Something old is new again

 

I am a big fan of Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott series, but had never given much thought to reading the Sigrid Harald series. It just seemed too different from Deborah Knott to interest me that much. That was before I read the most recent Knott mystery, Three Day Town, in which Sigrid played a part. I found her an interesting character, one with an intriguing back story alluded to in Three Day Town. She will also be featured in Maron's upcoming The Buzzard Table.

As ONE COFFEE WITH ( first novel in an eight book series) was written in 1982, it was a bit like a trip back in time. No cell phones, PCs, etc. but as devices played no real part in the story, it was not particularly dated. Sigrid is a detective with the NYPD (one of the first females to reach that level) and she runs into all the male prejudices attendant, but as I don't think that has changed very much I didn't find it jarring. She is called in to investigate the poisoning of an art professor at the mythical NY City Vanderlyn College. During the course of the investigation, she meets characters who will play an important part in her life. The mystery itself is very well handled, but Maron is a much better writer today. 

The characters are what interested me most in One Coffee With. Sigrid herself is blind to her own attractions, so I look forward to the development of her relationship with Oscar Naumann, Department Head at Vanderlyn. There is no doubt that I will read the rest of the series. All books in the series are once again available in digital form.

RATING- 3 Stars

The Secret Keeper

  

                                 The Secret Keeper
                                 Kate Morton
                                 Atria Books
                                 October 2012 


Kate Morton has long been on my "to be read" list and when I received a galley copy from Atria Books, it looked like something that would be right up my alley. I have always enjoyed books that switch back and forth in time, showing how actions taken in one era can reverberate and affect later generations. 

Laurel Nicholson is a successful actress living in London and her family of three sisters and one brother is gathering to celebrate the 90th birthday of their much-loved, vivacious mother Dorothy. Dorothy is fading quickly and it is clear to all that this will be her last birthday. Laurel's thoughts turn to the summer of 1961 on the day of another family birthday, when Laurel witnesses her mother committing an awful crime. Laurel backs up her mother's story and Dorothy is never charged with the crime. Dorothy and Laurel never discuss it again and Laurel knows she must find out what happened.

As Laurel begins to piece the story together the viewpoints switch back and forth from 2011 to 1941 during the blitz. We get pieces of the story from Dorothy's viewpoint, her friend Vivien Jenkins and Dorothy's then boyfriend, Jimmy. As Laurel learns more and more, she begins to be afraid that she never knew her mother at all. I really don't want to get too specific as this story has twists layered on twists and I don't want to drop any "spoilers"!  

I will say that it was an emotional roller-coaster for me. Much of the book came from the viewpoint of a narcissistic, manipulative person who lives in a fantasy world and spreads destruction to all in her orbit. There were several times that I got so angry that I had to remind myself that she was only a fictional character. The characters in THE SECRET KEEPER are so vivid and the descriptions of wartime Britain so believable I could almost hear the air raid sirens. I became so involved in the story I found it hard to put down and I was afraid that all would be lost for these characters. Thankfully, all comes to a very romantic and satisfactory ending. I never saw it coming though!

THE SECRET KEEPER was a great read and one that I am not likely to forget. I will be reading more from Kate Morton.

RATING- 5 Stars

Ivan's Book at Last

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan # 14)
Lois McMaster Bujold
Baen Books
November 1, 2012


I think all Vorkosigan Saga fans have been waiting for Ivan's book. Ivan Vorpatril is cousin to Miles and considered by just about all as somewhat indolent and a little "idiotish". Indolent Ivan may be but he has also been companion to Miles in some of his darkest hours and a staunch support in Miles' most hare- brained and hair- raising schemes. He is far from being an idiot as well even though he does love his comfort.

Ivan thinks his comfort will be safe in his new temporary posting to Komarr as staff officer to Admiral Desplaines. Not only is Miles far away on Barrayar, so is Ivan's formidable mother, Lady Vorpatril. Lady Alys is not at all subtle in her hints and efforts to get him married off to a suitable Vor maiden. It is long past time that he settle down and continue the Vorpatril line. All his comfort begins to disappear when Byerly Vorrutyer, secret agent for Imperial Security makes an appearance at Ivan's door. By has a small request, that Ivan become acquainted with a young woman who has just arrived on Komarr and appears to be in danger. Ivan has never been able to resist a damsel in distress especially a beautiful one like Tej Arqua. What could go wrong----- right?

By the novel's end Ivan has been in trouble with the Komarran authorities, his own superiors and with the people who are trying to either kill or abduct Tej and her gorgeous blue companion Rish. We learn a lot more about the inner workings of the Great (criminal) Houses on lawless Jackson's Whole and even return to favorite places and people on Barrayar. Miles himself, wife Ekaterin and children make an appearance as well as Lady Alys and former ImSec head Simon Illyan. 

There is much humor and heart in Captain Vorpatril's Alliance. No one writes farce with as light a hand as Bujold and no one can combine it with insightful character portrayal so well. Ivan's book feels very much like a wrap- up of the series, even more so than Cryoburn (2010). I hope not as I am in no way tired of the Vorkosigans and their many worlds. I have always looked forward to seeing what Miles would accomplish in the role of Count especially combining it with being "My Lord Auditor". The Vorkosigan District has too long been without a resident Count while Aral, Cordelia and Miles have been making galactic history. Hopefully the Vorkosigan Saga will continue for a very long time. I highly recommend Captain Vorpatril's Alliance.

Rating  4.5 Stars

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

                                               THE SHADOWY HORSES
                                               Susanna Kearsley
                                               Sourcebooks
                                               October 2012


Sourcebooks is doing readers a service by reprinting Susanna Kearsley's backlist (along with new titles), most of which have been next to impossible to get for a while, at least in the US. I read The Shadowy Horses in an old, musty dog-eared paperback edition a number of years ago and was delighted to get a bright shiny new ARC at Book Expo this year.

Verity Gray is an archaeologist who travels to Eyemouth in Scotland from her London home after hearing about a dig that her old flame, Adrian Sutton-Clark, is working on. Adrian is charming but somewhat immature when it comes to relationships. Verity decided that they were much better as friends than lovers. She is somewhat dismayed when she discovers that the object of the dig is the fate of the legendary 9th Roman Legion that disappeared in Brittania hundreds of years ago. She is charmed by the eccentric head of the dig, Peter Quinnell, and decides to sign on at the dig. It's a pity that the only basis for Quinnell's belief that the 9th Legion might be found at Rosehill are the visions of Robbie, a 9 year-old "seer". Verity is also intrigued by David Fortune, a Scots archaeologist who is working with Quinnell and is decidedly frosty to her. Rounding out the workers at the dig is Quinnell's granddaughter Fabia, a teenage femme fatale with a bad attitude and an agenda of her own. As work on the dig progresses Verity begins to have eerie experiences which convince her that Robbie has the second sight and can talk with a ghostly Roman Sentinel. She hears horses hooves thundering in the meadow every night (the shadowy horses of the title) and often feels that she is being followed by the Sentinel. When real evidence turns up pf a Roman marching camp it becomes evident that someone wants to sabotage the dig. Whether it is a ghostly or real enemy, she doesn't know.

As usual Susanna Kearsley gives us a supporting cast of wonderful characters. David's grandmother "Granny Nan", Robbie and his mother Jeannie are vibrant and alive. The atmosphere is just brooding enough and the slow building romance between Verity and David Fortune entirely believable. My only objection is that the ending feels a little rushed. I would have like to hear more of the story of the Sentinel and his beloved Claudia but will have to be satisfied with an ending that is very romantic in a quiet and understated way.

Many people have compared Kearsley to Daphne DuMaurier or Mary Stewart. I have to agree. Her novels have a kind of quiet romance that you don't often see in current novels. There is almost no sex- certainly not graphic- and no real violence. Kearsley's novels are the perfect reads for a cold fall or winter day spent wrapped up in a blanket.

Rating- 4 Roman Eagles

Russell and Holmes are back in Garment of Shadows

Garment of Shadows ( A Russell and Holmes Novel #12)
Laurie R. King
Recorded Books
September 12, 2012

Garment of Shadows opens with Russell waking up in an unfamiliar room in Morocco with no memory of who she is. All she knows is that she has a blinding headache and that her hands are covered with blood. When she sees soldiers arriving she knows she must escape.

Thus begins the twelfth Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes adventure and Laurie King returns to the territory that I so enjoy in the novels and make them "must buys". Garment of Shadows is an artful mixture of history, adventure and the sort of descriptions that are well written enough to make one feel the heat and smell the odors of the Moroccan bazaar. Mixed in are the return of Mahmoud and Ali Hazr, two of my favorite characters who appeared in earlier novels, O Jerusalem and Justice Hall.

The year is 1924 and Russell and Holmes become embroiled in international politics or "the Great Game" played by Great Britain. The Rif Rebellion by the Berber tribesman of the mountainous northern region of Morocco is ongoing and has nearly defeated the forces of the Spanish. The question is whether France will become involved and if so, will they back Spain or the tribesmen? As Holmes is the cousin of Hubert Lyautay, Resident General of the French Protectorate, he is in a position to influence the French decision. Many historical figures play a part in Garment of Shadows: Lyautey, Abd el-Krim of the Rif and Raisuli, "the last of the Barbary pirates". 

Those who have followed the adventures of Russell and Holmes will be glad to know that Holmes is very much present in Garment of Shadows. The oddly assorted pair of Holmes and his much younger wife are true equals in skill and intellect, making the partnership believeable. Along with the history and adventure there is nail-biting suspense as Russell and Holmes are endangered both together and separately.

The audio book is as always ably narrated by Jenny Sterlin. However, part of the book is narrated by Robert Ian MacKenzie. I generally don't care for dual voice audio books but MacKenzie's narration is also enjoyable. I highly recommend Garment of Shadows in either spoken word or print form.

Rating- 4.5 Stars

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Trailer. Can't Wait!!!!!

What I read on my "Summer Vacation"

I took full advantage of the sale from Sourcebooks of all ebooks by the "Queen of Regency" romance, Georgette Heyer. Many have said that reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen and I have to agree. Heyer researched the period meticulously and made full use of period slang and terminology. It is easy to read the language in context but I found Jennifer Kloester's Georgette Heyer's Regency World not only useful but interesting reading on it's own merits. I especially enjoyed the short biographies of real historical figures that make an appearance in the books. When I said I took full advantage of the sale I wasn't kidding. I have enough Heyer books to make me smile for a long time to come. 

The Toll-Gate (1954) tells the story of Captain John Staple. "Crazy Jack" is beloved by his comrades and known for his exploits both on and off the battlefield. Back from the Peninsular Wars, he is bored with his country life and being encouraged by his family to marry. Having never met a girl who "levelled" him he is in no hurry to settle down. When he stumbles across a toll-gate with a missing gatekeeper and a frightened child, nothing will stop him from taking over the toll-gate and solving the mystery. When he meets Lady Nell Stornaway at the gate, Jack is finally "levelled". Lady Nell has a sick grandfather and is being plagued by menacing relatives. The road to a happy ending has many twists and turns and a wealth of memorable characters. Reading Georgette Heyer's Regency World would have been very useful as it is full of "thieves cant" but I was able to muddle along. RATING 4 Stars

The Grand Sophy (1950) is one of Georgette Heyer's best known and loved novels- for very good reasons. Lady Ombersley agrees to take in her niece Sophy who has been living and traveling with her diplomat father for the previous 10 years. During those years Sophy has grown into an imposing young woman with a mind of her own and a penchant for "setting things to right". The Ombersley family is much in need of Sophy's help, whether they know it or not. Cecelia is in love with a poet, oldest son Charles has tyrannical tendencies and an annoyingly pious betrothed, Father is of no use at all and the younger children are in need of some fun and freedom. Sophy takes the "ton" and the family by storm and manages to break almost all of society's rules in the process. By the end of the novel all is well with the Ombersleys and Sophy has stolen Charles' heart. This is Georgette Heyer at the very top of her game. RATING- 5 stars

Arabella (1949) is another of Heyer's most beloved heroines. Daughter of a country vicar, Arabella is the eldest of eight children in a happy household and an acknowledged beauty. Her mother has a little money of her own and has scrimped and saved for years so that Arabella might have a London season and make an advantageous match. Her godmother, Lady Bridlington, has agreed to launch her into society. On the way to London, Arabella's ancient coach breaks down in front of Robert Beaumarais' hunting lodge and she asks for shelter. Beaumarais is a "nonpareil" of the ton and very jaded and haughty besides. When Arabella overhears a remark he makes about her, her famous impetuous temper leads her to make up a story about her background and circumstances. This story will haunt her as Robert thinks it would be amusing to spread it about that Arabella is a great heiress. Arabella is a success in society with many marriage proposals but she never knows whether she is being sought out because of herself or her supposed fortune. Meanwhile, Robert is falling in love with her wit, charm and compassionate nature. During the course of their relationship Robert finds a home for a mistreated chimney-sweep, takes in an unprepossessing mongrel dog and saves Arabella's impetuous young brother from certain disgrace and possible prison. None of these things would he have done without meeting Arabella. Arabella is witty and heart-warming, a pleasure to read. RATING- 5 stars