I've worked my way through books on the states, learning about state flowers, flags, and so on and decided I needed to do the same for Canada. What I found was Positively Canadian: a Fun Guide to Canadian Language, Culture and History, by Heather Ann Pattullo. It's designed for those new to Canada, and learning English as well! There's a nice entry for each province (with pictures) and then exercises at the end on verbs, idioms, and so on. I would have liked a bit more ... is there a motto? What does the license plate look like? Is there a song? Still, it was a nice read and I especially enjoyed the chapter on 'weird Canadian words'!

I think I'm glad I didn't have to learn British history, especially about the monarchy! It's twisted and convoluted, and rather sad. There were lots of arranged marriages, usually to bind one country to another. If a male heir was not produced (and quickly) wives were banished (or worse) and 'other arrangements' were made. Those next in line might not want to wait and made plans to do away with their parents. Religion played a part, too, and sometimes a distant (but acceptable) person was crowned king or queen even though they couldn't speak English. One thing for sure, Behind Palace Doors: Five Centuries of Sex, Adventure, Vice, Treachery, and Folly from Royal Britain, by Michael Farquhar, is much different than the history books we read in school!

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Here's another great collection of Christmas stories: The Usual Santas: a Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers. Eighteen short stories are divided into three categories about acts of kindness, holiday noir, and holiday secrets. The first section is absolutely delightful and includes the return of the wonderful elderly lady who is 'up to no good' by Helene Tursten. (See blog post from September 20, 2019). All Maud wants is a little peace and quiet ... The 'noir' section is truly that, brace yourself, these are dark, dark stories. Well written, though, and compelling reading. Part of the fun of the third group of stories is figuring out the secret. This was a great read!

Christmas Sweets is a collection of three stories by three well known mystery writers. The one by Joanne Fluke, The Twelve Desserts of Christmas, was not really a mystery, but rather a nice story about six children who could not go home for Christmas (they are in a boarding school) and the teachers who stayed with them. The cook did not have time to make any desserts before she left, but fortunately one of the teachers has a sister with a bakery. They come up with a fun plan as to how they will pick the requisite twelve desserts. Recipes are included. The last thing Jaine expected, when applying for a job is that she would end up as an elf. (Let's just say blackmail is used). In the story from Laura Levine, Nightmare on Elf Street, she ends up in a horrible, tight, ugly costume assisting Santa. One horrible and often drunk, one nice and a delight with the kids. One ends up dead. I'll admit ... I did not see the ending coming! And lastly, the one from Leslie Meier, (who writes wonderful holiday themed mysteries), The Christmas Thief. Something big, make that huge, is going to happen over the Christmas holiday at the hotel where Elizabeth works so all vacations are canceled, and Elizabeth unexpectedly finds herself in a demanding job. One of her duties was to help guard some rare and expensive jewels, which, of course, go missing. She is a suspect, but her Mom and Aunt Tilly (not really an aunt, but everyone calls her that) arrive to help solve the crime. These made for nice reading, with a cup of tea on an overcast December afternoon.

Kate Kingsbury is writing a wonderful series, well, a sub-series, I guess, as the Pennyfoot Holiday Mystery series take place within the Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries. Christmas is coming, guests are gathering, a local ... a demanding local is preparing for her annual pantomime (always a disaster), new staff have .... interesting secrets ... and (naturally) a body is found. It is not a hotel guest, no one recognizes him other than to say he might have been at the gambling table (which is supposed to be for guests only), so who is he, and why is he dead? A Merry Murder is a nice winter time cozy.

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I have enjoyed the Elm Creek Quilts series, by Jennifer Chiaverini, for many years. Some time back, though, she stopped writing them and went on to historical fiction (they are good, too). Seems others were missing the Elm Creek gang, too, so the author provided us with The Christmas Boutique, just in time for the holidays. It was fun catching up with the familiar characters as well as meeting a few new ones. When the church that is supposed to house the annual sale is severely damaged in a flood, Elm Creek Camp steps into to provide a location, on very short notice. Lots of characters here, not all get along, there's petty jealousy and vandalism, it's also a story of redemption, family, and friendship. I sort of got the feeling it would be the last in this series ...

This was a wonderful read for one of our darker December days: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories, by P.D. James. There are four short stories, some with a twist, some written in first person with a nod or two to Agatha Christie! One features a witness who never came forward. Why? One uncovered a family secret long buried. Thoroughly enjoyable!

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Christmas is coming, folks are going nuts and Melanie's friend, Claire, has a new business ... give her your list and she'll do the shopping for you! It's going well until she discovers the body of her newest client. She had been living in a rather run down house on the estate of a rich (very rich) recluse. Why? And is there a connection to their high school years? And, for fun, there are puppies! Three abandoned puppies add to the chaos in a house already filled with Poodles (and one mutt). Here Comes Santa Paws is a fun, short, seasonal addition to Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series.

I picked this book: Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage because of the theme. It is part of the Churchill & Pemberley Mystery series by Emily Organ. I know that I jumped in to the middle of the series here, but a bit of background would have been nice (and it can be done without spoiling the earlier books, Diana Xarissa does this quite well). Seems Churchill and Pemberley are 'little old lady sleuths' so when a body is found during the annual party at the vicarage, they jump right in to find the murderer. There are some great 'nods' to the game of Clue, a fun 'hunt' for the mince pies, as well as the other necessary elements of a snow storm and an old house with .... secrets. Oh, and all the evidence is pointing towards Churchill and Pemberley. ;-)

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Robert Lopresti is a local author who writes some very nice mysteries. Turns out he also writes short stories which have been published in various magazines. Shanks on Crime is a collection of those, plus a few seen here for the first time. A thoroughly enjoyable read! There's not always a murder, sometimes it's something that happened long ago, and, there's even a nod to another pnw mystery writer! Great fun!

It's December now so I will soon be starting the Christmas/holiday mysteries I have on my 'to be read' shelf. I sort of jumped the gun with Death on the Danube: a New Year's Murder in Budapest, by Jennifer S. Alderson, but this is a new author for me and I was curious. Lana has been asked by a good friend who runs a tour business to take over as a guide (the original one had a accident and is in the hospital). Lana agrees, after all, she's always wanted to see Budapest! Then someone goes missing and the body is found floating in the Danube. Accident? Murder? Seems to be a lot of motive (everyone is from the Seattle area and there's lots of 'history' amongst those on the tour). This is the first in the Travel Can Be Murder series.

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We are near, very near, the last Aunt Bessie book (in fact, it's on order as I keyboard this). The 'yearning' in Aunt Bessie Yearns, is poor Bessie, wanting nothing more than a dull, quiet walk on the beach but instead comes across another body. She thinks he looks familiar ... who is he? Is there a connection to what is going on at Thie yn Traie? There is gathering of businessmen going on after all, so there really could be a connection, yes? I had to chuckle at the end, 'something' happened that I think has only happened one other time in all the mysteries I've read! This is part of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery series by Diana Xarissa.

Stealing the Crown looks to be the first in a new series by TP Fielden, A Guy Harford Mystery. Let's hope so! This was another great read by this author. It's London, 1941. Someone has been shot in Buckingham Palace. Looks to be a suicide, except the gun found next to the body does not belong to the victim. (Not to mention that a body certainly cannot be found in the Palace)! Guy Harford has been assigned to the case (reluctantly). Remember, this is war time ... who can be trusted? Are people telling the truth? Who might be a spy? This is fiction, based on fact ... see the author's note at the end.

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Lots of women worked at the Disney studios starting in the '30's. Walt Disney sought them out ... that's the good part. They were rarely, if ever credited, and poorly paid. Not so good, but given the times, not surprising. There were a few who made it 'up the ladder' because their work was so good. Disney might have been impressed, but it was rough going working with the other, all male, artists. And again, it was a long time before any of them saw screen credit. These names may have vanished into the archives, never to be seen again (okay, maybe that was a bit over dramatic, but it could have happened!), but for the efforts of Nathalia Holt, author of The Queens of Animation: the Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History. This is wonderfully researched (scan the notes at the end, they are interesting), and well written book. It is powerful and depressing at the same time.

For one of those reads with short entries (you know, to read during the commercials) (!) try Interesting Stories for Curious People: A Collection of Fascinating Stories About History, Science, Pop Culture and Just About Anything Else You can Thing of, by Bill O'Neill. The sub-title pretty much says what I would have said! There are few incorrect names, but overall a fun collection.

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Charlotte Holmes is at it again ... posing as the representative for her (non-existent) invalid brother, Sherlock, she is out to clear the name of a friend who was caught, holding the gun, in a room with two dead men. A locked room. There is a great scene where I wanted to cheer as a widow takes over what is rightfully hers (and I'll say no more so you can cheer, too)! Murder on Cold Street is fifth in the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas.

Why would anyone want to murder a librarian? (Okay, I guess I can think of a few reasons). And then go on to murder others? Find out in Murder by Dewey Decimal, one of the A Measurements of Murder Mystery books by Stephen B. Bagley. There have been break-ins too, both at the library and at houses in town (it's a small town). Obviously someone is looking for some thing, but what? Not a bad story, it kept me up very late one night!

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There are a variety of spins on the Sherlock Holmes books these days and one of my favorites is The Lady Sherlock Series by Sherry Thomas. Charlotte Holmes, a consulting detective (acting for her sickly brother Sherlock, because, after all, a mere woman couldn't really do this, right?) has been tasked with retrieving some letters that requires the theft of a rather large piece of art. From a public place and during a public event. Just how she pulls this off, with the help of a wonderful collection of friends makes The Art of Theft of great read.

It seems a gathering of crime writers is not all the, er, fun, it was supposed to be. One of those attending is extremely unpopular among the other writers so when he is found dead in the local Victorian Bath, few are upset. The thing is, he had arranged for the private use of the Baths so no one else was around, and there is only one way in and out, and someone is behind the desk at all times. The Royal Baths Murder is one of the Yorkshire Murder Mystery books by J.R. Ellis. I'll offer up just one hint: think 'hiding in plain sight'. ;-)

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Since it's hard, and certainly not recommended to do much traveling at this time, here's a nice arm chair journey: Hidden Places, by Sarah Baxter and illustrated by Amy Grimes. It is one of the Inspired Traveller's Guide books. These are (mostly) little known places. Many are hard to reach, but all have an interesting history and this is an enjoyable read ... especially since you won't have to hike, climb, row, ride a mule, etc. to get there! The illustrations add to the enjoyment.

I knew 52 Women of Whatcom was due out and so was keeping an eye out for it. It's from the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, and does not disappoint (well, except for one incorrect spelling of a name ....). There are short biographies and a picture of 52 women, from pioneer days to present time, who encouraged the building of schools, museums, hospitals and more. They were advocates of voting for women, and for basic human rights. Read it, share it, it's an excellent read!

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 I rarely read a fiction book that is not a mystery, but the connection to words and an old dictionary in The Grammarians, by Cathleen Schine caught my eye. Laurel and Daphne are twins. Identical twins. When they are very young their father brings home that huge dictionary by Samuel Johnson and from then on, they are hooked on words. The story line follows their lives ... school, jobs (there's a great twist here!), marriage, kids ... and eventually a falling out. A pleasant read, but, curiously, with a few grammatical errors!

I picked up The Vicarage Murder, by Faith Martin, because of the subtitle: An Addictive Crime Mystery Full of Twists. It is a revised edition of a book published under a different title, and under one of the pen names Ms. Martin uses. It is the first Monica Noble Detective books. Monica is a widow, and has recently married the Vicar of a small town. The house they live in, the vicarage in the title, has been made over into several lovely dwellings. Monica throws a party to welcome the new residents, and that's were the trouble starts. One of them is shot and killed, then there are others (of course). What is the connection? True to the subtitle, there are lots of twists to the plot!

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This book is most fitting for the times we are living in: The Psychology of Stupidity, edited by Jean-Francois Marmion and translated from the French by Liesl Schillinger. It's a collection of interesting essays on what makes people do stupid things, or levels of stupidity, how the internet affects this, and so on. You'll laugh, you might cry, or even nod your head when something sounds familiar ... it was an interesting read!

While not technically a book, I am including one of the wonderful special issues of Life magazine here: Michelle Obama: Her Inspiring Story. It's a nice biography of an amazing woman, and of course, since it's from Life, wonderful pictures, too!

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Lee Strauss is writing many series, one, the Rosa Reed Mystery series, with her hubby. The setting is Santa Bonita in California where Rosa has set up her private investigation business. She is hired to locate a missing family member, which she does. Only he is dead. And it's not the accident it looks to be. Murder at the Bomb Shelter, by Lee Strauss and Norm Strauss is the tale of the investigation that ensues, now involving the local police. The family is well known, dysfunctional, and known for not helping with, well, anyone who questions them about pretty much anything. How will they figure this one out?

Resort to Murder is the second in the Miss Dimont Mystery series by TP Fielden. Every bit as fun as the first, it too, has a body found on the beach. With no identification. Lots of possibilities here, it's summer, there's a top name band playing at the local theater, and a beauty pageant in progress. The second death ... well, let's just say it happened under unusual circumstances ... but how? Nice development with the characters as we learn more about their pasts.

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This one would have been fun to include with my October 30 post: Cursed Objects: Strange But True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items, by J.W. Ocker. Seems anything can be cursed ... a statue, a necklace, a doll, a chair ... The author explores how something got cursed, what that curse is, and how many people have been affected. He has a rather enjoyable tongue-in-cheek style when discussing, say, if a statue over a grave is cursed because it turned black, or if it was because the metal was exposed to the elements! There's a Whatcom County connection with one of the items ... well, maybe!

In the past I've always tucked a copy of The Old Farmer's Almanac in the stocking of a friend of mine ... well ... this year she has already been given TWO and she passed one on to me. :-) I've not read one in ages and the 2021 edition by Robert B. Thomas proved to be an interesting read. I skipped over the planting schedules but enjoyed the articles on nature, astronomy, amusement and so on. The weather forecasts were fun, too. Now, whether or not I will remember to pull this off the shelf to check if it was accurate is another story! ;-)

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 I am quite enjoying the Countess Harleigh Mystery books by Dianne Freeman. The asides on what can and cannot be done in stuffy company are a hoot! The most recent is A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder. An ... unexpected situation ... means that Lily's wedding will have to happen sooner rather than later, but it still needs to be done properly ... there is an estate in Risings that might work and all the required people head there. Then, of course, things happen ... falling luggage (a huge cart-full), a poisoning, someone is shot by an arrow ... accidents or not? And who is the actual target? And then Lily's mother arrives from the U.S. (shudder!) Can the wedding actually go on amidst all this?

In need of something to do with my dog I looked up books about activities, training, and so forth and found The Canine Kingdom of Scent: Fun Activities Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts, by Anne Lill Kvam. Lots of things to learn here! From simple to more complex it's a great selection of nose work with clear and easy to understand directions.

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Since reading All Creatures Great and Small (and all the others) by James Herriot some years ago, I've sort of kept a look out for other books by vets. Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America, by Dr. Bo Brock is the most recent. Dr. Brock has a mixed practice in West Texas, which means, he can be called on to treat anything, including an ostrich with a thorn in her foot. When distances are great, client and vet might meet at a half way point ... say, a football game! (At least there is decent lighting)! A most enjoyable read.

For something that should make you smile in these somewhat depressing and chaotic times, try Queen Elizabeth II's Guide to Life, compiled by Karen Dolby. It's a collection of anecdotes and quotes and observations on the Queen and duty, family, diplomacy, manners, and of course, her horses. Many are quite funny and will make you chuckle. The Queen has a delightful sense of humor (humour)!

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 In need of a short read one day, I opted for another of the Markham Sisters mysteries: The Tanner Case, by Diana Xarissa. A wedding is being planned, but (of course) not all goes as expected. Jane is checking out various venues ... but at each one there has been graffiti sprayed on the front doors with messages like "this is a terrible place for a wedding". There are three companies providing these services, all are hit. There's no other competition so why all of them? Love the twisting details in this one. :-)

The second in the Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery series by Andrea Penrose is Murder at Half Moon Gate. The body of a talented inventor was found in an alley in a part of town where he had no business being ... or did he? You know it's not a simple mugging! He had plans for remarkable improvements to the then new steam powered engine. Not everyone is happy with this progress because it will take jobs away from humans. Others see it as a way to make a lot of money. Wrexford is pulled into the investigation and once again asks Charlotte to help. She has a group of 'informants' (think Baker Street Irregulars) who help her with getting information she uses to create her political cartoons and they prove to be great help here. Soon there are other bodies, too, seems the killer is not afraid to remove anyone who might be dangerous to him or her. Wonderful atmospheric read!

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Found a couple of books on a rather odd subject (but one I've used before) ... tombstones! Epitaphs: a Dying Art is a thoughtful collection of what was found in cemeteries, churches, plaques and so on. Some are flowery and long, some are brief and witty, some very sad. An interesting read edited by Samuel Fanous.

Here's the other book about tombstones ... well, that as well as what someone might have wanted on a tombstone, or final words, etc. R.I.P. Here Lie the Last Words, Morbid Musings, Epitaphs & Fond Farewells of the Famous and Not-So-Famous, edited by Susan K. Hom. Divided by epitaphs, musings ("poking fun at death") and farewells, this was a rather fun read!

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The Murder at Redmire Hall, by J.R. Ellis is part of his Yorkshire Murder Mystery series. It is a classic 'locked room' mystery this time involving magic. Years ago Lord Redmire's father performed the trick once, and only once. It's the one where a person walks into a small room, which has been inspected for any escape routes, the door closes and opens, he is gone, the door closes and opens and he is back. It is never explained how it is done. Many years later, in the hope of raising some funds (the current Redmire is a gambler) the trick is performed again (he has found out the 'how'), only this time, when he reappears, he is dead. Once again DCI Oldroyd is present at the time of death and leads the investigation. I actually figured part of this one out before the end, see if you can, too. :-)

The Thursday Murder Club is the debut novel for Richard Osman, and what a wild ride it was! Set in a rather posh retirement facility, there is a group that meets every week (you can guess which day, I'm sure) to discuss old, cold cases. (one retiree was a cop). When a real murder occurs, they are eager to help. With a wide variety of talents they actually do help ... and the police, if somewhat reluctant at first, do include them in the investigation. Great characters (watch out for Elizabeth!), nice bits of humor, and lots of twists and turns, this was a great read for a rainy weekend.

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 Here is the second Laetitia Rodd Mystery by Kate Saunders: The Case of the Wandering Scholar. Laetitia is actually on a short holiday when she is asked to look for the missing brother of a man who is dying ... he wants to be reunited before he dies. What caused the estrangement? And where does she even start to look? The brother left college some years ago to pretty much 'live off the land'. He has been spotted from time to time, but has no permanent location of any kind. Remember, appearances are important in this age so she has to be careful who and how she asks what questions ... she is a 'private detective of the utmost discretion' (says so, right on the cover)! This is a great series, but at the moment, there is no word as to if the author is at work on a third book. Let's hope she is!

Kudos to Canadian Reader for finding another wonderful 'first' book! The Riviera Express, by TP Fielden introduces us to some wonderful characters and a delightful mystery. First off ... the name ... the Riviera Express is both a newspaper and a train! How fun is that? Secondly, the victim died on said train, in a private, first class seat. Then a body shows up at the bottom of a cliff, one where the path above was clearly marked as dangerous ... Now, the man in the train was 'important', the man at the bottom of the cliff, not so much. What is the connection? Was there one? I've already ordered book two!

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 Now, I'm not one to cook, but I do enjoy hearing those who do tell me about, oh, baking, trying something new, finding a new 'perfect' pan for (name of meat, pastry, etc. here). And, I quite enjoyed How to Dice an Onion: Hacks, Tips, and Tricks for the Home Cook, by Anne Sheasby! Granted, I didn't always understand what was being said (thankfully there is a glossary included), but it was fun!

Here's one of those curious books (for me) that I pick up every so often: Kicks: the Great American Story of Sneakers, by Nicholas Smith. It made me think of getting a new pair of tennis shoes every September. To be worn only for PE after which is was back in my heavy, clunky, corrective shoes again. And also of some of the wonderful stories by Ray Bradbury, also about new tennis shoes and how wonderful they felt! This is not that! It's more .... invention, advertising, marketing, competition .... two of the biggest names started in one family, but there was a falling out between brothers. Early on, the shoes were designed to help with traction (running tracks were awful). Later, as they were adapted to more and more sports, support and careful fit became part of the design process, too. Then, of course there was star endorsement! Various styles became so popular that there were murders, just to get the shoes. Not a bad social history. Like the author, you may find your self checking out what shoes someone is wearing after reading this!

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 Aunt Bessie has taken a bit of a fall on one of her walks along the beach, and that sends her off to the hospital for some X-rays, where the receptionist asks for her help. It also leads to the title of this next mystery by Diana Xarissa: Aunt Bessie's X-Ray. A friend of that receptionist has died in what was determined to be an accident, but she believes it to be murder. Will Bessie help out? This is one of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books.

I have learned a lot about Poodles in Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis Canine Mystery books. It is a fun series! In Bite Club Melanie has started a book club, soon to be taken over by Aunt Peg! Someone new to the area, and the book club, has asked for help with his puppy, Melanie is glad to help, but when she turns up for a lesson one day, she finds his body. He seemed so quiet, and mild mannered (don't they all??) but as she delves into his past, nasty things start to emerge. Look for an Agatha Christie sort of ending here!

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Posie Parker is finally getting married! Everything is set for the perfect day. Except that when Posie enters the church, the flowers are all wrong (she arranged the proper ones the day before). And who is the strange vicar at the front of the church? (And with a gun??) Not to mention, the groom does not show up. And so begins the next adventure in the Posie Parker Mystery series by L.B. Hathaway (this is #9). Marriage is Murder is a novella, and therefore a short, easy read.

I loved the comment on the front cover of Mrs. Entwhistle, by Doris Reidy: "When you're over the hill, you pick up speed." The more I read this book, the better I liked the characters (book #2 has been ordered). Mrs. Entwhistle thwarts a would be burglar (there's a very interesting outcome here), helps serve meals on Christmas when her kids are 'too busy' to come see her, attends a high school reunion (watch out for the 'most popular' student, he's there, too) ... and has many other adventures. Just a fun read that is probably more appealing to those of us of a certain age. :-)

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If you like mysteries set in Regency England, you will surely enjoy Murder on Black Swan Lane, by Andrea Penrose. It's a time when satirical cartoons are often the most popular thing in the daily newspaper, and A.J. Quill is the best there is. Those 'skewered' wonder how so many details of their lives are discovered. Can't say too much here, but this is a great mystery, lots of fun twists, a great new partnership, and some wonderful period descriptions.

A week at Lakeview Holiday Park should have been fun ... a nice break from school and work, with lots of activities for both kids and adults. It was anything but (of course). Doona (who recently had an unexpected inheritance from her ex) was surprised when her solicitor shows up. There are obnoxious and demanding guests. And (you knew this was coming), a body. Turns out, lots of folks had motive. And let's not overlook all the, er, 'extra-curricular' activities amongst the (supposedly) adult visitors! Aunt Bessie Wonders is part of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books by Diana Xarissa.

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Pets have been important to people for a long time. Careful research on the part of author Mimi Matthews tells of many of them in The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Josephine had a dog, one who was with her all the time, including her wedding night, and that's when Napoleon got bit! (He would carry the scars for life). There are lots of dogs, some cats, and birds, donkeys, and rabbits and more. And while not pets, exactly, the chapter at the end, on the flea circuses that were once so popular was fascinating.

I don't like sports all that much, and don't follow any of it on tv, etc., so this was a somewhat unusual read for me: The History of College Nicknames, Mascots, and School Colors, by Gary Hudson. I guess it was just quirky enough to appeal to me! And, it did turn out to be a fun read. The colors for one team were inspired by a large field of dandelions in flower, another by a large hat (think 1920's) worn by a woman on a train, and one by which colors could be delivered to an island (not all of them could). A team in Texas has the cougar for a mascot ... which was influenced by none other than Butch at Washington State University!

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A nice (well, mostly nice, there's always Ambrosia to deal with) family vacation comes to an abrupt halt when a trunk surfaces near their sail boat and a body is discovered. As it turns out, in this 'nod to Agatha Christie' by Lee Strauss, it is someone known to most of the others staying at the hotel. Who had motive? Did the staff see anything? Murder at Brighton Beach is another delightful read in the Ginger Gold Mystery series.

I have enjoyed the Lucy Stone Mystery books by Leslie Meier for many years now. Many have a seasonal or holiday theme, which makes them a perfect choice for, say, Halloween, St. Patrick's Day on so forth. :-) Invitation Only Murder felt a little darker than the others (I've noticed this with other series, too). A chance for Lucy to write a nice story for the newspaper is spoiled by some nasty goings on with what turns out to be a dysfunctional family (read a couple like this, too. Not all were fiction). The body on the beach ... was it an accident? And why did the twins go missing?

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You may or may not know the name of Alan Jay Lerner, but there's a good chance you'll know at least some of the lyrics he wrote, even if it's just the one associated with John F. Kennedy: "...for one, brief, shinning moment ..." The Street Where I Live: a Memoir is a fun and cleverly written (given many of his lyrics, I guess this should come as no surprise) autobiography. Putting together a musical is a lot of hard work, late nights, re-writes, all of which are explained here. There are some wonderful anecdotes, too. Lerner once had a meal with the Queen where he was seated next to Prince Philip (who is a witty and amusing conversationalist). Lerner learned that Philip had learned to speak French from his English nanny. Who had a Cockney accent! Quite an enjoyable read.

Kristin Knight Pace was born in Texas which must have given her the desire for big, open spaces. She would spend time in Montana before ending up in Alaska. Her book this much country: a memoir, is about how she got there, and ended up running both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. Well written, but I was saddened by the use of a lot of bad language. I know, I know, it's the way books are written these days (or so I've been told more than once), but I just don't care for it and find it can get in the way of what was a wonderful description of something.

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The next in the Posie Parker Mystery series (#8) is Murder on the White Cliffs, by L.B. Hathaway. I found this one a bit more intense, I think, there was a lot going on! So much was so secretive during the war that it's hard to know just exactly what was going happening, who knew what, who you could trust ... all that is beautifully handled here as Posie tries to solve the murder of a housekeeper. Why so much interest in a mere housekeeper? And how do the fashion designers fit in? I love the history I'm learning! :-)

I really do try and make the Markham Sisters books last, but they are short (five in this collection) and fun, and well, I just sort of keep turning pages. In The Somerset Case, someone has been delivering flowers to the waitress at a local cafe. Every day. At first it was flattering, but soon it's overwhelming, and the notes (unsigned) are getting, well, creepy. Valentine's Day is coming and that, the notes promise, is where it will all end.

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While reading an alumni magazine I came across a familiar name, and discovered said person had written a book. Robert Storms was a music teacher in a local school district, and there is a connection here ... he knew my dad (also a music teacher), and was the conductor of a band that used to play in the local parks in the summer, which was my summer job! Retired now, he wrote a book about being a middle school music teacher. School Stories: the Funny Thing About Music was a fun read. If you were ever in a band, choir, or orchestra (or had kids who were) you will be chuckling as you read this book.

Some time earlier this year Constant Reader told me about a cat who had died, a cat that had a following, books, and even a movie. A cat with an interesting life story (hence the books, etc). That sent me looking for the beginning of it all: A Street Cat Named Bob and How He Saved My Life, by James Bowen. The author was basically homeless, busking to make enough for food, and on a drug rehab program when he comes across a cat. Reluctant to take on the responsibility for caring for the orange feline, he looks into other possibilities, but finally realizes they need each other. He names him Bob. Life changes for both of them. A wonderful story of what having an animal in your life can do!

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 I was sure I'd read Murder by the Book when Canadian Reader first told me about it, I even thought it was on a pile I'd saved for her! (It did sound awfully familiar!) I was wrong! It is the first in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, by Lauren Elliott. A familiar plot, to start with, main character gets an unexpected inheritance (including a house), life is not going well where she is so she moves to the small town where the house is and opens a bookstore. Things to not go well ... the action starts on the first page ... there is a strange car lurking about (sometimes seemingly trying to run her over), both the house and store are broken into (several times), other store owners are unfriendly ... what the heck is going on? Read it and find out! ;-)

One of the characters in the Markham Sisters mysteries has always been a bit of a mystery, and this continues in The Rhodes Case. We know that Edward does 'something' for the government and has, in the past (before they owned the B&B) used Doveby House has a safe house. This time, however, when he arrives, they are to pretend they have never met. Why? Who is the young man he brings along, and is there any connection to recent robberies? Author Diana Xarissa has created a wonderful series here, nice little mysteries all with no bodies! :-)

It looks like a natural death, the victim was overweight, had heart problems, never exercised and ate poorly. He had been warned that something (several things) needed to change by his doctor. And who could he anger? He was a researcher, dealt with old papers, histories, things like that. Still, it was 'off' enough for Bruno to call in the ME. Fatal Pursuit, by Martin Walker deals with rare cars. Extremely rare cars. Cars collectors will pay huge amounts of money to own, and perhaps, even kill to get one. Considering that I'm not all that interested in cars, this was a fascinating read. ;-)

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Did you ever give much thought to your address? I didn't, or at least not much beyond there were even numbers on one side of the street, and odd on the other ... and that 'street' was a city address and 'road' a county address. There's actually an interesting history here and you can read about it in The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power, by Deirdre Mask. When and why were houses first given numbers? Who determines the names of streets or roads? How do those change over time? You've heard of vanity plates for cars, but did you know there are vanity addresses (for a price)?

There are lots of things we take for granted these days, but hey, who was the first? (For me, artichokes come to mind)(!) That is explored in Who Ate the First Oyster? The Extraordinary People Behind the Greatest Firsts in History, by Cody Cassidy. The author interviews archeologists, anthropologists, scientists, sociologists and so on to come up with a person (to whom he gives a name) that were the first to brew beer, carry a baby in a sling, use a bow and arrow, and even what might have been the first murder victim. This is a fascinating book!

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 When I realized I had two mysteries starting with Q, well, I just had to post them together, yes?

The next 'bunch' of the Markham Sisters by Diana Xarissa books are out! This time the collection is QRSTU. They come out first as ereaders so I have to wait for the book form. In The Quinton Case a long lost, and decidedly smarmy, cousin shows up claiming to have a will that left HIM everything and not the sisters. Too many bells and whistles go off for Jane and Janet to agree to what he wants (much to his annoyance) so lawyers get involved. Now, since this is a 'cozy' and the series continues you can figure out the conclusion, I'm sure, but ... you will not see the twist that came at the end!

The Quartet Murders, by J.R. Ellis, is the second in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series. DCI Oldroyd is attending a concert of a string quartet, something he had been looking forward to for some time. The music is glorious and the audience spell bound and then the first violinist is shot and killed ... on stage. Lots of interesting twists and turns here, who knew the desire for instruments could be so ... well, competitive? And what about the connection to WWII? Loved the bits of history on the Stradivarius strings that started each chapter.

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One of the comments on the front of The Sheep Stell: Memoirs of a Shepherd, by Janet White is "lyrical" and that really fits this book well. A childhood in England in WWII made the author want to live somewhere wild, but quiet and peaceful. To make her parents happy, she went to school long enough so she could continue on to university, but never did. Instead, she looked for farms needing help with animals, specifically sheep. She worked in England, Wales, and New Zealand. She was happiest working alone taking care of everything herself. For a while that was on an island in New Zealand. There was a house (no plumbing or electricity) and pens for the sheep and a barn. Everyone and everything had to come by boat. There was a signal, created by fire, should she ever need emergency help. I'm not doing the book justice here, it is a beautiful read by a strong woman who lived an incredible life.

I have mixed feelings about The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: the True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession, by Allison Hoover Bartlett. Well written yes, but one of the things successful thieves like, I'm told, is recognition of their skills ... isn't that what this book does? The thief is never remorseful and often seems surprised when he is sent to jail (he didn't steal, he claims, he wrote bad checks). There is a detective who is determined to track him down, and, of course, the author who becomes fascinated by the world of rare books. An unusual and intense read.

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