Viewing:
Nothing extraordinary but some satisfying programmes.
The Election and assorted discussion programmes. No stars but they did occupy a lot of screen time.
Breathtaking**** itvx Chilling drama based on actual experiences of hospital staff at the height of the Covid epidemic.
Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials.**** Ch 4. No new information for me, but lots of good location photography and an interesting parallel with current conspiracy theories. I think Suranne is a great actor but I’m not keen on her presentation style.
Vienna Blood **** Season 4. BBC Disappointing. The rather contrived use of Max in Rheinhard’t head while Max was in a coma put me off.
We’re currently watching The Turkish Detective, which we haven’t yet finished, and Sherwood, which is still ongoing, both on BBC. Both are excellent so far.
Reading:
Some highly recommended series.
The Queen’s Gamble by Chloe Garner ***** Further adventureswith more interesting discussion on themes such as culture clash, loyalties, independence and so on. This was the last in the current The Queen’s Chair series and ended with Stasia’s wedding and a cliffhanger so I was bereft. I therefore tried Surviving Magic**** At a sixth form college for magic Valerie has to learn to survive. Despite appearances, this in no way resembles Harry Potter. I shall be following the series (of the same name) but don’t think the characters are quite as instantly engaging as the ones in The Queen’s Chair.
Ties that Bond by Linzi Day***** Also House Party**** and then Code Red***** Lovely stories in the Gretna Green series. I like the mix of magic and modern tech. The first one’s all about the weddings. If you subscribe to Linzi’s newsletter you also get extra epilogues which are not essential but are good to read. The second book here is an amusing novella that acts as a bridge to Code Red which deals with the Picts and dragons and takes the entire series well out of the cosy fantasy genre (which it’s billed as…) into quite violent and very exciting territory. Niki is an enchanting heroine and I hope her romance progresses well.
Guardians of the Poor by Jackson Marsh.***** Also, Keepers of the Past***** and Agents of the Truth***** Re-reads, all in the Larkspur Mystery series, even better since I read the Clearwater Mysteries and got up to speed on the main characters’ back stories. Reviewed previously but I do want to repeat my recommendation for both series, which blend a group of homosexuals in nineteenth century London and Cornwall with some Victorian melodrama and some plot lines based loosely on historical events and personages.
The Ghost in the Hall *****, The Boy in the Locked Room*****, and The Dog in the Alley***** by KM Avery. Excellent paranormal crime books in the Beyond the Veil series, the title of which refers to the Beyond the Veil Investigation Agency. with really well developed characters and world. (I read the third out of sequence because it was on offer and it is really the fourth.) The world building is excellent. A pandemic has given rise to mutated humans with either shifter or magical abilities. There are mm romances, fascinating ghosts and a number of endearing characters.
Once an Alpha by Kaje Harper***** A sort of prequel (written later) to the Hidden Wolves series and it has made me want to re-read them all. I suspect a knowledge of the series improves the experience but the book does stand alone. All the books feature werewolves with a complex society, alongside humans. Eventually, the werewolves are ‘outed’ and their traditions, especially a non-acceptance of same-sex relationships, inevitably have to change but in this first book that is not the case.
The Magus of Hay*****, Friends of the Dusk***** and All of a Winter’s Night***** by Phil Rickman. All in the Merrily Watkins series which combines police cases with paranormal investigations by an Anglican exorcist alongside a developing family saga with some ongoing romances.These are all re-reads and I have previously reviewed the books. I just want, again, to repeat the recommendation. Having Merrily’s Border, a book of information about Herefordshire with superb illustrations has made the re-read a true pleasure.
A Heart full of Headstones by Ian Rankin.*** Disappointing end to the Rebus series. Knowing the ending I will no longer enjoy re-reading earlier volumes. It was probably inevitable and all both in character, and extremely well written, but still… I’ve included it here for readers who have followed the career and life of Rebus in Edinburgh.
I have also been reading this year’s Carnival of Mysteries series by multiple authors. I’m doing so partly for pleasure but also for PRG reviews, and will review the entire series here when I’ve finished it.
And some standalone books too:
Highly recommended:
Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant***** A brilliant non-fiction book which I will review in greater depth separately. It deals with the nineteenth century Luddites and the current anxieties about big tech and AI.
And very enjoyable:
The One that Got Away by Nicky James. **** Satisfying mm romance between a detective and a victim whose suspicions of further stalking are not initially believed.
Echo Road by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. **** Authors collaborate to bring together their ‘famous’ detectives (Mercy is FBI and Bree is a sheriff) in a competent serial killer case. There is no romance since both main characters are in established relationships, detailed in previous books.
Incidentally, I notice all this month’s recommendations are equally divided between books that feature mm romance and books that don’t. This must say something about my tastes but I’m not sure what!
Jay's World 