Category Archives: Currently Reading

Currently Reading – Week of January 17

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I started the week by reading Garden of Sins by Laura Joh Rowland. I have been a fan since she wrote the Chamberlain Sano series which takes place in seventeenth century Japan.

Garden of Sins is the newest in her Sarah Bain series and takes place in the Victorian era. In this mystery, Sarah and her new husband investigate the death of a female Pinkerton detective. It all has something to do with actors/circus performers who have re-activated a shabby theater.

Besides the central mystery, which involves the talents of Mick and his girlfriend, Sarah is dealing with the trial of her father, a media storm of its own, and problems in her new marriage.

As always, the plotting and the characters are first rate.

The second book I read was Jane Cleland’s Jane Austen’s Lost Letters, part of the Josie Prescott (antique dealer) series.

I had real problems with this mystery. The central mystery, the murder of another dealer who had discovered a method for identifying a forger was fascinating. In fact, all of the antique related information was riveting.

But . . . A woman named Veronica Sutton gives Josie a case that includes the letters. This woman has some connection to Josie’s father (who died twenty years previously.) Although Sutton makes it clear she does not want to engage with Josie, she will not let it go to the point where it felt uncomfortably like stalking.

The mystery about Veronica Sutton is resolved, with a shattering revelation for Josie. I found the backstory a tad unbelievable – would a father really keep such a secret from the daughter he claimed to love so much?

Finally, I read Double Whammy by Gretchen Archer. This is the first in a series recommended by a good friend.

Davis Way (yes, that is really her name), is at a very low ebb. Penniless, she has lost her job and is desperate to find another. A dream job in Biloxi, Miss at a casino presents itself. She is astonishingly well paid and is offered a closet full of designer clothing. But what is the job? She is told it is security work but there are very few specifics. At base, she is supposed to discover how various people are stealing from the casino. Ah, but it is not that simple, is it?

Her ex-husband, ‘Eddie the Ass’, is involved somehow and Davis really wants revenge on him.

Fun and frothy. I will definitely read more, although I do hope Davis grows up a little.garden of sin

Currently Reading – Jan 1, 2022

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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.

Currently Reading

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Week of December 26 – January 2, 2022

The holidays slowed down my reading. Besides, I was reading Two Graves by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Their books are usually quite long.

In the Prendergast thriller, He discovers that his wife Helen is alive. She had faked her death to throw the villains off her trail. Now her brother has arranged a meeting with Prendergast, a meeting that goes horribly wrong. Helen’s brother is killed, and she is abducted. Despite being injured, Prendergast follows them to Mexico where she unfortunately is shot dead.

After a spell of self-destructive grieving, Prendergast is tempted into a new case involving a serial killer. He takes no trouble to avoid cameras and Prendergast realizes the serial killer is designing his murders for Prendergast himself.

Prendergast goes on the hunt, following the trail to a Nazi compound deep within Brazil.

The writing is merely pedestrian. But the story, and the sheer creativity, hooks a reader in and keeps them reading until the end.

I also read the new Elly Griffith, The Midnight Hour. I’ve been a fan since the beginning of the Ruth Gallagher series but I really enjoy the newer Magic Men mysteries as well. In the latest, it is the fifties. Emma and Edgar are married with three children. Emma has set up a detective agency with her friend, reporter Sam and they are asked to investigate a murder also being investigated by the police. Impressario Bert Billington has been poisoned. Suspicion immediately falls on his wife: Verity Malone, but there are a slew of other suspects from the entertainment world.

Besides the mystery, which I did not guess, the novel touches on the struggle of women to be taken seriously, no matter how bright and talented. All of the usual characters make and appearance and there are several life changes. Highly recommended.

Finally, I read A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow. It is more than a reworking of The Sleeping Beauty fairy tale and it is wonderful. The main character, she calls herself the dying girl, has been severely damaged by environmental factors. She is transported into the fairy tale – and it is very different from what she expected. Yes, the Princess is cursed and there is a bad fairy. Except not so much. The Prince is not charming and the Princess is fighting against her fate with every ounce of her being.

In a relatively short book, the author touches on environmental issues and expectations of gender. A wonderful tale and highly recommended.

Currently Reading – week of Dec 7

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Last March, after the Sinsters in Crime Chapter the Mavens of Mayhem hosted their third annual Murderous March Conference, I picked up several of the books written by participants.

A Darker Shade by Laura K. Curtis, and the Curse of the Braddock Brides by Erica Obey were romantic suspense. Throwbacks to an earlier era when that was practically all I read. Both were charming and fun although the Curtis book had more of the gothic vibe.

A Darker Shade is a ghost story. Molly Allworth has been in service since leaving college. Now, her finances are precarious. When the agency offers her a post in Maine, she jumps at it. Soon she is in a remote house in Maine, caring for a little girl who claims she saw her mother’s ghost before she stops speaking all together. And Molly soon realizes something terrible is going on. The master of the house, Nathaniel Prescott, dismisses any belief in the supernatural. As for Molly, as winter closes in the the events grow more dangerous and frightening, even her attraction to Nathaniel may not make her stay.

The Curse of the Braddock Brides was instantly appealing since it takes place in the Hudson Valley, not to far from where I live. Libba Wadsworth is outspoken and knows her own mind, a bluestocking in the vernacular of the times. He4r family has already been dogged by scandal and now Libba, with her cutting remarks, pushes away all the vacuous suitors who apply for her hand. Then she meets two men, Lord Hardcastle, in want of a wealthy wife, and the far more appealing, but rakish, Will Ransome. Are either who they claim to be?

Great fun!

Currently Reading – Week of November 29

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Searcher for the Dead, by Nancy Herriman, is a historical mystery that takes place during the Elizabethan era. After the tragic death of her husband Martin, Bess relocates to the small town where she was born and moves in with her mother. Bess’s brother in law, Fulke, is found hanged and at first the murder is deemed a suicide. Since suicide was a crime, all of his assets are to be taken by the Crown. But Bess does not believe it was suicide and with the help of Kit, the constable, she investigates further.

This was captivating and enjoyable. Since it ended on a cliffhanger, and the possibility of some romance between Bess and Kit, I expect there will be another in this series. It is already on my list to read.

The second book I read was far different. In The Bone Cay, by Eliza Nellums, it is unclear whether there is a mystery. Magda Trudell is the current caretaker of the home of a famous poet, Isobel Reyes. A cat four hurricane is bearing down on Key West and is forecasted to be a direct hit. Magda chooses to stay in the house and when the storm damages the gift shop, it reveals a steamer trunk with the remains of a young woman. This does not occur until page 102. Shortly thereafter, the handy man and his daughter arrive seeking refuge but Magda soon discovers they are not what they seem. I am not sure how I feel about this book. It is not a whodunit and the mystery really does not begin until quite late. But it is beautiful written and I did finish it. The descriptions of the storms were especially riveting.

Currently Reading week of November 21.

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With the holidays, I had less time than usual to read. Still, I managed to finish 2 books and part of a third.

Staging is Murder by Grace Topping is a charming cozy. The amateur detective is a home stager whose assistant is accused of the murder. A lovely old Victorian provided the setting – and don’t we all wish we lived in such a magnificent place. This is a series and I plan to read the rest of it.

I regularly read fantasy and science fiction. One of the suggestions that came up on my Amazon feed was The Witches of Dark Root by April Aasheim. Dark Root, a small town in the Pacific Northwest, is one of the last places on earth that keeps the darkness at bay. But now the circle had cracked. Sasha, coven leader, is ill. Her four daughters have scattered. running away from home and the control of their mother. But when news of Sasha’s illness reaches the daughters, they return; first Merry, the eldest, then Maggie, the daughter with the most power, and finally the other two. I really enjoyed this supernatural suspense novel. Since several problems remain to be resolved, I plan to read the rest of the series.

Finally, I am enjoying the latest David Rosenfelt: Best in Snow. When Andy Carpenter’s golden retriever digs up a pile of snow in the park, she discovers the body of the mayor. Andy’s friend Vince persuades him to take the case (Carpenter is a lawyer) and he becomes convinced the suspect the police have in custody has been set up. Rosenfelt’s mysteries are always fun. The characters are interesting and Carpenter is amusing. This one is also appropriate to the season since it is set just before Christmas.

Week of November 7 – 13

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I missed last week’s post since I was still reading Sherlock Holmes vs Cthulhu by Lois Gresh. This is one weird book, and I like weird. Still not sure how I feel about it.

Hemlock, by Susan Wittig Albert, is the newest in a long series of China Bayles Herbal mysteries. In it, China journeys to North Carolina to hunt for a rare and valuable herbal called the Curious Herbal by Elizabeth Blackwell. The information about hemlock, the poisonous herb, not the tree, and the book were historically accurate and fascinating. The mystery was a little disappointing but the rest of the book made up for it.

Murder at the Abbey, by Frances Evesham, is part of a series, although this was my first. A human bone was found in a river near a historical abbey. Is is the bone from the abbey graveyard? Or something worse. Libby, and her new husband, are on the case. A charming cozy.

Currently Reading

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This week I read two very different kind of books.

From Beer to Eternity, by Sherry Harris, is a cozy set I Florida. The main character, a transplant from Chicago, moves to the Emerald Coast temporarily, in accordance with a friend’s wishes. A number of strange events, including a murder, soon occur.

Not a whodunit, since the murderer is detected by luck more than clues, this is still a fun read. The characters are appealing and the setting, the Sea Glass bar, are described well. If you like cozies, this is a good choice.

The second book could not be more different.Sherlock Holmes vs Cthulhu is more of a cross between mystery and horror. An inventor has created a machine, called the Beast, which has homicidal qualities. Who is behind the Beast and what is its true nature? What is the significance of the spherical bone balls incised with symbols? Where did the supernatural aspects of the Beast Come from?

Gresh does a wonderful job of combining the Great Detective and a Lovecraftian monster. This was a perfect choice for Halloween time.

Currently Reading

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This week I read the fourth of Amanda Flower’s Mystery Bookshop series: Verse and Vengeance. Another charming cozy from this author. In this one, the P.I. Joel Redding, is murdered during. a bike race. Violet’s student Jo is involved – somehow – as well as her brother and her boss.

At the same time, Violet’s Grandmother, now the mayor of Cascade Springs, has begun transforming the village hall into a museum.

And for those readers interested in Violet’s love life, her relationship is moving forward, although in fits and starts.

Whitman’s poetry is an integral part of this mystery and like good fiction, it inspired me to actually read some of his poetry.

The second book I read this past week was Death Rang the Bell by Carol Pouliot. Death Rang the Bell is the third, so far, in this series. It has an interesting premise; Olivia, the main character, sees a strange man in her bedroom. They discover he is a police detective in 1934 (she is in 2021), the house allows them to time travel from 1934 to the Olivia’s time and back again.

In this offering, the owner of a large department store is found murdered. His estranged wife and son are the first suspects. Pouliot includes a number of details about 1934. By now, Olivia and Stephen have learned how to cross over and live in each other’s times. The big question remains: how will they manage to carry on their relationship when they come from two different times.

Currently Reading – Amanda Flower

After seeing a talk by Amanda Flower, I was inspired to read several of her books. I chose the Magic Bookshop series.

In Crime and Poetry, the first of the series, Violet Waverley is called home by her grandmother who claims she is dying. On Violet’s arrival in Cascade Springs, she discovers her grandmother is not dying and her claim was, in fact a ploy to lure Violet home. After the death of her best friend twelve years previously, Violet had left, swearing to never return. But the Waverley women are tasked with protecting the magical birch tree that grows through the shop and now it is time for Violet to take on that responsibility.

Her old flame, Nathan Morton, is now the mayor and he shows signs of wishing to re-kindle their romance. The new chief of police, David Rainwater, is another suitor for Violet’s affections.

Shortly after Violet’s arrival, her grandmother’s love interest is murdered and Violet dives into the investigation.

Pros and Cons takes place at Halloween and this time Violet’s best friend Sadie is accused of the murder of another member of the Red Inkers, the writing group. All the evidence points at Sadie but Violet is determined to clear her friend and find the true murderer.

The third I have read of the five, Murders and Metaphors, concerns the murder of a famous sommelier and author who is conducting a signing at the local Morton winery. I was inspired by this title to research ice wine, which I have heard of but never tasted.

Do I plan to read the final two in this series? I certainly do. The murders are not true whodunits, but the setting in this small town and the bookshop is absolutely charming and I really enjoy the sparkling characters. Although I do not usually care for cozies, these are delightful

Currently Reading

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One of the truisms of mystery writers in that most of us, probably all, are big mystery readers. I read an average of three books a week. I thought, on this page, I would give you my thoughts on the books I’ve read during the week.

9/30/21. In the past week, I read three books, all very different.

Ice and Stone, by Marcia Muller, is the latest Sharon McCone. Although written pre-pandemic, it is quite timely.

McCone is hired to investigate the disappearances and murders of three Native American women. Considering that I read this at the height of the buzz about Gabby Petito, and the discussions about the many women of color who disappear without a similar furor, I found the topic riveting. Inequality and the entitlement of the wealthy, racism, and the plight of the fictional triple are all part of the setting. The plot was a little convoluted but Muller is a good writer and I was enthralled right to the end. Definitely recommended.

A Darker Reality is Anne Perry’s latest Elena Standish. I’ve read all three and enjoyed them but this is the weakest of the lot.

Elena and her parents travel to Washington, D.C. for her grandparents’ sixtieth wedding anniversary. One of the guests is murdered and Elena’s grandfather is accused. Elena and her family work tirelessly to prove his innocence. The mystery is set pre-WWII and delineates American Nazi sympathizers. I’ve enjoyed all of Perry’s series through the years and she is a good writer but I found this one somewhat preachy.

Bloodless by Preston and Child was the third book this week. Frankly, I have mixed feelings about the Preston and Child oeuvre. The writing style is pedestrian and the books vary widely in quality. This one was even more fantastic than most. It ended with a cliffhanger so we will see where these writers go next.