A Book in Review: A Veiled Antiquity

A Veiled Antiquity by: Rett MacPherson
fiction: mystery 211 pages
book count: 12

First, I find it amazing that the Templars ever had time to do the things that they are noted to have done in the official history books given the number of secret things that they were busy doing. In this book they are once again busy with their secret missions, but as it doesn't come up until 3/4 of the book is done, I don't want to spoil it.

This book is the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one. In this book a older lady falls down her stairs and dies. Most every one thinks that it was an accident, except Totie. She starts investigating the event on her own and more and more evidence of fowl play is found. Also her mother is dating some one she can't stand and she found about it in a town's busybody's newspaper column. And that isn't even the worst of her problems.

Today is Ash Wednesday

A Book in Review:Suture Self

Suture Self By: Mary Daheim
Fiction: Mystery, 324 pages 2001
book count:11

This book is in a series of cozy mysteries that are happy to point out that they are cozy mysteries. For example the main character, a middle aged woman that has murder follow her where ever she goes, is called Ms. Marple by others. In this book she and her cousin are in a hospital for surgeries, where unexpeced deaths are taking place for local celebrities. They set about solving the mystery with one with an arm in a sling and one stuck in bed with her new hip.

A Note to Self: Paying the Piper

Paying the Piper By: Sharyn McCrumb
Fiction: mystery 179 pages
Book count: 10

This is the strory of an American that goes to Scotland on an achological dig and gets mixed up with murder. It is the perfect book for some people I know to read the next time they get all bumed about not being about to go to Scotland anytime soon. It takes place in the summer on a small island that is part of Scotland. It is cold and wet, dark and gray and (spoiler aleart) then they get an anthrax plauge. But, even with the wet wool it was an intresting story.

Books, books, books!

OK this spring we will be part of a garage sale. And so we thought that this would b a good time to read a lot of books that we had bought that we know that we will most likely read only once and get red of, so get ready for many, many mystery books. As we have about 100 more books in our bookshelves then should fit in them and we plan on getting red of at least 1/3 rd of them before we bring any more into the house. (All the reader out there understand what a great sacrifice that is, expecialy as both our libary and twice a year church book sales have $1 a bag times during the sales.)

A Note to Self: Mrs. Malory and the Festival Murder

Mrs. Malory and the Festival Murder by: Haze Holt
Fiction: Mystery 218 pages
Book Count: 9

This book is a British cozy mystery. The main character is a middle aged woman in the small town that the murder takes place in. As the book progresses one learns that a large chunk of he town is hiding dark secrets that could be motive for murder. You go from one suspects story to another bouncing back in forth getting deep into each story. Then in a barely hinted at secret is reveled to be the real motive in the last pages in the novel in a fast paced way that really ruins an otherwise good read for me.

A Book in Review: The How-To Book of Sacramentals

The How-To Book of Sacramentals By: Ann Ball
Non-fiction, religion 329 pages 2005
book count: 8
NYR page count: 619

First, most of you are probably asking "What is a sacramental?" Well according to the definition on the back of the book it is "Sacred signs (objects or actions) possessing a likeness to the sacraments that impart grace according to the disposition of the recipient and the intercession of the Church." Which of course told you nothing unless you already had an idea what it is. Basically a sacramental is something that is used in a devotional way. This would be things like holy water, crosses, icons and other religious artwork, rosaries and other prayer beads, ashes on Ash Wendsay, palms from Palm Sunday and many other things. This book covers a large number of sacramentals both common ones and some ones that have gone out of use or are newer. It also deals with ones that are common in the Eastern churches as well as ones from the West. It was divided up into connected types of sacramentals and includes histories of the sacramental, groups it is most connected with and in some cases were to get more information. The books is divided into 21 sections and covers everything from things you would find/do in church to plants that gained/changed religious meaning from the earlyest days of Christianity to modern times. Over all it was an interesting read full of information.

NYR-Note to self

Note: this IS realy just a note for myself, to let me keep track of all the new year's resolution things in one place. Please disregard this.

NYR page count: 290

M.C. paper/ Detriot 13 pages

A Book in Review: The Victoria Vanishes

The Victoia Vanishes By: Christopher Fowler
Fiction: mystery 323 pages 2008
Book count: 7

This is a most unusual mystery. For starters the killer is found well befor the book is over. Also one crime happens in a pub that no longer exists! But over all it was a story that makes you want to keep reading it.

Groundhog Fact:

Groundhogs naturally wake at around 7 a.m. even when waking from hibernation, deep below any area with sunshine to wake them.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Candlemas!

Happy Groundhog Day!
(deja vue for people in groundhog day)

And remember its wrong about 2/3rd of the time. So, flipping a coin is more accurate.