Two books read this time, in addition to the Civil War book I reviewed for my FFB.
Miraculous Mysteries, edited by Martin Edwards, is a collection of “locked-room murders and impossible crimes”. An anthology of 16 stories, published recently by British Library Crime Classics (Poisoned Pen Press in the U.S.) these are mostly well-known classics of the type. I’m always eager to buy and read new books in the BLCC series, but in this case I should have been more careful. I’d read three-quarters of these stories in the Otto Penzler edited Black Lizard Big Book of Locked-Room Mysteries just over a year ago. I re-read them anyway, and enjoyed them, as I did the few stories that were new to me, but there was a great deal of overlap.
The other book was Hard Ground by Joseph Heywood. Heywood writes two series, one is the Woods Cop series featuring Conservation Officer Grady Service, who works in the farthest reaches of Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula, the other – with a 1913 historical setting – features Lute Bapcat, a former Rough Rider turned Michigan Game Warden. Hard Ground is a story collection set in the same area as the Woods Cop series, though only one of the stories features Service, all of the stories are very good indeed. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for recommending Joseph Heywood’s books!
I’m currently reading, in addition to more Civil War non-fiction, Icerigger by Alan Dean Foster, which I first became aware of through a blog review, though I don’t recall which blog. So I thought I’d try it, and so far, so good.
Barbara got about a third way into The Thirst, the latest Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbo and gave it up, at least for now. As much as she loves the character and series, she was finding this one more than usually disturbing, and since there were over 135 people in the library waiting list for the book, back it went. She may get back on the list for it at some time in the future, but not right away.
So now she’s begun John Sandford’s current Prey series novel, Golden Prey.
So how about you?
What have you been reading?
Tip the Wink 
I finished Red Bones by Ann Cleeves, and so far that is my favorite book this month. I just today finished New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith, which was very interesting since I come from Alabama. I liked some elements, others not so much, but it did win an Edgar for Best Novel.
If I recall correctly, that Julie Smith is an oldie, Tracy. I’ll have to think about what my favorite book of the year so far has been. Past the halfway point, so a good thing to consider.
I had no problems with The Thirst. I enjoyed it. This week I read The Force by Don Winslow-probably my favorite book so far this year. I also read Wolves In the Dark by Gunnar Straalesen. Straalesen is a bit different from most Scandanavian writers in that he features a private detective instead of police officers. Just finished Unsub by Meg Gardiner. I enjoyed some of her earlier books but hadn’t read anything by her for awhile. This had some good reviews but I found it kind of mediocre. Also started a short story collection by Christopher Rowe called Telling the Map. Liking this a lot so far. This is another fine book from Small Beer Press who have a good track record. Rowe isn’t very prolific unfortunately.
As I said to Tracy, I’ll have to think about what my favorite book of the year so far has been. Past the halfway point, so a good thing to consider. Perhaps I’ll do a post on it.
A quiet week for me. I read two Spenser novels, Robert B. Parker’s COLD SERVICE and Ace Atkins’ ROBERT B. PARKER’S WONDERLAND. In the first, Hawk is badly wounded and when he recovers Spenser and he begin digging into whodunnit. The second begins with Spenser helping a friend and ends with high stakes murder involving the old Wonderland race park. As I said before, Atkins manages to produce a much meatier book while remaining true to the characters. Also read TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS by “Victor Appleton” (Howard Garis), which takes our young hero to Central America in search of another lost city and a two-ton gold statue. For the first time in the series, no great invention is involved, although that will be remedied in the next installment.
On the science fiction front, I finished Poul Anderson’s KINSHIP WITH THE STARS, one of Baen’s many collections of his stories. Hard to go wrong with Anderson.
I also read Stan Lee and Gene Colon’s ESSENTIAL DAREDEVIL, VOL.3, a comic book compilation of twenty-five of the early adventures of the Man without Fear. Hokey, but interesting. And I’ am about half-way through THE BANDIT OF HELL’S BEND, an Edgar Rice Burroughs western taking place in 1880s Arizona. Typical Burroughs plotting, but I’m enjoying it.
Binge watched the third and fourth seasons of LUTHER and the documentary mini-series THE KEEPERS about an unsolved murder of a nun in 1960s Baltimore. Both were fascinating and highly recommended.
Lazy days here (except for yelling — Trumplike, but for the opposite reasons — at the television), something I could easily continue for the next few weeks. Perhaps you’re a little more constructive out there. Be good.
You’re right, can’t go wrong with Anderson. I’m afraid my Civil War reading is slowing me down on genre fiction, but I’ll get back to it.
I really liked THE KEEPERS TOO although I thought it could be paired down by two episodes. Reading a book by Mat Johnson for my book group and not enjoying it much. It’s about black and whiteness–too much about that at the expense of any real story. Read Megan’s NORMANDY GOLD-not sure I am a comic book person except for Archie but it was well done.Gorgeous illustrations. I am spending most of my time rereading my own stories trying to decide which to include in the collection. Some I hardly remember writing. If anyone out there would like to read some, I could use feedback.
I want to try Normandy Gold, guess it’s time for a visit to the comic shop.
I couldn’t find it at mine. They didn’t carry Titan Comics. Megan sent it to us eventually.
I’ve reduced my stack of Library books by 50%. Books from AMAZON arrive daily so I have to address that next. Martha Wells’s THE HARBORS OF THE SUN is calling my name.
Good job on the library books. I tried a Wells novel, then discovered I’d stumbled into the middle of a series, and was going to have to back up a couple of books, so I sent the book back to the library. I probably won’t bother with her again, but we’ll see what your review, after you’ve read it, says.
We’re out (I’ve walked 2,000 steps so far today ) so I will give you the rundown when we get home, but I finally finished the huge – about 150 as – Saki collection. I’m reading an Ann Beattie collection now, with the Lee Child edited collection next.
I’m sorry to hear about the latest Edwards collection – if you’ve read the stories I’m sure I have too – as I was looking forward to it.
Also read BY THE BOOK, the collection of NY Times columns. Also SALVATION LAKE, the latest Leo Waterman book by G.M. Ford.
Good for you o the walking. If you know your step count, you must have some gadget to keep track. Barbara has a Fitbit and is happy with it.
Congrats on finishing the Saki collection. I suppose you’re Saki-ed out. As to the Edwards anthology, saved you a few bucks. If you want it for the few I hadn’t read, I’ll send it to you, but I’d bet you’ve read those as well.
Thanks, but I have it coming from the library. I do have a short, non-series book by Martha Wells, ALL SYSTEMS RED.
I downloaded a Pedometer app to the cell phone and it works as well as the fancy iWatch.
Actually All Systems Read is the first of a series.
OK. Thanks.
I’m glad you liked the Heywood. I’ve been meaning to read another, but then he totally went out of my mind until you mentioned him again.
The other book I read was THE VINYL DETECTIVE : THE RUN-OUT GROOVE by Andrew Cartmel, which I enjoyed mildly, though not as much as the first one.
I may read a Tubby Dubonnet book by Tony Dunbar on the Kindle, but first I have a number of library booksto read, possibly including A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman, which reminds me of Victor Meldrew and ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, so far.
There is another story collection by Heywood, Harder Ground, I saw yesterday on line. I still plan on reading the first Wood Cop novel. I haven’t gotten the 2nd Vinyl Detective book, and probably won’t, as the reviews and opinions have been luke warm
Thanks for mentioning that. I checked, and there was an available ebook copy from the library and I borrowed it.
My library doesn’t have any of his books, so I (reluctantly) ordered a copy.
Which came about 2 hours ago, along with the first Wood Cop novel, Diamond Hunter.
I look forward to reading Martin Edwards’ crime-mystery anthologies including his latest “The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books.”
I will have to give Joseph Heywood a try, and the story collection you’ve read by him seems as though it would be an excellent place to start. I went to undergrad school at Michigan Tech, which is all the way up in the U.P., on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Haven’t been back for nearly 50 years.
Also, too late for me on the warning about Martin Edwards book. It arrived in the mail, and I said to myself, oh no!
Steve, sounds like Heywood might be just the thing for you. The stories in the Edwards anthology are good, but it’s very likely you’ve read them already.
I’ve read Icerigger and liked it pretty well. Foster is a reliable author