52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 18

Body of Evidence

by Lenora Worth

 "When Texas Ranger Anderson Michaels goes undercover at an animal rescue farm in Texas Hill Country, he lands right in owner Jennifer Rodger's path.  Before long, he realizes that tracking down his target - a deadly drug-trafficking ring that was responsible for the murder of his captain - may be easier than winning this jaded woman's trust.  Experience has taught Jennifer to keep her distance from adventure seekers.  But her life will depend on her ability to push aside her fears - and trust Anderson to keep her safe."

Light reading for sure - a nice quick read!

52 Books in 52 Weeks: Books 16 & 17

Book # 16 

Morality for Beautiful Girls

by Alexander McCall Smith

More from The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!  In Morality for Beautiful Girls, Precious Ramotswe, founder and owner of Botswana's only detective agency for the "concerns of both ladies and others", investigates the alleged poisoning of the brother of an important "Government Man', and the moral character of the finalists of the Miss Beauty and Integrity Contest, the winner of which will almost certainly be a contestant for the title of Miss Botswana.  Meanwhile, the agency is having money problems, and when unexpected difficulties arise at the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she discovers that her fiance, the reliable Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, is more complicated than he seems.

In the others of this delightful series that I've read, Precious Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are already married, so this is an earlier story, even if written later.  I need to check the dates of the others!  One other part that really interested me is that her assistant, Mme. Makutsi, always seems a bit less competent than Mma. Ramotswe in the other stories.  In this one, however, she shows her talents at both detection and management!  

Always enjoy any and all of Alexander McCall Smith's books! In addition to the huge international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith is the author of The Sunday Philosophy Club series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, The Girl Who Married a Lion, and 44 Scotland Street.  He was born in what is now Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of  Botswana and Edinburgh University.  He lives in Scotland and returns regularly to Botswana.

Book #17

Smith College Class of 1962

50th Reunion Book

1962: Reflect, Relive, Rejoice!

While not a "regular:" book, this 50th Reunion special publication from my college is fascinating to read! I'm not planning to attend the reunion, although I have attended a few times over the years, and have very fond memories of my years in Northampton, Massachusetts.  Some of my best friends are classmates, even if we rarely see each other.

This 327 page book, which I've pretty much devoured cover-to-cover, contains something about each member of the Class of 1962, with very few exceptions - a few "lost" members.  The Senior photo of each is included, along with contact information and whatever other details the person cared to share - further education, professional &/or volunteer life, family, and more.  Each of us was invited - indeed urged - to send in a more recent photo and a brief essay about our life now and/or through the past 50 years.

When first flipping through the book, I was fascinated to see all the Senior photos and realize that "we all looked alike"!  I hadn't realized how accustomed we have become to our multi-cultural and very diverse current world - in stark contrast to the student body and the world we lived in fifty years ago.  After looking up all my special friends, I found myself reading everyone else's essays too.  It's so interesting to read about the lives of these several hundred classmates!  So sad to read about some who lived such short lives. What a wonderful project!  I'm so happy I sent in my photo and little essay and that so many others did too! I really appreciate all who worked so hard to bring this book to us, the Smith College Class of 1962!

Catching Up, 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 13

Mr. Monk on the Couch

Lee Goldberg, 2011

Another quick but fun read, especially for "Monk" TV fans!  This story takes place shortly after the end of the TV series.  

Natalie Teeger has picked up a few detective skills during her years as Adrian Monk's loyal assistant -- and she's eager to put them to use. But that's not easy when you work with a deductive genius who can solve a murder in no time.

Natalie gets her  chance when a man with no identity is found dead of natural causes, and neither Monk nor the police see any reason to get involved.  It helps that Monk is distracted by a crime-scene cleaning crew's abilities while investigating a series of brutal murders tied to a secondhand couch.

Book 14

Started Early, Took My Dog

Kate Atkinson, 2011

It's a day like any other for Tracy Waterhouse, working security at the local shopping center to supplement her pension from the police force.  Then she makes a purchase she hadn't bargained on.  One moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy's humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger and the first sparks of love.

Witnesses to Tracy's Faustian exchange are Till, an elderly actress teetering on the brink of her own disaster, and Jackson Brodie, the reluctant detective whose own life has been stolen and who has now been hired to find someone else's.  Variously accompanied, pursued, or haunted by neglected dogs, unwanted children, and keepers of dark secrets, soon all three will learn that the past is never history -- and that no good deed goes unpunished.

Brimming with wit, wisdom, and a fierce moral intelligence, Started Early, Took My Dog confirms Kate Atkinson's status as one of the most original and entertaining writers of our time.

I had never heard of Kate Atkinson, but have been reading through a bag of books loaned and recommended by a friend, interspersed with some of my "old faithful" favorite authors.  It took me a while to really get interested in this book, but by the end I was ready to find some more.  One of the most intriguing aspects was how so many seemingly unrelated people ended up as key components of one of the main mysteries.  Since some parts of the story remained unresolved, to me at least, I wonder if there'll be a sequel or another with some of these same characters? Must keep an eye on this author!

Book 15

Now You See Her

A Novel by James Patterson

and Michael Ledwidge, 2011

To save her own life, Nina Bloom vanished.  Now, to rescue an innocent man, she confronts the killer she thought she escaped forever.

Not sure if I've read any James Pattersons before, but certainly will again! I want to check our The Women's Murder Club series!

A successful lawyer and loving mother, Nina Bloom would do anything to protect the life she's built in New York -- including lying to everyone, even her daughter, about her past.  But when an innocent man is framed for murder, she knows that she can't let him pay for the real killer's crimes.

Nina's secret life began nineteen years ago.  She had looks to die for, a handsome police-officer husband, and a carefree life in Key West.  When she learned she was pregnant with their first child, her happiness was almost overwhelming.  But Nina's world shattered when she unearthed a terrible secret that caused her to run for her life and change her identity.

Now, years later, Nina risks everything she's earned to return to Florida and confront the murderous evil she fled.  In a story of wrenching suspense, James Patterson gives us his most head-spinning, action-filled novel yet -- a Hitchcockian blend of unquenchable drama and pleasure.