Holding auditions

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is author Jennifer Crusie's found at http://www.arghink.com/.

I finished DEATH OF RILEY by Rhys Bowen. A pleasant historical mystery read. I'm now holding auditions again. I'm saving THE SCARECROW, Michael Connelly's latest and greatest for the trip to Dallas. I really only need one more read for the month of May to be at an average of 10 books a month read for the year thus far (I had a couple extras in previous months). (yes, I'm a book addict and I want to keep my average up).

What I'm looking for is a light-ish quick but enjoyable read in the mystery genre. I stopped by the library and here's what I'm looking at:

1) THE TAVERN IN THE MORNING by Alys Clare

This is 3rd of 12 in series featuring Abbess Helewise and Sir Josse d’Acquin, a French knight, at the Hawkenly Abbey in England during the 12th century.

Here's a description:

Market day, and the inn at Tonbridge has been busy since early morning. As night closes in, a man lies dying in the guest chamber, poisoned by a piece of pie made by the inn's hostess, Goody Anne. Josse d'Acquin, a regular visitor to the tavern and an admirer of Goody Anne's culinary skills, arrives to investigate. He discovers wolf's bane in the remnants of the pie, and learns that, among all the strangers in the tavern that day, one stood out -- a charming, handsome nobleman who asked for the same chicken and vegetable pie. When he fails to persuade the Sheriff that the death is suspicious, Josse turns to his old friend, Abbess Helewise. Weakened from a severe bout of fever, she nonetheless provides a thread of common sense as Josse follows the trail of murder into the great Wealden Forest, where he finds something that will change his life forever.

It was published in 2000 and has 230 pages. A series I've started and would like to keep with; sometimes gets a little too light.

2) TO DAVY JONES BELOW by Carola Dunn

This is 9th of 17 in series featuring Daisy Dalrymple, a journalist in 1920's England.

Here's a description:

In late 1923, the newly married Daisy Dalrymple and Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard take an ocean voyage to America for their honeymoon. Accompanied by Daisy's childhood friend Phillip Petrie, his wife Gloria, and Gloria's father - American millionaire industrialist Caleb P. Arbuckle, Daisy and Alec are looking forward to a pleasant, uneventful trip. But at the last minute they are joined by Arbuckle's new friend - Yorkshire millionaire Jethro Gotobed and his new wife Wanda, a showgirl whom all but Gotobed are convinced is a golddigger of the worst sort. Then, having barely lifted anchor, the ocean liner is beset by a series of suspicious accidents and deaths. With harsh weather and rough seas putting many - including Alec - out of commission due to seasickness, it soon falls to Daisy to figure out what connection there might be between the seemingly unrelated incidents. Convinced that there's a murderer aboard ship, Daisy must unmask the culprit or culprits before anyone else - especially herself - falls victim.

It was published in 2001 and has 256 pages. A solid book; a series that I've continued reading.

3) COCAINE BLUES by Kerry Greenwood

This is first of 18 in series featuring Phryne Fisher, in 1920s Melbourne, Australia.

Here's a description:

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honourable Phryne Fishershe of the green-gray eyes, diamant garters, and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositionsis rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia. Almost immediately from the time she arrives, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops, and communismnot to mention erotic encounters with a beautiful Russian danceruntil her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.

This was published in 1989 and has 175 pages. I've been meaning to try to read this series; I've tried once before and couldn't get into it. The plus side is that it is a shorter book to read.

4) FATAL LAWS by Jim Michael Hansen

This is 3rd of 7 (though I'm told they don't have to read in order) featuring Bryson Coventry, a homicide detective in Denver, Colorado.

Here's a desciption:

Denver homicide detective Bryson Coventry senses something different about his current case, involving the murders of four young women. Part of the difference is that one of the suspects, a mysterious woman named Tianca, is getting under Coventry's skin in the most inappropriate of ways. Another difference is the mixed message being sent by the victims. Are they victims of a serial killer, as it first appears? If so, why were they all killed in different ways? Baffled, Coventry and steadfast colleague Shalifa Netherwood grind their way through the evidence. Meanwhile, a young law associate who had once worked with one of the victims inadvertently involves herself with the investigation, possibly to her own peril.

Published in 2007 and has 400 pages. Getting raves on 4MA so would like to give it a try but it may have to wait until next week.

Another hot day -- mid 80s. Tug is still limping a bit but we're slowly extending our walks back to normal. I don't think there's anything on tv tonight for me so perhaps I'll be able to make a decision about the reading thing.

'til tomorrow...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster