Carol's comments
(member since Jan 16, 2009)
Carol's comments from the Cozy Mysteries group.
(showing 1-20 of 25)
Denise wrote: "Beth wrote: "I'll comment on Hannah, Denise's character, being a mystery author myself. We authors spend so much time developing our characters, especially the main character, and living with them ..."
One character habit I've wondered about is Magdalena's "wailing" in Tamar Myer's Pennsylvania Dutch series. I'd noticed the frequent use of "Magdalena wailed" in earlier books in the series. Now, in later books, other characters occasionally tell Magdalena that she wails too much. I wonder if someone criticized the author for using "wail" too much, and instead of changing her usage, she turned the criticism into a character flaw. Anyone know?
Kimberly wrote: "I would love to see a movie version made out of this series. Hmmmm, for Stephanie I would choose Jennifer Garner or Sandra Bullock. Lula would be Monique. Grandma Mazur - Cloris Leachman. I'm not sure about Joe or Ranger. Everyone has such a specific image of those two so they would have to be cast perfectly!"
I remember reading somewhere that Janet Evanovich thought Sandra Bullock would be a good fit for Stephanie, so that's who I picture as I read the books now. I think Benicio Del Toro was suggested as Ranger, but I can't see THAT at all. Guess I'm just not a Del Toro fan. But I don't know who else I'd suggest for either Ranger or Joe.
I agree Mo'Nique would be a great Lula, and Cloris sounds good for Grandma Mazur. Those are probably my favorite characters in the series.
And I'd like to see more Stephanie and Ranger involvement in future books, too!
I've entered half a dozen of so giveaways and have won one, for Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed. It's always fun to win something. This wasn't a book that I'd be likely pick up to read otherwise, but I enjoyed it and went on to read her next book, Something Blue, as well. So I'd say it was good publicity. And just looking at the giveaway listings makes us aware of new titles and authors, whether we win or even enter.
I'll definitely look up your giveaway soon! Thanks for offering it.
Oooh, good thread. I totally agree about the Hannah/Mike/Norman triangle, and Lee's tongue tangles in the Chocoholic Series.
My addition: I enjoy Maggie Sefton's Knitting Mysteries, but I'm tired of hearing of Kelly's coffee obsession.
I like the '40s aspects of it, too, although Jack's lingo can sometimes be a little TOO much - a little distracting to the story for me.
I like the characters overall. It's not the most realistic series that I read, but the characters have some depth, not too frothy or ditzy. And I like the touch of romance, although the fact the one person is a ghost does put some limits on it!
Not a perfect series - hey, what is? - but enjoyable.
Lisa wrote: "Carol wrote: "One of my favorite series, too! I just finished the latest book (The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion) a few weeks ago, have now read the whole set, and am looking forward to the next o..."
One of my favorite series, too! I just finished the latest book (The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion) a few weeks ago, have now read the whole set, and am looking forward to the next one.
Lisa wrote: "Sheena wrote: "I am reading The Ghost and Mrs. McClure:A Bookshop Mystery by Alice Kimberly. "
Oh I love that series!
Is that the first one you have read??
"
I really like this series, but I'd like to see the Mike/Norman situation resolved, too. I like Norman better myself. In the latest book especially (Cream Puff Murder), Mike was downright obnoxious.
Lisa wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Yeah I agree with what you said and I think Hannah getting married would be a good story line. Who would you pick?? Mike seems cooler/sexier, but he does some things th..."
Woohoo! That's quite a haul. Happy summer reading!
Denise wrote: "I just picked up my library reserves. Here are my next cozy reads:
Homicide In Hardcover
Hostile Makeover
Trick or Treat Murder
[book:A Carol ..."
Violet wrote: "☆ngeline wrote: "Does anyone know
why the cover of the Aunt Dimity books changed? "
Yes, actually I emailed the author on this some time ago because I frankly like the old covers. She indicat..."
Thanks for the update. I don't really see how the new covers would draw in readers, but I'm no publishing house marketer. Whatever...
I'm not sure, but there's a News & Notes comment about the cover art at the author's website, www.aunt-dimity.com. The note mainly thanks readers for their comments, and says that the new style will continue for the next book. Personally, I prefer the older style, but I'll read the books anyway!
Denise wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Denise wrote: "In the last couple weeks I have finished "Death of a Domestic" by Sharon Short (this is a new series for me). The series is set in Ohio (where I live)and I enjoyed th..."
Good to see other Ohioans on here! I've lived in Columbus for about 13 years now, but I've lived in Ohio most of my life. I've also lived in Beavercreek (near Dayton), Maumee (near Toledo), Kent and Oxford.
Mary Ellen wrote: "If anyone's interested in a fun and simple craft project, check out my guest blog at http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com The authors there have been giving tips and recipes all week, so it's ver..."
Thanks, Mary Ellen, I've already added it to my Favorites. Glad to see you here as well - I've really enjoyed yours books!
I just received two new books off my library reserve list: Patterns in the Sand by Sally Goldenbaum, and While My Pretty One Knits by Ann Canadeo. Both are knitting-shop-related mysteries - I'll probably get the characters and stories jumbled in my mind reading them around the same time!
I'm from Ohio. The only current series that comes to my mind that's set here is Paul Gaus' Ohio Amish mystery series, but I don't know if he's from Ohio himself or not.
I remember reading the Charlotte Sams mysteries, set in Columbus and written in the early 90s. Again, I don't know if author Alison Glen is an Ohioan or not. And I haven't seen anything more recent from her.
For me it's Cat Playing Cupid A Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. The latest in one of my favorite series.
I'm a librarian, too - a FORMER librarian anyway, now an indexer. I'm blessed with a wonderful local library system that carries most of the authors I like, but I also acquire lots of mainly used books. I use used-book sites like Amazon, Half.com and Alibris as well as price-comparison sites like Bestbookbuys.com. I'm also a big fan of Bookins.com, a book-trading site. Do I sound like someone with way too many books?! My family would definitely agree with that. I say there's no such thing.
The cozy I'm currently reading: Never Say Sty A Kendra Ballantype, Pet-Sitter Mystery by Linda O. Johnston.
I just finished Devil May Ride by Wendy Roberts, the second in the Ghost Dusters series. I'm not sure if it fits in this category or not - is it a "cozy" if you can't stand to read it while eating?! ;-) It's about a crime-scene cleaner who sees and talks to ghosts at her job sites, and the descriptions can be a bit gory. But I like the characters and story lines and am looking forward to the next book.
Shelly wrote: "Now reading The Catswold Portal by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. It's not Joe Grey and Dulcie, it's more background, and you can see where the Joe Grey mysteries might have germinated in the author's brain. "
I love the Joe Grey series! I even bought all the books in the series plus the Catswold Portal and re-read them in order to better appreciate the development background stories throughout the series. I've got the latest book, Cat Playing Cupid, but haven't started reading it yet.
I finished the latest Hannah Swensen cookie shop mystery, Cream Puff Murder. I really like this series, and this one was no exception. Throughout the series, Hannah's been torn between two suitors, Mike and Norman. I'm a Normanite myyself and was pleased to see him get more attention this time around! The books include recipes, too - this one has 21. I want to try out several of them.
I'm starting on Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon by Nancy Atherton. I've read the others in the series - light, fun cozies with a ghostly presence.
