Reviews Written By: A3A6GXILVT9JNWprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, ISBN 0394721780 | |
 | "A True Classic" | 2009-10-11 |
| Like many American children watching Julia Child on PBS was my first inkling that there may be more to cooking than what Mom was dishing up each night. Here was food that did not involve roasts cooked into submission or recipes incorporating processed cheese food, whipped cream from a can, jello or marshmallows. As a young adult Julia Child remained in the back of my mind as I learned how to cook for myself and my family. Oddly my collection of cookbooks never included this one until, like many others, went to see 'Julie and Julia'. I tracked down this first volume of Child's magnum opus and discovered so many have discovered before me - this is a GREAT COOKBOOK.
Child's directions are quite clear, gently leading in logical, easy to follow steps through the recipes. Each section is prefaced with introductions and explanations of not only technique but theory and selection of ingredients. The book in general strikes a happy medium of writing in a simple enough manner that a novice cook can follow while still being entertaining and engaging enough not to bore a more a more accomplished one. That is not to say though that there are not problems. This book first appeared nearly fifty years ago and times have changed. No mention is made of microwaves or slow cookers (although Julia apparently had access to those then cutting edge appliances - blenders and food processors). Child was never concerned with calories or grams of fat only with the delicious end results. The most glaring change though is that the recipes assume that the cook has ample room to store and income to purchase an amazing array of specialized equipment and has several hours to devote to putting a meal on the table. Even with this problems though this is a wonderful cookbook. It may not be practical to use on a daily basis but for those times when only the best will do this is a must. | ||
 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume One | |
| "A True Classic" | 2009-10-11 |
| Like many American children watching Julia Child on PBS was my first inkling that there may be more to cooking than what Mom was dishing up each night. Here was food that did not involve roasts cooked into submission or recipes incorporating processed cheese food, whipped cream from a can, jello or marshmallows. As a young adult Julia Child remained in the back of my mind as I learned how to cook for myself and my family. Oddly my collection of cookbooks never included this one until, like many others, went to see 'Julie and Julia'. I tracked down this first volume of Child's magnum opus and discovered so many have discovered before me - this is a GREAT COOKBOOK.
Child's directions are quite clear, gently leading in logical, easy to follow steps through the recipes. Each section is prefaced with introductions and explanations of not only technique but theory and selection of ingredients. The book in general strikes a happy medium of writing in a simple enough manner that a novice cook can follow while still being entertaining and engaging enough not to bore a more a more accomplished one. That is not to say though that there are not problems. This book first appeared nearly fifty years ago and times have changed. No mention is made of microwaves or slow cookers (although Julia apparently had access to those then cutting edge appliances - blenders and food processors). Child was never concerned with calories or grams of fat only with the delicious end results. The most glaring change though is that the recipes assume that the cook has ample room to store and income to purchase an amazing array of specialized equipment and has several hours to devote to putting a meal on the table. Even with this problems though this is a wonderful cookbook. It may not be practical to use on a daily basis but for those times when only the best will do this is a must. | ||
 | Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book | |
| "Belongs on every cook's book shelf" | 2009-07-08 |
| This is the perfect gift for a bridal shower, or for anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time. The only problem is that after leafing through it giving it away becomes more difficult. This book includes information and recipes that appeal to even the most experienced cook. Unlike many cookbooks that assume that the user a certain level of knowledge and often leads to frustrating (and inedible) results, or the other extreme of assuming that the user knows nothing and so explains everything but only includes basic, boring recipes that only appeal to the pre-teen set. This cookbook includes interesting recipes that appeal to the modern day palate, sections on grilling and even on freezing and canning. Buy this, buy multiple copies to give as gifts for showers, graduations, housewarmings, holidays etc but keep one for yourself. | ||
 | Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book by Better Homes and Gardens, ISBN 0696215322 | |
| "Belongs on every cook's book shelf" | 2009-07-08 |
| This is the perfect gift for a bridal shower, or for anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time. The only problem is that after leafing through it giving it away becomes more difficult.
This book includes information and recipes that appeal to even the most experienced cook. Unlike many cookbooks that assume that the user a certain level of knowledge and often leads to frustrating (and inedible) results, or the other extreme of assuming that the user knows nothing and so explains everything but only includes basic, boring recipes that only appeal to the pre-teen set. This cookbook includes interesting recipes that appeal to the modern day palate, sections on grilling and even on freezing and canning. Buy this, buy multiple copies to give as gifts for showers, graduations, housewarmings, holidays etc but keep one for yourself. | ||
 | Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book | |
| "Belongs on every cook's book shelf" | 2009-07-08 |
| This is the perfect gift for a bridal shower, or for anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time. The only problem is that after leafing through it giving it away becomes more difficult.
This book includes information and recipes that appeal to even the most experienced cook. Unlike many cookbooks that assume that the user a certain level of knowledge and often leads to frustrating (and inedible) results, or the other extreme of assuming that the user knows nothing and so explains everything but only includes basic, boring recipes that only appeal to the pre-teen set. This cookbook includes interesting recipes that appeal to the modern day palate, sections on grilling and even on freezing and canning. Buy this, buy multiple copies to give as gifts for showers, graduations, housewarmings, holidays etc but keep one for yourself. | ||
 | Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book | |
| "Belongs on every cook's book shelf" | 2009-07-08 |
| This is the perfect gift for a bridal shower, or for anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time. The only problem is that after leafing through it giving it away becomes more difficult.
This book includes information and recipes that appeal to even the most experienced cook. Unlike many cookbooks that assume that the user a certain level of knowledge and often leads to frustrating (and inedible) results, or the other extreme of assuming that the user knows nothing and so explains everything but only includes basic, boring recipes that only appeal to the pre-teen set. This cookbook includes interesting recipes that appeal to the modern day palate, sections on grilling and even on freezing and canning. Buy this, buy multiple copies to give as gifts for showers, graduations, housewarmings, holidays etc but keep one for yourself. | ||
 | My Man Jeeves | |
| "Jeeves and Wooster (and friends) in America" | 2009-03-25 |
| This is a very early collection of Wodehouse stories, all set in America. Half the collection concerns Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, the rest Reggie Pepper, another Wodehouse 'hero', very much like Bertie, wealthy, well meaning, upper class twit with more money than brains. Fans of Jeeves and Bertie, particularly those familiar with the Stephan Frye/Hugh Laurie television productions will recognize all of these stories, even the ones featuring Reggie Pepper instead of Bertie Wooster. As always with Wodehouse stories these take the reader away from the everyday world of the 21st century, transporting them not only to Manhattan and Long Island of nearly a hundred years ago, but to a place where the loss of a job or lack of money was only a temporary problem, where the biggest problems facing most of the characters is dealing with a cranky, eccentric (and wealthy) relative or having one too many or the wrong fiancee. It's a delightful place to escape to for a few hours, knowing full well that with or without Jeeves somehow all will be well by the final paragraph. This Kindle edition does have a few problems, there are some typographic errors, but they are minor, nothing that detracts markedly from the stories and the price ($0.00) cannot be beat. | ||
 | My Man Jeeves | |
| "Jeeves and Wooster (and friends) in America" | 2009-03-25 |
| This is a very early collection of Wodehouse stories, all set in America. Half the collection concerns Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, the rest Reggie Pepper, another Wodehouse 'hero', very much like Bertie, wealthy, well meaning, upper class twit with more money than brains. Fans of Jeeves and Bertie, particularly those familiar with the Stephan Frye/Hugh Laurie television productions will recognize all of these stories, even the ones featuring Reggie Pepper instead of Bertie Wooster. As always with Wodehouse stories these take the reader away from the everyday world of the 21st century, transporting them not only to Manhattan and Long Island of nearly a hundred years ago, but to a place where the loss of a job or lack of money was only a temporary problem, where the biggest problems facing most of the characters is dealing with a cranky, eccentric (and wealthy) relative or having one too many or the wrong fiancee. It's a delightful place to escape to for a few hours, knowing full well that with or without Jeeves somehow all will be well by the final paragraph. This Kindle edition does have a few problems, there are some typographic errors, but they are minor, nothing that detracts markedly from the stories and the price ($0.00) cannot be beat. | ||
 | Murder on the Marmora : A Mystery | |
 | "Romance on the high seas" | 2009-03-18 |
| This is the fifth in the Shipboard Mystery series featuring a pair of detectives working on luxury liners during the years before WWI. The ships themselves are real liners, the reader is given a brief history of the featured ship at the end of the story. As this novel opens it is December 1908 and, taking a break from their usual trans-Atlantic assignments for the Cunard line George Porter Dillman and his colleague Genevieve Masefield are on loan to the P & O line, taking the smaller Marmora, to Australia with stopping in Marseilles and Cairo along the way. The P & O line had requested the extra security because the Duke and Duchess of Fife and their daughters are on this voyage but other problems began to appear almost before the ship left port. First Genevieve discovered her former fiance and his bride were on board, then a series of thefts occurred followed by a murder. Little did the two realize just how busy this trip would be, or where their investigations would lead. This is a charming series of cozies, and like most of this genre the attraction is the overall story arc of the relationship between George and Genevieve. For maximum enjoyment these stories should be read in order as much as possible. The individual mysteries in this one, like the rest of the series, are mildly challenging at most although there might be a twist or two to surprise the reader. These are lovely little diversions to while away a few hours, perhaps to take on a cruise. | ||
 | Gravelight | |
| "Third book of 'Light'" | 2009-03-05 |
| Marion Zimmer Bradley (MISTS OF AVALON) has continued her occult saga surrounding Truth Jourdemayne and her colleague at the Bidney Institute that begin with GHOSTLIGHT. The second volume focused on Winter Musgrave, a wealthy young woman who was being haunted by her past, including her dysfunctional family. GRAVELIGHT concerns Wycherly Musgrave, Winter's alcoholic youngest brother and an even greater disappointment to the aristocratic Musgrave family than Winter. Wycherly was fleeing from yet another rehab program. He totaled the car he was driving, leaving him stranded in backwoods, mountain hamlet of Morton's Grove. Wycherly decided that this was as good a place to hide from his family and problems as any and so decided to stay for the time being anyway. There is another refugee from the outside world who has also recently decided that Morton's Forge is a good place to hide. Soon to be famous actress Sinah Dellon had gone to the town looking for her past. Her mother had lived there, and died there giving birth to Sinah. Sinah had been sent away to be raised by a foster family but now she had returned looking for answers. The final group of summer visitors to the remote town was Truth Jourdemayne, her fiance and collegue Dylan and two graduate students on a research project, investigating the cluster of disappearances and other odd occurrences that center around the town. It was just a coincidence that these three groups all happen to be at this place at this time...or is it? Perhaps this meeting had been arranged many years before. These three books are a continuation of the same story, much as Bradley's Avalon and Atlantis series had been. In order to fully enjoy, or even to understand this story arc the reader needs to begin at the first novel, GHOSTLIGHT and proceed in order. Even so fans of MISTS OF AVALON will probably be disappointed in this series. | ||
 | Gravelight | |
| "Third book of 'Light'" | 2009-03-05 |
| Marion Zimmer Bradley (MISTS OF AVALON) has continued her occult saga surrounding Truth Jourdemayne and her colleague at the Bidney Institute that begin with GHOSTLIGHT. The second volume focused on Winter Musgrave, a wealthy young woman who was being haunted by her past, including her dysfunctional family. GRAVELIGHT concerns Wycherly Musgrave, Winter's alcoholic youngest brother and an even greater disappointment to the aristocratic Musgrave family than Winter. Wycherly was fleeing from yet another rehab program. He totaled the car he was driving, leaving him stranded in backwoods, mountain hamlet of Morton's Grove. Wycherly decided that this was as good a place to hide from his family and problems as any and so decided to stay for the time being anyway. There is another refugee from the outside world who has also recently decided that Morton's Forge is a good place to hide. Soon to be famous actress Sinah Dellon had gone to the town looking for her past. Her mother had lived there, and died there giving birth to Sinah. Sinah had been sent away to be raised by a foster family but now she had returned looking for answers. The final group of summer visitors to the remote town was Truth Jourdemayne, her fiance and collegue Dylan and two graduate students on a research project, investigating the cluster of disappearances and other odd occurrences that center around the town. It was just a coincidence that these three groups all happen to be at this place at this time...or is it? Perhaps this meeting had been arranged many years before. These three books are a continuation of the same story, much as Bradley's Avalon and Atlantis series had been. In order to fully enjoy, or even to understand this story arc the reader needs to begin at the first novel, GHOSTLIGHT and proceed in order. Even so fans of MISTS OF AVALON will probably be disappointed in this series. | ||
 | Witchlight | |
| "The Past Casts Long Shadows" | 2009-03-04 |
| This is the second in Marion Zimmer Bradley's (MISTS OF AVALON) 'Light' series. The first novel, GHOSTLIGHT introduced Truth Jourdemayne, and the Bidney Psychic Institute both of which play a secondary role in this novel. Winter Musgrave is a 36 year old woman who can remember very little of her past and who isn't very happy with her future. She is hiding from something, she is not sure what, in an isolated cottage in the Hudson Valley, and she is gradually remembering that she had been a highly successful Wall Street stock broker and that she had spent time in a mental institution recovering from a nervous breakdown. She was aware that odd and disturbing things happened around her, electrical and mechanical things did not work around her, doors and windows would not remain closed, and most terrifying of all, small, dead animals were often found near her. When these increasingly disturbing events finally drove her to once again seek help she found herself at the Bidney Institute, talking to Truth Jourdemayne. They discover that Winter had been a student at the college associated with the Institute and began to suspect that Winter's problems began then. While not on a par with MISTS OF AVALON, or even the rest of that series the Light stories are interesting, as heirs to the mystic traditions that Bradley established in the ATLANTIS and AVALON books. The characters in this series do not seem to be as fully developed as in the earlier works but overall the stories are enjoyable. The focus here seems to be more on the romance aspects of the stories rather than the more elaborate settings of the earlier series. Still the stories are a good way to spend an evening or two. | ||
 | Witchlight | |
| "The Past Casts Long Shadows" | 2009-03-04 |
| This is the second in Marion Zimmer Bradley's (MISTS OF AVALON) 'Light' series. The first novel, GHOSTLIGHT introduced Truth Jourdemayne, and the Bidney Psychic Institute both of which play a secondary role in this novel. Winter Musgrave is a 36 year old woman who can remember very little of her past and who isn't very happy with her future. She is hiding from something, she is not sure what, in an isolated cottage in the Hudson Valley, and she is gradually remembering that she had been a highly successful Wall Street stock broker and that she had spent time in a mental institution recovering from a nervous breakdown. She was aware that odd and disturbing things happened around her, electrical and mechanical things did not work around her, doors and windows would not remain closed, and most terrifying of all, small, dead animals were often found near her. When these increasingly disturbing events finally drove her to once again seek help she found herself at the Bidney Institute, talking to Truth Jourdemayne. They discover that Winter had been a student at the college associated with the Institute and began to suspect that Winter's problems began then. While not on a par with MISTS OF AVALON, or even the rest of that series the Light stories are interesting, as heirs to the mystic traditions that Bradley established in the ATLANTIS and AVALON books. The characters in this series do not seem to be as fully developed as in the earlier works but overall the stories are enjoyable. The focus here seems to be more on the romance aspects of the stories rather than the more elaborate settings of the earlier series. Still the stories are a good way to spend an evening or two. | ||
 | Witchlight | |
| "The Past Casts Long Shadows" | 2009-03-04 |
| This is the second in Marion Zimmer Bradley's (MISTS OF AVALON) 'Light' series. The first novel, GHOSTLIGHT introduced Truth Jourdemayne, and the Bidney Psychic Institute both of which play a secondary role in this novel. Winter Musgrave is a 36 year old woman who can remember very little of her past and who isn't very happy with her future. She is hiding from something, she is not sure what, in an isolated cottage in the Hudson Valley, and she is gradually remembering that she had been a highly successful Wall Street stock broker and that she had spent time in a mental institution recovering from a nervous breakdown. She was aware that odd and disturbing things happened around her, electrical and mechanical things did not work around her, doors and windows would not remain closed, and most terrifying of all, small, dead animals were often found near her. When these increasingly disturbing events finally drove her to once again seek help she found herself at the Bidney Institute, talking to Truth Jourdemayne. They discover that Winter had been a student at the college associated with the Institute and began to suspect that Winter's problems began then. While not on a par with MISTS OF AVALON, or even the rest of that series the Light stories are interesting, as heirs to the mystic traditions that Bradley established in the ATLANTIS and AVALON books. The characters in this series do not seem to be as fully developed as in the earlier works but overall the stories are enjoyable. The focus here seems to be more on the romance aspects of the stories rather than the more elaborate settings of the earlier series. Still the stories are a good way to spend an evening or two. | ||
 | Witchlight by Marion Zimmer Bradley, ISBN 1578155118 | |
| "The Past Casts Long Shadows" | 2009-03-04 |
| This is the second in Marion Zimmer Bradley's (MISTS OF AVALON) 'Light' series. The first novel, GHOSTLIGHT introduced Truth Jourdemayne, and the Bidney Psychic Institute both of which play a secondary role in this novel. Winter Musgrave is a 36 year old woman who can remember very little of her past and who isn't very happy with her future. She is hiding from something, she is not sure what, in an isolated cottage in the Hudson Valley, and she is gradually remembering that she had been a highly successful Wall Street stock broker and that she had spent time in a mental institution recovering from a nervous breakdown. She was aware that odd and disturbing things happened around her, electrical and mechanical things did not work around her, doors and windows would not remain closed, and most terrifying of all, small, dead animals were often found near her. When these increasingly disturbing events finally drove her to once again seek help she found herself at the Bidney Institute, talking to Truth Jourdemayne. They discover that Winter had been a student at the college associated with the Institute and began to suspect that Winter's problems began then. While not on a par with MISTS OF AVALON, or even the rest of that series the Light stories are interesting, as heirs to the mystic traditions that Bradley established in the ATLANTIS and AVALON books. The characters in this series do not seem to be as fully developed as in the earlier works but overall the stories are enjoyable. The focus here seems to be more on the romance aspects of the stories rather than the more elaborate settings of the earlier series. Still the stories are a good way to spend an evening or two. | ||
 | Witchlight | |
| "The Past Casts Long Shadows" | 2009-03-04 |
| This is the second in Marion Zimmer Bradley's (MISTS OF AVALON) 'Light' series. The first novel, GHOSTLIGHT introduced Truth Jourdemayne, and the Bidney Psychic Institute both of which play a secondary role in this novel. Winter Musgrave is a 36 year old woman who can remember very little of her past and who isn't very happy with her future. She is hiding from something, she is not sure what, in an isolated cottage in the Hudson Valley, and she is gradually remembering that she had been a highly successful Wall Street stock broker and that she had spent time in a mental institution recovering from a nervous breakdown. She was aware that odd and disturbing things happened around her, electrical and mechanical things did not work around her, doors and windows would not remain closed, and most terrifying of all, small, dead animals were often found near her. When these increasingly disturbing events finally drove her to once again seek help she found herself at the Bidney Institute, talking to Truth Jourdemayne. They discover that Winter had been a student at the college associated with the Institute and began to suspect that Winter's problems began then. While not on a par with MISTS OF AVALON, or even the rest of that series the Light stories are interesting, as heirs to the mystic traditions that Bradley established in the ATLANTIS and AVALON books. The characters in this series do not seem to be as fully developed as in the earlier works but overall the stories are enjoyable. The focus here seems to be more on the romance aspects of the stories rather than the more elaborate settings of the earlier series. Still the stories are a good way to spend an evening or two. | ||
 | Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (A Meg Lanslow Mystery) | |
| "Meg's summer job" | 2009-02-23 |
| It is a long hot Virginia summer, made longer for Meg since boyfriend Michael is off in California filming a tv series leaving her alone in the cramped basement apartment, (nicknamed The Cave) and unable to work at her forge (she is an ornamental blacksmith) because she has managed to break her hand while working in the too small quarters of her (hopefully) temporary workshop. To help out her brother Rob and to occupy her time Meg has agreed to be an office manager at his new business as they prepare to launch the computer game he developed - Lawyers from Hell. Meg quickly discovers that her co-workers are every bit as eccentric as her crazy family. One of her first clues was the one-winged buzzard in the reception area, near the ever ill tempered Spike's cage (the company has a take your dog to work policy), not far from the pregnant cat and across from the psychotherapy practice that (unhappily) share the office space. The rest of the employees make the flaky Rob seem tame, particularly the one who manages to get killed while playing a prank with the automated mail card. Meg once again finds herself attempting to restore order by solving a murder in this fourth entry in the comic cozy mystery series. This series manages to keep a balance between the comic - the characters and situations in this novel in particular are hilarious, the cozy - each new outing offers more charming adventures with the wacky Langslow clan, and the romance, or at least Meg and Michael's attempts to find a few minutes together to be romantic. The overall story arc in this series is particularly pronounced so for maximum enjoyment they should be read beginning with MURDER WITH PEACOCKS and then proceeding in order. | ||
 | We'll Always Have Parrots : A Meg Langslow Mystery (Meg Langslow Mysteries) | |
| "Unconventional antics" | 2009-02-23 |
| Meg knew she would be in for a busy and trying weekend when she agreed to accompany her boyfriend Michael to a fan convention for Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle. Trying because Michael was the breakout romantic star of the cheesy scifi tv show and most of his fanbase wished Meg would disappear. Busy because Meg had a booth at the accompanying craft fair to sell her handcrafted ironwork, including swords and daggers featured on the show. What she didn't realize that the situation would be made even busier and more trying by the release of monkeys and parrots by overzealous fans who were trying to turn the generic chain hotel/convention center into a more realistic jungle setting and the murder of the show's temperamental owner/star. Once again Meg, in her neverending quest to impose order on the chaos that seems to follow her and her quirky family finds herself on the trail of a murderer. This is the fifth in the Meg Langslow series of comic cozy mysteries featuring ornamental blacksmith Meg, her actor/professor boyfriend Michael and their eccentric extended family. All of the series, which began with MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, have some sort of bird tie-in in the titles, characters that appear in the farcical stories to some degree. This series manages to find a good balance between the cozy (the charming cast of recurring characters), comic (the situations that Meg and her family find themselves in are reminiscent of the best I Love Lucy plots) and mysteries that have at least a twist or two that will surprise the reader. The overall story arc of this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment begin at the beginning and proceed in order. | ||
 | We'll Always Have Parrots | |
| "Unconventional antics" | 2009-02-23 |
| Meg knew she would be in for a busy and trying weekend when she agreed to accompany her boyfriend Michael to a fan convention for Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle. Trying because Michael was the breakout romantic star of the cheesy scifi tv show and most of his fanbase wished Meg would disappear. Busy because Meg had a booth at the accompanying craft fair to sell her handcrafted ironwork, including swords and daggers featured on the show. What she didn't realize that the situation would be made even busier and more trying by the release of monkeys and parrots by overzealous fans who were trying to turn the generic chain hotel/convention center into a more realistic jungle setting and the murder of the show's temperamental owner/star. Once again Meg, in her neverending quest to impose order on the chaos that seems to follow her and her quirky family finds herself on the trail of a murderer. This is the fifth in the Meg Langslow series of comic cozy mysteries featuring ornamental blacksmith Meg, her actor/professor boyfriend Michael and their eccentric extended family. All of the series, which began with MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, have some sort of bird tie-in in the titles, characters that appear in the farcical stories to some degree. This series manages to find a good balance between the cozy (the charming cast of recurring characters), comic (the situations that Meg and her family find themselves in are reminiscent of the best I Love Lucy plots) and mysteries that have at least a twist or two that will surprise the reader. The overall story arc of this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment begin at the beginning and proceed in order. | ||
 | Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (Thorndike Press Large Print Mystery Series) | |
| "Meg's summer job" | 2009-02-23 |
| It is a long hot Virginia summer, made longer for Meg since boyfriend Michael is off in California filming a tv series leaving her alone in the cramped basement apartment, (nicknamed The Cave) and unable to work at her forge (she is an ornamental blacksmith) because she has managed to break her hand while working in the too small quarters of her (hopefully) temporary workshop. To help out her brother Rob and to occupy her time Meg has agreed to be an office manager at his new business as they prepare to launch the computer game he developed - Lawyers from Hell.
Meg quickly discovers that her co-workers are every bit as eccentric as her crazy family. One of her first clues was the one-winged buzzard in the reception area, near the ever ill tempered Spike's cage (the company has a take your dog to work policy), not far from the pregnant cat and across from the psychotherapy practice that (unhappily) share the office space. The rest of the employees make the flaky Rob seem tame, particularly the one who manages to get killed while playing a prank with the automated mail card. Meg once again finds herself attempting to restore order by solving a murder in this fourth entry in the comic cozy mystery series. This series manages to keep a balance between the comic - the characters and situations in this novel in particular are hilarious, the cozy - each new outing offers more charming adventures with the wacky Langslow clan, and the romance, or at least Meg and Michael's attempts to find a few minutes together to be romantic. The overall story arc in this series is particularly pronounced so for maximum enjoyment they should be read beginning with MURDER WITH PEACOCKS and then proceeding in order. | ||
 | Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos | |
| "Trouble at the fair" | 2009-02-21 |
| Meg has found herself once again stuck with acting as second in command (ie doing all the real work while someone else takes the credit) much as she was when we first met her as a harried bridesmaid in MURDER WITH PEACOCKS. This time it is not a series of weddings and bridezillas that she is dealing with but instead her now significant other, Michael's overbearing mother and the annual town festival which combines a re-enactment of the Battle of Yorktown and a craft fair. Since Meg is an ornamental blacksmith who derives most of her income from craft fairs she was planning on being busy enough just manning her booth and perhaps having some quality time with Michael. Unfortunately Michael's mother had decided that the entire event needed to be a costume affair, requiring all participants to be as authentic as possible, and that Meg was the perfect person to keep her fellow artisans in line. Since many of her biggest headaches were coming from her friends and family Meg's weekend was off to a shaky start, one that quickly got worse when a body was found in her booth, impaled with one of her latest works of art. Sadly each new clue in the murder seemed to implicate one or another of Meg's nearest and dearest. This is the third in the Meg Langslow series of comic cozy mysteries featuring Meg, and her ever expanding eccentric clan. As always with this genre the real attractions are the subplots and funny situations rather than the murder aspect (although Meg hoping that the victim is somebody she likes so she won't be a suspect is a bit much). The author has found her stride with this one, striking a good balance between action, comedy and romance. The overall story arc in this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment the series should be read in order as much as possible. | ||
 | Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews, ISBN 0312277296 | |
| "Trouble at the fair" | 2009-02-21 |
| Meg has found herself once again stuck with acting as second in command (ie doing all the real work while someone else takes the credit) much as she was when we first met her as a harried bridesmaid in MURDER WITH PEACOCKS. This time it is not a series of weddings and bridezillas that she is dealing with but instead her now significant other, Michael's overbearing mother and the annual town festival which combines a re-enactment of the Battle of Yorktown and a craft fair. Since Meg is an ornamental blacksmith who derives most of her income from craft fairs she was planning on being busy enough just manning her booth and perhaps having some quality time with Michael. Unfortunately Michael's mother had decided that the entire event needed to be a costume affair, requiring all participants to be as authentic as possible, and that Meg was the perfect person to keep her fellow artisans in line. Since many of her biggest headaches were coming from her friends and family Meg's weekend was off to a shaky start, one that quickly got worse when a body was found in her booth, impaled with one of her latest works of art. Sadly each new clue in the murder seemed to implicate one or another of Meg's nearest and dearest. This is the third in the Meg Langslow series of comic cozy mysteries featuring Meg, and her ever expanding eccentric clan. As always with this genre the real attractions are the subplots and funny situations rather than the murder aspect (although Meg hoping that the victim is somebody she likes so she won't be a suspect is a bit much). The author has found her stride with this one, striking a good balance between action, comedy and romance. The overall story arc in this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment the series should be read in order as much as possible. | ||
 | Murder With Puffins : A Meg Langslow Mystery (A Meg Lanslow Mystery) | |
| "Meg and Michael slip away for a quiet romantic weekend" | 2009-02-21 |
| After the hectic summer of weddings and murder (MURDER WITH PEACOCKS) that drew Meg Langslow and Michael together the two have become quite an item, spending as much time together as they possibly can. Unfortunately their time together seems to be also spent in the company of others, many others, mostly Meg's large and eccentric family. When considering their options for finding some alone time it occurred to Meg that if Aunt Phoebe was in residence and underfoot in the family's Virginia home then her summer cottage on an island off the coast of Maine would be vacant, the one that Aunt Phoebe had often offered to Meg to use at anytime. Meg decided that the upcoming long weekend in September would be a perfect time to take her aunt's invitation. To make certain that none of the family decided to tag along Meg and Michael decided to keep their plans a secret. Their first surprise once they arrived in Maine, rather behind schedule due to some car problems on the way, was that Hurricane Gladys had also picked that weekend to drop in, stranding them on the island until the ferry could resume service. Their second surprise came when they discovered that a large portion of Meg's family had also decided to visit the cottage for one last time until next year, giving the couple even less privacy than they had back home. In true Langslow fashion a mere hurricane wasn't enough excitement, a dead body had to be discovered on the beach, the body of an artist who was thoroughly detested by the locals, and who also just happened to have had a fling with Meg's mother about forty years earlier. Instead of their romantic tryst Meg and Michael find themselves searching for missing relatives and solving crimes in this hilarious sequel to MURDER WITH PEACOCKS. This is the second in the Meg Langslow series of cozy mysteries that center around Meg, her eccentric family and her romance with Michael. As is often the case with cozy mysteries the true attraction here are the backstories and funny scenes rather than the mystery itself. It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that the culprit will not be anyone too close to Meg, nor will any of her family and friends suffer serious harm. The overall story arc of this series is rather pronounced and so for maximum enjoyment it would be best to read these books in order as much as possible. | ||
 | Six Geese A-Slaying (Meg Langslow Mysteries) | |
| "Who Doesn't Love Santa Claus?" | 2009-02-11 |
| It is two days before Christmas in Caerphilly, Virginia and Meg Langslow is in charge of this year's holiday parade. The climax of the absurdly huge event (celebrating not only Christmas but also all the winter holidays) is the arrival of Santa Claus who has been portrayed for years by a singularly horrible local man, chosen not for his jolly disposition but because he fit the costume. As Meg was frantically attempting to bring order to the numerous parade participants (many of which were her own nutty relatives) a completely unexpected glitch in the plans occurred - somebody killed Santa or rather as Meg stressed to the kids who found the body, the helper who was filling in for Santa. In typical fashion the usual crowd of friends and extended family rallied around to get the parade rolling and also to unmask the murderer. This is the tenth in this series of comic cozy mysteries featuring Meg Langslow and her eccentric family. As with most cozies the true attraction is not the mystery but the backstory of Meg and her family. In addition to the humans' antics each volume of this series also incorporates some equally zany animals particularly the variety of bird that is referenced in each title. The overall story arc of this series to quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment the reader should begin at the beginning, MURDER WITH PEACOCKS and proceed in order as much as possible. | ||
 | Owls Well That Ends Well : A Meg Langslow Mystery (Amateur Sleuth Meg Langslow) | |
| "Garage Sale Season Is Here" | 2009-02-09 |
| Meg and Michael have been busy clearing out the decades of accumulated clutter left in the dilapidated Victorian house they had purchased a few months earlier. After months of work and exasperating negotiations with the previous owner's heirs over the disposition of the 'family treasures' Meg had unearthed they were finally ready for the last phase of the decluttering, the garage sale. In true Langslow family fashion though this could not be a regular sale, this one grew to true epic proportions involving hordes of Meg's eccentric relatives, crowd control measures and of course, a murder. When the body is discovered in the midst of the sale's opening rush Meg's biggest concern is how this discovery will impact sales. Soon though it became apparent the investigation could put an end of boyfriend Michael's long sought tenure at the local college. In the end though Meg manages to once again solve everything in her own hilarious style. This is the sixth in the series of comic cozies featuring blacksmith artist Meg, her drama instructor/actor boyfriend Michael and their charming and zany group of extended family and friends. The comic situations and outrageous antics of this group lead to many moments where the reader will truly laugh out loud. The overall story arc of this series is rather pronounced so for maximum enjoyment they should be read in as close to order as possible. | ||
 | I Like It Like That: A Gossip Girl Novel | |
| "Spring break and anticipation" | 2009-02-02 |
| At long last spring break has arrived on the Manhattan prep school calendars. The topic of discussion for weeks has been who is going which fabulous location and partying with which equally fabulous other A-lister. If nothing else the stressed out Seniors have to do something to take their minds off the long awaited college letters. Blair is in desperate need of a break as she waits to hear from Yale and tries to avoid hearing her mother gush about the all too soon to arrive newest member of the family. Nate is celebrating his release from Rehab by taking to the slopes of Sun Valley with his latest girlfriend Georgina. Vanessa and Dan have recently been discovered by the Art world but the question is will they be taking it by storm together or separately. If you don't know who these people are go back to the beginning of the GOSSIP GIRL series about the lives of the wealthy prep schoolers who frequent only the best Manhattan parties. The GOSSIP GIRL series (I LIKE IT LIKE THAT is the fifth) is a SEX AND THE CITY soap opera like series targeted for the 15 and over set. For those readers much over 15 it is definitely in the guilty pleasure category, but it is fun. The spoiled rich kids the series centers on are never short of cash and are rarely bothered by parental interference, in short they are living out every teenager's fantasy. This is absolutely a series to be read quickly and enjoyed without spending too much time thinking about whether or not it is realistic - seriously in what alternative reality would any parent insist on a seventeen year old girl sharing a room with her new step brother - also seventeen? | ||
 | All I Want Is Everything (Gossip Girl, 3) | |
| "Happy? Holidays" | 2009-02-02 |
| It's Christmas time in Manhattan and the creme de la creme of the New York prep school set are eagerly waiting for Christmas break and the oh so important New Years Eve parties. Blair and Serena have made up, bonding again during the debacle that was Blair's mother's wedding to the totally EWWW Cyrus - seriously though did the ditzy bride ever remember that her oh so special day was also her only daughter's 17th birthday? Oh well soon the now once again pair will escape to St Barts to party away at an exclusive resort, accompanied by Blair's new stepbrother Aaron, his friend Miles and her younger brother Tyler to join the newlyweds on their Caribbean honeymoon. And the big question is whether or not a certain rock star will be Serena's Christmas surprise. Back in New York Nate is still smitten with Jenny - when he isn't so stoned that he can't remember her name. Vanessa is still smitten with Dan when he isn't so busy writing poetry that he forgets her. All will be revealed by the Gossip Girl. This is the third in the popular Gossip Girl series (Sex and the City for the young adult crowd) that follows the oh so privileged lives of wealthy New York prep students as they use Daddy's credit cards to make up for his neglect. The series is shallow, superficial and quite trashy. It is also totally addictive each book leaving the reader eager to grab the next to find out what will happen next. | ||
 | Gossip Girl: Because I'm Worth It | |
| "Happy Valentine's Day" | 2009-02-02 |
| In the depths of the long New York winter Valentine's Day shines as a beacon of hope - or maybe desperation - among Manhattan's elite prep school set. Serena and Aaron have become an item. Jenny is mending her not so broken heart in the most unexpected places. Nate has found something interesting in Greenwich and Dan and Vanessa are still in the throes of their angst ridden on again off again romance. Don't know who these people are? Then go back to the beginning of this Sex and the City for teenagers series that began with GOSSIP GIRL and follow the on-going stories of a group of Manhattan prep school students. This series is targeted for the 15 and older 'young adult' audience, although it does have a certain guilty pleasure appeal to a much older group. Very real adolescent issues are dealt with, sex, drugs, peer pressure and insecurities although not in a particularly realistic manner. The books do address the universal adolescent longings for unlimited funds and minimal parental interference. | ||
 | Gossip Girl | |
| "Even the rich kids sing the blues" | 2009-02-01 |
| Serena is that luckiest of all creatures, she is young, beautiful and rich. At seventeen she is ready to begin her senior year of high school, rested from her fun filled summer in Europe, which she had spent completely unencumbered by her parents (but happily accompanied by their credit cards). Unfortunately there had been one too many outrageous stunts at her boarding school and so Serena was sent back to her parent's Manhattan penthouse and to the exclusive girls' school she had left the year before. Serena was not too unhappy by this turn of events, Hanover had been her parents' idea, not her's, and Serena and her best friend Blair had ruled not only their school but the entire adolescent elite of New York. But things had changed while Serena was away at Hanover. Blair was now the Queen Bee and their mutual best guy pal, Nate, had been Blair's exclusive property for more than a year. Queen Serena has returned alright but will she regain her throne or will she find herself on the outside looking in? The GOSSIP GIRLS series is targeted to the young adult audience - 15 and older but holds a much greater appeal. This is not this generation's CATCHER IN THE RYE more like a SEX AND THE CITY for the younger set, not great literature for the ages but a guilty pleasure for right now. The characters are not especially well defined, they have a bit of a tendency to blend together. The situations are a bit fantastic and a bit predictable but the combination does keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. | ||
 | You Know You Love Me: A Gossip Girl Novel | |
| "Definitely not a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving season" | 2009-02-01 |
| As this, the second in the GOSSIP GIRL series opens Thanksgiving, and more importantly Blair's 17th birthday and shortly after the deadline for college applications - all important events on the social scene of the teen A-listers of Manhattan society. The first glitch in the plans arrives when Blair and Nate are once again attempting to 'do the deed' when they are, once again interrupted. This time it is Blair's newly slimmed down and happy mother who unwittingly saves her daughter's virginity when she announces her engagement to the seriously EWWWW Cyrus Rose. Completely obvious to just what had been taking place behind Blair's closed bedroom door the soon to be former Mrs Waldorf announces that the wedding will take place Thanksgiving weekend, completely forgetting that the date is also her only daughter's birthday and completes the disaster by naming all of Blair and all of her best friends as her bridesmaids - including Blair's best friend Serena. Obviously Mom is unaware that Blair and Serena had not been friends for more than a year. Meanwhile among the rest of the crew college applications loom large, leading to road trips and interviews to the Ivys (and are there really any other schools worth mentioning?) of their choice, padding the resumes with a few more extracurriculars and awards while dealing with the ever shifting alliances on the romantic front. This popular series of novels is aimed at the young adult (15 and older) audience and focuses on the lives of the ultra rich prep school crowd of Manhattan. The overall story arc of this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment the series should be read in order. | ||
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