Saturday, September 30, 2017
PET Scan Completed
There were significant complications today, but the PET Scan has been completed and we are now home. Patient and spouse are both exhausted.
New Issue of Crime Review
We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review ( www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time it’s author Nadia Dalbuono in the Countdown hot seat: We’re on Twitter at: Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia This week’s reviews are: INSIDIOUS INTENT by Val McDermid, reviewed by Linda Wilson DCI Carol Hill and psychological profiler Tony Hill are up against a forensically aware killer who is determined to stay one step ahead of them, and is succeeding all too well. SINCE WE FELL by Dennis Lehane, reviewed by Chris Roberts Rachel has only a vague memory of a father who left home when she was three, a desertion at the root of her vulnerability. She finds a man prepared to accept her problems, only to discover he is not what he purports to be. CONFLICTS OF INTERST by Terry Stiastny, reviewed by Arnold Taylor Former journalist Lawrence Leith’s life in a French village is disrupted when an old friend comes to visit. THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS by Michael Robotham, reviewed by Kati BarrTaylor When Meghan’s seemingly perfect life is revealed to be a tissue of lies, the results are devastating. THE ZEALOT’S BONES by David Mark, reviewed by John Cleal A Canadian academic, seeking the bones of the apostle Simon the Zealot, hires a discredited and psychologically damaged Afghan war hero as his bodyguard. When a woman who briefly brought peace to the soldier’s troubled mind is murdered, he sets out to bring her vengeance. IQ by Joe Ede, reviewed by Chris Roberts Asiah Quintabe, known as IQ, is presented with a testing puzzle when he is asked to find out who is threatening rapper Calvin Wright, better known as Black the Knife. RHYMING RINGS by David Gemmell, reviewed by Linda Wilson A serial killer is at work in west London. Young journalist Jeremy Miller desperately wants to cover the story, and soon finds an unusual angle: a woman who claims to be able to experience the victims’ dying moments. THE STRANGER by Saskia Sarginson, reviewed by Sue Kelso Ryan Ellie hasn’t been completely honest with her beloved husband Ed and now it’s too late. Suddenly her past choices threaten to destroy her chances of happiness. THE LAST NIGHT AT TREMORE BEACH by Mikel Santiago, reviewed by Kate Balfour A successful musician, wounded by a recent divorce, seeks inspiration and renewal on the wild north west coast of Ireland. He is, literally, struck by lightning and starts to have nightmare visions which foretell horror for him, his friends and his family. THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN by Celia Fremlin, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor Stressed suburban wife and mother Louise is grateful that their new lodger is quiet and educated, seemingly the perfect houseguest. But appearances can be deceptive. SOULS OF AIR by Mons Kallentoft, reviewed by Ewa Sherman Malin Fors, Linköping’s top detective, deals with a matter too close for comfort – her daughter Tove has discovered the dead body of one of the residents at the care home where she works. FATAL CROSSING by Lone Theils, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor Journalist Nora Sand discovers that a decades-old cold case concerning two missing girls is about to become too hot to handle. DYING TO LIVE by Michael Stanley, reviewed by Chris Roberts A dead bushman is only the first of a series of deaths brought to the attention of Assistant Superintendent ‘Kubu’ Bengu and Detective Samantha Khama. COPYCAT by Alex Lake, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler Sarah Havenant has a good job and a family – but this starts to crumble when a friend points out that there are two Facebook pages out there with her name on. TIME TO WIN by Harry Brett, reviewed by John Cleal When local crime boss Rich Goodwin is pulled from the river, it looks like suicide. But Goodwin had many enemies and as his widow Tatiana struggles to take over his business, she quickly learns that power comes at a price. THE RIVIERA EXPRESS by TP Fielden, reviewed by Anthea Hawdon The death of one person in a small Devonshire seaside town could be misfortune. Two the same day convinces reporter Judy Dimont that something is going on. STRANGE MAGIC by Syd Moore, reviewed by John Barnbrook Rosie Strange has inherited the Essex Witch Museum from her estranged grandfather. She doesn't want it and is determined to sell it, but her first visit catapults her into the hunt for the bones of a buried witch, a crusade to save the life of a young boy and the uncovering of satanic worship. THE WYCHFORD POISONING CASE by Anthony Berkeley, reviewed by John Cleal French-born Mrs Jacqueline Bentley is to hang for the poisoning of her husband. Novelist, amateur criminologist and psychological detective Roger Sheringham sets out to prove even her own lawyers wrong and unmask the real killer. I AM TRAITOR by Sif Sigmarsdottir, reviewed by Linda Wilson The alien invaders have already taken Amy Sullivan’s brother and her best friend. Now they’re coming for her. CONTAGION by Teri Terry, reviewed by Linda Wilson Eleven-year-old Callie Tanzer disappeared a year ago. Shay is the last person to have seen her alive. While a mysterious flu epidemic sweeps across Scotland, Shay and Callie’s older brother Kai continue the search for the missing girl. Best wishes Sharon
Friday, September 29, 2017
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Slow Bullet -- John L. Lansdale
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Slow Bullet -- John L. Lansdale: John L. Lansdale is the older brother of Joe Lansdale, and they've collaborated on a couple of books. Most of John's work has been ...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 35 Writing Contests in October 2017 - No entry fee...
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Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio
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Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 37 Great Writing Conferences in October 2017
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Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Bonus FFB on Wednesday: Orphans Preferred: The Twi...
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Chess, Comics, Crosswords, Books, Music, Cinema: Boot Hill: An Anthology of the West by Robert J. R...
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WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The Orville
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FFB Review: The Woman in Blue: a Ruth Galloway Mystery by Elly Griffiths
When I first began reading this series,
back in December of 2015, these books clearly were old enough to qualify as FFB
reads. The book reviewed today using the best words anyone has ever used
anywhere was published in 2016 and is set in 2014. Therefore, clearly the book
is not really an FFB entry. Yet, I am putting it up here on the blog as an FFB
entry simply because the rest of them are here. This is also my blog and I can
party like I want to. For the rest of the suggestions today on this final
Friday of September make sure you head over to Patti’s blog.
It is mid-February
2014 as The Woman in Blue: A Ruth Galloway Mystery begins. Cathbad is
again house/pet sitting and again things are not going well. The pet in
question this time is a black cat by the name of Chesterton. The owner, Justin,
made it abundantly clear Chesterton is not to be let out at night. Despite
Cathbad’s best efforts, the cat escapes and goes off into the darkness.
The home is a 15th
century cottage next to a church and burial grounds. None of that bothers Cathbad
as he is a Druid. What bothers him is the feeling he has had ever since he came
to St. Simeon’s Cottage, Walsingham of a heavy sense of sadness about
everything. He feels it now and with the cat missing that does not help
matters.
Cathbad heads out in
pursuit of the cat and soon sees a vague shape by one of the tombstones. A
woman in white robes and a blue cloak who seems to almost glow in a divine way.
She shakes her head at him regards to his offer of help and leaves quickly. In
just a few hours, that same woman will be found dead nearby.
DCI Harry Nelson,
head of the Serious Crimes Unit, will lead the investigation into the woman’s
death. It wasn’t the cold that killed her though she was dressed only in a
nightdress, a dressing gown, and slippers. She was strangled, according to
police pathologist Christ Stephenson, who has also concluded she has been in
the ditch eight to ten hours. It is very possible she is a patient at the
nearby “Sanctuary” which is a private hospital that treats well off addicts.
It does not take long
to confirm that the dead person was a patient and her name is Chloe Jenkins.
She is the first of several deaths that will happen in the area.
A separate storyline
is in regards to a series of hate filled letters that have been sent to Ruth’s
friend, Hillary. She is an Anglican priest and some people do not want women as
priests. The letters are clearly a threat. Are the murderer and the letter
writer one and the same? As the murder continues and other events happen, everything
seems to be pointing towards Easter Sunday in The Woman In Blue: A Ruth
Galloway Mystery.
The eighth book in
the series continues to build on character evolution, story arcs, and other
elements. The ongoing private lives of all the characters make up a critical
part of this very good series. Unlike previous books in the series where archeology
was a key element in the read, here it barely makes a passing reference. Region
and the role of women in the church is the primary focus and is weaved through
the cases as well as the ongoing personal situations that are the backbone of
the series. The Woman in Blue: a Ruth Galloway Mystery is another good read
in a very good series that must be read in order starting with The
Crossing Places.
The
books, in order, and my reviews:
The Crossing Places (Reviewed 12/26/15)
The Janus Stone (Reviewed 11/18/2016)
The House at Sea’s End (Reviewed 12/2/2016)
The Outcast Dead (Reviewed 4/21/17)
The
Ghost Fields (Reviewed
7/14/17)
The Woman in Blue: a Ruth Galloway Mystery
Elly Griffiths
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
May 2016
ISBN# 978-0-544-41785-4
Hardback (also available in paperback
and eBook formats)
368 Pages
$25.00
Material obtained via
the Dallas Public Library System to read and review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Sandi Back Home
Sandi had an early doctor appointment with lab work today and we are finally home. She is running a significant fever and there remain other various issues that cause a lot of concern. She was extremely anemic so she had two units of blood today, a round of antibiotics, some steroids, and some other various fluids. She also now has an emergency PET Scan scheduled for Saturday.
Sandi's fever is still getting worse despite everything they have done. Today she was running about four degrees of fever. Her kidney function continues to indicate things are not going in the right way. What was thought to be a fever caused by the white blood cell shot is now thought to be something quite more significant. It could be another bacterial blood infection though she is not having a lot of the symptoms of that. Symptoms that we are very familiar with having gone through two bacterial blood infections in almost as many months. So, it probably is not that.
In all likelihood the fever is being caused by the cancer mutating and attacking somewhere. Where and what kind of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma that would now be is totally unknown. Because of Sandi's urgent need for blood today they could not do the PET Scan today though they tried very hard to make that happen. Because of what they had to do to her with that with the steroids and all, tomorrow was out of the question. So, they are doing that scan on Saturday which means we will be there at least four hours if not way longer to get that done.
That is then and we will deal with it then. For this evening, she is going to try and eat a little dinner, watch a little football, and then head to bed.
Sandi's fever is still getting worse despite everything they have done. Today she was running about four degrees of fever. Her kidney function continues to indicate things are not going in the right way. What was thought to be a fever caused by the white blood cell shot is now thought to be something quite more significant. It could be another bacterial blood infection though she is not having a lot of the symptoms of that. Symptoms that we are very familiar with having gone through two bacterial blood infections in almost as many months. So, it probably is not that.
In all likelihood the fever is being caused by the cancer mutating and attacking somewhere. Where and what kind of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma that would now be is totally unknown. Because of Sandi's urgent need for blood today they could not do the PET Scan today though they tried very hard to make that happen. Because of what they had to do to her with that with the steroids and all, tomorrow was out of the question. So, they are doing that scan on Saturday which means we will be there at least four hours if not way longer to get that done.
That is then and we will deal with it then. For this evening, she is going to try and eat a little dinner, watch a little football, and then head to bed.
Review: Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo
Bill Heller had the feeling he was being followed as he drove in New York City as Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo begins. He parked and went into a local restaurant to have some food and to see if his suspicion was correct. He was being followed and he knew he was in real trouble. The restaurant also gave him the opportunity to hide what he was carrying.
One of Bill Heller’s
final acts will have huge repercussions for Vincent Salerno, a bus boy at the
restaurant, who at first has no idea what he is carrying or how far those who
want it back will go. For the officers and detectives of the 61st precinct
located on Coney Island Avenue in New York, the subsequent murders will have
huge ramifications professionally and personally. Like ripples in a pond, that
first case will spiral out in coming weeks to trigger more carnage with more
connected cases, as they go about their daily lives as well as other police
work.
A follow up to his
first novel of the 61st titled Gravesend, J. L. Abramo keeps the
action moving by way of short paragraphs, rapid-fire dialogue, and constant
shifts in the storyline. A number of distinct secondary plot lines are in play
throughout the read thanks to a whopping 58 characters. The character list at
the front of the book makes it clear that the author has a lot going on in the
read as these characters run the gamut of crime, police, and average citizen
types. Somehow, the author manages to make them all stand out from each other.
As a police
procedural, the read works well detailing not only police work, but how events
and cases affect the officers and detectives at home in their personal lives.
Very reminiscent of Ed Mcbain’s 87th Precinct Series, the read also
reminds this reviewer of the legendary Hill Street Blues television series. In
both cases, tragedy can strike in a blink of an eye and the repercussions take
a toll on all involved.
Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo is not a book for all
readers. Graphic language is present as is a dark sense of humor. While it is a
police procedural, it is not a sanitized one. This is crime fiction and all
that entails. It is also a very good read.
Coney Island Avenue
J. L. Abramo
Down & Out Books
March 2017
ASIN: B01N0U64A1
eBook (print available)
466 Pages
$8.99
I received
this months ago from the publisher in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R.
Tipple ©2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Gaiman, Vowell, Du Maurier, Perotta, B...
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Guest Post: Jeanne and Treadmill Books: Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery Series by Jane K. Cleland
Jeanne of the Bookblogof the Bristol Library is back today with her latest review….
Treadmill
Books: Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery
Series by Jane K. Cleland
Josie Prescott is the owner of Prescott’s Antiques,
a thriving business that specializes in antiques and collectibles of all sorts,
from Chinese porcelains to movie posters.
She started her business after learning the trade in a New York auction
house but found her career in shambles when she testified against her boss in a
price fixing scandal that sent him to prison.
Starting over from the ground up was the only solution.
Fortunately for readers, expensive antiques seem to
attract all sorts of felonies, murder among them. Josie’s expertise in antiques is often the
key to solving these crimes in these solid, entertaining books.
Uncharacteristically for me, this is not a series
I’ve read in order; I have yet to read the first in series, hence the overview
description.
For the most part, Cleland takes her clues from the
Golden Age mysteries; she plays fair with the reader in presenting clues;
murders may be violent but occur off stage; and while there are personal
developments among the characters, it’s never a soap opera. (Cleland is a fan
of the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout; one of her police officers is also named
Rowcliff and several times she’s dropped in names to make an Archie aficionado
smile.) The surrounding cast members are
there to support Josie, either personally or professionally. There is mutual respect and fondness between
Josie and employees but she doesn’t pry into their personal lives.
Josie is the best developed character, and she’s
someone I like a lot. She’s smart,
practical, and down to earth. As a boss,
she’s fair and generous, but she also expects results. One reviewer complained about the number of
times that Josie mentioned or quoted her late father; while I noticed it, I
wasn’t unduly bothered by it. Her father
was a huge influence on her life and I didn’t find it odd that she continues to
refer to him. I find myself still
quoting my late mother and I notice other people doing the same, especially as
we age.
The antiques aspect is fascinating to me. Think “Antiques Roadshow,” because Josie will
give brief but interesting comments on items that turn up at her auction house
or that she is called upon to appraise.
For example, 1860s era dolls may have been used to smuggle small items
across borders during the American Civil War; early movie posters might be
designed by local artists, some of whom went on to garner more fame as
designers or painters; snow globes became popular in France in the 1800s and
spread to England during the Victorian era.
Each of these facts became important during a book, sometimes as part of
the process of valuing an object and often in solving the murder. I enjoy reading about how items are
authenticated, which may entail finding out if the purported manufacturer had a
particular component in his inventory when the object was allegedly
created. I also appreciate the behind
the scenes look at how things come together. For example, Josie offers a tag
sale each week, usually of lower end, affordable items that draw in crowds and
reduce excess inventory. Occasionally,
she will put in items of higher value at low prices to give savvy shoppers the
thrill of finding a treasure. It almost
makes me want to go to a tag sale, except that I don’t really need or want any
more things. It’s the thrill of the
chase.
Later on in the series, there’s even a cat!
As you might gather, I do enjoy this series. I’ve recommended it to several people. However, it’s not a treadmill book. Cleland likes to plant clues subtly so a
reader has to pay attention to solve the mystery. Like Agatha Christie, she will drop in
tidbits in casual conversations that have crime solving implications, and I am
not at my sharpest when I’m trudging along.
Equally, I’m not going to enjoy all those lovely bits of information
about antiques when part of my mind is wondering if I’m close to getting in my
quota of steps for the day.
Treadmill, no.
Fine mystery series, yes.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Crime Watch: Review: MURDER IN MONTEGO BAY
Crime Watch: Review: MURDER IN MONTEGO BAY: MURDER IN MONTEGO BAY by Paula Lennon (Jacaranda, 2017) Reviewed by Craig Sisterson Privileged Chinese-Jamaican brothers Lester and Ca...
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Star Trek: Discovery
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Linda Rodriguez Writes: Book Excerpt--Motivating Yourself to Write
Linda Rodriguez Writes: Book Excerpt--Motivating Yourself to Write: Writers often make resolutions to find time to write. I posted a blog about this recently here. https://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot...
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Overlooked TV: Harlan Coben's The Five
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Do Some Damage: Failing To Deliver
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Jerry's House of Everything: INCOMING
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Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore: Reviewed by Ambrea The Palomas and the Corbeaus are enemies, locked in a violent feud that has lasted for more than a generat...
Review: Desperate Crimes: A Bill Travis Mystery by George Wier
For Bill Travis everything revolves around family. His eight-year-old daughter, Jennifer, is supposed to give a piano recital on Saturday. Unfortunately, her piano teacher, Todd Landry, has gone missing. Jennifer is very upset and worried and she wants daddy to find him. Normally, Bill Travis gets involved in things to be paid so he can pay for things like piano lessons.
Money is important,
but it is not everything. His daughter’s happiness means more than just about
anything else does. His little girl is heartbroken and her tears are a powerful
thing. He agrees to look for Todd Landry despite the fact that he has a
really bad feeling about things.
He also knows who to
call for help and does so. He calls Hank Sterling, a good friend who is also a
freelance investigator. As it happens, Hank is already on the case of the
missing Todd Landry. He is also very concerned though he has very different
reasons for why he is worried.
Desperate Crimes is the 11th book in the Bill
Travis Mystery Series that began with The
Last Call. Personal relationships, humor, and observations about
the Lone Star State have been hallmarks of this running series. They are very
much present here with characters that continue to evolve, references to past
books, and more. A mystery that is far more complicated than it first appears
is also present in this latest read.
If you are new to the
series by Texas author George Wier, you could easily start here. While there
are a few references to earlier books, they are not so detailed as to ruin previous
reads in the series. Those readers that have read the preceding books will
enjoy this one a bit more as the Travis family continues to add members and age.
Part of the fun of this series is to see what is now going on with the family. Either
way, Desperate
Crimes: A Bill Travis Mystery is another solidly good read in a very
good series.
Desperate Crimes: A Bill Travis Mystery
George Wier
Flagstone Books
March 2016
ASIN: B01DHM1EUM
eBook (paperback available)
131 Pages
$4.99
According to Amazon, I picked this up back last July to read
and review. I believe I did it by way of the Author’s free read promotion.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
Sandi Update
Sandi is now home after a very long day at the hospital. She was only supposed to have some lab work today, but after I explained what had been going on all weekend coupled with what she was saying when they talked to her and could get her to wake up and focus, they worked her in for a doctor visit too. It was during that they discovered she was running a fever and found a couple of other issues. They also ran some tests that came up with some answers and are running other tests that should come back with some more answers over the next couple of days.
If they had a bed for her they would have admitted her without question. The four floors in the hospital that house the cancer patients are full and have a waiting list that goes into double digits. She is so medically fragile right now they felt it was safer to send her home after they did some stuff to her than admit her on one of the other floors. So, after pumping a bunch of fluids into her that included platelets, steroids, and some other stuff, they have sent her home with strict instructions to me on how to monitor her and when to call 911.
Assuming nothing goes wrong tonight or the next couple of days, we go back Thursday for more blood work and another doctor visit. As of right this minute, she is doing a bit better than she has in recent days.
If they had a bed for her they would have admitted her without question. The four floors in the hospital that house the cancer patients are full and have a waiting list that goes into double digits. She is so medically fragile right now they felt it was safer to send her home after they did some stuff to her than admit her on one of the other floors. So, after pumping a bunch of fluids into her that included platelets, steroids, and some other stuff, they have sent her home with strict instructions to me on how to monitor her and when to call 911.
Assuming nothing goes wrong tonight or the next couple of days, we go back Thursday for more blood work and another doctor visit. As of right this minute, she is doing a bit better than she has in recent days.
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 9/25-10/1
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 9/25-10/1: Bookish events in Texas for the week of September 25-October 1, 2017: Special Events: Banned Books Week , September 24-30 Inkstravaganz...
Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Blood Always Tells by Hilary Davidson
Determined to learn who staged the kidnapping, Desmond works
with the rural police as well as New York police and meets the wealthy society
wife and the lawyer who protects the family fortune and her, in that order.
He’s also interested in learning more about the thugs who pop up unexpectedly
and who actively attempt to discourage his questions.
This is a labyrinthine story, full of duplicitous people, underhanded
moves, and original plot twists. The story gallops along so quickly that
whiplash is likely as the plot executes another hairpin turn. None of the
people except Desmond are particularly likeable. Even his sister Dominique, as
understandable as her motivation is, has serious flaws in her judgment. Dazzlingly
twisted, it’s easy to be confused by the author’s expert misdirection. I still
am not sure I understand who authorized the first two murders. For readers who
like their thrillers on the noir end of the spectrum.
·
Hardcover: 320 pages
·
Publisher: Forge Books (April 15, 2014)
·
Language: English
·
ISBN-10: 0765333546
·
ISBN-13: 978-0765333544
Aubrey Hamilton © 2017
Aubrey Hamilton is a former
librarian who works on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Patreon: Draconic Hero and Setsubou are creating Fanfiction and Fan Art
This is the son of a good friend, Lisa Rosen, who just mentioned this on Facebook. Consider being a part of things.
Patreon: Draconic Hero and Setsubou are creating Fanfiction and Fan Art
Patreon: Draconic Hero and Setsubou are creating Fanfiction and Fan Art
Dead, To Begin With By Bill Crider: Review/Giveaway/Author Interview at KRL
Over at Kings River Life Magazine (KRL) this week there is a review of Dead, To Begin With by Bill Crider. There are a considerable number of details in the review so be forewarned as the information on how to enter the giveaway for the book is found at the bottom of the post after the very interesting interview.
Dead, To Begin With By Bill Crider: Review/Giveaway/Author Interview at KRL
Dead, To Begin With By Bill Crider: Review/Giveaway/Author Interview at KRL
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Saturday Night Sandi Update
Thought I would give everyone a brief update.....there is no real change one way or the other. Things do not seem to be worse, but they sure as hell are not better either. While it had seemed like the blood Thursday had helped her, by about this time Thursday evening she was sick again and in considerable pain. This has continued yesterday and today. By late afternoon each day she starts feeling pretty bad and is in bed before dark.
That happened again tonight as she skipped dinner, had two Ensures which did not help her nausea at all (they usually do), and went on to bed. After just a few minutes she was out like a light. I have no idea if this is temporary or the new normal. But, I am worried.
That happened again tonight as she skipped dinner, had two Ensures which did not help her nausea at all (they usually do), and went on to bed. After just a few minutes she was out like a light. I have no idea if this is temporary or the new normal. But, I am worried.
KRL This Week Update for September 23, 2017
Up this morning in KRL a review & giveaway of "Dead to Begin With" by Bill Crider along with an interesting interview with Bill http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/dead-to-begin-by-bill-crider/ Also a review & giveaway of "Familiar Trouble" the first in a new cat mystery series by Carolyn Haines & an interesting guest post by Carolyn about how this series came to be http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/familiar-trouble-by-carolyn-haines/ And a review & giveaway of "Dressed to Confess" by Diane Vallere http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/dressed-to-confess-by-diane-vallere/ And a mystery short story by Cathi Stoler http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/fatal-flaw-mystery-short-story/ We also have a review & giveaway of "The Last Place You Look" a debut mystery novel by Kristen Lepionka & an interesting interview with Kristen http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/the-last-place-you-look-by-kristen-lepionka/ And a review of the Leafy Hollow Mystery series by Rickie Blair, a giveaway, & an interesting interview with Rickie http://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/the-leafy-hollow-mysteries-series-by-rickie-blair/ Over on KRL News & Reviews we have a review & giveaway of "Student Body" by Susan Rogers Cooper http://www.krlnews.com/2017/09/student-body-ej-pugh-mystery-by-susan.html Happy reading, Lorie
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: FALL INTO BOOKS!
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Friday, September 22, 2017
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FFB Review: OH, MURDERER MINE by Norbert Davis -- Reviewed by Barry Ergang
Barry’s
review previously appeared on FFB on November 4, 2011. Make sure you check out
the full list over at Todd Mason's blog.
Whether you are reading to relax or as research in order to get away with the crime,
there are plenty of good books suggested to you each week.
OH,
MURDERER MINE (1946)
by
Norbert Davis
Reviewed
by Barry Ergang
In the course of an arduous trek
through a sluggish mystery novel, I took a break and tore through this little
gem, the third and—alas!—final novel about the unlikely team of Doan and
Carstairs (the other two are The Mouse in the Mountain and Sally's
in the Alley). Doan is a chubby, pleasant-faced private detective;
Carstairs is the regal, haughty Great Dane he won in a crap game and who
disapproves of him.
Doan is hired by 54-year-old cosmetics magnate Heloise of Hollywood to bodyguard her husband, 26-year-old meteorologist Eric Trent—a.k.a. "Handsome Lover Boy" in Heloise's magazine ads. Heloise, though still quite attractive herself, is afraid younger women will hit on Eric and wants Doan to supply the necessary discouragement.
Things get going when Melissa Gregory, an anthropology instructor at Breckenbridge University, is incensed by Trent's usurpation of her office, as sanctioned by T. Ballard Bestwyck, the university president. She confronts Trent about it, but her impetrations have no effect. Trent is arrogant and stubborn. Melissa learns he might even be taking over the apartment she maintains on campus.
That night, Melissa returns home after a date with assistant English professor Frank Ames to find an intruder in her apartment. The intruder knocks her out and flees, but not before Melissa has had time to scream. Hearing her, Doan and Carstairs investigate, and in the course of their pursuit, Doan is shot at and barely missed by the assailant. He subsequently discovers Frank Ames's body in a trashcan. Ames's throat has been sliced open.
It's only the beginning. More bodies remain to be discovered before Doan wraps things up. I won't go on—the book is only 128 pages long—except to say that the chapter in which Carstairs runs amuck in Heloise's salon is worth the price of the book. I recommend this one and its predecessors, along with the out-of-print The Adventures of Max Latin from The Mysterious Press (five novelettes originally published in Dime Detective), as wonderful examples of the screwball comedy school of mystery a la Jonathan Latimer and Craig Rice. Forget about realism, thematic explorations, or character depth—although some of Davis's characters are memorably wacky. This is storytelling as pure entertainment. Davis could and did write stories as hardboiled as those of Dashiell Hammett, Frederick Nebel, and Raymond Chandler, but his best work features an off-the-wall comic perspective on the tough detective story.
Oh, Murderer Mine is available in a trade paperback edition from Rue Morgue Press (http://www.ruemorguepress.com/catalog/davis_ohmurderer.html) and in e-book formats (for free) at ManyBooks (http://www.manybooks.net/titles/davisnother07Oh_Murderer_Mine.html#)
For more on Norbert Davis, see http://www.blackmaskmagazine.com/norbertdavis.html
Doan is hired by 54-year-old cosmetics magnate Heloise of Hollywood to bodyguard her husband, 26-year-old meteorologist Eric Trent—a.k.a. "Handsome Lover Boy" in Heloise's magazine ads. Heloise, though still quite attractive herself, is afraid younger women will hit on Eric and wants Doan to supply the necessary discouragement.
Things get going when Melissa Gregory, an anthropology instructor at Breckenbridge University, is incensed by Trent's usurpation of her office, as sanctioned by T. Ballard Bestwyck, the university president. She confronts Trent about it, but her impetrations have no effect. Trent is arrogant and stubborn. Melissa learns he might even be taking over the apartment she maintains on campus.
That night, Melissa returns home after a date with assistant English professor Frank Ames to find an intruder in her apartment. The intruder knocks her out and flees, but not before Melissa has had time to scream. Hearing her, Doan and Carstairs investigate, and in the course of their pursuit, Doan is shot at and barely missed by the assailant. He subsequently discovers Frank Ames's body in a trashcan. Ames's throat has been sliced open.
It's only the beginning. More bodies remain to be discovered before Doan wraps things up. I won't go on—the book is only 128 pages long—except to say that the chapter in which Carstairs runs amuck in Heloise's salon is worth the price of the book. I recommend this one and its predecessors, along with the out-of-print The Adventures of Max Latin from The Mysterious Press (five novelettes originally published in Dime Detective), as wonderful examples of the screwball comedy school of mystery a la Jonathan Latimer and Craig Rice. Forget about realism, thematic explorations, or character depth—although some of Davis's characters are memorably wacky. This is storytelling as pure entertainment. Davis could and did write stories as hardboiled as those of Dashiell Hammett, Frederick Nebel, and Raymond Chandler, but his best work features an off-the-wall comic perspective on the tough detective story.
Oh, Murderer Mine is available in a trade paperback edition from Rue Morgue Press (http://www.ruemorguepress.com/catalog/davis_ohmurderer.html) and in e-book formats (for free) at ManyBooks (http://www.manybooks.net/titles/davisnother07Oh_Murderer_Mine.html#)
For more on Norbert Davis, see http://www.blackmaskmagazine.com/norbertdavis.html
Barry Ergang ©2009, 2011, 2017
Some of Derringer Award-winner Barry Ergang’s work is available at Amazon and Smashwords.com
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Finally Home
As expected, Sandi had to have two units of blood and a unit of platelets. Her blood numbers were very low today and all were surprised she was not in worse shape. They think that all the other issues I was seeing were due to the blood issues. Since the platelets made her sick Monday night they also gave her a small amount of steroids before they started doing the transfusion.
Tonight she feels a little better and is in a little bit less pain than she has been these past few days. She is awake and alert tonight and is way better than she has been the last two days. She is not right, but she is better, and that is a very good thing.
Tonight she feels a little better and is in a little bit less pain than she has been these past few days. She is awake and alert tonight and is way better than she has been the last two days. She is not right, but she is better, and that is a very good thing.
Doctor Today
By the time this post appears, I will be at the doctor with Sandi. She has not been doing at all well the last couple of days. Not sure what is going on. I am worried that there is a new issue with her. I expect the blood work will tell us she definitely needs more blood. My concern is with another infection problem as well as a couple of other things. I am pretty sure something is going on.....just don't know what now.
Even if I am wrong about other things, if they do blood, it is going to be a long day there. Will update when I am back home.
Even if I am wrong about other things, if they do blood, it is going to be a long day there. Will update when I am back home.
Review: Gardening In The South by Mark Weathington
Defining “The South”
in Gardening
In The South comes up early in the book as it should. Author Mark
Weathington defines the area from Northern Florida up thru North Carolina and to
the Virginias and then back to the west through Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi,
and Louisiana and over into most of East Texas. In Texas, the area comes almost
to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and stretches down to the Texas coast where it bends
along the coastline after encompassing Houston and goes as far as Galveston. Heat
and humidity mean longer growing seasons as compared to much of the country as
well as other factors that make things a bit different.
After a short
discussion of geography, type of soils across the region, and seasons, it is on
to “Design Inspirations” starting on pages 23-24. This is when you have to know
the type of soil you are working with, what your needs are in terms of what you
want in your landscape, your own limitations (start small and work up), and
numerous other factors. A lot of this is aimed at the type of garden/landscape
and how it might be created for your own particular needs. Through text and
photographs of lush areas that will take years to come anywhere close to, the
author inspires the reader with numerous possibilities.
A little over twenty
pages later, “A Southeast Plant Palette” begins on page 46 with a close up
picture of a flowering “Hartlage Wine.” A hybrid plant, it offers large glossy
leaves and burgundy flowers and is flat out gorgeous. This chapter takes
readers through various plant types such as annuals and tropicals, grasses,
trees, vines, and others including “planets for problem spots.” Each section has
numerous plants listed by their Latin and their common name along with their
details in terms of hardiness, height, when they bloom (if they do), need for
sunlight, and many other factors. In this colorful section, there are also tips
for using containers, the differences between an aggressive and an invasive
plant, and many other items of interest.
Beginning on pages
284-285, it is time to learn about “Southeast Gardening Practices. “ This is
where you learn how to figure out what soil you have and how to make it better,
compost (and all that entails), planting correctly, and maintaining things
while dealing with pests such as deer, rabbits, armadillos, Japanese beetles,
and more including giant and small mosquitoes. Also covered in this section are
various plant diseases, how to plant to avoid them as you can use some pants to
protect other plants, and dealing with weeds when flamethrowers are not an
option.
The book comes to a
close with a list of recommended reading resources as well as a general list of
resources for plants and supplies, and a two page list of places to go see
beautiful landscapes. Not only is the Dallas Arboretum not listed, the Tyler
Rose Festival is also not listed. In fact, Texas is totally and completely
ignored in the listing.
Despite that major
omission from a book that includes East Texas as part of its defined area, Gardening
In The South by Mark Weathington is a good book. Filled with an
informative text that includes plenty of side bar topics, pictures on every
page, and more, the book serves as a good resource as you consider your
landscape and the changes you would like to make for next year.
Gardening In The South
Mark Weathington
Timber Press
May 2017
ISBN# 978-1-60469-591-5
Paperback
320 Pages
$24.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Public
Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017