Eleanor Kuhns's Blog, page 3
May 30, 2022
Currently Reading - May 23
Last week was a crazy week. Instead of choosing my reading material carefully, as I usually do, I quickly picked up second books in two different series.
The first one was Charlaine Harris' Longer Fall.
In this sequel to An Easy Death, Gunnie Lizbeth Rose is hired on a new crew tasked with protecting a large trade to the town of Sally in Dixie. The train is derailed and as Rose searches the carnage for the whereabouts of her old crew, she meets Eli Savarov, the Russian Grigori. They join forces to find the crate and, if possible, safeguard its contents.
Lizbeth is almost immediately confronted with several problems. The mores in Dixie are very different than what she is use to. Required to wear a skirt and hose and carry a purse. she and Eli must pretend they are married.
Dixie also runs on slavery. Lizbeth's good friend Galilee has escaped from this town and the Ballards, the ruling family.
Plenty of bloodshed, betrayal as well as magic; I liked this one even better than the first. A winner.
The second book is another second: Death of a Starling by Linda Norlander.<
Our intrepid poet continues to investigate in the school shooting in Cascade. She is warned repeatedly to let it drop but, although she considers it, she doggedly continues despite repeated threats against her.
Why is everyone afraid to even speak about the shooting, let alone answer questions about the teacher and the alleged shooter?
Tess, a student at the High School, tells Jamie that there is something rotten in Cascade and then disappears.
The first one was Charlaine Harris' Longer Fall.
In this sequel to An Easy Death, Gunnie Lizbeth Rose is hired on a new crew tasked with protecting a large trade to the town of Sally in Dixie. The train is derailed and as Rose searches the carnage for the whereabouts of her old crew, she meets Eli Savarov, the Russian Grigori. They join forces to find the crate and, if possible, safeguard its contents.
Lizbeth is almost immediately confronted with several problems. The mores in Dixie are very different than what she is use to. Required to wear a skirt and hose and carry a purse. she and Eli must pretend they are married.
Dixie also runs on slavery. Lizbeth's good friend Galilee has escaped from this town and the Ballards, the ruling family.
Plenty of bloodshed, betrayal as well as magic; I liked this one even better than the first. A winner.
The second book is another second: Death of a Starling by Linda Norlander.<
Our intrepid poet continues to investigate in the school shooting in Cascade. She is warned repeatedly to let it drop but, although she considers it, she doggedly continues despite repeated threats against her.
Why is everyone afraid to even speak about the shooting, let alone answer questions about the teacher and the alleged shooter?
Tess, a student at the High School, tells Jamie that there is something rotten in Cascade and then disappears.
What is going on?
Highly Recommended.
May 27, 2022
Giveaway and Interview
The Giveaway for Murder, Sweet Murder, ends next Tuesday so be sure and join the lottery. I am giving away ten copies of the hardcover book.
I had a wonderful interview with Fran Lewis on May 25. I always enjoy talking to her and she asks such great questions. The second link is to her review of the book. Thank you Fran!<
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/fran-lewis/2022/05/26/murder-sweet-murder
Review: https://tillie49.wordpress.com/2022/05/26/murder-sweet-murder/
I had a wonderful interview with Fran Lewis on May 25. I always enjoy talking to her and she asks such great questions. The second link is to her review of the book. Thank you Fran!<
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/fran-lewis/2022/05/26/murder-sweet-murder
Review: https://tillie49.wordpress.com/2022/05/26/murder-sweet-murder/
May 13, 2022
Policing in Early America
The rise of the modern police force in a relatively modern phenomenon. Policing in early America was a hodgepodge of constables, sheriffs , night watchmen and justices of the peace. The Boston Night Watch was established in 1631. These were usually poorly paid and untrained. Moreover, although they were paid, it was more of a stipend than a salary. All officers had to have another profession that put food on the table. In my Will Rees series, series, Rouge runs a tavern.
Bands of citizens, like a more powerful Neighborhood watch, was another system employed to keep order. Too often, they became groups of zealots who went after anyone of whom they disapproved.
As the populations increased, especially cities like Boston and New York, port cities where immigrants arrived, these patchwork systems were quickly overwhelmed.<
Attempts as establishing some kind of security force were tried. The wealthy usually hired their own men to protect themselves and their possessions. A system that paid the men with rewards was also tried. But abuse was rampant. Innocent men were hanged for crimes so the 'detective' could collect the reward.
London was the first city to set up a trained, professional force: the Metropolitan Police. This was a country-wide force with trained officers and it quickly became a model for the United States. New York City became the first police force modeled on the 'bobbies'. (The American system, however, was decentralized. Politicians chose the officers and they reported to a neighborhood precinct house. Cronyism and corruption were constant problems.) New York City was the first police force to wear uniforms.
Boston began experimenting with a police force modeled on the British in 1837. By 1860, all large American cities had established full time police forces.
When Rees is investigating murders, he is not in competition with the police. There were none at that time. So, in Murder, Sweet Murder, he is able to mount his own investigation in the murders.
Bands of citizens, like a more powerful Neighborhood watch, was another system employed to keep order. Too often, they became groups of zealots who went after anyone of whom they disapproved.
As the populations increased, especially cities like Boston and New York, port cities where immigrants arrived, these patchwork systems were quickly overwhelmed.<
Attempts as establishing some kind of security force were tried. The wealthy usually hired their own men to protect themselves and their possessions. A system that paid the men with rewards was also tried. But abuse was rampant. Innocent men were hanged for crimes so the 'detective' could collect the reward.
London was the first city to set up a trained, professional force: the Metropolitan Police. This was a country-wide force with trained officers and it quickly became a model for the United States. New York City became the first police force modeled on the 'bobbies'. (The American system, however, was decentralized. Politicians chose the officers and they reported to a neighborhood precinct house. Cronyism and corruption were constant problems.) New York City was the first police force to wear uniforms.
Boston began experimenting with a police force modeled on the British in 1837. By 1860, all large American cities had established full time police forces.
When Rees is investigating murders, he is not in competition with the police. There were none at that time. So, in Murder, Sweet Murder, he is able to mount his own investigation in the murders.
May 5, 2022
Women's Rights in Early America
The short comment on the title is that women had none. Although I would expect that wives had some input in their married lives and the lives of their children, legally they had none.
Women could not vote. The only people who could were white men, and white men with property at that. Women could not inherit from their husbands unless specifically mentioned in a husband's will. If he did not mention her, she became the responsibility of her son. If the relationship was poor, he could, and frequently did, turn her own to starve on the road.
Women owned nothing. Although a woman might bring a dowry to a marriage, property of such, as soon as the marriage took place, the property became her husband's. He could spend it as he wished, including on other women. If he chose to gamble it away, she had no legal recourse. (This, by the way, is a common trope in Regency and romance fiction.) One of the sources I read described a case of divorce. When the woman wished to remarry, she had to do so in her petticoat. Even the clothing on her back belonged to her husband and he refused to give her any of it. (This is why the farm Lydia owns becomes Rees's after their marriage.)
Even her children belonged to her husband. In a dispute, he might remove them and forbid her to see them again. He usually chose his children's spouses and determined where and when they were apprenticed.
Domestic abuse was not a crime. Although it was expected a husband would not beat his wife to death, English common law gave him the right to beat her with a stick no bigger than his thumb.
This is not a world I would ever wish to return to and it is certainly unfortunate that some people seem to think this is still the way the world should work.
Women could not vote. The only people who could were white men, and white men with property at that. Women could not inherit from their husbands unless specifically mentioned in a husband's will. If he did not mention her, she became the responsibility of her son. If the relationship was poor, he could, and frequently did, turn her own to starve on the road.
Women owned nothing. Although a woman might bring a dowry to a marriage, property of such, as soon as the marriage took place, the property became her husband's. He could spend it as he wished, including on other women. If he chose to gamble it away, she had no legal recourse. (This, by the way, is a common trope in Regency and romance fiction.) One of the sources I read described a case of divorce. When the woman wished to remarry, she had to do so in her petticoat. Even the clothing on her back belonged to her husband and he refused to give her any of it. (This is why the farm Lydia owns becomes Rees's after their marriage.)
Even her children belonged to her husband. In a dispute, he might remove them and forbid her to see them again. He usually chose his children's spouses and determined where and when they were apprenticed.
Domestic abuse was not a crime. Although it was expected a husband would not beat his wife to death, English common law gave him the right to beat her with a stick no bigger than his thumb.
This is not a world I would ever wish to return to and it is certainly unfortunate that some people seem to think this is still the way the world should work.
One of the wonderfully progressive facts about the Shakers is that they believed in equality between the sexes. Although their work was divided by gender, and followed along traditional gender roles, women bore a equal share in the governance of the community. Education as well was offered to both boys and girls, a rarity at that time.
April 28, 2022
Malice Domestic 2022
Malice 2022 is now over. I am so glad this conference was an in-person conference. There is something so special about talking to people face to face, even if they are wearing a mask.
I participated in the Malice Go-Round, fun but exhausting. The authors went to 20 tables and gave a two minute presentation at each of them. I took no pictures; I was too busy.
The panel I moderated, Historical Mysteries - The Rapture of Research, too place later that day. What a great panel. The audience thought so too.
Almost immediately after, I signed books.
Saturday was the relaxing day. At nine, I attended Women in Historical Mysteries: Grappling with Gender Expectations. I think every women author deals with this topic in on way or the other. The Severn House Authors had a table and signed right after that. I was with Marcia Talley and Elaine Viets. Catriona McPherson and Jeff Cohen held down the second table.
After lunch I attended The Journey of Identity, which was fascinating, and The Place of Cozies in a Non-Cozy World. I intended to listen to the interview with Walter Mosley but by then I was too tired.
It was just so wonderful being with other writers and fans.
I participated in the Malice Go-Round, fun but exhausting. The authors went to 20 tables and gave a two minute presentation at each of them. I took no pictures; I was too busy.
The panel I moderated, Historical Mysteries - The Rapture of Research, too place later that day. What a great panel. The audience thought so too.
Almost immediately after, I signed books.
Saturday was the relaxing day. At nine, I attended Women in Historical Mysteries: Grappling with Gender Expectations. I think every women author deals with this topic in on way or the other. The Severn House Authors had a table and signed right after that. I was with Marcia Talley and Elaine Viets. Catriona McPherson and Jeff Cohen held down the second table.
After lunch I attended The Journey of Identity, which was fascinating, and The Place of Cozies in a Non-Cozy World. I intended to listen to the interview with Walter Mosley but by then I was too tired.
It was just so wonderful being with other writers and fans.
April 25, 2022
Currently Reading - April 17
Although I spent this past weekend in North Bethesda, MD for Malice Domestic, I still managed to read two books. The first was Ninja's Blade< by Tori Eldridge, the second in her Lily Wong series. The second was a book I bought at Malice. Murder in First Position<, by Lori Robbins, features a ballerina as the main protagonist/detective.
Ninja's Blade is even more exciting than Ninja's Daughter
Lily Wong is hired to find a young woman, Emma, who was rescued from the streets and prostitution. While Lily is searching, she becomes aware of the trafficking of minors. Dolla is a recruiter for Manolo, a really terrifying pimp. Lily struggles to find out what she needs to know and finally goes undercover as a streetwalker to rescue the girls. Exciting and gritty. Highly recommended but Not for the faint of heart.
The second mystery was Murder in First Position<
Leah Siderova is coming back from a serious knee injury. She is in competition for a lead role but when her rival is found stabbed with a pair of scissors, she goes from ballerina to murder suspect. Former friends and fellow dancers treat her like a pariah. When the police are poised to arrest her, Leah goes on the run. She finds new friends in a band of ladies on their way to Atlantic City. Leah's sister plays decoy and in a final scene at the theater the murderer is finally revealed.<
What an interesting, albeit disheartening, view of the ballet world. Rivalry, backstabbing, out and out cruelty. And the ballerina's struggles to stay at ninety pounds certainly put my diet struggles in perspective. Recommended.
Ninja's Blade is even more exciting than Ninja's Daughter
Lily Wong is hired to find a young woman, Emma, who was rescued from the streets and prostitution. While Lily is searching, she becomes aware of the trafficking of minors. Dolla is a recruiter for Manolo, a really terrifying pimp. Lily struggles to find out what she needs to know and finally goes undercover as a streetwalker to rescue the girls. Exciting and gritty. Highly recommended but Not for the faint of heart.
The second mystery was Murder in First Position<
Leah Siderova is coming back from a serious knee injury. She is in competition for a lead role but when her rival is found stabbed with a pair of scissors, she goes from ballerina to murder suspect. Former friends and fellow dancers treat her like a pariah. When the police are poised to arrest her, Leah goes on the run. She finds new friends in a band of ladies on their way to Atlantic City. Leah's sister plays decoy and in a final scene at the theater the murderer is finally revealed.<
What an interesting, albeit disheartening, view of the ballet world. Rivalry, backstabbing, out and out cruelty. And the ballerina's struggles to stay at ninety pounds certainly put my diet struggles in perspective. Recommended.
April 18, 2022
Currently Reading
Now that I have completed reading the books for my Malice Domestic panel, I am branching out. This week I read the newest book by an old and favorite author (Ann Cleeves -The Heron's Cry), and a book by a new author, to me at least (Nancy Allen - the Code of the Hills
Cleeves new book is the second in her Matthew Venn
Venn is called to an artist's colony. Dr. Nigel Yeo has been stabbed to death by a shard of glass from one of his daughter's glass creations. Dr Yeo is an unexpected victim. A good man, and very concerned about the treatment of mental health patients, he has been investigating the suicide of young man.
Then the owner of the artist's colony is found murdered in exactly the same way. Since Matthew's husband Jonathan is connected to this colony, he must tread carefully.
Although the Vera and Jimmy Perez mysteries are my favorites, the Matthew Venn books are very enjoyable as well.
The second of the two is The Code of the Hills
Although she is probably more well - known as a co-writer with James Patterson, this mystery that she wrote alone is great as well. Elsie Arnold is a state prosecutor tasked with trying an incest case. Kris Taney has been accused of the rape of his two oldest daughters.
Everyone lies to Elsie, including Kris's wife and the two daughters. Then a Evangelical group becomes involved - and Elsie is targeted. Her car is vandalized in some particularly horrible ways.
Elsie herself is not entirely admirable. She drinks too much and her choice of men leaves a lot to be desired. But she works on the case to the best of her ability.
The author, who spoke to my Sisters in Crime group via Zoom, referred to her early series as 'Hillbilly noir" and noir it is.
Absolutely fascinating!
Cleeves new book is the second in her Matthew Venn
Venn is called to an artist's colony. Dr. Nigel Yeo has been stabbed to death by a shard of glass from one of his daughter's glass creations. Dr Yeo is an unexpected victim. A good man, and very concerned about the treatment of mental health patients, he has been investigating the suicide of young man.
Then the owner of the artist's colony is found murdered in exactly the same way. Since Matthew's husband Jonathan is connected to this colony, he must tread carefully.
Although the Vera and Jimmy Perez mysteries are my favorites, the Matthew Venn books are very enjoyable as well.
The second of the two is The Code of the Hills
Although she is probably more well - known as a co-writer with James Patterson, this mystery that she wrote alone is great as well. Elsie Arnold is a state prosecutor tasked with trying an incest case. Kris Taney has been accused of the rape of his two oldest daughters.
Everyone lies to Elsie, including Kris's wife and the two daughters. Then a Evangelical group becomes involved - and Elsie is targeted. Her car is vandalized in some particularly horrible ways.
Elsie herself is not entirely admirable. She drinks too much and her choice of men leaves a lot to be desired. But she works on the case to the best of her ability.
The author, who spoke to my Sisters in Crime group via Zoom, referred to her early series as 'Hillbilly noir" and noir it is.
Absolutely fascinating!
April 15, 2022
Malice Domestic 2022 - programming
Besides the panel I moderate (Historical Mysteries - the Rapture of Research on Friday, April 23, 2pm), there are a number of fascinating offerings.
Some of the fascinating topics:
Blurring Genres: Blending a Cozy with Romance? With Fantasy?
Solves a Crime or Feed the Cat?
Can you Google the Killer?
And these are all on Friday, in addition to a panel on The Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees with:
Ellen Byron
Edwin Hill
Louise Penny
Gabriel Valjan
On Saturday, panels range from:
Women in Historical Mysteries: Grappling with Gender Expectations (One I will surely attend) to
How Strong Characters Make a Strong Mystery
How Do Bookstores and Libraries Foster Community? And these are all at 9 am.
Other panels I would like to attend:
Farms, Fields and Felonies: Crime in Remote Settings<
Panels continue through out the day with one interviewing debut novel nominees, discussion of the effects of Covid on the in-person experience, and, of course, the awarding of the Agatha at the banquet.
On Sunday, Hank Phillippi Ryan will interview the International Guest: Sophie Hannah, another not to be missed event.
After the long dry spell of no conferences or in-person activities, I plan on trying to get to as much as I physically can. I will be happily exhausted.
Some of the fascinating topics:
Blurring Genres: Blending a Cozy with Romance? With Fantasy?
Solves a Crime or Feed the Cat?
Can you Google the Killer?
And these are all on Friday, in addition to a panel on The Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees with:
Ellen Byron
Edwin Hill
Louise Penny
Gabriel Valjan
On Saturday, panels range from:
Women in Historical Mysteries: Grappling with Gender Expectations (One I will surely attend) to
How Strong Characters Make a Strong Mystery
How Do Bookstores and Libraries Foster Community? And these are all at 9 am.
Other panels I would like to attend:
Farms, Fields and Felonies: Crime in Remote Settings<
Panels continue through out the day with one interviewing debut novel nominees, discussion of the effects of Covid on the in-person experience, and, of course, the awarding of the Agatha at the banquet.
On Sunday, Hank Phillippi Ryan will interview the International Guest: Sophie Hannah, another not to be missed event.
After the long dry spell of no conferences or in-person activities, I plan on trying to get to as much as I physically can. I will be happily exhausted.
April 11, 2022
Malice Domestic - panel books
This week I finished the final two books that my panel authors will be discussion at Malice Domestic. I always enjoy finding new authors.
The first book I read was The Murderess Must Die by Marlie Wasserman.
This is a fictionalized account of a true crime. Martha Place was accused of the murder of her stepdaughter Ida and the attack with an axe on her husband William, She was poorly represented by counsel and became the first woman to be executed via the electric chair. Horrifying and Thought provoking.
The second book is one that I read when it was first released: Death at the Emerald by R.J. Koreto.
This is the third in the Lady Frances Folks Edwardian mysteries. Frances Is asked by Lady Torrance to look for her daughter Louisa, who ran away to become an actress. I really hope the author pens a few more in this series. Beautiful written and charming.
Malice Domestic - panel books
This week I finished the final two books that my panel authors will be discussion at Malice Domestic. I always enjoy finding new authors.
The first book I read was The Murderess Must Die by Marlie Wasserman.
This is a fictionalized account of a true crime. Martha Place was accused of the murder of her stepdaughter Ida and the attack with an axe on her husband William, She was poorly represented by counsel and became the first woman to be executed via the electric chair. Horrifying and Thought provoking.
The second book is one that I read when it was first released: Death at the Emerald by R.J. Koreto.
This is the third in the Lady Frances Folks Edwardian mysteries. Frances Is asked by Lady Torrance to look for her daughter Louisa, who ran away to become an actress. I really hope the author pens a few more in this series. Beautiful written and charming.
