Boy howdy, did I ever fall off the abstinence wagon in September. Sale prices, reward points... everything combined to keep me pressing the BUY NOW button. However, there's evidently something good about abandoning all restraint in buying eBooks. What is it? I haven't even visited any of my usual haunts to look at them for days. I looked at my list and couldn't believe how many eBooks I'd purchased, and my lack of restraint means that I'm going to have to streamline this post a bit or I'll be typing forever.
I've grouped my purchases according to their genres/subgenres, and if you click on the link in any of the book titles, you'll be taken to Amazon US where you can learn more about it-- including the synopsis, which is the main thing I'm leaving out in the interest of time.
It's time to roll out the record of my gluttony...
=== Police Procedural ===
Less Than a Moment by Steven F. Havill. Set in a fictional New Mexico county.
▲ This is one of my favorite series. The mysteries are always strong, and the cast of characters is phenomenal. I've been taking my time reading my way through the series because I know it's a Sure Thing.
The Third Sin by Aline Templeton. Set in southwestern Scotland.
▲ Another favorite series of mine. This is the last book in it, and since I'm almost ready to read it, I knew it was time to buy it.
I've never been disappointed in any book that Templeton has written. Val McDermid calls her "the crime czar of the Scottish small town." Templeton brings small town Scotland to life with her strong mysteries and wonderful cast of characters. I'd have Big Marge Fleming investigate anything for me.
Murder in Copper by Virgil Alexander. Set in Arizona.
▲ I'm always on the lookout for mysteries set in Arizona, especially if they have Indigenous characters and culture in them, as this one does.
In Dark Water by Lynne McEwan. Set in Scotland.
▲ I've been missing Scotland a lot this year, so my reading keeps jumping back to that country. I've had my eye on this first book in the DI Shona Oliver series, and now I've got it.
Paper Cage by Tom Baragwanath. Set in New Zealand.
▲ This is another book I've had my eye on. a records clerk and amateur sleuth's young nephew disappears, and she drops everything to find him, with the help of a detective from Wellington. There's some excellent crime fiction coming from New Zealand, and I'm looking forward to reading this one.
=== Thriller ===
Wilderness Punishment by Todd Borg. Set in California.
▲ This is the third book in Borg's series featuring medieval history professor Josie Strong. He's come up with some interesting plots for Josie, and I do enjoy the characters.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd. Set in New York City.
▲ I have a thing for cartography, so there's no way I could pass this one up!
Holly by Stephen King. Set in Ohio.
▲ Stephen King has a conversational style that often mimics my interior monologue. I've read many (not all) of his books, starting with Carrie and 'Salem's Lot way back in the day. I was in the mood for some King, and-- as a matter of fact-- I'm about halfway through this now.
Red River Road by Anna Downes. Set in Australia.
▲ To be honest, the cover of this book has intrigued me since the first time I slapped eyes on it. Then I found out it was set on the west coast of Australia, and I was in... especially with reward points in my pocket!
▲ I love mysteries, and I enjoy dystopian fiction. Combine the two (Ben H. Winters wrote a superb The Last Policeman trilogy a few years ago) with a fun appearance at The Poisoned Pen, and this was another book I couldn't resist!
=== Short Story/Novella ===
The Tasting Menu by Stuart MacBride. Set in the Highlands of Scotland.
▲ You can read my review of this short story if you like.
=== Cozy Mystery ===
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by Peggy Rothschild. Set in California.
▲ I feel a need for a canine infusion, and since I enjoyed the first book in this series so much, I know that I'll get what I crave here.
=== Historical Mystery ===
Because I Would Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower. Set in Massachusetts.
▲ I've been eyeing this book for a long time, mainly because Emily Dickinson is the sleuth, and she is probably my favorite poet. I tend to be leery of mysteries using actual historical figures, but once in a while I bite the bullet and give a book a try. This is one of those times.
Hired Guns by Steve Hockensmith. Set in Arizona.
▲ A new Western historical mystery by one of my favorite authors. I simply could not resist!
=== Golden Age Mystery ===
The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey. Set in England.
▲ I can be a bit stubborn. I've kept trying Golden Age mysteries because I read raves by many other people about them, and I feel as though I'm missing out. For the most part, I'm just not a Golden Age mystery fan, but there is an occasional exception, and Josephine Tey is the prime one. I've enjoyed every one of her books that I've read, so when this one went on sale, you wouldn't believe how fast I jumped!
Whew! I'm finally done! What do you think of my haul? Have you read any of them? Did I tempt you with any of them? Inquiring minds would love to know!
i haven't read any of them, but a lot look enticing. Will wait for your reviews. I read Playing Dead, Peggy Rothschild's second book, which adds even more dogs to the mix. I will read Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, but I'm saving it, as one save a piece of chocolate cake in the freezer until one caves in.
ReplyDeleteOh, Cathy, I hope you'll like The Cartographers. There's certainly a lot there about maps, particularly rare maps, and what they mean to us. I haven't read a book like that one before. You've got a lot of other interesting books here, too. I especially noticed the Templeton; I like her work and it's been a bit since I read any of it.
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