Interesting, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, and definitely on the weird side, these essays or memoir vignettes were unexpected in so many ways, atInteresting, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, and definitely on the weird side, these essays or memoir vignettes were unexpected in so many ways, at least to me as a new reader of Sedaris. The pieces about Trump and Comey served as bitter reminders of the mess in which we currently find ourselves. My favorite pieces were "Untamed," about a fox, and "Sorry," about the board game....more
In this entertaining romantic suspense novel, podcaster Amelia Rivers comes from a family with paranormal talent in its genes. As it happens, so does In this entertaining romantic suspense novel, podcaster Amelia Rivers comes from a family with paranormal talent in its genes. As it happens, so does the family of Gideon Sweetwater, the P.I. she hires when she is being stalked. The story zips right along....more
Narrator the Hon. Frances "Fanny" Logan, later Mrs. Alfred Wincham, includes her own courtship and marriage in this story, but it is really centered oNarrator the Hon. Frances "Fanny" Logan, later Mrs. Alfred Wincham, includes her own courtship and marriage in this story, but it is really centered on her friend Polly, a great beauty and heiress, until her obsession with her aunt's husband propels her into a scandalous marriage....more
This includes quite a bit more foul language than she usually uses in her books, but the characters are wonderful, including the dogs, cat, and ghostsThis includes quite a bit more foul language than she usually uses in her books, but the characters are wonderful, including the dogs, cat, and ghosts. The book is suspenseful and charming, with warm family fun, personal and professional triumphs, and the making of gardens and music. I just wish Clover's playlist had ben set out in an addendum....more
This included fifteen of her stories that I had not read before, as well as an interesting introduction by James Sandoe and an afterword by John CurraThis included fifteen of her stories that I had not read before, as well as an interesting introduction by James Sandoe and an afterword by John Curran. The experience was much enriched by my recent reading of The Mutual Admiration Society, a joint biography of Sayers and her Oxford circle....more
Judd Foxman's life is falling apart since he walked into his own bedroom and found his wife having sex with Judd's boss. Then his sister called to sayJudd Foxman's life is falling apart since he walked into his own bedroom and found his wife having sex with Judd's boss. Then his sister called to say their father had died, and he and his family have to return to their hometown and spend seven-plus days together, seven of them sitting shiva and encountering figures from their past. There were quite a few spots where I did laugh out loud, but basically this was really not my cup of tea....more
This had a slow start and a soft conclusion, with the murder mystery taking a backseat to Jimmy Flannery's struggle to remain an honorable man while dThis had a slow start and a soft conclusion, with the murder mystery taking a backseat to Jimmy Flannery's struggle to remain an honorable man while deeply enmeshed in the Chicago political system. The younger Mayor Daley makes a cameo appearance a the end....more
The contrast of tragedy and a touch of horror only intensifies the joyousness and charm exuded by this story of a hereditary psychic in a small easterThe contrast of tragedy and a touch of horror only intensifies the joyousness and charm exuded by this story of a hereditary psychic in a small eastern Kentucky town. Thea is able to live in this remote location because she is a designer of computer games. Her Bernese mountain dog Bunk (from "rambunctious") and her hunky new neighbor's preschooler Bray both gladden the reader's heart....more
Although it has romance subplots, this is basically a really good novel about the airline industry in the wake of 9/11. I learned so much and found itAlthough it has romance subplots, this is basically a really good novel about the airline industry in the wake of 9/11. I learned so much and found it fascinating. The book begins in Phoenix, includes a lot of travel, but is mainly set in Las Vegas....more
A rape occurs upstairs above a restaurant where the Women's Murder Club are gathered, so Sgt. Lindsey Boxer is on hand to make the arrest and ME ClairA rape occurs upstairs above a restaurant where the Women's Murder Club are gathered, so Sgt. Lindsey Boxer is on hand to make the arrest and ME Claire Washburn to render first aid. Lindsey's murder case is stalled--until the victim's husband is killed in the same way. There's also a wedding at the end, as well as a new job in the offing for Lindsey's husband. I never did catch the reference that justified the title's containing "24."...more
The author blends wonderful characters and a heartfelt plot in an old New York setting that presents the American Revolution from a British perspectivThe author blends wonderful characters and a heartfelt plot in an old New York setting that presents the American Revolution from a British perspective. Cecilia Harcourt received a letter saying her brother had been injured just after her father's death. She sails to New York where she finds Thomas's best friend, Capt. Edward Rokesby, in a makeshift military hospital, comatose from a head injury, but no trace of Thomas. To be able to care for Edward, she claims to be his wife, which gets complicated when he wakes up with amnesia....more
This climate change novel is rather like The Ministry for the Future, minus about 65% of the documentary or lecture-type content and plus a good few tThis climate change novel is rather like The Ministry for the Future, minus about 65% of the documentary or lecture-type content and plus a good few thriller scenes. It too ranges all over the world. The outcome is very satisfactory, but sadly could not really be done.
A very talented teenage girl goes to a concert, hoping to give a music demo to rock superstar Jake, but instead is murdered with an infected needle fiA very talented teenage girl goes to a concert, hoping to give a music demo to rock superstar Jake, but instead is murdered with an infected needle filled with a deadly dosage of heroin and other drugs. The same fatal cocktail is used the next night to kill another pretty teen. The randomness makes it a tough case for Lt. Eve Dallas to solve before there's another death....more
This is a great road-trip novel, with a wonderful child character, Billy Watson, who accompanies his 18-year-old brother Emmett on a journey, first byThis is a great road-trip novel, with a wonderful child character, Billy Watson, who accompanies his 18-year-old brother Emmett on a journey, first by car, then by freight train after Emmett's buddies from a work farm "borrow" his Studebaker. It's a great adventure story set in June 1954, with superb characterization. Though I was forewarned of some tragedy, there was a little more than I expected....more
I found this charming, as well as pretty amazing, but --even though I expected incentive to read Book 2 of the trilogy, a genuine cliffhanger ending iI found this charming, as well as pretty amazing, but --even though I expected incentive to read Book 2 of the trilogy, a genuine cliffhanger ending is going too far. That is why I downgraded the book to four stars instead of five. Characterization, setting, and pace were all excellent, and the story was awash with delightful details....more
I might have given this scary and well-done mystery about a very successful cult five stars -- if the author had used the time wasted selecting annoyiI might have given this scary and well-done mystery about a very successful cult five stars -- if the author had used the time wasted selecting annoying quotes from the I Ching instead for cutting at least a hundred pages of the 945 , in order to make the tome less burdensome to carry around. I did love the twist, and I found the ending hopeful....more
This contains a dozen of Sherlock's later adventures, most set in the Nineteen-Oughts and some making reference to electricity and telephones. Many fiThis contains a dozen of Sherlock's later adventures, most set in the Nineteen-Oughts and some making reference to electricity and telephones. Many find the great detective investigating crimes other than murder (theft, forgery, failure to report a death in order to delay probate). Train travel was apparently quite dependable and usual....more
The suspicious "accidental" death of rocker Jimmy Stoma finally gives reporter-demoted-to-obituary-writer Jack Tagger the opportunity he's been waitinThe suspicious "accidental" death of rocker Jimmy Stoma finally gives reporter-demoted-to-obituary-writer Jack Tagger the opportunity he's been waiting for to get his byline on the front page of the Union -Register once more -- if he can prove it was murder. Suspenseful and funny....more
A unique vintage rifle is found at the site of Sheriff Walt Longmire's late grandfather's elk camp, apparently hidden around the time of a "hunting acA unique vintage rifle is found at the site of Sheriff Walt Longmire's late grandfather's elk camp, apparently hidden around the time of a "hunting accident" that took the life of a state financial officer. Walt pursues the cold case to determine had committed murder, but current incidents show that someone still alive doesn't want the case solved....more
Foreign quasi-military/espionage agents try to attack French and allied computer entrepreneurs, which Bruno has a big part in foiling. However, he alsForeign quasi-military/espionage agents try to attack French and allied computer entrepreneurs, which Bruno has a big part in foiling. However, he also learns about the climate crisis heading for Asia as the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau melt....more
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