What Fiction are you reading this week, Mar 14, 2021?

[hermetic]

Now reading Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. I did not know that the BBC series Wolf Hall was a combo of that book and this one, so now I know what's going to happen. Of course, I already did know. It is the story of Henry VIII, after all. I'll probably still find it enjoyable.

Listening to Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund by Blaize Clement. Another fun foray into the lives of the fabulously wealthy in the Florida Keys, and their pets. Of course a dead body turns up.

What books are golden for you this week?

Wishing you all a happy St, Patricks's Day. They are actually going to have the annual parade here this year. I'm not going. A little too soon for me to be putting my life on the line.

[The King of Prussia]

1. "Agatha Raisin & The Murderous Marriage" by MC Beaton

I needed some light relief after reading "The Methods of Sergeant Cluff" by Gil North - which was a bit dark & moody.

1st vaccination coming up on Friday!

Stay safe - we're nearly there!

[hermetic]

2. Woo hoo!

Finally!!

[SheltieLover]

3. Peter Ash series

A lot like Reacher in some ways. Great reads!

[hermetic]

4. Six novels so far

By Nick Petrie. "Explosive thrillers starring a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren't easily left behind."

Definitely sounds like something many here would enjoy. Myself included.

Thanks!

[SheltieLover]

7. Yw!

A bit more thriller-like than I usually prefer, but they are so well done...

Currently reading "Light it Up" & Lee Child likens Ash to Reacher on the cover.

This series is terrific as it heightens awareness to combat vets' challenges upon returning home, esp PTSD.



They are compelling enough ghat I put my re-read of Joe Grey series on hold for a couple of days to inhale them.

[bif]

5. "Saint X" by Alexis Schaitkin

I just finished it. Very well written but a pretty sad story. I'm also in the middle of "The Fur Person" which was recommended by someone in this group. Enchanting, for sure.

[hermetic]

6. Oh, good

Glad you found some things to enjoy. Saint X sounds pretty intense.

[bif]

9. It actually wasn't that intense.

An older sister mysteriously dies while on a family vacation. Then we hear mainly from her younger sister when she's grown up, along with other people who were involved. It's beautifully paced but ultimately, leaves you in a melancholy mood.

[SheltieLover]

8. Hiaasen is retiring, BTW

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article249524885.html

Hope he writes more books!

[justhanginon]

10. A Banquet of Consequenses by Elizabeth Warren.

A detective story but I am not very far into it yet. Seems promising.

[hermetic]

12. Lolol

I saw that and said "WHAT?" Elizabeth Warren writes detective stories? I know she's intelligent and all, but..... (Not laughing at you but with you). Certainly an easy slip to make.

Anyway, it's Elizabeth George and it's an Inspector Lynley novel. "Full of shocks, intensity, and suspense from the first page to the last...a case both complicated and deeply disturbing." I definitely look forward to reading this one.

[justhanginon]

15. Aw Jeez thanks! Can I blame it on the Pfizer shot I got a week ago?

Probably not. What's funny is the book was right in front of me and I had to read the title, but focus man, focus.
Gettin' old ain't easy. I have to laugh at myself more and more with each passing year.

[hermetic]

16. Oh good

I certainly didn't want to make you feel bad. Goodness knows I am dealing with "old ain't easy" myself. I am constantly putting things down and then can't find them 5 minutes later.

Congrats on getting your vax. Here's a story about that that was on DU a couple of weeks ago, in case you missed it.
A friend had just gotten his 2nd dose of the Pizer vaccine at the vaccination center, after which he began to have blurred vision on the way home. When he got home, he called the vaccination center for advice and to ask if he should go see a doctor, or be hospitalized.
He was asked to get back to the vaccination center immediately as he had left his eyeglasses behind.

[MuseRider]

11. I listened to Stephen King's latest

Later. Liked it. Have been listening to Michener's The Covenant off and on, read it long ago and Wag by Zazie Todd about dog training. Lately I have been listening constantly to the Irish and Celtic music podcast in the hopes that I have a nice set of pipes coming my way to learn. Fingers crossed. Still, lots of time to listen to books. Reading for suggestions. Thanks!

[hermetic]

13. You're getting bagpipes?

How fun! You might try Elizabeth Warr...er...George. (See above ) Or some Ian Rankin, my favorite Scottish writer.

[MuseRider]

14. Oh I will have fun and I will try out those authors.

I have a set of pipes a friend loaned me, a set of Northumbrian pipes. He died and I am waiting for his partner to tell me if he wants them or if he will sell them to me. They have such a pretty sound and are not as loud as other pipes but they are an old type of pipe and can be used for a variety of music, not just from one area.

I will try them both. I seem to think I read something by Ian Rankin but probably not but I will now.

[Polly Hennessey]

17. Ann Cleeves, The Moth Catcher

and Laura Levine, Killing Bridezilla. 💁🏻‍♀️

[hermetic]

18. Good stuff

Bridezilla sounds intriguing, veering between comedy and tragedy. With Jaine Austen for the central character and a cat named Prozac, how could you go wrong?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. Just finished A Second Chance

by Jodi Taylor. It's the third in The Chronicles of St. Mary's series.

In a bit I'll start The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton. It's the first of the Scottish bookshop mystery series.

[hermetic]

21. Hi! How are you?

I just saw that you had some medical issues a few months back(?). I do hope you are all recovered now.
Been through a rough patch myself. Caught a "cold" in Feb. that I just could not shake. Got tested for COVID but it was negative. Finally determined I have this massive sinus infection. So, I've been absent from here a lot and getting woefully behind in all the things I should be doing.
I did just get my first Pfizer vax yesterday. I am gradually feeling much better, in many ways.
You take care of yourself.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

23. I am doing incredibly well.

Thank you for asking.

I had a serious heart attack in December, just before Christmas. There are wonderful cardiologists here in Santa Fe, and an excellent cath lab at one of the hospitals. Got a stent, only one, am doing cardiac rehab. Two weeks to go. I feel great.

My sister who lives in Kansas came out immediately after Christmas and took good care of me for several weeks. My cat missed me terribly while I was in hospital, and was clearly very happy to see me back home.

[Staph]

20. I just finished the last of The Clifton Chronicles, by Jeffrey Archer.

There are six books, about a rich kid and a poor kid from Bristol in the UK, who meet in grammar school and become lifelong friends. They were both born in 1920, so we get to see how they and their families and friends are effected by the Depression, WWII, the Cold War, and even the depredations of Margaret Thatcher. (Spoiler alert - Archer is a former conservative member of Parliament, so he is quite complimentary to the Iron Lady. However, one of the major characters supports the Labour Party, so you actually get a fairly balanced picture of British politics.)

I devoured the books! And when I finished the last one, I just cried and cried - great big, cathartic tears.

The books are Only Time Will Tell (2011), The Sins of the Father (2012), Best Kept Secret (2013), Be Careful What You Wish For (2014), Mightier Than the Sword (2015), Cometh The Hour (2016), and This Was a Man (2016). They should definitely be read in order.

(One of the characters becomes an author of a series of detective novels, starring a character named William Warwick, who just happens to be the main character of Archer's latest book series! The first two books are Nothing Ventured (2019), and Hidden in Plain Sight (2020), with a third coming in April of this year. I also recommend these!)

[hermetic]

22. Thank you, Staph

Those sound really great and I will definitely be checking them out.