Murder on Location by Cathy Pegau

Brr, I got so cold hearing about the Alaskan Glaciers that I had to keep the heating pad on my feet as I devoured this book. I do enjoy hearing about Charlotte's adventures. She's become quite the mystery finder. So, knowing her, if there's a murder in this small town of our coldest state, she's probably close by.

There were a few too many characters in this story for my personal comfort. I considered keeping a score card so I could remember everybody's sage and secret, but I survived without one. Too bad for the director of the controversial film. He didn't survive. Was it a possible midnight stroll in the dark
or no accident?

At a time when we're all on the forefront of considering whether some lives are more important than others, Native Alaskans have their protests and attorneys too. It's 1920 and a hundred years later we're still facing the same issues. 

It was interesting hearing about the film industry in those olden days. However, most fascinating is Charlotte's burgeoning love affair with the handsome Deputy. It's timeless.

Murder on the Last Frontier by Cathy Pegau

An appropriate title, I was most interested in exploring Alaska in the early years of the 1900's. I visited Alaska a few years ago to work for the summer. Ms. Pegau's tale took me right back there and I could imagine myself visiting in that timeline. I had an additional interest in the time and place as my great-aunt had traveled to Wyoming from Michigan in 1905 to live near her brother who was the Picture Man of Cody Wyoming. Our heroine in the story fled the lower 48 to live near her Doctor brother. She was also hoping to leave behind her secret trauma from the recent past. 

It turns out her brother has a few secrets too and with his concerns about his sister's safety he tries to be as overbearing as his father was. No such luck. with Charlotte. This woman has a mind of her own and nerves of steel to go with it. She's not too meek to inform her sibling that there will be no such acceptance of his dominance over her, she's not as naive as he thinks she is. 

A beginning romance with the town Deputy alleviates some of the gloom that surrounds the murder of a 'lady of the night'.  Charlotte also is offered employment twice, once by the madam of the house of ill-repute and the other by the local newspaper. An easy choice for her as she's been writing for Modern Woman and sending her articles via mail - by ship and train. 

A thoroughly modern woman in a historic era answers the question I sometimes ask myself, what would I have done if I'd been born a hundred years earlier? I probably would have followed Charlotte's path.

Tightening the Threads by Lea Wait

 

Who starts reading a mystery series with the 5th book? I just did and was not disappointed in the least. I got a clear understanding of who, what and where with the exception of Patrick's burns on his hands - I guess I'll have to go back and start with book one to find out. However, this doesn't seem like a burdensome task since I enjoyed living in Maine seaside for the past two days. Yes, I did read it that fast, difficult to set down without wondering what was going to happen next. 

I do love lobster and last night I almost had to go to the freezer and dig a tail out. Fatigue won and I'll thaw it today. I felt like I was living in this little village and was able to tag along for the Clam Bake. Unfortunately, they didn't set a place for me. I would also have been quite upset to find that one of the main characters, the aging Dad who had called his children home for his 75th birthday party, was poisoned at the bake before his will was changed. 

The story evolved around the will. His three known children were biting at the bit to get their share and could care less about any newly found niece. They would have been more upset to find there was another sibling. I didn't guess who-done-it until it was revealed. Quite a surprise. 

Oh, and most delightful, I can't leave out the chapter headings featuring verse from samplers made by young girls during the late 1700's and early to mid 1800's. Embroidery is a lost art but one I still enjoy practicing. 

The Secret of the Ancient Marinara

This was an interesting read. I've never been to Italy but felt the pull of the culinary aspects through this book. The characters were realistic and the dialog conveyed the feelings of their experience in the Cooking Class. I was kept off guard as the story unfolded and surprised at the turn of events as a death closed the kitchen. It was one mishap after another and our heroine sleekly came up with ingenious alternative plans. 

I would like to hear further adventures from this author and her surprisingly inventive designer. I definitely had to cook some Italian meals as I read through the week at the cooking school. I would love to try some of the marinara sauces that were described. I also love olives and had to break out a favorite jar just so I could continue the book without drooling too much. 

A delightful, fun, romp through the Italian countryside.

Jericho by Ann McMan

I loved this book. I listened on Audible, set the timer every night for the past few weeks and let Syd and Maddie lull me to sleep. The light hearted banter between the two women evolved from the story beginning with one apparently straight librarian and a closeted lesbian physician to full-fledged loving intimate conversations. Their friendship with a male couple accentuated the underlying attraction the two had for each other. 

They very slowly grow into a family with supportive in-laws and a five-year-old boy who is going to join and contribute to their household along with the family dog. 

I'm looking forward to the continuation of their lives in small town, Jericho, deep in a small-town Appalachian Mountain state. I just have to finish a few other books first... maybe.

I was impressed with the attention to details of their professions, librarian and physician. I also enjoyed the fact that the story developed without sex coming on the second date! The commitment was strong with both characters overcoming past challenges with relationships. Totally believable and throughly enjoyable. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this book which won an Outstanding Debut Novel.

A Cat Mystery

Undercover Kitty at a Cat Show is a new role for Elvis and he manages it surprisingly well. He is recruited by Rose and Charlotte’s Angels. The detective agency is holding space at the Second Chance Repurpose Shop. Rose and the Angels don’t take no for an answer easily and Sarah finds herself learning all about Cat Shows. Elvis takes it easily in stride fast becoming a favorite. This was new territory for me. I’ve always had a cat but have never considered entering one in a show. This story reveals some of the trials and tribulations of such an endeavour. 

I also enjoyed reading about the repurposing of objects at the store. I’ve dabbled a bit in refurnishing furniture and always have a few minutes to stop at a yard sale. I’ve enjoyed television shows about abandoned storage units.  The finds that Sarah and her crew pull together for their amazing displays inspires me to do the same!

The relationships between the characters is enjoyable.Unfortunately, tragedy strikes a newly met friend of Sarah’s at the Cat Show and the mystery deepens. The Angels are on the case and the bad characters get caught. Meanwhile a romance deepens.

This was a nice cozy mystery. Congratulations are in order for Elvis on winning in the companion cat category.

Reading, only 3 books at one time?

 Ok, but they're all good ones. I love to read and unless its a hold-my-breath page turner and some are, I usually have two or three going at a time. Of course the last few days - November 3, 2020 to November 6, 2020, I also have the sound muted television on with cnn mix so I can watch and hope and pray. My prayers appear to be answered except in Kentucky!

Ok, back to reading - I've got Undercover Kitty for daytime, Jericho for falling asleep to and Magic Lessons when I want intrigue. There are a few others that are still open - The Mystwick school of Music which is on audible with music at appropriate times in the book is enjoyable to pick up from time to time. 

I'm also reading a series of books on writing and my cookbooks and gardening books are nice when I can't find what I'm looking for on the Internet. 

Am I the only one trying to take in this much information all at one time?