Black Beans and  Vice /  J B Stanley.  Not a flower among my TBR pile.

Last night I started In the Blood (Jefferson Tayte, Bk 1) :: Steve Robinson.  I read book 3 a few months thinking it was book 1. I really enjoyed it so I decided to start from the begining. Has anyone else read this series?

Alice

Happy May

I have, Alice, and liked them as Tayte is a genealogist and so am I. However, I just finished the last in the series, Kindred, and didn't care much for it. It's probably just me but I just couldn't get into the subject matter of the storyline which was about Hitler's army, war crimes, etc. I must admit it had a nice twist to it, though.

I also just finished The Humbug Murders by L.J. Oliver. I thought the book was overly long but did enjoy all the little references to other Dickens works. Probably missed a few as I haven't read Dickens since high school. I wouldn't consider this one a cozy as it was darker in content than your average cozy. Ebenezer is in his counting house when Adelaide Owen shows up looking for a job. Suddenly the murdered ghost of Fezziwig appears amd exhorts Ebenezer to find his murderer or others will die including Scrooge. The duo is helped by Charles Dickens who is a reporter.

I like the Jefferson Tayte series too Alice, but of course, I'm behind and have some catching up to do.

Geri - I finally finished The Merchant's House and you certainly were right. the book picked up and I couldn't put it down!

kRead Murder at the 42nd Street Library/Con Lehane. This takes place at the big library in NYC and MC is the curator of the crime fiction section (which, BTW, does not exist at this library) and a writer is murdered in the library.  Then another one is murdered just outside the library.  He has to get involved and finds the murders have roots in things that happened years ago.  Despite that description, it IS NOT a cozy.  I had read the first in his other series featuring a bartender in NYC (who plays a minor role in this book).  Now I want to go back and read the rest in that series and hope this one is the beginning of a series.  Got a bit convoluted in places, but still enjoyed it.

Not sure about the "May Flowers"...it has been snowing, raining or both since Thursday and it's in the 30s.  Nothing is sticking so far and we are supposed to start warming up by the middle of the week.

I like the Jefferson Tate series too.

Jeanne, I almost gave up on The Merchant's House.  But, Marla and Bronwyn kept talking about the series.  Neither steers me wrong so I felt I had to finish the book.  When I did I wanted the next right NOW!  It seemed like the earlier books were like that, slow to get going and then once they did...  If the newest wasn't $10.99 for the Kindle or $21 for the hardcover and the list goes on, I'd have it.  Instead it's on my wl.  

Marla, we were in the 40s all last week but didn't get any snow.  Lots of rain though.  This coming week supposedly we'll slowly climb up to 70 by next weekend.  And, you've done it again, gotta get your book.  :)   

I had picked up Murder at the 42nd Street Library the other day from the library. Glad to hear you enjoyed it Marla.

No snow here, but Friday evening Coweta (where boutique it and cousins live) was pounded by baseball sized hail.  I have never seen such in my life.  Thankfully I had already left to come back to Tulsa so my car was spared.  Cousins lost 3 windshields, roof, also many, many deep dents in cars bodies.  Glenda (cousin) said the poor cows in the field were just running around crazily not knowing what was going on.  None were coshed in the head enough to hurt them thankfully. 

I tried to read something about a "Thieftaker" but just could not get interested in it at all.  He was a conjurer, but I do not even know if that was my problem.  Just had no interest, so I stopped.  Now reading "Guttenberg's Apprentice" and not far in just yet, but think it may be a good one.

Sounds like the "42nd Street Library" is not a healthy place to go.   :)

We got 4 inches of snow last week.  All gone now, but it was so weird seeing it snowing like crazy out there.  I don't know if I have ever seen that much snow so late in the season.

Reading 'Guilty as Cinnamon' by Leslie Budewitz.  I really like the first book in the series, hoping this will be just as good.

I swore that I would never have surgery on my foot again unless it got so bad I couldn't stand it.  Well, it did and I am.  May 20th.  Another plantar fasciiotomy in the bottom of my foot.  There has also been that swelling around my right ankle bone, (No I didn't get that arnica yet Geri)  So he is also going to 'evacuate' whatever is in there.  Groovy.   

I just put 42nd St library on my WL looks good

Oh Joy - you have my sympathy! Foot problems - no fun and how many times have you gone through this???? I sure hope this surgery turns out the best of all and your problem finally gets resolved. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Ah Joy, I'll add you to my prayer list and on May 20 I'll light a candle in church for successful (and last) surgery!

I just finished Rise which is not a mystery, it's classified as a romance.  It was quite good.  Takes you into the world of a rock star who is trying to redeem his life.  He has a problem with his vocal cords, like Julie Andrews.  Doesn't want the surgery, he's going on tour.  I was quite surprised that it turned out to be somewhat of a page turner without a dead body or a mystery.   

Dearest Joy --- I am so sad to hear of your new foot trauma.  You will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

I finished reading The Target (Will Robie, Bk 3) :: David Baldacci last night.  This one didn't really grab me from the start and I wasn't sure that I would even finish it but kept plugging away.  Finally about halfway through it picked up and I kept reading until I got through it.

Going to try and finish up A Whisker of Trouble by Sofie Ryan since I have to get it mailed out. I had started it about two weeks ago but had to set it aside to finish some library books that were due.

Joy, I sure hope your surgery goes well! Here's to a skilled surgeon and quick, uncomplicated recovery!

I'm about to start The Crooked Spire by Chris Nickson (#1 Crooked Spire historical mystery) in print--I had hoped to start last week, but it didn't arrive at my library to pick up until this weekend when I was working and couldn't get it. On my Kindle, I've downloaded A Wild and Lonely Place by Marcia Muller (#15 Sharon McCone mystery) and also purchased On the Road With Del and Louise by Art Taylor, a collection of short stories that knit into one long story about a couple of con artists trying to go straight. It just won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel so I thought I'd give it a try, and my library didn't have it yet. And it was pretty cheap. ($2.99) I actually picked it for my own book challenge to read a book recommended to me my Amazon, Goodreads or another book site.

I'm officially on vacation now, 10 days off! Woo hoo! Heading up north on Wednesday to see my daughter Liz and her hubby and those cute little munchkins. Clinton's first birthday is Thursday so that's going to be fun! I'll be back either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, so still plenty of time for reading til I go back to work on the 12th. :)

Cheryl

Joy  so sorry to hear of your surgery, sending best wishes.

Jeanne  Glad to hear that the recovery continues without complications

Becky  What?  What?  You are going to Europe?  Is it on a tour?  You are such a "tackle life and make every moment count"kind of person. I admire that so much.

Oh, yes, books.  I have been reading and reading.  The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith.  Just couldn't put it down.  I am eager to read the next one.  I bought one and it arrives on Wednesday.  In the meantime I will read Psy Changeling #3, Caressed By Ice.  addicted to this series.  (Paranormal romance not mystery though it actually is a little of one in each book,  lots of evil doings to be solved)

Bronwyn --- Yes, I am striking out on my very first "alone" trip.  It is a Coastal European Cruise.  Small boat, only 150 passengers.  Not going with a formal group.  So it is actually very scary in a way.  We depart from Lisbon, Portugal then onto Spain, France, Belgium, the Channel Islands and end in Amsterdam.  I have travelled with this travel company twice in the past with my elderly friend so at least I know what they offer.  With such a small number of passengers, I am hoping to be able to find some friendly folks to talk to during the trip.  At least I will know if my travelling days have ended or will continue after this foray!!!!

Still working on my "Gutenberg" book but have not made much progress due to going to sleep while reading at night.

Oh Becky - that sounds very exciting and I'm sure you will meet lots of people to socialize with!

I am going to start Braking for Bodies today and hope that I can stay awake long enough to get through the first chapter at least. See, Becky? I have the same issue!

Oh how fun, Becky - I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable.

Joy, best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Jeanne - you sound like a model of success for Mayo.

Books...I devoured books 3, 4 and 5 of the Bruno, Chief of Police Series, read Murder in Burnt Orange by Jeanne Dams (neglecting to note I already had an "orange" book), and just finished Murder Takes Priority (Postmistress, Bk 1) by Jean Flowers. The mystery wasn't super, but the postal tidbits were interesting, and for a new series, it was a long shot from being horrible, but a fair ways from being excellent. It had the standard return to hometown after broken engagement, small police force with a "friend," a bit of romance, etc.

Becky  That's wonderful!  I'm sure you will click with at least one, or probably several, others and have a great time. 

I started reading Murder at the 42nd Street Library (Raymond Ambler, Bk 1) :: Con Lehane yesterday afternoon but decided not to finish it before I reached 100 pages. Language issues and a few other descriptive words thrown in. Not to mention that I felt like I was trying to wade through quicksand when reading. Very slow at the first.

Anyway, I moved on The Guilty (Will Robie #4) by David Baldacci.

On another note, did anyone watch the new show on Monday night called Houdini and Doyle? Can't remember if it was on Fox or NBC.  I thought that it was pretty good and gives a great option for Monday night TV when not much is on.

CURRENTLY READING -

1. The Goldfish Bowl / Laurence Gough
2. Devil's Dawn / Charlotte Raine
3. Black Beans and Vice / J B Stanley
4. Trick or Deadly Treat / Livia Washburn
5. Lucificer Messiah / Frank Cavallo
6. Gone With the Witch / Heather Blake

   FINISHED -

   City of Echoes / Robert Ellis  5 stars  This is the first in the series.  Detective Matt Jones was assigned to the homicide squad in Hollywood. His first assignment, a shooting just down the block from where he was waiting for his friend.  The story starts out hard and fast. Gruesome murders, police officers killed, crazy people, over looked clues, coverups all keep the story moving at a fast pace. The story is intertwined with several unsolved murders which come together nicely.  The characters were well developed. The villains were extremely dangerous. They even made me anxious. Matt Jones did not know who, if anyone, he could trust. The story is riveting and is definitely a page turner.  I never expected the bad guys!  Phew!

Becky ~ take lots of pictures!!  It  sounds like a great trip and I hope you have a wonderful time.

My cozy mystery reading has taken a bit of a snag.  I thought I would start reading the first in my collection of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters again.  Then I thought, 'this was good' and decided to read the next two because I really like the antics of the Peabody-Emerson's son Ramses.  Well, anyway, I've got into the middle of the series now, so I might as well just finish them.                                     

Cynthia --- I almost bought the 42nd Street library book but reading reviews, etc. decided I would not.  At this moment I do not even know just what comments turned me off, but with your review, I am more satisfied that I did not buy.

I am STILL reading "Gutenberg" and am now engaged in the story.  I suppose it is a work of historical fiction rather than a mystery.  Do not want to give much away, but it is at the very beginning of the printing press invention.  Interesting about how it was a real enemy to the "scribes" of the time. 

Just finished Born in a Burial Gown/Mike Craven...a Brit police procedural.  MC is DI Fluke who has issues of his own (don't most Brit detectives?!!) and is the SIO on the case of a women found murdered and buried at a construction site.  They soon discover that the identity she is using is false and have to discover who she is before they can find her murderer.  DI Fluke doesn't play well with others and he heads a somewhat off-beat team of detectives.  It was a bit slow starting, but I find that can be said of a lot of Brit authors...mystery or not.  I hope this is the beginning of  series since, once I got into it, I really liked it.  Interesting thing...I checked here to see what else he had written and came up with nothing under his name; ditto, FF and SYKM.  Found him on Amazon and he did write a book of short stories featuring the characters from this book.

Amazon is building a sorting facility in Aurora (a large suburb of Denver)...pardon me, it is a "sortation" facility...is that even a word?   I suppose that means we will have to pay Colorado tax on anything we order once it is up and running.