Bill's 2017 Challenge - Ongoing Series

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Thanks, Bill: I understand what you mean by Donna Leon "coasting with the story.' Grafton's last five or six books were void of her amazing cast of odd characters, many I adore, but I thought I wou..."

Even coasting, Leon still writes an excellent story. Neat that she comes from your state.. :) I always enjoy Grafton's books, nice comforting mysteries.

[Skye]

I have Leon on my TBR and I agree with you about Grafton's books, too.

[Bill]

Birds of a Feather is the 2nd Maisie Dobbs mystery by Jacqueline Winspear. I've enjoyed the first two books so far. Winspear is a meticulous story teller, providing a lot of particular details while developing her characters and plot. Details about exactly what Maisie is wearing, etc seem irrelevant but they help provide a picture.
It's been hard to warm to Maisie as she is quite buttoned-up and does have personal issues from her time serving as a nurse during WWI and also between her and her father (guilt on both sides from her mother's death), but I'm getting to like her more. She is more than just a private detective. From her training with her old mentor, Maurice, she is more of a psychologist / private detective who provides both investigative assistance and then psychological assistance, whether the client wants it or no.
So, on to this story. Maisie is hired by a rich owner of a major grocery chain, Joseph Waite, to find his daughter. This is not the first time she has gone missing so he doesn't want the police involved. Maisie and her assistant, Billy Beale, agree to find her. They quickly realize that murders being worked on by Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Stratton, may be related to their case. As well, Maisie is concerned about Billy, an ex - soldier who had been severely during the war. He is acting strangely and Maisie is concerned. Also simmering is her relationship with her father.
It all makes for an interesting story and mystery. I will admit that I had a pretty good idea of what might be involved and ultimately also a pretty good idea of who might be the murderer, but the story is very well-written and crafted and was well worth reading. I am warming more to Maisie and look forward to reading the third installment. (4 stars)

Moving back to Cops next with the 3rd Inspector Gamache mystery, The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny

[Bill]

The Cruellest Month is the third book in the Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series by Canadian writer, Louise Penny and like the first two, I enjoyed it very much. Once again we find Gamache assigned to investigate a murder in the small town of Three Pines in Quebec. He brings along his teamj; 2nd in command Beauvoir, trouble - making Investigator Nicholls, new man Lemieux and Lacoste.
They are investigating the death of a woman who seems to have died of fright during a seance at the Hadley Estate, the place that played such an integral role in the first book in the series. The usual cast appear, Peter and Clara, Olivier and Gabri, Myrna, Ruth, etc to add colour and keep the story moving.
Was it murder? That's to be determined. Complicating the matters is the continuing troubles being caused by Gamache's old enemy, Arnot another Surete commander who Gamache brought charges of murder against many years ago. People are now rehashing this case, making life dangerous for Gamache and his family. Does he have spies in his team?
It's a wonderfully rich story, with many subplots, many suspects and a fascinating resolution. I like Gamache, he's a class guy and I like his team for the most part. I kind of wish that Clara would divorce Peter, but that's just a personal wish; he's holding her back! Great story and I look forward to moving on to the fourth book, The Murder Stone. (4 stars)

Moving over the Detective / Sleuth side of my mystery challenge with the first crossword mystery, The Crossword Murder by Nero Blanc

[Bill]

The Crossword Murder is the first book in the Crossword Mysteries series by husband wife team Cordelia Biddles & Steve Zettler, who write under the pseudonym Nero Blanc. I've had it for awhile and am glad that I finally read it.
PI Rosco Polycrates of Newcastle, Mass, is hired by the mother of Thompson Briephs to look into his death, as she thinks he was murdered. Briephs works as the crossword puzzle editor for the local paper and also leads a seamy life. As is quickly shown, he is being blackmailed for something and this blackmailer might have been the murderer.
Polycrates, an ex-police investigator, looks into the death and trying to get a handle on this crossword business, asks for assistance from the editor of a rival paper, Annabella Graham. Together they continue the investigation, working through clues from a series of unpublished puzzles left by Briephs. Someone doesn't like their investigation and there are threats to Graham's life.
There is a developing relationship between Polycrates and Graham, one that they both resist, as she is married.
The investigation is interesting, the puzzle aspect a unique mystery technique. I liked both characters and how the story developed. It's definitely a cozy style mystery, reminding me somewhat of Lilian Jackson Braun's 'Cat Who... ' mysteries. Most enjoyable and a fun read. I'll keep on with this series. (3 stars)

Moving over to the cops side of the genre next with the first Inspector Jury mystery, The Man With a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes. I've read some of the others already but finally found the first.

[Skye]

Thanks so much, Bill.

[Bill]

The Man With a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes is the first book in the Inspector Richard Jury mystery series. I've previously read 5 other books in the series but that was 3 or 4 years ago. I was glad to finally read the first book, especially glad as it introduced the core of characters who appear in many of the other books in the series (at least those that I've read)
Chief Inspector Jury of Scotland Yard has been assigned to a case in the town of Long Piddleton, where two murders are being investigated. Both bodies have been discovered in local pubs, The Man with a Load of Mischief and The Jack and Hammer. During the course of his investigation, Jury is accompanied by his hypondriac Sgt. Wiggins, more bodies are discovered. Jury's investigation introduces an intriguing cast of witnesses / suspects; from wealthy Melrose Plant, his precocious aunt Lady Agatha, antique dealer Marshall Trueblood, lovely poetess Vivian Rivington, and many others. I particularly enjoyed Jury's interactions with the Double children; they added a nice gentle touch to this murder mystery.
Set during the Xmas period, we get a nice feel for Jury's nature, personality and his manner of investigation. The case was intriguing and we continue to be fed new clues and information. Was the murder perpetrated by a stranger or someone local? The journey makes the solution even more enjoyable and satisfying. Having read some of the other books previously, but still many years ago, it was nice to meet those characters who appear in future books and often assist Jury with his investigations. Excellent story and mystery. Now to find book 2. The Old Fox Deceiv'd. (As an aside, if you are not aware of this, the titles of each book refer to pubs in the area of the particular mystery.) (4 stars)

Moving over to the detective side of my mystery challenges with the first Max Freeman mystery / thriller, The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathon King

[Skye]

Nice review, Bill! I put the Jonathan King on my TBR; I was born in Old City, Philadelphia, and live close by in another state.

[Bill]

The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathon King is the first book in his Max Freeman mystery / thriller series. Freeman is an ex-Philadelphia cop who has moved to Florida to escape from an incident that happened while he was responding to an incident in Philadelphia. It resulted in the shooting of a teenager and also in Freeman being shot.
Freeman now lives in a cabin in the Everglades as far from life as he can. Unfortunately, a series of child abductions and murders forces Freeman to confront the real world as he becomes heavily involved in the murders. Someone is playing with Freeman, maybe trying to set him up. The cops are suspicious and the denizens of the byways in the Everglades are also suspicious of this stranger to their home.
Freeman, with the help of friend, lawyer Billy Manchester, Freeman digs into the murders, meets with people who live deep in the Everglades, trying to keep their lives private and to stop the interlopers who want to disrupt life in this area.
The story develops quickly, we get glimpses of Freeman's past in Philadelphia and begin to find out more about Freeman as a person. There were some moments which I found frustrating, things that Freeman did / kept secret from the police investigators, but all in all it was a tense, well-crafted story and provided an interesting view of an area of Florida that I really knew nothing about. (4 stars)

Moving over to the Cops for my next book, the 2nd Inspector Banks mystery by Peter Robinson; A Dedicated Man

[Bill]

A Dedicated Man is the 2nd Chief Inspector Banks mystery by Peter Robinson. Once again I found it to be quite different to the TV series that was based on the books. But that matters not as both are enjoyable in their own way.
Banks is called to a small town in his district in Yorkshire to investigate the murder of a local professor / historian. It's a very small hamlet with basically one police officer. He brings along Sgt Hatchley to assist. It's a typical case, the professor is well-loved, seems to have no enemies and even though he has friends, they all seem to have little motive and reasonable alibis.
The pacing is excellent; we aren't caught up with countless murders to cope with. It's Banks and Hatchley investigating, talking to possible suspects as they try to gather information and we also get the perspective of a variety of the locals; young Sally, the budding actress with her own ideas of the murder, the local singer who may have had a relationship with the victim, etc.
It was a pleasure to read and just enjoy the thought processes, the locality, the people and the case. I had ideas of how the murder might have happened but for some reason, never considered the final solution which was presented and I must say I found it very satisfying. Banks is not really like the TV version; he has a much smaller staff to work with and his personal circumstances are different, at least for the first two books, but I like him very much and was very satisfied with this most enjoyable mystery. Now to find the 3rd book. (5 stars)

Moving over to the Sleuths for my next selection, the 4th Jack Reacher mystery / thriller, Running Blind by Lee Child

[Skye]

Thanks, Bill, it's been on my TBR, and believe it or not, I have never read Lee Child, although I know he is quite popular. I put the first Jack Reacher on my TBR list.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Thanks, Bill, it's been on my TBR, and believe it or not, I have never read Lee Child, although I know he is quite popular. I put the first Jack Reacher on my TBR list."

It's an entertaining, action-packed series so far. If you like that sort of a read, it's worth trying.

[Skye]

I am doing the same as you, but at a slower pace; I am trying to read the first books of many series, and I am enjoying this, too.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "I am doing the same as you, but at a slower pace; I am trying to read the first books of many series, and I am enjoying this, too."

That's one of my plans for next year; one challenge to try and start as many series as possible that I've had on my bookshelf. The other is to make headway on series I've already got on the go.

[Skye]

It sounds like me: I am reading three books at the time, Bill, but I love your challenge.

[Bill]

Running Blind is the 4th Jack Reacher thriller by Lee Child. Like the other Reacher stories I've read, it's definitely long, but like the others, as well, it is eminently readable, moving along at a nice pace.
There were things that irritated me about the story; how the FBI coerces Reacher into helping them, Reacher's negative attitude to helping them (both somewhat related of course). But it was an interesting case and I really liked Harper, his FBI partner; intelligent, attractive and a strong character.
A number of women, ex of the Army, have been murdered in strange circumstances (very strange). They were all involved in sexual harassment cases while in the military. FBI profilers feel it's someone 'like Reacher' and force him (almost blackmail) into helping them.
The killer leaves no clues and there are no signs of violence. The murders take place in all parts of the country. Reacher and Harper work as a team to try and find clues and try to catch the killer before anymore women die. Complicating the case is that Reacher knows one of the women as he investigated her rape case while he was an MP and he wants to keep her safe. Reacher must also decide if the wants to live a more settled life with his girl friend Jodie, introduced in the previous story.
It's a fast-paced story with a fair bit of action; nothing excessive mind you. I had an idea about the killer about half way through the story. I wasn't totally correct but had the gist of the solution. I can't say I was totally satisfied with the ending; it was a bit pat and seemed a bit of a throw away, but all in all it was still an entertaining story. Echo Burning is the next Reacher story. (3.5 stars)

Moving back to the 'Cop' side of the scale with the first Sgt Cribb mystery, Wobble To Death by Peter Lovesey.

[Skye]

I have never read Lee Child's books, but I know he is very popular.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "I have never read Lee Child's books, but I know he is very popular."

A loner with a heart.

[Skye]

I like that.

[Bill]

Wobble To Death by Peter Lovesey is the first book in his historical mystery series featuring Scotland Yard Sgt Cribb. It is also my first exposure to his writing. It's an interesting premise to say the least.
The story is set in London, 1879 and is centered around a pedestrian race at the Agricultural Hall. From the foreword, these races took place fairly regularly, where groups or walkers would participate in a 6 day race, with the winner being the one who was able to walk the longest distance; somewhere over 500 miles, in the six days. It reminds me of the movie They Shoot Horses, Don't They, which was about marathon dance contests.
Anyway, in this particular race one of the contestants dies and this brings in Sgt Cribb and Constable Thackeray to investigate the circumstances. It turns out the contestant was, in fact, murdered. There are a number of potential suspects that the two intrepid detectives must investigate. It's an interesting story with interesting characters, somewhat light on the mystery but still entertaining. You get a nice picture of the time and the race and contestants. It was a nice introduction to the series and I will find other books featuring Sgt Cribb. (3.5 stars) Lovesey also writes the Peter Diamond mystery series. I have the first book in that series to try as well.

Keeping with historical mysteries with the 10th Cadfael mystery, The Pilgrim Of Hate by Ellis Peters

[Skye]

Both sound wonderful!

[Bill]

The Pilgrim Of Hate is the 10th book in the Cadfael historical / mystery series by Ellis Peters. If you've not ever tried one, it was also a very successful, popular TV series starring Derek Jacoby. (Excellent books and TV series)
Cadfael is a Benedictine monk, ex soldier in the Crusades who came back to find a new life in the Abbey in Shrewsbury during the wars of succession between Empress Maud and King Stephen. Cadfael is responsible for growing and making medicines for the monks and for people visiting the Abbey.
In this story, the Abbey is preparing for the anniversary of the translation of the bones of Saint Winifred (the recovery of her bones from Wales is part of a previous story) from her place of rest to the Abbey. Pilgrims from all over England are coming for the celebration in the hope of a miracle.
Coincident with this celebration, is the murder of a knight in Winchester, during meetings there to try and stop the civil war.
As always, the story is interesting, giving an excellent picture of life during the 12th Century. Cadfael is a very sympathetic, interesting character and the mystery of the murder is developed very nicely in the context of the story of the celebration. While I had an idea of of who was who and how the mystery might resolve itself, there were still some surprises (especially the last sentence) and it's just a gentle, fun read. I always enjoy entering this series and wandering around in the 12th Century. (3.5 stars)

Moving back to the Cops side of the genre with my first exposure to the Sueno and Bascom series, two MPs stationed in South Korea; by Martin Limón

[Skye]

Thanks, Bill; interesting. I used to read Ellis Peters.

[Bill]

Jade Lady Burning is the first book in Martin Limón's George Sueno and Ernie Bascom mystery series. Both are Army Sgts working in CID in South Korea. They are assigned to investigate the murder of a Korean prostitute as the suspect is an Army Private. It turns out that the Private had filed papers to be married with Pak Ok-Suk. The story is set 20 years after the Korean War.
The story is told in the first person by Sueno. You get an interesting picture of the CID set up and of the darker aspects of Seoul life as the majority of the story takes place in the Ville, the red light district. For much of the story the two detectives seem to be spinning their wheels, trying to find out who might have murdered the girl as they don't believe that the soldier did it.
They get not much support within their chain of command as the system would rather that the case disappear, the better for US and South Korean relations. But Sueno has a bee in his bonnet about the case, partly because of his background and because he believes the two need someone on their side. They are regularly assigned to other work to get them away from this case.
We find out about the corruption between the US Army and their suppliers. We meet Kimiko, an older prostitute who watched over Pak. She is a unique, wonderful character.
I enjoyed this story. It was well-written and it provided a view of a life that was very different to me. My only perspective of South Korea probably harkens back to MASH and maybe The Bridges at Toko-Ri by Michener. Sueno and Bascom are interesting characters, not black and white but with rough edges. Both are good cops who really want to solve the case. I'm looking forward to the next book, Slicky Boys, hoping it shows more of the country and people. (4 stars)

[Skye]

Thanks, Bill, nice review.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Thanks, Bill, nice review."

Thank you.

[Skye]

Bill, I also wanted to add that Mash, despite the fact it was supposed to take place in Korea, was really made to reveal the Vietnam War, but since it aired during that time frame, they covered it up.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Bill, I also wanted to add that Mash, despite the fact it was supposed to take place in Korea, was really made to reveal the Vietnam War, but since it aired during that time frame, they covered it up."

That's interesting. I didn't know that.

[Thomas]

I think that the tv series was closer to Vietnam.

[Skye]

Yes, Thomas, I agree, and it was aired during that time frame: what a great show, too.