A Christmas Candy Killing / Christina Romeril

 

3.5 stars

Since I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars, I guess 3.5 is my final answer. This was a very typical cozy Christmas mystery. Instead of just one woman moving to a small town, the author serves up twin sisters. Alex runs the mystery bookstore, Hannah is the chocolatier specializing in poison themed Killer Chocolates. 

Alex and Hannah are both single, of course, although Hannah is divorced (luckily she is still friends with her policeman ex-husband). As is usual in cozies, there is romantic speculation about both women. Piles of cookies, scones, and chocolates get consumed during the course of the investigation. Despite the fact that they set up a “murder board" to keep track of their thoughts, it often seems that Alex is just randomly poking at things without much thought to her own safety.

Another frequent trope used in the cozy mystery is the incompetent law enforcement officer, driving the main character to investigate for themselves. In this case, it's a smug sheriff who has pegged Alex as her best friend's murderer. So it's okay to interfere in an investigation under those circumstances, right? Hah!

Although there's no mention of it yet, I'm pretty sure there will be another book. Hannah may have found a new admirer, but Alex hasn't sealed a deal yet. I'm glad that this book was good enough for Christmas reading (I'm more forgiving of Christmas books), as the author is a local and I'd like to see her do well.

Sad Cypress / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars

The final Appointment with Agatha book for 2022 and it's one I liked. Despite the fact that I am getting mightily tired of Poirot! He was less annoying than usual in this book, to my way of thinking.

I am rather pleased that I had worked out the identity of Mary Gerrard well before the end. However I can't be too proud of it, as Dame Agatha practically laid it out on a silver platter (or silver picture frame, maybe). I was reasonably sure that Elinor was too obvious to be the true murderess, but I also know that Christie plays with the reader's expectations and assumptions. The whole situation was quite damning and I can see why Elinor had quite given up.

As for the man in the mix, Roderick is a useless sort. I can't imagine falling in love with a man I grew up with, but it is a frequent plot point in books of this vintage (and older). I guess it was a way of keeping resources in the family? Roddy is a Barbara Pymian guy, shifty, feckless, selfish and self-dramatising. He likes his relationship with Elinor because she has pretended not to be head-over-heels in love with him. It makes it more comfortable to represent himself as a sensible man, settling for a good financial prospect, not a passionate man marrying for love. It's a pretty tepid thing on his side of the engagement.

It's the doctor who believes in Elinor's innocence and ropes in Poirot. I'm not well versed in the niceties of the English class system—is Elinor normally out of his league? I suspect so. Despite that, he is the passionate one.

At some point in the future, I may reread the book to note the placement of clues and red herrings. And perhaps to figure out the title!

Jailbird / Kurt Vonnegut

 

3.3 out of 5 stars

”This is just the dream of a jailbird. It's not supposed to make sense.“

Reading Vonnegut in your sixth decade is much different from reading him in your third decade. I see much different things in his work now and I'm not as enthusiastic as I once was. His books are still worth reading, but I find them much sadder, less funny. The Watergate scandal and Richard Nixon seem like ancient history now, but it was the biggest news when I was in junior high school. Frankly, it now seems laughably simple and straight forward, but then it required all of us to sit up and pay attention to the behaviour of our elected officials.

I'm struck by Vonnegut's characters who wander through their lives, bouncing off events nearly randomly, giving up much hope of achieving any goals. This was well before the concept of “six degrees of separation,” but these people run into acquaintances frequently and accidentally. Serendipity and bad luck seem to dominate their lives. They meander, wide-eyed, from one circumstance to another, strangely accepting of whatever good fortune or mistreatment they encounter.

”All happiness is religious, I sometimes have to think.”

Perhaps because happiness is down right miraculous in Vonnegut's universe, which highlights the grand indifference of capitalism, the grinding effects of poverty, the duplicitous nature of politicians, the uncertainty of justice and the futility of planning or trying to control anything.

”The economy is a thoughtless weather system and nothing more.”

The Lost Child of Lychford / Paul Cornell

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Although this tale takes place at Christmas, it is not really what I think of as a Christmas story. On the other hand, telling stories of the supernatural during the shortest and darkest days of the year has been going on a long, long time.

Our three witches, Lizzie, Autumn, and Judith, must save their town (and likely humanity and Christmas to boot). They have found an uncomfortable way of relating since the close of the first book. Judith has apprenticed Autumn and Autumn has hired Judith to work in her magic shop. Neither is the boss all of the time, which makes them both cranky. Lizzie is trying to maintain her friendship with both of them without compromising her Christian faith. When a ghost boy appears to Lizzie in her church, she heads directly to the magic shop to consult on the matter.

Perhaps this was not as gripping as the first installment or perhaps I was in a different headspace—I certainly know that the last three years have destroyed a lot of my concentration and that interferes with my ability to appreciate what I read. However, I still enjoyed it very much and will likely read the following Lychford books.

Mutts and Mistletoe / Natalie Cox

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

The main character, Charlie, is in a bad place in her life. Her boyfriend has taken off with his personal trainer and her London flat has been badly damaged in a gas leak explosion. She is in no mood to celebrate Christmas and is having a hard time even being nice to her cousin Jez, who has scooped her out of the hospital and transported her to Devon and Cozy Canine Cottages, Jez's dog sitting service. After a few days there, Jez gets an opportunity to go meet her internet dating interest and she convinces Charlie to take over canine care while she travels.

Charlie's is a fish out of water story. She's a city girl in the country, a computer worker confronted with lots of biological processes, a determined grinch in the holiday season, and a disliker of dogs running a kennel. Unlike Ebenezer Scrooge, she does not encounter ghosts. Instead, she has a collection of mutts with special needs and neighbours she wants to figure out. As she tells one of her London friends, dogs mostly eat, sleep, and poop. What's to be interested in? She is reluctantly attracted to the equally cranky vet, Cal. Both of them have brutally blunt communication styles, so they manage to offend each other every time they meet. Instead of a meet-cute, they have a meet-crank.

Now, I have some sympathy for Charlie, being relatively unexcited about Christmas and having zero desire to live with a dog. (I'm a former rabbit owner, they're my critter.) But you can't live with animals and remain indifferent to them (unless you're a monster) so Charlie's destiny is clear. She may still be a bit squeamish about administering suppositories to an elderly, constipated dog, but at least she has come to feel sympathy for him.

Charlie could just maintain the status quo, but she takes on an enormous deaf Great Dane and a valuable show dog in addition to the regular denizens of the kennel. Then the heating in the dogs' quarters goes out just before Christmas when it's impossible to get a repairman. All the various dogs join Charlie in the house. Plus, she must also deal with the handsome owner of the Great Dane and try not to ruin her chances with the handsome vet.

Lots of amusing situations, as Charlie figures things out. The ending is predictable because, hey, this is a romance. You know where things are going to end up but doggie adventures provide plenty of entertainment while we take the trip.

Cheddar Off Dead / Julia Buckley

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Another enjoyable cozy mystery from Julia Buckley. So far, I'm finding Lilah Drake to be an engaging main character and I feel like I understand her. I haven't lived in a small town for many years, but I still remember how interconnected everyone was. It was difficult to get very much privacy. It seems like someone who knows who you are is always watching and is willing to share those observations. That's why Lilah's undercover food deliveries amuse me so much. The skulking about and the elaborate pseudo explanations are fun (and in a real small community would be pretty hard to conceal from nosey neighbours). 

Lilah and Parker's on-again-off-again courtship seems to be on again. That's probably the safest situation for Lilah, who seems to have a talent for witnessing murders. However, Parker has to be running the investigation of this crime, so we get to meet Wendy, Lilah's police bodyguard. Wendy is a great character, the right balance of protective, professional, and friendly. Parker finally realizes that people open up to Lilah, a useful skill that he can benefit from. This is a big improvement in their interaction. 

There really are too many books and too little time, but I hope to get to the next volume sooner, rather than later!

Midwinter Murder / Agatha Christie

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

This collection of Christie's short stories features many of her fictional characters. What would an anthology of her work be without Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple? But it was much more fun to get another visit with Bunch Harmon in "Sanctuary" and with Tommy and Tuppence in "The Clergyman's Daughter". I haven't yet made a proper acquaintance with Harley Quinn or Mr. Parker Pyne, but I have at least glimpsed them at work now. And how could I forget Mr. Satterthwaite, who shows up in a few of the stories? Delightful to run across old literary friends!

The staying power of Christie's fiction is remarkable, but I think she was expert at zeroing in on issues that will trouble all of history: the aftermath of war, PTSD, economic uncertainty, social change, and, that particular landmine, unsteady personal relationships. Plus the omnipresent issue of crime. Where you find people together in groups, you will also find politics and criminality. 

A nice little selection of short stories which reveal to me how much I have learned about Christie's fiction over the past couple of years.

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas / Jacqueline Frost

 

4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed this second book of the series, despite the strong similarities in the plot to the first book. A member of Holly White's circle is implicated in a murder. Holly can't quit thinking about it and can't restrain herself from asking questions about the people who are potentially involved. Threats start arriving almost immediately. At the end of book one, it seemed to be a pretty sure thing that Holly and the sheriff would be romantically involved, but since then their bond has cooled. He has less patience with Holly's independent investigation in this volume (and truly who can blame him?) His concern this time seems much more professional than personal.

Holly’s workload is exhausting! She works in her mother's restaurant, runs Christmas contests outdoors, makes kitschy Christmas jewelry which she sells online, and is supervising the construction of a new inn, which her parents intend her to run. Plus she goes to town regularly to pursue her notions about the murder and spends time with her close friends (albeit often multitasking with one of her aforementioned activities). That kind of schedule would kill wear me right out, plus the unrelenting Christmas themed life would turn me into a Scrooge in no time. Bah, humbug! 

One of my favourite details of the book is Holly's rescue cat, Cindy Lou Who (what an inspired name). She is demanding, moody, and rarely affectionate. She regularly dumps her food and water bowls and then loudly demands they be refilled. To Holly's credit, she cleans up and fills bowls with no resentment at all. 

Frost gives us several plausible red herrings and plenty of distractions. I didn't positively identify the murderer until Holly did. Frost didn't give us much to work with in that regard to make the connections, so that's not too surprising. But it isn't Sheriff Evan who saves the day in this installment. The circumstances are fitting but not the slightest bit realistic. It's a Christmas miracle for sure.

There's a third book which I will read sooner or later, though I'm not sure what still needs to be resolved. However, I enjoy Frost's writing enough that I will gladly read it. I don't know about you, but I have slightly different standards for Christmas books--I'll put up with more schmaltz than at any other time of year!

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon / Donna Andrews

 

3 out of 5 stars

This may not be a fantasy world, but it's not the usual world that I live in either. Where else but in Caerphilly would you find an injured vulture kept as a company mascot with no one blinking an eye? But Meg Langslow gets on with things no matter how weird the surroundings, acting as if everything is just hunky-dory normal.

When we met Meg in the first book, she was organizing three family weddings because she was the only member of her family who seemed to be able to focus on anything long enough to see a project to the finish. Now she has been co-opted into being the office manager for her goofy brother's gaming company because he suspects nefarious goings on. Take Meg's large flakey family, add stereotypically eccentric computer programmers, then throw in a murder and you have this novel. There's a lot of silly behaviour which all the characters placidly accept. Each thing individually could pass for realistic (except the vulture) but the combination is a bit overwhelming.

These books feature a trope that is common in cozy mysteries: the Caerphilly police seem to be barely competent to investigate anything and Meg's random poking around in their case doesn't draw any censure. This is the aspect of cozies that annoys me the most. Small town police everywhere must grit their teeth with frustration when someone they know reads this genre.

Once again, I didn't have quite as much fun as I did when I read the first book. But I like Meg a great deal and I'm invested in her ongoing story now. Perhaps seeing a life much more chaotic than mine is comforting? The three ring circus that is her life continues to entertain.

A Sense of Danger / Jennifer Estep

 

4 out of 5 stars

I have finally figured out the basics of accessing e-books through my library and this has potential to seriously complicate my reading life. There I was last night, uninspired by my library books, despite having picked up new ones that day. This little volume called to me and I answered that siren song.

Jennifer Estep has ideas for books that interest me. I read eight of her Elemental Assassin series before I got distracted. I enjoyed the first book of her Crown of Shards series, although I never felt the need to continue on. I got to know Estep a little when she attended a writers conference here in Calgary in 2017 and she struck me as a hard working, disciplined writer and very pragmatic business woman. This is the best book of hers that I have read so far.

This author has imaginative magic systems and I was quite taken with the various talents of the characters in this world. The paramortals keep their talents hidden from regular human society, but their abilities are harnessed by the low-profile spy/assassin organization known as Section 47. Of course there are similarly skilled criminals.

Charlotte Locke has an interesting variant of synesthesia, allowing her to see colours when someone is lying, in speech or in print. This sense also detects danger and allows Charlotte to avoid or at least mitigate what happens to her. Under normal conditions, an analyst like Charlotte would remain in the bowels of the Section 47 building and never require her early warning system, but Charlotte's brilliant reports and accurate analysis has attracted the interest of a high ranking cleaner (i.e. assassin) who is on a revenge mission.

I really liked Charlotte as a character. She has learned so many skills from her mundane grandmother and her deadbeat father (who was a well known cleaner who screwed up royally). She has skills and brains, a delightful combination and Desmond, the vengeful cleaner, recognizes her worth. That's the big fantasy as far as I am concerned—a man who actually sees a woman's abilities and appreciates her as a person equal to him. Desmond's skill set includes seeing people's auras and detecting strong emotion and he likes what he sees in Charlotte.

Within minutes of meeting, these two have given each other nicknames. Desmond is Australian and Charlotte calls him Crocodile Dundee, shortened to Dundee. Desmond calls her Numbers, for her sure analysis of a spreadsheet. These epithets are a bit corny, but serve the purpose of establishing a link between the two agents.

Estep uses my favourite romance trope, enemies to lovers. They aren't really enemies but they are definitely hostile! I loved all the action and the plotting as they pursued the criminals and attempted to uncover the mole in Section 47. There is much more going on than a simple romance story. My library has the second book, Sugar Plum Spies, and I can see myself picking it up soon.

Miss Buncle Married / D.E. Stevenson

 

4.25 out of 5 stars

Having read the absolutely charming Miss Buncle's Book last year, I was delighted to get my hands on this sequel. I could hardly wait to renew my acquaintance with Barbara Buncle, who is now of course Barbara Abbott. Barbara and Arthur have been married long enough to settle into some patterns and not all of these habits are making them happy. They are going out socializing far too frequently and Barbara dislikes playing bridge. However, each thinks that the other is enjoying themselves and they are resigned to being accommodating spouses. When Arthur suggests that they move out of town to get away from it all, Barbara leaps at the chance. She is intensely gratified when Arthur's cranky house staff aver that they could never leave the city neighbourhood—she gives them their marching orders toute de suite.

Of course the perfect house is located, despite an identity mix-up at the local lawyers' office. Barbara has a grand time getting the house clean, redecorated, and furnished, but the best part seems to be providing a haven for her beloved husband. Ms. Stevenson manages to take the mundane details of life and spin them into gold. Anything that attracts Barbara's interest involves the reader as well.

Barbara isn't an extrovert, she is an observer of humanity. In her quiet way, she is fascinated by the wide variety of humans around her. The children next door show her their prized button collection, declaring that no two are the same. I think Barbara feels the same way about her friends and acquaintances. Stevenson proves herself to have a shrewd view of human nature too. With all the new material from their new location, Barbara finds herself madly writing another book. This time, however, she realizes the consequences of publishing and refuses to let anyone but Arthur read it.

Very nearly as good as the first book, but I was not nearly as pleased with the ending of this one. It was clichéd and rather boring. Endings do not seem to be Ms. Stevenson's strong point.

Cursor's Fury / Jim Butcher

 

3 out of 5 stars

Tavi continues on with his roll of invincibility in this third book of the Codex Alera series. He seems to come up with a working plan for every occasion and they always more or less work out. People die, but never one of those that we've come to know. Amara and Bernard are cut from the same cloth. The one dose of reality is Isana's situation, manipulated by aristocrats and then struggling to save a life despite being warned that it would be suicidal.

Tavi's farm boy background comes in handy in this installment. He has learned things that the average soldier hasn't had the opportunity to experience, like the flammability of sawdust and the use of blood to attract sharks. There is a big reveal of his parentage, something we have been anticipating since the first volume if we've been paying attention. The orphan boy with talent always has extraordinary heritage.

The rebellion is at the very least deferred, possibly halted, but there are thousands of the Canim still at large in Aleran territory, so there are plenty of problems to fill the next volume. Now we wait for Tavi's grandfather to acknowledge him. As one of his minions says, Tavi has stopped the Canim invasion, made peace with the Marat, and prevented his grandfather's assassination, all without knowing who his father is. Apparently he is just a chip off the old block, although up to this point, without those helpful fury powers. Butcher hints at the end that the fury problem may be solved, another reason to read on.

Book number 477 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

A Fantastic Holiday Season / edited by Kevin J. Anderson and Keith J. Olexa

 

3 out of 5 stars

So I admit that I bought this anthology expressly for the Patricia Briggs short story, the first of the dates that unknown pranksters have set up for the ancient and tetchy werewolf, Asil Moreno. But it's the final story in the volume. This is an interesting assortment of holiday fiction. Some are ghost stories in good Victorian tradition. The darkest days of the year are appropriate for tales of the supernatural, so I was not too surprised to find zombies and other creatures in these pages. Some science fiction, some stories with a Western flavour, all with holiday details: caroling, gingerbread, lights, and Christmas trees.

Like most collections, there were some tales that I enjoyed more than others. I liked them all but preferred the sci fi offerings. The print on the pages was awfully close to the edges of each page, plus there were a few odd spelling mistakes (mind instead of mine, for example). A little bit of googling revealed that WordFire Press is partially owned by one of the editors of this book, Kevin J. Anderson. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it did make me wonder if a more traditional publisher would have looked twice at it. (I encountered Mr. Anderson at a conference here one summer and he is brimming with self-confidence. Rachel Caine was there too, and I was nearby as they discussed something. KJA strode off, pleased as punch with himself, and Ms. Caine met my gaze and rolled her eyes. It is one of my favourite book conference memories).

The Patricia Briggs short story was not as good as the subsequent offerings on this theme to my way of thinking, although I read it a second time and came to appreciate it more. But I have a weakness for Asil. He is a great character, capable of many outrageous things. Briggs obviously feels the same way. Maybe it's just that I read the first dating story after the second and third that coloured my opinion. If I'd read them in order, I might feel entirely differently