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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Books Update
It's been awhile since I've updated my reading log.
ON THE LINE by S J Rozan
The latest entry in Rozan's continuing series featuring Bill Smith and Lydia Chin has Smith frantically following enigmatic clues provided by someone who has kidnapped Chin. Rozan's novels are very evocative of present day New York City, and I enjoy the interplay between the two main characters. Are they friends? Are they or will they be lovers? If the eventual answer to the second question is "yes" - how will Rozan manage to keep an element of tension in their relationship? All more than enough to keep me signing up at the library for each new title.
BAD BOY by Peter Robinson
Alan Banks' daughter gets involved with the wrong sort of guy. It's clear to the reader almost immediately that Tracy Banks is in a LOT of trouble. It takes Tracy a little longer to realize it - and Banks himself doesn't learn anything about it for several chapters since he is traveling in the US on vacation. Robinson is another author whose books never disappoint.
A PRESUMPTION OF DEATH by Jill Paton Walsh
Walsh has been carrying on the characters created by Dorothy L Sayers in her Peter Wimsey series. In this book she worked from partial sketches written by Sayers before her death. Harriet is in the countryside with her two sons and her niece and nephew, sheltering from the upheaval in London caused by the Second War. I've a huge Sayers fan for years, even named a cat after the love of Peter Wimsey's life. {Lady's shelter name was Harriet. I redubbed her Lady Peter when I brought her home} Paton Walsh's efforts fit nicely with Sayers' - and satisfied an itch to read more about a favorite group of literary personages.
A MURDEROUS PROCESSION by Ariana Franklin
Franklin imagined a Sicilian woman trained as a medical professional in the England of Henry II. She wants to return to her home, but Henry needs her skills and keeps her tethered to the fringes of his court. In this entry in the series, Adelia accompanies Henry's daughter southward to her arranged marriage to the heir to the Sicilian throne. Unfortunately - this is the last opportunity to read about Adelia. Author Franklin died earlier this year.
DEATH MATCH by Lincoln Child
A fabulously successful computer dating service is at the center of this mystery. For reasons no one can make sense of "perfect couples" introduced by the service begin dying in double suicides. A former FBI agent is hired to figure out what is going on. I was more than a little suspicious after about three chapters that I knew who was responsible, and I was right. I had the book on audio and it was good background for daily walks, so I stayed with it and listened to all of it. If that seems like a lukewarm recommendation, you're right!
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson
Atkinson has done it again. I am an unabashed fan of her books - full of coincidences; marvelous characterizations of seemingly unconnected people; a wry tone of dry humor and keen observation; and the ability to tie all together in a manner which is believable. There is a dog in the book, and she gets the dog exactly right. Recurring character Jackson Brodie has been hired by a woman living in New Zealand to answer questions about her birth parents. Her adoptive parents told her almost nothing. Also included is a retired cop who unexpectedly is providing care for an abused young girl; an elderly actress slipping into dementia; a semi-retired social worker very reluctant to answer Brodie's questions; along with assorted cops and investigators.
IMPARTIAL WITNESS by Charles Todd
Todd has begun a second series based in England during the World War One years. Bess Crawford is a nurse in France, and is aware how urgently one of her patients is longing to be reunited with his wife. Crawford sees the woman - who she recognizes from a photograph - being embraced by another man in a London railway station. The woman is found dead shortly thereafter; the returning soldier dies from his wounds; and Crawford can't resist the urge to figure out what really happened.
I've got more books to tell you about - but I'm going to take a break.
ON THE LINE by S J Rozan
The latest entry in Rozan's continuing series featuring Bill Smith and Lydia Chin has Smith frantically following enigmatic clues provided by someone who has kidnapped Chin. Rozan's novels are very evocative of present day New York City, and I enjoy the interplay between the two main characters. Are they friends? Are they or will they be lovers? If the eventual answer to the second question is "yes" - how will Rozan manage to keep an element of tension in their relationship? All more than enough to keep me signing up at the library for each new title.
BAD BOY by Peter Robinson
Alan Banks' daughter gets involved with the wrong sort of guy. It's clear to the reader almost immediately that Tracy Banks is in a LOT of trouble. It takes Tracy a little longer to realize it - and Banks himself doesn't learn anything about it for several chapters since he is traveling in the US on vacation. Robinson is another author whose books never disappoint.
A PRESUMPTION OF DEATH by Jill Paton Walsh
Walsh has been carrying on the characters created by Dorothy L Sayers in her Peter Wimsey series. In this book she worked from partial sketches written by Sayers before her death. Harriet is in the countryside with her two sons and her niece and nephew, sheltering from the upheaval in London caused by the Second War. I've a huge Sayers fan for years, even named a cat after the love of Peter Wimsey's life. {Lady's shelter name was Harriet. I redubbed her Lady Peter when I brought her home} Paton Walsh's efforts fit nicely with Sayers' - and satisfied an itch to read more about a favorite group of literary personages.
A MURDEROUS PROCESSION by Ariana Franklin
Franklin imagined a Sicilian woman trained as a medical professional in the England of Henry II. She wants to return to her home, but Henry needs her skills and keeps her tethered to the fringes of his court. In this entry in the series, Adelia accompanies Henry's daughter southward to her arranged marriage to the heir to the Sicilian throne. Unfortunately - this is the last opportunity to read about Adelia. Author Franklin died earlier this year.
DEATH MATCH by Lincoln Child
A fabulously successful computer dating service is at the center of this mystery. For reasons no one can make sense of "perfect couples" introduced by the service begin dying in double suicides. A former FBI agent is hired to figure out what is going on. I was more than a little suspicious after about three chapters that I knew who was responsible, and I was right. I had the book on audio and it was good background for daily walks, so I stayed with it and listened to all of it. If that seems like a lukewarm recommendation, you're right!
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson
Atkinson has done it again. I am an unabashed fan of her books - full of coincidences; marvelous characterizations of seemingly unconnected people; a wry tone of dry humor and keen observation; and the ability to tie all together in a manner which is believable. There is a dog in the book, and she gets the dog exactly right. Recurring character Jackson Brodie has been hired by a woman living in New Zealand to answer questions about her birth parents. Her adoptive parents told her almost nothing. Also included is a retired cop who unexpectedly is providing care for an abused young girl; an elderly actress slipping into dementia; a semi-retired social worker very reluctant to answer Brodie's questions; along with assorted cops and investigators.
IMPARTIAL WITNESS by Charles Todd
Todd has begun a second series based in England during the World War One years. Bess Crawford is a nurse in France, and is aware how urgently one of her patients is longing to be reunited with his wife. Crawford sees the woman - who she recognizes from a photograph - being embraced by another man in a London railway station. The woman is found dead shortly thereafter; the returning soldier dies from his wounds; and Crawford can't resist the urge to figure out what really happened.
I've got more books to tell you about - but I'm going to take a break.
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