In the early days of film, women did everything from writing to filming to acting … and any necessary stunts. Then sound was added, men took over and women became too frail and stupid to participate. Stuntwomen: the Untold Hollywood Story by Mollie Gregory is the history of the long road back. The discrimination against women and minorities was appalling. Men wore wigs and dresses, or were ‘blacked’ if the role required it. If women were actually used in stunts, they might be in skimpy clothing offering no way to wear the padding and protection the men wore. When one women complained that the cars for the chase scenes were delivered with no seat belts, and no brakes, she was told not to return to the set. And lets not get into the difference in pay for the same stunt! A depressing and powerful read.

I had mixed feelings about Secret Stories of Extinct Disneyland: Memories of the Original Park, by Jim Korkis. On the one hand, I loved the topic, remember some of the early rides, and enjoyed the interviews with folks who had worked at the park ‘way back then.’ On the other hand, pictures would have been nice (I know, I know, there’s copyright concerns);-), and the text could have benefited from a more careful proof reading. I chuckled over that fact that at one time, there was an intimate apparel shop on Main Street! Manikins in the windows wore costumes from the 1800’s, with curtains behind them to keep children (and men, who would have been embarrassed) from glimpsing anything they shouldn’t.

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The seventh in the Ginger Gold Mystery series, by Lee Strauss, is Murder at St. George’s Church. The good reverend Oliver Hill is about to be married. Everything is proceeding nicely. Until the choirmaster is found dead, bludgeoned with a pipe from the organ. Once again Ginger and Basil work together to solve the mystery in this delightful series.

I suggest moving directly on to The Wedding of Ginger and Basil, it won’t take you long! Originally an ebook, I’m glad it’s available as an actual book now. It’s their wedding day, and naturally things do not go as planned (it’s a mystery series, after all). Told from the perspectives of those involved, this was just a fun read. It’s called a ‘companion novella best enjoyed after Book 7, and I agree, that is the perfect time to read it.

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After watching several episodes of Mysteries of the Abandoned I went looking for some books. I found several! Abandoned: Hauntingly Beautiful Deserted Theme Parks, by Seph Lawless, is a book of beautiful photos of amusement parks where laughter and the crowds are a memory. The author actually remembers several from his childhood, making this all the more haunting.

Abandoned Places, by Henk Van Rensbergen is a collection taken from other books by the photographer. He is a pilot, which allows him to go all over the world taking these amazing pictures. Anything seems to interest him … cemeteries, theaters, tunnels … a nice read, or rather ‘look’ with a cup of tea.

Abandoned: the Most Beautiful Forgotten Places From Around the World has many photographers (they are listed in the back) and is published by Ebury Press. I liked how it was divided by category: Homes, Recreation, Rooms, etc. There are even a few cars, too. :-)

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I’m thinking I may have to reconsider my definition of ‘light hearted romp’ … it’s been used to describe two recent reads that I didn’t find to be ‘light hearted’ at all! This time it was Cold Skies, by Thomas King. It’s part of his Dreadful Water Mystery series, and while it was amusing, and offered a few laugh out loud moments, I’m (personally) not sure it was ‘light hearted.’ ;-) The main character, Thumps DreadfulWater (he’s Cherokee) is an ex-cop. After a devastating case in California, he has escaped to a small town and is working as a nature photographer. There’s an upcoming water conference bringing reps from various companies to town. The local sheriff is due for vacation and has asked Thumps to fill in for him. He keeps turning him down, but it’s hard not to get involved. Thanks to Canadian Reader for leaving this one here for me to read.

Otto Penzler is the editor of collections of mystery stories, usually with a theme (the Christmas collection is here on my shelf). Recently he has started a new venture: Otto Penzler Presents American Mystery Classics. It’s exactly what it sounds like, reissues of popular books from the past. What fun! Miss Pinkerton, by Mary Roberts Rinehart was the first I’ve tried. Miss Adams, the main character, is a nurse, but is rather fondly called Miss Pinkerton by DI Patton. There’s been a death, but whether or not it is murder or suicide has yet to be determined. Since there is an elderly resident (as well as elderly servants), it is easy to place Miss Adams in the house to have her observe what is going on. It’s a lot more than you might expect!

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Given the title, you know that War Animals: the Unsung Heroes of World War II, by Robin Hutton will be a tough read. Or at least I did. It was, but it was also a powerful read. The part that animals play in war times is incredible. Read all about these dogs, horses, mules, and birds in be amazed! There’s even one cat!

Leland Gregory has a series of ‘stupid’ books, of which Stupid History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Throughout the Ages is one. It’s a collection of historic ‘facts’ which may or may not be true. The pineapple is not native to Hawaii. Paul Revere did not ride to Concord. And despite what you might see in the movies, no battles were fought using chariots! Short entries, just right for reading during the ads on tv. ;-)

I’m not quite sure how I stumbled on to a small book titled luggage, by Susan Harlan, but I’m glad I did. Seems it’s part of the series Object Lessons from the Bloomsbury Press. These are books (most in ereader at the moment) about everyday things: coffee, pixel, phone booth and so on. They are quiet, reflective, thoughtful essays on the title subject. In the one I read, the author discusses how luggage has changed over the centuries, bringing in references from Shakespeare to both versions of the carpet bag that Mary Poppins carries (the movie and the book). It ends with the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama, a place that has become a tourist destination and needs luggage to get there!

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Poisoned Pen Press, based in Arizona, publishes mysteries (no surprise there, yes?). It is a smaller publishing firm and gives authors a personal touch. Authors appreciate this and were eager to contribute to their 20^th anniversary celebration in the form of a collection of short stories. Bound by Mystery, edited by Diane D. DiBiase is a wonderful array of short stories from cozy to gritty, across time, and across the planet. Most enjoyable!

A nice day of fishing comes to an end when a body if found in a drifting rowboat. Actually, ‘the body’ is still alive, but barely. Old skills come in to play (think nurse in the war). Can he be saved? And who is the one mysterious visitor? Inspector Darling and his Constable trace the boat back to where it was launched and discover a lapel pin featuring a bright, red swastika. A Sorrowful Sanctuary, by Iona Whishaw is the fifth in the Lane Winslow Mystery series. I love this series, it’s ‘local’ so the descriptions of the area are familiar, there’s bits of history from WWII in this area so I learn something with each book, just one of my favorite authors and series! :-)

Chime and Punishment, by Julianne Holmes came to me via Kiwi. It’s one of those nice cozy mysteries that are so much fun to read. This one is part of the author’s Clock Shop Mystery series and the main character has returned home to take over the family clock shop … think old, old clocks here, the kind that need rewinding on a regular schedule. The town is restoring their big clock tower, or trying to, at least, but the town manager keeps slowing their progress. Or, since it was her body that is found, bringing it to a complete halt! There are more suspects than first thought so figuring things out take some interesting turns. This is the third in the series, but wasn’t a bad place to start. :-)

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Here’s a great book for those who like to travel, whether for real, or in an armchair: Booked: a Traveler’s Guide to Literary Locations Around the World, by Richard Kreitner. There’s a wonderful description, often with a photo, of each destination as well as a bit about the author and his or her books.

Did you know there is a town where you are not allowed to die? Or how people are chosen for a police line up in NY? Or (my favorite) that artichokes once had ties to the Mafia? Find out all this and more in Now I Know: the Revealing Stories Behind the World’s Most Interesting Facts, by Dan Lewis. Taken from the author’s email newsletter this is an intriguing collection of trivia. Quite enjoyed it, but do wish there had been a bibliography.

If you watched Disney movies growing up, and are (ahem) of a certain age, then you saw the work of Ward Kimball, one of the animators for the Disney studios for decades. I picked up this biography partially because of that, and because I remember my dad telling me he and Mr. Kimball were friends. As near as I can tell, the connection is that they both played trombone! Anyway, The Life and Times of Ward Kimball: Maverick of Disney Animation, by Todd James Pierce, is a rich and detailed biography of an extremely talented man. It’s a good thing, too, because he had some …. quirks … that often annoyed both his fellow animators and Walt Disney as well! (He was described as both a genius and an outcast). Pictures would have been nice, but there is a great bibliography and index.

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It starts with a series of petty acts of vandalism such as breaking windows, or smashing flower pots. A racist word was sprayed on a door, and then a local was attacked. What is happening in the small town of Fallow Fold? Death in High Circles, Book Ten in the Falconer Files, by Andrea Frazier seems to be a sort of turning point in the series … perhaps … ? Old resentments surface, as do family issues, and Falconer himself comes to a life changing decision. This one felt more intense to me, but just as good as the rest of the series. To ease things a bit there is a wonderful new cat who excels at causing mayhem!

Ginger Gold and her Boston Terrier ‘Boss’ are out for a quiet morning walk. At least until Boss alerts to something in the bushes and a body is found. It turns out to be the (estranged) wife of Chief Inspector Basil Reed, and it seems she had a secret life. Against Inspector Reed’s wishes, Ginger goes undercover (something, we learn, she’s done before) in the crazy world of burlesque dancing. Watch out for the snake! I love how we learn more about Ginger with each book, she’s a lot more than she seems! Murder at Kensington Gardens is the sixth in the Ginger Gold Mystery series by Lee Strauss.

If you read the Charles Lenox Series, by Charles Finch, then you know the adult, grown-up Lenox, but what was he like when he was young, fresh out of University? What was his first case? Here he is, cocky, confident, insecure, doubtful, (ah, youth!), going against convention for his social standing by considering working (imagine!). A letter has appeared in the local newspaper about the perfect murder, and how it has already happened, and that there will be more. And soon there is a second body. Lenox thinks he can solve this case, and prove himself to Scotland Yard. The Woman in the Water is how he does so. Hard to put down!

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Did you know that bubble wrap was originally designed to be wall paper? Or just how old the hula hoop is? And just who was the last president with a mustache? The Story Behind: the Extraordinary History Behind Ordinary Objects is a book about those, and much more. Learn how now ordinary things came into being, when in and out of favor, or are still popular and why. Author Emily Prokop is the story of a Podcast with the same name. You’ll learn about this history of those, too. :-)

Mark Kurlansky writes wonderful history books, there are a few in my earlier blogs, and two (well, one, now) on my ‘to be read’ pile. Where would we be without paper? Think about that for a moment, then consider reading Paper: Paging Through History.  As humankind learned to write, we needed somewhere to put those markings, something that was lighter and easier to transport than clay tablets! Paper just wasn’t for words, either, but numbers, navigational maps, and music. And of course, that would evolve into all different kinds of paper from the cheap to the elite. Not to mention paper clothes (didn’t last long, the colors ran in the rain, but very cheap), paper towels, and toilet paper! Think recycling is fairly new? The first mention of the use of recycled paper was in 1031! Quite an interesting read.

A segment on a show on the History Channel took me looking for a book about Mare Island, or at least more information on that huge shipyard in California. I found it in another of the Images of America books I like so much: World War II Shipyards By the Bay, by Nicholas A. Veronico. The author’s grandfather worked at the Richmond Yards, mentioned in the book, along with Mare Island and other facilities. Men and women worked side by side to build a huge number of ships for the war. As usual there are wonderful photos, some of which I didn’t really understand (I know the caption mentioned what was going into a ship, but I didn’t always know what that was) and others which I thoroughly enjoyed, such as the bow art, or camouflage patterns. Be on the lookout for the ‘fashionable hat’ designed to keep long hair out of the way!

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