In which today is not a party ...

Sorry for missing yesterday. Had to give blood for lab, had lunch with a friend, was so tired after that I crashed/napped for a couple hours, etc.

This is a quick one. In just a little bit I'm heading to the clinic for an outpatient procedure; they want to do a biopsy of my kidneys to help them figure out what the problem is with them. Apparently the procedure itself isn't long --involving CAT scan and a couple needles but I'm not thinking about the needle part very much -- it's the recovery time. The doctor said at least six hours recovery/observation and perhaps a stay overnight because anytime you poke a kidney it's not good. So of course my main concern is what I should bring along to read to pass the time.

I'm bringing my ipod that not only has music but several audiobooks. I've narrowed the books down to three options:

• A GENTLEMAN OF FORTUNE by Anna Dean

• DEATH ON THE ROMNEY MARCH by Deryn Lake

• A PLAGUE OF POISON by Maureen Ash

Each will fit in my purse and occupy me.

Gotta go finish getting ready. See ya on the flip side.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Hiya

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Mysterious Musings found at http://juliabuckley.blogspot.com/.

Still reading the Michael Jecks book but I've made good headway in it. I've also started the audiobook of Michael Koryta's newest, THE SILENT HOUR. This is 4th of 4 in series featuring Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard, private investigators in Cleveland, Ohio. Here is a description:

Whisper Ridge

Home to Dreams

October 2, 1992--April 12, 1996

So reads the strange epitaph carved beside the door of the home called Whisper Ridge, a multimillion-dollar piece of architectural majesty that once housed the beginnings of a unique program for paroled murderers. The program never got off the ground, however, despite how passionate a woman named Alexandra Cantrell, daughter of a notorious Mafia don, and her husband, Joshua, had been about it. Still uninhabited twelve years later, the house remains as a strange monument to dangerous secrets, falling into ruin as the forest grows up around it.While the couple’s abrupt exit was unusual, it was also not regarded as suspicious. Private investigator Lincoln Perry isn’t thrilled about the situation, or his client: Parker Harrison served fifteen years for murder but claims Alexandra’s intervention saved his life. Now he wants to find her---and he’s not the only one.What seems at first like the simplest of jobs proves to be an undertaking that will challenge both Perry’s abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling.

This book is actually not going to be released until next week but the audio was available via audible.com.

Doesn't look like anything is on tv tonight so I'll get some reading time in, I think. Steve has shooting tonight.

Tomorrow morning I have to go give blood again for a lab to determine if the doctor wants to do a biopsy of my kidney to try figure out why that is still being a problem. Then, later, I'm having lunch with a friend from way back in my theatre days, Sheila K, who is here visiting her mom. That will be fun.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

It's Monday again? Really? Already? You're Sure?

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Inkspot, a gathering of Midnight Ink authors found at http://midnightwriters.blogspot.com/. This is a collection of authors who have been published by Midnight Ink Books. We write novels ranging from cozy mysteries to suspense thrillers. Our members are international bestsellers and award winners.

I finished THE HOLY INNOCENTS by Kate Sedley. A good story but I figured out whodunnit and how about halfway through. Next up I think will be the next-in-series for me by Michael Jecks, A MOORLAND HANGING. This is 3rd of 28 in series featuring Simon Puttock, medieval West County bailiff, and Sir Baldwin Furnshill, ex-Templar Knight, in Devon, England. Here is a description:

In fourteenth-century Devon, runaway villeins were brutally punished if apprehended by their masters. But when Peter Bruther flees the home of Sir William Beauscyr, he puts himself in the protection of the king by setting up as a tin miner on the moors. And the bailiff of Lydford, Simon Puttock, has to inform an irate Sir William that he has no legal claim on his wayward servant. When Bruther's body is found hanging from a tree, Simon, assisted by the former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill, finds himself investigating cold-blooded murder. And there's no shortage of suspects, from Sir William himself, to his feuding sons, to Thomas Smyth, a wealthy tinner who runs a ruthlessly enforced protection racket funded by landowners. The pressure is on Simon and Baldwin to unravel the truth before further violence ensues.

It was published in 1996 and has 384 pages. This one may take me to the end of the month.

A few good books I'm interested in are being released in August:

• Crosby Ellen - THE RIESLING RETRIBUTION

• Kortya, Michael - THE SILENT HOUR

• Maron, Margaret - SAND SHARKS

• Royal, Priscilla - CHAMBERS OF DEATH
  

Tonight on tv is The Closer and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

All we need is a big fan...

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Material Witness found at http://materialwitness.typepad.com. "Fiction for the criminally inclined."

I finished FLYING TOO HIGH by Kerry Greenwood. Very fluffy, being overly concerned about what Phryne was wearing and eating, but a quick, light read. Currently reading THE HOLY INNOCENTS by Kate Sedley. This is 4th of 18 in series featuring Roger the Chapman, a 15th century chapman (peddler) in England. Here is a description:

With the War of the Roses a distant backdrop, the recently widowed Roger arrives in the town of Totnes, where he is asked to guard a fine house in the absence of its owner, Eudo Colet. A tavernkeeper, intimating witchcraft, tells Roger about the strange disappearance and death of Mary and Andrew, Colet's stepchildren, who had recently lost their mother, heiress Rosamund Crouchback. The children's nurse, a poor cousin of the dead heiress who hates Colet, asks the chapman to investigate. It was believed that the children, whose mutilated bodies were later found in the river, could not have left the house unobserved. At the time of their disappearance, Colet had been in the company of a town notable. Probing the seemingly prosperous and contented village society, Roger uncovers deep wells of greed and jealousy.

It was published in 1994 and has 280 pages.

Tonight on tv is another Agatha Christie Miss Marple on PBS Masterpiece Theatre Mystery as well as Next Food Network Star and HGTV Design Star. Everyone wants to be a star and be on tv. Oy.

It's hitting the 90s today; Steve is mowing but otherwise we're keeping cool and relaxed. :)

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Top 30 Mystery authors

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is At Home With a Good Book and a Cat ... found at http://misfitandmom.livejournal.com/.

So there's a thread going on over at 4MA about one's 30 Favorite (Mystery) authors. I've resisted so far because I'm sure it changes every day. And what does "favorite" mean in creating this list? Does it mean pure enjoyment regardless of merit or does it mean a list of the authors that one deems to be the best writers of the genre? Are they favorites because they have new books coming out soon or just recently therefore I have more of a warm fuzzy feeling about them than others? Do they go on the list for a body of work or just one good one? Or for one series he/she wrote but not another? What about authors who aren't writing anymore -- should I limit it to current ones? And who cares what I think? My list, of course, will have a preponderance of historical mystery writers because that is my preferred sub-genre. Oh, never mind, let's give it try.

1. CJ Sansom


2. Alan Gordon


3. Ellis Peters


4. Margaret Frazer


5. CS Harris


6. JD Robb


7. Deanna Raybourn


8. Arianna Franklin


9. Susanna Gregory


10. Susan Hill


11. Bernard Knight


12. Deryn Lake


13. Peter Robinson


14. Tasha Alexander


15. Laurie R. King


16. Steig Larsson


17. Val McDermid


18. Karen Maitland


19. Daniel Hecht


20. Michael Jecks


21. Michael Connelly


22. Reginald Hill


23. Candace Robb


24. Will Thomas


25. Ruth Dudley Edwards


26. Julia Spencer-Fleming


27. David Liss


28. Anne Perry (Monk)


29. Elizabeth George


30. Stephen Martin

This was actually very difficult. I've spent way too much time on this list. I've added and deleted a lot of names. Some because I think they're good but I haven't gotten around to reading a bunch like Ian Rankin, some because I think they are top writers like Sayers and Christie or Lawrence Block because I haven't read recently. I haven't even gotten to the Roman histmysts so I can't list them. Some are authors that I've just started reading and I know there's a lot in the series so they are favorable in my view right now. Some not included I like a lot but they don't have "heft" enough yet. It may have been easier to do a list of 10 or 20. Thirty gives too much leeway. I could still swap out about five names and still not be satisfied.

One noticeable thing when I was looking through my black book of things I've read, there's a lot of authors I've enjoyed over even the past five years who are writing anymore. How sad.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Lost Friday

Getting an extension on my antiobiotic turned into a four hour ordeal at the clinic today. I had to see a doctor to get more medicine; I needed more medicine because my prescription was going to run out tomorrow (2nd round of cellulitis isn't completely gone) and my insurance has been a problem especially on weekends so I had to deal with the situation today. The NP I had been seeing the past three weeks was booked solid today (in fact her nurse didn't call back after I spoke with her at 8am until after noon). So I went to the Same Day Care, saw a new doctor, had to tell my story AGAIN, had to have my blood taken and wait for lab results again, etc. Got the extension but now have to see another doctor next week because lab wasn't great. I think the cellulitis is s.l.o.w.l.y getting better (they told me it would be slow but jeesh) and I didn't want to lose momentum with this antibiotic. Oy I'm getting so sick of being sick and I'm sure you're all getting sick hearing about it. So the rest of the day was spent recovering from being vertical for so long. What a sucky summer.

Currently reading SHROUD FOR THE ARCHBISHOP by Peter Tremayne. This is 2nd of 19 in series featuring Sister Fidelma, a 7th century Celtic sister and legal advocate in Kildare, Ireland. Here is a description:

Sister Fidelma of the Celtic Church in Ireland, aided as before by Brother Eadulf of Canterbury have traveled to Rome, where Fidelma is to deliver messages to His Holiness and where Eadulf will serve as scribe to archbishop-designate Wighard of Canterbury, the guest of Bishop Gelasius at Lateran Palace. Among the many pilgrims in the city to witness Wighard's ordination are Abbott Puttoc of Saxony, an ambitious libertine, and haughty Abbess Wulfrun and her companion-servant Sister Eafa of Kent. Before the ceremony can take place, though, Wighard is found strangled in his quarters, and Irish monk Ronan Ragallach is accused of the killing but escapes his captors. Not completely convinced of Ronan's guilt, and aware of Fidelma and Eadulf's previous successes, Bishop Gelasius asks their help and assigns soldier Licinius to ease their way. As Fidelma goes about the tedious questioning of everyone in the vicinity at the crucial time, the body count begins to mount and various intricate plots are uncovered.

It was published in 1994 and has 304 pages. I've been meaning to get to this series and it's lovely that there are a large number of books yet to be read.

So I'm writing this at 9pm after watching Whale Wars and Say Yes to the Dress. Steve and I are starting to watch Whale Wars on the Animal Planet channel because they seem at times to be conducting things so incompetently that it is fascinating. I admire the mission but the execution leaves much to be desired.

Steve and Tug just got back from the daily walk. Its cooler out now so windows are open and a breeze is coming in. Steve is down watching tv and Tug is lying here smelling like a wet dog -- he jumps in the ditches to cool off. Oh boy.

I don't believe we have anything going on this weekend. Some cleaning but mostly keeping the leg elevated. Getting.very.old.this.is.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Just a quickie

I had an interview today ..... keep your fingers crossed. I won't hear anything until next week about round two. Since I had to be up and about for it, I spent most of the day before and after keeping my leg elevated so haven't had time to post.

I finished THE TINNER'S CORPSE by Bernard Knight; always a nice time/place to visit. Next could be Anna Dean, Michael Jecks, Peter Tremayne, Rhys Bowen, or something else entirely. :)

Hopefully, a better posting tomorrow.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Oh hello there

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Armchair Interviews found at http://www.armchairinterviews.com/. "Connecting Authors to Their Readers. Pretend you're snuggled in your well-worn armchair, ready to dig into your favorite author's latest book. Your slippered feet rest lightly on the ottoman, and you're holding a steaming cup of aromatic Earl Grey. The room is quiet, your tabby cat is curled at your feet and the children are tucked safely in bed. This time is all yours to savor. Reading for fun, reading to learn, reading."

My current read is THE TINNER'S CORPSE by Bernard Knight, 5th of 13 in series featuring Sir John de Wolfe, the crowner (coroner), in 12th century Devon, England. Here is a description:

When coroner Sir John de Wolfe is summoned to investigate the murder of a tin miner, he has little idea how difficult this new investigation will prove to be. The victim worked for the powerful mine owner, Walter Knapman, and the motive seems to be sabotaging Walter’s business. But the tinners have their own laws, and they are none too pleased at Crowner John’s interference. And then Walter Knapman disappears. Only Gwyn, Crowner John’s right-hand man, seems to be of any help—until he’s arrested for murder and put on trial for his life.

It was published in 2001 and has 330 pages.

Several years ago, when Diana Gabaldon first came out with her OUTLANDER book, I loved it, devoured it. I think I dropped out of the series around the third or fourth book for some reason. I'm thinking of going back and getting involved with them again. I know the author has a new one coming out in the series soon but I definitely have some catching up to do there. The problem is, the books are so huge -- do I want to make that big of a commitment when I have so many others to read? Oh such conundrums without even solving the world's problems! :)

Steve goes shooting tonight. I'll be having a single pizza and probably reading. The dinner last night at Jody's was terrific - spaghetti and homemade sauce, salad, bread ... num! The company was wonderful -- I had talked with Barb in ages and Sara's wedding is in about three weeks so much to discuss. I had to leave by 8:00 though to take my pill, so a couple good hours of chatting and eating.

Today I have one quick errand but otherwise taking it very easy. Cellulitis, go away!

Have a happy halfway-through-the-week day!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Keeping Low

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Historical Saga Novels found at http://historicalsaganovels.blogspot.com/. A blog dedicated for readers of family sagas set mainly in the UK and Australia. Blog posts will be from a group of saga authors such as Anne Whitfield, Annie Groves, Jean Fullerton, Anne Bennett, Benita Brown, Janet Woods, Anita Burgh, Gwen Kirkwood, Anna Jacobs, Carol Rivers and Freda Lightfoot. Sometimes you just get in the mood for a good epic.

I had some things that had to get done yesterday (doctor and groceries) and wound up overdoing it so no post yesterday. I'm taking it extremely easy today though I have to go out this afternoon to refill my prescription from Saturday night's pharmacy screw up. Must conserve the energy today.

In the past couple days I've finished reading BLACK HILLS by Nora Roberts and MISSING MARK by Julie Kramer. The Roberts, though I enjoy her writing, seemed to be not one of her better efforts. This was so simplified as to be made for the Lifetime Movie it is destined to be. Better choices for her writing this year are the JD Robb or the wedding books she's doing. MISSING MARK was second of two in series featuring Riley Spartz, an investigative TV reporter, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interesting behind the scenes dirt and cutthroat activities of tv news but the author showed off her research too much in other areas with way too many factoids. The ending was a strange sort of telling not showing the action, difficult to explain the disconnect.

So I'm now auditioning for the next read. It may be the next Bernard Knight, Kerry Greenwood, I should start the Tremayne ...

Tonight I'm having dinner at Jody's and a girl-get-together from YAM: Sara and Barb. Should be way fun.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

This will be short

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is She is Too Fond of Books found at http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/.

Well, I believe I'm back to the David Liss book. The Crombie was all right, not perhaps up to standard but it advanced the characters' storylines.

Tonight on tv is another PBS Mystery Agatha Christie as well as a couple reality shows, FoodNetwork and HGTV Design Star. Silly, yes.

After a lovely time at the ER last night, my cellulitis is staging a comeback so I counterdefensed and I'm back on an antibiotic. So I'm couch-ridden the rest of the day/week. I want this gone. I have to battle the insurance company tomorrow for more of the prescription as they would only approve a small amount. I hate insurance companies.

Hope your weekend ends on a positive note.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Hot hot hot

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is interesting, Let's Read Historical Novels can be found at http://histnov.blogspot.com/. It is a schedule of historical books and their discussion times if one would like to participate.

Well, I overdid it today. I went to Summerfair, the art/craft in the park that Yellowstone Art Museum does every summer as a fund raiser. To look at all the booths, walking slowly, it took an hour ... but probably a half hour longer than I should have. And it was already hot by 10:00 when I got there. I then went to the library to pick up a hold. My leg/ankle is hurting so I'll be off it the rest of the afternoon. Steve will have to walk Tug today -- and it's a hot one out there -- but that I can't help. I'll get my turn tomorrow when Steve goes to help with a shooting match. So, off my feet and drinking lots of ice water for the rest of the day.

I received a couple more paperbackswap books today and the hold at the library was the new one by Julie Kramer, MISSING MARK. I have (say it ain't so) too much to read right now.

Currently reading, as mentioned yesterday, NOW MAY YOU WEEP by Deborah Crombie. I'm reading this series in order and this is my next in line. This is 9th of 13 in series featuring Duncan Kincaid, a Scotland Yard superintendent, and Gemma James, a sergeant, in London. Here's a description:

Gemma accepts the invitation of a married friend, Hazel Cavendish, to attend a cooking weekend in Innesfree, Scotland. Gemma thinks the misty, atmospheric landscape of the Highlands, where fine whiskey is distilled and the brogues of the natives ring like music in the air, will be just what she needs to complete her recovery. However, Gemma's hopes are soon dashed by Hazel's revelation that she has come to Innesfree to meet her former lover, Donald Brodie, a handsome distillery owner. When someone shoots Donald dead, Hazel becomes a prime suspect. Gemma investigates, but must be careful to avoid stepping on the toes of DCI Alun Ross, the local authority in charge. Duncan leaves his own problems with his son, Kit, behind in London and joins Gemma in Scotland, but it's Gemma who mainly ferrets out the secrets of the large list of suspects, any one of whom could be the murderer.

It was published in 2003 and has 367 pages.

Have a great Saturday, everyone, stay cool, stay hydrated and do something you completely enjoy. I plan on it.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sorry Sorry Sorry. The day is just about done and I didn't get down to the computer to blog. Here's a quick update:

The ultrasound went well and there is no kidney damage. I LOOOOVVVE my new haircut and going with the natural curl in my hair and having bangs again.

The Deborah Crombie, NOW MAY YOU WEEP, jumped the queue over the David Liss. I guess I was more in the mood for a contemporary police procedural right now, needing a quick break from the historical period I was in.

It was a Happy Book Day to me today with books arriving from paperbackswap.com, bookdepository.com, and Amazon all at once.

Now, there's just enough time to read a bit before heading to bed. More tomorrow.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Is it just me or is it warm?

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Lori's Reading Corner found at http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/. This is a bibliophile.

I finished BLIND JUSTICE by Bruce Alexander. It proved to be a pretty good locked room mystery and I will be reading more of this series. I'll be starting THE DEVIL'S COMPANY by David Liss probably this evening. It is 3rd of 3 in series featuring Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish ex-pugilist hired by gentry to pursue debtors and thieves, in 18th Century London. Here's a description:

The estimable Benjamin Weaver, an 18th-century London thieftaker, finds himself working reluctantly for a mysterious gentleman, Jerome Cobb. On Cobb's orders, Weaver takes employment as a security man at the British East India Company's headquarters, where he tries to obtain information about the death of one Absalom Pepper, of whom virtually nothing is known. To keep Weaver in line, Cobb has blackmailed Weaver's friend Moses Franco, close confederate Elias Gordon and his beloved uncle Miguel. As usual, several beautiful women play roles in the complicated plot, which involves industrial spying and the international textile trade.

This was published this month and has 384 pages. What I love about this author's books is that I learn something not only historical but also of business/finance world as well. The first book in this series, A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER, won the 2001 Barry Award for Best First Novel, 2001 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, 2001 Macavity Award for Best First Novel, and was a Finalist 2001 Anthony Award for Best First Novel.

I took Tug for a short walk this morning. I anticipated it being only about 15-20 minutes but at my slow pace it turned into 35. I elevated my leg afterward and its feeling better now. Hopefully, this will be enough of a walk for the beast so Steve won't have to do it this evening in the heat. I also did some good cleaning today, mopping the kitchen floor which needed it badly and did some laundry. Pat on the head for me. :)

I got a call from the doctor this afternoon that my lab work from a couple days ago is still a concern so I'm going in for a scan of my kidneys at the crack of dawn tomorrow. Basically, the antibiotic to cure the cellulitis has probably done some damage. Oh yay. But then the reward for good behavior tomorrow is my haircut in the afternoon. Woo hoo!

Well, it would be nice to hear from the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow but I more anticipate it next week. This weekend is Big Sky State Games -- Steve will help run a gun match Saturday morning, I believe -- and SummerFair for the Yellowstone Art Museum. I haven't decided yet if I'll check that one out. It's supposed to be in the mid-90's this weekend. For some reason, they ALWAYS choose the hottest weekend of the entire summer for these events. Just lucky, eh?

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Ta Da! Hurray! It's Hump Day!

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is from the lighter side of mysteries, Killer Hobbies found at http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/. This is another author collaboration blog featuring Scrapbooking - Joanna Campbell Slan, Miniatures - Camille Minichino/Margaret Grace, Needlework - Monica Ferris, Pets - Linda O. Johnston, Quilting & Rubber-Stamping - Terri Thayer, and Crocheting - Betty Hechtman.

Almost done with the Bruce Alexander, BLIND JUSTICE. Sir John Fielding is a man from real history who has shown up in at least two historical mystery series, this one and the one by Deryn Lake. It is interesting to read the difference in their takes of his character. In Lake, he's a bit more jovial and all knowing while in Alexander his life is a bit more difficult.

I heard about an interesting historical mystery today via Library Journal review:
CITY OF SILVER byAnnamaria Alfieri. "The city officials of Potosí, the largest silver producer of the New World, stand accused by the King of Spain of watering down the silver coins used all over the world to pay Spanish bills. The King sends his Visitador to prosecute the wealthy nobles responsible, and at the same time the Grand Inquisitor arrives to ferret out heretics and witches. His eyes are firmly fixed on Mother Maria Santa Hilda, the abbess of a convent where herbal medicine is practiced and where the mayor's daughter has died of poisoning. Trying to find the murderer places the abbess and all she cares for in mortal danger. VERDICT In this nail-biting debut thriller set in 1650 in a little-known Peruvian city where no one is exempt from the wrath of the king and the cruel hand of the Church, an intriguing era in Latin American history comes alive under Alfieri's sure hand. Highly recommended for historical fans." And my library has it on order so I have it on hold to see if it's worth it.

I had my manicure this morning. Overall, I enjoyed it, especially the hand massage and lotions. I think my cuticles will be a work in progress and damn if I didn't smudge my polish within a half hour of leaving (it takes about 2 hours to set apparently). I didn't do anything fancy, just get the nails in shape with barely anything extending past the finger and a little light pink/flesh colored polish. I just want healthy, pretty hands and nails and it was a nice treat. I may go back in two to three weeks. I haven't ventured to pedicure land yet but I hear once you've done it, you're hooked. Yikes. I've never liked my feet so maybe it's time to treat them well too.

Steve goes shooting tonight. Since he doesn't have time to walk Tug -- and Tug was going bonkers last night his walk was so late in the evening -- that I drove him to a field this afternoon and let him run around a bit and jump in the ditch and chase after a kid on a mountain bike for about 25 minutes. I hope it will suffice.

I may watch Ghosthunters International tonight with my French Bread pizza or I may just read and listen to music.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

What a face!

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is a little different: BookBurger can be found at http://bookburger.typepad.com/. It is "a site for hungry readers ages 14 to 24. Reviews, news, contests, and deliciousness of all sorts. Take a bite."

I didn't have a chance yesterday to give my thoughts on UNDONE by Karin Slaughter. I overall liked it. I like how the characters have moved on and merged into one series (perhaps). The feeling of slight dissatifaction I think comes from some story elements moving slowly and will have to wait for another book. I decided to read the Bruce Alexander next even though I have the David Liss as a 14-day check out from the library because I needed something a little lighter after the violence in the Slaughter. As much as I love the Liss books, they will be a little denser reading so I thought I'd do a quick palette cleanser in between.

I posted a bunch of books on paperbackswap.com a couple days ago and had to mail off 11 this morning. Holy schmoley. I love getting rid of the books but that was a lot to haul to the post office. It would be nice to use some of my credits but I what I'm looking for is mostly the historical mysteries that aren't as popular therefore not listed as available as much. But I'm mostly looking for Bernard Knight and Deryn Lake right now until I figure out the backlist of Margaret Frazer and Ellis Peters books I need.

Tomorrow, as a part of my extreme self care I've newly instituted, I'm having a manicure. I don't know if I've ever had that done. Usually I just clip the nails so I can type easily. This will be a lovely special thing for myself (I'm hoping). Later this week I've got a hair appointment and I plan to do some changes to the cut again. Yay! Ch-ch-ch-changes are good.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

A quick update before bedtime

Sorry for the delay in posting today. Time got away from me.

Quick update: My cleaning project of the day was to clear out some of the junk from the spare bedroom. It felt good to haul out stuff. But I may have overdone it the past couple days because my leg/ankle were bothering me so I was forced to lay down for most of the afternoon until my doctor appointment. In regard to that, unfortunately, my kidneys are still being a question so more doctor appointments in my future. Ugh.

I'm currently reading Bruce Alexander's BLIND JUSTICE. This is first of 11 in series featuring Sir John Fielding, a blind magistrate and founder of the first police force in 1700s London. Here's a description:

Features Sir John Fielding--blind, brilliant, compassionate magistrate of London's Bow Street Court--and Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, a penniless, intelligent 13-year-old orphan whom Sir John has taken into his household. Exercising the broad magisterial powers of the era, the judge investigates the death of wealthy Lord Richard Goodhope, who was discovered shot through the head, gun at his feet, behind the locked door of his library. Though the initial finding is suicide, Jeremy notices a clue that points to murder, a conclusion bolstered by the findings of surgeon Gabriel Donnelly. The investigation of Lord Richard's dissolute life, including extramarital affairs and gambling forays (sometimes shared with his Jamaica-based half-brother during his visits to London), seems to lead nowhere until Sir John commands all interested parties to gather at the murder scene, where he engineers a shocking solution to the crime.

Published in 1994.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Writer's Plot found at http://www.writersplot.typepad.com/. This is an author collaboration blog with Sheila Connolly/Sarah Atwell, Lorraine Bartlett/Lorna Barrett, Kate Flora, Jeanne Munn Bracken, and Leann Sweeney.

Have to run a couple errands early tomorrow so I hope I can get on the computer a little sooner with a posting. Have a good night...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Life is too short

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Poe's Deadly Daughters found at http://poesdeadlydaughters.blogspot.com/. It's an author collaboration featuring posts by Sandra Parshall, Darlene Ryan, Sharon Wildwind, Julia Buckley, Elizabeth Zelvin, and Lonnie Cruse.

Yesterday, I ditched my vacuum that has been giving such headaches for over a year. Done. with. it. So I got a (lowest level) Dyson and love it. Life is too short and too filled with more important things than dealing with defective appliances.

I didn't get a walk in yesterday but I took one this morning. It was lovely but getting warm-ish and of course my face -- I'm thinking left over from the allergy thing and the current drug I'm on -- turned my face bright red. I didn't take Tug along because of the bunny factor out there and I wanted to concentrate on my pace rather than his.

I'm making good progress in UNDONE by Karin Slaughter. It is keeping my interest but it SO not for everyone. Violence done unto females is very graphic. Shockingly so, but that is what happens in the world out there and what some people face everyday.

So we watched the DVD Wanted last night. James McAvoy is a good actor but wasted in this movie. Angelina Jolie got paid big bucks to show up on set and be filmed.

Dear Hollywood,

I want to watch a good story about people. I don't want to roll my eyes every few minutes because of stupid lines rather than interesting dialogue. I don't need a sledgehammer to get a theme or message (fathers and sons, looms and webs, etc...oy, we get it). I don't want to close my eyes so much because of the gore factor -- in some shape or form I paid to actually watch the thing, not do it behind lids. Stunts are good but over the top is waaaaay over the top and becomes ridiculous - use their impact sparingly. I'm tired of angst, I'm tired of brain-numbing stupid comedy, I'm tired of explosions and crashes and bullets popping out of foreheads, and searching for some speck of value in the time that I've spent viewing. Why can't you make good movies?

And you wonder why we turn to other forms of entertainment. And don't get me started on television.

Thank God for books.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Not very bookish morning

Blog/Website of the Day: have you been to the International Thriller Writers' page yet ... The Big Thrill? It can be found at http://www.thrillerwriters.org/. Each month they do a little "ezine" of upcoming books and stuff about authors. Go visit.

Didn't read much last night unfortunately so hope to get some good time in today. The Karin Slaughter, UNDONE, is suiting my mood -- giving me a little hiatus from the historical mysteries -- with a quick (rude?) slap of contemporary crime. I went a little further on the walk last night and talked to some neighbors on the way back who had heard about my little adventures. The evening was just gorgeous out.

Having a lazy morning, slow breakfast of english muffin, yogurt and tea and SunnyD. I have the windows open to let in the cool air before it hits the 90s this afternoon. Backyard neighbor has just started the buzz saw to continue working on his new deck. A sprinkler is going across the street that keeps hitting the metal drain pipe every 5 seconds, breaking the rhythm. I've checked the online headlines and nothing really grabbing my attention.

Steve is still sleeping; Tug is napping on the floor here in the living room. Later, I'll do bedding and towels laundry and vacuum up and down. Looks like nothing exciting on tv so maybe we'll finally watch the Wanted DVD. I'll think about what to have for dinner later ... I wouldn't mind sandwiches from out or something simple like that.

Well, I think I'll go hop in the shower and get going for the day. Sorry the sidetrack from book topics this morning ... back to the regularly scheduled programming probably tomorrow. :)

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Jazzy slow down Friday afternoon

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is a friendfeed of mystery links found at http://friendfeed.com/crime-and-mystery-fiction. For readers of crime and mystery fiction to discuss books in the genre. Pretty nifty gadget.

Though I started the first few pages of the new David Liss and find it good, I think I'll be going with the new Karin Slaughter, UNDONE, because it will be a faster read for me. This is sort of the 7th of 7 in series featuring Dr. Sara Linton, a pediatrician and coroner in Grant County, Georgia, but it is also a converging of her other series (in which case would be 3rd of 3) featuring Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a description:

In the trauma center of Atlanta’s busiest hospital, Sara Linton treats the city’s poor, wounded, and unlucky—and finds refuge from the tragedy that rocked her life in rural Grant County. Then, in one instant, Sara is thrust into a frantic police investigation, coming face-to-face with a tall driven detective and his quiet female partner…. three unforgettable characters from collide for the first time, entering an electrifying race against the clock—and a duel with unspeakable human evil. In the backwoods of suburban Atlanta, where Sara’s patient was found, local police have set up their investigation. But Georgia Bureau of Investigation detective Will Trent doesn’t wait for the go-ahead from his boss—he plunges through police lines, through the brooding woods, and single-handedly exposes a hidden house of horror buried beneath the earth. Then he finds another victim.… Wresting the case away from the local police chief, Will and his partner, Faith Mitchell—a woman keeping explosive secrets of her own—are called into a related investigation. Another woman—a smart, upscale, independent young mother—has been snatched. For the two cops out on the hunt, for the doctor trying to bring her patient back to life, the truth hits like a hammer: the killer’s torture chamber has been found, but the killer is still at work.

All of Slaughter's books are very much not for the faint of heart; they can be pretty graphic. Published this month; it has 448 pages.

My doctor's appointment this morning was not to be. They had no record of it though it was written on my hospital discharge papers. Go figure. Eh, I've seen plenty of doctors and I won't have another bill to pay. Next one on Monday.

Otherwise I ran some errands: Kinko's, library, Albertsons and dropping off an application packet so keep your fingers crossed on that one. My legs were very tired this afternoon so relaxed a bit after that. I'm hoping to go for another around the long block walk this evening with Steve and Tug because this morning it was feeling pretty good.

Tonight for dinner is a toss up: pizza and a DVD, or fish/scallops and pesto spaghetti. We'll see for what Steve is in the mood. If no movie, then I'll catch Say Yes to the Dress on TLC.

I don't believe we have plans for this weekend; I'll be doing the weekend cleaning chores and I hope Steve mows the lawn. I'd like to begin to tackle the mess in the spare bedroom and start throwing out accumulated junk. Oy, how things pile up when you're not looking.

I have found the perfect late afternoon music: I love pandora.com for being able to create your own "stations" and a group called Zero 7 is a great place to start for that late afternoon jazzy slow down. I could learn to like afternoons.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Afternoon Malaise

Today's Blog/Website of the day is Irristable Targets found at http://irresistibletargets.blogspot.com/. This is a blog "reaching critical mass about crime (and other) fiction, film, and more with writer and broadcaster Michael Carlson."

Still reading the Patricia Wynn which I am enjoying but must be moving along. I have the David Liss on deck and the new Karin Slaughter holding for me at the library. My cup runneth over which is not necessarily a bad position to be in, of course, but it does add some pressure to the commencing of reading.

I'm going to spend a little time this afternoon updating my "little black book" of book releases in the next few months. I keep this book -- yes it's black -- of all the books I've read each month (going back a few years). I've also added on the facing page a list of books I'm interested in that are published in that month so I can check on availability via the library or other means if that is not available. I know I've bookmarked in Amazon some authors I love that are having new books later in the year but not marked them down yet on paper. Obsessive? No, just organized so I don't miss anything.

I read about a new historical novel today that I'll have to investigate more about:
THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM: Book One of the Crusades Trilogy by Jan Guillou (Author), Steven T. Murray (Translator). It is from Sweden and the translator is the same one as did Steig Larsson's books so it will be well done. I love good books about the Crusades.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the infection doctor to check up on my cellulitis and the allergic reaction. Monday, I have a followup with the doctor I saw last Friday -- I think she's just curious; she DID say it was the worse case of cellulitis she'd ever seen so I think I'm a learning experience for her. Yay, me, I think not. A medical/scientific wonder. And NO, there have been no photos taken so don't even ask. I'm getting better, just have to monitor my energy each day and making progress. Enough with the illness.

Nothing on tv for me tonight. We may watch the movie Wanted (Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy) unless Steve wants to watch his shooting shows that fall on Thursday. Otherwise, I'll be upstairs reading.

You know -- side note here -- sometimes M&Ms are just the right thing. Chocolate (I like both the regular milk chocolate and the dark chocolate), a touch of crunch or melty if you want. And sometimes just a couple will hit the spot for a touch of sweet. And I had a lovely lunch a while ago of a salad with sweetpeas and pine nuts and bulgar wheat on the side. So it balances. :)

Tug is sleeping on the floor beside me. I'll probably lay down later with the fan on as its getting hot out. Mornings are my favorite but sometimes afternoons are okay too.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

out in the world again...

My great adventure of the day was going to Albertsons for groceries. Woo hoo! Wore a tennis shoe on the foot for the first time in about three weeks. I could tell I've lost muscle mass on that leg after putting it on. Did pretty okay; took my time. The only difficult-ish part was putting the groceries away -- going up and down the deck stairs was tiring. I had lunch with Jody at her place (num, Subway). Very nice to be socializing again, too. Tomorrow morning I have to go give blood for my labs and doctor appointment on Friday morning.

Otherwise it was a lovely morning, nice an cool and cloudy. I sat on the couch with the laptop and listened to the birds and had my banana and bagel for breakfast. Took a long shower and did the morning routine of lotion and so forth. Later, I did a nice little attuning meditation before heading out.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day has a wonderful name: Bookshelves of Doom found at http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/.

I'm currently reading MOTIVE FROM THE DEED by Patricia Wynn. This is 3rd of 3 in series featuring Gideon St. Mars, a viscount who becomes the highwayman Blue Satan, and his friend Mrs. Kean, in early 18th century England. All about wonderful intrigues and paranoia of the time. Here's a description:

In the fall of 1715, supporters of the Pretender James Stuart launch a revolution that threatens to overthrow George I. As a result, all Roman Catholics have been banished from the city of London and freedom of speech is greatly restricted. Accused of printing seditious pamphlets, Mrs. Kean’s brother Jeremy has been sent to Newgate prison, where he soon finds himself charged with murder. Steadfastly maintaining his innocence, Jeremy turns to the duo to help save his life. However, Mrs. Kean and Blue Satan can only uncover the motive that reveals the killer by first understanding the murderous deed.

Published in 2007; it has 343 pages.

Next to be read will be the book I picked up at the library today, THE DEVIL'S COMPANY by David Liss, just published and released this week. I also got the next couple in series for me by Michael Jecks while I was there. The library was freaking *packed* when I got there. So little parking and people everywhere. This is a good thing, of course, more people should enjoy the library, but it 'twas a hassle. No lingering in that kind of crowd.

I may watch Ghosthunters International tonight on tv. I missed Warehouse 13 last night because Tug was getting all worked up about a walk that I couldn't give him and Steve was gone at the board meeting so I took him for a drive. But that didn't do the job so I had Tug out on the deck and gave him a good brushing which did seem to calm him eventually. I don't know what to do about tonight; Steve has shooting and the earliest he could walk Tug is afterward which would be 9-ish. One possibility is for me to take Tug to a place were I could park and let him loose; there's a field in the next subdivision that may work. I'll have to see about that... I'm getting closer, I think, to being able to walk him myself again but more likely this weekend if Steve is in control of the dog and I could bail if need be.

So now I'm checking out websites and email and listening to some nice music. I've been pushing water all day but a cup of mint tea sounded good so I'm having that. There's a storm moving in, very dark in the west. A thunder-boomer would be lovely.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Yeah, thinking about it...

Getting around better and better. Today I went to the post office and then dropped some books off at the library. Tug came along for the ride. I need to get some groceries but will probably save that for tomorrow morning when its cooler again. I've been doing some cleaning up: washing blankets, cleaning the bathroom, and I'd like to vacuum again.

Finished DEATH AT THE DEVIL'S TAVERN by Deryn Lake. A pleasant histmyst read that, though not blatent, I had kind of figured out how the puzzles pieces were going to fit by the end. I do like this series -- and I say this every time so bear with me -- the formal-ish language the author uses actually adds to the charm. It fits with the 1750s period. Next up? I'm not sure yet. The library should be kicking free some holds soon, hopefully this week: the new Karin Slaughter, the new David Liss, and something else I can't think of right now. So until they do shake loose, I'll have to go back to the TBR pile.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is a cute idea: Coffee with a Canine can be found at http://coffeecanine.blogspot.com/. Author's interviewed about their dogs and so forth. Ahhhh.

On tv tonight is the premiere of a new series on SciFi channel, called Warehouse 13. Sounds quirky enough to check out the possibilities. Otherwise, The First 48 is on A&E.

Steve has a board meeting tonight so dinner will have to be slapdash. I'm thinking either spaghetti with pesto or have him pick up pitas. Shrug. Whatever happens, will.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Just another lazy Monday...

Take a look at that frog ... sometimes life is just good, ya know? I wonder what great philosophies he's thinking about?

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is A Book Every Six Days found at http://bookeverysixdays.blogspot.com/.

Not a heavy schedule again today. Paid some bills today and took them out to the mailbox (woo hoo!). Otherwise I've been reading and journaling and listening to music with my foot up mostly. I know I'm not 100% healthy yet and DO NOT want any kind of relapse. So more of the same self care stuff.

I've started DEATH AT DEVIL'S TAVERN by Deryn Lake. This is 3rd of 12 in series featuring John Rawlings, an apothecary and associate of John Fielding, mostly in 18th century London. Here's a description:

John Rawlings, the exuberant young apothecary, is celebrating his in The Devil's Tavern, a popular if notorious haunt for sailors and smugglers. Stumbling across a corpse that has been fished out of the Thames, he identifies it as Sir William Hartfield, the bridegroom who had failed to show at his own wedding earlier that day. As the drowning reveals itself as murder, Rawlings is called upon by London's revered sightless magistrate, John Fielding, to investigate the colourful members of Sir William's family - from terrible old Lady Hodkin to her downtrodden daughter, and from Roger, flamboyant man of fashion to the outrageous twins who share an elaborate past.

Published in 1996; it has 244 pages.

I watched the Miss Marple on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre last night and quite enjoyed it. The casting was very good and I didn't hate the actress playing Marple, in fact, she seemed rather intelligent and natural. I will watch the other (five) episodes this summer.

Tonight is a new episode of The Closer but then otherwise reading my book.

It's scheduled to get over 90 degrees today so Tug and I are hunkering down for the afternoon and may have naps in our future. Heck, he's already beat me to it.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday of Relaxation

Hey I'm down in my office this morning! My horizons are expanding .... :) It's a bit messy in here but it's good be around my other bookcases. I have a huge very comfy recliner in here that will be put to use in a bit. On my office computer are other bookmarks of websites/blogs I like visit so I've been checking in on things I haven't been able to previously. A whole new adventure, I tell ya.

I did finish TO KILL OR CURE last night so now I'm on the prowl for the next to be devoured, er, read. I don't know yet. I may peruse the shelves down here for some inspiration or something completely different. It's not like I don't have much to choose from actually.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Book Fanatic found at http://bookfanaticblog.blogspot.com/. Just a nice little site.

Gotta remember tonight on tv is the Masterpiece Theater Agatha Christie with Matthew Macfadyen to watch. Prior to that will be the newest ep in The Next Food Network Star competition which is silly but fun to watch the mayhem/suffering. They gotta want it bad to go through what they do.

Last night I sat on the deck with a blanket (a storm blew through and cooled things off a lot) to watch some fireworks in the neighborhood. Isn't it amazing how now there are such big boomers available to just anybody? I mean BIG stuff, the mortars and multiple explosion stuff. And these people have purchased so much -- for it went on and on until after midnight. I call it burning money but I did enjoy the spectacle myself. After a while it got less interesting so I went inside to read for a bit and wore my ipod to tune things out when I wanted to sleep. This was about the perfect 4th of July being on a Saturday. I've always thought that people should have the 5th off from work when it falls during the week because of the lateness of the big events and then having to get up so early for work or whatever the next day. This year, one could stay up late and sleep in late if one wanted.

Not much else happening. I don't know yet what to have for dinner, maybe something with chicken but nothing is appealing to me right now. Steve is still sleeping but I'm hoping he'll walk Tug before it gets too hot and cranky out and then maybe mow the lawn. Laundry is done so maybe I can do some vacuuming later but I'll play that by ear.

Have a lovely Sunday, everyone.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! My heart is full on such a day of what the Founding men and women did for this country. What an amazing accomplishment.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Gumshoe Review found at http://www.gumshoereview.com/. Lots of mystery info can be found there.

Almost done with TO KILL OR CURE by Susanna Gregory. Again, much convolutions of following clues and non-clues to the point of saying "GET ON WITH IT ALREADY", and now the end is in sight; the solutions are near. I love the world building and the main characters so I get over that impatience eventually. Mostly. So I should finish this tonight and move on to something else. Some possibilities include the next in series by Deborah Crombie, or Patricia Wynn, or Deryn lake, or the new one by Caro Ramsay, or maybe something completely different like a nonfiction or fluffy.

I posted my June reads on 4MA the other day but neglected to do it here so ...

June 2009 reads (in reverse order)

• THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Steig Larsson 2nd of Millenium Trilogy featuring "journo extraordinaire Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, the Lara Croft of the land of the midnight sun" (Kirkus Reviews). I enjoyed it as much as the first one for its complexity of story.
• A MOMENT OF SILENCE by Anna Dean 1st of 2 in series featuring amateur sleuth Dido Kent in 1805 England. A good historical mystery series in the Jane Austen era that doesn't get too cutesy; the interspersal of letters carries the conversation and thoughts well.
• THE AWFUL SECRET by Bernard Knight 4th of 13 in series featuring Sir John de Wolfe, the crowner (coroner), in 12th century Devon, England. Gilbert de Rideford is a Knight of the Temple of Solomon, and an old acquaintance from Crowner John's crusading days. He claims to have come into possession of a secret that could shake Christendom to its foundations - and he desperately needs John's help to escape from the secretive order of warrior monks. Very good historical mystery series.
• DEATH OF A SQUIRE by Maureen Ash 2nd of 4 in series featuring Bascot de Marins, a Templar Knight recovering from imprisonment in the holy lands, in the early 1200s, in England.When a squire'sbody is found hanging from a tree, Templar Bascot de Marins is given the task of unearthing the truth before an unprecedented meeting of kings at Lincoln Castle. Another good historical mystery series.
• THE ACCIDENTAL BESTSELLER by Wendy Wax (nonmystery, non-series). Once upon a time four aspiring authors met at their very first writers' conference. Ten years later they're still friends, survivors of the ultra-competitive New York publishing world. Kendall's once-promising career is on the skids—and so is her marriage. Her sales are dismal, her neweditor detests her work. Barely able to think, let alone meet her final deadline, Kendall holes up in a mountain cabin to confront a blank page and a blanker future. But her friends won't let her face this trial alone. Together they collaborate on a novel using their own lives as fodder, assuming no one will ever discover the truth behind their words. No one is more surprised than they are when the book becomes a runaway bestseller. But with success comes scrutiny and scandal…as these four best friends suddenly realize how little they've truly known each other. Interesting look inside publishing world, a little fluffy.
• AND JUSTICE THERE IS NONE by Deborah Crombie 8th of 13 in series featuring Duncan Kincaid, a Scotland Yard superintendent,and Gemma James, a sergeant. When someone does in Dawn Arrowood, the young, pregnant wife of a wealthy antiques dealer, in her Notting Hill home, Inspector Gemma James is put in charge of the investigation. A solid entry in the series.
• TAVERN IN THE MORNING by Alys Clare 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. When a man dies of poisoning at an inn known for the quality of its food, Josse investigates. This series is a little lighter than I prefer in historical mysteries, but a good one nonetheless.
• THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash (nonmystery, stand alone) Though she lives in the shadow of her legendary landscape photographer father, and is the mother of a painter whose career is about to take off, Claire has carved out a practical existence as a commercial photographer. Her pictures may not be the stuff of genius, but they've paid for a good life. But when her father dies, Claire loses faith in the work she has devoted her life to—and worse, begins to feel jealous of her daughter's success. Then, as she helps prepare a retrospective of her famous father's photographs, Claire uncovers revelations about him that change everything she believes about herself as a mother, a daughter, and an artist. Interesting.
• THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (nonmystery, stand alone) The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume IzzyBickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunnyside of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet'sname in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories about the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation. Juliet's quips are clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving. Wonderful and charming.
• THE KING JAMES CONSPIRACY by Phillip Depoy (stand alone) What if, in the original Hebrew gospels, there were secrets so shocking that revealing them could be disastrous for the Church of England? And what if there had been a fiendish conspiracy to prevent the creation of the King James Bible, a conspiracy of men so desperate to keep the buried secrets from being exposed that they would stop at nothing, not even murder? That's the premise of this exciting and thought-provoking novel, set in 1605 and featuringa large cast of real-life characters. The only completely fictional character is Brother Timon, who is hired by the translators to find out who is trying to stop the translation. Timon is a compellingly multilayered character (we spend mos tof the book trying to decide if he's a good guy or a villain). Like Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, which also involves murder and religion, the novel is a splendid mixture of history and mystery, with vibrant characters and some solid twists and turns. Love the concepts but somehow the execution was lacking.
• THE MERCHANT'S PARTNER by Michael Jecks 2nd of 28 in series featuring Simon Puttock, medieval West County bailiff, and Sir Baldwin Furnshill, ex-Templar Knight, in Devon, England. When the mutilated body of midwife and healer Agatha Kyteler is discovered in a hedge one frozen wintry morning, it at first appears the lack of clues will render the crime unsolvable -- until a frightened local youth inexplicably flees his village and a hue and cry is raised. Sir Baldwin Furnshill, however, has doubts about the boy's guilt and enlists Simon Puttock in the hunt for a murderer. But what they seek lies somewhere on the darker side of the village of Wefford, beneath layers of jealousy, suspicion, and hatred -- and the buried truth could prove fatal to anyone who disturbs it. Solid historical mystery series with many many books to go which is always a good thing.
• THE SCARECROW by Michael Connelly 2nd featuring Jack McEvoy, a reporter, and Rachel Walling, an FBI agent, in Denver, Colorado, and Los Angeles. When Jack is laid off from the L.A. Times with 14 days' notice to tie up loose ends, he decides to go out with a bang. What starts as a story about the wrongful arrest of a young gangbanger for the brutal rape and murder of an exotic dancer turns out to be just the tip of an iceberg. FBI agent Rachel Walling, with whom he worked on a serial killer case in 1996's The Poet, soon joins the hunt. I always love Connelly's voice, this was interesting look in today's journalism, the ending was a bit coincidental/easy/quick.

Tomorrow I would like to get down to my office and put some more books on paperbackswap. I want to clean out that excess books mess in there.

Been a bit more home productive today: getting laundry done and I made lemon bars from a mix to add to our quiet festivities of hamburgers and potato salad and watermelon. Foot/ankle is getting better and putting more weight on it to almost walk rather than hobble but not quite there yet. Soon though. Otherwise, I've been doing more of the same, ho hum.

I don't think there's anything riveting on tv tonight; maybe we could pop in a movie or something. Later maybe I'll go out on the deck and watch the neighborhood fireworks. We have so many going off all around us on the 4th that one doesn't know where to look and it goes late so there's no trying to sleep tonight until midnight. Oy.

It looks like it may be clouding up out there so maybe we'll get a storm before the evening is over.

Enjoy your day!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster