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Darn, the problem with trying children's literature for a ghost mystery, is that the tone can be childish. This book's is, because the pair of best friend protagonists is younger than those I accept or expect, in lieu of great adult spirit adventures. They aren't teenagers but a Grandma's partnership is making it fun. It's disappointing if a spirit mystery isn't stellar because great ones are already hard to find.

These Canadian history and important figures spotlights sometimes read like they are relating bundles of facts authors compiled. Some really good raconteurs and writers weave them into stories. Although there's a flow, Elle Andra-Warner is leaning towards fact-relating instead of story-weaving. However I love learning history and am thrilled about how important our own Manitoba and Fort Garry are to all of Canada!

I want a story. This is a stream-of-consiousness ride, of a housewife's feelings about herself. It will be well-written and insightful, coming from Manitoba's dear and immensely-talented Margaret Laurence. However I don't know that I'm in the mood for it just now. I might read an all out story and take up this book again, in smaller or postponed sips. I wonder if this, or Margaret Atwood's 1969 novel came first?

The stages of Howard Engle's mysteries are completely unpredictable; not formulaic. People thought of as villains are taking meetings with Benny Cooperman; the refreshing kinds of twists and turns many readers express wanting more of in mystery novels. It is a bonus, a trait of special interest, that the setting is normally a realistic taste of small town Canada as well.

A fantastic mystery, written and progressing in a way that no other author does it. If you have not known of Howard Engel's talent and his beloved Niagara Falls region series before: put the first novel on your wish lists! Canadian authors are special and compelling for a reason. Don't let "not known as well as they should be" be one of those special traits!

We had company over Thursday and went on an overdue cleaning spree, as well as a little cooking: my parents and my aunt, visiting from British Columbia. It was a lovely time and I can see that my aunt & I will enjoy discussing books. Perhaps Mom will get into it more too, now that she is settled at her and Dad's apartment. With a very neat house: back to retiring at night with Howard Engel and other books, I go!

Howard Engel's loveable character is trotting along nicely and making use of highschool contacts, as usual. We don't know what the plot is yet, beyond the general subject of a toxic waste company possibly killing the husband of Benny Cooperman's client. We are tagging along to see how he gleans more information, from that broad scope, in the same boat as we are. I forgot that he took up a girlfriend, last mystery!

Howard Engel's mystery novels and exceptionally good, witty writing are excursions that feel wonderful every time you read one page of his books. I hope friends put him on their radar and try his first book! It stuns me that this mystery stalwart, Canadian and well past, has scarcely been read by any of them. Neither "cozy" nor violent. These are intelligent, fast-paced "standard adult mystery".

I'm stunned none of my 250+ book-loving, mystery-loving, and even Canadian peers and pals have read this! Published only in 1990, the 7th of Howard Engel's wonderful series; a few of you read his first and second.
Goodness, his intelligent writing, plotting, humour, and unique setting (small city Canada, for a change) are well worth going further! Benny is loveable, not hardboiled. You must try Howard's series!

It is time to start Kay Hooper's long, psychic detective series, even if I prefer not to read about violent or police-type crime is my least-liked sub-genre of mystery. Knowing Kay is a great author and the psychic aspect, are the draws. She is caring and keeps you engaged.

I am enjoying this suite of short stories more than I imagined I would. For the first time, many end happily. The variety is impressive but we Manitobans always have comprised all walks of life, creativity, and spirits. For once, I am reading short stories quickly, with interest; instead of wondering, "All right, how many pages are each one".

Reading more than six pages per evening would probably help.

I am not impressed yet but have waited years to try this series. I acquired this opening volume recently. I will give it first novel patience but it's odd format takes getting used to in of itself: half gangster-sounding cat narration, half business woman who isn't necessarily a cat-person. Carole may have dropped her numerous metaphoric quips and over-description of what colour everyone's eyes are, clothes, etc.