It's hard to believe that Don't Eat Me is the thirteenth Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery by Colin Cotterill. This one is a bit darker than the others, but still with the same wonderful characters and wit that I enjoy so much about this author. There were some tense moments this time, when familiar characters were in trouble and I found myself reading far into the night to find out what happens. (Consider yourself warned).

The Markham Sisters Cozy series, by Diana Xarissa, continues with The Ellsworth Case. Christmas is coming soon and the sisters are looking forward to a break in guests at their B&B. Counterfeit bills have been found at local businesses. Curiously, their guests are paying in cash. An obnoxious woman who has been staying with Mr. Chalmers suddenly shows up on their doorstep, willing to pay a lot to stay at the B&B, should they take her in? Interesting things keep showing up behind the shelves in the library, too.

A recommendation from Constant Reader took me to The Calculating Stars, by Mary Robinette Kowal. It looks to be the first in The Lady Astronaut series. What a read! It's an alternate history book: on March 2, 1952, a large meteorite hits earth. The eastern seaboard is pretty much gone. The aftermath will be devastating (think dinosaurs). The space program is accelerated as plans are made for colonizing the moon and beyond. Most of the (human) computers are women. Most of them were also pilots in WWII (ferrying planes around as needed). All of the pilots chosen for the space program are men. Think of the time frame here ... the 1950's ... discrimination, segregation .... (some things didn't change) ... the author does an amazing job weaving all these elements into her book. Wow!

Reading Hermit With Dog