He's Rich, Young, Handsome, Tortured, Gay, and... Dead The Bright Silver Star, David Handler (2003) This is the third in David Handler's Berger and Mitry Mystery series. As always, I will sprinkle in random passages because they are just so Connecticut. I read this book over Christmas week when I was at my … [Read more...]
Book Review: new haven noir
NwahNoir new haven noir, Anthology Collected & Edited by Amy Bloom (2017) I'll admit to some personal bias up front: I was pretty stoked to read this book. Proper noir is one of my favorite genres for one, but throw in the "everything takes place in New Haven written by people who are or were intimately familiar … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Hot Pink Farmhouse
Tony Dorset The Hot Pink Farmhouse, David Handler (2002) This is the second in David Handler's Berger and Mitry Mystery series. As always, I will sprinkle in random passages because they are just so Connecticut. I'm trying. Really, I am. I'm trying to get past the absurdity of this series of mysteries all … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Cold Blue Blood
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...]