I had lost sight of Peter Tremayne’s Fidelma of Cashel (a mystery series set in 600’s A.D. Ireland).  However, I just read the newest in the series Dancing With Demons.  In it the High King of Ireland is murdered. Fidelma is called in to investigate the crime since the Assembly believes she can be objective (not ruled by clan loyalties).  This book is “painless history” at its best !  I find it fascinating to see the different customs of Ireland- they had rules for everything ! Only when a crime was truly henious (and it seems that murdering the king did not qualify), was the criminal killed (or as near as made no nevermind: they were given very short rations and sent out on a rowboat on the tide moving away from the west of Ireland).  Most criminals , and their families, were expected to work and pay the family of the wronged person for the damage caused by the crime.    The tensions between the Catholic and Pagan religions; and those between the Irish and Roman Church are once again explored in this fascinating novel.

The Spellman Files

Another reader recommended a delightful series (only two volumes so far) featuring the Spellman detective agency (a family business run out of a Victorian home in present day San Francisco). The narrator is  a daughter and an investigator. She is the wild rebellious sibling (unlike her perfect older brother and scarily precocious younger sister). Full of fun characters, I highly recommend The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz as a perfect summer read.

Similar in feel and style to this book are Joe Gore’s classic “repo” mysteries my favorite of which was 32 Cadillacs. These stories center around a car repossession business and as zany a crew of characters as you could want! In this tale two gypsies vie to be the new leader of the gypsy families -one of them steals 32 cadies !

 

 

Thank you and catch up on current reading

Thank you to all my friends and loved ones who had conversations last week about the joy and passion of reading. My dear friend, April in New Jersey had a small and enthusiastic group discuss reading. Two favorite comments were from two older women. One thought of reading as a treat which she “allowed” herself throughout the day rather than only at special times.  Another gave herself permission NOT to finish a book that didn’t interest her. I LOVE these “tips”.

I simply MUST give you the short version of what I have been reading- too many books are piling up and I must get them back to the Library.

Eva Moves the Furniture by Margot Livesey deals with the “imaginary” friends of a seven-year-old girl. Born in rural Scotland in 1920, Eva’s mother dies of the influenza soon after Eva’s birth. Loved, but a lonely child, Eva yearns for friends. Two “ghosts” join her in the garden one day and come to stay. They even follow her into adulthood. Why? Read this and find out !  

Recommended by my friend, John C., The Camel Club by David Baldacci deals with terrorism (both international and of the home-grown variety).  John said I would like the characters in this thriller and I really, really do ! A page turner with people you want to know more about- I highly recommend this book.

Garden Dreams is a graphic novel by Fumi Yoshi.  A young Arab finds himself the squire of a French Baron during the Crusades.  This book is romantic, historical, and deals with real emotions.  A good introduction to the graphic novel format. Although (I admit that reading the book from back to front was a challenge- and I enjoyed the story.

I love Janet Evanovich’s “naughty” humor and I am so glad that she does the “Between the Numbers” series of books that feature Stephanie Plum and the mysterious “Diesel”. Is he an angel, a devil, a god, a lunatic, just very, very mysterious or all of the above? Plum Lucky  features a self-proclaimed leprechaun and his missing bag of gold. Laugh out loud moments with the ususal crew of Lula, Grandma Mazur, and Connie. The scene with the rocket launcher is NOT to be missed !

 

 

 

 

The Effects of World War I

I hope that you had a chance to see “My Boy Jack” on Masterpiece theatre.  It told the story of Rudyard Kipling’s son, Jack, who volunteered at age 17 for service in WWI and was killed just two weeks after getting to the front.  The actor who portrays Harry Potter plays Jack and he does a marvelous job- as do all the actors ! The portrayal of Kipling made me want to read, for the first time, his Jungle Books and poetry.

Jacquiline Winspear has written a series that, like the PBS program, demonstrates the bitter effects of the First World War. The Maise Dobbs series begins with a book of the same name. The newest book in the series An Incomplete Revenge is fabulous. Maise is sent to investigate a mysterious string of arsons in a small village in Kent. In the process she deals with her, hidden, gypsy heritage and a number of signficant deaths. WInspear has a true knack for characterizations and page turning suspense.  I highly recommend this excellent mystery series.

 

Have you been sharing the passion and finding the connection?

Even if you have not agreed to participate as a leader for the Reading Rave (Raving about Reading) 2008, I hope you have been having conversations with people about what they have read.  Sometimes, they won’t want to talk about that, or it will lead them into other areas of their life.  Just follow the conversation ! It’s not so much about the subject, but connecting with others initially through the joy of reading. 

Leaders, now is the time to start letting me know what you are planning for the day:

May 3rd (Saturday)-  what are your plans; and with whom do  you intend to share?

What has happened with my current conversation? Two new books to read!

David Baldacci’s Camel Club and Jodi Picoult’s Keeping Faith. Although very different novels, the people who shared with me indicate they are strong, character-driven novels…. something I really enjoy.  The surprise for me was that my sister has such terrific taste in fiction (better than mine) and that we like Picoult for the same reason- she can write about difficult topics and not make them grim !

I have been sharing with friends how much I am enjoying Australian mystery writer Kerry Greenwood.  I love her Phryne Fisher mysteries and have just discovered her Corinna Chapman mysteries.  Both take place in Australia (1920’s for Phryne and present day for Corinna). Both are “amateur” detectives (Phyrne is a lady of means and Corinna is an ex-accountant turned baker).  Raisins and Almonds features the Jewish community; Earthly Delights has a strong sub-plot (and recipe) about making the perfect muffin.

Keep the conversations going, my dear ones ! Share, share, share the joy, passion and connection of reading !

 

 

Book Review: White Sky, Black Ice

I found this, the  first book in Stan Jones’ Nathan Active series, even more compelling than the second novel which I reviewed in an earlier post.  Three men supposedly commit suicide within a week of each other. Even for winter-time in the isolated Alaskan Northwest, this is excessive, and Active, a full-blooded Inupiat and Alaskan State trooper, decides to investigate.  He is hampered by the fact that most of the village consider him an “half-blood”, since he was adopted by white people and raised in urban Anchorage. He is unfamiliar with the customs that offer clues to the killings. Filled with rich characterizations and fabulous descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness, this is recommended for lovers of mysteries which feature character and place and offer insight into another culture.  Jones, an award winning journalist, offers a very pleasurable read !

Shaman Pass by Stan Jones

I really love mysteries that reflect a different culture/society. Shaman Pass  is a wonderful, character-driven mystery takes place in contemporary Northwest Alaska.  Nathan Active, an Alaskan trooper, investigates the murder of an older Inupiat with an antique, irory harpoon.  Nathan, while Inupiat, was adopted and raised by White people in Anchorage. Therefore, as with many good detectives, belongs completely to neither world.  Like us he is learning about the history, religion and current culture of this remote region.  Jones,  an award winning Alaskan journalist, is an fine writer who brings the region, and its people, to life.