Monthly Archives: August 2013

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I’m ONLY Reading…

I can so relate to this!

Charleen's avatarCheap Thrills

Reading.

Many people seem to view it as a synonym for “doing nothing.” Or “waiting for something more interesting to occupy my time.” And so they think nothing of interrupting… it’s happened to all of us at one time or another. Sometimes it’s out in public, sometimes it’s in our own homes. It’s always irritating.

Jaime ranted about this problem here. Kelly ranted about it here. I’m sure other bloggers have ranted about it as well, but those are the two posts that caught my attention recently, and now it’s my turn.

(Only I won’t be using gifs.)

To be fair, my husband doesn’t do this nearly as much as he used to. Also in his defense, I read a lot, so if he has something he legitimately needs to talk to me about (as opposed to, “hey look, a funny picture on the internet…”) I don’t mind…

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The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne & Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden by M.C. Beaton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my book clubs selected The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne, better known for being the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh.  This well crafted mystery  showed that A.A. Milne was not a one trick pony.  This was a traditional British mystery with a full complement of  “upstairs downstairs” characters set on an estate in a locked room.  We have the sleuth, Antony Gillingham, and his not so sharp sidekick.  There is misdirection in the form of disguise and assumed identity.  Very clever mystery with dry humor and a classic feel, Agatha Christie-esque.  The copy I picked up from the library is not the edition pictured, it is the 1962 edition printed by E.P. Dutton  & Co., Inc and there is a wonderful dedication page from A.A. Milne to his father:

My Dear Father,

Like all really nice people, you have  a weakness for detective stories, and feel that there is not enough of them.  So, after all that you have done for me, the least that I can do for you is to write you one.  Here it is:  with more gratitude and affection than I can well put down here.

A.A. Milne

Highly recommended read!

My second read of last night was another outing in the indomitable Agatha Raisin series, Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden.  Poor Agatha is in poor shape, unlucky in love more than once, the victim of  a vengeful hairdresser and stuck in a senior living facility disguised as a hotel.  Still Agatha manages to find a murder or two, trace down the clues, adopt a cat and along the way she gets some things muddled and meddles in some other people’s lives.  The character of Agatha Raisin is really the star, Agatha strives for love and companionship.  She wants to be liked but comes across as prickly and even high handed at times.  The mystery is fun and fast paced as is the whole book. I heartily recommend this series.  I do think you will appreciate it more if you read the books in order.

 

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South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haurki Marakami

 

This was my first experience reading Haruki Murakami.  I know that he is a well known and highly regarded author.  This book is written in the first person with the narrator, Hajime being a Japanese man born in the early 1950s.  The book is the story of his life or rather a life not lived.  The books main themes are memory and reminiscences.  Hajime is borderline obsessed with a mysterious woman from his childhood.  Even as he meets and marries, his thoughts are not far from this woman, Shimamoto.  Hajime experiences relative success in life, but he doesn’t really seem to take pleasure from it.  He is married and says that he loves his wife, but doesn’t really seem to have a connection to her.  That he reserves for Shimamoto, who drifts in and out of life intermittently.

He doesn’t even seem to take pleasure in his children.  Which is surprising because he discussed in depth his own childhood, as an only child and his experiences.  It’s as though, his own children are just something that happened to him.  Interwoven in this story, very appropriately given the flow of the plot is Jazz music.  It doesn’t seem that Hajime takes charge of his life, rather he is just being carried in the flow.  Likewise he doesn’t seem to take real responsibility for his own actions.  He expresses the idea that he hurt Izumi at one point, but  it doesn’t really seem to impact him.

This was an interesting read, certainly kept my attention. The author excelled at expressing mood through subtle details.  His prose was delightful to read, even though I didn’t particularly like the main character.  Hajime was very self-absorbed, only concerned with what was happening to him.   I read this as part of my One Drink Minimum Book Club and I’m glad that I was introduced to this author.  I will probably pick up another one of his books.

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Death Under the Dryer by Simon Brett

This is book 8 in the Fethering series by Simon Brett featuring the sleuths Carole Seddon and her neighbor Jude.  Although this is not my favorite in the series, it is still a charming fun mystery.  Simon Brett’s depiction of seaside town and its inhabitants is vivid and makes it easy for the reader to submerge  themselves in the story.  The mainstay of this series is the relationship between Carole and Jude, complements of each other, one fills in what the other lacks.  It is  a true duo sleuth team, rather than a leader and the sidekick.  Although we do know more about Carole, Jude is no mere ancillary character.  The fact we don’t know everything about Jude is intention and indeed is a often a source of frustration for Carole.  I love the fact that neither character is a stereotype, it makes them so much more interesting and real.

Brett’s wry humor is abundant as he pokes fun, all the while leading readers through a set of twists and turns to reach the conclusion.  If you like British village cozy mysteries, with a light touch of satire, and minimal romance, this is a great series to try.  I would suggest that you read the books in order as the relationships between Carole, Jude and others develops over time.  Besides, the first in the series, The Body on the Beach is one of  my favorites.

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A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde

 

I read this last night, a very light, romantic fun read.  The character of Sophie Apperly is a protagonist that anyone who has ever felt unappreciated will root for.  She is the nice girl who grew up being overlooked in a family that didn’t value her talents and skills.  I loved the fact that she is independent and so capable of dealing with everything that is thrown at her.  The older characters, Matilda and Evil Uncle Eric are charming and lovable.

The plot takes the reader from England to New York to Connecticut and back to England.  The romantic trials of Sophie and Luke are full of two steps forward and one step back type incidents and of course meddling matchmakers.  Intertwined parts of the plot include inherited oil drilling rights and a “missing” house in Cornwall.  Everything comes together in the end for a satisfyingly happy ending.  Lovely romantic “feel good” book.

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Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton

 

I have been reading the series of Hamish Macbeth for a long time now.  I love the setting of Lochdubh and Hamish Macbeth the sleuth.  This was another great whodunnit filled with humor and a more than slightly demented romance.  The clues take you from Locdubh, to Strathbane and from small outlying homes, to churches and even a disco. Hamish, his new hapless constable Josie, his dog Lugs and cat Sonsie deal with murders, a temptress victim, unrequited love, infidelity and a hit man.  A quick, fun read, if you like mysteries and haven’t tried this series yet you should.

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Dusted to Death by Barbara Colley

 

Cozy mystery time again!  I have read the rest of this series about Charlotte LaRue, cleaning lady sleuth, and enjoyed them all.  The mystery in this book is not my favorite of the series, but it is still a fun read. There is more of a romance element in this book for Charlotte and it is done very well with a light touch that didn’t overwhelm the mystery.  Charlotte is a very realistic, likable character.  She is spunky and independent enough to be someone you cheer for, but she is intelligent enough that she doesn’t deliberately endanger herself or others.  For example, when a mysterious vehicle is following her, she heads straight for the police station, unlike some sleuths who go home or to a friend’s house instead.

Fun light cozy.  This could be read as a stand alone, if you wanted, but I think some of the ongoing relationships are more enjoyable if you have read other books in the series.