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!)

Dances/Music/Scores:

• Michael & Anna danced the Foxtrot to Sunny Afternoon.  23
• Donny & Kym danced the Quickstep to Sing, Sing, Sing.  24
• Mark & Anna danced the Samba to Switch.  19
• Mya & Dmitry danced the Foxtrot to Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby.  25
• Aaron & Karina danced the Jive to We’re Not Gonna Take It.  29
• Kelly & Louis danced the Salsa to Good Lovin’.  24
• Joanna & Derek danced the Rumba to The Look of Love.  27

• Team Paso (Mark & Anna, Aaron & Karina, Mya & Dmitry, Michael & Anna) danced to I Hate Myself for Loving You.  24
• Team Tango (Joanna & Derek, Kelly & Louis, Donny & Kym) danced to You Give Love a Bad Name.  28

Favorite Couples: No surprises here–I still like Mya & Dmitry, Joanna & Derek, Donny & Kym, Kelly & Louis.  I grudgingly acknowledge that Aaron & Karina danced well.

Who’s Going Home: Maybe Mark? Maybe Michael?

Other Thoughts: Of all the people he could have asked, Dmitry invited Cloris Leachman to give Mya some pointers???   Good thing you’re cute Dmitry.

Dances/Scores/Music:

• Mya & Dmitry danced the Jitterbug to C’mon Everbody.  24
• Melissa & Mark danced the Waltz to Only One Road.  20
• Mark & Lacey danced the Jitterbug to This Cat’s On a Hot Tin Roof.  26
• Aaron & Karina danced the Waltz to Three Times a Lady.  25
• Michael & Anna danced the Waltz to I Wonder Why.  20
• Kelly & Louis danced the Jitterbug to Bread and Butter.  20
• Louie & Chelsie danced the Jitterbug to Baby Likes to Rock It.  21
• Joanna & Derek danced the Waltz to Be Here to Love Me.  26
• Donny & Kym danced the Jitterbug to Choo Choo Ch’Boogie. 24

Favorite Couples: Mya & Dmitry, Joanna & Derek, Kelly & Louis, Donny & Kym.  *I have to admit that Aaron & Karina seem to have hit their stride—they are performing well together.

Who’s Going Home: I have no idea.  I’m hoping that it’s Michael and Louie but they seem to have a strong following.  Maybe Melissa and Aaron???

Other Thoughts: I barely paid attention last night (not feeling great), I muted everything but the dances and Bruno still managed to annoy me.

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

I’m appalled that Natalie and Alec are leaving the competition—especially when Michael, Louie and Aaron remain.  Natalie was a much stronger dancer and more appealing performer.

photo courtesy of ABC.com

Dances/Scores:

• Natalie & Alec danced the Paso Doble.  22
• Aaron & Karina danced the Argentine Tango.  24
• Michael & Anna danced the Paso Doble.  21
• Mya & Dmitry danced the Argentine Tango.  27
• Mark & Lacey danced the Paso Doble.  26
• Donny & Kym danced the Argentine Tango.  29
• Louie & Chelsie danced the Argentine Tango.
• Melissa & Mark danced the Argentine Tango.  23
• Kelly & Louis danced the Paso Doble.  24
• Joanna & Maks danced the Argentine Tango.  24

Favorite Couples: Mya & Dmitry, Joanna & Maks—and I hate to say it, but I really liked Aaron & Karina’s performance.  Donny & Kym and Kelly & Louis are still on my overall favorites list.

Who’s Going Home: Even though he danced well and made the effort to act like an adult, I think Aaron is a strong possibility.  If not him, maybe Louie & Chelsie???

Other Thoughts: I thought all of the couples performed well this week.  I hated the music choice for Michael & Anna’s Tango (it seemed too perky for such an intense dance).  I *thought* Lacey had the scariest hair until I saw the group Hustle and saw the guys in their wigs . . .   Kelly & Louis’ Paso was a bit surreal–he did look like a young Ozzie and she did look like a young Sharon.

Dances/Scores:

• Chuck & Anna danced the Texas Two-Step. 17
• Melissa & Mark danced the Charleston. 29
• Natalie & Alec danced the Bolero. 24
• Aaron & Karina danced the Lambada. 18
• Mark & Lacey danced the Texas Two-Step. 22
• Kelly & Louis danced the Charleston.  23
• Joanna & Derek danced the Lambada.  26
• Donny & Kym danced the Charleston.  24
• Michael & Anna danced the Bolero.  16
• Louie & Chelsie danced the Texas Two-Step.  16
• Mya & Dmitri danced the Lambada.  28

Favorite Couples: Mya & Dmitri, Natalie & Alec, Joanna & Derek, Kelly & Louis, Donny & Kym.  I also liked Mark & Lacey.

Who’s Going Home: Okay, since I’m late posting, I already know that Chuck went home.  I’m not incredibly surprised but he did dance better than Louie.  This week Louie was the most painful one to watch.

Other Thoughts: Of the remaining couples, Michael & Anna and Louie & Chelsie are the weakest and should be the next to go.  I don’t think that’s going to happen though–I think Aaron & Karina might be next.  Aaron does come across as cocky and immature–he’s just not very likable and people aren’t going to vote for someone they don’t like.  Karina cried when the announcement was finally made–was it just the stress of being in the bottom two again, sadness that Chuck was leaving or the fact that she’d have to keep dancing with Aaron?

I think Len must have an issue with either Mya or Dmitri because he’s the only one finding fault with their performances.

I think the final three will be Mya & Dmitri, Donny & Kym and ?  Maybe Natalie & Alec, Joanna & Derek or Kelly & Louis.

Louis looked a bit frightening with that makeup. . .

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.