Hammers on Bone

Title: Hammers on Bone

Author: Cassandra Khaw [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

ISBN: 9780765392718

Length: 103 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw something of a blurb, and the private eye who is something extra appealed to me.  I enjoy other fantasy-type books like this, so I placed a request for it.

Comments:

This is a short and therefore brief read.  It was the only reading I managed while sick and cloudy-minded.  It's a strange story.

The PI, John Persons, is some sort of monster - we discover this quickly - and I gather he's actually some sort of parasite - and alien that is wearing a human body - through less like The Host by Stephanie Meyer or the slug things in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, and more like the alien in Men In Black.  I guess?  Or this is what I'm picturing.

He's been hired by a child to stop (potentially kill) another monster/human doing something similar.  But it turns out there is a much larger - and worse - issue/infection/invasion going on.

And I got all of that, but then the strange part really begins.  First there is an interlude, and by the end I had to back up and see if I missed something.  From there the strangeness continues through the end, which I also had to back up and re-read to try and understand.

Perhaps some of my confusion and the overall strangeness was due to my cloudiness.  I suspect, though, that the bulk is due to this being - as I read in a quip on the back after having finished - a "Lovecraftian PI mystery".  I've encountered other "Lovecraftian" books before (such as The Ballad of Black Tom) that also threw me for a loop.  What is it about these that apparently draw me in when they are so difficult for me to wrap my head around?

But there is another message that I most definitely did understand, and that is one of abuse.  Domestic violence, child abuse, and hints of sexual abuse.  And I can understand that as I "watched" in horror, John Persons doesn't grasp the humans of the story sticking around for this abuse and misuse.  He's asking how is it that this woman stays for this treatment, especially at the risk of her own children?  And I'm left asking how can anyone?  Even this fictional PI who has been asked to help by the children.

Anyway... this slim book packs a bit of a wallop.

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.

Printers Row Lit Fest 2013

I went to the Printers Row Lit Fest again this year!  I had some issues in the morning and was a good 2 - 2 1/2 hours later than I wanted to be, but I made it.

The first panel I went to was "Female Sleuths: Gillian Royes, Libby Fischer Hellmann and Sharon Fiffer" moderated by Jamie Freveletti.  I have to say I was a little disappointed.  They all seemed perfectly nice, and Sharon Fiffer has a great sense of humor, but it wasn't really about Female Sleuths much at all.  For one thing, Gillian Royes protagonist is a male.  And that would have been fine if they talked more about the sleuths and less about the rest.  But it felt more like tell us about your stories/books.  And some stuff about intolerance themes.  Some stuff about the writing process.

But I missed the "Mystery Writers of America: Writing and Selling a Mystery" with Michael A. Black, Julie Hyzy, Clare O'Donohue and moderated by Lori Rader Day for this.  If I had to go back I would have went to the other panel, even though I'm not a writer and don't intend to be one.

I did purchase the first book in Sharon Fiffer's Jane Wheel book, Killer Stuff.  And I got it autographed and a bookmark and a picture with Sharon (which I will post on Facebook once I've done some editing).  So that was good.

Then I did some wandering and at the Mystery Writers of America station I hear the bulk of a short by Julie Hyzy (read by the author).  I didn't hear the end, though because I had to hurry off for my next panel.

I listened to author of The Devil Wears Prada and Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns Lauren Weisberger in discussion with Chicago Tribune VP/Managing Editor Jane Hirt.  I haven't read these books (though I've seen the movie), but the talk was still interesting.

The last panel I went to was "The Lure of Noir: Bryan Gruley, Brian D’Amato, Alec Nevala-Lee and Libby Fischer Hellmann" moderated by Robert Goldsborough.  Now this panel was entirely about the topic of Noir.  It was a little unreal.  Noir was being approached from all angels - not only literary noir, but films (of course), art, music, and even perfume.  I don't know much about noir, but the authors had this philosophical discussion about what noir is, what you find in noir, etc.  Entertaining and interesting all in one.

This is poor quality and blurry, but it's the best I managed.
In order, from left to right: Alec Nevala-Lee, Brian D'Amato, Bryan Gruley, Libby Fischer Hellmann

After the noir panel I wandered some more and came up by the Mystery Writers of America booth again. Staring me in the face is A Murder at Rosamund's Gate.  I look up at the author, Susanna Calkins, and exclaim, "I just read your book!"  And then proceed to tell her I'm not going to buy it, because I read it already, but could I get her autograph?  She was kind enough to oblige...

I finish by clumsily telling her how I appreciated the detail without the info-dumping.  Smooth, no?

I turn the corner and find Joelle Charbonneau and Nancy J Parra/Nancy J Coco.  First I tell Nancy that I have her book checked out, but I haven't read it yet.  Then I turn to Joelle.  I brought the first book in the Glee Club Mystery series, Murder for Choir, because I new she'd be there for a panel about her YA book, The Testing.  I had missed that panel because it was at the same time as the Lauren Weisberger one, and I thought I had missed my opportunity to see/speak to Joelle as well.  But here she was!  And she was kind enough to sign my book even though I wasn't buying any.

Now I'm in my little Cozy Mystery/Author Celebrity world.  It was wonderful.

I capped the day by catching the end of the El Payo Cuadro Flamenco with Flamenco Dancers from Ensemble Español and musician John Urban performance.  I've not heard of any of them, but it was still enjoyable and a nice end to the day.

An Ordinary Decent Criminal

Title: An Ordinary Decent Criminal

Author: Michael Van Rooy

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Monty Haaviko, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780312606282

Pages: 278

Obtained: ILL Library copy

Comments:

Michael Van Rooy was a Canadian author I discovered on NoveList (unfortunately he passed in 2010).  This is the first of his crime series, and it sounded interesting so I decided to try it.

Monty/Sam is a criminal trying to go straight.  He's moved with his wife and young son to Winnipeg to get a fresh start.  But that's kind of hard to do when you have guys breaking into the house you're renting and you shoot them - all in the first 2 pages of your story.  Monty is arrested and assaulted by the police and can't really lead his new life with this hanging over his head.

The detective who arrested him is set to let everyone know about his past and ruin his start before it's even begun.  And the cousin of one of the robbers he shot is after him to hold up his reputation.  His very first employer fires him after one day's work, and his landlady is trying to have them evicted, and the neighbors don't want him around, and someone's trying to get him to break under his addiction, and, and, and...

So maybe Monty needs to go back to his old ways - just a little - to set things right and make his future possible.

The language and everything else is pretty graphic.  Monty is going straight for his family and new beginnings  - not because of any remorse.  The dust jacket says he's a "antihero who readers will root for against all odds."  I don't know what to think of him really.  I wouldn't say I like him (and I can and do like criminal protags - thieves and assassins and all).  But I did root for him too.  I think it was the justice (or lack) of the thing.  I mean, the man is trying to do things differently, whatever the reasons, and you're gonna mess that up for him?  It riled the part of me that wanted to advocate for prisoner's rights back when (If only I had the nerve to actually speak up - which I don't because I'm terribly shy, really.  But that was a career path I considered at one point.).

The story kind of reminded me of the television show Prison Break, even though Monty's completed his time and isn't even on parole or anything so it isn't the same thing at all.  Anyway, I hope to read the second book, Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal, because I'm curious how things go for Monty, but I'll have to ILL it, too.

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 smattering of death ...

Circle of Enemies (Twenty Palaces, Bk 3) by Harry Connolly (library copy) -

Ray Lilly visits his past life (and I'm not talking time-travel here) ... where the group he used to hang out with and steal cars with are dying.  As anticipated this book gave me a better grasp of Ray, where he came from, and what made him him (repeat intended).  This series as a whole is so intense and the magic is dark and powerful... add Ray, with his flaws and qualities, and you have a complete package.  And the ending was a great lead into future books.  Now to the big disappointment ... IT'S OVER!!!! No book 4, or at least not any time soon.  I just found this out when I was trying to find a title for book 4.  Now I'm gonna be in a funk the rest of the day.  =<  He (the author) does say he's working on a prequel with more background deets, which is cool, but still...

Death by the Dozen (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Bk 3) by Jenn McKinlay (library copy) -

I'd already forgotten basic stuff from the previous books, which was frustrating, but the story itself was still enjoyable.  And a new character, Oz the intern, was introduced.  It sounds like he's a permanent addition, and I'm glad because he was cool.  I look forward to reading book 4, Red Velvet Revenge.

Mind Your Own Beeswax (Queen Bee Mystery, Bk 2) by Hannah Reed aka Deb Baker (library copy) -

I'll be honest... I put off reading this.  While I enjoyed book 1, I found the bullet points and text speak a tad annoying.  But I finally sat down and started and found out that... I enjoyed this story too.  It's paced well enough to keep my interest.  I guessed the murderer early, but that's never bothered me.  Only real problem was the bullets (though better this time than last) and text speak...again.  But I'll keep reading because so far the stories are enjoyable enough that they're worth the irritation.  So I will be reading book 3, Plan Bee.

A Sheetcake Named Desire (Piece of Cake Mystery, Bk 1) by Jacklyn Brady aka Sherry Lewis and Sammi Carter (personal copy - obtained via paperbackswap.com) -

You'll notice I read a lot of cozies, and I say most are enjoyable... and they are.  I wouldn't be such a huge fan of the genre if they weren't.  But the real judge of a good cozy - to me - is if it moves quickly.  I don't mean the story itself is fast paced.  Just that I can read it quickly.  The ones that take me longer to get into aren't as successful, IMO.  And all that to say this was a quick cozy.  I started it yesterday morning, I read it all through lunch, I came within the last two pages during my 15 min break, and I finished it as soon as I got home.  Success.  Not that it was perfect or anything.  For instance, Rita made a big assumption towards the beginning that I disagreed with.  And I didn't connect with some of the secondary characters like I suspect I was supposed to.  But overall, I enjoyed it.  I look forward to reading the second in the series, Cake on a Hot Tin Roof.

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.