Part of this story was very predictable and part of it was a bit of a surprise. So that's a good point.
Even better, this story was read by Derek JacobPart of this story was very predictable and part of it was a bit of a surprise. So that's a good point.
Even better, this story was read by Derek Jacobi. I bet he could make reading the phone book sound interesting. I think he earned an extra star for this story.
Well, he stumped me again. I suspected just about everybody but the one who did it.
This one is kind of a reverse of the "locked room" for the master oWell, he stumped me again. I suspected just about everybody but the one who did it.
This one is kind of a reverse of the "locked room" for the master of the locked room. Here, his victims disappeared off a cliff. There is a roaring sea below. Was it suicide or murder?
You'd expect their bodies to be bruised and battered. Well, yes, they were, but they were also shot. Did they shoot themselves? What did they do with the gun, if they did?
This is really bugging Dr. Luke who was picked as a witness. Lucky for him, Sir Henry Merrivale just happens to be in town getting his picture painted.
There is a lot of humor in this book. H.M. has injured his foot and they gave him an electric wheel chair. He is being chased by dogs and mistaken for Nero. Very funny image....more
I have bought multiple copies of books before but generally I haven't actually bought books that I have already read. They are usually just sitting onI have bought multiple copies of books before but generally I haven't actually bought books that I have already read. They are usually just sitting on my shelves. Not this time though! I must have read this years ago. But it didn't sound familiar until I got through +90% of the book. It wasn't until they climbed on top of the boulder that I said to myself, "Haven't I read this before?"
It was the second book in the series and it was the book where the Skeleton Detective met his second wife. But I haven't really read this series in order. It just didn't really seem to carry over from one book to another.
Maybe the first time I read about Ishi and about him being the last of the Yahi I didn't realize that this had been a true person. And he also speaks of him in another book which got me to pick up Wild Men: Ishi and Kroeber in the Wilderness of Modern America by Douglas Cazaux Sackman and he uses events that happened to the Yahi. For instance, I read there that they would take things from people's houses but they would leave something in exchange - like a basket or something. And, sure enough, that story was in this book. And who knew there were documentaries on You Tube ().
And I was intrigued by the thought of a rainforest in Washington state and found this on You Tube () this afternoon. It sure gave me a better idea of what Olympic Park looks like. ...more
This was a re-read for me. I enjoyed it again. Not sure how many times I've read it. This may have been the third time, I'm not sure. It wasn't as thoThis was a re-read for me. I enjoyed it again. Not sure how many times I've read it. This may have been the third time, I'm not sure. It wasn't as though I retained everything since the previous readings were 30-35 years ago. I think the first reading was when I was in college. I needed a diversion then.
Raymond Chandler is always a joy to read. I just love the way he twists words around.
11/5/16 - Just finished a wonderful re-read of this. One of those books I can't read often enough it seems....more
I really enjoy the Maigret series. I got started when we were assigned to read one in French class in college - that one was Maigret et Les Brave GensI really enjoy the Maigret series. I got started when we were assigned to read one in French class in college - that one was Maigret et Les Brave Gens (I couldn't find a link). I missed a lot....more
Here, his FBI friend wants his help for a family problem. His family is in the coffee business in Tahiti. And a membeI like the Gideon Oliver stories.
Here, his FBI friend wants his help for a family problem. His family is in the coffee business in Tahiti. And a member of the family got himself dead - the police think it was an accident, some of the family isn't so sure. So he gets the Skeleton Doctor to go with him.
The story did pick up toward the end. But it kind of dragged in the middle.
Another excellent re-read. But, at least this time, I knew I was re-reading a book. a li I think I read it so long ago I'd forgotten what happened. ThaAnother excellent re-read. But, at least this time, I knew I was re-reading a book. a li I think I read it so long ago I'd forgotten what happened. That's nice when that happens.
This edition had an essay by Hillerman called "Leaphorn, Chee and the Navajo Way" which discusses where these characters came from. Leaphorn was going to be a minor character until the author discovered that he was taking over the story in the first book. There is also a brief discussion from Hillerman about each of his books. I guess it is an e-book exclusive (that's what it claims anyway). Just a little behind-the-scenes view, I guess. Interesting....more
I love Barry Maitland and this series. Very thoughtful.
He does have a note that this was written before 9/11.
He gives full portrayals of the Muslims I love Barry Maitland and this series. Very thoughtful.
He does have a note that this was written before 9/11.
He gives full portrayals of the Muslims in the book.
He had me fooled. I didn't figure it out until after Brock did. Although at that point it seemed like this was almost the only solution left. And, yet, he still had a few twists and turns to puzzle me.
I'd started The Verge Practice but was having trouble getting into it. Why? Because I had missed the book following Silvermeadow, Babel. I did have a little trouble remembering what had happened to Kathy in the last book, it having been a number of years since I read it; and this is a major storyline here, at least in the beginning. She thinks about leaving Brock and the team.
I'd forgotten how much I was missing Barry Maitland and his stories. Good thing I have several more of his to go through.
I've always thought that The Marx Sisters was the best; but this was very good, too. And it is on kindle now....more
This is one of those archaeology mysteries. I enjoy this series but I think there may only be one more in this series to read. I think she moved on toThis is one of those archaeology mysteries. I enjoy this series but I think there may only be one more in this series to read. I think she moved on to another series. But I like the Lindsay Chamberlain character. She can't stay out of trouble.
Here, her half-brother Sinjin comes to call. Archaeological finds that her grandfather made get sent to her. A skeleton shows up. The finds get stolen and the finger is pointed at her. Plus, she loses her job. So Lindsay is in trouble throughout the whole thing.
Much like the first book, I spent a lot of this book wondering if I liked it or not. But I liked it more than I disliked it. Joey, the narrator of theMuch like the first book, I spent a lot of this book wondering if I liked it or not. But I liked it more than I disliked it. Joey, the narrator of the first book, makes a brief appearance. And Mary Alice began to grow on me.
And any book with Grandma Dowdel can't be all bad.
I did love the way she salted the DAR meeting with her old friends, one of whom lets a big scandal out of the bag.
I do like the continuing adventures of Grandma Dowdel. Are you sure there aren't any more books about her?...more
Interesting story of two friends. I thought it interesting that they had some of the same teachers at Berkley, but at different times.
Joan is a very pInteresting story of two friends. I thought it interesting that they had some of the same teachers at Berkley, but at different times.
Joan is a very private woman so it took a friend to crack the center.
Years ago, I read several of her books and then, of course, The Year of Magical Thinking. She has been criticized for working her way through things, like her husband's death, in a book which made it kind of public. She responds by saying that is how she works through everything, by writing about it. ...more
This was a re-read. Not sure how many times. I couldn't locate my copy so I had .to get it from the library. When all else fails, try the library.
I reThis was a re-read. Not sure how many times. I couldn't locate my copy so I had .to get it from the library. When all else fails, try the library.
I remembered some of it. But definitely not the culprit.
It does involve some degree of what we now call PTSD, but was then called shell shocked, since almost everyone is a veteran of WWI. One of the suspects has a fair amount of trouble with it, can't earn a proper living for himself and has live off his wife, which kind of compunds his problems. And there is interior discussion for Wimsey, remembering when he had to check in somewhere to chill out.
As this book came out in 1928 this is something that would have spoken to the audience then. They were all getting over the war then. And the book begins on Armistice or Rememberance Day, so nerves would already have been on edge.
I haven't read any of the Wimsey stories for a while and so had forgotten how much I enjoyed them.
11/29/16 - another re-read. Very enjoyable. ...more
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