Date Posted:16:31:16 05/18/07 Fri Author: Syl Subject: Various!
Here’s a bumper review from the boss-lady herself! Thanks a lot, Judie!
These are my KEEPERS - books I have read OVER and OVER and OVER ad nauseum - it's a yearly ritual for me! It is like hanging out with good friends, and so I have to do it!
William G. Tapply - The Brady Coyne books
Brady is a lawyer who works, if you can call it that *G*, for wealthy, usually elderly clients, who like to pay a lot of money for his services, which basically amounts to a lot of hand-holding and pampering with the odd will and legal advice thrown in for good measure. Thus, he doesn't have to work that hard, and can spend a lot of time thinking about going fishing. He ends up getting involved in mysteries along the way, usually getting beat up at least once per book *G*, but he's lots of fun, and a wonderful guy! Love him! The stories take place in Boston and sometimes further into Massachusetts, and Bill creates a New England/east coast flavour for me, which is one reason I love them.
For more about Bill and his books you can check our online interview with him from a few years ago:
Philip R. Craig - The J.W. Jackson Martha's Vineyard books
Phil is actually about 10 years older than Bill, and they are pals in real life. In fact, they've written two books together and are working on a third (one chapter written by Bill, about Brady, and the next by Phil, about JW - and back and forth through the entire book, and their stories are interwoven).
The J.W. Jackson books take place on Martha's Vineyard, which is one reason I LOVE reading them. Like Bill's books, Phil gives me that feel of being there, even though I've never been there.
J.W. is an ex-cop and he's just enjoying living in the house he inherited from his father on Martha's Vineyard. He does odd jobs to support himself, loves to go fishing, and as the stories progress he gets married and has kids. Like Brady, he keeps getting mixed up in murders, although he doesn't go looking for trouble. He's rougher than Brady, but I really enjoy him. Check out Phil:
A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, C is for Corpse, and so on. She's working on T as we speak, I think. *G* Kinsey Milhone is an ex-cop turned private investigator. Even Kinsey managed to get herself nearly killed in each story but she's a neat gal. I just love hanging out with her. The stories take place in Santa Teresa, California and are still stuck in the 80s. But still fun.
Since Sue's web site seems to be not working, check out Kinsey at Wikepedia. :D
(You can probably check all these people out, writers AND characters, at Wikepedia if you're interested.)
Donna Leon - Guido Brunetti mysteries
Hey - time to go to Venice! *G* Yes, Italy - THAT Venice *G*.
Donna Leon is an American who has been working for years teaching English in Venice. Her books are about Commissario Guido Brunetti, who is basically a local cop. He's always thwarted by his boss, the Vice-questore Patta, yet HELPED by the Vice-questore's secretary, Signorina Elettra. There IS a mystery in each book, but they aren't your typical mysteries - they are more subtle, and more about how Guido thinks and what's going on in his head and in his life. I wuv him. :-)
The J.D. Robb Books - Roarke and Eve - HELLO! I'm sure these have been promoted to death around the Reading Recommendation board. LOVE ROARKE! If you don't know what I'm talking about, run, don't walk, to get your hands on these books. They can be read as stand alone books, but probably best read in order. The time setting is the 2050s, so it's a bit different, but trust me, it's still a mystery and it involves a MAJOR BABE! :D
Lawrence Block has got several series - Matthew Scudder, Bernie Rodenbarr, Evan Tanner, Keller, and more. Each of his heroes is different, so perhaps I'll get up enough energy and talk about them another time. But don't let that stop you from trying one. :-)
PS ………. Unfortunately, while looking for wallpaper for the board just now, I went to Bill Tapply's web site and found out that Phil Craig passed away just last week - on May 8th! What a sad day it is. I'm just thankful that I have collected his books and will always have them to read and still hang out with him and JW Jackson and the gang. Bill has written a nice tribute to his friend here:
Sheila, 05:24:49 05/20/07 Sun