by Barbara Venkataraman A Book Review by Jackie Houchin Okay, have you ever seen the word, Didgeridoo, before (did’ jer ee doo’ – just like it’s spelled, well almost)? If you haven’t, it’s a musical instrument. A very long, horn-like tube, slightly bent and flaring at the end, and sounding like a deep base kazoo. (You…
by Victoria Tait A Book Review by Jackie Houchin VALUED FOR MURDER, another dive into the world of antiques and art, builds beautifully on Victoria Tait’s first book in the series, FAKE DEATH. (And also the prequel novella – HOUR IS COME – which the author is giving away free as backstory for her heroine, Dotty…
by Mary Stewart a book review by Jackie Houchin “It’s a rough sort of magic for such as we are – a mere musician, and a couple of players…” I’ve said many times before that “This Rough Magic” by Mary Stewart is my all-time favorite book ever, and after reading it yet again for the…
By Mario Giordano A book review by Jackie Houchin Lists. This book has a lot of lists, short ones, and those that go on for pages, such as the one when Uncle Martino pontificates on an encyclopedia of things he knows while driving his nephew (the narrator) around the island of Sicily. Some lists are…
by Adriana Licio a mini book review by Jackie Houchin https://a.co/dxSeSm9 I thoroughly enjoyed this second home swapping-travel mystery novel. This time the bold, outspoken Etta (the brains of pair) and sweet and romantic Dora (the heart) have come to Mecklenburg, Germany to attend a Wedding. They have a lovely cottage to stay in, and…
By Agatha Christie A book review by Jackie Houchin DESTINATION UNKNOWN, formerly titled SO MANY STEPS, is an interesting read with an atmosphere of tension almost from the first page. A woman, flying from London to Casablanca in the throes of despair because of a recent humiliating divorce and the sudden death of her young…
by A. M. Stuart, narrated by Olivia Dowd an Audiobook review by Jackie Houchin EVIL IN EMERALD is a dense, atmospheric and multi-layered mystery novel. It’s set in 1910 in hot and sultry, English-ruled Singapore. The multiple crimes and criminals are widespread and seemingly unconnected. Until the end, of course. The heroes are Harriet Gordon, widow,…
by Charlot King A mini book review by Jackie Houchin GREEN is a free-from-the-author “taster” Short Story, the prequel to Charlot King’s Cambridge Murder Mystery series. It introduces the characters – Professor Elizabeth Green and Inspector Abley – in the posh acidemia setting of the University of Cambridge. The beautiful Professor Green is cool, calm,…
by Victoria Tait a book review by Jackie Houchin Fake Death is the first book in Victoria Tait’s delightful Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series (after the prequel novella, Hour Is Come*). It’s set in the English countryside among quaint cottages, farms, and pubs. If you are thinking “Miss Marple” you are not far off. Dotty Sayers,…
by Michael Robertson A mini book review by Jackie Houchin The Baker Street Letters, by Michael Robertson. What a fun, imaginative audiobook I’ve just finished! (6 hours, 19 minutes, Audible.com) A century later, and Sherlock Holmes still “seems” alive to quite a few people, who write to him about their unsolvable problems. Because the Heath…
Words and Reviews 