Book Review: Ghost of Chance by Cate Dean

Ghost of a Chance by Cate Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, however, there are couple of reasons why it is getting three and not four stars. The biggest is that it just seemed to end. Boom, here's the killer. Maggie decides she thinks she knows who it is and that's pretty much it, with a little (well done) suspense/drama. To be fair, the clues were probably there... but I just did not see it wrapping up when it did. It did have a nice twist to the end, though.

I thought the characters were done well and that we got to know Maggie, Martin and Spencer and to some extent Enid. I wish we'd gotten more of the bakery owner, but this is book one. I enjoyed the concept of the historical items and Martin's quest for ghosts/haunted items. For readers who don't mix romance and cozy, I think there is as much to the Maggie/Martin romance as there is to the mystery. I also enjoyed getting the POV of both Maggie and Martin.

The biggest reason for a three, though, is there is no ghost in this story! **Spoiler** The object everyone is after and the reason for the murders is supposedly haunted, but we won't know that till book 2! And, the ghost that supposedly is in Maggie's shop (and is on the cover) isn't revealed until the end -- almost the last page. There are some references to cold spots and lights flickering, but that is it. Given the title and the cover, I was expecting a bit more paranormal. Having said all of that, I did enjoy the book and plan on reading at least the next book in the series.

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Book Review: Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by Ruth Ware and overall, I enjoyed it. The story was very well written and kept me avidly reading. It centers around Harriet, Hal, Westaway, who is in dire straits when she receives a letter from a lawyer advising her that her heretofore unknown grandmother has passed away and she will receive an inheritance. She doesn’t believe it to be true (no spoilers here), but she’s in danger where she’s at and could use the money.

Hal manages to get to the funeral, where she meets the lawyer and her previously unknown uncles. Back at the house, she also meets the somewhat creepy and very grumpy housekeeper, Mrs Warren. She suspects that all is not right and over time, we learn this is the case.

This does have a gothic feel to it, mostly from the house. The story itself is set around 2018, but I never got that feel. I always felt like it was more of the early 1900’s or a little later, due to the house and utter lack of amenities (Cell phones and computers are in the story, but it still didn’t feel like 2018 to me). The family stays at the family home, Trepassen. Hal is given a tiny, unheated room in the attic (the house doesn’t have heat), Mrs Warren is a dreadful cook, but no one else (including an aunt) steps in to take care of meals (even take out) or snacks or anything. It was a little weird. There was a town nearby, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t. The mystery unfolds somewhat organically and over a short period of time, but I think it could have moved a little quicker. I also figured out some, but not all of the mystery. The ending is very climatic (perhaps too climatic) and then it just sort of ends. I would have liked to have a more robust wrap-up. Still, we get our answers.

Having said that, I did enjoy the book and recommend it for those that like a good, somewhat gothic mystery.


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Book Review: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Cormoran Strike novels by Robert Galbraith, aka JK Rowling. I’ll admit -- this is the first book I’ve read by her as I’m probably the only person who has never read the Harry Potter series.

I enjoyed the book and thought it was well written. The mystery was well done and clues were placed, but I never figured out the killer. Other reviewers complained that he just interviewed people. I think that’s the life of a private investigator. It didn’t bother me. I read cozy’s as well and have sorta classified this as a “hard boiled cozy.” The death being investigated occurred before the story starts and the second death happens “off stage” so to speak. His thoughts about Charlotte didn’t bother me as he’d just broken up with her at the beginning of the book. I also think we, as readers, had to get a picture of Charlotte, I suspect, so we would hope he wouldn’t go back to her. I loved Robin, his assistant, and thought there should have been a little more of her, but given Strike’s circumstances and Robin’s newness as his assistant, I found that it fit with the story. I am sorry that Matthew, Robin’s fiance, comes off badly. We don’t really get to know him at all.

The story centers around the death of model Lula Landry, who was adopted as a child, as were her brothers, John and Charlie Bristow. Charlie was a boyhood friend of Strikes, who died while on vacation with his family. Lula’s death has been classified as a suicide, but John doesn’t think it was and wants Strike to prove it wasn’t. Strike ultimately does and it all somewhat comes full circle. There are other characters that all seem like they could have a motive - her uncle, the fashion designer, the boyfriend. I even wondered if her adopted mother had something to do with it based on how information was being provided to Strike. I don’t want to give away the story, so I won’t say anymore, except the conclusions Strike ultimately came to fit and the story worked, but a reader would have to be very astute to take it all in. I wasn’t.

There were some things that stood out a bit. I realize people cuss, we all do occasionally. Strike doesn’t really, but just about everyone he talks with does. The author seems unnaturally obsessed with bodily functions and describing people in terms related to the nether regions i.e. Strikes “pube hair.” Why? Everyone is either good looking or ugly. There is almost no in between, except maybe Robin, who is pretty, unless compared to Charlotte. She paints such an unflattering physical image of Strike (nothing to do with the lost leg) that it’s hard to see him as a hero. Maybe that’s her point. She goes into more detail about daily bathroom habits than any author I’ve read and it adds nothing to the story other than perhaps showing Strike as destitute and homeless, but even then some of it has nothing to do with that. It’s just there, adding nothing, in a TMI way. Strike uses the shower at a university and the pool -- apparently by acting like he belonged there. I’m still wondering why the university. Was it close by? If he wanted to get back in shape, a gym would have been the ticket, but maybe the leg was holding him back or money. And, just about everyone smokes. Seriously, the only person who doesn’t light up is Robin. I know very few people who smoke and am unsure why in this day and age, she decided that every character but one would smoke. Perhaps, she knows a lot of smokers.

The wrap up came at the end and was done expose style by Strike to the killer. There was a little bit of drama, but the bad guy was caught. What we also learned was that she held back information (unless I missed something?) that Strike had, so I’m not sure we could have figured it out as we didn’t know everything. For the most part we know what Strike knows, but we aren’t privy to the conclusions he’s drawing and in the end, we didn’t even know some of the actions he took. I did like that she gave an epilogue.

I’ve read the first two chapters of the next book (provided in my copy of this book) and am undecided if I’ll read the next ones. I’d like to as I like Strike and Robin, however, reviews for the [Silk Wormwood] indicate that parts of it are very graphic and gory. I can handle bodily functions and language, but gore is not my cup of tea. So, I’m not sure I’ll read anymore in this series. Recommended if you like a good mystery.


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Recipe Review: Angel Baby aka Dutch Baby

A friend shared this modified recipe for a Dutch Baby with me.  Her boyfriend, who loves this recipe, is forever calling it an Angel Baby, so we gave in and call it that.  For those unfamiliar with a Dutch Baby, it is basically a baked pancake.  I had never tried one, though I'd seen pictures and seen them on restaurant menus.  Spending quite a bit of time at home during these COVID-19 times, I've been trying new recipes.  So, I gave this a go.  So glad I did!

This recipe replaces the milk with a sour cream water mixture.  I'm not sure where she got the original recipe, but this one has also been made smaller.  She baked in an 8x8 glass dish.  After reading the history, I decided to give it a try in the cast iron skillet as well. I think I prefer the skillet.  The results were a little different - I got a thicker pancake, but I also reduced the butter by 1 tablespoon the second time (cast iron skillet).  Actually, with powdered sugar it tastes like french toast to me.  This serves two nicely, but was, of course, too much for me.  I've tested warming the left overs in a 350 degree oven and have enjoyed it the second day.  The second batch I warmed in the cast iron skillet at 350 degrees. I'd recommend 6-10 minutes or more depending on how warm you want it. 

In glass dish...

I ate mine with powdered sugar, but you could also add syrup.  Following friend's lead, I also added a couple of slices of bacon.  However, this thing has three eggs, so the protein is there. 

Recipe:

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees
Put 8x8 inch glass dish or cast iron skillet with 3 tablespoons butter in oven to pre-heat.

In a blender, mix:

3 eggs
1/3 c. milk (I used soy)
1/3 c. sour cream mixture (1/2 sour cream; 1/2 water)
2/3 c. flour
2 tablespoons sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

In cast iron skillet ; fell some after
removed from oven. 

Pour batter into prepared dish when butter is melted.  Bake for 18-22 minutes. 

Dust with powdered sugar.  Maple syrup optional. 

Book review: Tightrope by Amanda Quick

Tightrope by Amanda Quick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by Amanda Quick and I enjoyed it. As many others, I liked the cover, but I got the paperback and the cover is a little different). I was intrigued by the main character being a former trapeze artist and that it was set in a small California town in the 1930’s. It wasn’t what I expected, but I still enjoyed it.

It opens with Amalie Vaughn escaping a serial killer and then jumps forward several months to her new town of Burning Cove and a show featuring a robot, who kills the inventor, Dr. Pickwell, during the show. This is a relatively short book, but it has a lot going on. Maybe too much. I feel like if she had expanded the book a little, more attention could have been paid to character development and to some of the side stories. The book is basically about retrieving a cypher machine that was stolen during Dr. Pickwell’s show. There is a large cast of characters and it took me a while to get them and their roles straight in the mystery. There is also the mystery of Amalie’s would be killer’s accomplice,

Back to the basics - after the attack, Amalie leaves the circus and buys an inn in Burning Cove to start anew. We aren’t privy to any of this as the book leaps ahead to this after her attack. We get filled in a little on her thoughts, but I think those six months would in and of themselves be a story. Luther Pell runs the town’s hottest club, The Paradise, and while he’s what I would consider a main character, we just don’t learn a lot about him. Matthias Jones works with him and they are trying to recover the cypher machine. Matthias has a unique skill set, which is kind of odd, but it doesn’t bother Amalie and is key to the resolution of both mysteries. I’d rather not spoil too much. As mentioned the cast of characters is big. I particularly liked Willa, who was in the circus with Amalie and her Aunt Hazel, and who shows up at the Hidden Cove Inn because she has nowhere else to go. She takes to the inn immediately and I would love to have seen more of this story -- the building of the inn. Another story thrown in is the rumored haunting of the inn by a psychic who died there. They ultimately take advantage of it, since the murder of Dr Pickwell, who was staying at the inn, was providing less than positive publicity.

Other characters include a female private detective, with a hinted at back story, a newspaper reporter, a gossip columnist, a fading movie star and his chauffeur, a stalker, and the “bad guy.” In addition to the mystery, this is a romance between Matthias and Amalie.

As I said, I enjoyed the story and debated between three and four stars. I ultimately with three for a few reasons. The relationship between Amalie and Matthias moves very fast, like over a week. The sex scenes were cheesy and added nothing to the story. Character backstories were hinted at, but that’s it. I’m not sure if this is because they’ll be in future books or not. This book is rich in characters and I kind of want to know where they go. How does the inn do? How does Matthias family react to Amalie? What about Matthias and Luther’s next adventure? What is the private investigators backstory? What happens to the fading actor? It almost seemed as if it ended in the middle or that she rushed the story because she wanted to be done. And then, there were all the references to flying. It is throughout the book and after awhile it was just a little more cheese in a book that had enough cheese. Honestly, for how many best sellers this author has, I was surprised by the amount of cheesiness in this book. It had the potential to be great, but fell a little short. That’s not to say I won’t read other stories set in Burning Cove. I recommend if you like the author or the time period, just be forewarned that while the mystery is good, if a little convoluted, the romance is rushed and a little lacking.


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Book Review: You Do You by Sarah Knight

You Do You: How to Be Who You Are and Use What You've Got to Get What You Want by Sarah Knight

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book I’ve read by Sarah Knight and I’m wishing a little that I’d read them “in order,” as this book kept referencing her first two books (one of which I now have and will be reading shortly). Again, this wasn’t earth shattering, but I've rarely gotten through self-help books and I’ve made it through two of hers -- easily and somewhat quickly. I find it kind of sad that someone had to write a book giving people permission to live their authentic lives and that I’m one of the ones reading it. Sometimes, though, maybe we just need a reminder.

This book basically gives you permission to just be you, but keeps the golden rule in mind -- don’t hurt others in the process of being you. The basic premise of the book is to break down some of the “rules” of society, These include: Don’t be Selfish; Do your Best, Don’t be Difficult, Be a Team Player, Don’t Quit Your Day Job. There is also a Should and Shouldn’t section, one of which is Put Family First.

Apparently, she took a lot of flack on the selfish part in a previous book, but I agree with her. If you never take time for yourself, then you basically make yourself a martyr. At some point, you have to be a little selfish.. I think today’s term is self-care. This section spoke to me as I have neglected self-care and am overly stressed as a result. The part about family also spoke to me. It has it’s down side as well, but ultimately we have to live our lives. That may take us from family, but it doesn’t mean total disconnection.

I’m also a person who once quit my day job. There were a lot of reasons for it and I had a plan, so obviously I agree with her take on that as well. It was scary, but ultimately it was one of the best things I have ever done. I’ve never regretted it.

We are all raised with guidelines and they may vary from family to family, region to region, culture to culture. While they have good intentions, sometimes they lead us to lead lives that may hurt us. By ignoring some of these guidelines, we live better lives, which not only benefits us, but also those around us.

I liked that she emphasizes that being you should not hurt others. And, the Epilogue reminded us that we all judge others - so not only should we be ourselves, but we should let others be themselves as well.

This is not a life changing book, but it’s a good reminder that it’s okay to be who you are and that sometimes society’s guidelines need to be tossed. As long as the tossing doesn’t harm others.

Hello 2020! Welcome Kitty Cat II!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.  Mine were different as I spent them in my own home for the first time.  I wasn't sure how I would do, but thanks to friends and a new furbaby, Kitty Cat II, I did just fine.

Kitty Cat II

After all of my travels came to an end, I paid a visit to the Humane Society here in town.  It was actually my second visit - the first I didn't connect with any cats, which was kind of sad.  The second visit was to meet a particular cat, but she wasn't the one, so I just visited with the cats.  A friend was with me and commented that "Bubbles" (name has since changed) didn't like her. Naturally, I went to meet her.  She let me pet her, swished her tail, and even meowed at me.  She didn't get up, though.  I looked at the door to her condo -- she'd been there six weeks.  I looked at her and she looked at me and I knew.  She was the one.  It wasn't that she didn't like my friend, she was just tired. She was an owner surrender, due to health.  I couldn't take her home that night as I needed to get the house ready.  I was worried, maybe someone else would take her before I could get back the next day.  The employee working at the time said not to worry, no one had shown any interest in her.  It broke my heart. I told her (the cat) that I'd be back the next day to get her.  I came home and got everything ready, including making a nest for her with a soft rug under the bed -- I knew she'd be scared and would need a safe space.

I went back the next day. It was raining and miserable and I had a migraine in the making, but I told her I go get her and I did.  Adopting from the Humane Society is a joy - they send you home with a bag of food, a little scratcher, plus she was microchipped and in good health (though I did get her checked out by my vet).  Getting her out of the condo was stressful and she cried all the way home.  She then promptly hid in any number of places, eventually ending up under the bed in the nest I had made.  She did sleep with me for part of the first night.  Alas, we were both stressed.  I worried that maybe it was too soon.  Maybe I needed to get the house more in order.  After being in a home, then a shelter, then going home with a strange person, I'm sure she was just plain freaked out. But, then I looked at her and realized it was better than the condo at the shelter, so I practiced patience. I finally enticed her out of the bedroom after a week with a wand toy.

We celebrated out two month anniversary a week ago and she's been an absolute joy.  I can't figure out why no one showed interest in her as she is the sweetest kitty.  She is is almost three, still a baby, really.  Athletic. And, she's a brick -- almost 14 pounds, but no squish here.  Just a big cat.  She loves to play fetch, look out the window, get on the back of my chair, or the back of the couch.  She sleeps with me every night.  I still miss Kitty Cat I, but Kitty Cat II has brought life back to the house and she makes me laugh.

I know I'm not the first person to suffer pet loss.  I can say that welcoming a new pet into the family is definitely a win for everyone.  When it's your time to welcome a new cat after loss, please consider an older cat - you won't regret it.

On Saying Goodbye and Grieving..

My Mom
1934 - 2019

So, this summer has not been the best.  In fact, probably the worst summer of my life.  I'm not exaggerating.  At the end of May, my Mother passed away.  That's how I'll always remember Memorial Day.  I knew decisions would have to be made, but they were along the lines of convincing her to return to assisted living, where I felt she would do better.  Two years ago, an assited living facility literally saved her life.  At least, I'll always believe so.  She had a severe reaction to medication and it is my belief that the new doctor (who discontinued the med) and the assisted living facility got my Mom, well, back to being my Mom.  After about six months she was able to return home, where she did well for about a year and half.  Then things started going slightly wrong.  Not like two years ago, but enough to cause worry.  Enough to make me wonder what I should take on and how I should address it with her.  We talked about it.  She wanted to stay at home.  Literally -- she wanted to die at home.  I was still trying to figure out how much to take over, finances, etc, when I got the call.  She had passed away.  In the end, she got her wish and she passed at home. I don't think she even knew it -- she just passed.  We should all be so blessed.

It's been hard.  I'm the Executrix.  I don't think it's the same as when a spouse dies - you stay in the house, you keep the accounts.  I'm literally closing out a person's life and it's sad.  Memories are everywhere, including the city I live (she helped me move here), my house (so many things she gave me), and of course, being in her house deciding what I'm going to keep and what goes in the Estate sale.  Add in closing all the accounts and having to tell person after person she's passed away and provide death certificates and proof that I can do what I'm doing.  Banks still protect the privacy of the dead, which means it's really hard to get information because they won't give it to you until you prove to their satisfaction that they can give the information to you. Taxes still have to be filed.  And, even four months later, it just still seems wrong.  I was lucky -- I visited her two weeks before she passed and spoke with her frequently after I returned home, including the day before she passed.  You'd think it would be more of a comfort that my last words to her were "I love you," but sometimes I just wish I'd been with her or seen her rather than just talking with her.

Kitty Cat
1999 - 2019

And then, when you think things can't get worse, they do.  Shortly after Labor Day, September 5th, I lost my little buddy, my furbaby - my cat.  She was 20 and was my best friend for 19 years.  In my adult life, she was literally the best thing that ever happened to me. She provided company, support, and unconditional love.  In the end, I had to make the decision that I did not want to make, but it's part of the responsibility we take on when we become a pet guardian.  I will always wonder about that, too. It's been about three weeks and the house is not the same.  I hadn't realized how hard it would be to be alone in my home and it's harder than I ever imagined. I can at least come home now without dread, but going to bed is still hard -- she used to sleep on me.  I know there is another little buddy waiting for me, but it will be a while before I take that step.  I need to wrap up my Mom's estate and there is travel that I have to do, so I'll do that.  I'm hoping by Christmas I'm able to welcome a new furbaby into my life.  Sometimes, though, thinking about getting another cat scares me and sometimes thinking about not getting another cat scares me.

Book Review: Calm the F*ck Down by Sarah Knight

Calm the F*ck Down: How to Control What You Can and Accept What You Can't So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life by Sarah Knight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because a boatload of sh*t has come my way since Memorial Day and I thought it might give me a bit of help. Well, it’s more for dealing with sh*t that hasn’t happened yet, though there is a section of dealing with sh*t that is happening now. I can say that I did walk away with a few good “tools” to help me with what is going on.

This book is actually geared toward anxiety, including the kind we create ourselves and which can be irrational. I’ve never thought that I created my own anxiety, just considered it niggling little fears. So, apparently I can let go of some of the smaller things already (not obsessing about my plane crashing because once we’re in the air, really, what am I going to do, though I do hate to fly, sometimes you just gotta).

I’m not sure I’d consider some of the rest of it anxiety, but hey maybe it is and I just don’t know it. The toolbox is good. In fact, I may read some of her other books or listen to her TED Talk (this was the first book in this “series” that I’ve read).

I do agree with some of the other reviewers - her examples are sometimes a little light weight and simplistic. I’ll use “death” as an example. Yes, we have to deal with it, but sometimes, it just piles up. Her first foray though was worries about dying. Well, we’re going to and there’s really no need to obsess, so I agree with her about that. However, she didn’t include pet deaths in this and here I disagree. People who lose long time pet companions, say after 15 plus years, it’s going to hurt. Now, say that loss occurs after the death of a parent or a significant other. Like within weeks or months. (Full disclosure - this scenario happened to me and a friend). Getting up in the morning is an achievement. Going home is an achievement. Tools can help, but seriously, this just lays you low. She acknowledges this, but it’s basically a sentence or two. So, yes, I thought some of the examples could have been a little more substantial and I think there could have been a part about when it all happens at once. Having said that, ultimately, if you can apply the “tools” to the insubstantial you can apply the “tools” to the substantial. Because, the more substantial, probably the less control. Which is a key theme/question in the book. And, if you can’t control it, should you worry about it? Some things, like death, though, bring other worries or anxieties and while I think this was mentioned, it was somewhat glossed over as a way to handle the original problem of death -- but again, take it in baby steps, crate those emuppies and forge ahead. Sometimes, stepping back and being pragmatic (grabbing those logicats) is what is needed.

As others have said, it’s pretty basic advice, but sometimes it helps to see it written and this book came with a couple of exercises, which I found helpful (yes, I did them). One of the criticisms was that you don't think of these things in the midst of a sh*tstorm -- I think the point of the book is you should. Yes, it's hard, but I've had a lot going on and in hindsight, it might have been better if I'd had some of these "tools" then.

I won’t say it was life changing, but I did gain from the book, so I’ll recommend it. Be sure you’re okay with profanity, though, because the title is just the start.


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Book Review: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a mystery within a mystery. The book begins with Susan Ryeland, book editor with Cloverdale Books, receiving the latest book by their best selling author, Alan Conway, for weekend reading. It’s a mystery titled The Magpie Murders, featuring private investigator Atticus Pund. After the first three or four pages, we are thrust into the fictional mystery. At first it was hard to get into. It’s an investigator that exists within this book only and there are references to previous cases/books. After a bit, though, I got into the mystery. There were a lot of clues, but you don’t see who the murderer is and there are a couple of red herrings, including the number of murders and the culprit. Right as we are about to get the resolution, we learn that Susan’s copy has missing pages.

Now, we are back in “real life.” Susan heads to the office on Monday to see if her boss, Charles Clover, has the chapters. He doesn’t and worse - he’s just learned that the author is dead. He committed suicide and sent a suicide letter to Charles.

Susan heads to his home to search for the chapters and after talking with Alan’s much younger boyfriend, James, who he left his wife for, and with his sister, and looking at his diary, Susan begins to believe that perhaps Alan did not commit suicide. Susan was not close with Alan and didn’t particularly like him. We learn that many others didn’t really like him and, in fact, he wasn’t a really likable guy. Susan begins investigating, knowing how crazy it is what she is doing. However, she’s looking for the missing chapters and begins to see parallels between Magpie Murders and Alan’s death.

There is a side story with Susan’s personal life, she has a Greek boyfriend, Andreas, who has decided after his last visit to Crete, that’s he’s going to resign from teaching and take over a hotel on Crete with his cousin. This throws Susan for a loop - she’s not sure she wants to give up her life in England and she’s been offered the opportunity to take over the publishing house so Charles can basically retire and be a grandfather to his new grandbaby.

I won’t go too much further or the whole thing will be given away. Alan was a puzzler first and foremost and he carried it through his books. Once Susan realizes this, she knows what to look for. Clues are laid out, and in fact, I picked up on them in the same niggling fashion Susan did, though I didn’t put it together as fast as she did. The ending is somewhat dramatic and, as stated by our heroine, it costs her dearly. I’m not sure the repercussions would necessarily have been what was written, but maybe so. As I said, Alan was not well liked. There’s an undercurrent here that perhaps since he was so disliked and not a nice person that maybe Susan should have let sleeping dogs lie, that maybe it was okay. He was dying anyway and his death prevented something that would have benefited no one from happening. You wind up wondering if you should think that Susan pursuing what happened was wrong. It’s subtle, but it’s there and really gives one pause for thought.

In the end, I think things for Susan happened as they were meant to be, but it was a hard way to come to the realization. I enjoyed this book and debated between three and four stars, but ultimately went with three because I never quite connected with Susan. I think for such a long book, some of the relationships were hinted at or maybe because they were already established, there just wasn’t a need to provide more. I couldn’t really tell if Andreas and Susan’s relationship should or shouldn’t move forward, but was happy with the ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.


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Book Review: Arrowood by Laura McHugh

Arrowood by Laura McHugh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story is told by Arden Arrowood, who was eight years old when her almost two year old twin sisters, Violet and Tabitha, disappeared. After a stressful time in graduate school, Arden has inherited the family home, Arrowood, in Keokuk, Iowa. After the disappearance of her sisters, the family eventually moved away, but it’s always been home to Arden. The house was left to her by her grandfather, but only passed to her upon her father’s death. Arden has a love of history and knows not only the history of her home, but of many of the homes in Keokuk. You wonder if her interest in history is partly because you can’t go back. History (the past) is where her sisters are -- they are not in the present.

Her relationship with her mother is odd at best -- she’s a shadowy woman, who from what little we see, is not particularly attached to her daughter. Which makes one wonder if she was attached to the twins. We don’t see a lot of the mother, but what we do see is that perhaps she puts on one personality for the world and another for Arden.

Since Arden was playing outside with the twins the day they disappeared and because she is six years older than they were, she has always felt responsible for their disappearance. Even though she was only eight at the time and had been sick.

A mystery investigator, Josh Kyle, reaches out to Arden, who agrees to talk with him. Their first talk makes her doubt her memory of what happened that day. She later learns that Josh’s brother disappeared and has yet to be found -- though in that case, he was a 17 year old who ran away. They both share a sense of loss shrouded in mystery. Rounding out the book are her childhood friends Ben and Lauren and their mother, Julia Ferris, and caretaker Mr. Heaney.

Arden narrates, but I never really connected with the characters. There was narration and a telling of the past (from Arden), but I never really felt like I got to know the characters. It was almost there, but not quite. Maybe that was the design. Arden is narrating and on some level she wants to be who she was when she spent summers in Keokuk as a child. But, the last summer was 10 years ago, when she was 15, and we all know that a lot happens in 10 years, especially if you go from 15 to 25. The house is decaying, the town is decaying. There is a saying that you can’t go back and I wondered throughout reading this book if the decay that surrounded Arden’s return was in fact a way of confirming that we can’t go back. Sure you can go back to a place, such as a town or a house, but it’s never going to be the same. Sometimes, it will be better. In Arden’s case, I think she was somehow connected to Keokuk, not only because she was born there and because that’s where the twins disappeared, but because that was probably the only time she had a true home. Regardless of what happens to the town, it’s her home. And, for those who have moved, we know some places we connect with and others we don’t. There is no place like home though, literally.

Things happen at a steady, but slow pace. This is not a mystery per se, though I’m not sure I’d throw it in the gothic genre as while there was suspense, it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to know what happened to the twins. I even wanted to know what happened to Josh’s brother (while it’s a part of Josh, it’s never mentioned if he investigated that and of course, it’s not really part of Arden’s or the twin’s story, so it’s just kind of in the background).

There is a somewhat dramatic end and while you think you know what happened, you find out you don’t. I’ll admit - I didn’t like the ending. You think it’s there, but it’s almost a cop-out. Then, you think there is another twist, but it just hangs out there, leaving the reader to decide what they think actually happened. There is no true resolution as to what actually happened. Arden finds a way to make it make sense and finally move on (she was in essence waiting for the twins to return to truly get on with her life). However, the ending for me was disappointing and somewhat of a let down.

Overall, I’m glad I read the book. Ultimately, I liked Arden and Josh and Ben and Lauren and even Mrs. Ferris. I think Arden’s decision at the end was the right one and wouldn’t mind someday finding out what happened to Josh’s brother. Does this make me want to read everything by the author? It doesn’t as I’m not a fan of this type of ending. I get them -- life doesn’t always give us pretty answers, but I prefer it when my books do.


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Book Review: My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith

My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I picked up this book, knowing by the title that it could be beyond belief. However, I enjoy a bit of fluff and was looking forward to fluff that came with a male lead character. While the title seemed absurd, the description on the back made it seem interesting. I should have paid more attention to the title. There is not much meat to this book and I don’t feel like we get to really know any of the characters.

In the beginning, Paul is feeling sorry for himself because his girlfriend of many years threw him over for her personal trainer. So, he’s lamenting being single and goes to Italy to basically recover and finish his book (he’s a food writer). I hope this is not the “real” Italy. **Spoiler ahead**. He winds up with a bulldozer after he’s arrested because the car he rented isn’t in the parking lot and they accuse him of stealing it! I wish I were making this up. Someone he met at the airport (or on the plane), who is a local, bails him out and talks with the folks at the rental agency. They explain that they are all out of cars, but they’ll rent him a bulldozer! For him to drive to another city and use as car while in Italy! I’m not kidding.

I couldn’t really get past the ridiculousness of renting a bulldozer as a car, thought Paul was kind of a whiny little dude and that a little backbone wouldn’t have hurt. There was a side story about an escaped prisoner that was never fully developed. and, while you could see the ending coming, it just sort of appears -- there was no development leading to this.

If you’ve read and liked Alexander Smith McCall’s books, you may like this. I have not read any of his other books and do not plan on reading them. If you’re looking for a good bit of fluff to read, pass this one up. I was hugely disappointed, but was immensely proud that I was able to finish it as I hate not finishing a book.


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Book Review: Drawing Conclusions by Deirdre Verne

Drawing Conclusions by Deirdre Verne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve gotten a little tired lately of the typical “themed” cozy mystery. At first blush, this book appears to be a cozy, but I wouldn’t classify it as such. There is no gore, but there is some language and some sexy times (nothing over the top, but it’s there). The main character is also a Freegan - we meet CeCe when she and friend Charlie are dumpster diving. They live in what amounts to a commune, established by CeCe, along with three other people - Jonathon and Trina, who are dating, and Becky, who is involved with Charlie.

The book opens with CeCe of the death of her twin brother, Teddy. It turns out to be murder. I’m sad that we never really get to meet Teddy as I think he was a cool guy. CeCe becomes a target, but it’s anyone’s guess as to why. Enter Frank DeRosa, detective. He’s been requested by CeCe’s father, Dr. William Prentice, to solve Teddy’s murder and winds up guarding CeCe, along with two other officers. I like that there isn’t friction between the house and the cops - they all wind up working together. The big catch to all of this is that Teddy was a scientist, working on decoding the human genome, and he worked at a lab basically run by CeCe’s father.

One of the best things about this book is CeCe’s involvement in finding out who killed Teddy is organic. She doesn’t look to get involved, but after she becomes a target, her involvement (and her roommates involvement), just seems natural. It doesn’t hurt that she’s an artist with a gift for faces.

The thing I struggled with in this book was the Freegan lifestyle. I get organic farming. I get communal living. I get not wanting a 9-5 job (CeCe’s an artist and her sketches did help solve the case). I get going with a used car, though I’m not sure why it had to be so ancient as a Gremlin - the gas mileage and pollution from that thing have to not be in line with Freeganism. Why not a used hybrid or even an electric car? I don’t get not using a washer and dryer. I don’t really get dumpster diving for food.

Despite the Freeganism angle, I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series. I liked the Detective. I liked how CeCe’s skills contributed to the investigation. I liked how the other cops got along with the housemates. I liked that this was definitely not the run of the mill mystery. Odd main character, but in a way I like that she challenges me a bit. Recommended if you like a good mystery and/or are looking for a change from the “themed” cozy mysteries.


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Recipe Review: Banoffee Scones

It's been awhile since I've posted a recipe review. I have been baking, but not blogging my efforts. Some are go to recipes, like this Peach Vanilla Muffin recipe, from Inspired Taste.  I can't believe I haven't reviewed this recipe on the blog. It is one of my favorite muffin recipes (and I'm a connoisseur of muffins). I love peaches and this recipe uses a fresh peach. Next time I bake them, the review will be done.   

Banoffee Scone (w/ chocolate chips rather than toffee)

Recently, I've been visiting a bakery next to my office (there's not much in the way of food near my office). I only get their poppyseed scone and they've not had them on a regular basis lately. Then, I realized, I love to bake so why not make my own? Which was my goal today. But, I had bananas, so I set out to find a banana scone recipe.  I did not find any in my cookbooks, but the good folks at King Arthur had this recipe. So today, I'm reviewing scones - Banoffee Scones, only mine are not really Banoffee - banana and toffee.  I'm not a huge fan of toffee, hence I don't have any. So, I used chocolate chips instead (Enjoy Life Dairy Free mini chocolate chips). I also used Hemp milk, and half margarine/half butter and two small bananas.  I did brush with milk (hemp) and sprinkle turbinado sugar on the top before baking. I have to say, I'm happy with the results and am glad to have another banana recipe. I'll be doing these again.  If you've looking for something different to bake with your bananas, give this recipe a try.

Book Review: The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’d say this is more like 3.5 stars, but not quite 4. I wouldn’t say it’s the best book by this author, but in the end it wasn’t too bad. Just starting out, though, woo, some highly unlikable characters. The book focuses on Riley, who’s marriage is at an end, and her 12 year old daughter, Maggy. There is her best friend, Parrish, and her husband, Ed, mother, Evelyn, brother Billy, and his partner, Scott, her aunt, Roo, and lastly Nate Milas and his mother, Annie. At the beginning of the book, Riley and Maggy and Parrish and Ed are headed to Belle Isle for the summer. Riley’s family owns a chunk of the island and did most of the initial development. She’s trying to decide how to tell her family, especially her daughter, that her marriage is at an end. And, it’s not like she didn’t try to save it. Things start going wrong and they just keep going wrong. The big disaster is the murder of Riley’s husband, Wendell. Riley comes to learn that there is a LOT she did not know about Wendell. To make matters worse, she winds up having to stay with her mother, who is more in to social niceties and what is “right,” than supporting her daughter.

Turns out her husband stole all of Riley’s money, but it wasn’t really stolen because her father gave him control over Riley’s trust fund! Yes, this woman, among other things was raised by parents who basically felt like men were to be in charge and women were to maintain their place. It didn’t help any that Billy is gay, so basically Wendell became the son they wanted, so he got carte blanche of the family business and everyone pays in the end.

This is not all fluffy, though, it’s still chick-lit. It just addresses things not seen often in these kinds of books - alcoholism, rebellious and ugly tweens, truly awful people. Because, make no mistake -- Wendell was not a good person.

Early on in the book, I couldn’t decide what I thought and read some of the reviews, mostly the bad ones as the good ones were over the top. I now wonder if some of those reviewers even read the whole book. If it’s not for you and you stop, that’s fine. Most who do that, own that in their review. However, the ending of the book and revelation of the killer were not as stated in some reviews. Let me just say, the murder of Wendell doesn’t disappear -- it’s just never front and center, but the Sheriff circles back around throughout the book. Also, I’d like to note that the Sheriff is not the one who reveals the killer to Riley. The story is really about Riley trying to figure out how she’s going to get on with her life after she learns that her husband has literally squandered all of her money. And, deal with a 12 year old who is definitely pushing all her buttons. As much as Maggy annoyed me, this is probably par for the course for a 12 year old, especially one dealing with a new diagnosis of diabetes (what 12 year old wants to be different) and the death of her father, who she adored and who, it seems, adored her. His one redeeming feature.

I liked the characters of Riley and Parrish. I enjoyed their friendship. I liked Riley’s closeness with her brother and Scott. The mom is the mom. Many of us have dealt with mother’s like that and nothing will change them. They are who they are. Aunt Roo was a hoot. We should all have a Roo. I enjoyed the setting of Belle Isle as well. I’ve encountered small towns and have fond memories of one, but it’s like living in a fish bowl. Some reviewers thought the ending was all tied up with a bow. I felt like Riley worked to get her ending. Best scene in the book was Riley quitting her new job and liberating Maggy from her new school. To me, it showed her finally getting back on an even keel and taking charge instead of being dragged in the wake of Wendell’s poor decisions. Maggy redeemed herself a bit; Evelyn, not so much. There is more to Billy than meets the eye and Scott as well.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this book. Some things come out of the blue (like who killed Wendell), but life is like that. If you are a review reader, I’d recommend ignoring the reviews and giving it a go. But, read all of it. Don’t quit 100 pages in -- finish it. And, not just to find out who killed Wendell, but to see how Riley rebuilds her life.


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Book Review: Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed the The Other Side of Midnight, which was the first book I read by this author. That led to this book, which can now be listed among my favorites. I can’t really put it in a category, but in the end I’d go ahead and say mystery/historical mystery, with some paranormal elements and bit of gothicness.

Beware -- there be spoilers ahead -- marked when you get there. Several reviewers thought is was a poorly done ghost story. It’s not a ghost story. A ghost plays a role in the story, but it is essentially Jo’s story and somewhat Alex’s story and shows how some people can wind up living in limbo.

We meet Jo Manders after she has been in the employ of Dottie Forsyth, her aunt by marriage, for several months, accompanying Dottie on a trip across the continent to collect artwork to sell. Dottie is a shrewd, if somewhat cold, woman. She takes advantage of the disasters wrought by the war to make a little money. Jo’s husband, Dottie’s nephew, is missing in action, under somewhat mysterious circumstances. This leaves Jo in a limbo of sorts -- not really a wife, but not a widow and with no government pension. She takes the job with Dottie out of necessity, since she is also supporting her mother, who is in an insane asylum.

Upon arrival at Dottie’s home, we learn it has been closed for several years following the suicide of her daughter, Frances, who was 15 at the time. They are anticipating the return of son Martin, who has been away at hospitals trying to recover from grievous injuries received in the war. Dottie’s goal is to marry Martin off -- to Jo. This is something neither wants and as Jo points out, something that can’t happen due to her murky legal status as a not quite widow (she’s still married in the eyes of the law). Fortunately, neither participant wants to marry and suitable arrangements are made by Dottie (they seem odd at first, but in the end it works for everyone). From here, though, a friendship develops between Martin and Jo and is one of the many things I liked about this book.

Upon arrival at Wych Elm House, Jo sees the ghost of Frances and from there odd things happen. Jo realizes these happenings are Frances and that Frances is trying to tell her something. She comes to realize that all is not what it seems with Frances’ death and sets out to find what really happened to Frances. Along the way, she discovers photography, thanks to Alex’s camera - the one thing of his she could not give away.

**Spoilers if you continue** Alex, it turns out, is not dead. This comes as somewhat of shock to the family and to Jo. There were clues hinting at this in the book, but everyone believes since he was missing in action he must be dead. It takes Jo a bit to come to terms with this. Not surprising - what she has learned during her time at Wych Elm House and in her talks with Martin and a Colonel Mabry, her husband had not been totally honest with her about his wartime activities. His three year disappearance cost her everything and forced her to work for Dottie, who was never kind. And, she’s not sure if he came back for her or to finish the one mission he couldn’t. Most women would hesitate under these circumstances, however, she loves him, so eventually she listens. And, it turns out their goal is the same -- find out who killed Frances.

There’s much more to this book -- too much to touch on in a review. Many little undercurrents that all connect. Several threads run this story, but nothing seems extraneous. It's as much about getting on with living as it is about finding out what happened to Frances. The “reveal” is a bit dramatic, but I appreciated the fact that it was not the end. We got a bit more -- not quite total closure, but close. Jo and Alex have two options for the future (well - two options for Alex’s future job), but we don’t know which one they picked. I know which one I hope they pick, but there’s a small part of me that says it’s the other one, with a twist. The person responsible for Frances’ death was not who I expected, but it made sense and wasn't at all farfetched.

One thing I was left to wonder about and will for a while: If Frances was mad because of what she saw, are Jo and Alex mad because they saw what Frances saw? Frances, I think, was schizophrenic, but I think maybe she saw what others couldn’t (i.e. spirtis/ghosts) and had no way to make sense of what she saw. So, she was mad. Jo felt like everything was being erased on her last visit to Wych Elm House, which made me wonder if the strange occurrences really happened or if it was imagined by Jo. The ending seems to says yes, it happened, so I’m going with that. 

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Recipe Review: Bacon and Egg Cups

So, the goal this weekend was to start Whole30. Let's just say I thought I had prepared, but, well, it turns out not very well. Sigh. So, I'm accepting failure and still trying to get going. My original goal was to ease into it over a couple of weeks, but family emergencies and work craziness meant that didn't happen. I'm also having doubts about doing Whole30 and giving up Diet Coke at the same time. Mind you, I've made great strides in the Diet Coke department (I'm learning to drink Seltzer water), but alas, maybe not that good. Weather related headaches did not help this weekend, either. But, such is life.

Whole30 will change the way I've eaten breakfast for years. It should be in all caps, because for years I've done similar versions of the same breakfast and none of them are Whole30 or even Paleo compliant.

This afternoon, I tried Bacon and Egg Cups (earlier, I could even think of trying this due to the headache).  But, it turned out pretty good. Basically, it's a baked egg wrapped in a slice of bacon. I'll see how it overnights in the fridge and warms up in the AM (I'm a take my breakfast to work kind of girl).

At any rate, it comes from Seasonal Cravings and is fairly easy to do. I already have ideas for modifications and if I carry through with trying them, I'll post here.  In the meantime, enjoy.

Book Review: The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the sixth book in the Her Royal Spyness series, but the first I have read. It was this year’s Christmas read. I am hooked. I loved Georgiana, as well as the other characters, though there is not as much development of them - her mother, grandfather, Darcy - as some of the other characters.

Georgie is faced with spending Christmas with her brother and his wife, Binky and Fig (I’m not going to say anything about the ridiculous names) at the family’s castle, with Fig’s family. Georgie’s mother is going to be spending Christmas at Tiddleton-under-Lovey. Desperate not to spend Christmas where she’s not wanted, she looks for a job and finds an ad for a lady of high breeding to help host a party in Tiddleton-under-Lovey of all places. She applies and gets the job.

The Christmas party and events are a setting that are reminiscent of Agatha Christy and Ms Bowen did it wonderfully. The characters range from an American couple and their two children (teenagers) to a colonel and his wife just recently from India. Plus, a cast of characters from the town, including what amounts to a village idiot (though he managed to have jobs) to a trio of spinster sisters, and the Vicar.

The day Georgie arrives the first murder has already occurred, but it is ruled a hunting accident or a suicide, though one doesn’t usually shoot themselves in a tree. From there, there is a death just about everyday, though none of them appear to be anything other than accidents or natural causes. What is unusual is the daily occurrence. Georgie finally connects the the deaths and from there it moves rather quickly. The ending was climatic and not what I expected, but it all pulled together well.

I loved the book. I loved the setting of the Christmas party in a small town with her mother and Noel Coward nearby along with her Grandfather, who is a retired beat cop (the local police mistakenly thought he was a detective and sought him out for advice with the deaths). I liked that the local cop looked to the Grandfather for help and didn’t rule out help from Georgie.

There was also her relationship with Darcy O’Mara. It was the only drawback to not having read the previous novels as I was a little lost (though it did not detract from the novel). He is smitten, but thought she should leave it to the local police, though he seems supportive of Georgie.
If you like historical mysteries a la Agatha Christie with a tiny bit of romance, this book is for you. I’m ready to read the first books in the series and hope they are as good.


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Book Review: Death & the Brewmaster's Widow by Loretta Ross

Death & The Brewmaster’s Widow by Loretta  Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in this series and presents a wonderful mystery. One of the hardest things about this series to me is the main character’s name - Death, pronounced Deeth. But, once you get into the story, you know how to say the name and the oddness goes away a bit. There are plenty of wonderful things about this series, compared to others out there (and many that I enjoy). First, is the lack of antagonism from the local authorities with Death’s character - a wounded Warrior turned private investigator/bounty hunter and Wren, the auctioneer from the series title. Death is indeed a wounded warrior, which is the second refreshing thing about this mysteries. While I hate that he is wounded, it is true to the times we live in. Next is the closeness of the characters in this book, from Wren’s employers (it’s their auction company) to the police to other towns folk. Now, not all small towns may be like this, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were.

Next is the fact that Death learns to rely on Wren and not sell her short. He definitely considers an equal. He may not like his disability, but he’s not in denial about it either. He recognizes Wren’s strengths and adds those to his own. In this book, the support also comes from Death’s brother’s fire department and friends as he and Wren look in to the oddness of getting a badge that did not belong to Death’s brother, who died in a fire. The numbers on the badge don’t match. At first, it’s just a curiosity, but as they continue to look into it a mystery unfolds. I figured it out right about the same time the characters did, but that didn’t detract at all. In fact, it’s not a traditional mystery in the end, which makes it even better.

The final climatic scenes are among some of the best I have read, alternating between Wren and Death. Quite well done. The epilogue was also very satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I recommend reading these books in order as they do build upon each other. Recommended if you enjoy a good mystery with all likable people.


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Recipe Review: Brown Sugar & Almond Biscotti

Brown Sugar & Almond Biscotti

I've taken to having a cup of tea in the evening while I read my book.  Sometimes, this calls for a little nosh to go with it.  It occurred to me that biscotti would be a great choice.  Nice with the tea, but not too much.

So, I cruised through the various biscotti recipes on Pinterest, pinning several.  I settled on Brown Sugar and Almond Biscotti from Food Gal to start.  It takes a little time between the baking and the toasting, but it is definitely worth it.  This is one tasty recipe. Next time, I won't toast it quite so long at the end as I like it a little softer, but that's my preference.  This recipe is definitely a keeper.