Shelving CODE BREAKER with other books that will take me awhile

 

I am able to understand it but it is slow going because I stop and think about the process often.  Interesting and readable, but I get impatient with the slow going so I'll come back to it in pieces.  So far it has explained CRISPR and has introduced us to Jennifer Doudna as well as several other players.  Bacteria can alter their DNA to immunize themselves from Virus that have attacked them...  Can you guess what this discovery has already led us to?

I have now started Dreaming Death by Heather Graham.  This time, our heroine sees murder in her dreams...prophetic dreams.  She also sees ghosts.  Partnered with an annoyed agent (annoyed because this is a difficult high profile case and she is a rookie.)  It is set in Washington D. C., a city I have lived in.   The picture of the book is not coming through.  I will try again.

Finished THE DEMON CROWN

 

Different from the others in the series in that I saw no way that the esoteric knowledge they sought would help the problem, but one could say the ending both contrived or genius, depending on how much you enjoy the author.  I do.  Love these books.

I have now started The Code Breaker about the use of CRISPR technology to create the vaccine for the Corona Virus.  I had expected this book to be dry and way above my head, but by incorporating personalities in a story format, at least the first 35 pages have been readable.  It also has short chapters which makes it easier to deal with interruptions.

Finished THE VISITANT

 

Wow.  This is really different and I love it.  Action alternates between present day archeologists unearthing an unusual find and the Anasazi going through an unusual crime spree of scary proportions.  It certainly kept my attention and made me think.

I have now just barely started The Demon Crown by James Rollins.  It begins with a trip by Alexander Graham Bell to Italy to retrieve the bones (now under threat of excavation by a mining company) of the original gifter of the money used to build the Smithsonian Institute.  And, of course, undercovers a dangerous mystery while so doing.

Finished A CRY IN THE NIGHT

 

When I first started this book I thought the opening sounded familiar, but I'd never recorded it in my notebook or on Goodreads.  Then just before I got half-way through, I was sure I knew how it would end, so I skipped to about the third last chapter when I read that the sheriff of the town said something about agreeing with Jenny.  With that much comfort, I went back and read the rest.  It is a cautionary tale, for certain and definitely frightening. 

I have now started The Visitant by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear.  I've read a number of books by these authors and all begin with an archeologist finding something that will be important in the story when we go back it time.  But, once in the past we have stayed there.  Now, I think, this series will be going back and forth between the present archeologists and the past Anasazi, showing how the spiritualism effects both.  Getting into it is slow....

Finished ALCHEMYSTIC

 

A spellmason it seems is one who enchants stone to life.  A handy talent but also one you would not want used against you.  This supernatural talent is one I have not encountered before and, like Strout's Simon Canderous books, is highly inventive.

I have now started A Cry in the Night, an older book by Mary Higgins Clark.  It was hard for me to believe after the author's death that there were still so many of her books I've not read.  I have no idea how I missed this one.

Finished PERIL IN THE PARK

 

Short mystery set in Miami.  Some young adult angst and secret keeping complicates the action.

I have now started reading Alchemistic by Anton Strout.  This is the first book in a new series.  Alexandra's brother is dead (assumed because only his hand grasping his cell phone has been found), murdered (assumed because...the above.) Our heroine is being forced into her family's real estate business, though she'd prefer to just practice her art (sculpture.)

Finished WHITEOUT

 

As a very heavy Christmas snowstorm begins, a group of fortune hunters steals an unsurvivible ebola-type virus in order to sell it to terrorists.  Then they take refuge from the storm with a family who have come together for the holiday.  Good suspense. 

I have now started another Jamie Quinn Mystery, Peril in the Park.  As the new parks administrator for the county, Jamie's boyfriend, Kip, has made enemies.  There has already been a murder and Kip is missing....

Finished THE LAKE WOBEGON VIRUS

 

I expected this to be better/ funnier than it was.  The stories follow so closely together (often in the same paragraph) that it was often hard for me to follow.  Most of it also sounded like gossip and though it was sort of humorous, it made me vaguely uncomfortable.  I don't like gossip...I like stories.  So, I don't know, I may not read any more of this author.  I did make it all the way through the book, which means there was something interesting,  but not enough for me to come back.

I am about to start Whiteout by Ken Follett.

Finished DEADLY TOUCH

 

Our heroine can touch a thing a crime victim touched or stand where a crime was committed and see into the last moments of the victim and where the body is.  Not much help if the victim doesn't know what happened until they were bleeding from the neck and on the ground.  This is one of the most intricate whodunits by Heather Graham that I have read and I appreciated that.  There were a couple times I lost track of the characters, but there was enough detail to help me remember them again.  The intricate plot made the solution a little complicated, but, as usual, I enjoyed the book.  I have driven the entire Tamiami Trail, so I knew the stretch featured in the book, which is kind of fun. I really enjoy this dependable series.

I have now started The Lake Wobegon Virus, by Garrison Keilor.  Although a friend has been encouraging me to read these books, this it the first of them I am reading.  I had intended to read them in the order in which they were written, but many are out of publication and, though some of them are available, they are outrageously expensive.  The virus in question causes its victim to do and say things uncharacteristically honest.  Later the person doesn't remember.  Yes, the first few pages are funny.

Starting DEADLY TOUCH, another KREWE OF HUNTERS book by Heather Graham

 

Heather Graham's books are supernatural romantic mysteries/ thrillers.  Ghosts usually are helpful in keeping the protagonists alive, at least, if not it finding the killer.  The books are pretty much formula written, but settings and occupations of the heroines vary.  I especially love the the novels set in places I have lived or visited.  This is in the Everglades, and yes, I have been there.

Finished SONGBIRD SEASON

 

As Melinda's first year in Prosper, Iowa, draws to a close, she manages to buy the farm (though there are many repairs to pay for), her aunt and uncle face possible disaster with their store, and other new and interesting things happen.  Rural life in tiny town Iowa is always interesting--who knew?

I have now returned to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to read a few pages.  Jonathan is now in Portugal to use his magic to help England in the war effort.  However, Wellington doesn't want his help.  He suggests perhaps magic could help the Chaplain or the Psychologist.  But, Jonathan is persisting.

Finished THE SEVENTH PLAGUE

 

A well-known archeologist sets out to prove or disprove that the 10 plagues of Egypt happened.  He, and others, accidently start to bring them down on the whole world.  Enter Sigma Force.  Exciting story with lots of facts mixed in broadening my understanding of science and history.  Love these books.

In the back of the book is a stand alone story also by James Rollins which should have been read before The Seventh Plague to keep action totally in sync.  But I read it after...didn't bother me too much since the new piece of equipment was fairly well described in The Seventh Plague.  In this story Saichan and Kowalski crash land on a small island in the Azores, where they alone save the world (again.)  It was good as short stories go.  I'm more enamored with involved novels.

I have now started Songbird Season, the fifth in the series by Melanie Lageschulte's "duck out of water"

series about a city woman who buys a farm in Minnesota.  After three fast moving adventures in a row, this is a welcome change.  Our heroine is learning her house has to pass an inspection before the sale will be approved by the county and it looks like there may be lots of expensive improvements to be made.

Finished THE GIRL WITH THE BRAIDED HAIR

 

For a second book in a row, I stayed up until 4 am finishing this book.  A cold case mystery was, from the get-go, dangerous for both Vicki and Father John to be inquiring after.  I think these books just keep getting better.

I am now about to start another James Rollins Sigma Force book, The Seventh Plague.  Like the Outlander books, these are pretty long, so give me a couple weeks.

 

My pictures are not uploading at all today.  It is probably our stupid internet...I'll try again another day.  Hurray.  Worked today.

Finished WE'LL MEET AGAIN

I was up until 4 a. this morning finishing this book.  I've been sleeping on and off, groggy all day.  And you know who I blame!  It rather seems like the subject matter of this book is from Robin Cook's repertoire, but I guess HMOs are fair game for anyone these days.  Needless to say, not being able to put the book down is highest praise.

I am now about to start The Girl With Braided Hair, another Wind River Mystery by Margaret Coel.  Looking forward to getting back to the reservation, Father John and Vicky again...  Looks like looking into a cold case is about to stir up some hot trouble.

 

Have started WE'LL MEET AGAIN by Mary Higgins Clark

 

Shortly after Mary Higgins Clark died and gathered my records as to which of her books I have read (which I thought was most of them.)  I thought I'd only need to add a couple more to have read all of them.  Wrong-o.  Between the author's site and Amazon, I found a bunch more to order and even when I finish this bunch, I will still have more.  In this book a woman has been paroled after serving 6 years for having murdered her husband.  She got a shortened sentence because she pleaded no contest at trial.  But now, she is beginning to remember things she had blocked earlier...

Finished THE SECOND SUMMONING

 

Humorous, interesting, good characters, unusual dilemma, kept my attention.  A combination of Claire's romantic venture, her sister Diana's attempts to decorate and create a good time for all attending her school Christmas dance, and a student who is obsessed by angels has accidently created a very confused angel.  From there the dominos continue to drop making it into an ever bigger mess.  Fun.

I started a book I realized almost immediately that I'd already read.  So I don't know what the next book on the agenda is...yet.

Finished UNNATURAL HABITS

 

As with all of these books, I am blown away with how much can be accomplished in such a small book.  This is one of my favorites because the danger was real with everything Phryne did, and things did not always go according to plan.  I love characters, settings, and plots (of which there were a few.)

I have just started The Second Summoning, the second book in The Keeper Trilogy by Tanya Huff.  A combination of humor and exasperation accompanies the reader through the first hundred pages of this book as characters decide to split up.  Ahhhhgh!

Finished DRAGONFLY IN AMBER

 

Wow.  It took me a month to read this.  But I have enjoyed it.  Some things that weren't clear in the TV series have been much better explained in the books.  And, I have a feeling because of something that seems to have happened in this book, that the TV series may have diverted from the books from this point one....but that remains to be seen.  Love this series.

I am now about to start Unnatural Habits, another Phryne Fisher Mystery, by Kerry Greenwood.

Finished LOVE, LUCY

 

I was young when I Love Lucy was on tv.  I think it's last season was when I was 12, so I remember watching with my family and laughing at her hijinks.  Unfortunately, the humor is more appreciated now...then I was often embarrassed by what she was about to do and cringed while watching.  This book starts with her birth and family and is full of stories through her divorce from Desi and subsequent marriage.  Not once in this book is there a derogatory word against anyone.  Everything about Desi and everyone in her life was positive.  I loved it.  Here was a gracious lady being even better than I'd remembered.

I am now about to start book 2 in the Outlander series, Dragonfly in Amber.  I will start it tonight.

Finished DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS

 

A romance/mystery by Heather Graham with no ghosts...is just not as much fun as her Krewe of Hunters novels.  For some time I've been troubled by the new quirk of a large number of villains/ murderers.  For the sake of surprise, modern mystery writers are just scrapping realism.  However, the novel was readable and engaging.

I have now started Love, Lucy, Lucille Ball's autobiography.  So far, I've read about her childhood, growing up in western New York (not far from where I grew up, though I was a generation later.)  Her style is matter-of-fact and, of course, as one would imagine, quite readable.

Read another 50 pages or so of JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL

 

As I continue in this book, more magical events and people are appearing around London.  Though the people find it diverting, they are also learning how unpredictable it is.

I have now started Down in New Orleans by Heather Graham.  I have been following her Krewe of Hunters book and this romance somehow slipped in.  But it is, of course, also a mystery, so I am on board.  This is not what the cover of the book I am reading looks like, but I couldn't find mine on Goodreads.

Finished THE NICKEL BOYS

Historical novels are wonderful, first because they are a somewhat painless way to learn history.  My history classroom in school was a text with lists of names and dates to memorize.  A good, well researched historical novel can present the reader with well developed characters and then show how history effected them.  Of course, a novel doesn't have to stick strictly to history, as this author showed us in The Underground Railroad.  The Nickel School did not exist and this story is based on a reformatory located in Marianna, FL, a town which appears as you are driving through (which I have a number of times) to be a lovely quiet little rural town.  Read for the history, read for the characters, read for the horror and the twist, but, mostly, read for Colson Whitehead's storytelling..

 I will now return to  Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for another 50 or so pages.

Finished THE BONE LABYRINTH

 

I find it very difficult to explain books by this author.  I have finally decided they are realistic science fiction.  They are only a little outside Robin Cook's books which could actually be happening while I am reading them.  James Rollins ends his books with an explanation of the scientific, archeological, and geographic features in this book are actually real, showing that no matter how outlandish the story seemed, it could actually happen...possibly.  Yikes!  I can't tell you how very much I love these Sigma Force novels of his.

I have now just barely started The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.  The Nickel School in Florida was a place to send juvenile delinquents.  It has a cemetery in it which is in the process of being excavated in hopes of identifying the bodies and giving families some degree of closure.  This novel tells the story of one of the boys sent there.

Finished A SEARING WIND

Knowing how the real story of European conquest of our country continues rather pulls the rug out of the satisfaction of this story, but nonetheless, I heartily recommend the entire series.  Great characters, great action, brilliant setting (love Florida), a cautionary tale.  Loved it.

I have now started The Bone Labyrinth, another Sigma Force novel by James Rollins.  These are adventure tales that include history, science, military, globe jumping and ACTION.  At this point in the story, we have murders, kidnappings, historical/ archeological mysteries, and genetic science.  We have action going on in three cities on three continents.  Whew...

Finished I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE

 

Another book that I could not put down after the half-way point.  I knew it was going to work out (because Clark's books always do), but I my guess as to who was only half right.

I have now started A Searing Wind, Book #3 of the Contact series.  It picks up immediately after Fire the Sky with Black Shell and Pearl Hand picking through the remains of Mabila, which has been almost totally demolished along with the native American forces who fought there.  De Soto's army has also been gravely reduced and his provisions are gone.  But, arrogantly he proceeds to push north into what is now Mississippi with our protagonists following closely.

Finished AMERICAN DEMON

 

All of Kim Harrison's books seem to end with one problem solved by creating another.  Which of course keeps me reading.  I loved the inventive problem created and solved in this book.  I loved the two new quirky characters introduced and can't wait for the next book.

I have now started I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark.  When this author died, I thought I'd read pretty much all of her books so I went to her website and checked.  Nope--not by a long shot.  I ordered like ten more of her books and am working my way through.  In this one, our protagonist has married a very wealthy man who has had a cloud of bad public opinion hanging over his head since his late teens.  One person close to him has died and another disappeared and, of course, he seems the most likely culprit.