REVIEW: The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Author: Garth Stein

Ever since I was completely traumatized by Old Yeller in elementary school, my policy is to avoid any books that involve the death or injury of pets. This is further cemented in my Bibliophile Personal Commandments List above even the biggies like "Do Not EVER Dogear Pages, Useth a Bookmark'' and "No Murderous Spine Creasing.''  When my son came home last year from school carrying That-Evil-Book-I-Can't-Stand, I went so far as to completely spoil the ending for him from the start. That book -- known as OY from here on out as I can't even say its name without cringing -- should come with a warning label for children: Warning Warning Warning....young child has to shoot his pet at the end of this book. Make therapy appointment now in preparation.  As it was, my son was the only one who didn't cry in class when they read and discussed the ending.  22 kids traumatized. 1 kid pre-prepared and able to deal.  I call that a Mom-win. 

But I digress.....back to The Art of Racing in the Rain. The above rant does figure in to this -- I promise.

When I saw the blurb for The Art of Racing in the Rain, I immediately started my OY-esque shunning behavior. I avert my eyes from you .....oh dog-killing tome!  But, the cute dog on the cover did bring my eyes back to the page. Then I read a review.  The reviewer said the story is emotional, but kind. That the author gives the dog the love he deserves....not a shot gun blast to the head.

Ok. Commandments get broken all the time, right? Gray areas do happen. It's not a Biblio-sin to do a bit of a side-step and let the right one in. So, I took the plunge. I had to do this as a buddy read though. I needed a hand to hold as I read into a plot area I had avoided like the plague for 40 years.

This is a beautiful book. Lots of emotion, humor and life lessons within its pages. The dog is one of the main characters and talks a lot about what it's like to be a dog, how he wishes he could talk to the people around him, and even how he wishes often that he had thumbs. Oftentimes while the people around him were fumbling around and really making a mess of their lives, the dog was the one that understood and had the answers. But he had to creatively try to impart his wisdom on his family.

Beautiful dog. Beautiful story. A bit of a tear-jerker in spots.....but decidedly hopeful and beautiful as well. The ending was definitely full of joy and hope. Just a lovely book. And I went and hugged all 4 of my dogs when I was done reading. :)

I still hate OY. But I'm glad I broke my commandment to read this book.

For more information on the author and his books, check out his website: http://www.garthstein.com/

REVIEW: The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House
Author: Shirley Jackson

This book is not what I expected. I've seen both movies...the old and the new. And finally decided I needed to read the book. It's one of those that I've always said "I should read the book'' and never got to it. This time when I thought of it and the voice in my head started to say "I really should read....'' I actually got in the car, went to the library and checked it out.

The actual book I got from the library set the atmosphere from the start. It's old, tattered, stained....someone's child wrote it in at some point. The poor thing doesn't even have a dust cover anymore (I had to choose an old paperback cover to use with this review. I have no idea what the dust jacket for this old edition looked like. It's long gone....only old yellow tape marks show where it used to be). It just looks awful.....haunted even. Poor old thing. Worn out, lonely, abused....sitting on some dusty library shelf...and not checked out since the early 90's when the last stamp was placed on the old check-out card still tucked into the pocket glued to the inside back cover. It escaped the shelf once to be entered into the computer system and a bar code glued inside the front cover. Then back on the shelf. Waiting....hoping....gathering dust. Number of checkouts listed on the library website...   1.   Me.

So Hill House....what horrors do you offer?

Only the best kind. Psychological horror. The slow building terror. The unseen thing. The WHAT IS THAT scream in the middle of the night. That feeling of hair standing up on the back of your neck and a unreasonable thought that running would be a good idea. That sort of horror. Understated. Muted. But there, watching.

Hill House doesn't jump up, grab readers and pull them screaming into the darkness. There are no flesh rending demons. No glowing orbs of evil. No spurting blood. It's what you don't see....and the madness that builds in the background that make this a good book.

This book is more about the people than the house. A group of 4 people gather at a haunted mansion to record and study what happens during their stay there. It all starts out fine. The group makes jokes about gothic horror and how creepy the house looks. Its layout is confusing and it's just vile and dark. But somewhere along the line madness starts to creep in. The house finds the weakest link.....and starts working its dark magic. Or.....is it really the house? Maybe the whole thing is caused by one of the group and has nothing to do with the house at all?

I can't really expound more without including spoilers, so let's just say that this book delves into dark corners in a very understated way. The madness builds....quietly. Don't expect jump scares and terror like in other less subtle haunting tales. This one is more sneaky. Takes some thought to feel it.

I'm so glad I finally read the book. The movies added a lot of things that really don't belong in the story. Mucked it up. Hopefully the new version coming out will do it right. You don't need wildly in-your-face physical horror for a stay in a long abandoned dark house with strangers to be scary.

A quick read. Enjoyable story. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes haunted house stories or psychological horror. But be aware that this does not jump out and grab a reader to scare them....it's very subtle and completely psychological. Don't expect wild demons, sage smoke and exorcisms. It's not that sort of story.

Review: Dance of Death

Dance of Death
Authors: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Childs

I have been a fan of Agent Pendergast ever since I read the first novel in this series in 1995 when it was first published. At the time, I remember I enjoyed Relic because Pendergast was awesomely different and the story thrillingly gruesome. Then life got extraordinarily busy for me....kids, a divorce, years as a single mom, remarriage, etc etc....you know...hard-core adulting....and I lost track of this series for a long time. Fast forward about 10 years....only one child left at home....and more time on my hands....I re-discovered my love of books a couple years ago. And I fondly remembered Pendergast. There are lot more books in the series now, so I'm enjoying catching up with what Preston & Childs have been up to since I've been away. :)

My library offers most of the series on audiobook through OverDrive, so I listen off and on during the day. Pendergast solves some of his most thrilling cases while I'm driving the car, washing dishes or folding laundry. :)

Dance of Death was an enjoyable listen! Agent Pendergast's insane brother Diogenes is seeking violent revenge against his sibling. Diogenes is systematically murdering everyone that Pendergast cares about. One at a time. In gruesome ways. He wants his brother to suffer. Pendergast knows that the killings aren't Diogenes main focus though. The deaths are just a smoke screen to keep Pendergast busy while Diogenes pulls off a crime he's been planning for more than 20 years. Can Pendergast save the people he loves the most....and still prevent Diogenes from succeeding with his criminal plans?

The story was a bit melodramatic in places....and the criminally insane mastermind is a plot trope of long standing. But, I still found this story exciting, interesting and suspenseful.  I was, however, incredibly disappointed to discover that this audiobook version is heavily abridged. At 6.5 hours, it is about 10 hours shorter than an unabridged version I looked up online. How can you glean 10 hours of narration time out of a Pendergast book and not have a tremendous effect on the story? I did enjoy this audio book.....but now I seriously wonder how much (and what) I missed by listening to an abridged version. Rene Auberjonois is an outstanding narrator. He gives Pendergast just the right tone and accent, in my opinion. His reading pace and tone is even and easy to understand. I have partial hearing loss and have no problem understanding Auberjoinois.  The only thing that I didn't like about this version is the huge amount of story that must have been removed to whittle it down to 6.5 hours. (The fact that the company is called Hatchette Audio - and they axed out half of the book -- made me laugh)  I am listening to another book in this series by the same company -- also abridged -- and then I'm going to go back to reading the novels rather than audio versions (unless unabridged). I want the full Pendergast.....not the axed version.

I would give the Pendergast story a strong 4 star rating on its own merits. But I'm dipping my ranking down to 3 stars on this one....just because 10 hours missing from a story is a lot of missing narrative. Boo Hiss! (in honor of the slightly melodramatic storyline in this book).

Dance of Death is book 8 in the Agent Pendergast series. It's the middle book in the trilogy within the series that centers around Diogenes. There are 16 books in the Pendergast series currently, with the 17th, City of Endless Night, coming out in January 2018. For more info on Preston & Childs, check out their author website here: https://www.prestonchild.com/   I'm going to listen to the last Diogenes book in abridged form since I've already started the audiobook.....but then going back to reading the novels for the rest of the series.

REVIEW: Dickens and Christmas

Dickens and Christmas
Author: Lucinda Hawksley

A Christmas Carol has been my favorite book since childhood. Something about the images of Cratchit skipping home to be with his family and Scrooge skulking along the darkened streets seeing ghostly funeral carriages and his dead partner just created such magic in my imagination. I have reread the book many times, watched many movies based on the story and enjoyed multiple theater productions (except the one I'd really really really love to see.....Patrick's Stewart's one man show as Scrooge). I love this book. I love its message. I love its humor. I love its dark portrait of the cruelty of man and the struggle for joy to remain where hope is fading. But most of all, I think I revere the message that redemption is possible. If even the most unemotional, greedy and covetous old geezer can be turned into a generous, happy and joyful person.....then all of us have a chance, right?

I have a degree in literature. I read every novel, every short story, every grocery list Dickens ever wrote and was forced to expound voluminously on the merits or disappointments of each. It wasn't like when I was growing up and enjoyed reading about Oliver Twist and the rest of his scores of characters just for the joy of reading. As an adult I had to read, examine and dissolve my brain into the story. It's a much more dismal trip when it's done for learning rather than imagination. Dickens' writing is dark, gloomy and mostly depressing....usually with some happy twist at the end, for a main character at least. Most side characters get left chin deep in their own mess or dead. As an adult A Christmas Carol still shone bright through the darkness for me. A beacon among the other writings of Dickens. It has the most joy, the most hope and the most kindness of anything I was forced required to read from Dickens. A classic book that can withstand the requirements of higher learning and adulting is truly a classic book. :) And it's still my favorite. That must be distinctly understood, or nothing wondrous can come of the book review I am about to relate.

Dickens and Christmas. I knew I was going to love this book before I even started reading. And I wasn't disappointed.

This book is a wonderful mix of information about Dickens' life, Christmas traditions in his lifetime, and impressions of the holiday from his personal writings and novels. It also includes snippets from newspaper articles from the time, biographical information from family letters and his daughter's book. Everything from Twelfth Night cakes to house parties. :) I understand much more about how Dickens' rough childhood, his life experiences and his anger at how the poor were treated colored his writing, but yet made him love the Christmas season. And he made others love it, too.

Wonderful book!! Well-written, interesting and enjoyable to read! I loved how the book didn't focus only on A Christmas Carol but also included his Christmas stories and mentions of the holiday season from his other books as well. Quotes from his personal correspondence, diaries and family writings were wonderful to read. I didn't realize his daughter wrote a biography of her father in the late 1800s. I need to find a copy of that book, or a scan online, and read it. :)

I read an advance copy for this review, but I will be buying a copy for my keeper shelf. Beautiful book!

God bless us..every one!

REVIEW: Stay Calm and Collie On

Stay Calm and Collie On
Author: Lane Stone

Sue Patrick loves her upscale Doggie Daycare and Spa, Buckingham Pet Palace. Located in Lewes, Delaware the spa caters to dogs, offering grooming, boarding, daycare....all the doggie amenities. Sue is excited because her business partner is travelling from England to visit the spa. Unfortunately, just as Lady Anthea Fitzwalter is arriving, things suddenly turn bad. The pet spa's van is discovered near the Lewes ferry terminal, with a load of dogs left abandoned inside. Well, not exactly abandoned....the corpse of the van's driver is inside as well. Soon rumors start that the spa employee was dognapping the pampered pooches and was murdered before he could get away. As customers dwindle at the dog spa, Sue and Lady Althea start investigating to find out who killed their driver and why. The fate of their business venture is at stake!

Although not really very realistic, I thought the idea of the upscale doggie day care with a British flare was cute. Cozies don't have to be realistic, so I just shut off that portion of my brain and enjoyed the story. Sue is an intelligent and capable main character. Lady Althea jumped right in to help and proved to be quite an asset. The duo works well together. I can't wait to see how their business partnership and friendship progresses.

The mystery moved along at a nice pace with plenty of suspects and sleuthing. The background theme is cute and enjoyable, and doesn't overpower the mystery portion of the plot. All in all, a very enjoyable, relaxing read. It was a nice book to read on a cool, crisp autumn night with my dog on my lap (of course). The cover is cute (as with most cozies). This is a shorter cozy so I was able to read it easily in one day. Nice start to a new series! I will definitely be reading more!

For more information on the author and her books, check out her website:  http://www.lanestonebooks.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Much Ado About Murder

Much Ado About Murder
Author: Elizabeth J. Duncan

Things are a bit up in the air for the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company when their director quits right before their production of Much Ado About Nothing. Luckily, their featured star, Audrey Ashley, recommends a director she has worked with before, Edmund Albright. Costume designer Charlotte Fairfax is excited to work with the new director and looks forward to the production. But, Albright announces some changes to the play. He wants to modernize it, setting it in Civil War era America. Nearly the entire cast balks at the idea, but there is nothing the theater board can do about it. The contract with Albright gives him complete creative control over the production. There is no way to force him to change his mind, or to fire him. The show must go on....  Just as cast and crew come to terms with the director's ideas, Albright is found dead on his sofa with a gun in his hand. Did Albright commit suicide in such a dramatic fashion? Or was he murdered?

In order to save the production, Charlotte jumps in to help investigate. With all the cast and crew, she has a lot of potential suspects to consider. Who brought the curtain down on the eccentric director with such violence?

Much Ado About Murder is the third book in the Shakespeare in the Catskills mystery series. I enjoyed this book. Charlotte is an interesting and capable main character. The other crew members, actors and the star actress hired for Much Ado all come together to help her investigate. The mystery moves along at the perfect pace with plenty of suspects and twists.  The ending wasn't really a surprise, but it was well done so I didn't mind that I guessed the killer's identity. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

Elizabeth J. Duncan also writes the Penny Brannigan series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://elizabethjduncan.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Secret, Book & Scone Society

The Secret, Book & Scone Society
Author: Ellery Adams

Nora Pennington came to Miracle Springs, NC to heal from physical and psychological trauma from her past. Miracle Springs offers healing to everyone who visits. The natural hot springs and spa offer physical comfort. There is also spiritual and psychological healing through baked comfort scones at the Gingerbread House, and bibliotherapy at Miracle Books. Nora runs the bookshop, and always seems to know just the right books to help each customer. The shop is in the old railway depot. She lives nearby in an old caboose, refitted into a tiny house.

One afternoon she meets a visiting businessman who seems troubled about his past. She sends him to the bakery to get a comfort scone and then tells him to come to her bookshop. She wants to gather some books that can help him put his life on the right path. Unfortunately he never makes it to the bookshop. His body is found on the train tracks. Local police believe he may have jumped in front of the train. The man worked for the development company building upscale homes in town. He was scheduled to meet with other company officials about the housing development that very day. Nora just can't believe he committed suicide instead.

Nora soon finds herself bonding with 3 other women in town -- Hester, Estella and June. Not only do they investigate the businessman's death, but they form the Secret, Book & Scone Society. Their little group finds true friendship amid sleuthing, sharing personal secrets and finding comfort in trust, loyalty and caring.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The story is a nice blend of women's fiction and mystery. I love how Nora's shop uses books to help people heal.  I also liked the idea of Hester baking custom scones to give comfort to her customers. The description of her scones and the lovely spices and ingredients she uses just sounds so delicious! The four members of the society are believable and well-developed characters. Each one is so different, yet they all come together as a perfect circle of friends.

I like that the story is set in Western North Carolina where I live. I recognized a lot of the places and regions mentioned in the story. :)

The mystery is nicely paced with some surprising twists, and it isn't overpowered by the emotional healing/friendship portion of the plot. The two intertwine together rather well. I usually avoid women's fiction because it often is just too sappy, overly emotional or melodramatic for me. This book avoids those extremes. The main characters Nora, Hester, Estella and June are nicely developed. They are all very different women, but they come together quite well as close friends.

Although this isn't the type of book I normally read, I enjoyed it immensely. This is a nice start to a new mystery series, and I will definitely be waiting for the next adventure of the Secret, Book and Scone Society!

Ellery Adams is the author of several mystery series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://elleryadamsmysteries.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**