I need to clean house a little but, but lt me start with my new prompt! I wanted to have "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" but over the course of the year. The "old" prompt has fizzled (more below), and now it is time for something "new". It is always fun thinking about how I will match book to prompt. I have a few books with "new" in the title and then I thought maybe I could start something "new". I love mysteries and I have many series on the go (maybe not all at the same time--some I really need to return to, but there is always room for a new series). So why not try a new series that I have on my TBR. Here are a few "new" choices.
Everything You Have is Mine, Sandra Scoppettone -- "The debut of the Lauren Laurano murder mystery series. Lauren Laurano is surely not the first gay P.I. in New York City, but she is in a class by herself. When she's on a case she becomes obsessed by it. Lovely, shy Lake Huron has been raped but refuses to talk. Before Lauren can learn more, Lake is killed, and as Lauren moves closer to the truth, her own life is enangered and she discovers a family's past can't always stay buried...."
Twenty-One Days, Anne Perry -- A new series by Perry! "1910: Twenty-five-year-old Daniel Pitt is a junior barrister in London and eager to prove himself, independent of his renowned parents’ influence. And the new case before him will be the test. When his client, arrogant biographer Russell Graves, is found guilty of murdering his wife, Daniel is dispatched to find the real killer before Graves faces the hangman’s noose—in only twenty-one days."
Murder on Bamboo Lane, Naomi Hirahara -- "Bike cop Ellie Rush dreams of becoming a homicide detective, but it’s still a shock when the first dead body she encounters on the job is that of a former college classmate. At the behest of her Aunt Cheryl, the highest-ranking Asian-American officer in the LAPD (a source of pride for Ellie’s grandmother, but annoyance to her mom), Ellie becomes tangled in the investigation of the coed’s murder—with equal parts help and hindrance from her nosy best friend, her over-involved ex-boyfriend, a smoldering detective, and seemingly everyone else in her extended family…only to uncover secrets that a killer may go to any lengths to ensure stay hidden." (I like the promise of a 'smoldering' detective, too)!
Evil Things, Katja Ivar -- "STARRED REVIEW PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Stiletto-tongued Hella tries to behave professionally like a man, but she defies male authority by using her instinct for detecting half-truths and her compassion for the weak to try to solve what initially appears to be a minor missing person case. With the discovery of the body of a Soviet doctor, it mushrooms into something much more complex involving institutional corruption and international intrigue. The unusual setting and psychologically complex heroine will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment."
The Sunday Philosophy Club, Alexander McCall Smith -- "Introducing Isabel Dalhousie the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and an occasional detective, has been accused of getting involved in problems that are, quite frankly, none of her business.
In this first installment, Isabel is attending a concert in the Usher Hall when she witnesses a man fall from the upper balcony. Isabel can't help wondering whether it was the result of mischance or mischief. Against the best advice of her no-nonsense housekeeper Grace, her bassoon playing friend Jamie, and even her romantically challenged neice Cat, she is morally bound to solve this case. Complete with wonderful Edinburgh atmosphere and characters straight out of a Robert Burns poem."
A Death of No Importance, Mariah Fredericks -- "Mariah Fredericks’ A Death of No Importance is told by a young and reticent―but gimlet-eyed―ladies’ maid. She’s employed by an Edith Wharton-esque New York City family, but after the murder of a young cad who was engaged to her mistress, she’s drawn into the police investigation. Crossing social class lines and making tart observations, she succeeds at both finding the murderer and keeping secrets. Fredericks has written a taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail.―Susan Elia MacNeal"
The New House, Lettice Cooper -- "All that outwardly happens in The New House,' writes Jilly Cooper in her Persephone Preface, 'is over one long day a family moves from a large imposing secluded house with beautiful gardens to a small one overlooking a housing estate. But all the characters and their relationships with each other are so lovingly portrayed that one cares passionately what happens even to the unpleasant ones."
The New Girls, Beth Gutcheon -- "The New Girls is a resonant, engrossing novel about five girls during their formative prep-school years in the tumultuous mid-sixties. Into their reality of first-class trips to Europe, resort vacations, and deb parties enter the Vietnam War, the women's movement, and the sexual revolution. As the old traditions collide with the new society, the girls lose their innocence, develop a social conscience, and discover their sexuality - blossoming into women shaped by their turbulent times."
I wonder if I could squeeze in two books this month like I did last month?
Back in, was it February (!), my prompt was "someting old" and I picked a novel by Susanna Kearsley, who I normally love, but the novel I chose is just not working for me. It is perhaps timing, but the time slip story which has two parallel threads was appealing, but only one of the threads was really drawing me in. The other made me not want to pick up the book. I did try again, but I think I will do better with one of these books instead. An "old" story in the case of the bottom two, and in the top--I guess these days a book published in the 70s-80s is probably old, but if nothing else they are "old" books!
So, in a sense I do get to pick two books this month! The make-up February book may not be completed this month, but maybe it will . . .