November 3, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Anna Pigeon, Nevada Barr, Track of the Cat
While looking for signs of mountain lions, park ranger Anna Pigeon comes across the dead body of another ranger. A quick glance at the scene seems to indicate that the ranger was killed by a cougar but the more Anna considers the evidence, the more it doesn’t add up. Despite the fact that the case is closed and despite direct orders to the contrary, Anna continues to investigate. A few names easily come to mind as she considers who may have had a motive—but she also needs to work out the how.
While on another routine hike, one misstep on a trail she knows well has Anna nearly falling to her death. Soon after, fellow ranger Craig Eastern is fatally attacked by the snakes he’s been collecting. All of the incidents appear to be accidents—but three such accidents in a season raises questions. Anna knows that her questioning has been noticed—but what did Sheila and Craig stumble into that led to their murders?
Looking forward to A Superior Death! For more about Nevada Barr, please visit http://www.nevadabarr.net/index.htm
(loved, loved, loved the hanging canyon!)
October 27, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Curse of the Kings, Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert, Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt
Despite her unknown parentage, Judith Osmond has a lovely childhood. The local pastor and his sisters have provided a loving home for her at the rectory. She has attended lessons with the local squire’s daughter and nephew. That same squire, Sir Ralph, is quite pleased with her when she chances upon a Roman artifact; having a strong interest in archaeology himself, he finds her passion for archaeology worthy of indulging.
Years later, on an expedition in Egypt financed by Sir Ralph, his neighbor and close friend Sir Edward dies unexpectedly and without apparent cause. As Sir Edward was a healthy man, rumors quickly spread of a curse. Judith dismisses the rumors . . . at first.
Set sometime before the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Curse of the Kings is a predictable but enjoyable gothic. Judith is annoying but still likable. This is actually a re-read for me; Victoria Holt was one of my favorite authors in high school and I decided it was time to revisit some of those titles.
For more about Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert’s novels (written under various pseudonyms), please visit http://jeanplaidy.tripod.com/id19.htm . Love the images of the old book covers!
And for another perspective, check out this review http://www.davidchess.com/words/revs/tcotk.html
October 13, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Name to a Face, Robert Goddard
Landscaper Tim Harding travels to West Cornwall at the request of Barney Tozer, one of his wealthy clients. His task is simple: attend an auction and purchase an antique ring of special value to Tozer’s family. Once Tim arrives though, he finds that there’s much more to the story than Barney has shared with him. First there is some suspicion regarding Barney’s involvement in a local diving accident years earlier (the girl slipped into a coma and never recovered). Then there is the complicated relationship among the various Tovers and the history of the ring itself.
Caught up in this mystery is a young woman who looks remarkably like the girl from the diving accident. Tim finds himself surrounded by people with secrets: every lie seems to have another lie behind it. His quest for the truth will take him back into English history and forward to dangers he can no longer avoid.
I liked the layered mysteries and overlapping schemes—Goddard does present an interesting puzzle. I felt that the characters had their less-believable moments but not enough to detract from the story. If you like your mystery with a dash of history and a sprinkling of mysticism, you’re likely to enjoy Name to a Face.
October 8, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Night of Knives, Ian Esslemont, Steven Erikson, Malazan Empire
Kiska has heard the tales of the Shadow Moon, a rare celestial event which heralds the opening between the worlds of shadow and mortals. It is said that dead souls rise and demonlike hounds attack anyone foolish enough to venture outside. Many residents of Malaz will bar their doors, shutter their windows and anxiously await morning. Kiska will not . . . and she’s not alone. There are some who expect Emperor Kellanved to return this evening—some wish his return, some do not, but either way they will brave the night’s happenings to battle for their interests.
Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont c0-created the fantasy setting of Malaz more than 25 years ago for use in a role-playing game. Erikson went on to write novels set in that world; Esslemont’s Night of Knives is a prequel of sorts to that series. The entire novel takes place over the course of one day and night. Lots of action; it takes some time for the storylines to converge but it’s worth it.
For more on the Malazan Empire, please visit http://malazanempire.com/site/home
September 28, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Discworld, Equal Rites, Terry Pratchett
On Discworld, everyone knows that only men can be wizards just as only women can be witches. Everyone also knows that the eighth son of an eighth son is always a wizard. Imagine then, the trouble that begins when a dying wizard neglects to verify an 8th baby’s gender before passing on his magical staff . . . .
Midwife Granny Weatherwax is quite annoyed with this turn of events but what is done cannot be undone. She determines to raise the 8th child, a girl named Esk, as a witch. When Esk turns 9 however, it becomes obvious that the ‘wizard’ powers passed on to her through the staff cannot be ignored or channeled into traditional witch magic. Now Granny and Esk need to convince the wizards of the Unseen University to allow a female to gain admission as a student . . . .
Love the quirky characters, the fact that Esk grew up in the town of Bad Ass, the descriptions of Granny taking long running starts in order to get her broom off the ground and of course, the wizard’s staff.
September 23, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
In Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta defied the Capital by refusing to kill one another; instead, they popped poisonous berries into their mouths. The Game announcer interrupted their planned joint-suicide by declaring them both winners and the audience breathed a sigh of relief when the star-crossed lovers spit out the berries.
In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta must now pay for that act of defiance. They, their loved ones and District 12 are under close scrutiny from the Capital. President Snow visits Katniss and warns her that she must convince everyone that the berry-incident was nothing more than the desperate act of a girl unable to face life without her lover. Even as he issues his warning however, President Snow has already initiated a series of events intended to punish Katniss and quell any stirrings of rebellion in the districts.
Once again, I could not put this story down! Excellent character-development; compelling themes of survival, sacrifice, morality and love.
September 5, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
In this post-apocalyptic novel, the United States is gone. Its replacement, the Capitol, has imposed a cruel punishment for past District insurrections: each year, every District must send two teenagers to compete in a Survivor-like televised competition. The competition is a battle to the death.
When Katniss’s sister is selected by lottery to be sent to the Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. The teenage boy selected from her District is Peeta, the boy who gave her food when her family was starving. Turns out, Peeta has had a crush on Katniss since he was 5 years old. The Gamemakers like the drama the star-crossed lovers angle brings to the games—at first.
It’s hard to imagine such a cruel regime but Collins makes it convincing. The characters make this a compelling read: despite their daily struggle to survive, there is a sense of community in District 12. There is hope that some of the contestants will “find a way to retain their humanity” despite everything the Gamemakers throw at them. There is also hope that some of the contestants will defy the rules of the Games . . . .
I read this book in one sitting . I’m not quite sure how the cameras managed to capture everything the contestants were up to but that is a trivial point. Highly recommended!
September 2, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Discworld, Terry Pratchett, The Light Fantastic
Only one person can save the Discworld from imminent destruction; unfortunately, he was last seen falling off its edge. Luckily, the powerful spell lodged inside his mind has a vested interest in his continued survival sooo, it works some serious magic to ensure that Rincewind lands right back on Discworld.
Safely back on Discworld, Rincewind and Twoflower set off on another chaotic adventure. This time around they’ll pick up Cohen the Barbarian (an arthritic toothless geezer who still knows how to woo the ladies), meet the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (and teach them how to play cards), skirmish with cultists and wizards, and finally return to Ankh-Morpork (the city they left in ashes in The Colour of Magic).
Loved, loved, loved this book! Looking forward to Equal Rites.
