As I've mentioned previously, I really like mysteries set in the theater, so when I came across this book on sale, I was intrigued.
While I enjoy perioAs I've mentioned previously, I really like mysteries set in the theater, so when I came across this book on sale, I was intrigued.
While I enjoy period pieces, this is the first mystery series I've read in ancient Athens, so I honestly didn't know what to expect.
I loved it. The dialogue was witty, the descriptions really fantastic, and it was a good mystery to boot.
As a medical historian (more medical nerd since I've never gotten paid for any of my medical history musings), I appreciated the fact that the author did his homework, so I am inclined to think that the rest of the book has some roots in actual history as well.
The plot is a simple one: our hero, a private detective in Athens and his wife, a high priestess of Athena are hired by a playwright during the great festival to get rid of a ghost who is thwarting the rehearsals. While Nico is able to get rid of the "ghost," unfortunately, he has a murder to contend with and we are off to the races.
I did manage to pick up another book in the series at a very good price. Unfortunately, the publisher prices the books above what I consider reasonable for an electronic book, so unless I win the lottery, I don't think I'll be reading many of the books (unless they are on sale).
Well worth your time and eyes. While this is a long book, it's totally worth it and I give it 5 stars up! for a delightful story that had me laughing out loud at several points....more
Joss is a stage actress who came out west to act in a made for TV movie for an old friend who had written the script.
She has no delusions that her prJoss is a stage actress who came out west to act in a made for TV movie for an old friend who had written the script.
She has no delusions that her primary mission to keep the erstwhile child star now all grown up, divorced, with a child and having beat a drug addiction on the straight and narrow. (For what it's worth, the movie they are starring in doesn't sound all that interesting, more like a Hallmark movie.)
I will warn you now, this is a long book that took me quite a while to finish, but it was a great book; one that prompted me to look at purchasing other books in the series. I learned a lot about movie making; the behind the scenes look at the process was great.
This is definitely a series I will be reading more of in the future (already have another book since it was on sale) and I recommend at least this book, hopefully, I'll be able to recommend the series.
I give this book a solid 4.5 paws -- well worth reading, especially if you enjoy the behind the scenes of the creative process....more
Another British mystery, this time, it is a very modern aristocrat, post World War I, a widow, who lives in a very nice large house with various peoplAnother British mystery, this time, it is a very modern aristocrat, post World War I, a widow, who lives in a very nice large house with various people including her mother-in-law, a unmarried pregnant medical student (I told you she was progressive), a woman who works in the pathologist office, and a ton of other characters.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away but it centers around Ginger's boyfriend's ex-wife who was living a double life as a burlesque dancer (which, apparently, was pretty racy and scandalous). I was rather interested in the fact that women actually attended these burlesque shows, but then, this was the twenties and as the song says, "Anything Goes."
Other than the titillation of burlesque show and Ginger's lovely clothing, there really wasn't much going for the story. It was better than some I'd read, but I wasn't motivated to check out to see if there were other books in the series worth my time. I'd definitely buy another book if it was on sale, but I'm not going to go out of my way to read the series.
I give this book 3.5 stars -- good enough to read on a rainy afternoon....more
Despite not being overly religious, I do enjoy religious mysteries. After all, the core of a good mystery is explaining the circumstances about which Despite not being overly religious, I do enjoy religious mysteries. After all, the core of a good mystery is explaining the circumstances about which the murder has occurred, which means, you learn a lot about a lot of different subjects. In this case, the mystery surrounds the death of a nun, so consequently, there is a ton of background on being in a convent as well as what England was like post World War II.
I purchased this book because of the subject matter (and of course, the price) and wasn't disappointed in the least. I'm not really fond of police procedurals (it's not that I don't enjoy them, they aren't the kind of book I seek out to read). Despite that, it is a really good book and the mystery and subsequent resolution were totally satisfactory (as well as surprising).
This is definitely a book for the post World War II British mystery fan, police procedural or religious mystery. It ticks off a number of different boxes and does them all proud.
I give this book a solid 4.5 stars! -- definitely worth the read....more
As always, I look forward to more adventures of Charlie and Diesel and I almost didn't read the book. I had requested the loan from my local library bAs always, I look forward to more adventures of Charlie and Diesel and I almost didn't read the book. I had requested the loan from my local library but somehow, the email letting me know that the book was available was missed or never arrived, so when I received the email saying I had three days to read it before it was automatically returned, I was in a state of panic. Luckily this was over the weekend, so I spent good chunk of my free time furiously reading the book. Thankfully, "Miranda" is such a great author that I had no trouble finishing the book with time to spare.
This time, Charlie's daughter is caught up in the death of a seriously obnoxious actor who was the guest actor for the play the college was putting on. I'd worked in amateur theatre so I really enjoyed the behind the scenes especially having to deal with the various personalities it takes to put a play on.
This is a great book if you enjoy the theatre or any kind of performing arts (similiar to "Dead Pan" which I reviewed) or if you enjoy a good mystery that has cats. The cats don't solve the mystery as they have done in other mysteries, but you'll enjoy them hanging around acting like cats.
As always, this was definitely a Five stars Up! book -- great for theatre buffs and mystery buffs....more
I'd read a previous mystery by Marian Babson and enjoyed it very much. I found this ebook on sale and since I was familiar with her work, I glommed onI'd read a previous mystery by Marian Babson and enjoyed it very much. I found this ebook on sale and since I was familiar with her work, I glommed on to it.
I wasn't disappointed especially since I love cats.
The mystery takes place at a cat show were the protagonists are the PR firm hired to publicize the event. As anyone who has a cat or two knows, cats are their own people and I can't imagine having that many cats under one roof. Granted, most of them are used to this kind of life, but still, cat wrangling (especially at the end of the book) wasn't my idea of fun. But the book was fun and well worth reading. I'd definitely be interested in picking up more books in the series as long as I can get them on sale.
I give this book a solid Four stars! -- well worth reading and you'll have a great time at it!...more
My other passion as far as books are concerned is medical history or anything medically oriented, so if I can combine both passions, I'm very happy.
AnMy other passion as far as books are concerned is medical history or anything medically oriented, so if I can combine both passions, I'm very happy.
And I wasn't disappointed.
This was a solid story and a solid mystery that kept my interest until the surprising ending. I'm guessing that protagonist amateur sleuth is some kind of school teacher/instructor but I couldn't really tell since the book takes place outside her normal haunts with her husband to watch her son receive his match for his medical residency.
Unfortunately, her husband had another heart attach and they were forced to stay longer than they had intended, which honestly was fine with Susan since she loves nothing more than a mystery (despite the fact that it was her husband's illness that afforded her the opportunity). She ends up picking up a sidekick and they do their best to investigate who had killed the doctor practically in front of her eyes.
This is a really good mystery and one I enjoyed reading. Alas, I'm not going out of my way to read any further stories in the series. However, if one does show up on sale, I might just avail myself.
[note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]
I really enjoyed this book.
It took me on a tour of a young surgeon through his[note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]
I really enjoyed this book.
It took me on a tour of a young surgeon through his days in a public hospital to his war time adventures to the cultivation of a senior pediatric surgeon.
It was a wild ride and an enjoyable one.
Through Dr Raffensperger's eyes, I could see how medicine had changed through the decades from a more doctor centric (for good or ill) to a more business centric.
I really enjoy books that can take me on the journey and cause me to understand why things changed the way they did.
If I had any complaints is that in his discussing of complex heart problems, I would have loved seeing a diagram. But that's a seriously minor quibble.
This is a great book if you enjoy reading medical biographies or how healthcare has changed.
Ellery Queen mysteries were the adult mysteries that I had cut my mystery teeth on. My mother was found of Ellery Queen and extended that love to me wEllery Queen mysteries were the adult mysteries that I had cut my mystery teeth on. My mother was found of Ellery Queen and extended that love to me while I was growing up in the 70s.
I love mysteries written in the period, that is, for instance, they were written in the 30s about the 30s. As such, you get a bit of a window into what it was like back in the day.
It also means that there are references that no longer make sense and especially the use of language long gone.
What really made the books enjoyable was the assumption that the reader was educated enough to get the references and inferences. I admit being stopped more than once to look up words I wasn't familiar with (I love using the Kindle app on my iPhone and the ability to use the dictionary on the fly) and I'm sure I missed one or more classical references, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book.
This mystery surrounds the murder of the benefactor of a hospital where she is getting minor surgery and the ensuing red herrings as Ellery figures out who dunit and why.
The early Ellery Queen books will appeal to you if you want to read great, period writing and enjoy mysteries.
I give this book a solid 5 stars. I look forward to reading more of their early works when they are put on sale....more
I had totally forgotten that I had read this book until I checked my Goodreads and found that I had not only forgotten about the book, but had forgottI had totally forgotten that I had read this book until I checked my Goodreads and found that I had not only forgotten about the book, but had forgotten to write a review.
So here's the review. It was meh... Except for the very beginning of the book, the mystery and solving there of takes places during the party at the hospital where an elderly lady is found killed at morgue which was all decorated.
There really isn't much I can recommend. The story was OK, the characters were meh, and the mystery wasn't all that interesting. I kept reading the book because it was fairly short.
I don't see myself reading any further books in the series but given this is the third book, there are fans out there.
I admit to being conflicted about this book. I really wanted to love this book, after all, it had gotten stellar media reviews, yet, when I started reI admit to being conflicted about this book. I really wanted to love this book, after all, it had gotten stellar media reviews, yet, when I started reading the book, my feelings bubbled to the surface.
I mean, what’s not to “love” a book about a dying neurosurgeon who took the time to chronicle is journey from being doctor to patient.
Yet, as I trudged towards the end of the book, I found myself not enjoying the book and wondered why.
After careful consideration, I realized it was because this wasn’t the kind of book I’d read previously where a doctor (or patient) chronicles their journeys and reader me was taken along for the ride. Instead, When Breath Becomes Air was more of a metaphysical, philosophical journey and one I really wasn’t interested in taking.
Paul Kalanithi’s background as a writer and philosopher permeated the prose as he wrote about his journey with cancer. Having really not enjoyed philosophy and literature courses in college, I really couldn’t relate. In fact, I thought the best part of the book was his wife Lucy’s continuation of the narrative after Paul died.
Having said all this, I am glad to have read this book, but it’s not a book I’m likely to read again.
I recommend this book for those who are interested in the journey of a doctor who becomes patient interlaced with the philosophy of life and death.
This is the sixth and last story of the Grumpy Chicken and her sleuthing friends.
Dixie's son is in trouble and it's up to the Scooby Gang to figure ouThis is the sixth and last story of the Grumpy Chicken and her sleuthing friends.
Dixie's son is in trouble and it's up to the Scooby Gang to figure out how Dixie's son's partner was killed.
The author did a great job developing the characters. I really felt I knew them and could understand motivations.
I'm sorry to see this series come to an end, but I'm always glad when the author goes out on her own terms, rather than being forced out by market pressure.
Myrtle is my spirit animal. Fiercely independent but not adverse of using her "little old lady" persona if necessary.
This time, we find our intrepid MMyrtle is my spirit animal. Fiercely independent but not adverse of using her "little old lady" persona if necessary.
This time, we find our intrepid Myrtle and her wary sidekick Miles immersed in the murder of one of the Garden Club ladies. Unfortunately for Miles, he had found the body as he had gotten roped into assisting the Garden Club by picking up the auction item that the deceased had donated.
As with other Myrtle mysteries, we have ignored advice from Wanda; Red telling Myrtle to keep out of the investigation; Miles the reluctant sidekick, and a host of other fun characters.
If you've enjoyed the other Myrtle mysteries, then you'll love this one as well. If you've never picked one up, this is a good one to start with....more
I immediately picked up this book because I became so involved with the family, I picked up the next book, One Hex of a Wedding which details the weddI immediately picked up this book because I became so involved with the family, I picked up the next book, One Hex of a Wedding which details the wedding of the two main characters. It ended up being a better book than I had expected, but not quite as good as the previous book, A Harvest of Bones
Despite it not quite living up to the previous book, this was still a good, solid read and well worth your time if you are already invested in the characters....more
I thought the fourth book, A Harvest of Bones was an amazing book with a solid story and the mystery itself was really very well done. I don’t usuallyI thought the fourth book, A Harvest of Bones was an amazing book with a solid story and the mystery itself was really very well done. I don’t usually find mysteries that are rooted in the past to be all that great, but this was the exception. No wonder the author commented that this was her favorite book in the series.
I like reading Halloween type mysteries around the holiday and I had picked up this free Kindle book sometime during the summer. After finishing the PI like reading Halloween type mysteries around the holiday and I had picked up this free Kindle book sometime during the summer. After finishing the Poirot mystery (review below), I found this book begging for a read.
It was a decent mystery and just fine for Halloween reading, but, as I have said in previous reviews below, if I can guess who did the deed then the author didn’t really do a good job of misdirecting. I don’t read to figure out whodunit, I want to enjoy a good, solid story, so the fact that one of the characters said that another character couldn’t have done it because he wasn’t in the area (that and another big clue which I won’t reveal here), I just knew (that and the fact there just weren’t all that many suspects to begin with) who the culprit was.
This book was better than the average book and it was evident that the author put effort into the writing the story, I gave it three stars— better than average, barely....more
I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, but not as much of a big fan of Hercule Poirot -- I'm more of a Miss Marple fan. Be that as it may, I wanted to reaI am a big fan of Agatha Christie, but not as much of a big fan of Hercule Poirot -- I'm more of a Miss Marple fan. Be that as it may, I wanted to read a Halloween mystery before the big day and it was on sale for $1.99.
I spent a good chunk of the time reading the book wondering if I had read the book previously since it seems somewhat familiar to me. By the time I'd gotten to the end of the book, I realized that I probably hadn't read the book, chalking it up to "if you've read one small village English cozy mystery, you've probably read them all."
As to be expected reading a Christie mystery, this was a wonderful read. The Hallowe'en party itself was the catalyst for the murder and that was it for any Hallowe'en celebration but it provided a solid foundation for the mystery itself.
I would say this is a decent book to start with if you haven't read Hercule Poirot before.
When I was contacted to review this book, I was excited. Not only would I get a free book but it was a subject that I am very fond as I am a big fan oWhen I was contacted to review this book, I was excited. Not only would I get a free book but it was a subject that I am very fond as I am a big fan of Harold Klawans (my review, Four by Klawans ) and of course, Oliver Saks though I don’t have any reviews written despite having read the majority of his books.
With this is in mind, I had high hopes that I would also enjoy Dr Patten’s book. Alas, I enjoyed it up to a point.
The medical narratives were awesomely interesting and I really like Dr Patten would advocate for his patients especially bucking the system.
Having said that, there were two things that I really didn’t like about the book. The first was the affectation Dr Patten choose to use to address his audience, by mostly asking “what would you do?” My first thought was, “I’m not a doctor, bud, you tell me!” It also got a bit tired the third time I encountered this. However, that’s a minor quibble.
My major quibble was how Dr Patten characterized two of his black female patients and one by-stander. There were times when the racial make-up of the patient was important but it was degrading to me, as a black woman, to have Dr Patten refer three times to “big black mamas.” Was that really necessary? He could have told the narrative without making reference to the women’s racial heritage and it didn’t really add to what he wrote.
The last part of the book concerned Dr Patten’s work concerning breast implants and by my way of thinking, he short changed himself. He could have written another Emperor of All Maladies (an amazing book, btw) focused solely on the history of breast implants and his fight with the manufacturers.
I ultimately decided to give this book 4/5 stars. It’s a good read except for those parts I personally objected to. Well worth taking the time to read for those of you who are interested in neurological medical narratives....more
I’ve been a fan of Dr Sanders’ Diagnosis columns in the New York Times where she tackles medical mysteries and seeks out the wisdom of the crowd (AKA I’ve been a fan of Dr Sanders’ Diagnosis columns in the New York Times where she tackles medical mysteries and seeks out the wisdom of the crowd (AKA crowd-sourcing). There is a similar column in the Washington Post called “Medical Mysteries” which similarly discusses those cases that doctors call zebras (from the dictum that if you hear hoof beats behind you think a horse and not the more unusual zebra) and on occasion, also does a crowd-source.
But back to Dr Sanders book. Besides the writing, what I most enjoyed about the book that each patient’s story was short and to the point, not a lot of meaningless fluff. And the book also made a nice companion to the (late 2019) series on Netflix series “Diagnosis.”
I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed her previous book (not reviewed since it was a hardcover and I read it long ago — probably worth a re-read), Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis. She was a medical consultant for the late great TV show House and, as I recall, when I read that book, I was rather reminded of House as I was reading the book.
The bottom line is, if you love medical mysteries as I do, especially zebras and other exotic disease presentations, then this is definitely the book for you.
I gave it five enthusiastic stars and really can’t wait to re-read it....more
Charlie Harris, mild-mannered semi-retired librarian and his side-kick kitty Diesel are at it again investigating yet another murder. Only this time, Charlie Harris, mild-mannered semi-retired librarian and his side-kick kitty Diesel are at it again investigating yet another murder. Only this time, Charlie gets a bit too close and almost comes to harm. I was very happy to see that his best girl and family decided to give Charlie the cold-shoulder after that incident and hopefully, Charlie has learned his lesson.
This is another great book in the fantastic series. Although the list of suspects were small, the characters compelled me to read on and gasp in horror at Charlie's close call.
This is a great series especially if you love academic cozy's and cats, although Diesel is a real cat and doesn't talk or solve mysteries, doesn't diminish my love of him or the series.
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