It's war time, and a young man has died. Not a surprise, really, except that he had what was considered a 'safe' job working for the government painting buildings with a fire retardant paint. In To Die But Once, part of the Masie Dobbs books, by Jacqueline Winspear, Masie goes looking for answers. Lots of surprises here (as in family connections, cover ups, etc). and a good discussion of the 'other' casualties of wars, those not associated with combat. Well written, with a great 'period' feel.

Lettice Keighley-Armstrong is not pleased with the new vicar ... who is young. And female. Still, she agrees to attend a party at the church, where she becomes a bit tipsy, brags about the contents in her safe, and the next day she is found dead. Once again DI Falconer and DS Carmichael are on the case, this time assisted once again by the enthusiastic Constable Roberts. As they interview the residents of the small town of Shepford St Bernard, the meet up with several who could have had motive. Does the position the body was found offer up a clue? Is there a story behind what was actually in the safe? Grave Stones, by Andrea Frazer, is another wonderful cozy from the Falconer Files Mystery series that Canadian Reader left with me.

Murder at the Mortuary almost sounds redundant, doesn't it? It's the fifth in the Ginger Gold Mystery series by Lee Strauss. What is happening is that unregistered (that is, bodies without the proper paperwork, or any paperwork at all) are turning up at the mortuary where Haley Higgins is working. She recognizes the first body, which sets Ginger Gold on the hunt for what is happening. There's the hint of the Italian mob in this one, shady dock workers,and an exotic race horse (who might provide a clue). You might feel a bit bad for poor Lady Ambrosia (she of good Victorian stock), too ... Ginger has announced she is offering shelter for an unwed mother!

Reading Hermit With Dog