What Fiction are you reading this week, Feb 28, 2021?

[hermetic]

Buh-bye, February


Reading Shop Til You Drop, the first in the Dead-End Job Mystery series by Elaine Viets. A fun and fast read about the ultra-rich in Fort Lauderdale and how Helen Hawthorne is forced to work with them as she tries to hide from her past and create a better future for herself. This all gets more difficult when she discovers her boss may be involved in some serious criminal activity. Thus begins her foray into the world of amateur detecting.

Listening to One Good Deed by David Baldacci. "Murder and family secrets, a touch of romance and deeply-felt revenge - with the twist of all twists - make up the ingredients of One Good Deed, a gripping audiobook for all those who love mystery."

Speaking of twists, my just-finished Gallows Court has some real doozies. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat while making the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

[MaryMagdaline]

1. Emmeline by Charlotte Smith

Last edited Sun Feb 28, 2021, 09:01 PM - Edit history (1)

[hermetic]

15. Had to don my detective hat for this one...

Charlotte was born in 1749 and her life was full of men who were scoundrels. Her legal wranglings became the inspiration for Dickens' central case in Bleak House. She had 12 children and wrote her first work at 35, Elegiac Sonnets. It was an instant success and she is credited with the revival of sonnets. Her first novel, Emmeline i, was a success and in the next decade she wrote nine more. However, despite their initial success, her finances were a constant source of concern and she was often in debt being forced to move home frequently and in steadily declining health. She died in 1806, paralyzed and in poverty.

There is a book, published in 2019, titled Charlotte Smith - Emmeline. It is a Cinderella-type fantasy and largely autobiographical, except for the getting rich and living happily ever after parts. I hope that edition includes the real story of Charlotte. She was an incredibly talented and intelligent woman who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

Thank you, MM, for making me aware of her.

[MaryMagdaline]

35. I've only recently learned about her

She was an avowed feminist and greatly influenced future writers, including Jane Austen (my favorite writer). Since Austen mentions her works I thought I should read her. I am reading Emmeline with a group of other Austen fans. Smith writes very well. Emmeline has modern flow to it. I understand that her future works are strongly political. She was an admirer of the French and American revolutions.

Thanks for engaging on the subject of literature!!

[SheltieLover]

2. Rereading Joe Grey series

Still working on Death, Taxes, and ... series as well.

Thank you for the heads up on One Good Deed, and I may give Shop Til You Drop a look as well!

[Greybnk48]

3. I'm reading Michener's book, Alaska.

It's historical fiction, which I love, and I lived in Alaska for a couple of years in the late 60's which makes it a bit more fun. It's epic, and I only read at night, so I will be busy for quite some time to get through the 1300 pages. I just finished Michelle Obama's Becoming and loved it!

On deck are Grant's Memoirs, the two new books by JK Rowling, who is a favorite. I received all of these for Christmas, so I have a stack on my dresser waiting. The Alex Trebec memoir is there too!

After this, I'm going back to Stephan King for a while. He's like visiting with a close friend from my youth. I've never tired of his writing. Gallows Court sounds interesting!

[hermetic]

18. That's a good one.

I lived in Alaska, too. But I was a Navy kid on a remote island in the Aleutians. It was quite amazing.

Sounds like Santa was good to you. Thanks for the reminder to start seeking Trebek's book. I really must read that one.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. The Future of Another Timeline

by Annalee Newitz. Science fiction, takes place in an alternate reality in which ancient time-travel machines have been around and been used for thousands of years. All too often the timeline is edited in some way. The novel revolves around women who are desperately trying to undo edits which have resulted in women being oppressed. Very interesting.

[hermetic]

19. Sounds like a good plan to me.

[Binkie The Clown]

5. Queen's Gambit. A bit different from the movie, of course. nt

[hermetic]

8. Who is the author?

There are a great many books with that title, as well as several films.

[Binkie The Clown]

12. Walter Tevis. The Netflix mini-series. nt

[Bayard]

6. And now for something completely different

I just finished reading, "Killers of the Flower Moon", a factual accounting of the murder of dozens of the Osage tribe in OK for the oil they sat on.

So going to start one of the Dean Koontz or John Sandford novels I've had in reserve for awhile.

Gallows Court sounds good. Will look it up--thanks!

[rzemanfl]

7. Tim Dorsey's latest-

Last edited Sun Feb 28, 2021, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

The Tropic of Stupid. I am taking a break from Bernard Cornwell to read new books the library kindly held for me. After Dorsey I will move on to Walter Mosley's Blood Grove set in 1969 Los Angeles, it is the latest in the Easy Rawlins series.

[hermetic]

20. Oh, I gotta start reading these...

Slapstick noir. And that's the 24th one. That'll keep me busy for a while...

[rzemanfl]

32. Crazy stuff but entertaining and quick reads. I've read them all.

If you haven't read the Easy Rawlins series I suggest you do, in order, of course.

[hermetic]

33. Yeah, I've read all the Rawlins

except for the latest one or two. I find them quite enjoyable.

[rzemanfl]

34. Leonid McGill too? n/t

[dameatball]

9. "The Breaker" by Nick Petrie.

The sixth in the Peter Ash series. As usual, fast moving, plenty of action, fun reading. Just did a few chapters while sitting outside....beautiful day here.

[hermetic]

21. Nice and sunny here, too

Course it's only 40 degrees, but not for much longer now. Your Petrie books sound like something I will enjoy. Thanks.

[dameatball]

28. Enjoy. Even at 40 degrees that sun makes a big difference.

[Ohiya]

10. The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo

From the cover:

The Inugami Curse is a fiendish, intricately plotted classic mystery from a giant of Japanese crime writing, starring the legendary detective Kosuke Kindaichi.


Yokomizo wrote 77 novels featuring this detective. This novel is one the most famous of these and was adapted numerous times for both film and TV in Japan.

This book starts out with s list of characters, (21 of them) with names and brief descriptions which is quite helpful.

[hermetic]

22. That sounds really good

I like books that list the cast up front, like a play. I find that quite helpful as grow older.

[dameatball]

30. Me too. That and maps when applicable.

[dameatball]

29. This sounds interesting.

[yellowdogintexas]

39. re: Mystery novels with Japanese detectives

two series:

Laura Joh Rowland: http://laurajohrowland.com/books.html#shinju
lead character is Sano Ichiro, a teacher, samurai and reluctant police officer is drawn into a case involving a 'shinju' - a ritual suicide involving a pair of lovers. These are set in 17th century Japan, in Edo (now known as Tokyo)
There are 18 books in the series according to her website.
Best read in order to fully appreciate the character development and inter - relationships

I J Parker: http://www.ijparker.com/ Lead character: Sugawara Akitada. His noble family fallen on hard times, works as a minor official in the Ministry of Justice in Heian Kyo, capital of Japan in the 11th century. The post is boring, but there are bills to pay, servants to maintain and a diminished estate to keep up as best he can. However, Akitada also has a sharp mind and an inquisitive nature, both of which get put to the test as he unravels murders and mysteries that carry him from the depths of the most common peasant hovels to the sacred halls of the Imperial Palace itself. Bound not only by his sense of decency and honor, but the strict codes and social structure of Ancient Japan, Akitada must step carefully while gathering clues to solve the puzzles before him.

There are 20 books in this series.

[Ohiya]

40. Thanks for the info and links.

I just ordered Shinju from our local library.

[yellowdogintexas]

41. great! I hope you will like it as much as I do. nt

[bif]

11. I'm looking for something good to read.

Not sure what to read next. I've been reading a lot of non-fiction lately.

[SheltieLover]

14. Have you read the Joe Grey series?

Highly recommended!

[bif]

17. I'm guessing it's mystery

Which I'm not a big fan of. My wife absolutely loves mysteries.

[SheltieLover]

27. Sort of

Suspense with talking cats.

[hermetic]

25. Here's one you and bif might enjoy

The Fur Person by May Sarton. "Sarton's book is one of the most beloved stories ever written about the joys and tribulations inherent in sharing one's life with a cat."

[bif]

37. Thanks! We have a relatively new cat in our family and I'm totally smitten with her

I'll have to see if our library has it.

[bif]

38. Library didn't have it but I found it on Biblio.com for a buck!

Thanks for the rec!

[hermetic]

26. Read Wolf Hall?

And the next 2 in the series? That will keep you between the covers for a good while.

[The King of Prussia]

13. "Watching from the dark" by Gytha Lodge

Second in a new series of thrillers. I enjoyed the first very much. Read 17 books in February - including 4 by the GOAT - Ed McBain.

Still not vaccinated grrrr

[hermetic]

23. Good for you!

Got me beat by a few.

No Fauci ouchie for me yet, either.

[Karadeniz]

16. I just read The Fur Person, short, and LOVED IT!

[hermetic]

24. By May Sarton?

"A delightful, whimsical tale―one of the most popular books for cat lovers ever written." Oh, I must get this one. Been sharing my life with cats for a very long time.

[Karadeniz]

31. That's it...you'll love it! Only complaint, it's too short!!!

[yellowdogintexas]

36. I am in the middle of that series. It is great fun.

Currently Helen's dead end job is housekeeping at a local hotel (within walking distance of course).

I lucked out and picked this series up via Book Bub for either 99 cents or free. I think I saw that there is a second set out there, which I will undoubtedly read as soon as I can pick it up for cheap.

I like Helen, but I think my favorite character is the landlady.

This is a series but if you are not obsessive about reading a series in order, she gives enough backstory that they are fine as a stand alone.

Another series I recently completed: The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries. Great characters, humor, good stories. Got it from one of the el cheapo kindle services

I discovered that many Kindle books are lendable. My sister and I do this from time to time