"Overture To Death"

"Overture To Death" is the 8th novel in the Chief Detective-Inspector  Roderick Alleyn series by Ngaio Marsh.

The Scene:  a little English Village where two spinster ladies are vying for the affection of the widowed Rector of the local parish whose daughter has fallen in love with the local squire's son and the squire's cousin (one of the local spinsters) feels the match is unsuitable. 

When it is decided a play will be produced to raise funds for a new piano for the parish hall, the major characters become involved in the production under the guidance of the rector's daughter, Dinah.  However, when one of the local spinsters is killed by a gunshot from the piano when playing the opening piece, everyone comes under suspicion and Alleyn and his team are called in to help the local constabulary solve the murder.

Neither of the spinsters is particularly well liked so there are plenty of suspects but, as usual, Alleyn and his team employ their methodical way of detecting and come up with a prime suspect.

It's another great read from Ngaio Marsh!  pazt

"Not If I Save You First"

I discovered "Not If I Save You First" by Ally Carter as the result of a display at my library.  I loved this book and can't wait to read more Ally Carter.  She has several series as well as stand alone novels.

"Not If I Save You First" is about the very close friendship between the President of the United States' son and the daugter of his secret service agent who is also his friend.  Logan invites Maddie to all the events at the White House that he is required to attend which he does reluctantly and together they have explored the White House and found secret passages.

Everything changes, though, when there is a kidnap attempt on the first lady at one of these functions and Maddie's father is wounded.  When he gets out of the hospital,. he takes Maddie to a remote part of Alaska where they live alone and he teaches her survival skills because he flies supplies sometimes using a helicopter and she has to stay on her own.  She writes Logan every day but never receives a response from him.

In the meantime, Logan has grown into a teenager who has the habit of escaping his secret service agent.  The last episode resulted in his agent being fired and his father sending him to Alaska to live with Maddie and her father.  He is not well received by Maddie because she is hurt he never answered her letters.

He hasn't been there long, though , when her father has to make one of his flights leaving Maddie and Logan alone with 2 secret service agents camped out in the trees outside their small cabin.  Maddie takes Logan with her to look for firewood and that's when all the excitement occurs.  She is knocked down a hill and Logan is taken.  He thinks she's dead but she is able to recover and begin tracking him and his kidnapper.  You'll have to read the book to learn the surprising and exciting conclusion.  pazt

"The Red Sea Diving Resort"

"The Red Sea Diving Resort" is an excellent Netflix movie - fiction but based on fact - about the rescue of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan and smuggling them out to Israel.  It was added to the Netflix line-up in July 2019 but I am just now getting around to watching it.  It has drama, excitement, danger, and is a story of how we should help our fellow humans.  It highlights the point that there was little help for these refugees because they were from Africa and Africa doesn't get a lot of attention from the rest of the world.  I highly recommend this movie.  pazt

"Buried In A Bog"

"Buried In A Bog" is the first book I've read by Sheila Connolly as well as her first book in the "A County Cork Mystery" series.  I looked up her work and she has several mystery series as well as stand alone novels and, after reading this book, I will be checking out more of her work.

Maura Donovan lost her father at a young age so, when her mother walked out, she was left with her Irish grandmother to be raised.  Her grandmother had emigrated to Boston after becoming widowed in search of a better life for herself and her son.  When she died, her wish was for Maura to return to Ireland to learn about her roots.  Although they were barely scraping by financially with both of them working, her grandmother managed to leave her enough money for the trip.

The Ireland countryside is quite a change of pace from Boston and going from having no living relatives that you know to having a whole countryside of people related to you is a bit much at times for Maura.  When a body is found in a bog and Maura discovers a clue to the identity of this nearly 100 year old body, her life is majorly impacted.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author's work.  pazt

"Death In A White Tie"

"Death In A White Tie" is the 7th book in Ngaio Marsh's  Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn's series.  It's the height of the debutante season and even Alleyn's mother, Lady Alleyn, is attending the season.

When a woman of some standing comes to Alleyn with a story of blackmail, he enlists his good friend, "Bunchy," to help him catch a blackmailer since the ransoms are to be dropped at some of the season's biggest events which Bunchy will be attending.  What Alleyn did not foresee was murder!  When his friend Bunchy is murdered in a taxi on his way home from a late night ball, Alleyn has to set about finding out (with the help of Detective-Inspector Fox) who among the gentry might have carried out the deed that caused the death of his good friend.  After several sleepless nights of investigating, as he is falling asleep, a pattern becomes clear to Alleyn and he's ready to flush out a killer.  Another good read by Marsh!  pazt

"What We Take For Truth"

"What We Take For Truth" is the first novel (but not the first book) by Deborah Nedelman who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and an MFA in creative writing. 

This novel is set in the Pacific Northwest in a fictitious town not far from where I live.  When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1979, there was a lot of controversy between conservationists wanting to save the spotted owl and the loggers whose livelihood was being threatened..  Deborah tells the story of a young woman caught in the middle of that debate after growing up in a logging town that is now dying and she tells the tale beautifully.  Her descriptions of the area and the conflicts among people is beautifully written.  Our heroine has difficult choices to make as she learns more about her heritage and is on the path to her own independence.  Thank you Deborah for telling this story.   pazt.

"A Gathering of Spies"

"A Gathering of Spies" was John Altman's debut novel.  Although Altman is an American thriller writer, this novel is set mostly in Britain with some tie in with the United States in the years 1942-45.

I had picked up one of Altman's later novels but, when I saw that it was a sequel to this one, I immediately returned it to the library and searched for a copy of "A Gathering of Spies" to read.

The plot centers around a female Nazi sleeper agent/spy who has managed to live undetected in the United States despite many of her fellow agents being found and executed.  She's a ruthless and accomnplished killer able to assume the identities of her victims and remain undetected.  Her current husband was invited to work at Los Alamos and, as his wife, she accompanies him.  She uncovers secrets (that she is able to retain in her head without committing to paper) that lead her on a journey back to Germany via Britain to get word to the Fatherland of the new mass destruction weapon America has developed.

Meanwhile back in London, Andrew Taylor, whose wife is in a German concentration camp, has been contacted by an old friend, Winterbotham, who works for the government.  He wants Taylor to go to Germany on an undercover assignment for the British government.  Taylor, hoping to rescue his wife, agrees.

In the meantime, our female German spy is on her way to Britain to connect with fellow spies there and find a way back to Germany.  Along the way, all their paths cross but she doesn't make it easy for them to stop her.  You'll have to read the book to learn how it all ends but I'm on my way to look for the next book at the library.  pazt

"Castle-The Complete Eighth and Final Season"

Last week I watched the final season of "Castle."  I had read that the wrap up and finale were disappointing but I'm here to tell you that it wasn't for me!  I loved the whole season seeing Castle's daughter, Alexis, take a major role in his private investigation firm along with their friend  - an ex-British spy.  In addition to their usual crime solving, they are able to uncover who is behind Lockset and come out with their lives in tact.  Every beloved character in the series is involved in this final season -- except Castle's Dad.  I won't share the ending but it fulfilled my hopes for how the season would end - definitely not a disappointment.  pazt

"Artists In Crime"

"Artists In Crime" is the 6th book in Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn detective series that I have been reading in order.  Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn has taken some time off work and just returned to England from Australia where, even when he is on vacation, he ends up having a case to solve.  It was on board ship that he met the artist, Agatha Troy, who happens to live near his mother in England.

Alleyn returns to England and is staying with his mother before returning to work when a murder occurs at Troy's house -- where she hosts an artist school.  He is called back to duty early to work on the case which is a little awkward since he seems to have a crush on Miss Troy who is now one of the suspects.

It's an unusual murder and an unusual case to solve and kept me entertained as I read half the book on a flight from Seattle to Kansas City and finished the book on my flight home.  I love Marsh's style of writing and story telling and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  pazt

"Castle" - The Complete Seventh Season

The Seventh Season of "Castle" is my favorite -- at least as much as I can remember of the others.  Although murder is serious stuff, there seemed to be a lot more fun in these episodes.  One episode has Beckett and Castle at a Dude Ranch to solve a murder and another has them on Mars.  We also learn what happened to Castle during the months he'd disappeared.  As he begins to remember some details, he wants answers and just asking questions is dangerous.  Love, love, love this season and sad that Season 8 is the last season so I'm going to put off watching it for a while.  pazt

"Castle" Season Six

I just finished viewing "Castle" - the complete sixth season - and I have to say I liked it so much better than last season.  There's a lot of action as well as a lot of fun as Castle and Beckett make their wedding plans with a few glitches along the way, of course!

The episode with a time Traveler was especially fun!  In episode 6 Castle holds his own in a sword fight with an experienced Ninja.  This season finds Alexis more involved in cases, too.  All in all I have to say this is probably one of my favorite seasons.  However (there always has to be a but, right?) we ended the season with a cliff hanger so I'm glad there's no one waiting in line for the seventh season - I should have it in a few days!  pazt

"Castle" Season 5

When I checked out the complete fifth season of "Castle" from the library, I started watching it right away and, in the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Beckett and Castle are together at last but have to keep it a secret at work but the chemistry is there and they are having a lot of fun.

There are 24 episodes in all and in episode 21, they begin to do this weird flashback for most of the show and I just didn't enjoy it all that much.  The story ended ok but it was like they were trying to fill time and had nothing else to put there and it does kind of make sense given that particular story line but still....it didn't really work for me.

I've already requested the sixth season from the library and apparently it is on its way!  pazt 

"Yesterday" - the movie

Unfortunately, I missed seeing the movie, "Yesterday," when it was in the movie theaters but my daughter invited me to her home tonight to watch it with her and her in-laws on VUDU.  Although I didn't know what it was about, I'd heard it was good.  It was surprisingly funny with an interesting story line and great music - the Beatles songs.  An added bonus was Ed Sheerhan!  I give it a big thumbs up!  pazt

"Castle" Season 4

I located the fourth season of "Castle" on DVD at my local library but it was in high demand so I had to wait awhile for it to be available then it has taken me a few weeks to view it since I didn't want to sit down and view it all in a few days.  It is 23 episodes on five discs!

At the end of the last season we were left wondering who shot Beckett and whether she heard Castle telling her he loved her.  It all becomes clear in this season but it takes us until the last episode to put it all together then we're left with a new cliffhanger -- but not quite as dramatic.  I thoroughly enjoy this series and will be sad when the show finally winds up.  Happy viewing!  pazt

"Midnight Special"

"Midnight Special" is the 4th DVD I checked out of my local library.  The best one was "Georgia O'Keeffe."  "Midnight Special" is a mix of family on the run protecting their son from government agents and sci-fi.  I'd give it an ok rating.  pazt

"Stay Away, Joe"

"Stay Away,  Joe" is another DVD I picked up at the library.  I grew up when I was able to see Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan show and, yes, I swooned like a lot of other girls my age.  So, when I saw this movie, I thought I might enjoy it if, for nothing else, the music.  Wrong - there were maybe two songs in the whole movie although I admit to falling asleep during it as it was pretty boring and juvenile.  It takes place on an Indian Reservation for the most part but none of the actors are actually Native American and the rowdiness and crudeness displayed was not flattering.  There was a lot of chasing girls and fighting so another thumbs down from me for this movie!  pazt

"Terminal"

"Terminal" is a DVD I picked up at the library and have put off watching it until tonight and now I wish I hadn't.  It's dark and not that good!  I was only able to watch the whole thing because I was checking Facebook and texting via Messenger throughout the whole thing!  Thumbs down on this one!  pazzt

Georgia O'Keeffe

I have always loved Georgia O'Keeffe paintings so when I discovered a DVD about her life at my local library, I had to check it out.  Joan Allen stars as Georgia and Jeremy Irons  as her lover turned husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.  I'm sure they were quite a scandalous pair in the early 1900's but their pairing may be what allowed her paintings to be showcased and flourish.  It's a biography and a love story that perhaps mirrors many marriages.  Even marriages made in heaven are not always smooth sailing.  Allen and Irons are actors who bring this story to life and do it justice.  pazt

"The Wife"

As you may have surmised if you have read any of my previous posts, I love to read and I love mysteries but, since my husband's death in May, I have been unable to get "into" a book.  Instead I've binge watched NCIS and other shows on Netflix.  I think there is hope that I may be picking up a book soon.  I have a mini vacation coming up and I am going to take some books with me.

I was at the library recently perusing their DVD's and chose five to bring home and decided I would watch  "The Wife" today.  It stars Glenn Close whose acting ability really shines in this piece.

It's about a couple who met when she was his student in a college writing class and he asked her if she was free to babysit his daughter so he and his wife could go out for the evening.  What Joan sees in that home is a wife who doesnt' really respect her husband.  Although the movie is set in their modern day life, flashbacks tell how they got together and enough about their past life that we can surmise the back story.

Their relationship dissolves his marriage and they marry and go on to have a son and a daughter (now expecting their first grandchild) while he becomes a famous novelist.  Joan was a writer in her own right but gave it up when a woman author her husband introduced her to as a student tells her that male publishers are not going to publish female authors and they're not going to promote their books either.  Instead books like the ones she has written sit unread on shelves in the college she graduated from.

Our story begins with Joan's husband receiving a phone call that he's receiving the Nobel Prize for his literary work and they will be going to Stockholm for the awards.  He insists Joan be on the phone before he hears the news that he has won.

They and their son, a budding author himself,  head to Stockholm and a young female photographer is assigned to shadow Joan's husband and take lots of pictures.  One day when Joan has decided she needs some alone time, she is approached by a young novelist who has been asked to write her husband's biography and her husband has refused to cooperate.  They have a drink together and  he mentions that he's met the ex-wife and daughter from her husband's first marriage.  He's also visited the college and read some of her early work that was published in the university magazine.  He proposes an outrageous theory that she is the actual author of all the books - not her husband.  That's when the movie becomes really interesting but you'll have to watch it and decide for yourself what is true and what isn't.  pazt

An "Un Birthday"

Yesterday would have been my husband's 80th birthday but he died in May after receiving confirmation on his birthday last year that the tumor in his esophagus was cancer.  Later he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer because it had spread to his liver so all he was offered was palliative care.

He never had any pain and we were able to have lots of quality time with our children and grandchildren before his final 2 1/2 weeks when he was bedfast at home with Hospice helping me care for him.

I had hoped to have a big birthday bash for him (which he probably would have hated) but instead we had a Celebration of his Life in June. 

Our oldest granddaughter was also born in August and he and she shared a love for "Alice in Wonderland."  When she was small, they would watch it over and over together.  She does not like to be the center of attention and her husband is taking her away on her birthday weekend but her mother (our daughter) still had a party for her today.  However, so she wouldn't feel the focus was entirely on her, it was called an "unbirthday" party for her and her grandpa.  There were framed Alice in Wonderland pics as well as a framed pic of my husband with our granddaughter when she was small.

Yesterday was a hard day for me but today I weathered well surrounded by family and friends.  pazt