Average Reader

An Exotic Journey

After a wild shopping spree through the bookstore where I grabbed books off a table with wild abandon I came home with The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall.  I have never heard of Kate Furnivall but, as always, I am willing to give every author a chance.  This is one instance when I was pleasantly surprised.
The Russian Concubine was engaging, and I really felt I got a vacation.  Of course there were areas I had to gloss over.  The book started a bit slow, but once it started it was worth the wait. 
I think Furnivall will only get better and better and I look forward to seeing more work from her.

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A little Mystery never hurt

Normally I steer clear of detective novels or any thing that resembles a detective novel.   I am not sure why but I have just never really enjoyed them.  That was true until I found the Maisie Dobbs novels by Jacqueline Winspear. 
Set in-between WWI and WWII in England they follow an independent female detective who has cast off the Victorian chains.
I have read two of the Maisie Dobbs books, the latest being Messenger of Truth and so far I have not been able to figure out "who dun it" without getting to the end.  That is quiet an achievement for a detective story in my book.  Winspear manages to slowly let details through without revealing so much that we all know the end so what's the point of reading.  Just enough to tease you along and keep you guessing. 
All in all Messenger of Truth is a great read for a lazy morning lounging on the couch with a trough of coffee.

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