This book caught my eye because of both the author and the subject. Elizabeth Letts has written other books about horses, and has done a wonderful job. This time she put time and research (and travel miles) into following the route of Annie Wilkins, who, in 1954, rode from Maine to California. The Ride of Her Life: the True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America tells of harsh weather, the kindness of strangers, scary encounters with the then fairly new idea of a road trip in the family car, sleeping in jail cells, or in fancy hotels. She never stayed long in one spot (she didn't want to be a burden), and never sought out sponsors or the spotlight. It's a fascinating look at a different time. Check out my blog of June 2, 2015 for another book about this, this one written by Wilkins.

Have you ever considered living in a van? Not the big, fancy RV's you see on the road sometimes, but the smaller type? For the record, I have not, but, it seems, Kiwi has, and loaned me The Falcon Guide to Van Life: every essential for nomadic adventures, by Ben and Roxy Dawson. Lots of information here, on things like cost (of fitting out the van, to insurance, gas, etc)., whether or not to include a bathroom (why and why not), suggestions for menus ... as well as routes to take, parks to visit ... it does seem to cover everything! Some good pictures, too. I enjoyed the 'balance', the good with the bad, the pros and cons. If you have ever pondered such a life style, whether just on the weekends, or full time, this is a good place to start.

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For a look at what happened to politics after the election of 2016 read Of Bears and Ballots: an Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics, by Heather Lende. This author has been in my blog before, she has a wonderful style of writing. Haines, Alaska is a small town, everyone knows each other and gets along. This does not mean they are always in agreement, but they are friends and neighbors. Council meetings, etc., used Robert's Rule of Order, folks are addressed formally, and things get done, decided, etc. This changed after November 2016 ... people were less polite, there was angry controversy over a fishing boat harbor, and an angry recall of a recent election (that is, the 'right' people didn't win). This all played out on the national level, too, but in this small town, you get a very personal look at it. My copy included an update as to what followed: a huge storm (snow, rain, mudslides) and the pandemic. Well written and thoughtful.

Here is a history of a very small, but extremely useful item: The Pocket: a Hidden History of Women's Lives,1660 - 1900, by Barbara Burman & Ariane Fennetaux. Men's clothing, it seems, have always had pockets, not so for women's clothing. Women dealt with this by making tie on pockets, little 'spaces' that would tie on under a dress or apron, accessed by a slit in the outer layer(s). All women, from duchess to house maid had one, sometimes more, that could hold, well, just about anything: ribbon, pencils, thimbles, ducklings .... Girls were taught at a very young age to make them, and many were decorated with fancy stitching or embroidered designs. Women could recognize their work, and those of their relatives or friends, which proved useful when identifying one that had been stolen and then recovered. (It's the inventories of these that give an idea of what was carried). A bit dry in places, but an interesting subject.

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Electricity is new. It has just been featured in a dazzling and highly successful display at the Crystal Palace, so why does one of the inventors kill himself? The Inventor, part of the Penny Green Mystery series, is by Emily Organ. There are several men working on improving the filament ... so, was he being accused of patent theft? Or something else? This is a fun, hard to put down series. Nice bits of history of the Victorian era, too.

Death at the Chateau Bremont, by M.L. Longworth is the first in the Provencal Mystery series, and came as a recommendation from Canadian Reader. When an important person falls from an attic window it is assumed to be an accident. Or maybe suicide. And so the rumors start. Antoine Verlaque must figure out which are true and which are not. Was someone angry with the victim? Who benefits from his death? Things get more complicated once the brother dies and there is no question, it's definitely murder. Good mystery, with beautiful descriptions of the countryside and food, reminiscent of the Bruno books by Martin Walker.

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Just like the first book in the Guy Harford Mystery series, Burying the Crown, by TP Fielden is based on fact. (Read the author's note in the back). Guy Harford is an artist and that is what he wants to do, but instead, he is drawn into mystery, scandal, and secrets involving the Royal Family. It's war time, though, so who can be trusted? What is the real truth? And what's with digging up a biscuit tin?

Although they took place in a different war, there are secrets in Ginger Gold's past, too. Some of them might be surfacing in Murder in Belgravia, by Lee Strauss. Who is the women who protests the wedding of Ginger's sister-in-law? And why is she calling the groom a strange name? Ginger does not understand why a few of the guests were invited, what is their connection? Much of what Ginger (and others) did in WWI is still classified, no one is supposed to talk about their duties. This is the challenge (well, that and being pregnant) faced in the 17th Ginger Gold Mystery.

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The Peculiar Crimes Unit has been disbanded.  Many of the 'higher ups' are relieved. (It really is a strange bunch of people, after all). Until there are some odd deaths of important people and the unit is called in to help. All the deaths happened in a different way, so how could they be connected? And why? Bryant & May: Oranges and Lemons is part of the Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery series. Love the combination of modern day computer sleuthing, and good old fashioned leg work!

The Meg Langslow Mystery series has been going on for many years ... the infant twins are now young adults! They are showing an interest in something there mother does: blacksmithing, and are helping out at the Renaissance Faire. It's a huge event and actors have been hired to stage 'events' to amuse those attending. One (of course) ends up dead, but he is not well liked so there are lots of suspects! Read The Falcon Always Wings Twice, by Donna Andrews, to find out the who and the why. :-)

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There are arches that lead no where, strange little parks, windmills, and noses (just noses) on walls. Find out about these, and so much more, in the well titled book London Curiosities: the Capital's Odd & Obscure, Weird & Wonderful Places, by John Wade. Fun!

As with other books these days, Artcurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd, and Strangely Wonderful in Art History, by Jennifer Dasal, started with her podcast. Years ago, when needing a Humanities GUR in college, a counselor (whom she thanks in the acknowledgments) signed her up for an art history class. At the time she was not amused, but it changed her life and led to her career as a curator of modern and contemporary art. Imagine Monet (and his cronies) as rebels! The theft of the Mona Lisa. The CIA and Jackson Pollack! The somber, powerful works by Norman Rockwell dealing with Civil Rights. There's even a chapter on the possibility that Jack the Ripper might have been an artist popular at that time. A most interesting read.

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David Rosenfelt, author of the Andy Carpenter books, has a new series out starting with The K Team. There are a few familiar characters here along with some new (including a retired police dog named Simon Garfunkel). A judge has received threats, that 'something' is coming, something he has already been paid for and now he will have to do his part. Included with the email is evidence of money, lots of it, in an account in the Caymans. The thing is, the account isn't his, it's a set up. How can he prove it? That's where the K team comes in, they are hired to quietly, without alerting the police (yet) resolve this? Who are they? And why? Not a bad start, love the dog.

If you are in the mood for a couple of quick, fun reads (no bodies, just a mystery) then go for Lady Gold Investigates, which is Volume 4 in the collection of short stories about this character by Lee Strauss. There is a haunted castle (or is it?), and a missing goose, that ends up on someone's doorstep. Fun!

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Here's both a new series and a new author for me: Killer Content: a Brooklyn Murder Mystery by Olivia Blacke. There's some good humor here: Main character is from a small town in Louisiana: "Calling my hometown a one-horse town would vastly exaggerate the number of horses." (p. 1) She is apartment sitting for an aunt who is traveling for the next three months. The bookstore where she works offers not only books but locally crafted beer. When a waitress she barely knows dies and it is flagged as an accident, she decides to prove that it wasn't. Find out how she does that, there are some good clues, you might even figure it out! (I didn't, it came as a surprise to me)!

Continuing on the theme of a new author and series, here's one that came as a recommendation from County Reader: Some Danger Involved, by Will Thomas. It's more than a cozy, but not as harsh and gritty as some, either. Set in Victorian England an 'Enquiry Agent' is looking for a new assistant. He hires a down and out, homeless man with a prison record (but with a good education) and the adventure begins! There's lots of history here, too. I was not aware of the feeling towards Jews at that time in English history so this was a bit of an eyeopener. Well written (be sure to read about the author) but depressing, too. It's the first of the series and I've ordered book two.

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It's another one book entry folks, I'm having a hard time reading in the heat. Go figure! Just watched the cross country jumping in the Three Day Event from the Olympics. It's 90 degrees! I can't walk a block in that kind of heat, let alone navigate a course like the one designed for the Olympics! (Loved the recent, cool, cloudy day)!!

Here's another great entry in the Corgi Case Files series by J.M. Poole. Thanksgiving is coming soon but there are no cranberries to be found, in fact, stores are actually being burglarized just for the cranberries. What is going on? As usual, Sherlock and Watson have things figured out before the humans catch on. It might be fun to read Case of the Great Cranberry Caper closer to Thanksgiving, but I didn't want to wait. :-)

If you like dogs and a good cozy, I highly recommend this series.

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