I am quite enjoying the Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery novellas, by Diana Xarissa, they've been 'cheerful' mysteries, if I may call them that. There are no bodies to be found, just 'something' that needs to be solved. In the case of The Irwin Case, it's credit cards that are being refused. All over town, for several different people, all tourists. There is one connection ... can you find it?

Who knew being a photographer of food could be so deadly? Or is that even the reason for the murder? There are lots of suspects in Murder and Food Porn, the eighth Northwest Cozy Mystery by Dianne Harman. Once again Al De Duco and his Doberman, Red, take on the case. As usual, a nice 'northwest' feel to the story, and, in keeping with the theme ... recipes!

Although Patricia Lorenz grew up in a house with indoor plumbing, her grandparents had an outhouse and that was what she used when was there. For some reason that would later inspire her to gather stories about the history and humor and personal experiences all about the 'back house'. The result was Great American Outhouse Stories: the Hole Truth and Nothing Butt. There was one wife who did not want to return to the hunting cabin until there was an outhouse. Now, the husband (and others) certainly did not want to spend valuable hunting/vacation time building one, but then one of them realized they could build it at home where there was access to electricity and power tools. That's just what they did. On the front lawn, of a house in the suburbs! Outhouse tipping was a popular Halloween prank across the country. One had to be wary of 'other' residents: snakes, mice, and spiders. Catalogs were placed on the bench to use as toilet paper ... and some pages where better than others!

Here's a book where I would have liked a bit more information! Seems the author, er, artist, did 'custom' drawings of outhouses, based on someone's job, or an overheard conversation. At any rate, it was an interesting read (look?) and would make a good companion to the above entry: The History of Outhouses according to Robert F. Falk.

Reading Hermit With Dog