Ruby Tuesday

Cyber security protocols.

Receptionist out sick this morning. We'll see if she'll be in for the afternoon. I hope so. I'd like to leave a little early for the bad roads and getting home for sprints.

Currently starting/reading:

BONDED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb. 60th in Eve Dallas procedural series.

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then. When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

Published 2025; 368 pages.

THE RUBY DAGGER by Lynn Morrison & Anne Radcliffe. 2nd of 4 The Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries. 

London, 1813. In the gilded corridors of St James's Palace, Lord Percy and Lady Grace face a mystery that could shake the throne itself. A murder and audacious theft of the Prince Regent’s ruby collar of state thrusts them back into a web of deception and treachery. Tarnished by his past behaviour, Lord Percy is focused on regaining favour with the Ton. When the queen demands he deliver the murderer and the stolen jewels, he cannot refuse. Lady Grace sees her chance to prove her value to the crown. She’ll do anything to avoid endless weeks of ballrooms and beaus, even if that means being in close quarters with the man pledged to her best friend. As Lord Percy and Lady Grace wade deeper into London's underbelly, love and loyalty will face the ultimate trial. Especially since this culprit is willing to spill blood. In a society where everyone has an agenda, and half the ton is suspect, they will need to watch each other’s backs. If they cannot unveil the criminal mastermind, this time it will cost them more than their reputations.

Published 2024; 244 pages. Listening to the audiobook done excellently by the performer. 

The Retro-Romance read I'm doing for the readathon is THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR by R. A. Dick. Stand alone.

Burdened by debt after her husband's death, Lucy Muir insists on moving into the very cheap Gull Cottage in the quaint seaside village of Whitecliff, despite multiple warnings that the house is haunted. Upon discovering the rumors to be true, the young widow ends up forming a special companionship with the ghost of handsome former sea captain Daniel Gregg. Through the struggles of supporting her children, seeking out romance from the wrong places, and working to publish the captain's story as a book, Blood and Swash, Lucy finds in her secret relationship with Captain Gregg a comfort and blossoming love she never could have predicted.

Published 1945; 194 pages. A classic made into a classic movie that I've not read nor seen. 

I'm still reading THE COMFORTS OF A MUDDY SATURDAY by Alexander McCall Smith. I'm at 82%.

Sprints tonight. I'm getting going pretty well on the wedding blanket. 

Have a good day

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster