Finished POOR TOM IS COLD

 

Always interesting and readable, it took Murdoch a maddeningly long time to begin inquiries where they should be.  Then the book became even more exciting, but the resolution was about 2 paragraphs.  I had questions that were not answered:  was the pie poisoned? was Mrs. Foster ok? what happened to Peg? to Jarius?

I am now reading DEADER STILL, #2 in the Simon Canderous series.  Simon can see the history behind everything he touches and has been recruited by the Department of Extraordinary Affairs.  At the beginning of this book Simon is embroiled in the taking of a harrowing test to promote to full agent.  If not successful, he could die.

Finished JASON

 

Yes, I was right.  This book was mainly occupied by solving sexual problems for Anita and Jason's girlfriend.  It was readable, but did not advance the 'verse.

I have now started what I had thought was #2 in the Murdoch Mysteries series by Maureen Jennings.  But now I learn that Poor Tom is Cold is #3.  Too Late, I am hooked already.  A constable has been found shot to death in what appears to be a suicide.  Detective Murdoch is not sure about the cause of death and is exploring further into a tangled family netherworld of secrets.

Finished THE KEY TO REBECCA

 

A very satisfying action packed spy novel set in Cairo during WWII.  At first I was ambivalent as to who to root for because it starts from the point of view of the antagonist and everything he did seemed justifiable.  But he became more villainous and the protagonist became more likable as the story progressed.  That made the novel more masterful IMHO.

I have now started Jason, an Anita Blake novel by Laurell K. Hamilton.  When a book is entitled after one of her characters, it is usually not an action novel, but rather a character-driven X-rated study.  Though I am too old to enjoy the X stuff, I do enjoy her characters and the problems their interaction causes.  The more she tries to uncomplicate her life, the more complicated it becomes.

Finished THE LIFE OF DORIS DAY

 

Yes, I was right.  It was too short to have any heart.  It was basically just dry facts and was pretty boring.  I did like the pictures.  However, I found in the Bibliography another biography that looks more like what I wanted and I will order that from Amazon.

I have now started another Ken Follett book, The Key to Rebecca.   Set in Cairo, Egypt, in the very early '40's, a German spy has been tasked to learn everything he can about the British force mobilizing against Rommel and radio it to the General.  As is also true of The Eye of the Needle, we follow the antagonist and meet the

Finished CRIMSON TWILIGHT

 

Yes, I was right.  The book is too short to develop location, characters, the actual mystery, and the overall romantic and somewhat spooky atmosphere that I love Heather Graham novels for.  However solution method was definitely there--the Krewe's manner of mystery solving worked as well as it does in the longer format, just very quickly.

When I ordered The Life of Doris Day, I did not expect such a short book.  I will finish this pretty quickly.  Of course, there is no real development of personality or the behind the scenes of favorite movies as there is in a much longer biography, to say nothing of autobiography which is closer to what I love.  But this has lots of pictures and facts.

Read 100 more pages of ALEXANDER HAMILTON and finished THE FALL OF CAMELOT

 

In this section Hamilton attempts to adjust to private life and his legal career.  His son is killed in a duel and Aaron Burr challenges him to a duel.

I also finished The Fall of Camelot.  Anyone who has kept up with my reading knows my fascination with the Arthurian legend.  My favorite book that I have read on the subject is The Mists of Avalon, which tells the legend from the point of view of Morgan le Fay and other followers of the old religion--perhaps older than the Druids--earth and goddess worship.  The Fall of Camelot concerns itself with the magic that brought about the ruin of Arthur and Camelot.  Some of the stories I'd never heard before, although many were of course familiar.  Beautifully illustrated and an interesting point of view.

I have now started Crimson Twilight, one of twelve novellas by as many authors.  This one is set in a castle where two of the Krewe are planning to get married.  However, their plans are stymied by the death of their pastor.  My fear is that this story is so short, it won't have time to create the lovely environment that I love Heather Graham for.

And I am about to start another of The Enchanted World series, The Secret Arts.

Finished THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

 

This was totally engrossing and read quickly.  Horrible things happen.  Wonderful things happen.  Love Cora's strength.

I am now about to go back to Alexander Hamilton and read some more of it.

Finished THE DEVIL COLONY and the bonus short story at the back of the book.

This book started slower than the other books I have read by Rollins; that is because it started with some science that was pertinent.  His books are a combination of science (all kinds--archeology prominent in this as well as nano technology), history, military strategy and technology, and a powerful imagination.  Once I was past the opening science, it blossomed into the non-stop action I am used to.  I went to bed Friday night at 2:00 a.m. and got up at 2:30 to finish the book before I could sleep.  Mark of a good book.

I then read The Skeleton Key that was in the back of the previous book.  This starred Seichan who had to rescue an enemy's son from a cult in the catacombs of Paris in order to save her own life.  A very satisfying story and it was fun to let this interesting character take the reins of her own adventure.



I have now started The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.  I first saw the author on one of the late shows we watch--either Trevor Noah or Stephen Colbert--talking about the book he wrote after this one.  I got on Amazon immediately to order this one.  It starts with Cora's grandmother's journey in the slave ship to the new world and the constant times she was sold off.  We follow her mother Mable's struggles on the plantation her mother ended up on and now Cora has been orphaned at 11 and knows no one on the property willing to take care of her.