Lori (thornton37814) stitches her way through 2024 - thread 2

I'm Lori, a librarian and genealogist residing in Tennessee. I have a passion for cross-stitch. Welcome to my second thread for 2024.


A brief recap of my 2024 categories:

My 2024 categories, named after cross stitch design companies, are:

1. Country Cottage Needleworks - Cozy mysteries
2. Plum Street Samplers - Police & Detective mysteries
3. Rosewood Manor - History & Genealogy (or historical fiction)
4. Shakespeare's Peddler - Classics
5. Prairie Schooler - Children's Literature
6. Shepherd's Bush - Christmas books
7. Heartstring Samplery - Amish & Christian Fiction
8. Praiseworthy Stitches - Christian Non-Fiction
9. Blue Flower - Food & Garden
10. Sweet Wing Studio - Needle Arts
11. Blackbird Designs - Other fiction & literature
12. Ink Circles - Other non-fiction

Abandoned reads will go in the "My Big Toe" category.

Category 1: Country Cottage Needleworks = Cozy mysteries

I don't have charts or stitched pieces from this designer in my stash that I can find, so I'll just leave you a link to the website to explore the charts. Here's the link: http://www.countrycottageneedleworks.com/

1. Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber - completed 12 January 2024
2. Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose - completed 3 February 2024
3. Murder, Simply Stitched by Isabella Alan - completed 29 February 2024
4. Murder on Mustang Beach by Alicia Bessette - completed 13 March 2024
5. Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney - completed 15 April 2024
6. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto - completed 30 April 2024
7. Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany - completed 20 May 2024
8. A Likely Story by Jenn McKinlay - completed 30 May 2024
9. An Unlikely Meeting by Jenn McKinlay - completed 31 May 2024
10. Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower - completed 8 June 2024
11. Murder at Pawprint Creek by Cindy Bell - completed 17 June 2024
12. A Deadly Cliche by Ellery Adams - completed 22 June 2024
13. Wrong Side of the Paw by Laurie Cass - completed 24 June 2024
14. The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander - completed 28 June 2024
15. Cruel Winter by Sheila Connolly - completed 6 July 2024
16. An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly - completed 16 July 2024
17. Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany - completed 17 August 2024
18. The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams - completed 27 August 2024
19. A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs - completed 1 September 2024
20. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell - completed 22 September 2024
21. A Scone to Die For by H. Y. Hanna - completed 23 September 2024
22. Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah - completed about 4 October 2024
23. Muffin But Murder by Victoria Hamilton - completed 23 October 2024
24. Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower - completed 24 October 2024
25. A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert - completed 2 November 2024
26. Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany - completed 9 November 2024
27. Wife of Moon by Margaret Coel - completed November 2024

Category 2: Plum Street Samplers = Police & Detective mysteries

I want to get to "Cardinal Kin" this year, if possible. I have two WIPs from Plum Street Samplers that I'm currently working on. They were on my WIPGO board last year, and I only did a little more than the required amount of stitching on each. I plan to add these to this year's rotation. I really enjoyed stitching on both, although I have to admit that mermaids are not really my thing for the "Live on Little" design. Still I like it overall.

       

If I read a PI one, I'll probably put it here as well.

1. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - completed 14 January 2024
2. Cat's Paw by Roger Scarlett - completed 13 February 2024
3. Hidden Scars by Mark De Castrique - completed 21 February 2024
4. Borderline by Nevada Barr - completed 9 March 2024
5. Cold Is the Grave by Peter Robinson - completed 2 April 2024
6. The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves - completed 15 June 2024
7. August Heat by Andrea Camilleri - completed 29 June 2024
8. Deadfall by Sue Henry - completed 3 July 2024
9. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell - completed 19 July 2024
10. Murder on Brittany Shores by Jean-Luc Bannalec - completed 29 July 2024
11. The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves - completed 1 August 2024
12. Secrets of a Scottish Isle by Erica Ruth Neubauer - completed 4 August 2024
13. Burn by Nevada Barr - completed 18 September 2024
14. A Refiner's Fire by Donna Leon - completed about 11 October 2024
15. Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger - completed in September 2024
16. The Seagull by Ann Cleeves - completed November 2024
17. The Woman on the Island by Ann Cleeves - completed December 2024

Category 3: Rosewood Manor = History & Genealogy or Historical Fiction

Three designs are in my stash. The first features "Keepsakes" which is the local needlework store in the Cincinnati area and its cat 310 (named after the DMC fiber since he's pure black). The second is a patriotic design I found at the used bookstore. The third is a family history design that can be customized.

       

If I read genealogical fiction, I'll probably put it here too unless it fits better elsewhere.

1. The Girls Who Fought Crime: The Untold True Story of the Country's First Female Investigator and Crime-Fighting Squads by Mari K. Eder - completed 6 January 2024
2. The English Village: History and Traditions by Martin Wainwright - completed 14 January 2024
3. Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain by Margaret Willson - completed 13 April 2024
4. The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear - completed 8 May 2024
5. Two Wars and a Wedding by Lauren Willig - completed 15 May 2024
6. The Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar - completed 31 May 2024
7. Clear by Carys Davies - completed 3 June 2024
8. Stark Decency: German Prisoners of War in a New England Village by Allen V. Koop - completed 3 June 2024
9. The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons - completed 25 July 2024
10. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride - completed 9 August 2024
11. American Flygirl by Susan Tate Ankeny - completed 10 September 2024
12. An East End Murder by Charles Finch - completed 26 September 2024
13. The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear - completed November 2024
14. Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley - completed December 2024

Category 4: Shakespeare's Peddler = Classics

Theresa Venette is the designer for this company which also uses the name Kitten Stitcher. Besides charts, they offer fabulous linen. I thought I had a chart from this one, but if I do, I can't locate it. I have lots of the designs on my wish list though. Here's a link to the website: https://www.kittenstitcher.com/original-samplers

1. Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham - completed 3 September 2024

Category 5: Prairie Schooler = Children's Literature

Prairie Schooler designs an annual Santa. Here's the one for 2023.



Here are a couple of other charts from my stash.

   

1. The School at the Chalet by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer - completed 31 March 2024
2. The Polite Penguin by Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by H. A. Rey - completed 9 May 2024
3. The Fiddler of High Lonesome by Brinton Turkle - completed 10 May 2024
4. The Adventures of the Missing Sock by Lizzie Lange; illustrated by Sally Elford - completed 21 May 2024

Category 6: Shepherd's Bush = Christmas Books

I only have one chart from them in my stash, but they are known for the large variety of Christmas stocking designs they offer. Here's the one chart I own.



1. Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan - completed 12 July 2024
2. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White - completed 2 August 2024
3. Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle - completed 3 August 2024
4. Christmas at Emmerdale by Pamela Bell - completed 1 September 2024

Category 7: Heartstring Samplery = Amish & Christian Fiction

I wanted many of the hymn designs this designer produced, but I'm really glad I waited until they compiled them into a book with 3 bonus designs.



1. Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl - completed 30 January 2024
2. A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson - completed 8 February 2024
3. The Forgotten Recipe by Amy Clipston - completed 13 February 2024
4. The Coffee Corner by Amy Clipston - completed 7 May 2024
5. Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon - completed 20 May 2024
6. The Amish Teacher's Gift by Rachel J. Good - completed 1 July 2024
7. By Evening's Light by Leslie Gould - completed 9 July 2024
8. A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston - completed 26 August 2024
9. A Truth Revealed by Tracie Peterson - completed 7 November 2024
10. The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston - completed November 2024
11. A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston - completed December 2024

Category 8: Praiseworthy Stitches = Christian Non-Fiction

This chart was for a stitch along last year, but I never got around to starting it. This particular design is for cancer awareness and includes a list of colors for various cancers so you can pay tribute to your loved ones who survived or did not survive cancer. I will probably do this in the colors for stomach cancer from which my mother died. I've set aside a fabric and identified a couple of overdyed flosses that I think it will look good in. I've got other big projects underway, and I don't want to start until at least one of the three big designs is done.



1. Praying God's Will for Your Life by Stormie Omartian - completed 28 February 2024
2. Painful Passage, Joyful Journey: A Memoir, the Story of God and Me by Susan A. Cooper - completed 1 February 2024
3. The Great Disappearance: 31 Ways to Be Rapture Ready by David Jeremiah - completed 28 February 2024
4. The Battle Plan for Prayer: Bible Study by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick, with Travis Agnew - completed 12 March 2024
5. Morning Coffee and Time Alone: Bright Promise for a New Day compiled by Alice Gray; illustrated by Susan Mink Colclough - completed 27 May 2024
6. Signs and Secrets of the Messiah: A Fresh Look at the Miracles of Jesus by Jason Sobel - completed 25 June 2024
7. God's People in Transition by Dan Ivins - completed 2 July 2024
8. What's in a Phrase? : Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre - completed 10 November 2024

Category 9: Blue Flower = Food & Garden

I have a couple of charts in my stash, but I will probably stitch a couple of designs I picked up at the Jingle Ball 2023 before I attack these. Both Jingle Ball designs ("Christmas Hippo" and "'Oliday Ostrich") are on my 2024 WIPGO board. (They were online downloads and don't have a fancy cover image I can show without illegally showing the chart.)

   

1. 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Recipes: 200 Delicious & Easy Meal Ideas Including Gluten-Free & Vegan by Camilla V. Saulsbury - completed 30 March 2024
2. A Soupçon of Poison by Jennifer Ashley - completed 29 June 2024
3. Auntie D's Recipes by Danielle Ackley-McPhail - completed 9 November 2024

Category 10: Sweet Wing Studio = Needle Arts

It's no accident that I used one of my favorite designers for this category's name! I could provide you all sorts of photos here, but I'll try to limit myself.

Here are some finishes.

"Blessed Beyond Measure"; "Singing Sparrow"; "He First Loved Us"

           

"Deep Waters", "Mercy and Grace", and my last finish of 2023, "Indescribable Gift"

       

Here are some final finishes.

"Without Ceasing"; "Bless and Keep"

   

Here are just a couple of charts in my stash. I have many more.

   

1. A Sampler View of Colonial Life by Mary Cobb; illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis - completed 23 January 2024
2. The Quilting Bee by Gail Gibbons - completed 23 January 2024
3. Knit Your Own Murder by Monica Ferris - completed 12 August 2024
4. The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum - completed 19 August 2024
5. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee - completed 10 September 2024

Category 11: Blackbird Designs = Other Fiction & Literature

The cross stitch world mourned the loss of Barb when she died. Alma is cutting way back, but she is re-releasing some out-of-print designs from this very popular designer. Here are a few in my stash.

       

1. Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout - completed 17 January 2024
2. Balladz by Sharon Olds - completed 26 February 2024
3. Chenneville by Paulette Jiles - completed 5 March 2024
4. Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair - completed 18 March 2024
5. Song of the Closing Doors: Poems by Patrick Phillips - completed 30 April 2024

Category 12: Ink Circles = Other Non-Fiction

Most of the charts I own by this designer are in magazines. Here's "Modern Nordic," an ornament I finished in 2022, by this designer known for symmetrical designs.



1. Skirts: Fashioning Modern Femininity in the Twentieth Century by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell - completed 19 March 2024
2. Wild Girls: How the Outdoors Shaped the Women Who Challenged a Nation by Tiya Miles - completed 17 August 2024
3. Wandering through Life: A Memoir by Donna Leon - completed 9 September 2024

Abandoned Reads: My Big Toe Designs

Deborah Booth is the designer behind the brand. I am fond of her ornaments in the Just Cross Stitch ornament issues. Here is a finished chart called "Cat Crazy" and one of the ornaments. I've also included one chart in my stash that contains a literary allusion.

       

1. The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak - abandoned 23 May 2024
2. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry - abandoned 11 July 2024

That should be it. The next is yours.

Book 57. The Amish Teacher's Gift by Rachel J. Good

Date Completed: 1 July 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Source: Morristown-Hamblen County Library print book

Rating: 4 stars

Review: 19-year-old Ada is the new teacher for a special needs school for Amish children. She takes care of her seven siblings because her Mamm died and her Daed is no longer around. We don't really find out why he's not there until the very end, but many people in the Amish community blame her for the situation. Josiah's wife died of cancer, and his son Nathan lost his hearing due to an infection contracted in Mexico while the Mom was being treated. Nathan shows fear around his father and tends to throw temper tantrums. Ada offers to teach Josiah sign language to help him communicate with his son. Josiah works for an English construction firm and is "fired" when the boss comes to visit and Josiah is not wearing a hard hat due to his religious beliefs. However, the foreman knows this cannot be done so he tells Josiah to report back to work in a couple days once he gets it sorted out. The company holds a contest for a community service project which will garner the company some recognition, and Josiah's idea for a playground at the school wins. As their feelings toward one another grow, will Ada and Josiah overcome the obstacles so both can enjoy happiness? I loved this story. The plot was different because of the special needs aspects, and it really tugged at the reader's heart.

Happy new thread.

Happy new thread -- pun intended because of your excellent cross-stitchery!

Happy New Thread! I loved revisiting your stitchery projects.

Happy New Thread! I hope you're also enjoying cooler weather. After a hot and humid few weeks, we've had two days in the 70s and after this, it's back to normal summer weather here, thank goodness.

Happy new thread, Lori!

>16 lowelibrary: Thanks!

>17 christina_reads: I guess it is a pun! I hadn't thought of it that way.

>18 LadyoftheLodge: It is fun to see them all again.

>19 RidgewayGirl: Yesterday it was a little cooler, but I think we'll be back into the 90s. I hate hot weather!

>20 MissWatson: Thanks.

Book 58. God's People in Transition by Dan Ivins

Date Completed: 2 July 2024

Category: Praiseworthy Stitches

Source: University library book

Rating: 3 stars

Review: While America was becoming a very transient society in the early 1980s when this book was written, it is more so today. Author Dan Ivins takes a look at some key Bible personalities and how they dealt with transition. Chapters focus on Cain, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, Absalom, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Mary, Jesus, Paul, and the Hebrews. Some illustrations will likely relate only to persons of the Baby Boom or older generations. I found the book a little too light on Scripture although the author drew from the Bible to make points.

Happy new thread! I thought of punning your stitchery somehow, but I see >17 christina_reads: got there first!

You mentioned Carys Davies in your last thread. While I wait for Clear I borrowed The Redemption of Galen Pike. Not finished yet, but so far I'm amazed at the quality of her short stories.

Happy New Thread, Lori!

>24 VivienneR: Good to know her short stories are good. I did put some thread on my thread!

>25 dudes22: Thanks!

Happy new thread, Lori. Here's hoping the weather is good but not too hot!

>27 DeltaQueen50: Anything over 75 is too hot IMHO. It's only in the upper 80s today, but some of those recent days in the 90s just about killed me!

>28 thornton37814: I'm with you - I am no lover of the heat - 75 to 80 is ok but hotter than that and I am one unhappy old lady!

>29 DeltaQueen50: I don't like it over 75 although I can tolerate it anywhere in the 70s. Unfortunately, it's hard to find any place that doesn't get past 80 at times.

Book 59. Deadfall by Sue Henry

Date Completed: 3 July 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Mysterious letters and calls, attacks on her dogs, and a tampered brake line lead Jessie Arnold to take refuge on Niqa Island with one of her dogs while her boyfriend, State Trooper Alex Jensen and his fellow officers investigate. They can figure out no one who wanted to do Jessie harm, but when they begin investigating people who promised revenge on Alex for putting them away who might be out soon, they begin turning over some leads in the investigation. Is Jessie really safe on the island, or will the person locate her? If she comes under attack and with a storm incoming, will they be able to arrive in time to save her? This suspense-driven installment keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Book 60. Cruel Winter by Sheila Connolly

Date Completed: 6 July 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Tennessee Reads Digital Audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: A rare snowstorm strands Maura Donovan in her pub along with her staff and several visitors, both local and outsiders. One woman was accused of a murder 20 years ago that had yet to be solved. With nothing but time on their hands, Maura and the others offer to hear her side of the story to see why the garda let her remain free. Maura's fresh eyes on the case turn up some tidbits that were not uncovered in the original investigation, but will it be enough to get the garda to look at it again? While I enjoyed this installment, and especially the audiobook narrator's brogue, I found that the story seemed implausible that it would actually be occurring if this had been real life. However, it did keep me entertained. Readers are not introduced to the culprit until the very end when one last piece of information falls into place, and from there things move quickly. It kind of makes it impossible for readers to guess "whodunit" unless they were going with "person or persons unknown."

These both look like excellent choices for hot weather reading!

>33 RidgewayGirl: I guess I'm just wishing it was winter. I'm reading an ARC now, but I have a "Christmas in July" audiobook loaded to begin.

> This reminded me that I liked the first in that series and meant to try another. Luckily the library has Termination Dust, the second one.

>35 hailelib: I don't know why I wait so long between the installments because I've enjoyed the series too!

>34 thornton37814: I get that! I have been thinking wistfully of autumn, my favorite season of the year.

>37 LadyoftheLodge: I hate summer with a passion--and it's only because I hate the heat. Autumn is bad for me because of leaf mold, but I do love the cooler nights!

Book 61. By Evening's Light by Leslie Gould

Date Completed: 9 July 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Source LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Rating: 3 stars

Review: After breaking up with her boyfriend, Treva returns to her Amish grandparents' home in Lancaster County. She intends to be there only briefly and then move to help a friend she met in Haiti as a wedding and event planner in Alaska. Circumstances prevent her from going to Alaska as quickly as planned, and she realizes her grandparents are not getting any younger and need help on the farm. As she fills in for the 90-year-old Rosene's volunteer work with an immigrant group, she finds a couple she thinks can help at least in the short term. Then Gabe returns from the war, but he's changed. Rosene begins sharing her story which involves post World War II East and West Germany. Then it's time for her to go to Alaska. Because she needs to return to Lancaster County to help with Breana's wedding, her time in Alaska is short, but she's able to do something for Rosene there--something that brings Rosene great joy. She also is able to propose a solution for her grandparents. The book has too many plots going on. As someone who was new to the series, I felt a bit lost with the characters from the beginning. The author tried to tell too many stories in the space of this book, and it didn't really work too well. While I enjoyed the stories, they just are not your typical Amish-Mennonite fare. In fact, the characters sometimes don't seem to comply with what one expects in such characters. It's still a clean book. The characters don't all seem to follow the peaceful paths. I won an advance digital review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers with the expectation of an honest review. The opinions are my own.

Abandoned Book 2. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry

Date Abandoned: 11 July 2024

Category: My Big Toe Designs

Thoughts: Abandoned. After fifty pages, I just couldn't get into the novel. I know many loved this one, but there's too much profanity, and it appears this one will be about clergy sexual abuse. It's just not for me.

>40 thornton37814: Sorry to hear you didn't like that one---that one and another one by the same author is on my TBR.

Happy New Thread Lori, and all the many threads you have created with your stitchery.

>39 thornton37814: Like you, I am easily turned off when there are just too many characters, or when the author does not know quite what plot to tell as the main story.

>41 Tess_W: You may like it better than I did.

>42 threadnsong: I was disappointed. I'm sure other reviewers will like it better than I did. As I did mention, I'd not read the earlier installments, so I might not have been quite as "overwhelmed" (at least in the character department) if they'd been introduced more slowly and fully in earlier installments and I had read them.

Book 62. Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan

Date Completed: 12 July 2024

Category: Shepherd's Bush

Source: Tennessee Reads Digital Audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Angie's parents come to Holmes County for a Christmas visit, bringing her ex-boyfriend along. A controversial play in which an ex-Amish girl from the community stars turns disastrous when the girl is murdered. Angie, of course, investigates. I found the inclusion of the ex-boyfriend tiresome. The mystery itself was pretty obvious from the time readers were introduced to the character who did it. I'm also tired of Martha's hostility. It seems out of character for an Amish woman, and it really does nothing to further any of the stories. This series is not strong, but I love some of the characters and the setting--both in a quilt shop and in Holmes County, Ohio. I listened to the audiobook.

Book 63. An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly

Date Completed: 16 July 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: University library book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Dr. Emilia McRoy left her Seattle ER room for a more peaceful life as a doctor on Sea Isle in Scotland. She discovers the doctor's home and practice are in an old church on the island. She's greeted warmly by the island's inhabitants, but when she explores the facilities, she discovers the corpse of a man she met earlier in the day. The "laird" is with her, and she discovers one of her duties is coroner. She takes a little more of a role in the investigation than necessary by the coroner, but she wants it cleared up. Ii love the atmosphere of the island and the characters. There are some inaccuracies or stretches of imagination. The biggest glaring mistake for me as her assertion that a "DNA test showed her ancestors came from Sea Isle." No DNA test women can take can pinpoint the area that well. There are some male Y-DNA tests where certain markers suggest an origin might be somewhere. The closest autosomal test to being able to pinpoint a location is Living DNA which is a British test that is not widely popular in the United States. People who are really into genetic genealogy have either taken the test or transferred results to it. However, one cannot take the test and be certain of the location without both a paper trail and DNA evidence. I doubt someone who seems as casually into genealogy as Dr. Em would have taken the Living DNA test. The admixture/ethnicity results are the least accurate part of a DNA test. Results improve over time as testing pools grow, but this was a weak plot element the author should have researched better or had reviewed by someone with more knowledge. I also recall another unrealisting plot element in regards to bringing in firewood for a storm that was beginning. I don't see how two cords could be carried at once. I'm not sure the author had researched medical equipment and procedures as much as needed either. In spite of the shortcomings, the setting and characters make this a fun start to a series, and I look forward to reading the next.

Book 64. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell

Date Completed: 19 July 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Knox County Digital Audiobook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: While the chief is on vacation, Kurt Wallander is temporarily in charge of the force and the investigation into the double murder of a couple murdered in a farmhouse. The woman's dying word was "foreign," and those trying to limit immigration into Sweden immediately seize upon the word as fodder for their cause although no one knows what the context involves. The investigation quickly shows the couple, or at least the man, was not quite as poor as believed, but the case is quickly on the road to landing in the dead case file because of the lack of clues. Just when hope seems lost, they receive a clue that helps. There's also another murder which may or may not be related that occurs and is investigated. It's an interesting start to the series. I listened to the audiobook.

Book 65. The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons

Date Completed: 25 July 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Source: University Library book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Gertie Bingham runs Bingham Books alone now that her husband has passed. As World War II is about to commence, her husband's dear friend urges her to take in a Jewish child refugee. She's never had children of her own and is not convinced she'll be a good fit. The teenage girl and Gertie get off to a bit of a rocky start, but books draw them together. As air raids begin, they move the store's book club to the bomb shelters. We see how books help people in all sorts of circumstances during the dark days of World War II. I liked the book a lot, but I didn't love it as much as some. I really enjoyed the quotes that opened each chapter. I won't give away more of the plot here, but those who enjoy World War II women's fiction will likely enjoy this book.

>44 thornton37814: When I feel the urge to shop, I usually visit Holmes County.

>45 thornton37814: I read your comments on DNA tests with interest. Some members of my family have taken popular DNA tests recently and were surprised by the results, and I have been wondering how accurate they can be.

>46 thornton37814: This is one of my favourite crime novels. I love the atmosphere in the Wallander books and the descriptions of the weather and landscape.

>45 thornton37814:, >49 MissBrangwen: First, I'm no expert on DNA testing or anything else related to genealogy. I do belong to a group of genealogy hobbyists, and most have had DNA testing. If a test shows different than expected results it's fun to see the reaction of the members. When they recheck their research or work further back they sometimes find the test is correct and family lore is wrong. We have a large American Indian population in our area and many people with black hair and dark complexions assume they are of Indian heritage. It's not that unusual for a DNA test to show they are instead Irish.

>48 Tess_W: I wish I lived closer to Holmes County than I do now. When I lived in Ohio, I'd go visit more often.

>49 MissBrangwen: The admixture/ethnicity results are the most accurate part. LivingDNA is the only test that will go into that much detail about where in the UK/Ireland someone may have origins, but their testing pool is really not large enough yet to be accurate. I picked the Wallander book as one I thought my brother might enjoy on a trip we were doing together. He enjoyed it too.

>50 clue: Yes. There are problems with family lore, particularly in relation to Native American ancestry. There is one branch of a family to which I'm related (late 1700s/early 1800s) that tries to assert it is Native American. I'd already located that the man was a white settler living on Cherokee lands, but those descendants were certain they were Cherokee. There's a big case where they tried to be recognized and failed in their effort. However, the admixture/ethnicity reports are still mostly guess-work although the results have improved over the years as testing pools grow.

Book 66. Murder on Brittany Shores by Jean-Luc Bannalec

Date Completed: 29 July 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Tennessee Reads Digital Audiobook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Commissaire Dupin investigates three corpses that washed ashore off the French coast near an island. Questions arise about why the men were together in the same boat and about the apparent accident that increasingly looks like homicide. Dupin hates boats, but he and his team must go out and get stranded on the island during a storm. He knows he couldn't get a helicopter to land there in the storm even if he had a cellular signal. I listened to the audiobook. I found that I liked this installment better than the first. I appreciated the teamwork effort put forth by Dupin's team to resolve the murder. It bogged down in.a place or two, but overall, it wasn't a bad installment. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator seemed capable.

Book 67. The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves

Date Completed: 1 August 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: University library book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Jem Rosco often visits the local pub in Greystone. He's been in the area for some time. The locals know he's waiting for someone to join him at the rental. They all suspect it is a woman. One night his body is recovered in a dinghy off Scully Cove. Matthew Venn and his team which includes Ross May and Jen Rafferty investigate. As they investigate, the body of a local justice of the peace turns up on Scully Cove. The one thing that links the two is the cove itself. They continue the investigation, interviewing anyone with a remote connection to the men or area who might offer them a lead. I do not like this series as well as the Jimmy Perez or Vera Stanhope series. Jen is really the only member of the team I like. I do think this series does show that each member of the team contributes to the case's solution.

Re DNA testing: Both my hubby and myself did the DNA test thing and both had some surprising results. I always thought I was 100% Hungarian, as my grandparents were all Hungarian and came to the USA from Hungary, including two remarriages after my grandmothers were widowed. Surprise, I seem to have DNA from several different countries, including Greece and Italy, as well as some unknowns. I guess those Huns got around!

>54 LadyoftheLodge: Look at the maps and overlap maps for the regions. You'll probably find that the testing company hasn't really found a deep enough testing pool for the country and that it is included in the possibilities maps for those regions. I don't think they know what to do with my Amish yet either. (In a very early version, they were part of "Italy.") For several years, it was included in France--and some of them were in the French Alsace before coming to the United State. Now they classify it as Germanic Europe. However, the maps don't really show where many actually lived in Germany (or France). Both maps cut off before it gets that far west in Switzerland.

Book 68. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

Date Completed: 2 August 2024

Category: Shepherd's Bush

Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer's advance electronic galley

Rating: 3 stars

Review: This novella, inspired by The Nutcracker, features two men, Cyril Lightbourne and Lord Soren Gyldenkrone, vying for the affections of Lady Mariah Lyons. Cyril is a distant relation and heir to Mariah's deceased father's fortune. Gyldencrone is a Danish nobleman with close ties to the monarchy. Mariah has loved Cyril since childhood, but he's been involved with Lady Pearl so she doubts he will choose her. Gyldenkrone seems cold and aloof, and she's not sure she wants to marry a man she isn't certain she can love. She must give him her answer Christmas eve. Mariah's older widowed sister Louise tries to assist. As Mariah directs the children in a play based on a story she and Cyril wrote as children, the marriage matter becomes clear to all. I liked but did not love this story. Although it is set in the early days of the Edwardian period--shortly after Queen Victoria's death--it has an older feel to it. I appreciated the way faith was incorporated into the narrative in a non-threatening manner. I received this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program with the expectation of an honest review.

Book 69. Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle

Date Completed: 3 August 2024

Category: Shepherd's Bush

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Clare Cosi investigates when she finds the corpse of a Santa Claus she knows near her shop. She doesn't hit it off with the investigating detective, and boyfriend Mike Quinn is busy with his own narcotics investigation. She feels the detective isn't taking her seriously enough so she ends up locked in a dumpster when she revisits the crime scene. She follows leads related to the case with the help of her co-workers, ex-husband, boyfriend, and the investigating officers. While this is not my favorite series, this holiday installment works pretty well at keeping readers second-guessing their thoughts on whodunit. I listened to the audiobook, and the reader definitely gave it a New York sort of feel.

Book 70. Secrets of a Scottish Isle by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Date Completed: 4 August 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: University library book

Rating: 2 stars

Review: The occult theme to this installment put me off from the first. I mostly skimmed anything that seemed to delve too much into the occult so I could focus on the murder. Jane goes "undercover" to try to solve a case in which a new member of an occultic group dies under mysterious circumstances. It bothered me that Jane undertook the oaths of the group to gain access. "Flee the devil" is my own belief, based on the Word of God. Redvers cannot pose as her husband this time, and he cannot be in the same place so as to not blow her cover. However, he is nearby on the remote Scottish isle where he can keep an eye on her and communicate with authorities. One interesting character in the story is W. B. Yeats. Jane gains impressions and insights as she investigates, but will she find whodunit before the person(s) try to put an end to her? The story is supposed to be inspired by the Golden Dawn, and although the persons in the novel were members at varying times, she had them come together for this installment. The mystery itself deserves a higher rating, but I did not enjoy it due to the theme. I sincerely hope the author steers clear of the Occult in future episodes so I can enjoy the book.

Book 71. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Date Completed: 9 August 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Source: University library book

Rating: 5 stars

Review: Jews and African Americans resided in Pottstown's Chicken Hill. A Jewish woman who operated the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store treated everyone fairly. That was not always the case with everyone in the area, particularly with the area's doctor. We see how Chona, the Jewish woman, made a lasting impact on the people she encountered. The well-drawn characters brought the story to life. Included in the story is the plight of an African-ancestored boy who was deaf but definitely not dumb. We also see the sad state of asylums at that time. Sometimes you had to laugh at the ingenuity of this group of people.

>59 thornton37814: My book group is discussing this book on Thursday and I've already had discussions about it with a few of the other members. McBride is an amazing storyteller.

>60 RidgewayGirl: It's the best fiction book I've read in a couple of years.

>59 thornton37814: On my TBR pile, have to get to it!

>62 Tess_W: I think you'll enjoy it when you get to it.

Book 72. Knit Your Own Murder by Monica Ferris

Date Completed: 12 August 2024

Category: Sweet Wing Studio

Source: Public library print book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Two of three persons who recently competed for a piece of real estate, including the winning bidder, end up dead. Harry Whiteside met his end with violent blows. Maddie O'Leary met her end when she knitted with yarn tainted with nicotine. It's natural the police look to the third bidder--Joe Mickels--but he has not been arrested yet. He asks Betsy Devonshire to clear his name and find the real killer. She makes no promises but does agree to look for the killer. The two deaths are in differing jurisdictions. Meanwhile Goddy is giddy because Rafael has proposed, but Rafael's sister comes to visit and try to get Rafael to produce a legal heir for the family. Although the solution works in the story, it's not very plausible in the real world because it's based on too many coincidences that had to happen at the perfect time to produce the results. Still I'm glad I finally finished the needlework series which at one time was a favorite. I much prefer the installments where cross stitch takes a more central plot position.

Book 73. Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany

Date Completed: 17 August 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County digital audiobook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Rose and Bernie entered Lily into a contest to be featured on a reality TV show. After Tommy, the show's star, is found murdered, suspicion falls to one of Lily's waitresses because she had threatened the man when he insulted her daughter. However, the TV's cast and crew as well as others in the area also have motives. While Lily can count on the underdetective to do a thorough job, she knows Detective Williams will scratch no further than the surface, so she knows she must lend a hand in the investigation to clear her employee.

Book 74. Wild Girls: How the Outdoors Shaped the Women Who Challenged a Nation by Tiya Miles

Date Completed: 17 August 2024

Category: Ink Circles

Source: Knox County e-book

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: This disappointing book did not live up to its name, nor did it really live up to how it was described in retail descriptions. The book did not really celebrate women who were pioneers in outdoor recreation. Instead it focused on authors, an Indian girls boarding school, and activists, but she did very little to prove her thesis that the outdoors shaped them. She didn't even do a great job showing how they challenged a nation. The best thing about this book was that it was short! Her bibliographical references and bibliographies may prove useful to others.

Checking in to say hello and thank you for your honest reviews! You've read a lot this summer.

>64 thornton37814: I did not know Monica Ferris was still writing her mysteries, and I will have to find more of her works. Hopefully my local library system has them, as I remember one of the head librarians was quite a needlepoint enthusiast.

>67 threadnsong: She isn't. I'd somehow missed this last one so I was catching up. I enjoyed the series back in the day. The last one was not quite as fulfilling for me--but I will admit it may be as much because it featured the coziness of the cross stitching group as much as anything. Goddy was pretty much only in it when talking about his forthcoming wedding, and I missed his usual self in the shop. I'm not saying he was out of character--only that I missed what he would have been like without that event looming.

>68 thornton37814: My favorite of her books is Crewel Yule which is about a needlework convention at which a woman falls to her death over the railings at the convention center. I found it particularly interesting since a past colleague was at a conference and that kind of accident happened while she was there.

>69 LadyoftheLodge: It's been so long since I read most of them, that I don't really remember which was my favorite. I do remember a plot in which the orts figured into whodunit--and I remember liking it.

My iPad was in my car when I went into the grocery store to pick up a few things--mainly so I'd have something I thought I could eat this evening. (I'm still recovering from the Tennessee Crud which is sinus infection/allergies turned into a cold.) I try to avoid spicier things or things with too much cheese/dairy when it's this way--knowing that I'll be able to truly enjoy them sooner if I avoid them. I got a phone notification that my iPad was last seen at the store's address. I guess as I wandered deeper in the store that it thought I'd left it behind. I had not had it give me the message in such close proximity before.

Book 75. The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum

Date Completed: 19 August 2024

Category: Sweet Wing Studio

Source: Morristown Hamblen County Public Library print book

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Izzy and Sam's wedding day is fast approaching. The ladies in the knitting group are making a wedding shawl for Izzy. A local hair stylist turns up dead, but it brings back memories of her best friend's death 15 years earlier. Are the two murders related? If so, was Andy, a friend of both women, the one who did it? Izzy and the others think not and set out to solve the unsolved murder of the past as well as Tiffany's recent one. I took too long of a break from the series so the characters don't seem like the friends they might have been if I'd continued the series back in the day.

>71 thornton37814: LOL!

>73 Tess_W: It did the same thing when I went into another grocery store yesterday evening to try to score some of the ground chuck on sale for $2.49/lb. with a $25 purchase. I mainly got other things on sale there to hit the $25--things I knew I would use.

Book 76. A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

Date Completed: 26 August 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Source: Morristown-Hamblen County Public Library print book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Rebecca's sister Grace left the Amish. Grace and her husband died in an accident, and now the childless Rebecca and her husband Daniel, residents of Bird-in-Hand, are entrusted with the care of their two "Englisch" nieces. The older girl Jessica is much like her mother and has no desire to experience the new culture. She finds she can't finish school and is put to work in a furniture factory. The younger girl Lindsay goes to work with Rebecca at the bakery. She embraces the culture. She was never very good at school. She loves baking and enjoys playing with the children when it is her time to mind them. Jessica cannot seem to do anything right because she enjoys music, her phone, boys, and her old lifestyle too much. She wants her godmother to find a way around the terms of her mother's will so she can go live with her in Virginia Beach. This is a little different concept for an Amish fiction book since it deals with acculturation. I just wish Jessica had been able to assimilate. I understand the author's demonstration that the Amish lifestyle is not for everyone, but I think I would have preferred to see her adjust to the lifestyle at a slower pace than her sister.

Book 77. The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams

Date Completed: 27 August 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Nora Pennington owns a bookshop in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. When a young girl named Abilene shows up wearing a hospital bracelet and obviously in need of medical care, she calls paramedic friend Jed to assist. They allow the girl to stay in the bookstore overnight. The next morning Nora finds an amazing display in her window. She gets her friend Hester to hire Abilene at the bakery where she demonstrates her talent for baking and creates "book pocket" pastries for sale in Nora's shop. The ladies in the Secret, Book and Scone Society all find ways to help Abilene as they learn more of her story. In the meantime, Virtual Genie has come to town, posing as a business to help citizens recover from the bank failure by turning their family heirlooms into cash. An older woman named Amanda turns up dead in her pond. Her son accuses Virtual Genie of being scammers. He ends up dead too. There are many story lines converging to make an interesting mystery, although it's not particularly original.

Just stopping by to finally catch up. As always, I enjoyed browsing your reads.
>59 thornton37814: One of my favorite books in the last year!

>77 beebeereads: It is one of the best I've read in a long time.

Book 78. Christmas at Emmerdale by Pamela Bell

Date Completed: 1 September 2024

Category: Shepherd's Bush

Source: Kindle

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Two women--Maggie Sugden and Rose Haywood--reside in an English village. Maggie's fortunes have soured, and she married the brutal Joe Sugden as a means of staying close to the home lost when her father became ill. She really loves another man, but his family does not see her as "good enough" for their son. The vicar's daughter Rose longs for a different life--one with more freedom than she experiences as the vicar's daughter. It's a pretty typical English village--complete with a busybody. When World War I comes, Maggie eventually finds herself managing the farm. Although villagers doubt her ability to run it (and some try to purchase it), Maggie's determination keeps her afloat--even when her hopes of the man she loves coming to take her to another country crash when word arrives of his death. The ending makes it warm but leaves a lot of unanswered questions that will probably be answered in future installments of the series. There were times I found myself enjoying the book and other times where I tired of it quickly. I am curious about the future so I'll probably continue.

Book 79. A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

Date Completed: 1 September 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Theodosia witnesses a murder, possibly by a serial killer known as Fogheel Jack, as she approaches St. Phillip's Graveyard on a foggy night. She is unable to see him clearly. Although this was the second murder in a week's time, "Fogheel Jack" gained his fame when he committed crimes with a similar m.o. seven years earlier. Theodosia realizes she knows the victim--the daughter of a bookseller near her shop. This one kept me nervous for some time. Every time she'd go out for a run with Earl Gray at night, I'd be afraid she'd have another encounter. Although she tried to keep her boyfriend Detective Pete Riley and his boss Detective Tidwell appraised most of the time, you'd think she would have learned her lesson by now. I was surprised by the perpetrator--something unusual for me.

Book 80. Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham

Date Completed: 3 September 2024

Category: Shakespeare's Peddler

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: After several attempts upon the life of an American judge investigating a crime ring, Campion is hired to protect the man. He saved his life aboard a voyage from America. He takes the judge to a remote manor at Mystery Mile to "protect him." The action begins to pick up at this point with further odd things happening. I found the audio book difficult to follow--not so much because of the accents, but just because I wasn't that interested in this particular mystery.

>71 thornton37814: Clever iPad! I think mine is too old for that feature.

>79 thornton37814: When my mother was alive, one of her favourite TV shows was Emmerdale. It's not shown in Canada so I had no idea what it was about and I was intrigued by your mention of a book. I just got an ebook version and will look forward to a nostalgic visit with my mum's favourite.

>71 thornton37814: I'm going to have to get a smarter tablet!

>82 VivienneR: I saw it on someone else's feed here.

>83 Tess_W: All this technology is too smart for me now. My new car knew where I lived and worked without my telling it. (I'm sure Toyota fed the information into the computer somehow, but still--I'm not sure I like the idea of my car knowing everything about me. Big Brother really is watching us. Might be time to return to my Amish roots. ;-) )

>84 thornton37814: Just got a new smart fridge.....it talks to me: Door ajar, door ajar. My internal temperature is 37.5, time to change my water filter, etc. etc. Gonna see if I can shut her up!

>85 Tess_W: Last night it knew I was going to church without having ever driven there--and it knew which church!

Book 81. Wandering through Life: A Memoir by Donna Leon

Date Completed: 9 September 2024

Category: Ink Circles

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Through a series of essays, Donna Leon tells the story of her life. She shares experiences about her early life and about her experiences teaching English in the Middle East and also in China. Her Middle East adventures included being in Iran during the revolution years of 1978-1979. She later was in Saudi Arabia. She details the game "Saudi-opoly" that she and other teachers created and played but kept a closely guarded secret so they wouldn't land in prison. Eventually, of course, she made her way to join the ex-pat community in Italy, especially her beloved Venice. We see her fascination with bees which led to the plot of one Brunetti work. Her love of opera which appears in a couple of novels is the subject of an essay, and in it we see how her love for this musical genre was birthed. She also describers her love of Handel's music. Her dislike of the cruise ships coming into Venice is the theme of one essay and frequently arises in comments in her novels. Of course, her intense dislike of that led her to move to Switzerland. My library only had the audio version of the book, and although I knew it wasn't Donna Leon reading the book, the narrator's voice seemed to match what you might expect if the author herself had been reading it.

Book 82. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee

Date Completed: 10 September 2024

Category: Sweet Wing Studio

Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Marcy Singer traded her San Francisco lifestyle to become proprietor of a needlework store in Tallulah Falls, Oregon. When an elderly woman brings in a fascinating piece of embroidery dating to the 19th century into her shop and dies while muttering something about finding Ivy, Marcy feels compelled to honor the dying woman's wish. The woman was poisoned. The embroidery piece is less valuable because it had been altered--and the word "ivy" does appear in the altered quote stitched. What did the woman mean by "ivy"? Was it the plant? or was it a person? As Marcy probes into the woman's life, she learns more about her and the secrets she harbored. Then one person to whom Marcy turns for help turns up dead before she can ask her question. It's a nice puzzle, and I did determine who did it and why pretty early--but enough red herrings were thrown out that I re-evaluated my conclusion from time to time to determine if there was a reason to change it.

Book 83. American Flygirl by Susan Tate Ankeny

Date Completed: 10 September 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Source: Interlibrary Loan

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Hazel Ying Lee, a Chinese-American woman, was the first of that ethnic group to become a pilot. She first learned to fly to aid China in its war with Japan, but then she joined the WASPs flying for the United States and assisting in non-combat roles with aviation for the United States. The woman was brought to life through research mostly into the woman's network of friends and associates and into the programs under which she worked. She died in late 1944 as a result of injuries sustained in a fiery collision with another plane on an approach to Great Falls, Montana. It's a great look into the life of a lesser-known female aviator who paved the way for other women and minorities to serve in the military.

>86 thornton37814: Oh my!

>84 thornton37814:, >85 Tess_W:

Having spent 35 years in manufacturing I assure you these "accessories" are rarely for your convenience. Many people find them necessary once they are introduced whether they use them or not. All of these conveniences have big markups and are a good source of income for the manufacturers so they just keep coming. Toyota does make cars that are considered "basic" though I don't know what model they are, I only know that because I did some research a few months ago.

>90 Tess_W: I know.

>91 clue: As low as the inventory is in stores, I suspect that you'd have to wait for months without getting all the bells and whistles "big brother" wants you to have.

>85 Tess_W: Now that really is weird! I'd start walking.

Today my car knew I was heading to the library without being told. It really is scary!

>94 thornton37814: Oh wow. That is a bit scary! I wonder if this is a feature that Toyota can turn off? Locating you in case of an emergency is one thing; following you hither and yon is just, well, intrusive.

>85 Tess_W: My new fridge does chime when I (or DH, more likely) leave the door open too long. I'm just glad I finally have an automatic ice maker. Good luck getting yours to be quiet!

>91 clue: I'm sure that's true. I was thinking more about the accessories that have been added to "basic" cars that we have no choice about. If you buy the car, you get the electronics, and pay for them, whether you want them or not.

>95 threadnsong: It's really the GPS on your phone that is following you--even when you aren't officially using it. The car has Apple play.

>96 clue: I kind of took what was available. You do that when your transmission goes out--and you are either paying an awful rental fee until you find one or taking what you can find within a few days. I had rented a car for a week but was able to return the rental after 3 days. It was nice to have some of that refunded!

Book 84. Burn by Nevada Barr

Date Completed: 18 September 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book

Rating: 2 stars

Review: This is the worst book in this series to date. This installment deals with child trafficking. The parts set in Seattle or written from the mother's point of view are loose, disjointed, and difficult to follow. I'm sure that was her state of mind at the time, so it was Nevada Barr's way of being "literary." Anna Pigeon is taking a break with a friend in New Orleans' French Quarter where she meets the mother, posing as a man, and decides to help her track down her child's kidnappers--even when she could spend time behind bars for not turning in a wanted woman (Clare aka Jordan). Corruption is high in the New Orleans Police Department where the chief is the head of the child trafficking ring. I hope the next installment will find Anna back in a more rugged national park with something a bit more outdoorsy.

Book 85. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell

Date Completed: 22 September 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County digital audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Set during the gilded age when Newport, Rhode Island, was inhabited in summer months by the Vanderbilts, Astors, and others who owned multiple homes, this novel features a distant Vanderbilt relative on good speaking terms with Cornelius' family trying to defend her brother Brady against an erroneous charge of murder. Her brother had been trying to return some stolen railroad acquisition plans to the home's safe, but ended up being framed for murder. While the story was an interesting, the whodunit was pretty obvious to me. She did a lot of stupid things--as many cozy sleuths do. Still, the author's first effort is strong enough to continue the series. The book's wrap-up provides us a hint of where the next installment's crime will take place since her brother Brady will likely be employed there. I listened to the audio version of the book. The one thing that surprised me about the narration was the reader's pronunciation of the word "valet." She used a more British than American pronunciation although dictionaries say it can be pronounced that way even in America.

Book 86. A Scone to Die For by H. Y. Hanna

Date Completed: 23 September 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Kindle

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Gemma returns to England from Australia where she's worked the last nine years. She purchases a tea room which she runs with the assistance of her good friend Cassie and a local chef Fletcher who makes great scones. The morning following an obnoxious American tourist's visit, Gemma finds the man dead in the garden area behind the tea room, choking on a scone. While the DI seems competent enough, his DS who is a bit cocky often overlooks details a more experienced investigator would not. Gemma finds her tea room losing business after one of the less reputable papers sensationalizes the news. She finds herself investigating just to save her tea room. A good plot--and one that made me laugh out loud as it reached its denouement. I don't think Gemma was a very good detective. She did a lot of things cozy amateur sleuths do that irritate readers. I do, however, think the author needs to believe her audience is intelligent enough to know how to look up a British term of speech if it is one with which they are unfamiliar. I got very tired of the explanations offered way too often of things most readers already know. I'll be back just for more adventures with Muesli, the cat.

I made it over 4.5 years without COVID. That streak came to an end Friday night when I tested positive. I had not felt well that morning, but my temperature was only 98.2 so I went to work, knowing that was at least a half degree above the high end of my normal range. I felt progressively worse as the day went on. I decided to break out a COVID test--just in case--fully expecting it was nothing more than the typical sinus infection. I had not been exposed to my knowledge. Surprise! It was a positive test. I'm home at least through Wednesday. Hoping I test negative and can then wear a mask and stay mostly in my office the rest of the week. I definitely tire easily, and I thought I was going to pass out cooking something in a skillet last night. I am sticking to what I can microwave or air fry until I can tell I'm doing better.

Sorry to hear you have come down with it, Lori. Hope you are feeling better soon!

>101 thornton37814: I'm sorry you broke your impressive streak. I will advise you to get as much rest as your body wants rather than trying to power through. I'm sure your boys will keep you company as you recover.

>101 thornton37814: So sorry to hear you succumbed to COVID. I hope it is not too bad and you are back to good health soon.

>101 thornton37814: I'm sorry to hear that, Lori. I hope it passes quickly and without serious after-effects.

>102 DeltaQueen50: Thanks. It really zaps your stamina.

>103 RidgewayGirl: I have mostly been resting. I don't have a clue where I contacted the virus--likely at church or work.

>104 VivienneR: I think it is gradually improving, but it may take a bit longer to get back to normal.

>105 MissWatson: Thanks. I really pray for none of that long-term COVID. I don't think I'll have it. I think my case has been mild for the most part. I never lost taste as some do, and it's mostly been like a sinus infection except that the fever was a little higher and it zapped my stamina.

>101 thornton37814: I haven't had that rotten stuff either but it's been pretty bad in this area again so I don't now how long I can escape it. I've read the government is going to make new tests available to everyone again. Take care.

>101 thornton37814: I am sorry to hear of your illness and hope you are better soon. I recall when we had it two years ago and it was an unpleasant few days.

>107 clue: I'll make sure to restock on tests if they make them available again. I still have a few, but I'm not sure how many I'll need before I test negative. I'm still pretty stuffy so I'm fairly certain I would still be positive if I tested today. Fortunately I have until tomorrow evening before I need to test. I'm not convinced I'll be COVID-free at that point.

>108 LadyoftheLodge: I don't think it is quite as bad as it once was, but it's bad enough!

Book 87. An East End Murder by Charles Finch

Date Completed: 26 September 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Source: Knox County Public Library ebook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: A very short story where Lenox investigates the death of a man who earns his living catching rats. There's very little mystery to this one--just a few conversations and an a-ha moment.

Lori, I'm sorry Covid finally got you. I hope it continues to be mild.

I'm amazed that your car seems to know so much about you - I wonder what it would do if you decided to go somewhere else at exactly the time you normally go to church. Next time would it ask whether you were going to church A or grocery store B?! And your poor iPad, thinking you'd abandoned it :-) I think I have "find my gadget" on my phone and tablet, but I haven't needed to use it yet.

>111 susanj67: I've used the "Find my" app a couple of times--usually when it slid between the seats because the phone lets me figure out where it is. I'm sure I confused it this week by staying home when I should be going to work or church.

How are you feeling, Lori?

>113 RidgewayGirl: I'm feeling better. I'm just really saddened by all the flooding, but thankful for the successful rescues taking place in East TN/Western NC today. The national guard and a helicopter unit from a Virginia hospital helped evacuate the Erwin, TN hospital because the current was too swift for water rescue. They were also evacuating the Elizabethton, TN hospital because the Watauga was rising. I think they were getting to it before it got to the same stage as the one in Erwin did. I have a friend who lives in nearby White Pine who is stuck in Hickory, NC tonight because both I-40 and I-26 are closed. She's going to go north on I-77 and then down I-81 tomorrow to try to get home. (I know there was flooding off I-81 exit 45 in Virginia, but I'm hoping it isn't over the interstate.)

>114 thornton37814: I've been seeing the stories of roads washed away and towns flooded. It's scary stuff. We're getting the tail end of the hurricane up here in Illinois now, and while it's just some wind and rain, it's hard to conceive of a hurricane managing to make it all the way here from Florida.

>101 thornton37814: I'm sorry you caught covid and hope you feel better soon!

>114 thornton37814: How scary. I hope your friend can reach her home soon.

Lori- Glad you are feeling better.
The floods and destruction is so sad. Prayers for the lives lost and pray people will be safe.

>115 RidgewayGirl: We aren't used to all of this rain. One local meteorologist offered 3-day totals for the area, and my town had 13.9 inches.

>116 MissBrangwen: My friend did make it home yesterday. I told her that I'd seen that sinkholes were trying to form on I-81 and that I just kept praying she would make it home. She said she had no problems getting back.

>117 mnleona: The floods are devastating. One of the volunteers at "God's Warehouse" (our disaster relief center) lost her house, farm, and 80% of her livestock in the Nolichucky River flooding in our county. Our missions pastor reported on the outreach so far from the disaster relief and what was being done so far by them, our church, and sister churches.

>118 thornton37814: Take care, Lori. VictoriaPL has been without power since the storm.

>101 thornton37814: Sorry about Covid. I had it in 2021 and crossing fingers I don't get any of the variants. Like you, I work with lots o' people!

>119 RidgewayGirl: I am very fortunate we had such a short outage here. There were people here who were without longer, but I think all power was restored within 5 or 6 days.

>120 Tess_W: It's hard to know where I might have picked it up. The possibilities are numerous. I just didn't know anyone with whom I'd been in contact who had it.

Hope you are feeling better from your bout of COVID. And I have friends in the Western NC region who weren't affected themselves but had neighbors with trees that fell. Or they were traveling and told where they were from and had an incredible amount of sympathy for living through the flooding and after effects.

It sounds like things are maybe back to normal for you?

Oh, and I meant to say, I read Heaven and Earth Grocery Store recently and OMG just really, really loved it. Thank you for posting your review - I was able to make the decision to read it next in my pile because of it!

>122 threadnsong: I'm mostly recovered. I won't say my stamina is 100% but it's at least 85% of what it was beforehand, so it's pretty good. As far as the flooding, there is still much to do in our area and will be for some time. I heard that the repairs to I-40 which were supposed to be to September 2025 are now not expected to be complete until 2028 because they are going to have to do more work than initially thought and because they detected erosion in the next curve also. Fortunately I-26 repairs (which is putting in a bridge) is expected in March 2025 (although I expect it will take longer--it always does).

>123 threadnsong: I'm glad you enjoyed it too. I'd put off reading it because I was afraid it wasn't my thing. It may end up being my best read of the year.

Book 88. Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah

Date Completed: about 4 October 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Kennedy, Lindsey's friend and assistant baker at the Beacon Bakeshop, arranges for a ghosthunter team to come. When the dead body of a teacher is found on the tree outside the lighthouse bakery, Lindsey helps the authorities investigate. Lindsey finds a variety of suspects with varying degrees of motives for wanting the well-liked teacher dead. While I didn't enjoy the Halloween elements as much as some would, I did enjoy the mystery itself. I listened to the digital audiobook.

Book 89. A Refiner's Fire by Donna Leon

Date Completed: about 11 October 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Griffoni is on duty one evening when members of a youth gang are arrested. When one parent fails to pick up his child, she walks the boy near home where neighbors offer to take care of the boy and make sure he gets to school. When legal threats begin to occur, it causes Brunetti to take a closer look at the father who was involved in a Middle East military incident that caused Italy's involvement to be short-lived in the area. He discovers a cover-up in place and discovers the "hero" father was not really that. A subplot find Guido in the confidence of Questura coroner Rizzardi whose neighbor's son is threatening him and trying to trip him. When Rizzardi lands in the hospital, evidence is collected from the home and his statue collection is found mostly smashed. When the gang enters an alliance with a rival gang, Brunetti and other Questura members stand ready to bring them in . . . and the boy's father finds an opportunity to show heroism.

Early voting in TN opened today. I voted! It's fair to say that some of you will like my choices and others will not.

>127 thornton37814: I voted in IN by mail, and my thoughts are the same as yours regarding my choices.

>128 LadyoftheLodge: I know. We seem to be so polarized as a nation now. People used to know how to get along even if they didn't agree politically. Nowadays no one seems to know how to be civil to someone who disagrees with their political position.

We are on fall break so I decided to join the seniors from church in a trip to the Gatlinburg Craftsman's Fair and to eat at Carver's Applehouse and Orchard. Today I will begin the process of dehydrating (with the dehydrator I got last year at Christmas) some of the apples I purchased. I didn't get a huge amount, but I did get enough to make some fried pies around Thanksgiving when the family is gathered at my brother's house to hold and enjoy the baby due November 15. I did pretty well last time and hope I do as well this time in my efforts!

>127 thornton37814: Yay go you! I plan to vote next week. And yes, the polarization in our country is just astounding.

>130 thornton37814: Mmmm, fried pies. This sounds like a great trip you went on, and I hope you enjoy your new non-stitching project.

>131 threadnsong: I had to find a time when I would be home to check on the apples at the 8 hour mark and then be able to continue up to 12 hours before I could dehydrate the apples. I'm going to dry them overnight tonight. Tomorrow is my day to go in late to work since I work the evening shift, so I should be able to manage them. Apparently there are a variety of conditions that contribute to whether they'll be done on the early side of that or the later side. I'll start peeling a little later this evening so that I can get them turned on around 10 pm. I'll check on them when Barney awakens me at 6 am. They should be done by 10 am at the latest which gives me time to seal them in bags.

>132 thornton37814: My apples took the longest time to dry--I'm thinking it was 2 days!

>133 Tess_W: It says you should cut them no thicker than 1/4 inch on my dehydrator and says they will do at the suggested temperature in 8-12 hours, but that you should check them at 8. It was probably just a little over 8 hours when I checked mine, and they were ready. I'll probably do a second batch Tuesday night when I return from the cross stitch group. It took longer to core, peel, and cut than anything else.

>134 thornton37814: I have a peeler/corer thingy with a hand crank that works marvelously. Mine seemed to be that thin....hmmmm!

>135 Tess_W: I've seen those gadgets but never used one.

Book 90. Muffin But Murder by Victoria Hamilton

Date Completed: 23 October 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Tennessee Reads e-book

Rating: 1 star

Review: I'm done with this series! Cranston alleges he is co-heir of the castle Melvyn left to Merry Wynter. Merry knows a DNA test will resolve the claim one way or another. In the meantime, a murder happens at a party Merry holds as she courts potential buyers for the castle. I fail to connect with any of the characters and found it a chore to read. I finally skimmed the rest just to make sure I had the "whodunit" correct.

Book 91. Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower

Date Completed: 24 October 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Back from New York, Bailey has been asked to create a giant toffee rabbit for the town's Easter celebration. Stephen Raber, the Amish bunny farmer, suddenly collapses of an apparent heart attack right in front of Bailey and Margot. About the same time a break-in is discovered at the church, and the evidence shows toffee has been made. The toxicology reports for Stephen and for the church toffee show the deadly lily of the valley has been added to the toffee. Bailey enjoys her relationship with Deputy Aiden Brody. His mom and her pig Jethro are in there. Bailey finds herself caring for Stephen Raber's pet bunny Puff. This series is a fun read because the author created a fun community in Holmes County, Ohio. I like it less when the series leaves the community behind and Bailey goes off to New York. There are some interesting developments in the book--more related to the community than to the mystery. I listened to the audiobook.

Book 92. A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert

Date Completed: 5 November 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Rating: 3 stars

Review: As Amy and Richard prepare for their wedding, she gets embroiled in yet another case. Oscar Salvaggio, an art dealer of questionable reputation, dies under suspicious circumstances at a party hosted by Kurt Kendrick. Among the suspects are Kurt and Amy's brother Scott who works in some sort of intelligence. Kurt is suspected because he and Salvaggio were competing over a rare book. Scott's mysterious disappearnce fuels suspicion on him, particularly when he had been seen with Salvaggio. There are plenty of twists and turns, but Amy seems to be a little less involved than in some cases because of her upcoming marriage. It also has tie-ins with a long ago case involving someone working under the name Esmerelda. While I've not really grown attached to any of the recurring characters in the series, the mysteries remain interesting enough to keep me engaged. I listened to the audio version.

Book 93. A Truth Revealed by Tracie Peterson

Date Completed: 7 November 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Laura Evans spent her life after her mother died in boarding schools. Now her father Granite Evans wants her with him in Wyoming Territory because of his political aspirations. Laura is a woman of faith, but it quickly becomes apparent her father is not. She meets women with whom readers are acquainted because of previous books in the series who invite her to attend the Methodist Church with them. She enjoys it very much. She also meets Will Porter who seeks an appointment as a minister to the Native Americans. Then his mother and sister are killed in what appears to be a savage Indian attack. Will becomes injured, and Laura offers to be his convalescent nurse. When Laura's father gives her an engraved piece of jewelry, Laura's eyes are opened. This is a well-written work of Christian fiction with a bit of a twist to it. Readers will enjoy it, and although many of the characters are definitely Christian in their outlook, the author avoids being preachy, broadening its appeal. I received a digital ebook through LibraryThing Early Reviewers with the expectation of an honest review.

Book 94. Auntie D's Recipes by Danielle Ackley-McPhail

Date Completed: 9 November 2024

Category: Blue Flower

Rating: 3 stars

Review: The author admits her first effort at cooking was less than successful, but an opportunity to learn from an experienced cooking instructor led her to a passion for cooking. In this book, she shares a few recipes in several categories. While some recipes offered color photos of the dish being made, too many of them lacked them. Most of the recipes are pretty basic, but a few go just a little further. I always think the true test of a cookbook is whether or not there are any recipes that excite you enough to give them a try. There were two or three I might eventually make, but I'll probably stick with my own tried and true recipes for many of the things featured. I received a PDF through LibraryThing Early Reviewers with the expectation of an honest review.

Book 95. Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany

Date Completed: 9 November 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Source: Knox County Public Library Digital Audiobook

Rating: 4 stars

Review: When Lily Roberts goes antiquing to find additional tea sets to replace some that were broken, she comes across a children's Peter Rabbit tea set which charms her. When the dealer offers a 20% discount in hopes of getting her business in the future, she can't resist it. However, it isn't long until a woman shows up demanding that Lily sell it to her because it had belonged to her mother and her brother had no right to sell it. It is in use, but Lily tells her to come back after closing. After that, the woman's sister--someone Lily knew from her New York pastry chef days--turns up looking for the set. The first woman ends up getting a room at Lily's grandmother Rose's B & B. Lily soon discovers the woman's husband is her own ex-boyfriend and restauranteur Wesley. There's also a brother and a long time family employee. Of course, when the sister who got the tea set is murdered on the premises of Victoria by the Sea, Lily finds herself doing some more amateur sleuthing, much to the annoyance of Detectives Williams and Redmond. Lily, of course, is assisted by Bernie and her grandmother. The garden shed is torched as well. This was a much stronger installment than the last one and probably my favorite in the series to date. I listened to the audiobook.

Book 96. What's in a Phrase? : Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

Date Completed: 10 November 2024

Category: Praiseworthy Stitches

Source: Tennessee Reads e-book

Rating: 3 stars

Review: I had higher expectations for this book than it delivered. The author paused to meditate on phrases of Scripture, but sometimes the speculative nature or whimsy of her meditations turned me off. In other places her uses of language associated with some of the newer Christian heresies which contain just enough truth to lead others astray turned me off. The ones I enjoyed were ones which stuck more closely to the sense of the passage at hand. McEntyre is an accomplished writer, but readers will need to read these reflections with a discerning eye.

I found one I missed reporting back in September. I don't know what date I completed it, but I do know I checked it out September 14 according to Libby.



Book 97. Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger

Date Completed: September 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Source: Knox County Public Library audio book

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Cork, reinstated as sheriff, is called out to a home where shots are fired. A deputy is shot, but not killed. The case leads Cork to investigate someone who meant a lot to Jo in his past and puts his family in danger. He also seeks help from his contacts on the Ojibwe Reservation. An interesting installment.

>142 thornton37814: I have this book and liked it. Maybe I should do a re-read.

>145 mnleona: It's a fun series. I went for it because it was available when I was looking although I'd just listened to the previous installment over the summer. I usually space them out a bit more. I'd probably found several unavailable when looking and just grabbed the first thing I could find.

Glad to hear that your apple drying went well (all those posts ago!), and you've completed some good cozy mysteries in between. I think I'll check another one or two off my list next month.

Hope all is well with you these days.

>147 threadnsong: I have several that I need to report, I think--mostly audio books--although I may have omitted a print one or two as well. I'll have to figure it out.

I've been bad and haven't kept track of the dates I finished some of the books I'm getting ready to post, but they are all November or December finishes. I'm going to just guess the month finished for them. I'm sure it will be fairly accurate.

Book 98. The Seagull by Ann Cleeves

Date Completed: November 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Review: DI Vera Stanhope speaks to a group of prisoners. After meeting with a prisoner and finding a missing body from long ago as a result of the meeting, she looks into an old case involving her father and some of his friends and acquaintances as well as the prisoner. It centers around a nightclub called The Seagull. She also checks on the prisoner's daughter in exchange for the information on the burial location. It was an interesting mystery with layers that appeal to mystery readers. I listened to the audio version.

Book 99. The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston

Date Completed: November 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Review: When Amish widow Leanna is called to pick up her son at the police station, she gets her father to accompany her. She meets Emory, the father of a teenage girl, who also was in the wrong place. Leanna makes jellies which she sells at the farmer's market. He encounters her. The two of them begin talking by enjoying coffee at her cousin's coffee corner. Leanna's son Chester did not enjoy his job so he begins working with Emory. Emory's daughter Maggie enjoys being with Leanna as well. Of course, there must be a love triangle, so there is another woman Madelyne that Emory's sister is trying to promote. I've truly enjoyed this entire series.

Book 100. Wife of Moon by Margaret Coel

Date Completed: November 2024

Category: Country Cottage Needleworks

Rating: 3.5 stars

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Review: This installment involves a re-enactment for a photographer done in 1907 as well as the present-day. It tells the story of a cover-up that Father John and Arapaho attorney Vicki Holden investigate. In the 1907 re-enactment, the Arapaho chief's daughter was killed. Photos are found in the archives on the reservation, and the archivist disappears. I continue to enjoy this older series.

Book 101. The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

Date Completed: November 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Review: The body of an American cartographer who served with the British army in France is discovered. His family wants Maisie to find a female nurse with whom they believe he was involved. When Maisie sees the autopsy, she knows the man was not killed in the attack but was murdered. The man's family is also attacked in their hotel room. In the meanwhile, Maisie's mentor Maurice is in poor health. She takes a new step in her personal life as well. This is a strong installment in the series.

Book 102. Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

Date Completed: December 2024

Category: Rosewood Manor

Rating: 3.5 stars

Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Review: Mrs. Holloway helps a woman whose husband amassed debts--mostly from gambling--and whose home has been burgled. The woman is Lady Cynthia's friend. Valuable artwork was taken. Mrs. Holloway immediately suspects the husband, but she needs more than her hunch. In the meantime, she discovers Daniel working in a pawn shop. The two catch up a bit. She discovers there are other thefts, and he sends James around with a girl named Tess to replace the kitchen helper who left. She knows Daniel has a connection to the police, but she's not quite sure what his true status is. I'm enjoying this series for the mysteries and characters.

Book 103. The Woman on the Island by Ann Cleeves

Date Completed: December 2024

Category: Plum Street Samplers

Rating: 3.5 stars

Source: Knox county e-book

Review: This short story gives Vera's back story as it tells how a visit to the Holy Island makes Vera recall an incident that happened years ago when Vera accompanied her father to the island, allegedly in search of birds' eggs. Instead she saw her father rendezvous with a red-headed woman. The incident lead to Vera's police career. It's always nice to visit with Vera and to catch these glimpses of what made her who she is.

Book 104. A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston

Date Completed: December 2024

Category: Heartstring Samplery

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Tennessee Reads digitial audiobook

Review: Amish widow Hannah works at the Lancaster Grand Hotel as a housekeeper. Her deceased husband's family is not happy she works outside the home, but she feels she must do so to bring in some money to support her children. She knocks on a door. There is no answer, but when she enters, she thinks she hears someone and is soon greeted by a man who is not wearing a shirt. She is embarrassed, apologizes, and leaves. The man Trey seeks her to apologize. They learn they have both lost spouses and have much in common. He has plans to open a bed and breakfast in the area. This has always been her dream, but she doesn't want to leave her Amish community. She has three children. One girl secretly wants to become a veterinarian. Another loves being Amish and scolds her mother for falling in love with an "Englischer". The son loves the horse farm, especially his special horse. Her deceased husband's brother Joshua also wants to court her, but she doesn't feel anything for him. With complications with either choice, what will she choose?

>153 thornton37814: - Someone in our book group picked the first Masie Dobbs book for our book club read for February so, since I'm further along in the series, I decided to listen to it this time. I'm actually ready to read the one just before this one that you read so I've skipped your comments for now.

>157 dudes22: I understand. I am further behind than a lot on the Maisie Dobbs series because I really didn't enjoy the first couple nearly as much. I am glad I eventually got back to the series though because I've enjoyed it.

Happy Christmas, Lori! I hope you enjoy your day and manage to get some reading in :-)

>155 thornton37814: I've been slow getting to that one because short stories are always the last I choose. Moving it up, based on your opinion.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year. I look forward to following your reading.