Murder at the Spirit Lounge / Jess Kidd

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I have finally managed to pin down what I like so much about Jess Kidd's writing—it is so calm, just like the main character Nora Breen. Wherever Nora goes, she takes her aura of calmness right along with her. But even Nora's calm gets tested in this book.

I love the fat gull that Nora has “adopted" and named Father Conway. He waddles in through her window at the boarding house and helps himself to whatever food is on offer. He is the easiest male in the novel to deal with. Nora has been enjoying the pursuit of criminals with Detective Inspector Rideout until this case, where it seems that Rideout is in the crosshairs of the killer. Nora is frustrated by his unwillingness to keep himself safe. Nora's other friend, Hosmer, has been entertaining as he attempts to educate her about music and photography. There is a moment where Nora realizes that these two men see each other as competition for her attention and she is dismayed. 

Nora is learning a lesson that has been delayed by her years in the monastery: it is very difficult for women to have platonic friendships with men. It is dawning on her that she is going to have to choose. Her fellow denizen of Gulls Nest, Bill, gets her set up with men's clothing, which she very much likes, and advises her that Hosmer loves her and to be clear and gentle with him. I think it is obvious to everyone, including Nora, that if she must choose it will be Rideout.

The mystery is solved, of course, largely due to Nora's ability to ask the right questions in a compassionate way and her willingness to delve into the past to get to the root of the problem. And her willingness to chuck a heavy shoe at a deserving target! For me, the real point of the novel is Nora's progress with life outside the monastery—supporting herself, learning her own style, and establishing new relationships. I do hope Kidd is writing a third book.

Zoe's Tale / john Scalzi

 

3 out of 5 stars 

Book number 543 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

The plot of this novel runs concurrently with The Last Colony and is told by Zoe Perry, adoptive daughter of John and Jane Perry, administrators of the Roanoke colony. As a teenager, Zoe has a somewhat different view of events. She is growing into her role as person of intense interest to the race known as the Obin, who achieved consciousness due to research by her biological father.

As I knew from the previous book, Roanoke has been planned by the Colonial Union as a trap for the Conclave. Much of the book is taken up with getting people to Roanoke, being told that the colonists are not allowed to use their tech, and hiding from the Conclave's ships. Plus plenty of teenage stuff. Zoe is getting old enough to figure out what she really wants in the world and this charts her course as her colony comes under attack.

The presentation is totally Scalzi. His characters are usually far more rational than actual people and there is plenty of sarcastic banter. It's been long enough since I read the previous book that I didn't mind the repetition of plot points, but I can't say that I was blown away. It was nice to have a female protagonist (and that Scalzi consulted with women to make sure that he didn't get Zoe too wrong). But I feel like all of his main characters are pretty similar.

So this book fills in some of the gaps in the previous one and answers some readers' questions. By peeking ahead, I am hopeful that the next book will feature new characters and challenges. I have it from the library and will hopefully tackle it soon.

Long Ride Home / Filipe Masetti Leite

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

***2026 Summer of Sightseeing from my Sofa***

I think I heard about this trek both at the beginning and its end. Leite started out in 2012 from the Calgary Stampede. Calgary is my city and horses are one of my true loves; I remember hearing the press about this young Brazilian who was riding from Calgary to Brazil. I was reminded of his trek when his book came out and he was once again interviewed by our local media. That was 2018, so this has been on my TBR for quite a while.

The vast majority of the book takes place in the United States and Mexico. It involves a lot of rough country and more than a few dangerous roads. I believe that if you have a devoted love of horses, you will attract people who share your love. These people show up all along Leite's route, offering meals, water, fodder for the horses, places to stay and rest, and sometimes veterinary care. I'm sure he spent more time riding and camping alone, but he certainly noticed the kindness of fellow horse lovers.

The pace of the story is leisurely, as befits a horseback adventure. It is generally well told, although very basic. Things are clearly described, whether it is a grizzly bear encounter in Yellowstone or a truck hitting one of the horses in Mexico. Leite is unafraid to own his emotions, whether fear, anger, embarrassment, anxiety or joy, but it's a journalist's account of them, not really gripping to me. He maintained a blog and filmed parts of his journey for a sponsor, which gave him valuable notes from which to compose this book.

It was interesting to get to know each of the countries that he passed through. Honduras especially sounded terrifying. It was Panama that stopped them in their tracks—there was no legal way to get the horses into the country, leading to a long plane flight to get to the next destination where they would be welcome. Although I have visited many South American countries as a birding tourist, this made me realize how protected we tourists are by the tour companies.


A quick google search reveals that Leite is still doing horse related events. I was surprised to learn that he was here for the Calgary Stampede again this month, doing media commentary and filming from a chuck wagon. For what it's worth, he isn't married to the woman that accompanied him on many miles of this Long Ride. Perhaps she was overwhelmed by the crowds of Brazilians who demanded his attention once he crossed the border.

Tsalmoth / Steven Brust

 

3 out of 5 stars 

Book number 542 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

I was disappointed when I realized that this book takes place before Vlad and Cawti married. The GR description merely said that Vlad was in love and getting married. I thought he was finally getting over his ex-wife and moving on. He's been moping about her for many books. They were estranged in book three and this is book sixteen. This is the time to revisit their relationship? Actually, the conceit is that current Vlad is telling the tale to Sethra in the current timeline.

The novel is just what I have come to expect of this series. There is a problem which should be simple but keeps getting more and more complicated. Vlad and/or Kragar must go on numerous side quests to get needed information. Vlad cracks wise on a regular basis. He and Cawti eat frequently. There is plenty of teleporting and magic.

If you enjoy Vlad Taltos books, you will enjoy this one. I do hope that if Brust continues to write these adventures that he will finally let Vlad fall in love with someone new. That or let Cawti change her mind. Truthfully, I'm tired of him being all woebegone over her.

The Copenhagen Connection / Elizabeth Peters

3 out of 5 stars

I had to interlibrary loan this novel and, although it was pleasant enough, I'm not sure it was worth the fuss. However, I did get to it read a book set in Denmark (plus there was a pig farm which is a big plus if you grew up on one as I did).

I have enjoyed the first few Amelia Peabody books and the first two Vicky Bliss books by this author, but I found this novel slightly less enjoyable. Elizabeth Jones isn't my kind of character. She's far too focused on first Margaret and then Christian and not nearly independent enough for my taste. Still, it had a good plot and wasn't the least bit confusing. It was awfully obvious from the first pages who Elizabeth's love interest would be and the romance proceeded at the pace of an older mystery-romance, quickly.

I only managed to spend one afternoon in Denmark when I was on a birding tour in Scandinavia. Thankfully I did get a chance to tour Kronberg castle and see the Little Mermaid. Our castle tour was a bit hurried, unfortunately. Birders often aren't keen on being indoors where there are no birds. I do wish I could return while I still have some living relatives. At least this book allowed me to visit via fiction.

A Far Cry From Kensington / Muriel Spark

 

4.4 out of 5 stars 

What a lark! Why have I not read Muriel Spark before this? I did a bit of googling to find out a bit about her and consulted a page which claimed to recommend the best of her books to start with. This book was not mentioned but I believe it should be. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Hawkins!

Nancy Hawkins is a sensible woman, extremely capable, and a fountain of good advice. She is observant of the people around her. She has only one weakness—she despises Hector Bartlett, a hanger on to good writers, a manipulator of women, a pushy excretor of horrible prose. Mrs. Hawkins should know, she works in the publishing industry and has to continually reject Bartlett's various submissions. Finally, in a fit of pique, she tells him to his face that he is a pisseur de copie, a urinator of inferior writing. Little does she know what this fit of honesty will cause in her life. However Nancy Hawkins doesn't let him blight her life. He does that to others.

Nancy tells us how her life proceeds, the people she spends time with, the latest tendril of Bartlett's poor attempts to change her mind. Let me just say that he should have given up! I loved this short novel and will seek out more of Spark's fiction in the future.

Where the Earth Meets the Sky / Louise K. Blight

 

4 out of 5 stars 

***2026 Summer of Sightseeing from my Sofa***

Antarctica was the stand out tourist experience of my life and penguins are among my favourite birds, making this memoir irresistible to me. I first visited this remote area in 2002 and only saw the beauty of the Antarctic peninsula, but when the cruise ended, if they had told me there was room for one more woman on the next excursion, I would have turned around and reboarded the ship and figured out how to pay for it and what to tell my employer later. It is the only international trip that I have made twice.

Louise Blight (a fellow Canadian) writes a lovely account of her three month field study of Adelie penguins. She is the junior researcher, spending plenty of time on data entry when she is not scanning the birds for band numbers, noting eggs laid, and catching and weighing chicks. Field camp at Cape Royds is a basic affair and Blight’s quarters are a tent outside the research hut. The wind and cold ensure that the researchers constantly feel hungry and dehydrated. As a twenty something, I briefly considered a degree in biology and a life in the field. May I say that I am immensely grateful that library work chose me instead! I do not have the grit required for this kind of life.

I can attest to the beauty of the Antarctic. Blight describes it well and conveys her appreciation of her surroundings clearly. The logistics of getting to and from McMurdo Station were daunting. Helicopters are a common conveyance between camps. Initially Blight was concerned about her research partner's introversion, but she also is a quiet person, so they continue to collaborate writing papers. During the three month survey, they seem to have a steady stream of visitors due to their proximity to a historic site (Shackleton's hut). Like the Canadians on my cruise ship, Blight seems to have preferred the company of the Kiwis over that of the Americans. The New Zealand and Canadian senses of humour and worldviews seem to mesh better.

If you've ever wondered about travel to Antarctica or field biology among penguins, this is the book for you. If you're glad to get home after a regular trip, consider how wonderful it would be to get back to the land of flush toilets, hot showers, your choice of food, and a temperature controlled home after a journey like this one.