Well, it's not quite Christmas yet but we've started watching Christmas movies -- not planned -- but as I'll explain, forced.
Last year we watched our copy of Walt Disney's "The Santa Clause" with Tim Allen. Tim plays Scott Calvin and he becomes Santa Clause after the "real" Santa falls off his roof. Lots of comedic adventures follow leading to a satisfactory ending with his son and his ex-wife and her husband all becoming believers.
We wanted to watch the follow up movie, "Santa Clause 2" last year but, since we didn't have a copy, I requested one from our library. Do you know how many other people also requested it? Too many for us to receive it before the holidays so I went back on the list and requested it for November of this year and it arrived about a week ago.
So...we rewatched our copy of "The Santa Clause" and tonight watched "Santa Clause 2" so I can return the library copy for all those people out there that want to see it again this year.
In "Santa Clause 2" our new Santa discovers he has 28 days to marry if he wants to remain as Santa -- talk about pressure! While he's off pursuing a wife, the workshop is in an uproar. I had never seen this second movie and it was a great follow up to the first one. So...if you're ready to start thinking about Christmas, this is a good way to start. pazt
Sunday, November 26, 2017
"Scandal At Six"
If you've been following my blog, you know that I've been reading Ann Purser's Lois Meade Mystery Series in order. I've just finished "Scandal At Six" and this one seems to have a little different flavor than the previous ones and it did keep me guessing right up until the end.
Although the Meade daughter, Josie, has married Matthew, a policeman nephew of Inspector Hunter Cowgill, she has not given up running the shop down the road from her parents, who own the building it is housed in. Since she no longer lives in the shop above the store, it's common knowledge in the village that her parents will be looking for a suitable tenant to replace her.
When Josie opens the shop one day and comes face to face with a large snake and other ensuing creeping crawlies over the next few days, it is time for Lois to do some sleuthing to ensure her daughter's safety. The snake belongs to a local zoo run by Robert Pettison and he is in need of a clearner so she installs Dot Nimmo to keep an eye on him and his zoo.
Pettison had dismissed his former cleaner and she had an accident at the zoo soon after but has survived and is recuperating slowly. A zoo handler died when he was bitten by a snake that he trusted a little too much.
Unknown to Josie and her parents, the new tenant in the flat, Justin, is the nephew of Pettison and has been helping him important endangered species illegally to sell to select buyers. When Justin's father dies, he wants to rid himself of the dealings with Pettison and is trying to figure out how to escape his uncle's clutches. When his uncle accidentally falls down the stairs and ends up in the hospital, Justin and his uncle's mistress take over the running of the zoo and the last of the imported illegals.
Another death leads Lois and Inspector Cowgill to solving that murder as well as uncovering the illegalities at the zoo. The murderer is a surprise but not a totally unlikely suspect! pazt
Although the Meade daughter, Josie, has married Matthew, a policeman nephew of Inspector Hunter Cowgill, she has not given up running the shop down the road from her parents, who own the building it is housed in. Since she no longer lives in the shop above the store, it's common knowledge in the village that her parents will be looking for a suitable tenant to replace her.
When Josie opens the shop one day and comes face to face with a large snake and other ensuing creeping crawlies over the next few days, it is time for Lois to do some sleuthing to ensure her daughter's safety. The snake belongs to a local zoo run by Robert Pettison and he is in need of a clearner so she installs Dot Nimmo to keep an eye on him and his zoo.
Pettison had dismissed his former cleaner and she had an accident at the zoo soon after but has survived and is recuperating slowly. A zoo handler died when he was bitten by a snake that he trusted a little too much.
Unknown to Josie and her parents, the new tenant in the flat, Justin, is the nephew of Pettison and has been helping him important endangered species illegally to sell to select buyers. When Justin's father dies, he wants to rid himself of the dealings with Pettison and is trying to figure out how to escape his uncle's clutches. When his uncle accidentally falls down the stairs and ends up in the hospital, Justin and his uncle's mistress take over the running of the zoo and the last of the imported illegals.
Another death leads Lois and Inspector Cowgill to solving that murder as well as uncovering the illegalities at the zoo. The murderer is a surprise but not a totally unlikely suspect! pazt
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
"The Complete Inspector Lewis" DVD Series Pilot and 3 more episodes
Since we were having difficulty finding the Inspector Lewis Masterpiece Mysteries on Roku, I decided to check out the pilot and first three episodes from our library. One of the difficulties with that is that sometimes they're not in good shape and we miss portions. Overall, we were able to get the gist of what was going on.
This series was inspired by the Inspector Morse novels by Colin Dexter and we were a big fan of the Inspector Morse series. Inspector Lewis is an entirely different type of policeman than Morse and is portrayed by Kevin Whately. His younger Detective Sergeant James Hathaway is played by Laurence Fox and they're a good match. The series is set in Oxford as was the Inspector Morse series.
The series pilot brings Lewis home from a two year assignment in the British Virgin Islands where he went after his wife was killed by a hit and run driver. He immediately has a murder to solve on his arrival home.
The next episode, "Whom The Gods Would Destroy," unearths secrets from the past. "Old School Ties" involves Oxford Students, a convicted computer hacker turned best-selling author whose wife went to school with Lewis and is an "old flame." The last on this DVD is "Expiation" when a suicide turns out to be a murder and Lewis has to delve into why this North Oxford housewife was murdered.
These are good mysteries but a little grim at times -- just like Morse! pazt
This series was inspired by the Inspector Morse novels by Colin Dexter and we were a big fan of the Inspector Morse series. Inspector Lewis is an entirely different type of policeman than Morse and is portrayed by Kevin Whately. His younger Detective Sergeant James Hathaway is played by Laurence Fox and they're a good match. The series is set in Oxford as was the Inspector Morse series.
The series pilot brings Lewis home from a two year assignment in the British Virgin Islands where he went after his wife was killed by a hit and run driver. He immediately has a murder to solve on his arrival home.
The next episode, "Whom The Gods Would Destroy," unearths secrets from the past. "Old School Ties" involves Oxford Students, a convicted computer hacker turned best-selling author whose wife went to school with Lewis and is an "old flame." The last on this DVD is "Expiation" when a suicide turns out to be a murder and Lewis has to delve into why this North Oxford housewife was murdered.
These are good mysteries but a little grim at times -- just like Morse! pazt
Thursday, November 9, 2017
"The Second Girl"
"The Second Girl" is a novel by David Swinson who is a retired Washington Metropolitan Police Department detective. This novel features Frank Marr who is a decorated former police detective in Washington, D.C. who retired early and supplements his retirement income working as a private eye for a female defense attorney.
Although Marr is a good detective, his secret is that he is a longtime drug addict and, so far, he's managed to keep that secret from even those closest to him - not that there are that many who are close to him!
While Marr is watching a group of young men selling drugs, he accidentally happens upon a young woman they have captive in their home. He frees her and becomes an instant hero to the community and her parents. When another family who knows this family asks him to investigate the disappearance of their daughter almost a year ago, he reluctantly accepts because he suspects she may already be dead or sold off into sexual slavery. What follows is a wild ride through the drug world.
It's a good read which I think I picked up off the library's new book shelf. "Crime Song" is the next book in the series by Swinson and I'm going to look for it next. pazt
Although Marr is a good detective, his secret is that he is a longtime drug addict and, so far, he's managed to keep that secret from even those closest to him - not that there are that many who are close to him!
While Marr is watching a group of young men selling drugs, he accidentally happens upon a young woman they have captive in their home. He frees her and becomes an instant hero to the community and her parents. When another family who knows this family asks him to investigate the disappearance of their daughter almost a year ago, he reluctantly accepts because he suspects she may already be dead or sold off into sexual slavery. What follows is a wild ride through the drug world.
It's a good read which I think I picked up off the library's new book shelf. "Crime Song" is the next book in the series by Swinson and I'm going to look for it next. pazt
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
"Phantom Prey"
"Phantom Prey" is John Sandford's 18th novel in the Lucas Davenport series and this one is one of his best yet in my opinion.
When Alyssa Austin comes home to find a smear of blood in her house but no sign that there has been a break in because the alarm hasn't been tripped, she assumes her daughter, Frances, had stopped in. When Frances is nowhere to be found, the police begin investigating as if it it s murder.
Lucas is in the midst of helping with security details for an upcoming Republican convention in his area plus he is also involved in a watch on the wife of a drug lord who has skipped town. He and other officers spend time watching her apartment from a surveillance point across the street because they're sure he'll slip back into town to see her and they want to catch him when he does.
Enter Weather (Lucas' wife) who is a friend of Alyssa Austin and Alyssa asks her to convince Lucas to look into her daughter's case. The Austins are a prominent family so it doesn't take much for Lucas to convince the Governor that he ought to be involved in the case. When several of Frances' friends are murdered and Lucas himself is shot, the investigation begins to heat up in earnest and Lucas works with the other investigating officers as well as Alyssa to figure out what is going on.
I'm not sure where Sandford gets his story ideas but this one is fascinating and like nothing I've ever read before. If you like a good mystery, it's a must read -- but I think I say that about all of Sandford's books! pazt
When Alyssa Austin comes home to find a smear of blood in her house but no sign that there has been a break in because the alarm hasn't been tripped, she assumes her daughter, Frances, had stopped in. When Frances is nowhere to be found, the police begin investigating as if it it s murder.
Lucas is in the midst of helping with security details for an upcoming Republican convention in his area plus he is also involved in a watch on the wife of a drug lord who has skipped town. He and other officers spend time watching her apartment from a surveillance point across the street because they're sure he'll slip back into town to see her and they want to catch him when he does.
Enter Weather (Lucas' wife) who is a friend of Alyssa Austin and Alyssa asks her to convince Lucas to look into her daughter's case. The Austins are a prominent family so it doesn't take much for Lucas to convince the Governor that he ought to be involved in the case. When several of Frances' friends are murdered and Lucas himself is shot, the investigation begins to heat up in earnest and Lucas works with the other investigating officers as well as Alyssa to figure out what is going on.
I'm not sure where Sandford gets his story ideas but this one is fascinating and like nothing I've ever read before. If you like a good mystery, it's a must read -- but I think I say that about all of Sandford's books! pazt
Sunday, October 29, 2017
"Between Shades of Gray"
"Between Shades of Gray" is a novel by Ruta Sepetys, who is the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee. This is her first book and is a story most of us know nothing about - the disappearance of the nations of Lithuania Latvia, and Estonia from maps in 1941. They didn't reappear until 1990. Ruta did intensive research and personal interviews to create this novel about what happened to these three nations. If you'd like to know more about her and her books, visit her website at www.rutasepetys.com.
Ruta tells the story of 15 year old Lina Vilkas who was arrested along with her mother and younger brother, Jonas, in 1941 by the Secret Police and deported to Siberia. Her father, a university professor, was arrested separately. The cruelty to them and other deportees is unimaginable and how any of them survived is miraculous. Although a difficult read, it is well written and informed me about history I had no knowledge about and I highly recommend it. I will be reading something a little lighter next but Ruta's book was thought provoking -- particularly in light of this country's current attitude towards refugees. pazt
Ruta tells the story of 15 year old Lina Vilkas who was arrested along with her mother and younger brother, Jonas, in 1941 by the Secret Police and deported to Siberia. Her father, a university professor, was arrested separately. The cruelty to them and other deportees is unimaginable and how any of them survived is miraculous. Although a difficult read, it is well written and informed me about history I had no knowledge about and I highly recommend it. I will be reading something a little lighter next but Ruta's book was thought provoking -- particularly in light of this country's current attitude towards refugees. pazt
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
"Abducting A General - The Kreipe Operation in Crete"
"Abducting A General - The Kreipe Operation in Crete" is Patrick Leigh Fermor's account of the kidnapping of the German Commander in Crete on April 26, 1944. It is Fermor's own account and pays tribute to the brave locals who resisted the German occupation and helped the Allies in many ways. The Cretans fought in a resistance with the British against the Germans with no concern of the dangers to themselves.
Fermor was known as Paddy who was a wonderful travel writer. He started as an adolescent adventurer, was a scholar-linguist, a gypsy-wanderer, and a legendary hero according to a write up by Jan Morris of Literary Review.
The book includes pictures and more than 60 pages of war reports as well as a guide to the abduction route.
As I read the book, I was amazed anyone could have accomplished what they did and escaped being caught. It truly is an "edge of the seat" thriller at times. pazt
Fermor was known as Paddy who was a wonderful travel writer. He started as an adolescent adventurer, was a scholar-linguist, a gypsy-wanderer, and a legendary hero according to a write up by Jan Morris of Literary Review.
The book includes pictures and more than 60 pages of war reports as well as a guide to the abduction route.
As I read the book, I was amazed anyone could have accomplished what they did and escaped being caught. It truly is an "edge of the seat" thriller at times. pazt
Thursday, September 28, 2017
"The Woman In Cabin 10"
"The Woman In Cabin 10" is Londoner Ruth Ware's second novel and it is hard to put down once you start reading it! I can see why it became an instant New York Times bestseller.
Lo Blacklock is a journalist who writes for a travel magazine and she is given an opportunity to prove herself while her boss is on maternity leave. An assignment that normally would have been handed to her boss becomes hers -- a week on a small luxury cruise's maiden voyage.
What should have been a fun, relaxing time turns into a nightmare complicated by the fact that she had a home invasion burglary in her apartment shortly before her departure and an argument with her boyfriend. When she has a brief encounter with a woman in the next cabin then later hears the woman being thrown overboard, she can't get anyone on board to listen to her because, according to them, Cabin 10 is empty. Is she being driven crazy or is something sinister going on? You'll have to read this one to find out for yourself! pazt
Lo Blacklock is a journalist who writes for a travel magazine and she is given an opportunity to prove herself while her boss is on maternity leave. An assignment that normally would have been handed to her boss becomes hers -- a week on a small luxury cruise's maiden voyage.
What should have been a fun, relaxing time turns into a nightmare complicated by the fact that she had a home invasion burglary in her apartment shortly before her departure and an argument with her boyfriend. When she has a brief encounter with a woman in the next cabin then later hears the woman being thrown overboard, she can't get anyone on board to listen to her because, according to them, Cabin 10 is empty. Is she being driven crazy or is something sinister going on? You'll have to read this one to find out for yourself! pazt
Sunday, September 17, 2017
"The Girls of Atomic City - The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II"
Denise Kiernan's book, "The Girls of Atomic City - The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II" is very well written and researched and reads with the fluency of a novel. It wasn't a fast read for me at 309 pages (not including the epilogue) but I took it on a week's vacation with me and that is all I read in my spare time.
Oakridge, TN, was one of the sites that developed the atomic bomb and everyone who worked there was sworn to secrecy about their work even though they had no clue about the larger picture. Even sharing something innocent about your work could get you fired. This story follows the paths of nine specific women -- how they came to work at Oakridge, what they did, their personal and family lives. As was not uncommon in those times (and still today), women were paid less and treated as less. Negro women were treated even worse. There were separate (and unequal) living quarters for the Negroes and they weren't even able to live with their spouses or bring their children to Oakridge with them but the money they could send home to the family caring for their children made a difference.
This book also chronicles their losses, their loves, and to some extent their lives after World War II ended. It also examines the feelings the workers had about how their work ended the war but also caused mass loss of human life in Japan and the pain and suffering dropping the bomb brought on for that country.
It was a worthwhile read shedding light (for me) on a part of our history that I knew very little about since I was born in the middle of the war. My husband, who has a great interest in history, was not surprised about what I shared with him as he already knew some of it. I highly recommend this book to anyone...pazt
Oakridge, TN, was one of the sites that developed the atomic bomb and everyone who worked there was sworn to secrecy about their work even though they had no clue about the larger picture. Even sharing something innocent about your work could get you fired. This story follows the paths of nine specific women -- how they came to work at Oakridge, what they did, their personal and family lives. As was not uncommon in those times (and still today), women were paid less and treated as less. Negro women were treated even worse. There were separate (and unequal) living quarters for the Negroes and they weren't even able to live with their spouses or bring their children to Oakridge with them but the money they could send home to the family caring for their children made a difference.
This book also chronicles their losses, their loves, and to some extent their lives after World War II ended. It also examines the feelings the workers had about how their work ended the war but also caused mass loss of human life in Japan and the pain and suffering dropping the bomb brought on for that country.
It was a worthwhile read shedding light (for me) on a part of our history that I knew very little about since I was born in the middle of the war. My husband, who has a great interest in history, was not surprised about what I shared with him as he already knew some of it. I highly recommend this book to anyone...pazt
Friday, September 15, 2017
"Vertigo" DVD
"Vertigo" was written up in a recent article I read as one of the movies being recognized for excellence in AFI's 100 Years.....100 Movies. The movie came out when I was in high school and I'm not sure if I saw it at the theater or not so I decided to check out the DVD.
It's an Alfred Hitchcock movie starring James Stewart as a recently retired police detective and Kim Novak as the wife of one of his college acquaintances. When the acquaintance asks him to tail his wife because he's concerned about her sanity, he accepts with reservations.
The rest of this romantic mystery is pure Alfred Hitchcock with its twists and turns. Although it didn't make it big at the box office when it was released, I can see why it has become a popular DVD. pazt
It's an Alfred Hitchcock movie starring James Stewart as a recently retired police detective and Kim Novak as the wife of one of his college acquaintances. When the acquaintance asks him to tail his wife because he's concerned about her sanity, he accepts with reservations.
The rest of this romantic mystery is pure Alfred Hitchcock with its twists and turns. Although it didn't make it big at the box office when it was released, I can see why it has become a popular DVD. pazt
Monday, September 11, 2017
"Short Term 12" - a DVD
"Short Term 12" was recommended in an article I read and I was able to locate it through my local library, It is a moving story about young adults working with teens in a holding facility, It appears the residents are there for unspecified lengths of time and for varied reasons - not all of which we are privy to.
The young adults who work with these kids are amazing and caring. Two of them - Grace and Mason - are in a relationship off site and one comes from an abusive situation and the other was raised in foster care. Will they be able to successfully build a relationship and communicate honestly with each other?
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that smacks of real life with its ups and downs. pazt
The young adults who work with these kids are amazing and caring. Two of them - Grace and Mason - are in a relationship off site and one comes from an abusive situation and the other was raised in foster care. Will they be able to successfully build a relationship and communicate honestly with each other?
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that smacks of real life with its ups and downs. pazt
Friday, September 8, 2017
"Our Souls at Night"
"Our Souls At Night" is Kent Haruf's last book and that makes me sad. It is a beautiful, short story and I now want to read all his previous works!
Addie Moore and Louis Waters live on the same street in Holt, CO, with only one house separating them. Both of their spouses died many years ago. Although they don't know each other well, Addie knew Louis' wife and they know a lot about each other just because Holt is a small town.
Addie surprises Louis one day by showing up on his doorstep and asking him if he'd like to come over and sleep with her. She's looking for someone to share her bed with at night with no strings attached -- companionship and conversation. Being a small town it is not a secret for long and word gets back to Louis' daughter and Addie's son and neither are too happy about it.
Addie's son is separated from his wife and his business is failing so he has his hands full. Addie agrees to keep her grandson until he can get his life back on track. Thus it is that Louis, Addie, and her grandson, Jamie, begin having adventures together that include getting Jamie a dog.
All goes well until Addie's son and his wife get back together and Jamie moves home. It is then that her son tells her she has to stop seeing Louis if she wants to see her grandson. This is a moving story about families and the choices we make. pazt
Addie Moore and Louis Waters live on the same street in Holt, CO, with only one house separating them. Both of their spouses died many years ago. Although they don't know each other well, Addie knew Louis' wife and they know a lot about each other just because Holt is a small town.
Addie surprises Louis one day by showing up on his doorstep and asking him if he'd like to come over and sleep with her. She's looking for someone to share her bed with at night with no strings attached -- companionship and conversation. Being a small town it is not a secret for long and word gets back to Louis' daughter and Addie's son and neither are too happy about it.
Addie's son is separated from his wife and his business is failing so he has his hands full. Addie agrees to keep her grandson until he can get his life back on track. Thus it is that Louis, Addie, and her grandson, Jamie, begin having adventures together that include getting Jamie a dog.
All goes well until Addie's son and his wife get back together and Jamie moves home. It is then that her son tells her she has to stop seeing Louis if she wants to see her grandson. This is a moving story about families and the choices we make. pazt
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
"The 5th Horseman"
"The 5th Horseman" is from the Women's Murder Club series of novels by James Patterson. This one was written with Maxine Paetro. Although this series is a popular one for me to read, this particular one in the series is one of the best I've read so far. I've been reading them in order and "The 5th Horseman" is suspenseful from beginning to end and involves not one but two mysteries for Lt. Lindsay Boxer and her crew to solve. Neither case is an easy one but following the clues in both instances yields results! pazt
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
"Second Grave On The Left"
"Second Grave On The Left" is Darynda Jones' second book in her Charley Davidson paranormal romance series and makes for fun summer time (or any time) reading.
Charley's friend (and employee), Cookie, has a friend who has gone missing and asks Charley to use her private detective and paranormal skills to locate her. The friend's husband and family are worried because they have no clue where she is. She disappeared when she learned a high school classmate had died recently.
As they investigate, they learn that a number of her high school classmates have recently died -- mostly in what appear to be accidents but Charley doesn't buy the accident theory. Her investigation leads her to the past and what happened when all these people were classmates together.
In the meantime she is being taunted by Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as Son of Satan) who has the ability to leave his body and haunt her. The police and others are looking for him since he woke from a coma and walked out of a hospital instead of being returned to prison. She is going to have to call on all her resources from the living and the dead to find Reyes and Cookie's friend. I can't wait to start the next book in the series! pazt
Charley's friend (and employee), Cookie, has a friend who has gone missing and asks Charley to use her private detective and paranormal skills to locate her. The friend's husband and family are worried because they have no clue where she is. She disappeared when she learned a high school classmate had died recently.
As they investigate, they learn that a number of her high school classmates have recently died -- mostly in what appear to be accidents but Charley doesn't buy the accident theory. Her investigation leads her to the past and what happened when all these people were classmates together.
In the meantime she is being taunted by Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as Son of Satan) who has the ability to leave his body and haunt her. The police and others are looking for him since he woke from a coma and walked out of a hospital instead of being returned to prison. She is going to have to call on all her resources from the living and the dead to find Reyes and Cookie's friend. I can't wait to start the next book in the series! pazt
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
"Castle In The Air"
"Castle In The Air" is Diana Wynne Jones' sequel to "Howl's Moving Castle" which I saw as a movie version and may have also read but it has been quite some time ago so it didn't dawn on me (nor did the author let me in on this secret) that Howl and his family would be in this book, too. They play a very important part as the end of the book nears. There is a third book in the series, ""House of Many Ways" that I just requested from my local library.
The hero in "Castle In The Air" is a young carpet dealer named Abdullah -- a day dreamer. His father has died and his older siblings (to his dismay) try to interfere in his life. When he purchases a magic carpet, meets a princess he wishes to marry and discovers a genie in a bottle, his life is changed forever. What was once sedate becomes an adventure with many interesting encounters along the way. It took me a bit to get into this book but it has been a fun read. pazt
Monday, July 10, 2017
"The Stolen Child"
"The Stolen Child" by Lisa Carey was a book I picked up at the library off a shelf of either new books or books recommended for reading. It is the first book I've read by Lisa and the title led me to believe it might be a mystery which is my favorite type of reading. However, it is not...it's a story set on St. Brigid's Island off Ireland and is full of Irish mythology.
Although I found it interesting, it didn't hold my interest well enough so it was easy to put it down or choose not to pick it up at all. I read about half the book then last night I decided to skim through the rest to learn what happened to Rose, Emma and Niall, and Brigid. Once I'd done that I no longer had a need to finish reading the details of the story. That doesn't mean I won't try another of Carey's book as she has won awards for her writing.
However, I was told several years ago that you take your age and subtract it from a 100 and that's how many pages you need to read of a book before you decide if you want to finish it or not. I'm not going to tell you how many pages that would be for me but I will say that there is probably not enough time left in my life to read all the books on my "wish to read" list. I don't think it would matter how old I am and it would still be true. I'd love to hear others opinions of Carey's books. pazt
Although I found it interesting, it didn't hold my interest well enough so it was easy to put it down or choose not to pick it up at all. I read about half the book then last night I decided to skim through the rest to learn what happened to Rose, Emma and Niall, and Brigid. Once I'd done that I no longer had a need to finish reading the details of the story. That doesn't mean I won't try another of Carey's book as she has won awards for her writing.
However, I was told several years ago that you take your age and subtract it from a 100 and that's how many pages you need to read of a book before you decide if you want to finish it or not. I'm not going to tell you how many pages that would be for me but I will say that there is probably not enough time left in my life to read all the books on my "wish to read" list. I don't think it would matter how old I am and it would still be true. I'd love to hear others opinions of Carey's books. pazt
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
"Stargirl"
"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli is a teen book and what a great read! Even though I'm no longer a teen, I am aspiring to be more like Stargirl. I want to have her freedom and spontaneity!
At age 12 Leo Borlock moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona and his Uncle Pete gave him the porcupine tie Pete wore that Leo had admired all his life. At age 14 Leo's collection grew when a porcupine tie showed up wrapped as a birthday gift and left on his doorstep after a write up in the local paper about his "collection" of porcupine ties.
In 11th grade Leo's life began to change when a new student arrived at school - "Stargirl." She was a tenth grader who had previously been home schooled and she was nothing like anyone he'd ever met before. She had her own style as far as clothes and actions were concerned and, at first, she captured the attention and affection of almost everyone at school.
However, eventually her unorthodox actions turned her into an outcast just as she and Leo were becoming an item. So, as she was shunned by the school, so was he and he didn't like it. He convinced Stargirl that being different wasn't such a great thing. To his surprise Stargirl vanished and was replaced by Susan Caraway. Susan was as different from Stargirl as night from day. Susan didn't behave outlandishly or have a pet rat or carry a ukulele and Susan wore designer clothes. Susan didn't perform spontaneous kind deeds or sing happy birthday to her classmates.
At first, Leo was pleased with Susan and being seen with such a beautiful girl but Susan noticed that nothing changed - She was still being shunned. So Susan disappeared and Stargirl returned and Leo eventually backed off so their relationship ended.
He didn't take her to the Valentine's Ocotillo Ball nor did he go himself. Stargirl went alone making one of her usually spectacular entrances. He heard all about it later and the Bunny Hop dance she led that is still being talked about to this day. Although some have tried to repeat it, they haven't met with the same success.
It was that summer that Stargirl disappeared again and her family home was up for sale. Fifteen hears later Leo is still single and still remembers Stargirl. He wonders where she is now and every time he reads in the paper about someone doing a good deed he thinks of her.
Leo's class has a reunion every 5 years but he hasn't returned. He has kept in touch with his good friend, Kevin, though. Leo wound up in television and Kevin is an insurance salesman. Kevin says talk always turns to Stargirl at class reunions. The high school has a new club that requires members to do one nice thing a day for someone other than themselves. The band has a ukulele and the cheerleaders cheer for the opposing team.
In the meantime, Leo wonders about Stargirl but he doesn't feel alone - he feels watched.
I hope there is a sequel -- or will I have to write my own? pazt
At age 12 Leo Borlock moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona and his Uncle Pete gave him the porcupine tie Pete wore that Leo had admired all his life. At age 14 Leo's collection grew when a porcupine tie showed up wrapped as a birthday gift and left on his doorstep after a write up in the local paper about his "collection" of porcupine ties.
In 11th grade Leo's life began to change when a new student arrived at school - "Stargirl." She was a tenth grader who had previously been home schooled and she was nothing like anyone he'd ever met before. She had her own style as far as clothes and actions were concerned and, at first, she captured the attention and affection of almost everyone at school.
However, eventually her unorthodox actions turned her into an outcast just as she and Leo were becoming an item. So, as she was shunned by the school, so was he and he didn't like it. He convinced Stargirl that being different wasn't such a great thing. To his surprise Stargirl vanished and was replaced by Susan Caraway. Susan was as different from Stargirl as night from day. Susan didn't behave outlandishly or have a pet rat or carry a ukulele and Susan wore designer clothes. Susan didn't perform spontaneous kind deeds or sing happy birthday to her classmates.
At first, Leo was pleased with Susan and being seen with such a beautiful girl but Susan noticed that nothing changed - She was still being shunned. So Susan disappeared and Stargirl returned and Leo eventually backed off so their relationship ended.
He didn't take her to the Valentine's Ocotillo Ball nor did he go himself. Stargirl went alone making one of her usually spectacular entrances. He heard all about it later and the Bunny Hop dance she led that is still being talked about to this day. Although some have tried to repeat it, they haven't met with the same success.
It was that summer that Stargirl disappeared again and her family home was up for sale. Fifteen hears later Leo is still single and still remembers Stargirl. He wonders where she is now and every time he reads in the paper about someone doing a good deed he thinks of her.
Leo's class has a reunion every 5 years but he hasn't returned. He has kept in touch with his good friend, Kevin, though. Leo wound up in television and Kevin is an insurance salesman. Kevin says talk always turns to Stargirl at class reunions. The high school has a new club that requires members to do one nice thing a day for someone other than themselves. The band has a ukulele and the cheerleaders cheer for the opposing team.
In the meantime, Leo wonders about Stargirl but he doesn't feel alone - he feels watched.
I hope there is a sequel -- or will I have to write my own? pazt
Friday, June 23, 2017
"Found Guilty At Five"
"Found Guilty At Five" is Ann Purser's 12th book in the Lois Meade Mystery series and the story begins with a wedding. Lois' daughter is marrying the nephew of Inspector Cowgill making them family.
Jamie, the Meade's youngest son, is home for the wedding and has brought a friend who performs musically with him, Akiko. Akiko's cello appears to be safely locked up in Jamie's car while they're staying with his parents until it is stolen one night. Since it has great value, Inspector Cowgill is called in to investigate.
The tale goes beyond the theft of a cello, though, when Akiko is kidnapped and her father is left for dead by one of his employees who later ends up dead himself. Jamie and Lois work in cooperation with Inspector Cowgill (and at times without his cooperation) as well as with the assistance of the former lady of the manor, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones. The plot is an interesting one that kept me guessing at times as to who were villains and who were not! pazt
Jamie, the Meade's youngest son, is home for the wedding and has brought a friend who performs musically with him, Akiko. Akiko's cello appears to be safely locked up in Jamie's car while they're staying with his parents until it is stolen one night. Since it has great value, Inspector Cowgill is called in to investigate.
The tale goes beyond the theft of a cello, though, when Akiko is kidnapped and her father is left for dead by one of his employees who later ends up dead himself. Jamie and Lois work in cooperation with Inspector Cowgill (and at times without his cooperation) as well as with the assistance of the former lady of the manor, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones. The plot is an interesting one that kept me guessing at times as to who were villains and who were not! pazt
Thursday, June 8, 2017
"Manchester By The Sea" - The DVD
The DVD, "Manchester By The Sea," is very popular at our local library so, when I received it, I only had seven days to view it because there were over 200 individuals on the hold list waiting to check out a copy.
Since I knew it had been nominated for 5 Golden Globe Nominations, I was pretty excited to watch it even though I really didn't have an idea what the movie was about. The acting was great but the movie itself is pretty dark so wasn't exactly what I needed to lift my spirits while getting over a spring cold. Am I glad I watched it - yes! Would I recommend it -- I honestly don't know....pazt
Since I knew it had been nominated for 5 Golden Globe Nominations, I was pretty excited to watch it even though I really didn't have an idea what the movie was about. The acting was great but the movie itself is pretty dark so wasn't exactly what I needed to lift my spirits while getting over a spring cold. Am I glad I watched it - yes! Would I recommend it -- I honestly don't know....pazt
Monday, June 5, 2017
"Night School"
"Night School" is another novel in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child and it is complex and great!
Reacher has just received another medal and is being sent to school. Actually, being sent to school is just a way to get him, an FBI agent and a CIA analyst under the radar so they can work on a highly sensitive case. It involves a Jihadist sleeper cell in Germany and an American who has something to sell for a million dollars -- What is it and who is the American?
We're taken on a pretty wild ride with Reacher, his assistant and the others involved to determine what is going on and who is behind it -- another convoluted tale and I loved it! pazt
Reacher has just received another medal and is being sent to school. Actually, being sent to school is just a way to get him, an FBI agent and a CIA analyst under the radar so they can work on a highly sensitive case. It involves a Jihadist sleeper cell in Germany and an American who has something to sell for a million dollars -- What is it and who is the American?
We're taken on a pretty wild ride with Reacher, his assistant and the others involved to determine what is going on and who is behind it -- another convoluted tale and I loved it! pazt
Sunday, May 28, 2017
"Dead Line"
"Dead Line" is the 4th work of fiction from Stella Rimington, the former head of Britain's MI5. This series features MI5 officer, Liz Carlyle, who is called on again to investigate- this time the possible sabotage of a Middle East peace conference being held at Gleneagles resort in Scotland.
In the meantime her boss, Charles Weatherby, is leaving her to fend more and more on her own and to rely on other colleagues while he is spending time working from home while his wife is dying. This means Liz is forced to work with the likes of Geoffrey Fane as well as interface with U.S. and Mossad intelligence.
What appears to be the work of one country trying to sabotage a peace conference turns into something entirely different but will Liz discover what? As she herself is run down by a car that puts her in the hospital for a short time and leads ending up as corpses, she is running out of time to find out who is behind the sabotage and why and can she stop it in time? pazt
In the meantime her boss, Charles Weatherby, is leaving her to fend more and more on her own and to rely on other colleagues while he is spending time working from home while his wife is dying. This means Liz is forced to work with the likes of Geoffrey Fane as well as interface with U.S. and Mossad intelligence.
What appears to be the work of one country trying to sabotage a peace conference turns into something entirely different but will Liz discover what? As she herself is run down by a car that puts her in the hospital for a short time and leads ending up as corpses, she is running out of time to find out who is behind the sabotage and why and can she stop it in time? pazt
Saturday, May 20, 2017
"4th of July"
James Patterson's "4th of July' is another one of the Women's Murder Club series which Patterson co-wrote this time with Maxine Paetro. Lt. Lindsay Boxer was off duty until she got a call from her former partner, Jacobi. They've got a lead on a vehicle they've been watching for that is connected to some murders - Does she want to ride along? She's at dinner with friends and has had a couple of drinks but she informs him of this when she joins him.
They end up in a car chase with the vehicle occupants. When the car overturns and they see the occupants are just a teenage girl and boy, they holster their guns and rush to get them out of the luxury car before it explodes. Unfortunately, the teens are armed and open fire hitting both Lindsay and Jacobi but Lindsay is able to return fire and kills the girl and leaves the boy paralyzed for life. Initially the boy makes a statement that they did commit the murders but later retracts it when his parents (His father is a prominent doctor.) file a lawsuit against Lindsay for the wrongful death of their daughter and paralyzing their son.
Lindsay is devastated but decides to get out of the city since she's been currently relieved of duty. While awaiting her trial date, she goes to stay at her sister's while her sister and nieces are out of town. When she arrives, she learns there have been a series of murders in town that match the first cold case from her early days as a cop -- a case that has haunted her. Unofficially she begins to work on these murders as more occur and finally the local police allow her to join their investigation.
So...she's awaiting trial and in the midst of a police investigation which she hopes will solve her old cold case and, as is not uncommon, her life is threatened. Another great mystery -- on to the next in the series. pazt
They end up in a car chase with the vehicle occupants. When the car overturns and they see the occupants are just a teenage girl and boy, they holster their guns and rush to get them out of the luxury car before it explodes. Unfortunately, the teens are armed and open fire hitting both Lindsay and Jacobi but Lindsay is able to return fire and kills the girl and leaves the boy paralyzed for life. Initially the boy makes a statement that they did commit the murders but later retracts it when his parents (His father is a prominent doctor.) file a lawsuit against Lindsay for the wrongful death of their daughter and paralyzing their son.
Lindsay is devastated but decides to get out of the city since she's been currently relieved of duty. While awaiting her trial date, she goes to stay at her sister's while her sister and nieces are out of town. When she arrives, she learns there have been a series of murders in town that match the first cold case from her early days as a cop -- a case that has haunted her. Unofficially she begins to work on these murders as more occur and finally the local police allow her to join their investigation.
So...she's awaiting trial and in the midst of a police investigation which she hopes will solve her old cold case and, as is not uncommon, her life is threatened. Another great mystery -- on to the next in the series. pazt
Monday, April 10, 2017
"Till Death"
"Till Death" is a novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout, a New York Times bestselling author. It's the story of Sasha Keeton who left her West Virginia hometown ten years ago after her escape from a serial killer known as "The Groom." She left behind her mother to run the family B & B, her best friends, and her boyfriend at the time. Now she needs to return home to help her mother run the B & B -- what she'd always wanted to do. As she reconnects with old friends, she also reconnects with her old boyfriend, Cole Landis, who is now an FBI agent.
What no one expected, though, was that Sasha's return would start a chain of events leading to more young women dying. Since her serial killer was killed when Sasha escaped, it has to be a copycat. As those around them begin to die, will she and her friends, the local law, and the FBI be able to discover who is behind this and how to stop it? This was a read that kept me on the edge of my seat as I also worked on "whodunnit." It's my first Armentrout read but it won't be the last. pazt
What no one expected, though, was that Sasha's return would start a chain of events leading to more young women dying. Since her serial killer was killed when Sasha escaped, it has to be a copycat. As those around them begin to die, will she and her friends, the local law, and the FBI be able to discover who is behind this and how to stop it? This was a read that kept me on the edge of my seat as I also worked on "whodunnit." It's my first Armentrout read but it won't be the last. pazt
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
"Philomena"
"Philomena" was written by Martin Sixsmith and is based on the true story of a young woman, Philomena Lee, who was sent to a convent after becoming pregnant as a teen. There she gave birth to a son, Anthony Lee. She worked in the laundry during the day but was able to spend time with her son during the evening. When she and another young mother became friends, they played together with their son and daughter bringing those two children close enough that they were like brother and sister.
Times were harsh and "fallen"women weren't accepted in general Irish society so the women gave up their children for adoption after they'd spent the first three years of the child's life raising them. The young women were forced to sign relinquishment papers and, when the children were adopted, they weren't even told that they were leaving the convent -- often not discovering it until they went to see their children that evening and learned they were gone.
The nuns had total control over when the girls could leave the convent,when the children were adopted, and they received compensation from the adoptive parents that went entirely to the convent. Although there were some nuns who showed kindness, the girls were mostly treated as sinners and shamed, sometimes beaten,and made to work long hours. They were told never to try to look for their children and never to speak of them to anyone.
Anthony and Mary were adopted together because Marge Hess, who made the trip from America to adopt a daughter into their family of three sons, saw how close the two children were and felt she couldn't break up this "brother and sister." Being adopted together was a comfort to them because they had each other to console but both were bewildered by what they'd done (obviously something very bad) to make their "mammies" give them away.
In the meantime Philomena was sent to England to work at another convent with wayward boys. She eventually left and found a position to train as a nurse. She married and had another son and a daughter but never spoke of Anthony to them or her husband. She divorced that husband and remarried but her children noticed that she was always depressed around Christmas (which was when Anthony left the convent to join his new family in America). When she finally told her children about Anthony's existence the search began to find him but everything about adoptions from that time was cloaked in secrecy.
In the meantime, Anthony and Mary were raised in Catholic schools in Rockford, Ill, where Marge's brother was a bishop and their adoptive father,"Doc," was a urologist. Mary graduated from high school while Anthony (now named Mike Hess) was away at college. Marge's brother, who Mike had been close to, had died and Doc was ready for some warmer weather so the family of three remaining at home moved to Florida. Eventually Mary became pregnant and married the father and gave birth to a son.
In the meantime, Mike had completed college and law school and was working in D.C. where he'd once done an internship (arranged by Doc) with Senator Dirkson from Illinois. Although a liberal and Democrat, Mike ended up working for the Republican National Committee and eventually becoming the leading lawyer in the Bush administration.
At that time it would have been political suicide to be gay so Mike had to hide that part of himself but he discovered many other closet gays in the D.C. area who held high positions. He had several lovers and two long term relationships but he was haunted always by not feeling worthy and sometimes sabotaged those relationships because he didn't feel he deserved to be happy.
He maintained contact with his adoptive family until Marge's death then he only continued contact with Mary. He began a search for the missing piece -- his birthmother -- but ran into the same walls as she did searching for him.
The author does an excellent job of sharing some of the struggles adoptive children have as well as exposing the harshness of the Irish Catholic adoption process at the time Mike was a child. He also gives us an in depth look at Mike's life -- especially his years in D.C.
When Mike learns he is dying of AIDS, he arranges to be buried at the convent where he was born and his wishes are carried out by his partner, Pete. Pete inherits the bulk of his estate with a bequest going to his sister, Mary.
Although Mike and Philomena do not find each other while Mike is still alive, Philomena does eventually discover his grave at the convent and finds some peace at last. The author also arranges a meeting between Philomena and Pete so she can learn about the man her son become. She admits she could never have given him the life he had in America.
This excellent story has been made into a movie which I have not seen but I highly recommend the book. pazt
Times were harsh and "fallen"women weren't accepted in general Irish society so the women gave up their children for adoption after they'd spent the first three years of the child's life raising them. The young women were forced to sign relinquishment papers and, when the children were adopted, they weren't even told that they were leaving the convent -- often not discovering it until they went to see their children that evening and learned they were gone.
The nuns had total control over when the girls could leave the convent,when the children were adopted, and they received compensation from the adoptive parents that went entirely to the convent. Although there were some nuns who showed kindness, the girls were mostly treated as sinners and shamed, sometimes beaten,and made to work long hours. They were told never to try to look for their children and never to speak of them to anyone.
Anthony and Mary were adopted together because Marge Hess, who made the trip from America to adopt a daughter into their family of three sons, saw how close the two children were and felt she couldn't break up this "brother and sister." Being adopted together was a comfort to them because they had each other to console but both were bewildered by what they'd done (obviously something very bad) to make their "mammies" give them away.
In the meantime Philomena was sent to England to work at another convent with wayward boys. She eventually left and found a position to train as a nurse. She married and had another son and a daughter but never spoke of Anthony to them or her husband. She divorced that husband and remarried but her children noticed that she was always depressed around Christmas (which was when Anthony left the convent to join his new family in America). When she finally told her children about Anthony's existence the search began to find him but everything about adoptions from that time was cloaked in secrecy.
In the meantime, Anthony and Mary were raised in Catholic schools in Rockford, Ill, where Marge's brother was a bishop and their adoptive father,"Doc," was a urologist. Mary graduated from high school while Anthony (now named Mike Hess) was away at college. Marge's brother, who Mike had been close to, had died and Doc was ready for some warmer weather so the family of three remaining at home moved to Florida. Eventually Mary became pregnant and married the father and gave birth to a son.
In the meantime, Mike had completed college and law school and was working in D.C. where he'd once done an internship (arranged by Doc) with Senator Dirkson from Illinois. Although a liberal and Democrat, Mike ended up working for the Republican National Committee and eventually becoming the leading lawyer in the Bush administration.
At that time it would have been political suicide to be gay so Mike had to hide that part of himself but he discovered many other closet gays in the D.C. area who held high positions. He had several lovers and two long term relationships but he was haunted always by not feeling worthy and sometimes sabotaged those relationships because he didn't feel he deserved to be happy.
He maintained contact with his adoptive family until Marge's death then he only continued contact with Mary. He began a search for the missing piece -- his birthmother -- but ran into the same walls as she did searching for him.
The author does an excellent job of sharing some of the struggles adoptive children have as well as exposing the harshness of the Irish Catholic adoption process at the time Mike was a child. He also gives us an in depth look at Mike's life -- especially his years in D.C.
When Mike learns he is dying of AIDS, he arranges to be buried at the convent where he was born and his wishes are carried out by his partner, Pete. Pete inherits the bulk of his estate with a bequest going to his sister, Mary.
Although Mike and Philomena do not find each other while Mike is still alive, Philomena does eventually discover his grave at the convent and finds some peace at last. The author also arranges a meeting between Philomena and Pete so she can learn about the man her son become. She admits she could never have given him the life he had in America.
This excellent story has been made into a movie which I have not seen but I highly recommend the book. pazt
Monday, March 27, 2017
"High Profile"
I'm reading Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone novels in order and just finished "High Profile" which also includes Sunny Randall (another Parker series).
In "High Profile" Stone and his department are charged with finding out who murdered a talk-show host found hanging from a tree in a public park in Paradise although, at first glance, he has no ties to Paradise. When his female assistant's body is discovered in a dumpster, Stone has his work cut out for him. Everyone in the talk show host's family and co-workers become suspect but what was the motive and why in Paradise? Stone is getting pressure from the governor to solve this high profile case.
As if he didn't have enough on his plate, his ex-wife Jenn asks for help claiming she's been raped and is being stalked. Stone asks his private detective friend (and sometimes lover), Sunny Randall, to provide protective detail for Jenn and discover what is really going on.
I love to solve mysteries but this one had me stumped just as long as Stone so it was a great read!pazt
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
"Nancy Wake - SOE's Greatest Heroine"
"Nancy Wake-SOE's Greatest Heroine" is probably the best true story I've ever read. It's written by Russell Braddon and reads like a novel. He did a lot of research and had many conversations with Nancy herself and others she worked with. Braddon has also written a book describing his experience as a prisoner in Changi for four years during World War II called "The Naked Island" and it was a best seller.
Nancy was an Australian who went to France in 1939 and there she met a wealthy young man, Henri Fiocca. They fell in love and married in 1940 and Nancy lived a very privileged life with Henri. However, when the war came along and France was occupied, she couldn't just sit back and do nothing so she pleaded with Henri to donate money to help others and she herself became part of the resistance movement.
When things became too "hot" for her in France, Henri realized she must get out of the country. She'd built quite a reputation for herself and the Gestapo were searching for the "White Mouse" although they yet had a name to put with her. She escaped to England and Henri promised to follow.
In the meantime, she is enlisted in Britain to join the British Special Operations Executive. After months of training she was parachuted back into France and she became a leader of around 7,000 men who were part of the resistance. She was sent in advance of D-Day with special instructions to make preparations and disrupt German activity.
Nancy was an amazing woman commanding all these men in her 20's and escaping danger herself many times. I highly recommend this book! pazt
Nancy was an Australian who went to France in 1939 and there she met a wealthy young man, Henri Fiocca. They fell in love and married in 1940 and Nancy lived a very privileged life with Henri. However, when the war came along and France was occupied, she couldn't just sit back and do nothing so she pleaded with Henri to donate money to help others and she herself became part of the resistance movement.
When things became too "hot" for her in France, Henri realized she must get out of the country. She'd built quite a reputation for herself and the Gestapo were searching for the "White Mouse" although they yet had a name to put with her. She escaped to England and Henri promised to follow.
In the meantime, she is enlisted in Britain to join the British Special Operations Executive. After months of training she was parachuted back into France and she became a leader of around 7,000 men who were part of the resistance. She was sent in advance of D-Day with special instructions to make preparations and disrupt German activity.
Nancy was an amazing woman commanding all these men in her 20's and escaping danger herself many times. I highly recommend this book! pazt
Monday, March 20, 2017
"Her Nightly Embrace"
"Her Nightly Embrace" is Book 1 of the Ravi P. I. Series by Adi Tantimedh, Book 2 is due to come out in December of 2017 as the second in a trilogy. It's also due to be a TV series soon.
I haven't figured out why the title is "Her Nightly Embrace" so if anyone else does, please clue me in!
Ravi is a British-born-Indian private investigator with eccentric co-workers as well as a needy family. He's in a bit of a money bind paying off bills his mother has run up for his sister's wedding.
Ravi is not your typical P. I. - He was a religious scholar turned high school teacher who now works for Golden Sentinels. Golden Sentinels tends to work with upscale clients solving problems and helping with security issues.
Ravi's uniqueness lies in his visions of Hindu Gods -- but is it a help or a hindrance in his line of work?
Although I enjoyed reading this work of fiction and it was fun, it seemed a little disjointed at times./pazt
I haven't figured out why the title is "Her Nightly Embrace" so if anyone else does, please clue me in!
Ravi is a British-born-Indian private investigator with eccentric co-workers as well as a needy family. He's in a bit of a money bind paying off bills his mother has run up for his sister's wedding.
Ravi is not your typical P. I. - He was a religious scholar turned high school teacher who now works for Golden Sentinels. Golden Sentinels tends to work with upscale clients solving problems and helping with security issues.
Ravi's uniqueness lies in his visions of Hindu Gods -- but is it a help or a hindrance in his line of work?
Although I enjoyed reading this work of fiction and it was fun, it seemed a little disjointed at times./pazt
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
"The Neon Court or, The Betrayal of Matthew Swift"
"The Neon Court or,The Betrayal of Matthew Swift" is Kate Griffin's third book in the Matthew Swift Series. It always takes me a while to get into the Matthew Swift books -- perhaps because they are based on their own world and I have to find my way back into that world. Although it is slow going, I always want to finish the books and, as I near the end, my interest increases as does my reading pace. This book, however, is probably one of my least favorite of the Matthew Swift series and took me the longest to read.
Swift has a battle on his hand as the Tribe and the Neon Court are preparing to go to war. The Midnight Mayor (in an old treaty) has agreed to fight on the side of The Neon Court. However, Swift wants to be sure who or what started this war before he enters a battle. The negotiations to find that out take their toll and Swift loses some friends and/or colleagues leading up to the battle and is mightily bruised himself and that's only the beginning! pazt
Swift has a battle on his hand as the Tribe and the Neon Court are preparing to go to war. The Midnight Mayor (in an old treaty) has agreed to fight on the side of The Neon Court. However, Swift wants to be sure who or what started this war before he enters a battle. The negotiations to find that out take their toll and Swift loses some friends and/or colleagues leading up to the battle and is mightily bruised himself and that's only the beginning! pazt
Monday, February 27, 2017
"Illegal Action"
With "Illegal Action" Stella Rimington has drawn on her experience as head of MI5 to write another thriller starring Liz Carlyle.
Liz has been transferred to counter-espionage and her former boss, Charles Wetherby, is on extended leave as his wife fights a terminal illness. Although Liz is not happy about this assignment and having to navigate new staff, she was able to bring Peggy Kinsolving with her. As Peggy was invaluable on her last assignment, she is pleased.
When it is thought that Russia is planning a hit on one of their own citizens now living in Great Britain, Liz ends up going undercover spending a lot of time in his household although she's not really certain there is any danger. However, when her life is threatened, she begins to take the threats more seriously. Eventually the path leads her and the Russian to Ireland and a surprising conclusion. pazt
Liz has been transferred to counter-espionage and her former boss, Charles Wetherby, is on extended leave as his wife fights a terminal illness. Although Liz is not happy about this assignment and having to navigate new staff, she was able to bring Peggy Kinsolving with her. As Peggy was invaluable on her last assignment, she is pleased.
When it is thought that Russia is planning a hit on one of their own citizens now living in Great Britain, Liz ends up going undercover spending a lot of time in his household although she's not really certain there is any danger. However, when her life is threatened, she begins to take the threats more seriously. Eventually the path leads her and the Russian to Ireland and a surprising conclusion. pazt
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
"Foul Play At Four"
I've been on vacation for the last week enjoying the state of my birth, Kansas. I found time to read a couple of books flying in and out of the state and this was the first one--another Lois Meade mystery by Ann Purser, "Foul Play At Four."
One thing I like about Purser's series is the continuation of characters from book to book. Magistrate Mrs.Tollervey-Jones is a key character in this particular novel and she is having to make some difficult choices. She has money problems and can no longer keep up with the costs of running a large estate and her bank has told her in no uncertain terms that she must make some changes. Her only son lives in the city and neither he nor his family are interested in living in the country. What is Mrs.Tollervey-Jones to do?
Although Lois sends extra cleaners and her husband along to help Mrs. Tollervey-Jones as she makes a transition, her mind is focused on solving a string of robberies that have been occurring in the area. When they affect her daughter while working in her shop, it becomes a priority for Lois. Of course, her husband wants her to stay out of it even though he is also affected personally by the thieves.
However, as always, Lois has a mind of her own and again seeks the assistance of one of her cleaning crew to help her solve the case but not before a murder occurs. I love Purser's series -- light sleuthing at its best. pazt
One thing I like about Purser's series is the continuation of characters from book to book. Magistrate Mrs.Tollervey-Jones is a key character in this particular novel and she is having to make some difficult choices. She has money problems and can no longer keep up with the costs of running a large estate and her bank has told her in no uncertain terms that she must make some changes. Her only son lives in the city and neither he nor his family are interested in living in the country. What is Mrs.Tollervey-Jones to do?
Although Lois sends extra cleaners and her husband along to help Mrs. Tollervey-Jones as she makes a transition, her mind is focused on solving a string of robberies that have been occurring in the area. When they affect her daughter while working in her shop, it becomes a priority for Lois. Of course, her husband wants her to stay out of it even though he is also affected personally by the thieves.
However, as always, Lois has a mind of her own and again seeks the assistance of one of her cleaning crew to help her solve the case but not before a murder occurs. I love Purser's series -- light sleuthing at its best. pazt
Friday, February 10, 2017
"First Grave On The Right"
"First Grave On The Right" is a first novel by Darynda Jones and it stars Charley Davidson. I picked it up from a "Best Picks" shelf at my local library because the reviews appeared favorable. Although it is a fun read, I didn't find it as hilarious as some of the reviews suggested. However, that hasn't kept me from wanting to read the second book in the series, "Second Grave On the Left," which I'll be looking for next.
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator with an advantage - She can see and talk to the recently dead and help them move into the light. First, though, they may help her and her policeman uncle solve their deaths so she spends a lot of time bringing bad guys to justice.
As if solving crimes weren't enough, she's also haunted by the son of Satan but the haunting takes the form of sexual encounters that leave her breathless. Is he a good guy or a bad guy -- you'll have to read this book to find out what she discovers about him. pazt
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator with an advantage - She can see and talk to the recently dead and help them move into the light. First, though, they may help her and her policeman uncle solve their deaths so she spends a lot of time bringing bad guys to justice.
As if solving crimes weren't enough, she's also haunted by the son of Satan but the haunting takes the form of sexual encounters that leave her breathless. Is he a good guy or a bad guy -- you'll have to read this book to find out what she discovers about him. pazt
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
"Sea Change"
"Sea Change" is the next Robert B. Parker novel I've read in the Jesse Stone series. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I like to read them in order. After watching a few of the Jesse Stone made for TV movies starringTom Selleck, I see and hear him as Jesse Stone when I'm reading the novels -- not an unpleasant experience!
When the body of a divorced Florida heiress washes ashore in Paradise at the beginning of the annual race week, Jesse Stone and his department have their hands full -- not only dealing with the influx of tourists but also the fact that this body didn't just fall of a boat but was murdered on a boat and tossed into the sea.
When a compromising videotape of the woman having sex with two men shows up, there is an endless list of possible suspects. However, as Stone and a policewoman in Florida discover, our victim and her family have some secrets. If you're a fan of Jesse Stone, don't miss this novel with a big surprise at the end -- a murderer who wasn't on the suspect list! pazt
When the body of a divorced Florida heiress washes ashore in Paradise at the beginning of the annual race week, Jesse Stone and his department have their hands full -- not only dealing with the influx of tourists but also the fact that this body didn't just fall of a boat but was murdered on a boat and tossed into the sea.
When a compromising videotape of the woman having sex with two men shows up, there is an endless list of possible suspects. However, as Stone and a policewoman in Florida discover, our victim and her family have some secrets. If you're a fan of Jesse Stone, don't miss this novel with a big surprise at the end -- a murderer who wasn't on the suspect list! pazt
Sunday, January 29, 2017
"The Chill of Night"
"The Chill of Night" by James Hayman is his second suspense novel in the Detective Michael McCabe series. I picked this hardback book up at the library and after reading it, I immediately wanted to read the first one but can only find it on Kindle or Amazon so I need to order it!
Hayman now has five books in this series -- the fifth one coming out this year.
"The Chill of Night" is about the murder of a young attorney who has overcome a dark past to work her way up hoping to become a partner in her law firm. When her murdered body is discovered, McCabe is part of the investigative team. A witness is discovered but, unfortunately, this witness is mentally ill and anything she is able to tell the police is suspect and/or might not hold up in court.
Hayman weaves a tale of deception that kept me reading into the night with a surprising conclusion!
pazt
Saturday, January 28, 2017
"The Spirit Keeper"
"The Spirit Keeper" is the first novel by K. B. Laugheed and is the story of Katie O'Toole, the 13th child of Irish immigrants living in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Katie has had a difficult life and is thinking of leaving her family and returning to Philadelphia where her family lived before taking up farming.
Her life changes, though, when savages show up slaughtering or enslaving her family. When she is offered the opportunity to travel willingly with two male savages to the western part of the country, Katie sees it as an opportunity for a new life. Little does she know how difficult the travel will be and that she'll encounter adventures she never could have dreamed of as well as discovering her own strengths. What Katie finds in addition to adventure is a new way of life that leads to loss but also to love.
I certainly hope Laugheed will write other novels because I look forward to reading more of her work. pazt
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
"Another Thin Man"
Another Thin Man" is the third (I think!) movie in the Thin Man movie series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Nick and Nora have added a baby boy to their family and traveling with a baby has its complications (as well as lots of luggage) and the need for a nanny.
When Nick, Nora, and Nick Jr. (and Asta, of course) arrive in New York, Nick discovers one of his old "pals" trying to case their room. However, when he sees Nick, meets Nora and Nick Jr., he gives up that idea for a new one -- throwing a first birthday party for Nick Jr. He'll invite all his pals and they'll bring their babies, too!
But....first, Nora receives a call from her money manager and he needs to see the Charles family at his estate in upper New York right away! Although they don't want to leave New York, he insists they come and murder and mayhem follow which, of course, Nick (and Nora) must sort out and solve. This is another fun movie!/pat
When Nick, Nora, and Nick Jr. (and Asta, of course) arrive in New York, Nick discovers one of his old "pals" trying to case their room. However, when he sees Nick, meets Nora and Nick Jr., he gives up that idea for a new one -- throwing a first birthday party for Nick Jr. He'll invite all his pals and they'll bring their babies, too!
But....first, Nora receives a call from her money manager and he needs to see the Charles family at his estate in upper New York right away! Although they don't want to leave New York, he insists they come and murder and mayhem follow which, of course, Nick (and Nora) must sort out and solve. This is another fun movie!/pat
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