The Crime at Black Dudley (Albert Campion #1) by Margery Allingham

This is the first book in the Albert Campion series.  Although he doesn't play a big part in the story it is a good introduction to the character. 

The main character of this tale is Dr.George Abbershaw, who is also a consultant for Scotland Yard.  He is invited to Black Dudley for a house party, along with several others.  The house belongs to Wyatt, an inheritance from his Aunt.  His uncle by marraige actually lived in the home and enjoyed it when Wyatt invited friends for weekend visits.

During this particular party Wyatt tells of some legend about an interesting dagger and explains some game that was played.  The group is intrigued and decides to play the game.  Meggie Oliphant has the dagger at one point during the game and notices that it looked like there was blood on it.  Before she can investigate further, the dagger is grabbed from her hand.  The game is cut short when Wyatt's uncle is supposedly taken ill, but is actually found dead.

Abbershaw is called upon to sign a certificate so the body can be disposed of, and during his brief inspection realizes that the dead man did not die of a heart attack as they were told.  The whole group is misled and thugs take over control of the house in order to get back some missing item.

I really enjoyed this book - you are kept interested and the style of writing is very easy to read.  It kind of remined me of Agatha Christie.  Albert Campion stories were also made into a series on TV.  Throughly enjoyable.  Looking forward to reading the many others in the series.

Trip to Milwaukee

We are off to Milwaukee tomorrow to celebrate a family birthday.  Hoping that it will be a nice day weather wise and other wise.   Just finished making the Taffy Apple Salad that I we are going to take along.  Now it is time to relax for awhile, although I am feeling like I could go to bed right now. 

Service meeting

I had my meeting regarding what areas of the church I might like to serve.  I picked working in the library and the nursery.  There might be other things down the road, but for right now I feel comfortable with that.  I was pretty nervous, but it went very well.  The woman I met with was very nice.  I have met so many neat people since we started attending Hillcrest.  I am very happy with the decision we made to attend Hillcrest rather than trying out another Alliance Church.  I am getting more and more comfortable there as I meet more and more people.  God has really blessed me by leading us to this church.

It will be interesting to see what happens.  Working in the library cataloging books would be fun and working in the nursery with the babies would be fun too!  Well I suppose I should get going.  I have to make a salad for tomorrow.  It is my stepdaughter's birthday next week and we are going to Milwaukee tomorrow to have an early celebration.  April asked me to make a Taffy Apple salad.  Made me feel good.  

Having a good cry!

I don't know why, but I feel like I could just sit down and have a good cry.  I feel so separated from family and friends.  I miss Dee so much!  Some days (like today) it feels like she just passed away.  She was my best friend growing up.  She was 18 years older so it was like having a second mom.  We went places and did things together all the time.  My favorite childhood memories, not that I remember alot, are always with her.  She drove me nuts when she was living with us, all her little quirks.  But I miss her not being around.  No one to talk to.  No way to find out things about mom and dad.  No one to share those memories with.  I don't understand why she had to die so soon.  I am glad she isn't in pain any more, but the loss just overwhelms me sometimes.

Today my thoughts and prayers go out to those who are dealing with a loss, and it doesn't have to be the loss of a person.  Could be a pet or even a job.  Any loss of any kind can cause grief.  I loved my sister very much and the world for me will never be the same without her.  She was a treasure that I only had for a short time, and I regret that I didn't always treat her the way I should have.  I regret that I didn't spend more time getting to know her heart better. 

I love you Dee!!  I know your in a better place, but the space you held in my heart will always long for you. 

As Catch Can by Vincent Zandri

Jack "The Keeper" Marconi is the warden of Green Haven prison in upstate New York. His career is going along pretty well until a prisoner escapes while on a trip to a dentist outside the prison. Jack doesn't believe the two guards that were with the prisoner at the time he escaped and decides to do an investigating on his own.

Jack finds out that everything is as it seems and he winds up on the run. His investigation turns up a web of deception that he never expected. He is still dealing with flashbacks from the prison riots at Attica in 1971 when he was just starting out in the prison system.

Also in the back of his mind is dealing with the remnants of grief in the passing of his wife from a car accident a year ago.

It was a pretty good story. It kept me interested even though I am not a big fan of flashbacks. They seemed to be appropriate and explained some of what was happening with the main character.

The Silent and the Lost by Abu Zubair

Alex is war baby of the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence, he is adopted by the McKensies in America. The McKensies had recently lost their son in Vietnam. The Silent and the Lost opens with the wedding of Alex and Sangeeta, and then goes back in time to 1971 and the political conflict in East Pakistan.  It is a story of heroism and betrayal, family and friendship, love and anguish. This is the story of the nine months of revolution that created Bangladesh. A story of two generations spread across two continents, thousands of miles apart, brought jarringly together when Alex begins his search for answers into his past.

A masterfully told story about a period in history that was overshadowed by the Vietnam conflict. Until I read this story I wasn't really aware of the conflict that took place in East Pakistan. The characters come alive on these pages. You can't help but feel their pain and wish them the best.  Not a very happy tale - those based a violent history usually aren't. The children that were born as a result of this conflict were at least given an chance to find happy homes and find good families. I am very glad that I read this book.

A Fatal Appraisal (A Collictable Mystery #2) by J. B. Stanley

Molly Appleby, a writer for Collector's Weekly, is in Richmond, Virginia on an assignment to cover the taping of the popular antiques show Hidden Treasures. (Just think of PBS's Antique Roadshow.) People from all over bring their treasures to be appraised. The taping of the show is being done at a museum that is featuring an exhibit of Civil War memorabilia.

Frank Sterling is the main appraiser for furniture. While he inspects a beautiful eighteenth-century desk he discovering a secret compartment among the pigeon hole compartments. Not long after his inspection, Molly finds Frank in his car--dead. Molly thinks that the antique desk holds the key to the crime, she believes that someone put mold dust on the desk causing Frank to have an allergic reaction that eventually killed him.

Molly and her mom Clara can't help but get involved in tracking down clues to help solve Frank's murder. Then when another of the appraisers is also murdered, she begins to wonder if she is helping at all.

Another good installment for the Collectible Mystery Series. I am so glad that I discovered these. Looking forward to reading the others in the series.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

What would you do if you lost 4 years of your life?  There have been plenty of times growing up that I had wished that I could wipe out certain times in my life, but how would I handle it if I did.  Memory isn't selective, good memories can disappear just as well as the bad ones. 

Naomi was just about to start her Junior year in high-school when she slipped down a flight of stairs and injured her head.  The result was amnesia.  The last for years of her life were wiped out.  Naomi starts to wonder about some of her decisions the past 4 years.  Why am I dating Ace?  I don't think I love him.  Why am I involved in certain activities in school?  Were they important to me?  Why am I mad at my mom?  All these questions and more go through Naomi's mind as she tries to navigate through each day at school. 

Her best friend Will is there to try and help, but he can't answer all of her questions as much as he might like to.  He tries to provide memory joggers, without her knowing it by making mix CDs.  Then there is James the new love of her life who was there when she fell.  But is he a reliable character, he has a troubled past which could affect his relationship with Naomi. 

High school is hard enough without losing a big part of your identity.

I really like this story.  The characters are well developed and are easy to like.  From quirky will to young Chloe, each step in the next 10 months of Naomi's life will catch your attention and keep you interested until the end.  Very good read!

Fit To Die (Supper Club Mystery #2) by J. B. Stanley

The Flab Five is at it again in the second installment of the Supper Club Mystery Series.


Quincy's Gap residents are about to welcome to new businesses into their midst. Chilly Willy's Polor Pagoda a ice parlor and Witness to Fitness a exercise/fitness center, and as fate would have it there are right near each other. James and the other members of the Flab Five decide to join Witness to Fitness hoping that the program will help get them back on track.

When the Polar Pagoda goes up in flames killing an employee, everyone wonders whether it was arson or murder. The Supper Club members starting their own investigation into the fire and whether or not there was a reason for someone to want Pete dead.

You can't help but root for this group of underdogs. Especially James who is trying to work up the courage to tell Lucy how he really feels about her.

This second installment is just as appealing as the first. I am glad there are more in the series to read. The characters are so personable, you can't help but like them.

Loneliness

I am frustrated with loneliness today.  Where do all those friendships go that we develop over time.  Why did I let life get in the way of keeping in contact with people that I was closest to.  Reaching out to them after such along time is very difficult.  It hurts to think that a relationship you held so dear could be destroyed.  I understand that communication goes both ways - but why do I feel so responsible for the way things happened.  Oh well, all I can do is try and reach out.  I can't make someone call me back or reach out when they don't want to.  I just have to pray that there is some glimmer of friendship left that both of us can grasp onto.

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

Ed Kennedy has no idea that one trip to the bank will change his life forever. While Ed, Marv, Ritchie and Audrey are at the bank it gets robbed.

A few days later Ed receives a playing card - the Ace of Clubs. On the card are three addresses. Ed has no idea what he is supposed to do with this information.

Ed knows he is supposed to do something - but what. What do the addresses mean? What is he supposed to do once he gets there? and the biggest one of all WHY ME?!?

Follow Ed on his adventure with the four Aces.

I wasn't very pleased with the language, which is why I rated it only three stars. The progression of the all the characters is very well developed. It is very easy to develop an emotional attachemtn to Ed and to become part of his cheering section.

Good book - if you have an extreme dislike for coarse language you probably won't like this. But if you can tolerate it in moderation - not a major element of the story, then give it a shot. I think you will be please with it.