Welcome to Litsy!

With today‘s last story in the #NoPlaceLikeHolmes discussion group, I read the entire Holmes canon. Thanks to @dabbe and @Cuilin for leading the group.

This final collection of Holmes stories hints at Conan Doyle‘s almost reluctance to write more. Some are good, and some are not up to the caliber of prior stories. Yet, I liked the collection overall. A good way to spend a half hour reading one story at a time. #CatsOfLitsy #Xander #SebastianKitty

This was the exact book I needed right now, full of snarky humor with so many mentions of mystery and crime characters. I loved every minute of it. Two sleuths, a granddaughter and her grandmother, have an IRL locked room-style murder on their hands, when a snowstorm isolates their hostess‘s house from the outside world, leaving a killer to target the guests one by one. While there is a lot of humor, there are somber moments, and you can see ⬇️⬇️

Laced with suspense, this is based on a true story…the photo at the back of the book shows the aftermath of the event described. Donoghue tells the story from the perspective of multiple characters, before real and fictional characters, including an anarchist with a deadly plot in mind. And, the train engine is a character—don‘t worry, the train‘s perspective actually adds depth to the story. Fast read! #SebastianKitty #Zeke #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

To say my reading has been erratic and at times nonexistent the last few months is an understatement, and yet I persevere and start more books! 😂

Gaskell‘s writing is amazing, and thanks to #HashtagBrigade I can finally move Wives and Daughters to the “currently reading” stack.

#Zeke , #SebastianKitty , and #Xander are resting after food (and the first pill of the day for Zeke). #CatsOfLitsy

Though the ending seemed a bit rushed and not as smoothly written as the rest of the book, I‘m still giving this a pick. The quirky characters reminded me a bit of M.C. Beaton‘s Hamish Macbeth series and Lochdubh—if you like that series, try this one.

I liked Ally and would love to see the malt house she renovated and made into a B&B. Good mystery with red herrings. I‘d read another in the series. #52BookClub25 #WrittenInThirdPerson

A good historical fiction novel that showcases the glamor of Hollywood and film along the French Riviera at the Grand Hotel, set against the backdrop of the start of WWII. There‘s romance and a thriller-esque thread woven into the storytelling. The list of who‘s who in Hollywood in 1939 is staggering, and the MC Annabel (who knows photography) mingles with them all (hence my choice for #BBRC #Adult #Paparazzi ).

Great #SundayBuddyRead choice!

My first read every year is this slim epistolary collection between friends. I love viewing the progression of the friendship, and the ending gets me every time.

#SebastianKitty is kindly modeling the book for me. #CatsOfLitsy

St. James writes wonderfully spooky novels that combine the supernatural with people‘s fears. This one does not disappoint. I loved every nail biting moment. And, I‘ll avoid Atticus Line, thank you very much! #CatsOfLitsy #SebastianKitty #SundayBuddyRead #52BookClub24 #IncludesAPersonalPhobia

I just spent a month at Manderley…

This is a reread for me, and while I did not remember every twist and turn, I do remember the creepy vibes from this. It‘s a level of creepiness that slowly enfolds the reader and can make one shiver. That Mrs. Danvers…oh my! I loved it and am glad it was a #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade read! #192025 #1938 #52BookClub24 #AnAbruptEnding

#Zeke #Vladimir #SebastianKitty #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

The latest in the Hamish Macbeth series is kind of a tie-in to events that happened in the previous book. Green‘s contribution to the series has made the narrative a bit more polished, which I think has made the characters and setting fresher and in some ways has revitalized the series.

I can tell I am that distracted that I forgot to take a photo of the book before returning it to the library! So, enjoy a photo of #SebastianKitty #CatsOfLitsy !