More Stephanie Plum

You're going to laugh. Today I went to the library to return "Twelve Sharp" and check out the next book in the Stephanie Plum series, "Lean Mean Thirteen." I knew they had it; I saw it on the shelf my last visit. Zut alors! It wasn't there. I pulled every Janet Evanovich book from the shelf. I checked both before and after her section, thinking maybe someone had stuck it back in the wrong place. Nothing, zero, zilch... no #13! How unlucky is that? I walked away incapable of choosing "Fearless Fourteen" which was there. Muttering "I just can't read them out of order," I continued to browse. After wandering up and down the aisles and talking hard to myself, I returned and plucked "Fearless Fourteen" from its place. "Each book stands alone," I reasoned with myself. "You can read #13 next time around." With a sigh, my defeated, neurotic read-'em-in-order self checked out. As I walked thru the hallway to the library's exit, I glanced at the books for sale. If the library finds itself with duplicates of books (they receive donated books all the time), they put them on sale, cheap, to raise money for the library. Right there, front and center, was #13, a bargain at a buck for the hardcover copy. I stopped; I pondered. Should I just buy it? NO! that's absolutely neurotic. So, Lucie and I continued our town chores...getting gas for the mower, picking up a dozen farm-fresh eggs at the feed store, and mailing bills at the post office. All the while, #13 was calling my name. Finally unable to resist, I drove back to the library and bought the sucker! As I paid the librarian, I confessed my neuroses. "I just can't seem to read them out of order," I moaned. She commiserated with me..."Me neither," she laughed, "number thirteen must be checked out."

"And by the way," she added as I opened the door to leave, "we have her latest, #16 on the 'new books' shelf"

"No way," I shot back,"you can't tempt me. I've got three more to read before I'm there!"

Yes, I am neurotic!

To The Nines

I can't believe that I haven't shared Stephanie Plum with you! She's the main character in the Janet Evanovich 'Numbers' mysteries. No, this isn't great literature, not even close, but the entire series is a great romp through murder, mayhem, and mystery with a couple of hot guys thrown in to spice up the action. Stephanie Plum is your average Jersey girl..she has a slightly dysfunctional family, two really sexy men in her life, a job being a bond enforcement officer that kind of pays the rent, and a penchant for attracting the weirdest characters you can imagine. Oh yeah, she also has a knack for getting her cars blown up and her partners & protectors in trouble. She lives with Rex, her hamster and keeps her gun in her cookie jar. Her best friend and sometimes partner is Lula, an ex-ho who manages to squeeze into spandex of every hue. If there's a way for bond enforcement to wrong, Stephanie has found it. And she also finds murder in all her adventures. Stumbling through mishap after mishap, Steph's life is full of edgy violence and terrifying villains. Yet, she's funny, her exploits are hilarious, and frankly, I don't know why no one has made a TV series out of her adventures. Anything that creeps me out and makes me laugh uproariously has got to be right for prime time. You don't have to start with "One for the Money" to enjoy these mysteries. Pick a number and go for it. After you read a couple, send me an email. Are you a Morelli or a Ranger fan???

More Haiti

I've shared in a previous book review that I like to have a mystery tucked away in a bottom drawer for those days when both the weather and my mental outlook are a bit dreary. Last week right after I finished "Mountains Beyond Mountains" I had one of those days, so I pulled out this Cara Black mystery, "Murder in the Latin Quarter." Right on the heels of Tracy Kidder's story about Dr. Paul Farmer's work in Haiti, I found myself deep into a murder mystery centered around Haiti, Haitian illegals in Paris, and clean water for Haiti research. Seems as if I can't get enough Haiti in my life lately! While I wouldn't recommend a fictional story for factual information about Haiti, I would say that good mystery writers research the details for their mysteries and those details can pique your interest to learn more. Yes, this mystery is a good, fast-paced story. It's also enriched with wonderful details about the Latin Quarter of Paris. And Cara Black's references to tonton macoutes, Baby Doc Devalier, voudou, and the Haitian pig scandal may just lead you to Mr. Google and a better understanding of Haiti today.

More Cara Black

I've already shared Cara Black's "Murder on the Ile St. Louis" with you. I've read this one set in the Marais as well. It was Black's first mystery and introduces Amy Leduc, her strong woman character who gets involved in more murders than cats have lives! You can purchase your own copy of this fun mystery here, but you can also win one if you're lucky and a talented photographer. Click over to EyePreferParis; Richard's offering a free copy of Black's book to the winner of his 'photographs of the Marais' contest. While you're there, be sure to check out Richard's blog...he has some gorgeous photos of hidden Paris courtyards, some great interviews with interesting Parisians, and recommendations for yummy places to eat.

Murder on the Ile St. Louis

I always like to have a good mystery tucked away in my bottom drawer for those days when I feel a bit bored, a bit out-of-sorts, maybe a bit blue. They're usually an easy, fast read; they keep me engaged. And I always like the challenge of seeing if I can figure out 'whodunnit' before the author reveals the real culprit. When I can combine a mystery with my favorite city in the world, Paris, life gets even better. Cara Black's mysteries take me there. Her main character, Amy Leduc, keeps me on the edge of my seat as she investigates murder in some of Paris' most famous arrondissements. This mystery set on Ile St. Louis combines fast paced action, environmental concerns and remnents of a faded Polish monarchy. Learn more than you'd ever want to know about how the Seine treats its corpses and explore the sewers and underground tunnels of the City of Lights. Trust me, you'll like this one!'

PS...I know I'm weird, but I like to read Black's mysteries with my Michelin Paris Par Arrondissements Plan Atlas: Nouvelle Edition (Michelin Maps) map book in hand. I trace the action along the rues and boulevards and into each place she mentions.