What the Dead Know by Barbara Butcher

May 25, 2023

What the Dead Know by Barbara Butcher

Barbara Butcher was an medicolegal death investigator for the New York Office of the City Medical Examiner for 22 years. Her job was to go out to death scenes to collect information, examine the remains and the surroundings, and determine the manner of death (accident, suicide, homicide, natural causes, misadventure). 

Riveting account of a job that most of us know very little about. The author treated both the victims and their families with dignity and respect. The chapters about working at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks are particularly intense. Not something to read while eating dinner. Highly recommended to readers of narrative nonfiction and true crime.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Pile (aka Ground Zero) at the World Trade Center

The Long and Short of It by Jodi Taylor

May 22, 2023

The Long and Short of It by Jodi Taylor

The disaster magnets from St. Mary's Institute for Historical Research (aka historians) are back for a collection of short stories previously published in ebook form. I'm not usually a fan of short stories (not enough time for character development, truncated plots, etc.), but I've read most of the books in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series. This collection of short stories fills in some of the blanks and hanging plot lines from previous books.

We learn how Dr. Bairstow founded St. Mary's, discover more about Markham, and learn how Mr. Bashford met Angus the chicken (who is actually a hen). Many of the stories are holiday themed. Unlike most short story collections, all of these stories are good. Great fun.

Angus the chicken, who is actually female

Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style by Paul Rudnick

May 20, 2023

Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style by Paul Rudnick

Wealthy Farrell Covington and Jersey Jewish boy Nate Reminger met during their first term at Yale and fell in love, and stayed that way for the next 50 years. Farrell has buckets of style - of course, he has the mega-millions to pay for style - and Nate can't quite believe that Farrell wants to be with him. But Farrell's family refuse to accept that their son is gay and go to great lengths to separate the pair. But their love persists, overcoming everything that comes their way.

The first two thirds of the book were good, very entertaining, but then it started to go off the tracks. One of the characters develops AIDS (it's the 1980s) and then the story starts to get loopy. Really - if you're diagnosed with AIDS or any terminal disease, would you run off and leave your long-term beloved partner for TWO YEARS? And the reason the character goes off is actually pretty stupid - you have to be a mega-rich person to think that it's important. I wouldn't but I'm hetero, so I checked with some of my gay friends and they all agreed they would never do that. Falls kind of flat at the end. Disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop

May 17, 2023

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop

Before starting college, Rachel and her best friend Caroline spent a summer traveling in Europe, ending up working at a dive bar at an upscale resort on a Greek island. Eighteen years later, she returns with her husband to find the place greatly changed, now a tourist destination rather than an exclusive resort. But when she runs into a woman she worked with, memories that Rachel would rather forget begin to surface.

Similar to My Dark Vanessa, with teenaged girls being abused by older manipulative men. I thought this would be a good summer read, but it's not - rather than being fun and suspenseful, it's depressing and there were no surprises. I didn't feel a connection to the characters or particularly care what happened to them. Rachel in particular is completely brainwashed. It felt like the author was trying to cash in on the current Me Too movement. I did a lot of skimming, especially in the second half of the book. Disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Greek islands

The Curse of the Marquis de Sade by Joel Warner

May 17, 2023

The Curse of the Marquis de Sade by Joel Warner

The Marquis de Sade was imprisoned in the notorious Bastille prison in Paris. He was a prolific writer, penning plays, essays, novels, short stories and political tracts, although he is best known for his erotic works. While in the Bastille, he wrote his magnum opus, "120 Days of Sodom." The manuscript was written on paper that was four inches wide; when he got to the bottom of the page, he glued another page to the bottom and kept writing. When the page was 40 feet long, he turned it over and wrote on the other side. When the Marquis was moved to another prison, the manuscript was left behind and later found after the Bastille was liberated. The manuscript became a collector's item, passing from one collector to another.

Part biography, part history of the notorious manuscript and other erotic literature, part investigation of the mania that grips collectors. The chapters about the Marquis's life and the history of erotic literature are far more interesting than the parts about rare documents as an investment. Should have been more interesting than it was.

The Marquis de Sade

Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

May 14, 2023

Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

Arthur Less returns for another entry in the continuing saga of his life. He and his partner Freddy Pelu are in a steady relationship, his novels are moderately successful, and overall, life is going well. But then the death of a former lover causes not only emotional blow but a financial crisis as well. Arthur is forced to find a way to pay the back rent on The Shack, their tiny but beloved San Francisco home. So while Freddy is away on a three month sabbatical in New England (where Arthur was supposed to join him), Arthur is instead racing around the southwest with an eccentric author trying to complete an interview for which he'll get paid, while also serving as a judge for a gay literary prize (also for money), accompanying an acting troupe performing a play adapted from one of his books (yes, and got paid for it), and returns to his Delaware home town for a speaking tour, all with somewhat disastrous results. And his long-estranged father decides to get in touch.

Light and entertaining. Even at the age of 50+, Arthur is sweet, hopeful and earnest. I actually think this sequel is better than the first book. Freddy is the narrator of the books and we learn more about his life. Arthur is constantly being confused with another writer by the same name, which makes for some entertaining confusion. One complaint is that the chapters are VERY long - I would have preferred breaking them up into shorter segments.

Rossina, the VW minibus that Arthur travels the South in

The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring

May 12, 2023

The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring

Dalton is a small town in Maine, where everyone is linked to everyone else: Bridget Frazier's parents own the lumber mill, the largest employer in the town; Bridget is married to police officer Nate Theroux and they have a new baby; Nate's mother Bev manages the local nursing home and is having an affair with library director Trudy Haskell (both Bev and Trudy's husbands know about the affair and choose to ignore it); Trudy is married to the town doctor; Rose Douglas is one of Dr. Haskell's patients and is in an abusive relationship with the father of her children. Then the sudden death of a town resident affects everyone living in Dalton.

Taking place over the course of one year, this is a quiet lovely book about interlinked lives that will break your heart. In a small town, everyone knows everyone else's business, public or private, or so they think. But you never really know what is going on inside someone else's life or marriage, no matter how perfect it looks from the outside. Readers who enjoyed A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella will enjoy The Road to Dalton.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Aroostook County, northern Maine

Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor

May 11, 2023

Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor

The good people from St. Mary's Institute for Historic Research are back for another wild adventure. Max and her family visit Iron Age America, where they unexpectedly encounter a group of lost Vikings. Then, when a government official expresses a desire to find out what really happened to the princes in the tower, Max and director Bairstow jump to 15th century London, timed for the last known date that the princes were seen. Finally, her team jumps to Bronze Age Crete to witness the bull jumpers, King Minos, and the earthquake that destroyed the city of Knossos. But events from the past and future shake the foundations of Max's world, causing her to question what is true and who she can trust.

This is really Mr. Markham's book. We get his backstory but he also becomes a father (although we still don't know if he and Hunter are married) when Nurse Hunter's baby is born. The Time Police make several appearances and Max works to restore goodwill between them and St. Mary's. And Clive Ronan finally takes things too far and destroys himself. Good. I was tired of Clive a few books back.

And if you're going to test whether your windows, walls, or pods can withstand being hit by a bird, remember (and I'm quoting NASA here): "Gentlemen, thaw your chickens." Read the book and you'll get the reference.

Ancient city of Knossos

The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

May 10, 2023

The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

Follows the lives of three families living in Springfield, IL, from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, and their different experiences. The Lincolns are Abraham Lincoln's family; the Donnegans are a free black family who assist escaped slaves to freedom; and the Ferreiras are a family of Portuguese immigrants who left their home seeking religious freedom and settled in Springfield. All are affected by Lincoln's presidency and assassination, the Civil War, and emancipation and restoration following the war. 

I enjoyed Horan's previous books so I was looking forward to reading her latest novel. While well-researched, the author tried to cover too much territory historically, and there are too many characters for good character development. She tried to include too many important topics, such as slavery, the Civil War, Lincoln's presidency, the race riots in the early 20th century, Mary Todd Lincoln's life as First Lady. I think the title is also incorrect - I went into the book thinking it was about the Lincoln family, but they really play only a small part. There is much more about the Donnegan family and slavery than either of the other families. Needed a good editor - disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Springfield's main street and business district, mid-19th century

Witch King by Martha Wells

May 4, 2023

Witch King by Martha Wells

Kai (short for Kaiisteron) is the witch king, a royal demon. He wakes trapped in a glass coffin in an underwater structure, where he manages to overpower his captors, take one of their bodies, and then free his companion Ziede. They have no idea how long they have been asleep, who imprisoned them, where they are, or the state of their world. They travel to Kai's underground home kingdom for answers, then search for Ziede's mate Tahren. Tahren was supposed to attend a coalition summit but never showed up. 

High fantasy is not usually my thing, and this is high fantasy (I usually prefer urban fantasy or steampunk, where magic and fantasy are layered over the real world). But I love Martha Wells' Murderbot series so I thought I'd give her latest novel a try. In essence, it's a search for a missing person while trying to discover who is working against them. The timeline moves back and forth from the present to 60 years ago when the main characters all met. Lots of characters, names, locations, often confusing. At the end, we are left wondering what is going to happen so some of the characters who have been with the main characters throughout the book (such as Raman and Tenes). Martha Wells began as a fantasy writer and then branched out into sci fi, so this is a return to her roots. Readers of pure fantasy will love it, but others will find it confusing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The new Murderbot novel, coming out later this year - I can't wait!

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

May 1, 2023

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Sophie Whalen, an Irish immigrant living in New York, answers a newspaper advertisement for a mail order bride, then travels to San Francisco to meet the man she has agreed to marry. Martin Hocking is a handsome widower with a small child who needs a mother since he travels for business. Sophie has always wanted a child and is so happy with little Kat that she accepts her strange marriage and strange husband. But a year after their marriage, a pregnant woman shows up at Sophie's door, claiming that Martin is her husband as well, but under a different name. But Martin isn't the only one living a lie - Sophie also has secrets that she fears will destroy her carefully constructed life if they were to become known.

Well-researched historical novel set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. There is wonderful detail about how the upper middle class lived in the early 20th century. Although the sociopath husband is the story's catalyst, it is predominantly about the women that he has used so carelessly, who band together and pick up their lives and go on. Most of the stories threads are wound in at the end, but it is never really clear why Martin wanted a mail order bride from the east coast or why he married Sophie - at least one character notes that he could have hired a nanny and a housekeeper. Will appeal to readers of Kate Morton and Diane Chamberlain. 

The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

May 1, 2023

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

Lady Augusta and Lady Julia are unmarried twin sisters, past their "sell by" date at age 42. Their mean-spirited much younger brother has inherited the title and the family estate, and he and his despicable new bride are treating the sisters with disdain. To ease her boredom, Lady Augusta (Gus) agrees to help a friend secure some love letters that she sent to a most unsuitable man. After the successful completion of their task, Gus realizes that she quite likes being useful and having something to do. So she agrees to help another friend, and so on, and so on. Meeting a handsome highwayman doesn't hurt, either.

The first book in a planned new series. After a slow start, this was a very enjoyable read. Unlike many novels set in the Regency period, there is less emphasis on gowns, jewels, and balls. As in C. S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr novels, there is solid history and a focus on daily life, especially among the middle and lower classes instead of just the bon ton. The women visit a brothel and a private lunatic asylum, both horrible places. Like Sebastian, Gus and Julia can move in a variety of social circles and they too have their faithful retainers to assist and aid them. I quite hope that the brother gets murdered in a future novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

19th c. private lunatic asylum

Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor

April 30, 2023

Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor

The historians from St. Mary's are back for another adventure, this time working in conjunction with the Time Police. Somehow, 16th century England has gone completely off the rails. There is a Tudor queen on the throne but it's the wrong one - it's Jane Grey rather than Elizabeth. Drake lost to the Spanish Armada, France and Scotland are both invading, and evil Queen Jane has fled to the Continent. Meanwhile, arch-villain Clive Ronan continues to evade the Time Police, traveling up and down the time map. Which, incidentally, Max's son Matthew broke. Completely by accident. Meanwhile, nasty Malcolm Halcombe has taken over St. Mary's and is trying to figure out where everyone is (they're in hiding in some prehistoric time somewhere in the western U.S., probably Wyoming or Montana). 

Another entertaining entry in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series. Most of the regulars appear, including Adrian and Mikey and their teapot time travel pod, still just two hours ahead of the Time Police. The Time Police prove they are just as unprincipled as ever, even if they are supposed to be allied with St. Mary's. And Max travels to the lost kingdom of Kush with a couple of gangsters, who do the usual gangster double-cross. Great fun, looking forward to getting the next book, where I seriously hope they will finally catch Clive Ronan, since I'm a little tired of him.

The Lost Kingdom of Kush, where Max and two mobsters cause a riot during a religious festival

The King's Pleasure by Alison Weir

April 28, 2023

The King's Pleasure by Alison Weir

On his deathbed, Henry VIII reflection on his life, his good and evil deeds, and how he will be remembered.

After writing about his six wives, Alison Weir is finally giving Henry VIII his day in court. Weir is a historian and the reader learns about the history of England in the 16th century as well as the events that shaped Henry as a man and a ruler. Even people who don't like history tend to be fascinated by the Tudors, Henry VIII in particular, but what most people don't realize is that the only thing Fat Harry is remembered for is being married six times and murdering two of his wives. Otherwise he was a rather mediocre king, squandering the massive treasury left to him by his father on futile wars and entertainments. Rather than tending to matters of state, he turned them over to advisers like Wolsey and Cromwell and spent his time enjoying himself with his friends. He was obsessed with fathering sons, convinced that a woman couldn't be an effective ruler, even though his advisers and fellow monarchs all told him that there was no reason that Mary could not be his heir and a successful ruler (even though the three longest reigning and most successful English monarchs WERE queens: Elizabeth I, Victoria, and Elizabeth II). 

Weir deals rather gently with Henry and is sympathetic to him compared with other biographers. She downplays the fact that due to his suspicious nature, Henry eventually executed almost all of his friends and relatives. He was rather gullible and a notoriously bad judge of character. His motto should have been "it's not my fault." 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Fat Harry - even in later years, he fancied himself to be quite a hunk - when he got fat (it's estimated that he weighed around 400 lbs), the courtiers started padding their clothes to look fat like him - he didn't look anything like the actor who played him in the Tudors cable TV series