Category Archives: Currently Reading

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Week of May 21

I read three good books this week, all purchased at Malice in April.

First up, Watch her by Edwin Hill.

The second Hester Thursby mystery. Hest, and her friend Detective Angela White are at a university function when another guest, Jennifer Mason, mentions their mansion has been broken into. Hester and Angela investigate and Hester begins to doubt the Matsons’s story. Investigation into finances connected to the university reveals financial malfeasance. How are they linked? A murder ramps up the urgency.

I really enjoy these mysteries, not least because Hester does a lot of research (she is a researcher) that reminds me strongly of library reference work.

The second book I read is An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. I have enjoyed all of her works and this one does not disappoint.

The former United States has been broken up into five regions: Britannia (still allied with Great Britain), Dixie (the Southern States), Texoma (Texas and environs), New America, and the Holy Russian Empire (California, Oregon and Washington State). Lizbeth Rose is a gunnie from Texoma, a hired gun that signs onto crews tasked with transporting refugees from Texoma through the a bandit-ridden land to New America. This trip goes sideways and she is the only one remaining of the crew. She rescues the cargo and gets all of them but two alive to New America. Home again, she is hired for another job by rigors (Russian magic users) to find a descendent of Rasputin. A gory adventure. Highly recommended.

Finally, I read The Bone Track, the second in Sara E. Johnson’s New Zealand mysteries.

Alexa Glock is on vacation with her brother Charlie hiking in Fiordland National Park. They are independent hikers, hiking from hut to hut, under rainy conditions with regular landslides.

If that were not excitement enough, Alexa, running from a landslide, stumbles across a body revealed by the shifting early. She goes into forensic investigator mode and photographs the skeleton and takes evidence. While she is so involved, a helicopter carrying a bag of bulk rocks tries to kill her by dropping the bulk bag on her.

Simultaneously, one of the luxe hikers is missing. Alexa and her brother find it smashed on the rocks below a swing bridge over a gorge. Then Alexa discovers the marks of hiking poles used to push the victim off the cliff in her back.

Highly Recommended for both the mystery and the setting.

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Week of May 8. I read the fourth Ozark mystery by Nancy Allen – The Wolf in the Woods, and my first Heather Weidner The Tulip Shirt Murders.

In the Wolf in The Woods,

Elsie’s friend Bree’s daughter is swept up in a human trafficking scheme. Elsie goes undercover and puts herself in danger to rescue Taylor and her friend. This is the fourth of the Ozark series, and there are several threads left unresolved. Unfortunately, there is not a fifth. I really enjoyed these mysteries even though Elsie, a flawed character, really needs to grow up.

While at Malice Domestic, I purchased the Tulip Shirt Murders.

Written in an episodic manner, the mystery follows the daily activities of Melanie Fitzgerald, P.I. The murders are not front and center, but a part of the many cases Delainie and her partner Duncan investigate. Very cozy. After reading this book, I am convinced I am not suited to be a private investigator.

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Week of May 2. This week I read The Wages of Sin, by Nancy Allen, Death at Chinatown by Frances McNamara and Death and Hard Cider by Barbara Hambly.

In Wages of Sin, Elsie works on a case in which a man batters his 8 month old pregnant wife to death with a baseball bat.

Of course, the case is more complicated that it first appears, involving a meth lab and a traumatized young girl. Elsie is also negotiating her on/off relationship with Detective Ashcroft. Now that he has taken in his son, Ashcroft has been given a list of rules by his ex-wife and it is seriously impacting his relationship with Elsie. I really enjoy these books although they are dark, and Elsie’s success in court is never assured. Recommended.

The second book I read is Death at Chinatown, a book I picked up at Malice Domestic.

Emily Cabot Chapman is drawn into the murder of a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. A woman doctor from China has been accused of the murder. The tension in the Chinese community between the traditionalists, (there is a description of some young women with bound feet) and those who want to see China progress – but not always with Western ideals. As in Death at the Homefront, which described the prejudice against the Germans, this book deals with the prejudice against the Chinese.

At the same time, Emily, who has two small children, is trying to balance her responsibilities as a wife and mother with Stephen’s urging for her to go back to work – and the conflict that causes.

Another good mystery, well-researched. I do wish I’d read it in order, though.

Finally, I read Death and Hard Cider. Barbara Hambly is one of my favorite authors. I began reading her when she wrote science fiction and moved with her when she began her Benjamin January mysteries.

It is 1840 and William Henry Harrison (Tippencanoe and Tyler too) is running for President. Henry Clay and his son James visit New Orleans. After one of the many events, a beautiful young girl is found shot to death. One of January’s friends, a former placee, is arrested for the murder. January and his friend Shaw are not satisfied and begin to look into the murder.

As always, the characters and the setting are top rate. I always feel as though I am right there, with the heat and the smell of the swamp and the constant danger of being a black man, although free, in a slave owning community. Highly recommended.

Currently Reading – April 17

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Although I spent this past weekend in North Bethesda, MD for Malice Domestic, I still managed to read two books. The first was Ninja’s Blade by Tori Eldridge, the second in her Lily Wong series. The second was a book I bought at Malice. Murder in First Position, by Lori Robbins, features a ballerina as the main protagonist/detective.

Ninja’s Blade is even more exciting than Ninja’s Daughter.

Lily Wong is hired to find a young woman, Emma, who was rescued from the streets and prostitution. While Lily is searching, she becomes aware of the trafficking of minors. Dolla is a recruiter for Manolo, a really terrifying pimp. Lily struggles to find out what she needs to know and finally goes undercover as a streetwalker to rescue the girls. Exciting and gritty. Highly recommended but Not for the faint of heart.

The second mystery was Murder in First Position.

Leah Siderova is coming back from a serious knee injury. She is in competition for a lead role but when her rival is found stabbed with a pair of scissors, she goes from ballerina to murder suspect. Former friends and fellow dancers treat her like a pariah. When the police are poised to arrest her, Leah goes on the run. She finds new friends in a band of ladies on their way to Atlantic City. Leah’s sister plays decoy and in a final scene at the theater the murderer is finally revealed.

What an interesting, albeit disheartening, view of the ballet world. Rivalry, backstabbing, out and out cruelty. And the ballerina’s struggles to stay at ninety pounds certainly put my diet struggles in perspective. Recommended.

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Week of April 5

Now that I have completed reading the books for my Malice Domestic panel, I am branching out. This week I read the newest book by an old and favorite author (Ann Cleeves – The Heron’s Cry), and a book by a new author, to me at least (Nancy Allen – the Code of the Hills).

Cleeves’s new book is the second in her Matthew Venn series.

Venn is called to an artist’s colony. Dr. Nigel Yeo has been stabbed to death by a shard of glass from one of his daughter’s glass creations. Dr Yeo is an unexpected victim. A good man, and very concerned about the treatment of mental health patients, he has been investigating the suicide of young man.

Then the owner of the artist’s colony is found murdered in exactly the same way. Since Matthew’s husband Jonathan is connected to this colony, he must tread carefully.

Although the Vera and Jimmy Perez mysteries are my favorites, the Matthew Venn books are very enjoyable as well.

The second of the two is The Code of the Hills by Nancy Allen.

Although she is probably more well – known as a co-writer with James Patterson, this mystery that she wrote alone is great as well. Elsie Arnold is a state prosecutor tasked with trying an incest case. Kris Taney has been accused of the rape of his two oldest daughters.

Everyone lies to Elsie, including Kris’s wife and the two daughters. Then a Evangelical group becomes involved – and Elsie is targeted. Her car is vandalized in some particularly horrible ways.

Elsie herself is not entirely admirable. She drinks too much and her choice of men leaves a lot to be desired. But she works on the case to the best of her ability.

The author, who spoke to my Sisters in Crime group via Zoom, referred to her early series as ‘Hillbilly noir” and noir it is.

Absolutely fascinating!

Currently Reading – week of April 4

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This week I finished the final two books that my panel authors will be discussion at Malice Domestic. I always enjoy finding new authors.

The first book I read was The Murderess Must Die by Marlie Wasserman.

This is a fictionalized account of a true crime. Martha Place was accused of the murder of her stepdaughter Ida and the attack with an axe on her husband William, She was poorly represented by counsel and became the first woman to be executed via the electric chair. Horrifying and Thought provoking.

The second book is one that I read when it was first released: Death at the Emerald by R.J. Koreto.

This is the third in the Lady Frances Folks Edwardian mysteries. Frances Is asked by Lady Torrance to look for her daughter Louisa, who ran away to become an actress. I really hope the author pens a few more in this series. Beautiful written and charming.

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Week of March 28.

This week I read two of the five books we will be discussing at Malice Domestic. I previously read Front Page Murder.

Cry of the Innocent, by Julie Bates, takes place right before the American Revolution begins. Widow Faith Clarke runs a tavern in Williamsburg.

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She is far more worried about her tavern and inn than about the rumblings of revolt among the citizens. Then a wealthy and influential man, widely reputed to engage in the slave trade, is murdered in her spare room. A young slave, Stella, is accused of the crime. Faith is sure the slim young woman is not guilty and embarks on an investigation of her own.

So many of the themes raised in this mystery are relevant to today. The characters are wonderfully drawn. Recommended.

The second book I read is Death on the Homefront, by Frances McNamara. This is another war book, although the war in this book is World War I.

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Tensions rise as the threat of the United States involvement in World War I increase. Emotions against Germans rise and those who fight for peace are considered traitors.

Emily Cabot is present when a young woman about to make a brilliant society marriage is murdered. Hazel is Emily’s daughter’s best friend. A waiter with a German surname is arrested; public emotion against the Germans is rising. A civilian run force is trying to find spies and saboteurs, and attacking anyone they feel are treasonous. At the same time, violent worker protests are threatening bombings.

Emily watches with fear and trepidation as her adult children are caught up in the events, making dangerous choices.

Recommended.

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week of March 21.

The first book I read this week was The Bluff by John Dedakis.

Another in the Lark Chadwick series. Lark in invited to anchor a news show at the local television station at the same time one of the students in her journalism class is hired by editor Lionel. They are assigned a land scam story in which a large number of senior have been defrauded of plots of land.

As they investigate, Lark begins to read the diary left by Lionel’s daughter Holly. Both Lionel and his wife Muriel were devastated by Holly’s death in a climbing accident.

But Lark begins to suspect the accident was really murderer.

The characters are well drawn and the mysteries are captivating. Recommended.

The second book I read is Betrayal at Ravenswick.

Fiona Figg works for British Intelligence during World War I. She is sent to Ravenswick in disguise as a man, Dr Vogel, to confirm whether a man staying there is actually a German spy. Shortly after his/her arrival, a murder occurs at the ‘Big House”. Fiona can’t help herself. Despite being told not to involve herself in local matters, she begins to investigate.

Because of her interference, she becomes a suspect and has to be extracted by way of a phony arrest.

Glad to return to her woman’s role, she continues her volunteer work at the hospital. Captain Clifford, on the scene at Ravenswyck and now also assigned to British intelligence, displays an interest in Fiona. She is able to manipulate him into finding evidence and clearing the accused innocent man.

My main problem is that the mystery at Ravenswyck disappears when Fiona returns to London and is only reintroduced towards the end. It felt like another book was sandwiched into the middle.

Next week, I will be discussing the books of my panelists. I will be moderating a panel: Historical; the Rapture of Research, at Malice Domestic on April 22. The conference, the first in=person since 2019, will run from April 21 through April 25. I am looking forward to it. I always love finding new authors and what could be better than talking about books?

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Week of March 12. This week I read two books. Oddly enough, both were historical fiction that take place during World War II.

The first, Front Page Murder, involves a young woman serving as the editor of the local paper. Her father had signed up and left her in charge. Needless to say, this causes friction with some of the men who resent a woman being in charge.

Other changes abound. Women flood into town to work in the local factory. Irene’s mother takes in one of those women, Katherine.

But all is not rosy. One of Irene’s best reporters is found dead in his house. Although the police chief thinks it was an accident, Irene is convinced it was murder.

Swaztikas and other anti-Semitic slogans appear on the doors of the Jewish shop owners in town. Then the janitor at the factory is seriously hurt. What is going on?

The light touches, Irene’s younger sister’s crush on Frank Sinatra, are interspersed with some of the dark.

Highly recommended.

The second book I read, Return to Afton Square, has a wonderful premise. Two strangers meet in Cradock, Virginia, both investigating past family who lived in the town. An initial dislike gradually warms into something else

The B&B where they are staying is reputed to be haunted and sure enough they begin experiencing supernatural events of their own. Some old keepsakes found in an attic and a visit to a ninety year old woman in a nursing home bring Heidi and Marcus into the story of Addie and Tobias, a young German sailor. He is stationed on a German ship being held in Cradock. (The United States had not entered the war yet.)

The characters of Addie and Tobias, the friends and family shine brightly. I found them more engaging than the modern day characters.

There are at least three stories going on at the same time. (This novel is connected to the author’s other series.) It is not a mystery but more of a supernatural love story.

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Week of March 6.

Murder at the Mena House, by Erica Ruth Neubauer, is a charming mystery set in 1920’s Egypt. Besides the mystery, there is romance and a wonderful setting.

Jane Wunderly, widowed in ‘The Great War’, is on holiday with her Aunt Millie. (She is a real eccentric.) But the vacation has hardly begun when the body of a beautiful young girl is found shot to death in her room.

Since Jane is the one who finds the body, and everyone knows there was friction between her and the victim, she is instantly suspect. Deciding she needs to investigate, Jane teams up with Redvers, a handsome fellow who claims to be a banker, to solve the mystery.

Another murder occurs, and Jane begins to suspect someone is smuggling Egyptian artifacts from the country.

As in every good mystery, everyone has secrets and there are plenty of suspects. My only caveat is that, as is common with romantic suspense, Jane rushes heedlessly into danger at the drop of a hat. Still, lots of fun.

The second book for this week is Murder in the Lincoln White House by C.M. Gleason.

Another historical mystery, but quite different from the former.

At Lincoln’s inaugural ball, attended by both Union supporters and secessionists, a body is discovered in the hall outside the ballroom. Adam Quinn, a Kansas frontiersman hired to be a general assistant to the new President, is tasked with discovering the murderer.

At first Quinn wonders if Lincoln was the target but, since the victim was a passionate abolitionist, that doesn’t make sense. Emotions between the abolitionists and the secessionists run high. Seven states had already seceded from the union before Lincoln’s inauguration.

Quinn begins to wonder if the target was Mr, Lemagne, a secessionist with a beautiful daughter, who Quinn has met at the ball. The animus between the victim and Mr Lemagne was known.

Then another murder occurs; this time of one of the witnesses. Had he seen more than he at first admitted to? Have these deaths anything to do with the Baltimore plot to assassinate Lincoln, foiled at the last minute by his decision to take another route? And is the new president, reviled by most of the slave states as ‘that rail-splitter’, at the center of the murders?

Fascinating.