I started reading The Peculiar Crimes Unit series by Christopher Fowler late in 2010 and with any series that you like you become attached to the characters.
This time we find Bryant & May the main detectives and all their team scattered. The Home Office is trying to shut them down. Everyone is worried about Arthur Bryant because he won't see anyone or take any calls. John May and the team have halfheartedly tried to keep in touch. They just need a good murder with a seemingly unsolvable puzzle attached to get the powers that be to reinstate their unit.
Mr. Fowler comes up with just the situation they need. We love the eccentric Bryant and the down to earth conservative May. They may be getting older, but they still have what it takes to inspire their team of misfits to pull together to solve this latest crime for Queen and Country.
By the end of the story, the run down offices they have chosen for their head quarters will be their new home and Mr. Fowler has left us with the crime solved but the killer on the loose, so of course, we want to immediately read the next book in the series. Fortunately, I have it already downloaded on my Kindle, so I'm off to begin Bryant & May's next adventure.
Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A New Year--A New List
The Scottish Prisoner---by: Diana Gabaldon
This is the latest book in the continuing saga of the Outlander and Lord John Grey series.
I found the Lord John Grey series on my own, but I came late to the Outlander series through a friend of mine. The fans of the Outlander series are passionate about these novels. They talk about the characters like they are real people and now that I have read them, yes, they do become like real people.
Ms. Gabaldon is a writer who grabs your attention from page one of any book or novella she is writing. I know some of you out there would not like these books, but that goes with all writers and genres, we all have our favorites. Needless to say, I am now a big fan of Ms. Gabaldon's.
Lord John Grey has come into possession of papers left to him by a former friend and lover, but we have to keep that part on the QT. He has taken the papers to his brother Hal, who is high up in the government, to see if they can use the papers to expose an officer who is discrediting the army. As you read these books you will come to know that Lord John and his brother are big on honor.
In reading through the papers they discover a poem written in Gaelic, I'm using the modern term for the language, consequently they feel they need to enlist the help of Jamie Fraser, who is a prisoner on the estate of Helwater.
This is another book filled with adventure, plots, plots to be foiled, and the continuing exploration of the relationship between Lord John and Jamie Fraser.
As usual, if you are a fan, when you finish reading one of Ms. Gabaldon's books you are left with the thought, when is the next one coming out.
This is the latest book in the continuing saga of the Outlander and Lord John Grey series.
I found the Lord John Grey series on my own, but I came late to the Outlander series through a friend of mine. The fans of the Outlander series are passionate about these novels. They talk about the characters like they are real people and now that I have read them, yes, they do become like real people.
Ms. Gabaldon is a writer who grabs your attention from page one of any book or novella she is writing. I know some of you out there would not like these books, but that goes with all writers and genres, we all have our favorites. Needless to say, I am now a big fan of Ms. Gabaldon's.
Lord John Grey has come into possession of papers left to him by a former friend and lover, but we have to keep that part on the QT. He has taken the papers to his brother Hal, who is high up in the government, to see if they can use the papers to expose an officer who is discrediting the army. As you read these books you will come to know that Lord John and his brother are big on honor.
In reading through the papers they discover a poem written in Gaelic, I'm using the modern term for the language, consequently they feel they need to enlist the help of Jamie Fraser, who is a prisoner on the estate of Helwater.
This is another book filled with adventure, plots, plots to be foiled, and the continuing exploration of the relationship between Lord John and Jamie Fraser.
As usual, if you are a fan, when you finish reading one of Ms. Gabaldon's books you are left with the thought, when is the next one coming out.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Almost the End of 2011
I haven't posted here since August, but I've been reading.
I just updated my 100 Book Challenge reading list and I'm 8 books short. Now if this was my Mother she would probably make it to 100 and even a couple over. Alas, this is me, and I'm not going to make it to 100 this year. So, I will valiantly start again Jan 1, 2012.
I will be able to add 1 more to my list because I am now reading The Scottish Prisoner by: Diana Gabaldon. This is the continuing saga of Lord John Grey when he is not in the Outlander novels.
Ms. Gabaldon teases us with novellas between books. She hinted in the forward of The Scottish Prisoner that she and her publishers might be coming out with an edition of the novellas. Even though I read other writers when I'm reading Ms. Gabladon I don't want to clutter my mind with other stories, so the anthologies that her novellas are in don't work for me. It would be nice to see them all together.
I'm a late comer fan of the Outlander Series, but I'm hooked now, so I along with the rest of you die hard fans wait impatiently for Ms. Gabaldon to get anything out on the market. There are so many side stories that she can pursue I don't see how she will have time to get them all down on paper.
I hope the rest of you who are participating in this challenge accomplished your goal.
If you did or did not---Happy Reading and we'll see you in the New Year !!!!
Beverly G ♥
I just updated my 100 Book Challenge reading list and I'm 8 books short. Now if this was my Mother she would probably make it to 100 and even a couple over. Alas, this is me, and I'm not going to make it to 100 this year. So, I will valiantly start again Jan 1, 2012.
I will be able to add 1 more to my list because I am now reading The Scottish Prisoner by: Diana Gabaldon. This is the continuing saga of Lord John Grey when he is not in the Outlander novels.
Ms. Gabaldon teases us with novellas between books. She hinted in the forward of The Scottish Prisoner that she and her publishers might be coming out with an edition of the novellas. Even though I read other writers when I'm reading Ms. Gabladon I don't want to clutter my mind with other stories, so the anthologies that her novellas are in don't work for me. It would be nice to see them all together.
I'm a late comer fan of the Outlander Series, but I'm hooked now, so I along with the rest of you die hard fans wait impatiently for Ms. Gabaldon to get anything out on the market. There are so many side stories that she can pursue I don't see how she will have time to get them all down on paper.
I hope the rest of you who are participating in this challenge accomplished your goal.
If you did or did not---Happy Reading and we'll see you in the New Year !!!!
Beverly G ♥
Monday, August 15, 2011
Dragon and Judge & Dragon and Liberator by: Timothy Zahn
These are the last two books in this series. I have enjoyed this adventure through the galaxy Mr. Zahn has created for us.
The adventures of Jack and Draycos, their developing relationship as Jack gets used to having a full time symbiot, and their race to save Draycos's race from their enemies and the super weapon Jack and "Dragos must destroy keeps you reading.
I must say when Alison came into the story Mr. Zahn really keeps you guessing about her. Then when she acquires her own symbiot dragon, Taneem, you start rooting for her to be on the good guys team.
I had to read all the way to the end of the last book for all the details that Mr. Zahn kept us guessing about throughout the series, but I must say he tied all the loose ends very neatly together and left us with a happy ending. Which you know by now--I love happy endings.
Even though this is billed as a Young Adult series, I found it to be a fun read with just enough sci-fi techno stuff to keep the adventure true to that genre.
If you decide to read this series I think you will find it to be a fun read.
Happy reading,
Beverly G ♥
The adventures of Jack and Draycos, their developing relationship as Jack gets used to having a full time symbiot, and their race to save Draycos's race from their enemies and the super weapon Jack and "Dragos must destroy keeps you reading.
I must say when Alison came into the story Mr. Zahn really keeps you guessing about her. Then when she acquires her own symbiot dragon, Taneem, you start rooting for her to be on the good guys team.
I had to read all the way to the end of the last book for all the details that Mr. Zahn kept us guessing about throughout the series, but I must say he tied all the loose ends very neatly together and left us with a happy ending. Which you know by now--I love happy endings.
Even though this is billed as a Young Adult series, I found it to be a fun read with just enough sci-fi techno stuff to keep the adventure true to that genre.
If you decide to read this series I think you will find it to be a fun read.
Happy reading,
Beverly G ♥
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Orchid Affair by: Lauren Willig
It is with a heavy heart that I close the last page on this fun series because the next one doesn't hit the shelves until February 2012.
We went to France this time with Laurie Grey, Governess, recently recruited spy for the Pink Carnations group.
Laurie is tired of being a governess, but low and behold that's exactly what the Pink Carnation needs Laurie to do. Infiltrate Andre Jaouren's household as the teacher of his children while she's looking for information to foil the latest plot that the Pink Carnation has discovered.
However, Laurie is the daughter of famous parents and as that comes to light and she reunites with old friends she still has to keep her new purposes a secret.
We can't forget Eloise and Colin in all this either. Eloise is our intrepid researcher still trying to pull her dissertation together and enjoying her new boyfriend at the same time. Before she and Colin can enjoy some romantic one on one time in Paris they have to meet Colin's mother and her 2nd husband who also happens to be Colin's cousin. Yes, you will have to read the books to get the whole low down on that.
This was a fun adventure through the streets and countryside of Paris and as usual Ms. Willig has given us a happy ending.
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
We went to France this time with Laurie Grey, Governess, recently recruited spy for the Pink Carnations group.
Laurie is tired of being a governess, but low and behold that's exactly what the Pink Carnation needs Laurie to do. Infiltrate Andre Jaouren's household as the teacher of his children while she's looking for information to foil the latest plot that the Pink Carnation has discovered.
However, Laurie is the daughter of famous parents and as that comes to light and she reunites with old friends she still has to keep her new purposes a secret.
We can't forget Eloise and Colin in all this either. Eloise is our intrepid researcher still trying to pull her dissertation together and enjoying her new boyfriend at the same time. Before she and Colin can enjoy some romantic one on one time in Paris they have to meet Colin's mother and her 2nd husband who also happens to be Colin's cousin. Yes, you will have to read the books to get the whole low down on that.
This was a fun adventure through the streets and countryside of Paris and as usual Ms. Willig has given us a happy ending.
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily & The Mischief of the Mistletoe by: Lauren Willig
Lauren Willig is writing full time now and when you read these next two novels in the series you will be able to tell. With each novel her craftsmanship goes up a notch.
In the Blood Lily we are following Penelope Deveraux in her continuing adventures of trying to find her place in society.
Of all Ms. Willig's women characters I think Penelope has the truest Swashbuckling spirit of all so far. Penelope has made some bad decisions, but is trying to make the best of what she has created for herself.
We've traveled to India at the turn of the nineteenth century for this adventure. I like the way Ms. Willig has taken her stories from England to France and now to India. Since I'm not able to travel in real life I enjoy traveling through books and not trying to spoil any of the stories for you, but I do like how she gives us happy endings.
As you read each novel in the series you want to make sure you keep all the characters in mind because like in the Mischief of the Misletoe she brings back characters to the fore. In this story we follow Turnip Fitzhugh, who has been the brunt of everyone's jokes through the whole series. Again not to spoil the story for you, but it's nice to see how Ms. Willig has brought Turnip forward with another minor character Arabella and brought them together showing us that sometimes people true selves are not always seen by everyone only the special people in our lives.
One thing I would like to point out--I don't ever read the last chapter in a book before I start, but I have found that Ms. Willig has put a Historical Note at the end of each book and I have found that reading that first gives me some nice background to place the story as I read along. I should have told you that at the beginning of this reading adventure, but I bet there are some of you who look in the back of the book before beginning your read ;-)
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
In the Blood Lily we are following Penelope Deveraux in her continuing adventures of trying to find her place in society.
Of all Ms. Willig's women characters I think Penelope has the truest Swashbuckling spirit of all so far. Penelope has made some bad decisions, but is trying to make the best of what she has created for herself.
We've traveled to India at the turn of the nineteenth century for this adventure. I like the way Ms. Willig has taken her stories from England to France and now to India. Since I'm not able to travel in real life I enjoy traveling through books and not trying to spoil any of the stories for you, but I do like how she gives us happy endings.
As you read each novel in the series you want to make sure you keep all the characters in mind because like in the Mischief of the Misletoe she brings back characters to the fore. In this story we follow Turnip Fitzhugh, who has been the brunt of everyone's jokes through the whole series. Again not to spoil the story for you, but it's nice to see how Ms. Willig has brought Turnip forward with another minor character Arabella and brought them together showing us that sometimes people true selves are not always seen by everyone only the special people in our lives.
One thing I would like to point out--I don't ever read the last chapter in a book before I start, but I have found that Ms. Willig has put a Historical Note at the end of each book and I have found that reading that first gives me some nice background to place the story as I read along. I should have told you that at the beginning of this reading adventure, but I bet there are some of you who look in the back of the book before beginning your read ;-)
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by: Lauren Willig
I'm back to The Secret History of the Pink Carnation series. This is the fifth book in this series.
In this book Eloise our intrepid researcher, who is still gathering information for her dissertation is following Charlotte and Robert.
Charlotte lives with the Dowager Duchess at Girdings. The Dowager is in residence until Robert returns from India to take his place as Duke. Charlotte has been secretly in love with Robert since they were children and upon Robert's return Charlotte begins to hear trumpets.
Robert is on a quest to right a wrong and Charlotte becomes unknowingly involved.
Ms. Willig's heroes and heroines have strong personalities which keeps the stories moving along at a good pace.
She also keeps all the families and friends that she has brought into the previous stories moving through the series with a wonderful continuity.
We're also following Henrietta, Charlotte's friend who is ever the headstrong one of the bunch, who doesn't take anyone's advice and that's why she leads us straight into the next book in the series-The Betrayal of the Blood Lily.
Be sure to start this series from Book One.
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
In this book Eloise our intrepid researcher, who is still gathering information for her dissertation is following Charlotte and Robert.
Charlotte lives with the Dowager Duchess at Girdings. The Dowager is in residence until Robert returns from India to take his place as Duke. Charlotte has been secretly in love with Robert since they were children and upon Robert's return Charlotte begins to hear trumpets.
Robert is on a quest to right a wrong and Charlotte becomes unknowingly involved.
Ms. Willig's heroes and heroines have strong personalities which keeps the stories moving along at a good pace.
She also keeps all the families and friends that she has brought into the previous stories moving through the series with a wonderful continuity.
We're also following Henrietta, Charlotte's friend who is ever the headstrong one of the bunch, who doesn't take anyone's advice and that's why she leads us straight into the next book in the series-The Betrayal of the Blood Lily.
Be sure to start this series from Book One.
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)