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Hi everyone,

Had a really good month in both count and quality.

Top Reads


Thanks to Melodie for mentioning this. Loved the trip down memory lane with my favorite team of all time.


First in a series set in the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. My favorite type of mystery, slow moving with great characters. Winner of the 2006 Gold Dagger.


Powerful debut set in Depression Era Kentucky. More of a character study than a mystery and the ending seemed a bit rushed but I will definitely read her next work.


An excellent collection of short stories (some very dark and twisted) by one of my favorites.

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Using chapters that alternate between the plot and the main characters life story,
Deon Meyer provides both an entertaining thriller and a look at South African society.

Good Reads


Debut thriller by a former news producer featuring a Minneapolis news reporter. Audio narration by Bernadette Dunne


Decent debut of another series featuring a former cop turned PI in Chicago.


This is the first in a series where certain people can shapeshift into animals or other beings. Not my usual fare but a nice change of pace.


My first by Mary Stewart. Kind of gothic suspense (though set in the fifties) with a British governess at a large French estate. Nicely done narration by Davina Porter.


For the most part, a good collection of dark crime stories featuring female protagonists.


Debut mystery set in Lowell, MA. A reporter for the local paper looks into the death of a co-worker.


Another debut mystery this one a historical set right before Prince George takes over for his father George III. Lots of political intrigue and over the top action.


Another well done tale of suspense featuring an art restorer who just happens to be an Israeli agent. Audio read by John Lee

OK Reads


Memoir of a college professor who after a series of bad turns in her life goes back to live with her Mennonite parents while on sabbatical. For me, too much info about her failed marriage to a bi-polar, bi-sexual (but total) jerk and not enough about the Mennonite culture. Excellent narration by Hilary Huber kept me going until the end.

I knew you'd like THE MACHINE!! Any book that can get my husband to read, and finish it in less than a week to boot, is aces in my book! I'm going to check out SWEEPING UP GLASS. Sounds interesting!

Great month Sandi!
I used to love to read Mary Stewart!!

Sandi wrote: "Hi everyone, had a really good month in both count and quality.
...Nine Coaches Waiting ... My first by Mary Stewart. Kind of gothic suspense (though set in the fifties) with a British governess at a large French estate. Nicely done narration by Davina Porter.

Sandi wrote: "...

The Machine A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series-The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds....
Thanks to Melodie for mentioning this. Loved the trip down memory lane with my favorite team of all time...."

For different reasons this series was highly memorable for me ... plus I lived right down the street from Fenway Park at the time... it was crazy!

...Nine Coaches Waiting ... My first by Mary Stewart. Kind of gothic suspense (though set in the fifties) with a British governess at a large French estate. Nicely done narration by Davina Porter.

I devoured Mary Stewart when I was a teen. I should go back and read them again (yeah right).

And gee, Sandi, did you work at ALL last month? ;-)

Carol:
I sometimes wonder what we would think of them now?
(old favorites in that gothic romantic suspense genre) I find when I read some older romances again from say the 1980's or so the stories and attitudes are so dated. Perhaps the gothic aspect of authors like Mary Stewart or Phyllis A Whitney would "age" better.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I devoured Mary Stewart when I was a teen. I should go back and read them again (yeah right). "

>>For different reasons this series was highly memorable for me ... plus I lived right down the street from Fenway Park at the time... it was crazy!<<

I bet it was insane. I just found out about another book on the subject Game Six Cincinnati, Boston, and the 1975 World Series The Triumph of America's Pastime that looks pretty interesting (I'm sure I did not actually watch this game because I would have been sent to bed since it ended so late, but have seen so many highlights over the years that it seems like I saw it live). Have you heard of or read this one Melodie?

Re: Mary Stewart do you guys have any particular favorites titles that you could recommend looking for? I just picked up Nine Coaches Waiting because the audio was read by Davina Porter.

Sandi wrote: ">>I bet it was insane. I just found out about another book on the subject Game Six Cincinnati, Boston, and the 1975 World Series The Triumph of America's Pastime that looks pretty interesting (I'm sure I did not actually watch this game because I would have been sent to bed since it ended so late, but have seen so many highlights over the years that it seems like I saw it live). Have you heard of or read this one Melodie?
.."

I'm planning to get it for DH for Christmas!

Sandi:
My Mary Stewart favorites would have to be the Authurian legend books, The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, The Wicked Day.
I have read and enjoyed several others of hers too, but these books really captured my imagination in the 1970's.

Sandi wrote: Re: Mary Stewart do you guys have any particular favorites titles that you could recommend looking for? I just picked up Nine Coaches Waiting because the audio was read by Davina Porter. "

>>Sandi:
My Mary Stewart favorites would have to be the Authurian legend books, The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, The Wicked Day.
I have read and enjoyed several others of hers too, but these books really captured my imagination in the 1970's. <<

Thanks for the suggestions Ann. Can you believe my library does not have The Crystal Cave, the first book in the series, available for general circulation but has the others? Ugh, will put it on the list for inter-library loans.