I created this series of videos (certainly more will come)
while taking a break on my 9-5 day job.
It can be stressful and discouraging having to work at a job you don’t
like or have a vision for. And it can be
even more stressful and discouraging when you know your passion is calling
you. That’s how I ended up here. On this blog.
On Spreadshirt and Zazzle. On
Youtube. I needed to open up my own space
for opportunities. And that’s what I’ve
been doing the past three years. And loving
it all along the way! So these videos
are here to motivate and encourage those in my shoes. As well as anyone else searching for a
change–a miracles of sorts–in their lives.
I was clearing out my phone when I ran across another set of lost quotes. Allow me to share them with you, as we move into the final month of the year and on into 2016.
“Susan Wittig Albert's novels featuring ex-lawyer and herb-shop proprietor China Bayles have won acclaim for their rich characterization and witty, suspenseful stories of crime and passion in small-town Texas. Now, when China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide, China looks behind the quaint facade of Pecan Springs. Though she finds a lot of friendly faces, China is sure that one of them hides the heart of a killer.”
Thyme of Death took a little adjusting to the character of China Bayles. As well as her small-town Texas environment's structure. Eventually I got it. And by the book’s end–I loved it. As the first book in Albert's series, I found myself dedicated soon after the last page. Nevertheless, the book features China’s first-person voice and perspective. And having her strum through her range as ex-lawyer to herb shop owner was unique and effective for her situation. So I loved her blend of pragmatic sense (lawyer voice) with her knowledge of herbs and their effects. Those two elements worked well for my investment in her character–and of course the plot. Equally, I appreciated her character and backstory on her extreme change in occupations. There was something there and presentto her character. Something I found authentic and magnetic. And there was just enough personality and open-end developmental avenues available to her. Especially concerning her rocky love life. On top of that, she was witty and straightforward. Just the way I love my female sleuths.
As for the actual mystery I’m going to say this: cozy, charming, and ridiculous.
The tone of the book fit smoothly into the cozy mystery genre. It read like a dribbling, syrupy small-town mystery. There were lots of “sit down” talks with drinks. Lazy strolls through neighborhoods. Conversations with eccentric locals with eccentric hobbies. And even the dusty detective viewing murder with his cigarette ashes sweeping over the scene. (You could consider such a character in a cozy mystery a cliche.) So much of each was present for the book's tone, a tone in which I would analogize to sipping tea in low country. However, despite the book’s languid resonance, I have to admit the determination and assiduous China and friends stole my attention. So I was never bothered or bored with the actual mystery's unfolding. In fact, I found myself absorbed and guessing the solution comfortably along the way.
All went out the window at the end of the book, though. It seemed like Albert spent time serving languid small-town murder that she felt the end needed to switch into overdrive. I won’t give away the details; but I’ll let it be clear how I felt the ending seemed rushed, ridiculous and out of place. Oh, and unbelievably coincidental.
Yet. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
On top of my love of China Bayles’ voice, and the book's wiggling abrupt shift in tone; I really enjoyed several of the themes Albert toyed with. Secret lovers and new age concerns are only a few. And the last piece of highlight: China–herself–pays reference to Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone.
A win.
PASSAGES/QUOTES FROM CHINA
"I rolled my sherry glass between my hands. With any luck, tonight would get me the proof Meredith was asking for. But if I told her what I was up to, she'd want in on it. As wired as she was, she'd blow the whole thing. She'd get herself or Ruby hurt. She'd get me hurt."
"I didn't doubt that show business was no business in which to find true love and happiness. It was probably a lot like the legal business–full of arrogant, greedy people glad to take their bite ad then some. And it wasn't any fun to keep looking over your shoulder, wondering who was going to slip it to you next. If that was why Roz had turned down the contract, I could certainly sympathize. I might even applaud. But I didn't particularly want to listen to her chorus of complaints. So I just gave a non-committal 'hmmm.' Luckily, we were almost at Meredith's, and there wasn't time for any more confidences."
"I dropped my arms with a sigh. I knew the signals. I could forget about sex for the moment."
"The door opened and I followed the cat into the semi-darkened living room, which smelled of furniture polish, dusty drapes, and stale cooking odors. Violett stood clutching a navy cardigan around her. I could see why Constance had sent her home. She had the look of someone teetering on the edge. Her hair was in strings, her eyes deeply shadowed; lines etched her mouth. There was a tic at the corner of her right eye."
Now, yes yes. Down the Rabbit Hole is an anthology featuring authors other than J. D. Robb. There’s R. C. Ryan, Mary Kay McComas, Elaine Fox, and Mary Blayney. True. Being the hyper sonic-speaking Robb fan I am–I’m pushing this post toward the featured In Death short, Wonderment in Death.
Like many In Death shorts in previous anthologies, it works with a theme (just as the other featured shorts). The theme of Wonderment in Death plays with–if you haven’t guessed–Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland.
This time around Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her tribe are solving the murder/suicide of a psychiatric patient. The patient left her doctor’s office with a swing towards her brother’s penthouse. Having killed him, she turned around and leaped out of the building. It appears the case is open/closed, with a sprinkle of M.O. details revolving around the relationship the patient and her brother had with their parents. However, it’s the hallucinogenic drugs found in her system that sends a red flag to Eve and her team. And they’ll follow that clue as it leads them to a “mad hatter’s” gas chamber.
Thrilling, face-pace, and entertainingly silly (but always charming) at times. But as always Eve and her tribe are present in this fun, short case. One that I walked away from cracking up. Robb always has a little extra fun in her shorts. This one is no different.
