While not exactly a mystery, The Last Chance Library, by Freya Sampson, was still an engaging read. It's about the local, much loved, library in a small town ... such libraries are often marked for closure, because, after all, a book mobile would suffice, yes? This does not go over well as this library (as are many, I am sure) is more than just books. You will meet the many folks who use it on a regular basis, and why, and follow along as they rise up to save their library.

Tall Reader has grandkids. Grandkids who read ... real books as well as other forms, and they share the real books when they come to visit. Here's one that was a most interesting read: Restart, by Gordon Korman. Author has written a lot of teen/tween reads and won awards, and I can see why. Chase wakes up in the hospital, attached to all those wires and so on. Why is he there? And who is the strange woman crying? (It's his mother). Turns out, he fell off a roof and has been in an unconscious state for several days. Folks are relieved when he wakes up, but he remembers nothing of his former life ... nothing. How do you start over? When he goes back to school he learns he played football (was something of a star) and, with others was a bully and not a very nice person. This doesn't seem right to him anymore. Can he change? What would you do if you could start over with your life? There's much food for thought here.

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A Guide to Understanding the Biblical Puzzle, by Bob Bernet is the third book in his Spiritual Puzzle series, and his best yet. It is well written and easy to understand. I especially like that he explains many of the lessons from the Bible in a simple, clear way. You don't have to be a church goer, or even all that religious to appreciate them. You can be spiritual without being religious, after all. Give it a try!

Here's one of those fun trivia type books that are good for reading during the ads on tv: History's Most Famous Pets: Tales of Four-Legged, Feathered, and Furry Companions of the Great and the Infamous, by Lenny Lenski. There are pets from the White House, those who lived with Royalty, scientists, pop stars, sports figures, literary folks and so on. Cats, dogs, monkeys, fish ... and wild animals as well. There are some from ancient times as well. I did regret that there is no bibliography, but the author is good at saying when said pet might not have been exactly as represented in legend. :-)

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Date with Danger is the fifth in the Dales Detective Series by Julia Chapman. Sheep are being stolen ... all over the Dales and beyond, it seems. And they vanish without a trace, how is this done? Is there a way to prevent it? (I'd love to say more here, but I've promised no spoilers). Things take a more serious turn when there is a death at the most recent sheep auction. And, can Delilah (remember, she has a dating service) find a mate for certain farmer? This is a wonderful series!

Conrad, the talking cat is back! It's a complicated case this time, with lots of twists and turns in The Cat Who Solved Three Murders, by L T Shearer. Lulu (retired detective) and Conrad are off to celebrate a friend's 60th birthday. He and his wife are art collectors. All does not go as planned ... there is an assault (which includes a death) and a robbery, and more (of course) ... why the attack, and why these pictures? Canadian Reader is listening to the audio version here, and tells me the 'voice of Conrad' is perfect.

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I seem to be on a Stuart McClean path at the moment, having read several of his books of late. This one, Home From the Vinyl Cafe is more of the tales about Dave and Morley and their family and friends. Some were never aired, or at least are not on any of the CDS I have. That's always fun! Something new! (to me, anyway). It helps if you know the characters, I think. This has some of my favorite stories ... the one where they are ice skating in Holland, a bird that was blown off course and spent the winter in their yard, an unusual homeless man, a family vacation ... all done with the gentle humor and wonderful observations on the part of the author.

Here was a title I found hard to resist (and obviously didn't): Sassy Senior Sleuths, by P.C. James and Kathryn Mykel. It is a collection of six cozy mystery short stories. Follow along as the 'ladies of a certain age' travel and solve mysteries. I figured some out, others, well, I didn't! ;-) The stories included are: Over the Falls Without a Barrel; Deadly Dunces; The Man in Seat 13B; California Adventure; Destined for Sandestin; and a Christmas Caber. See if you can pick up on the clues!

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Looking for a job? Check one of these out! Quirky Careers & Offbeat Occupations of the Past, Present, and Future, by Marianne Jennings.Quite the fun read! Some we would expect such as dialect coaches for TV and movies. Then there are the unexpected occupations such as dog surfing instructors! Some jobs from the past, well, lets just say they don't exist anymore, thank goodness (intimate care of a royal person) but some I remember, and miss such as a switchboard operator. I think her name was Arlene, and she sat in front of a huge wall of connections to all the phones in the school district main offices. A call would come in to her, she would answer, and then with a cord connect the caller to the proper person. She was good, and fast, and it was fun to watch her at work. :-) Future jobs might include assistant for AI on things like morals and ethics, and virtual reality jobs or a space tour guide. A most enjoyable read.

Here's one of the special publications that pop up every so often: America's Weirdest Places. Divided geographically from east to west it served as a fun 'recliner travel guide' for this reader. It could be used as the real thing, too. :-) There are natural wonders, and man made features (the biggest ball of twine), museums, and amusement parks. There are museums of potatoes, and parks of dolls heads ... something for everyone, perhaps!

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Idaho seems to be a new trend in mysteries, or at least it is for me, this is the second series I'm reading that is set there. It is 1918 and the Great War is raging. Amanda has been persuaded to rejoin the local choir (they need altos) for the upcoming Memorial Day concert. Then, the most disliked member is found dead and Amanda's niece is a suspect. What she learns is sad, and dangerous for her. The sad part is that there are folks who travel around the country taking advantage of those with family fighting over seas. (Scammers have been around forever, it seems). Something Wicked This Way Hums is the second in the Music Shop Mysteries by Jennifer Lamont Leo.

The Dog Sitter Detective Takes the Lead is the second Dog Sitter Detective mystery by Antony Johnston. Gwinny, one time well known actor trying for a comeback, dog sits to make extra money. This time, it is caring for the active Border Collie, Ace while his owner, Crash Double goes on the annual tour of his band (to avoid the Canal Carnival festivities). Ace and Crash live on a canal boat ... a special canal boat. During the opening ceremonies a body surfaces ... that of Crash, who was supposed to be in Dublin. The detective taking the lead seems, um, less than effective so Gwinny steps up to try and solve the mystery. Lots of secrets and history and past relationships surface making for a rather complicated case!

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Tall Reader loaned me Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt and what a beautiful, lyrical book it was! Narrated by an octopus! Tova wants to keep busy ... her husband has died and her son disappeared nearly 30 years ago. She cleans the local aquarium at night. She makes friends with the often grumpy Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who has spent his life in captivity (you will learn why). They figure out a means of communication that might help solve the mystery of how and why the son vanished. Great story! I stayed up past midnight to finish. :-)

Here is something totally different than what I usually read ... a medical thriller! Actually, a science fiction medical thriller! Recommended by a new person at the audiologist, the blurb and author (a doctor) information was ... intriguing! Primordium, by Mario Loomis is written for teen readers, which is good because I could understand all the medical terminology. :-) The main character, Noah, is a 17 year old boy, working at the same lab as his mom, a biotech lab. They have figured out a cure for cancer, more than that, really, but I promised no spoilers! At some point Noah realizes there is more going on, with big secrets, unusual side effects, and even a major twist in his life. Something else I liked, too, is that it is a "clean read" as in no bad language, graphic violence and so on. Lots to think about, though ... should we do something, just because we can?

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