She writes wonderfully rich historical fiction. I enjoy researching the references in her book, i.e: into early civil rights proponents like Condorcet and Wollstonecraft, but deep research is not necessary to enjoy the adventurous and romantic plots. This is the last in her trilogy about the American and French Civil Wars and I will miss them when I am done. It was fascinating how themes of the hardships of war on men and the beginning of the long fight for freedom and equality for women, minorities, and gays, still ring true to this day.

so I might try this author out

#2 in the Jack Davis series (retired FBI agent in Kansas City). I had read the 3 Jack Davis books, then discovered that Goldman had 4 Lou Mason (attorney in Kansas City) books that were written before the Jack Davis books.

I went through and read the Mason books, and now I'm re-reading the Davis books to see if I missed anything. The main thing I've noticed is that the places in the books actually mean something to me now, as I've been following along on google earth every time a spot is mentioned. Tell me something is east of Country Club Plaza and I know where you're talking about. A few miles north is Union Station, and across the rivers to the northwest is the Argentine rail yards, where the first Jack Davis book took place. Makes it fun to learn about a place I've never visited as I "travel" across it through a series of books.

I'll have to take a look at them.

I am a sucker for "beach reads" and they're out in abundance this time of year. My affinity for these kinds of books is probably related to the feelings of peace and tranquility I have when I'm near the ocean or any large body of water. I've always dreamed of living near the water, but will have to make do with visits and books since I'm now retired and economic circumstances don't allow for such a change.

Written as Marion Chesney (her real name), about Captain Harry Cartwright, a wounded, bitter survivor of the Boer War, now a “fixer,” and Lady Rose Summer, in Edwardian England.

Her major writing is under the name, M. C. Beaton. There are 4 books in this series so far.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/B_Authors/Beaton_M-C.html

Book 49 of 20l2

by Kim Stanley Robinson. I just finished 2312 also by KSR last night , so I am not very far into Antarctica (they are both LONG books) but so far it looks really good, and it comes highly recommended

I recently read, and enjoyed, another King book ... 11/22/63. Duma Key has been lingering on my bookshelf, a couple-three years, waiting for me to muster the strength to lift it down and commit to such a massive tome. The gift of a kindle, 2 Xmases ago, simply added to the delay.

Interestingly, when I removed the dust cover I discovered the binding was done upside down. Strange. Only on p99 but enjoying so far.

Also reading 'New York to Dallas' by JD Robb (on kindle). Fan of the 'in death series'.

Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark - she couldn't win the OJ case, but she writes good - well, good enough.

The Retribution by Val McDermid - number whatever in the very long Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series - one of the best.

The Stonecutter by Camilla Lackberg (audio, third in the series, a little tedious, but worth the time and trouble, especially if you've read the earlier ones)

Heard of him for comic mysteries for years, first time I've read one, though.

Is that the one where Dortmunder gets his watch stolen?

He has so many great plots; the bank robbery loot that ends up under a lake when a dam is built, the nuns who talk him into using his skills for them, the victim who calls the cops on him as he's breaking in, and then steals HIS watch as he's arrested...

Westlake has a great imagination, and I enjoy his writing.

so many of his Dortmunder titles are "laugh lines," ie, get real, why me, and others...I wonder, did he make up, or just popularize these phrases used so liberally in TV stories and newscasts?

Anyone not familiar with his books, like I wasn't, can find his titles here, and I'll bet there's not a one of you who hasn't used one of these familiar sayings freely....

I put his first 2 on my "watch" list so that when my stack goes down I can order them...



http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/W_Authors/Westlake_Donald-E.html

I keep bursting out in laughter and my wife keeps going "What?"

Maybe they shouldn't be read in polite company...

Just love everything he's ever done.

I think it's going to take all week.

it is one of KSR's best

Finished it last night. Good stories, sterling rants, and fascinating digressions on all sorts of things.

Thank you for pointing Mr Robinson out, I can see he's going to provide reading fodder for a long time.

and Eco's the Prague Cemetery.

A History of India by Burton Stein on the non-fiction front.

Agatha Raisin, a London advertising retiree living in the Cotswolds, England:



8th in the series:


http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/B_Authors/Beaton_M-C.html




Book 50 of 2012

Written in the first person (which I normally don't like even in a good book) and all I could take was 10 pages. It's a really stupid book.

-10 ***** /that's not a dash, it's a minus sign...

Wish someone else would read this to tell me how wrong I am...



This would have been Book 51, but count remains 50 of 2012.

Hilarious satire from the Black Arts Movement era