Lorna Barrett is the pen name of Lorraine Bartlett (also known as L.L. Bartlett). As Lorna Barrett, she is best known for her Booktown Mysteries – three of them so far with the fourth coming out in August.

Murder Is Binding is Book 1 of the series. The setting is a small town in New Hampshire. The old downtown area has been redeveloped into a haven for bookstores selling new and used books in a wide variety of genres. It’s modeled after the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye.

Tricia Miles is the owner of the mystery bookstore called Haven’t Got A Clue. Although Tricia is new to store ownership (five months), she’s not new to mysteries. She’s been reading them since childhood. She’s widely read in the genre and her store reflects her good taste. The bookstore is also home to her ever-present cat, Miss Marple. Isn’t that perfect?

All of the bookstore owners are outsiders and there is some conflict between the locals who have lived there forever and the newcomers. The locals resent all the tourist buses who bring in daily business for the bookstores.

Everything heats up when the owner of the cookbook bookstore is murdered. Tricia is the one who discovers the body. Because the sheriff is a local and has never investigated a murder, she decides Tricia is the best one to accuse of murder.

Since Tricia has read so many mysteries and crime procedurals (a lot more than the sheriff), she sets out to investigate the murder. Her goal is to clear her name. Tricia has plenty of suspects: the super-agressive real estate developer, a super-good looking insurance salesman, and the murdered woman’s twin sister. Tricia also has plenty of help: her sister and her two employees.

I liked the story and the way it was written. At first I didn’t like the main character, Tricia. I thought she was sometimes rude to people and cold. The first four or five chapters she didn’t like anyone. But, once the mysteries started piling up and the story started rolling, I was really into it. And, I saw the character of Tricia change a bit and I soon warmed up to her.

I also liked the numerous references to mystery books and authors. It felt good when I recognized authors and books I’ve also read. I’m ready to go on to the next book in the series, Bookmarked For Death. I’d like to see if/how her character develops and, hopefully, read of more good mystery books in Tricia’s bookstore.

The library here has the whole series but they are also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

CHILI CON CORPSES

by J.B. Stanley

Midnight Ink, 2008

My Rating: B

James Henry is the librarian in the town of Quincy Gap, Virginia. He and his fellow members of a supper club decide to join a Mexican/Spanish-themed Fix ‘n’ Freeze cooking class. They’ve all been dieting for months and this emphasis on spicy tasting food has perked their appetites and their interests.

James has a few challenges, but not with the cooking. His girlfriend (she has feelings for another guy), his father (he’s having a hard time getting over his wife’s death), and there’s a winning lottery ticket someone left in the library’s book return slot. In addition, a woman is murdered during a field trip James was helping to chaperone.

This was a nice, pleasant, cozy mystery that went pretty fast. In addition to the fast-paced story there are several yummy recipes. I tried the chicken enchilada recipe and I’ll share that with you tomorrow during Weekend Cooking. One of the fun features of the book was that all the chapters were titled with food, like Beef Brisket and Banana.

Chili Con Corpses is the third book in the author’s Supper Club series. I haven’t read the first two but I didn’t have any trouble understanding number three. Jennifer (J.B.) Stanley has two other series she’s written. I’m going to try her Hope Street Church mysteries next. For more information on the author her website at Jennifer Stanley.

by Mark Twain

Originally published in 1876

Synopsis: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic American tale of childhood in the mid-1800s. Tom Sawyer is mischievous, wily, he skips school and he sneaks out of the house at night. The story follows Tom and his friends through one adventure after another. The most serious adventure occured when Tom and his friend Huck witnessed a murder.

The Book Group at the Library read and discussed this book as part of The Big Read of Sonoma County (California). People of all ages throughout the county read the book during the month of April. There were also special events coordinated with the Big Read. The cutest idea, I thought, was the “Act Like a Pirate” event at one of the library branches. School-age children could learn to talk and dress like a pirate and learn to find buried treasure. I know All-Area-Reads are popular in various parts of the country. In my opinion, it’s a super idea.

The book group I’ve joined meets on a weekday afternoon so the age of the group is similar to mine. Every single person in our twelve-person discussion group had read this book as a child. And almost all of us had fond memories of it. When it came to re-reading the book, all but the men agreed it was disappointing to read as an adult.

I thought some of the language was difficult (see yesterday’s post for a sample of two unknown words). I also thought the writing was stilted. That is probably because it was written 124 years ago.

The prize was delivered to Tom with as much effusion as the superintendent could pump up under the circumstances; but it lacked somewhat of the true gush, for the poor fellow’s instinct taught him that there was a mystery here that could not well bear the light, perhaps, it was simply preposterous that this boy had warehoused two thousand sheaves of Scriptural wisdom on his premises – a dozen would strain his capacity, without a doubt.

I asked if today’s children would be able to read and identify with the characters. The reading is a little tough, but we all felt that children today still have plenty of imagination. We thought they would love the part about the pirates. There are issues in this classic that would make for a great discussion between children and parents and/or teachers. [We read the unabridged version and recommend that for children as well as adults.]

Overall, it was a good re-read and a good discussion book, even for “mature” adults. If you’re looking for a classic for your book group, give this one a try.

Jane Wilkinson is a famous and an extremely beautiful American actress who is also married to Lord Edgware. According to Jane/Lady Edgware, her husband is a horrid man and she wants out. She comes to Hercule Poirot, a master at solving problems, to see if he could help her “get rid of the man.” There is someone else she wishes to marry.

Poirot, of course, will not be a party to murder but he agrees to talk to Lord Edgware about a divorce. Lord Edgware says he has no objection to a divorce and, in fact, had already sent a letter to his wife telling her that.

But then, the very next morning, Lord Edgware was found murdered in his study. Both the butler and a housekeeper saw Lady Edgware come to visit him the night before. She is presumed to be the last person to see him alive. Inspector Japp believes he has the case wrapped up only to discover that Lady Edgware was somewhere else the night before. Lady Edgware was at a dinner party, one in which there were thirteen people around the table. Uh-oh – that’s bad luck.

Solving this mystery means looking at many different options. For one thing, how could Lady Edgware be in two places at one time? Could it have something to do with Carlotta Adams, the fabulous American impersonator? Before our detectives can pursue that line of questioning, Carlotta is also found dead.

What about the motives for killing Lord Edgware? Lady Edgware already knew she could have her divorce. Lord Edgware’s nephew, who had severe financial problems, would be the one to inherit Lord Edgware’s fortune. And, Lord Edgware’s daughter really hated her father. Both of these two characters were at the theatre that evening. How could they have done it. Is there someone else?

We have suspects and motives but dead-ends everywhere we turn. Thank goodness we have Hercule Poirot’s clever little gray cells. He, of course, solves the case. We hear all about this case from Poirot’s friend, Captain Hastings. It’s hard for the reader (me) to rely on what Captain Hastings tells us. I want to solve the case before Poirot does but Hastings gets in the way. He is often mis-led by beautiful women and he doesn’t see the clues right in front of him. Agatha Christie, in this novel, does give the reader all the clues and, for a change, I had this one all figured out.

To make it even more fun, I was able to watch the television movie version of the book. It wasn’t exactly the same as the book but close enough. The version I saw was the A & E production with David Sachet as Hercule Poirot. It’s so much fun to watch him walk and do all the other little Poirot actions. What I loved most about the movie was all the glamour, the costumes and the sets based on life in the 1930’s. See it if you can.

This is my 14th novel read as part of the Agatha Christie Reading Challenge. I’m reading them in order of publication date. If you are interested in the challenge, please visit Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise.

I own a copy of this book. 13 At Dinner (Lord Edgware Dies is available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

by Maggie Sefton

Berkley Prime Crime, 2005

My Rating: B

Kelly Flynn is a CPA back in Washington D.C. She’s used to looking at details and analyzing information. But, as the story opens, she’s in Fort Connor, Colorado for her aunt’s funeral. Aunt Helen was Kelly’s last remaining relative and had been a mother-figure to her. Not only is Aunt Helen dead, she was murdered. Kelly doesn’t believe the police have the right suspect nor the right motive.

In her own analytical style, Kelly begins inquiring about her aunt’s activities. Kelly gets some help from her aunt’s friends – all women from the knitting shop next door. The knitting-circle women don’t just help Kelly solve the mystery, they take her into their lives and hearts. Soon Kelly is playing softball, learning how to knit, and deciding to stay in Fort Connor for a few months. Did I mention there’s this good looking guy hanging around? I don’t know where that’s going.

I really liked the women in the circle. Publisher’s Weekly said her “knitting buddies, who, in their own carefree way, resemble the cast of Friends.” I loved the repartee among the group. For pure fun, you have to read the book to meet Jennifer and Lizzie. Jennifer is a smart talking waitress/realtor who hates sports. You’re not going to find her “standing in the sun and sweating.” Lizzie is my soul-mate. She’s a seventi-ish retired schoolteacher who’s not afraid to see for herself what’s underneath the bagpiper’s kilt.

The murder mystery part of the story was enjoyable to read, too. There were several people I thought might be the guilty party but I was surprised in the end – a nice surprise. This was definitely a cozy – no CSI-type pictures popped into my head.

I almost forgot to mention the knitting part of the book. The author was a non-knitter when she started the book but that soon changed. Her description of Kelly walking into the knit shop for the first time was from the author’s own experience. It made me want to run down to my local knit shop. For fellow knitters: There are a couple of patterns in the back of the book.

Knit One, Kill Two is Book One in Maggie Sefton’s seven-book (#8 this summer) series. I have a hunch that Kelly will decide to settle down in Fort Connor and become a permanent member of the knitting-circle. And, yes, I hope she has a little romance too.

I read this book for the Cozy Mystery Challenge Doubled. Maggie Sefton is one of the Cozy Chicks. Her website is here. I borrowed this book form the public library. It’s available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

by Elizabeth Eulberg

Published by Point, an imprint of Scholastic, 2010

My Rating: B

Penny Lane is a junior in high school who has just had her first major heartbreak caused by a boy she has known and trusted her entire life. He broke her heart so badly that she has vowed to go through the rest of high school without dating. She forms her own club for this purpose, The Lonely Hearts Club.

Before long Penny’s club is growing as other high school girls decide to join. The club is really more about taking care of yourself rather than hating boys. The girls want to make sure they don’t change themselves because of boys. As the club grows in popularity and numbers, it begins to bother some the the high school boys and the high school principal.

It’s a fun and sometimes humorous book. It reminded me of my fifteenth year with all the heartbreak and drama. And I enjoyed all the references to the Beatles songs. The story sends a good message to young girls. The reasoning in it is sound.

It’s a YA book but one that adults will enjoy as well. As I’m writing this post my eleven-year old granddaughter is sitting next to me reading it. I thought perhaps it would be better read in a couple of years and her mom agrees (but she’s already read the Twilight series…).

I want to thank Kathy (Bermuda Onion) for this book. It was a win from her. It’s a new release so it may not yet be at your library. It is available from Amazon.

by Debbie Macomber

MIRA Books, 2009

My Rating: B

I think I’ve read almost all of Debbie Macomber’s stories. I get her newsletter and follow her website (especially the knitting section). So I guess you could call me a fan. It was a real treat when her publicist sent this Christmas book. Debbie always writes a Christmas story because it’s one of the most heartwarming times of the year. And, Debbie Macomber’s books, Christmas or otherwise, are always heartwarming. The Perfect Christmas is no different.

Cassie is a very bright young woman in her mid-thirties. She’s been successful in every way except finding a good man. She longs for a husband and children. When her best friend tells her about a very expensive, but reliable, matchmaker, Cassie goes for it. She believes this is her last hope.

The matchmaker, Simon, is a well-educated psychologist who has been very successful in bringing together what he calls suitable partners. He also offers a money-back guarantee so Cassie decides she has nothing to lose. Although the matchmaker’s manner is very off-putting to Cassie, she is confident he can find her the perfect husband in time for the perfect Christmas.

Simon does find a suitable match in John but he will not introduce Cassie and John until Cassie completes three tasks:

1. She must spend a morning ringing a bell for charity at the mall.
2. Cassie must don a an elf costume and descend from the ceiling of the mall to announce Santa, and then help with the children who want to visit with Santa.
3. And last, she must cook and host a dinner party for her very unfriendly neighbors.

All sorts of fun things happen to Cassie, some laugh-out-loud funny. There are also some touching moments leading up to Christmas. My one small complaint is that I didn’t like the matchmaker during most of the story. Overall, it’s a very good story with clean language and wholesome values. I’m passing this on to my youngest daughter and then my mother who also enjoys Debbie’s books. That should tell you what kind of book this is.

I’m counting this book as part of my Holiday Reading Challenge.

For other opinions on the book visit:

Tami and Dave at One More Thing

Kat Martin

Vanguard Press, 2009

My Rating: B

Kat Martin has written over forty novels – historicals, contemporaries, and romantic suspense. I’ve read her romantic suspense and loved them. When I had the chance to preview her new Christmas novel I was happy to say yes.

Ms. Martin has put together a nice little community of individual adults in a small town in Michigan. They are all going their separate ways until they become aware of the needs of a small eight-year old boy named Teddy.

Teddy has only his grandmother, Lottie. He doesn’t quite know it yet, but he’s losing her to Alzheimer’s. At eight, Teddy is already a plucky little guy. He talks Joe Dixon into letting him do odd jobs at his car repair shop so he can save enough money to buy his grandmother an antique clock for Christmas.

For Teddy, working at the car repair shop is about more than the money. Teddy loves everything about engines and lives for the day when he can use the grease gun. He develops a very good friendship with his boss, Joe.

Others in Teddy’s world include his neighbors, Floyd and Doris Culver. Doris is the one (other than the doctor) who first notices Lottie’s problem. She worries about what will happen with Lottie and Teddy. Lottie shares her concerns with Syl, a nurse at the doctor’s office, who is also renting an apartment over her garage. It just so happens that Syl and Joe used to be in love. She broke his heart eight years earlier when she mysteriously left town.

I haven’t divulged any spoilers here that aren’t already on the book jacket or in the first chapter. I think you can see where this story is headed because that’s the kind of story it is. It’s meant to be a holiday, Hallmark-style story. During the holidays, I like this kind of light, feel good tale. It worked for me. I shed a few tears and even fell in love with little Teddy. I’ll bet you will too.

The Christmas Clock is available at Amazon.

I have two review copies of this book. One is slightly used. I’m happy to ship anywhere. For the GIVEAWAY sign-up, go HERE.

by Nadia Natali

Illustrated by Marica Natali Thompson

North Atlantic Books, 2009

My Rating: B

In addition to recipes, The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook is a story about the creation of the Blue Heron Ranch and Zen Retreat Center. It’s the story of how the Natali family bought forty acres near Ojai, California and built it into a meditation retreat center.

For three years they lived in their fold-out tent-camper and a tepee with no electricity or phone services. Their water came from the river. They still live off the grid but now have solar panels and a back-up generator. The land was dusty chaparral when they first moved there in 1980 but they’ve transformed it into a desert oasis with a large variety of trees and other plants.

Nadia has always been in charge of food preparation. First it was for her family of five and later for large groups of retreat guests. Her book contains menus and tips for handling large numbers of guests. In fact there is a food and supply list.

The book contains a large number of vegetarian recipes and is heavy on healthy eating. Among the recipes, here are some of my favorites:

• A large number of soups, both hot and cold. I want the Potato Leek Soup.
• I bought some dried cranberries so I can try her Pineapple Chicken recipe. It calls for chicken legs, undiluted orange juice, curry powder, mandarin oranges, pineapple, cracked almonds and the cranberries. Doesn’t that mix sound good? Can’t you just imagine how those flavors will all meld together? Mmmmm good.
• The author has included a nice little section on breakfasts which I find is often overlooked in most cookbooks. My favorites includes a recipe for Sunday Pancakes, which has been a tradition at our house, and the author’s own granola.
• There are eight pie recipes including a blueberry peach that looks wonderful.
• A very nice section on sauces with everything from Ginger Honey Sauce to Green Enchilada Sauce to Hot Fudge Sauce.

The stories of the Natali’s life are interspersed throughout the book, usually at the beginnings of each food chapter. The other thing that makes the book a treat are the colorful drawings by the author’s daughter, Marica. The front cover above is a good example of her work.

I recommend this book for anyone who entertains house guests for long weekends. I’m also passing this one on to my son and d-i-l who participate in weekend and sometimes week-long meditation retreats. This is a great resource for those events.

This book was a gift from the author. I read this book as a requirement for the Spice of Life Challenge.

You can purchase The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook from Amazon.

The Big Four

Agatha Christie

Dodd, Mead and Co., 1927

My Rating: B

Hercule Poirot is the star of this novel with his friend Captain Hastings as the narrator. The whole story starts with a strange man tumbling into Poirot’s rooms. He is barely able to communicate “The Big Four” before he dies mysteriously. Of course, our master sleuth has heard talk of the big four. They are the four people who are “behind everything . . . the world-wide unreast, the labour troubles . . . and the revolutions . . .” Poirot sets out to find out more and to stop this menace. Here is the synopsis from the original dust jacket:

“Number One was a Chinaman – the greatest criminal brain of all time; Number Two was a multi-millionaire; Number Three was a beautiful Frenchwoman; and Number Four was ‘the destroyer,’ the ruthless murderer, with a genius for disguise, whose business it was to remove those who interfered with his masters’ plans. These Four, working together, aimed at establishing a world dominion, and against them were ranged Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective with the egg-shaped head, the green eyes and ‘the little gray cells,’ and his friend Hastings. It was Hercule Poirot’s brain, the ‘little gray cells,’ which brought about the downfall of the Big Four, and led to their destruction in the cave in the Dolomites.”

This eighth published novel by Christie reads a little different from the others. It’s divided into 18 chapters and each one feels like a short story. There are lots of characters and crimes to be solved. About half-way through the book I did a little research and discovered why the book read this way. The stories were, in fact, serialized in a magazine (The Sketch in 1924). They were called The Man Who Was No. 4. The Big Four was ‘novelized’ from the original short stories by changing the beginnings and endings of each short story to make it flow like a novel.

According to several of the sources I read, Christie did not like this book, nor the next one, The Blue Train. They were written during a time when she needed the money. She didn’t like writing under that kind of pressure. In fact, she wrote an extra novel and had it stored at her publishers. She wanted a book in reserve just in case she was ever in this position again. Well, Agatha, I know exactly what you mean, on a much smaller scale. I hate it when I get to a day and I have nothing to add to this blog and the pressure is on to create. I’m never happy with what I create under those circumstances. So I see why this book and the next was not among Ms. Christie’s favorites.

I found the book both fun and interesting. Once I understood about the serialization and subsequent novelization, it was interesting to read the rest of the book and try to figure out which was the original serialization. The fun part was watching the egg-shaped, green-eyed master at work solving a problem usually left to master spies and super-heros.

I read this book as part of my Agatha Christie Challenge. For more information and/or to join this on-going challenge visit Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise. I also read this book for the R.I.P. Challenge sponsored by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings.

I’m off to read the next one: The Mystery of the Blue Train.