Shadow of the Alchemist

Title: Shadow of the Alchemist

Author: Jeri Westerson

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 6

ISBN: 9781250000309

Length: 299 + "Afterword" + "Glossary"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I enjoy this series.

Comments:

As usual I enjoyed reading another of Crispin's adventures.  The alchemy aspect was okay.  Parts of the mystery caught my interest more than others.  Like the many youngsters and elderly dying.  That part and Crispin's deductions on why those particular people where becoming ill was interesting. 

But what really draws me in this series is Crispin and his interactions as he fights to rebuild (or at least maintain) his new(-ish) life.  It always baffles me when he does the drunk thing (though he actually managed to curtail that for most of this book).  And I find myself even more baffled when it comes to his relations with women.  I mean really.  But his interactions with his apprentice, Jack are great.  And his meetings and discussions with those people of his past are intriguing.

Another part of what draws me to this series is a look at the history.  I find history fascinating (I even took a medieval history course in college), but I don't often retain information like that well.  Having it intertwined with fiction and the characters that I enjoy makes it come alive.  And maybe I will remember it better this way?  At the least I've come to expect the "Afterword"s as a part of each story.  The book isn't finished until I've read that part as well.

Anyway, apparently the next book out will be a prequel - how Crispin met Jack - titled Cup of Blood.  And after that things will be back on track with The Silence of the Stones.  I look forward to reading both, especially the latter.

I've shared this trailer before, but I'm doing it again.  You can watch it or not, but this is what convinced me to try this series in the first place:

Blood Lance

Title: Blood Lance

Author: Jeri Westerson

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 5

ISBN: 9781250000187

Pages: 311 + Author's Note and Glossary

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

This is the next book in the series.

Comments:

As usual, I enjoyed this book.  Every once and awhile the description would get to be a bit much about the relic and that sort of thing, and I zoned out a little.  But overall it was interesting.  

I found the idea of a knight with PTSD interesting.  I understand why it was handled the way it was in the book - to reflect what likely would have happened in history - but it was a little sad, too.  

Crispin is so lucky that even in his "misfortune," he has so many people willing to help him.  And of course he made some of that luck for himself, such as when he managed to snag Jack who is a great character.

As for the mystery side of things - Crispin had quite a few connected mysteries to solve this time around, which made things interesting.

I look forward to reading the next book, Shadow of the Alchemist.

Troubled Bones

Troubled Bones (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 4) by Jeri Westerson (library copy)

I first started this series after I read a review about this book on Mysteries and My Musings.  I was glad to find that I did enjoy the first book, Veil of Lies and continued to enjoy the series when I read Serpent in the Thorns (Bk 2) and The Demon's Parchment (Bk 3).  I'm happier yet to say I enjoyed this 4th installment of the series as well.  Crispin and his protégé Jack are great characters.   Plus, it was great seeing how Jack is growing up.  And I loved that Chaucer made an appearance in the book.  The parallels to The Canterbury Tales had me scrambling to remember what I haven't read in high school over 10 years ago, and only in bits and pieces at that.  I do have one complaint and it's rather spoilerish, so I'm turning it white...highlight to read. 

I wanted to guess the bad guy in this one, but kept telling myself it couldn't be a woman. How many times can the women be the bad guys in a series that takes place in the medieval times?

But I still look forward to reading the next book in the series, Blood Lance, due out in October.  And with that, I leave you with the trailer that convinced me to start reading this series in the first place.

A pinch of this, a dash of that...

The Shadow Killer (3rd story featuring late-night radio host Charlie D) by Gail Bowen (library copy) -

I've talked about how much I enjoy this series (both Rapid Reads and Charlie D) before.  This particular story was just as intense as the others before it.  It centered on Father's Day, and while Charlie D's take on fathers is vastly different than my own, I found the numerous father quotes (and the way certain songs were mixed in) interesting.  The only problem was how abrupt the ending was.  You go on this scary ride that stops just at the edge of a cliff.  Then calmly walk back home (or wherever) as if nothing happened.  Nevertheless, I remain a Charlie D fan and hope to read more about him in the future.

Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly (library copy) -

When I heard there was going to be a new Janet Evanovich romance (not a reprint) and it was a first in series (not one I have to catch up to read) I was excited.  Here's the thing... It was nice, but it lacked that special something that usually draws me to Evanovich's books.  I don't regret reading it, but I won't be getting a personal copy (i.e. Explosive Eighteen was a library copy, but I've kept it on my PaperBackSwap Wish List so I'll get a keeper copy eventually).

The Demon's Parchment (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 3) by Jeri Westerson (library HB copy) -

This passage through Crispin's life had some interesting turns.  Certain attitudes during that time (like those towards Jews) are one thing to recognize as history.  But when the character you like and are following agrees with those attitudes... it's realistic but frustrating.  I did like that Crispin eventually uses his head more than mindlessly following what he's been told, but even then, prejudice is a hard thing to break.  The case he's working on is horrifying (stomach-turning).  The most fascinating (and still horrible) part is in the afterword when the author tells you it's based on a true medieval serial killer, in addition to a lot of other interesting bits of information relating to happenings in the story.  Anyway, the trailer I saw with a review of the 4th book in this series, Troubled Bones, is what got me started on this series so I certainly look forward to reading that.

Grave Witch (Alex Craft, Bk 1) by Kalayna Price (ILL copy) -

I decided to try this after reading a review at Babbling Book Reviews.  I enjoyed it.  I like Alex.  I also like Falin, and Death, and Roy... it's always a good sign for me when I like not only the protag but also multiple supporting characters.  I found the different types of magic, and especially Alex's grave magic, interesting.  I look forward to reading book 2, Grave Dance.  At the least it should be another ILL.  Or maybe my library will decide to purchase it.  We'll see...

Beware of the Frog by William Bee (library copy) -

I read this awhile ago, and my nephews and niece (especially my niece) loved it. So I had to mention it before I returned it (I've had it out for 6 weeks).  It's seems like it's just going to be a nice read, and surprise!... it turns funny.  But the end is the REAL surprise... Hilarious.  Plus it has literary pluses... descriptive words, and other things about fonts and patterns that I don't really remember from my early literacy class.

Charms, Explosives, and Thorns, Oh, My!

Pleating for Mercy (Magical Dressmaking Mystery, Bk 1) by Melissa Bourbon aka Misa Ramirez aka Melissa Ramirez (personal copy - through PaperBackSwap) -

I had already gotten this through PBS when I read review at Mysteries and My Musings prompting me to move it up on my list.  I enjoyed the story.  I thought the paranormal aspect was more prominent then I had expected from the aforementioned review, but I enjoy the paranormal aspect.  Just not so much of it as is currently flooding the market.  Anyway, some of the characters surprised me, which I guess is a good thing.  I did like Harlow.  I look forward to reading book 2, A Fitting End.

Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum, Bk 18) by Janet Evanovich (library copy) -

I pretty much always enjoy the Stephanie Plum books; they always have plenty of humor and are quick reads.  This one was no different, but it did have a couple little things that weren't as great.  Not knowing what happened in Hawaii forever and a day drove me nuts, and then when it was finally explained it didn't seem as big a deal as it had been made out to be.  For a Plum book with Explosive in the title I would have expected more explosions than just the one.  I think there were more explosions in her earlier books.  And I saw less of the characters I love in this book.  Nevertheless, I still found it fun and look forward to the next.

Serpent in the Thorns (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 2) by Jeri Westerson (library HB copy) -

Crispin Guest is a character with a lot of honor.  This may seem contradictory with his past treason, but it's all a matter of perspective.  I appreciate his holding his honor close.  I also like the way he supports and/or cares for his friends.  (Speaking of which, he's obviously passing on this loyalty to Jack, because Jack rocked in this book.)  As for the story... I guessed who the bad guy was early on.  I didn't have any idea as far as motive goes, but one line made me ultra suspicious.  I do not, however, blame Crispin for not suspecting.  He had a lot of emotional turmoil and whatnot going on in this book to distract him.  Anyway, I have the third book, The Demon's Parchment, already checked out so I should be reading that soon.

A little on the darker side ...

Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 1) (library copy) -

I read this after seeing a review (including an intriguing trailer) of the 4th book of the series, Troubled Bones on the Mysteries and My Musings blog. I was worried because I'm not usually fond of books set during the medieval period, but I decided to give it a try anyway.  Aspects of the story reminded me of Robin Hood (in particular I picture the BBC America television show), such as Crispin's fall from knighthood and rocky relationship with the Sheriff.  Other aspects were intriguing in their own right.  Crispin has resorted to all he has left since his fall in status.  He must walk a line socially between his former and current peers.  I wasn't fond of his derision toward the lower classes, but it does make him more human.  He's flawed, and he needs to work around it.  Overall, I'm glad I tried it and I look forward to reading book 2, Serpent in the Thorns.

Child of Fire (library copy) and Game of Cages (personal copy)
by Harry Connolly (Twenty Palaces, Bks 1 & 2) -

I liked the protagonist, Ray Lilly. He's had an interesting past as a criminal, but despite that he has a moral standard that allows the reader to connect with him. Child of Fire had some gruesome stomach turning aspects that I can't describe fully but make for a very intense story. I wasn't as into Game of Cages because his boss, Annalise Powliss, isn't part of the story from the beginning of the story, but I still found it very interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the third book in the series, Circle of Enemies. In addition to wanting to know what happens to Ray after the events of book 2, it sounds like book 3 gives some answers to things in his past that haven't been fully explained in books 1 and 2. And on that note...

the trailer...

Full Twenty Palaces Trailer from Harry Connolly on Vimeo.

Orchestrated Murder by Rick Blechta -

This is the 3rd of the Rapid Reads line that I've read.  While I didn't enjoy this as much as Gail Bowen's Chalie D books, I still appreciated the fast-paced movement of the story characteristic of this line.  I particularly found it interesting how the author balanced the detective solving the case within a short time period while trying to be realistic with things like how long it would take to get lab results.