Books Read:
Dzur by Steven Brust (2006) 4/5 stars
To help his ex-wfie, Vlad wades back into the middle of the affairs of the very crime organization wanting his head. Armed with his wits, his familiars, a Great Weapon, and the potential help of his goddess who likes to play tricks with his memory, his long-shot plan just might work. Brust skillfully weaves two stories together against the background of a loving tribute to food. Fast-paced and full of humor and adventure, Dzur is entertaining and satisfying.
Coffin Scarcely Used by Colin Watson (1958) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Black Piano by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1948) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Black Stocking by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1946) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Jhegaala by Steven Brust (2008) 4/5 stars
Vlad goes East, to his mother's hometown, to try and locate relatives. Instead, he becomes involved in the conspiracies of a small town where the Coven, the Guild, and the Count all vie for power. Not as fun as other of Vlad's adventures, and a bit confusing at times, this is still an entertaining and well-written novel.
Audio Books Completed
Skeleton Hill by Peter Lovesey (2009) 4/5 stars
A skeleton is found that appears to be about twenty years dead, and in the same neighborhood, a homeless man is murdered. Detective Peter Diamond of Bath CID takes on the two cases, convinced that they are in some way linked. Lovesey is an excellent mystery writer and Diamond is most realistic with his good and bad points. The plot was credible and the story engrossing. This is another great addition to this series.
Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh (1968) 4/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn's wife, Troy, makes a spur of the moment decision to take a five day pleasure river cruise. Troy finds meandering the (fictitious) river in Northern England a true pleasure, until she discovers the murdered body of a fellow passenger. This novels has excellent character development and plot, wrapped up in intelligent prose. It was a bit convoluted a few times, but stayed intriguing to the end.
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett (1992) 5/5 stars
The three witches must defend Lancre from the Elves on the eve of Magrat's wedding. This is a wonderful book, with much laugh-out-loud humor and even some touching bits. Pratchett's world is so vivid and his characters so alive, that every trip into the Discworld is a delight, but this one is especially so.
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers (1930) 4/5 stars
A woman is on trial for the murder of her lover, but Wimsey is certain she is innocent. When the jury can't come to an agreement, he has a month to find out the truth. This is one of Sayers best, in part because of Wimsey's emotional involvement, but also because it's an ingenious, if hard to fully believe, solution.
Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (1944) 4/5 stars
Lord Sheringham needs to marry to come into his inheritance, as he's badly in debt. When his choice refuses him, he proposes to a childhood friend, Hero. An orphan, she is about to be sent to be a governess, so this marriage of convenience is the perfect solution for her as well. What Sherry doesn't realize is that Hero has loved him all her life. Friday's Child follows the first several months of their marriage, as Hero struggles to find her way in society and her place in Sherry's heart. This is one of Heyer's best, with witty conversation, engaging characters and a plot that isn't as predictable as it first seems.
Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett (1993) 4/5 stars
It's nearly impossible to describe a Pratchett novel, but in short: a dwarf is murdered with a weapon no one can fully envision, and the Night Watch becomes involved in the mystery. Men at Arms fleshes out characters met in previous novels, and introduces some memorable new ones. It's laugh-out-loud funny, but is also a richly layered, well-written novel.
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves (2006) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Dzur by Steven Brust (2006) 4/5 stars
To help his ex-wfie, Vlad wades back into the middle of the affairs of the very crime organization wanting his head. Armed with his wits, his familiars, a Great Weapon, and the potential help of his goddess who likes to play tricks with his memory, his long-shot plan just might work. Brust skillfully weaves two stories together against the background of a loving tribute to food. Fast-paced and full of humor and adventure, Dzur is entertaining and satisfying.Coffin Scarcely Used by Colin Watson (1958) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Black Piano by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1948) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Black Stocking by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1946) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Jhegaala by Steven Brust (2008) 4/5 stars
Vlad goes East, to his mother's hometown, to try and locate relatives. Instead, he becomes involved in the conspiracies of a small town where the Coven, the Guild, and the Count all vie for power. Not as fun as other of Vlad's adventures, and a bit confusing at times, this is still an entertaining and well-written novel.
Audio Books Completed
Skeleton Hill by Peter Lovesey (2009) 4/5 stars
A skeleton is found that appears to be about twenty years dead, and in the same neighborhood, a homeless man is murdered. Detective Peter Diamond of Bath CID takes on the two cases, convinced that they are in some way linked. Lovesey is an excellent mystery writer and Diamond is most realistic with his good and bad points. The plot was credible and the story engrossing. This is another great addition to this series.
Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh (1968) 4/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn's wife, Troy, makes a spur of the moment decision to take a five day pleasure river cruise. Troy finds meandering the (fictitious) river in Northern England a true pleasure, until she discovers the murdered body of a fellow passenger. This novels has excellent character development and plot, wrapped up in intelligent prose. It was a bit convoluted a few times, but stayed intriguing to the end.
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett (1992) 5/5 stars
The three witches must defend Lancre from the Elves on the eve of Magrat's wedding. This is a wonderful book, with much laugh-out-loud humor and even some touching bits. Pratchett's world is so vivid and his characters so alive, that every trip into the Discworld is a delight, but this one is especially so.
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers (1930) 4/5 stars
Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (1944) 4/5 stars
Lord Sheringham needs to marry to come into his inheritance, as he's badly in debt. When his choice refuses him, he proposes to a childhood friend, Hero. An orphan, she is about to be sent to be a governess, so this marriage of convenience is the perfect solution for her as well. What Sherry doesn't realize is that Hero has loved him all her life. Friday's Child follows the first several months of their marriage, as Hero struggles to find her way in society and her place in Sherry's heart. This is one of Heyer's best, with witty conversation, engaging characters and a plot that isn't as predictable as it first seems.
Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett (1993) 4/5 stars
It's nearly impossible to describe a Pratchett novel, but in short: a dwarf is murdered with a weapon no one can fully envision, and the Night Watch becomes involved in the mystery. Men at Arms fleshes out characters met in previous novels, and introduces some memorable new ones. It's laugh-out-loud funny, but is also a richly layered, well-written novel.
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves (2006) 4/5 stars (my review here)
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