It started with a PBS show recommended by Canadian Reader and ended with the book of the same name: Murder on the Home Front: a True Story of Morgues, Murderers, and Mysteries During the London Blitz. Molly Lefebure was the assistant to the forensic pathologist Dr. Keith Simpson. She took notes while he investigated the scene of death and/or did the autopsy (not all deaths were murder). This took them to horrible places of squalor, small rooms with no electricity or running water; buildings that had collapsed; and tiny medical facilities where a coat closet had become the morgue. Sometimes there were bombs dropping around them, too. Trained as a journalist, Ms. Lefebure writes what she sees, so this is not a book for the faint of heart. (Trust me)! An incredible memoir, the author ranks high on the list of books involving strong women I've used in this blog.

Here's an odd read: A Burglar's Guide to the City, by Geoff Manuagh. It was quirky and rather fun and decidedly a way of looking at things I've not ever even thought about! Most of us look for a door when entering a building, others do not. Fancy window ledges might provide toe or finger holds, fire escapes can indicate how many apartments or rooms are on a floor. Fire codes can tell a lot about a building, too. For many it's not what they take, but how they do it: they can be more familiar with the blue prints than the actual architect, they study traffic patterns, sewer and water lines, and so on. The vault may have a strong door, with alarms, etc. but what about the floor? The author also tells of thefts from times past to present day, not all of them solved. If you want something different, give this a try!

Reading Hermit With Dog