WWR — What we read in October

Anne here, hosting our monthly "what we're reading" post, and have we got some great recommendations for you, from contemporary magic realism, to English women's fiction/rom com, medieval historical romance, rock romance, crime fiction of various sorts, and fantasy romance. Read on — and then add your own recommendations in the comment stream.

We begin with Pat: For fans of magical realism and Barbara Samuel—MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACK BIRD CAFÉ by Heather Webber is a lovely, heartwarming, “wrap up in a cozy blanket and dream pleasant dreams” story. There is enormous heartbreak and death, but the book is not just about learning to cope, but to overcome and become stronger through forgiveness and love.

For tragic reasons, Anna Kay has never lived in the town her mother called home, until her grandmother dies and leaves her a café. Anna has no intention of staying. She’s on her way to medical school. But the will requires that she stay and run the café for two months before she can sell it, and she desperately needs the funds. Over those months, she learns about the rare blackbirds inhabiting her backyard, the mulberries that bring magical dreams, and about the father she never knew. And while Anna is changing, the whole town is changing with her. Every character shines like a polished gem, and I wanted to root for all of them to have their happy endings. Definitely a feel good story for a dreary evening!

Christina says: Jane Lovering writes the quirkiest rom coms I’ve ever read – and I mean that in the best possible way! – so when I noticed that she had a new book out, I downloaded it immediately. In The Country Escape, heroine Katie has moved herself and her teenage daughter to a ramshackle cottage in deepest Dorset following her recent divorce because it’s all she can afford. Her ex-husband was French, rich and selfish, so the change in circumstances is particularly noticeable. With jobs harder to come by than she’d thought (she is a French teacher), their prospects for the coming winter look bleak until a couple of chance encounters. One with a pony, who turns up in her orchard one morning (together with an abandoned gypsy caravan), and the other with a man called Gabriel. Jane Lovering’s heroes are always unusual and unique, and Gabriel is no exception. Despite being very handsome, he’s not your average alpha hero, and he has been scarred by things that happened when he was young. But although Katie tries to resist, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Quietly witty and resourceful, as well as self-deprecating, Katie is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for, and she is hiding some secrets of her own.

The author is the queen of off-the-wall descriptions, metaphors and similes, and the dialogue is peppered with some extremely funny one-liners and come-backs. I was trying to read this at night when my husband was asleep but had to give up and wait until the next day because I snorted or laughed out loud too often. Even though it deals with some tough issues, there is a feel-good factor that’s off the scale in this story, and it leaves you all warm and fuzzy. If you want a really good rom com that’s out of the ordinary this is for you! (I can recommend Jane Lovering’s other novels too).

From Nicola:  I really enjoyed reading His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage this month. I hadn’t read any medieval historical romance for a while and enjoyed the different setting and time period. Robert FitzStephan is the illegitimate son of a nobleman, whose rise in society has been achieved through his skill as a soldier and his loyalty to the King. His marriage to Eleanor (Noor) is hastily arranged and gets off to a poor start but I loved the way that these two strangers gradually got to know each other and develop a bond of respect and then love. Both Noor and Robert are intricately-drawn, deep and complex characters which makes their developing relationship and their divided loyalties all the more interesting. Noor is a strong willed heroine you can root for but at the same time I felt that the book accurately reflected the position of women in the society of the time. The historical background of King Edward I’s conquest of Wales was also very well portrayed and there is an enjoyably epic feel to the whole book, which is the first in a new series.

I also loved the latest Stage Dive novella from Kylie Scott, Love Song. Adam Dillon is the latest rock star sensation who has made his name with an album of break up songs about his relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Jill Schwartz, the ex, isn’t thrilled that Adam is prepared to tell the whole world about his feelings for her whilst he never mentioned them to her personally when they were together. Jill supported Adam before he was famous and a year on, when he tries to give her money to pay off those old debts, she has things to say to him… I’ve enjoyed all the Stage Dive series and as I love old flames stories this was going to be perfect for me. It’s funny and sexy and I read it in one sitting.

Andrea: I’d been waiting impatiently for the new Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) book for some time, and Troubled Blood, the new addition to her Cormoran Strike series which released on September 29, didn’t disappoint! In it, Strike and his partner Robin Ellicott, are drawn into investigating a 40 yr. “cold case” of a woman who disappeared in London during the time a serial killer was active.

It moves more slowly and quietly than some of the previous novels, but the complexities of trying to piece together the old information in the police reports—the original investigator was taken off the case because he was having a mental breakdown—as well the unreliable memories of witnesses and family members is absolutely fascinating. Conflicting clues seem to weave an impossibly difficult tangle—which have Strike and Robin wondering if they’ll ever unravel the truth. They’re both also dealing with personal family troubles—and their long-simmering attraction—which put further strain on their ability to see things clearly. The ending left me in awe of how well Galbraith plants her subtle clues. At over 900 pages, it’s very long, but I loved every reading minute!

Mary Jo here: My favorite recent read is the newest installment of Lois McMaster Bujold's Penric & Desdemona Series.  Set in Bujold's world of the Five Gods, it features Penric who becomes the unexpected host of an old and complicated demon which contains the lives of ten women, not to mention the mare and the lioness.  A person possessed of a demon must learn to control it or bad things happen.  Penric and his demon become good working partners and he calls it Desdemona since all its previous lives have been female.

The series is made up of novellas, long enough to be satisfying but not novel length.  Masquerade in Lodi falls fourth in the nine story series as Penric is assigned to the curia in the city of Lodi, which is very much like Venice.  The city is about to celebrate its grand masquerade festival to the Bastard, the fifth god of their pantheon, the god who takes all the misfits who don't belong elsewhere. Being possessed of one of the Bastard's demons, Penric is a divine of the Order of the Bastard.  <G>

The story begins when Penric is summoned to the seamen's hospital to diagnose a madman fished out of the harbor.  The madman is possessed of a very chaotic, damaged demon--and when he escapes the hospital, he can potentially cause great damage.  It's Penric's job to find the madman before disaster strikes.  He joins forces with a very young female cleric who has the power to remove demons--if they can find the missing sailor.  So the hunt is on the midst of a masquerade festival where Penric is sure to end up pushed into a canal.  <G> As always, the story is very satisfying.  (It's probably best to start with the first novella in the series, Penric's Demon, which shows how Penric acquired his demon and created their intriguing partnership.

Anne here, and my recommendation this month is Paladin's Grace, by T. Kingfisher. This is fantasy and romance and I read it after Kareni mentioned it in the comment stream of last month's WWR post. Thank you, Kareni — I not only enjoyed Paladin's Grace very much, I also bought and enjoyed T. Kingfisher's Swordheart (a romance) and A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, which is more a YA fantasy adventure, but just as enjoyable. 

In Paladin's Grace, Stephen is a paladin (warrior) whose god had died. Broken and one of only a handful of paladins who survived the horrific aftermath of the god's death he lives only for the chance to be useful before he dies. When he encounters our heroine, talented perfumer Grace, in an alley and rescues her from danger, the two begin a cautious and tentative friendship. There's treachery, assassination, spies, poisoners, and a cryptic killer stalking Grace, and yet, in among all this adventure, there is wonderful humor — I laughed out loud a number of times — as well as a charming romance. Highly recommended.

Another book I enjoyed was A Death Most Monumental by JD Kirk. This is the 8th in this crime series set in the Highlands of Scotland, and I recommend you start at #1, because the character development as the series progresses is wonderful. As well as the cynical main detective, DCI Jack Logan, you get to know his team members, and the banter and ribbing that takes place is both funny and real. The crimes are good, too. I think wenchly reader Theo originally put me onto this series, so thank you Theo.

I will also say I've read and enjoyed a number of the recommendations above and thoroughly concur with the recommendations of Midnight At The Blackbird Cafe — I'm already half way through the next Heather Webber book — thanks Pat for pointing me to a new author. I've also read the Jane Lovering, Kylie Scott's Love Song, and Bujold's Masquerade in Lodi and enjoyed them all. We wenches have a lot of favorite authors in common.

So, wenchly readers, over to you — what have you read and enjoyed this month?

Comments

[Cathy]

If you like Heather Webber's recent standalones, then I recommend looking for her older Lucy Valentine series as well. I enjoyed those very much. (I really love the covers for her newer book too.)

[Barbara Monajem (@BarbaraMonajem)]

I have Masquerade in Lodi waiting on my Kindle. :)

[Maryellen Webber]

I'm reading Susan King's Waking The Princess! I just love stories set in Scotland!

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Cathy, I'll look them up.

[Anne Gracie]

The Penric stories are fun, aren't they Barbara? I love the way Penric and his female demons interact.

[Mary T]

I am still re-reading a lot of my comfort reads. Something I tend to do when I'm feeling down or stressed. But I have managed to work in a few new books this month.

The first is MUSIC ON THE WATERS a novella by Caroline Warfield. A delightful love story. My only complaint is that like many a short love story, it felt a little rushed.

The second is CHRISTMAS BELLE by Mary Balogh. It is a release in ebook form of one of her earlier works. Although I enjoy her more recent works more, you can't go wrong with a Mary Balogh. I would read a phone book if she wrote it.

The third and forth are two books by Mimi Matthews. I thought I was buying the first and second books of her Parish Orphans of Devon series. However, I ended up ordering the first and last of the 4 book series. I read the first one (THE MATRIMONEAL ADVERTISEMENT) and was going to wait and read the second and third book before I read the last one. But the first one was so good, I just couldn't wait to read the last one (A WINTER COMPANION). They are both lovely Victorian romances. Lovely, beautiful love stories.

[Marianne McA]

I've just finished 'The Invisible life of Addie LaRue', which my daughter recommended to me. Addie lives in a small French village, and in 1714 is about to be married off to an older man, whose wife has died, and who needs someone to look after his children. Desperate, she sells her soul to avoid the match, and is left unable to make any mark on the world, including on people's memories - meaning that as soon as she is out of sight, they forget her.
The book starts in 2014, when she is living in New York, and weaves together the story of her past and current circumstances. It's very good.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary, the trouble with a lot of short stories and novellas is that the authors are restricted to a certain length. I've written a couple where I was limited to 12,000 words, and bot was it hard. I actually didn't manage it, but the editors were fine with me having 15,000 words, as others came in short.

Mary Balogh is an auto-buy for me too, and I've read and enjoyed Mimi Matthews as well. I mentioned her in this column last year, if I recall correctly, after a recommendation from wenchly reader Karin. *g*

[Anne Gracie]

Ooh, Marianne, what a very interesting premise. I might have to get it. Thanks.

[Kareni]

Since last time ~

-- At the Slightest Sound: a military paranormal romance (Shadowforce: Psi Book 1) by M. L. Buchman. It was a pleasant read but not my favorite from the author. I would, however, read on in the series.
-- The Orphans of Raspay: A Penric and Desdemona novella in the World of the Five Gods (Penric & Desdemona Book 7) by Lois McMaster Bujold. This is a series that is best read in order.
-- the contemporary romance Spoiler Alert: A Novel by Olivia Dade which I very much enjoyed, even when it made me cry.
-- The Book of Two Ways: A Novel by Jodi Picoult. I've read quite a few books by this author, and she almost always manages to surprise me in some way. This book was no exception. It was incredibly well researched; I learned about Egyptian death practices and hieroglyphics, quantum physics, and death doulas. I enjoyed it, but I could imagine some might dislike the end.

-- an enjoyable contemporary romance; this book had me laughing aloud several times. 40-Love by Olivia Dade
-- A Death in Sheffield by Anne Cleeland. I'm a fan of the author's Acton and Doyle series, but this is the first of her historical romances that I've read. It was interesting to note parallels between this book and the series.

1. In series and book, the hero is a peer; the heroine is decidedly not.

2. There is an age difference between hero and heroine. (She's a very wise 17 in this book.)

3. In the series, the heroine can detect lies; in this book, the heroine is talented at gauging character.

4. Both book and series use a term I'd never previously encountered -- "to grass" which means to inform on someone.

I enjoyed the book and would read more of the author's historical romances.
-- The Nickel Boys: A Novel by Colson Whitehead for my book group. It was a sad read which likely means that the author did a good job writing it. (I think my book group needs to start reading some uplifting books rather than tales of war and misery month after month.)
-- I have at least a dozen brand new library books here awaiting my attention, thus I chose to re-read a book I own. Go figure! Sometimes you just want a guaranteed good read. Parker's Sanctuary: A Guardsmen Novel plus I also read the FREE prequel ...Rescued: A “Parker’s Sanctuary” Story. Both are by Cooper West.
-- Nowhere Man: Another John Pickett Novella by Sheri Cobb South.This is a take on It's a Wonderful Life; it was a nice read but would make no sense without having read the prior books in the series

— Little Fires Everywhere: A Novel by Celeste Ng. It was an interesting read which presented some thought provoking scenarios. The book group that I left 18 years ago when I moved invited me back since they are now Zooming; it was a fun meeting and a nice silver lining in these strange times.
— the Australian set contemporary mystery romance Tallowwood by N.R. Walker which I quite enjoyed.
— enjoyed yet another reread of Linesman and Alliance (Linesman Novels Book 1 and 2) by SK Dunstall.

— reread Confluence (A Linesman Novel Book 3) by SK Dunstall which I enjoyed once again.
— read some 140 pages of Blood of a Gladiator (Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries Book 1) by Ashley Gardner; I have decided to put it aside. While I’ve enjoyed many other books by the author, this one is not speaking to me. Too bad!
— reread the m/m contemporary romance Illumination by Rowan Speedwell
— The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite was an enjoyable historical romance; it’s the second in a series but stands alone well. I learned about beekeeping, English history of 1820, and the (negligible) rights of married women of the time.

[Kareni]

It's not reading related, but I'd like to invite you to watch my daughter making some happy music. She has been playing samulnori, Korean traditional percussion, since shortly after arriving in Korea in 2013.

She's sitting front and center in the introduction. During the performance, she's sitting slightly right of center playing the kkwaenggwari, a small, handheld gong. The other instruments are the Jing, a larger gong; Janggu, an hourglass-shaped drum; and Buk, a barrel drum.

She and the expat samulnori team are competing in a virtual competition in which number of viewers determines the winners. Feel free to share the video with others.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGqP6KC22gk

[Susan King]

Maryellen, thank you! I hope you're loving it! :)

[Vicki L]

This month I did do some rereading binges but I did a lot of new to me books because suddenly the library had a lot of books that I've either been looking for or haven been Wenchly recommendations in the past year or so.

Tapestry by Maura Seger - The blog entry by Helen Hollick on the Word Wenches inspired me to reread this book. It is a reinterpretation of the legitimacy of Williams claim to the English throne and the events right after the Battle of Hastings. Told in a mix of flashbacks and current events 11 years later. Includes undertones of paganism, and the push pull between Saxon and Normans. One of my favorites.

Once Dishonored by Mary Jo Putney. (Also Once a Spy - again - so I'd be in the right frame of mind for Once Dishonored). As always very much enjoyed the new book and the older book.

Linesman - SK Dunstall. After many, many recommendations I finally got a copy and read it. I don't usually like that much complication in my SciFi but I did enjoy this one. Will look for Bks 2 & 3.

Nocturne Falls Series by Kristin Painter. My library suddenly got all the ebooks for the series so I've been glomming the 6 or 7 I hadn't run across before. Set in north GA. Paranormal. Not gory. Tons of different supernaturals. Many a romance across "species". Light fun. Frequently funny.

Corinna Chapman series by Kerry Greenwood. Read 3 of the books in this series after many recommendations from here. (Bks 1, 2 & 7 were in the library system). Enjoyed them. Loved the picture that was created in my mind of the building Inula. It seems to be just as much a character in the stories as the people and animals.

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins. Loved the concept of books talking to the city librarian and saying "we/I need to go home with this person/that person" Loved the idea of the library patrons being excited when they were given a particular book. Fun romance and to see how the citizens saved the town. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Real Men Knit - Kwana Jackson. A different take on a knitting shop romance because the knitting shop owners are black men in Harlem. The characters (men and women) were a bit too much in the head at times for me but I did like the story line and will continue the series. How the brothers come together to save their mothers knitting shop AND find their other half.

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary - (another Wenchly recommendation I believe) Loved the construction of the book and how it led to a real relationship between the 2 people. Also how the 2 main characters grew and matured.

Tallie's Knight - Anne Gracie. Very happy to have won it and to have read it. So much like an old fashioned Regency. Loved Tallie's enthusiasm for life.

Daughter's of Britannia: The lives and Times of Diplomatic Wives by Katie Hickman. A reader had mentioned/recommended She-Merchants, Buccaneers & Gentlewomen but my library only had the Diplomatic Wives book. Fascinating reading but a VERY slow book. Will be reading it next month as well. The horrors and trials of travel through the ages to get to the new postings and what the women were expected to take with them! My impression is that you needed a lot of fortitude, a strong constitution, and be able to sustain your own spirits and sanity because frequently there were no other women around of your culture to talk to. A lot more besides the horrors and trials of travel but that part is still amazing... and how sometimes they would lose ALL their luggage and have to travel in the same outfit for 2 months. Then arrive at their new post and have nothing that was to sustain them for the next 2 years. Poor things

[Kareni]

Anne, I'm so pleased to learn that you also enjoyed Paladin's Grace! I have two more of the author's books on my Kindle awaiting my attention. So many good books and only so much time.

[Kareni]

Vicki, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Linesman as it's one of my recent favorites. When you start the second book, don't be alarmed; Ean shows up a short time later.

[Annette N]

First - Kareni - I loved the music - and it took me down a rabbit hole for different ones. Thank you very much.

I read a lot of books - some of them recommendations from the last time y'all did "what are we reading."

Why Shoot a Butler from Georgette Heyer. She was so talented and this is a terrific read.

The Fatal Flying Affair -T E Kinsey - most recent in a series about Lady Hardcastle and Her maid Florence Armstrong - fun and interesting - these two ladies can handle any thing that comes their way...but starting with the first one is going to make it even more fun

Going Dutch by Katie Fforde - she is always relaxing and fun

Boone - by Emily March - it is part of the Eternity Springs McBrides series ---she is phenomenal

There are quite a few other books this month - I am just naming the ones that I liked very much.

Yhe most recent is The Monks Hood Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin. A series of the 1920's - Major Heathcliff Lennox helps a friend who is retired from Scotland Yard solve mysteries. I recommend starting with number one, Murder at Melrose Court. Lennox (never Heathcliff, please) is a man who was a heroic pilot in the great war. Now he is going through life trying to get past that period in his life.

I had a good month, and I thank y'all for some of that. I must admit that some of the being isolated thing has helped me find new books which have brought me joy.

I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.

[Karin]

I don't think I got around to commenting on last month's WWR, so this is a catch-up post.
My favorite book of September was "A Rogue of One's Own" by Evie Dunmore. Very good writing, very emotional, with an original Edwardian setting. The heroine, Lucie, is a suffragist, living and working in Oxford, and the college town setting and the theme of womens' rights reminded me a wee bit of Gaudy Night, although that was a couple of decades later. I enjoyed the interactions between Lucie and her circle of suffragist friends, all of whom I think will get their own book in this series. Lucie is a workaholic, and the hero at first glance appears to be an aimless dilettante, but he has secrets of his own. Lots of sexual tension and an unusual HEA.
I can also highly recommend "Charmed and Dangerous", an early Jane Ashford book with a spy plot, set during the Congress of Vienna; "The Devil of Downtown" by Joanna Shupe; "A Devil of a Duke" by Madeline Hunter, which has a "To Catch a Thief" type plot; and "Once a Spy" by Mary Jo, my favorite of the Rogues Redeemed series so far.
My latest read, which I really enjoyed, was "Treacherous is the Night" by Anna Lee Huber. It's the second in a historical mystery series, I love the central couple who are investigating crimes and struggling with their marriage. But it's a series that really needs to be read in order, so definitely pick up "This Side of Murder" before this one.

[Kareni]

Annette, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my daughter's samulnori music. Thanks for letting me know!

[Quantum]

My recommendation this month is 'A Crucible of Souls' by Mitchell Hogan. This is the first of a trilogy entitled 'The Sorcery Ascendant Sequence' which needs to be read in order. It is a tail of the eternal battle of good and evil in a world where sorcery abounds. I liked the way that the hero slowly discovers his inherited powers.The attempt to introduce a little “science” with details about “crafting” and how runes, materials and the magical forces interact adds a sense of realism to the plot. There is also an element of romance when the hero's girl friend has her mind damaged by a violent magic surge and throughout the book the hero is driven to learn enough forbidden magic to cure her. I have now moved on to book 2 of the series where it continues to develop at a good pace with a nice balance of plot, character and world-building. If you like epic fantasy this might be worth a try. The audio version also has a very good narrator.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Kareni -- as always a very comprehensive list. "To grass on" someone (to tell the police about someone) is used all the time in British crime TV shows, usually by people of the criminal class. And sometimes it's "I'm no grass." In Australia the term is "to dob on" someone.

[Anne Gracie]

Watched it. Loved their exuberant intro, and their performance.

[Anne Gracie]

Glad you enjoyed Tallie's Knight, Vicki — and it IS an old Regency — 20 years! *g* Re the Kerry Greenwood Corinna series, I blogged about it on my old blog back in 2011, and there are a couple of photos of the real-life inspiration for the location of her stories, including the Inula building. https://annegracie.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-ive-been-reading.html

As for men knitting, one of the things I loved was in Paladin's Grace when the big tough warrior, having nothing to do for a while, pulls out his knitting.

[Anne Gracie]

Kareni I gobbled up Paladin's Grace and Sword Heart and the Baker's Guide, but have been more hesitant about some of the others as they're called "horror" and I'm a total horror wimp.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for these recommendations, Annette. I've enjoyed the Menuhin books and the Kinsey ones as well. And I might try Emily March — I haven't read her before.
And I do agree with you about how important and comforting good books are, especially in thee difficult times.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for those recommendations, Karin — some good ones there, I agree. And I think I might have the first Huber one lurking unread in my kindle, so I'll check it out.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Quantum — this sounds like my kind of catnip. I've been reading quite a bit of fantasy lately — it clearly suits my mood. Thanks.

[Kareni]

I join you in your wimpiness, Anne. In addition to Swordheart, I also have Clockwork Boys which I believe is classified as fantasy rather than horror.

[Susan/DC]

I would guess if Anna Lee Huber's new series is on people's reading lists, then they've read her earlier Lady Darby series. If not, I recommend it. I'm only halfway through the series and enjoying it. Also enjoying the Captain Lacey mysteries by Ashley Gardner (Jennifer Ashley), but I know they've been mentioned several times so aren't new to this blog.

Right now I'm also reading some nonfiction: "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson. It focuses on various personalities in early WWII, especially Winston Churchill. Even though I know how it turned out (spoiler alert: England won, Germany lost), Larson is quite good at maintaining suspense because he quotes from diaries and newspapers and government documents written at a time when no one knew how the conflict would end. A nonfiction book about events of a few years earlier (the 1930s) which also deals with tensions with Nazi Germany (although on a smaller scale than the war) is "Faster", by Neal Bascomb. It's about the Grand Prix automobile race and, as it says on the cover, "How a Jewish driver, an American heiress, and a legendary car beat Hitler's best".

[Anne Gracie]

What interesting choices, Susan. I believe there's been a real resurgence of interest in WW2, now that so many of the participants are no longer with us. Funny that.

As for mentioning books that people have mentioned here before, I don't think anyone should ever hesitate to mention them again. Sometimes it takes two or three mentions before interest is sparked.

[Vicki L]

Love Emily March....I've read all that she has written so far and have many on my Keeper shelf.

[Vicki L]

I knew you had reread it a few times so I felt that was a good recommendation. I think also that Anne Gracie has mentioned it too. At least that is who I think I remember - maybe I should write down who recommends which books!

[Vicki L]

That is so true.....It is sometimes the repeated mention of them that makes me go, well, I really SHOULD look for that book and read it. Then I go WHY?? did I wait so long.

[Janice]

I have been reading War and Peace, a bit at a time, for several weeks. I have made up my mind to finish it and because it's sitting there nagging at me, I haven't read much of anything else.

I did read and enjoy A Rare Interest in Corpses by Ann Granger, which I think was something mentioned here some time or other. I thought the characterizations were good, very conscious of the limitations of class in that time, and I liked the two main characters. I can't comment on the mystery aspect because that's the first thing I forget.

I also read Silesian Station by David Dowling, #2 in the John Russell series. Russell is a WW1 vet, now a reporter living and working in Berlin just before WW2. He has had a son with a German woman and his ex is now married to another German. He also has a German girlfriend, an actress. But it is now getting very close to the onset of WW2 and things in Berlin are tightening up. I kept wanting to yell at the characters to get the hell out of there, and needing to remember that I know what's going to happen, but they don't.

Other than that, I have been rereading my stash of Barbara Hazard regencies. I have reread the first two books in the Severn trilogy (The Singular Miss Carrington and The Dreadful Duke), and am halfway through the final one, The Turnabout Twins, in which the main conflict is the Duke's pride and plans for his twin daughters vs the daughters' own ideas of what their lives should be. The Duke is a loving father but he has his ideas about who one of them should not even think about marrying. I like this series because the Duke is a good man, but proud, and like to cut his nose off to spite his face, as my mom used to say - and that is a real, recognizably human attribute. I noted that the trilogy is on ebook now and I hope more of Hazard's titles are brought back because she was an outstanding storyteller.

Back to W&P now. It is a regency and I will finish it someday.

[Kareni]

Janice, the John Russell series sounds intriguing. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Kareni]

"A few times" is probably up to about twenty or so now! Somehow it's become a comfort read....