August Books

It's been so long since I posted anything that I've almost forgotten how to do it!  The day's not over, but here's my list of books finished in August.

Juggling  -  Barbara Trapido

The Judas Cat  -  Dorothy Salisbury Davis

A Chill Rain in January  -  L. R. Wright

Murder and Mendelssohn  -  Kerry Greenwood

Moranthology  -  Caitlin Moran

The Hidden Child  -  Camilla Lackberg

Heaven's Keep  -  William Kent Krueger

The Thai Amulet  -  Lyn Hamilton

There were some decently entertaining books in the group and several that didn't measure up.  As you can see, I was escaping into mysteries once again.  Those are my comfort reads.

I can't believe that summer's almost over.  This weekend is Labor Day which, to many of us, signals the end of summer.  It shouldn't for me since I'm all but retired.  It's hard to shake those old habits, though.  At this time of year, I'm always gripped by the urge to buy pencils and notebooks and other school supplies, even though I haven't seen the inside of a school for almost fifty years.

I will, however, be glad to see an end to the high heat and humidity that ruined the summer for me.  My body has never been able to deal with those things.  I melt into a moaning heap.  I long for some cool breezes and cloudy weather.  Our city house has no outdoor space to speak of.  I long for big trees and rustling leaves, shade, peace and quiet.

July Books

I've had an extraordinary reading month.  Maybe because it's been too hot and humid to go outside.  This weather makes me physically sick.  I feel faint if I'm out very long.  It's so frustrating.  I'm going cabin crazy!

But I've read a lot of books this month and they span several genres, not just my usual list of mysteries.  I'm happy I've read so many books, but I'd gladly read fewer if only I could have some cooler weather!

V is for Vengeance  -  Sue Grafton
Temples of Delight  -  Barbara Trapido
Extra Virgin  -  Annie Hawes
The Blue Castle  -  L. M. Montgomery
Dreamthorpe  -  Chet Williamson
A Cathedral Courtship  -  Kate Douglas Wiggin
Cimarron  -  Edna Ferber
The Suspect  -  L. R. Wright
Walking Home  -  Simon Armitage
Death of an Old Goat  -  Robert Barnard
The Drowning  -  Camilla Lackberg
There's a Porcupine in My Outhouse  -  Michael J. Tougias

The Suspect - L. R. Wright

Yet another book I read after my friend Katrina posted about it.  Thank you, Katrina!

This book won't keep you in suspense wondering who the killer is, but I think it will keep you reading.  On the first page, George Wilcox, 80, kills his neighbor Carlyle Burke, 85.  No mystery there.  But why?  The characters involved drew me in and I wanted to know more about them.

George is a reader and gardener and ex-teacher.  He's friends with Cassandra, the town librarian, and often takes her flowers from his garden.  Cassandra and Karl Alberg, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police inspector in the British Columbia community where the murder took place, met through an on-line dating site.  But when Karl suspects George of the crime, Cassandra is not happy.

No one seems to have liked Carlyle, not even his sister.  Why?  To all appearances, he seemed a genial man, playing piano at old age homes.

Where is the man who sold Carlyle the salmon?  And what about the parrot?  And the will?

I liked this book.  It was different from most of the mysteries I read.  I hope to read more of the nine Karl Alberg mysteries in this series.