Sunday Post 137

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Memorial Day Weekend greetings to my friends in the U.S. and Happy Sunday to all! 

I had a couple of virtual appointments, but it was an otherwise quiet week. Both appointments went well. We had three consecutive days with highs in the 90's, then on Thursday the temperatures dropped into the 60's for a high and it's been cool and raining most of the time since then. I'm happy with the rain and cooler temps. I prefer 60's and rain over sunshine and 90+ any day. It does mean I have not been out for a walk in a while, but I'm getting my cardio in with my hand cycle. I usually listen to an audiobook or podcast, or watch television while I'm cycling.

I also had a chance to work on the puzzle, though I haven't gotten very far. I am making progress; it's just taking a while. Here's what I've done so far:

So it looks like I'm at least halfway done, which means I have around 250 pieces left to lock in. The challenges are most of the pieces that are left are similar colors and similar shapes. I'm determined to finish this puzzle in this century, though.

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED

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I finished listening to A Game of Cones (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 2), written by Abby Collette and narrated by Chandra Skyye. The mystery in this one was stronger, but I'm still not connecting with all of the characters. One of them really needs to be toned down. I did enjoy it enough to read or listen to the third and final one in this series in the fall.

IN PROGRESS

I read Spring Week 9 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. This was a bittersweet chapter about the author's amazing encounter with a healthy, thriving bobcat. She was advised to let it be, noting that there are now fewer rabbits. As someone who loves all cats, even the big ones, and rabbits, my heart doesn't know what to feel.

I'm almost 90% through Between a Roquefort and A Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly, and I still don't know who the culprit is. I'm definitely enjoying the ride and I'm excited to see how it ends when I finish it this weekend.

UP NEXT

I'm very excited to have an ARC of Pour Choices (Mixology Lounge Mystery 2), by Adrian Andover. This is the follow-up to the award-winning Whiskey Business, which I loved. Pour Choices releases next month and the ARC is next on my list to read.

ON THE SCREEN

• The Way Home - We are officially halfway through the final season. Episode 5 was highly entertaining, but I didn't feel like it moved the story along enough. Supposedly, we'll get a lot of answers in the next episode.
• The Brady Bunch - I'm almost halfway through season 3. The kids have really grown up in this season, most noticeably Greg who is now in high school.
• Murder, She Wrote - I finally started watching season 5. I've watched the first three episodes, with the third episode being my favorite in the season so far. That one is set in Cabot Cove. It's called "Mr. Penroy's Vacation". Do you remember this episode?
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - This the series that started in the mid 80's and stars Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. I watched season 1 and really enjoyed it. You can read my full review here.
• Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery - This is my favorite Hallmark mystery series and this one was especially strong. I thought it was a good mix of courtroom drama and cozy vibes. Although the pool of suspects was small, I still didn't figure out the whodunnit until just a few minutes before it was revealed. And I loved the big reveal. It was quite different than the norm for these cozies. Everything about this movie worked for me. It's my favorite new movie of the year so far.

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 05/16 - Weekly Recap
• Character Guest Post - 05/18 - Jessica Fletcher
• Series Review - 05/19 - Murder, She Wrote (Season 4)
• Book Review - 05/21 - Where the Light Shines Through, by Kathleen Bailey
• Series Review - 05/22 - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Season 1)
• Puzzle - 05/23 - The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Have a great week!

Puzzle 139 - The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Since yesterday was Sherlock Holmes Day, I thought we'd continue the celebration with a puzzle of 121B Baker Street. This fictional home of Sherlock Holmes is an actual location in London, which is now a museum.

This puzzle took me longer than usual because it has more pieces that what I normally post. It took me 5:16 using 48 non-rotating pieces. Remember you can change the number of pieces if you prefer fewer or more.

Enjoy!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Season 1 (1984-1985)

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Happy Sherlock Holmes Day and Happy Birthday, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

I became interested in cozy mysteries five years ago. I have since then dabbled in the world of Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I have read a few short stories and I recently finished watching season 1 of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, released in 1984-1985.  I have the complete collection of the series on DVD, but season 1 also recently aired on television.

The first season of this series primarily stars Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, David Burke as Dr. John Watson, and Rosalie Williams as Mrs. Hudson. I have nothing to compare this adaptation to, as far as screen time goes, but in my opinion, Jeremy Brett portrays Sherlock Holmes flawlessly. His stern delivery of lines and spot-on mannerisms are exactly how I picture Sherlock Holmes in the short stories I've read. David Burke is equally suited for his role as the trusty sidekick who balances out Holmes and provides us with some light-hearted moments throughout the season. Rosalie Williams is delightful as the landlady.

There are seven episodes in season 1, each running just a few minutes short of one hour (not including commercials if you watch it on television). This is my favorite amount of time for mysteries. There is enough time for the plot to develop and we reach the resolution soon enough. The basic format for each episode is Holmes's client gives him an explanation of the problem that needs to be addressed (this is where we see flashbacks of what has happened), Holmes devises a plan, he and his sidekick execute the plan, and in the end, the mystery is solved. I love that the format is familiar in each episode. It provides a level of comfort without knowing exactly what will happen.

The seven episodes in season 1 are as follows:

A Scandal in Bohemia

The Dancing Men

The Naval Treaty

The Solitary Cyclist

The Crooked Man

The Speckled Band

The Blue Carbuncle

My favorites of these are The Solitary Cyclist and The Speckled Band. I found the mysteries in these especially clever and entertaining. My least favorite is The Blue Carbuncle. It was the least interesting to me and it lacked the coziness of the previous episodes. I also found Holmes's yelling a bit overbearing in this episode. I still enjoyed it, just not as much as the others. Perhaps I'll give it a try another time and see if my opinion changes.

It is widely known that this series is extremely faithful to the original works. I have only read a couple of these, but I can say for those, this is definitely true. For the ones I did read, I watched the screen adaptations first. I was amazed at how accurate they all were. This rarely happens where screen adaptations so closely match the original works.

I tend to enjoy the screen adaptations more than the short stories, but that's because I love the visual representations of them. I enjoy the way London during that time period is portrayed. For me, it adds immensely to the cozy vibes.

This is just the beginning of my journey into the world of Sherlock Holmes. I eventually want to read all of the short stories and novels, and I want to see all of the major screen adaptations. I'll continue on with season 2 of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, while also catching up on the corresponding short stories.

Do you have a favorite Sherlock Holmes story or screen adaptation? Who do you think best portrays Sherlock Holmes?

Where the Light Shines Through (Olivia Penn Mystery 1), by Kathleen Bailey

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I was introduced to and had the opportunity to chat with author Kathleen Bailey at Malice Domestic this year. After meeting her and looking into her Olivia Penn series, I knew this was one I had to pick up. I love the cover and the premise seemed interesting.

In this first installment in the series, Where the Light Shines Through, Olivia Penn is heading back to her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia to visit her family and friends for one week before embarking on a new publishing career in New York City. Unfortunately, it isn't long before a dead body is found and her childhood friend is the prime suspect in this murder investigation. As she sets out to untangle this mystery and clear her friend's name, she discovers secrets she didn't see coming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. One of the main elements that keeps me coming back to a series are the characters. I want to feel like I can be friends with them. If I'm going to be reading the series, I need to enjoy spending time with them. And I did. Olivia is a caring and intelligent amateur sleuth. She's fiercely loyal to her loved ones. Her friends and family are equally likeable. 

I love that her friend is a physical therapist. This is an occupation I have never read in a cozy and it fits well into the story. As someone who has had a lot of experience in physical therapy throughout my life as a patient, I found this relatable.

The mystery is strong. I did not guess the whodunnit. It all came together logically, yet, I was still shocked by the big reveal. There were enough viable suspects that kept me guessing, but not so many that it was overwhelming. I was easily able to keep track of all of the characters.

Olivia is recovering from a recent breakup, but if you like romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there may be something on the horizon. There are sparks flying. I'll have to read the rest of the series to see where this goes. 

Great care is taken with the way this book is written. It's filled with emotional depth that kept me engaged.  Besides a cozy and engaging story with wonderful characters, the descriptions are beautifully written. The author takes the concept of "show don't tell" to a new level. In addition to this, light humor is infused at just the right times.

If you enjoy mysteries where the vibes are cozy, but suspenseful where they need to be, then I highly recommend Where the Light Shines Through, by Kathleen Bailey. This is one series I will definitely continue.

Murder, She Wrote (Season 4)

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Happy International Murder, She Wrote Day!

On this date 30 years ago, after 12 seasons, the final episode of the beloved television series, Murder, She Wrote, aired. I never did watch the series until about five years ago when I became interested in cozy mysteries. I started watching it in order from season 1 and I just recently finished watching season 4.

For the most part, the series maintained the same vibe as the previous three seasons. Jessica Fletcher is a widow who is a retired teacher turned mystery author. She has a knack for noticing details, piecing together clues, and solving whodunnits in hour long (with commercials) episodes. While the authorities consistently remind her that she is not one of them, overall she gets along well with them and they realize how valuable she is in helping to solve these crimes.

While we often think of Murder, She Wrote being set in Cabot Cove, Maine, I counted only five episodes out of 22 in season 4 taking place here. Others are set in various states like Maryland and New York. Some are also set in other countries, like France and Canada. Ms. Fletcher has a lot of friends, many of whom don't live in Cabot Cove, which means she travels a lot. So, is there really a high rate of crime in Cabot Cove? I don't know. But wherever they are set, Ms. Fletcher does seem to frequently find herself where murders happen. It's a good thing she's so good at solving them!

The mysteries continue to be strong. It's very rare when I'm able to figure out the whodunnit, and usually when I do, it's simply based on a hunch. I enjoy seeing how Ms. Fletcher untangles the mysteries and presents the big reveals. She's intelligent and poised.

Murder, She Wrote fans know that the series often includes notable guest stars. There were several from this season that I was familiar with including, Nancy Dussault, Jenilee Harrison, Christopher Hewett, John Callahan, Charlotte Rae, Jeffrey Tambor, Robert Reed, Sonny Bono, Norman Fell, Kristy McNichol, and Terry Kiser. Four of these are from Three's Company, which is a sitcom I used to watch in reruns.

One of the drawbacks of watching older shows like Murder, She Wrote is that not every episode ages well. What was acceptable when this season aired in the late 1980s would not go over well in present day. One such episode was the tenth one in this season titled, "Indian Giver". Another episode in season 4 I was not a fan of because it felt darker was the second one titled, "When Thieves Fall Out". 

However, this season also aired some of my favorite episodes including, "Old Habits Die Hard" (episode 5) for it's locked room feel, "If It's Thursday, It Must Be Beverly" (episode 7) because I love the Cabot Cove episodes most of all, "Curse of the Daanav" (episode 14) because it's set in my home state of Maryland and because it has a twisty mystery, and "Deadpan" (episode 21) because I enjoyed the plot and the clever reveal.

So that's a wrap on season 4. I'm looking forward to watching the remaining seasons!

Do you have a favorite episode or guest star from this season or from any season?

Character Guest Post - Jessica Fletcher

“The End”

Those have become my favorite words, and I type them on the bottom of the last page of every book I’ve ever written. Not because the publisher wants them there—in fact, I usually delete them before I send my editor the more polished manuscript.

But typing “The End” is a celebration of sorts. It marks the accomplishment of a goal, the culmination of weeks or months of dogged research, writing, and rewriting. And (usually) meeting a deadline, whether self-imposed or contractual.

And it’s a milestone worth celebrating!

Some writers break out the champagne. Some just take a nap. Whenever possible, I like to celebrate with friends.

So, it was a wonderful coincidence when I sent in my latest manuscript on the very day that friends of mine opened Riley’s, an Irish pub, in Cabot Cove.

At first, I was a bit fearful that the pub might fall short of my expectations, especially after I’d become a bit of an aficionado of genuine Irish pubs during recent trips I’d taken to the Emerald Isle. But the owners did a spectacular job, and spending a joyous evening there with my friends Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Mort Metzger, and his wife Maureen…well, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Literally. Seth insisted I needed some time off to relax.

And I was so relaxed that my friends even convinced me to stay—well past my bedtime--for pub trivia. I should have known we’d make a great team. As a doctor, Seth has a knack for the physical sciences. Mort is a sports fan. And both men are history buffs. Maureen was our go-to for those pop culture questions. I was able to draw on my experience as a former English teacher to do my part when literature questions came up.

And wouldn’t you know, we won!

Now, admittedly, I wasn’t quite as excited as my friends about the super secret grand prize the winners would receive. I was more content enjoying the food and fellowship with good friends and soaking up the atmosphere of such a fine addition to our little village.

Little did I know that this prize would take us all on an adventure…

And murder wouldn’t be far behind.

Sunday Post 136

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I watched paint dry this past week. 

We are having a lot of work done on our building, including painting all of the common areas. It's a nice upgrade. Today my door was painted on the side facing the hallway and on the side of the door. This meant the door had to stay open for a few hours. That's not easy with two cats. They were confused and a bit unhappy about being locked in a room for a while. I did spend some time in the room with them, which helped. When I wanted to leave the room, I locked them in the walk-in closet in the bedroom. They actually seemed to enjoy that, a bit too much. When I went to release them from the walk-in closet, Fiona came out right away, but Bell lollygagged. And it wasn't because she was scared. She thought it was a game and she wanted to play. Bell also had her mani and pedi this morning, so she had an especially big day. (Fiona goes to the vet periodically to get hers done, whereas Bell allows me to do hers.)

We used to have a fountain in front of the building. The birds loved it and I loved watching them play in it. Unfortunately, after 20 years it became too expensive to maintain and we had to get rid of it. Instead, we installed a few benches and some plants in that area. I am not a fan of insects, which are sure to visit as the weather warms up, so I'll probably wait until fall to sit there.

Speaking of weather, I believe we are turning the corning, zipping past spring, and heading straight into summer. I've really enjoyed the coolish weather, but this coming week will see highs in the 90s. Yuck. Is it fall yet?

I had a few appointments and meetings this past week, most of which were virtual. I only worked on the puzzle for about two hours all week. I got some done, but not much. I did get quite a bit of reading and listening done, though!

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED

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I listened to A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), written by Abby Collette and narrated by Shandra Skye. It took some time for the mystery to get going, but once it did, I was all in. I enjoyed it overall. You can read some excerpts here.

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I also listened to another cozy mystery, Where the Light Shines Through (Olivia Penn Mystery 1), written by Kathleen Bailey and narrated by Natalie Naudus. I loved it from beginning to end! I'm planning to publish my full review this coming week. In the meantime, you can read some excerpts here. I definitely want to continue this series. 

IN PROGRESS

I read Spring Week 8 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. This was about various rodents the author has come across in her life. It reminded me of the gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pig I had at various times in my life. 

I'm still really enjoying Between a Roquefort and Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly. So far, I think this is one of the stronger installments in the series. I love the characters, including some new ones, as well as the perplexing mystery. I have some thoughts on the whodunnit. We'll see if I'm right.

UP NEXT

My next audiobook listen will be A Game of Cones (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 2), by Abby Collette. This second installment is set in the summer, so the week leading up to Memorial Day is the perfect time of year to listen to it.

ON THE SCREEN

• The Way Home - Six more episodes to go in this entire series and I still don't know how they're going to wrap everything up and answer every question. I am enjoying the ride, though.
• The Brady Bunch - I'm enjoying season 3. As the seasons progress, I think the emphasis is more on the comedy aspect of the sitcom than the earlier episodes are. I haven't listened to any podcast episodes on this season yet, but I'm looking forward to doing that eventually.
• Mom's Day Away - This is a 2014 Hallmark movie about a mother who loves her family, but needs a break, which was perfect for Mother's day. I love that that her bestie was the opposite in that her life centered mostly on her career. The two friends balanced each other out nicely. The main character in this movie is Bonnie Somerville. You may remember she played Ross's girlfriend Mona on Friends.
• All's Fair in Love and Mahjong - This was a 2026 Hallmark premiere and I loved it! I enjoyed the friend group, the budding romance, and the Mahjong theme. It made me want to learn how to play. My local library has a group that meets regularly, but I'm not able to make it at that time.
• Don't Go Breaking My Heart - This is a 2021 Hallmark movie that I watched last week for the first time. There were some eyebrow-raising moments, but overall I enjoyed it.

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 05/09 - Weekly Recap
• Book Review - 05/12 - A Deadly Inside Scoop, by Abby Collette
• Friday Features - 05/15 - Bookish Response, Featured Book, Feline Friday, Nature Pic
• Puzzle - 05/16 - Dogwood and Lilacs

Have a great week!