If I had known how this was going to end I might have waited to closer to the time when I'll have the next book! Fenella has decided to invite all her new friends to a 'real American Thanksgiving dinner'. One with turkey and all the proper trimmings. Not exactly where sure where she stands in her relationship with Inspector Wilson, she is pleased when asked to help on a cold case. (And is he opening it again, just to have an excuse to talk to her?) Invitations and Investigations, part of Diana Xarissa's Isle of Man Ghostly series goes along just as nicely as all the previous installments, until an unexpected and unwelcome announcement near the end. The next book is due out sometime this year!

A recommendation from Seattle Reader proved to be a violent departure from my usual cozy reads. Literally! It starts with a gun battle! The Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson, is set in a world (and series) he has created called Mistborn. I think this started as a stand alone but I see now there are others set it this same time (which is different that the others). I will describe this as fantasy/western/mystery, I think, as there were elements of each. After the battle, the main character returns home from the badlands to take up family responsibilities as his uncle, the only relative he has, passed away. Life is dull, there's even an arranged marriage (kind of a hoot, actually) until trains start arriving with empty cars. The boxcars are loaded, locked, and secured, but the cargo vanishes somewhere along the line. What is missing, and why, and how makes for an interesting read. Just about every one on this world has some sort of talent with metal, some have a talent with two. There is a sidekick who is NOT a thief ... he leaves something 'in trade' .... of course, that may be a loaf of bread in exchange for your silver! Great characters, but a lot of fighting.

It's been a while since I read a Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle, so was happy to meet up with the characters again in The Book Stops Here. Brooklyn has been asked to appraise books for the visiting show 'This Old Attic'. The first book is a real treasure, a beautifully bound version of The Secret Garden. This leads to an attack, several, actually, and the person who found the book at a garage sale ends up dead. Add to this that the host of the show fears he is being stalked. And just what is the connection to Mae West?

Reading Hermit With Dog