Shomeret's Not On Time November 4/4

[Shomeret]

10)Behold a Pale Horse by Peter Tremayne (historical mystery) 370 pages. Source: Library Started: 11/22 Finished: 11/26

Why Read: This is a mystery in the Fidelma series that I hadn't read yet. The serie takes place in the medieval period usually in Ireland, but not always. Fidelma is a dalaigh which is a combination of an investigator, an attorney and a judge. Tremayne says that the book is chronologically third even though he wrote it more recently. It takes place after the mystery she solved in Rome, so she's still in Italy. I thought that could be interesting.

Comments: There are theological differences and conflict between political factions in medieval Lombardy. Fidelma had come to pay her respects to her mentor at a monastery, and found him dying. The cause was foul play. There were a number of plot twists that made it difficult to guess who had killed Fidelma's mentor and why. Rating B.

11)Point of Honour by Madeleine Robins (alternate historical mystery) 439 pages. Source: Library Started: 11/26 Finished: 11/27

Why Read: This is the first in a brief series taking place in an alternate Regency England. The Regent is a woman. The MC is a swordsman. I can't resist a woman with a sword. I read it on Thanksgiving as a holiday treat that I knew I would enjoy.

Comments: The case doesn't sound as if it would be interesting, but it turns out to be more complicated than it sounds and there are lots of swordfights. I really liked the MC. Rating B+ See my review at http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...

12)Reflections of Loko Miwa by Lilas Desquiron (Haitian historical fiction) 194 pages. Source: Library Started: 11/28 Finished: 11/29

Why Read: A GR friend shelved it. I read it for the voodoo.

Comments: There's lots of voodoo. It focuses on two women who were born on the same day and are therefore considered spiritually connected. One of them is light skinned and upper class. The other is a dark skinned servant. I learned way more about real zombies in Haiti than I wanted to know. I didn't like the ending. Rating B-.

So there were some great reads even though the month ended on a depressing note.

[Ann]

Shomeret: I am glad you had some great reads for the month including a book treat for Thanksgiving. It is true for me as well that a book's ending or depressing subject / events can really affect me outside of the activity of reading. A couple of my November books fit that bill.
I am going to avoid your 12th book, the voodoo / the real zombies in Haiti novel based on your reaction (though you pique my curiosity) :)

Shomeret wrote: "11)Point of Honour ....This is the first in a brief series taking place in an alternate Regency England. The Regent is a woman. The MC is a swordsman. I can't resist a woman with a sword. I read it on Thanksgiving as a holiday treat that I knew I would enjoy.
....So there were some great reads even though the month ended on a depressing note. ."