The first book of this forensic mystery series, of which I’ve already read the second. Since the second book is very contiguous, I already knew the outcome of this book. But it was well-written enough that it still felt suspenseful to me. The dialogue in the scenes between Jess and Brockton was really enjoyable.
Jess’s mixture of scholarly erudition and quirky irreverence always caught me by surprise, like topspin on a serve in tennis or Ping-Pong.
Not every cookbook has more to read than recipes and pantry stocking ideas. So in a way this reminded me of Nigel Slater’s Kitchen Dairies (love that book!) which also, in a different way, gives you context around the recipes. In this book, however, the context for each recipe is a memory.
It’s a eulogy to her father, a memoir of her childhood, a record of courtship with her now husband, and a engaging testament to the importance certain meals can take on due to the events surrounding them.
Great quote (I’m sure you’ll know why I like it):
I soon learned that Sam consumes books the way most of us consume food, which, though I do prefer to eat, is a quality I much admire.
A discussed, but not present recipe I hope is on her web site somewhere: the chocolate “rad” (cookie).
Recipes I have dog-eared to potentially try first: Bouchons au Thon, Rum Cream Pie with Graham Cracker Crust, Chana Masala, Custard-Filled Corn Bread, Pistachio Cake with Honeyed Apricots.
Place I need to go in Paris: L’As due Fallafel, “purveyor of some of the finest fried chickpea balls this side of Israel.”
Very excited to find this for sale in Dublin in February (won’t be released in U.S. until July 28), this is the followup to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, one of my favorite books from last year.
I really liked it. But there’s a bit of a sadistic streak in these books that may not be palatable for everyone and there’s a bit more of it in this book as Lisbeth’s former life takes a much bigger role this time around.
Highly recommend both of these. They are really smart, really tightly plotted and interesting from many different angles.
Random quote I enjoyed (As Lisbeth reads some private police reports via computer hacking): It proved once again the theory that no security system is a match for a stupid employee.
Book #4 in the Mercy Thompson series.
This series continues to get better and better. The Mercy/Adam relationship continues to evolve. The mysteries/dangers in these books are intriguing, well plotted and satisfying. There just isn’t anything NOT to love.
You should be reading this series.
A Dublin purchase (Irish author) from my favorite Dublin bookstore: Hodges Figgis.
These stories were really good. But they’re not happy go lucky. Intense moments. Sad lives. With unexpectedly large catalysts.
“Sisters” was my favorite. And “Passport Soup”.
This was our March challenge book, technically a re-read for both of us and super short!
DadReaction: It WAS a shorty. Too short really–I actually remember it as being longer, but I liked the sense of being taken over by one ghastly part of yourself. It’s one of those stories–Jekyll/Hyde one of those characters–that seem to live beyond the actual story itself, like Don Quixote or Sherlock Holmes. Also liked the oblique narration, getting the story at second and third hand from these peripheral figures. Also: the way stuff develops while some of the characters are just going on with their lives and they have to catch up. Kind of a tiny little gem.
I remember really liking the Spencer Tracy movie of this; Michael Caine’s in one, too–I think he actually impregnates somebody as Hyde and they spawn this grotesque child. Let’s see–Hammer films had a Dr. Jekyll/SISTER Hyde teaser out and Jean Renoir, of all people, adapted the original–Stevenson’s, not Hammer–for French tv.
What did you think? It actually ranks as a comfort book for me, since I read it in High School and can always pick it up again–like Treasure Island. Looking forward to the next one…..
GirlReaction: As you touched on, the thing that strikes me most is how it is such a dramatic story but told in a completely passive manner. Two dudes, going for a calm evening walk, one says to the other “So you see that door? Let me tell you a story about it…” Yet the story is smack full of drama. The events have all already happened off screen, yet even in the retelling they are gripping. All the hearsay and facts gathered from different sources give it a real urban legend feel. I also love the emphasis on the science of the experiments. First he just wants to explore the duality he already senses in himself…but eventually science fails to overcome the darker side of his personality. As he unwillingly becomes more Hyde than Jekyll, the story shifts to fantasy from science.
Eating: Lots and lots of gyoza. Yum.
Making: Quilts, socks, hats. What’m I NOT making right now.
Reading: Trying out some new-to-me fantasy “Elantris” by Brandon Sanderson. He’s the dude picked to finish up Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.
Watching: Kings on Hulu.
Listening to: Stuff I bought in March like Jason Isbell and Boy Least Likey To. And, sigh, another GREAT fucking album from Great Lake Swimmers bought on the cusp.
Failing at: Replying to emails. Staying awake much past 7:30. Eating breakfast.
The best movie I saw in February was The Class (Entre les Murs). I enjoyed the experience of watching The Wrestler…but did not ENJOY the movie. If you can parse that one out. In fact, it annoyed me greatly.
The best book I read in February was a tie between Delicate, Edible Birds, by Lauren Groff, her new short story collection, and For All We Know, by Ciaran Carson, a very novel-istic book of poetry. Both are very highly recommended.
The best gig I went to in February was a tie between the only two gigs I’ve been to ALL YEAR: Griffin House, who was totally kickin’ it and it was a very enjoyable evening although it was a rough weekend having gotten some really shitty news at 4:45 that Friday. Grrr; and a week later Prairie Cartel, who were really great. (You may remember my friend Nan’s brother Mike who used to be in Fig Dish and then Caviar (check your “Charlie’s Angels” soundtrack) is part of Prairie Cartel.)
My favorite tunes in February were the latest albums from Mick Flannery and Joshua Radin.
Random personal highlights: Trip to Dublin!; Bowling Geeks Unite; Huffencooper Hot Sauce party.
Lowlights? Getting fucked over by someone on the aforementioned Friday afternoon. Getting stuff stolen from my checked luggage on the way home from Dublin. Getting violently ill upon arrival home from Dublin.
Eating: Doing way more drinking than eating. Liquid calories, they’re delish.
Making: The last of the Fab Five hats. Two baby boy quilts. Whatevs.
Reading: I just finished one GREAT and one pretty good book (“Little Bee” by Chris Cleave and “City of Glass” by Cassandra Clare) and today I’m going to start “Then We Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris (Dad’s and my challenge book for April).
Watching: BStarG. I went back to the beginning again. There are some nice resonances to the very first five eps or so in the finale. It’s nice to go back. Also I am loving this season of Lost. Sawyer is awesome*.
Listening to: An AWESOME* album I bought in Dublin. Mick Flannery “White Lies”. Over and over. Particularly “Wait Here”. Swoon.
Failing at: Being cooperative instead of confrontational. (This may be a bit of an in-joke. But I trust you can figure it out. And honestly, I’m not interested in NOT failing at that. At all.)
*This month’s most overused word. Odd, since there’s very little AWESOMEness happenin’ here. If any.
Bought: