Uhhh, no. Nope.

The hold from the library had vampires in it -- something I was not aware of when I put it on hold -- so it was jettisoned. I don't do vampires. 

I'm current reading AFTER THE ARMISTICE BALL by Catriona McPherson. This is 1st of 7 in series featuring Dandy Gilver, a well-to-do woman in 1920s Scotland. Here is a description:

Dandy Gilver, her husband back from the War, her children off at school and her uniform growing musty in the attic, is bored to a whimper in the spring of 1923 and a little light snooping seems like harmless fun. And what could be better than to seek out the Duffy diamonds, stolen from the Esselmont's country house, Croys, after the Armistice Ball? Before long, though, the puzzle of what really happened to the Duffy diamonds has been swept aside by the sudden, unexpected death of lovely young Cara Duffy in a lonely seaside cottage in Galloway. Society and the law seem ready to call it an accident but Dandy, along with Cara Duffy's fiancé Alec, is sure that there is more going on than meets the eye. What is being hidden by members of the Duffy family: the watchful Lena, the cold and distant Clemence and old Gregory Duffy with his air of quiet sadness, not to mention Cara herself whose secret always seems just tantalizingly out of view? Dandy must learn to trust her instincts and swallow most of her scruples if he is to uncover the truth and earn the right to call herself a sleuth.

It was published in 2005 and has 256 pages. I actually have this both as a book (from a Friends of the Library sale) and on Kindle. I sat next to the author at Bouchercon San Francisco and spoke with her while waiting for an event to start. She was younger than I thought, pretty, and her first name is pronounced "Katrina" with a slightly longer emphasis on the second syllable. 

I think what struck my mood after several attempts to start the book is the 1920s country manor setting - a little Downton Abbey-ish. The main character, Dandy, I can't make up my mind in picturing her either as Lady Mary (Downton), or Sylvia McCordle (Gosford Park played by Kristin Scott Thomas) or Felicity Marshwood (Relative Values played by Julie Andrews). The first actress is probably too young but has the right serious aspect.

I've discovered on PBS a documentary series called Shakespeare Uncovered. You can watch previous episodes at http://video.pbs.org/video/2323064210/. I viewed the Henry IV/Henry V show featuring Jeremy Irons as host. I will have to make time to watch others: Macbeth hosted by Ethan Hawke (why?), comedies hosted by Joely Richard, Richard II hosted by Derek Jacobi (whom I used to love but has come out as a Shakespeare didn't write Shakespeare person). Upcoming will be The Tempest and Hamlet.

We have two new episodes of Cops to watch tonight. Steve is currently watching the season one DVD of Firefly I picked up from the library. (don't even get me started on the travesty of Firefly being cancelled 10 years ago after its only season)

I don't know yet what to have for dinner. And we haven't figured what to do about the Superbowl food-wise. And I have Downton Abbey to watch -- but the game should be over by then. I think next Sunday The Walking Dead starts up again. I just don't know much at all.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster