It's a Mystery

The next few days will be a long holiday celebration for many, ourselves included.

Perfect time to catch up on some good reads or, in my case, enjoyable listens.

Currently I've listening to three different mystery series. All fall into the category of cozy mysteries — Bunburry, Cherringham and Mydworth Mysteries — all downloaded from the Nashua Public Library website. 

OK, that sounds like a lot of listening, but let me explain. None of these stories are more than 4 hours long at the most; the average listening time is 2 or 3 hours.

These kept me well entertained during airport waits and airline sitting during our recent travels. Now that we're home, they're doing the same when I'm in the gym or doing household chores.

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Why are they called cozy mysteries?

A cozy mystery (cosy mystery, in British English) is the gentlest subset of the broad genre of crime writing with a lighter tone. These are comfort reads, often with characters you come to "know" and enjoy. Cozy mysteries are lighter than traditional detective fiction.

Many readers prefer these mysteries instead of hard-core, often grisly, detective, crime or thriller reads. They've become very popular perhaps because the stories often leave readers satisfied, rather than scared to sleep with the lights out.

What's the difference between a mystery and a cozy mystery?

The easiest way to differentiate is to not look at the crime but to look at the characters. Many consider Agatha Christie as considered as the first cozy mystery author. While not all her books are in this category, many can be especially the popular Miss Marple series. 

What makes a book a cozy mystery?

No on-the-page violence, murder, sex, or swearing are the tenets of the cozy mystery genre. While protagonists can and often do encounter some kind of peril in the course of their sleuthing, that peril is never exceptionally violent or dark. A fairly loose rule about a cozy mystery series is that they often don't require any kind of strict order; however there are exceptions. 

Why do people like cozy mysteries?

The first thing to like about reading a cozy mystery is the often punny titles; many also have appealing cover art that draws readers into the story.

If anyone is interested in a cozy/cosy English mystery, here's some information on the three series I've been listening to the past several weeks. All are also available not only as audiobooks, but in print and Kindle form.

Bunburry - A Cosy Mystery Series is written under the name Helena Marchmont. These short mysteries set in the rolling hills of the English Cotswolds in the quaint village of Bunburry.

The author's actual name is Olga Wojtas, born and raised in Edinburgh. Her father was a Polish soldier who settled in the UK after WW II. A journalist for over 30 years, before she began a creative writing career, Wojtas knew her real name wasn't a good fit for the Englishness of her series, so, she used her middle name (Helena) and the street she grew up on (Marchmount Road) to create an alias.

The series main character, Alfie McAlister, is a self-made millionaire, who relocates from London to a cottage, once owned by his late aunt, Augusta, following a personal tragedy. He soon finds himself playing amateur detective with his late aunt’s best friends, Liz and Marge, who run a fudge business. Alfie doesn’t remember his Aunt Augusta, but has fond memories of his grandparents killed in a car crash when he was 12. Each novella contains an individual mystery. There's also a mystery in Alfie's family which unfolds as the series continues.  

Alfie’s best friend is the aristocratic Oscar de Linnet, who prefers London to the village, which he considers having pub grub, mud and cows. He sees himself as a reincarnation of the late Irish writer Oscar Wilde, and is always prepared with a quip from Wilde.

Murder At the Mousetrap, the first novel in the series, was released in 2018. Currently, there's 17 stories in the Bunburry series. 

The audiobook series is narrated by English actor Nathaniel Parker, a stage and screen actor well known for his lead role the BBC crime drama series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Parker does all the character voices, young, old, male and female, in the audiobook series.

Fans of the series have termed it a delightful English cozy mystery novel with likable and charming characters and a mystery plot that adds fun to story. The tone is light, often funny, and  keeps things moving along the entire time. Bunburry is a place where it's nice to get lost in for a while.

Cherringham - A Cosy Crime Series is set in what's described as a sleepy English village of the same name. The series is co-authored by a British writer and an American writer. The town is also described as a quiet town despite murders that occur there. 

This series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo — English web designer Sarah Edwards, divorced with two children (Chloe and Daniel) and NYC ex-cop and widower Jack Brennan who lives on a boat with his dog, Riley. 

A new case for Jack and Sarah is released each month. There are over 40 books in this series.

The series began publication in 2013, when Murder on Thames was released. It is co-authored by Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the U.S.), who have been writing together since the mid-90s working on major projects for the BBC, Disney Channel, Sony and Nintendo and others.

The series is narrated by English actor Neil Dudgeon, who, since 2010, has played DCI John Barnaby in the ITV drama series Midsomer Murders. He replaced John Nettles in the lead role in 2011.

This audiobook series is available in English and German. Fans have termed it a good mystery with plenty of twists and turns throughout. It's been rated a top pick from fans of other cozy mysteries such as the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton, the Hamish Macbeth series by Marion Chesney, the Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie, and Midsomer Murders series by Caroline Graham.

Mydworth Mysteries is set in Sussex, England, in 1929, in what's described as a sleepy English town about 50 miles from London. Co-authors Richards and Costello also write this series.

Things liven up in Mydworth after young and handsome aristocrat Sir Harry Mortimer returns home from a diplomatic posting in Cairo, with his beautiful and unconventional American wife, Kat, a native of Brooklyn, NY.

Soon, the couple become involved in solving crimes and/or murders. They have an edge as both have certain useful skills picked up in service of King, President and Country. And, have access to English society which often proves helpful when local police are baffled with a case.

This series started in 2019 and there are 17 books which are also narrated by English actor Nathaniel Parker. The series has received positive comments from many who have said that the characters are charming, the mystery is intriguing, and the stories are short enough to finish quickly. 

If you enjoy audiobooks and are looking for some quick listens, you might also enjoy one or more of these series. I've become addicted to them and have listened to 15 Bunburry, 14 Cherringham and 12 Mydworth Mysteries and been enjoying the narrations of both Parker and Dudgeon and plan to continue listening as long as more are available through the library.

Good Reads Many Ways

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Over the past year and a half, one thing that many folks have been doing more than ever before (besides online movie streaming and binging) is reading, myself included. That's why I was surprised to see that the last time I posted about any of my good reads was in such a while ago, August 2020. I've been reading a lot more since then.

I've always read a lot, without ever tallying my annual reading numbers. However, with most things being defined by confinement of sorts last year, I kept a running total. It came to 61 including a dozen or so audio books. My total, while less than many fellow bloggers, was amazing to me and I suspect it's much larger than previous years. My preference has usually been fiction, but there were at least 5 non-fiction titles in that tally, surprising even myself. 

Nashua, NH, Public Library

A big difference from previous years was that my 2020 and now 2021 reading has mainly consisted of e-books and audio books downloaded from the Nashua Public Library (NPL) website. The library building was closed for months and recently reopened with restrictions. 

During the shutdown, books and other items could be requested online and picked up curbside, that's still possible even though the library has reopened. But, as there's no sitting areas available, staying in the library is not as enjoyable as before the you-know-what current situation.

That's why downloading from the comfort of home, and reading on a Kindle paperwhite e-reader became very convenient. A huge benefit was that every e-book (regardless of physical size) weighed the same, built-in backlighting made reading in bed easier, and there no distractions as my Kindle is just an e-reader. And, a built-in dictionary was of great use.

 

In the same way, audio books downloaded to my cell phone were very convenient to listen to when doing chores, meal prepping, waiting for appointments, walking on a treadmill. As a friend, and long-time audio book listener explained, enjoy them when doing mindless activities that don't require your full attention. In so doing, I listened to readers who provided wonderful narratives in various voices, favorites include Cassandra Campbell, Simon Vance and James Langton.

Don't misunderstand, hardcover books are wonderful. I'll always return to reading them, but in unsettling times, it's been so easy to read or listen then return a book (14-day loan limit) without going out. A handy plus is that downloaded books would time-out on the expiration loan date, handy if one should forget to return one on line.

My thanks to countless bloggers who have posted about current and/or favorite reads. I've been introduced to and enjoyed authors I've not read, such as Elly Griffiths, Peter James, Catherine Steadman and more. A downside has been that sometimes the NPL didn't have a recommended book in any format, print or otherwise.

My favorite literary genres includes mysteries and historical fiction as even when some (or all) of the characters and all of the dialogue has been created by an author, many novels retain some basis in factual events. Personal favorites historical fiction authors include Marie Benedict (The Only Woman in the Room, The Other Einstein, Carnegie's Maid), Beatriz Williams (The Golden Hour, Her Last Flight, The Secret Life of Violet Grant), Fiona Davis (The Lions of Fifth Avenue, The Address, The Dollhouse) and Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City, Dead Wake, Thunderstruck, The Splendid and the Vile). 

Recently, I completed two historical fiction series set in 1800s England. Each series features a prominent male protagonist; one is an adventurer and the son of a baron, the other is an American doctor in London. The series were written by two female authors, British and American. 

Tessa Harris

British author Tessa Harris studied history at Oxford University followed by a career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and magazine writer. According to her website, she developed the Silkstone character after winning a screenplay writing competition later opted by a film company.

Her six-book mystery series featuring Dr. Thomas Silkstone mystery was published between 2011 to 2016. Set in 1870s London, England, the main protagonist (Silkstone) is introduced in the first novel as a young anatomist and forensic scientist from Philadelphia, PA. A crucial element at the start is that Silkstone finds his way to England in the 18th century, when America is fighting the War of Independence against British forces.

The Anatomist’s Apprentice introduces Dr. Silkstone arriving in London as the apprentice of a famous anatomist. He's described as a pioneering detective in the world of forensic medicine who introduces unconventional methods of investigating suspected murders. An American by citizenship, he's considered an outsider by Londoners. In the first novel, the author credits Silkstone with several firsts, such as recording the stages of decomposition and observing insects on a corpse to determine the time of death. In subsequent novels, he uses these techniques and many others to solve some perplexing murders.

Luckily, I found the entire Silkstone series —The Anatomist's Apprentice, The Dead Shall Not Rest, Devil's Breath, Lazarus Curse, Shadow of Raven, Secrets in Stone — as downloadable library e-books. These were very compulsive fast reads, which I binged on in sequence.

Harris has also written a second mystery series featuring Constance Piper with three books in this series: The Sixth Victim,The Angel Makers, and A Deadly Deception. The downside is that currently none are available through the library's website.

D.M. Quincy

American author D.M. Quincy, who grew up living in various countries as the daughter of a U.S. Foreign Service officer, now lives in Virginia with her family. In her career as TV journalist, she covered crimes, that included violent unsolved murders. According to her website, one summer she read all the romantic fiction books available at the local library. This led her to create her own historical and romantic fiction characters. 

The Atlas Catesby novels were written from 2017 to 2019. According to the author's website, the events in the three-book series were inspired by true-life murders. 

The novels are set in 1800s Regency England, a period of elegance and extravagance, crime and poverty. This is the world surrounding amateur sleuth Atlas Catesby, an adventurer who not only travels the world, but has a penchant for solving puzzles which inexplicably draws him into murder investigations and their solutions.

Murder in Mayfair was inspired by a real incident that happened in the 1700s, when a duke purchased the wife of an hustler who was selling the woman to the highest bidder. 

Murder in Bloomsbury borrows liberally from a sensational murder trial that occurred in mid-1800s Scotland. Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith was accused of killing her low-born lover. Letters detailing the passionate secret love affair were introduced in court and scandalized society at the time.

Murder at the Opera resulted from the 1779 murder of Martha Ray, a British singer and the longtime mistress of the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who supposedly having invented the sandwich.

Like the Silkstone series, I was fortunate to download this series from the library website and like that previous series, found them to be fast, compulsive reading.

Like Harris, Quincy has also written a second series but under her given name, Diana Quincy. The Accidental Peers series is historical romance with four novels: Seducing Charlotte, Tempting Bella, Compromising Willa, Her Night with the Duke. However, this series doesn't hold an appeal for me and, like the previous second series, none are available through the library's website.

As mentioned, downloadable e-books and audio books have been enjoyable and so convenient these past many months, but I still crave the pleasures of hardcover books. Luckily, last week's library visit resulted in three checkouts, including these new ↑ mysteries by favorite authors Donna Leon and Charles Finch.

If anyone has read or decides to read the Dr. Silkstone or Atlas Catesby novel, please let me know your opinions in one of your future posts. I would be interested in your comments.

Reading and Writing

But, no arithmetic at least not unless you figure the cost of postage. 

These words might be more familiar — readin' and 'riting' and 'rithmetic, taught to the tune of a hick'ry stick — from the 1907 American song, School Days, written by Will D. Cobb and Gus Edwards. Its lyrics reflect a couple reminiscing about their primary school childhood. The chorus is the best known part:

School days, school days

Dear old Golden Rule days

'Readin' and 'riting and 'rithmetic

Taught to the tune of the hick'ry stick

You were my queen in calico

I was your bashful, barefoot beau

And you wrote on my slate, "I Love You, Joe"

When we were a couple o' kids

As often, I digress since this post is not about school or an old-time song, but about a current upswing in what's popularly called snail-mail correspondence or good old-fashioned letter writing. 

This rather very long post is about two things that myself and many others have been doing more or a lot of during the coronavirus pandemic — writing and reading.

Writing in the form of posted📮📬 letters, cards and notes preceding emails, texts, and for years the traditional way that many communicated, is once again in style. 

Reading is what I've been doing these past few many months in shutdown and isolation mode along with a lot of other folks. I've read more books than included here, but haven't posted about good (or bad) reads in recent months. So this is a catch-up post.

Traditionally and historically, people wrote letters and postcards all the time, granted there was no other way to connect with distant friends and family. Years ago, folks sent letters, travel postcards, and holiday cards (posted not e-cards). Remember when fountain pens were more prevalent than ball points? I had a Waterman pen that refilled from an ink jar. OK, I'm not dating myself; an online search showed these are available.

For many, the process of sitting down to write a letter or card, address it, then post it reflects an old-fashioned kind of caring that can travel far and simulate a hug. True, it's not exactly the same, but mail is a powerful link that connects people and communities separated now where contact and travel are not possible. 

Personal correspondence isn't just a form of communication, but often people to say more in a format where they can share things they can't in a text or email.

Many have remarked about the “lost art of letter writing” even back to the ancient world when the Roman statesman Cicero complained that no one wrote letters anymore. A frequent and well-worn excuse, people have given for not writing letters is, “I don’t have time.”

That's one thing a great many of us have had time for in recent months. Think of a letter as a way to express not only how you feel not only about the current pandemic crisis, but about daily life other things too. A personal note can raise someone's spirits, and remind them they're being thought about. Another benefit is that unlike a social media post, it won't ensnare you in a backlash of online comments and possible reproach. 

In mid-March, AN Post, Ireland’s national service, announced it was giving every household 2 free postcards to write personal messages to post to family and friends across the country encouraging them to stay in touch as people became socially isolated. Suggestions from the CEO of An Post: Write to your grandparents or older relatives and friends who are self-isolating; write to someone who is living alone or could do with a boost. 

The post service created 5 million postcards for the campaign and delivered them to 1.8 million households countrywide. Extra sets were available for pickup at local post offices. Despite a search, I didn't find online statistics on the success (or not) of this campaign.

In SD, 11-year Emerson Weber admitted to a serious letter writing habit of regularly exchanging letters with friends, decorating envelopes with art. During the pandemic, she wrote to her local postman: I wanted to thank you for taking my letters and delivering them, you are very important...I make people happy with my letters, but you do too.”

The postman showed the letter to a supervisor, who wrote to thank Emerson and shared the story in a regional USPS newsletter. Later, two boxes of letters were delivered to Emerson from mail workers countrywide who said, They were told me about their families, where they work and what their job was in the postal service.

An NPR reporter after finding 10 leftover holiday stamps tweeted: Today I am going to write letters to send through the post ... Direct message me your snail mail address if you want a random letter. But, I only have 10 stamps.

Quickly, those 10 stamps ran out. She restocked and, when finished sending a paper letter to anyone requesting one, had written 50 letters addressed to almost every state. When writing, people mentioned hobbies, kids, pets, and told how they're spending their time.  Most asked if it was too late to request a letter; some requests were from friends as well.

The reporter said that many letter writers included hopes for what will come after this crisis, and that the slower pace and attention paid to each other will continue.

Are you a letter ✉️ writer — have you been sending more in recent months?

As for myself, letter writing plus sending cards, letters, notes and holiday cards isn't a new thing. Years ago, I had numerous pen pals, all living outside the US — Malaysia, the Netherlands, France, UK, Turkey, Ireland. This was during my high school days when letters were written longhand and posted. There wasn't another way to correspond; postal costs were significantly less too (sigh). While I'm no longer in contact with those early pen pals, I still enjoy regular snail-mail correspondence with several people in the states, UK and Canada, including fellow bloggers.

If you're interested in exchanging some snail-mail correspondence, contact me at my blog email.

Now my second post topic — Reading 📖 which I've been doing with borrows of e-books from the local library. While a printed book is wonderful, the building was shutdown from March to early July, but the online catalog was available. Curbside pickup of printed books, magazines, movies, and other items were also available as well. Since reopening, there are so many restrictions that I've continued reading e-books. It's easier to search online as users can't browse book stacks now.

Since January, my book total has climbed to about 35 book, which includes a couple that were started but unfinished. Favorites have included a number of historical fiction works.

The Fallen Architect, The Paris Architect, and House of Thieves (Charles Belfoure) are fiction novels written by an architect specializing in historic preservation. 

Two historical fiction novels by Heather Terrell who writes as Marie Benedict: The Only Woman in the Room is about Hedy Lamaar, who was not only a beautiful actress, but also an inventor and scientist. She was one of the most beautiful women ever to appear on the silver screen, and also designed a secret weapon against Nazi Germany. Lamaar also developed a radio communication device later used by the US Navy. This story provides an insight into a woman who not only possessed great beauty, but a great intellect too. Her contributions are in use today.

Carnegie's Maid is a fictional story about how a housemaid could have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from industrialist to philanthropist. Clara Kelly is an immigrant housekeeper who arrives in Pittsburgh and ends up serving the Carnegie's  one of the city’s most famous families. The storyline is fiction and deals with an unexpected romance, immigrants, and the line between servants and the upper class.

The Last Days of Night (Graham Moore) is historical fiction about the feud between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse in the late 1800s and the battle to electrify America; one in which Nikola Tesla was also involved. The storyline includes many fascinating real-life characters even though it's a work of fiction. The battle between the two inventors and innovators was a very interesting read. (Author Moore is also the Academy award screenwriter of The Imitation Game.)

The Nickel Boys (Colson Whitehead) is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel based on the real story of the a state-run Florida reform school that was a house-of-horrors during its 111 years in operation. This was on my e-book wish list for a while. When it became available I downloaded and read it within a day. It was a heartbreaking story of abuse and death. (Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize award made him the fourth writer in history to have won the prize for fiction twice.)

The Splendid and the Vile (Erik Larson) presents an intimate chronicle of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz. Other Larson favorites I've read include The Devil in the White City, Dead Wake, and Thunderstruck. Larson's books are based on historical events and, while lengthy, were well worth the read. If you enjoy a narrative based on actual historical events, then Larson might be an author for you to check out.

Sold on a Monday (Kristina McMorris) is about the effects on children of the Depression. It was inspired by an actual newspaper photograph of a 1931 sign about children for sale on a farmhouse porch. I also enjoyed The Edge of Lost by McMorris, a fictional tale of immigrants and second chances. I plan to read future books by McMorris.

Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens) is a 2018 novel which has sold more print copies in 2019 than any other fiction or non-fiction title. The debut novel by Owens, a wildlife and nature writer, follows two timelines that intertwine; one is the life and adventures of Kya, a girl who grows up in an isolated NC marsh. The second is about the death of popular Chase Andrews. The story is about a young girl's coming-of-age, a murder mystery and celebration of nature and coastal life. Once started, I found it a compulsive read. 

Lincoln in the Bardo (George Saunders) took some time to get into, but was worth the read. The novel takes place during and after the death of Abraham Lincoln's son William "Willie" Wallace Lincoln and deals with the president's grief at his loss. The bulk of the novel, which takes place over the course of a single evening, is set in the bardo, an intermediate space between life and rebirth. The novel was said to have been inspired by a story that Saunders heard about how Lincoln visited his son's crypt on several occasions to hold the body, a story that seems to have been verified by newspaper accounts at the time. I was tempted to not finish, but glad to have done so.

The previous books have not been part of a series. These recent reads are the first 3 of what's now a 12-book series a by UK author: The Crossing Places, The Janus Stone, The House at Sea's End. Domenica de Rosa writes as Elly Griffiths in this series of crime novels set in England’s Norfolk County and featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway. It's mystery with a bit of history too. Thanks to fellow blogger Barbara (Coastal Ripples) who started me on this series and now there's 9 more to complete. Hopefully, I'll get them done before a 13th is released.

Along with books I really enjoyed, here's two that I completely disliked despite their generally well-received reviews. These were best sellers, enjoyed by many, just not me.

Normal People (Sally Rooney) became a best seller in the U.S.The novel is about the complex friendship and relationship between two teenagers, Connell and Marianne, who both attend the same secondary school in County Sligo and Trinity College Dublin. He's popular, she's not but then the tables turn years later. I confess to not finishing. Life is too short to continue reading a book in which the main characters become tiresome as these did for me.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Gail Honeyman) focuses on a 29-year-old woman, a social misfit with a traumatic past who becomes enamored with a singer she thinks she's destined to be with and spend her weekends drinking vodka. It deals with multiple themes including isolation, loneliness, trauma and loneliness, and depicts Eleanor's transformation journey. I did finish, but for me Eleanor was not fine at the end. 

Have you been reading more? If so, feel free to comment with recommendations too. And, do include those you regret having started as well!

Another way we've been self-isolating is binge-watching . . . details in a future post.

Good New Reads

In recent months, I've been reading BookPage, a free book review publication distributed monthly to readers through subscribing bookstores and public libraries. Founded in 1988 and based in Nashville, TN, BookPage gives a broad-based introduction to newly published books. Content from the monthly print edition is available online at BookPage. Reading this publication led me to "discover" a couple of entertaining and enjoyable debut novels, each deals with completely different themes.


The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick tells the story of 69-year old widower and pensioner Arthur Pepper who lives in the small town of York. Each day, he gets out of bed at exactly the same time, dresses in the same gray slacks and sweater vest, and heads to his garden. 

On the one-year anniversary of his wife, Miriam's death, he finally decides to sort through her belongings. He discovers a gold bracelet with 8 charms that he's never seen in their 40 years of marriage. Arthur decides to learn the meaning of each charm and the role it played in the life of his late wife before they met. Arthur's journeys take him to London, Paris and India as he fends off a tiger, meets a famous author, who may or may not have been his wife’s lover, gets mugged in a Tube station, and poses naked for an art class. Through these adventures, he learns as much about himself as he does about Miriam. 

This charming first novel has also been enjoyed and posted about by other bloggers, Lenora of A Journal of Days and Lynn of Good Things Happened.

Readers of similarly themed novels, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Lilac Girls and The Nightingale, may enjoy Jennifer Ryan's debut novel about the struggles, deceptions and triumphs of an all-female choir in an English Village during World War II.

The story is told through the letters and journal entries of several of the women: Mrs. Tilling, a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; Venetia Winthrop, the beautiful older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; Kitty her teenaged younger sister pining over an impossible crush; Silvie, a young Jewish refugee who is hiding a family secret; and Edwina Paltry, a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past by committing a baby swap. 

England is enmeshed in the early days of World War II and men are away fighting, when the women of Chilbury, a small English village, forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s edict to close the choir because there are no male voices. "Just because the men have gone to war, why do we have to close the choir? And precisely when we need it most!" becomes their mantra.

The women band together and rename themselves as "The Chilbury Ladies Choir." They  “carry on singing,” under the leadership of Primrose Trent, a newly arrived music professor. The ensemble story shuttles from romance, village intrigues and matters of life and death. 

Reading BookPage, I "found" both books before they were available in the local public library, and was first on the "hold" list. Anyone looking for a reading change of pace; however, they might appeal more to female readers.

Do you have any new good reads as well?

Good Reads

Murder is always unpleasant and, by its very nature, it's nearly always violent.

It's one thing to read about fictionalized murders, but entirely different to hear, read about and/or see the aftermath of any violent and senseless crimes.

While I've read a great many books in the past year, many have also included scenarios where characters have died; some in quite unpleasant and very nasty ways. The difference is that in these accounts, horrendous events can be skimmed over and, perhaps, forgotten. Sadly, that's not the case with so many very real events today.

I won't go into all the plot details or outcomes of the books in this post. If you enjoy suspense novels, you may want to check these out for yourself. Both books grabbed (and held) my attention from start to finish.

Murder House revolves around murders committed in a long-neglected estate on Ocean Drive in the Hamptons of New York state. It's a story of money, revenge and murder. Years ago, the original mansion burnt down under suspicious circumstances killing a couple inside. 

It was later rebuilt but rumored to be cursed when a series of murders begin anew. A Hollywood agent and local waitress/aspiring actress are found murdered in a very gruesome manner. Later, two young women are murdered in the house, again in a very unpleasant way. 

Former NYC detective Jenna Murphy, who is seeking to escape and rehabilitate her police career moves to the Hamptons where her uncle is the police chief. 

When her uncle is also murdered, Jenna attempts to find the psychopathic killer before another murder is committed, possibly her own.

Career of Evil is the third book in the series featuring private investigator Cormoran Strike and his assistant (former secretary) Robin Elliott. It was written by J.K. Rawlings of Harry Potter fame under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. 

The book begins in a grisly fashion with the delivery of a severed woman's leg in a package addressed to Robin. A note was included quoting the Blue Öyster Cult song Mistress of the Salmon Salt, which was a tattoo that Strike's mother had on her leg. Because of that "coincidence" Strike knows several men in his past who could be responsible. He knows that any one of them is capable of such brutality. As the plot progresses, Robin is dealing with personal problems including a temporary split from her fiancé, Matthew. She learned that he cheated on her after she was forced to leave university after she was raped and nearly killed. 

The killer strikes twice more during the investigation, killing one victim, and maiming another who manages to survive the attack. After numerous dead ends, plot twists and turns, Strike is able to track down the killer, labelled the Shacklewell Ripper, who then attacks and nearly kills Robin. Strikes fires her as a result and goes in search of the killer on his own. To learn whether he succeeds, you will need to read the book. Sorry, no spoiler alerts here.

The Cuckoo's Calling and The Silkworm preceded this novel in this series. While this current book is a stand-alone story, reading these earlier novels provides background details on Strike and Elliott, their relationship with each other and with others in their lives.

What type of books do you enjoy and do you have any recommended reads?

Good Reads

Reading a James Patterson thriller to me is what fast food is to others. 

That's because I know what to expect, the story moves along very quickly, and I'm generally well satisfied.

Then there's the added perks — readable type size (unlike tiny fonts in some books), very short chapters often no more than 3-5 pages long. One recent read had more than 105 chapters in just over 350 pages. That makes reading a few chapters before bed an easy chore.

These two books, NYPD Red 4 and 14th Deadly Sin, are the latest in two series by Patterson and another writer. One of the most prolific best-selling authors, James Patterson has written 137 books, many with co-authors. 

NYPD 4 (James Patterson and Marshall Karp) is Patterson's 25th book that recently debuted at No. 1 on bestseller lists. It's the story of a murdered actress, a bold jewel theft, and a cold-blooded killer. NYPD Red is the code name assigned to an elite NYC task force set up to protect the wealthy, famous, and connected. Detective Zach Jordan and partner, Kylie MacDonald are   investigators who work non-stop to solve a case, despite their own complicated lives. MacDonald is struggling with the ongoing issues of her husband’s drug addiction; Jordan is adjusting to the complications of his girlfriend moving in with him.

At a Manhattan movie premiere, a jewelry theft turns into murder as the actress wearing a million dollar necklace is killed and the jewels are stolen. 

But this is not the only storyline, there are three others, two involve NYPD Red cases and two center around the personal lives of Jordan and MacDonald. The jewelry theft is the main plot with other subplots, including a series of medical equipment thefts from NYC hospitals. aside from the detectives, there's no shortage many added characters such as a 70-year old grifter, Annie Ryder. She may be the smartest character and her son, Teddy, one of the jewelry thieves may be the dumbest. 

NYPD Red 4 is the first in this series to hit no. 1. NYPD Red 3 ranked no. 2 in 2015; NYPD Red 2  reached no. 7 in 2014, and NYPD Red hit no. 3 in 2012.

14th Deadly Sin (Women's Murder Club) was co-written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The WMC consists of four friends: Lindsay Boxer, a homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department; Cindy Thomas, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle; Claire Washburn, the Chief Medical Examiner for San Francisco; and Yuki Castellano, a San Francisco district attorney.

Books in this series are: 1st to Die, 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, 4th of July, The 5th Horseman, The 6th Target, 7th Heaven, The 8th Confession, The 9th Judgment, 10th Anniversary, 11th Hour, 12th of Never, Unlucky 13, 14th Deadly Sin, and the upcoming latest addition,15th Affair. 

Every one except 7th Heaven and 10th Anniversary were No. 1 New York Times best sellers. A NYT article stated that Patterson set the WMC series in San Francisco to attract West Coast fans because fellow author John Grisham was leading in book sales there. Patterson was the sole author on the first novel,1st to Die. Books 2 and 3 in the series were co-authored with Andrew Gross and books 4 to 15 were co-authored with Maxine Paetro.

Here's some brief "non-spoiler" highlights of this book. Everything is going well for WMC members who meet to celebrate Claire's birthday. The event is cut short when Detective Boxer is summoned to a gruesome crime scene. A woman has been murdered in broad daylight; there's plenty of eyewitnesses, but no suspects or clues. Is this a random murder or part of a pattern that's resulted in the similar deaths of 4 other women. 

While the investigation is underway, video footage of another crime surfaces. Gunmen wearing San Francisco police department windbreakers with faces hidden behind masks conduct a series of robberies and murders. All of Detective Boxer's fellow officers are suspects until this crime spree is solved. Meanwhile, Yuki is working on a case in which the actions of two police officers caused the death of a teenager who was falsely accused of murder.

The WMC books delve right into the murders with no long build-up. The action is quick and while the crimes are gruesome, the authors move the pace along quickly. There's no need to overanalyze the plot. If you like a fast read with strong female characters, I would recommend this series.

What's are you currently reading and have you read any James Patterson books?

Love It or Leave It

Good advice — most times, especially when decluttering your clothing wardrobe.

And easier to say then do, so maybe its why organizing consultant Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, is an international best seller.

Sure, I've tackled this task by other names — simplifying, de-cluttering, downsizing. What’s different now?

Ms. Kondo’s approach, the KonMari Method, is two-fold: First, place your hands on things you own and, this is very important, ask yourself if it sparks joy. If it doesn't, then chuck it. When only your most joyful items are left, organize each where its visible, accessible and easily put back.

Following this approach this per Ms. Kondo’s directions will not only clear your place, but also your mind. That's what's the book states, but I can't vouch for that claim. And don't yoga and gate chai classes make similar claims?

Admittedly, I haven’t read the entire book, only some portions; however, have read about Ms. Kondo and her methods, and various watched online videos.

Almost forgot, a very important tenant before discarding/donating items — remember to thank them for their service. So, yes, you will be talking to your belongings and this might best be done in private, depending on how emotionally attached you are to your shirts, socks, jeans. If any talk back, be very afraid. There's no advice on how to handle sassy clothes. 

And, it’s not OK to say everything brings you joy without handling it first. “Don’t just

open up your closet (drawer) and decide after a quick look that everything in it gives you a thrill,” Ms. Kondo states, adding: “You must take each outfit in your hand."

“When we take our clothes in our hands and fold them neatly,” she writes, “we are, I believe, transmitting energy, which has a positive effect on our clothes.”

Sounds far-fetched, I agree. But she emits a positive energy in photos and online videos, so I figured a couple of dresser drawers could benefit from positive vibes.

Prepare to spend time doing this because the book states that “tidying is a dialogue with oneself.”

Like I said before, best done in private. Admittedly, you might forget to thank all toss-outs after several hours of talking to them. (And, who could blame you?)

After you’re all talked out, what's next for those items that spark joy?

Items stored in a drawer, you fold neatly. The KonMari Method of folding can be widely seen on YouTube videos. Basically, you fold everything into a long rectangle, then fold that in upon itself to make a smaller rectangle, then roll that up into a tube, like a sushi roll, then set items upright in the drawers.

Hanging clothes gets more challenging as Ms. Kondo advises hanging anything that “looks

happier hung up.”

How to know? Maybe once you get some experience talking to your things, just ask them their preferences?

According to Ms. Kondo: “Clothes, like people, can relax more freely when in the company of others who are very similar in type, and therefore organizing them by category helps them feel more comfortable and secure.”

After all, we want our clothing to feel secure, don’t we? (No need to answer this.)

I didn’t follow the exact KonMari Method in purging a couple of dresser drawers last week, then rearranging contents based on the visibility and accessibility principles. It was neater than before (forgot that photo). Maybe these turtlenecks and socks are happy too as they made the cut and got to stay. (Lots of socks, I know, but we are living in New England now. I foresee more clothes talking/purging at a future date.)

It’s worth mentioning that Ms. Kondo’s instruction on paper sorting is the most liberating of all her advice: Just throw them all away. She writes: “There is nothing more annoying than papers . . . After all, they will never spark joy, no matter how carefully you keep them.”

Amen to that, Ms. Kondo. (Except I'm not sure how the IRS would feel if we were called in to explain something on a filed return without supporting documentation.)

Have you sorted out things that no longer bring you joy?