I was a fan of Mad Magazine growing up and his cartoons and humor were a big favorite.
December 1, 2024
November 15, 2024
Murder at an Irish Wedding by Carlene O’Connor
This is the second book in the Irish Village series by Carlene O’Connor.
Siobán’s café, Noami’s Bistro, is catering a wedding of a friend of Macdara at Kilbane Castle when someone in the wedding party is murdered. When Macdara’s cap is found at the scene, he becomes a suspect and isn’t able to continue his own investigation and encourages Siobán to assist, though not as much as she does.
This book doesn’t quite have the charm of the first, although it is a decent mystery. It doesn’t seem to display as much of the Irish culture.
October 20, 2024
Rio Cyborg by Carol Baker and Terry Willey
This story is a western set on a distant planet, Blanken 9, at Zestrum Doniphon backwater area of the planet with limited access to technology. The story revolves around a range war for water rights, the protagonist, is new in town and gets caught in the middle, he is a cyborg with several enhancements. He also has a reputation.
The story reads as a light western with some oddities thrown in, it has its cowboys and cowborgs, gunfights and love interests. Many of the minor characters have names taken out of old western movies and tv shows, although that is as far as the similarity goes.
The book is a light and enjoyable read.
August 31, 2024
Even Though I Knew The End by C L Polk
This is a noir mystery set in the 1930s and involves a lesbian detective with some interesting magical skills. This book won both the Hugo and Nebula awards.
Helen made a Faustian deal and has lost her soul, as a result she has been kicked out of the magic order she and her brother were members of and is not on speaking terms with her brother.
Now her time is running out, she wants to spend it with her love, but an investigation turns into something bigger, with an unusual payoff.
This is well-written and an easy read, worth the time.
June 30, 2024
A Great Reckoning: A Novel by Louise Penny
In this, the 12th book in Louise Penny’s series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Gamache has taken the position of the commander of the Sûreté Academy.
Things can’t go peacefully, one of his political opponents is murdered on the campus. Students trained to investigate crime could be good at murder, he is also a suspect and must tread carefully.
This is one of the better books in the series, the mystery is good and well-told, the denouement is clean, things were not as they seemed.
Even though told in first person, I felt a bit much was hidden from the reader, but the story is very good.
June 11, 2024
The Ninja by Eric Van Lustbader
This book looks promising, and the story would be good if written by another author. This author doesn’t understand the basics of writing.
He frequently describes events and character feelings rather than showing the reader. His characters are poorly developed and overreact to situations and statements. They also talk to the reader instead of each other.
He further goes to reinforce stereotypes and uses gratuitous sex in scenes that are more of a hindrance to the plot – if you can find it.
May 10, 2024
May 3, 2024
April 17, 2024
February 22, 2024
The Celtic World by Jennifer Paxton
This is an interesting and thorough history of the Celtic people as best understood by historians of the period. It starts by tracing the movement of people into Ireland and Scotland from Europe, discussing motivations and culture as best we know. Dr. Paxton is in the History Dept. at the Catholic University of America.
The presentation includes maps and images of artifacts of the Celtic peoples.