Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
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More on books - suspense fiction
I'm startled to see that it's been over a month since I talked much about books. There's a long list to discuss and I'm going to divide the titles up by genre.
Many, many lovers of suspense fiction have talked about Ed McBain's 87th precinct books and how this long running series was their introduction to the mystery genre. I figured out how to hook my Walkman tape player to the speakers in my car, checked the library's catalog for McBain titles, and went all the way back to the beginning - with his first 87th precinct story COP HATER. An ingenious plan by an adulterous wife to dispatch her husband and marry her lover results in several deaths among the detectives of the 87th squad. And then on to THE CON MEN, in which 2 or 3 sets of deceivers are tracked down and arrested, with detective Steve Carella's wife playing an important part in the investigation.
McBain began to publish this series in the mid 1950's, and reading them is an entertaining trip back in time - before cell phones, air conditioning, and dozens of other innovations we now take for granted. Other anomalies fill the pages, among them a literate, educated deaf woman who does not use sign, and seems to have no other connection to any other world except the hearing world of her husband. She's a feisty and admirable character and I like her, but from a 21st century perspective their marriage is more than a little one sided, since she has only body gestures and facial expressions to communicate with her husband.
My library has dozens of McBains titles on tape and CD, I've got lots of hours of listening pleasure ahead of me.
THE JANISSARY TREE by Jason Godwin
This got the Edgar Award for best novel at the Mystery Writers of America banquet earlier this year. I had heard absolutely nothing about the book or the author before the award was announced, and my curiosity was aroused. An investigator in mid 19th century Istanbul follows an enigmatic set of clues to uncover a political plot. I was pretty sure I knew who the bad guy was fairly early on. Is this a "best novel"? Maybe, I haven't read all the other nominees. It's certainly atmospheric and has rekindled a wish to visit Istanbul some day. But as a suspense novel, it didn't seem all that unusual to me. Lots of books appearing of late featuring sets of clues which must be deciphered. I won't mention which book began it all - if you don't know, it's probably just as well.
deKOK AND MURDER BY INSTALLMENT by A C Baantjer
This series presents marvelously atmospheric visits to Amsterdam, and Inspector deKok and his many eccentricities is a character to return to again and again. If you haven't found this author, it's time to check him out.
LOST ECHOES by Joe R Lansdale
As a result of a childhood ear infection, Harry can hear violent episodes from the past, and the sounds take him back in time to observe the violence first hand. His adult life is not easy, and his escape is alcohol. When his childhood sweetheart seeks his help in understanding her father's death, Harry must find a way to master his unnerving skill instead of avoid it. Lansdale is multi-talented, publishing in several genres. His books are always worth a look see.
Many, many lovers of suspense fiction have talked about Ed McBain's 87th precinct books and how this long running series was their introduction to the mystery genre. I figured out how to hook my Walkman tape player to the speakers in my car, checked the library's catalog for McBain titles, and went all the way back to the beginning - with his first 87th precinct story COP HATER. An ingenious plan by an adulterous wife to dispatch her husband and marry her lover results in several deaths among the detectives of the 87th squad. And then on to THE CON MEN, in which 2 or 3 sets of deceivers are tracked down and arrested, with detective Steve Carella's wife playing an important part in the investigation.
McBain began to publish this series in the mid 1950's, and reading them is an entertaining trip back in time - before cell phones, air conditioning, and dozens of other innovations we now take for granted. Other anomalies fill the pages, among them a literate, educated deaf woman who does not use sign, and seems to have no other connection to any other world except the hearing world of her husband. She's a feisty and admirable character and I like her, but from a 21st century perspective their marriage is more than a little one sided, since she has only body gestures and facial expressions to communicate with her husband.
My library has dozens of McBains titles on tape and CD, I've got lots of hours of listening pleasure ahead of me.
THE JANISSARY TREE by Jason Godwin
This got the Edgar Award for best novel at the Mystery Writers of America banquet earlier this year. I had heard absolutely nothing about the book or the author before the award was announced, and my curiosity was aroused. An investigator in mid 19th century Istanbul follows an enigmatic set of clues to uncover a political plot. I was pretty sure I knew who the bad guy was fairly early on. Is this a "best novel"? Maybe, I haven't read all the other nominees. It's certainly atmospheric and has rekindled a wish to visit Istanbul some day. But as a suspense novel, it didn't seem all that unusual to me. Lots of books appearing of late featuring sets of clues which must be deciphered. I won't mention which book began it all - if you don't know, it's probably just as well.
deKOK AND MURDER BY INSTALLMENT by A C Baantjer
This series presents marvelously atmospheric visits to Amsterdam, and Inspector deKok and his many eccentricities is a character to return to again and again. If you haven't found this author, it's time to check him out.
LOST ECHOES by Joe R Lansdale
As a result of a childhood ear infection, Harry can hear violent episodes from the past, and the sounds take him back in time to observe the violence first hand. His adult life is not easy, and his escape is alcohol. When his childhood sweetheart seeks his help in understanding her father's death, Harry must find a way to master his unnerving skill instead of avoid it. Lansdale is multi-talented, publishing in several genres. His books are always worth a look see.
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