Theme Read - April 2010

[Nell]

I'm a lover of cozy mysteries and new to this group. I am reading April Fool Dead this month and catching up on the Carolyn Hart series. I have Louise Penny's books, including The Cruelest Month in my 'To Read' stack.

[Suzanne]

Welcome Nell!

[Heidi]

I second that welcome Nell.

[Trine]

Suzanne wrote: "If you ever want to get the sequential order of a series, there is a great website called www.stopyourekillingme.com. You can look up series by author name or character name. Very cool!"

Thanks, Suzanne. :-)

[Trine]

Nell wrote: "I'm a lover of cozy mysteries and new to this group. I am reading April Fool Dead this month and catching up on the Carolyn Hart series. I have Louise Penny's books, including The Cruelest Month ..."

Welcome to Cozy Mysteries, Nell. Happy Reading! :-)

[Suzanne]

Last night, I finished The Feng Shui Detective and this book has to be one of the most novel sleuthing teams I've ever read. CF Wong is the older, Chinese, feng shui master who specializes in crime scenes. He is paired with a young, Australian girl who has been foisted upon him as an intern. The age and culture clashes add quite a bit of humor to the story, such as CF writing that he eventually figures out that "whatever" means yes and "as if" means no.

The setting, Singapore, is also somewhat unique and provides a good background of eastern and western themes to play against the characters. Part of the story takes place in Sydney, Australia providing an awesome description of the Sydney Harbor and Opera House (or as Wong calls it "Oprah's House.")

Little bits of feng shui philosophy are interspersed throughout the book, such as "Ideally a person should have slightly more destruction in his or her life than acquisition. That way, a person would gradually change the balance of their existence from material to spiritual as they aged." (pp 112-113) My favorite was, "Credit card bad feng shui. Makes money move away, cannot see it go. Very bad." (p. 200) Very simple, yet profound.

Add a few quirky characters who constitute the Industrical Union of Mystics, a dental ghost, a kidnapping, an arson, and a shady "bomoh" and you've got several cases weaving together in an amusing storyline that eventually brings most of the loose ends together in a satisfying climax and conclusion.

I'll have to read more in this series at some point.

[Denise]

I finished my first theme read, Only the Cat Knows. It was okay but I'm not going to rave about it. It may be because this was a stand-alone book rather than a series book. I guess I like a series where you get to know the characters and even though each mystery is different you have the growing relationships of all the characters. I am going to start my second theme read: Every Crooked Nanny. This is a first in a series and a new author for me. Looking forward to starting it this evening.

[Trine]

Just finished reading . Not my first choice for the April Theme read, though, but still an interesting read.

[Trine]

Denise wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Heidi wrote: "Suzanne - you have to give it points for the cover alone!"

LOL, so true! Apparently that cat is an official feng shui cat. Who knew?!"

The cat is called "The B..."

That's so interesting! Thanks for the information, Denise. :-)

[Trine]

In addition to I'm also reading by Christy Evans.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Finished Plaster and Poison last night - loved the ending. On to How to Wash a Cat!

[Denise]

I am 3/4 done with Every Crooked Nanny. It is a much better read than Only the Cat Knows. I really like Callahan Garrity and can see reading more of this series.

[Melodie]

Denise wrote: "I am 3/4 done with Every Crooked Nanny. It is a much better read than Only the Cat Knows. I really like Callahan Garrity and can see reading more of this series."

I thought you'd like this series, Denise. I wish she'd see fit to write another. I miss Callahan, her mama, the Easterbrook sisters and everyone else!

[Denise]

Melodie wrote: "Denise wrote: "I am 3/4 done with Every Crooked Nanny. It is a much better read than Only the Cat Knows. I really like Callahan Garrity and can see reading more of this..."I thought you'd like this series, Denise. I wish she'd see fit to write another. I miss Callahan, her mama, the Easterbrook sisters and everyone else!


Well, since I am on the first one I have several to go before I run out and start bugging the author about writing more :-). But, Melodie, you are right, I do like this so far. The only thing I haven't liked so far is the whole "N" word thing she threw in the conversation at one point. I know a lot of southerners are still in "pre-Civil War" mentality and this book was written in the early 90s and perhaps we weren't as politically correct back then, but I felt like that whole section could have been left out. It didn't add anything to the story and when I read it I thought whoa!

[Melodie]

Denise wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Denise wrote: "I am 3/4 done with Every Crooked Nanny. It is a much better read than Only the Cat Knows. I really like Callahan Garrity and can see read..."

I don't remember that, but I have no doubt it was there. It takes place in GA, and since I have family there, I know the word still gets thrown around a lot there. I live in CO and it still gets thrown around a lot here. I probably hear it more when I go back to visit southern OH where I'm from than anywhere else.

[Melodie]

Kari wrote: "I just began . This is the first one I have read in this series and I am enjoying it so far. I was sorry to read that this is the last book in the series. ..."

I've read all in this series except this one. I think I have it somewhere in The Pile. Should dig it out.

[Nell]

Has anyone read the Ann Purser series? The main character cleans houses like the Callahan Garrity series so it fits with the April theme. This one is set in England, begins with Murder on Monday and is in my TBR pile.

[Denise]

Finished Every Crooked Nanny. I liked it. I gave it a 4 star. For those that don't remember the "N" word, it was from the character Wilona who was the City Clerk of Kensington Park. The first conversation using it was on page 115 and came about when Callahan told Wilona that she had been an Atlanta cop but had quit. Wilona said she understood since it is all "N" running the show and that she heard they got "N" sittin' up in the mayor's office and white folks working as janitors. The second time was when Edna (Callahan's mom) was repeating a phone conversation with Wilona on page 274. Where she talks about having "N" FBI agents that questioned her for two solid hours asking questions about Mr. Beemish...etc. I cringed a little at the language but overall really liked it. I really liked the main characters from the get-go and have the sympathy factor going for Callahan because of the "lump". I like Edna a lot also. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

Okay, Group, I have now read two April Themed books. What now???

[Suzanne]

Nell wrote: "Has anyone read the Ann Purser series? The main character cleans houses like the Callahan Garrity series so it fits with the April theme. This one is set in England, begins with Murder on Monday ..."

I've been meaning to read this series forever, but never have. I'll be curious to see what others say.

[Sherrie]

I changed my mind for my April read, I'll be reading instead.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've already read , and I've liked it a lot, so I've got , and I'll probably read it this month too. I write down too, thanks.

[Kate]

Suzanne wrote: "Nell wrote: "Has anyone read the Ann Purser series? The main character cleans houses like the Callahan Garrity series so it fits with the April theme. This one is set in England, begins with Murd..."

I read it. I didn't finish the series, & I'm trying to remember why. I think it was because the plots got more disjointed & I didn't really "take" to the heroine. But I distinctly remember giving up when I got to Friday.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kari: I'm racing you to the end - I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Have not had enough time to read this week!

[Susan]

For my April read I read Sink Trap. I enjoyed it. A nice fast read.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've read . Not bad, but I think I'm done with the series, I don't like the characters a lot and there are a lot of books there out.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

I finished How to Wash a Cat Thursday night. Overall it was okay, though I thought the last third seemed to drag a bit. I loved how "real" the personalities of the cats were. I would give book two a try just for Isabella and Rupert. I could also commisserate with the heroine on the scent allergy, as I too have this problem. Perfumes and colognes are the worst, though certain flowers and cleaning supplies are also bad. I have to cover my nose just to dash down the cleaning supplies aisle for laundry detergent. Anyway, I'll wait until June to decide whether to read Nine Lives Last Forever.

[Nell]

Kari wrote: "This was fun. Despite not really liking the last book I did enjoy the other three. Can't wait to see what you come up with for May."

How about May flowers? Mysteries with gardening themes. I read the latest flower shop mystery, . I love that series.

[Heidi]

I just looked on Wikipedia for events in May (besides flowers :) and it is slim pickings. There are two weeks dedicated the bicycle's. The Kentucky Derby, the Indianpolis 500 also occur in May, and it is Jewish American Hertigate month. Lastly,Mother's Day, but that is kind of vague.

[Heidi]

I have changed my mind and decided to read as my April read. I just finished the first book and liked it. I am picking it up from the library today :)

[Melodie]

Nell wrote: "Kari wrote: "This was fun. Despite not really liking the last book I did enjoy the other three. Can't wait to see what you come up with for May."

How about May flowers? Mysteries with gardening..."

I like the Flower Shop series, too. It's one I'm always current, having read SLEEPING WITH ANEMONE a couple of months ago.

[Sherrie]

I finally started on and I'm liking it so far.

[Heidi]

Sherrie I have that in my to read pile. It looks cute :)

[Shannon]

I am trying to read Death By Interior Design and it started out well for me but I am really struggling to get through it. I guess I will dig something else up quick for my April read.

[Heidi]

Shannon, I still have to read my April read too! I have it at home, but have one more book to read first.

[Shannon]

Ok let me try this again. I just could not get through so I am going to try which is based on housekeepers.

[Shannon]

Melodie wrote: "Kari wrote: "I started my April read To Live & Die in Dixie. I am enjoying so far. For those of you reading the first in this series I would recommend reading this one as well."

..."
I just noticed that is the next book in the series I am starting. How many of them are there? I am glad to see good reviews about this series.

[Melodie]

Kari wrote: "There were 8 in the series. She has stopped writing them.
Enjoy reading them"

I always thought that she might write one more, but since it's been about 10 years since the last one that's probably not going to happen. I don't like the books she writes under the Mary Kay Andrews name.

[Shannon]

thanks I think I will like these. I have started reading Every Crooked Nanny and I have a good feeling about this book.

[Denise]

Shannon wrote: "Ok let me try this again. I just could not get through so I am going to try which is based on housekeepers."

I liked Every Crooked Nanny quite a bit, I gave it a 4 star rating.

[Heidi]

I FINALLY started my April theme read! I know, but better late then never :) I am reading . I really liked the first book, so I hope this one is as good.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Since it is still April, I thought I'd knock another home-improvement cozy off the TBR pile, so started Sink Trap this afternoon. Maybe I'll even get to Lead-Pipe Cinch before the end of the week.

[Shelby]

I really enjoyed SINK TRAP and look forward to the rest of the series.

[Trine]

Just finished reading .
Very cozy read with some interesting information on cats and quilting.

[Shelby]

I should have this in hand soon from pbs and can't wait!

[Denise]

Trine wrote: "Just finished reading .
Very cozy read with some interesting information on cats and quilting."

I said I wasn't going to add any more new series until I caught up on some of my old favorites but I love cats so I just put The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse on reserve at the library. It's all your fault, Trine :-)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I said I wasn't going to add any more new series until I caught up on some of my old favorites but I love cats so I just put...

It's very nice for me, I liked it a lot. Besides, I've read another cozy "around the house"

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Finished Sink Trap last night, so am starting Lead-Pipe Cinch today.

[Trine]

Marisa wrote: "I said I wasn't going to add any more new series until I caught up on some of my old favorites but I love cats so I just put...

It's very nice for me, I liked it a lot. Besides, I've read another ..."

That was a great read, too. Glad you enjoyed the book, Marisa. :-)

[Trine]

Denise wrote: "Trine wrote: "Just finished reading .
Very cozy read with some interesting information on cats and quilting."

I said I wasn't going to add ..."

Here I thought I was being nice by not recommending a cat-theme to avoid tempting you further, Denise. LOL ;-)

But since you've already added it to your TBR-list - mine seems to be growing all the time, too LOL - I really hope you'll enjoy the book. :-)

By the way, the next one,
is due to be published next month.

Happy Reading! :D

[Trine]

Finished reading by Christy Evans.
Another cozy read, and I'll be starting the next book in the series later today.