This is one of the Chronicles of Narnia series, and once again features the Penvensie children.
It takes place about a year after their return from Narnia. They are at the railway station on their way back to school, when they are suddenly drawn away by magic.
They find themselves on an island, and begin to explore, when they find the remains of an abandoned castle. They then discover that it is their castle, which had fallen into ruin over the years, and decide that while they had only been gone a year in earth time, it has apparently been hundreds of years in Narnia.
They are drawn into an adventure to help the land of Narnia once again.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit, and am eagerly looking forward to reading another of the Narnia books.
This is part of the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis review
This novel is part of the Chronicles of Narnia series.
At the beginning of this story, a boy, Shasta, overhears his father, a poor fisherman, preparing to sell him into slavery to a Warrior. He also finds out that the fisherman is not in fact his biological father, but had found him in a boat that had drifted in, and the man found with him was dead.
He befriends the Warrior's horse, and discovers that the horse is in reality a talking horse stolen from Narnia while young. They decide to run away to Narnia to escape the Warrior.
They have many adventures during travels, including being chased by lions, and meeting another runaway and her talking horse, also from Narnia.
I enjoyed this story, and found it just as delightful as the others in the series I've read.
This is part of the 2013 Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
At the beginning of this story, a boy, Shasta, overhears his father, a poor fisherman, preparing to sell him into slavery to a Warrior. He also finds out that the fisherman is not in fact his biological father, but had found him in a boat that had drifted in, and the man found with him was dead.
He befriends the Warrior's horse, and discovers that the horse is in reality a talking horse stolen from Narnia while young. They decide to run away to Narnia to escape the Warrior.
They have many adventures during travels, including being chased by lions, and meeting another runaway and her talking horse, also from Narnia.
I enjoyed this story, and found it just as delightful as the others in the series I've read.
This is part of the 2013 Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
Friday, November 15, 2013
On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming review
Another of the James Bond spy novels, this one sets Bond against Blofeld for a second time. Bond also meets and falls in love with Tracy.
In this story Bond is looking for Blofeld, who had managed to escape after the Thunderball novel. He locates him, and discovers Blofeld's new plot to destroy England. After infiltrating Blofeld's clinic, impersonating Hilary Bray, a genealogist from the College of Arms, Bond's true identity is discovered and he is forced to flee for his life.
This is another interesting James Bond story, I really enjoyed it. It showed another side to Bond that I hadn't noticed in the other stories.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
In this story Bond is looking for Blofeld, who had managed to escape after the Thunderball novel. He locates him, and discovers Blofeld's new plot to destroy England. After infiltrating Blofeld's clinic, impersonating Hilary Bray, a genealogist from the College of Arms, Bond's true identity is discovered and he is forced to flee for his life.
This is another interesting James Bond story, I really enjoyed it. It showed another side to Bond that I hadn't noticed in the other stories.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
Thursday, November 14, 2013
The Queen of Scots Mystery by Cecilia Peartree review
This the first book I've read in this series, although it is the sixth published, and I'm thinking I should have started with an earlier one. The relationships between the characters were a little hard to understand at first, as they have apparently developed over the series. I eventually figured things out, I think.
The mystery itself was pretty good. I didn't know until the end who the murderer was.
All in all, I mostly enjoyed it. I'll probably read other books in the series, starting with the first.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Title--Q
The mystery itself was pretty good. I didn't know until the end who the murderer was.
All in all, I mostly enjoyed it. I'll probably read other books in the series, starting with the first.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Title--Q
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Murder by Proxy by Suzanne Young review
Murder by Proxy is the second book in the Edna Davies mystery series. Edna travels to Denver to help out her son and expecting daughter-in-law. While there, she gets involved in an investigation of a friend of her son's. A private detective enlists her help, as her son has refused to speak to him.
I didn't really care for this story, not that it was awful, but it just seemed so unlikely on too many levels.
Her son's first wife is killed in a ski accident, and two months later he remarries. A friend of her son's, Anita, disappears, and because she had called 6 weeks earlier and said she needed some time to herself, he assumes she is okay, even though she has not contacted any of her friends since then. And he is angry if anyone asks about her, including his mother. Another friend of her son's family, Lia, is killed in a hit and run accident that appears to be deliberate, but nothing is said about the police doing an investigation.
A man comes up to Edna and says he's a private detective and asks her to find out things from her son about the missing girl, and even though he never shows her any proof he is who he says he is, she goes along with him. She asks for a phone number for him, and he doesn't give her one, but says he'll call her. He tells her he's looking for the missing girl because she is the heir to a small fortune, if she meets a relative before she passes away, or the money goes to someone else. And she believes him and meets with him to give him all the information she can.
I could have gone along with one or two of the points above, but there were just too many to let me actually enjoy reading the story.
This fulfills a requirement of the A to Z Reading Challenge
I didn't really care for this story, not that it was awful, but it just seemed so unlikely on too many levels.
Her son's first wife is killed in a ski accident, and two months later he remarries. A friend of her son's, Anita, disappears, and because she had called 6 weeks earlier and said she needed some time to herself, he assumes she is okay, even though she has not contacted any of her friends since then. And he is angry if anyone asks about her, including his mother. Another friend of her son's family, Lia, is killed in a hit and run accident that appears to be deliberate, but nothing is said about the police doing an investigation.
A man comes up to Edna and says he's a private detective and asks her to find out things from her son about the missing girl, and even though he never shows her any proof he is who he says he is, she goes along with him. She asks for a phone number for him, and he doesn't give her one, but says he'll call her. He tells her he's looking for the missing girl because she is the heir to a small fortune, if she meets a relative before she passes away, or the money goes to someone else. And she believes him and meets with him to give him all the information she can.
I could have gone along with one or two of the points above, but there were just too many to let me actually enjoy reading the story.
This fulfills a requirement of the A to Z Reading Challenge
No Cooperation from the Cat by Marian Babson review
This is one of a series of mysteries featuring Evangeline Sinclair, an aging actress, and Trixie Dolan, an aging dancer and Evangeline's life-long friend.
In this story, Trixie's daughter is helping to write a cookbook, and she and her co-author take over Trixie and Evangeline's kitchen. The co-author is also working on another book, involving the tales of an Arctic explorer.
The problem starts with the fact that the previous cookbook author, who died, was the wife of the explorer who was on an expedition when his wife died, and no one has told him of her death yet.
He and his friends and family arrive at the apartment, and things start getting out of hand quite quickly.
The story isn't as well written as previous Trixie and Evangeline novels, but I still liked it, probably because I was already familiar with the main characters from previous books.
This fulfills a requirement for the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013
In this story, Trixie's daughter is helping to write a cookbook, and she and her co-author take over Trixie and Evangeline's kitchen. The co-author is also working on another book, involving the tales of an Arctic explorer.
The problem starts with the fact that the previous cookbook author, who died, was the wife of the explorer who was on an expedition when his wife died, and no one has told him of her death yet.
He and his friends and family arrive at the apartment, and things start getting out of hand quite quickly.
The story isn't as well written as previous Trixie and Evangeline novels, but I still liked it, probably because I was already familiar with the main characters from previous books.
This fulfills a requirement for the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs review
Killer Cupcakes is the first in the Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery Series.
Lexy moves into her grandmother's house after her grandmother moves into assisted living. Her grandmother's neighbor is a sexy good-looking guy, who happens to be a detective on the local police. Their first meeting puts Lexy into an awkward situation, but she hopes the next time she sees him is better.
Lexy has opened a bakery, which she loves. She has a pretty good life, until someone uses some of her cupcakes to poison Lexy's ex-boyfriend. She becomes the number one suspect, so she and her grandmother, and her grandmother's friends from the assisted living complex, attempt to solve the crime.
This is a typical cozy mystery, light and entertaining.
This fulfills a requirement for the A to Z Reading Challenge Title--K
Lexy moves into her grandmother's house after her grandmother moves into assisted living. Her grandmother's neighbor is a sexy good-looking guy, who happens to be a detective on the local police. Their first meeting puts Lexy into an awkward situation, but she hopes the next time she sees him is better.
Lexy has opened a bakery, which she loves. She has a pretty good life, until someone uses some of her cupcakes to poison Lexy's ex-boyfriend. She becomes the number one suspect, so she and her grandmother, and her grandmother's friends from the assisted living complex, attempt to solve the crime.
This is a typical cozy mystery, light and entertaining.
This fulfills a requirement for the A to Z Reading Challenge Title--K
The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis review
The Magician's Nephew is one of the volumes in The Chronicles of Narnia. Chronologically speaking, it takes place before The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but was published afterwards.
Digory Kirke makes friends with a neighbor girl, Polly. One day while exploring the attics of the attached houses, he and Polly accidentally enter his Uncle's room. While there, Polly is tricked by Digory's Uncle Andrew into taking a magic ring and disappears. Digory's Uncle has the other ring that will return her, and offers it to Digory, along with another ring to follow Polly. Not wanting to leave Polly in whatever place she has been sent, Digory goes to her rescue.
He finds Polly, and they decide to do a little exploring before returning, and find another World. They awaken an Evil Queen, Jadis, who manages to grab Digory and is able to return to our World with him. She causes a lot of problems, so Digory and Polly grab her to send her back. They also manage to bring a horse, the cabby, and Digory's Uncle. And their adventures continue.
I enjoyed this story, wish I had read this series when I was a child.
This is a requirement of the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge 2013
Digory Kirke makes friends with a neighbor girl, Polly. One day while exploring the attics of the attached houses, he and Polly accidentally enter his Uncle's room. While there, Polly is tricked by Digory's Uncle Andrew into taking a magic ring and disappears. Digory's Uncle has the other ring that will return her, and offers it to Digory, along with another ring to follow Polly. Not wanting to leave Polly in whatever place she has been sent, Digory goes to her rescue.
He finds Polly, and they decide to do a little exploring before returning, and find another World. They awaken an Evil Queen, Jadis, who manages to grab Digory and is able to return to our World with him. She causes a lot of problems, so Digory and Polly grab her to send her back. They also manage to bring a horse, the cabby, and Digory's Uncle. And their adventures continue.
I enjoyed this story, wish I had read this series when I was a child.
This is a requirement of the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge 2013
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming review
Goldfinger starts off with James Bond changing planes in Miami on his way back to England, and running into someone he knows. He is asked to do a favor for a friend, Junius DuPont, who would like Bond to find out if his card-playing opponent, Auric Goldfinger, is cheating him at Canasta. After a short investigation, Bond discovers that Goldfinger is, in fact, cheating, and forces Goldfinger to return the money he had taken from DuPont.
When he finally completes his journey and returns to England, M requests Bond to find out how Goldfinger is smuggling gold out of England. Bond follows Goldfinger, and discovers how he manages it, but then is captured and tortured by Oddjob, Goldfingers factotum. To avoid death, Bond suggests he work for Goldfinger, and Goldfinger accepts this.
Bond then discovers that Goldfinger is planning to rob Fort Knox, in the United States, and steal the gold. But to do this, Goldfinger is going to kill most of the inhabitants of the town, by poisoning the water supply. Bond attempts to prevent this.
After watching the James Bond movies, which I enjoyed, I started to read the James Bond stories three or four years ago. I read a couple that I found at a library sale, and always intended to read more. I bought several more over the years, but never seemed to get to them. But when I joined the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge I decided to make more of an effort.
This is part of my Mt. TBR Challenge
When he finally completes his journey and returns to England, M requests Bond to find out how Goldfinger is smuggling gold out of England. Bond follows Goldfinger, and discovers how he manages it, but then is captured and tortured by Oddjob, Goldfingers factotum. To avoid death, Bond suggests he work for Goldfinger, and Goldfinger accepts this.
Bond then discovers that Goldfinger is planning to rob Fort Knox, in the United States, and steal the gold. But to do this, Goldfinger is going to kill most of the inhabitants of the town, by poisoning the water supply. Bond attempts to prevent this.
After watching the James Bond movies, which I enjoyed, I started to read the James Bond stories three or four years ago. I read a couple that I found at a library sale, and always intended to read more. I bought several more over the years, but never seemed to get to them. But when I joined the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge I decided to make more of an effort.
This is part of my Mt. TBR Challenge
Friday, November 8, 2013
Something in the Water by Charlotte MacLeod review
This is one of the Peter Shandy mysteries. Peter, a famous horticulturist at Balaclava
College, drives to Maine to avoid his wife’s "hen party" and to find some special
lupines he’s been told about.
He not only finds the lupines, but gets involved in a couple of mysteries. His fellow diner, Jasper Flodge, ends up face first in his dinner, and foul play is suspected. Peter also gets involved in another little mystery during his stay.
He not only finds the lupines, but gets involved in a couple of mysteries. His fellow diner, Jasper Flodge, ends up face first in his dinner, and foul play is suspected. Peter also gets involved in another little mystery during his stay.
As is usual in the Peter Shandy mysteries, there is a lot of
humor in the stories, and they are really well written. I love reading these stories!
This is a part of the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
This is a part of the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming review
Another in the James Bond series, this is the novel that Ian Fleming was revising when he died. It was published after his death.
This book is lacking a lot of the humor that makes the other James Bond books such interesting reading. In this story, James Bond returns to London after having been given up for dead after his adventures in Japan in You Only Live Twice, where he had finally killed Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
After being brainwashed in Russia, he had attempted to kill M. After failing at this, M decided to give him a chance to redeem himself, and sent him off to Jamaica to kill Francisco Scaramanga, known as The Man With the Golden Gun, who is an assassin for Cuba.
When James locates Scaramanga, James finds Scaramanga is involved with American gangsters, and with a KGG agent. James also discovers his friend, Felix Leiter (from the American CIA) is there and is able to help him complete his mission.
The story is well written, with the exception of the personality and humor that is usually found in the James Bond books.
This book fulfills a requirement of Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
This book is lacking a lot of the humor that makes the other James Bond books such interesting reading. In this story, James Bond returns to London after having been given up for dead after his adventures in Japan in You Only Live Twice, where he had finally killed Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
After being brainwashed in Russia, he had attempted to kill M. After failing at this, M decided to give him a chance to redeem himself, and sent him off to Jamaica to kill Francisco Scaramanga, known as The Man With the Golden Gun, who is an assassin for Cuba.
When James locates Scaramanga, James finds Scaramanga is involved with American gangsters, and with a KGG agent. James also discovers his friend, Felix Leiter (from the American CIA) is there and is able to help him complete his mission.
The story is well written, with the exception of the personality and humor that is usually found in the James Bond books.
This book fulfills a requirement of Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
Rumble on the Bayou by Jana DeLoren review
I decided to read this book when I read a review that mentioned the book starts off with Deputy Dorie Berenger being called out for a gator in the pool--and discovers the gator is stoned, and has a backpack full of drugs (and a finger) in its mouth.
The book is a combination mystery and romance. I actually enjoyed the humor in it, but the mystery part was a little weak. And I've never been a big fan of romances. However, for a fun summer read, this was pretty enjoyable.
I've read other books by this author, and I've enjoyed most of them. However, I probably wouldn't read them a second time, as I do with several other favorite authors.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Title--R
The book is a combination mystery and romance. I actually enjoyed the humor in it, but the mystery part was a little weak. And I've never been a big fan of romances. However, for a fun summer read, this was pretty enjoyable.
I've read other books by this author, and I've enjoyed most of them. However, I probably wouldn't read them a second time, as I do with several other favorite authors.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Title--R
Scent to Her Grave by India Ink review
This is the first book by this author that I've read, and I found it to be pretty good. The main character, Persia Vanderbilt, makes personalized scents for people, and makes scents for her aunt's store, Venus Envy. Several recipes for bath salts and more are included in the book.
The story involves a winner of a Cosmetic beauty contest, who is a local girl. She is pretty in looks, but is rude, arrogant, mean and self-centered. She manages to annoy almost everyone she meets, and has since she was in High School.
And then she ends up murdered in Venus Envy, after the shop is closed for the night. This draws Persia into doing some investigating, and then there is another murder. Persia is involved in trying to solve both of these crimes, and manages to get herself into a tight spot before the story ends.
I enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to reading other books in the series.
This fulfills a requirement in A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Author--I
The story involves a winner of a Cosmetic beauty contest, who is a local girl. She is pretty in looks, but is rude, arrogant, mean and self-centered. She manages to annoy almost everyone she meets, and has since she was in High School.
And then she ends up murdered in Venus Envy, after the shop is closed for the night. This draws Persia into doing some investigating, and then there is another murder. Persia is involved in trying to solve both of these crimes, and manages to get herself into a tight spot before the story ends.
I enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to reading other books in the series.
This fulfills a requirement in A to Z Reading Challenge 2013 Author--I
Joker in the Deck by Richard S. Prather review
Joker in the Deck is a mystery, featuring P.I. Shell Scott. It is one of many Shell Scott mysteries that were written in the 1950s and 1960s.
Shell Scott is a different type of detective for the time frame. He likes the ladies, and dislikes the bad guys, but through it all his sense of humor shines through. He is also loyal to his clients, and has a strong sense of right and wrong.
I've been a fan of Shell Scott since I was a teen, and I also enjoyed this book. It's not my absolute favorite of the series, but still enjoyable.
I like almost all of the early Shell Scott stories, although I'm not a big fan of the last few Prather wrote as he seemed to get too preachy, and neglected the mystery in the later stories. However, this one, from 1964 is a good read.
But I have to warn you, this was written before Political Correctness came into being, and there are a lot of terms used that wouldn't be found acceptable in today.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge Title--J
This also fulfills a requirement in Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
Shell Scott is a different type of detective for the time frame. He likes the ladies, and dislikes the bad guys, but through it all his sense of humor shines through. He is also loyal to his clients, and has a strong sense of right and wrong.
I've been a fan of Shell Scott since I was a teen, and I also enjoyed this book. It's not my absolute favorite of the series, but still enjoyable.
I like almost all of the early Shell Scott stories, although I'm not a big fan of the last few Prather wrote as he seemed to get too preachy, and neglected the mystery in the later stories. However, this one, from 1964 is a good read.
But I have to warn you, this was written before Political Correctness came into being, and there are a lot of terms used that wouldn't be found acceptable in today.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge Title--J
This also fulfills a requirement in Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander review
This is a fantasy novel for children, the first volume in The Chronicles of Prydain. I believe it was inspired by the Welsh stories, language and countryside.
This story is about Taran, a boy who lives at Caer Dallben with Dallben, an old man and enchanter, and Coll, a retired soldier. Coll is the one in charge of the farm, and gives Taran his chores.
Taran is unhappy being nothing but a farm laborer, and dreams of becoming a knight and having adventures. One day, his dreams come true--Hen Wen, the magic pig escapes, and in his journey to recover her he meets a Prince, an Evil Warlord, an Evil Queen, a young Princess, and a bard. He is chased, thrown in a dungeon, and fights an Evil Army.
I enjoyed reading this story, I will probably read more in the Chronicles.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--X
This story is about Taran, a boy who lives at Caer Dallben with Dallben, an old man and enchanter, and Coll, a retired soldier. Coll is the one in charge of the farm, and gives Taran his chores.
Taran is unhappy being nothing but a farm laborer, and dreams of becoming a knight and having adventures. One day, his dreams come true--Hen Wen, the magic pig escapes, and in his journey to recover her he meets a Prince, an Evil Warlord, an Evil Queen, a young Princess, and a bard. He is chased, thrown in a dungeon, and fights an Evil Army.
I enjoyed reading this story, I will probably read more in the Chronicles.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--X
Born to Win by Zig Ziglar review
I recently read this book, and found it to be very interesting most of the time. He has a lot of good advice on how to change your life and be more successful.
He doesn't pretend it is going to be easy; he points out that to be successful you have to put in a lot of hard work, everyday. But he also points out that it will be worth it in the end.
He does repeat his points several times in different ways, which I found a little redundant, but I think it was to make the concept really stick in your mind.
I actually got a lot out of this, I particularly his description of how to decide if someone would be a good mentor for you.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants direction and purpose it their journey to success.
This fulfills one of the requirements for the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--Z
He doesn't pretend it is going to be easy; he points out that to be successful you have to put in a lot of hard work, everyday. But he also points out that it will be worth it in the end.
He does repeat his points several times in different ways, which I found a little redundant, but I think it was to make the concept really stick in your mind.
I actually got a lot out of this, I particularly his description of how to decide if someone would be a good mentor for you.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants direction and purpose it their journey to success.
This fulfills one of the requirements for the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--Z
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie review
I've read a lot of Agatha Christie novels, and was thrilled when I found this one that I hadn't read yet. I was surprised to see it wasn't a Jane Marple story, as for some reason I thought it would be. Hercule Poirot wasn't involved in it, either, although Adrienne Oliver makes an appearance.
A woman is dying and asks for a priest to make her confession. On his way back to the rectory, the priest stops at a cafe and makes a note On his way once more he is mugged and killed, but the robber doesn't find the note.
This event is mentioned to Mark, the main character in this story, by a friend who is in the police. This story intrigues Mark when he finds out that many of the names on the list are also the names of several people he notices who have died recently, although none are obviously murdered, but from a myriad of natural causes.
He is later introduced to a trio of eccentric women who live in a former inn called the Pale Horse. They claim they can influence a person through a combination of black magic and modern day psychology, and cause their death.
The story revolves around Mark's attempt, with the help of Ginger, the only person that seems to take his concerns seriously, to solve the mystery of how the people die. It is thoroughly entertaining, and kept me interested throughout the book!
This fulfills a requirement on the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013
This also is a book on my Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
A woman is dying and asks for a priest to make her confession. On his way back to the rectory, the priest stops at a cafe and makes a note On his way once more he is mugged and killed, but the robber doesn't find the note.
This event is mentioned to Mark, the main character in this story, by a friend who is in the police. This story intrigues Mark when he finds out that many of the names on the list are also the names of several people he notices who have died recently, although none are obviously murdered, but from a myriad of natural causes.
He is later introduced to a trio of eccentric women who live in a former inn called the Pale Horse. They claim they can influence a person through a combination of black magic and modern day psychology, and cause their death.
The story revolves around Mark's attempt, with the help of Ginger, the only person that seems to take his concerns seriously, to solve the mystery of how the people die. It is thoroughly entertaining, and kept me interested throughout the book!
This fulfills a requirement on the A to Z Reading Challenge 2013
This also is a book on my Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
Death of A Citizen by Donald Hamilton
This book was first published in 1960, a spy novel set in the same time frame as the James Bond stories, but in a very different environment. This is the first of the Matt Helm series of stories.
Matt Helm was a member of a secret spy organization during WWII. After the war he returned to the life he had left as a citizen. He married, had children, and resumed his career as a photographer.
But then his old life comes back to haunt him, and he makes the choices he feels he is forced to. This ends his life as a citizen.
The story is violent, and Matt Helm is a bit ruthless and hard-boiled--definitely not the urbane spy that the James Bond stories of that era profiles!
I have been a fan of the Matt Helm stories for many years, and was glad I found this one that explains how he got back into the whole spy life after he had been out of it for many years.
This fulfills a requirement of Mt. TBR Challenge.
It also fulfills a requirement of the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--H
Matt Helm was a member of a secret spy organization during WWII. After the war he returned to the life he had left as a citizen. He married, had children, and resumed his career as a photographer.
But then his old life comes back to haunt him, and he makes the choices he feels he is forced to. This ends his life as a citizen.
The story is violent, and Matt Helm is a bit ruthless and hard-boiled--definitely not the urbane spy that the James Bond stories of that era profiles!
I have been a fan of the Matt Helm stories for many years, and was glad I found this one that explains how he got back into the whole spy life after he had been out of it for many years.
This fulfills a requirement of Mt. TBR Challenge.
It also fulfills a requirement of the A to Z Reading Challenge Author--H
My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall review
I started reading this expecting an amusing summation of Penny Marshall's life, with an emphasis on her mother, and how her mother created Penny's sense of humor and creativity. Boy, was I wrong!
There are a few amusing incidents in the book, but I felt my main reaction to the book was boredom. There is a lot of name dropping, of the celebrities with whom she partied and the men she dated, but over all, it was still mildly boring.
Marshall's mother didn't seem to be a very nice person, and in the book Marshall's father was a boring addition to the family, while Marshall herself did drugs, had sex, and didn't seem to take any responsibility for her own actions.
I suppose she was honest in her recollections, but my reaction to finishing the book was disappointment. I expected more--more amusing stories, more reflection on poor choices, more tolerance for the poor choices others in her life had made.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Challenge
There are a few amusing incidents in the book, but I felt my main reaction to the book was boredom. There is a lot of name dropping, of the celebrities with whom she partied and the men she dated, but over all, it was still mildly boring.
Marshall's mother didn't seem to be a very nice person, and in the book Marshall's father was a boring addition to the family, while Marshall herself did drugs, had sex, and didn't seem to take any responsibility for her own actions.
I suppose she was honest in her recollections, but my reaction to finishing the book was disappointment. I expected more--more amusing stories, more reflection on poor choices, more tolerance for the poor choices others in her life had made.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Challenge
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis review
I've had this book, and the others in the Narnia series, on my "to be read" list for many years, even buying them all about 7 or 8 years ago. I saw the movie, which I enjoyed. I even started reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", but I stopped at about chapter 3 or 4 for some reason, and later started the Magician's Nephew. These two books just didn't really grab my attention, and I set them down after a couple of chapters, and never got back to reading either of them until now.
When I joined a challenge to start reading the books in my "to be read" pile, I started with several mysteries I had been meaning to read and finished them, but for the last few weeks I've been thinking of the Narnia books. So a few days ago I started TLTWANTW again. And finished it.
Basically, for those who haven't read it or seen the movie, four children find an opening into another world through an antique wardrobe in an old house they are living in. While in the other world they discover good comes in many guises, as does evil. They suffer, both physically and mentally, and recover.
I enjoyed reading this, and wish I had read it when I was much younger. Now on to another in the series. It will probably be the Magician's Nephew, with the hope that this time I finish it.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Challenge
When I joined a challenge to start reading the books in my "to be read" pile, I started with several mysteries I had been meaning to read and finished them, but for the last few weeks I've been thinking of the Narnia books. So a few days ago I started TLTWANTW again. And finished it.
Basically, for those who haven't read it or seen the movie, four children find an opening into another world through an antique wardrobe in an old house they are living in. While in the other world they discover good comes in many guises, as does evil. They suffer, both physically and mentally, and recover.
I enjoyed reading this, and wish I had read it when I was much younger. Now on to another in the series. It will probably be the Magician's Nephew, with the hope that this time I finish it.
This fulfills a requirement in the Mt. TBR Challenge
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Puzzle of the Silver Persian by Stuart Palmer review
This is the fifth in the Hildegarde Withers mystery series by Stuart Palmer. It was published in 1934, and while it is quite a bit dated, it is still an enjoyable story.
In this mystery, Hildegarde is taking an ocean voyage across the Atlantic to England on an ocean-liner. Unfortunately, during a lot of the trip she suffers from sea-sickness, which seems to affect her sleuthing skills somewhat. While sitting on the deck, she sees a fellow passenger near the rail. She takes her eyes off the young woman for a few moments, and when she turns back, the woman is gone. It appears she has gone over the railing, a possible suicide--or was it murder?
During the investigation of the girl's disappearance overboard the main suspect dies, after taking cyanide. Was this death suicide? How could it not be? And if so, was this his admission of guilt?
I enjoyed this story, as I have enjoyed all of the books in this series that I have read so far.
This fulfills a requirement on The Vintage Mystery Challenge # 34--Someone Else's Crime. Previously read and reviewed by Bev.
In this mystery, Hildegarde is taking an ocean voyage across the Atlantic to England on an ocean-liner. Unfortunately, during a lot of the trip she suffers from sea-sickness, which seems to affect her sleuthing skills somewhat. While sitting on the deck, she sees a fellow passenger near the rail. She takes her eyes off the young woman for a few moments, and when she turns back, the woman is gone. It appears she has gone over the railing, a possible suicide--or was it murder?
During the investigation of the girl's disappearance overboard the main suspect dies, after taking cyanide. Was this death suicide? How could it not be? And if so, was this his admission of guilt?
I enjoyed this story, as I have enjoyed all of the books in this series that I have read so far.
This fulfills a requirement on The Vintage Mystery Challenge # 34--Someone Else's Crime. Previously read and reviewed by Bev.
Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer review
Murder on the Blackboard was published in 1932, the third in the Hildegarde Withers series of mysteries.
This one takes place in Miss Withers's school, where a young fellow teacher is found murdered, and Hildegarde Withers is a witness of sorts.
As is usual in this series, Hildegarde gets involved in investigating the crime, much to the (sometimes) annoyance of her friend, Oscar Piper, a police captain who is in charge of the official investigation.
I enjoyed this, even though it is a little dated, which is only to be expected. Having done some substitute teaching, I appreciate her understanding of how her students' minds work. I particularly enjoyed how she demonstrated to the police how to disperse the crowd of students who were gathering around to watch the police at work.
This fulfills a requirement in the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013 # 25--Dynamic Duo
This one takes place in Miss Withers's school, where a young fellow teacher is found murdered, and Hildegarde Withers is a witness of sorts.
As is usual in this series, Hildegarde gets involved in investigating the crime, much to the (sometimes) annoyance of her friend, Oscar Piper, a police captain who is in charge of the official investigation.
I enjoyed this, even though it is a little dated, which is only to be expected. Having done some substitute teaching, I appreciate her understanding of how her students' minds work. I particularly enjoyed how she demonstrated to the police how to disperse the crowd of students who were gathering around to watch the police at work.
This fulfills a requirement in the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013 # 25--Dynamic Duo
The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer review
The Penguin Pool Murder was the first book Stuart Palmer wrote about Miss Hildegarde Withers.
Miss Withers is a teacher, and while on a field trip with her class, discovers and becomes involved in investigating the murder of a man found in the penguin pool at the New York City Aquarium.
This book was published in 1931, and displays some of the typical stereotypes of the era, but also seems a little ahead of its time with the attitude of independent, well-educated and intelligent Hildegarde Withers.
I had read a couple of the other books in this series, and enjoyed them, so I decided to start at the beginning and read through the series.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
This fulfills a requirement in the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013. # 14--Scene of the Crime
Miss Withers is a teacher, and while on a field trip with her class, discovers and becomes involved in investigating the murder of a man found in the penguin pool at the New York City Aquarium.
This book was published in 1931, and displays some of the typical stereotypes of the era, but also seems a little ahead of its time with the attitude of independent, well-educated and intelligent Hildegarde Withers.
I had read a couple of the other books in this series, and enjoyed them, so I decided to start at the beginning and read through the series.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
This fulfills a requirement in the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013. # 14--Scene of the Crime
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Faux Reel by Jerusha Jones review
"Faux Reel" is the fifth in the Imogene Museum series of mysteries. The main character is Meredith Morehouse, the curator of the museum. It is set in the Columbia River Gorge section of Washington state, and the descriptions of the area are wonderful.
During the museum's first annual fundraising event, Meredith discovers that a large painting is missing from the museum. The painting was donated by a relative of the Director of the Museum, Rupert Hagg, and was extremely ugly. It had been displayed on the second floor in an out of the way area to keep it out of sight while still technically still on display.
While no one involved in the museum, including the Director, actually cared that the painting was missing, they were all concerned that someone knew the museum well enough to be able to remove a large painting without anyone else noticing.
The disappearing work of art is just the first of several disturbing events, and Meredith is involved once again in trying to solve a mystery involving the museum.
I didn't like this as well as some of the other stories in the series, but it was still a pleasant read.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge title--X (an x anywhere in the title is accepted)
During the museum's first annual fundraising event, Meredith discovers that a large painting is missing from the museum. The painting was donated by a relative of the Director of the Museum, Rupert Hagg, and was extremely ugly. It had been displayed on the second floor in an out of the way area to keep it out of sight while still technically still on display.
While no one involved in the museum, including the Director, actually cared that the painting was missing, they were all concerned that someone knew the museum well enough to be able to remove a large painting without anyone else noticing.
The disappearing work of art is just the first of several disturbing events, and Meredith is involved once again in trying to solve a mystery involving the museum.
I didn't like this as well as some of the other stories in the series, but it was still a pleasant read.
This fulfills a requirement in the A to Z Reading Challenge title--X (an x anywhere in the title is accepted)
Pattern for Panic by Richard Prather review
"Pattern for Panic" by Richard S. Prather, was published in 1955. The main character, Shell Scott, is in Mexico City and is asked to help out Senora Lopez, who is married to a Mexican General. She is being blackmailed, having been secretly filmed having sex with someone who is not her husband.
She has already paid the blackmailer a couple of times, but wants the blackmail to stop.
During Scott's investigation he finds himself beaten, thrown in jail, threatened with snakes, in conflict with Communists, and in a fight for his life.
The Communists are a recurring theme in this book. It was written in 1955, in the middle of the Cold War, and shows the attitude of many Americans during this time frame.
I have been a Shell Scott fan for many years, reading my first Shell Scott mystery(borrowed from my Dad's collection) in the early 1960s when very young, and generally I enjoy them. I hadn't read this one before, and it isn't one of my favorites. There is a little too much propaganda in it for my taste.
This fulfills a requirement for the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
It also fulfills a requirement for the Vintage Mystery Challenge#22 Repeat Offenders.
She has already paid the blackmailer a couple of times, but wants the blackmail to stop.
During Scott's investigation he finds himself beaten, thrown in jail, threatened with snakes, in conflict with Communists, and in a fight for his life.
The Communists are a recurring theme in this book. It was written in 1955, in the middle of the Cold War, and shows the attitude of many Americans during this time frame.
I have been a Shell Scott fan for many years, reading my first Shell Scott mystery(borrowed from my Dad's collection) in the early 1960s when very young, and generally I enjoy them. I hadn't read this one before, and it isn't one of my favorites. There is a little too much propaganda in it for my taste.
This fulfills a requirement for the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge
It also fulfills a requirement for the Vintage Mystery Challenge#22 Repeat Offenders.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Stripping Gypsy by Noralee Frankel review
This book has been in my "to be read" pile for a couple of years now, and I'm finally getting around to read it. Ever since I saw Gypsy Rose Lee on a TV talk show when I was a kid, I've been fascinated by her. As I remember the show, Gypsy Rose Lee was funny, smart and had a good sense of humor. This book reinforces what I remembered.
"Stripping Gypsy" seems to be fairly well-researched, and attempts to explain how Gypsy Rose Lee's childhood influenced the adult she became. She had a difficult childhood, with a mother who suffered from mental illness, and a volatile home life. Her mother was extremely ambitious and mercenary, and used her daughters in her quest for fame and fortune.
She decided that her older daughter, Louise (who would later become Gypsy Rose Lee), did not have any talent and shunted her off to relatives or school whenever she could. Her younger daughter, June, was over worked to the point of collapse. This affected the two children throughout their lives.
I found this book to be very interesting, and would recommend it.
This fulfills a requirement for the Mt. TBR Challenge
"Stripping Gypsy" seems to be fairly well-researched, and attempts to explain how Gypsy Rose Lee's childhood influenced the adult she became. She had a difficult childhood, with a mother who suffered from mental illness, and a volatile home life. Her mother was extremely ambitious and mercenary, and used her daughters in her quest for fame and fortune.
She decided that her older daughter, Louise (who would later become Gypsy Rose Lee), did not have any talent and shunted her off to relatives or school whenever she could. Her younger daughter, June, was over worked to the point of collapse. This affected the two children throughout their lives.
I found this book to be very interesting, and would recommend it.
This fulfills a requirement for the Mt. TBR Challenge
Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013 Update and Wrap-up
A list of the categories and books I've read that fulfill the requirements for the Vintage Mysteries Reading Challenge
I've read and reviewed 17 books for this challenge.
# 1--Colorful Crime--White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham review
# 3. Amateur Night--Four Lost Ladies by Stuart Palmer review
# 4--Leave it to the Professionals--Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard Prather review
# 5--Jolly Old England--The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie review
# 6--Yankee Doodle Dandy--The Dishonest Murderer by Francis and Richard Lockridge review
# 7--World Traveler--Casino Royale by Ian Fleming review
# 8--Dangerous Beasts--The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner review
# 14--Scene of the Crime--The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer review
# 19--Planes, Trains & Automobiles--Murder on Wheels by Stuart Palmer review
# 20--Murder is Academic--Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers review
# 22--Repeat Offender--Pattern for Panic by Richard Prather review
# 25--Dynamic Duo--Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer review
# 27--Psychic Phenomena--Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming review
# 28--Book to Movie-- Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes review
# 34--Someone Else's Crime--The Puzzle of the Silver Persian by Stuart Palmer review
# 35--Genuine Fakes--Crows Can't Count by A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner) review
# 37--Get Out of Jail Free (An Author New to Me)--A Lighthearted Quest by Ann Bridge review
I've read and reviewed 17 books for this challenge.
# 1--Colorful Crime--White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham review
# 3. Amateur Night--Four Lost Ladies by Stuart Palmer review
# 4--Leave it to the Professionals--Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard Prather review
# 5--Jolly Old England--The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie review
# 6--Yankee Doodle Dandy--The Dishonest Murderer by Francis and Richard Lockridge review
# 7--World Traveler--Casino Royale by Ian Fleming review
# 8--Dangerous Beasts--The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner review
# 14--Scene of the Crime--The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer review
# 19--Planes, Trains & Automobiles--Murder on Wheels by Stuart Palmer review
# 20--Murder is Academic--Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers review
# 22--Repeat Offender--Pattern for Panic by Richard Prather review
# 25--Dynamic Duo--Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer review
# 27--Psychic Phenomena--Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming review
# 28--Book to Movie-- Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes review
# 34--Someone Else's Crime--The Puzzle of the Silver Persian by Stuart Palmer review
# 35--Genuine Fakes--Crows Can't Count by A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner) review
# 37--Get Out of Jail Free (An Author New to Me)--A Lighthearted Quest by Ann Bridge review
Mt. TBR Challenge List, COMPLETED!
Here are a list of the books I have read for the Mt. TBR Challenge. I signed up for the Mt. Blanc level, 24 books. 24 read, 24 reviews written so far.
1. Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming. review
2. A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig review
3. Two to Mango by Jill Marie Landis review
4. Bingoed by Patricia Rockwell review
5. In the Blood by Steve Robinson review
6. The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming review
7. The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming review
8. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie review
9. Pattern for Panic by Richard Prather review
10. Stripping Gypsy by Noralee Frankel review
11. On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming review
12. Goldfinger by Ian Fleming review
13. Death of A Citizen by Donald Hamilton review
14. Something in the Water by Charlotte MacLeod review
15. My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall review
16. The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine review
17. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis review
18. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis review
19. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis My review
20. Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis review
21. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis review
22. Pendragon Book One: The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale review
23. Loose Screw by Rae Davis The review
24. Joker in the Deck by Richard Prather review
We were also asked to complete at least one other item--
1. How many books read from our TBR pile, and when we finished what we had set out to do.
I read at least 24, which was what I had signed up to do. I completed the last in the early mid-December range. I probably read several more in my pile over the summer, but didn't note all the books I had read when I didn't have internet, and couldn't remember which ones I had read when.
And an optional item--
2. Using the titles I read this year, associate with the following statements
Are you male or female? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Describe yourself: Loose Screw
Describe where you currently live: A Body in the Backyard
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Casino Royale
Your favorite form of transportation: The Pale Horse
What's the weather like? Pattern for Panic
Favorite time of day: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Your relationships: Bingoed!
You fear: Something in the Water
What is the best advice you have to give? My mother was Nuts
If you could change your name, you would change it to: Prince Caspian
My soul's present condition: Joker in the Deck
This was a fun end of year activity! Hope you enjoy my weird answers! And thanks for the challenge!
1. Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming. review
2. A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig review
3. Two to Mango by Jill Marie Landis review
4. Bingoed by Patricia Rockwell review
5. In the Blood by Steve Robinson review
6. The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming review
7. The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming review
8. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie review
9. Pattern for Panic by Richard Prather review
10. Stripping Gypsy by Noralee Frankel review
11. On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming review
12. Goldfinger by Ian Fleming review
13. Death of A Citizen by Donald Hamilton review
14. Something in the Water by Charlotte MacLeod review
15. My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall review
16. The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine review
17. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis review
18. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis review
19. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis My review
20. Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis review
21. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis review
22. Pendragon Book One: The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale review
23. Loose Screw by Rae Davis The review
24. Joker in the Deck by Richard Prather review
We were also asked to complete at least one other item--
1. How many books read from our TBR pile, and when we finished what we had set out to do.
I read at least 24, which was what I had signed up to do. I completed the last in the early mid-December range. I probably read several more in my pile over the summer, but didn't note all the books I had read when I didn't have internet, and couldn't remember which ones I had read when.
And an optional item--
2. Using the titles I read this year, associate with the following statements
Are you male or female? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Describe yourself: Loose Screw
Describe where you currently live: A Body in the Backyard
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Casino Royale
Your favorite form of transportation: The Pale Horse
What's the weather like? Pattern for Panic
Favorite time of day: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Your relationships: Bingoed!
You fear: Something in the Water
What is the best advice you have to give? My mother was Nuts
If you could change your name, you would change it to: Prince Caspian
My soul's present condition: Joker in the Deck
This was a fun end of year activity! Hope you enjoy my weird answers! And thanks for the challenge!
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