In the Woods (2007) introduces the Dublin Murder Squad. The main characters are detective partners Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. They are tasked with investigating the murder of a child on the housing estate where Rob grew up. Rob has a secret childhood trauma of his own that might or might not be germane to this current crime and his involvement in the investigation may even put the whole case in jeopardy.
Even though the crime here is certainly distasteful, the writing and plotting are terrific. I rolled through the book's 600 pages which gave me plenty of time to get to know the main characters. (Not sure I was crazy about Rob the narrator.)
Once I finished, I immediately went online to my library's ebook collection to check out the second in the series. Imagine my chagrin when I saw the message that my account was blocked!
What?
My first thought was that my card had expired. No, that wasn't it. I called and someone at the library told me that I had an unpaid overdue fine of 20 cents and my access to ebooks was now blocked. Busted.
Apparently, this is an automatic process so I didn't take it personally or feel as if I had been singled out. I mean, I know libraries are in dire financial straits, but really?
So a trip to the library to pay my huge fine and all is well except that there is a wait list to check out Likeness, the second in the Murder Squad series.
In the meantime, I started reading Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. I have had it on my Kindle for a long time and while I have many times watched and enjoyed the television series that is based on three of Ms. Gaskell's novels about the fictional village, I have yet to read this first book.
After the not-so-nice goings on of In the Woods, the ladies of Cranford offer a welcome and gentler version of life with a sufficient amount of tea and cakes.
I hope you'll love Cranford. I do. It's one of a handful of books that made me laugh and giggle at the sweet ladies in the story.
ReplyDeleteThe Ladies of Cranford are the best. I am glad I am so familiar with the cast of the television series - I can picture their faces as I read. Bonus!
Delete20 cents, huh? How will you ever show your face again? ;D
ReplyDeleteIn the Woods was the first Tana French book I ever read. And it hooked me from page one. What a read! I still haven't forgotten it. Cranford is worlds away from, but still a delightful book. (It's the only Gaskell I've read, though I keep meaning to read more by her someday.) Enjoy!
The funny thing is, Lark, that the 20 cent fine was on a book I didn't even finish reading! Ha!
DeleteI put off reading Tana French as I was afraid her books were too graphic. Not as bad as some, that's for sure. I am enjoying the Ladies of Cranford. The only violence there is to that poor cow who fell in the lime pit and had to be clad in grey flannel!
I've put off reading Tana French for the same reason you listed above, Belle. I've heard her books are very good, so might be worth it. Glad you are are on the right side of the law again (hee), and back to reading. Hope the recovery is well underway and you're back to doing what you enjoy again.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathy. Well, I'm willing to try the second book in the series. I try to skip over the too graphic parts. Right now I am reading 'Death on Demand' by Carolyn Hart. Cozy and a terrific reading list of mysteries. Are you familiar with this series?
DeleteI have only read one of them--my mom lent me The Christie Caper a year or two ago. Fun!
DeleteWe do love a literary mystery!
DeleteCranford should be a lovely "palate cleanser" after the dark doings in the wood...
ReplyDeleteYes. Yummy!
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