Bill's 2016 12 + 4 Mystery Reading Group Challenge

[Bill]

I've wanted to try Fred Vargas for a little while now as the stories, featuring Chief Inspector Adamsberg of the Paris police, seemed interesting. I found a copy of the first book, The Chalk Circle Man, and there you go, gave it a try. It definitely was interesting. I didn't particularly like the writing style, kind of reminded me of Cara Black's Murder in the Marais, just a bit all over the place. However, with that complaint out of the way, it did hold my interest and was an interesting plot; somebody making chalk circles in the sidewalks of Paris and leaving something in each circle. Until a body is found in one circle. Adamsberg is new to Paris, having moved from one of the police precincts in another town. He's getting used to his people and they to him. His style is vague and loose and irritates the other police somewhat, but he also has a great reputation for solving crime so they give him some latitude. There is a very laissez-faire style to his investigation, but ultimately, he comes up with a unique solution, that was kind of neat, actually. It was frustrating at times, but there were different characters and we got to see a bit about Adamsberg and his team and I think I will keep reading this series to see how it progresses. (3 stars).

That's my 8th book in the continuing series challenge.

[Bill]

I enjoyed this collection of James Bond short stories, For Your Eyes Only, very much. Three of them feature as titles (titles only really) in recent full-length 007 movies; Quantum of Solace, For Your Eyes Only and From a View to a Kill. I enjoyed each story as they offered different view points on James Bond's Life. Quantum of Solace was especially interesting as Bond only appears really as an interested listener; a visitor to the British diplomats house in Bahamas and hearing a story about a married couple. Definitely not a typical Bond story, more a tale of relationships and how they can go bad. A View to a Kill is set in Paris and Bond is sent to find out why and how a despatch rider has been killed, a nice taught suspense story. In For Your Eyes Only, M asks Bond to enact revenge on a Cuban killer, who has murdered friends of M's in Jamaica. Bond goes to the US (a house in the wilderness of Vermont) to complete the job and finds himself assisting the daughter of the family, a very satisfying story. In Risico, Bond heads to Venice to assist in a drug operation and finds that there are two sides to every story. I liked this one especially. The final story, The Hildebrand Rarity, finds Bond at the end of a mission in the Seychelles and helping a millionaire find a rare fish. Of course, there are twists as the millionaire isn't very nice. Every story was enjoyable and nicely, tautly written. Most enjoyable. (4 stars)

[Bill]

I do enjoy the Frost series. Each story is somewhat similar, Frost bumbles and stumbles through a variety of cases, with a short - manned police station, fighting with his boss, Superintendent Mullett, to stay out of trouble and solve his cases. In this story, Winter Frost, prostitutes are being raped and murdered, there are missing children, an old skeleton has been found and the 'pillow case' robber is robbing houses. Frost works on each case with minimal staff, as Mullett has loaned half of his station to another detachment working on a drug case. The weather is awful, Frost gets no sleep, working around the clock, trying to deal with a bit of a wastrel on his staff and with friction from a female acting inspector who is trying to make a name for herself. He stumbles from one solution to another, often finding himself on the wrong track. But even with that and with his sexist remarks and curmudgeonlike personality, Frost draws you in. He cares about his people and about the victims. I like how cases are worked on, methodically at times, with bursts of inspiration. The story moves along nicely, keeps you hooked and the result is always satisfying. Only one book left in this series. I look forward to reading it, but not finishing it. (4 stars)

[Bill]

I finished Blacklands by Belinda Bauer this morning. Stephen Lamb, a 12 year old boy, from a damaged family wants to put it back together. Many years ago, his uncle was murdered when he was a young boy and his body never found. Stephen's Nan sits at the window every day hoping her son, Peter will come home. Stephen's mom, Lettie, realizing she will always be 2nd place in her mother's heart, wanders from relationship to relationship. Stephen fells that if he can find the body, believed to be buried somewhere on the Moors, he can bring the family back together and he spends his days digging on the Moors. At some point, he realizes/ thinks that the person who can help him find the remains is the man in prison for the murders, so Stephen begins a secret correspondence with him. And from there the story takes off. Very dark but engrossing. Stephen is a quiet but smart boy, picked on by the hoodies in his school. Avery, the child killer, is a sociopath who has spent 18 years in prison and has his killing instincts aroused by Stephen's letters. Well worth reading. Belinda Bauer has written other stories set in the town of Shipcott, UK. I'll have to find them as I enjoyed this very much. (4 stars)

[Seema M.]

I just finished a Hardy Boys book yesterday called Secret of The Caves. It was my first original. I liked it but I like the newer ones better. A couple things bothered me about this book.

1) it was olden daysey style
2) they called their mom "Mother" instead of Mom
3) the illustrations ( I'm not a fan of the illustrations )

It was so olden daysey! Maybe because I'm used to the newer kinds.

[Bill]

Baldacci throws everything, including the kitchen sink, at you in this action-packed thriller, the 2nd in the King and Maxwell series. A killer stalks Wrightsburg Virginia, imitating infamous serial killers with each murder. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, two ex-Secret Service agents, working now as Private Detectives in the area are called in to help with the investigation by the local police chief. As well, they are working a separate case for a lawyer, defending a break and entering suspect. Are the two situations related? Before they get to the crux of solving this case there will be many murders, almost daily, their lives will be threatened. But they plug on, working to solve the case. It's an easy, exciting read. I wish Maxwell was more than just the physical presence in the partnership, but that's a minor complaint. You have to suspend disbelief somewhat, but that was easy to do. I enjoyed the writing, the pacing and the steady throbbing action. Looking forward to getting into the 3rd book, Simple Genius. (3 stars)

Reading next

[Bill]

I finished The Dark Monk by Oliver Pötzsch last night. It is the 2nd book in the Hangman's Daughter series, a historical mystery series set in Bavaria in the mid-1600s. This 2nd book was just as entertaining and interesting as the first. We follow the Shongau hangman, Jacob Kuisl, his daughter, Magdalena and her lover, the son of the town doctor, Simon, as they investigate the murder of a parish priest from a neighbouring town. Involved in this murder might be the secret order of Templars, a long-disbanded organization, who may have left a secret treasure somewhere nearby. Hounded by shadowy figures who also seek the treasure and also sidetracked by outlaws that threaten the town's merchants and you've got an exciting story. Each character follows their own path; Magdalena off to Augsburg, Simon with the dead priest's sister, searching for more clues to the location of the treasure (to the consternation and jealousy of Magdalena) and Jacob, hunting bandits, at the direction of the town's clerk. All their lives are at risk by the shadowy group that follows their every move. It's a rich, exciting mystery, as well-written as the first book. Most enjoyable. (4 stars) I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, The Beggar King.

I do need to get back to my 12 + 4 challenge, but in the interim, I've been reading my first Nero Wolfe books, a collection of three novellas/ short stories, the last published, Death Times Three by Rex Stout. I started 12 May and have finished the first, Bitter End, so far. Most enjoyable.

[Bill]

Even though this was the last published book of Rex Stout's work, featuring Nero Wolfe, it was still my introduction to the famed detective. Death Times Three features three short stories/ novellas; Bitter End, Frame-up for Murder and Assault on a Brownstone.
I didn't really have any sort of clue about Nero Wolfe and was interested to find out more about him and his assistant Archie Goodwin, who is, in effect, Wolfe's arms and legs. Wolfe never leaves his brownstone in New York and uses the investigations conducted by Archie to analyse and solve the cases brought his way. Wolfe is a curmudgeon, doesn't like his routine upset (breakfast, morning with his orchids, office work in the afternoon, then more work with his orchids, etc). He doesn't like women clients for some reason (maybe I'll find out more as I further explore his other cases), doesn't really need the work, but seems to take them on when his routine is disrupted or his character is called into question (at least in the three cases in this book.)
They were nicely varied; an invasion by Treasury officials in the last, a case involving quinine in Wolfe's pate and the murder of a fashion designer. I enjoyed the cases, the dynamic between Archie and Wolfe and the interruptions by Inspector Cramer and how Wolfe works the information gathered by Archie to solve the cases. Enjoyable reading and I'm looking forward to finding out more about this detective. (4 stars)

Moving on to Agatha Christie next with The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a selection of entrées

[Bill]

Finally getting back to my 12 + 4 challenge with The Shanghai Murders by David Rotenberg, the first book in the Inspector Zhang Fong mysteries. It's the first book and I've already read the other 4 books. Enjoyed them all so far.

[Bill]

I finished two books the past two days, one of them in my 12 + 4 Reading Group challenge; The Shanghai Murders by David Rotenberg. This is the first book in the Inspector Zhong Fong mystery series, but, for me, the last book, as I've previously read the other 4 books. It has to be one of my favourite crime series. The setting is perfect, Communist China with its exotic locales and interesting political structure. Fong is a very sympathetic character, an excellent police inspector, but with many ghosts and a difficult job trying to solve cases within political intrigue. This first book is an excellent introduction to the characters, the types of crimes and the intrigue. This story involved ivory smuggling, Fong's past and a skilled murderer for hire. Excellent stuff. (4 stars) I highly recommend the whole series.

Also finished another book in my ongoing series challenge, a collection of short stories from Agatha Christie, all but one featuring Hercule Poirot. The book is The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a selection of entrées. All of them were most enjoyable. I liked how Christie could get to the crux of a mystery in such short time and also how her detectives, whether Poirot or, in the case of the last story, Miss Marple were able to get down to brass tacks nicely and solve the cases. Most enjoyable. It's only been in the past couple of years that I've got back into Christie and it's been a real pleasure doing so. (3 stars)

Continuing with ongoing series for my next book, another featuring Albert Campion, Mr. Campion: Criminologist by Margery Allingham

[Amanda]

Added The Shanghai Murders to my TBR :)

[Bill]

Amanda wrote: "Added The Shanghai Murders to my TBR :)"

I hope you like it if you get around to reading it. :)

[Bill]

Starting my 8th book in my 12 + 4 Challenge; Dead Cold by Louise Penny and my 17th book in my Ongoing Series Challenge, Silesian Station by David Downing.

[Bill]

Dead Cold by Louise Penny is the second book in the Inspector Gamache series. I enjoyed it just as much as the first book. I like pretty well everything about it, especially the idyllic town of Three Pines in Eastern Quebec, well, idyllic except for the odd murder that occurs there. However, that's a minor detail, what is especially enjoyable is the town and the people.
I want to stay at Gabri and Olivier's B&B and gather at their bistro and enjoy the food and company. I want to visit Myrna's book store. I want to get to know lovely Clara, maybe not her husband, Peter, so much, as he's a bit of a stick in the mud.. :)
The social part reminds of what I enjoy about Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti series set in Venice and Martin Walker's Bruno series, set in France. It's the people and the community and the food and the lives..
The intrusion is the murder of CC de Poitiers, a newcomer to town who has bought the Hadley place. (Remember it from the first book??). Why is she there and causing disruptions to the community, interfering with the Xmas concert, the Boxing Day curling match on the lake and then getting herself murdered?
This bring Inspector Gamache, his assistant, Beauvoir, and, unfortunately, Nichols.. Why is she there??? I have to say I had the gist of the murder solved reasonably early on, but there were subtleties that needed to be sorted out and could only be done by Gamache. Who was the destitute woman that was murdered in Montreal and how is her murder related to de Poitiers? This is an excellent story and a great follow-on. Now I have to find The Cruelest Month to see what will happen next and will we find out more about the people who seem to be out to get Gamache? Excellent! (4 stars)

[Bill]

Petrella at Q is the 2nd book by Michael Gilbert that I've attempted. It was excellent. The basic premise is that the book follows Detective Chief Inspector Patrick Petrella, of London's Patton Street Police Station over the course of a year. It is a collection of short stories, each a different case, but, at the same time, some that follow one on the other. There are some mundane cases and as you get into the stories, some that create a great deal of tension. The last couple of stories, especially, where Petrella and his team are involved with the local heavy - hitter underworld, had me on the edge of my seat. I quite enjoyed the investigation process, how Petrella and his inspectors follow leads and sort through issues, reminded me of the process that Law & Order followed as the police investigate the particular crimes. I also liked the personalities of the various team members and the bursts of inspiration that come from Petrella. He knows his area and the people there and uses his smarts in sorting through the chaff to come up with solutions. Excellent, perfect little book. It turns out that Gilbert also wrote 4 other books featuring Petrella. I will have to check them out. (5 stars)

[Thomas]

I added it to my tbr list

[Bill]

Thomas wrote: "I added it to my tbr list"

I hope you enjoy if you get a chance to read it, Thomas.

[Bill]

Silesian Station is the 2nd book in the John Russell, wartime thriller/ spy series by David Downing. This story starts with news reporter, John Russell, returning to Germany from a trip back home to the US with his son. He finds that his girlfriend, German actress Effi, has been imprisoned by the SD, the intelligence arm of the SS, for stating insults about Hitler.
In fact, the imprisonment is to goad Russell into working for the SD by providing false information to the Russians. He readily agrees in order to get Effi out. At the same time, he is working for US intelligence, trying to contact potential agents for them and also, in his spare time, (that's a joke of course) trying to find a Jewish girl who had been sent to Berlin by her parents, but who has ended up missing.
Action is non-stop in this thriller, much like the first and in many ways it's a bit of more of the same, but still excellent. I like how Effi plays a bigger role in this story; her incarceration, making her even more aware of the inequities of the Nazi regime. The story moves to Czechoslovakia, Poland and even Russia as Russell plays the Germans against the Russians in an effort to keep his family safe and still help those in need. Well-paced and well-written (3.5 stars)

[Bill]

I do have to get back to my main challenge, but for the time, I've started another series book, Seaweed on the Street (Silas Seaweed #1) by Canadian author, Stanley Evans

[Bill]

Seaweed on the Street by Stanley Evans was a pleasant surprise. Silas Seaweed, a Victoria policeman and Salish Indian, is a combination of Travis McGee and Joe Leaphorn.
Seaweed is what is known as a 'neighborhood' cop, working from a small office in downtown Victoria, B.C. His district is peopled by prostitutes, druggies and pimps, besides the normal people who live and work there. He has been a police officer for 20+ years and is a bit of a cynic, but also a man with a big heart.
He is asked by a lawyer for a dying billionaire to try and find his missing daughter, who has been missing for many years. This means searching in the past and trying to find out why and where she might have gone. Seaweed also finds himself trying to help a native acquaintance who had been falsely? accused of a murder in the past.
This journey finds Seaweed traveling around Vancouver Island, to Seattle and even to Reno as he tries to unravel the mystery. He's a man with a heart of gold, angered by the treatment of the local prostitutes by their pimp and also wanting to resolve the case of his native acquaintance, John Scow.
It's an excellent tale, told in a manner that makes you keep reading to find out how it will be involved. I liked Seaweed's character and many of the people he meets as he works the case. It was also fun to read a story set in Victoria, a locale I lived in for a couple of years. All in all I enjoyed the whole premise and story totally and look forward to reading the rest of this series. (4 stars)

[Bill]

Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie is a nice collection of short story mysteries that became the Grantchester TV series. Sidney Chambers is the new vicar of Grantchester and finds himself helping the local police inspector, Geordie Keating, solve a variety of mysteries, and, at the same time, trying to keep up with parish work and also trying to find himself.
The mysteries are interesting, from the murder of a local lord at a play, to the theft of a ring, and the forgery of art treasure, amongst others. Often against his will, Sidney becomes involved in these mysteries and uses his intellect and inspiration to help solve the crimes.
The stories have a nice feel to them and the characters are always interesting. Excellent introduction to Sidney Chambers. The books are as interesting as the TV series. (4 stars)

[Amanda]

Great review! Added it to my TBR

[Bill]

Amanda wrote: "Great review! Added it to my TBR"

Thanks, Amanda. I hope you enjoy when you get a chance to read it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "I do enjoy the Frost series. Each story is somewhat similar, Frost bumbles and stumbles through a variety of cases, with a short - manned police station, fighting with his boss, Superintendent Mull..."

I have every book, but haven't read a single one. Maybe my next challenge should be British mysteries!

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "I do enjoy the Frost series. Each story is somewhat similar, Frost bumbles and stumbles through a variety of cases, with a short - manned police station, fighting with his boss, Superi..."

That sounds like a plan.. :)

[Bill]

Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett is the first in the Inspector Maigret mystery series by Georges Simenon. It's one of those books that you can sit down and read in a day, it's that entertaining and interesting.
The case involves the mysterious Pieter the Lett, who has made his way from Russia to Paris. Little is known about him, other than a brief description. As Maigret arrives at the train station to meet him, he finds instead a murdered man, who might be Lett.
This begins a chase across France as Maigret tries to sort out if Lett is dead, if not, who Lett is and what he's up to.
Maigret is an interesting character, grumpy, a bit of a loner and intelligent. He seems to work without sleep and food, in all weather conditions. It's a nicely, fast-paced case and a page-turner, one you'll find difficult to put down until the very end. A super introduction to Inspector Maigret. (4 stars)

[Bill]

I've started a good old thriller from the early 1900's, the first in the Fu-Manchu series; The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer

[Bill]

Starting Dance Hall of the Dead, the second Joe Leaphorn mystery by Tony Hillerman.

[Bill]

The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu is Sax Rohmer's first book featuring the nefarious Dr. Fu Manchu, evil genius and threat to the West. The book was originally published as a series of tales in various magazines in the early 1900's. In 1913, it was published in its current form.
The story is fast paced and often somewhat hurky-jerky, probably due the combination of a series of other stories into one. It follows Dennis Smith, an Englishman just back from Burma, and his friend, Dr. Petrie as they track Fu-Manchu around London trying to stop him as he tries to kill or kidnap important British scientists and engineers or their papers in his efforts to use the information to make China a world ruler.
Fu-Manchu uses all the means at his disposal, poisons, insects, Asian henchmen (Thuggies and Dacoits) in his plots and maybe even magic as he battles the two men and Scotland Yard. Smith and Petrie are often helped and saved by the beautiful Karamaneh, a slave of Fu-Manchu's, risking her life to thwart his efforts.
It's an entertaining story, with a cunning, interesting villain, which became subject to movies, comics, radio and TV shows. Worth reading. (3 stars)

[Bill]

City of Ice by John Farrow is the first in the Emile Cinq-Mars, Montreal police detective, mystery/ thriller series. I think overall, it might try a bit hard, but that's really its only fault. The book is fast-paced, with many sub-plots and holds your interest.
Cinq-Mars is a bit of a lone wolf in the Montreal police department; over the course of his career, he's been getting information from an unknown source that has helped him solve cases and move up in the police department.
This story involves the Hell's Angels, the Russian mafia and maybe even the CIA and Cinq-Mars and his new partner, English speaking, Bill Mathers, must fight them and also bad cops within the police force. Not knowing who to trust, he tries to save a young woman, a mole in the Angels, from suffering the same fate as a previous mole.
Cinq-Mars isn't necessarily likable, but he has strong beliefs in justice and being a good cop. The story moves along nicely, with the plot making more and more sense as the pieces fall together, the tension building at a steady pace. An excellent first thriller, Ice Lake is next in this series. (3.5 stars)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Starting Dance Hall of the Dead, the second Joe Leaphorn mystery by Tony Hillerman."

I read that series a long time ago. I liked all of the Navajo spiritual references. Have you ever seen the TV adaptations? I think they were on Masteroiece Mystery some years back.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Starting Dance Hall of the Dead, the second Joe Leaphorn mystery by Tony Hillerman."

I read that series a long t..."

I didn't realize there were TV adaptations. I'll have to look for them. Thanks, Nancy.

[Bill]

I'm so very glad that I was introduced to the Joe Leaphorn series. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is book 2 and is a joy to read. It's a bit like the Longmire series, but instead told from the perspective of the Native police inspector, rather than the local police chief.
I like how the story was paced, I like Joe Leaphorn very much; he's calm, quiet and thoughtful. I really enjoy the information about the various Native cultures, in this book, the Zuni and Leaphorn's Navajo. I hope as I get more into this series that more and more information is provided.
This story involves the murder of a Zuni boy and the follow-on murder of a Navajo man. It involves the Zuni festival, to welcome the Shalako season and the desire of a Navajo boy to be introduced to the Zuni tribe and rites.
There is so much to like about this mystery; it's difficult to put the book down once you've begun. I'm so looking forward to trying the next book, Listening Woman. (4 stars)

Trying a historic mystery next, The Coffee Trader by David Liss

[Jan C]

Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Starting Dance Hall of the Dead, the second Joe Leaphorn mystery by Tony Hillerman."

I read that s..."

They're on Netflix now.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "I'm so very glad that I was introduced to the Joe Leaphorn series. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is book 2 and is a joy to read. It's a bit like the Longmire..."

I enjoyed The Coffee Trader.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm so very glad that I was introduced to the Joe Leaphorn series. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is book 2 and is a joy to read. It's a bit like..."

I'm liking so far.

Jan C wrote: "Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Starting Dance Hall of the Dead, the second Joe Leaphorn mystery by Tony Hillerman."

..."

I don't have it. I'm sure I can find it... Thanks, Jan.

[Bill]

I'm starting the 1st Harry Bosch book, The Black Echo by Michael Connelly.

[Bill]

is the first book in the Harry Bosch mystery series. I have previously read one other but will have to try it again and read the series in order. I enjoyed this very much. I liked the methodical way the crimes were investigated;
I like Harry Bosch; he's an old style cop, a smoker and a coffee inhaler, but he has strong values of right and wrong. He has been moved to Hollywood division as a punishment and finds himself investigating the murder of an old companion from the Vietnam War; a fellow tunnel rat. His investigation leads him to an old bank robbery and involved with the FBI, especially Agent Eleanor Wish. He is also being tracked by the LAPD's Internal Affairs as they try to find something to discredit him with.
The case is interesting, it provides details about Bosch's past, his time in the Vietnam War and how it might relate to this case. Lots of tension, interesting characters and story line and many twists and turns. Harry, from the TV show, and Harry in the book are similar and you develop great empathy with the character. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to further exploring Harry Bosch's mysteries.

Back to my 12 + 4 challenge with A Mind To Murder by P.D. James

[Thomas]

I also read and enjoyed this book. Great review!

[Jan C]

I also liked it.

[Bill]

Thank you. I hear the series gets better and better.

[Bill]

A Mind To Murder by P.D. James is the second book in the Inspector Dalgleish mystery series. In this mystery, Dalgleish and his assistant, Sgt Martin, investigate the murder of the Administrative Officer at a London psychiatrist facility.
To all intents it appears that the murder is an inside job. As with the other PD James books I've read, I'm impressed with how intelligently James writes. The story is a methodical police investigation, but I enjoy how she lays out a story, the methodical investigation, the development of all of the main characters; Dalgleish and suspects alike.
Dalgleish is a thoughtful investigator, Martin, with is more down-to-earth way of looking at things, a perfect assistant. It's a pleasure to read such a well-crafted story and satisfying to discover the conclusion. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. (4 stars)

[Bill]

Just starting The Reckoning, the 4th John Madden book by Rennie Airth.

[Bill]

The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith is the second book in the Leo Demidov mystery series. Demidov is an ex-KGB officer, who, after the last book was allowed to form a Criminal Investigation division, as he tries to amend for his past work as a KGB officer and for the lives he destroyed.
The story starts with an incident from Demidov's past, an incident where he infiltrates a local priest and causes his arrest and that of the priest's wife. As we move to the present, these events come back to haunt him, everything instigated by a secret letter from Kruschev, that turns the country on its head. Demidov must race to save his adopted daughter and his family from the vengeance of these people from his past.
His journey takes him to the Gulags in the frozen North and to Hungary during their revolution against Soviet rule. My mood changed over time as I read this story. I like Demidov, even with his past. He is a lot like Arcady Renko in the Martin Cruz Smith books. I had difficulty with some of the other characters, especially his adopted daughter. Even considering her hatred for Demidov, who was involved in the deaths of her parents, she was hard to like. I could be sympathetic, but that was the extent of my feelings.
Having said that, as the story progressed, I found myself being drawn more and more into it. It was tense, with lots of action and I couldn't put it down as the story drew to its conclusion. There are broken people, living in a society I can't fathom, but there are people who are trying to make the most of their lives. It was a nice surprise and I enjoyed very much. (4 stars)

Moving to the Classics next with The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

[Bill]

I read some of the early Benny Cooperman mysteries back a few years and I enjoyed Benny and the stories. For the most part they were set in the town of Grantham, Ontario, just down the road from Niagara Falls. Benny is a private investigator; his cases are interesting and he is an interesting character.
In 2000, the author, Howard Engel , suffered a mild stroke, which left him without the ability to read, without major effort and therapy, even though he could still write. The condition is known as alexia sine agraphia.
In 2005, he wrote . It starts with Benny waking up in a hospital in Toronto, after having been discovered in a dumpster. Benny was struck in the head and, because of this, he finds that he has the same condition. He has great difficulty reading, remembering names and what happened yesterday. He can write and remember things that happened earlier in his life.
While in the hospital, Benny enlists the aid of his girl-friend, Anna, to continue investigating; what case Benny was actually involved with and to find and interview many of the people involved. At the same time, Benny works to develop techniques to improve his mental state and to find tools to assist him; the Memory Book being one of them. As well, he continues his investigation from his hospital bed.
It's a fascinating concept and interesting story, peopled with great characters. The mystery is almost secondary to Benny's experiences in the hospital. All in all, an excellent, well-written, entertaining story. (4 stars)

[Bill]

The Reckoning by Rennie Airth is the 4th and, at the moment, final book in the John Madden mystery series. Madden is a police inspector with Scotland Yard and in the later books has retired to the country south of London. However he is often called in to assist with investigations, either because of his own involvement with the suspects/ cases, or because the cases occur in his home county. In this book, a man is murdered and it comes to light that he had written a letter asking for contact information for Madden.
Why would he do that? The case becomes linked with another murder in Scotland and the search is on to find out how the cases are related. Billy Sykes, Madden's ex-partner, and newly promoted DC Lily Poole, conduct most of the investigation, with Madden assisting and providing counsel. It's in intriguing case, relating back to events which took place during WWI, and with which Madden had an involvement.
I enjoy Airth's writing style, his characterizations, his development of the plot and the investigation and his story telling. I like the main characters; Madden, Sykes and Poole, but even the minor characters; Helen (Madden's lovely wife), Sinclair (Madden's ex-boss) and the others. All in all in interesting mystery and an enjoyable story. It appears that a new Madden mystery is coming out in 2017. Looking forward to it.

My next book will be Bones of Betrayal, the 4th Body Farm mystery by Jefferson Bass.

[Bill]

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of 11 mysteries/ adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It contains the final case of Sherlock, the one Doyle penned when he wanted to finish the Holmes' adventures. I enjoyed this collection very much. They featured Holmes' unique skill at solving his mysteries. They introduced his brother Mycroft, who Sherlock claims is smarter than he is, except that he doesn't like to make the effort to follow through on his deductions. We are also introduced to Moriarity, in the Final Chapter, which surprisingly to me, is quite a short, simple, but touching story. Watson clearly loves his dealings with Holmes. Even after he marries and moves to his medical practice, he readily drops everything to head off on an adventure with Holmes. Doyle created an excellent detective and displayed a skill at the short story, quickly getting into the mystery and providing an excellent solution. I've enjoyed getting back into the Holmes' mysteries and will continue this journey. Excellent stories! (4 stars)

[Bill]

Each book in this series gets better and better. Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass, the 4th book in the Body Farm, forensic series, was no exception. This book finds the head of University of Tennessee's Body Farm, Bill Brockton, and his assistant, Miranda Lovelady, heading off to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the site of the nuclear laboratories of WWII fame, to work on a body frozen into an abandoned hotel's swimming pool. They are in for a shock as it turns out the body died of radiation poisoning and others will be infected. The story involves a search into the history of the Oak Ridge facility as the body belongs to one of the scientists who worked their during WWII. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story and, as always, I liked the main characters, Brockton and Miranda. For all its tension, the story has a nice folksy quality to it, that brought about by these characters. The mystery itself was interesting and well-developed. I had an idea of those who would be involved in the murder(s) but the reasons were still a surprise. The books have all been enjoyable and very readable. The Bone Thief is next and is sitting on my bookshelf awaiting my attention. Excellent series. (4 stars)

I've finished the 12 books in this challenge, but will read the other 4 alternates by year's end, I'm sure. Lots of time left.

[Amanda]

Well done!

[Bill]

Amanda wrote: "Well done!"

Thanks. It's always easy when you enjoy the books. :)