As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Book 7 in the Flavia de Luce books, As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust has Flavia attending a boarding school in Canada.  This is the first of the books to be set in Canada despite Alan Bradley being a Canadian author. (Alan Bradley is originally from Ontario, although he has lived in Malta - Gozo - and apparently currently lives on the Isle of Man.)  I wasn't sure how the change in location would influence the story.  What happened is Flavia spent less time solving the crime in a lab (which she has scarce access to) and more time trying to navigate (both location, people, and social structure) while nosing out information to solve the murder. 

Jayne Entwistle did her usual excellent job of narration.  Flavia spoke less, and except for rare glimpses of other characters like Dogger and Mrs. Mullet, most voices are Canadian.  This seems obvious (duh, the book is set in Canada), but it was most apparent when the long loved characters had their brief voiced moments.  Just as Flavia was homesick, I missed them too.

I enjoyed the story overall, but I'm looking forward to the change the next book will bring.  I won't say more, lest there be spoilers.

City of Secrets

Title: City of Secrets

Author: Victoria Thompson

Publisher:  Berkley Prime Crime

Series: Counterfeit Lady, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780451491619

Length: 307 + "Author's Note"

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I wanted to read this from the time I finished the first book in the series, City of Lies.  During the year I waited, I binged on Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series.  More recently, I've been on something of a reading slump.  I would read some, and even enjoy what I was reading, but I haven't had the same passion that I had in days gone by.  Yesterday (11/23/2018), I had gone Black Friday shopping and was home alone with the dogs, and I thought, "I should read that book that I've been waiting so long for and finally have checked out."  So I did.  I read straight through it, with only small pauses to nap (I was exhausted), let the dogs out, catch the dogs when they unlatched the gate and escaped the yard, take pictures of the dogs, or break up occasional dog-spats (those dogs are more than a handful). Finally.

The story jumps right in from the start.  Too bad I didn't remember the first book quite as well as I would have liked, but I picked up fairly quickly.  I think I needed the quick pacing of this story...

I wrote the above in November 2018 and never finished or published, so here it is...Since I didn't finish my thoughts, and don't remember what I intended to say now, we'll just say I'm a fan.

From the Charred Remains

Title: From the Charred Remains

Author: Susanna Calkins

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Lucy Campion, Bk 2

ISBN: 9781250007889

Length: 340 + Histoical Note (343)

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I started this immediately after finishing the first book in the series, A Murder at Rosamund's Gate for the second time.

Lucy is leaving her former master's home to make way for herself as a printer's apprentice.  She hopes to both make better future for herself and possibly to clear the way for her to have a relationship with her now former master's son, Adam.  But Adam is distant and Lucy has discovered (in a way) another mystery in the aftermath of the great London Fire.  The charred remains of a foreigner hidden in a barrel and with naught but what are apparently the winnings from a card game, including a coded love letter.

I'll be reading more of this series soon, I hope.  I own an autographed copy of the third book, The Masque of a Murder, from when I met the author a few years back.

A Murder at Rosamund's Gate (Re-read)

Title: A Murder at Rosamund's Gate

Author: Susanna Calkins

Series: Lucy Campion Mysteries, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781250007902

Length: 340 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I wanted to catch up on this series, and I couldn't remember this first book well enough, so I decided to re-read it.

I did enjoy it - enough so I crammed reading it all in one evening.  But perhaps not to the same extent as the first time.  I remembered one part about Lucy's brother, and I suspected (but did not remember) the culprit partway through.  Last time I was left waiting for book 2, and the delay meant I never did get around to reading it.  This time I already have books 2-4 on hand, and have begun reading book 2 already.

Anyway, regarding this story.  The story starts with Lucy as an 18-year-old chambermaid in a decent household in 1665-1666 London.  Soon after we are introduced to Lucy we discover servant girls are being murdered.  When a member of Lucy's household becomes a victim, Lucy is determined that her friend have justice.  But this is a rough time for London with plague looming and other disaster following closely behind.  When all of London is in chaos, justice for a lowly servant girl doesn't prompt much urgency - especially when the one pushing is another serving girl, when women have little say, and when those accused of crime have so few rights.

You can see my original post here.

Master and Commander

Title: Master and Commander

Author: Patrick O'Brian; Narrated by Simon Vance

Series: Aubrey/Maturin, Bk 1

ISBN: 0786188375

Length: 13.5 hrs or 11 discs

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

The plot was spotty or meandered, but the characters were great.  The description and vocabulary - when it came to nautical terminology - was much beyond me.  But the reading and rhythm was lovely.  There were certainly points of humor and interest.  Some points started or were more intense than others.  Jack Aubrey is a mostly good-natured fellow and obviously clever when it comes to sailing and managing on the sea.  On land, well.  He gets himself into some trouble.  And Maturin is contemplative and philosophical.  There is one scene in particular where he is observing the mating of some mantises... I was trying to maneuver through some local construction traffic, and only hearing his observations about the mating/female eating the male left me with any good humor.  There is some intensity toward the end - on the last 1 1/2 discs that kept me anxious to hear what would happen next.  That is not to say there aren't battles throughout - after all this story takes place during a war time.

I will be continuing this series in audio (if I can).

Ghost Talkers

Title: Ghost Talkers

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal

ISBN: 9780765378255

Length: 299 + "Acknowledgements" and "Historical Note"

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I recently (a month or so ago) finished Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories.  I needed to read more of her work so I requested Ghost Talkers.

Mediums talk to all of Britain's forces as they pass and before they move on as a means of gathering intelligence.  This has the added benefit of  allowing the soldiers to take care of unfinished business and pass on final words to loved ones.

The fantasy aspect was great. The mystery aspect was intriguing.  The romance aspect is rather sad.  The altered historical aspect is interesting.

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

Title: The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

Author: Alan Bradley [Website][Facebook]; Read by Jayne Entwistle [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]

Publisher: Random House Audio

Series: Flavia de Luce, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780307879851

Length: 7 discs ; 8 hours

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

I needed an audiobook.  This is a series I have been following, and I enjoy Jayne's narration.

Comments:

Something about this book dragged for me.  I think it started with the time between when I finished book 5 and when I started this.  But also, the book had a different feel to me.  Flavia, while still exhibiting the same spunk, was distracted.  Her distraction and sorrow and so forth, seemed to detract from my own enjoyment somehow.  It took me months, with large spells of listening to other materials before I finished the book.  However, I did, and hopefully, while seemingly in new circumstances, book 7 will pick up the feel I have so enjoyed and appreciated.  I hope Flavia's maturing is not TOO speedy.

Saint Mazie

Title: Saint Mazie

Author: Jami Attenberg [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN: 9781455599905

Length: 321 pages

Obtained: Library book club copy

Why this book?:

For book discussion.  This was this group's last time having a discussion. :(

Comments:

I found this interesting, although it wasn't quite what I had expected.  I did check out the book that contains the story that inspired this, though I did not get around to reading it.  I'll try again.  Anyway, with spoilers I guess, though I think I'm glossing over the biggies...


Told in the perspective of interviews and journal entries, Mazie was a young girl taken in with her younger sister by her older sister and brother-in-law.  She lived a decent life at first, but she wanted to spread her wings, and in response she was put to work helping with the family's ticket booth at the theater.  Her younger sister, who always seemed so good took off to live the life.  And her older sister became increasing agitated and clingy as she was unable to have a child of her own.  So Mazie, caged in her booth, became the stable sister, despite her wild ways.  With her stability (and money from her brother-in-law who may have been involved in shady business), she was able to hold steady through the Great Depression, doing what she could for the homeless men.  Despite her own anxieties, depressions, and family drama.


Obviously the book made something of an impact as I am writing all of this many months after reading it and I still remember much of it, if not the fine details.

A Touch of Stardust

Title: A Touch of Stardust

Author: Kate Alcott [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Anchor Books

ISBN: 9780804171984

Length: 290 + "Epilogue"

Obtained: Library book club copy

Why this book?:

This was my month-long book discussion pick.

Comments:

I chose this book initially thinking it sounded interesting, but when it came time to read it I was dragging my feet.  I was 2/3 of the way into the month with only one chapter read.  I finally actually dedicated myself to reading it and finished it in one swoop.

I enjoyed this, though it isn't necessarily in a usual genre of choice.  The time period and setting were interesting.  I've only watched Gone With the Wind once (during my grad school years because I felt it was a must-see), and I've never read the book.  I didn't care for the movie then, but now I might need to re-watch.  If I can build myself up to nearly 4 hours of a movie I could potentially still not like.  Maybe if I look at the actors instead of the characters?

Savage plus bonus "Bounties: The Candy Heiress"

Title: Savage

Author: R.A. Jones [WizardWorld]; Illustrated by Ted Slampyak [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Caliber Comics

Series: Savage, Issues # 1-5

Length: 122 pages

Obtained: Online digital holding

Why this book?:

I enjoyed the Jazz Age Chronicles by Ted Slampyak and this sounded intriguing.

Comments:

Before slaying her, Christian Savage agrees to tell a modern female vampire about his past in the Wild West including his scar, his parentage, and his vampire slaying mission.

I'm not a comic connoisseur, so I can't give much critique to this.  But I found it interesting in a strange way.

Bonus:

Bounties: The Candy Heiress by David Watkins; Illustrated by Ted Slampyak [Website][Facebook] featuring Saddlebag Jones

Um. Okay.  I didn't expect a completely unrelated story, and so it threw me off.

It was kind of silly, actually, in the premise. Rich girl runs off to try her luck in the Wild West, and Saddlebag Jones is sent to fetch her.  In the meantime the heiress pitches a fit when not everyone is on board with her experiencing the west and all it stereotypically entails (drink, gambling, etc.)... I won't tell you more, lest I spoil too much, but yes, I think silly is an accurate description.

A Test of Wills

Title: A Test of Wills

Author: Charles Todd [Website][Facebook] aka Charles Todd and Caroline Todd

Publisher: Harper

Series: Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780062091611

Length: 305 pages + "Questions for Discussion"

Obtained: Library book club book

Why this book?:

Chosen for a book club I'm in, mystery

Comments:

Because of my own family, the first thing that really struck me about this book was Ian's issues.  The origin may be different, PTSD rather than another type of mental illness, but I'm still not used to having protagonists who has auditory hallucinations.

Beyond that, though, we have a mystery that no one wishes to speak of or help solve.  Why smear the reputation of their small village?  Why not just have the murderer taken away and be done with it?  The majority of characters were burying their heads in the sand, and when Ian Rutledge kept jostling them from the comfort of denial, they responded with obstinate silence and the least cooperation they could manage.

It was very frustrating, because the end result meant going in circles.  In any case, I did not guess who the murderer was.  In fact, the suspense had built to such a point that I zipped right through certain events and with a "Wait. What?!?" had to backtrack and reread to follow what had just occurred.

I'm interested reading more of the series, though I don't know when I'll get to them.

'Til Death Do Us Part

Title: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Author: Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz [Website] aka Jayne Castle

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399174469

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a JAK/AQ/JC fan.

Comments:

Hmm.  I started this one before reading Dead End Street and finished it after.  I had no problem going with the story while reading it, but if I stopped (had to go back to work, etc.) I didn't feel that extreme motivation to pick it back up again.  I'd guess its because while the characters were likeable enough, I didn't get the connection I've come to expect from an AQ book.  I feel like the heroines, while still going against the grain education and career wise, don't have the same spunk and quirkiness I had come to expect.  They've become more mellow and serious.

I'll keep reading on.  I still look forward to more JAK/AQ/JC.

The Danger in Daring a Lady

Title: The Danger in Daring a Lady [Author's Website]

Author: Emma Locke [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Series: Naughty Girls, Bk 6

ISBN: 9781939713506

Obtained: Free copy through NetGalley

Why this book?:

I was in the mood for a historical romance, it was by an author name I recognized, and the blurb sounded interesting.

Comments:

I actually have mixed feelings about this.  In general, I enjoyed the story.  I liked Cate, and I liked Dare as well - despite his addiction.  I appreciated their romance.  Cate's strength and Dare's charm balanced and complimented each other.

But addiction is a difficult subject for me, as several people in my family face it.  The reactions of Dare's family both grated and yet felt understandable.  I saw the Dare that Cate saw, so I felt they needed to give him another chance.  Plus they were his family; they needed to be there for him.

Yet I have seen the selfish, thoughtless, self-pitying, and horrible actions of those caught in the throes of addiction.  I have been hurt and seen others hurt by addiction.  And I can understand the mistrust and resentment that builds when each "second" chance is squandered.  So I was torn throughout the story.

Fortunately, in the way of romances such as this, there was a dependable HEA that, while somewhat abrupt and convenient in its resolve, made all things well and left that happy glow.

I would try more books by this author, though apparently I'm going to disregard series and order.

The Ballad of Black Tom

Title: The Ballad of Black Tom

Author: Victor LaValle [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: TOR

ISBN: 9780765387868

Length: 149 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: I read a review or description somewhere and thought it sounded interesting.

Comments:

It took some concentration on my part to try to follow what was going on.  It was, I guess, kind of mystical.  I didn't remember the description by the time I read it so I had no idea what to expect.  When I started reading I began to get one impression and then everything changed. It felt very "what on (or off) Earth just happened?".  I also didn't really know what the Cthulhu was/is (though I recognized the term from some ILL title requests at work), so I had to look it up afterwards.  But even having some idea of what that was about, I still found the story to be very surreal.  Perhaps it's because I've never read H.P. Lovecraft?

Any Duchess Will Do

Title: Any Duchess Will Do

Author: Tessa Dare

Publisher: AVON Historical Romance

Series: Spindle Cove, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780062240125

Length: 373 pages + Author's Note

Obtained: 2014 ALA Annual Convention

Why this book?:

I was in the mood for romance, and I remembered it had looked interesting.

Comments:

I read this months ago.  Like August 2015?  I think.  I don't remember the story, really.  Just that I liked it.  But even reading the back of the cover makes me want to read it again now.  There is something about certain historical romances that do that to me.  So maybe I'll re-read some and come back with remembered thoughts and comments...

About 3 1/2 hours later (having re-read much of it - I always skip the sex scenes)...

I definitely enjoyed the book.  But even with the story fresh in my mind, I don't have much to say.  Both Griffin and Pauline are likeable characters.  And I like the love story as well, but I especially enjoyed the HEA.

My Apologies and The Curse of Jacob Tracy

Well I've been a poor blogger again.  I have some posts that have been sitting at various stages of completion and a stack of books waiting to be added before they can be put back on my shelves.  I just don't know when that will actually happen.

I suppose my blogging days may  be at an end; that would be a shame.  My blog served a purpose, but it can't fulfill that purpose if I forget what the books I read are even about in the time it takes me to post about them.  And some of my more recent reads get lost in the long line of books to be posted on.

So I'll try to post as I read, and not worry about the backlog.  Maybe I can do better.

And that being said, I am currently reading The Curse of Jacob Tracy by Holly Messinger (published by Thomas Dunne books).  I'm enjoying it.  Set in parts that feel like a serial (suiting its historical nature), it makes a historical/western/paranormal fantasy/mystery blend.

I like the primary characters, Trace (Jacob Tracy), Boz (John Bosley), and Miss Sabine Fairweather, though I do not always agree with their actions.  Trace tends to shy away where I feel he should step up.  Boz doesn't fully support the way I'd like him to, letting occasional bitterness (perhaps valid considering he's black American in the 1880) get in the way.  And Miss Fairweather (as Trace points out) is too secretive and holds back too much (though Boz has the same issue with Trace).

Because of the serial aspect, Trace (and fellows) face multiple evils connected by an overall evil master.  This along with the action and scenes had me thinking this would make for an excellent graphic novel.  Seems to me, the images presented, the dialogue, the flow of the story... even the good versus evil with some occasional blurring gray areas would all do well in that format.

Anyway, I haven't reached the end (I'm on page 272 of 308), but so far I'm very glad I requested it after reading a review in a professional journal (can't remember which one).  And I'm very glad I didn't wait to pick it up and start reading.   Which I should be getting back to now.  The tension is building...

Paperboy and Speak and Speechless

Sometimes I find myself reading books that feel as if they are connected. This was one of those cases.  I read these three books in the opposite order I have them listed below: Speechless, Speak, and Paperboy.

 I felt the need to group them together, because they all relate to young people finding their voice in some way or another, as well as powers of words and what words and expression can mean for us as humans.

Title: Paperboy

Author: Vince Vawter [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Vilas Vincent Vawter III

Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385742443

Length: 223 pages + "Author's Note"

Obtained: ARC ... Maybe from staff lounge?

Why this book?:

I've been clearing out some of my ARCs both for shelf space reasons and to pass on.

Comments:

Told from the writings of an 11yo boy in 1958 Memphis, this story offers the internal thoughts of someone who can't always express himself so well outwardly (due to a stutter), as he goes through some coming if age events while also learning to see and recognize prejudice and bias for what it is on a number of levels.

I heard good things about this book when it first came out and as far as I'm concerned it lived up to the praise.  I really enjoyed it.

According to the author while being a fiction book, much of it was more memoir.  That made what the boy (we do not learn his name until the very end) went through with his stuttering so much more of a learning experience.

One more note: at one point he recites a poem he wrote - it was lovely. I read it through a couple times.  Poetry can be rather hit and miss with me, this was a hit.

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Speak (Penguin Putnam)

ISBN: 014131088X

Length: 198 pages + "Laurie Halse Anderson speaks about speak..."

Obtained: Used copy from my BIL's cousins

Why this book?:

I was sorting through my books and couldn't resist after just having read Speechless.

Comments:

After an event at a party - she really doesn't want to think about it - Melinda calls the cops and becomes an outcast.  She turns all her pain, hurt, rage internally; she is falling apart, and doesn't know how to handle it.  As she becomes more withdrawn she is mostly silent, causing attention but not understanding from the adults around her.

Title: Speechless

Author: Hannah Harrington [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210527

Length: 263 pages + "Questions for Discussion"

Obtained: ARC from staff lounge at work

Why this book?:

I requested the library purchase it when it first came out because it sounded interesting.  Then I got the ARC, but never got around to reading it.  I'm now cutting back to make room in my new home library.

Comments:

Chelsea is a gossip, but at a party she sees something - and shares without thinking.  One of the parties involved is seriously hurt, so reports to the police, then takes a vow of silence to sort things out.  She goes through the school year as an outcast, but making surprising new friends while dealing with the consequences of her own actions.

Letters from Skye

Title: Letters from Skye

Author: Jessica Brockmole [Website][Facebook][Twitter] ; Read by Elle Newlands [IMDb][Twitter], Katy Townsend [Website][IMDb][Twitter], Lincoln Hoppe [Website][IMDb][Facebook][Twitter], Adam Alexi-Malle [IMDb][Facebook], and Guy Burnet [Website][IMDb]

Publisher: Books on Tape

ISBN: 9780385367646

Length: Approx. 8 hrs ; 7 discs

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

For my book discussion, but also because I've been wanting to read it since I first heard about it before publication.

Comments:

I have to say, I am so glad I read this in audio format - despite being a bit more romance than I prefer with my audiobooks.  Because the accents/voices  were GREAT.  I haven't listened to many multi-narrated books, but I loved how each character had their own voice.  They were very distinct and came to life in my mind.

I had mixed feelings about this story.  I had some moral issues with it, but beyond that it was nice.  At first every time Margaret's story came up I was eager to get back to Elspeth, but by the time Elspeth "disappeared" I was really into Margaret's side of the story.

Anyway, glad I listened to this.

The Earl's Untouched Bride and How the Marquess Was Won

I don't know why I so often find Historical Romances so hard to comment on.  I do enjoy them... the stories, the characters, the HEA.  It's worse when it has been awhile since I've read it.  Both of these were read about a month or so ago.

I've also given up on paying much attention to series, as I often end up reading a book in the middle of the series when it comes to this sub-genre.  ::sigh::

In any case, I enjoyed both of these. 

Title: The Earl's Untouched Bride

Author: Annie Burrows

Publisher: Harlequin Historical Regency

ISBN: 9780373295333

Length: 276 pages

Obtained: Personal copy

Why this book?:

I'm clearing out some books so my new personal library won't be cluttered and overfull.  The blurb sounded interesting.

Title: How the Marquess Was Won

Author: Julie Anne Long

Publisher: AVON Historical Romance

Series: Pennyroyal Green, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780061885693

Length: 373 pages

Obtained: Personal (ex-library) copy

Why this book?: 

I'm clearing out some books so my new personal library won't be cluttered and overfull.  The blurb sounded interesting.

Will in Scarlet

Title: Will in Scarlet

Author: Matthew Cody [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Knopf

ISBN: 9780375868955

Length: 253 pages

Obtained: ARC (from staff lounge at work I think)

Why this book?:

I've been clearing out some if my teen and pre-teen ARCs.

Note: The color of the cover image is distorted.  It was more of a light blue background, but my phone camera isn't much good.

Comments: 

I actually thought this was going to be about William Shakespeare, not Robin Hood (obviously I didn't look closely at the cover... "The boy behind the Robin Hood legend" was a bit too obvious for me.).  

Once I was reading it, I kept mentally comparing the cast of characters the the BBC America Robin Hood. So there were differences and similarities with the Much and Will and Rob characters that were interesting to note and wonder about.

I enjoyed the story and this new take on a classic legend.