While reading an extremely dense and detailed non-fiction book I took a break and read the next of the Isle of Man Cozy Mysteries: Aunt Bessie Invites, by Diana Xarissa. One tradition that Bessie loved from her years living in the United States was Thanksgiving so she has continued to celebrate that ... and this year is the biggest gathering ever. When she goes out to a local farm to 'check on her turkeys' she discovers the wife in one of the old storage sheds, distraught over having discovered a body. An old body. This leads to events from the past, long enough back where memories might be dim, those involved dead ... and a new investigator with ... different techniques for solving crime. Can it be solved by the Thanksgiving dinner?

I do love finding a new author and series and I did that just recently! And, it's local! The Hatbox Murders is the first in the Elliott Bay Mystery series by Jennifer Berg. Set in Seattle in 1956 there are lots of nice period details here. When a woman insists that her friend would not have committed suicide, Inspector Michael Riggs reluctantly agrees to look into it. Conflicting reports on the victim indicate she had a double life. And, she has a somewhat unusual family. There are some interesting characters here, especially Victoria, a woman who helped with a previous case that caused her way too much notoriety and she vowed to never, ever help the police again ... but can she stay away? I can't wait to read the next book!

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National Park Ranger: an American Icon, by Charles R. "Butch" Farabee Jr., is one of those one-topic history books I enjoy. The first parks, or rather forest reservations, were protected by the military. Come 1917, women were popular as nature guides, but it would be some years yet until they could become rangers. Early on, predators were routinely killed off, as many fires as possible were suppressed ... until it was understood that some of both were beneficial. (Sequoia trees need fire to germinate their seeds). Today's rangers work on the land, in the air, and even underwater. Duties include search and rescue missions; enforcing federal, state and local laws; (which might require weapons training); staffing information booths; fighting fires; putting shoes on a horse or mule; controlling avalanches; creating websites ... the list goes on and on (see pg 154). Lots of interesting information and wonderful photos! The one thing that hasn't changed ... the familiar 'flat' hat. :-)

Here's a book that came out some time ago, but still makes a lot of sense. Well, sort of! Doublespeak: From Revenue Enhancement to Terminal Living: How Government, Business, Advertisers, and Others Use Language to Deceive You, by William Lutz gives a history of, and examples of .... doublespeak. Ways to say something that, in many cases, say nothing. We are so used to it we probably don't really even it hear it anymore, but it would be wise to listen carefully. From the amusing (elevator operators were members of the vertical transportation corps) to the frightening (an explosion at a nuclear power plant is an energetic disassembly), this was a most engaging read. (To be honest, there were many times when, even after several readings, I thought "huh?") Doublespeak is not unique to the U.S., either, and there are interesting examples of such from around the world. I'm hoping the author has an update in the works.

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Tall Reader loaned me The Colors of All the Cattle, by Alexander McCall Smith, part of his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I do love these books! This time Mma Ramotswe has been persuaded to run for office. Given her nature, she is very reluctant to do so. Why does her one vote cause so much turmoil? And, she's been asked to solve the case of a hit and run driver, from some months back, and some distance away. The youngest of her staff is the one who comes up with the possible solution. A nice read for an overcast winter day.

While this book, The Mitford Murders, was classified as historical fiction in several places, I'd add the word 'alternative' as author Jessica Fellowes took an actual event and a real family, and changed the outcome. Florence Nightingale Shore is on her way to visit a friend. She will not arrive alive. Who killed her, and why? Well written, with lots of period details.

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Is the phrase "mind your manners" used any more? What are good manners, and, what were they in the past? How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England: a Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts, by Ruth Goodman, explains proper protocol, especially in dealing with those of a higher class. How to bow (which can vary depending on the persons involved), where to put your hands, what to do with your hat, are all explained. Failure to do so could have dire consequences. The author then goes on to explain how one might insult or put down a superior in such a way where if they were to complain, they would look bad. It could be a subtle shape to a hand, or the turn of a hat ... although be careful, some hand gestures were so rude they could end with a duel! (I found the chapter on fighting a bit dry, but mostly this was very interesting).

A book title reminded me of a class I took, and enjoyed, some years ago: The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities, by Stephanie Meeks, with Kevin C. Murphy. It proved to be an amazing read! Historic preservation may have started 'from the top down' with the homes of where famous, white men lived, worked and so on, but face it, that can be, well, stuffy and pretentious, and limiting. The new preservation movement includes not just houses (often turned into museums), but all kinds of structures, including a playground, or even a handball court. It is making efforts to include those previously overlooked: Native Americans, Hispanic, African-Americans .... women. Tearing down the old to make way for the new is not always the best way to go. Turns out low rise, mixed use, re-purposed, buildings in town have many advantages over the big box stores further out. Areas where there are smaller, local businesses on the street level with housing above have revitalized many areas of large cities. Crime rate is down, and (always important) revenue for the city is generated. More pictures would have been nice.

This is a BIG book, but then, it is about a BIG subject: Bridges! It's a collection of pictures (incredible pictures) about bridges world wide. There's a nice history for each, as well as the expected stats: how long, how high, and so forth. I do suggest, though, that you read Bridges: a History of the World's Most Spectacular Spans, by Judith Dupre, at a table, it's a bit big and heavy to hold in your lap. :-)

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I put off reading Murder at the Grand Raj Palace, by Vaseem Khan because it is the last of the Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation books in print and I was hoping for news of the next one. That has not happened as yet, and I just didn't want to wait any longer! For a hundred years or more, the Grand Raj Palace Hotel has been the destination of the world's wealthy. It is a tradition of which they are most proud so when an American tourist (an extremely wealthy one) is found dead, they'd like his murder solved quickly and quietly. That's where Inspector Chopra and his elephant come in. Money is involved, of course, but why the painting?

When Fenella's brother calls to tell her he is coming for a visit, she is not sure just what to think. He contested the Will that gave her the house she's living in, his past calls have always been when he needs money. How will this all play out? Then, he arrives with a girlfriend. Turns out, she is from the Isle of Man and wants to hook up with her old friends. Is that really such a good idea? Guests and Guilt, part of the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series, by Diana Xarissa was another good read. I loved the title! If anyone can conjure up guilt, it's family!

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Due to events from her last adventure, Irene and Kai are on probation ... which means boring jobs ... at least until a door that should have returned them to The Library catches fire and collapses when they try to use it. Threats are made, to The Library itself, as in total destruction. Their enemies are strong, and, can they trust those closest to them? This grand adventure from the Invisible Library series continues with The Burning Page, by Genevieve Cogman.

The setting is a tranquil primary school in a small village. Two of the oldest women on staff are set to retire. Sounds so peaceful, doesn't it?! Instead, there is a murder and DI Falconer and Sergeant Carmichael are assigned to the case. Turns out, there are a multitude of motives and bad feelings going back decades. Pascal Passion is the fourth entry in the Falconer Files Murder Mystery series by Andrea Frazer. Don't miss the short story at the back: Battered to Death. It might just change how you feel about fish and chips. ;-)

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These are the last of the picture books for a while. For some reason I am just not finding ones that I like. Tall Reader has noticed this, too, it's as if they've lost their charm and whimsey. (At least for us). So, look for new posts Monday and Friday for now, but not on Wednesday. :-)

Timber used to be a huge industry in the Pacific Northwest, and there was a whistle, one with a very loud sound, that announced certain times of the day for the mill, a whistle that became very well known in the area, and because of that would go on to another location once the timber mills closed. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, local story! Big Ole: a Timber Mill Whistle in Bellingham, written by Todd Warger, illustrated by Ellen Clark, and based on a story by Ruth Tabrah.

Hello Lighthouse, by Sophie Blackall is a charming book about the last keeper at a remote lighthouse before it was automated. Watch how he makes it his home, how supplies, and people, arrive, and how he provides a service no automated light can. Wonderful pictures.

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After reading the 36th (!) book in the Mrs. Jeffries Mystery series, I went back and found the first: The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries, by Emily Brightwell. What fun it was the meet all the characters for the first time and discover just how Mrs. Jeffries and her house staff came to help Inspector Witherspoon with his cases. A local doctor has been found dead at his desk. It looks like the result of an accident with mushrooms, but is it? I quite enjoyed how Mrs. Jeffries guides her employer to the correct answer. Clever and fun!

Aunt Bessie's best friend, Doona, has won a week at an English holiday park and asks Bessie to join her. Since it's a family park, which means lots of children, Bessie wasn't sure it'd be all that restful. And it wasn't, but it wasn't because of the kids! Doona's ex-husband shows up, and then is found dead. You can guess who the prime suspect is, and Bessie gets to work clearing her friend. Aunt Bessie's Holiday is the next in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series by Diana Xarissa.

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Barn Dance: Nickers, Brays, Bleats, Howls, and Quacks: Tales From the Herd, by Anna Blake started out as a blog. I am glad she decided to gather them into a book as this was a fun read. Part animal anecdotes, part philosophy on life and aging, part advice on animal care (and the art of mucking) ... all done with a nice dash of humor. (Do note that the author rescues animals with health and/or behavior issues, so expect some more difficult reading, too).

Medicine interests me. It's one of those subjects about which I like to know something, but not too much. ;-) For that, The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and Other Curiosities From the History of Medicine, by Thomas Morris, was just about perfect. The author was reading a rather dull article about heart disease (from the 19th Century) when he spotted something of interest concerning an accident and a rather unusual injury. He went on to gather together information about medicine from the past, how it was diagnosed, how it was treated, in some cases how it happened, etc. I liked his non-judgmental style and his reminders as to what was done was what was best known at that time, however odd it sounds to us today.

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Lady Ingram is at a health spa regaining her health. Isn't she? If so, how does she end up dead in the ice house? Her (estranged) hubby is the main suspect, of course, so Charlotte steps in to find the real murderer. I loved her going undercover, and the scene where she and her 'brother' (the very sick, bedridden Sherlock) have to be seen at the same time is a hoot! As with the other books in the Lady Sherlock series, The Hollow of Fear, by Sherry Thomas, is full of evocative period details and good characters.

Caribbean Sunset with a Yellow Parrot, the fifth of the Belchester Chronicles, by Andrea Frazer has our senior sleuths heading to warmer climes for a school reunion, and the chance to invest in a winter retreat. Two of the party, on their honeymoon, are not amused by the change of plans that puts them on the boat with their employer! (And even less so when they discover the room she has booked for them has twin beds). To further confuse things, everyone in the reunion party has some sort of odd nickname from their past (fortunately, these are listed in the front of the book). As expected with this series there's murder, smuggling, deceit, and rum. Lots of rum.

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