Women Who Sleuth Week 5: Muller and Paretsky

This week we continued with private eye novels, talking about the first V. I. Warshawski novel, Indemnity Only and a later Sharon McCone mystery, The Broken Promise Land.  There was discussion about how these books fit into the women’s movement, the risks that the detectives take, the role of their relationships and decisions not to have children.  The question was raised as to whether they are meant to be based on the characters of the male loner detectives of Marlowe and Hammet.

I have read all of Marcia Muller’s Sharon McCone mysteries and was happy to re visit this title that is set in the world of country music.  The case involves threats that are made to country star, Ricky Savage, who is married to one of Sharon’s sisters.  Long term readers of the series will enjoy the family updates while, readers new to the series, can still enjoy the book.  Of note though, Sharon has various relationships before hers with Hy; these are told in earlier books.

The V. I. books are classics in their field.  They are written by a very well educated author who loves Chicago and makes the place almost another character in the series.  This book showcases V. I.’s first case.  I found that I enjoyed the Muller book more.  If  you read both, let me know what you think.

The Broken Promise Land (A Sharon McCone Mystery Book 17) by [Muller, Marcia]

From Publishers Weekly

Muller surpasses herself with this vigorous and trenchant mystery thriller, exploring stardom and family life, ambition and revenge, loneliness and conflicting loyalties. In her 17th appearance (after A Wild and Lonely Place and Wolf in the Shadows), the continuously evolving San Francisco PI Sharon McCone, now the head of her own small firm, learns from her brother-in-law, country music megastar Ricky Savage, of increasingly incoherent anonymous notes being sent to his unlisted address, all asking the same question: “Whatever happened to my song?” Agreeing to investigate, Sharon is propelled into both the twisted, oversized world of celebrity and the more intimate devastation occurring within her sister Charlene’s family. At the Savage mansion in San Diego hills, Sharon and her lover, security specialist Hy Ripinsky, find the family in turmoil, with Ricky and Charlene, who has found someone new, on the verge of divorce. As the threats escalate to include the six Savage children, safeguards are breached and Ricky’s manager is injured in a shooting. With Ricky’s major tour approaching, Sharon links the notes to an aspiring singer with whom Ricky had a one-night stand in Texas years before, a woman who pursued him so relentlessly he sent two of his band members, now deceased, to rough her up. While Sharon’s associate and friend Rae Kelleher is increasingly involved in tracking down the Texas singer-and with Ricky-Sharon wonders if she and Hy might also be drifting apart. Leading Sharon into the rocky psychological terrain of families, Muller gives her meticulously plotted story, with its absorbing picture of the music industry, a commanding emotional authenticity. Mystery Guild selection.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Indemnity Only: A V. I. Warshawski Novel (30th Anniversary Edition) (V.I. Warshawski Novels Book 1) by [Paretsky, Sara]From a bookseller page:
Meeting an anonymous client late on a sizzling summer night is asking for trouble. But trouble is Chicago private eye V. I. Warshawski’s specialty. Her client says he’s the prominent banker John Thayer. Turns out he’s not. He says his son’s girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. Turns out that’s not her real name.

V. I.’s search turns up someone soon enough—the real John Thayer’s son, and he’s dead. Who’s V. I.’s client? Why has she been set up and sent out on a wild-goose chase? By the time she’s got it figured, things are hotter—and deadlier—than Chicago in July. V. I.’s in a desperate race against time. At stake: a young woman’s life.

To make the youngest Anne fans. My First L.M. Montgomery #LucyMaudMontgomery #NetGalley

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The Little People, Big Dreams series makes books for even littler people! This one is part of the My First…series. It simply tells the story of the author of the Anne of Green Gables books. Children will learn about Lucy, who was raised by her grandparents. She had imagination and found a way to write her beloved classic novels.

This book provides an easy introduction to the author. It is nicely and engagingly illustrated. I, myself, want to collect all these books!

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Encouraging autonomy for preschoolers: Caillou-I Can Do It Myself (L’Heureux and Kary) #CaillouICanDoItMyself #NetGalley

This brightly illustrated book delivers an empowering message to young children: yes, they can do and try to do many things for themselves.  Caillou wants to dress and undress himself, carry dishes to the table and help clear and more.  Sometimes it is easy, sometimes less so.  Caillou’s dad is patient and encouraging to him.  Caillou then is able to take chances.  This is briefly contrasted with a child whose mom does for her what she wants to do.  It is clear which is the preferred path for parents and children.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.  It is one that deserves a place on young children’s home or nursery school shelves.

Loss for little ones: Mama Bird Loses an Egg (Fournier and Chloloula) #MamaBirdLostAnEgg #NetGalley

The illustrations in this short book are beautiful and full of the wonder of nature.  They form the background to a story that is about a mother bird who loses an egg.  Clearly, this is an anthropomorphized story about miscarriage.  The listener sees how the mama bird’s living child tries to cheer her up as the two go on a flight that shows the beauty of their world.  When they return home, Mama Bird feels better.

This book fills a niche as there are few stories that explain miscarriage to young children. For this reason, it is a valuable resource. The book is sweet but may leave young ones feeling not only that they make their parents happy but also feeling that it is up to them to make things better.  Parents should reassure children that this is not their responsibility but that family love does make things better. This book can open up a tough subject for young children and their parents.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Now in paperback (Davis and Center)

This is Fiona Davis’s third New York City based historical novel and it is a winner! I have not read her earlier books,The Address and The Dollhouse, but may well do so now.
The Masterpiece has a dual narrative structure, one story is set in the 1920s-30’s and the other in the 1970s. The stories of Clara Darden and Virginia Clay overlap and intersect.
Darden is an illustrator, teacher and painter in the earlier era while Virginia, a divorcee, begins working at Grand Central around the time when the landmark battle was underway. Each woman has a backstory, relationships and challenges, all of which are well depicted.
Did you know that in the 1920’s there was an art school right in Grand Central? Did you know that Sargent was one of the founders? Are you interested in historical preservation? Do you enjoy a story with a plot twist? If you can answer yes to any, or all of these questions, I highly recommend this book.

Margaret and Chip appear to be the perfect couple at the start of this women’s fiction title. Both have just completed their MBAs and are on the path to high achievement. Margaret is hoping that Chip will propose to her. Not much of a spoiler because what I am writing next happens very early in the book. Chip does propose but does it in a small plane that Margaret had not wanted to fly in. There is an accident and Margaret suffers a serious injury which upends her life. The novel then tells the story of what happens to Margaret. The story is also about Margaret’s parents, her sister, Chip and his family and the hospital staff, especially Ian.

Readers will be rooting for Margaret as she figures out what to do in her life. The reader will undoubtedly enjoy spending time with her family and with Ian as well.

I enjoyed this novel which I read quickly. The author does not sugarcoat what Margaret experiences in her recovery. However this is a romance so each reader will have to decide if they want to buy into the semi-fairy-tale.

I would read other books by the author and would look forward to doing so. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley of the novel which I was given in exchange for an honest review.

#HowToWalkAway #NetGalley

“Center explores the limits of hope and love…[she] transforms the story of a family tragedy into a heartfelt guide to living the fullest life possible.” ―Publisher’s Weekly

“With its appealing characters and wisdom about grappling with life’s challenges, Center’s sixth novel has all the makings of a breakout hit.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Inspiring and romantic… A touching and truthful novel that shows how people can find comfort in the most unexpected places.” ―Library Journal

“A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg.” ―Kirkus

 

Fight for what you want: Little People, Big Dreams-Bruce Lee (Sanchez Vegara) #BruceLee #NetGalley

I always enjoy reading books in this series.  This one is about Bruce Lee.  I had known that he was a kung fu hero and that was it.  I learned much more about him after reading this title.  Young readers will learn that Bruce was not perfect but he found his way.  Born in Hong Kong, he lived both there and in the U.S.  He had talents, including being a child actor, a great dancer and a master of the martial arts but…he was also involved in a gang.  Sent back to the U.S. by his parents, Bruce went to school and college and began teaching his style of martial arts.  He went on to become famous for his movie, Enter the Dragon.  The book concludes:

And by having faith in himself and never giving up, little Bruce became a hero for everyone, and the person he always dreamed he would be.

What a perfect message that is.

Of note are the illustrations in this book.  They have a cartoon like quality and fit the text perfectly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Where is The Spotted Dog? (Greenwood)

The cover makes this book look like it could be a juvenile title; it is not. Rather this is the latest entry in Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman series. Readers may already know the author’s Miss Phrynne Fisher series of novels and the later Australian TV series. Those who like Miss Fisher may enjoy finding out what Ms. Greenwood has also written.

This book is peopled with eccentric characters. On occasion, I had a bit of difficulty recalling who was who. Readers will definitely remember Corinna and her Israeli boyfriend though. They are a couple who enjoy food and each other. He is an Israeli agent of some kind while Corinna is a baker whose goods sound quite delicious.

The plot centers on a Scottish/Australian soldier whose dog has gone missing, most likely kidnapped. This is not just any dog though; Geordie worked hard in Afghanistan and is the most important connection that our traumatized former soldier has.

Readers will see what happens as Daniel, our Israeli protagonist, and Corinna solve the case. Along the way, readers will enjoy Corinna’s acceptance of others, wit and friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.