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C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 114 of 313 of The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)
Narration and dialogue lack the oomph of legendary authors I have read lately. That must be what it is, unless an author can be more stilted than usual, because I loved Ellery Adams's first two novels. Perhaps an additional contributer was the need to summarize so much now. As I wrote, however; all the ingredients are here for me to love this story and I do. It grows personal quickly and I am invested in it all.
Feb 16, 2019 08:56AM Add a comment
The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 82 of 313 of The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)
As my profile bio tells you: my favourite reading is paranormal in "standard mystery" and non-crime in "standard mystery"; not "cozy" or "thriller" However I loved Ellery's first two novels and 40 year-old non-Mom, non-divorced heroine. Unfortunately, this narration flatly states everything, with cardboard, throwaway dialogue. The ingredients for interest are here. I'm enjoying it but not impressed or swept-up.
Feb 15, 2019 09:00AM Add a comment
The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 40 of 313 of The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)
I prefer "standard mystery" to "cozy mystery" and cats to dogs by far but enjoyed this 40 year-old heroine. We need more of them. However, this volume is starting out flat and narrating at us, instead of "showing". We'll see if I dig it like the others.

What I need is modernity! My whopping 5 novels so far were from 1927, 1930, 1989, 2000 set in 1893 and 2000 in Botswana, which felt far off and old. Hello 2011!
Feb 14, 2019 03:31PM Add a comment
The Last Word (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #3)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). added a status update
I "liked" fiction someone was reading, about a woman who saves & hides texts from Alexandria before it is wrecked. Protagonists believe they can find them, or did, in present day. It has to do with the truth about Jesus or the gnostic subject. I think it is fairly recent.

Please only reply if you think you know the novel. "Books about Alexandria" list didn't help. Searching excess tips is hard on dial-up speed.
Feb 13, 2019 01:16PM Add a comment

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 182 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
You really wouldn't think that anyone could fall asleep ten pages from a novel's conclusion. Albert Campion is talking with the long-time villain, kept secret for fifty years; with a syndicate that goes back one-hundred years. I am interested in what they say and what the conclusion is. However, if you fall asleep, the quantity of pages outstanding don't matter.
Feb 13, 2019 09:25AM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 162 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
You would think I would get reading faster and remain awake longer, to complete the last few pages.
Feb 12, 2019 01:42PM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 162 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
You would think I would get reading faster and remain awake longer, to complete the last few pages.
Feb 12, 2019 01:42PM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). added a status update
Okay, I am perplexed and have to ask. The same people comment 50x on every review mutual friends post. Can any of you 50-comment receivers imagine how it feels not to receive one? I cherish comments! They are almost the whole point for me and I would answer them with excitement and a real conversation. Why my reviews resonate with you, or how you enjoy my writing. I could use a little love, that is visible. :)
Feb 11, 2019 10:24AM 2 comments

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 156 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
I like this book far better than the first. Four stars were a penalty for sacrificing a mouse. No one kills an animal and gets away with it, not even an author. The balance has been a treat, until not just excessive but stupid contexts of saying "gently" multiplied! Fucking say "cautiously"! Next, there is no mystery about fairies as suggested. Finally, Albert fabricated the chief mystery and reveals it later!?
Feb 11, 2019 09:52AM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 100 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
This has gotten enjoyable and I applaud the picturesque, unique setting and a wholly likeable cast of characters. I am pleasantly suprised and will delight in the rest of this 1930 novel! The only criticism is two cases of "Oh, come on". A dying and a kidnapped person, each, get word out to loved-ones; one comprised a full letter. You didn't identify the villain? You couldn't use the note to say where you were?
Feb 06, 2019 12:03PM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 72 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
Phrases like "gazed solemnly or gravely" has to go, rather than occur every coupe of pages. However since we moved settings to "Mystery Mile", which it turns out is a place; the whole atmosphere has become far more interesting, suspenseful, and almost gothic and paranormal than London, a city could have been. I will also grant that we suddenly have a cast of characters and villagers too, who are all very likeable.
Feb 05, 2019 10:21AM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 40 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
I see this getting better. I shall flip pages tonight! I just don't read by day. We all have a lot of other things to do, don't we?
Feb 04, 2019 03:41PM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 30 of 192 of Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)
A book opening with sacrificing any animal, including a beautiful mouse, doesn't cut the mustard with me! Using an animal to save a human mammal is not okay. Life is life and they are equal when you get down to souls. There are a million ways to test electricity and save someone without tossing an innocent life onto it. Also, when introduced to Albert Campion in the first novel, I don't recall him being this odd.
Feb 02, 2019 06:54PM Add a comment
Mystery Mile (Albert Campion Mystery #2)

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C. (Comment, never msg). added a status update
Hello everyone! I am going to write a blog post later today and look forward to it. I stayed up late last night finishing things. Those wanting to join my reading themes: sign-up in the buttons at my blog. Our year, February 1 has arrived!

It is my pleasure to welcome you and to declare: Happy RIEDEL Fascination starting day!!!! Start your engines, folks: playtime is on!! Yours truly, Carolyn!
Feb 01, 2019 01:34PM Add a comment

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 218 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
I fell asleep during the chapters-long courtroom monologues again. Different from the opening newspaper reading of Gerald Wimsey's pre-trial, or sentencing I guess you call these things (I am not a police crime fan); I came to love and click with the humour injected all the way through the closing courtroom monolgues. The lawyer is eloquent and hilarious. I have just been working at setting-up my challenges late.
Feb 01, 2019 01:29PM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). added a status update
It sounds like people's impression is that the reading themes to which I invite you, task you with some kind of requirements. There are none! :)
These are colourful, fun, themes for sharing WHAT YOU ALREADY READ. Please ask me to clarify questions you might have. All you do is sign-up in the buttons at the blog posts that suit you. Next, add reviews to my lovely review pages through the year, whenever you wish.
Jan 31, 2019 02:35PM Add a comment

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 207 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
Oh how annoyed I am, with falling asleep every night that I want to finish this novel and get grooving on another one. I have reading challenges to do! I also finally grew interested enough that I look forward to the pleasure of a story's conclusion. That's the thing about beds being where we read and retiring later than we plan. I couldn't be closer to the last page than this! I'll try to finish this afternoon.
Jan 30, 2019 10:50AM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 184 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
So close to finishing, it isn't funny. I started to enjoy Peter's humour and personality. Now we are back into detailed courtroom scenes! I woke myself up twice to power through it, shifting one of my cuddly cat sweethearts every time. Angel finally gave her elder, McCartney a try; even though he is one Siamese who is not keen on close cuddling. He likes being by my side all day but not held or pressed against.
Jan 29, 2019 10:22AM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 100 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
Crawling through a dry murder; without familiarity or affection for Peter's family, the protagonists and stumbling through too many duke / duchess title names that Dorothy kept changing. However I like the dual investigations, with Peter doing actual manly legwork in England (even if a butler poors his baths) and policeman friend Charles investigating the victim's Paris residence. Clue-interpreting is the interest.
Jan 26, 2019 01:07PM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 62 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
The first chapter comprised a newspaper article, word-for-word describing a trial; dry as toast and not as tasty! Finally there is interest, watching Peter interpret clues in and out-of-doors with his policeman friend, Charlie. What bugs me is that to this too, he has an attitude of play. He shows no normal emotion about this being his brother and sister in trouble. I find it hard to like this famous protagonist.
Jan 25, 2019 10:07AM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 50 of 224 of Clouds of Witness
Ack! Murder crime mystery, with nothing more to make it interesting (paranormal, secret places, some kind of quest), is my least favourite kind. But the old ones about flaunting dialogue, colloquial and entertaining only for that country and that time period, are worst. I am in the minority, looking at high reviews that are surprising; even expecting "big name rating swaying". It is tediously dry to get through!
Jan 24, 2019 11:50AM Add a comment
Clouds of Witness

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C. (Comment, never msg). added a status update
Would you like an idea of how easy Gentle Spectrums categories are to fulfill? Here is my finished 2018 list! Books may match a category via words in the title and may also be a match via the book's major subject.

I used "The Tin Flute" even though the novel is not about music. "The Garden Of Friendship" qualifies by being an artbook. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2018/0...
Jan 21, 2019 03:11PM Add a comment

C.  (Comment, never msg).
C. (Comment, never msg). is on page 34 of 227 of Tears of the Giraffe (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, #2)
I am happy to return to Botswana with Mma Ramotswe, picking up after her engagement to the mechanic shop owner. I for one, don't care when the mini mysteries of her detective agency begin; a brief, unique style I enjoy. I run four easy reading challenges: do pay me a visit. I see mystery and fantasy galore from peers. This one book works for both "Celtic Coasts" and "My Kind Of Mystery". The author is Scottish.
Jan 19, 2019 10:24AM Add a comment
Tears of the Giraffe (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, #2)

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