Maine B & B Mysteries

My next 2 reads were from Karen McInerny. "Murder On The Rocks" and "Murder Most Maine" both take place on a small island off the coast of Maine.

Dyer Consequences

This is the other Maggie Sefton book I had not read, although it was written before "Fleeced Navidad". I usually am a RIO (read in order) but I somehow missed this one. I actually knew right away as they referred (in Fleeced) about a murder which I knew nothing about, but had happened previously.

Anyway, this was a really enjoyable, quick book. A murder mystery this time about dyeing yarn. Sounds strange, but I wont give it away..I hate spoilers. Kelly and her trusty entourage are weathering a very cold winter in this one..and gladly Spring is now peeking into R.I.

Sop here is another one I would recommend. I actually think I enjoyed it the most of all of hers. However, her friends become a little confusing as to who is who..but they are fun.
Oh, and by the way. They have a cool pattern fro a hat which looks like a keeper and a delicious sounding recipe for pecan pie!!

In My Ears!!

Let's get the subject of audiobooks..or books on tape, or CD. Sometimes, a great books makes a great audiobook, and sometimes not. Sometimes a not so great book makes a not not so good audiobook, but SOMETIME........... and that is Whitethorn Woods. I read the book 2 years ago (about). I adore Maeve Binchy, but was not enthralled with this book. I dont know why..I just didnt get into it. But when I had listened to "Heart and Soul" (see post below) I decdied I needed to revisit these wonderful characters she brings so to life, and the library happened to only have this one at the time. So I got it(unabridged thankfully). It is read by Sile Bermingham
with some readings by Paul Michael. And lo and behold...I loved it. It is a classic Maeve Binchy. Her novels are often almost a sereis of short stories about a series of intertwined characters ,frequently reoccuring in her novels. All the vignettes revolve in someway around a specific thing..in this novel it is about St. Ann's Well in the WhiteThorn Woods. Her character studies, which is what her books really are poignant, funny, true to life and make you feel like you know these characters.
Then I listened to "The Return Journey", a series of short stories about people who travel, or are traveling. Another winner!!
And now I am at "Quentins" a favorite ,book of mine and a wonderful book to listen to. It is about a wonderful restaurant run by Branda and Patrick Brennan and the characters in the vignettes of this novel revolve in some way in their stroies around this restaurant.
And what me, for me, makes a good audiobook. The book HAS to have a good reader! That is foremost. Then the story has to be descriptive enough to bring you there. And finally, as I am almost always driving, sewing or gardening (usually driving) when I am listening, it cannot be too complicated a plot. So on to listening...........Try it..you'll like it!

...and in my Ears........

.some first rate audio!!

Vineyard Chill

AHHHHHH to return to magnificent Martha's Vineyard with JW Jackson, his wife Zee and their 2 children Diana (the huntress ) and Joshua. Philip Craig has written a wonderful series of mysteries, which I also see as an armchair travel guide to the Vineyard..the 'real' Vineyard. His descriptions of different parts of the Island are give you a real feel for the area. The stories, I believe are a bit too gritty to be classified as 'cozy' mysteries. In my opinion the do for the Vineyard what Robert Parker's mysteries did for the Boston and the suburbs.

This is another outing with JW which brings his past (as a Boston cop, vet, etc) into play as a long absent friend makes a surprising appearance on the Island, and brings a lot of 'baggage' along with him. We also find the beloved Bonzo, a reoccurring character, making a headline. And of course there is always, smouldering in the background, the conflict of bringing modern-day to the Island and the conflict of year-round residents with tourists and vacationers.

If you love the Vineyard, like I do, or want to learn more about it, and also read a first class mystery, this is the series, and this particular book is a definite positive contribution to this collection.

Now for the sad news. This is Philip Craig's last novel, as he passed away shortly after finishing this book. He will be long remembered as one of the greats, in my book anyway.

Zapped............

Another quirky, humorous, tongue in cheek sometimes, offering by Carol Higgins Clark. Her female protaganist is PI Regan Reilley, married to a NY Detective in charge of the Major Crimes Unit. He father is an undetaker and her mother is a famous writer of mystery novels (yes Regans mother as well as........) Carol is the daughter of Mary Higgins Clark, the famous writer of crime/romance novels.

Zapped occurs during a blackout in NYC where Jack and Regan are remodeling their apartment to included a newly acquired second apartment. Yes, that is an important part of all this. It occurs during 2 days/nights and has fun funny romps, rather unbelievable coincidences in the plot twists, which are many. But overall a fun, light read.

"Fleece Navidad"

Maggie Sefton has written this enjoyable series of "fiber based" mystery novels. They take place in a small town in Colorado and revolve around a group of friends and neighbors who frequent a knoitting/spinning, weaving ,crocheting store. It apparently is based on a true to life store called Lambspun of Colorado. This series is fun to read. The mysteries are usally pretty good, and they are fast with fun characters. I would efinitely suggest them to any reader who enjoys 'cozy' mysteries. Check out Maggie and her books here: http://www.maggiesefton.com/knitting.html

Catching up!!

Boy, do I have catching up to do. I finsied "Stealing Lumby", and enjoyed it. These are very benign, mellow reads, fun for a break. I also started "Lumby's Bounty" and stopped about 1/4 way through. I found I was not enjoying this book, so I returned it to the library and I will take it out in a month or so, and I bet I will enjoy it then. I did enjoy "Death By thunder" by Gretchen Sprague. A new author to me. It is was a mystery, a little different, but a good read.

A 'waiting ' Sunday.

Today we got a small storm with about 2 inches of snow this am. This evening we are forcasted to get 12-14 inches of snow. So it is a great day to be indoors in front of the fire and reading and listening. I am still reading "Stealing Lumby" which I am enjoying. It also has been a great catch up day. I listened to 6 episodes of the podcast of "The Archers" which I love to do. I also caught up on another BBC Radio 4 broadcast which I recieve by podcast each day, "Silver Street. A gritty soap opera about the Asian (mostly Indian) population in London. I adore these podcasts. They are such fun to listen to. I also listened to "Ramblings with Clare Baldwin (Radio 4 BBC also. She has a twice monthly broadcast/podcast which lasts about 25 minutes and she document different walks in different parts of England, and often has people from the area walking and talking with her. Today the podcast destination was Lands End, the very tip of the British Isles in Cornwall. And the man who led her around what sounds like a wonderful, beautiful area, is Patrick Gale. He is a fiction author who writes novels set in this area. So now..another author to read. This area is the bottom picture.

The top picture here which is called Mithers Tap is another walk in Scotland this time, outside Aberdeen up in the Highlands. This is whaty I love about these podcasts. I always then look up online to see pictures of where she (or anyone) is discussing, much like I do with the setting of interesting books I read.

Today's Reads

I am in the middle of reading 2 books. I started "Stealing Lumby" and then Began "Death by Thunder by Gretchen Sprague as I wanted something with a little more substance. I will let you know what I think of both. Stay Tuned.................

Done!!

I have finished "The Cruelest Month" by Louise penny. It was good, but not fabulous. I didnt quite like it as much as the first two, but I enjoyed reading it. I think I will take a break from Penny, for right now, then read the next 2.

"Heart and Soul" by Maeve Binchy was really wonderful. I would overwhelmingly recommend it as a must read..whith a little note. I do think that this, of all her books, is very tied to her past books. I would think that this book was so wonderful also, because I knew many of the ancillary characters, who supported the characters. In fact, I will definitely go back and read "Scarlett Feathers", Quentins" and "Nights of Rain and Stars" We meet up with Fiona (Night...), Kathy Scareltt as well as the twins (Scarlett Feathers) and Brenda, and the fabulous Quentins (Quentins). Now unfortunately, I have to wait till Maeve is moved to bring these wonderful characters to life once again.

The Cruelest Month

Another Louise Penny mystery featuring Three Pines, Quebec. It also features Armand Gamache and his entourage from Surete Quebec (the sort of chief police agency ). This one was a little too cerebral for me. I enjoyed it, but it was a bit much. I dont like books about the occult and mysticism, and that was in it. And it had a flavor of good vs. evil. It was a twisted tail of friendship, love, betrayal,history and of course, the quirkiness of Three Pines.

Heart and Soul

I just got the latest by Maeve Binchy. I signed up at the library to get either the audiobook or book, whichever came in first..and surprise the audiobook (unabridged) came in first. I started listening to it while driving, and immediately downloaded it to iTunes, so I can put it on my iPod. It is wonderful. I forget how great she writes. Reading this is like going home again. They are new characters, but they meet up with ones from other books, and they all love to go to Quentins to eat!!


I am only half way through, but I am sure I will love it to the end. It does not really focus on one person, it focuses on a group of people who open a cardiac clinic in Dublin and how their lives and their patients lives revolve and intertwine and move on. IT is another wonderful work of fiction which is definitely character driven. It is not so much the story, it is the characters which move the story along. You feel like you know each of them. I am so glad I got this one!! And I will write more when I am done.

"A Fatal Grace"

Another wonderful Mystery set in the tiny Quebec town of Three Pines. The investigator is once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache with his trusty little troupe. I enjoyed this book, a quickish read. Not quite a cozy, but not really hard-boiled or police procedural either. A mix, I guess. The quirky cast are still quirky and I find myself smiling at them often. Incidentally, the murder..in the same house!! Different people!! I continue to love these books with different setting where you learn about another culture, or subculture. My shocker this time...mayonnaise on french fries. Well, I have a dd who puts sweet and sour sauce on them.

Anyway, another really good mystery. I have the last in the series here already (got them together from the library so I am starting that. Then I will move on to the next Lumby saga..something a little mellow.

Podcasts............

Do you listen to Podcasts????? HHMM.......... If you know me you know I love anything Irish/British/Scottish. Well, my friends, I am addicted to The Archers. It is a 6 day a week 20 minute soap opera on BBC radio which I get in the evening as a podcast. It is a soap about life in a small agricultural village. Why do I like it..I dont know..Why does anyone like soaps? Well, I am not at all a soap watcher...but this I love. Give a listen sometime!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers/

And for the Quilting side of me......

I am now reading "The Winding Ways Quilt" . This is (I think) #11 in the Elm Creek Quilt Series. They follow a group fo women, young and old, who join together to start a camp for women to learn and perfect their quilting skills. It takes place in a mansion at Elm Creek. However that is just the backdrop for this series which is really about the women who run it and their lives. The earlier books in the series brought in a lot of history and family stories about the woman who actually lives and owns Elm Creek Manor, and her family. But as the series has progressed
I do think it has grown and improved. Silvia and her colleagues are an incredibly gifted group of women who are very dedicated to the art of quilting. This latest book sees several of the regulars leave, and new character enter this world. And of course along with change comes struggle, and triumph.
I do feel ambivalent about this series. I think I should adore it. Being a lover of all fiber art, and loving to look at quilts, being a sewer, and considering myself somewhat of an artisan, I shoul adore it. I LIKE it, but I just cant say it is my favorite series, and I dont know why.

Lumby Lines

And then in my even chameleon selection of read..there next came "Lumby Lines" and funny, poignant, quirky, gentle read. It is a cross between Garrison Keiler (but more believable) and The Mitford Series (but quirkier). As a new couple move to the somewhat remote town of Lumby, changes come to town, secrets are revealed and behaviors are examined in this quick read book which is a wonderful "take me a away" trip to the Northwest. I now cant wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

"Where Memories Lie.........."

Another (and the latest) from this wonderful author, Deborah Crombie. This time she takes us into the world of stolen treasures from the WWII and the Nazi Invasion. It is sad, gritty, exciting and also tender in many ways. We return to Gemma and Duncan as they once again team up (from their now separate agencies) to look into a rare brooch which went missing during the Nazi invasion of germany, and now shows up in an auction house of Art deco, high priced heirlooms. It happens to have belonged (before the invasion) to a woman who is now living in Notting Hill and is a friend, confidante and mentor of Gemma's. What starts as a simple inquiry becomes a triple death homicide case with far-reaching effects. Once again, it is written in the present with sections in each chapter from the past which help you to understand, and feel the story so much better. It is a story of love, danger, intrigue and death. It is we see Gemma as a much softer character who is beginning to break down that hard veneer she has had. The family she and Duncan have made is becoming more cohesive, and we also get a peeking into a unique friendship which has guided, and supported Gemma. Crombie always seems to explore deeply the area where each book takes place, which I love about these also. This time the setting is Notting Hill where Duncan and Gemma now reside.
This, like her other books, is a must read . However, as a RIO...Read In Order...,I would start at the beginning or near the beginning of this series. But it would also make a wonderful stand-alone I am sure.
Ta for now!

Last Kiss

Another very good offering by Luanne Rice. A return to Hubbards point Conn. But somehow this one doesnt give much of the feeling of the area, or maybe it is just 'how' I read it. A young man is killed on the during his foirst week at NYU and his girlfriend back home in Hubbards Popint hires a long-ago resident, turned PI to solve the case. It is another Luanne classic with a wonderful assortment of characters.It does have a bit of a way out conclusion..but who am I to say!

Bull Island!!

Bull Isand by Dorothea Benton Frank is another good southern novel. It takes place in New York and South Carolina. The saga of Elizabeth "Betts" McGee is a good story of money, power, secrets, love and longing. It has sadness and joy, humor and tragedy. Although not the best book I have ever read...it is a definite great read.

And then............

...........comes along a book you just adore. "Still Life" is a unique mystery by Louise Penny. It takes place in a small town in Quebec, just South of Quebec named Three Pines. It is a cozy with a group of wonderfully colorful characters. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec is a very interesting, complex and honorable Detective, who should make this series interesting, somewhat comical and always tremendously readable. I had started this book once before, but put it down, I just didn't like it..at the time. But now, I would absolutely recommend it, and I cant wait to read the rest of the series. It was definitely a "cant put it down" book!

Sigh............

I do think that one of the problems with being a voracious reader is that you expect more from books and sometimes..........sigh!! Also, I think that sometimes a book hits you just right, at another..it falls short.

I really like the mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert, and just read "Dilly of A Death". The series features China Bayles, a previous attorney who now owns an herb shop and tea room. She has a wonderful assortment of freinds and family. Each books sort of features an herb...and this one was dill. Well, it was not a dilly..it just fell short. It was sort of funny and okay, but I dont think it was up to her other books.

I also then read "Firely Lane" by Kristen Hannah. A chick book about two friends growing up and into adulthood. Her writing reminds me of LuAnn Rice, who is such a wonderful author. I think this book fell short for me because It was written well, but the plot got sort of unbelievable and a little ridiculous. I did finish it. It was okay, but not a book I could not wait to read.

The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell by Lillian Braun

This is a wonderful audiobook series. Again KoKo , the siamese, helps Jim Quilleransolve a murder. However, the true heart of these stories are the folksinees of them. The quirky characters, strange goings on and tongue-in-cheek humor makes these books a delight to read..and listen to.

If you love Garrison Keillor's works, read Lillian Braun!!

A House In Almalfi by Elizabeth Adler

This one is an audiobook. 8CDs for this wonderful story. I loved this Audiobook. It was a delightful, not too heavy tale. I must say, it fell a little short in plot. And the main plot was a little unbelievable, and left feeling robbed. But the descriptions of the characters, setting, etc. by Adler were so very wonderful That is was WELL worth lending an ear to.

This is the stroy of LaMour Haggerty who grew up with a rather irresponsible, author Father , her only parent,who died under what LaMour has always felt were suspicious circumstances. When he own life takes some turns and she feels she is ready for a change she decides it is time to finally deal with her father's untimely death and confront her own demons. She heads to Amalfi on the Italian shore, to a small cottage home on a cliffside she shared for time with her father. Here she becomes acquainted, and renews friendships with a wonderful cast of characters. She finally uncovers the real truth of the circumstances surrounding her father's death.

I have not read the book, but it was wonderful to listen to.

"Belong To Me" by Marisa de los Santos

Another of what I call chick lit...not sexy as such, but a relationship book. Not the best I have ever read, but worth the time.

The cover of this book is fabulous...to me. Three sets of Wellies (boots) on a doorstep. The story revolves around a group of friends and acquaintances in a neighborhood and environs. The story has tragedy and sadness, several surprises and one Big (rather unbelievable ) surprise and a rather overused story line. But several of the characters are wonderful men and women and make this story work.

This is not a book I would recommend to you if you are looking for a happy, mellow book. It is pretty intense in parts, but compelling.

A New Binchy

Maeve Binchy has a new book coming out Feb, 2009. What a JOY! How I love her book. Her very rich, real characters bring each of her Irish tales alive.

I dont know if this new book will have some of the same characters as some of her other books. I hope so...she often does this.

The characters from Tara Road, Scarlet Feather, and Quentins are a group of wonderfully believable people. They live in Modern day Ireland and deal with all the current issues of life as well as the issues as Ireland enter the more modern world.

So now..I cant wait for this new book.

I Found a good one!!

Oh, How I love it when I find the right book for the right time. It is funny how many times I thought I hated a book, and then 6 months later I pick it up, and I love it.

Well, A wonderful book by Katie Fforde found its way into my tote from the Library. "Practically Perfect" is about a single women who is an interior designer (that is NOT an interior decorator) who buys a house in the Cotswells, outside London . Her intention is to remodel it and then sell it. But, HHMMM...doesnt seem like it is where it is going. I am about 1/3 of the way into it..and just want to sit and read.

However, my all-time favorite movie is on right now...."You've Got Mail"........Hokey, but what can I say.

So...off I am to read and watch!!

Antiques Flee Market..........UGH!!

Well, I read 1 1/2 chapters. I know, I should not decide so quickly, however, I just didnt want to go on. It was a library book, so no loss of money.

Why? Well, first of all the author tried to be funny/zany with a bipolar Mom with a fur coat which told of her mother's psych balance..well...it just was trying too hard to be funny. And then they meet a new character, an elderly man, who just happens to have a granddaughter with him from UK who just happens to be a child of a son he never knew..HHMMM!

So, it is over. I also returned several books I hadn't read yet. With my new MysteryNet messagfe board I joined (4mystery addicts) I was reminded of several authors I wanted to try again. I love going to the library and just wandering. I think I found some good books..but you never know.

I have discovered from the board that I am a 'splasher' meaning I like both cozy mysteries and hard-boiled or procedurals. I wonder what I am if someone really looked at what I read. Not only do I love mysteries, but I also love a good chicklit..i.e. gentle read about women and their relationships. Not romances as such, but relationships. And then I enjoy a good biography.

Well, I am off. Hopefully, I will get a lot of reading time!!

The Archers..a Great Podcast

I am addicted to this podcast. It is from BBC4 and is on their radio every day (except Saturdays) for about 20 minutes. It is basically a soap opera about a small farming community and people who live there. I find it just so relaxing, funny and timely.

I have an iPod and I get it through iTunes. But there is also a website where you can listen to it. The website also has a list of all the characters. It has been on for I think well over 40 years. So the people have a lot of history. But it is a lot of fun.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers/

Happy New Year..Welcome 2009!!

I have finished "Indian Pipes" sitting in front of the fire> It was worth the read, but not her best. The ending was quite a surprise to me..maybe I am losing my knack to figure these out..but I didnt see this coming till the end. Of couse, neither did Victoria. She has set a trap and SURPRISE look who showed up.

Well I am now on to my next read which will be...HHMMMMM>>>>>>>>>>>Stay tuned!