Bundled together here are two oldies but goodies: Parnassus on Wheels, and The Haunted Bookshop, two classic novels in one volume by Christopher Morley. The first is about a bookshop on wheels, with a nice little living area tucked inside. Helen, on a whim, buys it (the intended new owner was her brother who had written a best selling novel) and sets out on the road to sell books. There is a dog, and a sweet little mare named Pegasus. And the former owner, who helps her get started. He returns in the second book, now the owner of a book store in Brooklyn that stays put. In both, the love of books and sharing them, of finding the right book for the reader comes through. These are magical stories.

Murder on a Country Walk is the sixth Julia Bird Mystery by Katie Gayle, who, if you remember is actually two authors! (Kate and Gail) It was another fun read about Julie and her overly happy and enthusiastic dog, Jake. When he seems 'off' they go to the vet who diagnoses him with Happy Tail Syndrome (a real thing!). The vet is popular and well liked so when it is her body that is found off the side of the trail it is first determined to be an accident. It's not, of course. Later a second body appears at the same location and the hunt is on, as the saying goes. As for motives for the first, well, there's the mother (with a gambling problem), and the assistant (who was worried about keeping her job), a local breeder ... or maybe someone else.

Reading Hermit With Dog