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I am returning to the funny and heartfelt Barbara Venkataraman! Hold on to your hats. I am not reading an e-book. It is print as usual, in an omnibus containing three to four stories. I only log the omnibus when I am at the closing story. I find a one representation of each of the others, to accurately represent how many individual books I finish. The only options were audio book and this bright, Kindle cover.

Here we are, working with new, highly-likeable characters on my favourite kind of mystery. The mission is literally all about solving a MYSTERY, instead of about solving a crime! These are far more personal, interesting, and original. I love going outside of Finch every few stories and keeping book locations and characters fresh: making new friends and allies that Nancy Atherton's series will revisit and utilize.

There is not much mystery yet but that is fine with a well-enjoyed authoress. I am trucking away, intrigued enough by the introduction of this black cat of the new covers, a room of great furniture and art that boggles the mind like the real life discovery in Paris, and Lori's passion about a newly-made elderly friend. I am just going on a ride and loving it. Also original locations bring fresh air to big series.

I have no patience for the syrupy, plastic, sanitized nature of "cozy mysteries", which feel like children's literature because there is scarcely anything adult about them. Nancy Atherton is an ingenuis exception, whose work I savour returning to. The ones you see me read are lighter than "standard mystery" in topical tone solely. The talent, exceptional plotting, and rich vocabulary are not light. I drink it in!

We see "Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase" in theatres today!

Trucking along on a blizzard day. Ron is home from work and the cats are enjoying having him with us all day, as much as I am. They get treats from Dad at any hour and a lot of lap time. The odd thing, which I have never beheld before, is that it is warm! We keep at 0 Celsius, with snow and wind that prevent driving but without any cold. With neighbours' dogs silent, we can enjoy today's snowy, breezy fairyland.

All right: I will read Walter Karig's third contribution to the "Carolyn Keene" pseudonym, then return to the impressive, originating Mildred A. Wirt. The first novel in which she was in full charge, volume #2, has been my easy favourite. Hands-down, "The Hidden Staircase" is far more mysterious, suspenseful, and action-packed the way mystery novels should be. Imagine my elation, that its film débuts this Friday!

I have heard that my favourite Nancy Drew novel is being shown as a film this week-end! I would have mild interest if it were any other book. But volume 2, "The Hidden Staircase", is my favourite because it is an unusually good one! The clip I saw has the mysterious, secretive atmosphere I love that is far more compelling than chasing thieves. I recently had the thrill of seeing John Bellairs on film. This next!

You would think I could surpass 15 pages in a bedtime sitting but it was and "Oak Island"-watching evening at our house! Ron & I love it. What's more, these old-fashioned paginations place new chapters right in the next paragraph. They do not even skip a page to start anew. Therefore I am progressing further than it appears. Again, I feel compelled to remark that I enjoy the comedic approach Agatha took to this.

It started out amusing. I like humour in old crime novels, a pairing of words that often denote a genre too dry for me. Now it is getting good!

I keep doing that "falling asleep" thing, or I would read novels in one night. :) I don't understand how any reader could have insomnia. It is a lovely way to retire, so comfortable that I fight not to nodd off. Back to the wonderfully well-developed cast of characters by the enthralling Anne Perry.

We fell asleep too fast, after a wonderful evening watching "Star Trek Discovery" together. We had missed the season opener early this month and a couple of recent episodes, because "The Big Bang Theory" is on at the same time. There is no "Netflix" for us and you can't videotape from a satellite dish, except the channel you are on. On dial-up internet, it takes 2 1/2 days to download a 1-hour MP4.... but I did!

And now, we are at my favourite part, where Charlotte joins brainstorming forces with her amusing sister, Emily!