Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Postcards from the Lake: August Books

After a banner reading month in July, I slowed down a little for August, with seven books on the list. This month they were all mysteries.

 "A Sea of Troubles" by Donna Leon


Fans of Leon's Commisario Brunetti will find that Signorina Elettra, the highly capable secretary of his boss, gets her chance to shine when she goes undercover on the trail of a murderer in a small Italian fishing village. What first seemed a pleasant diversion from the office turns into a harrowing adventure for the secretary as Brunetti and his sergeant, Vianello, begin to close in on the murderer. The further I got into it, the harder it was to put down!

"Murder at the Masque" by Amy Myers


 I was very lucky to win Buttercup's drawing on her book blog in July. (She also has the delightful "Buttercup....) One of the two books I received from Carol was "Murder at the Masque." This mystery is set in the late Victorian era and finds a Scotland Yard detective and a chef joining forces to discover who stole some Faberge "Easter Eggs," given by an amorous count to the seven women with who he had previously had liaisons. Now the eggs are stolen and all are gathered in the South of France for a gala holiday. When the husband of one ofthe count's paramours is killed, the quest for the missing eggs also adds a search for a murderer. (The dishes the chef prepares and the menus highlighted here are enough to make your mouth water!)

"The Chalk Pit," "The Dark Angel" and "The Stone Circle" by Elly Griffiths

These three entries in the "Ruth Galloway" series find the archaeologist again wrapped up in several murder cases. In "The Chalk Pit," Ruth is called in when bones are found in abandoned mining tunnels under the city of Norwich. Meanwhile, DI Harry Nelson is on the hunt for a missing homeless woman, following the murder of two homeless men. The cases collide in another fine episode of this series. 


Ruth steps out of her comfort zone when she, her friend Shona and their children, travel to Italy to help a fellow archaeologist friend identify some bones. As they work and enjoy the countryside, they learn about the region's WWII Resistance history and become embroiled in the past. Meanwhile, Nelson, worried about his and Ruth's daughter, Kate, shows up and the murder plots intensify. 

"The Stone Circle" finds Nelson receiving an anonymous letter relating to a case from book one of the series. Ruth, too, receives a letter connected to their first murder case, along with a visit from her old friend Eric's son. Past and present collide in the search for a missing girl. Meanwhile, Nelson realizes it is time to tell his daughters that they have a half-sister.

I love this series because it deals not only with the cases, which are well written but with the lives of the characters, well drawn and filled with the contradictions and concerns to which we might all relate. It is definitely one to read in order. (In fact, sometimes the sequencing in the books is so tight that the next one begins on the same days as the last page of the previous book.

The Dead of Winter by Rennie Airth


When the body of a Polish refugee is found during a London WWII blackout, it is discovered that she was a land girl, working for former Scotland Yard inspector John Madden at his countryside farm. When Madden discovers the death of Rosa, he asks he friend, Chief Inspector Sinclair, to look into things. The investigation reveals not only the death of Rosa but of several others and links back to a case of missing diamonds and a ruthless killer. 

This is another series with excellent plots and well drawn characters. They are sequential in nature but the mystery is self-contained. It will be a richer experience to read these in order, but not completely necessary.

Holy Terror in the Hebrides by Jeanne M. Dams


Ex-pat Dorothy Martin is back, this time taking a holiday while her home in England is being renovated. Scheduled to spend time on the Scottish island of Iona with her friends Lynn and Tom, Dorothy realizes she is on her own when illness cancels her friends' trip. Having left the key to their rental behind, she temporarily lodges at a small hotel with a group of Americans from various church denominations, most of whom don't particularly like one another -- or Dorothy. But when she sees a member of the group fall to his death, she suspects foul play and is drawn into another mystery.

This is a fun series -- nothing too serious but completely enjoyable and a nice break after reading a heavier book!

Now, I'd better get going on that September pile!

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41 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Some good books today. Donna Leon is always good, and Jeanne Dams and Elly Griffiths, too. I can't read so much these days, but Kindle reads me my books, which is great, as I can listen while crafting. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Tristan Robin said...

What a good lot of mysteries! Several of mine from last month were pretty terrific - and this month's 'stack' is shaping up nicely thus far. The squalid and sordid side of life is being good to me.

Thanks for the recommendations - another Commisario Brunetti! I've order the set of all of them, but they haven't arrived yet. Can't wait for those.

Because of our acquisition a couple weeks ago of a new big screen Fire TV which receives every cable channel on earth (okay, I'm exaggerating - but not a lot! 🤣), I have been watching lots and lots of streamed tv mini-series. Three terrific ones are Clickbait, Tell Me Your Secrets, and Cruel Summer. I'm in the middle of Paranoid right now. I'm not getting a lot of reading. And with a built in Alexa into the tv, I don't even have to move to get the remote. I can just talk to the tv. I am going to become the biggest slug. 😂

Thanks for your share today - enjoy your week!





eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Thanks for the great reviews, I now have more books to add to my reading list.
I do love the mysteries. I often go back and forth between the heavier and lighter reads. Take care, enjoy your day!

Elizabeth Varadan said...

I love Donna Leon mysteries. And I love (and write) mysteries. So nice to find this site.

R's Rue said...

Looks so good.

Pamela said...

I love reading about what you are reading!

Anca said...

7 books are still a lot. This is how many I read in August too. :) The last one made me curious, so I will read a bit more about it. Hopefully you will enjoy the books in September too.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a great selection! I should do a month end post of books I've read. That said, it's book club day today!

Victoria Zigler said...

Sounds like some excellent mysteries.

My name is Erika. said...

I've got to get going with more of Inspector Brunetti from the sounds of it. I now have the next couple of books, so I am looking forward to more. Aren't you loving those Elly Griffiths books? You are so right about the contradictions in life. I need to go check out the others and figure out if I need to put them on my to read list. I love the idea of a mystery month too. September has been a slow reading start for me; hope yours is more productive. Happy reading. hugs-Erika

La Table De Nana said...

I used to be an avid reader..it's gone by the wayside after oodles of soso books.I appreciate your suggestions Jeanie.

The French Hutch said...

Always interesting seeing what you read. Thanks for the reviews. Happy week.........

DUTA said...

The book cover with the knife stuck in the victim's back, should be replaced, banned.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I've been reading through all the Elly Griffiths books and am currently on Stone Circle. I'm going to be sad when I'm all done, I've been enjoying them so much! -Jenn

Marilyn Miller said...

It's always fun to see what you are reading. I don't seek out mysteries, but they sometimes grab me. It seems I have been reading alot of women stories living and surviving WWI and WWII.

Joanne Huffman said...

Currently reading my first Bruno mystery - always happy to see your recommendations.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm a huge fan of mysteries and have seen reviews of others in these series from other bloggers. I have checked on various occasions and several of these series are not available at my local library or on the library loan, either. I guess my library is not fond of mysteries for some reason. You are SO lucky to have won that one book, dear.

Divers and Sundry said...

I have a couple of the Donna Leon books on my birthday list, trying to fill in gaps in what I already have. I always enjoy those books. I've read one of Rennie Airth's books but for the life of me can't remember which one. I remember liking it, though, and should look for others. Thanks for the reminder.

Sandra Cox said...

Looks like you found some good ones.

Danielle L Zecher said...

I'm going to check some of those out. I've been looking for another good mystery series to get into. I love the Ruth Galloway mysteries! I'm trying my hardest to work the phrase "Jesus wept" into my regular vocabulary in honor of DCI Nelson. It just makes me happy to read it or hear it for some reason.

I just read The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths over the weekend and really, really liked it. There's a blub from Louise Penny (isn't she one of your favorites?) on the cover.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

I agree with you, jeanne, that the Inspector Brunetti series by Donna Leon are good reads, although I have not kept up with the most recent ones. I did read a few of Elly Griffiths books with Ruth Galloway, but really could not say I totally enjoyed the characters so decided to stop. I have read several by Charles finch and the mother-son writing team known as Charles Todd and enjoyed both. The local library is sadly lacking when it comes to checking on recommended reads as there was nothing available by Rennie Airth (drat).

Ricki Treleaven said...

Thanks for posting, and it looks like you've discovered some fun cozy mysteries. I'm planning on maybe choosing one or two cozies this winter to read. I'm challenged enough with our book club selections, LOL!

DeniseinVA said...

Great collection of books Jeanie. I am a big Donna Leone and Commisario Brunetti fan. I haven't read A Sea of Troubles yet. The others sound intriguing also. Thanks so much for the great reads!

Mae Travels said...

Those all look very tempting. I have a huge list of books that are just published or will be published soon, so the older ones might wait a while.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

William Kendall said...

You are quite a busy reader.

Lynne said...

I will keep some of these on my list.
Slowing down this month.
Twelve books read in August broke my record
and tired my eyes. Plus I get NOTHING ELSE
accomplished when I read.
Not complaining.
Great reads . . . Relaxing . . .
I have liked getting back to my usual reading interest.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice list
Winter will be more tolerable with good books to read.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Life without books would be unbearable, and the great thing is we can all indulge our own tastes, and benefit from the recommendations of others.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I'm so behind in my reading - can't seem to find much spare time to read, which is distressing!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Good morning, Jeanie. WOW - another great list. I can't keep up.

Enjoy your reading at your peaceful lake.

gigi-hawaii said...

I am not too fond of murder mysteries, though I used to watch the TV series, Murder She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury. I also enjoyed the stage play, Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie. Maybe, I'll venture into the murder mystery books you listed here.

Azka Kamil said...

It's always fun to see what you are reading

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Good books make life better - nice collection today - some I'll have to look up. Happy Reading!

Prims By The Water said...

When I was a teen my favorite books were mysteries, books about dogs and horses. No time for reading for me now. Way too busy. Someday hopefully I will be able to do many things I cant find the time to do right now. Janice

Iris Flavia said...

You read a lot! I somehow only manage on warm days on the balcony or waiting at the doc.
Other than the book I have now, Down Under by Bill Bryson. You laugh your head off!

Lisa's Yarns said...

7 books is still a lot! Great set of books here. I know I can always come to you for mystery recs and will be forever grateful that you pushed me to read the Gamache series. Have you read the newest one yet? I’m on the wait list at the library and can’t wait to read it!!!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

What a lovely August you had! I wonder where September will take you.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Thanks for sharing Jeanie, I love mysteries!

Pam Richardson said...

My reading has slowed down this summer with gardening and lots of playing. I am back on track now and I always enjoy your reviews!

Miss Val's Creations said...

These mysteries sound like a lot of fun. I am still stuck on reading classics and just finished The Hound of Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Mysteries are so entertaining!

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for sharing your books here.
I am currently reading a Catherine Cookson book which I am enjoying.

All the best Jan

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