Month: April 2024

Audiobooks · Books

Indulging: The Lady Sherlock Series

JanetLeave a comment

The Lady Sherlock Series is written by Sherry Thomas. You can check out her website by clicking HERE.

If you are a regular around here, you might recall that a few years back I found myself listening to the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle works as they were recorded by Stephen Fry. This collection on Audible is everything written by Doyle in pretty much the publication order. A fabulous listen, but a long one at 62 hours and 52 minutes. Totally worth it!

When Sherry Thomas published her first Lady Sherlock book, A Study in Scarlet Women in 2016 I could not resist.

NOTE: As a rule, I do not care for the plethora of female Sherlock Holmes wannabes out there. By that I mean the daughters, the wives, the whatevers. I know they have their fan base and that is fine, I just never found any that really captured my interest.

That first book had me hooked and I could not wait to read the next. Thomas has taken the core of what made Sherlock Holmes great and worked her own particular magic to build a new version of the Holmes genre, this time focusing on the women and their stories.

Each title in the series moves us a step closer to that inevitable final encounter with Moriarty. The plots are carefully constructed, the settings deliciously described and the threads of each book are carefully, deliberately interwoven in later books.

I’m not sure what I enjoy more, the mysteries or the stories. For example, I am currently re-listening to Tempest at Sea. Between the core job that Charlotte & company are working on and the murder(s) that take place in the middle of the journey (literally), I find myself awed by Sherry Thomas’ amazing plot twists not to mention her skill with plot in the first place.

Kate Reading does an exceptional job voicing all these characters and bringing the stories to life. She is one of my Very Favorite Readers.

If you are looking for a series that doesn’t talk down to you but draws you in and makes you think, this is for you. Check it out!

Books

From The Reading Table: Fatal Legacy

JanetLeave a comment

Fatal Legacy by Lindsey Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love authors who make me think while I read their books. This one did an exceptional job of that.

If you are a fan of Davis’ Falco series, you should remember The Accusers, a tale that could carry the subtitle ‘sins of the parents’. In that book we were introduced to a minor character who has a bigger role in this addition to the Flavia Albia series.

Fatal Legacy could also carry the subtitle ‘sins of the parents’ but in a different way.

What starts out as a simple job collecting an unpaid bar bill evolves into an investigation into two families and focused on status. Not just family status but Roman status.

It is a complicated tale of ownership, bequests, legal status, and family dynamics that I had to take in small chunks simply to think it through. I was also reading this on my Kindle because the audio version was not available when it was released. Thankfully, I have added that version to my Wishlist.

Like the ending in The Accusers, this one made me sit back and contemplate the consequences of the stories families tell not only outsiders but themselves.

I like that Albia’s story is continuing to evolve. Her household is taking shape, the relationships are evolving and the connections to her family continue to support her.

There is a touch of a sad note about Falcon Court and The Eagle Building, but we were aware of that with earlier books. I would love to find out how Falco got Hadrian to finally purchase the place…





View all my reviews

Audiobooks · Books

From The Reading Table: How To Solve Your Own Murder

JanetLeave a comment

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A little bit Agatha Christie. A little bit Midsomer Murders with a touch of Murder, She Wrote.

I was looking for something that was interesting and a bit different and I found it!

Back in 1965 Frances Adams and her friends embarked on some adventures that would shape the rest of their lives. One of those friends had a very short life, indeed. The repercussions of that summer would impact generations.

Flash forward to the current day and Frances’ great-niece, Annie Adams, finds herself not only learning more about relatives she had never met, but delving into more than one murder.

I have to say I really enjoyed the way this book was put together. The reader did an admirable job delineating all the characters and bringing them to life. The writer created a work that is intriguing and filled with what could, or could not, be red herrings and actual clues. I have to say I wouldn’t mind seeing this on screen one day.

I did not figure out the solution to each murder until it was revealed and then, I had to take some time to come to terms with those solutions. As I stated earlier, the repercussions of that summer of ’65 would last for generations.

Well paced, well written and well read, this one should be on your To Be Read (Listened) List.





View all my reviews

Musings

Pondering Games

JanetLeave a comment

Recently I crossed a couple of rather major (to me at least) thresholds. I reached 1,000 in both June’s Journey and Microsoft Solitaire.

I’ve been playing these games for years enjoying not just the process but the ability to relax and focus on something other than the usual stress and worries. Getting to 1,000 seems a bit…wow…to me.

Both offer the opportunity to play while I listen to my audio books or music in general. Each provides a different type of focus that does not interfere with whatever else is going on. It is, quite literally, a pleasant way to head off to bed.

I enjoy computer games, but my favorites are the old games like, Sea Dogs, Caesar III, Pharaoh, and Titanic, Adventure Out of Time. This last one has been on my mind a lot lately what with the anniversary of the sinking on April 15th. These are what I call ‘engage your brain’ games. The player has to pay attention and actually engage in the game rather than sit back and ease through.

The problem with these old games is that the new computers won’t play them. I have a 20 year old desktop computer that I have kept with the idea of using it only for gaming. We shall see if that pans out.

Games are great ways to relax with or without friends. They can create a bit of community, too.

What are your favorites?

Around the House

Celebrating Creators

JanetLeave a comment

As I write this it is a lovely Saturday heading into what might actually become Spring. As is my norm, I have spent some time catching up with creators who share their passions to inspire their viewers. No, I am not on PBS or regular TV. I have been watching YouTube.

There is something empowering about watching someone embark on a creative journey. That journey can be pretty much anything from household renovation to upcycling items found around the home, to learning a new skill or even just trying to learn a new skill. That skill could be cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, crafting, home decoration, building furniture, updating said furniture and on and on…

Never underestimate the impact watching such things have on the individual who is looking to try something new. Even if they really aren’t sure what that ‘something’ might be.

Never underestimate the impact of watching someone that the networks wouldn’t look twice at (for a variety of reasons that might make no sense) but has the ability to capture the viewer’s attention and share their knowledge and experience.

Who Did I Watch Today?

Some of these folks post more than once a week. Some post during the week but I end up catching up on the weekend. All of them bring something new and interesting to their communities when they post.

If you like what you see, let them know by clicking ‘like’ and subscribing to their channels. And, no, I am not affiliated with any of them other than by be part of their communities.

And, if you like what you find here, let me know by clicking ‘like’.

Enjoy!

Around the House

Cozy Comfort

JanetLeave a comment

Time to relax…

The day after the recent eclipse I had a appointment to get my hair cut. This was a brilliantly beautiful day with loads of sunshine and few, if any, clouds. My driver knew all the ways to get around town without being stuck in traffic, so I got to enjoy some lovely scenery, too.

Later that day, however, the weather started to shift and we entered a rainy period. Rumor is expecting almost 2 inches. I am glad I do not need to be outside for any reason.

What this means, however, is that I am entering a Cozy Comfort Zone. You know, nice music, good munchies, finding a great movie or catching up on a series (or 2 or 3) that have been waiting for your attention. Or, as in my case, finding an old favorite BritCom to curl up with.

My usual early evening appointment is with ‘Allo, ‘Allo over on Pumpkin FM but you can find it on various platforms. I might segue over to ‘Are You Being Served?’ afterwards. This evening, however, I chose the very first episode to the sequel of ‘Are You Being Served?’ which is known here in the US as ‘Are You Being Served, Again?’ although in its’ original form it was known as ‘Grace and Favour’.

I enjoy quite a few of the old BritComs. The comedy is fun, often the language is a bit cheeky, and the target audience is over 25.

Another of my favorites is ‘Dinner Ladies’. I started listening to it on Pumpkin FM but found episodes on YouTube. This was a lovely series set in a factory cafeteria just before 2000. Great cast, too.

Oddly enough, when I seek out comfy TV it is something similar to these shows. Perhaps it is because they were not what I grew up watching? <shrug>

Off to grab a cuppa and curl up for a bit…

Around the House

Is It Spring Yet?

JanetLeave a comment

I won’t even apologize for the continuous complaining about the weather.

One of those unexpected pleasures of the early morning is reading the comics. There is a sense of … peace as I delve through Drabble, Baby Blues, Zits, Pickles, and the rest. Some are reruns that have even managed to remain fresh. Some are new and have some aspect that allows for simple enjoyment rather than the frantic attempt to remember the story line.

I’ve talked about it before but it remains true; the time spent easing into the day with the comics is well spent.

What are your favorite strips and where do you read them?

Around the House

Learning Something New…Sort of

JanetLeave a comment

A while back I came across some new (to me) gardening programs on PlutoTV and have found myself feeling a bit rejuvenated when it comes to a garden.

NOTE: I am not a gardener. At most I would classify myself as a dabbler.

The biggest surprise was discovering Alan Titchmarsh’s How To Be A Gardener. This series from the early 2000s is not only beautiful and full of great ideas, it also teaches you the basics. The How, Why, Where kind of things that most gardening shows assume you already know.

Now I am not and have no inclination to be a gardener, but I do have an interest in learning about the process. It is that same inclination that led me to watch a lot of The Victory Garden or P. Allan Smith’s various shows. Gardening leads into the home, if not just the kitchen. Not to mention that these programs tend to be beautiful.

I think that if you are interested in learning more or trying your hand at gardening, this is a great starting place. Unless, of course, you have access to someone near you who can take you under their wing and teach you.

In the meantime, Alan has several books available and a search could lead you to some of his other works.

Enjoy!

Crafting

There’s Nothing Like New Crafty Items and Ideas

JanetLeave a comment

I enjoy watching unboxing videos along with new release videos and those often inspiring new catalog videos. Many of the vendors are new to me, so there is that rush of finding something new.

I love color! I would normally say the more vibrant the better, but I have found that I might gravitate to something more muted or unusual as it grabs the eye.

One thing I have discovered is that the kernel of an idea is often universal. What I mean is that there are more duplication of, say, bumble bees or coffee cups, than you might expect. Same goes, in some form or other, with color. As for designer paper or paper pads, those ideas, too, are often a version of something else. What sets them apart, for me, is the way those ideas are presented.

As I watch these videos, I am struck by the creativity of the presenters. I can watch several people take the exact same stamps and ink and create such diverse cards with them.

Do I have favorites? Of course I do!

I recently watched a couple of videos taken from a recent industry gathering. This is where crafting companies show their latest tools, etc., to potential retailers. Some of those items are amazing and I can’t wait to see how they are used.

All of these ideas help me to find ways to create the cards and projects I want to create and give me inspiration for those times when I just can’t find it on my own.

Don’t mind me, I’m making my list and checking it twice… LOL!