An interesting combination of the funny and the serious today.

Aging is not for the timid, that's true, but it also helps to be able to laugh at it, too, and you will do so when you read Old But Gold: Laugh-Out-Loud Life Lessons on Aging Gracefully, by Ian Montenegro. We may find technology frustrating at times, but we can also say what we want, and dress the way we want (for comfort, not fashion). It's wise to locate the restrooms whenever we go out, but there are many senior discounts these days. A most enjoyable read! :-)

I finally got around to reading The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations, by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht. It's been around for a while now, and I've thumbed through it before but it just seem fitting, with what is going on these days, to actually read it. There is advice for everything from breaking down a door (indside and outside doors are much different) to delivering a baby. Jumping from a moving car to a hostage situation ... all the things that can happen boggle the mind! Most common first step seemed to be 'remain calm'.

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Agatha is working out the last of her prison term in the small town of Unlikely, New York. She is trying to keep a low profile (while thinking of how to escape, mostly for old times sake). She is much surprised then, when she comes home one day to find "Big Phyllis" in her kitchen (who really did escape) ... claiming she did not kill 'those men' and wants help in clearing her name. You don't say no to Big Phyllis! More bodies are discovered and Agatha begins to wonder if Phyllis might be the next victim. Along with Special Agent Kopp (retired) and his hacker granddaughter (and the dog, Chance) they set out to solve this quirky mystery. An Unlikely Escape is the second in the Unlikely Murder Club series by Gina X. Grant. It was a fun read, and the third is on my shelf!

This is a new series and author for me: Murder in G Major, the first in the Gethsemane Brown Mystery series by Alexia Gordon. I picked it because of the connection to music. :-) Gethsmane did not get the job she was expecting to get (wait until you find out why!) so has taken on the position of conductor of a rowdy bunch of boys, one she is expected to turn into an award winning orchestra in just a few months. The job (in Ireland) comes with a house. And a ghost. Gethsemane can see and talk to him. He was the composer of some of her favorite music before his death ... he says he was murdered and want her to prove it. That could prove dangerous. And don't forget about the orchestra! That's a challenge, too! I like that music (classical) plays in her head often giving a clue as to the situation to come. Not a bad start! :-)

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They're back, Swamp Team 3, and what fun it was to read about them again! Marsh Mystics is the newest (#30) of the Miss Fortune Mystery books by Jana Deleon. A yoga treat sounded like a good idea, until it wasn't, and a body was found. Carter, the local law enforcement, is under state audit, 'someone' thinks he's either helping out Fortune too much, or she's helping him too much so the ladies of the Swamp Team want to be careful ... so they go undercover. As nuns. Naturally, mayhem ensues. This is a fun twist on the locked room mystery.

Veronica is missing her good friend, who seems to have vanished without explanation but Veronica has learned more ... and is trying to determine just how she feels about all this (sorry, no spoilers)! To keep herself distracted, she takes on the mystery of a man found murdered at the Green Man Pub, one that she owns. He is a local banker, well respected, but recently has been obsessed with treasure hunting (part of the history of the area). Why? Was there really a treasure left after all these years? And who killed him? Family? Rival treasure seekers? Veronica Vale Investigates #8, Death at the Green Man, by Kitty Kildare was another good read in this series.

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In keeping with the recent theme of "Broadway" I did a search on Musical Mysteries and found this ... a brand new series, the first book just out, the second due next year! The Sound of Murder, Musicals are Murder #1, by Joseph Zellnik. The author is a Broadway nut and has done his research (for this and other projects) so all the information about the musical is accurate, which was fun (and I've read other books on The Sound of Music)! The murder and a some of the characters are fiction. He has done a wonderful job of interweaving them and for giving a good reason as to why such a murder would never have made the news (yes, I was wondering about that ...) ;-)

Ellie Harper needed a change in life, which is why she buys a bookstore without ever seeing it in person. She may come to regret that decision when she discovers what the store actually looks like ... peeling paint, chaotic shelves, and a lot of business that does not involve the buying of books, or even of money changing hands. And then there are the warnings telling her to "get out of town" ... and the possibility that the previous owner did not die from an accidental fall down the stairs. She starts finding clues that will lead her on a merry chase for the solution to all these questions. If you are thinking this sounds like a traditional theme for a small town murder mystery, you are correct! Murder in the Corner Bookshop, a Corner Bookshop Cozy Mystery, by Annie Shaw is a great start to her series.

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I'm thinking it's necessary to be a horse lover to read this book. It is beautifully researched and well written, but dense and detailed! I read it in short sections at a time in between my fiction reads because there was so much information to absorb! Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History, by William T. Taylor is, and I quote from Science and the cover here: "fantastically rich" :-)

This too may have limited interest: "The Broadway Sound" The Autobiography and Selected Essays of Robert Russell Bennett, edited by George J. Ferencz. If you have heard any of the musicals for the 1940's and 1950's then you've heard orchestrations by Mr Bennett. Listen carefully! There are times when the main theme might drop at the end of the phrase, and his 'answering' line may go up! For this musician (with a music teacher for a father) it was fascinating. The book however, is less so, and like the book above very detailed with lots of information. I will admit to doing a fair amount of skimming! The essays at the end, by Mr. Bennett himself were a bit more interesting, at least to this reader. I enjoyed his descriptions of what the different instruments and sections brought to the themes he was expressing with his music. Worth a try.

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Here is book four in the Mysteries of Max series by Nic Saint: Purrfect Heat. A popular celebrity chef is in town to film an episode of his popular show "Kitchen Disasters" (where he trashes every eatery he visits). He is found dead, stuffed into a large oven. There is a long list of suspects so the cats get busy with their investigation so they can help out Odelia. There is a new cat this time, too, and not a nice one at all, so they also have that to deal with. Oh, and Odelia's Grandmother also has a new, um, interest in her life, should someone that old really have a lover? Another laugh out loud read in this series. :-)

Murder of Innocents, book 14 in the Redmond and Haze Mysteries by Irina Shapiro is another grim but good read. Author doesn't pull any punches, the 'bad stuff' is really bad! This time it's the murder of two young children. Redmond and Haze are called away from London for this, to an ancestral mansion a with long history of all kinds of complex relationships going on between staff and family. Then another body is found, that of an abusive husband. Are the deaths connected in any way? Relationships are a bit complicated here, notes might help! ;-)

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Murder and theft of a valuable object are not what Ms Mia needs as the Desert Sunrise Resort is getting ready to celebrate new ownership (hers, partially) and the find of an ancient flute in a nearby dig. And then there's the fire at the stables. The former (soon to be fired) manager decided that 'no one wants to steal old stuff' and canceled the additional security Mia had ordered for the exhibit. Same with the horses, even though someone had been stealing a horse at night on a regular basis. She would be found in her stall the next morning again, but exhausted. What is going on? And why is one returning patron so upset when one of the last rooms was finally closed for much needed renovation? Ms Mia and Murder at the Desert Sunrise Resort by Jennifer Branch is another great read in this series. Loved all the twists and turns.

Here it is, the last of the Liturgical Mystery series by Mark Schweizer: The Choir Director Wore Out. The sad thing is, it's the last title, the good thing is, it was a decision made by the author so all the loose ends are tied up, all story lines are resolved and so on, so there it is a satisfying conclusion to his wonderful stories. There's a lot going on this time, a renaissance festival (with realistic hangings), new businesses opening (with amazing ribs) and a new priest ... from France ... who is also a very popular writer of mysteries! And, of course, deaths ... but natural or otherwise? A fitting finale. :-)

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A new author and series this morning: The Unlikely Murder Club, by Gina X. Grant. "Unlikely" works on several levels, you'll learn what they are when you read the book. :-) The main character is an ex-con, and woman of a certain age now. She has been released early this time, by the FBI agent who arrested her in the first place. She is in a court ordered stay in the small town of Unlikely, New York. She is not your typical criminal. She does not plan to stay long, she has an escape already planned. Then the local veterinarian is arrested for murder and her daughter pleads for help in proving her innocence. Agatha has to be careful here, there are certain things she cannot do anymore, they would send her back to jail to finish out her sentence. Can she help? Should she? I liked this enough to buy the next two books in the series! (It's the same as the title in this case).

Teresa's Bookstore is a popular destination in a small town in Tennessee. It is known for being 'messy', with stacks of books on the floor and counters, books on the wrong shelves and a random collection of knick-knacks throughout. When the owner is found dead (thought to be an accident at first) this could change, the niece who inherits everything (but never once came to visit) wants to close out and sell the store. It's a small town so you know there are all kinds of secrets, leading to motives. The sheriff is not being all that helpful, but Garnet, the one employee, has a background in law and she is determined to solve the crime. A Binding Chance, the first in the Messy Bookshop Mystery series by Jessica Brimer was another new author and series for me. It was good!

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Wandering Reader sent this book up recently: Sled Dog Trails, by Mary Shields after checking to be sure it wasn't one I'd already read. Much to my surprise (I have a shelf dedicated to this subject) I hadn't! Mary Shields was the first woman to complete the Iditarod. Originally from Wisconsin it took just one visit for Mary to fall in love with Alaska and move north. She met her husband running dogs and together they would do this for many years often working in the summer so they could be out on the trail in the winter. Joyful is the best description for this book, it was a wonderful read.

Mom was an English teacher. And Latin. And many other subjects as well. She would have loved this book: The Language-Lover's Lexipedia: an A-Z of Linguistic Curiosities, by Joshua Blackburn. I did as well, it was a delightful read! Just a smattering of what you will find. Many languages have a version of 'average Joe'. Check on puns, and words where the meaning has changed, sometimes drastically. Don't miss eggcorns! And remember supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins? It was actually first printed in 1931! Check out just how many ways there are to pronounce "ough" ... and so much more. Perfect for reading during ads. ;-)

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I decided to post these books together because they are both set in Maine, and both authors used "chowdah". :-) Ms Mia and Murder on Moose Isle is by Jennifer Branch. It's part of her series featuring Mia, a wealthy widower who travels the world staying at the fancy resorts and hotels her family owns. She is an amateur sleuth and prides herself on figuring out mysteries. Ever since the factory making quality linens was moved over seas the small town of Moose Isle has been struggling to survive. Lauren Tisserande, part of that family that NEVER thought the factory should have moved is fighting to bring it back. She will have to power to do so in one more day, when she turns 30. Those who have been profiting from this move are not happy about this! Lots of twists and turns here, not to mention really smarmy types! Another fun read in this series.

Mixing Up Murder is the first in the Little Dog Diner by Emmie Lyn. It starts at a funeral. For Dani's husband ... soon to be ex as she has filed for divorce. She and her best friend are passing by the coffin when the corpse opens his eyes and winks at her. He has planned a fake funeral in the hopes of getting her back (yes, it is a strange thing to do). Then it seems as Dani has something to do with this idea, too ... and then said hubby really does turn up dead, in the diner. With nothing to do while it is closed, she and Lilly jump in to help solve the crime. The only witness is a dog! This was a curious read. And I couldn't help saying, out loud a couple of times, Put the Dog ON A LEASH!

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There was a basket on the steps of Newgate Prison. Giles thought it might hold something for one of the prisoners. It didn't. It was a head. Belonging to the prison's hangman. That did not narrow down the list of suspects as much as you might think. You'll learn a lot about the 'art' or maybe the business of hanging in Murder of a Hangman, by Irina Shapiro. (Number 13 in her Redmond and Haze Mystery series). A hanging could be quick and easy or slow and painful and the one with the most control over that, and why, was the hangman. Could it be an angry family member for one of those slow deaths? Or someone wanting to move up the ladder, as the saying goes?There is a hierarchy in the profession, after all. Another intense read by this author.

I picked this title because I'd had a 'day of mulch'. That is, an email conversation with Canadian Reader about work in the backyard requiring mulch. Then the final puzzle in Wheel of Fortune (which I got and the contestant didn't) of 'mulching your garden'. So how could I pass up on Mayhem in Mulch, a new to me author and series? Betty has recently moved to Bluejay Ridge, starting a new life for herself. She loves her new house (with a garden that needs lots of work) and her new neighbors. All is going well until she comes across a body in the local garden center. By her own admission she is a nosy sort of person so when the sheriff seems focused on her, and other clues leading nowhere, she jumps in to find the real murderer. This is the first Betty Benino Mystery by Janet Fix.

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Do you understand cricket? I sure don't (okay, no surprise, I know very little about most sports). ;-) It is a much loved sport in England though,and especially, it seems, in the 1920's. And that's where the murder takes place in Death at the Jolly Cricketer, book 7 of the Veronica Vale Investigates mysteries by Kitty Kildare. It's at the pub, after the match, and the body is found at the bottom of the stairs into the cellar. Sir Gerald was a prominent member of society, who would do him in? In addition to working out all the twists and turns of the mystery (scandal, grudges, betrayals) Veronica is worried about her friend, Ruby, who is missing. This has been a fun series.

Here's another subject about which I know very little ... coffee! A brother and sister have moved back to their small home town and have opened a fun little shop were folks can get an amazing array of coffees and pet shelter dogs in need of adoption. No Filter is book one in the Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery series by Heather Day Gilbert. The local golf instructor has been murdered and Macy (the sister) had taken on his dog ... a Great Dane. She finds a mysterious message sewn to the underside of his collar. She hides it in a 'safe place' in her old family home ... good thing since some one breaks in, looking for it, and takes the dog. She copies the message off for her own keeping and gives the original to the local police. She does her own investigating, too, of course! Not a bad start.

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Seems I just can't stop myself from reading another Liturgical Mystery by Mark Schweizer and The Lyric Wore Lycra is one of the last. :-( Hayden loves his job(s) as police chief and organist in the small town in which he lives. Lent starts soon, a somber, reflective time so the music for the church services must reflect that. And, a class will be added to the roster: Paunches Pilates. There is, of course, a murder, and a group determined to force a meeting concerning a transgender bathroom in the church (there's just the one ....). All in all another great read in this series.

As mentioned earlier, book 11 in this series, (Redmond and Haze Mystery) ended with such a cliff hanger that I went on to read this book next. To say too much would be a spoiler, at least in my mind, so, there's been a death and a kidnapping and that's all I'll say! It's a struggle to try and figure out why this woman was killed, but things start to make more sense as Redmond and Haze learn more of her past. And the man she was about to marry (also found dead). There is one delightful scene with the chambermaid, the one who found the dead man and the manager of the hotel has sequestered in a nice room so she can talk to the police ... remember, this is an era of 'knowing your place' ... when that is about to happen she asks the manager for tea and a nice breakfast! Normally 'help' might get a bowl of porridge, but a nice breakfast? Hardly! Made me chuckle. :-) Murder Among the Dead is the 12th in this series by Irina Shapiro.

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Murder at the Highland Games is the fourth in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald. It starts out as such a fun day: dancing, bagpipes, competitions of all kinds, which, much to the annoyance of the locals, are being won by (shudder) Canadians! Yes, they do have ties to the area, but really, to come in and win everything? Then one of them dies, and there's no doubt it was murder. As Ally works on figuring things out she learns just how many locals had motive. Not to mention the wife. And her uncle. A complex case for sure, and a great read. :-)

A young woman has been found dead, in a boat, wrapped in a shawl that makes her look like a mermaid. Who is she? And why the staging? When Redmond and Haze dig into her past there are all kinds of unexpected findings, including a connection with the London underworld. And a mermaid tattoo. On more than one person. Murder of a Mermaid is the 11th in the Redmond and Haze Mystery series by Irina Shapiro, and it ended with such a dramatic cliff hangar that I read the next book immediately!

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The description on the back of Remainders of the Day: a Bookshop Diary, by Shaun Bythell calls it "a hilariously grumpy year behind the counter ..." which is absolutely true! Also witty and charming and a most enjoyable read, just like his earlier books. You will read about the books he'll buy for his shop (the largest used bookshop in Scotland) and those he won't (and why). You'll get to know his customers from the regulars to the tourists, those who buy, those who will argue over any price ... it's more engaging than I am making it sound, trust me!

A recent viewing of the movie The Sound of Music inspired a search for a book on Oscar Hammerstein II (there is already one on my shelf about Richard Rodgers). I found this: Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of the Musical, by Laurie Winer. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, that is, what inspired his wonderful lyrics, but still a most interesting read. Maybe more of a social history book? There are what influenced the books/stories picked for musicals of that era, what was happening around the world, issues in the news and so on. Turns out, Rodgers and Hammerstein were quite progressive for their time. :-) There are the failures, here, too, and some of the not so positive aspects of their characters. I felt it was well balanced, though. A somewhat dense and detailed read. :-)

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Here is a cozy, a true cozy, in the traditional sense ... and a fun, quick read as well: Cozy Mysteries with Humor for Senior Women: A Small Town Murder Mystery with Amateur Sleuths, Puzzles, and Snarky Seniors, (gotta love the subtitle!) by Tunia Sahil. There are several mysteries to solve here, from murder to missing gnomes and the Thursday Morning Detective Society tackles them all!

A stablehand found the Earl of Granville dead in the stable one morning. Skewered with a pitchfork, a very gruesome end. Redmond and Haze are soon on the case, which turns out to have lots of ... well, to paraphrase from the back of the book... "disturbing revelations". I don't want to give anything away here! Murder in the Mews was another great read by Irina Shapiro. It is the 10th in the Redmond and Haze series. (It looks like I might have skipped book nine, but that's actually where I started, it was in a box sent to me from Wandering Reader, it is in the January 12, 2026 post).

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 I am trying to make myself slow down in the reading of the Liturgical Mystery series, after all, there is a finite number of them as the author (Mark Schweizer) is dead, but it's hard ... they are so much fun! The Maestro Wore Mohair is number 12. (Number 11, remember, is in the post from December 29, 2025 as it had arrived in a box from Wandering Reader and got all this started). ;-) There do seem to be a lot of murders in this small town but this time, at least, it's a cold case, from some thirty years ago. A body has been found in the woods. It's near what was a camp, then a nudist village, and now is being transformed into a Renaissance Faire ground, which is when the body was unearthed. Who was at that camp all those years ago? And what happened? (Many of the records have been burned). Can the small police force of Hayden, Nancy and Dave figure it out? And not to worry, the 'bad' writing entries are just as bad!

Here's a curious and fun mystery, especially if you like to do word search puzzles! Murder Among the Stacks, the first in A Cranberry Creek Word Search Mystery series, by Rosie A. Point and puzzles by Charles Timmerman. Each short chapter includes a word search puzzle with words from that chapter. Abby is starting a new life, in a new (small) town. She runs a book store and has a local, well known author for her first event. Things to not go well when said author dies at that event and Abby is considered a primary suspect. However, there is also the mother, a good friend (really?) and her assistant who all could have possible motives whereas Abby does not. A quick read (but I did not do the puzzles). ;-)

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Murder in Half Moon Street, book eight in the Redmond and Haze Mystery series by Irina Shapiro is a classic 'locked room' mystery. A young woman is found savagely murdered in her bed. There is a lot of blood ... but none on the floor or carpet, no foot prints you might expect to see, no blood on the door knob. And the room is locked (door and windows) from the inside. The house is too new for secret passages. There were lots of people around ... staff, guests ... Redmond and Haze are dealing with personal issues, too. An engaging read.

Although the disclaimer in the front says this is a work of fiction my feeling is that some of the stories are very true ... the author is a dog walker after all! :-) Still, there are some stories from the view point of the dog, so ... Lots of fun tales here (catching a loose dog) and pictures of the dog(s) who inspired a story. Nudges from a Wet Nose, by H A Byrd was a fun read for this dog owner.

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I decided to post these books together as they share a theme, both take place on the set of something being filmed. A movie and a reality show. Gwinny has a small part in the movie Draculania (a female twist to Bram Stoker's version). Location is a damp and eerie castle with a vampire history. The lead is a bit of a diva and filming often revolves around her moods. Things change when a cast member is found dead in the prima donna's trailer with a stake through his heart. The door was locked from the inside. That will now become a crime scene, but good luck with finding any useful clues, everyone (cast and crew alike) have been in and around the trailer, touched everything, walked everywhere ... and lots of them have motive ... this will be a tough case. Add to the chaos is the fact that Gwinny ended up with the care for Lily, the Jack Russell, when her aging owner was sent to the hospital. The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is the third book in this series by Antony Johnston.

In Purrfect Revenge, by Nic Saint, Detective Chase has been instructed to include Odelia in his investigation of the death of reality star Shana Kenspeckle who was found dead in her own bed. Most of her, anyway. This was a violent end (but there's also the attitude that it was too bad it wasn't filmed, it would have been good for the ratings). Odelia, of course, includes her cats in the hunt for the killer, after all, they are free to wander anywhere and listen in, then report back to her what they've heard. (The women in Odelia's family have been able to talk to cats for generations). It's a hard case because what the rest of the family says about Shana differs depending on if the cameras are rolling or not. There is an obnoxious French Bulldog, too, just to complicate matters. This is the third in the Mysteries of Max series.

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One of the many nice things to come from the visit of some long time friends who now live east of the mountains, which finally happened after a few years 'off' was that I learned of a new author/series of mysteries! Purrfectly Deadly is the second in The Mysteries of Max series by Nic Saint. And unlike a lot of authors, he puts that number right there, on the front cover where it is easy to see ... :-) Odelia writes for the local paper and has helped with solving crimes before ... with the help of her cats, Max, Dooley and Harriet. Since they can, and do, wander every where, they hear things (often on purpose) and then report back to Odelia. Yes, they can talk to her. It's a talent that's been in her family for generations. There is a new detective in town (in a small town for his own reasons) with a rather bully of a cat. There's been a party, a wild party, which resulted in the death of a once famous, much loved 80's pop singer. Follow along as the cats gather the clues! This is a fun, quirky series. Not quite a traditional cozy, but delightful all the same.

Once again I turned to historical fiction when I couldn't find a non-fiction book on an interesting subject. The Librarian Spy: a Novel of World War II, by Madeline Martin is based on real people and true events. Ava is a librarian at the Library of Congress, recruited to help 'save' literary works from the Nazi forces by converting them to microfilm and sending them to the U.S. She also speaks several languages, which helps since she is also a spy gathering intelligence. Elaine is learning to run a printing press to print up materials for use by the Resistance. She also helps distributing them, and, when necessary, moving parts of the printing press to a new location. This is done by breaking the machine into small parts and hiding them in the false bottom of the basket folks carry to buy what meager rations are available. There adventures are mesmerizing. Intense, descriptive, sad and powerful. Never underestimate the printed word!

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I'm describing Death at the Savoy as having a 'wrong place, wrong time' story line. The main character, Priscilla, in her job at the Savoy Hotel, keeps coming across dead, or nearly dead, bodies. Which makes her a prime suspect, of course! Set in the late 1960's at the famous London hotel this is a fast moving story combining the old school management (no scandal, ever) who don't like the new blood provided by Priscilla (young, blond, mini-skirts) and would love to fire her, with famous celebrities (Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Noel Coward, Bob Hope and more), royalty (Princess Margaret) behaving badly, Russians, spies, poisons, Scotland Yard, journalists (heaven forbid they print the 'wrong' sort of story) and more. Lots of details to keep straight, but over all, not a bad start to the Priscilla Tempest Mystery series by Ron Base & Prudence Emery (who actually worked at the Savoy during this time period).

The third Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency mystery takes Maud and Daisy to visit Daisy's cousin, who lives in the Highlands. Members of a local choir have been found dead and the cousin is worried the deaths are not accidental (as the local police and doctor have determined). The choir is one of the finalists in a choir competition. Could the murderer be from a choir who has lost? Or from one still in the competition? Or something else? It seems too, that the murderer knows why they are there and sends them poems with clues as to the next victim, the location, and the method ... if they can figure them out! And, they have to deal with they fact that they are (gasp) women, too, in an era when they should be married, in the home, and caring for babies. (Do love how the author deals with that)! Mystery in the Highlands is by Lydia Travers.

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Working Horses in London, by Miriam A. Bibby is the history of the use of the horse from Roman times to present day in London. War horses, cart horses, draft horses, ceremonial horses, and more, this was an interesting read (probably more so if you are a bit horse crazy, though). ;-) Nicely written. Great pictures.

From time to time Wandering Reader sends up a box of books ... and it's always been fun! That's how I discovered the Mark Schweizer and Irina Shapiro mystery books after all! In the recent box was also a fascinating non-fiction read: Women Who Kept the Lights: an Illustrated History of Female Lighthouse Keepers (Second Edition), by Mary Louise Clifford and J. Candace Clifford. Records were often sketchy ... sometimes the name of the woman would not be included, or just initials were used ... so I am impressed with the research done here (there's a great bibliography)! Light houses in Washington Territory are included, too. :-) Remarkable women, wonderful photos.

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Amber Winslow needs a place to go. Somewhere safe and where a certain someone cannot find her. She heads for her grandmother's fancy retirement community in Arizona. They don't know each other all that well, in fact, they've never met face to face. Amber's mother has made sure of that, but, as it turns out, they have a lot n common. There are many interesting characters in the facility, including the Admiral, who is found dead shortly after Amber's arrival. There is also a missing family heirloom. His family (who never visited) is angry over this and demands something be done. Amber's grandmother is arrested for the murder and theft. This puts Amber on the trail to solve it (she's sort of a PI in training, after all). Some interesting twists here, rather enjoyed this read. :-) Murder Runs in the Family is by Tamara Berry.

As we've learned from past tales there is often a new, interim priest in St. Germaine and so is the case in The Cantor Wore Crinolines, by Mark Schweizer, the 11th in his Liturgical Mystery series. Groundhog day usually isn't a religious holiday, but this priest wants to have a mass that night: "St Groundelmas". What should the choir sing? Three houses have been auctioned off, a bit odd, perhaps, in that there were so many this time, but no one things too much about it. Until the bodies, yes plural, are found. One in each of the houses, in a closet, posed and dressed for church. The settings are straight out of the trashy book the local Blue Hills Bookworms book club is reading, down to the professions of each victim. Can Hayden and his crew figure everything out before the special mass on February 2nd? Another great entry in this series, pay attention to the names in the 'bad' writing sections as Hayden continues on his quest to write in the style of his hero, Raymond Chandler.

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While The Christmas Cantata: a St. Germaine Christmas Entertainment by Mark Schweizer is listed with the Liturgical Mystery series (#10) it differs in that there is no death to investigate. Christmas is coming and the entire town seems to be in a crabby mood. Will that change? There are no entries of Hayden's book he's trying to write in the style of Raymond Chandler this time, instead we get snippets of a woman who lived in the area in 1937. A cantata has been found in a box in the basement of a house being cleared out ... a beautiful piece of music (it takes some practice to get to this point) based on verse from Sara Teasdale. In investigating more about it, Hayden learns it has never been performed, the one time it was scheduled it was canceled at the last minute. Why? Can he even figure that out after all these years? Just a nice read, won't take you long!

I tried another new author and series with The Mystery of the Missing Book, by Judith Cutler. (Book one in The Antique Shop Mysteries). Lina Townsend is just learning the antiques trade. An orphan, shuffled around a lot she has had little education and stability in her life until she meets Griff, who becomes her mentor. When she finds a single page from a rare medieval manuscript the adventure starts! Is it authentic? If so, where is the rest the book? Is it still intact? Once she has the page (which she hides away) there are several break-ins to the caravan and house where she and Griff live, and he is even attacked. She needs to find the missing book, and protect Griff (he's old, and a bit frail). Not a bad start.

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

There were several major finds in Egypt in the late 1800's and this book: Murder on the Sea Witch feels like an homage to that. The ship in the title is a freight ship, designed to bring home, in this case precious, cargo. The body of the chief archeologist has been found inside the sarcophagus he was bringing back to London. When it is discovered that his brain has been removed in the fashion of preparing a body for mummification Redmond and Haze believe that should make it easier to find the killer. It does not! Since the ship is designed for cargo, not passengers, those aboard all had something to do with the dig, many have been on several digs, and most know how to remove the brain from a body! Who might have had a grudge against Blake Upton? Another 'keeps you up late reading' mystery, this is the seventh in the Redmond and Haze Mystery series by Irina Shapiro.

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death, by Maxie Dara was a read completely different from what I usually read, even though it was a mystery! It is the second in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series. (Any of you remember the show The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?) I have not read the first. Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., she schedules the reapers, those who go out at the death of someone to be sure the soul moves on properly. This goes well until the name of her brother comes across her desk. He is her twin and all the family she has left so she is NOT going to let this happen! They flee to the small town their father is from, and what a strange little town it is! A most curious read, for sure! I take exception to the review on the cover: "funny and warm, delightfully fresh" ... to me is is NOT funny or warm ... there is death, lots of it, paranoia, fear, fright and so on ... it IS however, fresh, in that the point of few is certainly new to this reader! Do note, this is NOT a cozy! There is lots of bad language. It fits with the characters and the story but I wanted to give you a heads up. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

In these times that I find rather depressing and discouraging given what is happening in this country it was nice reading a happy, cheerful book, this one, by Dick Van Dyke! 100 Rules for Living to 100: an Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life. Follow along as the author talks about his life and work, the good times and bad and how he's been successful or not. He's still dancing, and works out at a gym ... that's how he got a recent role on a tv show, a soap opera! A feel good sort of read.

What was your favorite song from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins? Dick Van Dyke's book inspired me to go through the song book I have from the movie and pick out the songs on the piano (pretty much just one handed these days). Like Mr. Disney, I love Feed the Birds the best, but I also like Chim Chim Cheree and how it evokes the life on the rooftops of London (it's right there, in the lyrics)!, and Step in Time for energy and enthusiasm. Made for a nice afternoon of memories. (My dad DID recognize the elder Mr. Banks as portrayed by Dick Van Dyke and we watched the credits until his name became unscrambled and dad could say "I knew it!" :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

Christmas is coming, a time of family, friendship, gathering .... and death? Well, yes, but mostly because this a mystery. ;-) Death at the Swan Tavern is the sixth Veronica Vale Investigates mystery by Kitty Kildare. When one of the guests, someone invited to join the festivities at the last moment (so as not to be alone over the holiday) is found dead everyone is hoping it was an accident. It wasn't, and as his past is uncovered there are more and more suspects. Can the reason be discovered before Christmas? I love the sub themes of dog rescue and Ruby, who can drive any sort of vehicle (there's a tractor on the cover for a reason). Set in the 1920's.

Next is another Redmond and Haze Mystery by Irina Shapiro: Murder at Ardith Hall. Also set at Christmas and also the sixth in the series. (And yes I did read them back to back and no, did not do this on purpose)! The death happens at a sèance, one where folks have gathered in the hopes of contacting a loved one who has died. One of them is the wife of Daniel Redmond. It is not hard to determine that this person was murdered, but also determined that someone had been trying to kill him for some time now. (I know this is fuzzy, but I promised no spoilers, and the method here was very interesting)! Set just after the American Civil War, in England.

Reading Hermit With Dog