Middle Sister's Mid-Month Review

From Shetland with Love at Christmas by Erin Green Continuing my Christmas-themed books, I finally read this one that has been in my TBR list for a while. The book is told from several characters' points of view. There's Verity, the middle-aged mother who takes a gap year to try and start a yarn store business on Shetland, far from her home and her sons and her bossy twin sister. There's Nessie, the groovy blacksmith whose hair color changes to match her moods. There's Isla, the talented young chef who is managing and baking at a cafe. They all have stables in which to create and sell their crafts at Lerwick Manor, whose owners are trying to create an artisan haven. There is also a cast of secondary characters who play important roles in each woman's emotional, artistic, and romantic journey. This book is a pleasingly cosy novel in which all troubles are wrapped up neatly and just in time for a snowy Shetland holiday. (NetGalley)

Middle Sister's November Reads

This month, my reading followed two themes: continuing my immersion into favorite fictional towns where I'd love to live by reading multiple books in the same series, back to back (something I rarely do), and holiday-themed mysteries. Tinsel and murderous mayhem--a perfect combination.

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart This book presents three mystery short stories that each involve a Christmas-themed scarf. I've not anything by Carlene Connor, but her story, Christmas Scarf Murder, features Siobhan O'Sullivan, Garda, and her new husband, Detective Sergeant Macdara. They investigate what appears to be an accidental death involving a scarf and a tractor (yes, that's what I wrote) while they try to celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple. I thought this was the weakest of the three stories. In Scarfed Down by Maddie Day, Robbie Jordan, owner of the Pans 'N Pancakes diner, investigates the sudden death of one of the local knitters who was poisoned by the yarn with which she was knitting Eyes, that's what I wrote). Robbie appealed to this reader more than Siobhan, although the murder in this short story was just as unusual as that in the first short story. By the end of Scarfed Down, I was a little disappointed in the book and not holding out much hope that the third short story wouldn't also involve an almost preposterous murder scenario. Imagine my surprise when the third story turned out to be Death by Christmas Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart. I've enjoyed the Pamela Paterson books I've read, and this short story is a lovely visit with our friends of her knitting group in Arborville. A scarf knitted for the library auction is found at a murder scene, and Pamela and her friends swing into action to solve the whodunnit. (NetGalley)

The Railway Detective's Christmas Case by Edward Marston Set in 1864 England, the Railway Detective undertakes to solve another mystery associated with one of England's railroads. The series features Scotland Yard Inspector Robert Colbeck and Sergeant Victor Leeming, this time not so ably assisted by their superior, Superintendent Edward Tallis. Tallis is determined to take as long as they need to solve the murder of Cyril Hubbleday, but Colbeck is equally determined to solve the murder and be hime by Christmas. I liked the main characters and the setting, and the pace and mystery were well plotted. I will be looking for more of the Railway Detective series. (Net Galley)

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly This is the second in the Mountain Lodge series featuring Misty Murphy, who has relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains to run the Mountaintop Lodge. A women's motorcycle group, the Dangerous Curves, have rented the entire lodge for a retreat. There is some friction between some of the riders, and the group leader is avoiding phone calls, so Misty is already dealing with some unpleasantness when one of the bikers is killed. Things escalate as someone starts stalking the lodge. I enjoyed the mystery, and liked Misty well enough. I wish her love interest wasn't named Rocky but he's written exactly like the kind of man I'd be interested in. The setting is described in enough detail to satisfy this reader, who loves to vacation through the books I read. The secondary characters are interesting and fleshed out sufficiently to add to the story. I enjoyed the book very much and will seek out more in this series. (Net Galley)

Palm for Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman In the fourth Mrs. Pollifax mystery (a series I am happily re-reading, or, in this instance, listening to as an audiobook), Mr. Carstairs sends Mrs. Pollifax to an exclusive resort in Switzerland. It was supposed to be an easy job, but as always happens, Mrs. Pollifax stumbles upon a far more dangerous and complicated situation than Carstairs and Bishop ever imagined. The original mission involved stolen plutonium, but a mysterious woman being held captive, a charming little boy, and a debonair jewel thief become intertwined with Mrs. Pollifax, and none of their lives will ever be the same again. Again, the series is now 30-plus years old, so the technology is dated, but the books are still as delightful as ever. This book was read by the marvelous Barbara Rosenblat, one of my favorite audiobook readers. 

The other fictional town I would love to live in is Sea Harbor, where Sally Goldenbaum has set her Seaside Knitters Society series. The series was originally published by a major mass market publisher, but after it was dropped, the series was picked up be Kensington, thank goodness. The earlier books can probably be found at a used bookstore, so that character backstories can be explored more deeply. I read two of the most recent in the series in November, and have the latest on tap for December. A Murderous Tangle (number 3 in the Kensington series) takes place in late winter, just before the holiday season, and the knitters are excited to participate in a hygge celebration at Izzy's yarn shop. Birdie's granddaughter and her classmates have been inspired by their new teacher, Tess, to spearhead and implement conservation measures to save the ocean. Tess is observed arguing with Bobby, owner of the new and trendy pub overlooking the ocean, and then Bobby is found dead. As winter sets in on Sea Harbor, and the weather gets colder and damper, the heat and pressure to find the murderer rises. In A Crime of a Different Stripe (number 4 in the series), Izzy's good friend Cass is expecting her baby imminently but is determined to attend the photography event that Nell and the Artist's Colony have mounted. Izzy's husband Sam is quietly reluctant to see his former teacher, a famous photographer, showcased, but agrees to chauffeur the man to the reception. When he is found dead the next day, the knitters try to uncover who would have wanted to kill a man who had never visited Sea Harbor before. Which means the motive is buried very deeply in someone's past. I love Sea Harbor and the women of the Knitters Society and wish I lived there so I could hang out with them, knit before the fireplace, attend Friday night dinners at Nell and Ben's, and take long walks along the shore with my dog. Perhaps someday I can find my own Sea Harbor...

Middle Sister's Belated October Reads

Things got a little crazy busy in October, but here it is, better late than never. I took a wee fictional trip to Scotland this month in a couple of books, and began reading holiday books, a theme which will continue in November.

Murder at a Scottish Social by Traci Hall I've read two others in this series, and I'm rather ambivalent about it. My family long ago came from Scotland; I love bagpipes, so this must true, so I want to like the series.  The little village in which Paislee lives sounds adorable and I'd love to visit. But I'm not exactly fond of Paislee, and as she's the main character, that's not a good thing. I find her a wee bit silly, which I've tried to excuse because the character is half my age. In this entry in the series, Paislee and her best friend Lydia have a new friend, Blaise. Blaise's husband is a golf pro and the wives of several of his clients have welcomed Blaise into their circle. But they are grown up high school mean girls, and Blaise is trying to ease herself out of their clutches without affecting her husband's career. The ringleader of the mean girls is killed at a charity event, and the first suspect is Blaise, so Paislee springs into action. I found the immediacy of the best friendship between the two women not developed enough to convince me of the sincerity of it, and that meant some of Paislee's actions and thoughts rang hollow. The unrelenting meanness of the surviving clique members to each other was depressing and I didn't care what happened to any of them because there was nothing sympathetic about any of them. There is still no additional information on the mystery surrounding Craig, Paislee's uncle; in fact, there are further indications that he may not even exist, which would mean Paislee's grandfather is delusional. This subplot has been dragging on long enough, Ms. Hall; it's now annoying some of us readers. Paislee acts completely contradictory at times: Brody can't have his own cell phone, but she doesn't even blink an eye when he drives a golf cart? The story is okay but not arresting, the characters are, as mentioned, unsympathetic, and several characters have very odd reactions to events that make no sense. And frankly, how fast can Paislee knit that she can replace the sweater inventory in her shop at the pace implied in the book? Not bad, but just kind of blah, so I'd give this book a C. (Net Galley)

The National Parks Scavenger Hunt by Stacy Tornio Fun and creative book for kids to take along on summer vacation. Ms. Tornio has created scavenger hunts for some of the most popular national parks in the United States. The flora and fauna to search for are often distinctive to the local region the park is in, and facts and drawings supplement the searches. For kids not sold on a long car trip or camping vacation in the parks, this is a great way to pique their interest. Families can search together, or kids could compete with each other to find all the items in the park. Great idea, and a fun present to include in the childrens' luggage or to stick under the Christmas tree in anticipation of summer vacation. (NetGalley)

A History and Guide to Scottish Castles by Jenna Maxwell I forget how many castles there are in Scotland; Miss Maxwell does give us this fact in the introduction to her book, but she focuses on some of the best known, easiest visited, and most haunted castles in Scotland in this appreciation. The histories of each castle vary in length and detail, and for a history lover like me, there wasn't enough background information, and for the most part, that supplied was very superficial. Ms. Maxwell tells us which castles were used as movie or television locations, and as the book was originally published in the UK, many of these references are unknown to a US audience. As someone who did not read or watch Outlander, the many references to different set scenes from that popular series was a waste; I'd rather have had another two sentences on the real history of the castle in question than another reference to Jamie being imprisoned in this or that castle. The photos were black and white in the advanced reader copy I read, which is fine, although a few in color would be a great addition. This isn't a very academic or historical summary of the castles, but Ms. Maxwell''s writing is engaging. The inclusion of personal comments about a visit with her family or when she was very pregnant, or which haunted areas were too spooky for her to go explore, were fun to read and make the guide book aspect successful. (NetGalley)

The Lady and the Octopus by Dana Staaf Interesting biography of someone I'd never heard of, who studied something I never would have thought I'd find interesting. The Lady in question is Jeanne Villepreux-Power, a Frenchwoman whose remarkable life story began with a modest birth into a family in which a tragedy required young Jeanne to find a job. Jeanne set off for Paris, where she ultimately had a successful career as a clothes designer. But a happy marriage and a move to Sicily allowed Jeanne to begin to explore the mysteries of marine life, and in particular, the argonaut octopus. In order to properly study these creatures, Jeanne created the aquarium, which I found fascinating. Full disclosure: the book disappeared off my Kindle app on my phone when it was archived by NetGalley before I'd finished it. But it was fascinating, and is a quick read. Ms. Staaf's writing style is quite informal, but that opens this book up to a wider audience than a more traditional biographical approach would have encouraged. (NetGalley)

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict Lily left Endgame House, the family home turned into a hotel in which she had been raised, as a young teenager after her mother killed herself. Many years later, Lily's aunt begs her to return for Christmas, and after she dies, Lily decides to honor her by returning home. A family reunion at Christmas has one goal: to solve one of Aunt Liliana's famous puzzle games, but this time, the winner will get Endgame House itself. As the cousins assemble at Endgame House, a terrible blizzard sets in, and per the terms of Aunt Liliana's will, they must all be locked in, with no outside contact, for the twelve days of Christmas. They have to solve the puzzle before the end of the holiday, or the house reverts to an outsider. Of course, there are family intrigues and old resentments and alliances. Lily is haunted by memories of her mother and finding her dead in the garden maze. But as Lily solves the clues to the puzzle, she finds other clues that indicate that her mother did not kill herself, and that Aunt Liliana did not die naturally. And then the cousins begin to die, one by one. Ms. Benedict has themed anagram puzzles scattered throughout the book for the reader to solve. I found the book slightly tedious and a bit long; I think it needed some editing to tighten some of the long scenes where Lily has  repeated mini emotional breakdowns. And I really disliked the book being written in the first person. Also, for readers who prefer a conservative storyline, Lily is openly bisexual and her romantic entanglements are a significant subplot. (NetGalley)

Middle Sister's Mid-month Review

I will admit, I've made fun of some of the mystery sub-genres the publishing houses produce. Oh, I love the tea shops, the inns, the bookstores and libraries. But it seems like they will publish a series no matter how outlandish the core concept. After all, look at the sheer numbers of mystery series with witches, vampires, and ghosts (regular Gentle Readers know how I feel about paranormal mysteries). There are series centered on knitting--full disclosure, I'm a knitter and crocheter and read several of these series, but how many of them do we need?--, scrapbooking, a gift basket store, ice cream parlors, pet groomers, a couple of crossword puzzle series, cooking shows, record shop/coffee shop combo--if you can think of it, there's probably a series centered on it. Even vampire knitters! So when I saw one centered on a gourmet cheese shop, I groaned. But dang if I didn't like Gone for Gouda by Korina Moss. Willa owns a cheese shop in a small town in Sonoma Valley, California, and when the story begins, she is excitedly getting ready to host a visit by the latest super popular influencer cum cookbook author, Phoebe Winston, who is making a comeback with a book on vegan cuisine after a scandal. Phoebe is a graduate of the local culinary school, but not everyone in Yarrow Glen is happy to see her coming home. Then Phoebe is murdered, and Willa's employee is the main suspect, so she investigates out of guilt--he wouldn't have been the last person to see Phoebe alive if Willa hadn't insisted he be Phoebe's assistant that day. I like Willa and her best friend Baz, and I wish we had seen more of Mrs. Schultz. There's enough cheese talk to ground the book in its' setting but not so much that the reader would be annoyed (even readers like me, who love cheese). I'm not sure how long a cheese shop can function as a mystery setting, but I suppose it will do just as well as a bookstore. The characters are likable, and enough time is spent on the setting and on the town to make me want to visit again. Net Galley

Middle Sister's September Reads

Autumn is subtle in the desert. The air begins to dry out and the view to the mountains becomes clearer. It's still hot, but overnight temperatures start to drop slowly, so that one can stand outside under the inky black sky sprinkled with stars, and breathe. My flagging energies are always renewed this time of year. Reading comes less of an escape from oppressive heat and more a simple delight.

In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Tasha Alexander I often listen to audiobooks while doing other things around my house or while driving. My library's collection is ever increasing, but they don't often have series in their entirety, so I often jump into a series well in its arc. Such happened this month with In the Shadow of Vesuvius, the fourteenth book in the Lady Emily series, a series of which I had never heard. The brief description mentioned murder in Pompeii and archaeology; I was sold. I'm not sure I like Lady Emily; she's strong and late twentieth-century modern yet falls back into simpering nineteenth-century femininity by turns, so she and several of the other women in the novel, set in 1902, are not convincing in their presentation. I truly dislike when authors and publishers set stories in historical settings and yet then have the characters speak as if they were walking around today: "turns out" and "you lot" used by a convent-educated woman, for example, seemed incongruous. The constantly shifting point of view, between 1902 and 79 AD, was handled well but the ancient story was so predictable that it detracted from the murder Lady Emily  and Colin were investigating. The character of Kat was as annoying as one might expect, but did demonstrate some character growth that will make her less of a distraction in future books. The mystery was intriguing: while touring Pompeii, Emily, Colin, and Ivy, Emily's friend, discover a modern body encased in an ashy cement and posed between the remains of humans killed during the ancient volcanic eruption. The investigation is handled well enough considering the author set her story in time long before telephones and instant access to information. I may read another in the series to see if they are more interesting as straight-up mysteries. While many like shocking family secrets, I am not a fan of melodrama and soap operas, and there was a lot of that in the background. The narration was adequate. (Audiobook)

From Here to There: The Art and Science of Finding and Losing Our Way by Michael Bond I used to use and survey maps for a living, which (only partly) explains my love of books with maps. A book about how humans navigate sounded fascinating to me, and it was indeed engrossing. Mr. Bond started off with a detailed but not too esoteric background on the biological basis of how our brains map spatial data, and then moved on to some cultural differences between different human groups and their perceptions of space and how they learn to perceive locations. Particularly poignant were the stories of people who got lost and died, reminding us all that even in the day of GPS on our phones and watches, there are still wild areas where one can get dangerously lost. I would have to agree that current reliance on GPS is causing some humans to lose their navigating abilities. I worked with someone who, for an entire week, took the same wrong turn because the GPS told him to. Well written, fascinating and recommended.

After reading The Plot Thickets last month, I decided I had to read the first two books in the series. Pruning the Dead by Julia Henry is the first entry in the Garden Squad series, and it's here that the Garden Squad forms and begins its clandestine beautification projects around Goosebush. Lily's husband died two years ago, and she's been living in a fog since then. But her friends have managed to convince her that her beloved garden needs her tender care, and that a garden party would be a gentle way to rejoin Goosebush society. It's a huge success and Lily begins to slowly emerge from her widowhood, only to find that some changes in town have happened over those two years that she doesn't like. But what she really doesn't like is when her ex-husband's wife is murdererd, so Lily decides to find out who the real murderer is. One note: Roddy is introduced here with an Irish accent, but later books say his accent is English; one notices little things like this when you read three books back to back. All in all, it's a good first book, with a mystery that's not too intricate for the reader to guess but which is a pleasant introduction to the small town and the loyal friends who make it special.

Tilling the Truth by Julia Henry I love Lily Jayne's best friend, Tamara; she's bright, funny, and in a wonderful marriage. But someone is out to destroy Tamara's reputation as a realtor by playing nasty pranks that ruin her open houses. Tamara is determined to sell a coveted beach house despite the pranks, but it may not be just the commission she loses when the woman who lives next door is found dead, with Tamara standing over her. The entire Garden Squad swings into action to help save one of their own from being falsely accused of murder. The mystery in this series is secondary to the warm, considerate, kind cast of characters that Ms. Henry has created in the people that surround Lily. Goosebush is a pleasant place to visit, despite the murder rate. I envy the close and supportive relationships this group have with each other, and that's really the draw for the series for this reader. 

Dashing Through the Snowbirds by Donna Andrews I guess I'm in a sentimental frame of mind, wanting to vicariously live in either a town like Goosebush, where strong friendships have created a fictive family that takes care of each other, or in Caerphilly, where the extremely large Langslow family, with its dozens of cousins and aunts and uncles, constantly pour in and out of Meg's kitchen and life, always ready to pitch in and help with the task at hand, whether that's cooking for a crowd or solving a murder. Meg Langslow has so many relatives that pepper her mysteries that sometimes I get confused over who is who, but that's not the case this time, in the latest book in this long running series. It's Christmas in Caerphilly, and Meg's house is overrun with the employees of a genealogy company her brother's company is in the process of buying. There's a deadline looming on the project they are all working frantically on so that they can return to Canada for Christmas. But then the boss is murdered, and everyone's plans change. Ms. Andrews has this formula down to an art, yet somehow manages to make each book read fresh, and this is no exception. Meg's large family is still present, but their involvement in the murder investigation is scaled back from other books in the series, which means the cast of characters is not unwieldy and their oft-crazy shenanigans don't upstage the murder. I wish I had a big family that was always underfoot, like Meg, so a visit to Caerphilly is always wonderful. This soon-to-be-published book is a great holiday read, and I recommend it (and the whole series). Net Galley

Mystery at Magpie Lodge by Clare Chase I know there are a number of Eve Mallow mysteries in print, but this is the first for me (number 7 in the series). I love a mystery set in a small English village, and I loved that the protagonist of this series, Eve, is a fifty-plus woman with a career, a secret lover, a dachshund, and a life she's comfortable with. The black sheep of a local prominent family returns, down on his luck and desperate for money. He starts leading tours around the village, but he focuses on the scandals the locals would rather were forgotten. When he is murdered, there are several villagers who are happy he's no longer around to stir up trouble, but Eve is troubled. She liked Emory and found him sincere, and she is determined to find out who killed him. I figured the whodunnit out about three-quarters of the way through, which is much later than usual; Ms. Chase did a good job of sprinkling her clues and red herrings about. I enjoyed this book enough that I may have to back track to read more about Eve and how she came to the little town of Saxford St. Peter and her clandestine romance. Net Galley

Middle Sister's August Reads

We had a particularly rainy August this year, and there's nothing I like better than hearing raindrops on the roof and windows while I read. 

The Game Is Afoot by Vicki Delany Ms. Delany is an extremely prolific cozy mystery author, with currently 6 series in publication. I always worry when an author puts themselves in this position, because quality goes right out the window as they struggle to meet all the deadlines for all their different series. Or worse, they employ a ghostwriter who can't recreate the original style that earned the second and Thord contracts. I enjoy her Tea by the Sea series, and being a mystery lover, couldn't resist trying a title in the Sherlock Homes Bookshop series. I'd enjoy living in a community that not only supported a mystery bookstore (our local mystery bookstore closed shop in December 2020 because of the pandemic) but one that was so specialized that it only dealt with books of and about Sherlock Holmes. Gemma Doyle (get it?) owns the bookstore, located in the small town of New London (get it?) on Cape Cod, and after some success in solving local mysteries, she has been called in to investigate the potentially paranormal activities going on at the local historical museum, Scarlet House. She is certain that a very alive human is behind the unexplained incidents, but before she can convince the board of directors to implement her practical advice to change the locks, someone dies. Was it murder by a human or a ghost? To complicate matters, Gemma's sister Pippa, who works for some mysterious British government agency (get it?) shows up unannounced and in pursuit of something. I wish Gemma's boyfriend, policeman Ryan Ashburton, maintained the lines between public and police a little more, but overall that trespassing back and forth was handled quite well. There were a few coincidences that stretched belief, but  the setting was well done, the pace never slacked, and overall I enjoyed the book and will look out for others titles. (Net Galley)

The Plot Thickets by Julia Henry I've read the last three of five in this series, with The Plot Thickets the latest (and soon to be publishe. I remain a little skeptical of Lilly Jayne--she's too perfect. Oh, the author has her complain about aches and pains, but she's always right and everyone in town defers to her opinions and tastes, and I find her a little supercilious and obnoxious because of that. But I really like some of the secondary characters, like Ernie and Tamara, and I love the setting: a small town in Massachusetts where everyone knows each other. The fictive family they have created includes everyone in holidays and dinners, looks out for each other, and everyone's social and political sensibilities are in line (if they are not, they will be a major suspect or the next victim). I like this fictional town, despite it's silly name, and I read the series for the cosiness I feel stepping into that place. In this book, Lilly discovers something odd is happening at the town cemetery, and she and Delia dive deep into the historical records and the funeral business to figure out who is behind the shenanigans and why. There is character development across the series, but you can read them out of order without feeling lost. I was inspired to get books 1 and 2 from my library to get a little more of the backstory. Some of the plot devices felt a little underdeveloped and others felt stretched, but I enjoyed the book and my visit to this caring, too-perfect little town. (Net Galley)

The Murder Mystery by Alice Castle This is the first in the Beth Haldane series, and I really liked the opening. Beth was a fresh protagonist, with her practical voice, recounting daily struggles as a single mother and very excited to have finally found a full time job. Better yet, it's at a prestigious local public school (read private school; this takes place in England) that she's hoping her son will be able to attend in a few years, and having mum on staff can't hurt.  I even enjoyed learning that she was not close to her parents; that there was no awful reason why, they were just dissimilar people who weren't involved in each others' lives. I found that refreshing. Unfortunately for Beth, her new boss is murdered the morning of her first day. Unfortunately for the reader, we quickly became quite disenchanted with Beth as she convinces herself that the police think she is the number one suspect because she found the body. She met her boss exactly twice; it is obvious to both fictional police and reader alike that Beth is not and could not be murderer since she lacks any motive. But Beth is almost hysterical about this as the reason she has to investigate the crime, and by the third or fourth repetition of this ridiculous pretext, I was starting to hope the handsome inspector would arrest her to validate her completely unfounded conviction. Beth also accuses others of doing exactly what she is doing ("...amazed at his imperturbability. If someone had decided to put her own archive in order, say, she'd be furious." Yet this exactly what Beth is doing. Americanism: pot, meet kettle.) There are also some weird situations that defy credulity: Beth was never invited to her grandparents' parties as a child staying with them. Really, a child would want to spend the entire evening with people 60 years older than them and no one to play with? And yes, of course, our amateur detective doesn't think the police will investigate the victim's finances (really?)  because they are clearly not competent because they are not telling her everything about their investigation. At one point, Beth just flat out admits that she's going to obstruct the police: "Beth wasn't sure whether, if she revealed what she'd found to Inspector York, she'd get into such huge trouble that she would just regret it. And also, if she did tell the police, how could she then get any further with her digging? They wouldn't obligingly tell her how they were getting on." How I hate this attitude in mysteries. Naturally, because he doesn't tell the police what she learns, she gets into terrible trouble after she confronts the murderer on her own.  I have two more Beth Haldane mysteries on my Kindle and am not sure I want to read them if this is the attitude of our main character, because it doesn't make me sympathize with her. On the plus side, I did learn some British words I'd love to use, like wodge and Grand Panjandrum. I may just take a break and see if I feel like fi ending out if she grows as a character. (Net Galley)

Middle Sister's July Reads

Hot, hot, hot, and now, finally, rainy, rainy, rainy! To combat the steamy weather, I undertook my annual summertime reading of books set in the winter to take my mind off what the humidity is doing to my curls and the rampaging weeds taking over my backyard.

A Brush with Murder (A Watercolor Mystery) by Gail Langer Karwoski I've recently commissioned my artist sister to paint several things for my house, so a painting-themed mystery was on point. Four friends, who all belong to the same local painting group, go to an artistic retreat together. Unfortunately, the friends find that murder can happen even in the most beautiful of places. What I liked about the book: the four women are all middle-aged or late middle aged, with grown children (if they have children; Jane Roland, our POV in this novel, doesn't have children), which is where I am in life now. They are active people, pursuing their interests, and not obsessed with youth or trying to regain their youth, which is refreshing. The circumstances of how the amateur detectives are drawn into the investigation are realistic; I hate farfetched plot devices to get the amateur detective involved. The watercolor retreat is not sidelined by the investigation; our heroines continue to attend workshops and pursue their intent, rather than get sidelined to throw everything into pursuing the mystery, and the watercolor tips they learn certainly read as legitimate. The police were treated with respect by our amateurs, who gave them information and never tried to interfere--hooray! In fact, I loved that when Jane suddenly realized the key to solving the murder, she immediately texted the sheriff. I enjoyed that the final confrontation with the murderer took place out of the reader's view, and we were told about it through the women talking about it afterwards. Great way to move the denouement along and wrap the story up. Things I wasn't so happy about: some of the characterizations of the women made them seem too one-dimensional: Jane is too organized and calm, Donna is too dotty and silly. I'd have liked a little more nuance to their characters as perfect characters are very boring to me. Some of the comments the women said to each other were verging on snarky. and I'm tired of snark and putdowns and even subtle means masquerading as supposed wit or cleverness. So what if Donna wears a bright orange beret? The name of the retreat, Gardens and Horses, felt distinctly at odds with the hoity-toity, elite horse racing community it represents. Something like Magnolia Springs or some other more evocative and snobby name would have worked better to underscore the ritzy country club atmosphere; this sounds like a plant nursery for someone with no imagination. Someone needs to tell the author that black labs don't have fur that your can tousle atop their heads; they have a short coat; minor quibble, but it irked me. And for goodness' sake, if Donna is always fainting because of her high blood pressure, she needs to see a doctor stat and be put on appropriate medication! It looks like this might be the first in a new series, and sometimes it takes the author a while to get the feel of her characters, especially when she's juggling 4 main characters, as Ms. Karwoski is here. This is light read, heavy on horses (not my personal interest) but pleasant summer reading and it shows promise. I'm interested in the characters enough that if a second book appears, I'll read it. (NetGalley)

A Murder at Balmoral by Chris McGeorge It's Christmas Day, and the fictional royal family of England, headed by King Eric, have gathered at Balmoral to celebrate the holiday, as they do every year. But this year, the king has dismissed everyone except his chef, Jon, and the security head, in order to have a real family holiday. Poor Jon! He has to do all the cooking, the serving, and the cleaning up afterwards. He didn't expect to have to solve a murder, too. With a blizzard raging outside, the family are trapped in their castle, and when murder strikes, it is up to Jon to discover which royal is also a royal murderer. I enjoyed the book, although I'm not sure I liked anyone in it. I sympathized with Jon and his circumstances, both private and re: his relationships with the royal family, but I'm not sure I cared for his blind devotion to the king. It also felt that some scenes dragged on a little too much, even though the book takes places over just 36 hours or so. However, kudos to Mr. McGeorge for giving me an ending I was not expecting at all, and which therefore delighted me. And all the descriptions of swirling snow and blinding wind certainly helped me escape these hot desert summer nights. An enjoyable and fairly quick read with a surprise ending that should entertain mystery readers who like locked door mysteries set in English country estates, and those still yearning for more Downton Abbey. (NetGalley)

The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore Well illustrated book for new dog owners that provides answers to common questions in short, concise articles. Updated since the first edition in 2006, the book is well organized to help owners find answers to questions ranging from why does my dog drink out of the toilet bowl to common sense training tips for both the dog and the owner. Because as we all know, 90% of dog training is training the owner! Most articles are at most one or two pages long, are written in a loose, conversational style, with lots of stock color photos of cute dogs (always a plus!), along with side bars like Breed Bytes, Sniff it Out, and safety tips that even experienced dog owners, like me, will enjoy reading. (NetGelley)

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer The author of the Seven Percent Solution returns another Sherlock Holmes mystery culled from the unpublished diaries of Dr. John Watson. Sherlock is drawn into a puzzling mystery by his brother, Mycroft, that rapidly escalates into an international intrigue that could contribute to a war that would engulf all of Europe, unless Sherlock can stop it. I enjoyed the book, and the recorded version I listened to was well narrated. The book is based on real events and involves real people, although artistic license has certainly been taken with the physical descriptions of some of them. The parallels with what is happening today are blunt and obvious but no less powerful for that, although the book was published in 2019 and I listened to it in 2022. This is one of my favorite authors to take on Sherlock as Mr. Meyer always does so with great respect to Arthur Conan Doyle but yet he manages to create a Sherlock that is still very much Doyle's creature but also that much more: more fleshed out, more relevant, more interesting. 

Middle Sister's June Reads

 I read the most delightful book this month, the third of three really good books that I enjoyed (see my Mid-month Review in the previous post). June was a good book month.

Cold Clay by Juneau Black The second entry in a series of three books (to date). Shady Hollow is a small, quiet town inhabited by animals (yes, animals). Reminiscent of Susan Wittig Albert's Cottage Tales series, 8 equally delightful (and I was so sad when Ms. Albert stopped writing the series), this charming book has memorable characters and a lovely setting (and a map--you know how I love a book with a map!). Vera Vixen, fox reporter, is our amateur detective, and she is ably assisted by her best friend Lenore Lee, the raven who owns Nevermore Books, and her boyfriend, Deputy Orville Braun, bear. I loved this book. It was so charming and sweet, the animal characters kind and realistic and relatable. Shady Hollow and its inhabitants were enchanting and I immediately looked for the other two books in the series. The mystery is well plotted, the characters are fully fleshed out, and while there was one aspect of the whodunit conclusion that was a little bit of a stretch to believe, it was still a great read. It did not escape my notice that Vera appears to be a vegetarian, and every meal she has at Joe's Mug read deliciously. I am eager to return to Shady Hollow, especially during these tumultuous and scary times. A sweet, innocent murder mystery that is appropriate for both advanced child readers and adults--perfect. 

Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs I know I vowed to stop reading this series, but I thought one from  earlier in the series might still be good, without all the annoying inconsistencies that beset the more recent Tea Shop Mysteries. And I enjoyed the first half of the book. Theodosia was not annoying and arrogant in her sleuthing, the professionals were not ridiculed as incompetent, and I had high hopes. And then it started, first with a few little things: Theodosia never tells Maggie that Andrew is looking to buy a house, just that she knows someone who could use a realtor, yet Maggie jumps to the assumption he's a buyer. OK, that's perhaps not an unreasonable assumption; he's either buying or selling. And then world class tea sommelier Drayton doesn't know what a Banbury tart is? And he says "Seriously?!" like a tween girl? Drayton is a little fussy but very gentlemanly, an American version of the stereotypical Englishman, and his exclamations and vocabulary would not include 'Seriously?!" And speaking of the food, how does Haley manage to do all the cooking, cleaning, and planning for not only the tea room but also the catering events? Miss Dimple is there to help serve when needed, but honestly, there's no way Haley could do all that work, especially if the Indigo Tea Shop is open 6 days a week (I think they're closed one day a week, but even if closed for two, it's just not realistic that she has no help). I've suspected for years that Ms. Childs employed a ghost writer, and the fact that Theo's boyfriend Max actually says the sentence "We're going to pretend we're not snuggle bunnies?" proves it. Then it was there, in full force: Theo muses that maybe the sheriff would figure the mystery out. "Or maybe pigs would sprout wings and fly." At this point, Theo has exchanged about 12 words with the sheriff, so how she has the temerity to think she judge his progress in his investigation is beyond annoying. She gets very annoyed when the manager of Smiley's won't let her interrogate one of his employees when that man is supposed to be working, and the entire exchanges when she trying to wheedle her way into the restaurant were embarrassing at best and insufferable at worst. They witness the car accident, but don't call 911, and Drayton was so upset he couldn't dial those 3 numbers? That is not the competent man we know. But the most egregious violations were this: private hospital rooms do not share a bathroom, so the entire scene where Theo escapes discovery by sneaking out the shared bathroom was ridiculous. Clearly the ghost writer backed themselves into a corner and created this plot device to fix a major shortcoming in the story. But that episode was  surpassed by her behavior at the silent auction, when, instead of voicing her suspicions about the bottle of wine to either law enforcement or the auction organizers, she grabs it and opens it to prove her point. Stop insulting your readers! Cell phones have the numbers and/or names of incoming calls showing nice and bright and big right there on the screen, so Theo would never have been surprised by who was calling her; she'd have known the instant she looked at the phone. This is beyond insufferable and beyond excuses. Stop dialing it in, Ms. Childs. Either slow down your mass production of multiple series or perhaps just stop writing. 

Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering Drew and Madeline Farthering are asked by his former schoolmate, Beaky, to look into some mysterious happenings in the moor that surrounds his estate.  His wife Sabrina has been spooked by noises when walking her dog and feels certain someone has been watching her. Drew and Madeline immediately drive up to the estate to look into things, while their friend Nick impersonates a rough traveling man so that he can investigate things from the village's perspective without suspicion. Set in the 1920s, this is reasonably accurate portrayal of that time between the wars when society and economies were in turmoil, and the landed aristocracy was having to face the new realities of the early twentieth century. I liked the book, although Drew and Madeline were a little too cutesy for me. The secondary characters were interesting and useful and not merely there to fill in the pages; they each advanced the story in important ways. All in all, an nice, quick read.

Middle Sister's Mid-month Review

 I just finished two great books and had to jump on and review them while both were still fresh in my mind, Completely opposite genres and styles, but both were so good.

Fen, Bog, & Swamp by Annie Proulx This non-fiction book by acclaimed author Annie Proulx is her heartbreaking swan song to the death of the fens, bogs, and swamps that nurtured all life on earth and which seem destined to disappear from our besieged planet. She traces the geomorphological origin of each landform, its importance to the development of human society and local culture, and then details how modern society has destroyed the very thing that allowed us to flourish in situ in the first place. The cultural history of specific areas was very interesting (I had never heard of Doggerland), and I loved learning about the geomorphological development of each landform. While she includes as tiny glimmers of hope the attempts around the world to save areas of intact bog or swamp, or efforts to re-create natural landforms, the overall tone is very depressing. It's hypnotic and depressing at the same time. Beautifully written and achingly despairing and heartbreaking. I rank it right up there with Rachel Carson's writings. Highly recommended. (Net Galley)

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill One of the best mysteries I've read this year! Ms. Gentill has written an absorbing and fast-paced mystery novel with a unique, semi-epistolary structure and a story within a story that is riveting. I stayed up late last night to finish it, and I'll be frank, I rarely do that. I will admit I had to go back and re-read the ending to make sure everything has been explained and tied up accurately. While I had guessed The Whodunnit by the last fifth or so of the book, I couldn't put it down. The one thing I didn't like was Ms. Gentill's decision to write in the present tense. It's just me--I really dislike that. That is an indication of how good the book is, that I could persevere with a book whose literary style I intensely dislike. I know it's a choice used to build intensity, but I don't think her story needed that. It's so unique and compelling that I think it would have survived a more traditional verb tense just fine. But I quibble. Even if you don't like mysteries, I think you will enjoy this novel, which includes romance, redemption, and asks the bigger question of how do we know who to trust and when? Highly recommended. (Net Galley)

Middle Sister's May Reads

Gentle reader, the long-awaited month of May arrived. Six months ago I began planning a two-week road trip to the Pacific Northwest, and it finally became a reality in May. And what is a good, 3,000-mile road trip but the perfect opportunity to listen to audiobooks?

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters I have loved the Amelia Peavbody series for over 30 years, and own the books. But the chance to listen to one of my favorite books was too good to pass. The story is just as entertaining, Amelia is just as admirable, Emerson is just as infuriating, and Ms. Peters' re-creation of the heady days of Victorian explorers just as detailed and delightfully descriptive as I'd remembered. However, I wasn't thrilled with the audiobook because of the narrator. Her breathy voice for the determined, intrepid Amelia Peabody was just wrong. Amelia is a take charge personality who doesn't suffer fools. Her voice is is always strong, sometimes slightly sarcastic, but never breathy like an ingenue. Emerson's voice should be deeper; he almost starts off with a whiny nasal sound in his first few appearances. Ah well, I suppose no one can read the book the way I hear it in my head when I read it. Still a rollicking good book to listen to.

Summer of the Dragon by Barbara Michaels This is the same author who wrote as Elizabeth Peters. While I think I have read every single one, I don't remember all the standalones. They remind me of the Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt novels I devoured in my 10-14 years, with their beautiful and spunky heroines, the hero who is initially gruff and insufferable, the modern gothic air of mystery. This book takes place in Arizona, and I have to admit that while the book may be 40 years old, Ms. Michael's descriptions are still apt, even her description of Phoenix (exponentially larger than it was in the 1970s). Her description of the desert is almost lyrical, and I have to wonder if the author ever participated in an archaeological field school out here. The book is a bit dated: the references to the movie stars after which our heroine, DJ, and her siblings are named will be familiar to fans of classic movies but no one else. DJ tends to say "Right on!" a lot, and the drugs used to waylay characters are certainly not ones that would be used today. But there are still a lot of people who are searching for the Lost Dutchman mine, who think the Peralta stones are real, and their crazy theories will be familiar to anyone who watches too much cable TV. The secondary characters with their quirks and passionate crazy theories were quite funny. The one thing that bothered me was that the household staff were called servants. I doubt they were still being called servants in 1975. Oh well, DJ is a delightful heroine, and it's easy to identify with her love of food, her naïveté about the desert, and her spunk. However, major complaint: the narrator did not know how to correctly pronounce many words derived from Native People's languages or Spanish. Mesa Verde is not pronounced Mesa Verd. Saguaro is not pronounced "sahgwaro" with a hard g, nor is cholla pronounced with an l-sound; it's a Spanish double ll which is pronounced as a y. Mogollon, Sinagua and Sinaguan similar do not have hard g's or l's. I don't think that's being picky because the archaeological sites and desert plants are so central to the story (and in the case of Mesa. Verde, very well known) that to mispronounce them repeatedly detracts the listener. And really, how expensive would it have been for the audiobook publisher to consult someone to get the proper pronunciations? 

In at the Death by Francis Duncan Mordecai Tremaine's fourth murder mystery begins with a game of chess with Chief Inspector Jonathon Boyce that is interrupted because of a murder in Bridgton. Jonathon asks Mordecai to come with him on the case, so in this entry in the series, Mordecai happens upon the murder and the crime scene with the police. This is a neat way for Mr. Duncan to get his amateur detective involved, because in previous novels, Mordecai was usually present at a weekend party or a similar social event when the murder happens. Here, he gets to work more closely with the police to solve the murder. I enjoy this series so much. The books, written between 1944-1954, only seem dated because of the lack of technology and the sometimes old-fashioned ways of describing people, especially the women. I especially liked the dramatic ending of the book, with its ambiguous depiction of the many ways justice can be served. Let me add that these audiobooks are excellently read by the narrator, which just adds to my enjoyment of them.

A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch This book introduces Charles Lenox, Victorian gentleman and amateur detective, who despite avowing how much he prefers his quiet, dull life, has so far solved 14 mysteries. In this first entry, Lenox's dear friend and neighbor Lady Jane asks him to investigate the death of a young maid, Prudence. I liked the book well enough to probably read more, but it wasn't without its irritations. Lenox and Jane's friendship would never have taken the shape it did in Victorian times. Prudence's many sexual relationships would have been frowned severely upon and it would have been thought she deserved her untimely end because of her behavior. The fact that Lady Jane is not at all shocked by her promiscuity is not, I think, realistic to the period but is a bone thrown to the modern reader. Then another murder occurs, and Lenox begins to suspect that they are all tied to a possible financial scandal involving a highly-placed government official. The errors in making Victorian England appear a little too twenty-first century are not too egregious as to prevent me planning to read more in the series, but in general, I really dislike it when modern social mores are inserted into very different historic cultures.

On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle I read one Coffeehouse series mystery years and years ago, and it wasn't my cup of tea, but when I saw that the library had the audiobook of the first in the series on hand, I thought I'd give it a try. My conclusion--I still don't think I like this series. I want to like Clare. I like how she created a life for herself and her daughter (in suburban New Jersey, where I grew up, too) after leaving her philandering husband, and how that life has been a hodgepodge of different jobs strung together to make a living. Shades of modern day life for many, many of us. What I didn't like were the cutesy names (Cosi and Allegro as last names? Madame Dreyfus-Allegro-Dubois?) and Clare's romantic interest in her ex-husband. And I think there was an overlooked problem with the identification of the killer. The reason for the killing was predictable but plausible, but (and I'm going to reveal something here, so spoiler alert, skip to the next book on this list if you haven't read this one and plan to) the killer left the coffee house thinking that no one would be able to trace them to Annabelle. So why take the key to the coffeehouse with them and leave her purse with all its other belongings behind? At the time of Annabelle's murder, there was no reason to suspect they (the murderer) would ever have to return to the coffee house, so why take it and draw attention to that fact? There was no reason for that to happen, and to make the whole story hinge on that seemed very forced to me. It smacked of lazy writing and an author desperately trying to figure out how to solve the murder while writing it. I know it's a long-running series, but I think I won't try a third time to read it.

Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton Ah, Hamish MacBeth, always to be relied for a murder mystery that is not what it seems. I'm still heartbroken that Ms. Beaton's death a couple of years ago means no more Hamish. I do think Hamish has been pining over Priscilla way too long, but at least that's just a very minimal part of the book. Just like in the Mordecai Tremaine book, justice is served in different ways here, too, and sometimes it just doesn't seem right. In Death of a Dustman, the odious trash collector in Loch Dubh knows secrets about everyone and has been trying to blackmail them all. The suspect list is consequently long and no one, not even the widow, mourns the nasty dustman. I do enjoy the revolving sidekicks that are Hamish's subordinates and how they find their lives changed forever by their time in Loch Dubh. Contrast their experiences with Hamish's; his life stays the same no matter what happens. Fun series, and again, very well read.

My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith The powerhouse that is Alexander McCall Smith (how does he write so many books) has written a charming book in My Italian Bulldozer. Paul Stuart has broken up with his girlfriend of four years, and so to heal his broken heart, he decides to go to Italy to complete writing his latest cookbook. But the working holiday gets off to a bad start when he is accused of stealing a rental car. The only transport he can get is a bulldozer, on which he rides off into the sunset and a set of misadventures while gaining a new appreciation of life and romance. Delightful and charming, this standalone is a good introduction to the author and his dry wit. I just wish we'd had more of Gloria and her sharp mind and discerning intellect. 

Desert, Driving, and Derelicts by Tonya Kappas Again. I like the premise but not the cutesy name: the Campers and Criminals series. Mae West (Maybelline is her real name) got shafted by her ex-husband and the only thing that she could salvage was an RV park, the Happy Trails Campground, in Normal, Kentucky. My sister is about to move to Kentucky (this week, in fact), so I wanted to take a little dive into what fiction thinks Kentucky is like. I like the premise because it gives the author a lot of scope--the comings and goings of people at the RV park, and the people and businesses in the nearby small town that caters to the visitors provide plenty of ways to get Mae involved in a mystery. I also liked how Mae plunges into trying to get whatever work she can, so a second job as a cleaning lady is welcome and treated with great dignity by the author. I'm not so crazy about the juvenile crush Mae develops, and when she's cleaning his camper, she starts snooping though his stuff. Ding, ding, ding--stalker! Mae is stalking and being a Toal creepster in this subplot! This is not cutesy but really alarming to me as a reader. I did enjoy the outlandish characters and their over-the-top southernliess, but a little goes a long way. So while I might read another in the series, I may need a little time away from Happy Trails in between my visits.

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie I started my road trip with an Agatha Christie novel because you might as well start a three-day road trip of 1,500 miles with a bang. Hercule Poirot helps the daughter of a convicted murderer discover the real murderer of Amyas Crale. I really enjoyed the whole premise, of Poirot investigating a very cold case that everyone thought had been satisfactorily solved. However, I didn't find the British rhyme made much sense with he chapters; this might have been more evident with a read rather than a listen to the story. But you can't go wrong with an Agatha Christie, and the lesser known Poirots are always fun to read.

Behold a Fair Maid by Francis Duncan This is the last Mordecai Tremaine novel written by Francis Duncan. Mordecai goes to an island for vacation and finds that the slow idyllic life on the island masks old grievances and criminal activity. I found this the most convoluted of the Tremaine novels, and had to read the ending twice to make sure that I understood the many threads and how they were woven together. And because of that I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as I had the other four in the series. I wish there had been more descriptions of the island and the settings, but it was still a very enjoyable book.

Middle Sister's April Reads

 Happy springtime! It's hard to read when the weather outside is so perfect, isn't it? This April, I read some pattern books I've been wanting to look at, with the hopes of finding some new items to update my wardrobe and replace things I've unfortunately outgrown (thank you, menopause).

Hygge Style Knitting by Interweave Editors The idea of hygge was very popular in the press just before the pandemic. Many people who found themselves confined to their homes spent time learning new crafts, improving their home spaces, and generally trying to increase the presence of anything that could provide comfort. This book of knitting patterns was just one book to provide knitted comfort to craft. Nicely photographed, as Interweave Press publications are, this collection of socks, cowls, sweaters, and others are generally made of bulkier yarns to simulate that large knitted comfort look that is popular, and which take much less time for new knitters to create. And that's the perfect way to help novice knitters grow their skills, as a successfully completed project is a great spur to make something else! Suitable for movie and experienced knitters alike, but the sweaters are far too warm for a desert dweller like me. 

New Lace Knitting by Rosemary Hill Beautiful pattern book of sweaters, tops, and accessories made from lace weight yarn. Rosemary Hill is an accomplished and well-known designer, and her patterns are always beautiful to look at. I've bookmarked a couple I want to try for myself, since lace weight yarn is the thickets I can wear out here. But don't expect me to report back anytime soon--lace weight yarn takes me forever to knit. The patterns are lovely, the photography is good, but I would rate the patterns are for intermediate and more advanced knitters as lace weight yarn can be difficult to work with. 

Simple Style by Ann Budd Ann Budd is another well known knitwear designer, and in this book, she presents several patterns that are simple in style and construction, but stylish and therefore great mainstays for a knitted wardrobe. But don't be fooled by the title; the Stay Put Wrap, for example, is a modern interpretation of a stile or rectangular wrap that is anything but old fashioned or boring. There were several sweater and tops that I bookmarked for myself, because sometimes I need a quick knitting fix. The patterns are a great mix of just challenging enough for a novice knitter and not too boringly easy for more experienced knitters. Lovely photographs and nice presentation.

Metropolitan Knits by Melissa Wehrle Metropolitan Knits presents 20 knitting projects designed to reflect a modern urban style that combines both feminine silhouettes and funkier yet classic designs. Look for surprising elements that are a bit unexpected, such as the peep of lace in the back hem of the Secret Garden Tank. I liked several of the patterns, but don't think the styles are ones that my middle aged body can wear anymore. Too bad this books wasn't around 20 years ago, when the styles would have been flattering for my figure. There are several accessories presented as well, so the book is appropriate for novice knitters and those with more experience alike. 

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates I enjoy the Lighthouse Library mystery series, although I will admit right away that I have not read all of them. I think I read the first, one in the middle somewhere, and then this one, which is the latest and will be published in June 2022. Lucy, the lighthouse librarian, and her love Connor, dentist and mayor, have bought their dream home. It's located right on the beach, but requires quite a bit of renovation as it's been sitting derelict for quite a few years. Of course there is a ghost story associated with it. As Connor and his dad undertake the renovations, Lucy gets drawn into the house's troubled past until one night, the ghost pays her a visit. Easy, breezy style, Eva Gates is the non de plume of prolific mystery writer Vicki Delaney. I like another of her series (Tea by the Sea) although I'm slightly less interested in her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. I'm a little worried that with 5 series in print at the same time (Year Round Christmas and Catskills Summer Resort mysteries), the quality of the books may soon start to decline, but Death by Beach Road, although predictable, was still a pleasant read, and perfect for a warm spring day. (Net Galley)

The Bellamy Trial by Frances Noyes Hart One of the first courtroom dramas to become a bestseller, The Bellamy Trial unravels, through courtroom testimonials, the murder of a young socialite. Published in 1927, it was almost immediately made into a silent movie; sadly, most of the reels have disappeared or decayed. The story is told in a fairly crisp style, with the sworn testimonies of various witnesses and suspects presented in individual chapters interspersed with commentary by a never-names male Reporter and The Red-headed Girl, a young reporter covering her first trial. The reporter explains what's going on for her and the reader's benefits, and it's a very modern approach that makes the nearly 100-year-old book feel much more modern than the situations and social mores that are exposed by the trial itself portray. I enjoyed this book very much, and recommend it to anyone looking for something new, and perhaps a bit different from the normal mystery genre. (Net Galley)

Middle Sister's Mid-Month Review

 In Too Steep by Kate Kingsbury I gave up reading Kate Kingsbury's Pennyfoot Hotel mystery series years ago because they were very formulaic and all starting to read the same, and plagued by that one thing I hate in historical mysteries--characters who act modern and speak modern despite the timeframe of the book. But I though I'd give this book, the second in the Misty Bay Tea Room series,  a chance because I adore tea and I am off to vacation on the Oregon coast in two weeks. And maybe with a modern series, and the passage of time, the author would have improved or been motivated by a new character and a new location. But I was disappointed again; the book was pretty dreadful. The mystery is very contrived;  the relationships are described in juvenile prose; there are inconsistencies in the way the characters act and speak. 

The main character, who is almost the same age I am, made the cardinal sin (to this reader, anyway) of thinking the police were stupid (while encouraging her employee to date the detective investigating the murder) and that she needed more evidence before she could tell them her suspicions. 

I found her personal quirks also a little irritating; we must have read the exact same sentence--that Vivian needed to make keys to the tearoom for her two employees--at least 7 or 8 times in various chapters. I was also not convinced by the basic premise, that Vivian felt so bad for the hermit that was murdered because he had no one to mourn him. People usually become hermits by choice; he's not homeless, he's purposefully chosen to live in the shack on the beach and eschew the company of people. I really doubt he would have cared that no one attended his funeral. It's not that I don't think Vivian was sympathetic to feel this way; it's a kind and admirable thought, but to seize it and use it as the excuse for her investigation, and the almost obsessive fixation she develops when there's barely any connection between her and the crime, was insufficient to establish the storyline. "Although she'd never met Lewis Trenton, she'd become so involved in finding someone to mourn him, she now considered him a friend." Without knowing anything about him at all. It just wasn't believable. We learn nothing about Lewis as a person because he's a complete nonentity in the book; he's an excuse, and a flimsy one at that. 

The denouement was also contrived--after multiple references to "the three rookies" and bringing Jenna and Gracie to all her interviews of her suspects, when she finally thinks she's identified the killer, Vivian makes a clear decision to go alone to confront the killer? Yes, she has to be alone to set up the ending as written, but we've spent the entire book with all three characters traipsing around and investigating en masse. It just made no sense for her to undertake this one investigation on her own. 

There were also a few glaring instances where it's really clear the author did no research for her book: there are strict laws about animals being restrained in cars in Oregon, and holiday-themed toys and pet costumes are a huge business in the US, yet Hal's pet store only has a a few because "dogs don't care about Halloween." Nope, that's true, they don't, but their humans do, and those humans spend a lot of money on holiday toys and costumes. Both of these glaringly obviously wrong sentences make it clear Ms. Kingsbury is banking on a steady stream of uncritical cosy lovers who don't care if her world reflects reality at all. But this reader does. I want enough realism to make the unrealistic premise of a cosy mystery--that an amateur can solve a murder mystery faster than the police--believable. Otherwise I get distracted by the errors and end up disliking the book.

I'm not sure if there will be a third book in the series, as it ends with Hal and Vivian making plans for a future that doesn't include the tea room, so maybe this was just a brief 2-book contract. But Ms. Kingsbury is writing too many series (I think this is number 5!), and they all suffer from lack of attention and time, so  her numerous books go back onto the TBA pile. TBR = To Be Read. TBA = To Be Avoided.

Middle Sister's March Reads

Spring has sprung! We've had some rain out here in the desert, but not at the right time to give us any spring flowers. However, given he decades-long drought we are in. I will happily take whatever rain I can get, whenever it comes. Rainy nights are great night to read.

The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger by Agatha Christie Yes, I am still reading Agatha Christie, and while I had hoped to read them chronologically, availability of titles has caused me too jump around a little. In this short story (which I listened to as an audio play dowloaded from my library, rather then a book read by one narrator), Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are drawn into international espionage, and Tommy is secured by Tuppence at the last minute. Research tells me Dame Agatha modeled the story on series written by Douglas Valentine. A mystery rabbit hole to explore further.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie My library has obtained a number of audiobooks that are apparently either radio recordings or books read and recorded as plays, with several actors portraying different characters. It had been a long time since I'd read And Then There Were None, although I  recently watched yet another version of it. This is deservedly a classic Christie that touches on self righteous behavior and self delusion, fear, and paranoia, and wraps it all up in a fast-moving, clever mystery.

A Is for Arsenic by Kathryn Markup As long as I was reading Christie, why not read a book about Christie? This book takes an unusual slant by focussing on some of the poisons Dame Agatha used to dispatch her victims. Ms. Markup does an admirable job of summarizing the chemistry of each poison and its affects on the body, the availability of the poison at the time the book in which it appears to help shed light on how easily Christie's murderers could have obtained that poison for their dastardly intentions, and then summarizes the actual Christie novel, with a brief discussion on the victims and what poisonous effects appear in the Christie story. Real life murders using those potions are also presented, although in some cases these would probably not have neen known to Dame Agatha and therefore didn't serve as inspiration, although other real cases surely did. A novel concept, and I enjoyed the book. The nerdy scientist in my liked the actual chemical structure of each poison being included, and also given their own appendix. I also enjoyed the appendix that listed all the different ways that victims were killed in all the books and short stories. One quibble--the book ended very abruptly. There is no final chapter, however brief, that sums up the book. The last poison is discussed and then the appendices and a select reference list is presented. Some neat tidying up, some summary conclusions, something would have been better than turning the page to see the book was done. But enjoyable overall, especially to Christie aficionados.

Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien Volume 8, Noodle Shop Mysteries. I read Hot and Sour Suspects as an advanced reading copy from Net Galley, and the series was brand new to me. What a winner! I loved everything about this cosy mystery. I love the characters; Lana Lee and her mixed race family reminds me exactly of my ethnically and racially mixed family. The secondary characters, no matter how infrequently a part of the narrative, are so skillfully sketched that the reader immediately gets a sense of their personality and the relationship dynamics (e.g., Lana's grandmother). The dialogue and relationships between Lana and her sister, Lana and her roommate, Lana and her boyfriend the policeman, etc. are all very realistic and engaging. I adore the fact that the author was creative in how she gets Lana involved in the murder. Rather than relying on Lana simply pumping her boyfriend Adam for information he shouldn't tell her as he's a policeman working the case, Lana (and the author) respect his professionalism and keep him out of the picture. After last month's disaster Bear Witness, where the police investigator slept with the amateur detective/suspect and told her police information she should never had been told, to have Lana and Adam's relationship treated so professionally, so respectfully, so realistically, was delightful. Kudos, Ms. Chien! The story itself moves along at a pace fast enough to keep reader interest despite Lana doing things like actually working at her job (I hate it when the main character is able to drop everything to go haring after clues, as if jobs and commitments didn't exist) and having Sunday dim sum with her family. Absolutely enchanted with this series, and I will absolutely be looking for the rest of the Lana Lee books to read. Net Galley.

100 Great American Parks by Stephanie Pearson Beautifully photographed new book published by National Geographic that present 100 of the many amazing natural wonders, historic sites, seashores, and wildernesses across the United States. This was a galley from Net Galley, and unfortunately, only 7 parks were included in this sample for review. From what I saw, the layout is nice (large format color photographs, many full page), with fairly engaging text and side bars with additional information. It's divided geographically, and as the entire list of parks is not presented not he Table of Contents, it's impossible to tell if the book focuses on the most popular national parks and monuments, or if it details some of the smaller and less well known parks. This is the first time an advanced reader copy obtained from net Galley did not include the entire book for review, and I must say I'm disappointed. It's National Geographic, so we can assume the quality is high, but if you opt not to provide the entire book, why not just rely on your reputation alone/ And full disclosure--I worked on projects funded by National Geographic, although that was over 30 years ago. Net Galley

The Supper Club Murders by Victoria Dowd Smart Woman's Mystery, Book 3. Well, I'm a pretty smart woman, so that series name appealed to me (smart intellectually, smart mouthed? Either sounded intriguing), and I read this galley hoping that I'd find a second new-to-me series to add to my TBR pile. The book and author were described as being along the lines of an Agatha Christie--a supper club in a lonely, deserted part of England is stranded during a terrible storm, the roads are flooded, the phones are out, and then, someone is murdered. Sounds like perfect reading material. It was not. The reader is immediately thrust into a series of conversations amidst the protagonists (the smart women) that revolve around what happened in previous novels with little to no explanation, so the reader is left confused and bewildered. Now, that might work to an author's advantage as a deliberate plot device to increase tension, if we were supposed too identify with the main protagonist, but I could never get a real handle on the protagonist, Ursula, and what happened to her and why she was reacting as she was, and there was no elucidation that alleviated my confusion. What the heck happened with Mirabelle and how does it relate to these women and why won't someone tell me the reader what the heck is going on? I should be drawn into caring for these people; instead, I started to be heartily irritated by Ursula, Pandora, Aunt Charlotte, the hairless cat, everyone. This made me very testy as I read on. The writing style was unusual: "The whites of his eyes had a dirty, tarnished color to them, as if they'd see too many things they regretted." An attempt at noir, maybe, it just reads as dreadful. "Torches cast only moments of light into darkness." "Threads of water made their way down my neck..." Rivulets of water, streaks of water, trickles of water I can see, but threads of water? The rain "...typed with fast efficient fingers on the stone cobbles." "The room was so taut I could hear the high note of tension ringing in my ears." Sorry, but these descriptions are laughable, although I don't think they were meant to be. There is a paranormal element to the story, and I dislike paranormal mysteries, so I was unpleasantly surprised by his appearance. The book did not live up to its description, and though I didn't hate it as much as the few others panned over the years, I will not be reading any others in this series. Net Galley

Middle Sister's February Reads

I continued my hunt for knitting inspiration into February, but the death of Thich Nhat Hanh inspired me to seek out some of his writings. I also wasted precious hours reading one fo the worst mysteries I've ever read. From sublime to terrible, what a roller coaster.

The Best of Jane Austen Knits by Amy Clarke Moore There were several Jane Austen-inspired knitting books published in the early 2000s. This book, published by Interweave Press, presents 28 Regency-inspired shawls, sweaters, baby knits, and gloves. The styles are classic enough that they add a sense of romance to modern fashion without looking like costumes.

The Long Road Turns to Joy by Thich Nhat Hanh I first found Thich Nhat Hanh and his walking meditation and mindfulness essays several years ago. His death, and the perilous times we live in--a worldwide pandemic that has been going on for two years and the naked aggression exhibited by Russia's invasion of Ukraine this month--pushed my overly stressed life and constant worrying to the limit. The teacher's gentle prose and clear guidance provided a welcome interlude of peace and rejuvenation. I have been trying to incorporate more of this in all my daily activities, not just my walks, because now more than ever we need this clarity.

Bear Witness by Lark Jensen I began this book with great anticipation when the author revealed that her protagonist, Stacie Calder, Alaskan tour guide, had a degree in wildlife conservation management from the University of Arizona (full disclosure--I have two graduate degrees from the University of Arizona, have taught at the University of Arizona, and am currently employed in academic administration at the University of Arizona). I also loved the husky depicted on the cover and was looking forward to a vicarious vacation in Alaska. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst books I've read in years. This book really needed an editor for so many reasons: style, plot, character development. The writing is juvenile, indeed, downright odd: Liam had "...deep brown eyes that appeared to want to dive right into my skull and check out my brain." Huh? That makes Liam sound like a psychopath, not a handsome romantic lead. While the author repeatedly (ad nauseam) tells us that Stacie has to investigate the murder because it involves her bosses and her livelihood, she doesn't come across as particularly likable when "I answered the questions he asked me honestly but briefly without saying what I felt or disclosing anything I'd learned about Trust." Well, that means she lied to the Liam, so no, that's not honestly answering his questions, and no, that doesn't make me like her or think she's clever. It makes me think she's an annoying twit. She alludes in several chapters to prizes that she gives, presumably to the passengers on the tour boat, but we never see her distribute them nor are we told how and these prizes are awarded. An entire paragraph is wasted on Chapter 10 describing how Stacie was amused by how different the employees all look while wearing the same uniform, which comes in only 2 colors. That level of detail (only 2 colors) is not needed, and that internal musing makes Stacie sound shallow, and these are just two examples of where an editor was greatly needed. But worst of all is how Stacie's participation in the investigation of Truitt's murder is handled: the state police tell her to investigate this murder (that would never happen), tell her certain privileged details (that would never happen), invite her to be present at interrogations (that would never happen), discuss privileged case information in a crowded bar (that would never happen), and investigator Liam sleeps with Stacie, who is technically a suspect and part of an ongoing investigation even if she is not a main suspect (that would really never happen). The level of annoyance at these large plot failures is exacerbated by many plot failures and poor writing, e.g., the author's use of the full name of the tour company, ClemTours, every time she needed to mention where Stacie works, one of the tour boats, one of her employers--I would wager that name appears 150 times throughout the book. I desperately wanted to stop reading by Chapter 4 and only continued because I was reading an advanced reader's copy from Net Galley and was responsible to them for a review. Had it been a library book, I'd have given it the heave ho. The romance with Liam is described in juvenile terms, and I admit I was surprised Ms. Jensen had the two sleep together (dry and clinical, so people who like steamy romances will not be satisfied and those who are ultra conservative will find the rapidity with which they have sex so soon after meeting to be disgusting--was this the author's attempt to show that her main character is a 'modern career gal' and that her book was 'of the moment?') I don't really care if characters in the books I read have a sex life, and I admit I prefer few details about said encounters. But I do hate it when the professionalism of the investigator is thrown out the window by his sleeping with a suspect-that's just wrong, wrong, wrong. Do these people not watch any of the thousands of murder shows on TV? Everyone knows that means the investigation is tainted and the case could get thrown out of court. All in all, a terrible book. I think I've only advised people to avoid a book a handful of times since I started reviewing books for Net Galley, but sadly, this is one of them. Steer clear, matey--this tour is terrible.

Cottagecore Galore by Katie Vaz Adorable adult coloring book with charming cottage themes. The images aren't sophisticated, but are cute. Interiors, plants, bugs, crafts--all are represented. Cottagecore was a new term to me with his book, and it is indeed a romanticized, idealized set of images that are cozy and calming and sure to delight anyone yearning for a simpler or more traditional life. No outhouses, though. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Middle Sister's January Reads

January 2022--the beginning of year 12 of this book blog, and what a lovely set of books that rang in the new year. 

No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History by Gail Collins Gail Collins is one of my favorite columnists in The New York Times. In this book, she addresses how women and aging have been perceived by American society. As an aging woman myself who lives history and social commentary, how could I not read this book? Ms. Collins begins with the lives of woman in the early seventeenth century, when their lives were short, hard, and likely full of medical issues But a surprising number of women found successful lives as ministers, midwives, and even authors as society changed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The pressure to be beautiful and appear young becomes more urgent even as a small number of professional opportunities arose in the twentieth century. Ms. Collins introduces the reader to many famous and should-be famous women of history, and IO enjoyed the book very much. I listened to the audiobook, and I wish Ms. Collins had read more than her prologue; I found the narrator's style sometimes annoying, The book, however, was fascinating. 

After the Funeral by Agatha Christie I listened to audiobooks while walking this month, and I was happy to find my library has acquired audiobooks of several Agatha Christie short stories. Cora thinks her brother's death was not an accident, but it's not until her murder that her suspicions are taken seriously. Hercule Poirot is hired to find out the truth. Enjoyable as all Agatha Christie stories are, and personally delightful to me to find some Hercule Poirots that I don't remember. 

The Gate of Baghdad by Agatha Christie Parker Pyne appears in several Agatha Christie short stories, and in this one, Mr. Parker Pyne his traveling in Syria when one of the passengers on the bus is murdered. As much as I love Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, I enjoy stories that rely on her other detectives like Mr. Parker Pyne or Ariadne Oliver. Another engrossing short story enjoyed as an audiobook while walking.

The House by Raelyn Drake Everyone is scared of the abandoned house at the end of Gracie's street. Part of the mystery surrounding the house is that every Halloween. candy appears on the porch for trick or treaters brave enough to venture close. Gracie and her friends decide to investigate and solve the mystery of the house be bravely spending an entire night there, alone. Wonderful, atmospheric story for young tweens, with engaging role models in Gracie and her friends, and a heartwarming mystery behind the abandoned house.

Vanishing Fleece: Adventures in American Wool by Clara Parkes Clara Parkes is well known in the fiber arts world. In Vanishing Fleece, she tells the story of her year-long adventure to turn a 676-pound bale of wool into yarn. Ms. Parkes begins at the beginning, at the merino sheep farm and the very sheep from which her wool was shorn. She documents the process that fleece undergoes and how the wool industry, once dominant in certain parts of America, has dwindled to just a few producers and a number of mills that can be counted on one hand. Wool lovers and crafters will be fascinated by the journey of the raw material, but historians will find the book a useful summary of the history of wool production in America.  

Wendy Knits Lace by Wendy D. Johnson Charming book of knit lace patterns by designer Wendy Johnson. Beautiful photos illustrate patterns for socks, shawls, and even a couple of sweaters. 

Closely Knit by Hannah Fettig Hannah Fettig is popular knit designer on Ravelry whose Featherweight Cardigan pattern has been knit 10,176 times as of this writing, so it makes sense that her popularity would lead to a publication of her patterns. Closely Knit features 32 patterns for adults, children, and the home.

Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery Prolific knit designer Veronik Avery has published several books of patterns. As the title implies, those published in this 2007 compilation stress classic lines for men, women, and children.

Middle Sister's December Reads

December was a busy month, but I did get to eat some really good books that I am delighted to recommend. 

The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel  The Glass Universe, written by one of my favorite science writers, is a riveting and fascinating biography of the unsung heroines whose groundbreaking work at the Harvard College Observatory helped create modern astronomy. Painstakingly working with glass photographic plates of the stars, under often punishing conditions, they were the human computers who analyzed data, creating classifications and catalogs of stars that were used by astronomers for decades. I took an astronomy class in college, and had no idea of the contributions of Cecilia Payne, Annie Jump Cannon, Willamina Fleming, Margaret Harwood, Antonia Maury, and the other women whose work was the underpinnings of what I was studying. But Ms. Sobel has brought their brilliant contributions to light, and looking up at night will never be the same for me. Much of the scientific rigor and theoretical underpinnings of the entire discipline of astronomy began at the Harvard Observatory, and while it may have been run by men, the money that made it all possible provided by women, Anna Draper and Catherine Wolfe Bruce. If you are interested in science, woman in science, or astronomy, or just love a well-researched book, The Glass Universe is highly recommended. I am so glad that some of them were recognized during their lifetimes for their contributions, and even happier that all of them, and their contributions, are now recognized and celebrated. Just one quibble: in Chapter 13, Ms. Sobel is talking about Miss Fairchild and she mentions that she has a Ph.D. in astronomy. I would have preferred she be called Dr. Fairchild--she earned that degree at a time and in a field when that was incredibly difficult. 

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club was mentioned by several contributors to the Mystery Reader's Journal as an excellent first mystery novel, and the premise intrigued me: a set of retired seniors in England set about to solve a murder that takes place under their noses near their retirement community. The core group of retirees (or pensioners, as this takes place in England) are quite diverse in their backgrounds but united by their interest in mysteries. The group's weekly investigations were captained by a retired intelligence agent whose illness has escalated, affecting each of her friends. The story is told largely from the point of Joyce, a retired nurse; her voice is that of the average person. We need Joyce to explain the increasingly convoluted incidents and relationships that characterize the story. I enjoyed the book; it was well written and fast paced, but did every scene need to be its own chapter (there are more than 100 chapters in the book)? There were things to which I objected: police or intelligence people planting evidence, the stereotypes of some people and classes, and the overwhelming reliance on coincidence to solve the various murders and mysteries and make them all interconnected. And I have to point out one glaring factual error this archaeologist cannot overlook: the skeleton in the grave is radiocarbon dated to 1970. Radiocarbon dates would never work on such a recent specimen to begin with, and any carbon dates from 1945/1950 onward are suspect because the atomic bombs in 1945 wreaked havoc on the natural carbon decay rates. One would never submit a 50-year-old sample for radiocarbon dating (sorry, Sir Austin, you got it wrong). Enjoyable, and hopefully the reliance on coincidence to tie disparate story lines together is not relied on to such an extent in the rest of the series.

A Surprise for Christmas by Martin Edwards Delightful anthology of Christmas mysteries published by British Library Crime Classics. Martin Edwards' prologues to the British Library Crime Classics anthologies introduce modern readers to genre authors from the golden age of mysteries, many of whose novels have been long out of print. I love this series, from the wonderful art work of the covers to the short story selections included. I recommend this series to any fan of Christie or Sayers. What a great book to curl up with on a dark winter's night, mulled cider at hand and soft holiday music in the background. (Net Galley)

It Takes Two to Mango by Carrie Doyle One of the reasons I've always enjoyed the Agatha Raisin mysteries is because she's not completely likable, but there's enough in her to make her sympathetic to the reader. Carrie Doyle has created another wonderful, flawed main character, Plum Lockhart. She's annoying, she's oblivious and self centered, and when the book opens with her getting fired, the reader thinks "yup, she served that." The only job Plum can find is on a gorgeous tropical island, but she's so determined to spend as little time there as possible that she continues the same behaviors that got her in trouble in New York City, until, that is, a murder happens in a property Plum was responsible for, and suddenly Plum realizes that she has to care and make an effort or she'll lose her job (again) and maybe her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. Plum herself grows as a character and this reader found herself liking her as the story went on. The setting, Paraiso, is gorgeous, snd reminded me of many places I've traveled in the tropics. Plum's new coworkers are set up perfectly to become integral to future mysteries, and the potential love interest is perfect--adult, no jubilee high school hijinks, and realistic. The pace is fast and maintained steadily throughout the novel, and the writing is mature and flows. I am looking forward to the next set of scrapes that Plum gets herself into. (Net Galley)