Quick book recommendations...

 

The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro

London, 1855. A disturbing murder of a lovely young woman on All Hallow's Eve, and another suspicious death on All Saint's Day, bring police inspector Sebastian Bell and Crimean nurse, Gemma Tate, together. They're both grieving personal losses; and they're both determined to bring a killer to justice. This Victorian mystery is riveting and intricately crafted. I loved Bell's outrage on behalf of the murdered young women, and his willingness to listen to Gemma and her thoughts on the case. And I loved that she didn't go off doing stupid, reckless things all the time. I also loved the atmospheric setting and all the historical details. It's one of my favorite time periods to read about. And this gripping novel is one of the best mysteries I've read this year.  5 stars! 

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong (A Haven's Rock Novel)

Murder. A blizzard. And Casey's risky pregnancy and imminent labor. The stakes are high in the isolated town of Haven Rock as Casey and Eric realize there's a murderer in their small community. Who is it? And who will they target next? Can I just say that I love this series and these characters? This is another fast-paced and suspenseful mystery. Though I didn't love it quite as much as her previous novel, The Boy Who Cried Bear. Maybe because Casey and her pregnancy, and subsequent struggle to still be independent and investigate everything, took center stage, pushing Eric and the other characters to the periphery. (Except for their Newfoundland, Storm, whom I love.) But even with that, this book is a very fun and enjoyable read. 4 stars! 

(Murder at Haven's Rock is the first book in Armstrong's Haven's Rock series, which is actually a continuation of her Rockton series. You can read more about those first books here. )

Happy Reading!

Randomness...

Recently finished reading:  Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn

And I'm happy to say that it was just as fun as the first book. Billie, Helen, Mary Alice and Natalie are the best characters! I love their banter and snark, as well as their intelligence, toughness, and unorthodox skills. 

I also saw this amazing must-see movie:  Rule Breakers.

It tells the true story of Roya Mahboob and the robotics team comprised of four young women from Afghanistan that she started. Their struggles and achievements are inspiring. (Though the ongoing plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, and how hard they have to fight for even the most basic of human rights, continues to break my heart!) Everyone should go see this movie. 

My glad things for last month:

• Listening to (and loving!) Disturbed's new song: I WILL NOT BREAK. It's awesome!
• Chickadees singing outside my window every morning. (They're my favorite little bird.)
• New recipes that weren't too hard to make and that tasted really yummy: Pear & Broccoli soup, Pesto Whirls, and Orange Creamcheese Cake. 
• Getting caught up on AJ Pearce's Emmy Lake Chronicles, and finishing Jennifer Estep's Black Blade series. Both of which I can definitely recommend. 
• Watching a murder of crows hopping around the playground like they own it; and watching all the elementary kids' delight at their antics.
• Getting together with friends for a night of playing games (Wingspan) and catching up.
• And my former boss, who's also a good friend, reached out last week to see how I was doing.