Blue Bloods and Blood. Lots of Blood. The Cold Blue Blood, David Handler (2001) This is the first in David Handler's Berger and Mitry Mystery series I'm going to introduce this mystery series by using the publisher's introduction: Welcome to the quaint historic village of Dorset, the jewel of Connecticut's … [Read more...]
Book Review: One of Windsor
Left Me Hanging a Bit One of Windsor, Beth M. Caruso (2015) I dunno... I'm just not a big fan of "historical fiction" I guess. I like good books on history, and I like good works of fiction well enough. But there's always something so awkward when the two genres meet and mingle. I'm sure there are countless … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Night Before
Let's Do the Twist The Night Before By Wendy Walker The most impressive bit about The Night Before is the author, Wendy Walker. I don't know her, but I know someone who does (which prompted me to read this book) and her life's path to arrive at being a best-selling author is impressive. Walker holds degrees … [Read more...]
Book Review: Fish in a Tree
Fish Out of Water Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt (2017) My 4th grader is a decent reader. It's not his preferred leisure activity, but still... he's a decent reader. One thing he doesn't read is this website - let alone book reviews on this website. So I forgive him for just happening to nonchalantly mention a … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Courage of Sarah Noble
So Noble The Courage of Sarah Noble, Alice Dalgliesh (1952) Not being from Connecticut, I'd never heard of this book until 2021... about 40 years later than would have been the ideal target age for it. And I don't really know if Sarah Noble is very well known outside of western Connecticut - more specifically New … [Read more...]
Book Review: Ring in the Dead
EAT It Ring in the Dead, J.A. Jance (2013) This novella is terrible. I honestly don't understand why the author, J.A. Jance, is popular and successful. Perhaps her long-form fiction is much better and these short serialized novellas just aren't her bag. I have no idea. Speaking of having no idea, you likely … [Read more...]
Book Review: Old Newgate Road
Old, New, and the Gate Between the Two Old Newgate Road, Keith Scribner My list of "Connecticut Books" is a late edition to the CTMQ pantheon. It's one of those lists that will never be completed in any meaningful way - both because I'm not immortal and because I'll never know of all the books that could or should … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Invisible Island
The Good Old Days The Invisible Island, Dean Marshall This book is a joy. Written in 1948, The Great Depression and WWII were behind us and the Cold War had yet to really get going, these were the halcyon days for (wealthy, white) Americans. The world was a safe place and children were allowed to venture … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Night Country
Ghosted The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan (2004) West Hartford Library Even if this book was terrible, I'd still kind of love it. Stewart O'Nan has a thing for setting his stories in the very real places that he knows best. I'd previously read Last Night at the Lobster which is set, more or less, at the mall … [Read more...]
CT Books, Movies, People, & Stories
Connecticut Books, People, & Essays I probably shouldn’t have ever begun reading and writing about Connecticut books. It’s just one of those lists that I can’t possibly “finish” in any meaningful way. But that’s fine, I don’t mind. If you’re is into books, I also review non-Connecticut hiking books and the Modern … [Read more...]