Friday, March 30, 2018

Spring Reading 2018 London Rules (Slough House #5)

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Readers of spy and intrigue stories will enjoy the antics of the agents assigned to Slough House. Sent there as the result of mishaps in their careers and personal problems (alcoholism, drug use, etc.), these agents are given tasks that would drive anyone to recreational substances to ease the boredom. Combing through the records of the public library system to see which patrons have checked out books that might signal terrorist intent, searching through tax and utility records to find houses that might be used as terrorist safe houses, and similar jobs are sure to drain whatever ambition the agents might have left to put their careers back on track. These poor souls are known as the "slow horses" and work under the rather lax guidance of Jackson Lamb, who is as lovable as the common cold. 

When one of these agents, Roderick Ho, is nearly run down while he is pursuing a bulbasaur in a game of Pokemon GO, the others are unsure whether they should be relieved at his survival. He's one of them, but he is also an irritating prat. Can this attempted hit and run be part of a larger plot? There is an attack on a remote village, then a bomb at a zoo, another bomb is discovered. Who is carrying out these attacks and who is planning them? With a prime minister worried about his political career, a chief of intelligence services worried about protecting the PM as well as taking a close look at other prominent figures, and others in the service out to advance their own careers, does anyone have time for the "slow horses"? Could they pull it together long enough to neutralize the threat and possible redeem their careers? Or perhaps they should simply try to survive the latest upsetting of the apple cart when it inevitably happens.

If you enjoy intrigue, political plotting, irascible characters, and the setting of London, then you will find this book right up your alley. I received an advance copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Giveaway - Bubonic Panic: When Plague Invaded America

I am coming closer to the surface of my desk with every giveaway, and here is another find plucked from the stacks. I have a softcover ARC of Bubonic Panic for some lucky winner. Good luck!!

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Spring Reading 2018 Charity Ends at Home (A Flaxborough Mystery)

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The Flaxborough Chronicles feature Inspector Purbright in the quiet town of Flaxborough. The fifth investigation for D.I. Purbright deals with the alarming murder of a local woman active in charity work. There are several possible suspects. She was heard arguing with her husband the night she died. Earlier that afternoon she had written a very threatening letter to another charity organizer. And there has been a strange man skulking around town who claims to be a private detective. What or whom is he investigating? Letters begging for help were received by the Chief Constable, the editor of the newspaper, and the coroner on the day of the murder - but were they from the deceased? And, if so, why were they unsigned?

Readers familiar with Purbright's fellows on the force and some of the townsfolk of Flaxborough will be glad to meet up with these characters again. It is like seeing the faces of neighbors as one walks down the street. A newer acquaintance is Lucy Teatime, who appeared in the fourth book and seems to have set up residence in town. And the odd character of the "private detective" is certainly entertaining. How many investigators actually have too much to drink before a stakeout and then climb into the car of their surveillance subject and take a nap? Yes, it may be a small town, but Flaxborough has plenty to keep readers interested.

Readers who enjoy Miss Marple and mysteries set in small English towns full of eccentric residents will welcome having this series drawn to their attention.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Spring Reading 2018 Lonely-Heart 4112 (A Flaxborough Mystery)

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The Flaxborough Chronicles feature Inspector Purbright in the quiet town of Flaxborough. This fourth investigation for D.I. Purbright has the Inspector looking into the mysterious disappearances of two local ladies. They both have not been seen for some time and friends and family are concerned. A common thread is that they both used the services of a dating service called the Handclasp House. Surely one of their possible suitors is not responsible for their disappearances? When a lady newly arrived in town signs up for the service, Purbright assigns D.S. Love to tail her and make sure she is safe, as well as keeping an eye out for the possible villain. The lady in question, Miss Lucy Teatime, has some plans of her own that complicate the surveillance, and readers are left to turn the pages as quickly as possible to reach the climax and see if the police win or if Miss Teatime becomes victim number 3.    

Readers have already met a few of Purbright's fellows on the force: Chief Constable Chubb, Detective Sergeant Love, Sergeant Malley the coroner's officer, along with some of the town's other inhabitants. Now the cast expands yet again as more of the townsfolk are introduced - Mr. Maddox, manager of the Roebuck Hotel; Leonard Leaper, a former newspaper reporter who has become a minister; Detective Constable Pook, who becomes flustered when he accidentally wanders into the ladies undergarments section of a store; and Mrs. Staunch, the proprietress of the dating service.

Although there are many online dating services available now, the quaintness of the system in use 60 years ago when the books were first written is one of the enticements of the story. Imagine having to send your lonely heart letters to a service, having them forward the letters on, and then the whole thing happening in reverse for the replies. One could only hope that the service was trustworthy and did not take a peek at the notes passing through their hands. 

Readers who enjoy Miss Marple and mysteries set in small English towns full of eccentric residents will welcome having this series drawn to their attention.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Giveaway - GFFs: My Heart Lies in the 90s

Please enter to win a copy of the first in the Ghost Friends Forever series from Papercutz. Good luck!

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