The Books of March

March ended up being a surprisingly good -- and diverse -- reading month. How i managed eight books last month is a mystery to me! There were, of course, mysteries, but I also read two fiction novels, a biography and a delightful humor book. Or, was it political satire? Or an animal behavior book? I'll let you decide! 

(And thank you all for lovely comments and support! Surgery went well, and not as miserable as the previous two times! YAY!) Now, onward to books!

"The Singing Sands" by Josephine Tey

 

You can send a fellow off on sick leave but can you expect him to ignore the temptations of work? Not when he is Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant, off on the train to Scoone, Scotland, to spend a week fishing with his friend Tommy and his wife, Laura, Grant's cousin. He knows there may be some matchmaking from Laura -- to which he will be immune. But rather, he is looking forward to reading books by the fire after a day on the river and enjoying the company of Tommy and Laura's son, Patrick.

So, when he departs the train and sees a body on the floor of one of the compartments, he is intrigued, especially after picking up a discarded newspaper on which are written a number of poetic words, including "the shifting sands." Who was the stranger in B-Seven and was the death as innocent and accidental as it appeared -- and that the inquest verified?

And, one can't keep an intrigued Inspector down -- especially after connecting with a young man who was to meet his best friend, Bill Kenrick, in Paris -- and Kenrick never showed. Could the dead man -- already identified by family as one with a different name -- really be B-Seven? And if he was, what happened, a tragic accident or murder?

Josephine Tey weaves a wonderful tale and a solid mystery in "The Shifting Sands," as she follows Grant as he and Tad Cullen search for answers. Even the presence of Laura's friend, a countess who is a charming and beautiful widow, who had immediately captivated his attention, falls short when a mystery is presented.

"The Singing Sands" was published after Tey's death. Her characters are well drawn, the premise an intriguing one and the mystery itself well written, with lots of local color reflecting Tey's native Scotland and more than a few bits of humor. I've not read her work in far too long, since "The Daughter of Time" (also highly recommended). Now I'll be searching for another Alan Grant!

"Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi

 

I don't know where to begin with this book because it is so special, so full of love and kindness and goodness, that no words I can write would ever be able to capture it. And there is much I don't want to reveal about the story so that you can discover -- as Theo does -- the town of Golden, Georgia and the people who make it the town it is, the town where an eighty-six year-old many from Portugal and later, New York, chooses to spend a pivotal year.

Briefly, Theo (we don't know his full name) comes to the torn of Golden, a stranger welcomed warmly by coffee shop owner Shep and others in the community. He finds a spot to rent in the heart of town and, motivated by beauty, sends a letter to one of the town residents, asking to meet by the fountain. Would they come? Would they be afraid? And why did he want to meet?

As the book evolves, Theo becomes an integral part of the small town, making friends with many of those he encounters -- a crusty Vietnam War vet, a street musician, a CPA, a building custodian, a cellist and a homeless woman, among many others. Each character is exquisitely drawn, to the point that you can see them as clearly as though they were sitting for a portrait. And as he gets to know them, their stories, he remains the beloved new resident of Golden -- but with a backstory that is elusive.

This is a book about kindness, goodness, generosity of the spirit. It's a book about discovering one's self, building confidence, learning to refrain judgment and look beneath the surface. At a time in our history where we are terribly divided as a country, as a world, "Theo of Golden" reminds us that there is much to be gained by learning how to share kindness and goodness. 

It is exquisite. Thanks to former blogger Monique for this terrific recommendation.

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

 

Our university theatre is doing "Persuasion" next month and since it was one of the few Austen books I hadn't read, I thought I may as well go for it, especially since it had been sitting on the shelf for (literally) decades. (PBS Masterpiece Theatre's production of this was 1995). 

The plot involves Anne Elliot, the sensible of her two annoying sisters, relatively ignored or dismissed by her father and one sister and used by the other. About eight years before she had been courted by Frederick Wentworth but under pressure from her family, rejected his marriage proposal. But she had never forgotten his love and how much she loved him in return. At twenty-seven, she was the kindest of her family and the most serious and intelligent. 

An invitation to tend to her sister Mary brings her into contact with Mary's husband's family, the Musgraves, and their friends. Among those attending the Musgraves are Captain Elliot, who attracts the attentions of the Musgrave daughters and seems diffident toward Anne. A trip to the sea in Lyme brings them all together and it becomes apparent to Anne that Wentworth has found another. Meanwhile, she attracts the interest of two potential suitors, one her cousin and father's heir, William Elliot.

"Inhale Exhale" by Nicole McPherson

 

As longtime readers of my book posts know, I tend not to read many novels. Most of my favorite books are set in Britain. Someone usually dies and a clever detective sorts out the case, in past or present times. Or, I read history, maybe some essays. Novels are only about 10-12 percent of my reading in a good year.

So, when Maya offered to loan me "Inhale Exhale," by fellow blogger Nicole McPherson (I didn't follow Nicole's blog then, but now I do! -- I thought "Sure! I'd like a change of pace after Jane Austen. It did not disappoint.

Michelle is 55 years-old, a single mother of a teen daughter, Livvy, and twin sons in their twenties. Her ex-husband has remarried a woman 30 years his junior and spends much of his life at the office -- and always has, a contributing factor to the dissolution of their marriage fifteen years before. While Michelle owns a yoga studio, and one that seems to do a good business, she knows (and is repeatedly reminded) that it was Paul's support that kept the studio going through the Covid years.

Despite being pressured by her sister to date again, she is hesitant. Things have changed since she met Paul and she really doesn't "know how." And Michelle has changed too. She's older, concerned about her body and appearance, uncertain how to move forward. What are the rules?

Much of the plot revolves around Michelle's hesitancy to form a new relationship, the concerns of bringing a new man into Livvy's life, and the emotions she feels as she both discovers dating apps (swiping numerous times on Tinder, until Livvy explains Tinder's point). It follows her tentative steps out with a man who seems to be someone she could build a life with. Or could she?

McPherson's writing is solid -- funny in many parts as Michelle navigates her own insecurities and the challenges of raising a teenage daughter; poignant as she slowly comes to terms with her own fears and steps into what might be an enduring relationship with widower Steve; and gripping as she deals with a potential family tragedy. 

"Inhale Exhale" deals with a woman "of an age" -- not, as so many novels seem to, a woman of 40 or younger who is looking for love. For those in my generation (though Michelle has almost two decades on me in the youth department), it isn't always easy to find a good book with a character to which one can relate. (I was in my mid-40s when Rick and I started seeing each other and boy, could I ever relate to Michelle's insecurities!) And that may be the best part of  this book for me -- it was relatable. The dialogue is natural, the teen-parent life well portrayed and so, too, are all the relationships. It's well worth a read.

"Murder at the Louvre" by Jim Eldridge

 

I've read other Jim Eldridge mysteries before, especially liking his Chief Inspector, Adam Coburg, and his team in WWII London. I thought "Murder in the Louvre" would be more with this likeable character. Instead, I found a mystery set in 1899 France with a different set of detectives, Abigail and Daniel Wilson. They are the "Art Detectives" and are called in to solve mysteries in museums related to art.

Abigail is also an archaeologist and her specialism is Egyptology. When she is contacted by another archaeologist from the Louvre asking her to perhaps join him on an excavation, she is intrigued -- the two have a history of not getting along. She and Daniel travel to Paris and when she walks into the professor's office at the Louvre, finds him dead. His secretary walks in immediately, convinced Abigail has stabbed him, resulting in her arrest.

With the help of the British Embassy, she is released and she and Daniel are determined to find the killer and clear Abigail's name. The journey takes them into the worlds of art and the treason case of Alfred Dreyfuss. Someone is determined to stop Daniel and Abigail from doing anything to affect the trial. Is it related to the death of Professor Flannand at the Louvre, along with others along the way?

In all honesty, if it wasn't for the opening page saying it was set in 1899, along with references to the Dreyfuss case and, occasionally, a hansom cab ride, I would have no idea this was not set in a more contemporary time. Is that a bad thing? Not really. It didn't take away from the story or the writing, but I have to say, when I "visualize" Abigail and Daniel, I "see" someone far more modern. But the mystery is solid and Eldridge weaves a good story. (And I learned a lot about Egyptian pyramids and archaeological expeditions!)

"Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism" by Stewart "Brittlestar" Reynolds

 

Where do I begin with this book, apart from the fact that after reading it, I will make a trip to the bookstore to buy copies for all my cat-loving friends! I just hope they'll have a few left (the pile was low when I got this one from the sale table!

If you read Timothy Snyder's wonderful "On Tyranny," you'll have an idea of how this is set up. There are eleven chapters, sharing the lessons we can learn from our cat's behavior, and translate to ways to fight against tyranny and fascism. Timely? You bet! I took notes!

Some of the chapter titles say it all -- "Stay Nimble and Unpredictable" "Never Lose Your Naptime,"  "Knock things Over Strategically," "Refuse to Wear Collars," "Perfect the Art of Vanishing," "Keep Your Claws Sharp," "Take Over Spaces that Aren't Yours, and "Look After Your Pride," among others.

"Cats understand something that fascists never will: rest is not weakness," it is strategy," writes Reynolds, explaining that while fascists are running around giving orders, cats are stretched out on a sunbeam, waiting for their next defiant act." (If you have a cat, you know this is true.) "It's all part of their plan," he continues, "to keep you too tired to resist, too frazzled to fight back."

"Cats are the original disrupters," he writes in the chapter titled "Knock Things Over Strategically," explaining how our feline friends know that it is better to confront authority with "deliberate, calculated chaos" rather than "blind rage."

If you've ever had a cat like Lizzie, you'll know that they "Demand Food with Assertiveness." She'll follow me, constantly meowing, when she's hungry -- relentlessly. Fascists, Reynolds explains, despise those who speak up when something is wrong. "they rely on people keeping quiet, tolerating injustice, and politely waiting for scraps," he says. But cats don't care what you are up to -- when they are hungry, you know because they will tell you -- loudly, aggressively and continually. "Fascists," he says, "hate this kind of persistence because it's the opposite of compliance. they prefer silence, the kind where they can hand out half-measures and expect applause."

This gives you an idea of the book. If you can find a copy on the remainder table of your bookstore, pick it up and get some good hints from cats for the revolution!  

"A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy" by Ann Cleeves

 

When you've read almost all of the "Shetland" and "Vera" books, it sure is fun to discover a new detective from Ann Cleeves. (She has five different series, so there is little shortage, and to be specific, these books were written earlier!) But Inspector Ramsay is new to me and I will look forward to following more of his cases.

Dorothea Cassidy, the vicar's wife, is found dead in the park -- unmolested but without her phone or handbag. It is up to Ramsay and his sergeant, Hunter, to find the murderer. But first they have to put together a picture of her final day. What was she like, where did she go, and who did she see?

Cassidy is a lively, ebullient woman and one of compassion. She is trying to bring youth into her husband's church (not everyone is a fan). She is a social worker who, while protecting young children in bad situations, has earned some enemies. Some find her a busybody, many years younger than her husband and only slightly older than his late-teen son. In any event, at least one person wants her dead.

Ramsay and Hunter trace events of her last day -- a social work visit, a stop to see a cancer patient living in a senior home, an interview with a carnival worker and a stop at the hospital -- building a picture of the dead woman, talking to suspects and others alike, and considering those who may want her dead.

The characters are well drawn. One can detect the rivalry that Hunter feels for his superior. Ramsay's nosy aunt and her neighbor, a cancer resident who may hold an important clue, and residents of an assisted living center, capture the polarities of old age. A young juvenile worker doing community service, a church warden with a gambling problem, a woman and her lover who have potentially beaten their child, and a brisk, icy social worker. In this fairly short mystery, she weaves their lives together, with a most satisfying ending.

Cleeves never disappoints. Yes, I'll be reading more Ramsay mysteries.

"The Pink Lady" by Sally Denton 

 

I may have heard the name Helen Gahagan Douglas before -- it sounded vaguely familiar. But when I saw a biography of her for only 50 cents at my local book store's used section, I thought it was worth a look. After reading the back blurb I thought, "I need to know more about this woman!" (And it was a perfect book to read during Women's History Month!) 

Helen Gahagan was from an upper class home whose family managed not to lose everything in the depression. Her mother wanted to be an opera singer and was forbidden by her husband, but she instilled in Helen a passion for music -- and Helen had the voice for it, singing perfect pitch even as a child. She was determined to move to New York and become an opera singer, though she later switched to acting on Broadway with a great deal of success. It was there she met actor Melvyn Douglas and the two were married only after several months.

When Hollywood called Melvyn, the couple headed west. And it was there that they both became passionate supporters of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and politically in tune with the issues both local and national. Eventually, Helen gave up acting and made politics her job, first as an active campaigner of FDR's programs, a supporter for the poor and for human rights and eventually as one of the earliest of women representatives of Congress for California. 

While in Congress she was, at first a superstar, a maverick, a highly sought-after speaker. And then the Hollywood blacklist came along and her liberal tendencies were interpreted as Communistic rather than humanistic. 

The book highlights Gahagan-Douglas'  life and career. And what a life and career it was! Of special interest is what was one of modern politics earliest dirty trick campaign, waged against her by Richard Nixon for the U.S. Senate. It was, the book points out, one that Karl Rove took to heart several decades later. It was brilliant -- and it was horrible. 

This is a good one. Subtitled by author Sally Denton as "The Many Lives of Helen Gahagan Douglas, it was well worth a read, especially in today's political climate. 

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