Wild Country / Anne Bishop

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

Bishop has taken a slightly different tack with this series. In her original Others series, she stuck with the same characters for all five books. In this second series, we stay in the same world, but each book seems to have a different character focus. There is overlap, but the focus shifts. Both approaches have advantages and I have enjoyed both of them.

In many ways, this is the fantasy version of the science fiction genre's First Contact trope. Humans must learn to coexist with the Others. Unfortunately, it seems there are always humans who don't want to follow the rules or think that the rules can be negotiated. And, as Louis Armstrong said, “Some folks, if they don't know, you can't tell them.” After all the times that the Elders have thinned the human herd, you would have thought that people would have received the memo! Humans are nothing if not stubborn.

Having said all this, I have peeked ahead, and the next book returns to Vicki DiVine and her lodge, the Jumble. I look forward to visiting Vicki again.

Ain't Nobody's Fool / Martha Ackmann

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

Dolly Parton is a force of nature who cleverly disguises herself as a blonde bombshell. I really admire how she overcame multiple obstacles like being raised dirt poor, being ridiculed for her ambition, being relegated to the role of “girl singer," and the general prejudice of the country music industry against women, especially those with unique voices.

It's difficult for me to relate to the poverty that Parton grew up in. Her song Coat of Many Colors is literally taken from her life, growing up in the Smoky Mountains. Dolly patiently endured what she had to and jumped on every opportunity that presented itself. Her determination to make something of her life and willingness to work herself hard resulted in the woman that I admire today.

Blessed with a pure but unusual voice, Dolly has defied conventional wisdom to become an icon. Her self-awareness led to her stage appearance: blonde bouffant wigs, heavy makeup, and tight clothes. But behind this façade lurks a shrewd woman who knows her own worth (and it has nothing to do with her bra size). She was fortunate to find Carl Dean, the love of her life, early on and have his support for 60 years. Carl eschewed the limelight, leaving that entirely to his wife. (Rumour has it that when she wanted to go out with him incognito, she left the wig and makeup behind and was rarely recognized.)

Dolly went through some frustrating years before she became the philanthropist we currently know. She freely admits that she made mistakes when she neglected to listen to her internal voice. But Dolly wasn't in it just for the money—she wanted to be able to take care of the people she cares about. Her theme park, Dollywood, wasn't a vanity project. Its purpose was to supply jobs and economic support for the community she grew up in. Her other concerns include women's health, education, and literacy (her father was limited by an inability to read and write). Her program to supply books to children is well known. This is what money is for, my friends, and I salute Ms. Parton for knowing and acting on it.

The tone of the book is more academic than I expected. It's not as conversational as I would have preferred, but it was still very readable. It is thoroughly footnoted and many obscure little factoids about people in Dolly's life are fascinating. In short, there is much more to Dolly Parton than meets the eye. Don't make the mistake of dismissing her as a dumb blonde!

No Fond Return of Love / Barbara Pym

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I am very much enjoying my year of reading Barbara Pym. This novel completely charmed me through the antics of the characters.

Paula Bryne in her book The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym says, “Barbara Pym's male characters are more often than not shifty, feckless, selfish and self-dramatising, relying on excellent women to solve their difficulties.” The man in question in No Fond Return of Love, Alywin Forbes, absolutely embodies this description. His wife has left him and though they aren't yet divorced, he keeps drifting from woman to woman (when he's not sneaking around in order to avoid them).

Alywin's brother, Neville, may be a supposedly celibate priest, but he also has abandoned his duties at Easter because of an unfortunate young woman (Miss Spicer) who has apparently fallen for the handsome clergyman. Like his brother, he chooses avoidance rather than dealing with his problems. Another non-excellent man.

Dulcie Mainwaring has recently been jilted by her fiance and has attended a publishing conference to distract herself. The attractive Alywin faints during his presentation, attracting her attention. She also meets Viola Dace, the purported reason that Alywin's wife left him. Dulcie and Viola become friendly and share a morbid interest in all things Alywin.

I think all women can recognize Dulcie and Viola in ourselves and our women friends. We cringe a bit when Barbara Pym lays it out before us, but who hasn't figured out the schedule of someone we're interested in and lurked in a likely spot to “casually bump into" them? If you haven't, you're a better person than I am!

A thoroughly entertaining comedy of manners.

Murder on the Marlow Belle / Robert Thorogood

 

3.75 out of 5 stars 

This installment of the series was an improvement over the last one in my opinion. The preceding volume annoyed me because of Judith's insistence on doing her own thing and completely ignoring the policewoman's wishes. Now Tanika, the policewoman in question, is on notice for not following proper procedure and she lets the trio know that their actions could make her lose her job. (And Tanika still has an elderly parent, a small child, and a useless husband to support.) It was Judith's lack of care for someone who had treated the older women well and involved them legitimately in the investigation that stuck in my craw. In this outing, the women try to stay out of the crosshairs while simultaneously figuring out who the murderer is. Judith is still very single minded, but she attempts to give Tanika some cover.

This was my airport/plane reading material and it was ideally suited to that use. The various characters surrounding the murder victim were varied and well defined. The victim himself had so many enemies that the reader has plenty of clues and motives to sort out. Thorogood provides one unexpected situation that suddenly changed my perspective and really added to the drama. And there was plenty of personal drama as the characters are largely members of a theatrical society. 

The last three chapters surprised me greatly and the last few sentences guaranteed that I will be reading the next book when it is published! 

Protector / C.J. Cherryh

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Book number 540 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

What's a birthday party without some plotting, planning, and an assassination attempt? Cajeiri is turning felicitous nine and he is excited to be visited by three human children who he knew during his two years in space. Everyone is surprised when one of Bren's friends, now a ship captain, accompanies the kids, along with two security officers.

As usual, there are machinations taking place in the planetary capitol. Cajeiri's parents are at odds, staff has been changed, and it is no place for visitors. Bren and the Dowager agree to take the children to Great Uncle Tatiseigi's estate in the country. Even there, they cannot be assured of safety, despite what seems like a battalion of Guild members accompanying them. At least the children get one trail ride in before the shit hits the fan. Tatiseigi amazes everyone by seeming to enjoy the presence of the youngsters.

Cajeiri may only be nine, but he has matured. He is less bratty (though still stubborn) and much more responsible. The safety of his friends is uppermost in his mind. He may tell them a little more than the adults would be comfortable with, but he is protective. Thankfully, he has an entire crew of adults who are determined to keep them all intact.

Likewise, Bren takes fewer chances in this volume. His worst mishap is a cut on the cheek. There are no dramatic chase scenes, just a lot of distracting the enemy while the birthday group gets where they are going. Bren and Jase make a good team. There is more political manoeuvring than fleeing from danger this time around.

This book represented a very short period of time, so it didn't include the actual birthday party. That, it seems, will be part of the next volume.

Sleeping Murder / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars 

”It really is very dangerous to believe people. I never have for years.”

I am a ninny and I paid far too much attention to Giles and Gwenda, neglecting Jane Marple! Ms. Christie used the young couple's investigation to divert my focus, just as she used Arthur Hastings in the Poirot novels. I am far too easily led.

It was certainly obvious that this final Marple volume was written well in advance. The version of Jane Marple depicted here is not nearly as frail and limited as she is written in At Bertram's Hotel and Nemesis. She actually has the ability to run up a set of stairs to prevent disaster and to be pulling weeds in the garden. That made things feel a little out of joint, but I was kind of happy to be reminded of the earlier depictions of a twinkly, impish older lady.

I can't believe that I have now read all of Agatha Christie's novels! I appreciate my friend Christine for organizing the project and the Appointment with Agatha group for their company on the journey. It has been proposed that we start over at the beginning and I think I will enjoy a repeat of the experience.

Lake Silence / Anne Bishop

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I didn't read the description of this novel before plunging ahead with it, so I was surprised to be reading about a new assortment of humans and Others. I like them every bit as much as the original cast of characters.

How many women have been gaslighted by abusive men? Vicki DeVine has been criticized and berated by her jerk of an ex-husband for so long that she is beaten down and has internalized his poisonous lies. She believes that she is unattractive, stupid, and useless. She doesn't trust any men and can be induced into a panic attack by even mild criticism. Nevertheless, she has been successfully updating the property that she received in the divorce settlement and is on the way to reclaiming her life. Until her sleazy ex decides that he wants the lakeside property back and sets out to bully her into abandoning it.

What is Vicki to do? Thankfully she has a crew on her side—her friend Julian, the bookstore owner; Wayne Grimshaw, a reassigned highway patrolman; another businesswoman in town; and, most importantly, a large selection of Others. One of the Crowgard has been renting from Vicki, getting to know her and approves of her approach to business and life. Vicki is surprised when one of the Sanguinati appears and tells her that he is her lawyer.

I wonder if Anne Bishop or someone close to her has a history with abusive men. I certainly have secondhand experience of it. The women in one half of my family were programmed by our grandfather to accept controlling men as a normal part of life. As a result, I really empathized with Vicki and I was cheering for her supporters as they protected her.

Two books in this series to go. I'm very much looking forward to them.

Etched in Bone / Anne Bishop

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Having just read Bishop's latest novel, I was reminded that I never finished her previous series <i>The Others</i>. I couldn't resist getting back into it. I was so happy to have an e-book immediately available on Libby. It has been over a year since I read the last volume and I was worried that I would have a hard time getting back into the flow of things. I had forgotten a few details (the terra indigenes calling the young human women “exploding fluffballs" for example). But the broad strokes were still present in my memory banks.

Right from the very first book, I watched as Simon Wolfgard took in Meg Corbyn, a blood seer who was escaping her Controller, the man who cut her to cause her visions. Simon is challenged to learn about humans in order to protect Meg and he gets drawn into more relationships with more humans as time goes on. Meg is special to the Others and they all look out for her. But none with the same care as Simon.

In this installment, the humans cause more problems in the Lakeslide Court where humans and Others mingle and live in community. The brother of one of the police officers comes to Lakeside to try to take advantage of his family. The ancient, awesome indigenes do not understand grifting and they forbid Simon to expel the con man. They wish to study him to determine the difference between good humans and bad humans. He is just one man and they underestimate his trouble-making potential. The turbulence that he causes has frightening consequences. 

Why ever did I stop reading this series? I must have gotten distracted. This is easily fixable. I'll be squeezing the next book into my reading queue ASAP.

Turns of Fate / Anne Bishop

 

4.25 out of 5 stars 

This book was absolutely addictive! I read it in one sitting, breaking only to eat once. I haven't stayed up until 2 am for a very, very long time, but I just couldn't set it down.

If you have read and enjoyed Bishop's The Others series, I think you will also be impressed with this book. In some ways, I felt like The Others was a dress rehearsal for Turns of Fate. Both books have mysterious, self-contained societies of powerful non-humans. These folk have very little desire to associate with humans and they hold themselves apart. In The Others, an prophetic human, Meg, seeks safety among the shape-shifters. In this novel, a newbie detective is assigned to go talk to the Arcana on their island, the Wyrd.

Detective Beth Fahey is wary on her first meeting with Mr. Frost, the Arcana liaison. When she returns to her police department, she learns that she has been favoured with far more information than any of the other officers and has met many more of the Arcana. Mr. Frost encourages Beth's boss to send her to the island when contact is necessary. Naturally, this causes her fellow detectives to give her the side eye.

In both series, humans are offended that they are excluded from access to shape-shifter/Arcana lands. (Apparently the concept of private property only applies to humans in their worldview?) The lack of familiarity with these exotic peoples inspires xenophobic hostility in the neighbouring human populations. Bishop writes this kind of racism extremely vividly.

As I finished the book, I was hoping that it was the beginning of a series and when I checked the Goodreads record, my wish came true. I can hardly wait to spend more time in this world.

The Princess Knight / Cait Jacobs

 

3.5 out of 5 stars 

Basic premise: Princess Clia is shocked when her intended, Prince Domhnall, jilts her, telling her he needs a warrior woman, not a fashion plate. She is humiliated and decides to apply to the same warrior academy that Domhnall will be attending with the intention of winning him back.

At first, I had no idea what to think of Clia. She is motivated by her desire for perfection, but never measures up to her parents' expectations. She is also devoted to sewing, a skill which interests me not at all. She is obsessed with fashion. I came to appreciate her because she doesn't give up on warrior training and she works hard. She is not immediately an sword wielding badass, but becomes one through perseverance. Of course it is Domhnall's guard/friend Ronan who helps Clia gain her skills and who may also help her with her heartache.

I know this is fantasy and therefore there will be unfamiliar names. Many of them in this novel have accents on some vowels. I almost always find this distracting as I get jolted a little bit when I run into a name that I have to think consciously about how to pronounce it. It takes me out of the story and irritates me. I get the feeling that these names are based on Irish Gaelic (surnames like O Connor point in this direction).

The story wraps up enough at the end that this may be a standalone, but there are sufficient remaining questions that Jacobs may be planning a sequel. I wouldn't be opposed to it, but I won't wait with bated breath either.

Enshittification / Cory Doctorow

 

3.25 out of 5 stars 

I've heard Doctorow interviewed on radio and I could hear his voice and intonations while reading this. (Incidentally, he did read the audiobook version, so you can hear his voice too.) If the title offends you, I would recommend that you pass on the book, as the author adjusts a LOT of words in similar fashion. He admits that it was a complaint of his which got a lot of attention that solidified his use of “enshittification” since it seemed to amuse people and attract attention. I feel that he overuses the conceit, but it serves its purpose. Doctorow uses the metaphor of a disease to structure the book. We read about the Natural History, the Pathology, the Epidemiology, and finally the Cure. It divides up his arguments neatly.

I couldn't help but think about Goodreads in relation to Doctorow's observations. He talks about members of Facebook feeling unable to abandon the platform because they don't want to lose the friend group that they have established there. There are other options, but it's impossible to get all your friends to change with you to the same new service because they also feel connected to their friends. I have witnessed this firsthand as I belong to a GR group debating the options to GR. Many members of this group would move, except they mourn the loss of reading friends. I'm in that camp.

Also as described by the author, Goodreads has become big enough to be able to ignore its members. Its algorithm is unfathomable, serving up less of what I want to see, indeed what I have asked to see (my Top Friends), and flaunting more obscure members of my friend list. We all know that GR is owned by Am@zon, which Doctorow does discuss. If we are having to spend more time on GR to find the people we prefer to interact with, we are exposed to more advertising and increase the likelihood of our spending money on their service. (If only they knew that I work diligently to avoid using it! I am willing to pay more and wait longer to order through my local independent bookstore. This book only reinforces my determination.) If it is any comfort to reviewers, GR is almost certainly abusing advertisers too.

I was grateful for the final section (the Cure) which offered a bit of hope. Ironically, the current administration in the US may estrange their trading partners enough that they will no longer even attempt to get along with the Americans and will pursue tech companies with legislation and punishing fines. It's already beginning and I wish them Godspeed.

Monster in the Moonlight / Annelise Ryan

 

3.75 out of 5 stars 

Another entry in Ryan's monster hunter series, much in the same line as the first three. The books are very even in tone and each one provides a good mystery based on a possible cryptid (werewolves this time). There is continuity and development of relationships from one volume to another, but somehow those relationships feel a bit bloodless to me. Make no mistake, I still enjoy the series, just not as much as books by Richard Osman, Elly Griffiths, or Thomas King. Their mysteries feature a cast of characters that I've come to care about a great deal.

I wish I felt the same about Morgan Carter and Jon Flanders. They fill their roles in the plot, but I'll admit it's the cryptid investigations that keep me coming back to these books. I wish I felt more of something about that relationship, but it just seems inevitable. Their breakup caused no angst and their reunion gives only mild pleasure. I long for stronger emotions! Morgan's employees, Rita and Devon, have potential but Ryan doesn't give them much depth. Morgan repeatedly says how important they are, but in this book they were merely voices on the phone, providing information relevant to the mystery. They have yet to become interesting personalities in their own right.

So if you, like me, really value an endearing cast of characters, you may find this series a bit lacklustre. But if you're all about plot, this could be just your thing. My verdict? I’ll be reading the next volume, even if I'm not waiting on tenterhooks for its publication.

Hid From Our Eyes / Julia Spencer-Fleming

 

4 out of 5 stars 

This series is 50% mysteries to be solved and 50% the personal dynamics of the characters. I like the mysteries fine, but it's the characters who keep me coming back for each installment. In the beginning, it was the chemistry between Russ and Clare, despite his wife and her religious vocation. Often in these kind of books once the couple gets together the tension just goes out of the plot and the series limps to a close. Not so with this series—there are always new obstacles to be overcome. 

There are multiple problems in this book. The town council is threatening to disband the Millers Kill Police Department and go with the State Police service to save money. Russ feels frustrated by the lack of support and their lackluster funding. He realizes that his officers will have difficulties if they lose their jobs and he feels responsible for them.

Meanwhile, Clare is trying to find her footing as a new mother, fitting childcare around her erratic priest's duties. Worse, the pills and booze that she used to deal with her post-military issues are very much on her mind. The craving has its hooks in her and won't let go.

If these matters of personal turmoil weren't enough, there's a mysterious dead woman deposited on a lonely road. She is remarkably like another young woman found in the same spot by Russ when he was newly returned from Vietnam. He was a suspect at the time and never cleared, which makes him determined to solve this case.

Hadley Knox is gradually living down the scandal of her police colleagues discovering her past as a porn actress. She has become a good cop. She is still angry that her past seemed to matter so much to Kevin Flynn that he transferred to another police department to get away from her. He ends up undercover in the area and Hadley has to inform him that her vindictive ex-husband has named them both in a law suit that accuses them of planting drugs in his luggage. 

Spencer-Fleming has crafted a solid mystery that begs for a solution with very little evidence to help with that endeavor. As usual, it is a joint effort between Russ and Clare that puts the pieces together. There are two uncertain futures at the end of this novel. Russ and Clare are still a solid couple, but their employment may be changing drastically. Hadley still has a job, but Kevin seems to be strangely missing. Is it voluntary or has something bad happened? Thankfully there is another book published that will likely address these situations. 

The acknowledgements at the end of the book reveal the reason for the long delay between the previous book and this one. The author lost her husband, a close friend and her mother all in a matter of months. I think it's amazing that she can pick up so well from where she left off and produce such a gripping story after having the rug pulled out from under her that way.

Love at First Sighting / Mallory Marlowe

 

4 out of 5 stars 

This book is every bit as charming and cute as the author's Love and Other Conspiracies. In fact, on page 87, there's a reference to Hallie and Hayden from that novel. What a fun little Easter egg! Ms. Marlowe obviously enjoys all things paranormal. LaOC dealt with conspiracy theories and Love at First Sighting sends us into UFO territory.

Carter is one of the infamous Men in Black, although he is not excelling in his government career. El is a very popular influencer who has a scary UFO encounter after a photo shoot out in the mountains. Carter sees her video and recognizes her sighting as the same as he saw just before he and his father were in the car accident that left him an orphan. El is very suspicious until she learns that Carter believes her—everyone else either calls her crazy or wants to exploit her. They team up to figure out what it's all about, all the while dying to get their hands on each other.

No love triangle, very little angst in the relationship. The romance features prominently but figuring out what happened to Carter's father is just as important. It's a sweet romance and a tense plot. I truly hope that my library purchases Ms. Marlowe's next book.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars 

2026 Re-Read

It has been a long time since I last read this novel, but not so long since I last visited Styles. Having recently finished the very last Poirot novel, Curtain, which also took place at Styles, I couldn't resist the temptation to revisit the first Christie novel. 

I was amazed at how much I have learned about Poirot and Hastings through the years of reading Christie's fiction. I mean Poirot is very much himself, but Hastings is already being distracted by women, especially if they have auburn hair. It becomes a matter of amusement as the books progress. Poirot tries valiantly to get Arthur to think about things rather than jump to conclusions. Already, Poirot is telling him that he is startlingly honest and has no idea of the capabilities of other people to do wrong. His thoughts show plainly on his face, forcing Poirot to bamboozle him a bit to prevent him from alerting the murderer!

Every time I read a Christie novel, I notice new things. It makes her mysteries a joy to revisit. 

Silver & Blood / Jessie Mihalik

 

4 out of 5 stars 

When my favourite authors recommend another author, I listen. So when Ilona Andrews mentioned this new novel by Jessie Mihalik, I placed a hold on it through my library. I've previously enjoyed Mihalik's science fiction romance series Starlight's Shadow so I knew that I like her work. When I saw this gorgeous cover art, I was hooked. The artwork is far more enticing than is usual in this genre and the artist has obviously read enough of the book to use accurate details, something that I appreciate.

Are Riela and Garrick initially enemies? Not entirely, I don't think. But there is certainly no trust between them. Riela has been forced into entering the forbidden forest to deal with an unknown monster using her weak and not dreadfully useful magic. Unfortunately for her, she is found by two magic creatures and is saved by a mage who is as grumpy as he is powerful. Garrick tells her that her magic would only make the forest worse should she be destroyed there, but he is not forthcoming with other information.

As it happens, enemies to lovers is my favourite romance trope, so this situation worked for me. I was entertained by the verbal fencing between Riela and Garrick and intrigued by the problem that they set out to solve together. I had the notion that this first volume of the series would be enough for me, but if the library orders the second book I will read it with pleasure.

A Field Guide to Murder / Michelle L. Cullen

 

3 out of 5 stars 

Ever since Richard Osman published The Thursday Murder Club, its success has inspired other authors to jump on the older character bandwagon. I don't mind because I'm an older adult myself and I have been enjoying fiction that features characters of my own age. Often the main character is a woman, but this novel features a man, Harry Lancaster, who has had a fall and injured a hip. He has hired a caregiver, Emma, to help out while he heals. This is an excellent way of introducing a younger sidekick to the action.

I appreciated that Harry was written as still being intellectually sharp and curious, just hindered by a temporary physical ailment. He assumes a somewhat paternal relationship with Emma, but isn't pushy with his opinions. Emma is supposed to be happily planning her wedding but is actually experiencing ice cold feet. Her fiancé seems to expect to run her life because he will make more money than her, which is bothering her (as it should). Harry encourages Emma to trust her feelings, even as she is pressured by her family to go ahead with the wedding.

The title of this volume inspired me to hope for a birding connection, what with the crow and binoculars on the dust jacket and the title including Field Guide. It turns out that Harry keeps an eye on his neighbours as a way of distracting himself from his grief for his late wife, not birds. So that was a tiny disappointment. More distracting was the stiff writing style. The author is an anthropologist turned writer and this appears to be her first novel. There is potential here, as I managed to lose myself in the action from time to time despite what I perceived as stilted expression. As usual with an amateur sleuth book, I found the level of meddling in an active investigation to be unrealistic and the detective involved puts up with far more interference than he should. This is a perennial complaint of mine, however, and Cullen is just following the established pattern of the cozy mystery genre.

Publicity for this novel recommends it for readers of Osman or Deanna Raybourn. Take that advice with a grain of salt, as Cullen is not nearly as skilled as either of those authors, but you could certainly do worse in the cozy mystery category.

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold / Seanan McGuire

 

3.7 out of 5 stars 

One of the things I appreciate about McGuire's Wayward Children series is that each volume is just a bite-size snack. In my opinion this one is better than the last couple of books as it isn't overly preachy. This is several children from Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children engaged in active problem solving.

Nancy Whitman has found her place: in the Halls of the Dead, serving as a living statue, reveling in the stillness and not being rushed by the pace of life in our reality. Trouble is stirring in those same Halls, however, as the restless dead suddenly start killing any of the “statues" who accidentally move and reveal their living status. The Lady of the Halls comes to Nancy and requests her help. Can she recruit friends to help prevent more deaths?

So Nancy returns to the school to petition for assistance from her friends. Several of them (Sumi, Kade, Talia and Christopher) volunteer to return with her to try to sort things out. Needless to say, there are complications.

I have the feeling that this is a transitional book in the series, that McGuire is setting the stage for the next installment. I really can't complain, as it was an engaging little adventure that didn't take a big chunk of my reading time.

Murder at Gulls Nest / Jess Kidd

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Jess Kidd has written a very original amateur sleuth in this mystery novel. Nora Breen has just been released from the religious order where she has lived for decades. The monastery has provided a few clothes, collected from women entering their service, and a small amount of money, which is how Nora finds herself wandering about Gore-on-Sea in a horrible puce coat, a beret, an ill fitting dress, and heavy, unattractive shoes (which will be of great utility later).

Nora has requested her freedom because she is concerned about a young friend, Frieda, who wrote to her weekly from Gore-on-Sea, and then seemingly just disappeared. Nora is now living in Frieda's room at a rundown boarding house, Gulls Nest, where she is methodically investigating her friend's fate. The denizens of Gulls Nest are rather rundown themselves. This may sound like an Agatha Christie setting, but Kidd's boarding house is much less genteel than any of Christie's. It is dirty, dusty, and shabby. The housekeeper, Irene Rawlings, has an ironclad set of rules and an unfortunate style of cooking. The landlady, Helena, is uninvolved in the running of the household, despite sharing the house with her boarders.

It turns out that everyone in Gulls Nest has a secret. The atmosphere of the house is tense and hostile. Nora sets about untangling this Gordian knot of personal histories and tracing the last steps taken by Frieda. It is like the convent trained her for the task, which she pursues quietly and stubbornly.

I was particularly fond of the gull that Nora feeds from her bedroom window (very much against the rules) that she has christened Father Conway. Watching Nora come alive again out in the world was pleasurable, as was watching as she took no shit from the men of the village. A disrespectful young Constable gets her heavy shoes flung at him until he learns to pay attention! It only took three times.

I didn't figure out the murderer until very late in the game although I did guess at some of the concealed relationships. Kidd set things up neatly and finds a method to satisfy inquisitive minds about the actual events. Nora's plan to move on seems to be put on pause in the last few pages of the book. I was glad to see that she will be featuring in another novel in the near future. Fingers crossed that my library orders it!

Shakespeare, the Man Who Pays the Rent / Judi Dench, Brendan O'Hea & Barbara Flynn

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I chose the audiobook version of this memoir and I'm still debating whether it was the right choice for me. I am such a visual learner and I wonder how long the details of this will stick with me. Incidentally, Barbara Flynn does a top rate job of performing Dench's part in the audiobook. Ms. Dench herself has very limited vision now, so reading from a script (the edited version of the original interview) is impossible for her.

It is fascinating to see my beloved Shakespeare's works from the opposite side of the stage. Dench discusses the female characters in the plays knowledgably, no matter how long it had been since she had played the role. Her ability to quote significant speeches from whichever play they are discussing is absolutely amazing—she does say at one point that she has a photographic memory, which would certainly help. She has acted in some plays multiple times with different casts and directors, giving her varying experiences to draw on. She has also played different parts in the same play, with the same result.

This certainly gives me more perspective on the women in the plays. Their roles are both necessary and important to the action. The boys who played these parts in Shakespeare's time had a big job! As Dench and O'Hea observe, Shakespeare explores all the human emotions which is what keeps his work relevant through the centuries. They also comment on the number of rebellious women that Shakespeare puts in his plays. Dench observes that it is no wonder the Puritans forbade their performance, as god forbid that women should have opinions of their own or refuse to obey men!

The after word reveals how much work went into this project: 120 hours of discussion rendered down into 12. Also, the effort to redact the swearing of Dame Judi! There's life in the old girl yet and she expresses the desire to live to 100. At 91 she stands a good chance at achieving that goal and I hope she is successful.

Twelve Months / Jim Butcher

 

4 out of 5 stars 

It's been a year, more or less, since the big battle in Chicago and a year is nothing when you're grieving. Harry Dresden knows all about it, as he stews in his sorrow and guilt over the death of Murphy. He's driving himself pretty hard and trying to take care of those people he feels responsible for. But life doesn't quit happening just because he doesn't want to deal with it.

Winter Queen Mab has betrothed him to Lara Raith of the White Court vampires. His brother Thomas is in stasis on Daemonreach Island. A pregnant Justine, Thomas' partner, is missing. Separately, they could maybe be dealt with, but combined? It's going to be one helluva task. Will the pressure make or break Wizard Dresden?

Butcher is allowing Harry to grow as a person. He gets acknowledged for his kindness frequently in this volume. He navigates his relationships with Mab and Lara with more grace than before. He and Lara seem to have forged a partnership that bodes well for their marriage. Harry is spending more time with his daughter and it is doing them both good. Many of Harry's old friends are present and being supportive. He is learning to accept help.

There are plenty of problems to be solved and Harry uses his brain as much as his powers. His adulting is getting much better. Nevertheless, there are still narrative strands left to dangle at the book's conclusion. The next book is supposed to be published next year, a pleasant prospect as we've waited six years for this one.

Elusive / Genevieve Cogman

 

4 out of 5 stars 

This series is a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel and the French Revolution in an alternate timeline. Cogman has made two very agreeable twists to the tale. Firstly, she has added vampires and I am a firm believer that everything is better with vampires. Also, she has made a young English serving women the main character rather than an aristocrat.

In the first book, Eleanor was inducted into the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel because of her uncanny resemblance to Marie Antoinette. The League takes her along to France, where she proves her mettle as they rescue people scheduled for the guillotine. But Eleanor has very few reasons to trust Sir Percy Blakeney and his associates, knowing that they usually treat people of her station as possessions rather than as humans. This book finds her testing them. Will they actually listen to a young female seamstress? Will they admit when she has good ideas? When the Revolution is over, will she be free or will she revert to being chattel?

Eleanor finds that she admires the original aims of the Revolution as she understands them, namely that all people have equal worth and that includes women. She resonates with democracy rather than the monarchy of England. Eleanor has shouldered more than her share of the action in this novel. In fact she has rescued the men on several occasions and yet they scold her for taking the chances that have kept them alive and free. (In this, she reminds me of Sookie Stackhouse who comes up with original ideas for her vampire companions, solves their problems, and saves their bacon but gets dismissed as merely a female mortal.) They appreciate her but still regard her as “just" a woman, which justifiably angers her.

The novel ends with surprising news from England as they board their ship bound for home. I'll be thrilled when I manage to schedule the third book into my reading queue.

Curtain / Agatha Christie

 

4.25 out of 5 stars 

I started my journey through all of Agatha Christie's novels in October 2020 with The Mysterious Affair at Styles. This novel brings Poirot full circle, from brand new Belgian refugee to a elderly Belgian in a wheelchair. It was written in the 1940s and stored away until its publication in 1975, so the writing is strong.

Also returning to Styles is a newly widowed Arthur Hastings. He has returned from the Argentine and has been invited by Poirot to Styles. His adult daughter, Judith, is also present, as is her employer, a medical researcher. Hastings admits that his late wife dealt with their children skillfully and that he is woefully unprepared for that role. He really muffs it on several occasions, mostly because he jumps to conclusions rather than asking respectful questions.

Hastings being who he is, Poirot must explain why he has been invited to this gathering, and do so without revealing too much. As he says, Hastings' face is an open book for anyone who pays attention. The criminal is a subtle one, influencing others to do the work for him. Poirot knows exactly how prone to being influenced Hastings is and withholds the identity of this villain to ensure that expressive face doesn't give him away.

Hastings does his best to be an able assistant to Poirot and a dutiful father to Judith. As usual, it's debatable how much success he has at either role. Despite his association for many years with Poirot, he has been unable to see past his social conditioning and prejudices. Poirot's death doesn't prevent the little Belgian from doing the final big reveal via a letter delivered to his friend four months after his death.

I couldn't help feeling sad for Hastings, who has lost both his wife and his friend. I was amazed at the manipulations employed by Poirot in this final case and the disregard of his own personal guidelines in order to achieve a conclusion to the investigation. I am ever so glad that Christie wrote this final Poirot novel when she was at the height of her powers, allowing him depart with a bang, not a whimper.

Jane and Prudence / Barbara Pym

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Book 5 of the 2026 Read Your Hoard Challenge

It took me a chapter or two to find my footing with this novel. At first, Jane seemed annoyingly vague and scatterbrained, but she grew on me. It seemed that she spent a lot of time thinking her own thoughts and letting other people think whatever they wanted. She is definitely impulsive. The combination isn't ideal for a clergyman's wife, especially as she seems to be hopeless at domestic skills too. Her shining advantage is her lack of desire to run things, letting the bossy women of the parish run things and feel superior.

In the beginning I preferred Prudence, the working woman who is pining after her married boss, Mr. Grampion. When Jane meets him, she wonders what Prudence sees in him. But as Jane muses at several points, men of all sorts seem to be admired by various women. No matter how boring or selfish the man, there seems to be a woman who will desire him.

”Oh, but it was splendid the things women were doing for men all the time, thought Jane. Making them feel, perhaps sometimes by no more than a casual glance, that they were loved and admired and desired when they were worthy of none of these things--enabling them to preen themselves and puff out their plumage like birds and bask in the sunshine of love, real or imagined, it didn't matter which.”

Of course Jane decides to meddle by doing some matchmaking. Prudence is introduced to an eligible widower in Jane's village. This certainly has the desirable effect of distracting her from her married employer. As I expected, there were unexpected consequences which were quite entertaining. Pym does us the favour of leaving out the ultimate outcome. We are free to imagine where Prudence may end up without it being prescribed.

The Witching Hour / Anne Rice

 

3 out of 5 stars 

It has been about 30 years since I first read this paranormal family saga. I remember that it scared me silly on my first reading, but then I reread it many times. I can still see why I was fascinated by it, but my focus has changed over the years. Originally, I was captivated by the gothic nature of the tale. I loved the details of the family's women, the life of Rowan Mayfair, and that of Michael Curry. I was very caught up in the soap opera-like plot.

Now, as a much older reader, it is the mysterious Talamasca that sparks my imagination. Don't you wish such an organization existed? A worldwide scholarly body that investigated the paranormal, aided its victims, and kept detailed records of their observations? I'm a sucker for studying—I have always enjoyed it. And what a fascinating subject to focus on: ghosts, telepathy, vampires, and witches. All the things that I secretly wish existed.

I can see so clearly how Rowan got drawn in by the family ghost or daemon. She is a scientist at heart, with a strong tendency to observe, to quantify, to understand. I would be similarly tempted and have no doubt would be overcome in the same way. However, I think she is mistaken when she calls Michael and Aaron Lightner, the Talamasca representative, innocent and naïve. In actual fact, they both have far more life experience than she does and therefore are more leery of the purposes of Lasher, the family phantom. Rowan is young and a neurosurgeon and she stereotypically believes that she knows more than either of them and is strong enough to deal with the entity. She is so easily manipulated that it makes me rather embarrassed for her.

The next couple of books get weirder if I recall correctly. I will end my rereading at this point, at least for now.

Beast Business / Ilona Andrews

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I was delighted when this book was delivered today and I dropped everything in order to read it. I'll probably read it again before I go back to business as usual.

The Book Devouring Horde loves Augustine Montgomery and has been waiting p*tiently for this novella. It was great fun to learn more about illusion mages like Augustine and animal mages like Diana Harrison. Both magic branches are secretive about their abilities, so Augustine and Diana try to give answers that don't reveal too much. Readers, however, are privy to their thoughts.

We also get a glimpse of the relationship between Augustine and Arabella Baylor. Augustine and Nevada Baylor have swapped siblings to provide internship experience. At the end of the book, House Andrews has included the short fiction about Arabella previously published on their blog. Which is nice, but more importantly, they have also written a short piece that intersects with the primary novella. They know what we like.

Now, I must confess, I thought this novella would be a one and done affair. After all, the Andrews have so many series underway and their Horde is always ready to Devour more. At the end there is enough unfinished business to justify another volume. Of course I will be delighted to read it if or when they care to write it. I am nothing if not chalant.