While waiting for Tana French's second Dublin Murder Squad book to become available at the library, I read Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart.
Annie Laurance is the owner of Death on Demand, the mystery bookshop located on the fictional Broward's Rock Island off the coast of South Carolina. Annie runs the bookshop left to her by her Uncle Melrose and she hosts a group of the island's mystery writers that meets on Sunday nights at the shop. One of the writers has been making pronouncements about how he is going to be divulging secrets about each of the other members of the group. Before the big reveal, though, he ends up dead. The rest of the book finds Annie and her friend/old flame Max trying to prove that it wasn't Annie who killed the guy with a poisoned dart. Nice shot, though, whoever did it.
The best part of the book is that it is one long reading list for mysteries both classic and contemporary. That is really the fun part of the tale. I highlighted all sorts of new titles and authors to add to my own list of ones to explore.
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Even though during my recovery from knee surgery I wasn't reading, that didn't stop me from buying two books while I lounged about. Well, why would it?
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Who can resist a list of mysteries?! I've put Death on Demand on my TBR list. The collage book looks interesting. What beautiful pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're well enough to be blogging again. My friend who had knee replacement about a month ago is struggling at the moment. He felt better in the few days after the surgery than he does now.
Joan, have pencil and paper handy when you read DoD. The mystery titles and detectives are sprinkled into the story. It made me quite proud and puffed up that I was familiar with so many!
DeleteThe collage artist writes about 'intuitive' art which I take to mean 'don't think about it too much'. This is something I am trying to achieve as I have a tendency to overwork and overthink my sketching, watercolor painting, and collaging (I think that's a word?). Of course, I overthink and overwork most things in my life.
Knee is splendid. Thanks for asking. A twinge or ache now and again. Tell your friend to hang in there. He will turn a corner soon enough. It's odd how one day I would think "Oh, I am better" and the next would be terrible. It's all ups and downs.
I just finished A Book That Takes Its Time on Friday, Belle. It was such an enjoyable experience. So many delightful little extras along with excellent writing.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling well enough to read and sketch again!
Kathy, I read about the Flow book on your site, forgot about it, and then stumbled across it again on Amazon and clicked to buy along with the collage book.
DeleteI keep picking up ABTTIT and flipping through it and then putting it down. What a feast. Now that I know you read it through, I will have to settle in and do the same. Quit messing about, Belle!
The collage artist describes her process as 'intuitive'. Don't overthink, over plan, overwork. Of course, I am guilty of all three - in art as in life! I love that there are no images in her work, just a bit of handwriting, or text, and surprising materials. Inspiring.
Love The Art of Expressive Collage! That's a book I wouldn't mind owning myself. And Death on Demand sounds like fun; I mean, who doesn't love a book set in a bookshop? :)
ReplyDeleteLark, I have been playing around with collage art for a while and have seen a lot of it. I love hers. She writes about being 'intuitive'. I have a tendency to 'intuitive' my art to death. Ha! It's all in learning when to stop!
DeleteYes, DoD is a fun read. The mystery titles and detectives are mentioned as part of the story. Keep pen and paper at the ready if you decide to read it. And, definitely, we love a literary/bookshop mystery.