totally unfamiliar to me as my wife and I have driven through in some of our travels. Ruth is an interesting character, somewhat lacking in confidence in her physical appearance and in her personal life, but who possesses unknown inner strength and an ability to look deeper into situations to come up with answers. Harry is frustrated by the lack of progress in both cases but he has a determination to find answers. The bringing together of the two characters makes an interesting story and they also present a unique team. The supporting characters also make the story richer and tenser as well. There are no shortage of suspects and even though I had an inkling who the actual perpetrator might be, it was still a fascinating journey getting to a satisfying conclusion. There interesting tidbits also presented though the story about a potential victim that made the story even more interesting.

I enjoyed this introduction to the Ruth Galloway series. It read nicely, flowed along at an excellent pace, offered interesting historical  and archeological information and made for an all-around entertaining mystery. Looking forward to trying the 2nd book, The Janus Stone (4 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Shadow and Claw by Gene Wolfe (The Book of the New Sun #1 & 2). I have previously enjoyed a collection of Wolfe's short stories.

"The Book of the New Sun is an epic set a million years in the future. Earth is transformed to a time when present culture is no longer even a memory. This edition contains the first two volumes of this four volume novel, The Shadow of the Torturer and The Claw of the Conciliator, originally published in 1980 and 1981."

New Books

1.  The Corpse - Rat King by Lee Battersby (Marius don Hellespont #1). This was dropped into my Little Free Library. It sounded interesting.

"Marius don Hellespont and his apprentice, Gerd, are professional looters of battlefields. When they stumble upon the corpse of the King of Scorby and Gerd is killed, Marius is mistaken for the monarch by one of the dead soldiers and is transported down to the Kingdom of the Dead.

Just like the living citizens, the dead need a King — after all, the King is God’s representative, and someone needs to remind God where they are.

And so it comes to pass that Marius is banished to the surface with one message: if he wants to recover his life he must find the dead a King. Which he fully intends to do.

Just as soon as he stops running away."

2. A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay (2013). I've enjoyed Barclay's stories so far so was happy to see another dropped off in my Library.

"It's been two months since private investigator Cal Weaver's teenage son, Scott, died in a tragic drug-related accident. Ever since, he and his wife have drifted apart, fracturing a once-normal life. Cal is mired in grief he can't move past. And maybe that has clouded his judgment. Because he made a grave mistake driving home on a very rainy night. A drenched young girl tapped on his window as he sat at a stoplight and asked for a ride. And even though he knew a forty-something man picking up a teenage hitchhiker is a fool, he let her in the car--she was the same age as Scott and maybe she could help him find the dealer who sold his son the drugs that killed him. However, after a brief stop at a roadside diner, Cal senses that something's not right with the girl or the situation. But it's too late. He's already involved. 

Soon Cal finds himself mired in a nightmare of pain and suspicion. Something is horribly wrong in the small town of Griffon in Upstate New York. There are too many secrets, too many lies. And Cal decides to expose those secrets one by one."

3. Accusation by Catherine Bush (2013). I had highlighted Bush in an earlier Blog entry in my Women Author's thread.  After that I ordered one of her books I'd not tried yet.

"An accusation, regardless of truth, has its own life when let loose in the world. The words, released, went on uncoiling themselves.

While in Copenhagen, Sara Wheeler happens upon a touring Ethiopian circus called Cirkus Mirak. Later, she drives its founder, Raymond Renaud, through the night from Toronto to Montreal. Such chance beginnings lead to later fateful encounters, as renowned novelist Catherine Bush artfully confronts the destructive power of allegations.

With Accusation, Bush again proves herself to be one of Canada’s finest authors as she examines the impossibility inherent in attempting to uncover “the truth.” After a friend of Sara’s begins a documentary about the circus, unsettling charges begin to float to the surface — disturbing tales of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Raymond. Accounts and anecdotes mount, denunciations fly, and while Sara strives to untangle the narrative knots and determine what to believe, the idea of a singular “truth” becomes slippery. Her present search is simultaneously haunted by her past.

Traveling from Canada to Ethiopia and Australia, Accusation follows a network of lives that intersect with life-altering consequence, painfully revealing that the best of intentions can lead to disaster."

4. The Grand Banks Café by Georges Simenon (Maigret #9). Also published under The Sailor's Rendezvous and Maigret Answers a Plea. I've been enjoying this series for awhile.

Sailors don't talk much to other men, especially not to policemen. But after Captain Fallut's body is found floating near his trawler, they all mention the Evil Eye when they speak of the Ocean's voyage."

5. Skull-Face by Robert E. Howard (1929). I've read Howard's Conan books a few times and decided to try one of his other books. 

"The story begins with Steve Costigan drearily waking in Yu Shantu's Temple of Dreams, a hashish den in the city of London, England. He has been re-occurring dreams of something he calls "Skull Face", and is puzzled about their meanings..."

Women Author's I'm Enjoying - C.J. Cherryh

C.J. Cherryh

Caroline Janice (C.J.) Cherryh is an American author of speculative fiction. She was born in St Louis in 1942. She won a number of awards for various of her works; Hugo Awards for Best Short Story and Novel, the John W Campbell Award for New Writer, etc. I had seen her books over the years and a few years back when I was doing a series of posts on various award winners, some of her books were mentioned and I ordered and read Downbelow Station. I've since purchased two more of her books. Below are the three I've had.

1. Downbelow Station (The Company Wars #1 / 1981)

"My first comment about Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh is Wow! I've never read anything by Cherryh before. I was aware of her books when I'd rooted through the SciFi section of my book stores but I'd not tried anything. Recently, I was running through the years in my BLog and for each year listing various book award titles. Downbelow Station won the Hugo Award for best SciFi novel in 1982. So I thought I should check it out... So with that preamble...

This is such a fantastic book! I readily admit that it took me a few chapters to start understanding the various people, worlds, etc but once I got into the flow, it just got better and better. 

How to summarize? Over centuries Earth began to expand into the stars to keep Earth's economy moving. They set up stations floating around various worlds and from there continued their expansion outward to the Fringes. Downbelow Station circles the planet Pell and it is sort of the hub between Earth and the stars. On the planet are the Downers, beings sort of like Ewoks or Fuzzies (from H Beam Piper's Fuzzy books). Earth men work the planet in concert with the Downers, passing supplies up to the station for the stations use and trade.

War is brewing between Earth's old fleet run by a hard leader, Mazian and the fringes, Union and Pell finds itself caught in the middle, trying to be neutral but at great risk. Throw in the Merchanters, those ships that travel between the stars and you've got an interesting mix of great characters.

Pell is run by various families with the Konstantin's one of the main ones and they also provide the major characters. This family must tred carefully and try to keep Pell safe from all. Stations all around are being destroyed and refugees flocking to Pell and overloading the station. There are plots and subplots galore. I found myself being drawn into the characters and the excellent story. It starts a bit slowly but then moves along at breakneck speed until the excellent, satisfying ending. I truly loved this story and world that CJ Cherryh created. I can't recommend the story more. (5 stars). I'm looking forward to exploring her work more now."

2. Rider at the Gate (Finisterre #1 / 1995).

"Stranded on a fertile, ore-rich planet, human colonists appear to be in paradise, but unseen horrors threaten their survival. All the native animals communicate by telepathy, projecting images which drive the humans mad. Only Nighthorses, who can form telepathic bonds with their human riders, stand between civilization and insanity."

3. Visitor (Foreigner #17 / 2016).

"The seventeenth novel in Cherryh's Foreigner space opera series, a ground breaking tale of first contact and its consequences 

The human and atevi inhabitants of Alpha Station, orbiting the world of the atevi, have picked up a signal from an alien kyo ship telling them that the ship is inbound toward Alpha. Five thousand of the inhabitants of Alpha are human refugees from the now derelict Reunion Station. They have seen this scenario before, when a single kyo ship swooped into the Reunion system and, without a word, melted a major section of Reunion Station with a single pass. These refugees, who were rescued through the combined efforts of an allied group of humans and atevi and brought to safety at Alpha, are now desperate with fear.   

Bren Cameron brilliant human emissary of Tabini-aiji, the powerful atevi political leader on the mainland below, and also the appointee of the human president of the island nation of Mospheira is the obvious choice of representative to be sent up to deal with both the panicked refugees and the incoming alien ship.

 As a member of the space-faring delegation who rescued the refugees, Bren has talked to kyo before and even won their trust by saving one of their kind from a Reunioner prison. Because of his remarkable diplomatic and linguistic abilities, Bren managed to communicate with that grateful kyo individual on a limited basis, and he has evidence that that same kyo is on the ship heading to defenseless Alpha Station. 

But no one can predict what an alien race might do, or what their motivations could be.
And Bren Cameron, the only human ever to be accepted into atevi society, is now the one individual with a hope of successfully interacting with the crew of the incoming ship. But Bren knows it will take putting himself in the hands of the kyo. 

Can Bren count on the gratitude of one individual alien to save his life and the lives of thousands on Alpha Station?"

The complete listing of Cherryh's works can be found at this link. Stay safe. 😷

Midweek Music Medley - Wednesday 26 May 2021

Without preamble here is your midweek music medley for 26 May

Midweek Music Medley - 26 May 2021

1. American soul / reggae / jazz group Surfaces w/ Elton John - Learn to Fly (2020).

2. English synth / pop duo Erasure - Lay All Your Love on Me (1992)

3. American pop / rock duo Hall & Oates - Lady Rain (1973).

Have a great day and enjoy the rest of your week. Stay safe. 😷

A Tuesday Reading Update and Women Authors

Yesterday was a cloudy, drizzly sort of day but today it's brightened up very nicely. We've the patio doors open and are enjoying a nice cool breeze. Supper tonight is going to be a take-away curry, I think.

I finished a book this morning. I'll provide my review of it plus the synopsis of the next book in line. I'll also continue with my look at my most recent theme, Women Authors I'm Enjoying Reading.

Just Finished

1. Three Days of the Condor by James Grady (1974).

"Three Days of the Condor by James Grady is a taut, well-crafted, excellent spy thriller. In 1975, Sydney Pollack turned it into an excellent movie starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. I found a copy of it at a local charity book sale a few years ago and decided to try it out. I'm so glad that I did.

CIA analyst Ronald Malcolm works out a small detachment in DC. Their function is to read mystery novels and determine if the author might actually know something about current spy practices and people and need to be investigated. It's a boringish job, to the point that every morning at around 8:45, Malcolm sits at his window to gaze across the street at a beautiful woman who walks by every day. Malcolm is called down to meet with new accountant / librarian, Heidegger. Heidegger has been looking through records and seems to find some discrepancies on shipments of books. Heidegger decides to send his concerns to HQ. This causes a chain of events that will result in many deaths and also put Malcolm on the run for his life.

To say any more might give up too many details. Let's just say that it's a fascinating tale. Malcolm, aka Condor, is intelligent, lives by the seat of his pants and manages to stay one step ahead of those chasing him. The story highlights spy craft so very well; the process of reporting what happens at Malcolm's office, the process for ramping up actions to discover what happened and how to determine who was involved. You get to see the many varied departments of the US National Intelligence Service, how they interact and how they don't. It's a technical, entertaining story. Malcolm is an excellent character, Wendy, the young lady who helps Malcolm is wonderful, daring, brave. The old man who works to solve the case before the killers can catch Malcolm is intelligent, and excellent as well.

It's a page turner, with neat details, lots of action and a satisfying conclusion. A perfect, entertaining story. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Blunderer by Patricia Highsmith (1954).

"Walter Stackhouse's love for his wife is dead: now he wishes she was.

His wish comes true when Clara's body is found lying at the bottom of a cliff. But there are uncanny similarities between her death and that of a woman called Helen Kimmel; who was, in fact, murdered by her husband.

The apparent connection is not lost on Lieutenant Corby of the Newark police. The object of close scrutiny, Walter is forced into a string of blunders that claim his career and his reputation, cost him his friends - and ultimately threaten his life."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett

English author Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett lived from 1849 (born in Manchester) - 1924 (died in New York, US). Over her life she was quite prolific, best known for her children's novels, Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. So far I've only read the latter.

1. The Secret Garden (1911).

"What a wonderful story The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is. I've had it on my book shelf for a year or so and added it to my 12+ 4 reading challenge on the recommendation of a Goodread's friend.

It was so nice to read an uplifting, joyous story such as this. It's a story of growing up, discovering friendship and love and it leaves you feeling very positive and happy. (well, there were a few tears shed at the end but only because it was a positive ending.)

Young Mary Lennox is growing up in India. Her mother abandons her to the care of an Indian governess; she never really wanted a child. Mary becomes a loner, a temperamental, selfish young girl. When her parents die due to a cholera epidemic, she is sent to England to live with an uncle who resides at his estate in Misselthwaite Manor. Her uncle is basically a hermit who has never recovered from the death of his wife. He wants nothing to do with Mary, heading off to Europe and other places as soon as she arrives. Mary is once again alone but she slowly begins to make 'actual' friends, firstly her maid, Martha, a young Yorkshire lass, then a robin, etc. She then discovers the entrance to a locked garden; her uncle had closed it down when his wife died. It was her favorite and she died when a branch fell on her. Mary also discovers another resident in the manor, who turns out to be her cousin, Colin.

Without ruining the story by telling you anymore, suffice it to say that the two develop a close relationship and learn about friendship and love as they grow. The link with the garden, their development as the garden grows and multiplies, is most interesting. The story is full of wonderful characters; not the least Mary and Colin but also Martha, Martha's brother Dickon, their mother and even the old gardener, Ben. 

I was so pleased to read this story, to read a perfect little story that left me feeling positive and happy at the end. Everyone should read! Thanks for adding to my challenge list, Alissa. (5 stars)"

The complete list of Burnett's books can be found at this link. Take care. Stay safe. 😷

Monday Is Here Already!

It feels like Sunday today; probably because it's the Victoria Day holiday and it's a bit quieter outside. Having said that the CF-18 fighter just flew over the house, practicing for his air demonstrations this summer. It was out flying last night at 9 p.m. Talk about loud. We're relaxing, watching Mercury Rising at the moment. Entertaining movie.

I didn't manage to finish any books since my last entry but I got a few new books so I'll provide the synopses for them. I'll also continue with my look at Women authors I've been enjoying, one of the classics this time.

New Books

1. The Puppeteer by Timothy Williams (Commissario Trotti #2).

"Italian police detective Commissario Trotti returns to investigate the murder of the man breakfasting at the table next to his, during a holiday on a northern Italian lake, and Trotti discovers that he may have been the intended target."

2. Murder and the First Lady by Elliot Roosevelt (Mrs. Roosevelt #1).

"A young woman who is in Mrs. Roosevelt's employ is suspected in the murder of her boyfriend. Mrs. Roosevelt is certain that the young woman (Pamela) is innocent and with the help of a few officials, sets out to prove it. This is not an easy task, since the murdered boyfriend is the son of a Congressman who doesn't take too kindly to Mrs. Roosevelt's involvement, especially since her investigations reveal a few not-so-nice details about the young man's personal life and hobbies.

The plot involves a jewel theft and false identities. You'll get to meet a few seedy characters from the gambling world. Mrs. Roosevelt mingles with these people in an effort to get information, and it's rather amusing."

3. Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (Thora Gudmondsdottir #1).

"At a university in Reykjavik, the body of a young German student is discovered, his eyes cut out and strange symbols carved into his chest. Police waste no time in making an arrest, but the victim's family isn't convinced that the right man is in custody. They ask Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, an attorney and single mother of two, to investigate. It isn't long before Thóra and her associate, Matthew Reich, uncover the deceased student's obsession with Iceland's grisly history of torture, execution, and witch hunts. But there are very contemporary horrors hidden in the long, cold shadow of dark traditions. And for two suddenly endangered investigators, nothing is quite what it seems . . . and no one can be trusted."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Anne Bronte

Anne Bronte

Anne Bronte lived from 1820 to 1849, dying of pulmonary tuberculosis.  She was the youngest of the Bronte sisters and had two novels published. I have previously discussed the works of her sister Charlotte, whose books I enjoyed very much. I've read one of Anne's novels and enjoyed that just as much.

1. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848).

"The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë was originally published under the pseudonym Acton Bell, basically required during the time it was written, 1848, as it was difficult for women to publish under their own name. It's the 2nd Bronte novel I've read in the last couple of years, the first being The Professor, by sister Charlotte Bronte. I think I preferred The Professor, but both were fine stories.

We find Helen Graham and her son recently installed in Wildfell Hall, a mysterious woman with little back story. She gradually becomes acquainted with the residents of the area. Gilbert Markham, a land owner who lives with his mother, brother and sister becomes infatuated with Helen and while she seems to reciprocate, she also pushes him away, frustrating him greatly. Helen's reputation becomes suspect to the locals due to the time she spends with her landlord, Mr. Lawrence. 

When challenged by Halford, Helen gives him her diary to read in order to explain everything. This story tells of her life with her husband, Mr. Huntingdon and the reason she has come to Wildfell Hall, quite a disturbing, tragic tale. Of course there is much more to the story, especially the ending which I won't tell. 

It's a long tale, told in various formats, diaries, letters and basic story telling which I found quite interesting. Men aren't for the most part portrayed very sympathetically, especially Huntingdon and his friends. Halford is good-hearted but also head strong and emotional. Helen is a strong character, dealing with many hardships and trying to raise her son away from the influences of his father. It's often a depressing story but also an excellent one. As I got into it, I found myself spending more and more time with it, wanting to see how it resolved. (4 stars)"

Anne Bronte's other novel was Agnes Grey, published in 1846. I may have to find a copy.

A Friday Reading Update, a New Book and Women Authors

It's a beautiful Friday and Jo and I are relaxing after an excellent lunch, roast beef sandwiches and her yummy cole slaw. It's a bit noisy right now because the Snowbirds, Canada's aeronautical demonstration team are currently doing the afternoon training performance. It's always an excellent sign of Spring in the Valley. 

This morning I finished a Sci-Fi novel by a new author for me. Thought it was fantastic. I'll provide my review and the synopsis of the next book I'm starting. I also received a book yesterday so I'll provide the synopsis of that one as well. Then I'll continue with my ongoing look at Women authors I'm enjoying.

Just Finished

1. Shadow's End by Sheri S. Tepper (1994).

"Sheri S. Tepper is a new author for me. Shadow's End is one of her standalone Sci-Fi novels, published originally in 1994. How to describe this intricate, fascinating story? Well, let's see.

(Ed. Note - apologies in advance for any misspelling of characters' names. It is Sci-Fi after all) The story for the most part is narrated by Saluez, a woman on the planet of Dinadh. She fleshes out many of the gaps in the story. The story also follows to other women; Lutha Tallstaff, sent to Dinadh along with her strange son, Leely, to try to discover more about a threat to mankind, the Ularians, who seem to be destroying human life on other planets in the Hermes sector; and Snark, a Shadow, who is sent as part of a team of Shadows to the planet of Perdur Alas, also in the Hermes sector, where the human science group have disappeared, presumably by the self-same Ularians.

Confused? Well, like so many rich, detailed Sci-Fi novels, it takes time to get into this story, the characters, the life on the various planets, everything. But as you try to understand what is going on, you find a fascinating story with characters who you will find yourself drawn to and feeling for, and with themes that strike home. Mankind ruled by the Fastigats and Firsters, has spread out into space, inhabiting planets, covering them in domes, removing all other animal life (basically creating a gene pool for later use) and establishing primacy of human life. On some planets there are still some animals. Dinadh has a form of oxen, beasts of burden and some wild life.

There are other forms of life on Dinadh, a threatening life called the Kachis, winged beings that come out at night. Women are offered as some form of sacrifice which comes clearer as the story progresses. Saluez has been scarred by them and is now one of the masked women, who lives in the shadows of her hive, with other such women. She is assigned to help Lutha and her group, find out about the Ularians. The small group undertake a journey across Dinadh to the meeting place and must attempt to survive in the open. In the meantime, a pair of assassins have been sent to remove the threat they seem to present. As well, Snark tries to survive on her planet, hiding from the 'big Rottens', observing, remembering... OK, I see. It's so difficult to describe this story, suffice it to say, you need to read it and experience it for yourself.

So many themes explored, theological (creationism), man's abuse of his environment (supremacy over any other creatures), genetic manipulation, women as subordinates (this really struck a chord with me). It was such an excellent story, getting better and better as I got deeper into it. Sci-Fi permits the creation of such wonderful worlds and allows us to look at what we're doing with our own lives and world from an external viewpoint. Well worth reading. I have two more of Tepper's books in my shelf to try. So glad I discovered her writing. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Three Days of the Condor by James Grady (1974). I've seen the movie before and enjoyed it very much.

"CIA operative Malcolm, code-named Condor, discovers his colleagues butchered in a blood-spattered office, he realizes that only an oversight by the assassins has saved his life. He contacts CIA headquarters for help but when an attempted rendezvous goes wrong, it quickly becomes clear that no one can be trusted. Malcolm disappears into the streets of Washington, hoping to evade the killers long enough to unravel the conspiracy— but will that be enough to save his life?"

New Books

Oddly enough, the new book is from the author whose book I completed this morning.

1. A Plague of Angels by Sheri S. Tepper (Plague of Angels #1).

 

"Atop a twisting,  canyon-climbing road, a witch lurks in a fortress  built strong to keep out dragons and ogres. In  another part of the countryside, a young orphan is  maturing into a beautiful woman in the enchanted  village that is her home. Somewhere nearby, a young man  is seeking adventure after running away from his  family's small farm. Suddenly a strange and  terrible prophecy sets off a chain of events that will  bring these three together in the heroic, romantic,  and thrilling tale of an age-old battle."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying - Lisa Brackmann

Lisa Brackmann is an award winning author of thrillers. She has written 3 books in her Ellie McEnroe series and 2 books in her Michelle Mason series. I've enjoyed the first book in the Ellie McEnroe series so far and look forward to getting the other books.

"Rock Paper Tiger by Lisa Brackmann is the first of 3 books featuring Ellie Cooper, a young American, an Iraqi War vet and now a woman struggling with post traumatic stress issues and pain from a war bombing, now living in China. I have to say this story grabbed me right from the get-go, drew me in and held my interest until the very end. Excellent first book.

The story starts in China. Ellie lives there, now separated from her cheating husband, Trey, struggling with her issues and surviving on her medical benefits and working part time at a bar. She is in a semi-relationship with a Chinese artist Lao Zhang, spending time with him and also sharing a flat with another Chinese computer geek, Chuckie. The story moves from events in China to her time in Iraq as an Army medic and the development of a relationship with Trey (Military Intelligence) and traumatic events she sees and in some ways participates in.

Back in China, Ellie finds herself involved in 'something'. It all revolves around an Uighur man who is staying with Lao Zhang. American security personnel are interested and also Chinese security officials follow and interrogate Ellie. The whole story is fascinating and action packed, some quite disturbing. Ellie is something of an anti-hero; suffering constant pain, finding it difficult to trust anyone and having her own dark secrets. The story moves around China as Ellie both tries to evade her 'enemies' and tries to communicate with Lao Zhang. Very interesting concept as they move also through an internet game world, using avatars to communicate.

Ellie is definitely an interesting, multi-dimensional character, a person unsure of what she must do and often just reacting to situations. Her friends are all interesting and the story and situations all just grab your attention. I don't want to ruin the story but suffice it to say that you will find it difficult to put down and will find some satisfaction with an excellent ending. (5 stars)"

The complete listing of Lisa Brackmann's  books can be found at this link. Have a great weekend. 😷

A Reading Update, New Books and Women Authors

It's a lawn mowing day today. I think I'll relax a bit more and do a reading update before I head out. I finished one book since my last update. I'll provide my review and also the synopsis of the next book in line. I also received a few books this week so I'll provide the synopses of them as well. Then I'll continue with my look at women authors I'm enjoying reading.

Just Finished

1. Pale Gray for Guilt by John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee #9).

"Pale Gray for Guilt is the 9th book in the Travis McGee mystery series by American author John D. MacDonald. It was originally published in 1968. This was one of the more straight-forward of the McGee books I've enjoyed so far.

McGee is living the good life (in between jobs) on his houseboat in Florida, partying, celebrating the upcoming Xmas season. He meets an old friend, struggling to run a holiday resort (cabins, houseboats) further up the coast. Investors want to by Tush Bannon out and are making his life difficult; using the local authorities to cause difficulties. On a 2nd visit to Tush's place, McGee discovers the place is closed and Tush is dead, a supposed suicide. His wife has moved up the coast to stay with an old friend. McGee wants to avenge the death and comes up with a plan to get at those who were involved in ruining Tush.

It's a fascinating financial scam. McGee gets the assistance of his best buddy Meyer, a hippyish sort but also a financial wiz. Also along for the ride is Puss, a tall redhead, the latest of McGee's girlfriends, but a cut above; independent, funny, intelligent, just a great lady. They all work as a great team, trying to find out who killed Tush and trying to help Tush's wife recover some of the financial losses.

McGee is an interesting character and he has many fantastic, loyal friends. His houseboat life is one I remember dreaming of when I was in university, well, not necessarily McGee's specific life, but a similar living arrangement. While MacDonald does have a tendency to wander off philosophically, I found this particular story fairly straight forward and maybe more enjoyable because of it. There is enough action to satisfy you if you like that and the setting is well described and easy to picture. All in all, it's a great mystery and a more than satisfactory resolution (beware of the heart breaking moment, I will warn you). (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper by John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee #10). MacDonald is my focus author for May. This will be my 3rd book and probably final of the month.

"He had done a big favor for her husband, then for the lady herself. Now she’s dead, and Travis McGee finds that Helena Pearson Trescott had one last request of him: to find out why her beautiful daughter Maureen keeps trying to kill herself. But what can a devil-may-care beach bum do for a young troubled mind?

McGee makes his way to the prosperous town of Fort Courtney, Florida, where he realizes pretty quickly that something’s just not right. Not only has Maureen’s doctor killed herself, but a string of murders and suicides are piling up—and no one seems to have any answers."

New Books

Six new books. Mostly new authors and a mix of Sci Fi and Mystery.

1. The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story by Stephen R. Donaldson. I've read two of Donaldson's other series and enjoyed. This is the 1st book in his Gap series.

 

 

 

 

  

"Author of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, one of the most acclaimed fantasy series of all time, master storyteller Stephen R. Donaldson returns with this exciting and long-awaited new series that takes us into a stunningly imagined future to tell a timeless story of adventure and the implacable conflict of good and evil within each of us."

2. The Cabal by Philip Dunn (Cabal #1). 

"THE YEAR IS 2420.EARTH,UNDERPOPULATED AND PROSPEROUS,HAS BECOME THE TARGET FOR THE PLANET CALM.10 MILLION ALIENS UNDER THEIR RUTHLESS GRAND MARSHALL FARRAGO,ARE APPROACHING IN SPACE SHIPS.THEIR INVASION WILL COINCIDE WITH THE WORLD GOVERNMENT CARNIVAL ON JULY 4TH.ONLY ONE PERSON ON EARTH KNOWS OF THE HOLOCAUST TO COME,AND HE BELONGS TO THE ONLY ORGANIZATION WITH THE RESOURCES TO OUTWIT THE ALIENS THE CABAL."

3. Kind of Cruel by Sophie Hannah (Spilling CID #7).

 

 

 

 

 

 

"When Amber Hewerdine consults a hypnotherapist as a last resort, she doesn't expect that anything much will change. She doesn't expect it to help with her chronic insomnia ... or to hear herself, under hypnosis, saying words that mean nothing to her: "Kind, cruel, kind of cruel". Words she has seen somewhere before, if only she could remember where ...
She also doesn't expect to be arrested two hours later in connection with the brutal murder of Katharine Allen, a woman she's never heard of ..."

4. Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #35).

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks . . .until something went terribly wrong. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things--monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics gives its report, the mass delusions make more sense: It appears the
bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive anyone to temporary insanity--if not kill them outright. 

But that doesn't explain who would unleash such horror--or why. And if Eve can't figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it's airborne. . . ." 

5. Let the Fire Fall by Kate Wilhem (1969). I've bought a couple of Wilhem's books and look forward to trying her SciFi.

"THE ALIEN STAR SHIP LANDED IN A CORNFIELD,ITS CREW DIED RAPIDLY,LEAVING ONLY ONE SURVIVOR-A BABY,CONCEIVED ON AN UNKNOWN WORLD,CARRIED IN IT'S MOTHER'S WOMB ACROSS SPACE AND DELIVERED EVEN AS THE MOTHER DIED ON A HOSTILE EARTH.BUT THE ALIEN WOMAN HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO MORE THAN A CHILD.WITH HER LAST ACT SHE HAD BEQUEATHED TO THE EARTH THAT HATED HER AND HER KIND DECADES OF TURMOIL AND STRIFE THAT WOULD COME CLOSE TO TEARING THE WHOLE PLANET APART."

6. The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine (Philo Vance #4).

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Of all the criminal cases in which Philo Vance participated as an unofficial investigator, the most sinister, the most bizarre, the seemingly most incomprehensible, and certainly the most terrifying, was the one that followed the famous Greene murders. The orgy of horror at the old Greene mansion had been brought to its astounding close in December; and after the Christmas holidays Vance had gone to Switzerland for the winter sports. Returning to New York at the end of February he had thrown himself into some literary work he had long had in mind-the uniform translation of the principal fragments of Menander found in the Egyptian papyri during the early years of the present century; and for over a month he had devoted himself sedulously to this thankless task."

Women Authors I'm Enjoying

Catherine Bush

Catherine Bush, born in Toronto, is a Canadian fiction writer of 5 novels. I first heard of her from a book on Canadian fiction I received for Xmas a few years back. I've tried two of her novels since then and enjoyed them both very much.

1. Rules of Engagement (2000). 

"In its simplest form, Arcadia Hearne has run away from home and past events and relationships and settled in London where she works for the Center for the Contemporary War Studies, studying war and intervention. Catherine Bush spins this story in such a manner that it's very difficult to put the book down. She interweaves present events with Arcadia's past in Toronto, slowly winding these two stories together to provide a clear picture of Arcadia and the reasons for her running off to London. While Arcadia studies war, she does so only theoretically, never actually visiting the places where these wars are taking place. She has relationships, most recently with an Iranian immigrant who also has a secret life trying to help refugees. Arcadia, while she likes the relationship, avoids the messier side of life. Discovering more about Amir, she runs away again, back to Toronto, where she tries to confront her past events and also deal with her parents. Catherine Bush is a wonderful writer, her prose is intelligent and thoughtful and her story telling skills superb. I enjoyed reading this book so very much and loved how Bush tried to resolve the various story lines, but also leaving enough unsaid that you can come to your own conclusions. Excellent! (4 stars)"

2. Minus Time (1993).

 

 

 

 

"Minus Time: A Novel is the second book I've read by Canadian author Catherine Bush. I enjoyed this as much as Rules of Engagement. Minus Time is an interesting portrait of a nuclear family (to the extreme somewhat). 

The story centers around Helen, daughter of Barbara, a Canadian astronaut currently circling the Earth in the space station, trying to break the time away record. Her father David, travels the world trying to help people escape and cope with the destruction caused by earthquakes and other disasters. 

Completing the family is Paul, her brother, who is working on an architecture degree in Montreal.
Helen and Paul travel to Florida to view her mother's launch into space. Interestingly, they don't go to Cape Canaveral but watch it from a distance. They see on the news that a replacement family has been installed in the bleachers to observe the launch.

Helen returns to Toronto, decides to stop attending her university course, takes a job at a health food restaurant and gets involved with a group of activists who are trying to make the world aware of the sufferings of animals (testing by cosmetic companies, cruel treatment by fast food companies, etc). She keeps her family secret from the friends she makes in the activist group, United Species - kind of a neat name, I think)

The story follows Helen as she tries to cope with her family life; it wanders from the past with Helen and Paul as youngsters and Barbara just starting her training as an astronaut and the stresses it places on the family; and moves back to the present.

All in all it's a very interesting story, well-written and if you're part of the nuclear family generation, there are things that are relatable. It made me look again at my family, with me on the West Coast, one brother on the East Coast, another in the center, and my sister with my father. It makes for a different family dynamic, neither good nor bad, just one that requires differing perspectives. All in all, a very interesting, entertaining, thoughtful story. (4 stars)" 

Bush's other books are -

1. Claire's Head (2004)

2. Accusation (2013)

3. Blaze Island (2020).

Catherine Bush is definitely worth checking out. Enjoy your upcoming weekend. Stay safe. 😷