Even though it's only the 30th of January, I don't think I'll complete anymore books before tomorrow. You never know though. I'm just back from getting my new glasses and since Jo is having a snooze, I guess I'll provide an update.
I've completed 17 books in January with roughly 3500 pages. One book, was a Did Not Finish. I quit after reading 85 pages, just couldn't get into it. As to my reading challenges, here's how I did with them
1. 12 + 4 Challenge - Dustiest Books (the 16 books that have resided on my bookshelf the longest). Completed one so far and have one on the go.
"Bones to Ashes is the 10th book in the Temperance Brennan forensic mystery series by American author Kathy Reichs. I've enjoyed this series even if I've not followed it in any particular order. That probably means that I'm missing out somewhat on Tempe's personal issues in a sequential order but it doesn't seem to affect my enjoyment of the stories at all.
As always there are a few story lines going on in this particular story. Tempe has just returned to Montreal for her time working with the Surete de Quebec (Quebec provincial police) where she spends part of her year helping with forensic analysis. The rest of her time is spent in South Carolina where she does pretty well the same thing down there.
Her relationship with boyfriend Ryan, a Quebec police officer, has been having difficulties. He thinks she's not over her relationship with her ex-husband and it turns out that he will now be moving in with his ex wife to help deal with their daughter's drug addiction. (Strength in numbers, I guess). This is probably my least favorite aspect of the Tempe stories. It does seem to drag on. But their working relationship is just great.
Anyway, as a lead-in to the story, Tempe remembers her childhood where she and her younger sister Harry had spent summers with relatives and enjoyed the company of two Canadian Acadian girls, Evangeline and Obeline. But they had suddenly disappeared without any correspondence and the cases that Tempe gets involved with brings back all of her past and there may be a correlation to her past with the current cases she is working.
As well, sis Harry, who is just a wonderful character, is divorcing her 3rd??? husband so decides to come and spend time with Tempe. She brightens up every story in which she appears.
So Ryan is working on a missing girls case; bodies recovered and also some still missing. A compatriot, Hippo, brings Tempe some old bones that came from New Brunswick and this leads Tempe to think they might belong to Evangeline. (Maybe a stretch but who knows).
The missing girls case will lead Tempe, Ryan and Hippo into the child porn industry and even as little as is revealed makes it powerful and disturbing. Tempe and Harry also journey to try and find out something about the past disappearances of Evangeline and Obeline. They do find Obeline who tells them Evangeline died when she was 16. I know this is all fairly convoluted but eventually everything will all nicely begin to tie in and make some sense.
There is an interesting side story as well about a leper colony that existed in New Brunswick from the late 1800's up to the mid 1900's and this will tie in as well. But it's a true and fascinating story.
Many interesting things in this story. The Acadian story, the leprosy storyline, the child pornography aspect, the missing girls and, of course, Tempe's personal relationship. It's a long story but it reads easily and flows along at a steady pace. I can put up with Tempe's personal life, especially when sis Harry is around. They kind of balance each other off. But a fine mystery and just an interesting neat story. (3.5 stars)"
Currently Reading - The Confession of Brother Haluin by Ellis Peters (Cadfael #15)
Next in this Challenge - A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby #7)
2. 12 + 4 Challenge - My Shiniest Newest Purchases (the 16 books I purchased at the end of 2025). One completed so far and I'm currently reading two others
"I can't remember where I heard of this book, The Serial Garden: The Complete Armitage Family Stories by English author Joan Aiken but I'm so glad that I discovered it. Such a wonderful collection of fantasy stories. The cover artwork in this Big Mouth House edition was by American artist Beth Adams. My wife thought it was so striking that I ordered a print of it for her Xmas gift this year. The inside illustrations are also excellent, and they are by Andi Watson.
So with that out of the way, what to say about this surprising book. The book contains the complete collection of the Armitage family stories that Joan Aiken wrote over the period 1953, to some previously unpublished that were discovered in 2008. If you've ever enjoyed The Secret Garden, the Narnia books or the fantasy books of Susan Cooper, amongst others, you'll love these stories as well.
The Armitage family live in a small village in southern England and consist of the ever harassed Mr. Armitage, the lovely Mrs. Armitage and their two children, Mark and Harriet. In the final story, a new edition, Milo, makes an appearance. It's a seemingly normal village, with village fairs, music classes, school life, etc. but it's also peopled with witches, unicorns, magicians, goblins, little people, sometimes the Furies, etc. And the lovely thing is, it's all taken as just in the course of normal events. Sure, the goblins might cause some irritation. Sure the cantankerous witches might cast the odd spell on you if you bother them. But it's all dealt with.
Mark and Harriet live their lives, dealing with all of the fantastical, wonderful things that go on about them, with coolness and aplomb. The stories tend to focus on one or the other, or both. They get the normal illnesses like whooping cough, measles and the other one might have an adventure then. They get visits from weird and strange relatives. Oh, they have a 300 year old ghost who lives in the spare bedroom and in one instance chaperones Harriet on a school day because her parents are otherwise occupied. As I mentioned previously, they also have a unicorn who lives with them and a big old cat, the Walrus.
The fantasies are just so wonderful and imaginative. For the most part they end fairly happily, but even there, there are a couple of story lines that are quite touchingly sad. There is Mr. Johannsson, the music teacher, who lost the love of his life, many years ago when she cast a spell so the two of them could marry, but the message was not passed on by her mean sister. Now the Countess lives in a fairy world waiting for Mr. Johansson. At least two attempts are made by Harriet and Mark to reunite them, but ... well, I'll leave it at that.
The collection of stories are rich, wonderful, entertaining and just a joy to read. They suit adults and at the same time would be wonderful for parents to sit with their children to read together. Just lovely, great stories and a fantastic collection. (5.0 stars)"
Currently Reading: a. Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace (Fantasy)
b. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century, A Graphic Novelization by Timothy Snyder (Non-Fiction)
Next in Line: Conversations on Writing by Ursula K. Le Guin.
3. 12 + 4 Challenge - Short Stories. I've completed 5 in this Challenge and currently taking a short break from it. I'll provide a review of my favorite so far and just list the other 4.
"I've enjoyed the Inspector Dalgleish & Cordelia Gray mysteries by P.D. James as well as some of her standalone books, such as Children of Men. I thought it might be interesting to check out a collection of short stories, Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales and wasn't disappointed.
The book was published 2017 and contains six excellent short stories. I've said this before when I've reviewed short stories, that it can be a challenge (I believe) to switch from novels to short stories. In a novel, you can take your time, develop characters, story lines, settings, etc. but when you write a short story, all of this action is drastically compressed and to be able to do so and come up with an entertaining, satisfying story with a good ending, I think it takes quite a talent.
Having said that, each of the six stories were quite entertaining, all involving a murder, either in the past or present and each one moved along nicely, presented the 'case' quickly and succinctly and even showed interesting characters.
A young boy goes to visit relatives at Xmas, his uncle is murdered and in later years, he comes clean, explaining what actually happened. A brother and sister go to see their father in a retirement home. He wants to stay in another but it's too expensive... he has a way of encouraging them that will pique your interest. In another, a husband treats his wife horribly and is accused of trying to kill her... but there is another super twist.
Each story moves along nicely and holds your interest and I found the endings both surprising in each and also satisfying. PD James was such a great writer.. Now to get back to Dalgleish.. (4.0 stars)"
The other books are - (If you want to check the reviews, they can be found in any of my January posts in this Blog)
b. Meet Mr. Mulliner by P.G. Wodehouse (3.5 stars)
c. Week of Love by James Leasor (all feature Dr. Jason Love, doctor / spy) (3.5 stars)
d. The Poison Belt and other stories by Sir A.C. Doyle (all Professor Challenger stories (4.0 stars)
e. Worlds Without End by Clifford D. Simak (3.5 stars)
Next in Line - Dark Benediction by Walter M. Miller (Sci Fi)
4. 12 + 4 Challenge - Graphic Novels. I've completed six in this challenge. Graphic novels are normally a quick read. I'll provide the review of my favorite so far and list the other five. There are a few 4.0 star reads.
"It Rhymes With Takei is the continuation of George Takei autobiography which commenced with They Called Us Enemy. The first graphic novel dealt with the period of Mr. Takei's life, during WWII, when he and his family and thousands of other Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps by the US government.
The second book continues with George's life, from going to college, discovering his love of acting and ultimately how he came out as a gay man. It's a fascinating journey and well documents the struggle he had with dealing with his homosexuality. We follow him through college, his visit to Stratford and travels through Europe, his developing civic activity.
It's an excellent story. You can really feel his pain and fear about coming out, his fear that he might be outed by an undercover police officer that would ruin his career and life. It's a microcosm of life in the US during this period and so well portrayed. Both books together make a fascinating life story. Well worth reading both books. (4.0 stars)"
b. Sin City Vol. 3; The Big Fat Kill by Frank Turner (4.0 stars)
c. Tank Girl; The Odyssey by Peter Milligan (3.0 stars)
d. The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet #3) (4.0 stars)
e. God Flare by David Alexander Robertson (Reckoner Rises #3) (3.0 stars)
f. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker (4.0 stars)
5. Individual Challenges - Dustiest Books (#17 - 416 on my Goodreads' TBR Bookshelf). One completed and one on the go.
"Seaweed on the Rocks by Stanley Evans is the 4th book in the Silas Seaweed mystery series set in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Seaweed is an indigenous police officer working in Victoria as a neighbourhood cop, especially helping out with indigenous issues.
There are a few issues that Seaweed is working on in this entertaining story. He goes out to an abandoned house on the outskirts of Victoria and discovers a young indigenous woman, almost dead from a drug overdose. He also thinks he sees a large grizzly wearing a strange hat, that spooks him. (One of the interesting aspects of the story is the mysticism, history and celebrations of the Coast Salish people, throughout the story. Salish lives on the Warrior reservation near the waterfront).
Also in the mix is a beautiful half indigenous woman who Seaweed takes an interest in. She is a mystery and seems to be involved in the disappearance of a local 'hypnotherapist). His office had been turned over and Seaweed gets involved in discovering the whereabouts of the missing therapist (who also has a mysterious past, including the death of his wife back in Toronto).
And there is the daily routine of Seaweed's life, trying to help addicted kids in the neighbourhood, trying to find an indigenous artist who also lives on the street and is an alcoholic. Just so much to take in and at the same time, especially for me, who has lived in Victoria for a time and visited as well, just enjoying the familiarity of the locale... the streets, the restaurants, the whole area. It adds so much to my enjoyment of the story.
Seaweed is a wonderful character as are his friends, partners on the police force and all the locals he knows and meets in his rounds. A most enjoyable, entertaining story and I can't imagine why it's been so long since my last visit with Seaweed in Victoria. Check it out if you enjoy a good police procedural mystery and a great story. (3.5 stars)"
Currently Reading - The Warsaw Document by Adam Hall (Quiller #4)
Next in Line - Dance for the Dead by Thomas Perry (Jane Whitefield #2)
6. Individual Challenge - That Middle Group (#417 - 832). There is one DNF and none completed. One on the go.
"The Devil's Breath is the 3rd book in the Dr. Thomas Silkstone historical mystery series by Tessa Harris. I 'liked' the first two books but after 85 pages of this 3rd book, I've decided to put the book & series down.
In the Devil's Breath a mysterious fog is sweeping across England (acid rain??) and people are dying when caught out in it. At the same time, Thomas and his fiancé Lady Lydia are looking for her son. She had always assumed that the boy died in birth but it turns out that her husband of that time, had given it to a wet nurse... When he died, the wet nurse put the child into a work 'camp'....
And there is more intrigue as someone else is trying to find the boy, as, being the next male of the family, he stands to inherit the estate from his father..
It was an interesting concept but I just couldn't find enough interest to keep going... Please don't use my review to make your decision. If you liked the 1st two, keep on going. But for me, I'm finished... (NR)"
Currently Reading - Suez; Britain's End of Empire in the Mid-East by Keith Kyle (History)
Next in Line - Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #18)
7. Individual Challenge - The Newest Books (#833 - Present). Completed 2 and 2 on the go.
"Any Man's Death by Loren D. Estleman is the 3rd book in the Pete Macklin mystery series set in Detroit. Pete Macklin is a hit man who decided to become an independent. In this convoluted but entertaining story, Macklin is hired by 'retired' gang boss, Bonifacio (newly out of prison) to take a hit on his rival, Maggiore. Maggiore ran the 'business' while Bonifacio was in prison but basically took over. Bonifacio wants his revenge.
As well, ex rocker, now priest, Rev Sunsmith is campaigning to defeat a bill that would permit legal gambling in Detroit. After a failed assassination attempt during one of his services, Macklin's son, Roger, a recovering heroin addict, is hired to take a hit on him. (Relations between Pete and his son are not good).
Into the mix are Police Inspector Pontier and his right hand man, Sgt Lovelady, who is months from retirement. They are trying to solve the failed hit on Sunsmith and keep the city safe. (two of my favorite characters actually. It's nice when a story has smart cops)
So you've got Macklin arranging the hit on Maggiore, his son working out his plans for Sunsmith and the cops trying to figure out who wants Sunsmith dead. It's all fascinating, lots of twists and turns, pyramid schemes, gang warfare (on a small scale) and a neat look at Macklin's life, his skill, his technique. All of the other characters are well-crafted. Let's not forget as well, beautiful Carmen Thallberg, millionaire investor to Sunsmith's cause / scheme. Not a woman to cross.
The story moves between characters smoothly and is so well written. Entertaining with a somewhat quick ending but still satisfying. (3.5 stars)"
b. Money Shot by Christa Faust (Mys) (3.0 stars)
Currently Reading - a. Where I Was From by Joan Didion (Non Fic)
b. Special Deliverance by Clifford D. Simak (Sci Fi)
Next in Line - Beyond the Black Stump by Nevil Shute (Fic)
So there you go. Enjoy your weekend and keep reading.
