Friday, May 14, 2010

bookfinds @ Kittling: Books


Denis and I have been slicing oranges in half and putting them out for the birds. You'd be surprised at how many birds citrus fruit attracts--even if the reference books say nothing about them having a preference for it. Lately I've been reading within sight of the oranges because either the parent birds are busy flying to and fro feeding their nests of young, or parent birds have fledglings that they're bringing to the oranges in an attempt to get the youngsters to feed themselves.

It makes for entertaining viewing, and I have to admit that my reading has slipped a bit. However, I did manage to find the time to go through the latest Booknews from The Poisoned Pen. Of course, I found some books to add to my wish list. Who knows when I'll get them (if ever), but the following books have been added to that all important bookaholic's list. Let's take a look! (Click on the book cover to find more detailed information about the book.)


The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard.
"One stormy night in 1986, someone shoots Hugh-Jay Linder dead, and Laurie, his discontented young wife, disappears. The authorities arrest Billy Crosby, a disgruntled ex-employee of High Rock Ranch with a drunk-driving record, in whose abandoned truck Laurie's bloodied sundress is found. In 2009, Billy's lawyer son, Collin, who's certain of his dad's innocence, secures Billy's release from prison and a new trial. Father and son return to Rose, where 25-year-old Jody Linder, the victims' daughter, works as a teacher. Collin's pursuit of justice will force Jody and other members of her family, including her three uncles and her grandparents, to finally confront what really happened on that long ago fatal night and deal with the consequences."


Bones of Contention by Jeanne Matthews.
"The Top End of Australia is a land teeming with crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and curious Aboriginal myths. It’s a strange place to choose to end one’s life, but that is what Dinah Pelerin’s wealthy American uncle has done. Dying of cancer, he has summoned his entire family – current wife, ex-wife, assorted children and niece – to a remote, comfortless lodge where he intends to rewrite his will and commit suicide with the aid of a rogue Australian physician with whom he shares a mysterious history. Dinah sees this time with her uncle as a last chance to learn the truth about her father, who died during the commission of a felony when she was a child. But when she arrives, she discovers that the truth has more and darker ramifications than she’d bargained on."


Zulu by Caryl Ferey.
"Readers should be prepared for graphic scenes of shocking violence in FĂ©rey's hard-hitting procedural, which won France's Grand Prix for Best Crime Novel. Ali Neuman, the chief of the Cape Town police crime unit, investigates the murder of 18-year-old Nicole Wiese, found one morning in the South African city's botanical gardens with her skull crushed in. Since the victim's father was a member of the Springboks rugby team that won the world championship in 1995, the case attracts heavy press coverage. The trail leads Neuman to an extraordinarily brutal narcotics gang with links to a former apartheid official. The good guys don't walk away from their encounters with the bad guys unscathed. This is a welcome addition to the growing ranks of crime books set in South Africa—powerful and unflinching in its portrayal of evil both mindless and calculating."


The Edge of Ruin by Irene Fleming.
"During the very early days of silent movies, a murder during filming threatens the lives of two independent film producers in this thrilling historical mystery.One day in 1909, Emily Weiss’s handsome and successful new husband, Adam, returns to their well-appointed Philadelphia home to tell her he’s sold everything they own, and they are going to New York to become independent movie producers. As he’s already signed a contract that will ruin them if not fulfilled, Emily agrees to go with him to New York and help him set up their movie company. But of course, it’s not that easy—all movie production is controlled by Thomas Edison and his partners in the Patent Trust who hold many of the major patents used in filmmaking. And they employ a team of often brutal detectives whose main job it is to go around and disrupt independent films, breaking cameras and even heads if necessary.With a colorful crew of actors, Adam and Emily head to Fort Lee, New Jersey where they set shooting the films to fulfill their contract. After evading Edison’s detectives a couple of times, one of them arrives on the set in time for a major crowd scene. And, while almost everyone’s back is turned, he is murdered. Now Adam sits in jail, charged with the crime, while Emily has to not only finish films but uncover the truth about the shocking murder."


Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S.C. Gwynne.
"S. C. Gwynne’s Empire of the Summer Moon spans two astonishing stories. The first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history. The second entails one of the most remarkable narratives ever to come out of the Old West: the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches."





So... what do you think? Have you read any of these books? If so, would you recommend them? If you haven't read any of them, have you added a title or two to your own wish list? Which one(s)? Do tell!




11 comments:

  1. I have my eye on that Nancy Pickard too.

    I had no idea about leaving out an orange for the birds. I have tons of birds at the feeder -- If I leave an orange out, I bet the squirrels or chipmunks get it first. But I think I'll give it a try.

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  2. I love the cover for The Edge of Ruin! Thanks for the heads up about that release.

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  3. I haven't read any of them, but the Nancy Pickard title looks really good to me.

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  4. I didn't know about birds and oranges. Hmmm....

    I'm looking forward to reading Nancy Pickard's book too. My mystery book group read THE VIRGIN OF SMALL PLAINS last year and they were excited to hear that she had another book written in the same vein.

    I'm also planning on reading BONES OF CONTENTION. Very intriguing.

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  5. The Scent of Rain and Lightning looks really interesting - I'm adding it to my wishlist!

    My finds for this week are here.

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  6. Nancy Pickard - One dark and stormy night, eh? Sounds like Snoopy to me.

    I know birds love citrus fruit. Try putting out half of a coconut sometime too. You'll have a crowd.

    We're busy trying to keep swallows from building a nest on the rafters of our patio which is partially enclosed. They built one two years ago and while we loved watching the babies, what a mess they made!

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  7. I saw The Scent of Rain and Lightning at Borders and it looks really good. Haven't seen any mention of it or any reviews around the blogs, but I'll keep a look out.

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  8. heyyh like it its luke by the way
    still missing it over there :(

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  9. I think "The Scent of Rain and Lightning" is such a wonderful title for a book...

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  10. The Nancy Pickard book sounds amazing.

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  11. Beth-- Even if the squirrels or chipmunks get it first, you're bound to get some good photos!

    Ruth-- You're welcome! :)

    Kathy-- I love that title!

    Kay-- I haven't read The Virgin of Small Plains yet, even though it's been sitting on my TBR shelves for quite a while. :(

    Carina-- Oh...I always have to check these things out. Thanks!

    Barbara-- Now you've got my mind focused on coconuts! LOL Swallows would make a mess, but I'm looking forward to eating lunch in Benson next month so I can photograph a few of their swallows.

    Lynne-- I'm looking forward to reviews of it as well.

    Luke-- I don't think you'd really miss it. It's already been 38 C. here and the sun is fierce!

    Caite-- So do I.

    Ryan-- I think it's the hit of this post. Rightfully so, too.

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