REVIEW: Extinction

 Extinction
Author: Douglas Preston

I'm going to be open and honest from the start. Douglas Preston is one of my favorite authors. I've read his collaborations, fiction, non-fiction...and loved it all. If he wrote a trilogy on the joys of stereo ownership and installation, I would buy it and love it. Preston is one of the few authors that I eagerly await new books from and jump at the chance to read them early or I binge read on publication day. I can't help it. 

When I first read the blurb for this new book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on an ebook copy and the audio book. I'm fascinated by stories that involve the re-creation or discovery of species we thought were extinct. This time it's not dinosaurs or megalodon...but the woolly mammoth. I knew from the moment I read about the basic plot of this book that I had to read it. Mostly because scientists are actually working right now to re-create the woolly mammoth using DNA extracted from dead specimens found preserved in permafrost and modern day elephants. 

This story also mentions many other long-gone creatures -- giant beaver, the ground sloth, a woolly ancient ancestor of the rhinoceros, giant armadillos, and Irish Elk to name a few. Can you imagine? And I know without a doubt if this park existed I would go there, buy a season pass, and the t-shirt. Probably a travel mug and a stuffed mammoth at the gift shop as well. Yep....I'd be all in. So, of course, I had to read this book. :) It's as close to the real thing as I'm going to get!

The story is set in the Colorado Rockies at a resort. The Erebus Resort has 144 square miles of land surrounded by high mountains in the most beautiful and rugged area in Colorado. Huge extinct animals need a lot of space after all. I live in Denver Metro....so it was like reading about Woolly Mammoths coming to life and grazing in my backyard! But, I kept hearing that line from Jurassic Park in my head "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." 

The truth of it is (like a lot of tourist and travel destination places in the real Colorado) Erebus is a vacation for the wealthy. "Normal" people don't travel to Erebus. Only the privileged can afford it. And, it's worth the cost to have the chance to travel up into the mountains and see a wide range of animals who have been "de-extincted." 

A honeymooning couple books a guided hike up into the mountains to see the mammoths in their "natural" habitat instead of sticking around the more touristy parts of the resort, but they both disappear in the middle of the night. The only signs left of them is their torn tent and two bloodstained patches on the ground. This tale doesn't become some Missing 411 lore.....the case blows up immediately because the man who disappeared is the son of a tech industry billionaire. 

This is the first case Detective Frankie Cash works as a senior detective with the CBI Major Crimes Division. Not only did this happen at a major tourist destination like Erebus Resort, but one of the victims is a billionaire's son. Very high profile case. Cash is a wonderful main character. She is a skilled detective and a strong, independent woman. She isn't intimidated by a high profile case or a park filled with huge formerly extinct animals. And this case takes all of her skills. What a wild ride! Loved it!!!! 

This story would be so visual and awesome as a limited film series or movie. I would so binge watch this on Netflix or another streaming service!!! 

I read a review copy of the ebook (Tor Publishing) and also listened to a review copy of the audio book (Macmillan Audio). The audio is just over 12 hours long and narrated by David Aaron Baker. This is the first time I've listened to a novel narrated by Baker. Great performance! He reads at a nice steady pace. His voice is pleasant and easily understandable. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio. I read the ebook while listening....there's just something about having a thrilling story read out loud. Loved it when I was a kid and love it now! There were a few edits between the review ebook and audio versions, but just a word or phrase here or there. There were no big differences. 

Great story!!

NOTE: I only have one complaint about this book. Douglas refers to a mountain in Colorado by the wrong name. Mount Evans was renamed Mount Blue Sky in 2023 due to its being named after former territorial governor John Evans, who in 1864 signed a proclamation allowing Coloradans to shoot and kill "hostile Indians." This led to the infamous Sand Creek Massacre where 230 Native Americans from the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes, mostly women, children and elderly, were murdered.After the killings, the regiments responsible for the murders also desecrated the dead bodies. It was horrific and barbaric. The mountain should only be referred to by its new name, and I hope this is corrected in later editions of the book as the events in the story are not openly dated before the name change. 

Another great book!! I was totally mesmerized by this story, and the investigation kept me guessing. Lots of twists and turns. Just a totally cool premise and a very intense case! Preston Douglas did it again! :) 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book and listened to a review copy of the audio book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Boy Who Cried Bear

 The Boy Who Cried Bear
Author: Kelley Armstrong

This spin-off series from the Rockton books by Kelley Armstrong keeps getting better and better! I loved the Rockton series. The concept of a town hidden in remote Canada where people can go to disappear for awhile just really intrigued me. I read every single book, and every plot kept my attention from start to finish. 

Some residents of Rockton were criminals, some people were running from danger, and others just wanted to disappear for reasons of their own. Nobody knew their stories except for Sheriff Eric Dalton and his deputy, Casey Duncan. Rockton fell apart as more and more dangerous people came into town, and ulterior motives for the existence of the town were revealed. So, Eric and Casey plus several residents of Rockton, set out to form a new town, Haven's Rock. 

But it seems trouble has followed them. 

I'm loving this new series just as much as I enjoyed the Rockton books! Eric and Casey are now in charge, but they are finding that the basic premise of a very remote town for people who need to disappear is just a dangerous situation.The location is dangerous -- residents of Haven's Rock are told firmly that nobody is to wander into the forest alone. The forest isn't safe. And, people are dangerous. Those who need to disappear and live totally off the grid often have dark secrets, dark pasts or even darker intentions.

In this second book in the series, a young boy reports a seeing a strange man-bear thing while on a group hike in the woods. Then soon after, a dead body is discovered and the boy goes missing. 

This story can be read as a stand-alone book, but I really recommend reading the Rockton series before delving into the Haven's Rock books to fully understand the characters and background. 

As usual I got totally sucked into this story from the start and it kept my attention to the very last word. There is a lot going on! The suspense is awesome! 

I actually read an ebook copy of this story while listening to the audio book. I love to do that especially with horror or suspense novels. I don't miss a word....and there's just something about having a suspenseful story read out loud! The audio book is a bit over 10 hours long and is narrated by Therese Plummer. Plummer did a great job of voice acting as usual! She reads at a steady pace, does a great job of voicing each character, and brings out the suspense of the story in her performance. 

Another great book in this series! I can't wait for the next one! Kelley Armstrong states on her website that she is editing Book 3 while writing Book 4 in this series. Yay!!  I can't wait to find out what happens in Haven's Rock next!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press and listened to the audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Claws for Alarm

 Claws for Alarm
Author: T.C. LoTempio

I love the old Thin Man movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles. And I'm loving this cozy mystery series featuring Nora Charles and her kitty sidekick, Nick. 

Claws for Alarm is the second book in this series. When Nora's sister Lacey is arrested for supposedly murdering an art professor, Nora finds herself doing some amateur sleuthing again. With the help of Nick, of course. Turns out there is a lot more going on than a bad grade in an art class. Once again, Nora finds herself in real danger. Luckily, she can rely on her trusty furry sidekick to help out!

This series is so much fun to read! Nora is an intelligent, capable main character. And there's a lot more to Nick than fuzzy cuteness. I like the background theme of a sandwich shop with menu items named after celebrities. The side characters are interesting and entertaining. There are plenty of suspects and the mystery progresses at a nice pace. Plenty of surprises. I had the murderer figured out, but didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle until the very end. 

Loved it! Can't wait to read the next book in this series! The cover art is always awesome, and the plots are entertaining. 

REVIEW: Steeped - The Chemistry of Tea

 Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea
Author: Michelle Francl

I love tea. I sip every day. I have more than 100 different varieties and flavors of loose leaf teas in my tea stash. Anything from herbal to pu'erh to rooibos...I've got it and brew it. I mix my own tea blends. I work from home and tea breaks are my moments of zen during the day. Taking time out for some tea brings me peace, clears my mind, and refocuses me. I've spent years learning about tea and perfecting my brewing skills. I make a great cup of tea. 

So, of course I had to read a book about the chemistry behind tea!

I heard about this book due to a controversy stemming from the author recommending a pinch of salt to offset the bitter taste of overbrewed black tea. (She's totally right....just a very tiny amount of salt added can save a bitter cup of tea. I've tried it.) I spent years perfecting my tea brewing skills and my tea blending skills. I've gone from a cup of microwaved water and a cheapo grocery store tea bag to sampling rare varieties of loose leaf teas with all manner of brewing requirements. There really is a learning curve to the perfect cup of tea. 

My tea journey and everything I have learned about how to make a proper cup of tea made me want to read this book. The Chemistry of Tea -- yep, I wanted to know the science behind the lovely aroma, taste and differences between my favorite types of teas. 

And Michelle Francl delivered just what I wanted!! 

This book covers the molecular makeup of tea, what chemicals are present in the leaves, the differences in processing that creates different types of teas, how to brew, when to add milk, sugar, honey, and much more. 

I made it into part of my tea ritual for an entire week.Steeped has 7 chapters, so this worked perfectly. Each chapter starts out with a tea pairing recommendation. When I got up each morning, I brewed the tea of the day and read one chapter in this book. So much information! Very interesting and just fun to read. 

I am not a chemist. I did remember some of the facts she shared about basic chemistry from my public education, but a lot of the science facts were new to me. I loved the information about what makes tea smell and taste the way it does, and how the processing of the leaves makes a huge difference in the taste profile of the tea. That's how leaves from basically the same plant can become black, green, oolong, white, or pu'erh tea. 

And brewing matters.  You can't just microwave the crap out of a mug of water and plunk in whatever tea bag, leave it for a bit and have a great cup of tea. And, cheap tea makes cheap tasting tea. I grew up with Lipton tea bags tossed in microwaved water until the result looked dark enough....bit of sweetener thrown in...that was tea. Is it drinkable? Yep, for the most part. Is it good? Nope. And, Francl's book gave me the science to back up the fact that quality of tea and how tea is brewed really matters. 

The science she shares totally backed up the tea skills I have learned over the years. I start each day with an excellent cup of tea because I'm doing all the right things. And after reading this book, I know why those brewing skills create a great cup of tea. 

Those who aren't into science might find this book a bit off-putting or overwhelming at first. But, it's only 7 chapters. Even if the discussion of chemistry, diagrams of molecules and explanations of what chemicals are present in tea leaves isn't riveting, there is a lot of information on tea itself, brewing, why changing up certain things can change the taste and aroma of the tea in your cup.....   

I recommend this book to every tea lover! I learned some new brewing concepts that I've put into practice (like warming my cup up first before I pour any tea into it -- it makes a difference!) and learned to really appreciate all the wonderful science that goes into the aroma and taste of my tea.

The moment of zen I feel when I bring a mug of fresh tea up close to have that first sip of the day....the steam, the lovely aroma....the flavor....is all backed up by science! 

Thanks Michelle!

 

REVIEW: The Three-Body Problem

 The Three-Body Problem
Author: Cixin Liu

This trilogy has been on my TBR list for a long time. Finding out about the Netflix series pushed it up to the top of my list. I have a personal policy that if a show is based on a book, I have to read the book (or in this case, books) first. 

I knew the basic concept before I started reading. But purposely avoided any reviews or commentaries on the books or author before I started reading. I didn't want any spoilers or outside opinions to hold any sway over my own opinion or enjoyment of the trilogy. 

I followed my usual reading method for classics or books that involve a lot of foreign language words -- I listened to an audio book version while also reading the text. I bought a paperback edition and the audio book from Audible narrated by Luke Daniels. The audio is about 13.5 hours long. 

The audio performance was good. Daniels read at an even pace, and as far as I could tell did a good job pronouncing Chinese names correctly. I'm glad I chose to listen and read at the same time! I would have butchered every Chinese word or fumbled over them in my mind the entire time.

The story -- wow! There's a lot to take in. While there are hard sci-fi elements involved, I was pulled in more by the different feel of the story. It's told from the Chinese perspective, and that changed the feel of the book. It's the first time I've read a story where Chinese history, culture and science are represented without outside interpretation, if that makes sense. It wasn't an America story with a anti-communist filter thrown in.There is some real discussion of the Cultural Revolution and the controlling nature of Chinese politics, but those points further the depictions of the characters and don't act as plot points themselves. The science and the main story created around that science are the main catalysts in play. Loved it! 

I saw a few articles in passing regarding outcry about this book being translated into English or made into a Netflix series.I didn't read any of these articles in depth because I'm trying not to read any outside opinions until I've read all 3 books. But I did read an opening paragraph or two before leaving these articles behind. I'm fully against book banning. Other cultures, ideologies, and governments do exist on this planet. Attempting to ban translating fiction from different cultures into English based on fear of other ideologies is small-minded.  The argument against translating Chinese literature into English feels very racist and closed minded to me. Nobody is attempting to groom readers into being Communist through science fiction novels. There is just no room in modern society for ridiculous reactionary opinions like that. It's not the 1950's red scare era. Read the book or don't....but don't try to limit other people's access to foreign fiction based on fear of another culture. Book banning is wrong.  Don't like it - don't read it. Don't want your kids reading it -- don't allow them to read it. But don't ever assume anyone has the right to limit other people's access to books. Plus, as I stated above, Chinese government and politics plays a small role in the plot to detail the experiences, motivation and surroundings of the characters...and nothing more.

I'm not going to share a lot of plot details to avoid spoilers. The basic premise: In the 1960s, a scientist broadcasts a message into space....and receives a response. Confirmed alien presence in the universe causes a struggle between different factions with differing ideas of how humanity should respond. I'm not giving away any more information than what a reader could learn from the basic book blurb. 

I enjoyed this book! I already have a paperback copy of the second book, The Dark Forest, and an audio book copy ready to go! I can't wait to find out how the story continues!

REVIEW: Homicide at the Haunted House

 Homicide at the Haunted House
Author: Beth Dolgner

Homicide at the Haunted House is the first book in the Nightmare, Arizona series. 

The basics: Olivia's life is basically imploding. Freshly divorced, unemployed and on a cross-country trip to San Diego to move in with family to start over, she's about had all she can handle. Wouldn't you know that's the time when her car breaks down? So, now she is divorced, unemployed and stranded in a town called Nightmare with no money to pay for car repairs. The answer? Get a job at the local year-around haunted house attraction to make some money to pay to fix her car. As is that wasn't enough, during her first night at work she finds a dead body. What a nightmare!!

This is such an entertaining and enjoyable story to read! The plot moves along at a good pace and there were several surprises along the way. I like the background theme and the characters. Olivia is a great MC! She rolls with the punches and figures things out. And, she did some great amateur sleuthing!

All in all, a great paranormal cozy mystery! I'm definitely reading the rest of this series! 

REVIEW: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

I read this novella as part of an ongoing personal reading challenge to re-visit classic literature. I'm endeavoring to find out if I enjoy these stories more when reading by choice rather than necessity. Most classics I read during high school and college were books I would not have picked had I a choice at the time. And I don't remember really enjoying most of them. So, I'm going back and picking out classic stories that interest me.....and reading them again. 

Dracula was fantastic. Frankenstein, although it got a bit too melodramatic in places, was very enjoyable and thought provoking. So next up -- The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This is another famous classic that has been done to death in movies, television, adaptations. Thankfully this story has not been butchered quite as badly as Frankenstein where the moves bear little resemblance to the actual story. And, it hasn't 'been sexualized like Dracula. 

I'm going to be honest from the start with this one. I know I must have read this book before at some point. As a literature major, I read a lot of books and I don't see how this one would not have been part of the required reading. But, I have no memory of the actual book. I know the story line from film or television. Most likely in college I read this one quickly, did the assignments or discussion that was required of me, and moved on. Perfect book to re-visit! 

Background: Robert Louis Stevenson wrote this novella in 1886. The story is told from the point of view of Jekyll's friend and lawyer, Mr John Gabriel Utterson,who investigates his friend's strange association with an evil and dangerous character, Mr. Edward Hyde. The tale has been adapted for the stage, film, radio, television, books, graphic novels/comics, video games.....   It's been done to death. If you add in re-tellings, adaptations, sequels, spoofs/parodies, music, or inclusion of the character in other stories, this book has been mangled in every way possible just like Dracula, Frankenstein and many other classic horror and sci-fi stories. I'm not surprised, as the basic premise of the story almost begs to be made into a horror production. Mild mannered doctor.....evil, uncontrollable madman. The basic plot is ingrained in popular culture. For good reason - it's true to life. How many times have we heard tales of serial killers whose neighbors say "He was a quiet person. Very nice. Likeable. I'm shocked....." A seemingly normal, friendly person by day......who was burying dead bodies in his crawlspace at night.  

I like to listen to an audio book while reading a print copy or ebook when it comes to classics. I find I enjoy the story more. I also only read these stories when I have time to fully pay attention. I don't listen while doing household chores, driving, etc like I do with other books. I sit down, and just concentrate on the book. And, I did the same with The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

This book is readily available online for free through Project Gutenburg and other resources. I found an ebook version from 1986 online, and the Audible exclusive audio version narrated by Richard Armitage was already in my library. The audio is just a bit over 3 hours long.

I enjoyed this story. Even though I knew the basic plot, it was very engaging. Doctor Jekyll's friend was very concerned for his well being, and it was interesting to see the truth come out little by little. The last two chapters of the book had me riveted. One is a testimony of another colleague  of Jekyll's giving an account of what he witnessed of Jekyll and Hyde. And the last is a long narrative by Jekyll explaining his own downfall. It's a very interesting story about good and evil, human nature, and how moral people can be tempted into doing bad things. 

All in all, a very thought provoking book and an enjoyable story. I'm glad I read it! The story is so much more than some of the films or television adaptations show. It's not just about a man devolving into a monster. It's about human nature, temptation, addiction and how basically good people can become a slave to their own vices. It's difficult to escape from the wrong path once a person has given in to vice or their more base nature - drugs, criminal behavior, violence, sexual outlets, etc. Once Jekyll let Hyde out....he had a rough time being able to put him back. Scary concept, but so true. While the physical changes are fanciful, the mental changes portrayed in this book are so realistic. Bad choices can morph a person into someone that friends, family and associates don't even recognize anymore.

So far I'm 3 for 3. I have liked all 3 of the classics I have revisited so far. But, I must admit, I like horror and monster tales so it's no surprise I enjoyed Dracula, Frankenstein and Jekyll/Hyde. 

I will step away from classic horror for my next read. I'm going to read The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Sci-fi! Woot! Not a typical classic, and not a book I read before. But I'm giving "classic" a wide definition to include books I read as part of required academic reading or stories that appear on lists of the "best" classic novels, and also award winning books put forth as great examples of particular genres. Winning the Hugo Award works for me. Plus, I have a rule that I have to read the book(s) before I can watch an adaptation based on the story. I can't watch the new Netflix series before I read the book....so reading! I plan to read more award winning and classic hard sci-fi novels during my journey through literature. Starting with Cixin Liu!

 

 

REVIEW: A Haunting in the Arctic

 A Haunting in the Arctic
Author: CJ Cooke

The wreck of an old whaling ship washes up on the Icelandic coast. The Ormen was lost in 1901 and the fate of its crew was never known. There are plans to destroy the wreck, so an urban explorer heads to the coast to explore the Ormen before it's too late.

Dominique is going to film her exploration of the long lost ship so she can share the videos on social media. She plans a solo expedition, but meets up with 3 other people, also intent upon seeing the wreck. 

This story switches back and forth between the ship in 1901 and Dominique's investigation.There's a lot of darkness to take in....and at times I had to put the book down and walk off for awhile. Abuse, murder, sexual assault, and brutality -- it's all there. The story is dark, cold, and haunting, but it kept my attention from start to finish. 

I'm not going to elaborate on the plot to avoid spoilers. But -- this story does involve violence, sexual assault and murder. If those plot points are triggers, I'd pass on this one. It's a dark suspenseful tale for those who choose to read. 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own** 

REVIEW: A Smoking Bun

 A Smoking Bun
Author: Ellie Alexander

When a cozy series has 19 books in it, and I haven't read any of them yet, I have to weigh things in my mind about whether I want to jump in and start reading or not. 19+ books is a big commitment. So, I decided to jump out of my comfort zone and read book #18 before deciding to commit to the entire Bakeshop Mystery series or not. 

And.....I now have 18 more books to read. :) A Smoking Bun was an entertaining and fun cozy mystery!

It's a bit rough jumping in at Book 18, but I soon had the setting, characters and basic premise figured out. So, this book can definitely be read as a standalone by anyone who hasn't read this entire series. I liked the background premise - the bakeshop. Culinary cozies are some of my favorites! I enjoyed the characters and the basic plot. Jules is a great MC. She's smart, a great businesswoman and an excellent amateur sleuth. 

The basics: It's time for the annual Downhill Dummy celebration at a local ski resort. One by one, those participating strap dummies to skis and send them hurtling down a ski jump to see which one gets the best air and most spectacular crash landings. When one of the dummies goes off course and lands on top a local guide, Jules finds herself smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. 

I'm definitely backtracking to start this series at Book 1. :) 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: Ill-Fated Fortune

 Ill-Fated Fortune
Author: Jennifer Chow

When I read the blurb for this new cozy series, I immediately snagged book 1 for review. It just sounded like such a magical and delightful premise. Felicity Jin grew up helping her mother run their magical bakery. She usually leaves the cooking to her mother who definitely has the magical baking skills. When Felicity tries her hand at baking fortune cookies things go all wrong....deadly wrong. 

I loved the premise, the setting, the characters....this first book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series was just fun to read! 

The pace was a little slow in this first book, but there was a lot of character and setting building that needed to happen! I'm totally on board for the next book! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Tainted Cup

 The Tainted Cup
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett

Oh my! This book totally caught me by surprise! I absolutely love it when an author combines genres and weaves a story that sends me into joyful binge reading. This story is so different - loved it! 

Bennett mixes dystopian fantasy and mystery together with great skill. I was a bit afraid that the world building for the fantasy portion of the plot or the suspense of the mystery might take a hit as both are so complex to write and write well....but he pulled it off. I was almost immediately sucked into the world and the mystery. I don't often end up binge reading an entire book in a bit over one day, but I did this one. 

The basics: A high ranking officer is killed in a particularly strange and gory way. Detective Ana Dolabra and her sidekick Dinios "Din" Kol are on the case. And, it turns out that there is a lot more going on than just a mere murder. The entire plot as it unfolds is a threat to the very Empire itself. 

I'm not going to say much about the world or further details about the plot, because this story is really best read with no advanced knowledge beyond the bare basics. Let it unfold from the pages.....not spoilers! 

Loved the characters, the world, the premise -- so different and entertaining to read! Very clever. Skillfully written. And, just a joy to read! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: The Holy Terrors

 The Holy Terrors
Author: Simon R. Green

Simon R. Green is one of my favorite authors. I will have to be totally honest here and say I am not totally impartial/neutral when I write reviews of his books. If Simon wrote a lengthy novel about assembling bookshelves while doing hot yoga, I would read the book and give it 5 stars. I've been addicted to his books since the Nightside series. 

The minute I saw he had a new series about a ghost hunting television show that encounters a very real, dangerous situation,  knew I had to read the book! And, as usual, Simon did not disappoint. I loved this book! 

Can you imagine the crew of Ghosthunters if they entered a spooky location and REAL spooky shit started happening? What if they suspected one of their crew/cast was a really bad person? What if the whole situation was actually really dangerous....and not just fake BS? They would totally freak out....and I would watch every second of that shit. Definitely.

I love the mix of humor and scary. The premise is fun and entertaining. And, it immediately had me hooked. A bunch of celebrities gathering for another fake reality show.....but they end up in an actual dark, twisted situation. The end wasn't my favorite -- but it worked. Totally satisfied and ready for more!

Loved it! Can't wait for the next book! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Clinic

 The Clinic
Author: Cate Quinn

After her sister dies in a remote Pacific Coast rehab clinic, Meg checks herself into the clinic to investigate. She firmly believes that there is no way her famous sister killed herself, and despite their estrangement, she is determined to find out what happened. 

I don't often enjoy stories that switch point of view, but in this case it really worked to build the suspense. The focus switches back and forth from Meg to Cara, the manager of the clinic. I had a rough time reading the Cara portions of the story because she wasn't a very likable character (but then again I wasn't meant to like her). 

The first half of the book builds the premise, characters, setting and starts the course to suspense. The suspenseful, faster-paced portion of the story starts in the second half. I found myself binge reading because I had to know what happened! 

This is a very dark, twisted story. I didn't see the end coming. Definitely worth reading!!

This is the first book by Cate Quinn that I've read. I am definitely reading more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Sourcebooks. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: Frankenstein

 Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley

One of my favorite pastimes is reading. I love books. 

Even so, during my years of schooling, I was obliged (I really want to use the term "forced" here, as it is pretty well true) to read many, many things that were not my choice. Some were great....and others, well....I believe the term Classic is sometimes applied too liberally. I have strong opinions on high school reading lists that haven't been updated for decades.

It is a totally different experience to read a book by choice with true interest in the story. So, I have decided to choose some classic literature to revisit. I want to see if reading these books again without any outside pressures, opinions or instruction will make the tales more enjoyable. Re-visiting some classic novels with adult wisdom and experience might give different insights into the characters and stories as well. I'm willing to delve back into whatever old tomes catch my fancy, and see what I think. And, there is no exam at the end! Woot!

I start this project while I am several books into another personal reading challenge - reading all of Agatha Christie's writing in publication order. I found a system that works for Christie's novels that I am also going to use for my foray into classics. I obtain a print or E-book version of the text and an audio book version, and read the text as I listen to the audio. I'm finding it helps me check on changes in text between editions, if any. It also keeps my mind focused completely on the story. I only read/listen to my book of choice when I have time to only concentrate on reading. I will not be listening to Christie or classic audio books while driving, doing household tasks or anything else. I also pause my reading to look up references to people, places, events in the story or whatever might grab my attention. The internet makes researching little tangents so easy, and it lends a more in-depth understanding of the story. I also look for adaptations into other formats - movies, TV, graphic novels, and audio dramas - and compare some of the adaptations to the actual novel while the book is still fresh in my mind. Then I review the book on my book blog.

I got the idea for this personal reading challenge when PBS hosted The Great American Read. I watched each episode of the accompanying show and read several of the books that made the final list of 100 favorite books. I loved the concept and I enjoyed voting and finding out which books made the top list. But, I really just wanted to enjoy picking my own personal list. 

The first classic I re-visited was Dracula. I disliked the novel when I read it in school, but the revisit was a success. I loved the story and really enjoyed the horror/psychological aspects of Stoker's vampire tale. So, I decided my next classic would be another in the horror genre - Frankenstein. The last time I read this book was in college, and about the only thing I remember from previous readings is that the actual story is very different from movie and television adaptations. I also remember that the story started some great moral/ethical debates during class discussion. 

I read Frankenstein using an ebook, courtesy of my lovely local library and Hoopla (Duke Classics, 2012) and an audio book I already had in my Audible library (Audible Studios, 10/29/13, narrated by Dan Stevens). The audio is 8 hours and 35 minutes long. Stevens does a very good job of voice acting, reads at a good steady pace, and is easily understandable. Excellent performance!

The first issue I encountered as I started reading is that I discovered there are multiple editions of Frankenstein, with the author and even Percy Shelley making edits in the later versions. The first edition was published anonymously in 1818. There was an edited version in 1823, and a another version published in 1831 that finally gave author's credit to Mary Shelley. I read up on the differences between the 1818 and 1831 version and they are extensive.

I didn't discover this fact until I was about 3 chapters into the first volume of the book. I stopped for a bit to contemplate whether I wanted to take a deep dive and read both the 1818 version and 1831 version, and compare/contrast the changes. It took me a little bit of research to determine what edition I was reading -- 1831. I thought on it for a bit and decided that I'm only going to read the 1831 version. I am reading for enjoyment not academic study. The end result is a book review, not a dissertation or academic paper. I'm not interested in scholarly debates on which version is better. I just want to experience and enjoy the story. If Mary Shelley made edits to her creation, I'm willing to read the one that was her final version...the one with her name on it as author. Plus, truthfully, I could not find a copy of the 1818 version and didn't want to spend more money buying another copy just to compare the two. At some point, I may go back and read the earlier version to see which one I prefer. 

Both Victor Frankenstein and his Creature/Creation speak extensively regarding their feelings throughout the book. The Creation (He does not have a name, and I don't like calling him by derogatory terms because his physical condition and appearance are not his fault) feels alone in the universe and hated or feared by everyone. No matter how nice he tries to be, there is no place for him among men. So he exacts revenge on the man who created him and abandoned him to try to make his way in the world alone. Victor sees his creation as an abomination and oftentimes wishes he would just die/disappear. He calls his Creation evil and laments the violent revenge and actions of the Creation he abandoned, but never really admits that the entire situation is his fault. He dabbled in science that was best left alone for moral reasons and then ran away like a coward when his experiment was successful. Did he think the Creation he brought to life would just magically go away? Then the creature begs him to give him a companion, promising to disappear if he just has another being like him to spend his days with. Victor goes on and on about being disgusted by conducting the experiment again - but isn't the act a way to undo the harm he did by his first act of Creation?  Of course, things do not go well.....and things end badly for both Victor and his Creation. 

There isn't a lot of detail given regarding the nature of what Victor did to give life to a dead body. The focus of the 1831 edition is more on the feelings, emotions and ethical questions about what Victor accomplished. His actions were horrific. He didn't realize it at the time, but by the end of the story he realizes what he did was unforgivable. Victor loses everything he loves. And, the Creation never had anything to lose. It's sad. 

I kept thinking of a scene from Jurassic  Park as I listened to this book. Dr. Malcolm is upset over the re-creation of dinosaurs and says,"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could that they didn't stop to think if they should." I think that statement applies here as well. Victor was so obsessed with the fact that he could reanimate a dead body that he never once stopped to think if he should. Then he was horrified and ran away. And that one act of cowardice caused so much pain for everyone that came in contact with Victor or the Creation. How would the story have been different if Victor had helped his Creation...taken him in, shown some compassion, or even destroyed him at the beginning? But he just ran away.....left the Creation there alone. The Creation discovers Victor's notes and learns who brought him life.....and abandoned him to an existence filled with loneliness, pain and mental anguish. 

Who is the monster? After listening to the full story, I really have no sympathy for Victor Frankenstein.The Creature tried for years to be kind....to just Live....and was injured and rejected at every turn. Every bad event that happens in this tale is a consequence of Victor's ego and thoughtless actions.

This is a very moving, and horrific story. It has nothing to do with ridiculous movies about a 9 foot tall green monster with bolts in his neck. It's horrific because a man used his knowledge of science to create life, and then abandoned that life, causing harm to so many other people. It's about abuse of knowledge, medical ethics, consequences and revenge. 

I enjoyed re-visiting this classic. It's a gruesome story. I found myself wishing that just one person would overlook the Creation's appearance and see his goodness and his genius....just one friend would have made this a different story. If Victor had taken responsibility for his actions and done the right thing, the outcome may have been entirely different.

All the twists and turns in this story will have me thinking on human nature, ethics, and responsibility for some time to come. So glad I read this book again! It's very dark, but so thought provoking!

REVIEW: Meow If It's Murder

 Meow If It's Murder
Author: T.C. Lo Tempio

I love The Thin Man movies, so of course I'm going to read a cozy series that pays tribute to them! Loved this first book! I can't wait to read more!

The basics: Nora left her job as a crime reporter in Chicago to return home to Cruz, CA to run her mom's sandwich shop.She looks forward to a quieter life and paying tribute to her deceased mother by running the business she spent years establishing. Things are going great until she gets pulled into a murder mystery, finds a cat who seems to gravitate to detective work and Scrabble tiles, and finds herself at odds with a local cop. 

Great story! I love Nick the Cat! Nora is a great main character. She's the perfect mix of feisty, smart and determined. The side characters and setting add to the enjoyment of the story as well. Nice mix of mystery, humor and a touch of romantic tension. The cover art is cute. Cozy mysteries have the best covers!

All in all, this was a great start to a cozy series! I've already started reading Book 2! 

 

REVIEW: Murder in Mesopotamia

 Murder in Mesopotamia
Author: Agatha Christie

For the last three years, I've been on a quest to read all of Agatha Christie's writings in publication order. I'm finally up to 1936. So many more books and short stories to go! I am loving every word of it! 

I have developed a habit of reading a physical or digital copy while listening to an audio book performance. I enjoy it more that way, plus I can pinpoint any changes in the text. Most of the time it's an older print version and a newer audio book, or the US version vs the UK edition. 

I also stop frequently and research adaptations for each story, look up people and references Christie mentions, or the settings for the stories. My only rule is that to be best of my ability I need to read in publication order. No skipping around. And I can't skip any books. I am not reading The Detection Club writings or the Mary Westmacott writings at this time. Only books written solely by Agatha and under her own name. I may go back and try the Westmacott books after I have finished all of the regular Christie novels. And, I will definitely be reading The Detection Club books! 

I am really enjoying meandering my way through Christie with no time line, no agenda and no supervision -- joy!! And for those who are interested in my musings on each book, I'm happy to write down my thoughts and share them. I love comments and discussion, so feel free to message me. 

Now, on to Murder in Mesopotamia -- 

This story was first published in serial format in the Saturday Evening Post in the US in 1935. It was also serialized, but abridged, in the UK magazine Women's Pictoral in February 1936. It was first published in novel format in the UK in July 1936, with US publication later in the year.

I love it when I come across Christie mysteries that I have never read. Murder in Mesopotamia is another one! 

This is one of Agatha's books that I never owned. I have many of them in very old paperback format most dating from the 1960s - 1980s, gathered over the years. But this is one of the few missing from my collection. A collection that unfortunately was more bookshelf decor than actually read. Making up for that now! This particular book seems to be one of the few I never found.

I found an old print copy available online for this reading. I read the text from a collection of 5 books

called "Murderers Abroad" -- the book was published in 1989 by Avenel Books and it contained The Mystery of the Blue Train, Murder in Mesopotamia, They Came to Baghdad, So Many Steps to Death and Passenger to Frankfurt. I only read Murder in Mesopotamia from the collection. I checked out the audio book on  Hoopla thanks to my lovely local  library. The audio book was released in 2012 by Harper Audio. Narrated by Anna Massey, the audio is 7 hours long. 

I did not note any differences between the text copy and the audio book for this novel. 

I recognized Anne Massey's voice, but it took me about half the book to pinpoint why. Anne Massey played Mrs. Norris in the 1983 Mansfield Park mini-series! I knew I recognized that voice!! :) She did a very good job of narrating, but her attempts at voicing Poirot and the accent just fell a bit flat for me. I still enjoyed her performance, however. Her voice was perfect for Nurse Amy Leatheran, the main narrator of the story.

I will be honest and say I was a bit disappointed in this one at first. I didn't really like Amy Leatheran. I found her more than a bit judgemental, whiny, and gossip-y. And, even a bit racist. As I got further into the story, the character grew on me...or maybe it was just the mystery drew me in. Soon I was sucked into the story as usual.

I think I had a rough time getting used to the audio narration by Anna Massey because I was used to Hercule Poirot stories being narrated by Hugh Fraser. And, I will be honest and admit, I have a rough time liking some of Agatha's non-Poirot or Marple characters. I don't really enjoy Tommy & Tuppence, Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race, Parker Pyne, Mr. Quin, etc  I want Poirot and Marple. I need to get over that! The minute the story started and the nurse was the focus...I went into Where-Is-Poirot mode. At least the feeling didn't last long!! And, these books where Poirot doesn't pop in from the start, are helping me expand my enjoyment of Christie. Not every book has to focus on her two most famous characters!!

 I enjoyed A Murder in Mesopotamia. Poirot doesn't come in until partway through the story, but it was interesting to get the story from Ann Leatheran's point of view after the first few chapters. She underestimated Poirot at first and then learned over the course of the investigation just how smart he is. 

Adaptations:A Murder in Mesopotamia has been adapted 3 times that I could find. It was adapted for television as an episode of Poirot (Season 8, Episode 2). In 1994, Radio 4 presented an audio drama based on the story. And, in 2008, it was released in graphic novel format by Harper.  

Agatha Christie's Poirot: The episode changes quite a few things to make the story work for a television episode and to add in Hastings, who did not appear in the original story at all.  Poirot is the main character since it is his show, and Nurse Leatheran is just a side character. Several plot points were changed to build suspense faster and make the plot fit the format and time allowed, as is pretty normal for TV. But the basic bones of the story are intact. David Suchet is outstanding as Poirot and Hugh Fraser is the perfect Hastings, as usual.  

Radio 4 Audio Drama: The audio is a bit over 2 hours long. I'm really enjoying these radio plays of Christie's books. This episode is well done, as usual, and was first broadcast in December 1994. This presentation is much truer to the original book than the Poirot episode. John Moffat does a very good job

of voicing Poirot. The rest of the cast does a great job as well. Very enjoyable listen! 

Graphic Novel: Unfortunately, I could not find a copy of this book to read, but I was able to find some examples of the art online.  It looks very interesting! I have yet to find any of this series of graphic novels. Not sure if they went quickly out of print or what. At some point maybe I will get lucky and actually be able to read one of these! From the few photos I was able to find, the art looks very well done!

  All in all, I enjoyed this story! Another great mystery solved by Poirot and his little grey cells. Although, I did notice in this novel Poirot did not mention his grey cells...not even once! 

On to the next: Cards on the Table!

REVIEW: The Dog Across the Lake

 The Dog Across the Lake
Author: Krista Davis

The Paws and Claws series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I've been a firm fan of the gang from Wagtail, VA since book one! If Wagtail were a real place, I am sure I would be booking a trip to visit with my fuzzy side-kick GusGus to see the town, meet the people, and hang out with Oma, Holly & Trixie. An entire touristy town that is 100% pet friendly -- we would love it!! 

This time, Holly spots an unfamiliar dog on the other side of the lake. The next day she wakes up to a surprise -- the unknown dog is in her room! Turns out, the wayward pooch belongs to her cousin that she hasn't seen in years. She returns the dog to him...twice. But on the second trip to her cousin's campsite, he and his girlfriend are gone. Inside the tent......a dead body! 

Never a dull moment in Wagtail, eh? 

Loved this newest story! This series never fails to make me smile. I love the animals -- Trixie and Twinkletoes are awesome! All the characters are quirky and fun. The Inn sounds like a great place to stay. The stories are filled with the right mix of humor, background theme, and amateur sleuthing. And, the cover art is colorful, cute and engaging as usual!

Great cozy mystery! Can't wait for the next book in this series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**