I started the Posie Parker Mystery series with a Christmas novella (see the December 25, 2017 post) and liked it, so went to the first of the series, Murder Offstage, by L.B. Hathaway so as to begin properly. :-) Posie Parker is a detective, with her own business, which has been slow. That is about to change. There is the theft of a priceless diamond (with a curse), telegrams that go missing, and, naturally, a dead body. An old friend of Ms. Parker has been arrested for the murder, but did he do it? This is a classic cozy, and a good read!

Here's one of those books I debated whether or not to include because I did quite a bit of skimming ... it sounded like something I'd like but the actual reading was, well, sometimes a bit dry! Still I did enjoy a couple of the entries so will include it, figuring you can make up your own minds. :-) The Book Addict: Stories of Bibliomania, edited by David Christopher Lane.

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The first book in the Kitty Weeks Mysteries came out last year, I see I posted A Front Page Affair on February 18, 2017. This time Kitty Weeks has been sent to a girls' school to write a story for a local newspaper. When one of the students is found dead, the adventure begins. Murder Between the Lines by Radha Vatsal, like the first book, is well researched and full of details of the time and location. Most interesting.

I had to laugh .... twice ... when I started reading the recommendation from Crafty Reader, The Pickled Piper (a Pickled & Preserved Mystery) by Mary Ellen Hughes. When the author asked her husband what her next series should feature, he answered "pickles" ... and ... friends and wait-staff who know me know better than to ever put something of a pickle(d) persuasion on my plate! That being said, this was a fun read. Interesting characters, good story, some nice twists, and, if you do like pickled things, recipes at the back.

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I read the next Bruno, Chief of Police mystery this week: The Devil's Cave, by Martin Walker. A lot of the story takes place in a cave, with secret tunnels and hidden ways in and out. This one seemed a bit dense and darker than the others, what with satanic overtones, illegitimate children, an inheritance, and a company saying it will make a wonderful vacation community, but has a bad reputation for not keeping their promises. Still, all the wonderful characters that I've come to enjoy so much are here, and it did keep me reading far into the night. :-)

I'll admit this is a bit of a stretch, but I'm putting these two books together because they both involve caves! Tall Reader shared the start of new fantasy series with me: Wings of Fire: the Dragonet Prophecy, by Tui T. Sutherland. Although written for younger readers, I enjoyed it quite a bit. There are five young dragons, the ones in the prophecy mentioned in the title. Some are more reluctant than others to fulfill their destiny. They managed to escape from the cave where they were being raised only to be caught and held prisoner by one of the warring queens. It seems a bit violent, to my way of thinking, but there are some wonderful moments too, and the interaction between the characters is a lot of fun.

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Home By Nightfall is the ninth in the Charles Lenox Mystery series by Charles Finch. Hired to track down a missing (and well known) pianist, our Mr. Lenox is called back to the family home in the country. He learns there have been many odd happenings .... thefts of books, blankets, etc. Now he's working on two mysteries! Always a nice read, this has been an excellent series.

It's back to the good old Pacific Northwest for Murder After Midnight, by Dianne Harman. She has several series going and this (no surprise!) is one of the Northwest Cozies. The title has a clue, of sorts, the murder occurs on New Year's Eve at a party catered by Deelish. The victim is well known in the entertainment industry with no end of suspects. Just a nice read for a dark winter afternoon.

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The Mechanical Horse: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life, by Margaret Guroff looked to be one of those nice little history books I enjoy. And, mostly it was, but I will say right up front here that I liked the first part of the book the best! An early name for the bicycle was "velocipede" (constructed from words for 'swift' and 'foot', p. 7). It had no pedals, mostly just a seat on a frame and the rider pushed it with his feet. The flats weren't so bad, downhill a thrill, but uphill hard (they could weigh as much as 70 pounds). As early as July 1819 there was a report of a child being hit because some one was riding on the sidewalk. Since there were no decent roads, interest soon waned. It returned after the Civil War, now with pedals (but still no brakes). Bigger wheels made it easier to cover ground, but harder to get on and off. Soon the size would become what we see today. Women were interested too ... and what a brouhaha they caused what with bloomers and showing off their ankles! Objections were made both moral and medical against the riding of such dangerous things! One serious outcome was "bicycle face" which was a permanent change in one's appearance due to the 'stress of incessant balancing'! (p. 47). Fun bits of trivia included why we call a road a turn pike, and why we say we'll ship an item when it travels in a wheeled mode of transportation. (And hey, you may enjoy the later chapters, too)!

There are many books about extremes (I've used a few in this very blog). They range from weather and sports to foods and couponing. I even saw titles on extreme knitting and origami! (And don't forget Lego creations). While 'extreme' is not used here, it did come to mind as I read The Queen's Dolls' House, by Lucinda Lambton. Created in 1920, it is a detailed replica of an aristocratic Edwardian residence. And I do mean detailed! There are paintings (by well known artists of the day) on the walls, wine in the bottles, monograms on the sheets and towels. There is running water, a working lift, and the gramophone plays wee records! The books in the library are the real thing (one is an original story by Arthur Conan Doyle). From the servants quarters, to a table set for a fancy dinner, to royal bathrooms, this is an amazing 'doll house'!

Every so often I read a book that pretty much baffles me. Think of something by Freeman Dyson or Stephen Hawking. This time the author is Janna Levin and the book is Black Hole Blues and Other Songs From Outer Space. I got started down this trail because Canadian Reader had seen and enjoyed the NOVA episode and had ordered the accompanying book. I missed NOVA (but am keeping an eye out for it) and went straight for the book. Its about the search for gravitational waves. And that's all I know! I enjoyed learning about the men and woman doing the searching, how they got started and so on, but beyond that my mind just sort of snaps shut! As with Dyson and Hawking, it's an interesting topic, good writing, but a at some point I'm thinking "huh?" Give it a try and see what you think! :-)

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These two books have something in common, but you'll have to read them to find out what that is (remember, I try for no spoilers). ;-) Twelve Angry Librarians, by Miranda James is from the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. The cat here is a Maine Coon Cat named Diesel, named for the sound he makes when he purrs. The victim is an "insufferable know-it-all" (back cover) that has declared librarians will soon be obsolete ... at a librarians convention! Now, who would want him dead? I figured this one out. Twice. I was wrong. Twice.

To the surprise of store owner Gemma Doyle, a very popular author wants to do a book signing in her little store, and has canceled engagements in New York to do so. Now, her take on the Holmes story has angered a great number of people, one who announces that at the book signing. She is thinking of changing publishing companies. There is a woman who follows her around claiming the ideas for the books were hers. There are just so many possible suspects! Body on Baker Street, by Vicki Delany is the second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries.

I think I can safely say here: beware of public speaking.

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A new series by Vicki Delany starts with Elementary, She Read, first in her A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma Doyle has moved from London to West London on Cape Cod to help her great uncle run his bookshop. Naturally, the focus in on the Holmes books, and, to attract more shoppers, there are dvds, games, tea sets .... pretty much anything you can think of that features any and all versions of the Great Detective. When an old, possibly valuable, copy of a magazine that contains the first Sherlock Holmes story is found tucked on a shelf, the adventure begins.

The Crowded Grave, by Martin Walker, is part of his Inspector Bruno series. This time a body is found in an archeological dig. A very recent body. Animal rights activists are busy in the area, but are they the real threat or is it something else? Loved the scene where we learn that Bruno hums when he cooks to time what he's cooking. :-)

The Lost Gardens: an English Garden Mystery, by Anthony Eglin, was a book I found when looking for something else. I love it when this happens! An American, Jamie Gibson, finds herself in England due to an inheritance from an unknown person. It's a huge, old estate, and there is money enough to restore it. There are many mysteries here: a body in a well, missing paintings from WWII, hidden entrances ... and is there a connection between the deceased owner and Jamie?

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I thoroughly enjoyed the earlier books I've read by the Monks of New Skete so was most interested in Let Dogs by Dogs. This time there is a co-author, too, by the name of Marc Goldberg. There is a lot of information, experiences, ideas and so forth so after my little blurb got longer and longer I decided to use the subtitle instead: Understanding Canine Nature and Mastering the Art of Living With Your Dog. :-)

I am always careful when choosing a true story about animals, I really don't want to read something where an animal dies. Jon Katz seems to understand this feeling because before you start Izzy and Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me, he provides this disclaimer " No dogs die in this book." Whew! Who knew that when Jon took on a long abandoned border collie they would end up as hospice volunteers! Izzy seemed to have a special understanding of the needs of someone near death and in hospice care and you will meet some of them in this book. He is truly a remarkable dog. Now, just so you know, while Jon's dogs are all fine, the visits with hospice often spark a conversation about other dogs who have died, not always in good ways. During the book Jon is struggling with his own depression (from past events) and the addition of a new puppy (his first in years), Lenore. If you love dogs, don't miss this book.

Do you have a cat or dog? Could they solve a mystery? For Creature Cozies editor Jill M. Morgan asked eleven authors to write a short mystery involving their pet. The results were amazing and fun! And, as I've often thought, our pets are smarter than we are. :-)

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Katherine Sullivan has retired from the police force and returned to her home town to be with her daughter and grandchildren. Sounds idyllic, does it not? That will soon change when a murder occurs at the home of the town's most wealthy family. Just what secrets will be discovered? The Fine Art of Murder, by Emily Barnes, is the first in her Katherine Sullivan Mystery series. A great start!

Couldn't wait ... here's the second Katherine Sullivan Mystery: Death in the Abstract, by Emily Barnes. This time Katherine has been called back to her home town because a good friend has gone missing. Lots of nice twists to the story here, and just when you think all the loose ends are tied up ... well, turns out, they're not! I'm liking the characters here, as well as the mystery. And now I do have to wait for the next book.

It was a beautiful wedding, until the groom was arrested for murder. Murder in Seattle is the next Dianne Harman Northwest Cozy Mystery. The victim was Uncle Vinny, originally from Chicago ... with mob ties ... Retired now, and wealthy, he is paying for the wedding and honeymoon. Since his nephew will inherit most of his estate, he is considered the prime suspect. Given Vinny's past, however, there are many others who could have had a motive. Again, interesting characters and a nice NW feel.

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Sisters dress warmly and head out into the night to dance in the snow, under the stars while waiting for something wondrous to happen. Story and pictures are equally engaging in SkySisters (yes, there's no space) written by Jan Bourdeau Waboose and illustrated by Brian Deines.

National Geographic puts out amazing books of photographs and Night Vision: Magical Photographs of Life After Dark, is no exception. Make your self a cup of tea and settle in to enjoy photos of the northern lights, animals at night, light festivals, fireflies, city lights ... this is a wonderful collection! Photographs are from Diane Cook and Len Jensehl, text by Susan Tyler Hitchcock.

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Who lives (and lived) in this country has influenced what we eat. For an intriguing look at American history, try The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites, by Libby H. O'Connell. How and what we eat has certainly changed! Beaver Tail was once a favored dish (there's a recipe)! Celery once graced the tables of the rich (and the "aspiring middle class" (pg. 168) with special dishes for serving. You will learn that dye has been added to foods since Colonial Days, that ancient Athens offered take out food, and, my favorite .... tamales are more actually more American than apple pie! An excellent, and sometimes mouth-watering way to learn history.

In keeping with, what, niche history perhaps ??, I read The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, by David Bianculli. A great history of TV, what was popular and why, shows that were turning points in how shows were written or filmed, this is an engaging history of the industry. I loved how it was divided up between sitcoms, medical shows, crime shows, and so forth. There are also interviews with actors, artists, producers, etc. Allow some time for this one, or read a chapter in between something lighter, there's a lot of information here. (Well worth it, though). ;-)

While I found The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures from The Library of Congress most interesting, I think it might not be for many readers! If you enjoy looking at old card catalog cards and pictures of some of the oldest books in the LC collection, then yes, take a look! If not, just move on. :-) I did like looking at some of the oldest cards in the collection (many handwritten) as well as the books they describe. I miss the drawers and drawers of an old card catalog! I liked browsing through them, heck, I even liked typing up the cards and filing them away!

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The Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery series, by Christopher Fowler, is popular so I was pleased to get Bryant & May: Wild Chamber as quickly as I did, even if it meant putting the holiday books aside. There's a new character this time, a recent police graduate, visiting from another country, who was hoping to be assigned to one of the modern, elite departments but finds herself with the PCU instead. The murders are connected by their location, the higher ups are trying to close the Unit for good, and Detective Bryant, believing that the English language is deteriorating, is bringing up, and using, obsolete and archaic insults.

Mack Dickson arrives unexpectedly at a conference given by the Manx Museum. He takes over the lead spot and makes an announcement that will have an huge impact on the area. Not long after, he is found dead. The 'how' is easy to figure out, he's allergic to peanuts, but the who and why take a bit longer to determine in Aunt Bessie Considers, by Diana Xarissa. (Part of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery series).

A Late Frost is another entry from the Orchard Mystery series, by Sheila Connolly. It's winter, certainly a slow time of year, but newcomer Monica Whitman has an idea for something to make the time more merry and fun. And it was working. Until she ends up dead. It looks like a simple poisoning, but was it?

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