Murder - Family Style By: Frances Lipsig

A quick look at 10 cases of familial murder.  Some were dryly presented and little hard to get get through, some had some quite colorful commentary which made them more intriguing. An ok read.

The Genteel Murderer By: Charles Norman

It seems odd to say what a fun read this is, considering it's about a murderer for profit, but, fun really is the only word I can use.  Told in a light and jaunty style of reportage this book outlines the life and crimes of Thomas Griffiths Waineright.  Waineright thought himself a gentleman and really did hobnob with the literati of the time, and Dickens saw him in his cell in Newgate Prison, and years later wrote a short story based on an aspect of this case.  Really, a quick and fun read!

 

The Art Thief By: Michael Finkel

 

An unbelievable tale of a real life art thief, who is unlike any art thief you could imagine.  Stealing in broad daylight from occupied museums, auction houses, art faires and churches simply to admire the art.  Not to fence it and make money.  Reading about his crimes is truly extraordinary.  Finkel's way of presenting the information without judgement is an amazing feat of reporting and writing.

Hangman's Holiday By: Dorothy L. Sayers

I'm pretty sure that I've read this book a long, long time ago, becahuse the short mysteries were very familiar.  Regardless, theses shorts really showcase Sayers' mastery of the mystery genre.  Brilliantly plotted and inventive with her signature wit these are the perfect introduction to two of her greatest characters.  Lord Peter Whimsey and Montague Egg couldn't be more different yet the are both perfectly suited for amateur sleuthing.  Lord Peter is the more well know, but  Mony Egg is my favorite.  How she ties in his job as a traveling salesman to his ability to sniff out clues is deliciously clever.  I highly recommend this collection.

 

Go Gently Gaijin By: James Melville

 

It took a bit for me to get into this story,  but I think that was more making the mental switch from the previous book I read which was set in 1953 Hollywood, to this one which is set in 1980s Japan. A twisted set of mysteries, beautiful settings, fascinating insight into Japanese customs and a lot of sly wit made this a really fun read.

Dream Town By: David Baldacci

God I Love this series.  The third in the Archer series, Dream Town takes place in 1953 Hollywood, with all of the glitz, glam, fakery and back-stabbing you'd expect, plus Baldacci's richly detailed characters and superbly plotted mysteries.  A fantastic read!

 

Home By: Samm-Art Williams

A simple piece about a man and his connection to his home, and all that that can and does mean. A three person play that has some wonderful imagery in its beautifully written lines. Almost like a lyrical poem, there is a lot of music in the dialogue and monologues which make this piece just that much more powerful.

To The End Of The Land By: David Grossman

I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I did not like it at all.  I didn't care for any of the characters, I didn't care for how the story was structured (I don't know if that is a fault of the original or the translator), I felt it was way too long.  It wasn't helped by bringing up plot points that were dropped and never discussed and/or resolved.  What made this especially disappointing was the fact that I read and LOVED Someone to Run With by the same author. 

 

A Girl's Guide to Chaos By: Cynthia Heimel

I'm sure that when this was first produced, it was hilarious and a little titillating and shocking--but reading now it seems a little dated.  I definitely enjoyed reading it and did chuckle out loud at several points.  My favorite line: "If she can't fry it or fuck it, she can't bothered."

Assassins By Stephen Sondheim & John Weidman

Of all of Sondheim's works, Assassins is my 2nd favorite (Sweeney is my top one-what does that say about me?!). The truly sad statement about this show is that the feelings/thoughts/hurts expressed by the characters in this show, as still relevant, if not more so than when the show was originally done 30+ years ago!