Book 27, 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 27

Acceptable Loss

A William Monk Novel

by Anne Perry

2011

While each of Perry's William Monk books includes references to the past, this is the first one I've read that, while a good read as a stand-alone, is actually a sequel! At first I thought I'd already read it, so had to check my reading log.  It was Execution Dock that I'd recently read, which precedes this one. Now, with the way this one ended, I'm expecting a third book to follow up on this story. Will have to wait and watch to see if one appears.

"When the body of small-time crook Mickey Parfitt washes up on the tide, no one grieves. But William Monk, commander of the Thames River Police, is puzzled by the expensive silk cravat used to strangle Parfitt. Informers lead Monk to what may be a partial answer - a floating palace of corruption on the Thames managed by Parfitt, where a captive band of half-starved boys are forced to perform vile acts. Further investigation takes Monk and his wife, Hester, to an unresolved crime from the past, to blackmail and more murder, and to a deadly confrontation with some of the empire's most respected men."

James Herriot's Animal Stories - Book 26 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 26

James Herriot's Animal Stories

Introduction by Jim Wight

Illustrated by Lesley Holmes

1997

For those who loved James Herriot's books: All Creatures Great and Small, All things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing, perhaps some of these stories will seem familiar. They did first appear in one of the above-mentioned books, but they're well worth reading again.  The introduction by Herriot's son, Jim Wight, is interesting too.

He says, " James Herriot had the rare ability to turn everyday happenings into a compelling read with the use of uncomplicated words delivered with maximum effect.  His stories are very largely about that fascinating subject, Human Nature, and they were written by one of life's keenest observers.  He watched, he understood, and most importantly, he preserved in print the thoughts of a compassionate and humorous man.  James Herriot's tales are not primarily about animals, they are about people." 

This charming new collection brings together ten of James Herriot's best-loved stories celebrating all the creatures of his wonderful world.  Here are lambs, horses, cows, dogs, even a whimsical pig or two, along with their colorful human counterparts, all brought vividly to life by Herriot's storytelling magic.

The Aloha Quilt - Book 25 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

52 Books in 52 Weeks

The Aloha Quilt

An Elm Creek Quilts novel

by Jenniver Chiaverini

2010

Another good story in the Elm Creek Quilts series! 

If you like quilting or just a good story, these are always interesting, Each can stand alone, but the enjoyment is enhanced if you know more of the  "back story".  Each book features a different member of the Elm Creek Quilters group.

Fathers' Day

Thinking of

Three Special Fathers

on Fathers' Day

 My Father  

with loving memories

My Father-in-Law

with loving memories

 And My Children's Father 

My Husband

Espresso Tales - Book 24 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 24

Espresso Tales

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, The Sunday Philosophy Club series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series.  He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and was a law professor at the University of Botswana and at Edinburgh University.  He lives in Scotland.

Espresso Tales brings back several of our "favorite denizens of a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh: Bertie, Bruce, Pat, Domenica," and more.  Each is featured in his or her own 'tale', and we feel like we know them as we follow their stories.

"Full of McCall Smith's gentle humor and sympathy for his characters, Espresso Tales is an affectionate portrait of a city and its people who, in the author's own words, 'make it one of the most vibrant and interesting places in the world'."

52 Books in 52 Weeks: Books 22 -23, Her Majesty Investigates Series

Just in time for Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee!

http://www.happylovesrosie.com/

Books 22 and 23

Her Majesty Investigates Series

C.C. Benison

Light reading for sure - but fun!

1996

Jane Bee, from Prince Edward Island, decided to take a year off before University to travel in Europe. She "came to Europe for adventure, only to end up with the job of a lifetime - housemaid at Buckingham Palace. Now her greatest challenge is removing gum from State Room carpets - until she comes across a nasty accident right outside the Royal Apartments. The Queen herself has - literally - stumbled across the dead body of Jane's good friend, footman and aspiring actor Robin Tukes, in what appears to be a suicide.

But why would handsome, impetuous Robin, having just toasted his engagement to a gorgeous housemaid, not to mention his impending fatherhood, want to die?  Buck House buzzes, but only Jane - and the Royal Personage known belowstairs as "Mother" - suspects foul play.  At Her Majesty's behest, Jane launches a discreet inquiry that takes her from Servants' Hall to the highest echelons of the Palace.  Yet the more Jane uncovers, the more clear it becomes that this latest royal scandal is a real killer."

1996

"When housemaid Jane Bee accompanies the Royals on their annual Christmas jaunt to Sandringham, she believes she's in for a bit of a snooze.  Aside from her regular duties, there's nothing much to do in the wilds of Norfolk..... until the body of a woman turns up in the village hall - a woman who just happens to be a dead ringer for the Queen, right down to her glittering crown.

While the royal bodyguards tighten their security and the police concentrate their efforts on a notorious animal rights group, Her Majesty bids Jane to do her own discreet digging. But when Jane learns the origin of the dead woman's tiara, she finds herself suddenly unstitching an upstairs/downstairs tapestry of indiscretions going back fifty years.  And then a second brazen murder occurs in the very heart of Sandringham House, and it looks like the coming New Year could be more horribilis than any yet."

This time Jane's father, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, just happens to be visiting.  He's come to try to convince her to go home and into the University so she can get on with her life.  Jane's having too much fun to want to go back home just yet, but her father is very helpful in solving this mystery.

Must see if I can locate the third in this series, "Death at Windsor Castle"!