C. (Comment, never msg).’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2014)

C. (Comment, never msg).’s comments from the Gentle SPECTRUMS group.

Girls, I hope you are obtaining copies of "Under The Dragon's Tail" quickly! I have explained that it is hard to avoid "Murdoch Mysteries" in Canada with the CBC and perhaps other television stations airing a variety of reruns every hour. Today, I am daring to watch a whole 2019 show from the beginning! Eeek!

Shirin, I was saying that there was no lie about Mr. Shipley working hard as a newspaper boy. He only obfuscated the details about his Mom; family privacy I believe he had a right to preserve.

Yes, I know the coachman worried about Alice and Ettie identifying his carriage. What I was saying is if he killed over a little threat like that (a lot of carriages were brown and a lot of horses were light), why did he not chase Theresa out of the men's club? There was no one else in the street, or she would not have frozen. I think that was a mistake on Maureen Jennings' part.

On this subject I am sad. I have finished reading two histories of Winnipeg school girls killed because someone did not find them in time. My Mom had the story Candace Derksen's 1984 abuduction and I found a PDF of Barbara Stoppel's attack in 1981. If police had acted sooner, or someone had known or chanced to look in on them sooner, they would be a little over 50 years-old today. Candace left Earth at only 13 (unsolved) and Barbara at 16 (solved in 1999 but the criminal could not be prosecuted).

About TV, on a happy tone, I admit I have watched the last half hour of "Murdoch Mysteries" two days in a row! In Canada, it airs on CBC every hour and I avoided it for a long time! The theme song is compelling and my interest with the two of you friends, has grown! If only seasons 1 to 15 weren't $200 CDN, I hope to have the DVDs soon. The show airing presently are from 2019. The new season starts September 13, a delicious plot about a son! I will try not to watch them! Today's episode's second half was full of humour and sexy, including sex hinted humour. Naughty! ;>

Ah yes, I remember a funny observation I want to make. We can think of no one but the dear, handsome, gifted Yannick Bisson to be William Murdoch. However, I observed yesterday that he has very central Canadian speech, like mine. He is from Montréal, Québec; easily assumed by his last name but he is clearly an Anglophone. Ah, I am reading that he moved to Toronto, Ontario as a teenager which is our explanation why.

Kerri, you have heard me on video. Our speaking is what the world calls having no accent. See interview footage of our great folk singer, Anne Murray, to hear what someone from Nova Scotia sounds like. A recent example is when she introduced Jann Arden, into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame for this year's "Juno Awards". It is subtle but notice the way anyone east of Québec says their Rs. There is a Nova Scotia animal rescue TV show called "Hope For Wildlife". Hope & Anne say her Rs the same way. I think their Rs are more pronounced and mine & Yannick's are flatter.

I am glad to have your input, Kerri and it will be helpful to hear Shirin's again to understand everything. I think we three think some aspects of the plot were written weakly and don't work out. Others, we need to delve into to understand. You both have given me more think about, which is the gift of reading in tandem. Is there a word like "tandem" that means triplets? :)

Unless I forgot details, I believe Mr. Shipley only revised personal details about his Mom, as is his right. He really was a newsboy and did buy his company from the ground up. He knew the cold, wet nights and did the work. I think where we get the sense of falseness is in his present day prosperity. Should any child earn pennies, work long hours, lack sets of clothes and shoes, and crawl under signs for shelter if he really cared? I think we sense that if he cared as much as he says, he could shell out for higher pay, shorter hours to go around more employees, and better lives; isn't that right?

I don't recall anything to hide except his Mom's demeanour, which he would not have revealed to an employee. Donalda befriended Therese but Mr. Shipley seems like a more traditional Lord of the manner. However, you and Shirin are right about hiding the opium addiction. Maybe that was it but would he let his Daughter be in jeapardy of having anything to do with the scumbag?

Everyone thought Harriet was going to marry Owen, didn't we? Dirtbag Cannon having any interest in Harriet was dumped on us at the end. It was not constructed well, unless surprising us was Maureen's idea of twist. This ill-fitting nonsense is exactly why I wish the trend for twists would be ditched, in favour of smooth stories that are woven well.

Dear me, you don't mean to say Therese would have lived if she hadn't escaped. They might have killed her, whether or not opium created memory lapse. She was aware enough that she felt that she was in danger. Because of the stupid housekeeper's husband, she was already escaping assault and must have been terrified of being in danger of that again.

Another error occurs to me, unless you two can think of a story around it. Not so much Mr. Shipley but Dirtbag Cannon; if he was so worried about such stretches as Alice and Ettie recognizing his carriage; why did they not pursue Therese after she ran? She was alone on the street if no one saw her collapse in time to save her from freezing. Unless they were drugged out of their minds too.

I hope Maureen did better with endings after her first story. Her characterization is really memorable and endearing. I love that aspect enough that I ordered "Under The Dragon's Tail". :) Kerri, I have an inkling that you will fall in love with William and his stories enough to become a fan of the television show. It seems to be more about the compassion and art of solving mysteries than violent or criminal aspects.

Being in Canada, the show is on a satellite dish channel several times a day. Now that we three are sharing the original books together, I smile and think of you two every time I see "Murdoch Mysteries" on the channel list. I force myself not to watch it, which is manageable because they are airing well ahead of the first season of 2008. It has to be good, if it is still going this many years; unusually successful for any television show.

The theme song thrills me, which ends ahead of a show I like to watch week-days, called "Call The Midwife". The theme song sounds modern and mysterious at the same time, which makes me certain that I will have to buy "Murdoch Mysteries" as soon as we are done reading the original series.

I find myself relieved and smiling that my point about not capturing historic Canada quite right is trusted and appreciated. I feared an argument about our many tea drinkers, which is different from the too-English setting that was projected. You both must have seen stories in which you could tell that the storyteller was not raised in your countries. We are very proud to claim Eric and Maureen. I am saying that where we grew up stays with us. I hope the rest of the books feel distinctly Canadian.

Are you looking to move off of the island someday? Why are you at a beach if you aren't swimming? Is it someone's cottage, or just family you know who live on a seashore? Gosh, even getting to use the word seashore is exotic.

Yes! Any copy will be wonderful but if it happens to be the graveyard cover I especially want of "Mystery Of The Stuttering Parrot", that would be the dream.

I am glad Marigold, her Daughters, McCartney & I took many photos on this Mother's Day, with Ron. We are sad it was her last, a very good Mother to her cats and a wonderful Daughter to Ron & I. You know that Marigold lived until June 21, celebrating McCartney's milestone birthday that month as well. God bless our Marigold.

In these months of 2021 that changed so much that is important to our close family, I am reading and slowly catching up on my book reviews. Here is the one for "Hide And Seek". https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Good, Shirin, maybe I can find "Shirin & Khosrow". It looks like one of the names that apppeared in my search at Awesome Books, my favourite book source that still works on dial-up internet connections. They only charge $5.00 CDN postage for your whole order of books. Better World Books gives free postage but has raised the price for Canadians too high, selling in US dollars too. Amazon Canada is hit & miss on good prices for new and used goods. I watch for the best prices. :) I hope the biography and sample books contain your story and more.

What is your opinion of the memoir "Not Without My Daughter"? My Mom gave it to me many years ago to warn me to be careful in foreign countries and also to show how strong a Mother's love is. However, I do not like to read sad or hard stories, even if the ending is good. I told my Mom that I appreciated her gift and asked if she minded, that my reading taste is very different from the life struggles she liked to read about. She understood but now that she is gone, I feel like I should read her gift.

It shows negative sides to Irainian laws and some people but I think it shows a lot of good. Many people helped the woman and her Daughter escape. I will read with an open mind that the whole country is not like that; the same we can say of any country.

I answered you in detail on my review of "The Time Of My Life", which I am honoured you loved enough to become interested in the book! I will review Lisa's book soon but it is emotional because of course, I thought all about Spirit & Marigold when I read it. I want the writing to be right.

It intersects a little with another wonderful autobiography and person, Rob Lowe, both of whom Kerri & I admire. When Rob mentioned that he & Patrick got their start in the same two films, I already had Patrick's book and was excited to read it next. Now I am thinking about them fondly and watching their films. Rob overcame alcoholism, which was my interest at the time but he didn't write much about it. He gives us the best look I have ever seen, at what the television and film industries are like and how they change.

Hm, that is a good point, Shirin. Maybe Mr. Shipley was a drug addict. Maybe Mr. Canning threatened to advertise that, at a time when maybe Canadians worried about reputations, instead of standing up for themselves against blackmailing. However, I found that whole class attitude too English sounding rather than Canadian, attributed to an English born authoress.

Yes, Therese's freezing was accidental due to the drug. But why did they abduct her in the first place? What a needless loss of life for a stupid, criminal impulse. I really believe Therese should have run away then, not after she was at the Yeoman club; unless they lied and said they were giving her a ride to the church. Wasn't it close enough, if it is where William dedeuced Therese was going?

I don't see "Shirin & Farhad" but another that seems to be famous: "Layla & Majnun" possibly misspelled as "Laili". I see two books about Nizami: "The Great Azerbaijani Poet" https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/978... and "Treasury Of The Mysteries" https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/978... which might contain "Shirin & Farhad".

Are you familiar with the 1980s to 2000s film star, Patrick Swayze? He went to Heaven in 2009 from pancreatic cancer and lived 2 years, instead of the months most people get. He & his writer / dancer wife, Lisa Niemi, persisted in qualifying for drug trials, healthy, and happy living to prolong his life and it worked. He filmed a whole TV series called "The Beast" on week-days, while having chemotherapy on week-ends. As a kid, I loved him in "Ghost", "City Of Joy", "Point Break", and "Dirty Dancing".

It is enjoyable to read Patrick's autobiography first, "The Time Of My Life", which is very little about pancreatic cancer and mostly about living. Lisa's book continues where he left off but Patrick is alive in almost that whole book too, which is a nice surprise because it is said to be about overcoming grief. It helped me a lot regarding Marigold and I hope to write a review worthy of that helpful experience soon.

You see, Marigold lived more than a year longer than doctors expected. I know in my heart it is from loving each other so well, the heathfulness of going outside everyday and sitting wherever she wants in the grass and among the trees. Coming inside at night to cuddle. We tried alternative healing, like energy medicine and a herb called "Essiac".

I thought of Marigold immediately, because Patrick went back to normal and had unbelievable energy and enthusiasm, by working on the TV show and audio recording of his book. Sitting in a bed is no good unless you need to rest temporarily. Having something to do that you enjoy keeps your spirits up. I hope Dad goes home soon. One of us 3 talks with him by phone everyday. Thank you for wishing him well, Shirin.

Thank you for all the anniversary wishes, my friends. It was a very nice time with Ron. We decided to try two new boardgames we had bought second-hand a few years ago; nothing bothering with rules and game pieces but trying questions out on each other. We love creative thinking regarding music and general knowledge and we both did well.

We exchanged cards from lovely stock we already have at home. We both honoured Spirit & Marigold in our cards, wishing they were here, which meant a lot to both of us. Marigold has only been gone a month and although ascended 5 months before, Spirit was only laid to rest 2 months ago. Too much too young, we needed a day that was good for us. Dad is better too. Will share most of those things in e-mails with you both.

In the end, I see why you gave 4 stars, Kerri, even though I am in love with the literary William Murdoch just like Shirin. I felt a 5 star enthusiasm and investment. Endings is where some authors lose me, with convaluted or unbelievable motives, or behaviour that doesn't seem natural for the psychology of the person. Maureen's first mystery is very good but I have criticisms.

Worst of all, you know my mysophonia type trouble, don't you, whereupon one of the worst triggers is whistling with teeth. Did we need that whole fucking part about horses; which would irritate me, much less horses!!!! It was entirely superfluous to the plot, which was worse. The book had to be very good after that to receive 5 stars.

Historical accuracy was off for me as well, even though I suspect there might be Canadians who would argue, unless they listen to my details carefully. Maureen and her consultant, the late Eric Wright of whom I am a fan, are proud Canadians who were born in England. That makes a difference to the impression given that Canadians call "tea" anything but the mere drink itself. I knew my broad variety of relatives and other elders, who were the first generation born here. We do not have a tea time and never refer to "tea" as one of the meals of the day.

Few of my relatives care for tea, some offer it as an option to coffee. Yes, a lot of Canadians adore tea, just like it is popular in every part of the world nowadays but only as a choice of drink. You did not find the whole city of Toronto, the way Maureen made it look like yet another setting in England, "going home for tea". No one did that; not as a ritual or a meal. If you can name anyone who referred to "tea" as a meal, it was because they were from England. I think it would be easy for Maureen to know or research that a lot of Canadians (or English immigrants) liked tea but to spin her interpretation too far into the custom from her upbringing and Eric's.

It seems like a small thing to criticize but I said previously that book settings, especially historic ones, portray England and the United States too often and this book, finally placed in Canada, sounded too much like England as well. The super affluent had maids, servants, and butlers in that period but the emphasis on classes petered out quickly here. There were, however, boardinghouses aplenty.

I briefly worked in a heritage house museum and learned enough about it to give tours. :) I rocked at it, the short time I did it. I only left because the pay, week-end hours, and manager were a bitch. I let someone on the board and another on the staff know her comportment was why I was leaving and soon after, she was no longer there. Oops. ;>

I should say that I finished the novel last night. I only had a few chapters to go when I fell asleep again. I loved the novel. However, Kerri being unclear about Therese's death and for me, her abduction entirely, should not be. Everyone being guilty of something in their personal life is one way to divert us with red herrings. Too many being guilty of something in the crimes of assault, abduction, drugging, and murder is convaluted. We know the motives and opportunities were written poorly if we are unconvinced.

Do you see the mystery as we do, Shirin? Therese was assaulted by John Foy. I think Therese should have known she had an unusually good ear and it was obvious that Donalda disliked the Foys anyway. She would have found a sympathy and action for reporting John. I don't think Maureen got her silence right, because these werent the usual circumstances of worrying that you were reporting a beloved employee to an unsympathetic ear. She & Donalda were friends and her boss confided in her profoundly. However, Therese chose to get herself out of the attacks and at least see her church leader for help. Another intelligent alternative.

Along the way, Mr. Shipley and his stupid coachman Cannon picked her up. This rings untrue too. There was supposedly no struggle, so did they offer her a ride to her destination? That was something unusual to offer to a maid. I think she would have declined and carried on. Had they been forceful, she was in public and she was determined about her goal. They smuggled her into the Yeoman club where women aren't allowed and drugged her.

She was not murdered. She died because she ran into the snow and froze after she passed out from the opium. That was sad and unnecessary. Because Alice mentioned witnessing it, she was killed. A newspaper boy or two witnessed it as well. Wasn't Mr. Shipley their mentor, the newspaper owner? Another mistake. If he knew them as well as he said, they have eyes and ears everywhere. He should have interrogated those working on the street where his carriage had stopped.

Why did his coachman have control over him and his Daughter, who happens to be Owen's fiancee, Harriet? Did he say he would reveal the abduction and drugging on Therese? Wouldn't most people who were newspaper magnates say "No one would take your word against mine"? How did he manage to drug him and Harriet? Then Mr. Shipley dies of an overdose but we find out so subtly, we have to pay attention for that to be clear. What say you, ladies?

Kerri, do you dislike boats or water? Is it common for people to take swimming lessons there, for safety? I love water and boats but would need proper training to handle them properly. The one time Ron & I rented a paddle boat around a near, miniscule island; the shore waves were hard for us to navigate. Life jackets are a must and we stay aware of basic safety. Don't go farther than you can handle, don't panic, take a break on land, keep life jackets secured, go back in daylight. However, I love water and thrill at the rare time I have seen and been inside a lighthouse.

You asked if $700 CDN was the estimate for a whole PC. Yes: monitor, harddrive, keyboard, mouse, tower with CD drives, and all. That is without price-shopping. It would eat up the $200 cost of a Windows 10 CD.

Shirin, I thought Iran had mountains like Afghanistan and as a result, plenty of water. Is Iran a desert, or multi terrain like Canada? Forest, marsh, prairie, lakeland, ocean? I was in a water cave by boat in England, with an internet friend there. Many times, I have met my dear mail pals and internet friends in person around the world and a few times at my home. :) Dreams come true, my friends, dreams come true!

I think you would enjoy the John Krasinski "Jack Ryan" series because it mostly takes place in the Middle East, where I get to know different stories. Season 1 ended with a Yemen or Syrian woman escaping with her children to the USA, from her husband who had become a terrorist leader. The rest is the personal story of young, handsome Jack Ryan, who retired from the marines and is with the CIA. Ron said most of it is changed and is nothing like the books.

You both might ask: "Would Carolyn be interested in something political like that"? Not to read it but I have loved cultures and people, since I was a little girl in grade 2 (age 7!) and refugees from Laos came to my school. I never forgot them, which is why I read Colin Cotterill's "Dr. Siri" mystery series today, with great excitement. :) So maybe the plots are about politics but you hope the best for the people and the action is so fast, you are always interested!

When an episode ends, Ron & I say in unison "The next one, please"! We watched all of season 1 in two nights. It was good to have that fun together, before our anniversary. Now we can celebrate it, already feeling good after our nice long week-end.

Hi Shirin! Thank you for the anniversary wishes! I will tell Ron, who often hears me talk of my dear friends, Shirin and Kerri. Even my Dad, still in the hospital recovering, I phoned today so he could wish Ron & I happy anniversary. Then, since he & my Mom loved "Murdoch Mysteries" on TV for years, I said "Did you know there are books" and he didn't either. I told him "Shirin is buddy reading it with me from Iran and Kerri from New Zealand". He loved this.

Yes, I was saying it would be nice to read anything from Iran that is not about politics or the difficulties of women's equality. It is a dictatorship, is it not? Or can you vote a new leader these days?

Yes, poems turned into stories, or straight stories would be wonderful! Especially if they are about your name, Shirin! I mighit not like to read a made-up book about 1800 but you see, I love reading books authentically written in 1800. If I can afford it, I will look for these. Kerri for my birthday last year, gave me 3 special New Zealand books and the one I finished so far is beautiful. I must catch-up on reviews soon.

You and Kerri are very right that multiple viewpoints give readers more information. But is that how life works? Also, if I get to know one person well, I hate to stop following him and feel impatient to read pages where I get used to someone else. I want to follow one person and obtain information while he or she discovers it, you know?

I prefer modern fiction because it represents our times properly (like 1800 actually composed in 1800). And do we want to feel that all the action and wonders are over in our generation? Don't we want to feel we can discover a secret cave, treasure, mystery of life, or a fun adventure now? I don't want to feel like the good times are over and we have to make-up a fictional story. Also, most of those are about wars and I do not believe it is right for anyone to think wartime is romantic. It was horrible for the people in it. God willing, may we never see such a thing.

I am not going to say too much because I heard one thing about the series that is different from the television shows. But on one hand, I don't think a married couple calls themselves "Mother / Father", unless they have kids. However, I have a reason to believe that Arthur & his wife are not old enough to have grown-up kids, which I can't discuss until we reach whichever book tells us about it in the series.

Speaking of holding back: did I get any mysteries right? Are you smiling about it, Shirin? Congratulations for finishing the novel like you thought! You must have read 100 pages right through the night! I hardly read last night because I was on our slow internet too long, looking for book deals, as I said this morning. The day before, Ron & I treated ourselves to the "Jack Ryan" television series, season 1. I love John Krasinski from "The Office" and he loves Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan novels. So less reading lately and tonight is our anniversary, for spending time together. Tomorrow!

Oh yes, I thought of a cheeky thing to ask you, which i was joking about with Ron. How on Earth do you read Persian, with those letters looking alike!? I know many languages but at least the Greek alphabet is used, haha. It is impressive, my friend. You know, I read this summer "Worth Fighting For" by the wife of Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi. They had two horses with your name! One Shirin and another, Shirin Jewell. :) Love, Carolyn.

I hope you both see if you can answer my questions. I think most of the answers, except the baby's name, are in the PDF to find. Give me a hand, instead of me looking through it? If you remember or don't mind a browse.

Here are interesting links about the series. Beginning in 2008, it is still going, with season 15 coming next month! I won't look at it until I have seen the shows in order. I am watching for good prices of the most current boxset, which goes to season 12 in region 1 NSTN. https://www.tvinsider.com/1001035/mur...

If I have the money to fly to Toronto in the future again, to visit my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew; I will want to see chief "Murdoch Mysteries" locations. I always think of something to see in Toronto. https://murdochmysteries.fandom.com/w...

I notice after I replied to Shirin yeterday, that I was missing a paragraph of Kerri's first entry, which was a great one as well. You highlighted how much you like William's hosts and that they are good people. I love them too. They are curious out of care for humanity and interest in puzzles.

Did the book say they had children or how old the couple is? Tuberculosis might give an impression of being elderly but Arthur might not be. I wonder why they call each other "Mother" and "Father", if they weren't parents.

I guess it is universally know (except to certain American political parties) that coal is terrible on the environment. It did not occur to me to perceive it as bad for health. If Arthur should avoid it for a respiratory illness, it is too bad they didn't notice that in 1895. Thank you for your observation. Also, it is only my guess that William is about 25. How about the two of you?

My parents used charcoal bricks the rare time we barbequed on little units when we were kids. We occasionaly went to a park that provided grills built into concrete. Barbeques have been butane for so many years, the tank we have probably would not be accepted for exchange. As vegetarians, we don't use it much.

I love that William's hosts don't stand on much ceremony and invite friendship with him. I love seeing the three of them together. How cute is it, that William's ticket to holding a woman soemtime soon is good, clean, dance lessons? We just love him more and more, don't we? I feel a blu-ray search coming.

Kerri, I asked in your comment box of your future "The Gargoyle" review, if you own that book. Andrew Davidson is from Pinawa, Manitoba; a small town I have seen once, that isn't far from here.

P.S. I notice I do not know enough about Iran or New Zealand and am relieved to be learning about New Zealand. I am grateful for the books I have that are all about it, Kerri. Not only because they seem to be wonderful books. I had read Dorothy Eden and Mignon Warner but I will not name the two places in which they set their novels instead. They have received quite enough attention. ;>

Shirin, I would love to read stories of Iran that have nothing to do with oppressed women; the only thing most people know. My Mother gave me many years ago, which I did not read yet, "Not Without My Daughter". Of course we want to respect a difficult time that two people escaped. On the other hand, many people think it does not show enough nice things about Irainian culture and the country. I would love to read stories that aren't "hard life" stories, or political.

This is the same reason I love the novels and fiction coming out of the prairies: Alberta is included but mainly Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We used to be all about "the hard life of the pioneers, farmers, or hunters making these places homes". Now you can read fun mystery and other fictional novels in our environments. Saskatchewan to my west, which largely consists of farmland and oil fields, is shown by Gail Bowen via its two cities. Some mysteries are better than others but I love her modern city life perspective. "Olden days" books about the prairies are all we used to have. It was time to upgrade! :)

Guys, Ettie is the living friend. We know she and Alice were guilty of denuding a body and I think once William gave Ettie a way out of using her name, she came clean. As William aptly queried: "Is that all?" It was enough for Alice to get killed for, although William does not know she also recognized the creep in the carriage, the second man who appeared when she left the bar.

Kerri, when you said "you thought the little girl was nice in other ways" and you think "the USA and England are nice settings"; no one would disagree. But those are stating the obvious. I think you understand what I mean, that nearly every book in the world is set in those two places. I am not shy about saying I crave seeing novels anywhere else. Anywhere. It isn't because I have been to each. If anything, that gives me a special connection to those countries. But book horizons need to broaden. :)

Certainly, everyone also loves to see different walks of life in novels. However, they don't need to become narrators. I never like multiple points of view for the reasons already shared. Sharing one set of eyes if natural to life and it lets us feel like we are the protagonist. We can discover everything we need through him. Fair enough if you enjoy the opposite but you must have other reasons. Showing us other people is usually done through one protagonist. Anne Perry does it exceptionally well, through the eyes of her policeman, Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte. I always feel antsy to get back to the main character, or the modern storyline if one applies.

I count this as another rare instance, along with Anne Perry (who additionally portrays England - eek!) of me liking historical fiction. Actually, because Maureen is writing of old times barely succeeding Canada's confederation, I hate all the English expressions being used instead of Canadian ones, like speaking of "tea" as if it is a meal instead of a drink. We don't do that. I groan every time anyone says "Do you want this food for your tea", as if tea is a kind of meal. It isn't nowadays. Not here.

I think you might get an idea of how I feel about being recognized for our own independent culture, by living close to Australia. I imagine that like the USA constantly being mentioned in the news and portrayed in books, on TV, in films; maybe your countrymen too often feel like saying: "Hello, we exist as well". Whenever I catch Ron watching MORE American news, as if we haven't had enough of it, I prompt: "What is the news in our country today"? We have a lot of huge issues no one hears bubkis about. God bless authors for finally portraying us and I am glad you are enjoying it. :)

I myself am only over 221 pages. Ron & I binged on a "Jack Ryan" blu-ray TV season on holiday Monday and I was searching book deals too long yesterday. Today is our 21 year couples anniversary! We are common-law rather than traditionally married but we have sure worked and crawled, to make it here. When Ron is home, we will exchange cards and play a boardgame. That is a rare treat. Hopefully some of our many games are okay for two players.

I think it is safe to play detective, with us at the same place. I too, feel that everyone but Donalda is guilty in her family; not the stableboy either. There is a clue William doesn't know. Maureen showed it once and hopes readers will think it is a grand denouement later. Therese doesn't read. The nosy housekeeper likely fabricated the note, which is why she burned it without Donalda's permission. Therese disliked her and wanted to get away from her, as well as an unnamed assaulter. It might have been the housekeeper's husband but Owen seems the type. The housekeeper often told her husband they were lucky to have the job and shouldn't blow it. Therese never said she was going home. That story came from the housekeeper. Do you ladies remember that?

Is there is a reason for that shady couple to protect Owen, as if they were in on anything together? If not, I guess her husband is guilty. But which woman would allow assault on any person, especially caused by her husband?

We might have numerous motives and criminals. Let's see. The housekeepers didn't want Therese to leave but didn't want Donalda to know why she did flee. Are they sponging money or up to something with Owen?

The doctor has a secret far in his past but helpfully went to the police about Therese. He doesn't have the disposition or motive for it to have been a ruse. If someone caught Therese in a carriage, what were they afraid of her telling her church or anyone else? The name of the assaulter? She would have run away, not entered the carriage, if it were he. Alice and the newsboys witnessed no forced passenger. What else did they think she might reveal or overturn?

I think she was going to report it and ask for help. She had no fear of losing her position: she left it but had a rare understanding and friendship with Donalda. Why did she not tell her instead of someone else? It must have been Owen. I am dubious it Donalda's husband. What clues do you two mull over? Yes, I think they tried to drug Alice before she left the bar. Identifying a criminal makes it easy to unearth the motive.

I wonder if her husband's secret might that he is gay but Donalda would be understanding about the differing natures of orientation. His secret might be that he or she produced Owen with someone else, or he fathered a different child. That is all of my sleuthing. I like doing this, well before we know the answers. Sincerely, Carolyn.

I know I am in the minority for not usually liking historical fiction. I am saying that at least, we are in the time period of using telephones. I prefer stories in the 1950s onward, where we relate best of all to personalities, pastimes, and familiar rules or etiquette. Maureen Jennings is an exception because she is Canadian and the TV show I will buy later, looks like a lot of fun.

Also, at least "the olden days" are in Toronto, a wonderful city I have visited thrice. I am sick of English and American story settings and love anything somewhere else.

Shirin, I am glad you love multiple viewpoints, since this is what this novel entailed. Here again, I differ in wishing we would stick to William. I don't know if it was a good idea for Maureen to show us the bar scene before Alice left with a villain, even though it gave us a lot of information. William, our actual protagonist is the one who needs to know those things and I think it is a waste of time to show the reader. It feels more realistic to discover things along with William, which connects us more strongly because it feels like we are sharing his eyes and viewpoint.

I agree that Maureen's style is very good in describing what we need to know, with compassion that gets us caring about the characters and curious about the mysteries to answer! Yes, Ettie is not doing anyone any good by staying quiet. Sure, don't tell people in general because you don't know which people the criminals are. But I want to yell at people in every book: share what you know to police!

I wonder about Mr. Quinn too. He has some kind of racket with borrowed dogs, although Princess is his. He seems to care about dogs or pets, so I don't think there is a dog-fighting ring like in Ian Rankin's novel. A proper animal rights activist would not tolerate breeding either but maybe that is what it is. Today, too many people are obviously to the trouble it causes to obtain pets from breeders and stores, instead of adopting those who need homes from shelters and barn kittens and puppies. My guess is he is a nice guy who is breeding without a license.

Shirin, what does your last sentence mean? Is it that we have a whole series to hear about William, so the short story was focused on portraying the priest for a change? I like that. We do see William discussing his home origins.

He is a sweet person for loving to dance, cherishing his fiancée's picture, making sure the yelling dogs were all right, and for being willing to think like a little boy. When his feet were in the basin of water, didn't we all love him for making tidal waves like he did as a little boy? He even mentioned a ship. Was the one in "Shipwreck" Norweigian? I will add my own thoughts later. It is fun and rewarding to read something from each of you, my friends, yesterday and today.

Hi Shirin! It is nice to imagine what time it is and what my friends are doing, where they live in their beautiful, majestic parts of the world. I picture both of you in warm places with trees, plants, birds, insects, and views I don't have. With Kerri, tropical and bright. With you, Shirin, lots of soft sand and clay colours and ancient buildings and history I wish I could see.

It is true that short stories often leave questions. However, I ask about things that I think were told in the story. Did you see things I missed? I thought you could refresh my memory or direct me to parts I missed, like I did about William's Dad, Harry. We can glean a lot from very little information, if we think like detectives. In fact, this is what "Shipwreck" teaches us, in both timelines. Let us try! Let us not assume "it is impossible with short stories".

You are also right, Shirin, that authors often decide to compose back stories. However, I think they wished they had written those histories in order and compose them so that all the information in them precedes their series. Thus, I think we are lucky to read them first and that it should work. I don't think it makes sense to search for more information from William in 1895, for example, pertaining to something that took place in 1865 (estimating he is age 25). Very often, we become fans of series that are well in progress. I love starting at the earliest time period, not the book's or novella's release years.

I think the answers are here, if we take time to absorb the clues. Even Bill's Granddaughter make remarks about children at school, that made it plain that some of their families were poor and it was only a fast comment. Let us be detectives: help me with a few of my questions if you can. :-) That is a good deduction, Shirin, that Abigail had to go with her husband. I think if I re-read that paragraph of the PDF, it will be clear if she was happy about going to Canada or not. Yes, she probably needed and received help by happenstance on that boatride.

Boats are something a prairie person like me seldom rides, unless they have a cottage and boat by our many lakes. Do either of you often ride in boats, my friends? New Zealand is an island. Is your capital city or country around much water, Shirin?

I don't think comparison between a novel and novella make sense, except as feedback that we love the series. We are keen to buy the rest, followed by the TV show I am sure. Unique from most novellas that only give a few scenes or a short plot, the vocabulary was reduced to teach adults to read. In "Shipwreck", Maureen did not use her full prose and depth, nor Louise Penny in "The Hangman" of this 2010 literacy initiative. Yes, Kerri, I will bet new readers sought the rest of both Canadians' series!

I was glad to discuss Shirin's interpretation of mysteries usually being about arresting someone. It is almost a hobby to dispel the notion that mysteries need have any crime, for the other kinds of quests to answer questions and discover secrets are what I prefer! Now you propose something interesting that I need to ask you about, Kerri. Why do you view this mystery as simple?

Putting aside that this was a novella, I marvelled that it was more complicated than usual. On the other hand, "Except The Dying" is about finding out what someone was murdered, like most novels. "Shipwreck" strove to identify who everyone was, what happened to them, and what they were doing prior to capsizing. There were mismatched clothing and accessories and the sole living person Will and his Maritime priest could interview, lied. I deemed it amazing that they could work out as much as they did by that short interview, their observations, and their inventory.

How do you ladies see the story? Why was that ship en route to Nova Scotia? Was the wife a willing companion, wanting a new life, or merely going along with her merchant husband? Did she know the kind male passenger before, or did she only forge a connection with him because she was abused aboard ship? Only a catholic upbringing, ironic as it is, compelled her to lie about unseemly incidents, to be at peace with God. Today, a woman who needed help or defended herself in duress, would say so.

I couldn't see a name for Abigail's newborn, could you? This is an annoyance: spending too much time with a Grandchild who detracted from the story for me but not adding details readers would want to know. We know William went to university and worked for awhile before moving to Nova Scotia. Did this story say where he studied? I am curious if his fiancée, Elizabeth was Abigail's Daughter from home, 15 years his junior. But Bill would have remarked on a young loss. He said she grew up to be a wonderful woman.

He seems to have been an officer as soon as he came to Toronto. I will review the beginning of "Except The Dying", unless either of you can remind me how long he has been an officer in 1895. I don't get the sense that he is antsy about becoming a full detective but purely enjoys his job. I think he only noted that this case might advance him. Yes, it sure is refreshing for people not to be sad, struggling financially, or subject to drama. A crime mystery creates enough of that.

Kerri, I think to read in buddy style where we add our reactions every night or two, we had better not stop at page 100. Share everything you write under a heading inside your entries. Or paste half, then another half the next day. If you & Shirin mark your page numbers every night, as is my habit, we can see where each other is. :)

As it happens, I believe we are all halfway through and game to rush forward some more tonight. You, Shirin, are 9 1/2 hours ahead. Kerri, if you are the same latitude as Australia, you are 15 hours again. Do you remember the trick? I flip AM to PM + 3 hours. Speaking of differing time zones: I adore Nova Scotia and can tell you it is a wonderful place of beauty. I will soon write the rest of my thoughts in our other thread.

Yes, the book sale was phenomenal price wise and a great score book wise! It oddly seldom seems that I pick off much from my list but I recognize books of interest and obtain better copies than some I had. I keep picking up a number of great Canadian books for the two of you and my American friend, Lorraine. :) Love, Carolyn.

Honestly, Shirin, I just reread chapter 5 to look up the references to alcoholism for you and was gritting my teeth. That little girl annoyed me so much; I could hardly stand to skim that page. It might be cute if it were once or twice but she wouldn't shut up in that whole paragraph; maybe 20 times! You know a character frayed our nerves if we are glad she left. The reaction you & I share was reinforced, how annoying it was that it took 5 chapters to introduce the story we wanted to see.

Anyway, in the first paragraph of chapter 5, Bill tells the story that "Harry doesn't go to church anymore". When William takes over the historic Nova Scotia story in the second paragraph, he says outright that Harry slapped people when he drank too much and made fun of his family, including their mentally challenged son. I think his touchy Dad is mentioned again but will leave you to look-up more entries like that.

What did you think, in your own impressions, Kerri? I love your thorough replies and wonder what you might add. It might help to write your updates first and look at other entries after. I want access to your wonderful, well-read mind. :) I will add more when everyone is caught-up.

The book sale was awesome and our look at the lake. We went to a restaurant there beside the water. Between two places, we came home with 200 books, at a bargain of .40c each! This is why I have to keep reading, hahaha.

I like to separate my subjects. May I please be assured everyone is in the habit of looking for additional updates, besides the latest post? Further to general conversation, here are a few thoughts on "Murdoch Mysteries". I fell asleep before page 100 but love this novel. I prefer that we only follow the hero because it feels like real life: understanding one viewpoint well and one character navigating the story, which allows readers to feel like it is ourselves. However, I am glad Maureen Jennings started the action quickly and introduced us to William Murdoch quickly.

I do picture him as Yannick Bisson's television character, besides a moustache, a handsome likeness to picture! But my glimpse of one show did not acquaint his personality or other characters much. Thus, his written beginnings are a fresh, open book for me. I like him! He and his senior office want to move up in his career but compassion for humanity as well as animals is there.

What is new is that he likes his job and team and has made a friend there, with whom he chats about bicycles. Wide readers like we are have noticed a lot of policemen who are tired of their jobs or who dislike a superior or colleague. I appreciate any difference from the sorts of traits that were too common. Different from most readers, I find that I can like and get into historical fiction if they are at least in an era of using telephones or motorized vehicles.

I won't say anywhere until I know where Shirin is. I wish you would add the percentage or page of where you left off before going to bed. I'll just praise that Maureen builds likeability of her character by adding William's attitude about his boardingrooms and hosts (he is pleased by all of it). By the time they showed him practicing a hobby in his rooms, I loved the guy. I laughed that Maureen implied William might have a sordid side and then found that it was sweet.

I am glad to confirm that comments about these novels not being as good because the characters aren't as lovable, merely derive from being fans of the television show. I am only a little put off that I know who William marries very late in the TV series and was told who he marries in the novels. I wonder if I would have preferred to be surprised by that, or if I am glad I won't be surprised by it. If we enjoy these novels and like the show even better in the future: that is a win.