Hard Time by Jodi Taylor

November 13, 2024

Hard Time by Jodi Taylor

The Time Police's three most unusual trainees, Luke, Jane and Matthew (aka Team 236, aka Team Weird) return for an adventure that requires their unique skill set. At least one corporation is running illegal time travel excursions for tourists, and the conventional methods used by the Time Police to apprehend the perpetrators have failed. So Commander Hays send out her unconventional team to do their thing.

As much as I enjoy the original Chronicles of St. Mary's series, I think I enjoy this spin-off series more. There is still the wacky humor and adventures of the disaster magnets of St. Mary's, but within a military setting. So far, not as dark as the original series became in later books, probably because of the three main characters here. Fans of sci fi with a strong shot of humor will enjoy the Time Police series.

The former Battersea Power Station, home base of the Time Police at some point in the future, silhouetted on the book cover

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles

July 6, 2024

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles

John Chenneville, a lieutenant in the Union Army and a telegrapher, suffers a grave head injury in the waning days of the Civil War that leaves him in a coma for months. When he recovers consciousness, the war is over and most of the troops have returned home. His injury forces him to re-learn to speak, walk, and perform basic tasks. When he finally arrives at his family home outside St. Louis, he finds out that his younger sister, her husband and their baby son have all been murdered by a sheriff's deputy. The deputy has gone on to murder several other people. When he discovers that the local sheriff has no intention of bringing the man to justice for the murders, John vows to hunt the man down and exact his own revenge.

I think I started this once before but had to return it because there was a waiting list. I'm glad I decided to go back to it - it was totally worth it. I loved Jiles' previous book News of the World (which is referenced once toward the end of this book), and this novel features the same type of knight errant as the protagonist in her previous book. John knows that his actions are criminal and that he is planning to commit murder, but he lives according to his own single-minded code of right and wrong. Wonderfully written, highly recommended to readers of historical and literary fiction.

19th century telegraph office, with a female telegrapher

System Collapse by Martha Wells

March 4, 2024

Murderbot, the rogue SecUnit, is back for another adventure, only this time, something traumatic has happened to it, causing it to experience false memories and flashbacks. Worse, its breakdown happened in front of the crew, ART, and another SecUnit, so everyone knows something is wrong. Both its mechanical and organic parts are affected, and it makes Murderbot question whether it can do its job. For the first time, it is afraid to go into unknown situations, that it will freeze and be unable to protect its humans. And Murderbot has more humans than ever to look after, and is starting to care about many of them.

Love the Murderbot series! It's been a while since the last book, so it takes the reader a few chapters to get back into the story (stick with it, it's worth it). Wells revisits many of our favorites characters, including ART, the Asshole Research Transport and Murderbot's best friend. We get to see Murderbot's human side here, which just makes me love it even more. I'm so sad that I have to wait another year for the next book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys science fiction and fantasy.

Terraforming a new planet

The Maltese Iguana by Tim Dorsey

May 30, 2023

The Maltese Iguana by Tim Dorsey

Serge A. Storms, serial killer and Florida-phile extreme, and his stoner pal Coleman are back for another adventure, this time weathering the Covid-19 pandemic at Pelican Bay Condos, their retiree condo complex in the Florida Keys. Serge on lockdown is a different type of adventure. Once they are fully vaccinated, Serge and Coleman arrange a bus tour (known as Underbelly Tours) around Florida attractions for their fellow condo dwellers. Meanwhile, the CIA is planning a clandestine operation in South America with some questionable outside contractors. 

This could have been called Spies Like Us, with everyone spying on everyone else and trying to figure out what they're doing. While there are amusing interludes, there's not as much action or adventure as previous Serge novels. Coleman does give a lecture on beginner's marijuana use that is worthy of a college instructor. The Serge novels are definitely Florida Weird, with computer hackers, big box store shopping, a showdown of Siri vs. Alexa, viral videos, pandemic hoarding, mistaken identity, and pop culture reference galore. One of the weaker entries in the series.

BTW, the Maltese iguana is a bong that one of Serge's neighbors bought at the local medial marijuana dispensary, which Serge comes to believe is cursed.

A Florida green iguana - I understand they're considered to be pests

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

Tropic of Stupid by Tim Dorsey

October 19, 2022

Tropic of Stupid by Tim Dorsey

When the Florida state park system implements a yearly pass program complete with a passport to collect stamps from each park, Floridaphile and history buff Serge A. Storms is compelled to visit all of the state parks with his pal Coleman in order to get his passport stamped. At the same time, Serge decides to trace his family history after watching a late-night commercial for DNA testing and sending a sample off to the ancestry site. He receives several hits for distant cousins and uses their information to conduct more research, setting a goal to make other people happy. When he keeps crossing paths with a Florida Bureau of Investigation agent, he realizes that they are both searching for a serial killer who is related to Serge. Very closely related.

Serge might be a serial killer, but he only kills people who really need killing. He continues his one-man crusade to right the wrongs that persist in the Sunshine State, taking out a robber who preys on senior citizens and a shyster lawyer, among others. Like a noir detective, he lives by his own code of ethics. Also, he finds women who wear plaid shirts to be a turn-on. While this series might not appeal to everyone, I enjoy Dorsey's out-there sense of humor and Serge's creative "science projects."

Jonathan Dickson State Park in Florida (one of 54 state parks)

Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs by Andrew Cotter

May 18, 2022

Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs by Andrew Cotter

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BBC sportscaster Andrew Cotter learned that all of the events that he was supposed to cover for the BBC (including the 2020 Summer Olympics) were cancelled. On lockdown with his two Labrador retrievers, Olive and Mabel, he began videotaping their activities and adding a running sports-style commentary. He described in exciting detail their morning contest at their breakfast bowls, walking in the woods near their home and splashing in the pond, and even held a Zoom meeting with the two dogs to discuss their performances. The videos became an Internet sensation and can be viewed on YouTube. In this memoir, Andrew talks about making the videos as well as his outdoor adventures hiking with his two best girls.

Loved this memoir! Happy, funny and touching. Any dog or animal lover (or any living person) will enjoy reading about their exploits.

Andrew with Mabel (the blonde) and Olive (the brunette)

Mermaid Confidential by Tim Dorsey

October 9, 2022

Mermaid Confidential by Tim Dorsey

Florida's very own wacko historian Serge Storms and his stoner BFF Coleman are once again on the the road, exploring the glories of their fair state. This time, Serge decides it's time for them to investigate that quintessential Florida experience, condo living in the Keys. They find the perfect 1970's condo and quickly meet the neighbors and integrate into the local culture. But when criminals, South American mobsters, and unscrupulous doctors rear their ugly heads. it's up to Serge to right the wrongs for his new friends.

Serge Storms is my favorite anti-hero, living by his own moral code and killing those who really need killing. I enjoy the Serge Storms novels, although I realize they're not for everyone. You don't have to read the books in order, but I would suggest starting with the first two. In this installment, he even explains that the title of a book doesn't really have to have anything to do with the story (and there are no mermaids in this one).

The causeway that connects the Florida Keys

Naked Came the Florida Man by Tim Dorsey

September 4, 2022

Naked Came the Florida Man by Tim Dorsey

Florida's favorite son Serge A. Storms, loveable psychopath and Florida fanatic, and his bestie Coleman are back for another tour of Florida. This time, Serge is taking Coleman on a cemetery tour, visiting the final resting places of famous Floridians including Flipper the dolphin (who was actually a girl dolphin named Mimi) and author Zora Neale Hurston. Other stops include landmark motels and the Golden Corral restaurant (famous for its chocolate fountain). His ultimate destination is the Muck Bowl, a high school football game between rival schools near the sugar cane fields. Other characters are hunting in the same area for buried treasure rumored to have come from a ship that was borne inland during a hurricane. Along the way, Serge finds ways to right wrongs committed against wildlife, senior citizens, and military veterans.

Everyone has heard the news reports that being "Florida man (or woman)..." I have friends who retired to Florida and they tell me that Floridians are pretty crazy. Highly entertaining in a sick way that I enjoy. Serge/Tim Dorsey is a font of Florida trivia. His reverence for vintage Florida motels makes me want to go stay at one.

Vintage Florida motel

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

July 24, 2021

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Ryland Grace is a reluctant member of a desperate last-chance mission to save life on Earth from extinction. After being asleep for a long time (think years), he wakes up to find himself the only surviving crewmember. His crewmates are dead so it's up to Ryland to carry out their mission by himself. The only problem is that it's a suicide mission: his tiny ship doesn't have enough fuel or food for the return trip to Earth.

Things aren't going too well on Earth, either. Ryland loses communication with his contacts, and the only message he picks up from another ship is ominous, to say the least. But thanks to an unexpected friend, he just might not only succeed but also survive.

This is the third novel by the author of The Martian and I loved it just as much. After his dismal second book (Artemis), I was very glad to see that the author returned to his signature witty style and characters. It's little heavy on science at times, which doesn't bother me but may put some readers off. There is enough peril, adventure and disasters to rival The Martian. Like Mark, the main character in The Martian, Ryland gets plenty of chances to exercise his inner MacGyver. 

Although the storylines are exciting, Weir's characters make the book. I loved the friendship between Ryland and Rocky. I have recommended this book to a number of people, and the only complaint has been whether there will be a sequel so that we can find out what happened to everyone on Earth.

A fanciful picture of the solar system from NASA

The Lost Boys of Montauk by Amanda M. Fairbanks

March 22, 2021

The Lost Boys of Montauk: the True Story of the Wind Blown, Four Men who Vanished at Sea, and the Survivors They Left Behind by Amanda M. Fairbanks

In 1984, the fishing vessel Wind Blown sank in a storm off the coast of Long Island. The boat and the crewmembers were never found. The author researched the crew's backgrounds and interviewed their survivors.

This is a well-researched account of the tragedy as well as an examination of the shift of Montauk from working-class town to vacation spot for the wealthy. Although similar circumstances, there have been unfair comparison to Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm. This is the story of a tragedy in its own right, and the story has been largely overlooked. 

Montauk lighthouse

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

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

 December 16, 2020

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

Shortly after winning the Oasis contest, Wade Watts discovers a new development in the Oasis vaults, one that will make the game even more addictive.  With the new challenge comes a new and dangerous rival, willing to kill to get what he wants.  Wade and his friends must band together to defeat this new enemy.

Ready Player Two is the sequel to Ready Player one.  It's no where near as good as the first book.  It was really disappointing because I loved Ready Player One so much.

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

November 2, 2020

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

(Yes, this is a title that I read in 2020.  I'm going to try to catch up the blog with the books that I've read in the past year and a half.  Before I had my hip done, it was too painful to sit at my laptop for any length of time, so the reviews didn't get done.  But I have the whole list of what I read - I'm obsessive/compulsive that way.)

In  post-World War II London, an unmarried middle-aged teacher decides to go search for a mythical beetle that has fascinated her since childhood.  She sets out for New Caledonia with a traveling companion who could not be more different from her, except that she too is at a crossroad in her life.  Although they have different reasons and goals, the two women must learn to trust and depend on each other, and an unlikely friendship develops.

This is a heartwarming historical novel in the same vein as the author's previous work The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry  It reminds the reader that the journey is often more important than the destination or the conclusion.

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

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

 September 21, 2020

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

January Scaller lives with her guardian, Cornelius Locke, in a vast mansion filled with odd and unusual objects.  Her father works for Mr. Locke, traveling the world and collecting rarities for him, leaving January alone much of the time.  January is sure that Mr. Locke loves her, for she finds gifts that he leaves for her, most recently a wonderful book called The Ten Thousand Doors.  But then her father doesn't return from one of his trips.  With her faithful canine companion Bad (short for Sindbad, her favorite great adventurer and explorer) by her side, January resolves to go and look for her father or at least find out what happened to him.

First:  let me tell you that Bad the dog is fine at the end of the book, and he and January are together.

This is a wonderful fantasy adventure story about the power of words, books, and doors.  There is a book-within-a-book which I actually liked better than the story that frames it.  I'm not going to say too much more because that would spoil the story.  Wonderful characters, great world building and a complex plot, plus a beautiful cover, all contribute to making this a most satisfying read.  Set aside some time, curl up with your favorite cozy throw, and immerse yourself in January's world.

The 39 Steps by John Buchan

March 9, 2020

The 39 Steps by John Buchan

Richard Hannay has just returned from working in South Africa and is finding London life dull and boring.  He encounters Scudder, his American neighbor, outside his flat, who invites himself in and tells Hannay a wild tale of an assassination plot and how he faked his own death.  He implores Hannay to let him stay in his apartment until he can get away from London.  The deception works well for a few days, until Hannay comes home from a dinner engagement to find Scudder murdered in his smoking room.  Hannay feels obligated to take over Scudder’s mission, and there begins his adventure of espionage and narrow escapes.  Be careful what you wish for.

This is the second of the twelve classics that I am planning to read this year.  I intended to do one per month, but February got away from me due to doctor appointments and medical tests.  I do love books set or written in the early decades of the 20^th century!  This is a classic old-fashioned spy thriller about an innocent man being hunted, like a precursor to Ian Fleming and John Le Carre.  International intrigue, proper British gentlemen, disguises, Scotland, exciting train journeys, shady German villains, wild coincidences, unbelievable escapes – this very short novel is fast-paced and reflects the POV of the wealthy British gentleman of the early 20^th century – at various points, I found myself wanting to have a cigarette and a whiskey (I don’t smoke or drink).  Some of the attitudes and stereotypes are outdated, but this book was written in 1915 and reflects the attitudes of the time.

One of the best quotations in the book is in the first chapter:  “You can always get a body in London if you know where to go for it.”

Atomic Lobster by Tim Dorsey

Atomic Lobster by Tim Dorsey

More Florida mayhem with Serge A. Storms, Florida-phile and looney knight errant, and his druggie pal Coleman, who never met an addictive substance he didn’t like.  The boys are short on cash as usual, and need to drum up some fast money.  And what's faster and cheaper than printing your own money?  They have new friend, a stripper named Rachel who literally stumbled into their apartment (she sounds like a reincarnation of Sharon from Florida Roadkill).  Meanwhile, the G-Unit (the four grannies who hit it big in investing) have discovered that it’s cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in senior citizen housing, so they start booking back-to-back cruises – and a lot of other retirees have figured this out, too (free food available 24 hours/day including room service, daily maid service, onboard activities like mini golf and movies, pool and exercise room, nightly live entertainment – all included in the cruise price).  Jim Davenport and his wife are just trying to find a house in a nice quiet neighborhood, Tex McGraw is still trying to kill them, and the Diaz brothers want to get into smuggling big-time.  And Johnny Vegas (the Accidental Virgin) is still trying to get laid.

Another reason I like Serge is that he has a thing for librarians – reference and information is such a turn-on, and what’s better than having sex with a librarian in a storage unit on a door from Jim Morrison’s house?  The audiobook is narrated by Oliver Wyman who does a great job with all the voices.

Shark Skin Suite by Tim Dorsey

September 17, 2019

Shark Skin Suite by Tim Dorsey

When Florida-phile Serge A. Storms goes off his meds, anything can happen.  In this adventure, Serge decides that his latest calling is the law.  But never mind law school, Serge is going freelance in the style of the heroes in his favorite movies, writing wrongs and dishing out justice to those who would scam the innocent.  The plot is more complicated than some of Serge’s stories, with plenty of crooked lawyers, planted evidence, and double-crosses.  Characters from past novels appear, including Brooke Campanella, Mahoney, the Four G’s, and Coleman – we even get to meet Coleman’s brother, lawyer Ziggy Blade.  No matter how dire things seem, remember that Serge always wins.

Tim Dorsey’s Serge A. Storm series is sometimes classified as mystery or suspense but I think they fall into the adventure category (wild car chases, a zany knight errant who fights for the innocent, exploration of unfamiliar cultures, the hunt for treasure, a group of misfits who band together).  If you enjoy your mayhem mixed with some sick humor, this series is for you.  I listened to the audio version and the reader, Oliver Wyman, gets Serge’s voice just right.

Tiger Shrimp Tango by Tim Dorsey

August 28, 2019

Tiger Shrimp Tango by Tim Dorsey

After watching "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective," Florida-phile Serge A. Storms and his druggie sidekick Coleman decide to become private investigators.  They team up with Mahoney, a noir-ish P.I. who specializes in assisting victims of Internet scams, because of course, Florida is the capitol of scam-dom.  When one of Mahoney's clients, an innocent woman named Brooke, is robbed by scammers on the day of her father's funeral (who was himself scammed by those people pretending to be from the IRS), Serge swings into action and dishes out his own brand of Serge-justice to scammers in need of learning how to be nice to other people.  All while taking in the myriad sights of Florida.

This isn't the strongest title in the series, but it is still has a lot of humor, as well as some creative and gruesome executions - Serge's knowledge and use of science is pretty awesome.  Many of the characters from previous titles in the series reappear in this one, including Johnny Vegas, the Accidental Virgin.  Serge is a lovable psychopath who lives by his own strange code of ethics like any good detective (although unlike most noir detectives, Serge does score with the ladies and is highly resourceful when in need of some fast money).  Coleman is along for the ride, always high, and sometimes spouts unexpected wisdom.  Mahoney is a riot - he talks like a detective right out of Mickey Spillane or Raymond Chandler using tough-guy slang that is largely unintelligible, and he refers to himself in the third person.  Tim Dorsey's series is a refreshing change of pace, like mental sorbet when you've been reading too much literary or historical fiction.  Oliver Wyman reads the audio version and does a great job.

Gator a Go Go by Tim Dorsey

July 17, 2019

Gator a Go Go by Tim Dorsey

Serge and Coleman go on a marathon spring break road trip – what more do I need to say? 

Book #12 in the zany Serge Storms series has Serge up to his usual bizarre antics.  When he decides that spring break is the perfect subject for his next documentary, naturally Serge can’t go to just one location, but has to go on a road trip to all of the historic Florida spring break hot spots.  At Panama City Beach, their first stop, Serge encounters Andy McKenna, a college student in the witness protection program.  The problem is, the Florida gangsters who years before were after his father are now after HIM.  Characters from previous novels in the series reappear, including the former owner of the Hammerhead Ranch Motel, a pair of hot women called City and Country, and 40 year old perpetual virgin Johnny Vegas (who despite being handsome, sexy and rich, just can’t seem to score).

I’m not sure why I enjoy this series so much.  Serge is a twisted knight errant who has his own code of ethics which he adheres to faithfully:  punishing jerks in creative and appropriate ways, ignoring laws, protecting the innocent and the victimized, and faithful to his friends, while disregarding social conventions.  In his own way, Serge is a classic noir detective, and I do love noir fiction.  Oliver Wyman reads the audio version and does a great job with Serge, Coleman and Mahoney.