Middle Sister's July Reads

July was the month of Donnas, and another very hot desert summer plus COVID-19 pandemic-caused cabin fever meant I wanted to escape--to someplace I've always wanted to visit, to a similarly tumultuous and frightening period in our history, to a big, raucous, loving family as mine has contracted sharply and sadly.

Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews I love Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow series, and one that takes place in a cold, snowy Christmas season is perfect. However, as much as I love the bird puns, and the silly situations that weave in and out of the events that transpire, and as much as i have a teeny fictional crush on Meg's husband Michael, I have to say--the three-year-old twins were way too precocious. They were incredibly articulate, and listening to and following adult conversations, to which they responded. None of the three-year-olds I know have really done that, although they will keep up a conversation you start directly with them, and occasionally catch a word for something they know and love, like cake. I actually found the twins a little off-putting this time around. Really, Josh sat there and intently watched his father perform the entire A Christmas Carol? I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that without a desperate need for a bathroom break. As usual, the mystery is believable, the secondary characters delightful, and Carphilly a wonderful place to spend the holiday. Recommended

Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews So after listening to Duck the Halls, I decided to see what my library had available and start this series at the beginning again. I was sure I had read the first few books in order, but it's been over twenty years, so that means it was like reading a new book. A couple of criticisms I have to get out of the way: I've been a maid of honor twice (in the late 1990s to boot, same era as the book), and I was not responsible for anything Meg did for her friend, mother, and brother's fiancee. What bride lets someone else pick out her wedding dress? Completely unrealistic! And who writes thank you notes before the wedding? Who even opens the gifts before the wedding (Id think that was bad luck, personally). Second criticism: I listened to the audiobook, and the reader gave Meg's father a very high, feminine voice. There are a lto of characters in these books because Meg has a huge extended family. My advice? Just read in your natural voice--Ms. Andrews generally does not have long passages of dialogue that would be hard to follow without weird voices.  Meg is delightfully thickheaded about Michael's interest in her in this book, and her father may be one of the most romantic men in fiction. The mystery is enjoyable, puzzling enough to entertain, and the wedding shenanigans don't take over the narrative. Recommended.

The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews Meg, the Queen of Organization, is assistant director of the Carphilly Un-Fair, the county's response to the cancellation of the Virginia State Fair. There are giant pumpkins, and baby lambs, and an unusual twist with an emphasis on heritage livestock. When someone starts damaging the arts and crafts entries and smashing the produce and stealing the heirloom chickens, Meg swings into action. She almost has to jump into this mystery, as the fair is located on land that straddles Clay County and Carphilly, and the Clay County sheriff's department is being ornery and unhelpful. Although this book immediately preceded Duck the Halls, the twins are not nearly as unnaturally articulate as they are in Duck. Another fun entry in the series.

Deady Nightshade by Cynthia Riggs  I read a Victoria Trumbull mystery years ago, although I can't remember which one, and I like the idea of a 92-year-old female lead character. I love the Martha's Vineyard location, a place I have long wanted to visit. Victoria is the most naive 90-something I've ever 'met'. It's very easy to identify the murderer, but Victoria's disbelief that the murderer was who it was simply because of certain things which were blindingly obvious to the reader made me want to shake Victoria. Except that I couldn't yell at my elders and she's too frail, probably, despite being so active. The clear social strata and tensions between the old white folks and the Black newcomers, as exemplified by Domingo, adds an interesting element. In fact, Domingo and his wife were two of my favorite characters, and I look forward to reading more of his encounters with a city council that cannot believe he cannot be blackmailed. Recommended

Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon Guido Brunetti is one of my fictional crushes, and I love him, his family, and coworkers. At first this book depressed me, concerning as it did an assisted living facility for lonely old people. And Signorina Elletra was not as likable and funny in this entry as in other books. One of the best things about a Guido Brunetti novel are the meals he shares with Paola and their children, or that he eats with colleagues, but there was hardly any food in this book. Just as i was worried about the ending, Guido and Ms. Leon saved it for me, and I was very happy Guido fell on the side of what is right as opposed to what is just. The older people were very sympathetic, some were sad and heartbreaking, but all made me worry a little for my own solitary future. Recommended

1774 by Mary Beth Norton An excellent history of the year 1774 in the American colonies, focussing on an unusual perspective in American Revolution histories, that of the Loyalists. Dr.Norton does an exhaustive job of setting the scene for the year with enough background to inform the events, and similarly an exhaustive job of following the events and their repercussions throughout the thirteen colonies, and even how they were perceived in London. There were an enormous number of parallels between 1774 and what was going on the American society with what is going on in American society today, in 2020. I am hopeful that we were able to overcome these arguments and differences before and will do so again. Excellent and recommended. (NetGalley)

An Excellent Mystery by Ellis Peters The Brother Cadfael mystery series is well known for its excellent writing and very evocative depiction of medieval England. Ellis Peters' series can always be depended upon for a great mystery. An Excellent Mystery was true to form, and while I knew the secret at the heart of the story early on, it did not disappoint. If you have never met Brother Cadfael, read the series and watch the excellent adaption starring Derek Jacobi.

The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes I gave this book several chapters, but I did something unusual for me and stopped reading after about 5 or 6. Louisa's stepfather and his intention to sell her sexual services to someone he owes money to, her paralysis and inability to tell her mother what was going on was all just too distasteful. This book could be triggering to anyone who has been sexually abused. I shouldn't have been surprised--I hated Downtown Abbey and couldn't get beyond the first season. Not recommended.