Sunday, February 28, 2010

Alphabet in Historical Crime Fiction - P


~ P ~

Note: for a complete listing of histmyst authors, check out www.crimethrutime.com


Robin Paige ( joint pseudonym of Susan & Bill Albert)

Kathryn Ardleigh, an American author who moves to Victorian Dedham, England, and Sir Charles Sheridan, a landed peer and amateur scientist


  • Death at Bishop’s Keep (1994) [r]

  • Death at Gallows Green (1995) [r]

  • Death at Daisy’s Folly (1997) [r]

  • Death at Devil’s Bridge (1998) [r]

  • Death at Rottingdean (1999) [r]

  • Death at Whitechapel (2000)

  • Death at Epsom Downs (2001)

  • Death at Dartmoor (2002)

  • Death at Glamis Castle (2003)

  • Death in Hyde Park (2004)

  • Death at Blenheim Palace (2005)

  • Death on the Lizard (2006)


I.J. Parker
Sugawara no Akitada, a sleuth in 11th century Japan (in the order to be read, not as published, according to the author)


  • The Dragon Scroll (2005)

  • Rashomon Gate (2002)

  • Black Arrow (2006)

  • Island of Exiles (2007)

  • The Hell Screen (2003)

  • The Convict’s Sword (2009)


S.J. Parris
Giordano Bruno, monk, poet, scientist and magician on the run from the Inquisition, acting as an agent for Queen Elizabeth I Oxford, England 16th Century



  • Heresy (2010)

Ben Pastor
Aelius Spartianus, a former soldier, now historian to Diocletian, in early 4th century Rome


  • The Water Thief (2007) [r]

  • The Fire Waker (2008)

Paula Paul

Alexandra Gladstone, a doctor in Victorian Newton-on-Sea, England


  • Symptoms of Death (2002)

  • An Improper Death (2002)

  • Half a Mind To Murder (2003)


Cynthia Peale

Caroline and Addington Ames, upperclass sibling sleuths in Victorian Boston


  • The Death of Colonel Mann (2000)

  • Murder at Bertram's Bower (2001)

  • The White Crow (2002)


Michael Pearce

Garth Owen (Mamur Zapt), the British head of Cairo’s Political CID in Cairo


  • The Mamur Zapt and the Return of the Carpet (1988)

  • The Mamur Zapt and the Night of the Dog (1989)

  • The Mamur Zapt and the Donkey-Vous (1990)

  • The Mamur Zapt and the Men Behind (1991) Finalist 1991 Last Laugh Dagger Award

  • The Mamur Zapt and the Girl in the Nile (1992) Finalist 1992 Last Laugh Dagger Award

  • The Mamur Zapt and the Spoils of Egypt (1993) 1993 Last Laugh Dagger Award

  • The Camel of Destruction (1993)

  • The Snake Catcher’s Daughter (1994)

  • The Mingrelian Conspiracy (1995)

  • The Fig Tree Murder (1996)

  • The Last Cut (1998)

  • Death of an Effendi (1999) Finalist 2000 Historical Dagger Award

  • A Cold Touch of Ice (2000) Runner-up 2001 Historical Dagger Award

  • The Face in the Cemetery (2001)

  • The Point in the Market (2005)

  • The Mark of the Pasha (2008)


Sandor Pelczynski Seymour, a multilingual officer with England’s Special Branch in the early 1900s


  • A Dead Man in Trieste (2004)

  • A Dead Man in Istanbul (2005)

  • A Dead Man in Athens (2006)

  • A Dead Man in Tangier (2007)

  • A Dead Man in Barcelona (2008)

  • A Dead Man in Naples (2009)


Sharon Kay Penman

Justin de Quincy, the bastard son of a bishop in 12th century England


  • The Queen’s Man (1996) Finalist 1997 Edgar Award for Best First Novel [r]

  • Cruel as the Grave (1998) [r]

  • Dragon’s Lair (2003) [r]

  • Prince of Darkness (2005) [r]


Andrew Pepper

Pyke, beginning as a Bow Street Runner in 1829-1940s London, England


  • The Last Days of Newgate (2006) Finalist 2007 New Blood Dagger Award

  • The Revenge of Captain Paine (2007)

  • Kill-Devil and Water (2008)

  • The Detective Branch (2010)


Arturo PĂ©rez-Reverte
Captain Diego Alatriste, a swordsman for hire in 17th century Spain


  • Captain Alatriste (2005)

  • Purity of Blood (2006)

  • The Sun Over Breda (2006)

  • The King’s Gold (2008)

  • The Cavalier in the Yellow Doublet (2009)


Anne Perry

Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, a police inspector and wife in Victorian London


  • The Cater Street Hangman (1979) [r]

  • Callander Square (1980) [r]

  • Paragon Walk (1981) [r]

  • Resurrection Row (1981) [r]

  • Rutland Place (1983) [r]

  • Bluegate Fields (1984) [r]

  • Death in the Devil’s Acre (1985) [r]

  • Cardington Crescent (1987) [r]

  • Silence in Hanover Close (1988) [r]

  • Bethlehem Road (1990) [r]

  • Highgate Rise (1991) [r]

  • Belgrave Square (1992) [r]

  • Farriers’ Lane (1993) [r]

  • The Hyde Park Headsman (1994) [r]

  • Traitors Gate (1995)

  • Pentecost Alley (1996) Finalist 1997 Edgar Award for Best Mystery

  • Ashworth Hall (1998)

  • Brunswick Gardens (1998)

  • Bedford Square (1999)

  • Half Moon Street (2000) Finalist 2001 Macavity Award for Best Novel

  • The Whitechapel Conspiracy (2001)

  • Southampton Row (2002)

  • Seven Dials (2003)

  • Long Spoon Lane (2005)

  • Buckingham Palace Gardens (2008) Finalist 2008 Agatha Award for Best Novel


William Monk, an amnesiac police inspector, later a private detective, in Victorian London



  • The Face of a Stranger (1990) Finalist 1990 Agatha Award for Best Novel,Finalist 1991 Macavity Award for Best Novel [r]

  • A Dangerous Mourning (1991) [r]

  • Defend and Betray (1992) Finalist 1992 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • A Sudden, Fearful Death (1993) [r]

  • Sins of the Wolf (1994) [r]

  • Cain His Brother (1995) [r]

  • Weighed in the Balance (1997) [r]

  • The Silent Cry (1997) [r]

  • A Breach of Promise (1998) [r]

  • The Twisted Root (1999) [r]

  • Slaves of Obsession (2000) [r]

  • Funeral in Blue (2001) [r]

  • Death of a Stranger (2002) [r]

  • The Shifting Tide (2004) [r]

  • Dark Assassin (2006) Finalist 2007 Macavity Award for Best Historical Novel [r]
    Execution Dock (2009) [r]

Matthew Reavley, a British intelligence officer, and the Reavley family, in London, in the World War I series




  • No Graves as Yet (2003) [r]

  • Shoulder the Sky (2004)

  • Angels in the Gloom (2005)

  • At Some Disputed Barricade (2007)

  • We Shall Not Sleep (2007)


Elizabeth Peters

Amelia Peabody, a Victorian feminist Egyptologist from Kent, England


  • Crocodile on the Sandbank (1975) [r]

  • The Curse of the Pharaohs (1981) [r]

  • The Mummy Case (1985) [r]

  • Lion in the Valley (1986) [r]

  • The Deeds of the Disturber (1988) [r]

  • The Last Camel Died at Noon (1991) Finalist 1991 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (1992) Finalist 1992 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • The Hippopotamus Pool (1996) [r]

  • Seeing a Large Cat (1998) Finalist 1998 Agatha Award for Best Novel

  • The Ape Who Guards the Balance (1998) Finalist 1998 Agatha Award for Best Novel

  • The Falcon at the Portal (1999)

  • He Shall Thunder in the Sky (2000) Finalist 2000 Agatha Award for Best Novel, Finalist 2001 Anthony Award for Best Mystery

  • Lord of the Silent (2001)

  • The Golden One (2002) Finalist 2002 Agatha Award for Best Novel

  • Children of the Storm (2003)

  • Guardian of the Horizon (2004)

  • The Serpent on the Crown (2005)

  • Tomb of the Golden Bird (2006)

  • A River in the Sky (April 2010)


Ellis Peters

Brother Cadfael, a 12th century monk and herbalist in Shrewsbury, England


  • A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977) [r]

  • One Corpse Too Many (1979) [r]

  • Monk’s Hood (1980) 1980 Silver Dagger Award [r]

  • Saint Peter’s Fair (1981) [r]

  • The Leper of St. Giles (1981) [r]

  • The Virgin in the Ice (1982) [r]

  • The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983) [r]

  • The Devil’s Novice (1983) [r]

  • Dead Man’s Ransom (1984) [r]

  • The Pilgrim of Hate (1984) [r]

  • An Excellent Mystery (1985) [r]

  • The Raven in the Foregate (1986) [r]

  • The Rose Rent (1986) [r]

  • The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1987) [r]

  • The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988) [r]

  • A Rare Benedictine [SS] (1988) [r]

  • The Heretic’s Apprentice (1989) [r]

  • The Potter’s Field (1989) Finalist 1989 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • The Summer of the Danes (1991) [r]

  • The Holy Thief (1992) [r]

  • Brother Cadfael’s Penance (1994 [r]



[r] = I've read it


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Saturday


I'm just a couple chapters away from finishing the Robb. It has been very good. I think I'm in the mood next for a historical mystery but I need to finish the Deborah Crombie I started and is from the library on a 14-day loan.
I wasn't feel terrific most of the day. A slight sinus thing is trying to take hold. I napped a little today but still feel a little run down. Between the usual bedding and towels laundry and vacuuming, I spent most of the day watching live Hawaiian news stream on the Internet watching the tsunami surge. It wasn't a huge event but very interesting to watch: a cam at Hilo Bay had a surge in and out at least five times.
Looks like only five books read in February total. I think that's the same as January, too. My monthly average has been halved since last year. Ah, I suppose it's quality over quantity.
So next up in reading:


NECESSARY AS BLOOD by Deborah Crombie
THE SEPTEMBER SOCIETY by Charles Finch
THE CREDITON KILLINGS by Michael Jecks
THE CRUELEST MONTH by Louise Penny


Steve is off doing game night so probably won't see him until sometime tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon, I imagine we'll watch the gold medal round of men's hockey. No other plans. More sleep. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, February 26, 2010

I iz happy iz Friday


The Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation insurance program is set to expire tomorrow. Everyone anticipated that it would be extended just like many times previously. Congress left today without getting it done. Politics. This is going to cause a lot of problems in the unemployment arena. On one hand, I hate big government. On the other hand this country is in very bad shape in the area of the economy and jobs -- no, the solution is not more government. But my job sort of depends on there being these programs. So I'm torn. I did get approval from my supervisor to work the schedule I've planned in order to get the max of 10 hours of overtime each week without having to come in on weekends. It will be nice to have that much more wiggle room to pay the bills, get groceries, and the occasional book without guilt.


I had a great time having lunch with my friend Sara and meeting her baby boy Carter (3 months old). It was just terrific to chat with her and to see her doing so well.


I haven't had much opportunity to read but I'm hoping this weekend will let me finish the Robb. It will be nice to sleep in a little tomorrow.


I'm doing a quick check of emails and so forth before watching Spartacus in a few minutes. Then some reading, then lovely bed time.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Suck it up, cupcake, it's not Friday yet


I'm having lunch tomorrow with a friend I haven't seen in a long time so I'm looking forward to that. I don't know why, but Fridays never feel like Fridays to me. There should be a "ta da" or something.


Halfway through the Robb book. Hope to finish it tomorrow or Saturday.


Took Tug for a walk after work. Not really limping anymore but somehow he got a slight cut on his paw that defies keeping a bandage on but it's stopped bleeding now. He's just now stop licking it. Dogs, I swear.


We watched Survivor tonight. This episode wasn't as thrilling as the previous two but 'twas all right.


Off to warm up in the shower before reading in bed a bit.


See ya tomorrow ... same bat time same bat channel.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Or should that be "Anticipation"?


Not much to talk about tonight. Work came and went. Took Tug for a shorter walk; he's still limping but not as much; he's currently chewing on a bone I gave him this evening. Steve is having his shooting night. I'm reading the usual emails, news and blogs then I'll spend more time with FANTASY IN DEATH by JD Robb. Bedtime isn't far off so I can do it all over again. :)


It's midweek and all is well.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

BIG HAID ... itty bitty body...


Long day at work. Had to go to Walmart afterward. Steve walked Tug; they both just got home and Tug is limping so I have get him a pain pill so this will be short.


I've got the new JD Robb FANTASY IN DEATH. This is 31st of 31 in series featuring Eve Dallas, a homicide lieutenant in futuristic New York City. Here's a description:



Bart Minnock, founder of the computer-gaming giant U-Play, enters his private playroom, and eagerly can't wait to lose himself in an imaginary world, to play the role of a sword-wielding warrior king, in his company's latest top-secret project, Fantastical. The next morning, he is found in the same locked room, in a pool of blood, his head separated from his body. It is the most puzzling case Eve Dallas has ever faced, and it is not a game. . . . NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas is having as much trouble figuring out how Bart Minnock was murdered as who did the murdering. The victim's girlfriend seems sincerely grief-stricken, and his quirky-but-brilliant partners at U-Play appear equally shocked. No one seemed to have a prob­lem with the enthusiastic, high-spirited millionaire. Of course, success can attract jealousy, and gaming, like any business, has its fierce rivalries and dirty tricks-as Eve's husband, Roarke, one of U- Play's competitors, knows well. But Minnock was not naive, and quite capable of fighting back in the real world as well as the virtual one.


It was just published and has 368 pages.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Phewey! Mondays!


Oh, just a kinda blechy day today. Glad work is over and it's nearly time for bed. Hunh. We're trying to have good coverage all day for calls on the new program and I got caught on a call at lunch and left 15 minutes late for my scheduled time (which happens) and I sent an email to those concerned regarding that but some people thought I was leaving 15 minutes early and there was as minor hullaballoo. Bah. Even a terrific work place has its politics at times.


Steve is helping lead a gun club orientation meeting tonight. We had Taco Johns for dinner (mmm, chili Frito burrito). I'm now catching up on emails and news.


I finished MEDICUS by Ruth Downie last night. I liked it I think. I'll be reading the next one in series in the next month or two. I just got the next in series for me of Deborah Crombie -- after reading that, I'll be completely caught up on that series and perhaps I can move on to another or concentrate more on the ones I'm in.


I'll have to run to the bookstore tomorrow and pick up the new JD Robb (woo hoo!), FANTASY IN DEATH. It would be nice to do it at lunch time (no crises this time please) but I'll have to play it by ear.


I watched the BAFTA awards last night on BBC America. It was sooo nice to see The Hurt Locker sweep the main awards (Best Film, Director, Sound, Editing, Screenplay, and one other) over Avatar (two measly visual awards). Story and acting wise, The Hurt Locker is a fantastic film. Avatar is epic but relies so much on the CGI that story and acting is lost. Next up, I believe, are the Academy Awards. The one thing I hate about any awards show is the thank yous. I usually switch channels until that part is over. :) I would be perfectly happy with an award show that simply announced the nominees, maybe a clip of each, announce the winner, then WHAM!, go on the next category.... ADD anyone?


Thanks for stopping by...


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Ice Ice Baby


~ O ~

Today's Alphabet of Historical Mysteries is the letter "O" (I feel like Sesame Street suddenly), but I do not have any authors to present. There are a very small handful listed at www.crimethrutime.com but they are not authors I've read or are interested in so there won't be a post today but instead of going on to "P" (which has many authors) I'll just acknowlege the letter and not list anything.


We had a little skiff of snow this morning blow through but it has stopped now. I'm still contemplating asking Steve to walk Tug today just to have a day off from the duty. Maybe. He sleeps in pretty late on Sundays and Tug gets insistant around 11.


We watched the DVD of The Hurt Locker last night. This is a movie that has been and continues to be up for many awards. Tonight it will be competing in the BAFTAs (UK) and again for the Academy Awards (against the monolith of Avatar). It was a very powerful little film and I hope it is the underdog to beat Avatar. However, in regard to the Oscars, I believe Jeremy Renner will win Best Actor as its "reward" and not Best Picture. Those are always so political. We'll see. Anyway, a good film, set in Iraq in 2004 and follows a team of explosive demolition specialists. The main message is that war is a drug (per the quote at the beginning) and the "making of" documentary on the DVD. I would say that really means that the main character is addicted to the *adrenalin* rush of his job which happens to require a war situation and which he is really good at. Overall, it was a good movie.


Today, I have more laundry and vacuuming downstairs. And I hope to make some solid uninterrupted reading time. (fingers crossed)


Meme: Open the book you’re currently reading to page 161, and post the fifth sentence on the page:



..."Just a formality, of course, but we do have to show that we have some sort of guarantee." (The medicus Ruso has been borrowing money for various reasons and the overly-organized hospital administrator Priscus is forcing the issue into a situation that will bite him one day, I'm anticipating -- I also have other suspicians).

Have a lovely Sunday. I'm reading my blogs, emails, news and hopefully book for the rest of time. :)


Much love,

PK the Bookemonster

Saturday, February 20, 2010

So, I've had too many cat photos in a row....


The usual Saturday: walk Tug, vacuum, laundry, got some groceries. Steve had a gun safety class to help with this morning. I kinda felt a little yucky today so I've laid down a couple times; better now.

Last night we went to Village Inn Pizza -- for nostalgia. It used to be the only pizza place back when I was a kid. Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. Well, I got it out of my system. :) We got home and watched Spartcus episode on Starz -- he actually won a gladiator game! Yeah, totally different for him; he's really sucked the past few eps. :)

I didn't go in to work today for some overtime because the network was going to be down until 1 for updates and that's if it went well, I'm supposing. Ah well. Maybe next weekend (don't want to go in on a Sunday).

We have a couple DVDs to watch maybe this weekend (The Hurt Locker and Law Abiding Citizen -- yeah, no chick flicks here). But I haven't done much reading, I should do that. Emails are piling up again, but I should read. I've gotten some books via paperbackswap that are good, of course I have tons of series reads, and the new Robb on Tuesday and another historical mystery that looks good on that day. Oy, I should have a picked a different hobby.

We're having taco salad tonight. Num. Tomorrow, I may try a recipe I found online: I went to lunch with a coworker this past week at this little hole-in-the-wall cafe and had tater tot casserole, if you can believe it, and it was good. I was shocked. So I've found a very very simple (5 ingredients) recipe for it online so what the heck. Maybe I can add it to the rotation if Steve likes it.


So on the (NEW) book reading horizon:


FANTASY IN DEATH by JD Robb

HERESY by SJ Parris (will probably get for the Kindle)

THE FIFTH SERVANT by Kenneth Wishnia (currently on my Kindle)


March:

THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST by Deanna Raybourn (yay!)

THE SHEEN ON THE SILK by Anne Perry


On my series reading front:

THE CREDITON KILLINGS by Michael Jecks

NECESSARY AS BLOOD by Deborah Crombie

SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN by Peter Tremayne

MURDER IN GRUB STREET by Bruce Alexander

THE GREEN MILL MURDER by Kerry Greenwood

THE SEPTEMBER SOCIETY by Charles Finch

THE WICKED WINTER by Kate Sedley

THE CHATTER OF THE MAIDENS by Alys Clare

THE COMPLAINT OF THE DOVE by Hannah March

etc., etc., etc.


And that's not counting the new month of Bernard Knight, Louise Penny, and Deryn Lake... or any of the other series I want to continue or get going in ... or straight historical novels ... and so you see I must not waste time or I guess sleep anymore....

Thanks for stopping by ...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, February 19, 2010

It's really Friday? Ohgoooooood...


Doh! Ran out of evening last night and didn't post.


Hey, it's TGIF! I was planning to go in to work tomorrow to get some overtime but they're doing network updates and don't want anyone on the system until afternoon and I don't think I want to start that late so maybe I won't make it happen this weekend.


Steve forgot Valentine's Day so I requested that he take me out for dinner tonight. I don't know where but I hope we can do so.


So no major plans this weekend now. I should drop off taxes info to the tax place. Do some cleaning, etc.


I'm still reading MEDICUS by Ruth Downie. I'm a little more than halfway through. Tuesday, the new JD Robb is released so I must be done by then.


Tonight, if we make it home in time is a new episode of Spartacus. Last night we watched Survivor -- it was very good and I'm definitely hooked. We should be getting the DVD of The Hurt Locker (war movie) from Netflix tomorrow so maybe we'll watch it this weekend.


Have a lovely Friday evening...


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Customer service ... how may I help you...


Aren't short weeks wonderful? Suddenly it's Wednesday.


Waiting on dinner, finished walking Tug, nothing on tv so may just read. Bed sounds lovely. :)


Sorry so short tonight.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The "purr" setting for 25 cents a pop is juuust right...


Not an overly busy day today at work, all calls I took for the new program were not qualified. But I did get into a weird down mood so I'm glad the day is over.


Took Tug for a walk; Steve is at an orientation meeting for the gun club (helping lead it), and I'm reading emails and so forth. Really, not much happening and that's not a bad thing.


I have to keep reminding myself it's Tuesday. Oy.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, February 15, 2010

I hate it when that happens


I've had a really lovely day today, having it off for Presidents' Day. I walked Tug, had lunch with Steve at his office, and then met with my friend Omi for a really brilliant time this afternoon.


This week is going to be a bit stressful at work but doable with the new program going into effect. I've planned with Steve to go out to dinner on Friday to celebrate getting through it. :)


I finished DEATH AT APOTHECARIES' HALL by Deryn Lake. Now I'm reading MEDICUS by Ruth Downie. This is 1st of 3 in series featuring Gaius Petreius Ruso, a recently divorced Roman army physician, in second century Roman Britain. Here's a description:


Gaius Petrius Ruso, a military medicus (or doctor), transfers to the 20th Legion in the remote Britannia port of Deva (now Chester) to start over after a ruinous divorce and his father's death. Things go downhill from there. His quarters are filthy and vermin-filled, and his superior at the hospital is a petty tyrant. Gaius rescues and buys an injured slave girl, Tilla, from her abusive master, but she refuses to talk, can't cook and costs more to keep than he can afford. Meanwhile, young women from the local bordello keep turning up dead, and nobody is interested in investigating. Gaius becomes a reluctant detective, but his sleuthing threatens to get him killed and leaves him scant time to work on the first-aid guide he's writing to help salvage his
finances.

It was published in the UK in 2006 and in the US in 2007. It has 400 pages. Strangely, it sort of has the feel of MASH (tired cynical doctor in a chaotic military setting) but without the humor. I wanted something different and I've been meaning to get to the roman histmysts (there's tons) and this seems to fit the bill for now.


Back at it tomorrow morning. Thanks for stopping by.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Alphabet of Historical Crime Fiction - N


~ N ~


Kris Nelscott

Smokey Dalton, an African-American unlicensed private investigator, in 1968 Memphis, Tennessee


  • A Dangerous Road (2000) Finalist 2001 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel [r]

  • Smoke-Filled Rooms (2001)

  • Thin Walls (2002)

  • Stone Cribs (2004)

  • War at Home (2005)

  • Days of Rage (2006) Finalist 2007 Shamus Award for Best Novel


Sharan Newman

Catherine LeVendeur, novice and scholar in 12th-century France


  • Death Comes as Epiphany (1993) 1994 Macavity Award for Best First Novel, Finalist 1993 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, Finalist 1994 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, Finalist 1994 Dilys Award [r]

  • The Devil’s Door (1994) [r]

  • The Wandering Arm (1995) Finalist 1995 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • Strong as Death (1996) Finalist 1996 Agatha Award for Best Novel [r]

  • Cursed in the Blood (1998) [r]

  • The Difficult Saint (1999) [r]

  • To Wear the White Cloak (2000) [r]

  • Heresy (2002) [r]

  • The Outcast Dove (2003) [r]

  • The Witch in the Well (2004)


[r] = I've read it

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Some people really don't like this pseudo-holiday


I have been a bad bad girl today. I had a hair appointment this morning: color and trim. A bit more expensive than just a trim, I have learned. But I do like the result and shock and surprise so does Steve. But it gets worse. I went to the mall to get new tennis shoes and I needed work shoes because all of my old shoes are really quite bad. I got my usual Reebocks at a store. Went looking for work shoes. I have to wear flat shoes for I don't know how long because right now if I wear heels my ankle/leg swell (still from my cellulitis episode last summer). So I stopped in one store and it was busy and I didn't see much selection. So I went to another store. After good attention from the store clerk I settled on a pair of shoes which was really expensive enough. But then I mentioned I had gotten tennis shoes. She then brought out tennis shoes she said were the best ever, and they were very comfortable and were washable and had a 5-year replacement warranty. Skeptical, I tried them and unfortunately she was right. Sold. And they were expensive too. So I trudged back to the first store to return the other pair. So between these two places alone, I spent waaaaay too much money. But I needed shoes and these are a good investment and my hair, well, hair is such a personal identity thing, isn't it. Good thing I have overtime available to me at work. I'll be putting in some more. :)


Then I stopped by a grocery store for some bread and milk and such. Back home, I started some laundry, had a bite of lunch since it was 1:30 by then and took a quick nap and here we are.


So I need to some more weekend cleaning stuff. Steve already walked Tug (yay). And it's snowing out. Maybe I don't need to go out anymore this weekend other than the newspaper tomorrow. Maybe I can get some good reading time in.


Here' is a Valentine's day gift to you: Dominic West reading a selection from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: http://www.cartenoire.co.uk/pride-and-prejudice. Nummy.
Happy Valentine's Day Eve!
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, February 12, 2010

Have a good weekend or you and my friend here will have a little talk


Yay, it's Friday! And a three-day weekend to boot! It was a tough week of training for the new program but at this point it's just going to take actual calls and filing to get it from here. Took Tug for a walk in the field so he could run loose; now I'm reading news and emails while we wait for Steve to get home. I'd like to read tonight but we have Spartacus to watch.


Last night's Survivor premiere was better than I thought it would be. I didn't have high hopes for the "Heroes versus Villians" of previous players but even though it was two hours, it was enjoyable and I'll be watching the season once again. Haven't missed one yet. (sigh)


I have a hair appointment tomorrow morning but I'll be able to sleep in a little. After that, I don't know. We also don't have any plans for Valentine's day. The possibility of a movie was mentioned but we'll see how it goes. I should go shopping for some shoes at some point this weekend. Mine are toast.


I'm currently reading DEATH AT THE APOTHECARIES' HALL by Deryn Lake. This is 6th of 13 in series featuring John Rawlings, an apothecary and associate of John Fielding, mostly in 18th century London. Here's a description:



The scene was an exact replica of the one that had taken place twenty-four hours earlier. John Rawlings stood in the shop at Apothecaries' Hall buying the herb known as true-love. The only difference was that both he and the shop owner were buzzing with intrigue as they discussed the extraordinary outbreak of food poisoning which had stricken the l iverymen who attended dinner at the Worshipful Society the previous day. And how Liveryman Alleyn might have died had John not given him the remedy of true-love. Except the following day Liveryman Alleyn does die. Under the brief and guidance of London's famous blind magistrate, John Fielding, Rawlings is asked to investigate whether it is a deliberate case of poisoning. But who would want to poison the apothecaries? And were they targeting the Society or specifically the deceased? As John searches for gossip, he discovers that a fellow apothecary visited the dying man's house on the morning of his death, that the Beadle had fallen out with the Master, that a bereaved parent whose son died as a result of misdiagnosis has vowed vengeance on the entire Society.

It was originally published in 1999 and has 208 pages.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Extremely wise ... or just tired?


Hard day of training today -- I'm a bit tired. Currently watching the two hour Survivor 20th season premiere - heroes versus villians of previous players. Heading to bed as soon as I can. Tomorrow will be another tough day on the brain. Three day weekend ahead, yay.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Maybe not that relaxed...


Hopefully this will be a quiet evening. Steve is off for shooting night, Tug is walked. I have a bone for him later to keep him occupied. I think I'd like to do some reading tonight. I'm a little over halfway done with A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny.

Work today is getting intense: the new extended benefit program that Montana triggered into February 7th , for which I am training, is back on schedule and we'll begin filing those on Tuesday so crunch in on again to get knowledgeable and some practice in training mode. They are anticipating 1500 of these type of claims a week and there are only 7 of us filing them. I'm not too concerned about the actual filing, I'm picking up that pretty okay I think, it's the verifying whether they are qualified -- a lot of due diligence is required and I don't want to mess up.

Do I think I'll get dinner taken care off, Tug taken care of, and relax the rest of the night.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, February 8, 2010

It's not the Fortress of Solitude until YOU go away...


Ah, Monday. What can one say except I'm glad it's over?


I'm currently reading A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny. This is 2nd of 5 in series featuring Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, in the village of Three Pines, in southern Quebec. Here's a description:


When sadistic socialite CC de Poitiers is fatally electrocuted at a Christmas curling competition in the tiny QuĂ©becois village of Three Pines, only the arcane method of the murder is a surprise in Penny's artful but overwritten sophomore effort. CC had cobbled together a spiritual guidance business based on eliminating emotion, but the feelings she inspired in others were anything but serene. Everyone around the victim—from a daughter cowed by lifelong abuse to the local spiritual teacher whose business she threatens to ruin—has a motive, and the crime also links to a vagrant's recent murder as well as to the pasts of several beloved village residents. The calm but quirky Chief Insp. Armand Gamache arrives in Three Pines from Montreal to head the investigation.

It was published in the US in 2007 and has 320 pages. I'm reading it on the Kindle. Ideally, it should probably be read at Christmas since it is set then and VERY snowy and holiday-y.


Cold, very cold today. I think the high was supposed to be 11 degrees above. Apparently we have now broken the record for longest snow on the ground in over ten years or something like that. Yeah, winter is the GUEST WHO WOULDN'T LEAVE! AAAAHHHHHHhhh!


Tonight, I've been cleaning up emails and catching up on some news. Just finished dinner. I'll watch Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations along with the new NFL reality series on Tru TV -- behind the scenes of putting on the big show which sounds interesting to the stage manager in me. After that, hopefully read a little before sleepy time.


I have to go in mega early tomorrow and give blood because I was off a day. My kidney doctor appointment is tomorrow at noon-ish instead of Wednesday. Hunh. Fingers crossed that numbers have improved and I'll fight if she wants to put me on meds. No freakin' way. No more.


The Super Bowl went very well yesterday, I must say. I think the cutest thing ever was Brees holding his son (wearing the noise reduction headphones) at the end. Commercials? Eh, I missed a few so not a big loss. The Puppy Bowl was cute and I loved the bunnies as cheerleaders ("They can't contain themselves!").


And with that, have a good evening and good night.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Alphabet in Historical Crime Fiction - M


~ M ~


(caveat: this listing of historical mystery authors is by no means conclusive. This just reflects my subjective, personal taste which tends more toward certain eras and geographies. These are authors for whom I have interest or have read. For a more conclusive list, check out www.crimethrutime.com)


Shona MacLean

Alexander Seaton, School master and disgraced minister, Scotland & Ireland 1620s



  • The Redemption of Alexander Seaton (2006)

  • A Game of Sorrows (2010)


Karen Maitland

stand alones



  • A Company of Liars (2008) [r]

  • The Owl Killers (2009)



Hannah March

Robert Fairfax, a private tutor in the 1760s in and around London


  • The Complaint of the Dove (1999)

  • The Devil’s Highway (1999) Finalist 2000 Historical Dagger Award

  • A Distinction of Blood (2000)

  • Death Be My Theme (2000)

  • A Necessary Evil (2001)


Edward Marston

Nicholas Bracewell, stage manager for an Elizabethan acting company in London


  • The Queen’s Head (1988)

  • The Merry Devils (1989)

  • The Trip to Jerusalem (1990)

  • The Nine Giants (1991)

  • The Mad Courtesan (1992)

  • The Silent Woman (1992)

  • The Roaring Boy (1995) Finalist 1996 Edgar Award for Best Mystery

  • The Laughing Hangman (1996)

  • The Fair Maid of Bohemia (1997)

  • The Wanton Angel (1999)

  • The Devil’s Apprentice (2001)

  • The Bawdy Basket (2002)

  • The Vagabond Clown (2003)

  • The Counterfeit Crank (2004)

  • The Malevolent Comedy (2005)

  • The Princess of Denmark (2006)

Ralph Delchard, a soldier and Gervase Bret, a lawyer, in 11th century England, in the Domesday Series


  • The Wolves of Savernake (1993)

  • The Ravens of Blackwater (1994)

  • The Dragons of Archenfield (1995)

  • The Lions of the North (1996)

  • The Serpents of Harbledown (1996)

  • The Stallions of Woodstock (1997)

  • The Hawks of Delamere (1998)

  • The Wildcats of Exeter (1998)

  • The Foxes of Warwick (1999)

  • The Owls of Gloucester (2000)

  • The Elephants of Norwich (2000)

Christopher Redmayne, an architect, and Jonathan Bale, a constable in 1600s London


  • The King’s Evil (1999)

  • The Amorous Nightingale (2000)

  • The Repentant Rake (2001)

  • The Frost Fair (2003)

  • The Parliament House (2006)

  • The Painted Lady (2007)

Robert Colbeck, a former attorney now serving as an inspector in the fledging Scotland Yard in 1851 London, England, in the Railway Detective mysteries


  • The Railway Detective (2004)

  • The Excursion Train (2005)

  • The Railway Viaduct (2006)

  • The Iron Horse (2007)

  • Murder on the Brighton Express (2008)

  • The Silver Locomotive Mystery (2009)

Robert McCammon

Matthew Corbett, a young magistrate’s clerk, in 1699 Carolina and 1703 New York City


  • Speaks the Nightbird (2002)

  • The Queen of Bedlam (2007)

  • Mr. Slaughter (2010)


James McGee

Matthew Hawkwood, Bow Street Runner, 1811 London



  • Ratcatcher (2006)

  • Resurrectionist (2007)

  • Rapscallion (2008)

  • Rebellion (2010)


Pat McIntosh

Gil Cunningham, a notary in 15th century Glasgow, Scotland


  • The Harper’s Quine (2004) [r]

  • The Nicholas Feast (2005)

  • The Merchant’s Mark (2006)

  • St. Mungo’s Robin (2007)

  • The Rough Collier (2008)

  • The Stolen Voice (2009)

  • A Pig of Cold Poison (July, 2010)

Catriona McPherson

Dandy Gilver, an upperclass older woman in 1920s Scotland


  • After the Armistice Ball (2005) Finalist 2005 Historical Dagger Award [r]

  • The Burry Man’s Day (2006)

  • Bury Her Deep (2007)

  • The Winter Ground (2008)

Medieval Murderers

Multi-era interrelated story anthologies. Authors: Bernard Knight, Michael Jecks, Susanna Gregory, Philip Gooden, Ian Morson, Simon Beaufort, C.J. Sansom, and Karen Maitland


  • The Tainted Relic (2005)

  • Sword of Shame (2006)

  • House of Shadows (2007)

  • The Lost Prophecies (2008)

  • King Arthur’s Bones (2009)

Margaret Miles

Charlotte Willett, in 1760s Massachusetts


  • A Wicked Way to Burn (1998)

  • Too Soon for Flowers (1999)

  • No Rest for the Dove (2000)

  • A Mischief in the Snow (2001)

Miriam Grace Monfredo

Glynis Tryon, an independent thinker and librarian, in mid-1800s New York


  • Seneca Falls Inheritance (1992) Finalist 1992 Agatha Award for Best First Novel

  • North Star Conspiracy (1993)

  • Blackwater Spirits (1995)

  • Through a Gold Eagle (1996)

  • The Stalking Horse (1998)

  • Must the Maiden Die (1999)

Fidelis Morgan

Lady Ashby de la Zouche, Countess of Clapham, a 60-something former mistress of the deceased Charles II, fallen on hard times, and her former maid Alpiew, around 1700 in London


  • Unnatural Fire (2000)

  • The Rival Queens (2001) Finalist 2003 Lefty Award

  • The Ambitious Stepmother (2002)

  • Fortune’s Slave (2004)

Philippa Morgan

Geoffrey Chaucer, acting as an agent for Edward III in the late 1300s in England and on the continent


  • Chaucer and the House of Fame (2004)

  • Chaucer and the Legend of Good Women (2005)

  • Chaucer and the Doctor of Physic (2006)

Ian Morson

William Falconer, a 13th century university regent master in Oxford, England



  • Falconer’s Crusade (1994)

  • Falconer’s Judgement (1995)

  • Falconer and the Face of God (1996)

  • A Psalm for Falconer (1997)

  • Falconer and the Great Beast (1998) Finalist 1999 Historical Dagger Award

  • Falconer and the Ritual of Death (2009)

  • Falconer’s Trial (2010)

Beverle Graves Myers

Tito Amato, sold as a child to be a castrato opera singer, in 18th century Italy


  • Interrupted Aria (2004)

  • Painted Veil (2006)

  • Cruel Music (2006)

  • The Iron Tongue of Midnight (2008)

  • Her Deadly Mischief (2009)

[r] = I've read it


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Damn snow birds


Somehow I spaced doing a blog yesterday ... how did that happen? I got home from work, walked Tug, and did all the usual things but how did I miss it? Perhaps there was a warp in the space-time continuum or something. We did watch the new episode of Sparticus on Showtime last night which doesn't come on HD until 8pm so I lost an hour there. And Steve got home late with dinner (chinese food) so we had a later overall start to the evening. And I played with Tug while waiting for Steve to come home because da puppy was looking all despondent because his daddy wasn't home yet. Okay, I concede the possibility.


Well, guess what? It's snowing again this morning. Embrace the snow, become one with snow, be friends with the snow... (sigh). I mean, come on. Yes, we need the moisture and it's good for the snow pack, etc., etc. But one just gets weary of it after a while. We're out of practice dealing with it here I guess. This is the norm, not the mild winters we had been having.


I should go in to work today and get some overtime in and there's ALWAYS tons of stuff to do but it's snowing now and Tug would look at me and say "But, but, but this is the weekend, this is time with ME. You're gone five days, I get two." And Steve is at the shooting range helping with another safety class so Tug would be alone like he has been all week. If Steve were home and able to walk him I might be more motivated. But the cool thing is, even though I probably won't go in to work today, I'm actually looking forward to the time when I can do that, I like my job, which is amazing. Am I brainwashed?


And I have a TON of 4MA digests to read ... back to January 26th. I've been putting it off and now I have two weeks' worth to slog through -- digests have 25 posts each. I can't let it go longer or else I'll just have to delete. So I need to stay here and get stuff done at home.


And I have laundry and vacuuming to do. And other cleaning that I'll avoid And I don't know what to made for dinner because Steve had for breakfast what I kinda had planned.


Oh, I finished THE WITCH HUNTER by Bernard Knight last night. Very good as usual. Next up, I have many many possiblities. I have a lot of histmyst series in book form I need to proceed with: Lake, Tremayne, Roe, March, Alexander, Jecks ... as well as procedurals: Crombie, Mcdermid, and so many others. And I have four on my Kindle to read: Louise Penny, a romance, and two new to me authors.


On DVD, I still haven't finished the NCIS first disc of season one watched. I should do that and send it back.


And news, I should get caught up on world happenings. Oy, it makes one just want to go back to bed. In fact, there probably is a nap in my future sometime this afternoon.


And the Superbowl is tomorrow. I'll also be watching the annual Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet channel. If you've never seen this, you must tune it; it is adorable. I don't think we're doing anything special for the Super Bowl, although I suppose I could get a pizza from Papa Murphy's -- I'm sure they'll be inundated with like-minded people. I don't have any special snackage here but I'm sure we'll find plenty otherwise. I am for the Saints though I don't have a true horse in this race. I will be mostly anticipating not just the commercials but mostly my beloved The Who at halftime (which Steve says -- since he's been to a Super Bowl in person -- the tv version is not a real representation of what is really going on at the halftime show but that can't be helped).


So have a great weekend, everyone. Thanks for stopping by and reading my much rambling post today. :)


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster