Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain by George Mahood - George and Ben decide to bicycle the length of Britain starting out in their boxers with no money and no bikes. A very funny story of their adventures and the generosity of strangers. A true story with some crude language. Also, the best edited self-published ebook I've read.
4 stars
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Catnapped by Patricia Fry - Savannah is helping her aunt recover from a broken foot and becomes involved in a missing cat mystery. Quite preachy about cat neutering and rescue. The author switches points of view so often that it's confusing. And the last of the book turns into a pure romance.
Poorly written.
1 star
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Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron - the 19th Judge Deborah Knott book. When Deborah's aunt rallies while in hospice care and begins rambling about stories from the past, someone panics and smothers her. The mystery seems almost incidental to the family goings-on of shed building, cemetery cleaning, and sing-alongs. But that's part of the charm of these books.
3 stars
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Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta - a teenage boy witnesses a murder and is pursued by the killers in the wilds of Montana. Lots of strong characters and very creepy villains. A pet peeve - when it seems the writer of the book flap hasn't read the book. The boy is described as 13 on the flap and on the very first page it's stated he's 14.
4 stars
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My Venice and Other Essays by Donna Leon - I waited impatiently for this and now I'm sorry I read it. Love her mysteries but this book was very mean spirited. She doesn't seem to like America very much which I guess is why she lives in Venice.
2 stars
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sept 14-20, 2014
The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths - the sixth Ruth Galloway book and one of the better ones. The grave of a Victorian child murderer has been found and in the present there are a series of child abductions. Some surprises and an exciting ending.
4 stars
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Remains of Innocence by J.A. Jance - the 16th Sheriff Joanna Brady book. The murder of the county M.E. and some murders in Massachusetts seem to be related. Locally, Joanna must decide if a disabled man's death is an accident. Some animal abuse.
4 stars
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Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn - a Chet and Bernie mystery, Chet being the dog that narrates the story. Secretive goings on and murder in Washington DC and Chet and Bernie are on the case. To me the mysteries are secondary to the pleasure of hearing Chet and his short attention span telling of the story. This one was wrapped up in the last two pages.
4 stars for sentimental value
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California by Edan Lepucki - a post-apocalyptic novel, but you're never told exactly what went wrong. Cal and Frida decide they can't make it in L.A. and strike out to live in the wilderness. After a few years, they find a community that takes them in. Of course things are never as they seem. A first novel and after awhile it started to drag. I skipped a few chapters and read the end.
2 stars
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The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman - a modern day story of a bizarre murder mixed with the Golem myth of Jewish culture. Certainly not a typical Kellerman novel. The main character is actually not very likeable. Too much sex but I think that's supposed to tie into this particular Golem story. The mystery is tied up but I was still somewhat confused at the end. I'll be thinking about this for a few days so...
4 stars
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The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing, and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up by Cathy LaGrow - I read this in one sitting, it flowed along so well. In 1929, a young girl must give up her daughter, the result of rape. She writes many letters to her and never gives up wishing to see her. Finally, when she is 94, a miracle happens.
4 stars
4 stars
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Remains of Innocence by J.A. Jance - the 16th Sheriff Joanna Brady book. The murder of the county M.E. and some murders in Massachusetts seem to be related. Locally, Joanna must decide if a disabled man's death is an accident. Some animal abuse.
4 stars
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Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn - a Chet and Bernie mystery, Chet being the dog that narrates the story. Secretive goings on and murder in Washington DC and Chet and Bernie are on the case. To me the mysteries are secondary to the pleasure of hearing Chet and his short attention span telling of the story. This one was wrapped up in the last two pages.
4 stars for sentimental value
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California by Edan Lepucki - a post-apocalyptic novel, but you're never told exactly what went wrong. Cal and Frida decide they can't make it in L.A. and strike out to live in the wilderness. After a few years, they find a community that takes them in. Of course things are never as they seem. A first novel and after awhile it started to drag. I skipped a few chapters and read the end.
2 stars
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The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman - a modern day story of a bizarre murder mixed with the Golem myth of Jewish culture. Certainly not a typical Kellerman novel. The main character is actually not very likeable. Too much sex but I think that's supposed to tie into this particular Golem story. The mystery is tied up but I was still somewhat confused at the end. I'll be thinking about this for a few days so...
4 stars
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The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing, and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up by Cathy LaGrow - I read this in one sitting, it flowed along so well. In 1929, a young girl must give up her daughter, the result of rape. She writes many letters to her and never gives up wishing to see her. Finally, when she is 94, a miracle happens.
4 stars
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Sept 7 - 13, 2014
My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding - a memoir by the author of her early years growing up in a horse racing family. The chapters are divided by the dogs and horses she grew up with. Women don't seem to have been valued much in her family but Clare didn't let that stop her from becoming what she wanted.
3 stars
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The Night Searchers by Marcia Muller - I've been reading this author since the late 70's, starting with her first book, Edwin of the Iron Shoes. Her protagonist, Sharon McCone, has been through a lot of changes since then, most of them good. This case begins with a woman thinking she's seen witchcraft in a deserted lot. It then becomes entwined with a kidnapping being investigated by Sharon's husband.
3 stars
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The Dog who Could Fly: The Incredible True Story of a WWII Airman and the Four-Legged Hero Who Flew at His Side by Damien Lewis - a downed airman finds a German shepherd puppy and the two become inseparable. Somewhat dramatically told, I think the author drew heavily on the manuscript written by the dog's owner after the war. Antis was really a one of a kind dog.
3 stars
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The Big Tiny: A Built-it Myself Memoir by Dee Williams - the author is diagnosed with congestive heart failure and decides to make some changes in her life. One of those is building a tiny house by herself and going to live in her friend's backyard. Humorous, with some language.
3.5 stars
3 stars
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The Night Searchers by Marcia Muller - I've been reading this author since the late 70's, starting with her first book, Edwin of the Iron Shoes. Her protagonist, Sharon McCone, has been through a lot of changes since then, most of them good. This case begins with a woman thinking she's seen witchcraft in a deserted lot. It then becomes entwined with a kidnapping being investigated by Sharon's husband.
3 stars
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The Dog who Could Fly: The Incredible True Story of a WWII Airman and the Four-Legged Hero Who Flew at His Side by Damien Lewis - a downed airman finds a German shepherd puppy and the two become inseparable. Somewhat dramatically told, I think the author drew heavily on the manuscript written by the dog's owner after the war. Antis was really a one of a kind dog.
3 stars
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The Big Tiny: A Built-it Myself Memoir by Dee Williams - the author is diagnosed with congestive heart failure and decides to make some changes in her life. One of those is building a tiny house by herself and going to live in her friend's backyard. Humorous, with some language.
3.5 stars
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Aug 31 - Sept 6, 2014
Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie - I've read these before but so long ago I didn't remember whodunnit. As usual, everyone is completely befuddled until Miss Marple deduces what's going on because it reminds her of the butcher, baker, or candlestick maker in her small village.
3 stars
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Darkwood by M. E. Breen - Annie's uncle has something awful planned for her so she makes her escape in the dead of night. Where the kinderstalk are. She finds out something horrible and decides she must tell the king. Lots of surprises are in store for her. A children's fantasy book.
3 stars
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The Clocks by Agatha Christie - I think I'm going to be able to revisit all the Christie books. I read them in the 60's and 70's, and while I remember plot points I don't remember the end. This is supposed to be a Hercules Poirot book but he makes a very small appearance. A secretary sent to a blind woman's home finds a dead man. No one knows who he is or why he was killed.
3 stars
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Blood Royal: A True Tale of Crime and Detection in Medieval Paris by Eric Jager - in 1407, the brother of the king of France is murdered. The Provost of the city is charged with finding the murderer. The outcome eventually led to civil war and war with England. I liked the way this author wrote - very straight forward with no unnecessary side paths.
4 stars
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Bone Dust White by Karin Salvalaggio - Grace is home alone when she see a man stab a woman on the path in the woods behind her house. The murder brings in the state police and revives an 11 year old case. Told in the present tense. I didn't find the characters very developed and the end was a little out of left field.
3 stars
3 stars
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Darkwood by M. E. Breen - Annie's uncle has something awful planned for her so she makes her escape in the dead of night. Where the kinderstalk are. She finds out something horrible and decides she must tell the king. Lots of surprises are in store for her. A children's fantasy book.
3 stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Clocks by Agatha Christie - I think I'm going to be able to revisit all the Christie books. I read them in the 60's and 70's, and while I remember plot points I don't remember the end. This is supposed to be a Hercules Poirot book but he makes a very small appearance. A secretary sent to a blind woman's home finds a dead man. No one knows who he is or why he was killed.
3 stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blood Royal: A True Tale of Crime and Detection in Medieval Paris by Eric Jager - in 1407, the brother of the king of France is murdered. The Provost of the city is charged with finding the murderer. The outcome eventually led to civil war and war with England. I liked the way this author wrote - very straight forward with no unnecessary side paths.
4 stars
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Bone Dust White by Karin Salvalaggio - Grace is home alone when she see a man stab a woman on the path in the woods behind her house. The murder brings in the state police and revives an 11 year old case. Told in the present tense. I didn't find the characters very developed and the end was a little out of left field.
3 stars
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