Dust AND Tribes

Title: Dust

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730047

Length: 183 pages

Obtained: Libray copy

Why this book?:

I searched Amazon for Books by Canadian authors and Arthur Slade's books came up.  This is one that my library has.

Comments:

I didn't know what to expect of this book.  It is set in the Depression-era, when drought is overtaking the land and 5 cents is a big deal.  Robert's little brother Matthew goes missing.  At first his parents are devastated, but someone new comes to town and suddenly its seems most of the adults in town are not themselves.  Robert knows something isn't right, but what can one 11 year old boy do?

This story had a very mystical sort of twist that I did not expect.  And the title means so much more than I first realized.  I did enjoy the story - I certainly breezed through it - but it was very strange.

In some ways it was difficult to wrap my head around.

Title: Tribes

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730039

Length: 134 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

For the same reason as Dust.  I found it for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

I read this while away at the ALA annual conference.  I finished it on the plane home.  It was short and bizarre.  I did know going in that the main character (Percy) considered the various cliques to be "tribes."  But I did not realize Percy's character would be so... different.  And perhaps I should have guessed the end sooner, bu I didn't.

Bonechiller

Title: Bonechiller

Author: Graham McNamee [RandomHouse Kids][Goodreads] (He's a modern award-winning author with no website and no good biographic information available...this is the best I managed to find.)

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 9780385908955

Length: 294 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

1) I needed to read some more Canadian books to finish the  7th annual Canadian Book Challenge 

2) I did a basic Amazon search and saw this title listed.

3) It sounded interesting enough to request (along with others), and when it came time to pick something, it appealed.

Comments: 

I very carefully did not read a description of these beyond the initial Amazon search I had made (most of which I promptly forgot), so I got to enjoy the story as it came.  It was not what I expected.  The protagonist, Danny has a strange encounter with a beast.  He's attacked by a "beast," but when he wakes up there isn't much evidence that what he remembers is real.

I really enjoyed this story.  I was with Danny all the way, rooting for him and his mixed-up bunch of friends.  Graham McNamee is an award-winning author and I can see why.  The situation had me guessing the whole time.  Is this beast the Wendigo, some sort of Yeti, some unheard of creature, or some group delusion between him and his friends?  Whatever it is, will Danny and friends triumph, or are they helpless?  I appreciated the cultural touches, the finding-himself aspect, and the horror suspense.

I would definitely read more by this author.

Closet Confidential

Title: Closet Confidential

Author: Mary Jane Maffini [Website]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Charlotte Adams Mystery, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780425235645

Length: 290 pages

Obtained: Personal copy via paperbackswap.com

Why this book?:

I was browsing my shelves for a book with a Canadian author to go towards finishing the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge at The Book Mine Set. I read books 1 - 3 in this series in June 2009 (Unfortunately, and reviews I did back then are lost).

Comments:

I don't remember much about the first three books in this series - just that I liked them.  But in this one Charlotte rents the upper floor of a house from her good friend Jack.  She has two spoiled little dachshunds. 

She works as a professional organizer and has two jobs to help with closet organization.  One for a lovely lady on a very tight budget of $100.  The other for a very wealthy lady and a long-time "frenemy" of her mother's.  This second client has 7+ closets, her daughter recently dies, and this project is supposed to distract her from her grief.  But the client believes her daughter's death was not an accident and seems incapable of focusing on an organization project.

So here comes Charlotte, looking for proof that the death was indeed an accident - and butting in where the police, and her friends, and pretty much everyone who knows her would rather she not become involved.

I enjoyed this story (despite the rather dry summary above...sorry 'bout that) and will soon be reading the 5th and final book in the series, The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder.

The Corpse with the Silver Tongue

Title: The Corpse with the Silver Tongue

Author: Cathy Ace [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: TouchWood Editions

Series: Cait Morgan, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781927129098

Length: 240 pages

Obtained: ILL Library copy

Why this book?:

The series was being featured as the February Cozy Mystery Book Club on A Cozy Girl Reads.  It's the first in the series (or so I thought), and I was thrilled at the idea of a Cozy Mystery Book Club.  The author lives in Canada, so it has the added bonus of fitting the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge at The Book Mine Set.

Comments:

First, I finished reading this in the first week of March so this is late coming and I don't remember all the details.  Plus I had to return the book, so I don't have it on hand to refer to.

Cait Morgan was born in Wales, lives in Canada, and is currently visiting France on business.  She's a professor (with a focus on Criminology or something along those lines) that used to be in advertising and now consults for the police the side.  She runs into a former boss from her old life, accepts an unwanted invitation to a party for said former boss's wife, and is therefore present and the only unfamiliar face when said former boss dies, apparently of poison.  Plus there's been a theft.  Of course, Cait's a suspect.  And she can't go home until this is all sorted out.  So what better time to put her investigative skills to use?

The story was interesting.  Several elements were mixed in to make things messy.  But it does appear that this is not be the first of Cait's adventures.  There are short stories that took place before this, so I have to track those down before I can move on.

Touch

Title: Touch

Author: Michelle Sagara [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Michelle Sagara West aka Michelle West

Publisher: Daw Books

Series: Queen of the Dead, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780756408008

Length: 325 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I read the first book in this series for the Canadian Book Challenge 6.  I immediately requested this one.  It took over a year to actually get it from the time of my request.  But I did, and it qualifies for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge since Michelle Sagara is Canadian.

Comments:

It's been so long since I read the first book in the series, it took me a bit to catch up.  I just read my comments on the first book, Silence, to reacquaint myself with it before writing this.

Like the first book, this one started in first person then switched to third person for most of the book.  I think this one is told from more perspectives (as in more characters), but I could be remembering incorrectly. 

Definitely there is less focus on Emma in this one even though she plays a monumental role in what is happening.  Basically the Queen of the Dead is stirring up more trouble, Emma needs to help a young boy ghost who was abandoned to the elements, necromancers are causing trouble and attempting to kill innocent bystanders, and Emma is forced to confront her feeling about her late boyfriend, seeing as his ghost is back and in the mix.  But I say there is  less focus on Emma because more of the story is based around her friends and others in their group.

Anyway, I look forward to reading the third book, Grave.  I hope there is less time between books so I don't forget quite so much.  It would be a shame to loose some of the momentum this book ended with.

The Thirteenth Rose

Title: The Thirteenth Rose

Author: Gail Bowen [Website][Regina Public Library]

Publisher: Rapid Reads

Series:  The World According to Charlie D, Bk 4

ISBN: 9781459802254

Length: 85 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading this series since One Fine Day You're Gonna Die (the 2nd in the series - I had to backtrack to read the first, Love You to Death.)  And of course I read the 3rd book, The Shadow Killer.  And of course, the series has the added benefit of being by a Canadian Author and qualifying for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

It's quick and easy, yes - it's intended to help with adult literacy.  But the quality is there.  This time the book takes place on Valentine's Day.

On his way to work, Charlie D stops long enough to give a rose to a tired prostitute along the way.  It's then that he hears about a new cult-like extremist group targeting those in that line of work.  He goes on his way, feel deeply troubled.  But the nights romantic show turns scary when the group starts turning threat into action... and murdering said prostitutes in multiple cities.  Charlie D must keep his cool and run the show even while trying to save more lives from being needlessly taken.

I do like Charlie D.  I wish I could listen to the actual radio show it's based on, but I haven't found a way to do that yet.  Anyone know if you can get the CBC production of The World According to Charlie D?  Maybe on CD?  Or even downloadable?

The Sayers Swindle

Title: The Sayers Swindle

Author: Victoria Abbott [Website] aka mother/daughter team Mary Jane Maffini [Website] AND Victoria Maffini [Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Book Collector Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780425255292

Length: 292 pages + Recipes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I just finished the first book, The Christie Curse.  And this is written by Canadian authors qualifying it for The 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

I felt Jordan was a bit naïve regarding some characters and situations in this book, but otherwise I enjoyed it.  This time Jordan is trying to recover some books that were stolen from her employer's collection and subsequently sold.  Sayers is an author that I've heard of but never read.  But after hearing so much about her characters and books throughout this book, I feel that I'm sorely lacking.

I haven't that much to say about this one.  I do intend to read the next book, though.

Trailer:

The Christie Curse

Title: The Christie Curse

Author: Victoria Abbott [Website] aka mother/daughter team Mary Jane Maffini [Website] AND Victoria Maffini [Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Book Collector Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425255285

Length: 291 pages + "Recipes"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'd been interested in it since I first heard of it.  I've heard great things since.  And I knew the 2nd book had just come out.

Comments:

Jordan has gotten a new job for a reclusive working with her rare book collection.  First task, track down an elusive play written by Agatha Christie - if it actually exists.  But thats not such an easy thing to do.  There's a lot about Agatha Christie discussed throughout the book that I never knew.

Anyway, I was interested with the book collector aspect of this.  I enjoyed the characters, particularly Jordan.  And I was met with two pleasant surprises.  One, Jordan comes from a thief family.  I love stories with good-guy thieves.  And two, the authors, Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini are Canadian!  Which means this book goes toward The 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

I've already read book 2, The Sayers Swindle.

The Arrangement

Title: The Arrangement

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell

Series: Survivors' Club, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780345535870

Length: 366 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it somewhere - I think Wowbrary, though it could have been a blog - and it sounded intriguing.

Comments:

Each of the Survivors have their wounds from the war - whether physical or mental/emotional - and Vincent's are among the more obvious.  He is now blind.  (Though not scarred or marked.)  Somehow, his many female relatives have decided that this means he is somehow incapable or caring for himself and have taken it upon themselves to find him a wife to take care of him.  Gag.  So Vincent runs off, only to find himself further ensnared in his relatives long reach.  He escapes via an arrangement with a lady (in something like the Cinderella role).

I liked Vincent, though I don't understand what could have taken him so long to see how deep he was getting into things with his relatives.  And I really liked Sophia.  Underneath her invisibility and withdrawn ways, there is a strong woman.  Certainly a go-getter when it is put to her.  And I admit, I got emotional when she misconstrued something she overheard Vincent say.  Even though I knew that she was misunderstanding, I still felt wretched for her.  (Oddly enough, the same thing happening in reverse to Vincent did not inspire such depth of feeling in me.)

Of course the end brings a HEA (happily ever after).  Which makes me happy.  And I hope to read the third book, The Escape, when it becomes available.  And apparently there was an e-novella, "The Suitor," between The Proposal and The Arrangement that I missed.  I'm on hold for that.

I didn't know it at the time, but this author is Canadian - she resides in Saskatchewan.

The Proposal

Title: The Proposal

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Series: Survivors' Club, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780385343329

Length: 311 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I had seen The Arrangement and thought it looked interesting, but this came first in the series.

Comments:

Mary Balogh is a Canadian author (resides in Saskatchewan)!  Which I didn't know (or at least didn't remember?) until I was putting this post together.

I enjoy historical romance in general.  It tends to be light, fun reading with perhaps some emotionally intense scenes scattered throughout the odd book (not all of them, by any means).  And in that sense, this book was no exception.  They meet, they fall in love, there are obstacles and doubts, those are overcome, HEA.

Beyond that, I enjoyed the characters.  Hugo and his fellow "Survivor" friends where all great.  But this book sparked a special interest for me in Gwendoline's past.

Because her late husband was (and I apologize for SPOILERs here, but it's important to my thoughts and reactions) depressed.  He had bouts of depression until he finally killed himself.  Gwen repeatedly said he was "sick."  And sad though this may be, why did it make an impression?  As you may know if you've followed me or my blog for any length of time, my father is mentally ill and has actually attempted suicide a total of 4 times in the past two years (the most recent being in September).  His illness is more than just depression (not that it isn't bad enough all on it's own), but I grew up hearing my ma say my dad is sick.  She still loves him.  But he's sick.

So I always have a special interest in books that address this.  And the historical aspect, and the supportive spouse, all added to that.  (You'd be amazed - or maybe you wouldn't - how many people over the years have suggested my ma leave my dad, or have him "put somewhere.")  My apologies for the sensitive subject, but it's definitely a part of the story.

Anyway, since I read the second book in the series shortly after this one, I'm sure you can guess that I'm glad I read it, enjoyed it, and look forward to more by this author.

A Trick of the Light

Title: A Trick of the Light

Author: Louise Penny ; Read by Ralph Cosham (IMDB) (AudioFile)

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache / Three Pines Mystery, Bk 7

ISBN: 9781427213204

Length: 9 discs; 13 hours

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the next in the series.  There's another coming out soon and I hope to catch up.

Comments:

There's been another murder in Three Pines.  In Clara Morrow's garden, no less.  But does it have something to do with art?  Something to do with Clara?  Or is it something else altogether?

So this book addresses the subject of addiction.  You may know by now that addiction is not a favorite topic.  It bothers and frustrates me on so many levels.

But of course addiction isn't the only topic of discussion in this book.  Also brought out are faith, hope, change, jealousy, despair, relationships.  Really when it comes to the span of human emotions, characteristics, and conditions, Louise Penny seems to hit most of them.

Anyway, regarding the characters...

Peter and Clara are having a rough time, but I have hope for them.

Olivier is adjusting to being free and back in Three Pines.  And it is an adjustment for him and everyone around him.

And Beauvoir.  Oh Beauvoir.  Why'd he have to be like that?  Why's he have to go from being a favorite to what he is in this book.  I was so aggravated with his character in this book.

Anyway, I've already started the next book, The Beautiful Mystery.

Bury Your Dead

Title: Bury Your Dead

Author: Louise Penny ; Read by Ralph Cosham (IMDB) (AudioFile)

Publisher: Macmillian Audio

Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache / Three Pines Mystery, Bk 6

ISBN: 9781427210715

Length: 10 discs ; 13 hours (Includes interview with the author)

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the next in the series, it fits The 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge, and I wanted to know what happened after the way the last book in the series ended.

Comments:

This book was full of drama with 3 different cases being looked into.  I was interested in all three for different reasons, but I'm not sure how to discuss them without giving too much away. 

One of the mysteries was the case Gamache was actively assisting with.  A case that involved a literary and historical society (referred to as the Lit and His - pronounced Hiss). 

I assure you this is one of the aspects that intrigued me.  It was a library.  It was a historical society.  It brought another look into the Quebec French/English relations - something I know practically nothing about outside of this series. 

And Gamache was able to take Henri (his dog) practically everywhere!  I found that constantly intriguing.  I learned in high school French classes that in France dogs are allowed where they never would be in the U.S. (minus assistance dogs).  But I didn't know this was true for Quebec, and even if I had known... He took his dog to the library!  I would love to take my sister's dog to the library/post office/etc.

Another of the mysteries was not necessarily new, but looked at from a new perspective.  I have to say, throughout this part of the mystery I really found myself liking Beauvoir (I suppose I've grown to like him more as each book progresses, but this part was a spike on an otherwise slight incline).  Something about how he was handling the situation...

The third mystery going on throughout was a flashback sort of thing.  By far the most suspenseful and dramatic of the three, this was the story line that evoked more emotionally. 

And that being said, Bury Your Dead is one of the best in the series for me.

Audio sample:



Interview with author from end of book: