Continuing with my reading during the Blog Pause of last year with the rest of October.
Another Man’s Moccasins by Craig Johnson – As I said last post, I really got caught by the Longmire books and just kept going on one after the other. This one has many long flashbacks to Longmire’s, and Henry Standing Bear’s, time in Viet Nam, all tied neatly with current events in Wyoming. I liked this one a lot, though Barbara didn’t like it as well.
Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic by Armand Baltazar – I was so enthusiastic about this that I raved in a blog post (HERE) last October. My opinion hasn’t changed, as I re-read it with great pleasure a couple of months ago.
The Black Camel by Earl Derr Biggers – This is the fourth in the Charlie Chan series, published in 1929. I was working my way through the series when I got to this, and I find the Chan mysteries always enjoyable, as opposed to the films which I’ve never managed to warm up to.
The Hotel Under the Sand by Kage Baker – This interesting little fantasy was recommended to me by my friend Andrea Johnson, who is a particular fan of Baker. I enjoy Baker’s writing too, though this is a bit atypical. One of my favorites of hers is The Bird of the River. This is a fun book.
Star Wars: Crimson Empire by Richardson and Gulacy – graphic novel – I read a graphic novel every now and then, and at one time bought a great many of them, so it’s easy to pluck one off the shelf for a quick break from novels. I’d read this before, but it was fun to cruise through it again.
The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson – Another Johnson, and we’re not done yet. Longmire is such a strong character, and the cast around him keep me interested as well. In this one he is called to what appears to be a murder and arson, but as usual in these, there is a great deal more below the surface than is initially suspected. I really like these novels, and I’m trying to pace myself, but it’s hard.
Above the Timberline written and painted by Gregory Manchess – Manchess is a very favorite SFF artist, and I was delighted when I read he was creating this beautiful oversized book. My delight was doubled when I finally got the book in hand. The story is pretty good and the artwork is very good indeed. What a wonderful thing it is that such books exist.
Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson – Yes, another Longmire novel, and another good one, perhaps my favorite in the series to this point. I know I’m not doing much in the way of plot summaries in these “what I read” posts, but I just want to show you what I read while the blog was dark last Fall and Winter. Trust me, this is a good one, but the series really does need to be read in order.
Unquiet Spirits by Bonnie Macbird – This is one of those books that grow on you. When I first finished it, I thought it was okay, but I recalled it more positively as time went on. This is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, as is probably obvious by the cover, in which Holmes and Watson journey to Scotland to investigate what seems to be sabotage at a distillery there. Yes, Scotch is the drink, and there is much skullduggery afoot.
That wraps up October, and I see from my lists I read less in November, and even less in December. So another post and we’ll be through 2017.
Tip the Wink 
Nice mix of books! I’ll track down a copy of UNQUIET SPIRITS. I have a stack of Longmire books I need to read. I’m surprised you didn’t read more SF.
I was, maybe still am, reading mostly mysteries. I guess I go in cycles. I read a lot more non-fiction n 2017 than usual, less SFF. Somewhere down below in the posts is my 2017 reading stats, which show reading by genre.
Nice list. I’m so glad you finally read the Longmires. I agree that they’re great. I read each new one as it comes out.
I still have several to go. I stopped at Serpent’s Tooth, then read that later, and have stopped again. Lots of other things to read but there’s no doubt I’ll read them all. Barbara has finished the series and is waiting for the new one this Fall.
Definitely on a Craig Johnson jag it looks like. I’ve just discovered a new writer too, David Robbins, after a few more of his I’ll try Johnson and the Longmire stuff
I’ll check out David Robbins, Charles.
Eclectic group, Rick. Craig Johnson has me interested, as well as the Sherlock Holmes pastiche.
I like reading a variety of things, Matt.
I’ve yet to read any Craig Johnson, Rick, but I mean to start him at some point. Everyone raves. I’ve never heard of Kage Baker, but your comments intrigue me. And who knew there was yet another Holmes pastiche – well, why should I be surprised, these will go on and on and on. Holmes is immortal.
I also was a late comer to Johnson, but I’m catching up. Baker writes SF/ Fantasy, which I don’t think is your cup of tea, but I could be mistaken. If you ever take a peek at the MX Publishing website, you’ll see they put out a multitude of Holmes material. I read a good amount of it, but try to be choosey.
Actually, I do enjoy the occasional SF/Fantasy read if well done. I never say never except to books with smiling hit men and gloomy viciousness. 🙂 I’ll check out the website you mentioned. Speaking of Holmes pastiches – do you read Laurie R. King’s series of Holmes stories? I love them. But then I’m not the strictest of purists.
I’ve read five or six of King’s Russell and Holmes, and liked them, but I’m far behind on the series.
I haven’t read the two books by Craig Johnson, but I have read the three before them and I have copies, so I will get to them someday. I am interested in reading Kage Baker’s In the Garden of Iden. It is about time I read the book by Armand Baltazar, I have had a copy for a while.
When you read it, I hope you enjoy it. It’s fairly lightweight Ya stuff, but I loved the artwork.