Finished THE CASTLEMAINE MURDERS

Another packed mystery by Kerry Greenwood.  This had two mysteries, both impossibly cold cases with a modern element for action, artfully fit into 235 pages which even included a festive, satisfying ending.  Love these books.

I am now about to start Nightshift, #3 in the Midnight trilogy by Charlaine Harris.  This is the last book of the trilogy, so I'll be feeling bereft of a favorite series when I finish...but now, on to reading.

Finished A DENSITY OF SOULS

This story of bullying, homophobia, lust, power, and love greatly effected me.  It is certainly true that if you seek to oppress and hurt someone just because they are different from you or because you are unwilling to face the truth about yourself, the monster you create will be you.

I have now started The Castlemaine Murders, a Phryne Fisher Mystery (#13).  Going on a ride at Luna Park, a nearby amusement park, Phryne finds a mummy encased to look like the fake remnants of a cowboy.  It turns out to be 70 years old, murdered and deliberately mummified.  Once our heroine decides to look into where it came from, someone starts threatening her to stop.  Of course, when did that ever stop Phryne?

Finished LIE DOWN WITH LIONS

My first assessment of this book, that it was set in the late 1990's or at the turn of the century (prior to 9/11) was a conclusion jumped to when I had just barely started.  No, it was set in the early 80's in Afghanistan during the Russian invasion.  It involves a tale of two spies, one for the CIA and one for Russia, with a good caring nurse stuck in the middle.  It is a tale of romance and betrayal.  But more than that, it is a thriller which begins rapidly and moves up from there.  I really enjoyed it.

I am now reading A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice.  Since I had read a novel by Chris and his mother, which had seemed pretty much a continuing with her themes, I expected this to be about supernatural creatures as well.  But, in the prologue of the book, Chris tells the reader that "if that is what you think, you've got the wrong Rice."  💪  Though also set in New Orleans, this centers on bullying, especially of gays.  It is chronicling the effects of such bullying on the gays, but also on the bully.  I once told my students that if you seek to abuse others, the monster you will create is you!  Chris seems to agree with me...

Finished BECOMING Michelle Obama

Most celebrity autobiographies are pretty fast reads...  Of course, this is not a celebrity autobiography per se.  At least, her celebrity came through politics.  And this book is needed.  She represents some big "firsts."  It is complete through the last day as first lady and is much longer and more detailed than I had expected, but it is easily read and understood (as compared to AUDACITY OF HOPE by her husband.)  So many things in this book made me long for the "good old days," although I'm fairly certain Michelle does not feel the same.  I do hope she continues her initiatives and her optimism.

I have now started Ken Follett's Lie Down with Lions.  Set in post 9/11 Paris which is dealing with terrorism, we are introduced to two spies--one in the CIA and another being groomed by the KGB; both seem reasonably likeable.  And the danger of their lives looms momentarily...





I have also completed Fairies and Elves.  The scope of this book includes pixies, elves, witches, and all manner of magical creatures. It is full of stories mostly from Europe beautifully illustrated, some with friendly helpful fairies and others with vengeful spirits.  Some even include mixed love affairs and marriages, all of which seem, invariably, to end in heartbreak, often for both members of the couple.

My new bathroom book is Wizards and Witches, which I am about to start.  There seems to be some overlap with Fairies since that book did include some of the witches of Avelon..  But, in these nebulous worlds of legend, I suppose that is bound to happen.

Finished ORIGIN by Dan Brown

Whew!  Another roller coaster ride that ended (at least the thriller part) entirely differently than I expected. It also, as usual, provided food for thought.  As with all of this author's books, it is a thriller that stimulates the mind as well as the adrenalin.  I loved it.

I am now about to start Becoming by Michelle Obama  (or perhaps it is Becoming Michelle Obama.  It is a clever title for that reason.  In my experience, every human being encounters adversity.  Every female human being encounters more adversity.  And if you are a member of a minority in this country and female, well, you have a STORY TO TELL.  I want to read hers.

Finished JO'S BOYS

But before Jo"s Boys, I read another 100 pages of Alexander Hamilton.  In this section, the government becomes a divided camp between Hamiltonians (advocating a strong central government) and Jeffersonians (advocating states rights).  The president has consistently agreed with Hamilton and no major problem has come up because everyone loves and respects Washington.  However, what will happen when Washington is no longer President?



In modern times and at my ages, this reads slow and goody-goody, but I still was glad to learn what happened to the family as the children grew into adulthood.  And that part I enjoyed.

I have now begun reading Origin by Dan Brown.  At the point I am, Robert Langdon is heading into a meeting in which the speaker is sure what he will say will shake up and change the world's religions, but a religious leader is also walking in to create what is hinted to be a violent surprise.

Finished RAGTIME

Although this is a novel, it reads like non-fiction.  At first I had trouble with the mention of historical figures as a part of the story and the non-fiction feel, but I found myself getting into it.  If I were teaching it, I'd use much of it as examples of irony.

I have now gone back to Alexander Hamilton.  As I picked it up, he was having an affair the circumstances of which make one wonder just how smart he was...  This affair's consequences would come back to haunt him.