Old Moorhan's Shredded Sporran, the fourth in The Belchester Chronicles, by Andrea Frazier is best described as "another tongue-in-cheek romp for our intrepid decrepit heroes." That is perfect, and I quoted it in full, from the back cover. Lady Amanda and Hugo are home again, hoping for some peace and quiet after their 'vacation' in Scotland. Alas, that is not to be as Hugo's less than pleasant sister arrives, with two wild, destructive kittens. Priceless heirlooms have gone missing, and staff are dropping dead around the estate. Pay some attention to the names, they are listed at the front. They are often not pronounced how they look!

The Lawley Case, in the Markham Sisters Mystery series, is the last story in the last book I have by Diana Xarissa. I now have to wait for Canadian Reader's arrival in mid-December. This time the sisters have some truly annoying guests at the B&B, and Stuart, the gardener is worried about conversation he overhears at the hardware store. Could someone be growing .... special plants? And why has the stepson of an elderly friend of his returned? Aggie, the kitten, is beginning to display special talents, too, keep an eye (or maybe that should be ear) on her.

For a charming and delightful winter time cozy mystery, read Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women, by Emily Brightwell. Set in Victorian England, even single men have a house staff, and those working for Inspector Witherspoon often help with his cases. (Unbeknownst to him). After all, servants might not talk to a detective, or a constable, but they will talk to other servants! This year everyone had made special Christmas plans, but they may all have to be canceled when Inspector Witherspoon is given a case ... pretty much a cold case ... it is six weeks old and the initial man on the case bungled it badly. I picked this book up because of the theme, but it is the 36th title in this series! I may have to go back and start at the beginning. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog