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.