The Weekend is Here! New Books and My Favorite Authors...

Today was a pretty miserable day. Although to be fair it stopped raining when Jo and I went out to get a few groceries. Quality Foods had lovely fruit and veggies and Thrifty Foods had muscat grapes.. Yum! Clyde was very stressed out that we were out for a couple of hours. Bonnie was only stressed out because supper was late for them. Clyde is now sprawled exhausted beside me on the sofa. Pool little man.

No books finished since my last reading update, although I think I will finish at least one this weekend. I did receive 3 books in the mail Thurs and Fri. I'll provide the synopses for them; two old SciFi and one mystery. I'll also look at my final author in my ongoing Favorite Authors thread. I've got my next thread ready. I changed my mind from my original idea. I'll keep that one ready for the next one.. 😎

New Books

1. The Time Hoppers by Robert Silverberg (1967).

"They were disappearing, one at a time, in spite of the fact that in the crowded, hungry world of 2490 there was really nowhere worth going. Then they began to reappear, not in Moscow or Nairobi or LA--but in 1970, 1981, even the nostalgic days of the roaring 2100's. A way to the past had been found & people were flocking thru it for a better life--no matter what peril they might pose to the threatened present.

Earth in the late 25th Century is an unpleasant place for many. People are crowded into most available areas. Unemployment is rampant. A highly stratified society provides luxury & space for a few, while lower levels live crowded in tiny apartments. Into this situation comes a hope of escape–-escape into the past, before the world was crowded.

The story follows several characters. 1st is Joe Quellen, a mid-level Secretariat of Crime bureaucrat with a secret African residence, reached by a private teleportation booth. He heads the investigation into unauthorized time travel. Another is Norman Pomrath, Joe's brother-in-law, an unemployed low-level worker. He swears he wouldn't abandon his wife & children if presented with a chance to become a hopper."

2. The Barrakee Mystery (aka The Lure of the Bush) by Arthur Upfield (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte #1). I've read one book in this series set in Australia. This is the 1st book. 

"Why was the redoubtable King Henry, an aborigine from Western Australia, killed during a thunderstorm in New South Wales? — What was the feud that led to murder after nineteen long years had passed? — Who was the woman who saw the murder and kept silent? — This first story of Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, the half-aborigine detective, takes him to a sheep station in the Darling River bush country where he encounters those problems he understands so well -- mixed blood and divided loyalties."

3. Planet of No Return by Poul Anderson (1956).

"Wanted: terrrestroid planets, habitable but uninhabited, clean of major sicknesses rich enough to support colonists without outside help.

Found: in almost a generation, nothing.

Than a shipful of astronomers chanced on the Troas-Illium system. The Da Gama had set out, but never come home. Now, seven years later, the Henry Hudson is due to leave on the same mission..."

My Favorite Authors - John Wyndham

John Wyndham

John Wydham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris was an science fiction writer. He was born in 1903 in Warwickshire, England and died in Hampshire in 1969. He has written some of my favorite early Sci-Fi novels. I'm not sure when I discovered his stories. 

I do remember in the early '60s my sister telling me about a movie she'd seen at the Base Theater; The Day of the Triffids, which was based on one of his books. I think it was in Junior High School or maybe High School that I began to read his stories. The Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids are two of my all-time favorites. I've seen a few versions of the Triffids. I think my favorite was a BBC adaptation produced in 1981 and starring John Duttine. I think it most respected the quality and mood of the book. One thing I've always hoped was that someone would make a movie or TV mini series based on The Chrysalids. There have been movies based on The Village of the Damned and the original was the best. 

Over the years I've read and reread many of his books. I've also discovered some of his earlier books recently. Let's look at 5 of my favorites.

1. The Kraken Wakes (1953).

"Ships are sinking for no apparent reason, carrying hundreds to a dark underwater grave. Strange fireballs race through the sky above the deepest trenches of the oceans. Something is about to show itself, something terrible and alien, a force capable of causing global catastrophe." (4 stars)

2. The Chrysalids (1955).

"This was probably the third time I've read this book and it once again proved how much I enjoy John Wyndham's SciFi stories. The Chrysalids is set in a dystopic future, presumably years after some disaster; I think a nuclear war but it isn't clearly stated. The story is set in Labrador, a country desperately trying to recover some sort of normalcy. This is a very religious society, with a focus on destroying any type of mutation, animal or vegetable. The story focuses on David, his cousin/ girlfriend, Rosalind and David's young sister, Petra. They are part of a group of young people who are mutants in their own right, but not with visible mutations. They communicate mentally and must try to keep it hidden from their parents and friends. A number of incidents occur that put them in more and more jeopardy. That's the gist of the story, although it is so much more. Much tension and emotion. It is written very simply but at times very poignantly. Reading it once again brought back the same emotions I felt the other times I read it. Excellent, timeless story, with lovely characters; Rosalind being my favourite. I do wish that Wyndham had been able to write a sequel to this. I desperately want to discover what ultimately happens to David and Rosalind's compatriots, Michael and Rachel. (5 stars)"

3. The Midwich Cuckoos (1957).

"Cuckoos lay eggs in other birds' nests. The clutch that was fathered on the quiet little village of Midwich, one night in September, proved to possess a monstrous will of its own. It promised to make the human race look as dated as the dinosaur." (4 stars)

4. The Day of the Triffids (1951).

"Bill Masen, bandages over his wounded eyes, misses the most spectacular meteorite shower England has ever seen. Removing his bandages the next morning, he finds masses of sightless people wandering the city. He soon meets Josella, another lucky person who has retained her sight, and together they leave the city, aware that the safe, familiar world they knew a mere twenty-four hours before is gone forever.

But to survive in this post-apocalyptic world, one must survive the Triffids, strange plants that years before began appearing all over the world. The Triffids can grow to over seven feet tall, pull their roots from the ground to walk, and kill a man with one quick lash of their poisonous stingers. With society in shambles, they are now poised to prey on humankind. Wyndham chillingly anticipates bio-warfare and mass destruction, fifty years before their realization, in this prescient account of Cold War paranoia." (5 stars)

5. The Seeds of Time (1956).

"Short stories aren't usually my favourite genre as I find in most books I've read, that they are hit and miss at the best of times. However, on the whole, I must say that I enjoyed every story in this collection by John Wyndham. Not only can he write an excellent story, like in The Day of the Triffids, The Chrysalids and others, he has also displayed the knack of telling as interesting a story when using the short story format. The stories are mixed nicely; there is humour, drama and down right creepiness in some. They range from space travel, time travel, mind transference to robot stories. Every one was interesting, to the point, well-written and enjoyable to read. Highly recommend The Seeds of Time to anybody. (4 stars)"

I've got one more of his books on my shelf to read; Chocky (1968). The complete listing of Wyndham's works can be found at this link. Enjoy your weekend.

A New Book Bounty!!!!

Today has been a lovely sunny day. I went for a nice walk this morning; it was fresh and cool. I had great news from my Dad. He's on the list finally to get his Covid vaccine. I'm so happy! It's been a slow process here in Canada I must say.

I finished my 3rd Agatha Christie novel this morning. I'll provide the review of the story plus the synopsis of the next Christie mystery on my list. Yesterday I went out to treat Jo and I with croissant sandwiches from Cafe Capuccino to celebrate how well we've been doing on our diets. While I was downtown Courtenay I stopped into the local used book store (UBS) and picked up a few books. It had been awhile since I'd been to that particular store and there were many new ones. I also stopped off at my local UBS to drop off some books. I managed to find a few there as well. Then I drove by a few of the Local Free Libraries and found a book there. Of course, as always happens when I visit my locals, I got some in the mail. LOL! I'll provide the synopses of these new additions too.

Just Finished

1. Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie (Tommy & Tuppence #2).

"Partners in Crime is the 2nd book in the Tommy and Tuppence Beresford mystery series by classic crime writer, Agatha Christie. There are 5 books in this particular series. Tommy & Tuppence have appeared in various TV and movie adaptations. James Warwick and Francesca Annis have portrayed the intrepid duo. Anthony Andrews and Greta Scacchi played them in a Miss Marple TV movie. And more recently, David Walliams and Jessica Raine were excellent in the Partners in Crime series. (The list is not exhaustive)

Partners in Crime is a fun, entertaining series of short stories. Tommy and Tuppence, such a charming couple, are bored with their lives. The 'Chief' shows up one day and offers them a job. He wants them to take over and assume the identities of the owners of the International Detective Agency, with Tommy assuming the role of Mr. Theodore Blunt. It is a conduit for Russian spying and they hope to break up the spy organization with the Beresford's assistance.

Accompanied by their 'man' Albert, the duo take over the the rest of the book involves them solving  a number of fun, interesting cases and also helping break down the Russians. Each story is short and well presented. Tommy decides at the beginning of each chapter which famous detective he will emulate; Sherlock Holmes (w/ Tuppence as Watson), Father Brown, even Agatha's own Hercule Poirot.

The cases are all interesting, a fiancee whose fiance has disappeared, a young lady who predicted her own death, a master of impersonation, etc. They are succinct and fascinating and each member of the duo seems to take turns solving them. I wish there were more than just 5 stories with the two as they are intelligent, witty, clearly in love. I readily admit having a crush on Tuppence (what a great name). They work so well together, backing each other up at all times, keeping each other out of trouble, or saving the other. Albert is also a fun character, the great assistant.

I can't recommend the stories enough. You will not be disappointed. Poirot and Marple might be Agatha Christie's main stars, but she created a delightful grouping with Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Easy to Kill (aka Murder is Easy) by Agatha Christie (Superintendent Battle #4).

"On her way to Scotland Yard to report several murders in her village, an elderly woman encounters a retired policeman, Luke Fitzwilliam. He dismisses her ravings about the murderer finding it easy to kill, as long as no one knows who he is--until two more murders occur--one of which is the old Lady's."

New Books

1. The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry (Cotton Malone #3). This is a new series for me. I've got the 1st 3 books now.

 

 

 

 

 

"In 323 B.C.E, having conquered Persia, Alexander the Great set his sights on Arabia, then suddenly succumbed to a strange fever. Locating his final resting place–unknown to this day–remains a tantalizing goal for both archaeologists and treasure hunters. Now the quest for this coveted prize is about to heat up. And Cotton Malone–former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer–will be drawn into an intense geopolitical chess game.

After narrowly escaping incineration in a devastating fire that consumes a Danish museum, Cotton learns from his friend, the beguiling adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt, that the blaze was neither an accident nor an isolated incident. As part of campaign of arson intended to mask a far more diabolical design, buildings across Europe are being devoured by infernos of unnatural strength.

And from the ashes of the U.S.S.R., a new nation has arisen: Former Soviet republics have consolidated into the Central Asian Federation. At its helm is Supreme Minister Irina Zovastina, a cunning despot with a talent for politics, a taste for blood sport, and the single-minded desire to surpass Alexander the Great as history’s ultimate conqueror.

 Backed by a secret cabal of power-brokers, the Federation has amassed a harrowing arsenal of biological weapons. Equipped with the hellish power to decimate other nations at will, only one thing keeps Zovastina from setting in motion her death march of domination: a miraculous healing serum, kept secret by an ancient puzzle and buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great–in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 1,500 years.

Together, Cotton and Cassiopeia must outrun and out think the forces allied against them. Their perilous quest will take them to the shores of Denmark, deep into the venerated monuments of Venice, and finally high inside the desolate Pamir mountains of Central Asia to unravel a riddle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people–depending on who finds the lost tomb first." 

2. Slash and Burn by Colin Cotterill (Dr. Siri Paiboun #8).

"Dr. Siri never really wanted to be Laos’s national coroner. And now that he is in his mid-70s, he longs to spend some time with his wife before the untimely death that is sure to befall him, according to the local transvestite fortune-teller. But retirement will have to wait (again) until he has completed one last job for the Lao government: supervising an excavation for the remains of a US fighter pilot who went down in the remote northern Lao jungle ten years earlier. And the stakes are high. The presence of American soldiers in Laos is controversial, and the search party includes high-level politicians and scientists. So when a member of the party is found dead, Dr. Siri suspects it may not have been an accident. Can Dr. Siri get to the bottom of the MIA pilot’s mysterious story before the body count rises and the fortune-teller’s prediction comes true?"

3. The Kindgom by Clive Cussler (Fargo Adventures #3).

"The Fargos are used to hunting for treasure, not people. But then a Texas oil baron contacts them with a personal plea: an investigator friend of the Fargos' was on a mission to find the oil baron's missing father-and now the investigator is missing, too. Would Sam and Remi be willing to look for them both? Though something about the situation doesn't quite add up, the Fargos agree to go on the search.

What they find will be beyond anything they could have imagined. On a journey that will take them to Tibet, Nepal, Bulgaria, India, and China, the Fargos will find themselves embroiled with black-market fossils, a centuries-old puzzle chest, the ancient Tibetan kingdom of Mustang, a balloon aircraft from a century before its time . . . and a skeleton that could turn the history of human evolution on its head."

 

4. His Last Bow by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes #8).

"'His Last Bow', the title story of this collection, tells how Sherlock Holmes is brought out of retirement to help the Government fight the German threat at the approach of the First World War. The Prime Minister himself requests Holmes's services to hunt down the remarkable German agent, Von Bork. Several of the detective's earlier cases complete the volume, including 'Wisteria Lodge', 'The Bruce-Partington Plans', and 'The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax'. In 'The Dying Detective', Dr Watson is horrified to discover Holmes at death's door from a mysterious tropical disease as his friend lays a trap for a murderer."

5. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (Cormoran Strike #4).

"When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike's office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott — once his assistant, now a partner in the agency — set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward: his newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been — Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much trickier than that."

6. Night Shift by Charlaine Harris (Midnight, Texas #3).

"At Midnight's local pawnshop, weapons are flying off the shelves--only to be used in sudden and dramatic suicides right at the main crossroads in town. Who better to figure out why blood is being spilled than the vampire Lemuel, who, while translating mysterious texts, discovers what makes Midnight the town it is. There's a reason why witches and werewolves, killers and psychics, have been drawn to this place..."

7. Deeply Odd by Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas #6).

"In a sinister encounter with a rogue truck driver tricked up like a rhinestone cowboy, Odd has a disturbing vision of a shocking multiple homicide that has not yet been committed. Across California, into Nevada, and back again, Odd embarks on a riveting road chase to prevent the tragedy.

Along the way, he meets--and charms--a collection of eccentrics who become his allies in a terrifying battle against a sociopath of singular boldness and cleverness--and a shadowy network of mysterious, like-minded murderers whose chilling resources seem almost supernatural."

8. Kick Back by Val McDermid (Kate Brannigan #2).

"PI Kate Brannigan is hired to investigate a series of strange financial scams across Manchester. At first it looks like a discrepancy with the paperwork, but the deeper Kate digs, the murkier the case becomes.

Before long she’s up to her neck in crooked land deals – and murder – and her own life is on the line…"

9. The Lord of Death by Eliot Pattison (Inspector Shan #6).

"Shan Tao Yun is an exiled Chinese national and a former Beijing investigator on parole from the Tibetan gulag to which he had been consigned as punishment. He is ferrying a corpse on mule back over the slopes of Chomolungmaâ”Everest”at the request of a local wise-woman who says the gods have appointed this task to him, when he encounters what looks like a traffic accident. A government bus filled with imprisoned illegal monks has overturned. Then Shan hears gunfire. Two women in an approaching sedan have been killed. One is the Chinese minister of tourism; the other, a blond Westerner, organizes climbing expeditions. Though she dies in his arms, Shan is later met with denials that this foreigner is dead.

Shan must find the murderer, for his recompense will be the life and sanity of his son, Ko, imprisoned in a Chinese “yeti factory” where men are routinely driven mad

10. Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan #14).

"In a refuse dump next to the Charlotte racetrack, a flash of lightning illuminates a hand reaching out of a barrel of asphalt.

There's not much that can shock Dr Tempe Brennan, forensic anthropologist, but even she finds the sight of the hand macabre. And with race week just a day away, she's under pressure to find answers and clear the area before thousands of NASCAR fans arrive.

But before she can carry out proper examination, the FBI confiscate and destroy the body with no explanation. Infuriated, Tempe is determined to find answers, so when a young NASCAR engineer comes to her with a story about his sister who disappeared with her boyfriend twelve years before, she decides to try and find answers.

Digging deeper into the mystery, Tempe comes up against the Patriot Posse, a shadowy right-wing group whose dubious politics repulse her, but could they really be behind the disappearance of the young couple?

When the young man is found crushed under the wheels of a race car, his body covered in a mysterious substance, Tempe realises that she is dealing with something far more sinister than she imagined. But with both the FBI and the Patriot Posse taking an interest in her movements, she has no idea where the danger is coming from, nor whether it could threaten her own life..."

11. The Human Division by John Scalzi (Old Man's War #5).

"The people of Earth now know that the human Colonial Union has kept them ignorant of the dangerous universe around them. For generations the CU had defended humanity against hostile aliens, deliberately keeping Earth an ignorant backwater and a source of military recruits. Now the CU's secrets are known to all. Other alien races have come on the scene and formed a new alliance—an alliance against the Colonial Union. And they've invited the people of Earth to join them. For a shaken and betrayed Earth, the choice isn't obvious or easy.

Against such possibilities, managing the survival of the Colonial Union won't be easy, either. It will take diplomatic finesse, political cunning…and a brilliant "B Team," centered on the resourceful Lieutenant Harry Wilson, that can be deployed to deal with the unpredictable and unexpected things the universe throws at you when you're struggling to preserve the unity of the human race."

12. The Baron Returns by John Creasey (aka Anthony Morton) (The Baron #2).

"John Mannering (aka 'The Baron') pulled his scarf up so as to hide his face. The finest jewel thief in London was utilizing all of his skills to nail a crooked Solicitor. Mannering's friend could be ruined by documents contained in the lawyer's strong-room and so he risks all, especially his freedom, to get them back."

13. The Humanoid Touch by Jack Williamson (Humanoids #2).

 

"HUMANOIDS: Self-directed robots invented to serve & guard mankind.

"With Folded Hands" is a 1947 sf novelette by Jack Williamson (1908–2006). His influence for this story was in the aftermath of WWII & the atomic bombings of Japan & his concern that "some of the technological creations we had developed with the best intentions might have disastrous consequences in the long run." The story was followed by a novel-length rewrite, with a different setting & inventor. This, serialized as ...& Searching Mind, was finally published as The Humanoids (1948). He followed with a sequel, The Humanoid Touch, published in 1980."

14. Sea to Sky by R.E. Donald (Hunter Rayne #3).

"During what was supposed to be a few days of skiing at the Whistler Mountain resort with an attractive female acquaintance, former homicide detective Hunter Rayne finds himself the prime suspect in the RCMP's hunt for "The Chairlift Killer". Hunter has no choice but to get involved in the investigation in order to clear his name.

Meanwhile, trucker Hunter was scheduled to haul a load of freight to Northern California, so he calls up his old friend, biker Dan Sorenson, to take his place behind the wheel. What connects the badass biker from Yreka, California to the most prolific female serial killer in US history? And what happens when dispatcher El Watson ignores Hunter's warning and sends the biker on a search for clues to the motive behind the murder?

In the midst of the investigation, Hunter's life gets complicated when the progress of his new relationship is hampered by the appearance of a woman from his troubled past."

I hope you see some books that interest you. Take care. Stay safe. 😷

Midweek Music Medley 17 Mar 2021

I'll have a later post today, probably, because I've finished a book this morning and also yesterday was a book bounty day, so I'd like to update that. I had a nice walk this morning. It was quite cold and crisp but clear and fresh. Bright sunshine at the moment.

Here is your midweek music medley for Wed 17 Mar. I hope you enjoy.

Midweek Music Medley 17 March 2021

1. British pop /  folk singer Brendon - Gimme Some (1977).

2. American singer / songwriter Lauv ft Anne Marie - F*ck I'm Lonely (2019).

3. Australian singer / songwriter Sam Sparro - Black and Gold (2008).

Enjoy the rest of your week. Stay safe. 😷

A Sunday Reading Update and My Penultimate Look at Favorite Authors

It's been a miserable old day today. We jumped forward an hour last night... or sprang forward. 😃 I'm all screwed up now. It's amazing how every appliance practically changes on its own. Just have to do the microwave and stove myself... Oh it's so much hard work. Yesterday Jo and I did our bi-monthly reasonably big shop. Good thing because it's been raining most of the day today. I caught up with Resident Alien this afternoon. I've seen the first 8 episodes now. Love it. Alan Tudyk is fantastic. Sara Tomko was a revelation. In fact, every other member of the cast is great. It's funny (laugh out loud moments) and serious when it needs to be. Only two more episodes left this season. I do hope there will be more. A series I do need to catch up with is Wynonna Earp. I enjoyed Season 1 so very much. I watched one or two of Season 2 and it seemed a bit silly and then I watched one of Season 3. There are 4 so far. I'll have to find Season 2 and start over.

I've finished two books this weekend. I also received two books on Friday. So I'll provide my reviews of the two completed books, the synopses of the next books in line and also of the new books. I'll get to my penultimate author in my ongoing look at favorite authors.

New Books

1. The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier (1956).

"A moving account of a journey through war-torn Europe.

Alone and fending for themselves in a Poland devastated by war, Jan and his three homeless friends cling to the silver sword as a symbol of hope. As they travel through Europe towards Switzerland, where they believe they will be reunited with their parents, they encounter many hardships and dangers."

2. The House that Stood Still (1950).

"A thrilling tale of a struggle to save Earth from Armageddon, written by one of the crucial authors of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Disaster is quickly approaching and the only ones who know of it are Allison Stephens and a group of ancient sinister aliens. Now the aliens plan to abandon Earth and seek a new home. Packed with unexpected surprises."

Just Finished

1. The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot #2).

"The Murder on the Links is the 2nd Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie, originally published in 1923. This second mystery finds Hercule and the narrator, Hercule's friend Captain Hastings, heading off to an estate in France at the request of Monsieur Renauld, who feels threatened.

Upon arrival, they discover that Renauld has been discovered, murdered, with a knife in his back, lying in a hole beside a golf course (the reference to the Links). Hercule now leads us a fascinating investigation, looking at blackmail, mysterious women, family strife, South American (maybe) intrigue. From the perspective of Hastings, it's an excellent, twisty and turny mystery. Added to the mystery itself is friction between a French criminal investigator from Paris, Inspector Giraud; Poirot relying on his excellent gray cells and Giraud crawling around on all fours trying to find physical clues.

Let's add a couple of other pieces to this complex mystery; Hasting's attraction to the mysterious 'Cinderella'.. who is she? And the old Beroldy case (20 years before) and how it might relate to this case. Poirot is an excellent character; precise, fussy, intelligent, imaginative and Hastings is a perfect foil, questioning Poirot's instincts and getting mislead by attractive women. :0)

As per any Christie mystery, the suspects are many and the clues confusing but Poirot manages to wrap things up neatly and intelligently and even sensibly. Did I have it figured out? I thought so many times but basically, nope. There was humor, some romance, criming, all put together in an entertaining package for us to read and enjoy. The more I read Christie's works, the more I enjoy her stories. (4 stars)"

2. The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill (Simon Serrailler #1).

"The Various Haunts of Men is the first book in the Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler mystery series by Susan Hill. A couple of points to start off with -

1. It's not really a Simon Serrailler mystery. Serrailler appears throughout but the mystery really belongs to DS Freya Graffam, new to the town of Lafferton, who I felt was the main focus of the story.
2. It's more than a mystery. There are so many interweaving threads; family, disappearances, alternative medicine, relationships, all developed slowly but smoothly and making a rich story and mystery.
3. It's great. Fantastic intro to this series. I have previously read two others in the series, including the 2nd book. And while they can be read on their own, there are things that occur that need the perspective, I think, of trying to read in order.

So, with that out of the way. A woman vanished one foggy morning and this brings DS Graffam into the frame as she investigates her disappearance. Was she abducted? Was she murdered? Did she just decide to go off by herself. Freya and Detective Constable Coates conduct an on again/ off again investigation and find out some odd things about Angela but no real evidence of a crime. Angela disappeared, it would seem, on a central location in Lafferton, and there were other disappearances in that area. So the two keep this investigation in their back pockets while working on normal police matters; especially an ongoing major drug investigation.

So many other personalities swirl around this main story that you wonder how they can be related. Maybe they aren't. We get a look at the town of Starly, where alternate medicine practitioners set up shop. Debbie, another troubled girl, seems to have found herself by visiting a practitioner with the name of Dava. A reaction to creams he prescribes brings Simon Serrailler's sister, Cat Dearborn, into the picture. There is a whole ongoing thread with these practitioners; a psychic surgeon, Cat's best friend, suffering from cancer and her dealings with various practitioners. What is real medicine and what isn't?

It's so difficult to describe how much this story contains in a few short paragraphs. Suffice it to say, that every aspect is interesting; the relationships, the potential relationships, the development of the main characters, and the ongoing mystery and other disappearances. We also get some insight into the 'murderer', his / her thoughts, actions, life. Freya is a wonderful character, determined to investigate the disappearances, thoughtful, intelligent, somewhat lost in an 'infatuation' with the enigmatic, handsome Simon Serrailler. DC Coates is fantastic, funny, rough, a great partner. Simon is sketched but for this first story remains somewhat distant. His sister and mother are both excellent.

There is so much to enjoy about this first book. The story is cleverly presented, wandering from situation to situation, from character to character, providing a fascinating picture and making for an entertaining read. I did think I figured out who the 'bad person' was but it didn't matter as the tension built nicely at the end that it didn't matter. Wonderful introduction to this series. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie (Tommy & Tuppence #2). This continues my look at Agatha Christie for March.

"Tommy and Tuppence Beresford were restless for adventure, so when they were asked to take over Blunt's International Detective Agency, they leapt at the chance. After their triumphant recovery of a pink pearl, intriguing cases kept on coming their way: a stabbing on Sunningdale golf course; cryptic messages in the personal columns of newspapers; and even a box of poisoned chocolates."

2. Virtual Light by William Gibson (The Bridge #1). This continues my look at 1st books in series, this time a move to Sci Fi.

"2005: Welcome to NoCal and SoCal, the uneasy  sister-states of what used to be California. Here the  millennium has come and gone, leaving in its wake  only stunned survivors. In Los Angeles, Berry Rydell is a former armed-response rentacop now working  for a bounty hunter. Chevette Washington is a  bicycle messenger turned pickpocket who impulsively  snatches a pair of innocent-looking sunglasses. But  these are no ordinary shades. What you can see through these high-tech specs can make you rich--or get you killed. Now Berry and Chevette are on the  run, zeroing in on the digitalized heart of  DatAmerica, where pure information is the greatest high.  And a mind can be a terrible thing to crash..."

My Favorite Authors - R.D. Wingfield

R.D. Wingfield

When Jo first came to Canada to be with me, Showcase (I think it was Showcase, might have been Bravo) was showing the D.I. Frost mysteries; A Touch of Frost. It was a great series made up of 42 episodes. When I discovered that it was based on a series of books, I had to check them out.

Rodney David Wingfield was born in London in 1928. He died in 2007 and is well known for creating D.I. Frost. I have to say I was surprised to discover that he only wrote six novels in the series, especially considering how long the TV series lasted. I've read all of the books and have enjoyed them all very much. Frost is a crusty, irascible scoundrel who always gets his job done, no matter how much his boss tries to get rid of him.

1. Frost at Christmas (#1 / 1984).

"I've enjoyed the Inspector Frost series very much. Frost at Christmas is actually the first in the series, it seemed appropriate to read it over the Xmas period. We find out how Frost got his medal, learn to appreciate his bumbling style, even though he is well-loved by the rank and file within the Police station. Not so well-liked by DS Mullet, his boss, but then again, Mullet isn't all that nice anyway. Frost is tasked to take over the investigation and search for a lost girl when one of his peer is taken severely ill. As well, he must show a new DC, Clive Barnard, the Chief Constable's nephew, the ropes. As well, a multitude of other cases fall into his scruffy lap. A DI who works mostly on instinct, Frost muddles his way to solutions, all the while dealing with a winter storm and his own past. Very well-written and most enjoyable to read. Check out the Frost books. It's unfortunate that so few were ever written. (4 stars)"

2. A Touch of Frost (#2 / 1987).

"Very enjoyable read. As I read through it, I started to remember the episode that was based on the book and I think was fairly faithful to the story for the TV episode. Frost was what you expect, curmudgeonly, scruffy, imperfect and probably a bit more politically incorrect than on the TV series. But at the same time, he is still very sympathetic to those he feels deserves it. Mullett is if anything even more sycophantic and self-absorbed. Almost too much goes on, but it flows well and keeps you interested. I look forward now to reading the other books. (3 stars)"

3. Night Frost (#3 / 1992).

"A most entertaining, fast-paced police mystery. This is the third book in the DCI Jack Frost series that became one of the most well-loved British cop shows. From a six book series, the creators spun out a TV series that lasted for 42 episodes. In this book, the Denton Police Dept is suffering with manpower shortages due to a flu bug that is running rampant through the station. New DS Gilmore is forced to work with scruffy DCI Jack Frost and finds himself working all hours, affecting his home life as he travels around with Frost trying to solve a multitude of crimes; the Granny Ripper, the Poison Pen letter sender, a young girl's murder. As well, Frost, who is sloppy about paperwork must deal with the Superintendent Mullet, who is concerned only with his image with the higher HQ. It's a non-stop mystery, well-written and entertaining. Highly recommend. This is the second in the series that I've enjoyed. Will be taking up Book 4, Hard Frost, next. (4 stars)"

4. Hard Frost (4 / 1995).

"I've now read three books in the DI Frost series and have enjoyed them all very much. Frost is a bit of an anachronism, a throwback who relies on his gut-instinct more than fancy technological investigative techniques. His boss, Mr Mullet, who is shallow and sycophantic, hates Frost, hates his scruffiness, his off-color humour, his laziness towards doing paperwork and his habit of bending the rules, will do anything to get rid of Frost. But Frost has this habit of coming out on top each and every time, seeming to stumble into the solutions to his cases. And Frost is well-loved by the rank and file in the Denton police station. 

In Hard Frost, Frost is supposed to be on vacation. But he comes in to the station to steal some of Mullet's fancy cigarettes and due to various circumstances ends up deeply involved in a number of cases occurring at the same time; a kidnapping, breaking and enterings, a missing boy. Due to manning shortages he must also cope with an Acting DI who is brought in from another division, a man with a deep grudge against Frost. But through it all, Frost stumbles on, working every case, getting no sleep, offending Mullet and in the end.. well, you'll have to read to find out in the end.. Excellent story. I will have to find the remaining books in this series, it's been most enjoyable. (4 stars)"

5. Winter Frost (#5 / 1999).

"I do enjoy the Frost series. Each story is somewhat similar, Frost bumbles and stumbles through a variety of cases, with a short - manned police station, fighting with his boss, Superintendent Mullett, to stay out of trouble and solve his cases. In this story, prostitutes are being raped and murdered, there are missing children, an old skeleton has been found and the 'pillow case' robber is robbing houses. Frost works on each case, as Mullett has loaned half of his station to another detachment working on a drug case. The weather is awful, Frost gets no sleep, working around the clock, trying to deal with a bit of a wastrel on his staff and with friction from a female acting inspector who is trying to make a name for herself. He stumbles from one solution to another, often finding himself on the wrong track. But even with that and with his sexist remarks and curmudgeon-like personality, Frost draws you in. He cares about his people and about the victims. I like how cases are worked on, methodically at times, with bursts of inspiration. The story moves along nicely, keeps you hooked and the result is always satisfying. Only one book left in this series. I look forward to reading it, but not finishing it. (4 stars)"

6. A Killing Frost (#6 / 2008).

"A Killing Frost by R.D. Wingfield is the sixth and final book in the Inspector Frost mystery series, set in the English town of Denton. The books inspired a long running TV series starring David Jason. While the books all have a certain sameness, it is a comfortable, welcoming sameness.

In this story, we find Frost's job once again hanging by a thread. His boss, Police Superintendent Mullett, who hates Frost and never willingly supports him, has brought in Detective Chief Inspector to do his dirty work for him and either have Frost fired or moved to a new police district. Skinner is a particularly unlikeable character who just wants to make everybody miserable, hang them out to dry for any errors and reap all the rewards for any of their successes.

While Frost must deal with this, he is also kept busy working on countless cases, with his staff reduced to a minimum as Mullett has volunteered the majority of the station to help with a drug investigation in another district. So Frost and his willing and mostly capable remainder investigate the discovery of a body, blackmailing at a local grocery chain, missing girls and other smaller cases. As always, Frost blunders as much as he succeeds. He is a capable, very likeable person, curmudgeonly and a bit of a dinosaur, but his heart is in the right place. He is especially distressed by the missing girls and works gamely to come to a solution before more bodies turn up.

As you read the Frost series, you will see similarities between all of them, but you will, nonetheless, enjoy them immensely. Frost is tireless, working on little to no sleep and pushing his team to follow his style.

The Frost series has been a favourite of mine and I'm sad that RD Wingfield is no longer with us to continue writing such an enjoyable character. (4 stars)"

It's a great, entertaining series. Check it out. Have a great, safe week. 😷