Tall Reader heard about this book on NPR: Dog Show (poems) by Billy Collins. Loved it enough to purchase a copy for each of us. I read it slowly, one poem a day to make it last. ;-) Enjoyed the poems, some more than others, of course, and didn't understand one of them even reading it more than once. I loved the watercolors by Pamela Sztybel, too.

Riding Reader tucked a copy of The Great Sherlock Holmes Puzzle Book in my stocking this Christmas. It is a collection of enigmas designed to puzzle the greatest detective of them all (says so, right on the cover!). I am about two thirds of the way through as I make this entry and I've figured out three of the 50 plus I've tried! I read just one or two a day, often with my second cup of tea (which doesn't seem to help). Thank goodness the solutions are at the back. :-)

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There has been a death outside a pub in this, the fourth book in the Veronica Vale Investigates series by Kitty Kildare. Death at the Dripping Tap has Veronica pretty much working on her own since her usual partner (use the term loosely, he is not always a willing partner) ;-) is injured, she has to ... interact ... with someone else. Someone who believes (as do most men at this time) that women are only good as wives and mothers. It's an uphill battle. When the landlord, Stanley Pickleton, is accused of the crime (remember, she owns the pub), she is determined to prove him innocent. Great descriptions of the era here, good dialogue, all in all a worthy read. ;-)

It has been 'interesting' touring around the U.S. in their RV and Gemma and Jo are hoping this stop, in Maine, will be different. Alas, that's not to be when their three-legged Chihuahua, Pepsi, alerts them to a body on the beach below the hike they were on. Jo heads back down the trail to where she can get a signal and call for help, Gemma heads down to the beach. The young woman is still alive, barely, and dies with the last words of "Tell Wanda. Birds." Come along as they get involved in a small town mystery, secrets, friends (good and not so good) as they figure out just what 'birds' means. One Left Behind, by Patri Lawson, is the third in the Gemma and Jo Mysteries series.

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Here is the first of the Redmond and Haze Mystery series by Irina Shapiro: Murder in the Crypt. I started well into the series due to a box of books Wandering Reader sent. It was good enough where I wanted to start at the beginning! A body has been found stuffed into a partially open tomb of a medieval knight. Who, and why there? This is the first murder case for Detective Haze (in a small town there's usually not much murder after all). There is someone new in town, so suspicion falls on him, yes? This is Jason Redmond, a surgeon. Not only did he not kill anyone, he is more than happy to help Daniel . It was fun getting to know these characters from when they first met.

I have to wonder just where Mark Schweizer gets some of his ideas, there's always some sort of fun twist. :-) It will come as no surprise that it has to do with tap dancing in this, the third Liturgical Mystery: the Tenor Wore Tapshoes. There is a character who is, well, easy to recognize, because he always wears tap shoes and often is tap dancing, even when sitting. Something ... slimy ... is going on. A new comer is much too eager to take on, mmm, certain responsibilities at the church. Is there a secret history somewhere? "Real life" mimics the hard boiled detective story our main character is writing here (still just as bad as in earlier books) as he tries to track down a killer, and prepare for All Saints Day.

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Murder at the British Museum is the Kitty Worthington Mystery #12, by Magda Alexander. Kitty is now happily married and her detective agency is thriving. It's at the height of the "King Tut" craze and there will be a series of lectures on that taking place soon given by hubby Richard, who is home from his excavations in Egypt. When he is worried that some of the artifacts have been stolen, and confronts the museum director, he is fired ... and then that director is found dead. And mummified. Prime suspect, of course, is Richard. The search for the real killer is an exciting read ... lots of interesting secrets, strange cults and more.

Miss Merrill and her Aunt, Violet, are at it again, in Murder in Covent Garden, by Anita Davison. Even with all the closures due to the war, this is still an exciting area of London, and is where Violet and Hannah have their book store. There have been many robberies of late, however, and then the local jeweler is found dead. Hannah has concern for the investigation when the policeman that shows up is the very person she saw arguing with the jeweler the day before. Naturally, she has to check things out for herself (with Aunt Violets help). This is the third in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery series.

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Even though I don't cook this was a most interesting read: How Would You Like Your Mammoth? 12,000 Years of Culinary History in 50 Bite-Size Essays by Uta Seeburg. Learn why spices fell out of favor, when sauce first became popular, and why there was a huge battle over borscht! You'll read about proper afternoon tea and the history of fish and chips. Had a good chuckle over the chapter about various religions and fasting (there used to be a lot more days for that) (especially Catholics) and how one could get around the forbidden foods (many established by priests). Cook or non-cook, you should enjoy this book.

Did you ever wonder about yodeling? Want to learn more? (Am I hearing a resounding "NO!" ??) Well, I did, and I found a book all about it! Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: the Secret History of Yodeling Around the World, by Bart Plantenga. I had no idea it is a global thing, just about every country has a version of yodeling. Used for singing, for messages, for celebrations, all kinds of things. Author includes information on finding recordings of all the styles (which dates it a bit) and lists performers (some you might know), and how it has evolved ... there is even a rap version! A bit dry in spots, but overall a most interesting read.

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I loved the description on the back for Barks and Clues: a Canine Cozy Mystery (book 1) by Sharon Michaels: a fun, clean mystery with twists and turns. :-) Three generations of one family working together. Dog detectives sniffing out clues. A small town with hidden secrets. All the elements for a great story, yes? Yes! It starts with a series of break-ins around the neighborhood and Maya (retired detective) doesn't think they are random. The dogs take them to an old shack with someone inside ... an inventor ... ? Really? Inventing what? And why in the old shack? (He's sure the 'bad guys' are looking for him, and the plans for his invention). A delightful, traditional cozy.

Here is the second of the Liturgical Mystery books from Mark Schweizer: the Baritone Wore Chiffon. You remember the main character here is trying to write a book in the style of Raymond Chandler, yes? Well, that continues, just as bad as before and parallels the 'real' mystery happening in Haydens life. It's heading in to Lent now, and again, there is an interim priest, although why this time is one of the mysteries. His wife wants to create "An edible Last Supper" with folks dressed like the famous painting and serving a buffet dinner. There are clowns, and snakes, oh, and a 'Fung Shui' Altar design that should keep you laughing. This time (no surprise) it's a baritone that is the victim, but there will be a surprise to come. Such a fun series!

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I got this book because there are German Shepherds involved and that's a favorite breed of mine! It's probably more of a teen or tween book than I expected from the blurb, but it was an excellent (if short) read! Sniffed Out is the first of the Search and Rescue Cozy Mysteries by Patti Benning. Evelyn has two dogs: one is a seasoned search dog for "live" finds, the other is in training as a cadaver dog. As green as he is at this, he's learned his lessons well and discovers a dead body! This won't take you long, and it's worth it.

Here is the third Veronica Vale Investigates book by Kitty Kildare: Death at the Craven Arms. Veronica is at the family owned pub to keep an eye on the most recent 'event' ... a paranormal investigator and author holding a ghost hunt! She does not believe in ghosts, but many do and the author is very popular. There are a few who are not happy, though, and not because they don't believe in ghosts, but because they don't want their ancestor exploited in any way. The plot thickens, as the saying goes, when the investigator is found dead at the foot of the stairs to the cellar. Will the ghosts help with the investigation?

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