Catching Up on Book Reviews

 

Here I've been, chugging along posting just one book review per week. I know that you know that's just the tip of the iceberg, although I do admit to reading much less when Denis was in the hospital and our niece Karen was here. So... it's time to do a little catching up. 

These will be short reviews. I'll provide links to Amazon in each title in case you want to learn more about any of the books. Let's get started!

The Girl in Cell A by Vaseem Khan

eISBN: 9781399707725

Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd. © 2025

eBook, 515 pages

Standalone Thriller

Rating: D+

Source: Net Galley

My Thoughts: This standalone thriller is a departure for one of my favorite authors. 

Orianna Negi was convicted of murder at the age of seventeen. She's always maintained her innocence, even though she has dissociative amnesia. Released from prison on parole, she returns to Eden Falls to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

At 515 pages, The Girl in Cell A needed some editing. There were too many twists, too many turns, too many about-faces, and the book's length gave me plenty of time to tire of them all. If I'd warmed up to Orianna, I might've enjoyed the book more, but she left me cold. So did the rich and powerful Wyclerc family. (I think I've reached my saturation point on entitled rich folk.) The only reason why I kept reading was to find out the truth. In that, I was just as stubborn as Orianna. 

 

The Irish Convict by M.J. Lee

ASIN: B0CFFDRJRD

M.J. Lee © 2023

eBook, 287 pages

Genealogical Mystery, #10 Jayne Sinclair

Rating: B+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

My Thoughts: M.J. Lee's genealogical mysteries consistently impress me. With his main character, Jayne Sinclair, he consistently centers engrossing mysteries around puzzles that can be unearthed when researching family history. 

In The Irish Convict, Jayne is in lockdown in Australia, and she agrees to research a well-known family's history. It should be easy, but it isn't. I love watching this character uncover the truth. Having helped my grandmother and mother in researching our own family history, I also know that she's giving valuable tips to anyone who might want to do the same. As always, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power

eISBN: 9780063281110

William Morrow © 2023

eBook, 304 pages

Multi-generational Fiction

Rating: B+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

My Thoughts: A Council of Dolls covers almost two hundred years in the lives of Indigenous women, from the ancestral lands of the Lakota to twentieth-century Chicago. Readers learn of the lives of Sissy (born 1961), Lillian (born 1925), and Cora (born 1888) in part through the stories of the dolls they carried.

From life on their ancestral lands to Indian boarding schools to inner city Chicago, I found this book to be compulsive reading and, at times, emotionally draining. 

The Verifiers by Jane Pek

eISBN: 9780593313800

Vintage Books © 2022

eBook, 336 pages

Amateur Sleuth, #1 Claudia Lin

Rating: C+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

My Thoughts: Claudia Lin is used to disregarding the expectations of her domineering Chinese mother, and she's certainly used to keeping secrets from everyone in the family. A lifelong mystery reader, Claudia believes she's landed her ideal job with Veracity, a referrals-only online-dating detective agency. When a client vanishes, Claudia breaks protocol to investigate and uncovers personal and corporate deceit.

I liked Claudia well enough; she has a penchant for comparing things to various books that I found enjoyable ("That man is harder to read than Finnegan's Wake"). I also enjoyed the insider's look at online dating services. But... there was something about the book that just didn't make me want to read more. 

City of Destruction by Vaseem Khan

eISBN: 9781399707671

Hodder & Stoughton © 2024

eBook, 359 pages

Historical Mystery, #5 Malabar House

Rating: B+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

My Thoughts: After gunning down a man trying to assassinate the defense minister at a political rally, Detective Persis Wadia is tasked to hunt down the assassin's co-conspirators. Britain's MI6 immediately shunts her to the sidelines, but she rapidly picks up another case.

I really enjoy Khan's series set after India's Independence and the Partition. City of Destruction shows Persis learning a bit of spycraft as well as the relationship between Great Britain and India at this time. She's finally beginning to learn how to work as part of a team, but I am tiring of her knowingly running into danger without backup. Of course, this behavior can be laid at the feet of her fellow (male) officers, most of whom believe she has no business being there. This is a good, fast-paced read, even though it has a few too many (albeit excellent) similes.

Follow Me to Africa by Penny Haw

eISBN: 9781728295466

Sourcebooks Landmark © 2025

eBook, 304 pages

Historical Fiction, Standalone

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

My Thoughts: This dual-timeline historical novel was a match made in heaven for me. Inspired by the life of paleoanthropologist Dr. Mary Leakey, Follow Me to Africa moves from 1930s London to the Serengeti plains of 1980s Tanzania.

Seventeen-year-old Grace Clark's mother just died, and now she's been sent to help a father she barely knows on an archaeological dig at Olduvai Gorge. Here she meets the indomitable Mary Leakey, a scientist and rebel. With the help of Lisa the cheetah, Mary encourages Grace to think for herself, to choose what she wants to do before someone else does it for her, and she's stuck in a life she doesn't want. The friendship between Mary and Grace, the archaeology, the wildlife... marvelous. (And the Author's Notes and bibliography are must-reads.) I hadn't read a book by Penny Haw before, but now I'll be looking for more.

Am I all caught up now? Ummmm... nope! But I will get there eventually. Promise!

Did I tempt you with any of these books? Have you already read any of them? Which ones? What did you think of them? Inquiring minds would love to know!

An Adventurous Weekly Link Round-Up

 

All is well here at Casa Kittling, so I thought I'd share a little serendipity with all of you. When I saw this t-shirt, I fell in love with it.

I've always loved adventures, and some of the best have been when the driver (whoever it may be) has taken a wrong turn. That's why-- if we aren't on a strict schedule-- I welcome wrong turns. I love seeing new places and having adventures. "Scenic routes", anyone?

What made me laugh the very next day after seeing this t-shirt was learning that two of my nieces were off on their own adventures in Montenegro and Albania.

Daisy and Karen, my adventurous nieces.

From the photos they've been sharing, it looks like they're having a wonderful time.

Wherever you may be, have a wonderful weekend, and leave some time for an adventure or two of your own. Enjoy the links!

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• Will the fear of being confused for AI mean that we will now write differently?
• The St. Francis School District (Minnesota) has rewritten its book review policy and agrees to return banned titles to the library shelves.
• Trump's tactic to "flood the zone" is threatening Mark Twain's legacy.
• Oregon's "Freedom to Read" library bill heads to the governor's desk for a signature.
• Amazon has cut jobs in its book division.
• There are too many books: What happened to publishing's summer break?
• Here's an AI-generated video showing how deepfakes can deceive your friends and family.
• Mrs. Doubtfire hilariously vacuums her way around scenes from other movies and TV shows.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• An archaeologist is claiming that the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke may have been assimilated into Indigenous society, but not everyone is convinced.
• Massive fields where Native American farmers grew corn, beans, and squash 1,000 years ago have been discovered in Michigan.
• Stolen paintings linked to a retired couple who supposedly moonlighted as art thieves have been returned to New Mexico after forty years.
• Gold coins from the "world's richest shipwreck" reveal 300-year-old depictions of castles, lions, and Jerusalem crosses.
• A 1,000-year-old gold bracelet fragment found on a British isle dates back to when Vikings ruled the land.
• A 2,800-year-old royal tomb has been discovered near King Midas' home in Turkey.

►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄

• A hammerhead shark fell from the sky in South Carolina, interrupting a disc golf game. (I would've liked to have been there...)
• A large invasive lizard was spotted in a California park. (I wish people who just had to have an "exotic" pet would stop dumping them any old place when they get tired of them.)
• The great-eared nightjar: the "baby dragon" bird that lays its eggs on the floor.
• Sea horse smuggling is a big problem, despite global efforts to protect these beloved aquatic creatures.
• The Leadbetter's possum, a tiny endangered creature that "moves like greased lightning" has been found in an unexpected place.
• Ronin, a five-year-old African giant pouched rat, set a new world record for discovering deadly land mines-- and he's just getting started.

►The Wanderer◄

• Russian scientists have discovered a new island in the Caspian Sea-- the world's largest inland body of water.
• Kentucky's devastating tornado in May left a trail of destruction visible from space.
• How Tacoma, Washington became a hotbed of crime and kidnapping in the 1920s.
• How America's forgotten second national park lost its federal status-- and gained a new lease on life as a state park.
• The 15 best small towns in the U.S. to visit in 2025.
• 3D maps visualize the stark population density differences in cities in the U.S.

►Fascinating Folk◄

• Carla Hayden, former Librarian of Congress, talked about her firing on CBS Sunday Morning.
• Meet Martha Swope, the legendary Broadway photographer who captured iconic moments from hundreds of productions and rehearsals.
• Author Megan Abbott on criminal conspiracies in the fallen suburbs.
• Frederick Forsyth, master of the geopolitical thriller, has died at the age of 86.
• A new quarter honors Vera Rubin, the astronomer who revealed the universe's hidden mass.
• Guy Bradley, America's first game warden, died fighting for the birds.
• How Apache language teacher Aurelia Bullis found herself on a Kevin Costner film set. 

►I ♥ Lists◄

• Seven books and one play about marital murder.
• Twenty science fiction and fantasy novels to read now.
• 29 books to read for Pride Month.
• Ten new books from Pulitzer Prize-winning writers.
• Five novels about government betrayal, corruption, and abuses of power.
• Mysteries set in the Caribbean.

That's all for this week! No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!

While Miz Kittling Knits Returns for a Little Catchup

 

It's been quite some time since I've done one of these posts. Does it mean that I've stopped knitting? Not at all, although I have slowed down a bit. This feature simply fell by the wayside when I cut back on my blogging. But since I've caught up on all our visits to places here in Phoenix, I thought it was time to show you a couple of baby blankets that I've made.

Pattern Name: The Emily Blanket
Source: Etsy
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft 100% Acrylic in "Sunshine"

Emily Blanket Closeup

Pattern Name: Checkmate Baby Blanket
Source: Etsy
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft 100% Acrylic in "Watermelon"

Checkmate Baby Blanket Closeup

I've been watching a variety of programs while knitting. I've already mentioned... 

The UK series The Repair Shop. These craftspeople can work absolute miracles on the items people bring in. I've become addicted to this program on Amazon Prime because it brings back so many memories of my mother and grandmother plying their own needles.

A similar UK program is Make It At Market where people learn from experts how to turn their crafts/hobbies into thriving businesses. Denis and I fell in love with one man's work, and we're now on a waiting list for one of his items.

In case you think I've been watching nothing but craft programs, here's The Chelsea Detective (Acorn TV), where Detective Inspector Max Arnold's life on a battered houseboat in Chelsea's Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner DS Layla Welsh.

And then there's Harry Wild (Acorn TV) starring Jane Seymour as a retired English professor who discovers a real knack for investigation and cannot help but interfere with the cases assigned to her police detective son.

See? All's right with the world. I'm still knitting and watching TV! (And isn't this the perfect t-shirt for me?

A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao

 

First Lines: The Fiji Times, Saturday, May 1, 1915. Patriotic Cricket Old v Young Players. A cricket match on quite a novel scale will be held tomorrow afternoon-- weather conditions permitting-- at Albert Park...

Fiji, 1915. When rumors spread about Germans being sighted, Sergeant Akal Singh is sent to the neighboring island of Ovalau to investigate. His commanding officer believes he's sending the sergeant off on a wild goose chase-- why on earth would World War I come to such a remote place in the Pacific? To add insult to injury, Singh is also tasked with chaperoning two European ladies on a sightseeing tour. When Singh arrives on Ovalau, he realizes that he will also have to mentor the island's only police officer, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics.

Accompanying Singh is his friend and fellow officer, Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief. The two men quickly find themselves involved in the investigation surrounding the death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors who have run afoul of Taviti's uncle. If that weren't enough, Singh discovers that Katherine, the young European lady journalist, has an agenda of her own. Singh is going to have his hands full trying to keep everyone out of trouble.

~

A Shipwreck in Fiji is the second entry in Nilima Rao's historical mystery series featuring Sergeant Akal Singh (following A Disappearance in Fiji). I am enjoying learning about the culture and history of this area at the turn of the twentieth century. 

Most readers would assume that the islands of Fiji were much too remote to be affected by World War I, but that's not true. There was a definite shortage of men on the islands, since most of them were off fighting in Europe. That's why Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself mentoring a young and extremely nervous constable when he and Taviti arrive on Ovalau.

Taviti was a welcome addition to this book, as he introduced both Singh and readers to tribal traditions, and the breaking of some of them had serious repercussions. Another aspect of Fijian life at the time was the practice of bringing indentured Indians to the islands to work for a period of five years. (Don't miss the Author's Note about this.)

The mysteries concerning the death of the local, the Norwegian sailors, and the European women's real reasons for being on the island were intriguing and certainly kept my interest; however, if one thing made me roll my eyes, it was Akal Singh's propensity to be enthralled by every pretty face he comes in contact with. This is what got him sent to Fiji in disgrace, and-- if he doesn't mend his ways soon-- it's going to get him in even hotter water in Fiji. We'll have to see what happens in the next book.

A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao

eISBN: 9781641295482

Soho Press © 2025

eBook, 272 pages

Historical Mystery, #2 Sergeant Akal Singh mystery

Rating: B+

Source: Net Galley

A Time to Rejoice Weekly Link Round-Up

 

It has been an incredibly tough four years for my husband Denis. An infection that chewed through two vertebrae in his spine. Two major surgeries. Pain that was off the charts. He's been on oxycodone for the entire time. At first, he was so worried about becoming addicted to the drug that he wouldn't take the prescribed dosage, but all that did was teach him not to do that. 

He's had new pain management people with this latest surgery, and it's been a fight to get his "oxy" from them. I can't say that either one of us appreciated their attitude when he had to call, but this did have a silver lining that neither of us expected. Once again, the pain management people let his prescription run out, and this time, they wouldn't even return his phone calls. The result? Denis went through opioid withdrawal. It was not fun. 

But why did I say that it's time to rejoice?  With no oxy, Denis switched to the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen, the only thing he had on hand. Guess what? No pain! After four long years, No Pain. He's moving better, his whole demeanor is lighter and brighter. He's working with his "physioterrorists" three times a week. The edema in his calves and feet has almost completely disappeared. His surgeon is thrilled with his progress, and if it continues, Denis won't need that second surgery.  This wonderful man of mine was 'way overdue for some good news, and on that note, I'll share another view of Arizona's high country. 

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the links!

Arizona's high country

 

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• In 125 years, millions of people have looked at this painting (my favorite). No one really saw it until recently.
• Born between 1954 and 1965? You might be thrilled to learn you're not a Boomer. You're a "Gen Jones."
• Quiz: Can you name the Greek god or goddess?
• Business Insider recommended nonexistent books to staff as it leans into AI. (And it's not the first one to do that.)
• The Thursday Murder Club movie has a teaser trailer.
• Bring on the board games.
• Why we need more "nasty" female protagonists.
• The strongest push for K-12 curricula that get kids into serious literature is coming from the right. We've got to have another answer.
• American English includes one of the rarest sounds on Earth, but we use it all the time.
• Readers are annoyed when fantasy novel accidentally leaves an AI prompt in the published version, showing a request to copy another writer's style. There's more on this from 404 Media and Fast Company.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• A braided gold Viking arm-ring has been discovered by an amateur metal detectorist on the Isle of Man.
• What was daily life like for the women who lived in ancient Pompeii 2,000 years ago?
• "I did a bit of a dance": A metal detectorist found a gold "mourning ring" with a skull and date in a field in the UK.
• How 2,300-year-old gold rings bring an ancient chapter of Jerusalem's history to life.
• Genomes from ancient Maya people reveal the collapse of their population and civilization 1,200 years ago.
• How did Vikings view pregnant women? New research reveals that they were sometimes depicted with weapons.
• He went out to catch fish in Lake Michigan and discovered a 102-year-old shipwreck instead.
• Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed ancient tombs belonging to three senior statesmen who helped keep the New Kingdom running.

►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄

• Australian "trash parrots" have now developed a local "drinking tradition."
• Why do we eat chicken eggs, duck eggs, and quail eggs, but not turkey eggs?
• A Florida bobcat killed a 13-foot python for the first time on record. It's a sign of nature "fighting back" against the invasive snakes.
• 14 million honeybees escaped from an overturned truck in Washington state. Local beekeepers helped corral them.
• How Greenland's dog-sled patrol became unsung heroes of World War II.
• From peasant fodder to fine dining, feast on the tasty history of how snails and oysters became luxury foods.
• Once in dire straits, Atlantic sturgeon are staging a comeback in on the East Coast.
• A study has found that California's hummingbirds have changed their beaks in response to backyard feeders.

►The Wanderer◄

• Mount Etna's spectacular Monday eruption marks the volcano's most intense activity in years.
• Gold mining is sucking the Amazon rainforest dry.
• The Chrysler Building has towered above New York City for nearly a century. Now the Art Deco skyscraper is for sale.
• Experts think the Hagia Sophia is in danger. They've got a plan to protect it from earthquakes.
• Thank you, Dorothy, for the link to Dry Musings in Arizona.
• You can now visit the small house where Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë were born.
• There's a humongous boulder on a cliff in Tonga. Now we know how it got there.
• Africa is being torn apart by a "superplume" of hot rock from deep within Earth.

►Fascinating Folk◄

• Mary Cassatt gave women a place in the Impressionist Movement.
• James Lee Burke on the highs and lows of American history.
• Meet Marguerite, Henri Matisse's eldest daughter-- and one of his most influential models.
• Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the last surviving grandson of President John Tyler, who took office in 1841, has died at the age of 96.
• Fourteen-year-old Siddarth Nandyala built an app that detects heart disease in seconds.
• The evolution of author Robert Bloch.
• Author Alma Katsu on the unexpected delights of being a Jeopardy clue.
• Edvard Munch is known as the painter of The Scream. His many haunting portraits show that he was much more than his masterpiece.

►I ♥ Lists◄

• Seven books that scratch that Pride and Prejudice itch.
• The original names of famous brands and products.
• 72 of summer's hottest new mysteries and thrillers.
• Eleven bizarre items sold by Sears in 1902.
• Twenty books that really should be movies.
• Seven White House mystery and thriller books steeped in political intrigue.
• The best mystery and thriller shows on Hulu.
• New TV novels.

That's all for this week! No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!

Memories of the Rim Country

Over the twenty-three years that Denis and I have been married, we've traveled thousands of miles within the state of Arizona-- many of them off paved roads. I thought this state was beautiful to begin with, but once Denis and I started taking the Jeep off road, I learned that we'd only scratched the surface of beautiful by staying on asphalt and concrete.

One of our favorite places is up in the high country. If you think Arizona is nothing but rocks, sand, and cactus, think again. We have plenty of mountains and-- shock!-- at least three ski resorts. People have gotten lost in snowstorms and died here. Anyway, we've spent many enjoyable days up in the Rim Country, and I cherish these memories, particularly since large swaths of the landscape have been consumed by wildfires. How large? Well over ONE MILLION acres, that's how large. 

I've seen so many of our favorite places up in the cool, pine-scented mountains leveled by fire, and it breaks my heart to know that I'll never see them as beautiful again in my lifetime. Recently, another fire broke out in Greer, Arizona-- a spot especially dear to my heart. (It's the highest town in the state at an elevation of almost 9,000 feet.) About 20,000 acres were consumed before the fire could be contained. This led me to bringing up photos on my computer to relive some memories, and I thought I would share a few with you.

On our way to Greer at the end of May one year, we stopped at Black Canyon Lake to enjoy a snowstorm.

There are all sorts of wildlife up in the Rim Country. Denis and I had to stop to let a family of javalina cross the road on one trip.

The Rim Country has been inhabited for thousands of years, and it's not unusual to find petroglyphs tucked away in the Ponderosa pines.

A curious Abert's squirrel

There are many wildlife areas in the Greer-Springerville area, like the Becker Lake Wildlife Area where Denis and I sat and watched dozens of swallows swoop back and forth over the water.

Also in the Springerville area, you can sit in the parking lot at McDonald's and watch a lively prairie dog town in the field next door.

And so many flowers! This wild iris reminds me of my grandmother.

The Mogollon Rim cuts 200 miles across northeastern Arizona from Flagstaff all the way to the New Mexico border. When you stand on the edge (this is close to Black Canyon Lake), you feel as though you're on top of the world. Nothing but blue sky, mountains, and endless forests in sight.

This golden-mantled ground squirrel lived at Black Canyon Lake. He loved Doritos, and I named him Oliver because he was always coming back for more. Whenever we were in the area, Denis and I would stop (with healthier snacks) to feed Oliver and his buddies. They would take food right from my hand.

So many birds up in the Rim Country, too, but my favorite is the Steller's Jay. Quite the personality!

Denis and I loved renting cabins in Greer. That's our Jeep parked at one of them. On another trip, we rented one with a hot tub on the deck. It was winter, and the two of us sat in the hot tub late at night to watch the Geminids meteor shower. 

The cabin with the hot tub was also right on the banks of the Little Colorado River, and I would sit on the deck and watch a great blue heron fish every morning.

In the Greer area, you can also be up in the pines and look out over the Springerville volcanic field. (That's Denis.)

It's quite an abrupt change from trees to the volcanic field. Almost as though a line had been drawn.

Another shot of the view from the edge of the Mogollon Rim.

Unfortunately, not all are clouds. Fire has been so devastating here in Arizona.

Thanks for coming along with me on my trip down Memory Lane. I hope you enjoyed it.