Passport to Peril

If you haven't read Maddy Hunter's books in the Passport to Peril series, do. Senior Iowans tour the world with murder in their wake. Some of the funniest books I've read in quite a while.

In order: Alpine for You - Switzerland; Top o' the Mournin' - Ireland; Pasta Imperfect - Italy; Hula Done It? - Hawaii. I haven't read her newest, G'Day to Die - Australia.

By the way, even the artwork on Maddy's site is outrageous.
 

Grafton's S is for Silence

I thought for a bit that it was just me, but no, reviewers found S is for Silence by Sue Grafton as difficult to deal with as I did.

I don't have a problem with writers trying something new, but isn't it a bit late in the series? The technique in question is the alternating points of view. One minute you're in the present, the next chapter you're back in 1953 looking through someone else's eyes! You really have to pay attention to chapter headings. Even chapter headings in fiction is a tad weird. But you can understand why Grafton used them - even having those clues as to time and person change, I still didn't always know where I was.

The Short Story Mystery

I've been reading "The Best American Mystery Stories 2004" Nelson DeMille, editor.

This particular collection has been something of a disappointment. Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be very little "mystery" involved. Good characterizations, and good story telling but no clues, no crime to solve, no detectives for the most part. Just a story. I guess I expect more when I see the word "mystery."

A mystery is a mystery

Did you ever consider how much reading mysteries helps in day to day life?

As I go about my daily work (answering help line calls), I find that I ask questions to help clarify the problem, and follow any and all clues to help resolve the issue. Does this sound like many of the detectives in mysteries or what?

Of course, this procedure also applies outside of work. It seems like there are always problems in our lives where we need to ask the right questions and follow the clues to get to the right answer.

Oh, well, maybe this is all just an excuse to keep doing what I like to do - read mysteries.

Bell, Book and Scandal

Bell, Book and Scandal by Jill Churchill is a fun read for anyone who has been to a murder mystery convention such as Murder in the Grove or Love is Murder.

Her sleuth, aspiring author Jane Jeffry, attends sessions, networks with other writers, even pitches her novel to editors and agents. The only real surprise was that there were no dead bodies in the book.

Cheryl Hagedorn's Virtual Book Tour

I know, I know. It's been a while since I blogged. But how's this for exciting -- mystery author Cheryl Hagedorn will be stopping the Mystery Buff's blog on her virtual book tour!

Book clubs! Hagedorn's book, PARK RIDGE: A Senior Center Murder, comes with discussion questions. To read excerpts. Hagedorn also has a blog called Senior Center Murders.

The date for her visit is Friday, May 18. Be sure to come back then so you can chat with a live author.