“Lie Like a Rug” by Margaret Maron

by Carol3 Comments
"Lie Like a Rug" by Margaret Maron I've already mentioned my new toy, but the other day I subscribed to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. A new magazine full of fabulous storis delivered straight to me every month. I don't know why I never subscribed to the print version; it just never crossed my mind. Back to the story. I have read one novel by Margarat Maron, Bootlegger's Daughter, but it was years ago, before I kept any notes or records of what I read. I remember enjoying it, though, which is this was the first selection I read in the magazine. Mack Parker is on trial for killing his wife, Felicia. From the testimonies, we learn it is a well-known fact around town that Mack beat her up on a regular basis, and all the facts point to his guilt, including that a rug is missing from the house. The body is never found. The story then picks up years after the trial. I...
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Room by Emma Donoghue

by Carol26 Comments
Room by Emma Donoghue Everyone's been singing Room's praises for months, and I think I knew too much about this book before I actually read it. I knew that it was told from the point of view of Jack, a five year old boy with an unusual speaking style. I knew that Jack and Ma were being kept prisoner by Old Nick, but that Jack doesn't see it that way, since Ma is simply amazing about playing with him, teaching him, keeping him safe. I knew that eventually they do escape, but that Outside is scarier than Room for Jack. Room he understood, Outside he doesn't. So I was prepared. The story is so original and Jack's voice so unique, but I wasn't struck by that, I expected it. The plot itself, was fairly simple. Full of determination, hope, love, but still not complex. The characters were amazing people, especially Ma, but I think that Jack as the narrator kept me at...
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Teaser from The Anatomy of Ghosts

by Carol7 Comments
Holdsworth glanced down at the book on the table and turned the page. Here was the wager that had just been recorded: The Revd Mr Miskin wagers Mr Crowley two bottles of wine that the ghost will not appear again before the end of term. ‘So the college has a ghost?’ he said. ‘No, sir, we merely have a foolish story.’ Richardson closed the book and handed it to the servant. ‘The undergraduates make up tales to frighten each other.’ (Pg. 74, ARC, The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor) Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. The rules are easy and I only cheated a little. Grab your current read, open to a random page, and give us two teaser sentences. Remember, no spoilers. I received my ARC from the publisher....
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A couple of movies

by Carol9 Comments
We've seen a couple of movies recently, in the comfort of our own basement. Alpha and Omega (2010) Amber (11) has been wanting to see this one since the first preview we saw. If it has wolves, it has to be good. There's a girl alpha wolf and a boy omega wolf who get transported to a new park. They have to work together to get home, and of course fall in love along the way. Amber said she liked, I though it was so-so. Even Amber commented that she wished they didn't act so much like people. I did like that the girl was strong and a leader. And the whole opposites attract thing has been done over and over, but it's always pretty cute. The American (2010) David and I watched this and I think it officially lost me the next three movie picks. George Clooney, assassin in love with a prostitute, I though David would like it. I was wrong. He...
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Game Night – Wishlist

by Carol3 Comments
I know, usually I talk about a game that we've played, either one owned by us or a friend, and I've got a few that I want to talk about soon, but today I'm featuring a game I want instead. Mystery Express Designers: Serge Laget, Antoine Bauza Manufacturer: Days of Wonder Year: 2010 Players: 3 - 5 Time: 60 - 90 minutes Ages: 12 and up Seeking a well-deserved break from your latest misadventures, you decide to splurge, treating yourself to the extravagant luxury of the most talked about train of our time - the legendary Orient Express. Most unexpectedly, and rather unfortunately, the holiday turns out to be short-lived. The train has barely left Paris when word spreads that someone has just been murdered, and in the most hideous manner... The rest of the trip - through Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest and their final destination of Istanbul - is consumed with determining the ...
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