Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon by John H. Watson, M.D. edited by Larry Millett

Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon by John H. Watson, M.D.
Author: Larry Millett
Series: Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage
Publication: Univ Of Minnesota Press; 1 edition (April 18, 2011)

Description: In the summer of 1994, a workman at the historic mansion of railroad baron James J. Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota, stumbles on a long-hidden wall safe. When experts arrive to open the safe and examine its contents, they make an astonishing discovery. There, inside, is a handwritten manuscript bearing the signature of John H. Watson, M.D.

The manuscript contains the story of how Sherlock Holmes and Watson traveled to Minnesota to track a murderous arsonist—known only as the Red Demon—who is threatening both Hill and his Great Northern Railway. Set against the backdrop of the real, devastating Hinckley forest fire of 1894, Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon is the tense and atmospheric first novel in Larry Millett’s classic series of adventures that brought Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to Minnesota.

My Thoughts: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson visit Minnesota at the request of J. J. Hill to investigate threats against his railroads and find themselves in the middle of the great Hinckley fire of 1894 as they try to track down a villain with a grudge against Hill.

I enjoyed the Minnesota history and the vivid descriptions of Hinckley and the logging camps around it. I also liked the quick visit to Duluth which was part of the case. I enjoyed the footnotes which provided additional historical detail about Minnesota in 1894.

The writing felt very much like Conan Doyle's original works about Sherlock Holmes. It was detailed and had a Victorian feel. I enjoyed following the clues along with Watson as he tried to figure out what Holmes was thinking. I found that there was quite a bit of tension as the hunt for the villain intensified along with the flames.

This is the first of a number of Sherlock Holmes adventures written by Larry Millett who has also written a number of nonfiction titles about Minnesota's past.

Favorite Quote:
I awoke the next morning to find daylight streaming into my room and the familiar figure of Sherlock Holmes hovering about like an annoying angel. He was sitting by the window, and when he turned to greet me I was stuck by the fire in his eyes, which seemed to glow like hot embers in their deep sockets. I wondered - not for the first time - what strange and terrible furnace burned within Holmes and fueled his demonic energy.
I bought this one August 8, 2017. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Book Review: I, Robot: To Protect by Mickey Zucker Reichert

I, Robot: To Protect
Author: Mickey Zucker Reichert
Series: I, Robot (Book 1)
Publication: Roc Hardcover; 1st edition (November 1, 2011)

Description: First in an all-new trilogy inspired by Isaac Asimov's legendary science fiction collection I, Robot. 2035: Susan Calvin is beginning her residency at a Manhattan teaching hospital, where a select group of patients is receiving the latest in diagnostic advancements: tiny nanobots, injected into the spinal fluid, that can unlock and map the human mind.Soon, Susan begins to notice an ominous chain of events surrounding the patients. When she tries to alert her superiors, she is ignored by those who want to keep the project far from any scrutiny for the sake of their own agenda. But what no one knows is that the very technology to which they have given life is now under the control of those who seek to spread only death...

My Thoughts: Based on Isaac Asimov's I, Robot, this story tells about the early days of robotics. Dr. Susan Calvin is the main character. She is a resident in Psychiatry at Manhattan Hasbro Hospital. Here first assignment is with inpatient children. One of the first people she meets is Dr. Remington Hawthorn who is a resident in neurosurgery. Their first encounter isn't a foretelling of their future though. Remy is arrogant and Susan cuts him down to size. Susan also encounters protesters when she is entering the hospital. It seems that any medical advance has its detractors who are eager to protest and who might be eager to kill to reach their goals.

Most curious of all, Susan meets Nate, also known as N8-C, a robot so human looking and acting that he could pass for a human. Susan finds him intriguing for many reasons. One of the reasons is that he was produced by the company her father John works for - in a job he doesn't talk about and calls boring. She learns about the three laws of robotics which are designed to keep society safe from robots running amok.

We learn a lot about Susan's work as she treats her first four patients. We also quickly learn that Susan is a genius as she finds fixes for three of her first patients. Two of the fixes were primarily medical but with psychiatric implications. It is the fourth case that is the most difficult. Sharicka Anson is four years old and has juvenile conduct disorder. She has killed her family pet and attempted to kill her sister and other children. She is also cute, charming, witty, extremely intelligent and a champion manipulator of those around her.

Susan, partially because of her father and partially because of her early successes, is invited to take part in a study which will insert nanobots into the brains of people with severe psychiatric issues in the hopes of finding areas for treatment. The project is very secret because of the protesters who are certain that doctors are creating cyborgs that will take over the world or something at least as damaging as that.

When one of the subjects hijacks a bus (which Susan and Remy are on) and detonates a bomb which kills him and damages nearby property, Susan begins to wonder if the experiment has something to do with it. It seems that the subjects are using the three laws of robotics to minimize the damage. The scientists don't want to let the police know because the fear it will set robotics back a hundred years which leaves Susan and Remy trying to find the rest of the subjects. Unfortunately, Sharicka had been chosen as one of the subjects which leaves a sociopath with a bomb on the loose.

This was an intriguing science fiction story the builds on events in the News and suggests a possible future. It is the first of a trilogy and does leave a number of unanswered questions for the next books to answer. I found it compellingly readable and fascinating.

Favorite Quote:
The human mind remained the next great frontier. Despite a multitude of new medications and procedures, mental illness lagged behind the other scourges of humanity.
I bought this one November 1, 2011. You can buy your copy here.

Monday, July 29, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 29, 2019)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Other Than Reading...

This has been a quiet week filled with reading and baseball. I did get out to exercise three times but have otherwise been enjoying my air conditioned house. I should finish all of my September review books this week. I'm planning to try to read more in series that I have been gathering after I finish the review books.

This is also the week that I do my State of the Stack post about my review books. It would be nice to have all the September review copies finished before I write it. Instead of reading books in order of their appearance on my calendar I might read the review ones first.

We got our first power bill since we installed solar and it is roughly half of what we paid during the same time period last year. We were hoping for more but are pretty satisfied. My brother is going to call the power company for help interpreting the bill since he thinks it is still too high. We'll see where that takes us.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

  • The Long Call by Ann Cleeves (Review; Sept. 3) - This is the start of a new mystery series set in Great Britain. I liked the characters and found the plot intriguing. My review will be posted on August 28.
  • Vendetta in Death by J. D. Robb (Review; Sept. 3) - This 49th book in the In Death series was another excellent mystery. I love the characters. My review will be posted on Sept. 1.
  • Well Met by Jen DeLuca (Review; Sept. 3) - This was an entertaining contemporary romance by a debut author. I liked that it revolved around a Renaissance Faire. My review will be posted on August 31.


  • The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier (Review; Sept. 3) - This is the first book in a new epic fantasy by the author. I liked the characters and the worldbuilding. My review will be posted on August 29.
  • Remembering the Dead by Elizabeth J. Duncan (Review; Sept. 10) - This tenth Penny Brannigan mystery worked well for me even though it is the first in the series that I read. The plot was well developed but I didn't feel much suspense. It seemed like Penny just fell into the various clues. My review will be posted on Sept. 3.
  • Ice Cold Heart by P. J. Tracy (Review; Sept. 10) - The latest in the Monkeewrench mysteries was the usual thrill ride. Multiple plot threads were woven together into a satisfying whole. My review will be posted on Sept. 4.

Currently


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Sunday, July 28, 2019

Book Review: The Chase by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

The Chase
Author: Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg
Series: Fox and O'Hare (Book 2)
Publication: Bantam; First Edition edition (February 25, 2014)

Description: Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, bestselling authors of The Heist, return in this action-packed, exciting adventure featuring master con artist Nicolas Fox and die-hard FBI agent Kate O’Hare. And this time around, things go from hot to nuclear when government secrets are on the line.

Internationally renowned thief and con artist Nicolas Fox is famous for running elaborate and daring scams. His greatest con of all: convincing the FBI to team him up with the only person who has ever caught him, and the only woman to ever capture his attention, Special Agent Kate O’Hare. Together they’ll go undercover to swindle and catch the world’s most wanted—and untouchable—criminals.

Their newest target is Carter Grove, a former White House chief of staff and the ruthless leader of a private security agency. Grove has stolen a rare Chinese artifact from the Smithsonian, a crime that will torpedo U.S. relations with China if it ever becomes public. Nick and Kate must work under the radar—and against the clock—to devise a plan to steal the piece back. Confronting Grove’s elite assassins, Nick and Kate rely on the skills of their ragtag crew, including a flamboyant actor, a Geek Squad techie, and a band of AARP-card-carrying mercenaries led by none other than Kate’s dad.

A daring heist and a deadly chase lead Nick and Kate from Washington, D.C., to Shanghai, from the highlands of Scotland to the underbelly of Montreal. But it’ll take more than death threats, trained henchmen, sleepless nights, and the fate of a dynasty’s priceless heirloom to outsmart Fox and O’Hare.

My Thoughts: THE CHASE was an entertaining heist story with many quirky side characters. The main characters are FBI Agent Kate O'Hare and Number Ten on the FBI's most wanted list Nicholas Fox. Kate finally captured Nick after a long chase and now he is working undercover along with Kate for the FBI.

Their current assignment is to break into the Smithsonian and steal a forged artifact that is supposed to be turned back to the Chinese who were the original owners. Of course, that the artifact is a forgery is a secret that would embarrass the US if it were revealed.

Kate and Nick have to recover the original from a former Chief of Staff who now runs the premier mercenary organization for black ops in the world. He has quite a collection of stolen art. They need to bread into his very posh and very technologically current new mansion, find the artifact, and get away with it.

Naturally, there is a time crunch...

I loved the dialog and the sexual tension between Nick and Kate. I loved the fast pace of the story. I loved the quirky side characters who provided quite a bit of humor in the story. 

Favorite Quote:
"We want you to break into the Smithsonian."

"Always a pleasure," Nick said.

Kate raised an eyebrow at Nick. "You've done it before?"

Nick shrugged. "Nobody goes to D.C. without visiting the Smithsonian."

"Most people go when it's open."

"I don't like crowds."
I bought this one June 25, 2014. You can buy your copy here.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Book Review: Reflex by Dick Francis

Reflex
Author: Dick Francis
Publication: G.P. Putnam's Sons (October 4, 2005)

Description: A jockey unravels nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail, and murder in this mystery from grand master of crime fiction Dick Francis.

Longtime jockey Philip Nore is no hero. But when he begins to suspect that a racetrack photographer’s fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and trap the killer. Slowly, he unravels some nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail and murder—and unwittingly sets himself up as the killer’s next target...

My Thoughts: Main character Philip Nore is a steeplechase jockey nearing the end of his career. He does have a possible new career as a photographer but lacks the confidence to give up his present for a potential future. He is a very intriguing character who is the product of a very unusual childhood. Philip's seventeen-year-old mother would frequently leave him with friends for various lengths of time. His few times with his mother were spent in a drug culture. He was exposed to marijuana and LSD as a preschooler. He saw his mother infrequently and never after the age of fifteen. He received birthday and Christmas gifts until his eighteenth birthday when he assumed she died - probably of a heroin overdose.

Two of the homes where he was left have influenced his present. He spent a couple of years with a gay couple named Charlie and Duncan who developed his interest in photography. He was with them for a couple of years until Duncan left and his mother swept him away to friends at a racing stable who developed his interest in being a jockey.

Now 30, he's more or less drifting in his life. Then a few things happen that change him. The trainer and owner he works for most often have asked him to throw a race. He had done this for them in the past but not for the last three years. And famous racing photographer George Millace died in a single car accident. Millage was an excellent photographer but not much liked because he had an unerring eye for photos that most didn't want to see. He was filled with ill will. His son Steve is a fellow jockey with Philip.

When Steve has a fall and breaks his collarbone, Philip offers him a ride home. Steve's mother's house had been burgled while they were at the funeral and again a couple of days later. The second time Mrs. Millace was beaten up by the burglars who were looking for a safe. Steve gives Philip a box of his father's mistakes that he had carefully kept and Philip was intrigued to find out why he had saved them. His common interest in photography and love of puzzles drew him in - and led him into danger.

Another change is also coming to Philip's life. The grandmother who threw her daughter out when she was a teen wants to see him. She's sent a lawyer from the firm who does her business to bring him to her. The lawyer guilts Philip into visiting the grandmother he hates for her treatment of his mother. She drops a bombshell and wants him to find his sister Amanda - a sister he didn't know he had.

Philip works with the lawyer to look for his sister while trying to solve George Millace's puzzles. The puzzles lead to Millace's possible side job as a blackmailer and put Philip in great danger from those Millace had blackmailed when they learn that he has the photographic files.

This was an excellent story with an intriguing main character and very interesting photographic puzzles. I really liked the descriptions of the characters which illuminated them in a few short sentences. I liked Philip learning more about his family and his past. I also liked that it led him to a new future and a woman to love.

Favorite Quote:
Most people's lives, I thought, weren't a matter of world affairs, but of the problems right beside them. Not concerned portentously with saving mankind, but with creating local order: in small checks and balances.
I bought this one recently for my Kindle to supplement the paperback I've had for many years. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Friday Memes: Reflex by Dick Francis

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City ReaderThe Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:
Winded and coughing, I lay on one elbow and spat out a mouthful of grass and mud. The horse I'd been riding raised its weight off my ankle, scrambled untidily to its feet and departed at an unfeeling gallop. I waited for things to settle: chest heaving, bones still rattling from the bang, sense of balance recovering from a thirty-mile-an-hour somersault and a few tumbling rolls. Nor harm done. Nothing broken. Just another fall.
Friday 56:
"But...everyone takes photographs."

"Sure they do. But not everyone takes a long series of photographs which illustrate a whole way of life." She tapped off the ash. "It's all there, isn't it? The hard work, the dedication, the bad weather, the humdrum, the triumphs, the pain...I've only looked through these pictures once, and in so sort of order and I know what your life's like. I know it intimately. Because that's how you've photographed it."
This week I am revisiting a book I read years ago. It was brought back to my mind by Amazon which featured Reflex by Dick Francis as a Kindle Daily Deal. Here is the description from Amazon:
A jockey unravels nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail, and murder in this mystery from grand master of crime fiction Dick Francis.

Longtime jockey Philip Nore is no hero. But when he begins to suspect that a racetrack photographer’s fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and trap the killer. Slowly, he unravels some nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail and murder—and unwittingly sets himself up as the killer’s next target...

Thursday, July 25, 2019

ARC Review: Death in a Budapest Butterfly by Julia Buckley

Death in a Budapest Butterfly
Author: Julia Buckley
Series: A HUNGARIAN TEA HOUSE MYSTERY (Book 1)
Publication: Berkley (July 30, 2019)

Description: Hana Keller serves up European-style cakes and teas in her family-owned tea house, but when a customer keels over from a poisoned cuppa, Hana and her tea-leaf reading grandmother will have to help catch a killer in the first Hungarian Tea House Mystery from Julia Buckley.

Hana Keller and her family run Maggie's Tea House, an establishment heavily influenced by the family's Hungarian heritage and specializing in a European-style traditional tea service. But one of the shop's largest draws is Hana's eccentric grandmother, Juliana, renowned for her ability to read the future in the leaves at the bottom of customers' cups. Lately, however, her readings have become alarmingly ominous and seemingly related to old Hungarian legends...

When a guest is poisoned at a tea event, Juliana’s dire predictions appear to have come true. Things are brought to a boil when Hana’s beloved  Anna Weatherley butterfly teacup becomes the center of the murder investigation as it carried the poisoned tea. The cup is claimed as evidence by a handsome police detective, and the pretty Tea House is suddenly endangered.  Hana and her family must catch the killer to save their business and bring the beautiful Budapest Butterfly back home where it belongs.

My Thoughts: Hana Keller and her family run a tea house and Hana collects Hungarian teacups and other art. One day, at a tea party for the Magyar Women, a woman named Ava Novak sips her tea from one of Hana's collector tea cups and dies.

Hana, her mother, and grandmother get involved in the investigation because of their knowledge of Hungarian and the Hungarian myths that seem to underlie the investigation. Police Detective Erik Wolf is glad for their help. He and Hana develop a relationship around the investigation since she seems to find lots of clues to bring to his attention.

The story was filled with Hungarian myths, food, and language. There was also a lot of description of things that didn't necessarily need to be described. I kept thinking that the various detailed descriptions would feature in the plot, but they did not.

Fans of cozies with recipes and with an interest in Hungarian culture would be the best audience for this story.

Favorite Quote:
I was dizzy from indecision. I stood facing the V at the top of his shirt, where blond hairs curled against his tanned skin. Without my permission, my fingertip touched him there, on the little hollow in his throat. It felt electric, that moment of connection. I thought I felt his heart beating against the tentative pressure of my hand.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

ARC Review: The Duke Is But a Dream by Anna Bennett

The Duke Is But a Dream
Author: Anna Bennett
Series: Debutante Diaries (Book 2)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 30, 2019)

Description: She’s a secret sensation. 

Miss Lily Hartley is the anonymous mastermind behind the ton’s latest obsession: The Debutante’s Revenge, a tell-all advice column for young ladies. To keep her identity hidden, Lily delivers her columns disguised as a boy—which is well and good, until she lands in the middle of tavern brawl. As luck would have it, a devastatingly handsome duke sweeps in to rescue her.

He has no idea who she is.

Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, discovers there’s a beautiful woman hiding beneath a lad’s cap, and, before long, he’s falling for the delightfully clever stranger recuperating in his house. He vows to help her find her home, even though he’s reluctant to part with her. There’s only one problem…

Neither does she.

Lily has no idea who she is. She could be a duchess or maid. Betrothed or married. There’s only one thing she does know—that her attraction to Nash is more than skin-deep, and it grows stronger every day. While Lily and Nash search to find her true identity, they just might lose their hearts to each other...

My Thoughts: Miss Lily Hartley, her sister Fiona, and her friend Sophie are the masterminds behind the potentially scandalous advice column for young debutantes called The Debutante's Revenge. They give advice to young women looking to navigate the marriage mart. However, if their secret is revealed, they will be thrown out of society.

One evening, Lily disguises herself as a boy and delivers the latest column to the newspaper. Because her sister and her new husband are out of town as are her parents, Lily takes the opportunity at freedom and explore parts of London she has seen before. She finds herself in a pub and in the middle of a bar fight.

Lily is rescued by Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, who was also in the pub. Lily has an accident that was partially caused by Nash so he brings her to his home and calls his doctor. When Lily awakens, she has no memory of her past. Nash and his sister Delilah, who is a big fan of the Debutante's Revenge, nurse her back to health. They want to help her recover her memory.

Nash and Delilah have just returned to London from five years at their country home. A tragic accident which cost the life of their father and Nash's twin sister sent them away from all the memories and left Nash guilty and afraid to commit his heart to anyone.

The story has Nash and Lily falling in love while Delilah is also falling in love - with a very unsuitable suitor. I loved the relationship between Nash and Lily as she convinced him that his heart was safe with her.

Favorite Quote:
"If you truly care for him, you will notice more than his broad shoulders and handsome visage. For few qualities are more desirable in a partner than a beautiful mind."
                                                        -- The Debutante's Revenge
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

ARC Review: A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham

A Highlander Walks Into a Bar
Author: Laura Trentham
Series: Highland, Georgia (Book 1)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 30, 2019)

Description: The timeless romance, soaring passion―and gorgeous men―of Scotland comes to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…

Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…

Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town―or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?

My Thoughts: Isabel Buchanan's mother Rose comes home from a vacation in Scotland with an interesting souvenir. She's brought back Gareth Connors. Isabel isn't sure what to think about her mother's actions. Yes, she wants her widowed mother to be happy but her new relationship seems quick and poorly timed. Isabel and Rose are supposed to be deep into plans for the annual Scottish festival in their hometown of Highland, Georgia. Rose is quite distracted by her new flame.

Meanwhile, Alasdair Blackmoor is on the trail of his missing uncle. When he tracks Gareth down it is to find that he has neglected to mention that he is an Earl and, in fact, the owner of the estate that Rose enjoyed touring. Alasdair has had a strained relationship with his uncle since his father died in a car accident and his mother swept him off to London. Even so, he isn't about to let his uncle fall prey to a potential gold digger.

Isabel and Alasdair both want to protect their relatives but end up falling for each other. Izzy doesn't think the relationship has a future though with her future in Georgia and his in London. What she doesn't know is that he really hates his job especially when his boss tries to get him to manipulate Rose and Izzy and get hold of their property.

I liked tall, dark, and handsome Alasdair and really liked clumsy, protective and chatty Izzy. This was a fun romance with great characters.

Favorite Quote:
"She has to smell good." Like wildflowers, he didn't add, afraid the truth would give too much of himself away.

"A funny girl who wears deodorant. You might want to set your standards a bit higher." Her voice lifted with her amusement, which made him feel lighter.

"I don't know. I've dated a string of women and none of them have met my standards."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Monday, July 22, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 22, 2019)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Other Than Reading...

This week has been a big blogging week. Since I'm nearing the end of my August calendar (except for It's Monday posts), I filled in my September calendar and did as much of each post as I could do before reading the books. I have quite a few review books. I've read one and have ten more to go. I filled in the blank spots with some recent arrivals and with continuing the Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King which are rereads and the Susan Elia MacNeal books which I'm reading for the first time.

I'll be concentrating on reading review books for a while before I can try to lower my TBR mountain.

We've had a mostly cloudy but very warm week. Luckily the rain that swept up the Mississippi River valley as the remainder of Barry didn't make it all the way to Duluth. Yesterday there was baseball sized hail just a few miles south of us. All we got were a few sprinkles and overcast skies. My car was in the garage but my brother was very grateful because his 20 year old sportscar was parked outside his place of employment. Parts are hard to find for a car of that age.

Solar Power: We went over 1MWh while I was writing this post. We've produced 788 kWh so far this month. We should be getting our first power bill since we went solar soon. I'm eager to see what it does to our bill.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

  • Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Mine) - This is the latest Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery. My review will be posted on October 17.
  • The Last Good Guy by T. Jefferson Parker (Review; August 13) - Intense contemporary thriller that harks back to the noir detective stories of the 1940s. My review will be posted on August 10)
  • Cold Woods by Karen Katchur (Review; August 13) - Twisty thriller about what happens when 30 year old bones are unearthed. Lots of flashbacks. My review will be posted August 11.


  • How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne (Review; Aug. 27) - Entertaining historical romance with a touch of mystery too. My review will be posted on August 24.
  • Stolen Things by R. H. Herron (Review; Aug. 20) - Intense thriller where a police dispatcher picks up a 911 call and hears her daughter begging for help. My review will be posted on August 17.
  • Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore (Review; Sept. 3) - Entertaining historical romance that deals with women's suffrage and social classes. My review will be posted on August 27.

Currently


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Sunday, July 21, 2019

Book Review: Down the Darkest Road by Tami Hoag

Down the Darkest Road
Author: Tami Hoag
Series: Oak Knoll (Book 3)
Publication: Dutton (2012)

Description: Once upon a time I had the perfect family. I had the perfect husband. I had the perfect children. I had the perfect life in the perfect home. And then, as in all fairy tales, evil came into our lives and destroyed us.

Four years after the unsolved disappearance of her sixteen-year-old daughter, Lauren Lawton is the only one still chasing the ghosts of her perfect Santa Barbara life. The world has given her daughter up for dead. Her husband ended his own life in the aftermath. Even Lauren's younger daughter is desperate to find what's left of the childhood she hasn't been allowed to have.

Lauren knows exactly who took her oldest child, but there is not a shred of evidence against the man. Even as he stalks her family, Lauren is powerless to stop him. The Santa Barbara police are handcuffed by the very laws they are sworn to uphold. Looking for a fresh start in a town with no memories, Lauren and her younger daughter, Leah, move to idyllic Oak Knoll. But when Lauren's suspect turns up in the same city, it feels to all the world that history is about to repeat itself. Leah Lawton will soon turn sixteen, and Oak Knoll has a cunning predator on the hunt.

Sheriff's detective Tony Mendez and his team begin to close in on the suspected killer, desperate to keep the young women of their picturesque town safe. But as the investigators sift through the murky circumstances of an increasingly disturbing case, a stunning question changes everything they thought they knew. In Down the Darkest Road, #1 New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag proves again why she is one of the world's most beloved storytellers.

My Thoughts: This is the third Oak Knoll thriller. This one stars Detective Tony Mendez and has walk-ons from Vince and Anne Leone.

The story begins when Lauren Lawton and her daughter Leah come to Oak Knoll. They have gone through a very bad four years since Lauren's daughter and Leah's sister Leslie disappeared without a trace. The stresses were horrible as Lauren became totally focused on the hunt for Leslie. She harassed police departments in a number of jurisdictions because she didn't feel they were doing enough to find her daughter.

There is a suspect - Roland Ballencoa - who the police liked for the crime but they had no concrete evidence to link him to Leslie's disappearance. A small spot of blood in his van might be Leslie's but DNA testing hasn't advanced enough yet in 1990 to test it.

Lauren is sure that Ballencoa is stalking her but, again, there is no proof. In fact, Ballencola has sued her and local police departments for harassment and won. He is a very smart criminal who knows how to skirt the edge of the law.

Tony gets involved when Lauren and Leah come to Oak Knoll. He believes her and is very frustrated about how much the police department can do and still uphold the law. Lauren is a woman at the end of her rope. She doesn't eat; she doesn't sleep; she drinks too much. Leah is also falling apart but in a much quieter way; she has started cutting to ease the pain. Anne Leone wants to try to help them but can't do much more than offer herself as a sounding board for Lauren and Leah.

This story was told from multiple viewpoints. Lauren is writing about the experience to try to ease some of the pain. Tony is trying to get background on Ballencoa and working with another police officer from a jurisdiction that was the previous home of Ballencoa. We also get Ballencoa's very creepy viewpoint.

This was an exciting page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked seeing Lauren's viewpoint as a woman obsessed with getting answers about the fate of her child. I felt sorry for Leah who felt abandoned by the mother she loves very much and who is very angry at her sister for the reckless behavior that led to her disappearance. I understood the frustration of law enforcement that felt that their hands were tied.

Favorite Quote:
"Had he left something? Taken something?"

She shook her head. "No, but things had been moved, touched. He had been there. He drank a glass of wine, washed the glass, and left it where I would see it. He had used the bathroom and put the hand towel in the wash. He had done a load of laundry."

"Excuse me?"
I bought this one July 3, 2012. You can buy your copy here.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Book Review: The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson

The Baker Street Letters
Author: Michael Robertson
Series: The Baker Street Letters (Book 1)
Publication: Minotaur Books; Reprint edition (February 1, 2011)

Description: First in a spectacular new series about two brother lawyers who lease offices on London's Baker Street--and begin receiving mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes

In Los Angeles, a geological surveyor maps out a proposed subway route―and then goes missing. His eight-year-old daughter in her desperation turns to the one person she thinks might help―she writes a letter to Sherlock Holmes.

That letter creates an uproar at 221b Baker Street, which now houses the law offices of attorney and man about town Reggie Heath and his hapless brother Nigel. Instead of filing the letter like he's supposed to, Nigel decides to investigate. Soon he's flying off to L.A., inconsiderately leaving a very dead body on the floor in his office. Big brother Reggie follows Nigel to California, as does Reggie's sometime lover, Laura – a quick-witted stage actress who's captured the hearts of both brothers.

When Nigel is arrested, Reggie must use all his wits to solve a case that Sherlock Holmes would have savored, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fans will adore.

My Thoughts: This is the story of two brothers, both lawyers, who have taken up new office space on Baker Street. Reggie is the elder and more successful of the brothers. Nigel is the younger and something of a screw-up. As a part of their lease, the brothers receive letters written to a more famous occupant at that address - Sherlock Holmes. Also according to their lease, which Reggie didn't read as closely as he should have, they are to return a form response and not do anything else with the letters on pain of losing their lease and being liable for the whole time period's rent.

Nigel is currently without his license to practice law because of a case where he was too ethical and ran afoul of the daughter of his client while he was trying to return his fee. He is spending his time reading the letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes. Nigel becomes fascinated by one sent twenty years earlier by an eight-year-old Los Angeles girl who wants Sherlock to help her find her missing father. What fascinates Nigel is that there have been two more recent letters asking Sherlock to return the enclosures that were sent with the first letter. He decides to take the letter and enclosures to LA to try to find the young woman.

Reggie is expecting him to show up for the hearing that will reinstate his license but he doesn't show up. When Reggie checks Nigel's office, he finds it trashed and the body of their law clerk there in the mess apparently bludgeoned to death by a sculpture that belonged to Nigel. Reggie takes off to LA to try to find his missing brother before the London police can.

As Reggie searches for his brother, he finds himself inside a multi-million dollar conspiracy that has personal implications for Reggie. He also finds another dead body and this time he's a suspect.

This was an engaging story. Reggie is an interesting character but not initially likable. He seems rigid in his views and not very sympathetic to the idea that his brother might have his own plans for his future. His relationship with his girlfriend Laura is faltering because of his inability to make a commitment. And for a highly qualified and successful lawyer, he certainly seems to have trouble reading the contracts he blithely signs!

Favorite Quote:
"That would be annoying."

"It is. Every damn little thing get reported. Last week someone broke in here and figured it would be fun to pour five pounds of damn sugar into the mole's gas tank. Standard high school prank, but it made the five o'clock news. Then two nights ago an underground water main ruptures next to the new tunnel between downtown and the Hollywood sites, creating a sinkhole clear across Sunset, and some poor hooker tripped and mussed herself falling in. That made the five o'clock, the six, the ten, and the eleven o'clock news."

"Of course," said Reggie. "Nothing gets media attention like water-damaged hookers."

"Yeah, and I just hope she doesn't sue me for missing a night's work."
I bought this one October 4, 2016. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Friday Memes: The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City ReaderThe Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:
"Why are you staring at me that way?"

Laura hardly looked up from her dinner to ask thins. She arched one eyebrow over one olive green eye.

"Your hair," lied Reggie, "is in your champagne."
Friday 56:
"Why, yes," she said, and now she looked at Reggie with her pale brow furrowed. "I hope there's no reason to say this," said the woman, "and I would certainly not be the one to snitch to Dorset National -- but I trust you are truly just...tidying up -- and not attempting to contact one of these people directly. That would be --"

"Bloody foolish," said Reggie.

He thanked the woman again.

And then he drove to Heathrow, with the address for the Los Angeles letter writer in his pocket.
This week I am spotlighting The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson which has been on my TBR mountain since October of 2016. Here is the description from Amazon:
First in a spectacular new series about two brother lawyers who lease offices on London's Baker Street--and begin receiving mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes

In Los Angeles, a geological surveyor maps out a proposed subway route―and then goes missing. His eight-year-old daughter in her desperation turns to the one person she thinks might help―she writes a letter to Sherlock Holmes.

That letter creates an uproar at 221b Baker Street, which now houses the law offices of attorney and man about town Reggie Heath and his hapless brother Nigel. Instead of filing the letter like he's supposed to, Nigel decides to investigate. Soon he's flying off to L.A., inconsiderately leaving a very dead body on the floor in his office. Big brother Reggie follows Nigel to California, as does Reggie's sometime lover, Laura – a quick-witted stage actress who's captured the hearts of both brothers.

When Nigel is arrested, Reggie must use all his wits to solve a case that Sherlock Holmes would have savored, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fans will adore.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Book Review: A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King

A Monstrous Regiment of Women
Author: Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes (Book 2)
Publication: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (July 15, 1995)

Description: It is 1921 and Mary Russell--Sherlock Holmes's brilliant apprentice, now an Oxford graduate with a degree in theology--is on the verge of acquiring a sizable inheritance. Independent at last, with a passion for divinity and detective work, her most baffling mystery may now involve Holmes and the burgeoning of a deeper affection between herself and the retired detective. Russell's attentions turn to the New Temple of God and its leader, Margery Childe, a charismatic suffragette and a mystic, whose draw on the young theology scholar is irresistible. But when four bluestockings from the Temple turn up dead shortly after changing their wills, could sins of a capital nature be afoot? Holmes and Russell investigate, as their partnership takes a surprising turn in A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King.

My Thoughts: Mary has graduated from Oxford and is just about to turn twenty-one and finally claim her inheritance and independence from her despised aunt when she encounters old friend Ronnie Beaconsfield in London. Ronnie introduces her to Margery Childe who is running a religious, feminist, charitable organization.

Mary is fascinated when she hears Margery speak and is intrigued by her take on theology. She is also intrigued by the various charitable and political activities of temple since they fit into her feminist viewpoints. But things are not all wonderful. There have been a series of deaths of women associated with the Temple who just happen to have included the Temple in their wills for substantial amounts.

When Ronnie is almost a victim of a fatal accident, Mary begins to put things together to investigate who might have a reason to want to collect these young women's gifts long before they should. She cannot suspect Margery herself but those around her are certainly suspects.

When Mary herself is kidnapped and held by a kidnapper who tries to addict her to heroin, it takes a while for Sherlock to realize she is missing and then to find her. Mary's kidnapping certainly clarified her feelings for Holmes and his for her which had been a source of stress for both of them since Mary had grown up.

I loved the historical setting and the intriguing information about theology that is included in the book. I also loved seeing the aftereffects of World War I both on the men who fought it and the women who stayed at home. Women who had substantial roles in work and society weren't going to be stuffed back into their roles as subordinate to men and confined to household duties.

This is quite an intriguing and thought-provoking historical mystery where the mystery plays equally with the other themes of social change and religion.

Favorite Quote:
She looked back instantly at the page, removed her finger from the line, and seizing the book in both hands, spoke in a single, flowing sentence.

"The boy has a cup of tea for his mother," she read, and repeated it, then looked up again and laughed, her eyes shining with the suddenly comprehended magic of the written word. Her teeth were mostly gums, she smelt of unwashed wool, her hair lay lank, and her skin wanted milk and fruit, but for the moment, she was beautiful.
I bought this one for my Kindle June 2. You can buy your copy here.