Once again, lots of reading, too little writing going on.
About to remedy that situation...
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Hands down one of my favorite books ever. Rules of Civility was fantastic, and this is even better. Read it now, and let me know if you agree:)
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
The Lying Game is an atmospheric triumph that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, so prepare to lose some sleep over this one. A cautionary tale/thriller/mystery that everyone can to some degree relate, as we've all said or done things as teenagers that we regret. I'm a little late to the party when it comes to Ruth Ware. I can't wait to catch up on what I've missed!
Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich
Grave robbers, headless bodies, zombies and an escaped boa constrictor named Ethel are just business as usual for Trenton bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. For me, it's another laugh-out-loud joy ride with Janet. Can't wait for Twenty-Five!!
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
I admit it, I read the Twilight series. It was definitely entertaining, and so is The Chemist. If you like Jason Bourne you'll like The Chemist, if Jason Bourne were a brilliant scientist, and a woman.
A perfect vacation read:)
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
Love and Other Consolation Prizes revolves around Seattle's two World's Fairs, the first in 1909 and the second in 1962. Ernest Young, our half-Chinese orphan hero, finds himself as the raffle prize at the 1909 fair, where he goes from a loveless boarding school to the houseboy at a high-class brothel. There Ernest finds love in the unlikeliest of surroundings, but all might be lost in this competing world of vice, suffrage and intolerance. Inspired by true events, it is an astounding story, one that will remind you of what humanity is capable of, both good and bad.
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
Sherlockians everywhere will love The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. Well, at least I approve, as does the Conan Doyle Estate. Actually, I recommend anything he writes, including the amazing Foyle's War on PBS. Thank you for all you do to entertain us, Mr. Horowitz!
The Usual Santas
A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers
Love me some crime short stories, some more than others! There's a stocking-full to choose from in this great collection. Enjoy:)
The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith
Another gem from my favorite author.
The eighteenth book in this series,
McCall Smith and Precious Ramotswe never disappoint.
Start at the beginning if you haven't read any of these.
You're welcome.
A Time of Love and Tartan by Alexander McCall Smith
It's a toss up as to which of the above two series I love more, but I must say that Bertie Pollock is my most favorite character. Follow the adventures of seven-year-old Bertie and all of his neighbors in this latest from the 44 Scotland Street series.
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
You wouldn't expect an author that lives in Stockholm, Sweden could write a novel about small-town life in Iowa, but that's just what Katarina Bivald has done, and very convincingly.
Besides, it's a book about books. What's not to like?!
Glass Houses by Louise Penny
Another favorite is Louise Penny. Her books featuring Inspector Gamache of the Surete du Quebec are intriguing and suspenseful, and Glass Houses exceeds all expectations.
So glad I found you, Ms. Penny!
The Paris Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal
This series just keeps getting better. Maggie Hope finds herself pretending to be an Irish bride shopping for a wedding trousseau in Nazi-occupied Paris. Of course fashion is not her real mission, which is very dangerous and in the end, very revealing. Definitely read these books in order!
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
It always amazes me that a man can write so convincingly about a twelve-year-old girl, but
Flavia de Luce is not your average young girl. Once again our little chemistry genius has stumbled upon a murder in the English countryside, but the solution to this mystery might also be the solution to all of her family's considerable problems. Have a cuppa and enjoy!
A Matter of Loyalty by Anselm Audley and Elizabeth Edmondson
I am so sorry to say that this is the third and final book in a terrific series. Elizabeth Edmondson died unexpectedly before she could finish A Matter of Loyalty, so her son/editor Anselm Audley finished it for her. He decided at that time to end the series here. Both will be missed.
The Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes by David Handler
This is a 2017 book, but it is part of the beloved Stewart Hoag Mystery series that Handler wrote from 1988 to 1997. It is set in 1992, which means very few cell phones, not much internet and a lot more legwork for any good detective, even one who is supposed to just be a celebrity ghost writer.
I LOVE this slice of the recent past as portrayed by Handler, so of course I had to read the whole series! When I bought this book I also bought and read the first two in the series, The Man Who Died Laughing and The Man Who Lived by Night. However, the rest of the original eight book series is mostly only available on Kindle, which is how I read them.
The series in order is:
The Man Who Died Laughing
The Man Who Lived by Night
The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Woman Who Fell from Grace
The Boy Who Never Grew Up
The Man Who Cancelled Himself
The Girl Who Ran Off With Daddy
The Man Who Loved Women to Death
Of course, once I finished these, my Kindle kindly let me know of the other books he has to offer. I much prefer paper to screen, but it was super easy just to order up the next series as e-books since I was already there. (My bookshelves are thanking me.) This is how I started reading The Berger and Mitry Mysteries, of which there are currently eleven. Set in a picture perfect coastal New England town, full of not-so-perfect people, a most unlikely pair fall in love and solve all the murder mysteries. I'm hooked.
I've finished the first four:
The Cold Blue Blood
The Hot Pink Farmhouse
The Bright Silver Star
The Burnt Orange Sunrise
One more thing, I just found out that a NEW Stewart Hoag Mystery is coming out in August!
I ordered it in paperback. Sorry, bookshelves.
