1stringcat3
1. The Dancing Floor - Barbara Michaels
Rather a stretch for believability, but an entertaining audiobook. The insouciance of the narrator sold it.
Rather a stretch for believability, but an entertaining audiobook. The insouciance of the narrator sold it.
3stringcat3
Hi, rocketjk!
2. The Whole Art of Detection - Lindsay Faye
Huzzah for Lindsay Faye, who has finally given us Canonical Sherlock Holmes pastiches in a style astonishingly close to Conan Doyle's own. Most Sherlockian pastiches are dreadful, a handful of writers get half-marks but Faye comes closest to the original stories in tone and inventiveness. All the stories in this collection were published elsewhere (mostly in the Strand magazine), but are arranged here in four sections: Before Baker Street, The Early Years, The Return, and The Later Years. A couple are written as excerpts from Holmes' diary, and they are much more successful than the dreadful Mazarin Stone tale in the Canon. Most come, however, from Watson's pen, and are a joy to read. We are most certainly back in Baker Street once more, and the game is afoot.
2. The Whole Art of Detection - Lindsay Faye
Huzzah for Lindsay Faye, who has finally given us Canonical Sherlock Holmes pastiches in a style astonishingly close to Conan Doyle's own. Most Sherlockian pastiches are dreadful, a handful of writers get half-marks but Faye comes closest to the original stories in tone and inventiveness. All the stories in this collection were published elsewhere (mostly in the Strand magazine), but are arranged here in four sections: Before Baker Street, The Early Years, The Return, and The Later Years. A couple are written as excerpts from Holmes' diary, and they are much more successful than the dreadful Mazarin Stone tale in the Canon. Most come, however, from Watson's pen, and are a joy to read. We are most certainly back in Baker Street once more, and the game is afoot.
4stringcat3
3. The Innocence of Father Brown - G. K Chesterton
The TV adaptations of the Father Brown stories never caught my fancy. The actor playing Brown is something of a lump, and cozy mysteries in general set my teeth on edge (lookin' at you, Miss Marple). But, being a Chesterton fan, I picked up an excellent paperback of Wordsworth Editions' The Complete Father Brown Stories at Goodwill a few weeks ago (such deals I get at GW!). A most pleasant surprise to discover that the treacly tone is altogether absent from these stories. I am bit surprised that Chesterton didn't try to create a character in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, for he was indeed a Sherlockian, or Holmesian as the British have it. But Father Brown has no Watson, nor a flat, hardly even a home or circle of friends beyond Flambeau. We learn very little about him personally, we see him in no other contexts besides the mystery; he is present only to enlighten. Another renowned Sherlockian, David Stuart Davies, notes in the introduction to this edition that "these tales conceal a purpose more than just to entertain by presenting a mystery and then solving the mystery: the stories reveal themselves as parables, in which moral theology is presented as detection". That is hardly surprising, given Chesterton's interest in philosophy and theology, and his reputation as a Christian apologist.
4. The Wisdom of Father Brown - G.K. Chesterton
5. The Incredulity of Father Brown - G.K. Chesterton
P.S. Caught a bit of one of the FB mysteries on PBS the other night. Made myself stick with it for about 15 minutes, just to see if these filmed adaptations are truly as twee as I remembered. Yes, they are.
The TV adaptations of the Father Brown stories never caught my fancy. The actor playing Brown is something of a lump, and cozy mysteries in general set my teeth on edge (lookin' at you, Miss Marple). But, being a Chesterton fan, I picked up an excellent paperback of Wordsworth Editions' The Complete Father Brown Stories at Goodwill a few weeks ago (such deals I get at GW!). A most pleasant surprise to discover that the treacly tone is altogether absent from these stories. I am bit surprised that Chesterton didn't try to create a character in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, for he was indeed a Sherlockian, or Holmesian as the British have it. But Father Brown has no Watson, nor a flat, hardly even a home or circle of friends beyond Flambeau. We learn very little about him personally, we see him in no other contexts besides the mystery; he is present only to enlighten. Another renowned Sherlockian, David Stuart Davies, notes in the introduction to this edition that "these tales conceal a purpose more than just to entertain by presenting a mystery and then solving the mystery: the stories reveal themselves as parables, in which moral theology is presented as detection". That is hardly surprising, given Chesterton's interest in philosophy and theology, and his reputation as a Christian apologist.
4. The Wisdom of Father Brown - G.K. Chesterton
5. The Incredulity of Father Brown - G.K. Chesterton
P.S. Caught a bit of one of the FB mysteries on PBS the other night. Made myself stick with it for about 15 minutes, just to see if these filmed adaptations are truly as twee as I remembered. Yes, they are.
5stringcat3
6. Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit - P. G. Wodehouse
There's nothing like some nonsense from Wodehouse to buck you up, as Bertie W. would say. The audiobook recorded by the delightful Jonathan Cecil was a hoot.
There's nothing like some nonsense from Wodehouse to buck you up, as Bertie W. would say. The audiobook recorded by the delightful Jonathan Cecil was a hoot.
6stringcat3
7. Q's Legacy - Helene Hanff
A chatty, charming book about how Hanff came to start her correspondence with Marks & Co., the London bookstore she immortalized in 84, Charing Cross Road. Easy, amusing read.
A chatty, charming book about how Hanff came to start her correspondence with Marks & Co., the London bookstore she immortalized in 84, Charing Cross Road. Easy, amusing read.
7stringcat3
8. Winter Tide - Ruthanna Emrys
I probably would have liked this one a lot more if I were a Lovecraft fan. Otherwise, rather repetitive (oh, ANOTHER ritual ...). I struggled through it to see whether eventually I'd give a flying about any of the characters. Nope.
I probably would have liked this one a lot more if I were a Lovecraft fan. Otherwise, rather repetitive (oh, ANOTHER ritual ...). I struggled through it to see whether eventually I'd give a flying about any of the characters. Nope.
8stringcat3
9. Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love - James Runcie
This latest installment feels more like a novel than its episodic, mystery-centric predecessors. Not complaining. Sidney is getting on in years, and relationships are changing. Big shocker towards the end - leaves me wondering where Runcie is going with this series.
Frankly, the TV adaptation has gone somewhat off the rails, I think. By not marrying Sidney to Hildegard, leaving him a perpetual bachelor in a will they-won't they-can't they pas de deux with Amanda, they've painted themselves into a corner and lost much of the more thoughtful aspects of the stories.
This latest installment feels more like a novel than its episodic, mystery-centric predecessors. Not complaining. Sidney is getting on in years, and relationships are changing. Big shocker towards the end - leaves me wondering where Runcie is going with this series.
Frankly, the TV adaptation has gone somewhat off the rails, I think. By not marrying Sidney to Hildegard, leaving him a perpetual bachelor in a will they-won't they-can't they pas de deux with Amanda, they've painted themselves into a corner and lost much of the more thoughtful aspects of the stories.
9stringcat3
Lady's Maid - Margaret Forster
An absorbing fiction based on the letters of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. Lilly is the eponymous lady's maid, who spends 14 years associated with the Barretts, mostly as a servant and then as a "satellite" in their system, her husband having stayed in their service after the birth of his and Lilly's second child. I listened to the audiobook, which was well-performed. Made me want to slap EBB, though.
An absorbing fiction based on the letters of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. Lilly is the eponymous lady's maid, who spends 14 years associated with the Barretts, mostly as a servant and then as a "satellite" in their system, her husband having stayed in their service after the birth of his and Lilly's second child. I listened to the audiobook, which was well-performed. Made me want to slap EBB, though.
10stringcat3
11. The Collected Ghost Stories of E.F. Benson - E.F. Benson
I must say, for all the fuss over them, most of these tales were a yawn.
I must say, for all the fuss over them, most of these tales were a yawn.
11stringcat3
12. Song of the Lion - Anne Hillerman
Another good entry in the continuation of the Navaho mystery series her dad wrote, with Bernadette Manuelito the center of the action (you go, girl!). But the big reveal was, well, kind of underwhelming.
Another good entry in the continuation of the Navaho mystery series her dad wrote, with Bernadette Manuelito the center of the action (you go, girl!). But the big reveal was, well, kind of underwhelming.
12stringcat3
13. The Old Wives' Tale - Arnold Bennett
Read this because it's on the Modern Library list of 100 Best Novels. Yah, well, it was decent enough but can't hold a candle to most of Trollope.
Read this because it's on the Modern Library list of 100 Best Novels. Yah, well, it was decent enough but can't hold a candle to most of Trollope.
13stringcat3
14. One Fat Englishman - Kingsley Amis
Mildly amusing but horribly dated. Not his best book by a long shot.
15. One Damned Thing After Another
Now this is more like it. A ripping yarn with cheeky humor and a female "shero" who is damned refreshing. Time-travel for historical research takes place behind the medieval facade of St. Mary's. The mission is to answer nagging historical questions, but it turns out to be a dirty, dangerous job. Highly entertaining - I hope there's a sequel. Listened to the audiobook and was sorry when it was over.
Mildly amusing but horribly dated. Not his best book by a long shot.
15. One Damned Thing After Another
Now this is more like it. A ripping yarn with cheeky humor and a female "shero" who is damned refreshing. Time-travel for historical research takes place behind the medieval facade of St. Mary's. The mission is to answer nagging historical questions, but it turns out to be a dirty, dangerous job. Highly entertaining - I hope there's a sequel. Listened to the audiobook and was sorry when it was over.
14stringcat3
16. The Incredulity of Father Brown - G.K. Chesterton
17. Wild Chamber - Christopher Fowler
The latest Bryant & May sees Arthur back in old form, having undergone some sort of treatment for his dementia (did I miss that somewhere?). The mystery itself seems rather flat - not enough London woo, really, but the PCU staff dialogue is first-rate even if the plot is kind of a yawn. And where's Crippen? She barely gets a mention. The formula is really getting creaky, though.
17. Wild Chamber - Christopher Fowler
The latest Bryant & May sees Arthur back in old form, having undergone some sort of treatment for his dementia (did I miss that somewhere?). The mystery itself seems rather flat - not enough London woo, really, but the PCU staff dialogue is first-rate even if the plot is kind of a yawn. And where's Crippen? She barely gets a mention. The formula is really getting creaky, though.
15stringcat3
18. A Symphony of Echoes - Jodi Taylor
Second book in the Chronicles of St. Mary's. Still a hoot. Helps to know your European history, but not mandatory.
Second book in the Chronicles of St. Mary's. Still a hoot. Helps to know your European history, but not mandatory.
16stringcat3
19. Daisy Miller - Henry James
I've had it with Henry James. Always disappointing, so why do I keep trying?
I've had it with Henry James. Always disappointing, so why do I keep trying?
17stringcat3
20. City of Women - David R. Gillham
A dark, gripping story of average Berliners during WW2 and the choices they make. The worst and best of human nature come to the fore, sometimes in the same person. The audiobook was extremely well-read.
A dark, gripping story of average Berliners during WW2 and the choices they make. The worst and best of human nature come to the fore, sometimes in the same person. The audiobook was extremely well-read.
18stringcat3
21. The Death of the Heart - Elizabeth Bowen
Yawn.
Yawn.
19stringcat3
22. The Valley of Fear - Arthur Conan Doyle
The most underrated of the four Canonical novellas. VALL would make a terrific movie for someone who would respect the period and the story itself. It was last filmed in 1916 with Saintsbury as Holmes.
The most underrated of the four Canonical novellas. VALL would make a terrific movie for someone who would respect the period and the story itself. It was last filmed in 1916 with Saintsbury as Holmes.
20stringcat3
23. Noir - Christopher Moore
As wacky as his previous SF-based novels but more, well, "plausible" was the word I was going to use but that would be a stretch. The switch from Sammy's 1st person narration to 3rd at odd times was a bit annoying, but as they say, all became clear about 2/3 in. And the reason was goofy and unexpected and classic Moore. There was even an off-hand "in perfect fucking French" thrown in. The running gag of the rotten kid who picks up long words and misuses them vigorously is a hoot.
BITE BITE BITE!
As wacky as his previous SF-based novels but more, well, "plausible" was the word I was going to use but that would be a stretch. The switch from Sammy's 1st person narration to 3rd at odd times was a bit annoying, but as they say, all became clear about 2/3 in. And the reason was goofy and unexpected and classic Moore. There was even an off-hand "in perfect fucking French" thrown in. The running gag of the rotten kid who picks up long words and misuses them vigorously is a hoot.
BITE BITE BITE!
21stringcat3
24. Mort(e) - Robert Repino
With strong echoes of Animal Farm, Mort(e) is a epic tale of an interspecies war for the Earth and the truest of friendships driving the reluctant hero at its center. The audiobook is read superbly by Bronson Pinchot. Even those who normally avoid scifi will be absorbed by the story and the questions it raises, not the least of which is "what does it mean to be human?". Highly recommended.
With strong echoes of Animal Farm, Mort(e) is a epic tale of an interspecies war for the Earth and the truest of friendships driving the reluctant hero at its center. The audiobook is read superbly by Bronson Pinchot. Even those who normally avoid scifi will be absorbed by the story and the questions it raises, not the least of which is "what does it mean to be human?". Highly recommended.
22stringcat3
25. Circe - Madeleine Miller
Even better than her first.
Even better than her first.
23stringcat3
26. The World is a Wedding - Wendy Jones
Don't let the chick-lit cover fool you: there's plenty of true heartache, loss and redemption rolled into a seemingly commonplace tale of ordinary people going about their lives in a Welsh village. Absorbing and quite touching. I have to go back and read the first book about Wilfred Pryce, but this book stands alone well.
Don't let the chick-lit cover fool you: there's plenty of true heartache, loss and redemption rolled into a seemingly commonplace tale of ordinary people going about their lives in a Welsh village. Absorbing and quite touching. I have to go back and read the first book about Wilfred Pryce, but this book stands alone well.
24stringcat3
27. News of the World - Paulette Giles
26stringcat3
29. A Second Chance - Jodi Taylor
30. A Trail Through Time - Jodi Taylor
31. No Time Like the Past - Jodi Taylor
Read all three over the past couple of months but forgot to get them posted. Five books into The Chronicles of St. Mary's and still lovin' it.
30. A Trail Through Time - Jodi Taylor
31. No Time Like the Past - Jodi Taylor
Read all three over the past couple of months but forgot to get them posted. Five books into The Chronicles of St. Mary's and still lovin' it.
27stringcat3
32. Old Goriot - Honore de Balzac
Another one I forgot to post. I'd read it about 35 years ago but remembered only snippets. I can't believe I haven't read more Balzac. The modern translations make all the difference. He and Anthony Trollope are two greats who just aren't read enough, even by those who love 19th c. novels.
Another one I forgot to post. I'd read it about 35 years ago but remembered only snippets. I can't believe I haven't read more Balzac. The modern translations make all the difference. He and Anthony Trollope are two greats who just aren't read enough, even by those who love 19th c. novels.
28stringcat3
33. Gods of Risk - James S.A. Corey
A tedious and, from what I can tell, completely unnecessary novella in The Expanse series.
A tedious and, from what I can tell, completely unnecessary novella in The Expanse series.
29stringcat3
34. Dust and Shadows: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson - Lindsay Faye
I'm no fan of Ripper fiction, and most Sherlockian pastiches are dreck, but Faye is one of the finest writers of Canonical pastiches I've ever come across. This was her first pastiche and she nailed it.
I'm no fan of Ripper fiction, and most Sherlockian pastiches are dreck, but Faye is one of the finest writers of Canonical pastiches I've ever come across. This was her first pastiche and she nailed it.
32stringcat3
38. Abaddon's Gate - James S.A. Corey
33stringcat3
39. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor
34stringcat3
40. The Uninvited Guests - Sadie Jones
What starts as a country house novel takes an odd turn about 3/4 in. Not bad, just felt a little awkward.
What starts as a country house novel takes an odd turn about 3/4 in. Not bad, just felt a little awkward.
35stringcat3
41. Descent From Glory: Four Generations of the John Adams Family - Paul C. Nagel
A rather dry account that focuses on the men, of course. Got the impression Nagel didn't much care for Abigail.
A rather dry account that focuses on the men, of course. Got the impression Nagel didn't much care for Abigail.
36stringcat3
42. Gilgamesh - Stephen Mitchell
37stringcat3
43. Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali
38stringcat3
44. A Charmed Life: Growing Up in Macbeth's Castle - Liza Campbell
45. The Sign of the Four - Arthur Conan Doyle
45. The Sign of the Four - Arthur Conan Doyle
39stringcat3
46. Holy Cow - David Duchovny
Very amusing little book, but it ends rather abruptly. Hope he'll write a sequel.
47. The Woman in Black - Susan Hill
Quite creepy and well-written but with a dumbass protagonist who needed one upside the head.
Very amusing little book, but it ends rather abruptly. Hope he'll write a sequel.
47. The Woman in Black - Susan Hill
Quite creepy and well-written but with a dumbass protagonist who needed one upside the head.
40stringcat3
48. Hope Never Dies - Andrew Shaffer
Cheeky debut has Joe Biden as an amateur sleuth, with Obama as his kinda sidekick. The jokes and allusions are the best part. The mystery itself is pretty mainstream, but that's not really what we came for, is it?
Cheeky debut has Joe Biden as an amateur sleuth, with Obama as his kinda sidekick. The jokes and allusions are the best part. The mystery itself is pretty mainstream, but that's not really what we came for, is it?
42stringcat3
50. Cibola Burns - James S.A. Corey
Book 4 of The Expanse series. Excellent installment, not least because of the focus on one plot - not to throw shade, but sometimes following all the political threads gets a bit much. So, good to have a respite. Ripping story of Belter refugees trying colonize a planet claimed by a mining company, and said planet waking up and deciding to kill everyone.
Book 4 of The Expanse series. Excellent installment, not least because of the focus on one plot - not to throw shade, but sometimes following all the political threads gets a bit much. So, good to have a respite. Ripping story of Belter refugees trying colonize a planet claimed by a mining company, and said planet waking up and deciding to kill everyone.
43stringcat3
51. Quick Service - P. G. Wodehouse
44stringcat3
52. Leave It to Psmith - P.G. Wodehouse
The usual divine inanity, served up with the upmost dry wit and urbanity.
The usual divine inanity, served up with the upmost dry wit and urbanity.
45stringcat3
53. Nemesis Games - James S.A. Corey.
Book 5 of The Expanse. A different approach: the crew is temporarily split up and several revisit their buried pasts, with varying degrees of success. Amos has an excellent adventure on Earth. His exchanges with Avrasarala are priceless. Naomi becomes the center of the action. I find it hard to believe, though, that her relationship with Marcos Inaros could have been kept such a secret for so long.
54. Babylon's Ashes - James S.A. Corey
Book 6 of The Expanse. Felt like a good tie-up of the internal trilogy. A little heavy on the politics as battles rage, but some good Avrasarala and a little bit of insight into Amos.
Book 5 of The Expanse. A different approach: the crew is temporarily split up and several revisit their buried pasts, with varying degrees of success. Amos has an excellent adventure on Earth. His exchanges with Avrasarala are priceless. Naomi becomes the center of the action. I find it hard to believe, though, that her relationship with Marcos Inaros could have been kept such a secret for so long.
54. Babylon's Ashes - James S.A. Corey
Book 6 of The Expanse. Felt like a good tie-up of the internal trilogy. A little heavy on the politics as battles rage, but some good Avrasarala and a little bit of insight into Amos.
47stringcat3
56. Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor
Ah, St. Mary's. Book 7. A bit tame, but then, Max IS pregnant.
Ah, St. Mary's. Book 7. A bit tame, but then, Max IS pregnant.
48stringcat3
57. East of the Sun - Julia Gregson
Well, just chick lit, and rather amateurish chick lit, but I needed a break from LITrachah for a bit. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Well, just chick lit, and rather amateurish chick lit, but I needed a break from LITrachah for a bit. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
49stringcat3
58. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari.
The first third or so I thought was brilliant. And then the second third ... Weird. And then the last bit was ridiculous.
59. Very Good, Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse
Brilliant AND silly AND ridiculous. In the best possible ways.
The first third or so I thought was brilliant. And then the second third ... Weird. And then the last bit was ridiculous.
59. Very Good, Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse
Brilliant AND silly AND ridiculous. In the best possible ways.
50stringcat3
60. The Edwardians - Amusing, though the teeth of its biting satire have dulled over the decades. Sackville-West wasn't a great writer but told a good story.
51stringcat3
61. The Peaceable Kingdom - Francine Prose
Good but not great short stories by the author of A Changed Man.
Good but not great short stories by the author of A Changed Man.
