Book 47, 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Dorchester Terrace

A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel

by Anne Perry

2012

"Thomas Pitt is now the powerful head of Britain's Special Branch. Rumors have reached him of a plot to blow up connections on the rail line on which Austrian duke Alois Habsburg is to travel to visit his royal English kin.  Meanwhile in London, an Italian woman who was a revolutionary spy is terrified that as she sinks into dementia she may divulge secrets that can kill.  And a Croatian woman, married to a British power broker, hoards her own mysteries.  Pitt suspects that these women could tell him things he desperately needs to know.  But as the hours tick by, the only woman he can count on is his wife, Charlotte."

Really interesting to see Thomas promoted to head up the Special Branch, especially in this, his first important "case"!  They keep referring back to the situation leading to his promotion, which must be in the previous book, "Treason at Lisson Grove". Will have to find it so I'll know what happened!  This one was especially interesting in that it is now 1896 - telephones are used, and there are hints of the turmoil that will lead to World War I. 

Books 45-46, 52 Books in 52 Weeks

More of James Patterson's

Women's Murder Club!

Detective Lindsay Boxer chases a jewel thief, a murderous movie star, and a killer with a vendetta against women and children - the most exciting Women's Murder Club novel ever --- so it says on the book flap!  Could be right, but so far I've enjoyed all of them!

Detective Lindsay Boxer finally gets married, but a missing newborn and a series of violent attacks push the Women's Murder Club back to full throttle before the wedding gifts are even unwrapped.

Now I just need to find those I haven't yet read:  3, 4, 5, 7 & 8! I love a good series!

Books 42-44 52 Books in 52 Weeks

The Women's Murder Club

James Patterson

After reading the latest, The 11th Hour, and enjoying it so much, I had to try to find the first 10 in this exciting mystery series!

Here's the introduction to the series from Patterson's website:

Women's Murder Club

Lindsay Boxer, Cindy Thomas, Claire Washburn and Jill Bernhardt, the stars of 1st to Die and 2nd Chance, are the founding members of the Women's Murder Club. Later, in 4th of July, Yuki Castellano joins the Club. Together, they solve crimes in their home city of San Francisco, and often meet up to talk about clues and life over Mexican food and drinks at Susie's.

All I've read so far are told from Lindsay Boxer's point-of-view.

A serial killer is stalking and murdering newlyweds on their honeymoon. San Francisco Homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer takes the case and along the way meets three other women–a lawyer, a reporter, and the city medical examiner. Joining forces to solve this gruesome crime, the Women's Murder Club is born.

When family members of San Francisco cops are found dead, Detective Lindsay Boxer, Medical examiner Claire Washburn, reporter Cindy Thomas and Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt are faced with a tough case. As the killer looks for his next victim, the women must quickly track him down before he kills again.

The first batch I got from the public library didn't include Bks. 3-5, so I've had to skip to number 6. 

Someone opens fire on unsuspecting pedestrians and one of the Women's Murder Club is caught in the middle. As she struggles for her life, the others must work fast to track down the madman. In another part of the city, somebody is targeting children and their nannies. As the kidnappers await their ransom, Lindsay and company are faced with finding the mastermind before more children are harmed.

In this one, Yuki, not Jill, is the Assistant D.A.. Can hardly wait to get 3-5 so I can find out what happened to Jill!

Book 41 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 41

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Sails on the Horizon

A Novel of the Napoleonic Wars

Jay Worrall

2005

Exciting times at sea with the British Navy!

A bit of background from the Foreword:

"The era often thought as the napoleonic wars covers a period of roughly twenty-two years, from February 1, 1793, when Revolutionary France declared war on Britain, to June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo.  This was a titanic struggle - arguably the first worldwide war - between France, western Europe's most populous country, and Great Britain, the world's richest.  Napoleon Bonaparte, whose personality and abilities came to dominate the period, does not become a prominent figure until about 1799."

This story features twenty-five-year-old Charles Edgemont, a second lieutenant aboard HMS Argonaut, the smallest ship in the British line of battle in 1797.  Sent into an all-but-suicidal maneuver to cut off the escape of Spanish ships, Charles leads his gun crews bravely - until the deaths of the captain and the first lieutenant elevate him to command of the stricken vessel.  

Thanks to the prize purse awarded him by the Admiralty after the fight, Charles becomes wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. While home on medical leave from his injuries during the battle he's able to help his brother save the family estate, heavily in debt after the recent death of his father. He also meets a young woman, Penelope Brown, with whom he falls in love.  Penelope is a Quaker who regards war as sinful and soldiers as little better than murderers, so Charles has a hard time convincing her to marry him! He is also elevated to the rank of Commander and given charge of another ship, which leads to further battles and adventures. 

Looking forward to the second book in this series: Any Approaching Enemy: a Novel of the Napoleonic Wars.  Alas, from what I've found, there is no third - at least not yet!

Book 40 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 40

52 Books in 52 Weeks

The Forgotten Affairs of Youth

Alexander McCall Smith

2011

Another Alexander McCall Smith book - oh, my! Love them!

"In this latest installment of the beloved Isabel Dalhousie series, our inquisitive heroine helps a new friend discover the identity of her father..

Isabel and her fiance know who they are and where they come from.  But not everybody is so fortunate.  Jane Cooper, a visiting Australian philosopher on sabbatical in Edinburgh, has more questions than answers.  Adopted at birth, Jane is trying to find her biological father, but all she knows about him is that he was a student in Edinburgh years ago.  When she asks for Isabel's help in this seemingly impossible search ......... well, of course Isabel obliges.

But Isabel also manages to find time for her own concerns: her young son, Charlie, already walking and talking; her housekeeper, Grace, whose spiritualist has lately been doubling as a financial advisor; her niece Cat's latest relationship; and the pressing question of when and how Isabel and Jamie should finally get married.

Should the forgotten affairs of youth be left in the past, or can the memories help us understand the present?  In her inimitable way, Isabel leads us to a new understanding of the meaning of family." 

There are seven more in this series, this one the latest. The first one is The Sunday Philosophy Club. Who knew that Philosophy and philosophers could be so entertaining?! If you've read any of McCall Smith's books, you'll no doubt enjoy these too.  Of course, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is probably the most well-known, but it's very easy to get attached to the characters in each of his series.  I just hope he keeps on writing!