The Hero of Ages / Brandon Sanderson

 

3.5 stars

This is my final reading project book of 2023 and I have lots of thoughts about it. To my mind, this was the best book of the trilogy. It made me realize how slow the pacing was in the first two novels. All of a sudden, Sanderson quits teasing us with obscure hints and lambastes us with the details of WTF is going on.

Vin and Elend have become more like business partners than a married couple. Yes, they work together well, but the passion is all for the people of the kingdom, rather than each other. On other relationship fronts, the major characters are all matched up—Breeze with Allriane, Ham gets reunited with his family, and Sanderson creates Beldre especially to pair up with Spook. Unfortunately, these pairings felt wooden to me. Everyone must have a match, but none of these relationships are really important to the plot.

The best part for me was the closer look that we got at the Kandra, the Terris people, and the Inquisitors, even the Koloss. The reveals about the nature of Allomancy and Feruchemy were the most interesting part of the tale, especially since Allomancy has always seemed too logical and regimented to me. Magic should be…..well, magical. Not subject to analysis or completely predictable. Now the mathematical nature of the system makes more sense—the combinations of metals with various abilities to create certain kinds of being.

The central idea of the series seems to be the nature and necessity of faith. We watch Sazed struggle with a loss of faith and his desire to have his faith restored. He has suffered the loss of the woman he loved, a circumstance that tests many people. If you have lost significant people in your life, you can relate to some part of his situation. The final verdict seems to be the obvious: faith cannot be proven, only experienced. I'm a little muzzy on whether one can actually choose faith, as several characters do. Can you force yourself to feel faith? The jury's still out on the issue for me.

I'm a fan of messy, uncertain endings, so this book wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. Not a bad end, just too easily resolved. But I know lots of folk prefer this kind of resolution, so I am in the minority there.

Book number 510 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Murder Most Royal / S.J. Bennett

 

4 out of 5 stars

This novel was obviously published after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, although in the acknowledgements Bennett reveals that she handed in the proofs on the day that the Queen passed. Her obvious affection for the Royals, the English countryside, the gardens, the history and the traditions shines throughout the book. She humanizes the Royal family, showing them to be normal people who are part of a famous family.

ASP Rozie Oshodi, inspired creation that she is, gets less page time in this outing than in the previous two installments. Her Maj gets to do more of her own sleuthing here, although Rozie has several important assignments. In her delicate, diplomatic way, the Queen gathers the information needed to reach the proper conclusion and then makes the necessary suggestions and hints to lead the police to them too.

Naturally, continuing the series after the monarch's death is a ticklish business. By peeking ahead, I have learned that Bennett goes back in time, to 1957. In this way, she has a much younger Royal protagonist and a great deal more runway for future investigations. I'll be interested to see what she does with both things.

Slashing Through the Snow / Jacqueline Frost

 

3 out of 5 stars

Evan Gray is an exceptionally patient man! If my competence as an investigator was as thoroughly questioned by my significant other, I would be angrily stomping away. This is one of the cozy mystery tropes that drives me the craziest! The absolute conviction of the main character that the police can't possibly do a good job of solving the crime. I mean, if you're Holly and you're dating the sheriff and think he's your potential husband, don't you think you should rely on him to know what he's doing professionally?

I've knocked off a star because of this view of mine. If I can temporarily overlook it, the mystery is reasonably good. I didn't see the solution coming, though I was pretty sure that someone would be threatening Holly before the book's end.

Two other things irked me in this book. Does Holly eat anything that isn't chock full of sugar? It's all cookies, cupcakes, hot chocolate, and maple syrup. No wonder the woman can't sleep! She's so hopped up on sucrose that she must be trembling. That must be how she also has the time to do the ridiculous amount of work that she apparently does: toy collection, gift wrapping, helping with tree farm events, shopping, jewelry making, inn keeping, not to mention cat care (I still love her cat, Cindy Lou Who).

Perhaps I have something in common with the Grinch? I just couldn't let go of these gripes this time out!

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe

 

3.5 stars

This was a fun Christmas collection. Yes, it has some of the same seasonal schmaltz, but with a bit of blood and guts to counteract the saccharine. There are the expected names: Charlaine Harris and Patricia Briggs. I had previously encountered Briggs' story, but enjoyed reading it again. I was pleasantly surprised to find Donna Andrews represented. I should have realized that she could write more than the cozy mystery series that she's best known for.

All of the entries were fun and interesting in some way. Unlike so many of these collections, there were no duds. If you are looking for something with a Christmas theme plus werewolves, look no further.

The Raven in the Foregate / Ellis Peters

 

4 out of 5 stars

Another short entry in a series that I have been saving for Christmas reading. It does take place during the Yuletide season, but in an environment that few of us will be familiar with, the monastery. Not many of us spend Christmas Eve singing and praying through the night into Christmas Day! I do wonder if our society would be better off if we focused more on the spirit of the season and less on the material aspects.

The story has many of the elements that Peters favours: a young man using an alias, a young woman who likes what she sees, the reveal of the young man's true identity, the search for him, and the near miss of discovery. The entangled story of the priest whose lack of compassion shows him to be completely unsuitable for the position that he has been given. How will the Abbot deal with him, when he is proud of his lack of flexibility?

So, not the most Christmassy of my December choices, but as enjoyable as I usually find Brother Cadfael.

Sugar Plum Spies / Jennifer Estep

 

3.5 stars

I've been saving this novella for Christmas reading. It's a cute and sentimental entry in Estep's Section 47 series. Charlotte and Desmond crash an exclusive Christmas party held in a German castle as part of their pursuit of the deadly Henrika Hyde. It seems that they have been anticipated and their operation quickly goes sideways. Now they will find out if Gabriel Chase, a deadly ex-cleaner, is for them or against them.

I'm assuming that the mysterious female caller at the novella's end indicates that there will be future Section 47 adventures to come. I look forward to seeing what Charlotte and Desmond do next.

Double Eagle / Thomas King

 

5 out of 5 stars

Once again, a Thomas King book was out for months before I heard of it. Despite the fact that I follow him on Goodreads and should have been notified by the New releases feature. Please register my reaction as “disgruntled.” How did I finally hear about it, you ask? On one of my favourite radio shows,The Next Chapter on CBC, that's how. Where this series was described as “cozy mysteries for emotionally stunted men.” Not sure quite what to think of that, since I adore Thumps DreadfulWater. Perhaps they are for emotionally stunted women as well?

It took me a few pages to settle back into Thumps’ life in Chinook, but it was like slipping into an old comfortable pair of boots. It just felt right. Life never stays the same and there have been changes in the town, and not just that Thumps now has two cats. If you know the cast of characters, you will learn what's happening with them all. I appreciate this more than the actual mystery (which was good, BTW, and sufficiently mysterious). But it's best to find out what's up with Duke and Macy, Moses, Cooley, Morris Dumbo, the Heavy Runners, Al and her restaurant, Claire and Ivory, to mention a few. And to meet new folks to care about (Scoop for example).

We also have the return of Cruz, always good for amusing dialogue. Plus the FBI agent who he is accompanying, whose relationship to Cruz is frequently up for debate. Dialogue is where King shines, along with his charming cast of characters. Plot may come third, but the author doesn't stint on that either. He makes it look as easy as pie (to eat, not to make).

If you haven't tried Thumps DreadfulWater, what are you waiting for? Please consider this review to be your engraved invitation. You could jump in at any point, but why not at the beginning with DreadfulWater? If you don't like Mr. DreadfulWater, my apologies, but kindly don't shit on anyone else's enjoyment, okay?

Please, Mr. King, may we have some more? I know you said you were done writing, some stuff and nonsense about being too old. Please, pretty please, take a leaf out of that other King's book (that's Stephen King, BTW) and know that I will be treasuring and re-reading your books for as many years to come as I've got. Thank you, sir, for your fabulous writing.

Crooked House / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars

2023 Re-read

Unusually, I remembered whodunit but my memory had gaping holes regarding the why and how. I had forgotten just enough to make the re-reading process enjoyable. It has been 7 years since I first read it, so not surprising.

Christie seems to have had a fondness for nursery rhymes and basing books on them. She regarded this book as one of her best. As she notes in the introduction, however, readers may not concur with the author. I think I liked this book better the second time around, but it's not one of my favourite of her novels (my heart belongs to Miss Marple).

Though it's not a favourite, I'm bumping up my star rating from 3 stars to four, mainly because I agree with Christie that it's one of her better written mysteries.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone / Benjamin Stevenson

 

4 out of 5 stars

What a relief, to actually enjoy the chosen book for my mystery book club! I couldn't finish last month's book so I'm pleased to find this one more congenial.

Stevenson gives us an interesting narrator, Ernie Cunningham, who writes “how to" guides for aspiring authors. He has particular interest and opinions on mystery books. Before we are introduced to the story, we get a page with the 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction, from the 1930s. Ern reminds us of these rules all the way through the novel. In fact, the bulk of the narration breaks the fourth wall, as Ern addresses the reader, explaining things, justifying things, commenting on things.

Now, the freaky thing for me is that I have Cunningham cousins and they had an Uncle Ern. Ern and his wife separated, she moved away and was murdered (the case went cold & has never been resolved). So this felt kind of like art imitating life in a weird way.

The mystery here is complex with lots of moving parts, I found it challenging to keep up. The family dynamics are both revealing and distracting for both Ern and this reader. Nevertheless, the antics were highly entertaining and I had no difficulties with focus or attention, both things that I have struggled with of late. I was also pleased to comprehend the author's sense of humour, not a given for me. I think that the Canadian and Australian senses of humour must be similar, making it easier for this humour challenged Canuck.

Assistant to the Villain / Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 

4 out of 5 stars

Cute, cute, cute. But if you are planning to read it, there are things you should know.

1. This is primarily a romance.
2. It is truly and completely a YA novel.
3. It ends with a cliffhanger.

On the plus side, there is no love triangle. Just two young people trying to sort out their pasts and figure out if they are just coworkers or love interests. This is no spoiler, as Evie is ogling her future boss from their first meeting in the first few pages of the book.

So this is a young adult fantasy romance, with a boss/employee dynamic. It is very sweet and pretty chaste, with both parties convinced that the other doesn't like them in “that way.” Maehrer also manages to play with the evil vs good dynamic, demonstrating considerable flexibility and numerous grey areas. The setting is Medieval-like, but the emotional lives of the characters feel modern. Despite that clash, it worked for me (perhaps because I appreciated the romance as much as I did). There were a few word choices that raised my eyebrows, not the exact meaning that I think the author was aiming for, but easily forgiven.

Don't go in looking for great complexity. You won't find any. But there is a fun story and a sweet relationship. I will definitely be looking for book 2 when it comes out.

System Collapse / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

Well, that was most pleasing and I will be reading it again very soon. A very useful purchase and it will join my “comfort re-reading" queue immediately.

I was fortunate to be warned that System Collapse follows directly after Network Effect. From the very first page, I was dumped right back into the politics of a newly rediscovered planet with alien remnant contamination. Perihelion (aka ART) and its personnel vs Barrish Estranza corporation, with the addition of the Preservation citizens and our beloved Murderbot.

Murderbot is learning in this module that having human neural tissue is both a plus and a minus. Yes, it can let you learn (from experience or from media) but it can also fuck with you via the imagination. Although imagination can be a wonderful source of ideas and creative solutions, it can also incapacitate its wielder by envisioning horrific possibilities.

As Murderbot fights with its current worries, it never forgets its responsibilities to the humans. It may not “have" to obey them, but it definitely wants to keep them alive and undamaged. It seems to have come to terms with the fact that they want to take care of it, too. And it is also accepting the sheer number of humans that it now feels protectively about.

You'd never guess it from the length of time I fooled around with this novella, but these books read really fast. Now I begin the wait for the next installment. My performance assessment rating may drop several percent until the publishing schedule is announced.

House Rules / Chloe Neill

 

3.7 out of 5 stars

I needed something quick and fun to read, as I'm dancing on the edge of a reading slump (and have been all year, really). I had forgotten how much fun the Merit & Ethan series was, but I'm glad I chose this book from my e-book TBR this time out. And it did the trick, I'm re-energized and feel like I can tackle my paper library books again.

As usual, Merit and Ethan are facing major crises. Also as usual, our brand new vampire, Merit, has the skills, connections, and street smarts to stay ahead of disaster. I should be rolling my eyes, but instead I'm having fun. Some of my acceptance of Merit's exceptionalism is due to my general love of the vampire genre in general, but Neill writes interesting problems for the Cadogan vampires to solve. 

So, back to business after a pleasant interlude. Just in time, as it is supposed to snow today and I'll want to cozy up at home for a day or two. 

One Fell Sweep / Ilona Andrews

 

4.5 out of 5 stars

When my library delivered this audiobook to my account, I admit I dropped everything to listen to it this weekend. I've read my paper copy so many times that I even noticed the adaptations that made it work better in audio. I think this may be my favourite volume of the Innkeeper series. I think I enjoy Dina and Sean sorting themselves out while Maud and Arland reach détente. Plus there is virtually nonstop action, what with rescuing Maude and Helen, the appearance of the Hiru, the corrupted innkeeper, collecting the parts of the Archivarius, and the siege by the Draziri. Plus the irony of Sean stating that he will kill every single Draziri and then they will celebrate Christmas. 🤣

Since reading (a number of times) Sweep of the Heart, I appreciate the planning that the Andrews put into planning these series. Details of this book stand out when you realize where they are heading. The somewhat familiar feeling of the corrupted innkeeper's magic, for example, or the wanderings of Olasard through Gertrude Hunt.

I love these graphic audio recordings and find them very effective. I don't remember quite so much background music in previous installments, but perhaps my memory is selective. At times I felt the music and sound effects overwhelmed the dialogue, an unfortunate situation. But it was still far too much fun and I know that I will once again neglect other books in favour of Maude and Arland's story when it comes available at the library. Not a bad distraction from the wait for what threatens to be the final volume of the Innkeeper Chronicles. Yes, I want to read the next book. No, I don't want the series to end.

Taken at the Flood / Agatha Christie

 

2 out of 5 stars

I have never before said this of a Christie mystery: I am exceedingly glad it was short! I listened to the BBC production on an evening where I was disinclined to concentrate on the printed page, or I might not have finished the story at all. I found it most unbelievable and even rather offensive. That M. Poirot would interrupt a crime in progress without really attempting to stop it was bad enough, but then Christie had the audacity to have the wronged woman proceed with her marriage plans to the offender! It leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.

Add to that the poor French accent of the actor playing Poirot. I found that quite distracting. He often reverted to an English accent, quite unlike David Suchet, who portrayed Poirot with such skill and consistency.

I knew intellectually that Dame Agatha had written some stinkers, but this is my first encounter with one. As I said, thank goodness for brevity.

The Secret Hours / Mick Herron

 

4 out of 5 stars

This isn't part of the Slough House series, but is entwined with it nonetheless. The beginning was gripping, with unknown thugs pursuing a older, retired intelligence asset. I liked Max immediately and wanted to know WTF? just as much as he did.

Multiple strands of this complex story were carried throughout the novel, present and past timelines. The espionage practice of taking job names allowed Herron to muddy the waters enough to keep me in the dark about who was who until the last pages. Only one stood out clearly, with his prestidigitation of cigarettes and matches plus one well placed fart, just in case you weren't catching on quickly enough.

I now have a whole new perspective on River's grandfather, David Cartwright, the Old Bastard. Not a term of endearment, although that's how River interprets it. But the moral of the story (at least from my vantage point) is this: do not fuck with an archivist.

An Excellent Mystery / Ellis Peters

 

4 out of 5 stars

More Brother Cadfael because I cannot resist this canny Welshman. For a Brother residing in a monastery, Cadfael has a remarkably flexible relationship with the truth. In fact, he seems to live by the Wiccan adage, An it harm none, do what ye will. Saint Winifred, whose acquisition Cadfael assisted with in the first book of the series, seems to smile benevolently on her Welsh compatriot.

I really noticed during this volume how Peters used contemporary (i.e. 12th century) vocabulary. She used it sparingly, but it lends a more realistic feel to the novel. She has, as a writer of my acquaintance has said, chosen her version of “bygonese” and maintains it throughout. Add to that lovely descriptions of the settings, such as the monastery gardens and the land along one boat journey. Nasty things may still occur, but they will happen in well described surroundings.

Characters have carried over from the last book, specifically Rhun, the formerly lame man healed by the Saint in the previous installment. His sunny presence lights up the sick room or the sanctuary, wherever he is. Hugh's wife, Aline, gets a moment in the thick of things too. I was pleasantly surprised at the halfway point when I figured out what was going on and could see a potential for a graceful solution. I'm not usually trying to solve the mystery, just along for an entertaining ride. I get a little thrill when I see the solution before the end.

Only Good Enemies / Jennifer Estep

 

4 out of 5 stars

Jennifer Estep writes nice speculative fiction, mixed with romance. And I need a mystery or action element to make romance palatable. She has done a good job of creating two main characters who don't expect to find a partner in life or love and then set them on the path toward both.

Vesper knows that she and Kyrion share a true bond, but he has hostile associations with the whole concept. His parents had a true bond and were used as a power source and eventually killed by Callus Holloway, Imperial leader. Holloway is a siphon, sucking magical energy from the environment and people around him. True bonds stimulate his greed for power, offering a rich source. Vesper has kept her distance, tried to run her life and her company on her own terms without troubling either man, but politics get in her way.

Estep sets things up neatly, with Vesper conditioned by her mother and her ex-boyfriend, among others, who have abandoned her in the past. Now she expects to go it alone. Kyrion also has parental issues, having been shut out of his own family by the strength of his parents' true bond. Naturally, these two are suspicious of the nature of the bond and of each other.

As in her Elemental Assassin series, Estep seems to enjoy writing about food. The main characters enjoy preparing and eating good food. Indeed, she writes food scenes much more deftly than sex scenes. Nevertheless, she has set up an interesting twist to lead us to the third installment of <i>Galactic Bonds</i>. Plotting is one of her strong suits, with a hook at the end of each book to encourage you to seek out the next one. I only hope that my library ponies up and purchases Zane Zimmer's book.

The Pilgrim of Hate / Ellis Peters

 

4 out of 5 stars

Brother Cadfael never lets me down. There is always an interesting mystery to be solved, usually using gentle Christian methods. This time, Cadfael gets to remember a bit of his youth as a Crusader when he tackles a bad guy. He resolves to do penance later for the pleasure of pummeling a criminal during the moment.

Cadfael is feeling his age physically but he is still mentally strong. He puts the pieces together and forms a plan immediately. It helps that his abbot, Radulphus, trusts his Brother. It also is good to have supportive friends like Hugh Beringar who also recognize Cadfael's sharp mind.

As usual, there is a gentle romance entwined with the action and our Benedictine monk has a definite soft spot for young lovers. Many fictional love stories have miscommunication bumps to overcome and Cadfael is often at pains to explain what's going on, often to distressed young women, and to steering confused young men back to these damsels. It doesn't overpower the mystery, but happens naturally and sweetly.

There is also a skillful circling back to the original book of the series, A Morbid Taste for Bones. Cadfael is feeling guilty about the circumstances of the securing of Saint Winifred's remains. He followed expediency at the time and now he is concerned that the Saint will not smile on his monastery. He needn't have worried. She brings the Abbey at Shrewsbury many good things. Obviously a very practical Saint (or one with an impish sense of humour).

Sleep No More / Seanan McGuire

 

3.75 out of 5 stars

October is wrapped up in the illusion created by Summer Queen Titania, who has re-crafted Faerie to suit her own prejudices. In this fantasy, Toby believes that she has grown up with happily married Amandine and Simon as parents, destined to be her beloved sister August's handmaiden. She knows her place as a changeling, bowing and scraping, expecting no favours. Not at all the October Daye that we know and love. In fact, it has to be a very, very powerful spell to keep the independent and compassionate October under control.

The illusion receives its first challenge when she is handed a leather jacket and notes that it smells of pennyroyal. Then she ends up bleeding and puts the sore finger in her mouth. Apparently the spell can't change the strength of her blood magic and she gets a glimpse of reality and Tybalt. October is stubborn and determined to stand by Simon and August, but she keeps being pulled toward helping other people. You can't change a person's basic nature, even if you change their environment completely. Also a reflection on that eternal “What if…?” question. What if this or that aspect of my past had been different? Would I be an entirely different person? Probably not. We are who we are and only become more ourselves as we age.

Maybe not the most riveting of the 17 volumes of the series, but enjoyable nonetheless. With the Luidaeg on her side, Toby can accomplish many things, and as she says at one point, “I do some of my best work while dramatically underprepared.” Expanding her found family yet again, Toby does what needs to be done. Just like the hero she is.

You Can Hide / Rebecca Zanetti

 

3 out of 5 stars

I don't get exactly why this author's books appeal to me so strongly. I like this series the best of the ones that I've sampled, which is odd since I'm not usually a fan of thrillers like this. But I'm hooked and will definitely read the third novel.

At least the author has provided interesting characters and plot lines in this series. She has a very definite pattern of highly intelligent and striking women being matched with blue collar men. These male characters are very bossy, protective, physically powerful, and mean well towards the women. But they are overbearing and getting them to listen to the women's opinions is a challenge. Her female characters are portrayed as generally okay with this, although there are some struggles to establish boundaries.

I think the inclusion of a maybe psychopathic half-sister to Laurel Snow gives this series more interest. Abigail is a potential threat to Laurel and her actions are difficult to predict. She is an interesting opponent and her focus on Laurel and Huck is rather threatening. Their father is still missing and Laurel suspects that Abigail may have had something to do with that. I hope this plotline will be resolved in the next installment.

The Bull From the Sea / Mary Renault

 

4 out of 5 stars

When I first went to university, I developed quite a crush on the Ancient Greeks. Soon, I was studying classical history, mythology, even learning the Ancient Greek language and translating it. So I really appreciate Mary Renault’s version of the Theseus myth. She really had a feel for their mindset. My edition had an introduction by classicist David Mendelsohn. Of her writing, he says the following: “She went as far as to reproduce, in her prose, the syntax of Classical Greek, which is heavy with participles…Such minute attention to stylistic detail gives the novel the impression of having been translated from some lost Greek original.”

He captured my feelings exactly. Having done some translation back in my salad days, I'm familiar with the patterns of their literature and Renault captures it. She also seems to represent their religious beliefs with verisimilitude. Theseus communes with Poseidon without self consciousness and acts on what he perceives. The mysteries of various deities are displayed without critique. Plus Renault finds ways to make mythological elements fit more comfortably into her tale. For example, the centaurs are hirsute men on furry ponies seemingly melding together.

I thought her inspiration to make Theseus a small man was right on the money. He had things to prove as a ruler, making taller men listen to him and considering his people’s well being. The Theseus of myth did a remarkable number of things, had remarkable friendships, and significant relationships with prominent women. Renault manages to fit it all in without it feeling unbelievable.

But the Greeks believed that a man's life couldn't be fully evaluated until his death. An ignominious death could jeopardize an otherwise illustrious life. I was struck by the parallels between the deaths of Theseus and Oedipus, who we see early in the novel. Oedipus goes to his death by the will of Poseidon and demonstrates the proper attitude. Theseus takes a page out of his book and is dignified to the end.

You Can Run / Rebecca Zanetti

 

2.75 out of 5 stars

I read a couple of books by this author earlier this year. They were post-apocalyptic romances which were okay, but not really to my taste. Somehow, I ran across this book and the description sucked me in. An FBI profiler, you say, on a serial killer case? And okay, there's a very attractive Fish & Wildlife officer, but surely the murder case will take priority, right?

Unfortunately this novel follows pretty much the same pattern. A very pretty and highly intelligent woman is attracted to a loner with a violent background (a sniper is violent, right?) At least Zanetti seems to have studied the thriller genre. She provides a buffet of possible killers and plenty of twisty-turny plot points. Laurel Snow is obviously being depicted as neurodivergent, she has trouble reading the subtext of interactions with the people close to her. This makes her character seem rather robotic and her interactions with those around her feel wooden and unnatural. Which makes it understandable that the whole thing feels rather wooden. Mind you, I usually feel that way about thrillers—they just don't thrill me. They are often all plot and very little character development.

The romance element is too obviously telegraphed from the very first, so although Huck Rivers is implicated as possibly the sought after killer, I was absolutely certain that he wasn't. I can appreciate that Zanetti doesn't tie the couple up in an HEA ribbon at the book's end, but the trajectory of the next two books is obvious. Laurel Snow also has discovered some family issues that she needs to tend to, keeping her in the Pacific Northwest.

Counterintuitively, I find myself wanting to read the next book. So I guess I'm glad that my library has it available.

A Tempest at Sea / Sherry Thomas

 

4 out of 5 stars

Halloween Bingo 2023

I love this series! I bought this newest volume back when it first came out, but kept finding my library books demanding my attention. Easy to let this volume sit, since I knew I owned it. But I finally decided to shove it to the front of the line and I'm glad that I did.

It is not only an homage to Arthur Conan Doyle's creations (Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Moriarty), it is also strongly reminiscent of several of Agatha Christie's works. It reminds me strongly of Murder on the Orient Express, just set on a boat instead of a train. Everyone is contained and they just happen to have a member of Scotland Yard aboard and when murder is discovered, this man is pressed into service and he commandeers Lord Ingram to be his note taker.

Now, Lord Ingram and Charlotte Holmes are on the ship as part of their own investigation and Charlotte is in disguise as she is avoiding the attentions of Moriarty's followers. This complicates things for her, as she follows two lines of inquiry at the same time. Lord Ingram is at once glad to be so close to the official investigation and alarmed that Holmes could be exposed, depending on the enthusiasm of the investigator.

Thomas also looses Charlotte's mother, Lady Holmes, into the mix. Her sudden appearance on the ship discomfits Olivia Holmes, who was finally getting to travel to longed for destinations and enjoy herself a bit. Having their mother show up casts a shadow over Livia's pleasure. Lady Holmes reveals her true colours immediately, and her own stubborn pride and class consciousness lands her in the middle of a murder case.

Thomas writes a very Agatha Christie ending, very cleverly wrought. Hopefully the next book will reveal that Charlotte will acquire Lord Remington's protective aegis and be able to appear in public as herself again. If you have read this far, you will likely be as impatient as I am for a HEA for Olivia Holmes. Thomas gives us a hint that she may get to at least see her beloved in the next installment. Fingers crossed!

I have the Day of the Dead square on my bingo card, but I used my Alice in Wonderland wild card, and abracadabra! I read this book instead.

The Stranger Diaries / Elly Griffiths

 

4 out of 5 stars

2023 Halloween Bingo

I love Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series, so I was very willing to try out another of her creations, Harbinder Kaur. I was somewhat surprised that the narrative began in Clare Cassidy's point of view. In fact, we don't get Harbinder's take on things until page 67!

However the mystery was just such a good one, I had a hard time putting it down. I quite liked Clare as a character. She is a high school English teacher with a penchant for Victorian literature. The school is located in the repurposed home of an author, R.M. Holland, whose gothic short story The Stranger provides the structure for the novel. Clare is researching the man and writing a book on his life. It was totally believable—I even googled the man and his story, only to discover that he is completely Griffiths' creation for the purposes of this mystery.

When her friend Ella is killed, Clare goes back to her diary to refresh her memory about circumstances surrounding a conference that she and Ella attended. There she finds a note, written by an unknown person, who adds notes to her diary every so often, a creepy detail. Since Clare has the habit of carrying her journal around with her, when the stranger accesses it is less than clear.

Being a fairly regular journal writer myself, I could identify with Clare. Just like her, I took mine to work so I could write on my breaks. As Clare says, it's a handy way of processing your life and getting perspective on life's events.

Notes keep appearing, bodies keep falling, and Harbinder has her hands full. I have to say that I was completely clued out about the murderer's identity. Griffiths pulled a real Agatha Christie on me. Peeking ahead at the next two books featuring this police woman, I'm already excited to give them a go. I still have some Ruth Galloway books left too, so I'm happy as a clam.

I read this story of murder in a high school for the Dark Academia square of my bingo card.

The Gathering Storm / Robert Jordan and Bradon Sanderson

 

4 out of 5 stars

Halloween Bingo 2023

I didn't know what to expect in this twelfth volume, the first that Brandon Sanderson penned following the death of Robert Jordan. But I liked it a lot. Sanderson demonstrates his mastery of the details of the Wheel of Time, following Jordan's basic plan, but I think giving it a needed boost.

The fracture between men and women seems to be closing, though no thanks to some of the more arrogant Aes Sedai. Their attempts to control Rand are backfiring badly and still they are unwilling to acknowledge that it will take a team effort, men and women together, to see the Dark One destroyed. But enough people are starting to see this truth and there may be reason to hope.

But the big story of this volume is Egwene al'Vere and her fight to reunite the White Tower and the Aes Sedai. Egwene is tough, brave, and resourceful. She sees her duty and moves ahead. Like Rand, she must deal with those who want to control her or don't believe in her vision. She prevails, giving the reader hope that Rand will also be able to find a path through the Last Battle.

The book went quickly for a chunkster! With any luck, I will finish the series next year. For now, I will leave the whole enormous cast of characters behind with reluctance. Until soon, Towers of Midnight!

I read this book for the Film at 11 square on my bingo card, as The Wheel of Time has been made into a television series. It is also Book Number 509 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.

Storm of Locusts / Rebecca Roanhorse

 

3.8 out of 5 stars

Halloween Bingo 2023

Maggie Hoskie admits that she is difficult to love. When people start calling you a Godslayer, they also start to back away. Despite this, she thinks she has found a real connection with Kai, a Diné man who also has fearsome clan powers. She is torn between being hurt that he left her behind when he went outside Dinétah and vowing to rescue him from the cult leader, the White Locust.

Maggie is still learning how to use her powers and how to employ the powerful sword of Neizghani she claimed when she killed him. Can she learn fast enough to avert another apocalypse? She inherits a young “niece," Ben, another woman with clan powers, and they set off into the world outside the Dinétah to find Kai. It's a jungle out there.

It's a great adventure, giving our women suitable challenges to overcome and a creepy cult leader to deal with. His ability to split into a swarm of huge locusts (just like a vampire becoming a cloud of bats) makes him next to impossible to kill. The novel's last pages strongly suggest that Roanhorse meant to write at least one more book in the sequence, a book which has never been published. That's a shame, as there are plenty of obstacles for Maggie and Kai to confront.

I read this book for the Monsters square on my bingo card, as Maggie the monster hunter takes on the White Locust.

A Death at the Party / Amy Stuart

 

3.25 out of 5 stars

Halloween Bingo 2023

It was fortunate for me that my bingo card included the Thriller square, as this book was my mystery book club’s selection for October. Since I'm not usually a fan of the thriller genre, this chance to double dip was fortuitous. Even before it was chosen for book club it was on my list after hearing Amy Stuart interviewed on a favoured book show on CBC radio.

As this genre goes, I quite liked it, despite the fact that I had things figured out by about the 75% mark. We are shown the death at the book's beginning and then left to try to piece together who the unfortunate man might be. Stuart provides us with a plethora of choices, since there are very, very few men that Nadine Walsh likes. I couldn't blame her, the majority of the men in her life have been slimey. And yet she keeps them all around, inviting the whole crowd to her mother's birthday party. As her mother says about her, “Nadine likes to keep her friends close and her enemies closer.”

Gradually, Stuart spoons out the details. My main question during the novel revolved less around “Who's the dead guy?” and more around “What the hell is wrong with Nadine?” She's always tense and nervous, she's paranoid, she's controlling, she's prone to risky behaviour. Anyone of these things would be understandable, but the whole constellation make her a loose cannon, liable to go off any time. How does anyone think she's charming or even normal? And that question didn't feel completely answered, at least for me. Stuart left me wanting just a little bit more.

I read this book for the Genre: Thriller square on my bingo card and also for my mystery book club.