I’ve read two more books by William Kent Krueger, Northwest Angle, and the next in the series, Trickster’s Point.
I enjoyed both books a lot, though of the two, I liked Northwest Angle a little better. Krueger really is a very, very good writer, and portrayal of character and the sense of place he gives in this series are outstanding. Though tempted to go on to the next in the series, I decided to take a break for some other reading.
First was The Reader – Sea of Ink and Gold by Traci Chee, the first in a new YA fantasy series. I’d seen a couple of good reviews, and thought I’d try it. I made it to about 30 pages before I gave it up and sent it back to the library. It just wasn’t working for me.
Looking about, I realized I had a short story collection I needed to finish (tune in next Friday for that). Now I’ve started Wycliff and the Three-Toed Pussy, by W.J. Burley. Published in 1968, it’s the first in the series. Last October, I read another of the Wycliffe books, Wycliffe and the Quiet Virgin, liked it, and thought it time to try another.
Barbara finished The Black Country, by Alex Grecian, the second book in the Scotland Yard Murder Squad series, about early days of Scotland Yard. She then read the latest Krueger, Manitou Canyon. She raced through it and said she liked it a LOT. Now she’s reading the third Murder Squad book, The Devil’s Workshop. She’ll finish that today and start reading Disclaimer by Renee Knight, which was given a strong recommendation by Deb, a commenter on this and other blogs. Thanks, Deb!
How about you?
What are you reading?
Tip the Wink 
I finally finished Neil Gaiman’s THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS. Unlike Deb, who gobbled the book up in just a couple of days, I stretched the book’s 85 pieces over a few weeks, savoring each one. Gaiman’s love of story is infectious and the book is a delight.
My FFB was Helen McCloy’s TWO-THIRDS OF A GHOST, a Dr. Basil Willing mystery. We had met the author over drinks back in the Seventies; both she and the book were charming.
It was a big week for graphic novels, the best being Mat Johnson’s INCOGNEGRO: A GRAPHIC MYSTERY, a vivid portrayal of race relations in the South. The protagonist. a Negro (as it was termed then) who could pass for white, goes “incognegro” to out Klan members. As for the rest, there were four about the Justice League of America: ROCK OF AGES, WORLD WAR III, DIVIDED WE FALL, and STRENGTH IN NUMBERS and two about The Legion of Superheroes: LEGION LOST and CONSEQUENCES. LEGION LOST, written by Dan Abnett, was the stronget of these.
Much of my week (and of many weeks to come) was spent cataloging and culling my books. I’ve gonr through over forty boxes so far, with no end in sight. We also spent one night searching for my granddaughter’s cat, who escaped from the house one afternoon and was not found until after 3:00 in the morning. It rained heavily that night to the cat’s displeasure, so he probably won’t be thinking of another escapade like that for some while.
Take care.
Jerry, I’m glad you found the cat. The beasts seem always to want to go outside, but we are careful to keep ours indoors. Gaiman is problematical for me. Sandman was so heavily hyped, and then so disappointing to me that I have never gone back. Each new book is hyped even more, so I assume I’ll suffer even greater disappointment.
I went through and cataloged my books back in about 1994 or so, and once done, it has been a matter of updating (add or deleting) since. I learned pretty quickly to shade out, not remove, the listing when I get rid of a book. That way I can check to see if I had it, if I read it, etc. (you do have a column or field for book read, I assume). Once done, you’ll be glad you did.
I certainly hope Barbara likes DISCLAIMER as she’s reading it on my recommendation.
I finished Peter Lovesey’s latest Peter Diamond mystery, ANOTHER ONE GOES TONIGHT. I must admit being slightly disappointed with this one. Although it had the usual Diamond touches, including tight plotting and information about esoteric subjects (in this case, Fortuny gowns and British train enthusiasts), I felt the culprit was obvious as soon as they* were introduced. There were a couple of twists involving the culprit at the very end of the book, so I wasn’t completely letdown, but I think Lovesey could have used a bit more sleight-of-hand in introducing the killer.
*Using the plural pronoun to avoid gender identification.
Now I’m reading Ben Winters’s THE LAST POLICEMAN, about a detective trying to solve several murders while the world waits for an impact with an asteroid. It’s a good book, but I wonder if society would remain quite so orderly with only six months left until a catastrophic event.
Deb, it seems likely Barbara will like Disclaimer, as last night after watching 60 Minutes she said she wouldn’t read it before bed as it might give her nightmares (to which she is prone, with or without scary books). Since she reads a lot of what I consider to be dark, scary stuff, that may be an indicator she’s absorbed in reading the book.
I’m so far behind on Lovesey I can’t say what the last one I read is, but I know there are several on the shelf and several more after those. I’ve liked the Diamond books that I’ve read. Barbara read The Last Policeman trilogy a year or more ago.
Things get less peaceful as the trilogy goes on, but I really liked it to the end. Jackie refused to read the third book after making me tell her (WARNING : SPOILER ALERT)it didn’t have the ending she was hoping for. (END SPOILER)
I just put books two and three on hold at the library. I don’t know how I expect them to end, perhaps I’ll have a better idea when I finish the second book. I’m really liking the first one.
[WARNING] Barbara liked each book less than the preceding one, but maybe you’ll have a different response. [END WARNING]
Reading LISTEN TO ME by Hannah Pittard about a couple’s road trip during some scary storms. Tried and failed to read the Anne Tyler book. I think I am over my love of her writing. Phil is reading NIX, which he is really enjoying.
I’m glad to hear Phil found a book to enjoy, that’ll be important in the coming months. As to Tyler, I read one, Breathing Lessons and that was enough.
I liked her THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST.
I liked all of her book through BREATHING LESSONS.
I finished reading that BIG FAT BOOk and my review will be up on my blog later this week. Now, I’m back to short stories. I’m reading a Cornell Woolrich collection I picked up for a buck at BOUCHERCON!
I find Woolrich one of those writers that’s hard to like. I’ve read some, of course, but that was enough. Glad you had such fun at Bouchercon. I didn’t know they sold any books for a buck there, but if there was a bargain you’d find it.
I’m anxious to hear what happened with the guy’s pet cheetah in the Caleb Carr book!
The New Orleans Public Library had a table where they were selling paperbacks for a buck and hardcovers for two dollars. I picked up the Woolrich and an Edward Marston Railway mystery. BOUCHERCON gave all registered attendees six tickets. Hundreds of books were displayed on tables and you picked the six books you wanted. Then, on Saturday, all the unpicked books were sold for a dollar each with the proceeds going to charity.
Ah. Thanks for the info. I like that method of distributing the free books, and less work for the staff, though it was no doubt a popularity contest and early birds got the best stuff. Of course you would have gone to the library sale. Which Marston railway detective mystery did you get? I’ve liked the ones I’ve read.
Stupid phone messed up my comment. Will get back to you later. NO books read, understandably, though I read a couple of novellas by Lawrence Block (“Resume Speed”) and Linda Castillo. Also reading the collection of early pulp tales by Robert Silverberg.
I shall await your return.
Also reading an early (1967) pseudonymous book by Block, more a travelogue than a mystery so far.
Block’s not a personal favorite, but this sounds interesting.
As soon as we get back to the hotel I’ll give you the name, as well as the list of books I picked up.
They had a number of Stark House 2-in-1 books available, and I got a couple. I already had Silverberg’s two porn titles that were reprinted, so didn’t take a copy.
I’d love to go to another, when, or if, there’ll be a Bouchercon out west again. Seems like the people with an interest in running one are in the east, south and midwest these days. Another in Seattle would sure be nice, though perhaps, as in San Francisco, most of the people east of the big river wouldn’t come.
Jeff, I haven’t seen you since the B’con in Vegas.
2020 Sacramento
Holy guacamole, that’s pretty much in driving distance. Thanks, Mr. Research Guy. Hope to see you there!
It is Toronto next year, then St. Petersburg, Dallas, then Sacramento.
Books I got (and hope I can get on the plane):
Jon Talton, High Country Nocturne (David Mapstone)
Thomas Perry, The Old Man
Fletcher Flora, Leave Her to Hell/Let Me Kill You, Sweetheart/Take Me Home (Stark House)
Gil Brewer, A Devil for O’Shaughnessy/The Three-Way Split (Stark House)
Barry N. Malzberg, Underlay (Stark House)
James Swain, Take Down
G.M. Ford, Threshold (I met him in the elevator and told him I was happy he brought back Leo Waterman. He said they were “fun to write.”)
O’Neil De Noux, LaStanza: New Orleans Police Stories (this and the Talton are the only hardbacks)
Max Allan Collins, Early Crimes (2 stories and a novella written in college and soon after)
One more thanks to Maggie Mason:
Michael Connelly, The Wrong Side of Goodbye
Nice haul, Jeff, nice haul. Especially like the Perry, Swain and Ford. The Brewer will probably be very good too.
You got the new Michael Connelly early. Must be a ARC. Love Connelly.
The Marston book was RAILWAY TO THE GRAVE. I’ve picked up over a dozen Marston titles since you recommended him. Now, to find time to read them!
I’ll have to check to see if I have that one.
In the last week I finished The Innocents by Ace Atkins, the 6th of his Ranger series. Can’t wait until he writes another one. It has become one of my favorite series along with Timothy Hallinan’s Junior Bender novels and Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books. Both have new novels this fall.
Also read The Heavenly Table by Donald Ray Pollock-so far my favorite novel this year. Just started reading Gunshine State by Andrew Nette.
Only read one Kreuger book. It was not part of the series. I enjoyed it a lot and will sooner or later read some of his others.
Just got the first volume of Collected Margaret Millar-5 novels in one book. Looks like awful tiny print though.
I’m going to try Atkins. Hopefully you’ll like Krueger. I think his Cork O’Conner books are better than FLY ON THE WALL. Five novels in one book? I’ll bet the print is small!