Can you believe that it's August? This year seems to be going by so very fast. And, since I posted my July Bookish Nostalgia mid-month, this one is close on it's heels. Here's the books that I remember best or enjoyed most in August of 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010:
August 1995 - Ill Wind by Nevada Barr - If you've never read any of Nevada Barr's books about Park Ranger Anna Pigeon, you really should. This book is the 3rd in the series and it's set at a favorite place of mine - Mesa Verde. I loved the early books in this series and, of course, it's one that I fell behind on as time passed. The author started writing this series when she was a park ranger herself and so the settings are quite accurate and usually play a big part in the stories.
August 2000 - Miss Lizzie by Walter Satterthwait - I found this book to be a most unique one and I think that's why I remember it so well. The year is 1921 and Amanda Burton's family has a new neighbor. She's an older lady who was once acquitted of murder. Amanda befriends the lady, even though her stepmother tells her to stay away. And then Amanda's stepmother is killed and the police suspect Amanda's new friend, Lizzie Borden. I can still recall how interested I was to read a story with the infamous Lizzie Borden in her later years. I need to reread this one.
August 2005 - Death At Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn - This is the first book in the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series, set in the 1920's. I love this series and when I discovered it in 2005, I read pretty much all the books that were available at that time over the course of a month or so. I think that might have been 12 books or something like that. Daisy is a titled young lady, but her family has lost their money and rather than live off her more wealthy relatives, as her mother wishes her to do, she becomes a magazine writer to earn her living. And she keep stumbling over bodies. And also stumbling over a very nice Scotland Yard detective. If you haven't read this series, you should.
August 2010 - A Trace Of Smoke by Rebecca Cantrell - I read this book with my mystery group. It's the first book that features Hannah Vogel, crime reporter, and it's set in 1930's Berlin, before the war. It is quite, quite interesting and was well liked by our group. I had meant to read further in the series, but have not as yet. I loved the behind-the-scenes look at what was happening in Germany, plus a mystery included. This series has 4 books. And as luck would have it, Cathy at Kittling:Books posted a review of this book just last week. Click over and read what she has to say here. (Her blog is great - mostly mysteries - wonderful reviews.)
So, my August books seem to include 3 historical mysteries and 3 mystery series. Have you read any of these series or books? If you have, what did you think?
Kay, I've read three of the Daisy Dalrymple books - there are now 22 books in the series!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I know Daisy!!!!!!
ReplyDelete"Miss Lizzie" book looks delicious!!!!!
Thank you for these suggestions.
I urged my husband to get a big Galaxy, to make his reading easier, and am on the prowl for books for him. Mysteries sound great.
Wishing you some whimsey and magic, in your week,
Tessa
August came way to fast. My husband was complaining last week that it's already almost Halloween. And now my daughter is planning what she wants to be . . .
ReplyDeleteI wasn't too impressed with the first Nevada Barr book I read, but I try not to judge a series based on the first book in a series. I hope to give her another try at some point. It could be the rural setting too. I tend to prefer city settings. It took me awhile to get into J.A. Jance's Sheriff Brady series as a result, but I took right to her Beaumont series. I'd probably love Barr's series if I kept reading. A Trace of Smoke is in my TBR pile to read.
I forgot about Nevada Barr! She lost me as the series progressed but the early books were wonderful. I discovered the Daisy Dalrymple series and really loved the ones I read but I found them when I was in college and was getting all my books from used bookstores so availability was an issue. It's definitely a series I need to revisit. I love the 20s setting!
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of these but you are right. August is already here and the year is flying by way to fast.
ReplyDeleteOddly there was a question about which state the Mesa Verde NP was in on a quiz programme on TV tonight. Because I'd read Ill Wind I knew exactly where it was. Never let it be said that crime fic is not educational. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHow funny, Cath! Love it.
DeleteNevada Barr is always good for a good outdoorsy mystery. Fun to look back on past reads.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun post! I've not heard of any of your books, but the Daisy Dalrymple series looks like something I would enjoy. I'm adding those to my list!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Nevada Barr, but I've heard good things about the Anna Pigeon series. I should give it a go one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI've been tiptoeing around the Nevada Barr series for a long time. Why, I don't know really. I love stories set in the American southwest or desert regions for that matter. They just make for an interesting backdrop.
ReplyDeleteI guess I will look for the first in this series when I visit the library or used bookstore. Do you feel that one must read them all in order, or can they be stand-alones? Thanks for a good post.
Rita, as a 'must read in order' person, I usually feel that they 'should' be read in order. But...that being said, they don't have to be. There is character development and changes. My favorites in the series - Firestorm (when Anna works with fighting fires in CA) and Blind Descent (set in Carlsbad Caverns).
DeleteYes yes and yes. I have read one Nevada Barr and liked it a lot, a few Daisy Dalrymple, and I did read Trace of Smoke. I liked them all and I too intend, hope, wish I could read more of those series. It is that time thing!
ReplyDeleteMy parents are big fans of Nevada Barr and have passed several books onto me. I've read a couple but I add more books to my shelves than I can read and I've never gotten back to Anna Pigeon. Have you read all of the series?
ReplyDeleteNot all, no. I used to read each and every one and then kind of dropped off. I did read the most recent one. I'd like to go back and fill in the gap.
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