Barbara (Ameise1)'s world (1)

Welcome to my thread.

I am Barbara, 57 years old, married and have two daughters. I live in Zürich, Switzerland and work full-time as a primary school teacher. Besides reading, I am interested in art of all kinds and traveling. You will also find something of all this on my thread in 2019.
I look forward to all visitors and look forward to a lively exchange.


Modern fountain on the Münsterhof in my hometown Zürich

Until the early Middle Ages, the Münsterhof was a wetland. With the pile of debris from the Sihlarm emerged in 873 with the construction of the Fraumünster first wooden buildings. Thereafter, the site was used as one of the three newly created cemeteries in high medieval Zurich, after the deceased were no longer buried in the cemetery of the Gallo-Roman settlement Turicum.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the first civil buildings were built of stone, probably with a majority of material from the late antique fort of Zurich and its successor buildings on the nearby hill of the Lindenhof. Presumably around 1300, the Münsterhof became an open space when the cemetery was lifted except for a small strip along the Fraumünster.
Proven from 1504 to probably at the beginning of the Reformation here were the Passion plays in honor of the city saints Exuperantius, Felix and Regula instead. Until 1667 the place served as a pig market. In 1676 it was paved and received essentially its present appearance. In the years 1627 to 1835 stood along the northern wall of the Fraumünster the stalls of grocer, which were under the supervision of the guild to Kämbel. A public fountain graced the square from 1766. Since the water pipes brought up little pressure, it was demolished in 1811 again.
In 1938, the Münsterhof received its present form by being redesigned on the south-western side towards Poststrasse. On September 19, 1946 Winston Churchill gave a short speech at the Münsterhof.

January
# 1 Bretonische Flut by Jean-Luc Bannalec (4 stars)
# 2 Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell (4 stars)
# 3 The Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter (4 stars)
# 4 H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (4 stars)
# 5 Liberation Movements by Olen Steinhauer (4½ stars)
# 6 I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark (4 stars)

February
# 7 A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny ( 4 stars)
# 8 Finders Keepers by Stephen King (4½ stars)
# 9 Sworn To Silence by Linda Castillo (4 stars)
#10 A Mind To Murder by P. D. James (4½ stars)
#11 Nerve by Dick Francis (4 stars)
#12 Die Brillenmacherin by Titus Müller (3½ stars)
#13 The Black Tower by P.D. James (4 stars)
#14 Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong (4 stars)

March
#15 The Chessmen by Peter May (4½ stars)
#16 Young Blood by Sifiso Mzobe (4 stars)
#17 Kein Tag für Jakobsmuscheln by Catherine Simon (3½ stars)
#18 Friday on My Mind by Nicci French (4½ stars)
#19 Forfeit by Dick Francis (4 stars)
#20 Throttle by Joe Hill (3½ stars)
#21 The Strings Of Murder by Oscar de Muriel (4½ stars)
#22 Eine unbeliebte Frau by Nele Neuhaus (4½ stars)

April
#23 Innocence by David Hosp (4½ stars)
#24 Innocence by Dean Koontz (4 stars)

BRITISH ISLES AUTHOR THEME CHALLENGE 2019



January
H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (4 stars) (2019-01-21)

March
The Chessmen by Peter May (4½ stars) (2019-03-02)

Take It or Leave It Challenge

January
# 2 Read that nagging book: finished 2019-01-27
Liberation Movements by Olen Steinhauer (4½ stars)
# 4 Read the first book of a series/trilogy or saga: finished 2019-01-19
The Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter (4 stars)
# 7 Read a book by a female author, in Rolling Alphabetical order: finished 2019-01-12
Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell (4 stars)
# 8 Read a book originally published in French or German: finished 2019-01-05
Bretonische Flut by Jean-Luc Bannalec (4 stars)
#18 Read a book where the author has a set of double letters in their name: finished 2019-01-28
I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark (4 stars)

February
# 3 Read a book by an author who has written both fiction and nonfiction books finished 2019-02-08
Finders Keepers by Stephen King (4&frac12: stars)
# 4 Read A Book That Was Published At Least 10 Years Ago: finished 2019-02-03
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny (4 stars)
# 6: Read a book whose title includes at least two 4+ letter words starting with the same letter finished 2019-02-16
A Mind To Murder by P.D. James (4½ stars)
# 7 Read a book with a four word title: finished 2019-02-26
Tod einer roten Heldin by Qiu Xiaolong (4 stars)
# 11: Read a book whose cover has an image relating to the sea finished 2019-02-25
The Black Tower by P. D. James (4 stars)
# 12 Read a book where the title refers to a woman finished 2019-02-22
Die Brillenmacherin by Titus Müller (3½ stars)
# 16 Read a work by an author you read in 2018: finished 2019-02-18
Nerve by Dick Francis (4 stars)
#17: Read a book which was listed by the same challenger who started any of the previous February finished 2019-02-15
Sworn To Silence by Linda Castillo (4 stars)

March
# 1: Read a book whose title starts with the last letter of the author's last name of the preceding book finished 2019-03-03
Young Blood by Sifiso Mzobe (4 stars)
# 2: Read a Book where the author or a character has the name of "Joe" or a variation thereof finished 2019-03-23
Throttle by Joe Hill (3½ stars)
# 3: Read a Book that is in the "Recommended" section on your home page (either LT or member) finished 2019-03-10
Kein Tag für Jakobsmuscheln by Catherine Simon (3½ stars)
# 4: Read a book that starts with a quote for the semi-rolling alphabet challenge finished 2019-03-02
The Chessmen by Peter May (4½ stars)
# 5: ROLLING CHALLENGE: Read a book with a significant connection to the countries of the United Kingdom finished 2019-03-13
Friday on My Mind by Nicci French (4½ stars)
# 6: Read a book somebody else picked for you finished 2019-03-17
Forfeit by Dick Francis (4 stars)
# 8: Read a book by a woman who is born in the 20th century finished 2019-03-29
Eine unbeliebte Frau by Nele Neuhaus (4½ stars)

April
# 2: Read a book in which the author's name has a Scrabble point value of 22 or more finished 2019-04-08
Innocence by Dean Koontz (4 stars)
# 3: Either read 2 books with the same title or list a book with one title and get someone to read another book with the same title within 3 days. finished 2019-04-05
Innocence by David Hosp (4½ stars)

currently reading

 The Redeemed

currently listening

 Poppet

Welcome back!

Here you are, Barbara. All is well. 2019 may commence at will.

Thanks so much, Jim and Rdear for the warm welcome. I'm still finishing some reading in 2018.
In the meantime there is something for a sweet teeth: Luxenburgerli, Champagner Truffes, Tirggel, Hüppen - all specialties from my hometown

Hi Barbara, just dropped my star off, hope to be more active here this year.

Hi Barbara, stopping by to drop a star and to wish you a fabulous 2019!

::waves hello and drops a hug::

Thanks so much, John, Kim, Lori and Steph for stopping by. I'll be more active here when the new year starts. Please help yourself with the sweets (>8 Ameise1:).

Hello Barbara, I'm still finishing my 2018 thread but I shall open one for 2019 soon.

>14 CDVicarage: Hello Kerry, I will looking out for your thread.

Another challenge I'll try to fullfill in 2019. I really love Dick Francis' books.

SHARED READ: Saddle up for Dick Francis' horsy adventures!

Hello, Barbara! Just dropping off my 🌟 and saying that I look forward to following your adventures in 2019.
And thanks for the treats!

Happy new thread and Happy New Year!
>8 Ameise1: There are the champagne truffles I had in Zurich! I'd forgotten where I left them.

Happy New Year Barbara!

Happy reading in 2019, Barbara!

>17 Matke: Glad to see you here, Gail. I will visit you on your thread too.

>18 mstrust: I hope you'll like them, Jennifer. It is a tradition in my family to enjoy these delicious champagne truffles during the feast day. As a child, my grandparents on my father's side always gave it to me.

>19 The_Hibernator: Thank you so much, Rachel. Here it takes nine hours until the turn of the year, but the first bangers can already be heard.

>20 FAMeulstee: That's what I wish for you too, Anita.

Happy new thread and happy new year, Barbara!

Dropping off my star, Barbara. Another year!!!!!

Happy new thread, and happy new year, Barbara!

Interesting picture and story in your first post. I hadn't realised that Zürich is such an old city! (Amsterdam is from around 1200). Have you ever found an historical novel set in your town?

Happy New Year, Barbara! I hope 2019 is great.

Happy new year, Barbara!

>24 EllaTim: Thanks so much, Ella. Yes, there are historical novelles from a very early time of Zürich. I had read a few.

>25 BLBera: Lovely to see you here, Beth. Thanks so much for the good wish.

>26 figsfromthistle: Thanks so much, Anita.

>22 Carmenere: Thanks so much, Lynda.

>23 EBT1002: It's nice to see you here, Ellen. Thanks so much for dropping a star.

Happy New Year, Barb and Happy New Thread. Looking forward to sharing another year of books with you!

>29 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I hope to be more around the threads then last year.

Hi Barbara! Happy New Year! Wishing you a year filled with good reading.

Dropping off my star, Barbara!

Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Barbara, this year.

Happy New Year Barbara! And happy new thread!



Wishing you and your family the best for 2019.

>8 Ameise1: Ooh yum! Thank you.

>31 cbl_tn: >32 ronincats: >33 PaulCranswick: >34 humouress: Thanks so much for stopping by and the well wishes for 2019. I hope you have a fabulous year ahead.

Happy New Year, Barbara!

>36 kidzdoc: Thanks so much, Darryl.

Hi Barbara! Happy new year and happy first thread of 2019.

>1 Ameise1: Living in the US, it’s always a stunner for me when I read about documented history going back over a thousand years. Thank you for sharing.

>8 Ameise1: Yum. All of them.

>16 Ameise1: I’ve starred this thread and hope to re-read some of his books this year.

>38 karenmarie: Hi Karen
Yep, our history goes way back but I suppose you have a very long history before the USA too.
Aren't they delicious. I really like them all.
I like Francis Dicks' books. So I'm glad to have another opportunity to read some of them.

Happy new year and thread Barbara :)

>40 evilmoose: Thanks so much, Megan.

Happy 2019, Barbara. I hope it works out better health-wise for you than 2018.

Happy new year, Barbara! Looking forward to following your reads this year.

>42 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg. I'm back to work next Monday (100%).

>43 bell7: Hi Mary, welcome here and thanks so much for the well wishes.

>44 Ameise1: Enjoy both the rest of your time off and getting back to work!

>45 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. Today I'm going to the gym first then doing some work for school before start reading. I have six weeks of work before our ski break in Davos.

Happy new year, Barbara.

>47 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. Glad to see you back.

Hello, Barbara! Wishing you the very best in 2019!

>49 alcottacre: Thanks so much, Stasia. I wish you a fabulous 2019 too.

Checking in here. Trying to get caught up on threads.

>51 thornton37814: Thanks for stopping by, Lori. I haven't finished a book so far. It's very busy on the threads currently.

Happy New Year, Barbara! Looking forward to following you again this year.

>53 Crazymamie: Thanks so much, Mamie. I wish you a fabulous year, too.

Hi Barbara-I dropped off the map last year but I was wondering if you continued with your reading of Ellroy’s USA Underworld trilogy. I read The Cold Six Thousand last year finally, and I’m now reading Blood’s a Rover.

>52 Ameise1: I'm behind on the threads because I am trying to read. I've also felt I needed to give my cats a little more attention the last few days since they didn't get to spend as much time with me while we were at my brother's house.

>55 arubabookwoman: Hi Deborah, I wasn't much on LT last year too. I hope you enjoyed The Cold Six Thousand. Of course I have Blood's Rover on my shelve patiently waiting to be read since 2010. I hope to read it this year. It's a bit nagging on me that I haven't read it so far. Do you like it?

>56 thornton37814: Lori, I suppose I need to get back to the reading instead of reading such a lot of threads. My cats need their cuddles too, but the reason for them is that the weather changed. We got some snow and they prefer now more to stay inside than outside.

book 1 ♫ Read in German

 Bretonische Flut

Also Commissaire Dupin's fifth case was very exciting. He investigates the offshore islands, where on the one hand he likes the landscape but on the other hand the stormy sea brings him great discomfort. The question comes up soon, does he have to deal with a serial killer? Which he doubted, even if many signs speak for it. Did the scientists have to die because they tested new fishing methods or found that the sea was poisoned or because they found a mythological cross? Once again, Dupin must recognize how closed the Breton island population is and therefore far from being helpful.

Next listening:

 Red Mist

Es guets Nöis
I wish, that you may find a good and solid path in 2019

>61 paulstalder: Thanks so much, Paul. That's a most beautiful wish.

Hi Barbara!

I need to continue the Underworld USA series after having read the first one, too.

I wish you a lovely weekend.

>8 Ameise1: What yummy delights!

Happy New Year to you Barbara!

Happy 2019, Barbara! I’ve starred your thread and look forward to following along this year!

>63 karenmarie: Hi Karen, I have to admit that I still have the last volume to read. Every time I see the book, I think 'what a chunkster' and then always take another one to read. I hope I will come to read Blood's a Rover this year.

>64 Whisper1: Ah yes, Linda - nobody can resist these sweet Zürich specialties. I wish you a fabulous 2019, too.

>65 Copperskye: Thanks so much for stopping by, Joanne.

A little belated Happy New Year.
A little belated Happy New Thread.
I wish you and yours a year full of books, love, friends and health.

Happy Sunday, Barb. I hope you are enjoying the weekend. It has been beautiful in the Midwest lately. Please let it continue.

Frohes Gesundes Neues Jahr Barbara! :)

We‘re having such a storm here the last days, it‘s scary to go outside. Are you getting all those heavy snowfalls as well like Austria and Bavaria?

Hello Barbara, happy bleated new year :)

I hope the year brings health and happiness and books.

>67 SirThomas: Thanks so much, Thomas. Lovely wishes.

>68 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Happy Tuesday. We saw the musical 'Miss Saigon' on Sunday evening. It was a very good performance.

>69 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. We also had snowfall over the weekend. The road conditions in Switzerland were very bad on Saturday. My older daughter and her partner needed twice as much for a journey that normally takes three hours.

>70 LovingLit: Thanks so much, Megan. I hope you'll have a year full of fabulous too.

Good Morning Barbara, I noticed that you love the Brenner series.
If you have access to German TV, you have the possibility to watch Simon Brenner.
Der Knochenmann will be broadcast today at 22:45 in Bayern 3.
My television magazine gave the film a good rating.
I programmed my hard disk recorder and will watch the film later - with mixed feelings. It's rare that I like a book adaptation.

Just dropping by to say hello and wish you a wonderful weekend!

Stopping by to wish you a great weekend. May it include time to read.

A belated Happy 2019, Barbara! Such delightful goodies at >8 Ameise1: . I'm afraid I overindulged on sweets over the holidays.

>75 vancouverdeb: I'm glad to see you here, Deb. Also I have consumed too much sweets over the holidays.

book 2 ♫ Read in German

 Red Mist

For once I was glad that I kept the order of the series. It was important to know the history to understand this episode.
As always, it has taken me away from the beginning. Kay is lured away from Boston. For a long time she does not realize what role she really plays. For a long time, it seems that her position and reputation are misused for other benefits. There are many dead in this story, all murdered by a crippling poison. Kay takes a long time to diagnose the cause and bring the loose threads of the cases together. At the same time she herself is endangered.

Next listening:

 H Is for Hawk

>78 Ameise1: I'll be curious what you think of that one. It's one of the ones I considered for British Isles Author Challenge. It was one of the two easily available. I might even read it this month although I did read one for the challenge.

>78 Ameise1: Loved this one Barbara. It's set in part in Cambridgeshire, where I grew up. Nice to read about somewhere you remember. And beautiful writing generally.

I look forward to following your reading again this year, Barbara. I rather enjoyed H Is for Hawk but it didn't make me want to have one as a "pet"!

Hi Barbara! I hope you're doing well - how is your wrist? How's school going?

>82 karenmarie: ^^^What she said. Or asked.

H is for Hawk must be wonderful. I see it all over the place.

Happy 2019, Barbara!

Love that illustration (? or is it a photo?) of the modern fountain on the Münsterhof up top.

Joining those inquiring - how's school? How is your wrist?

I loved H is for Hawk, too.

>79 thornton37814: Lori, I hear this book for the same reason. I like it very much so far.

>80 charl08: Charlotte, I can well imagine, when you grew up there, that many memories come with the book. The author describes it very detailed.

>81 Donna828: Ha Donna, I would not be a good falconer too, I would miss the patience.

>82 karenmarie: >83 richardderus: Thank you, Karen and Rdear. The start went well. Of course I feel my hand in the evening, but the following morning the pain is mostly gone. At the moment I have to spend a lot of extra work on the computer because I have to write student reports. That does not love my hand after a whole day of work.

>84 The_Hibernator: Rachel, it's a quiet story and gets lost in the thousandth of details about training with a hawk.

>85 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. It is a real photo. Thumbs up for H Is For Hawk

book 3

 The Strangler Vine

What a great start to a new series. William Avery is young and not long in Calcutta. He works for the East India Company and is homesick for England. He is very well read and loves the books of Xavier Mountstuart. He spends the evenings in the casino, playing and drinking too much and is therefore heavily in debt. Then he gets an assignment together with Jeremiah Blake to find the lost Mountstuart. What he does not know yet is that he and Blake should be pawn victims for the Company. Blake is a weird guy and often does not talk to Avery, which irritates him a lot. Over time, however, a deep friendship grows between them and both know that they can trust each other blindly. In this story, you learn a lot about life in India in the 1830's. It also shows the inglorious role played by the East India Company for India.
Avery and Blake feel like Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holms. They are in a similar relationship to each other and react very similar.
The story grabbed me from the beginning and I will definitely continue reading this series.

>88 Ameise1: Great comments, Barbara. I also enjoyed this one. I didn't know it was part of a series.

>89 BLBera: Thanks so much, Beth. I've bought all three of this series last summer in Warsaw.

Next reading:

 Liberation Movements

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Barbara.

A very belated happy 2019 Barbara. >88 Ameise1: The Strangler Vine has gone on my list.

Stopping by to get caught up. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, Barbara.

>92 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. I hope your start into the new week was a good one.

>93 souloftherose: Thanks so much, Heather. I'm sure you'll like Avery & Blake.

>94 lkernagh: Lori, thanks so much for stopping by. You're doing much better than I. I'm happy to find time for some reading but haven't visited threads lately.

book 4 ♫

 H Is For Hawk

My audio was read by the author, which makes the story even more authenic, because she herself knows best when to read the story at what speed and in which voice.
It took me a moment to immerse myself in the story. This has probably more to do with the fact that one can not just hear this story alongside. In addition to being very autobiographical, Mcdonald describes her experiences and observations as a falconer down to the smallest detail. Attentive listening is required. I'm impressed with how she trains her hawk, how she struggles with others and, as always, the memories of her father appear. Even though my knowledge of hawks used to be rather ruthless, I have the feeling that I have learned a lot of knowledge.
Even though this story is not fast paced, it grabbed me.

Next listening:

 I'll Walk Alone

Stopping in to catch up with you, Barbara, and right away you hit me with a book bullet! I'm adding The Strangler Vine to The List. Excellent review, and if you posted that, I will add my thumb.

>91 Ameise1: Ilove Olen Steinhauer, but I have not read that one, so I'll be waiting for your thoughts on it.

Hoping your week is full of fabulous!

>59 Ameise1: I have not heard of that series before. My local library has the first book, so I will have to give it a try.

>77 Ameise1: I am so far behind on that series I do not think I will ever catch up!

>78 Ameise1: I own that one. I just need to get it read.

>88 Ameise1: I will be on the lookout for that one. Thanks for the review, Barbara.

Hi Barbara my dear, I hope all is well with you and the family and that you had a good weekend, I am starting to catch up with the threads after a busy last few days.

It looks like your reading is going well and I am getting on well now I am back to the shorter books, they do feel different in my hands after the big ones, lol.

Sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

>96 Ameise1: I think I might prefer that one in print when I get around to it.

Catching up here, Barbara, and glad to hear your wrist is better.

The Strangler Vine is already on my TBR, thank goodness, and I've already read H is for Hawk. Your book-bullets missed me!! Ha!!

*dances merrily away, unscathed*

I've added The Strangler Vine to the wishlist and the library has the series, so I've reserved it too. I wondered if you had read A Rising Man - set in India but about 100 years after Carter's books - sorry if I've mentioned this before, I can't remember!

>96 Ameise1: I saw that one in the store and passed on it. Your great review makes me reconsider. I shall go and buy it next time I'm in the bookstore :) Have a fantastic week!

>98 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie, I really love this Eastern Bloc series. It was a great reading. I'll post my thoughts soon.
BTW I did post my review of The Strangler Vine.

>99 alcottacre: Stasia, I'm sure you'll like Commissaire Dupin. I really enjoy that series. I jump around with Patricia Cornwell's books. I definitely haven't read all of them but still have some as audios. I hope you'll enjoy H Is For Hawk. It's definitely a completely different kind of book that I would otherwise read. Ah yes The Strangler Vine is a very good start into a newe series.

>100 johnsimpson: Hi John, thank you for stopping by here. January is always very professional and I do not have much free time. I've heard more audio books, as I'm always on public transport in winter. I only read two books for that. I'm glad when this stressful month is over soon.
Love and hugs to you and Karen xx

>101 thornton37814: I'm sure you'll like it, Lori.

>102 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. My hand is doing much better.

>103 richardderus: Ha ha, Rdear. I hope you'll find the time to read them. *smooch*

>104 charl08: Thanks so much for the recommendation, Charlotte. I put it on my library list. I saw that my library has got copies of the first two of that series.

>105 figsfromthistle: Thanks so much, Anita. I hope you'll like it as much as I did.

book 5

 Liberation Movements

Also the fourth volume of the Eastern Bloc series has been thrilling from the beginning. This part switched back and forth between the student riots in Prague (1968) and a few years later in Kiev and Istanbul. At first, I did not understand why this had to be so. Nevertheless, both parts were very important and over time, I also saw the connection behind it. Steinhauer has a main theme in every book in this series. This time it's about parapsychological experiments that were carried out on people who were in asylums by Russian scientists and their allies. Of course, the secret service has its fingers everywhere. The subject of homosexuality also gets its place, as this was of course strictly prohibited. If you were discovered you came in great danger for your life.
This story is great written and grabbed me until the end.

Next reading:

 A Fatal Grace

book 6 ♫ Read in German

 I'll Walk Alone

This was an exciting story. Two years ago, a child was kidnapped. The mother, an interior decorator, never got over the loss and still believes that her son is alive. There are photos of the abduction. The woman in the pictures looks like the child's mother. Everyone turns against her because they believe she has kidnapped her child herself. It is difficult to prove her innocence, especially as the kidnapper takes on the role of the child's mother again. Also, her bank account is looted. Purchases are made by a stranger. The situation comes to a head as the mastermind decides that the child and his kidnapper must die.

Next listening:

 Finders Keepers

Hi Barbara! Just a quick hello.

Just passing by to say Hi and to wish you a good start into February

Hi, Barb. I hope your week is going well. We are suffering through record-breaking cold in the Midwest. Hooray for the Bill Hodges trilogy. These were a lot of fun.

Hi, Barbara! This is just a friendly hello. We're in the deep freeze here, and and I have a snow day, and so am trying to catch up with some LT folk. It sounds like your reading for 2019 is off to a good start.

I'm crawling around the threads to say I'm not dead but woefully unread, both books and threads. Happy reading!

>112 karenmarie: Hello Karen, thanks so much for stopping by.

>113 Deern: Hi Nathalie, I wish you a wonderful February, too.

>114 msf59: Hi Mark, I hope the temperatures at your place are improving. Yep, I like the Bill Hodges trilogy too.

>115 tymfos: Terri, that would never happen to us, that we could not visit the school due to cold and snow.

>116 richardderus: thanks so much, Rdear. I hope you feel better.

book 7 Read in German

 A Fatal Grace

Also the second volume of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series captivated me from the first page.
In Montreal, a homeless woman is murdered. Shortly before, Clara spoke to her. While Gamache looks at this case file with his wife, he is called to Three Pines because a newcomer was murdered. It turns out that the people of Three Pines have their own ideas of what they should or should not tell. Gamache needs all the 'gray cells' to solve the case. In addition, it is bitterly cold and many snow do not make the investigation easier.

Next reading

 A Mind to Murder

>118 Ameise1: I need to go back and try that series again, Barbara. Started the first one a few years ago and it didn't happen for me.

>120 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, I really like the Gamache series. It's a very cosy mystery.

book 8 ♫ 

 Finders Keepers

Also the second part of the Bill Hodges Trilogy, was very exciting from the beginning. King also made a link to the first part because a family was also affected in the accident.
This book is about a robbery with killing. The robber stole a reputed author not only his money but also the notebooks for two more books in a series. He buries everything and only keeps it in jail, knowing that the prey is waiting for him.
But he did not expect a teenager who finds the loot nearly 30 years after the robbery. He uses the money for his family. When there is no more money, he tries to sell the notebooks, which means a whole rat tail of dangerous situations for him and his loved ones.

>122 Ameise1: A successful read of a King novel is always a pleasure. Hoping your next read will be as pleasant.

Next listening:

 Sworn To Silence

Last night we had an excellent Lebanese mezze dinner. Thus, we have ushered in the 20th birthday of our youngest daughter Marina.
Today I drove with Thomas to Davos. He already has his ski holidays from today. I have to go home tomorrow night, since I have to work another week until my holidays start. On Friday after school I will go back to Davos and spend a week skiing.

>122 Ameise1: Thanks so much, Rdear. So far I like it. Wishing you a great weekend.

>125 Ameise1: What a jolly gathering! Happy 20th to Marina. Enjoy Davos, and stay safe please. No more ouchies for Barbara in 2019.

>127 richardderus: Thanks so much, Rdear. It looks like they have a great party at our homeplace. I hope it won't look to bad when I'm coming home tomorrow evening.
Yep, Sir! I'll try to stay safe.

Hi Barbara! Lovely photo of you and your family - thanks for sharing!

What Richard said!!

Enjoy the skiing, Barbara.

Barbara--I lost your thread for a bit, but now I am all caught up again. Glad your hand is doing well except for when you have a day of student things. Hope this week goes quickly and you can get back to go skiing! As usual, you are killing the books. : )

Hi, Barbara.

That looks like a fun get-together in >125 Ameise1:. Good to hear your hand has improved. Have a great time skiing!

>125 Ameise1: Belated happy birthday to Marina!
I just finished Eine unbeliebte Frau, the first book in a German police series (no review yet) and thought you might like it.

>129 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. Today it's a bit cloudy in Davos and due to be back at Zürich not too late I'm not skiing today. Thomas stays here alone until Friday when I join him.

>130 BLBera: Beth, I have another work week ahead before my holiday is starting. So probably my first ski day will be next Saturday.

>131 Berly: Never mind, Kim. I haven't visited threads during the last few weeks. Work is very demanding in the gbeginning of the year. Thanks for stopping by.

>132 jnwelch: We had realy a splendid evening en familie. Yesterday evening they had a big party at our home. I hope coming back in the late afternoon it doesn't look like a war field.

>133 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I'll pass it over to her. I think we have Nele Neuhaus's books at home. Thomas read them. I asked him where they are. I have a look at them when coming home today. Probably could take one or two for the holiday.

>125 Ameise1: I like the family dinner photo!

Happy Sunday, Barb. We miss seeing you around. Have you just been busy at work?

>135 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Indeed, I've been very busy at work. I even wasn't able to read a lot.

I'm back home at Zürich for another work week until I can go back to Davos for my skiing holiday.

>125 Ameise1: - Great pictures and Lebanese food... YUM! Belated Happy Birthday wishes to your daughter, Barbara.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

>137 lkernagh: Thanks so much, Lori. It will be the last busy work week before my skiing holiday.

Hi Barbara my dear, lovely pictures of you and the family and I hope Marina had a lovely birthday and party, hope the week ahead goes well before you go back to Davos and the skiing. Sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

Great picture Barbara. Hope you have a lovely ski holiday.

hello :-)

Enjoy your upcoming holiday!

Oh heavy sigh...a workweek to get through to get to Davos...how sloggingly dull but necessary.

>139 johnsimpson: John, I'm glad I drove to Davos for the weekend. The last guests of Marina's party left our house at 6am. I'm definitely too old for a night out.

>140 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. Only four work day left until my holiday. Big grins.

>141 AuntieClio: Hi Steph, nice to see you. :-)

>142 vancouverdeb: Will definitely do so, Deb.

>143 richardderus: Rdear, today I did not miss anything in Davos because it was snowing all day long. Tomorrow does not look much better. From Wednesday, the weather should be fantastic and with the fresh snow Thomas will have a great pleasure in skiing.
Only four days until I'm back in Davos. :-D

Hi Barbara!

If you're not done with the school day today, you're close, and then only tomorrow. Have a lovely holiday!

>145 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. I'm safely arrived. The forecast looks promising.

Have a good time in Davos, Barbara!

>147 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita.

book 9 ♫ Read in German

 Sworn To Silence

Although I have read other books from the Kate Burkholder series, it was good to read the first volume. Kate is a young police chief. She's good with her staff, but the council and the sheriff's office think she's an inexperienced person. In this book, Kate is dealing with a brutal serial killer who brutally tortures and abuses his victims before he kills them. The only pattern that permeates is that he numbers the victims with Roman numerals.
Kate thinks she's chasing a ghost out of her past. Someone who once raped her in her teenage years but she thought he was dead. Therefore, she also does not request reinforcements from other authorities, which temporarily costs her suspension. Kate would not be Kate, if she continues to investigate and thereby brings the greatest danger to her own life.
Great and fast, it grabbed me from the first page and I could barely stop reading.

Next listening:

 The Black Tower

It looks like we have a wonderful day ahead of us.

>151 Ameise1: How exciting! Wishing you great happiness on the slopes.

>152 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. It was a gorgeous day. I'll post some photos later.

book 10

 A Mind To Murder

Another good cozy mystery from the Adam Dalgliesh series. This time, the majority of everything takes place in one place namely the Steen Psychiatric Clinic. Miss Bolam the administrative officer is found dead in the archive. She was not very popular and therefore everyone had something to hide. Dalgliesh's job is to filter out all the negative emotions everyone has, so that he finds the essence. In this commissioner coincidence helps to put things into perspective. Dalgliesh has to hurry to prevent another murder from happening.
This story is psychologically very skillful and let me guess for a long time, who the villain is.

Next reading:

 Nerve

I had a fantastic first day of skiing. I saw my beloved ibex and a visit to the Kaffi Klatsch I could do too. The temperatures are exceptionally warm. It's almost like spring skiing.

   

Dessert! Now that's my kind of ski holiday! Glad to read you're having a lovely time.

>151 Ameise1:, >156 Ameise1: How beautiful Davos is! Lovely photos. And that dessert looks scrummy too.

>156 Ameise1: What lovely photos, Barbara. How I wish I had learnt to ski, although it may not have proved so useful to me here in Malaysia!

Have a wonderful Sunday.

>156 Ameise1: - Lovely pics, Barbara! I so love blue skies and sunshine against snowy scenery. I was never much of a skier, and would be very wary of returning to the sport/activity now, but I love the idea your last picture evokes: winter patio dining!

Hurrah for your skiing holiday, Barbara! Enjoy.

>157 charl08: Charlotte, a visit to Kaffi Klatsch is worth a sin. I was not there yesterday.

>158 richardderus: Rdear, Davos is always worth a trip, especially in winter for skiing. The place itself is not very nice, but that does not bother us, we are during the day on the peaks.

>159 PaulCranswick: Paul, as we say here, I was born with skis on my feet. I skied all my life, except twice. The first time when I was pregnant with Marina and was about to give birth and the second time, when I broke some vertebrae. Otherwise, nothing could stop me from skiing. I no longer drive as many hours a day as I used to.

>160 lkernagh: Lori, a deep blue sky in combination with snowy mountains is really beautiful. I enjoy it much more today and take my time. In the past it was all about slope kilometers.

>161 ronincats: Thanks so much, Roni. I enjoy every single minute.

Yesterday was a wonderful day again. We met our school friend Silvia and her family. With Silvia I was from kindergarten until we were 14 years old always in the same class. After that, our training paths separated. She is a librarian today. At the moment she is spending her holidays here too. I think that we will certainly see each other again even if the ski area is huge. Thomas took a picture of us, which we sent to another friend of ours, who has been living in Toronto for years. He said that they also have snow there, but it does not look as nice as here in Davos. In any case, we have arranged a meeting with him as soon as he comes to Switzerland in May.
In the evening our youngest daughter Marina joined us. She will stay until Saturday.

   

I would love to try skiing if not for my fear that I would break every bone in my body! :) Love the pictures!!

Lovely photos. I particularly noticed the food, of course! I'm glad you got to see your childhood friend and that Marina is with you.

>163 Ameise1: I've decided I'm too old to ski at this point in my life. I went once years ago and enjoyed it.

Hi Barbara - You have the best vacations.

Hi Barbara, your snow looks much more pretty than ours although up on our mountains it probably looks much better. Have a great ski holiday. How wonderful to meet up with old friends.

>164 alcottacre: Stasia, I learned skiing from a very young age. I think that as an adult one has much more respect for learning such a sport.

>165 karenmarie: Many thanks, Karen. Ah yes the food, one of my favorite pastimes. Since it is so warm we can easily sit on the sun terrace and enjoy the beautiful view in addition to the fine food.

>166 thornton37814: Lori, I do not race as much as when I was younger. Meanwhile, I am more of the connoisseurs and only go skiing in fine weather. In the past, I went to the slopes in all weathers.

>167 BLBera: Beth, that's so true and the weather forecast until the end of the week are fantastic.

>168 Familyhistorian: Meg, snow in the mountains is mostly beautiful, especially when the sun is shining. Is not it great when you meet an old school friend and thanks to the holidays has plenty of time for a chat?

book 11

 Nerve

I love Dick Francis books and this was no exception. Already at the beginning a jockey shot himself. Nobody could explain why he did this. The young jockey Rob, who sees the whole thing emotionally from the outside, gets to know the highs and lows of horse racing and decides to get to the bottom of the cause of the misery of his colleagues. He discovers that the horses of these jockeys and his horses have been doped. He's out for revenge and does it in a subtle way. He's in grave danger. His will is stronger than all the pain he suffers.
A magnificently thought-out thriller that gives an insight into the world of horse racing.

Next reading:

 Die Brillenmacherin

Yesterday we spent another nice ski day.

   

Hi Barabara! Glad to see you enjoying a wonderful holiday! Those blue skies, sunny weather and lots of snow, your pictures are great. And some good food to top it off. Enjoy!

>170 Ameise1: I'm clearly in the minority on Dick Francis. I hope all the rest of you enjoy the remaining books in the group read.

Looks like your having a wonderful time skiing and eating great food. Enjoy :)

>172 Ameise1: Beautiful! I do love snow!

Sending greetings to Davos, Barbara! It looks beautiful. Thanks for posting the photos - it's easy to tell you're having a fun time.

I enjoyed Mind to Murder and the other Adam Dalgliesh mysteries way back when. Those would probably make for an enjoyable group re-read, like the Dick Francis group read this year. I enjoyed Nerve as much as you did, sounds like.

Wow! That's some outstanding scenery, Barbara! Then there's the food and the beverages! You're doing this holiday right!!
I had to take a double take of your high school friend, she looks just like my Aunt Lillian. What a joy to see your ole' friend so unexpectedly!
Enjoy!

Nice skiing trip pictures. Enjoy!

Looks like a beautiful place! Hope you continue to have a great time.

I'm glad your good times are continuing, Barbara!

Another vacation in a beautiful spot! Have a great time!

Ah, I knew you would have lovely photos. That's why I came by.

Snow, sun, fun, delicious food, books,.. - yay!
Enjoy your holiday.

>172 Ameise1: Gorgeous photos!

I hope you are having a fantastic ski trip, Barb.

>173 EllaTim: Thanks so much, Ella. We had indeed a fabulous week.

>174 thornton37814: Lori, I know that there are series that are not for everyone. The good thing is that you are not forced to read everything, but only what makes you happy.

>175 figsfromthistle: Thanks so much, Anita. I am always so well rested when I have ski vacations.

>176 alcottacre: Me too, Stasia. thanks for dropping in.

>177 jnwelch: Thank you very much, Joe. We have a great time.
I love both authors and have already read a lot of them. At the moment I am listening to The Black Tower and it fascinates me very much. Luckily for Francis books there are still some open for the sharred reading.

>178 Carmenere: Lynda, with great weather and good snow, it is not very difficult to spend great ski holidays. The food in the canton of Grisons is always good.
It's nice to meet old school friends. Fortunately we do not live very far away from each other, so we see each other from time to time.

>179 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much, Rachel.

>180 bell7: Thanks so much, Mary. Apart from today, the weather was gorgeous.

>181 karenmarie: Karen, we had a great holiday. The day before yesterday our older daughter Isabelle came. It's been 7½ years the first time that we as a whole family for a few days are on vacation. We enjoy it very much.

>182 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer. I think my thread should be called rather books and holidays. ;-)

>183 ronincats: Lovely of you to stop by, Roni. I'm posting some more pics soon.

>184 SirThomas: Thanks so much, Thomas. We have a splendid time here in Davos.

>185 msf59: You're welcome, Mark. We have indeed a fantastic time.

So, here are some photos from Wednesday to today.


Thomas and I are waiting for the ski bus.

Thomas and Marina

Marina and Isabelle
  

Today only the girls are on the slopes. The view is miserable, nothing for us 'old'.
  

Lovely pictures Barbara - looks like a great family time. Thank you for sharing them.

>191 charl08: You're welcome, Charlotte. We really are enjoying our family time.

It looks like you're all having such a good time, Barbara. What a deep blue that sky is!

>193 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. Yes, in the mountains together with snow, the sky always appears deep blue. Today, however, it was so foggy that one no longer saw one's own hand in front of one's eyes. Therefore, only our girls were skiing.

>190 Ameise1: Such happy faces! Have a lovely weekend.

book 12 Read in German

 Die Brillenmacherin

The story takes place in England in 1387. The point is that the outlawed Bible translator Hereford is protected by some knights who copy his translated Bible parts and hide them in other places in England. Hereford is also hunted by Archbishop Courtenay, who wants to prevent the translation at any cost. In the middle of it is the young eyewear maker, who wants to continue the profession of her murdered husband and at the same time wants to protect her daughter. She is the plaything between the knights and the archbishop and is constantly in danger.
The book has only partially convinced me. The medieval part is interesting and exciting. On the other hand, many questions remain open and the conclusion is written so that a continuation is almost necessary. Too bad, I like books that are self-contained.

Next reading:

 Death Of A Heroine

Oh, I liked Death of a Red Heroine (U.S. title) a lot, Barbara. I hope you enjoy it. What a different environment for a mystery.

>198 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. It's the third book of this series I'm reading. I like this inspector very much.

Hi Barbara, from the photos my dear it looks like you are having a great time skiing, have a really nice weekend and send love and hugs to you all dear friend.

>200 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. We're heading back home, tomorrow. I still have another week of holiday, but all the others have to go back to work. Love and hugs to you and Karen xx

I don't know if it is just the white white snow, but that sky looks incredibly blue in your skiing photos! And beautiful :)

I wish you a blessed weekend - soaring like this jackdaw

More wonderful photos, Barbara!

Great photos, Barbara! How lovely to dine outdoors with all that beautiful scenery! Safe travels home!

Looks like you had some wonderful weather for your ski trip, Barbara!

>202 LovingLit: Megan, it's true that the blue sky combined with snow seems much bluer than normal. Add to that the very dry air.

>203 paulstalder: Dear Paul, thank you very much for the good wishes and the beautiful picture. I actually had a relaxing weekend after we left the drive from Davos home.

>204 ronincats: You're welcome, Roni.

>205 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda. It's actually great to be able to eat outside and with the beautiful view it is twice as fun.

>206 lkernagh: Lori, it was actually perfect for years from the beginning to the end. Except on Friday it was very foggy and only our daughters went skiing.

book 13 ♫

 The Black Tower

It was a pleasant hearing, although I would not classify this Dalgliesh book as excellent. Dalgliesh is in a recovery phase and visits an old friend at his request. Unfortunately, he is late because his friend died a few days ago. It is striking that Dalgliesh is always a tad too late in this book. He realizes that there is something bad at work, but there are dead before he finds out anything.

Next listening:

 Friday on my Mind

book 14 Read in German

 Death of a Red Heroine

I am glad that I read the first book of this series after all. It makes much of what Inspector Chen experienced more sense.
In his first case, many protagonists, which are also encountered in later books, are presented. Likewise, one becomes more familiar with the Chinese customs, which are enormously important to know, since a determination is not necessarily designed as you are used to crime thrill. The face on the political level has to be kept constant and this makes it very difficult when the villain comes from the establishment.
A young woman is found dead. She is a model worker and represents an important part of the Chinese working class. Why did she have to die? Did she lead a hidden second life that does not fit into political China? While Chen and Yu investigate, they often come up against a wall of silence.
Very exciting written, it grabbed me from the first to the last page.

>190 Ameise1: I love all the skiing photos! Looks like a great time.

Happy Wednesday, Barb. I hope your week is going fine.

>211 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. We have a spring-like week in Zürich.

We have a great week in Zurich at the moment. It is sunny and so warm at noon that I can sit outside in the sweater.
Here's a greeting from our garden.

   

>213 Ameise1: Wonderful spring flowers! Unfortunately, it will be a while until I get to see flowers pop up in my own garden.

>214 figsfromthistle: We always see them in the end of February even though snow can come back.

Hi Barbara!

Glad to hear you had a relaxing weekend, especially glad to hear that you're listening to Friday on my Mind.

Greetings back to your garden! Sweet flowers and beautiful pictures.

>216 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. I have a wonderful weeek.

>213 Ameise1: Oh, so beautiful. I'm jealous. We are still recovering from the snowdrifts we got from our "blizzard."

>218 The_Hibernator: Rachel, we can get snow and be back in winter any time. I just enjoy the moment.

>213 Ameise1: - Lovely pictures of signs of Spring, Barbara! Cherry blossoms were coming out at the of January over here, only to have the region get slammed by Father Winter for most of February. I have my fingers crossed that a Spring Reboot will be happening in March.

Warm and sunny february - and beautiful pictures.
With us it was sunny too, but now it is raining al little bit - good for the plants.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.

>213 Ameise1: all the spring flowers - thanks for the good pictures

>220 lkernagh: Lori, cherry blossoms have to wait here for the next two months. >220 lkernagh: Winter can be anytime back here until the end of April but currently it's too warm.

>221 SirThomas: Thanks so much, Thomas. Today it's rainy and windy but still too warm for the season.

>222 paulstalder: You're welcome, Paul. I love it coming back from the skiing holiday and seeing the first spring flowers.

Your flowers are so beautiful! I'm pulling weeds out of my yard :-C

>224 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. That we've done in late autumn.

>213 Ameise1: Crocus! Lovely. Happy spring, Barbara, it SNOWED here today so I'm in a foul humor.

>226 richardderus: Sorry to hear that you got snow. Well, here we can get snow until the end of April. So I enjoy spring days when they are here. Today it was raining but not cold.

>213 Ameise1: Lovely to see the flowers coming out, Barbara.

Have a splendid weekend.

>213 Ameise1: I want to see some flowers! Wah!!

Happy Saturday, Barb. Enjoy your weekend.

Beautiful spring garden, Barbara! I need to show those pictures the unproductive dirt in front of my house. I know the crocus are in there waiting....and waiting....and waiting. Have a lovely weekend!

Gorgeous pictures from the garden - thank you for posting them.
Your comments on >210 Ameise1: reminded me about this series - there have been a BBC radio dramatisation which I really liked. That cultural difference, and how it shapes the way the crime story is told, makes for a fascinating read / listen.

Hi Barbara, our Camellia is lovely now in full bloom with more buds to open and at least fifty have flowered and dropped, I hope the new white Camellia I planted last Monday blooms shortly, only six or seven buds on it but it is only 18 inches tall at the moment.

We have had the Snowdrops out and now they have gone but Crocus are out and a couple of Narcissi are out with the Tulips sprouting through.

Hope you had a good weekend and have a good week ahead , sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

Delightful pictures from your garden, Barbara! We have been having lovely sunny days, but the temps have been on the colder side for this time of year, around 4 C or so. But we are getting there!

>213 Ameise1: Lovely flowers, Barbara, it is nice to see the first signs of spring in the garden. Today I saw my neighbors apricot has started to flower!

Those are some fantastic pictures! Just to let you know that there's a vote happening on my thread. Happy Reading!

I miss these little fellows carpeting the floors of Yorkshire glades.



Happy weekend.

>213 Ameise1: Love all the snowy mountain shots and even a bit more, the beautiful spring flowers!! Wishing you a great week ahead.

>228 PaulCranswick: >236 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much for keeping my thread warm, Paul. Unfortunately, I cant see the picture. The weather is a bit crazy here like in April. On one day the sun can shine, a few minutes later it rains and again a few minutes later it is snowing, followed by the next sunshine. This can be repeated several times a day.

>229 msf59: Every day you see more flowers here, thanks also to the rain. Today you can see the first willow catkins.

>230 Carmenere: Thanks so much, Lynda. I hope you're crocusses are showing up soon.

>231 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. I really like this Chinese series even though I do not read the books in the correct order as usual.

>232 johnsimpson: John, it's great that your spring flowers are also blooming. I love camellias, but they do not have a big chance to survive here.

>233 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. The temperatures here vary from 0C to 12C. At the moment it is very difficult to dress properly. I do it like an onion (different layers) at the time, and my hat, gloves and umbrella are always with me.

>234 FAMeulstee: Oh Anita, if the apricots were already blooming, they would have no chance of survival, even if the apricot tree were on a wall. The nights are still too cold and would freeze the flowers.

>235 BBGirl55: Thanks for the reminder, Bryony. I voted.

>237 Berly: Thank you, Kim. In the mountains it was really nice and here in the lowlands we enjoy the typical April weather. ;-)

book 15

 The Chessmen

The third part of the Lewis trilogy is great. It is told of today and at the same time it goes back to the past. Fin Macleod's life is taking on even more form and you understand him and his actions better and better. In this part, one becomes acquainted with his best childhood friend Whistler Macaskill. We learn that Fin and Whistler were always there for each other and went through thick and thin together. Each helped the other when in distress. In the harsh world of the Northern Scottish archipelago, such a warm and friendly friendship is worth gold.

:o( Still Crocusless, but maybe tomorrows 70f temps will rectify that.

>240 Carmenere: Oh dear, fingers crossed that you'll see them soon.

book 16 Read in German

 Young Blood

This is a very interesting book about life and violence in a Durban township. A young man who breaks off school because it does not make sense to him and he is overwhelmed with the material comes through friends in the dark criminal machinations that brings a township so with it. His father earns little money in a fair way by mending cars. Sipho has learned this craft from his father, but he wants to get quickly to much money for his reputation to increase. At the beginning, everything is going according to plan and he does not see any big danger for him. Fortunately, he has good friends who watch over him like guardian angels. Only thanks to them he survives and comes out of the criminal milieu after many adventurous actions, during which he earned a lot of money, even if he loses it in the end.
Sifiso Mzobe tells so realistically that you as a reader have the feeling of being in the middle of it. You realize that he wishes his main character only the best, so he finds out unscathed from the mess.

book 17 Read in German

 Kein Tag für Jakobsmuscheln

This is the first book of the Commissaire Leblanc series. It plays on the Norman coast in the resort of Deauville-Trouville. One could call this book a cozy mystery. It is a simple act and even if there are dead, it is not bloodthirsty. Of course, the romance must not be missing and the very good food let me run the water in my mouth.
A woman who used to live in Paris, and from that time knows Commissaire Leblanc, since he was her lover, finds a dead man on her morning walk. This is how the paths between her and Leblanc inevitably intersect. Who is the dead man? Everyone knows him as a day labourer, who on the one hand seeks employment from the fishermen and, on the other hand, is an active member of the voluntary fire brigade. It is incomprehensible to everyone that he had to die. The author also brings up the subject of overfishing in this story.
Commissaire Leblanc loves the women and the food. Through a trauma he can not sleep alone in the night and therefore always finds in his address book a woman.

Hi - Paul S. suggested that I ask you if you've visited Der Trauerautomat since you live in Zurich -
and, if yes, could you add comments to his site...? Thank you, Marianne Jackson

Hi Barbara! I hope you had a good weekend and have a good week ahead.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Barbara.

>239 Ameise1: my mount TBR is growing and growing, this trilogy is now on my wishlist, thank you for the recommendation, Barbara.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.

wish you a nice, relaxing weekend

>244 m.belljackson: I've posted some pics on Paul S. thread.

>245 karenmarie: Hello Karen, we have wonderful spring weather here and I'm enjoying my garden.

>246 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. I hope you have a splendid weekend too.

>247 SirThomas: Thomas, the Lewis series is great. I am sure you will like it.

>248 paulstalder: Thanks so much, Paul. I'm spending most of this weekend in our garden.

book 18 ♫ Read in German

 Friday on My Mind

After Frieda's former friend was found dead, the suspicion fell on Frieda. She had to go down because the police were looking for her. Frieda would not be Frieda if she did not conduct her own investigations, which led to the death of her former lover. She was more or less on her own, only Joseph helped her.
Only with time did she get help from her nearest ally.
It was a very adventurous exciting reading.

Glad you're getting the reading in Barbara. >250 Ameise1: Hope you have a good weekend.

>251 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. My reading pace isn't so bad but I'm still four reviews behind which I have to do before I can make myself comfortable in a deck chair in the garden with a good book.

Happy weekend to you too.

book 19

 Forfeit

Also this Dick Francis was exciting, even if more ran next to the racecourse than on the racecourse. This time investigates a journalist unrealities in the horse betting. On a large scale, bets on horses are placed in advance, but shortly before the start these horses are deducted from the race. The bets always go to the same person, since the regulations do not provide for a return of the wagers made. Who is behind these mafia bets and how can this person be caught? With what means of pressure are the horse owners blackmailed so that they do not let their horses start? The journalist puts himself and his loved one in the greatest danger.
Exciting from the beginning to the end.

Happy Saturday, Barb. Miss seeing you around. I hope you are doing well.

book 20 ♫ Read in German

 Throttle

It took me a while to immerse myself in the story. I probably did not like the story so much. What I have to owe to the author is that his protagonists, as combative as they may be, show feelings that you almost get the feeling that they are softies.

>254 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I wish you a wonderful weekend, too. I'm fine, I have a lot of work to do. For a week now, students of educational college are at my class at teaching. They are two great young women. During the last weeks I was preparing a lot with them. Now it is going very well. They stay until almost the end of May.

book 21 Read in German

 The Strings of Murder
BB from Meg (Familyhistorian)

Meg, thank you for recommending this series to me.

What a great way to get started with the A Case for Frey & McGray series. Inspector Ian Frey is no longer welcome at Scotland Yard. But since he comes from a well-known wealthy home, you can not just put him on the street. So he's relocated to Edinburgh to help his new boss, Inspector McGrey. Having arrived in Edinburgh, Frey does not fit in and he's eager to get the case down as quickly as possible so he can go back to London. This is wishful thinking. McGrey picks him up at his house. The chemistry between the two is far from good. They argue like an old couple. While Frey strives for clear policing, McGrey is the one who also uses supernatural powers to help. In this case, a string of violinists are found dead and nobody knows how this could happen.
The story is very exciting and it captivated me from the first page to the last. I will definitely continue with this series.

book 22 Read in German

 Eine unbeliebte Frau

A respected prosecutor begins suicide and a young woman is found dead. What looks like two different cases at the outset soon turns out to be a case that can not be more confused. The Commissioners Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein are fully busy pursuing the many loose ends of these cases, but have long felt that many of these ends repeatedly lead to a dead end. Many victims are silent and it takes a long time until someone breaks the silence.
This is a great first work and I will certainly read more books with this commissary duo.

Currently reading:

 Innocence

>258 Ameise1: Glad to see you liked the first von Bodenstein und Kirchhoff, Barbara.

>260 FAMeulstee: It was gorgeous, Anita. Thomas bought more of her books years ago so there are still some left for me to read.

Hi Barbara!

I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!

>262 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. It's sunny and warm and I enjoy reading in the garden. :-)

Good to see that you enjoyed The Strings of Murder, Barbara. Isn’t the conflict between the two main characters well done?

>264 Familyhistorian: Oh yes, it's brilliantly made. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Just popping in to say Hi!

>253 Ameise1: I still have to get my hands on Forfeit...gdla you enjoyed it so much.

Looks like you've been getting some great reading done, Barbara!

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Barbara. xx

Hi Barbara my dear, hope all is well with you and the family and hope that you are all having a good weekend and send love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

>266 Berly: Hi Kim, glad you are here. Forfeit is definitely worth reading it.

>267 ronincats: Hi Roni, yep, on the reading front it was a good start into this year.

>268 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. I hope your weekend goes well too.

>269 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. We are all fine. Isabelle's 27th birthday was last Sunday. But since she was with friends in the mountains, we celebrate today. We will have dinner tonight at a restaurant she chooses. Tomorrow we take off as the big spring festival 'Sächsilüüte' takes place. In addition, Thomas and I should finally book our flight for the spring break. We will travel to Portugal for about 10 days at the end of April.
Love and hugs to both of you. xx

book 23

 Innocence

This was a captivating read. Scott Finn and Tom Kozlowski not only try to uncover why an 'innocent' has been in jail for fifteen years, no, it's also about the survival of their loved ones.
Just before Christmas, Finn is supposed to help a young lawyer convict a convicted person years ago to prove his innocence. It soon turns out that the Boston police are corrupt and also their laboratories. They were bought by Central American Mafiosi. The judge who handles this case is not necessarily on Finns side and demands multiple proofs for the innocence of his client. But this is a dangerous venture. There are many dead and seriously injured, including Kozlowski's new girlfriend and coworker from Finn.
It was exciting from the first to the last page.

Next reading:

 Innocence

>270 Ameise1: Sounds like a fun night Barbara, hope you have a lovely time as a family.

>273 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. We spent indeed a fabulous time and the food was delicious.

book 24

 Innocence

It is an unusual reading which allowed me to guess almost until the end.
Addison Goodheart is an unusual person. The midwife wanted to kill him shortly after birth, but the mother kept it with him for eight years before putting him out the door. When he arrived in the big city, he was picked up by a man whom he called Father. He has the same extraordinary looks as Addison. Therefore, they can only leave the underground at night. Father was already six years dead when this story began. It is told in the now and in the past. Addison encounters Gwyneth, who shares a similar fate as he does, except that her father had a lot of money and she does not need to hide in the underground because she has enough flats / houses available. Addison and Gwyneth are a kind of do-gooder who think of others first, rather than themselves. They can not leave injustices and must eliminate them. A priest helps them.

Next reading:

 The Redeemed

I hope that you enjoy this week’s spring festival, Barbara!

Hooray for your upcoming visit to Portugal 🇵🇹! What cities and towns are you planning to visit? I look forward to seeing photos from your trip here and on Facebook.

>270 Ameise1: Belated happy birthday to Isabelle.
You travel to Portugal with Easter break?

>277 kidzdoc: Thanks so much, Darryl. Yep, I'll post photos of our trip to 🇵🇹.

>278 FAMeulstee: I booked our flights today. We'll be in Portugal from 28th of April til the 10th of May. I still have to work the short week after Easter.

Happy Tuesday, Barb. Are you on holiday? If so, have a wonderful time.

>280 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Holiday starts on the 28th of April.

Please join me on my new thread.