A knee replacement slowed me down but as I improve, I gradually take up the reins of my life once again.
While I was in the hospital, I read With Our Blessing, by Jo Spain. This is another in her Irish Garda series, with DCI Tom Reynolds.
The body of an elderly woman, crucified upside down and with ‘Satan’s whore’ carved into her chest, is found near Reynold’s police station. A preliminary investigation reveals the victim to be a nun, from a convent about an hour’s drive away. Reynolds and his team drive down to the convent, where they are offered rooms, and they begin questioning the other nuns. They have barely gotten started when the priest who ministers to the convent disappears and is subsequently found dead. What’s going on?
A involved investigation that centers on the Magdalene Laundries, and pulls in on of their own, is further complicated by a winter storm that dumps feet of snow on the village.
A dark police procedural that does not leave one’s mind quickly.
Death at Greenway by Lori Rader Day. During World War II, thousands of children were evacuated to the countryside to spare them from the bombing in London. Bridget Kelly is a nurse in training who entire family has been wiped out in a strike. Accused of injuring a patient, she is offered a chance to accompany ten children to Greenway, the home owned by Max Mallowan and Agatha Christie (who makes a few cameos through out the novel.)
Accompanying Bridey and the children is another woman, who claims to be a nurse and another Bridget Kelly. She is called Gigi. The group also includes a married couple, the Arbuthnots. They are not at Greenway for very long before some petty thefts occur and then, more seriously, a murder victim.
As historical fiction, this is first rate. The characters are interesting and fully fleshed out and the historical setting is gripping. The undertone of fear and loss is harrowing. But this is not really a mystery, certainly not a whodunit.
Finally, after the seriousness of the previous two volumes, I needed a break and read Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower.
I am a big fan of the magical book shop mysteries and this one did not disappoint. On the eve of Violet’s wedding to David Rainwater, a woman bursts into he book shop and tries to sell her a first edition Walden signed by Thoreau. When Violet refuses to buy the book (with no provenance or other proofs), the woman storms out only to turn up dead a few hours later. The newlyweds delay their honeymoon to investigate..
Suspects abound, not least a woman who, convinced she is Thoreau’s direct heir, has changed her name to Thoreau. Charming, as usual.
According to the website, this series is planned for five books. I hope Flower writes another; there are several hanging threads.