Started MY GAL SUNDAY by Mary Higgins Clark

An unlikely couple solve mysteries in in four short stories.  The entire book is just over 200 pages, and the first mystery, at least, is not uncomplicated, though they are moving pretty quickly.  Promises to be pretty good.  I think I have seen one of the stories on Hallmark Mystery Channel.

Finished INTO THE WOODS, by Kim Harrison

I had already read most, but not all, of the stories from the Hollows in other anthologies.  The two I had not read, I very much enjoyed.  I had read none of the stories from beyond the Hollows.  These latter showed Kim shaping her mythology and playing with various fanciful figures as well as a human with supernatural powers.  These gave me insights into her very inventive mind as well as making me long for more of Grace, the last character introduced in this book.

I, then started to read a Mary Jane Clarke book I quickly figured out I have already read, so will start another later today.

Finished FLYING TOO HIGH by Kerry Greenwood

With two mysteries to solve, this turned into a madcap and fun romp with even time for a bit of shenanigans thrown in (because without shenanigans, it couldn't possibly be a Phryne Fisher book.)  Reading these books is a great time...



I am now starting Into the Woods,  a book of short stories by Kim Harrison.  About half of the stories are tales of "the Hollows" and the other half are other stories by the author.  I find I have already read some of the stories by reading other books, so I can skip some.  The first tells how Al convinced Ceri to join him...pretty good.  Skipped the second (Rachel meets Pierce) and am now reading about Ivy's early days with the IS.

Finished THE BOOK OF LIFE by Deborah Harkness

And this finishes the trilogy (unfortunately). I have really enjoyed this one.  She leaves room for another addition to this world, but she will need to come up with more villains to make even one more book.  Maybe set it in a later time, or have another time-walking adventure, or focus on a different character.  I hope she is considering it, because I really enjoy this 'verse she has created.

I have now started Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood.  This is a part of the Phyrne Fisher short mystery series which TR and I discovered on PBS.  Phyrne is a flapper living in 1920s Austrailia, rich and idle until she decides to become a private investigator.  She is hired by Mrs. McNaughton to keep her son, Bill, from murdering his father.  There is also a kidnapping of a young girl by a child molestor to be tracked down.  Quite a bit to handle in 156 pages, especially since enjoyable characters give the reader smiles as well as chills.

Finished NIGHT OVER WATER by Ken Follett

I liked this even better than the much longer historical novels of his that I have read.  About half the size of The Pillars of the Earth, etc, this being shorter is also much tighter, concentrating the tension into a 48 hour period.  With characters every bit as well drawn as those in The Fall of Giants and Winter of the World, the tension is not dissipated by already knowing what will happen to the plane.  I have ordered three more of Follett's thrillers...



I have now started The Book of Life, the third book in Deborah Harkness' witch trilogy.  It has already started intriguingly with Diana and Matthew's return to the present and discovery of Emily's death.  Love these books.

Finished THE SECRET CIRCLE, THE DIVIDE

Witch hunters are in town and that is not the only problem the circle faces.  The book leaves plenty of room for sequels.  I do enjoy these action-packed easy reading books.

I have now started Night Over Water, by Ken Follett.  It is an historical thriller starting in England just after they have declared war against Germany in WWII.  A luxurious Pan Am Clipper is about to leave for America with the "cream of society and the dregs of humanity."   I am only a few pages in and, so far, we are just having a love affair with this beautiful luxurious airplane as it is sumptuously described.  I've only just barely met a couple of the characters.

Finished Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography

I enjoyed it.  Of course, I was disappointed by her reaction to some of her directors and co-stars (not to mention Disney), but I was also delighted by the descriptions of others.  Her life was not as happy or as under control as she appeared in her movies, and that is always a disappointment, but one I am used to from the number of biographies I have read.  However, in a lot of ways, the character she showed us in the movies was similar to herself.  The book was well written and interesting.


I am now reading The Secret Circle 4, The Divide.  I only just noticed that, though it was created by L. J. Smith, it was written by Aubrey Clark.  Also, by reading the quick synopsis in Goodreads I learned something I had not yet learned in the book--and, at p 170, I am already more than half-way through the book.  Having a spoiler in the teaser that far into the book is rather infuriating...  The secret circle is a coven of teen-age witches, most of whom are good witches....