All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Friday, December 31, 2021
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Linda Barnes, Stand Up Detective
Sue Grafton is not only
one of my top three favorite authors, but she is my top favorite mystery
author. The contemporary female private eye is my favorite sub-genre within the
mystery field, and Grafton’s famous investigator, Kinsey Millhone, is easily my
favorite mystery protagonist. I just simply identified with Millhone. Millhone
was forward. She also had a loner-type personality, independence, and the
matter-of-factness that I identified with from the first book, A is for Alibi.
Nevertheless, as well all know, Grafton died four years ago as of my writing this. And
with Grafton’s death went the last book in her Kinsey Millhone series, which
would have been titled “Z is for…” presumably “Zero” (actually I think Grafton
confirmed that “Zero” in an interview). Grafton’s death was a blow in all
matters of mystery and literature in general. But, especially, to her fans.
But I am going to stop here, as after her death I decided to
concentrate seriously on reading her peers. 2018 saw me smash through Marcia
Muller’s Sharon McCone series. 2019 saw me do the same with Sara Paretsky’s V.
I. Warshawski series. Earlier this year I nailed Maxine O’Callaghan’s Deliah
West series and finally finished P. D. James' second (and final) Cordelia Grey
mystery. 2022 I have plans for reading another British author, Liza Cody. Cody's British private eye, Anna Lee, was making waves overseas during the beginning
of Grafton, Warshawski, and O'Callaghan's stories. Nevertheless, there is one
other Western author I had on my list to at least start in 2022. That
is Linda Barnes and her Carlotta Carlyle female investigator (Barnes has an
earlier series featuring a male investigator).
Honestly, it took me a while to find a quality copy of the first book, A Trouble of Fools. Finally, I did. Barnes' Carlotta Carlyle came out in 1987, five years after Grafton and Paretsky made waves. Therefore, Barnes/Carlotta definitely counts as a pioneer contemporary female investigator.
Thus, my journey to take on these ladies and their stories continue. Happily.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Saturday, December 18, 2021
FauxCast: Frank Herbert's Dune Post Reading Q&A
This was recorded for a class assignment in creating a mock podcast. And, given I come on social media to talk about books anyway, I decided maybe I could use it for myself. I believe I am in the clear now, seeing that this was all put together and everything back in October.
Last Few 2021 Black Mysteries I Desire to Read
*In-text links are Amazon affiliate
I pretty much had to play buying books by ear this year. With tuition payments blessedly covered, the majority of my book spending was on a desperately needed few new releases (ala J. D. Robb) while trying to read many of the unread titles already littering my bookshelves. So, naturally, as seen by my frequency here and in other places, black authors' mysteries are a consistent purchase. And though I can't catch them all, I usually grab a decent few. Alas, here are two that have been on my radar all year, but I only recently managed to snag in the hopes of devouring them soon (Holiday break hopeful). Nonetheless, they are…All that is Secret (An Annalee Spain Mystery) by Patricia Raybon. First things first, if you are in the bookstore looking for this book (which I encourage you to do), note that it is primarily shelved in the Christian Fiction section instead mystery. Anyway, the story takes place in 1923 and follows Annalee Spain. She’s a theology professor at what is known as Chicago Bible college. Evidently, she gets a telegram asking her to return to her hometown in Denver, per the killing of her father. Thus, ensues a mystery.
What captured my attention when I first came across the book was the infusion (per the synopsis) of what appears a woman taking on a sunset town, while driven by her love of Sherlock Holmes to keep her focused and steady as she solves her father's murder.
Though the book contains romance and is categorically Christian Fiction, I hope that the book does not shy too far away from speaking toward the racial commentary/exposition suggested in the synopsis. I hope the author will be honest and daring, instead being enraptured with sounding safe. And though I’m certain forgiveness is a theme, I want it to LAND. Basically, I am trying to emphasize that I want to be MOVED by every element suggested in this work. No, for real. I'm ready to be knocked out by the book. Regardless, much praise to Raybon’s cover artistic because the cover to All that is Secret is gorgeous! And I have a strong feeling my mamma might like this book, too. But, of course, I'll have to buy her her own copy should I love it for myself.
So I saw Shanora Williams’ book, The Perfect Ruin, back in the spring. I can’t remember where, but another author was promoting a live stream or something featuring Williams. Hell, I forget. Anyway, the point is that I saw Williams’ face on the announcement and raced to add her book to my wishlist. Nevertheless, according to Amazon, The Perfect Ruin seems relatively dark. Ivy Hill is traumatized and tormented by some tragedy in her childhood. Whatever the case, she is now so messed up that she doesn't see a reason to continue living. Until she finds out who was "responsible" for the tragedy that wrecked her life. This person is evidently a wealthy socialite.
Then Ivy infiltrates the socialite's circle and… well… let the PLOTTING AND SCHEMING BEGAN. This book puts three things in mind: the TV show Revenge, your usual 100+ episode Korean drama, and those recent thrillers like Gone Girl (or something, chile. I don’t know…). The book is labeled a psychological thriller, so we’ll see what happens. But the onlyyyyyy hesitation I have when it comes to psychological thrillers is that the stakes have to matter. Like, every deceptive chess move has to gag me with calculated twists and turns until that final confrontation. And the antagonist has to be just as crafty as the protagonis–that sort of thing.
Though the book contains romance and is categorically Christian Fiction, I hope that the book does not shy too far away from speaking toward the racial commentary/exposition suggested in the synopsis. I hope the author will be honest and daring, instead being enraptured with sounding safe. And though I’m certain forgiveness is a theme, I want it to LAND. Basically, I am trying to emphasize that I want to be MOVED by every element suggested in this work. No, for real. I'm ready to be knocked out by the book. Regardless, much praise to Raybon’s cover artistic because the cover to All that is Secret is gorgeous! And I have a strong feeling my mamma might like this book, too. But, of course, I'll have to buy her her own copy should I love it for myself.
So I saw Shanora Williams’ book, The Perfect Ruin, back in the spring. I can’t remember where, but another author was promoting a live stream or something featuring Williams. Hell, I forget. Anyway, the point is that I saw Williams’ face on the announcement and raced to add her book to my wishlist. Nevertheless, according to Amazon, The Perfect Ruin seems relatively dark. Ivy Hill is traumatized and tormented by some tragedy in her childhood. Whatever the case, she is now so messed up that she doesn't see a reason to continue living. Until she finds out who was "responsible" for the tragedy that wrecked her life. This person is evidently a wealthy socialite.
Then Ivy infiltrates the socialite's circle and… well… let the PLOTTING AND SCHEMING BEGAN. This book puts three things in mind: the TV show Revenge, your usual 100+ episode Korean drama, and those recent thrillers like Gone Girl (or something, chile. I don’t know…). The book is labeled a psychological thriller, so we’ll see what happens. But the onlyyyyyy hesitation I have when it comes to psychological thrillers is that the stakes have to matter. Like, every deceptive chess move has to gag me with calculated twists and turns until that final confrontation. And the antagonist has to be just as crafty as the protagonis–that sort of thing.
Chile, I tried to read a Jeffrey Deaver psychological thriller book earlier this year and couldn't get past fifty pages. To me, psychological thrillers aren't great when you can tell the author is playing in the reader's face. The reader has to connect with the protagonist. To care about their circumstances/motives to stick around for the payoff. That's all I'm gon’ say. But I look forward to finally reading ThePerfect Ruin.
Anyway, I’m done typing. I still have Dead Dead Girls by Nekesha Afia on my list.
Anyway, I’m done typing. I still have Dead Dead Girls by Nekesha Afia on my list.
Monday, December 13, 2021
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