June 2016

The Lover’s Knot

by Clare O’Donohue

The Lover’s Knot is the first in Clare O’Donohue’s Someday Quilts Mystery series.  After receiving a Lover’s Knot quilt from her grandmother, Nell Fitzgerald suddenly finds herself un-engaged and off to upstate New York.  There she finds solace and a fresh start at her grandmother’s quilt shop.  The Lover’s Knot has all of the elements for an enjoyable cozy mystery, including the small town of Archer’s Rest and all the quirky members of the Friday night quilting group.  There’s murder, romance, and personal growth for Nell.  The reader even gets a little introduction to quilting along with Nell.  It’s predictable and ends a little abruptly, but a good debut mystery.  I’ll definitely continue with the series.

A Drunkard’s Path

By Clare O’Donohue

A Drunkard’s Path is the second book in Clare O’Donohue’s Someday Quilt Mystery series.  The book continues with Nell Fitzgerald’s adventures in Archer’s Rest.  The cozy mystery involves two murders.  The romance with police chief Jesse Dewalt is on and off, again and again.  Nell’s interest in art is explored through a class, a mural and her expanding interest in quilting.  She receives encouragement and help with her quilting and solving crime from the Friday night quilters.  It was a fast and easy  cozy mystery.

The Double Cross

by Clare O’Donohue

The Double Cross was my favorite in Clare O’Donohue’s Someday Quilt Mystery series.  For me, it seemed like the most developed of her mysteries, so far.  The setting changed to a quilting workshop at a bed and breakfast in another town, still in upstate New York.  The main characters were all there: Nell, Eleanor, Jesse Dewalt and members of the quilting group.  I enjoyed the concept of journal quilting that was sprinkled throughout the story.  There were several interesting twists.  The Double Cross was a good read!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Written & Narrated by Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane was my introduction to Neil Gaiman, who is my current favorite author.  I listened to the Audible version and loved it.  Gaiman’s narration is spellbinding.  It’s like listening to the best bedtime story ever.  The Ocean at the End of the Lane has a fairy tale quality, but is definitely an adult story. 

Told in flashback format, the middle-aged narrator looks back at his childhood while visiting for a funeral.  The story is suspenseful and dark, yet deeply moving.  It evoked memories of childhood longings and fears.  Gaiman’s writing and narration were totally engaging.  Even though a seven-year old boy was the main character, I loved the Hempstock women. Their strong maiden, mother and crone characters were central to the story for me.  There was a lot of suspense and several major twists.  The Ocean at the End of the Lane was a great introduction to Neil Gaiman and left me wanting more!

Stardust

Written & Narrated by Neil Gaiman

I loved the Stardust audiobook version!  Neil Gaiman is a great writer and his narration was awesome.  I liked this audiobook even better than the movie.  While the movie followed the book very closely, there were differences.  As is usual, there were more details and character development was stronger in the book.  I liked the ending in the book better than that in the movie, too.  Stardust is definitely a fairy tale for adults… and one of the best.  Definitely an awesome listen!

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost Bk. 1

by Cornelia Funke

I picked up Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke (Foon-kah) at our local library, along with stack of other books.  My nine-year old grandson, who is a Ghostbusters fan, picked it out immediately.  I have to say that we both enjoyed the book equally.  He was so engaged in the book that he read it to me while I was packing up to take him home, following me from room to room. 

The plot is simple.  An ICR (Incredibly Revolting Ghost) has taken the place of an ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost).  Eleven-year old Tom joins forces with Hetty Hyssop, his grandmother’s friend, to foil the ICR, so that the ASG can leave Tom’s cellar and return home.  His parents are clueless and pretty much absent from the story.  His big sister, Lola, is a pain.  All of the elements make it very appealing to seven to ten-year olds. 

I found the story engaging for as adult, too.  Cornelia Funke is German and the story was originally written in German.  I was impressed by the interesting and advanced vocabulary used by the translator.  The words were presented so that they were easily understood in context.  It was definitely not ‘dumbed down’ for kids.  It was a great shared reading. I’m sure my grandson would have gone through it quickly without me, but it was fun to share.  I’m a Cornelia Funke fan and I’m sure my grandson is, too.

Ghosthunters and the Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost Bk.2

By Cornelia Funke

Narrated by John Beach

After reading Cornelia Funke’s first Ghosthunter’s book, we purchased the other three books in audiobook form from Audible.com.  This book continues the adventures of eleven-year old Tom and Hetty Hyssop, with the addition of Hugo, an ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost), to their team.  Alvin Bigshot calls them to his seaside resort to deal with, what turns out to be, a Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost (GILG).  Any seven to ten-year old Ghostbusters fan will appreciate their suspenseful escapades.  As in Ghosthunters Book 1, I appreciated the advanced and unique vocabulary sprinkled throughout the book. John Beach’s narration makes the audiobook equally appealing to adults.  The entire Ghosthunters series is definitely a good listen… and great for long car trips!

Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness! Bk. 3

By Cornelia Funke

Narrated by John Beach

Our nine-year old grandson loved the entire Ghosthunters series.  Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness continues the adventures of eleven-year old Tom, Hetty Hyssop and Hugo, the ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost).  This time the team is called to Gloomsburg Castle, where they encounter the stinky Totally Moldy Baroness and Tiny Biting Ghosts (TIBIGS).  There is an Indispensible Alphabetical Index at the back of each Ghosthunters book, which our grandson took very seriously in Book 1.  Since we were listening to the Audible versions of books 2-4, he had to be satisfied with the notes at the end of the book.  The notes and the index are definitely an indispensible part of the Ghosthunters experience.  Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness is definitely a good listen for kids and adults, and I’m sure it would be an equally good read.

Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom Bk. 4

By Cornelia Funke

Narrated by John Beach

Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom is the fourth book in Cornelia Funke’s Ghosthunters series.  The Audible version helped make a long car ride with a nine-year old go more quickly and smoothly.  Cornelia Funke is a great children’s author and this series is perfect for seven to ten-year old Ghostbusters fans.  There is just enough suspense to keep that age group totally engaged.  There is also enough humor to keep adults happy.  In this adventure, eleven-year old Tom is working on the final exam for his Ghosthunting Diploma.  The exam turns out to be much harder than he or his partners, Hetty Hyssop and Hugo, the ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost), ever imagined.  The audiobook is a really good listen, and I’m sure it would also be a great read.