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MaGoose

MaGoose

Joined June 2018

Mysteries are my thing, although I'm reading lots of nonfiction lately. I post book reviews on my blog, www.janecairns.com.
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MaGoose
Untitled | Untitled
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Thank you to the folks at #athingaday for the nice and unexpected gifts. The package came two days ago. I love the pad, and I can always use more bookmarks because I usually have a lot of books going at once. 😁 😎

#gifts #package #thankyou

24 likes1 stack add
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MaGoose
Heirs Apparent | Thomas J Thorson
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1. My book reviews on my blog, janecairns.com, are coming along well

2. I'd love to meet a few of the authors whose books I have reviewed. I'd ask them when they knew they wanted to be a writer and which authors they like to read.

3. I love to read indie authors and write about their books on my blog - to spread the word about their work. The tagged book is an excellent example of a great indie author.

@Eggs @Andrew65 @CoffeeandaGoodBook

Eggs Thanks for the thoughtful responses 🙏🏻👏🏻🥰 5mo
18 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
The Leipfold Files | Dane Cobain
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Pickpick

Loved this one. A novel of connected short stories about James Leipfold, private investigator. The stories deal with his somewhat younger years and how he became an investigator, and how he met Detective Inspector Jack Cholmondeley. Nicely done.

#mysteries #privateinvestigator

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MaGoose
Driven | Dane Cobain
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This is a new author for me. This is the first book in his Leipfold Mystery series. I'm enjoying it so far. Reading this for #serieslove23 and #MarvelousMarch

@Andrew65 @DieAReader @TheSpineView

DieAReader 💙💙💙 12mo
Andrew65 Look forward to hearing what you think about it. 12mo
TheSpineView Awesome! 12mo
34 likes3 comments
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Great first book in the Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne series. Fergusson is the priest of St. Alban's in an upstate New York town. Van Alstyne is the police chief. They team up to solve the mystery surrounding a newborn boy left at the church. Murder soon follows. As does a blossoming illicit romance between Fergusson and Van Alstyne (he's married).

I'll read more in this series.

@Andrew65 @TheSpineView #FabulousFebruary #SeriesLove2023

TheSpineView Fantastic! 13mo
Andrew65 Brilliant, I love starting new series 👏👏👏 13mo
29 likes2 comments
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MaGoose
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Thanks for the Valentine's Day card. @dabbe 💝 It really made my day. 😀

#Valentines

dabbe 😍 13mo
25 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
Murder at Half Moon Gate | Andrea Penrose
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Pickpick

Great second book in the Wexford/Sloane mystery series. A strong historical mystery set in Regency London. Lord Wexford and Charlotte Sloane make a formidable, evenly matched pair. Friends of Raven and Hawk (Charlotte's wards) are a troupe of streetwise urchins who help gather information, similar to Holmes' Baker Street Irregulars.

Good characterization of both primary and secondary characters.

@Andrew65 #FabulousFebruary #SeriesLove2023

Andrew65 This looks great, I need to check it out. Well done 👏👏👏 13mo
MaGoose @Andrew65 Check out Murder on Black Swan Lane, which is the first book in the series. Both books are equally good. 👍 13mo
TheSpineView Fabulous 13mo
Andrew65 @MaGoose Thanks 🥰 13mo
35 likes4 comments
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Great opener to Tom Fowler's series about CT Ferguson. CT is home from Hong Kong, where he worked as a hacker to help people emigrate from China surreptitiously.

His parents insist he do something to help people. He thinks he can be a detective based on his skills. Alice Fisher calls and CT is on his way.

Good characterization. I'll read more, including the prequel novella about CT's time in Hong Kong.

#serieslove2023 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Sounds good!💙📖📘📚📚 14mo
Andrew65 This looks good. Well done 🥳 14mo
33 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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MaGoose
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Hey @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, if you need a helping hand with book reviews for the #LitsyLove newsletter, I can chip in a review now and then, whenever you need it.

(Do you think I can find your email?! Lost in space, I guess.) 🤣😁

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes! Please send them to me or Renee! Loverofbooks75@gmail. Com ❤️ 14mo
27 likes2 comments
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MaGoose
Untitled | Unknown
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I finished The Drums of War by Michael Ward a few days ago. This is the third book in his Thomas Tallant series. It's a great book for lovers of historical fiction that's mixed with a little romance and a bit of mystery.

This series just keeps getting better.

#readathon #joyousjanuary #serieslove2023
@Andrew65 @TheSpineView @TheBookHippie

Andrew65 Sounds an excellent series, I need to explore it. Well done 👏👏👏 1y
MaGoose @Andrew65 I think you'd like it. The series is about the English Civil War period. Very well done. 1y
TheSpineView Great job! 1y
Andrew65 @MaGoose Thanks, I‘ve added it to my list of series to get to next. 1y
27 likes4 comments
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MaGoose

So sorry, @cinfhen, I need to back out of participating in #muglove23. Hopefully, I can join the action at the next mug swap. 🥺

jenniferw88 @TheKidUpstairs would like to know too! X 1y
MaGoose @thekidupstairs @cinfhen I just had a huge medical bill come due and will be unable to participate in the #muglove23 swap. Sorry about this. But I wanted to withdraw before names were matched and distributed. 1y
TheKidUpstairs @MaGoose totally understand, thank you for letting us know! 1y
Cinfhen Thanks for letting us know - no worries @MaGoose 1y
18 likes4 comments
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MaGoose
The Benson Murder Case | S. S. Van Dine
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My first foray in #serieslove2023 - the first book in the Philo Vance series. I'm only a few pages into it; so, we'll see. 👀

@Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Andrew65 These look good, I will be interested to hear your thoughts on them. 1y
TheSpineView It has books on the cover, that is always a good start. 1y
MaGoose @TheSpineView Yes, I think so to. 1y
Jess_Read_This Oh! This looks interesting! The intro by Ragnar Jonasson caught my eye. I‘ve really enjoyed Jonasson‘s books. If he‘s doing the intro, this one ought to be good! 1y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
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MaGoose
Mrs. Dalloway | Virginia Woolf
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Congratulations, @wanderinglynn, and Happy Birthday.

I'd love to receive Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.

#300KBirthdayGiveaway

wanderinglynn Thank you! 😘 And thanks for entering! 1y
20 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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For the #WinterreadathonDailyChallenge @Andrew65 happened to post a photo of one of my favorite chocolate candies - M&Ms. I also love Cello chocolate-covered cherries (covered in dark chocolate, of course 😁). And almost anything chocolate from Bomboy's on Market St. in Havre de Grace, MD.

#Winterreadathon

Andrew65 I‘m suddenly feeling hungry 😋😂 1y
MaGoose @Andrew65 Of course, I had to eat a couple of M&Ms when I took the picture a few minutes ago. 🙃 🤣 1y
Andrew65 @MaGoose Of course! 😂 1y
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MaGoose @Andrew65 As I mentioned on @TheBookHippie 's feed a moment ago, I like the milk chocolate M&Ms but prefer the dark chocolate ones. I also think the carmel ones aren't too bad, either. 1y
TheBookHippie @MaGoose same!!! Had to eat one or four.. 1y
Andrew65 @MaGoose I‘m not sure they do the dark chocolate ones in the U.K. Now I am having a major tantrum as I love dark chocolate. 😤😤😤😤🤯😤😤😤😡 @ThebookHippie 1y
TheBookHippie @Andrew65 oh the dark chocolate are divine!!!! 1y
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie Not helping 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 (edited) 1y
Andrew65 Just checked Amazon. Only have Chocolate, Crispy or Peanut M&Ms. Only others Mint dark chocolate M&Ms but £31 for 227g! Who pays that!!!!!!! @MaGoose @TheBookHippie (edited) 1y
MaGoose @Andrew65 Usually buy them in the supermarket @TheBookHippie 1y
TheBookHippie @MaGoose @Andrew65 grocery store usually as well. 1y
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie @MaGoose I wonder why these aren‘t available in the U.K. 1y
MaGoose @Andrew65 Absolutely no idea about that. @TheBookHippie 1y
22 likes13 comments
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MaGoose
Brazilian Portuguese For Dummies | Karen Jacobson-Sive
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Can't wait for spring and summer to arrive. Usually, I don't mind the cold weather too much. But not this year, I guess I'm getting older. 🤣🤪

#winterreadathon #WinterReadathonDailyChallenge
@Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Can‘t beat that warmth and the beach in Summer. 🏝⛱☀️ 1y
MaGoose @Andrew65 You're absolutely right 🤩 1y
23 likes2 comments
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MaGoose
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Here's a collage of some of our Christmas 🎄 decorations. #WinterReadathonDailyChallenge

I'm reading the tagged book for the #WinterReadathon

@Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 These are lovely 🎄🎅🏼🎄 1y
IndoorDame Beautiful! 1y
DieAReader ♥️♥️♥️ 1y
23 likes3 comments
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MaGoose
Brazilian Portuguese For Dummies | Karen Jacobson-Sive
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Even though I love reading, I sometimes feel my brain is turning into mush. So, I decided to try and learn another language.

I took a few semesters of Spanish classes while in college and French in high school a bazillion years ago. I may try to refresh my memory 😅 and relearn them again in the future.

#winterreadathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 Best of luck, very impressive 🎄🎄🎄 1y
Amiable I am taking an online class through a language school to learn German! And it took me two years, but I completed the Swedish course on Duolingo. I‘m with you —just trying to keep my brain active! 🙂 1y
MaGoose @Amiable Yes, I'm using the free trial for Duolingo at this point. Unsure I'll continue once I have to pay for it. I'd like to go back and review the lessons sometimes, but you can't do that. Duolingo is somewhat good at reviewing the material, though. 1y
Amiable @MaGoose I did the free version, too. Duolingo changed the format this year —you used to be able to redo lessons you‘d already completed without losing any hearts if you made a mistake. That‘s basically why it took me two years to get through the Swedish —some days I would only review instead of doing a new lesson. I don‘t actually like the new pathway—I‘m doing the German Duolingo to support my class and I‘m not a fan. 1y
28 likes4 comments
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MaGoose
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I'm chugging along reading this book for the #Winterreadathon . Interesting insights, but there's quite a bit about age discrimination in the workplace. While I agree with what's being said, I'm already retired (due to caregiver responsibilities) and don't want to go back to work full-time. Still, interesting stuff. As someone who's older and looking to work, I'm more interested in the gig economy (I do mystery shopping sometimes).

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Sone interesting thoughts and insights. 1y
23 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Great book for those of us who are part of an older generation. (Including me 😁)

Even better, possibly, for those who may want to see what's in store for them.

In fact, the global population is trending older because of slowing birth rates worldwide.

Not everyone who is long-lived is a fuddyduddy.

#winterreadathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 This sounds interesting. Well done 🎅🎅🎅 1y
26 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Not exactly candles, but lit wreaths on the light poles, looking down the street towards St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Easton, MD.

Not exactly a craft, but I took this picture that I have on my calendar.

Haven't been to Maryland's Eastern Shore in several years, now. Wish I could go again. Maybe someday soon.

#winterreadaton #winterreadathondailychallenge
@Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader

Andrew65 That looks lovely, certainly gives a feel of a candle. 🕯🕯🕯 1y
tpixie Lovely church and photo! 1y
DieAReader ♥️♥️♥️ 1y
25 likes3 comments
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MaGoose
A Knock on the Door | Roberta Fernndez
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Pickpick

Four murders in a few months, all from the same software development company. Could it have anything to do with the software being developed for the National Security Agency?

The suspense starts early and ramps up. Characters are well drawn, and the sleuths become a tight-knit group by the end.

Although this is fiction, the premise is true to life. Remember Edward Snowden??!

@Andrew65 #winterreadathon @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader #mystery

Andrew65 Sounds good. Well done 🎄🎄🎄 1y
DieAReader Great job!🎄📚🤓♥️ 1y
22 likes2 comments
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MaGoose
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Read several more stories in this doorstop of a book plus a few magazines for last weekend's #20in4 #readathon. Still not finished yet! I'll keep plugging along reading a story or two here and there between my other book and magazine reads.

@Andrew65

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MaGoose
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Pickpick

My final read for the #OutstandingOctober #readathon.

I've made it about halfway through this monster.

Interesting stories by such folks as Edward D. Hoch, David Stuart Davies, and H. R. F. Keating, among others.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 1y
24 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
Untitled | Untitled
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Mehso-so

So-so. Read about three-quarters of the way through. Then bailed.

#readathon #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 1y
24 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
Whereabouts | Jhumpa Lahiri
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Fabulous collection of short stories. 👌

Bought this book because I'd read her first story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, several years ago.

This collection did not disappoint. Excellent.

#readathon #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65 #shortstories

Teresereading I loved it too 1y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 1y
34 likes2 comments
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

This is my second (or possibly third) reading of this book. Enjoyed the book but didn't like the ending and the way the author summed things up as much as during previous readings.

In the past, I've listened to some of her podcast posts of the same name (Speaking of Faith, renamed On Being). The podcast was very informative and interesting.

I'll read more of her books. And try to locate the podcast, again.

#OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 1y
26 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Very interesting take on where our country is and where it's headed. Essays by a number of leaders, scholars, journalists and activists.

Very much a pick.

If you read this book, you might want to also consider reading The Power of Awareness (the book in my previous post).

#readathon #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 1y
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Great book about staying safe. Advice we can all use.

@Andrew65 #readathon #OutstandingOctober

Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 (edited) 1y
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

This was between so-so and a pick. Liked Steve Winslow, the lawyer who's the narrator.

Hated Sheila Benton, his first client. She was manipulative and a liar. Plus she came from a strange family situation.

Won't say anything more in order to avoid spoilers. I'll read further in this series.

Parnell Hall uses J. P. Hailey as a pseudonym. I have yet to read anything else by Hall. I'll check out his books.

@Andrew65 #OutstandingOctober

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 1y
30 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
Untitled | Unknown
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Reading a past issue of the NY Review of Books (July 21). I have a subscription to this review but do I read it when I get it? No, I don't. It sits on my TBR pile along with everything else. 🤪🤣

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MaGoose
Murder on Black Swan Lane | Andrea Penrose
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this. I'll read her other book - Murder at Half Moon Gate.

#20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done. This looks good. 👏👏👏 1y
28 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Mehso-so

Meh. Both novels are sluggish and wordy. But The League of Frightened Men is the better of the two novels.

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MaGoose
Inn, The | James Patterson, Candice Fox
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Mehso-so

Meh. My first book by James Patterson. Will I read others of his vast oeuvre? Maybe, but maybe not.

MrT I've only ever liked Alex Cross. The rest Meh..... JP and......I'm pretty sure he just lends his name to inferior writers for profit. 1y
tpixie @MrT I totally agree. I love the Alex Cross books. The first ones were much more gory. As time has gone by the newer ones are not quite as explicit so they have a larger commercial appeal. He used to be in advertising, so he‘s an idea guy. Now he uses that to his benefit, by having a stable of writers helping write books for him and he can spit out his ideas. $$$ 1y
MaGoose @tpixie @MrT Thanks for your comments and insights. I'll try reading some of the Alex Cross books. 1y
tpixie @MaGoose ☺️ 1y
24 likes4 comments
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MaGoose
Unsheltered: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Thanks so much Misty Malone for the great Halloween gift 🎁.

I am recuperating from bilateral knee replacement surgery and this surprise package 📦 certainly lifted my spirits.

#litsylove

AmyG Hope you have an easy recovery! And this book was wonderful. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re welcome to! I hope you recover quickly!! ❤️❤️ 2y
Kimzey I hope you are recovering well! 1y
28 likes3 comments
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Great fictional read about space travel and Earth in the near future. A spaceship sets off for the Alpha Centauri galaxy on a 10-year mission, but doesn't return for 40 years. What happens to the crew when they make such a surprising return?

A little slow at times, but a great read and good characterization. I recommend this book and look forward to reading Two Roads to Paradise, the second book in the series.

#jubilantjuly @Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
24 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Mehso-so

Meh. An investigation into the death of Jason Jardine focuses on Lucy Freeman. Jardine was a member of the band, Dr Sweet, of which Daniel Freeman is a founder. Narration alternates between Lucy and Neil Slater, one of the detectives on the case. From the get-go it's evident that Lucy probably didn't commit the crime. Rather sluggish and slow-moving plot. Rather bland but happy-ever-after type ending.

#jubilantjuly readathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
25 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
The Beached Ones | Colleen M. Story
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Pickpick

What would it be like if everyone thought you were dead? What if people walked by you and didn't notice you? A few people, like your ex-girlfriend, Jolene, and her new boyfriend can see you. But Isabella, the medium, can‘t. You are solid enough to yourself—you can eat, drink and wear clothes. You swear you are alive and well. One moment you're at the ocean and the next you're in the Midwest. And no idea how you got there. This is Daniel's world.

Bklover Very intriguing! 2y
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Do humans, especially women, internalize the subliminal messages found in most fairy tales? Anne E. Beall, PhD, thinks so. Males are also fed covert messages. According to Beall, in Cinderella Didn‘t Live Happily Ever After, women bring beauty and men bring intelligence, status and wealth to most situations within fairy tales. Beall and her team analyzed 169 of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales and dig deep into who has beauty and who has power, etc.

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MaGoose
The Bones of Amoret | Arthur Herbert
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Pickpick

Noah Grady, narrator of The Bones of Amoret, is the typical town doctor. Or not so typical. Noah helps immigrants who cross the southern border illegally. Two of those immigrants were Angelica, whom he marries, and her son. And he's good at keeping secrets. Like his 20-year affair with Blaine Beckett‘s wife. Now he's focused on finding out how Beckett has disappeared and why. And who killed his adopted son. Or so he says. Enjoyed this immensely.

22 likes1 stack add
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MaGoose
The Birthmark | Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Thanks again for the birthday wishes from @Lovesbooks87 - one of my @Litsylove friends.

Cupcakes and bookmarks - two of my favorite things. Besides books, of course. 😆 ❤️ 🍰

#litsylove

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MaGoose
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Read 15 chapters in Grace Among Thieves

I should be able to complete at least 5 chapters in An Irregular Life: Being the Adventures & Memoirs of a Fortunate Sherlockian by Mark F. McPherson OR Solomon's Concubine by S. A. Jewell.

@Andrew65 #20in4 #Readathon

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MaGoose
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Mehso-so

This is the third book in the Grace Michelle Mystery series by Kari Bovee. I've read the first book and this one. Doubt I'll read the second book in the series.

Grace faces challenges and overcomes them with the help of the ghost of her sister. REALLY??

Enjoyed this book more than the first one. There is growth in Grace Michelle as a character. And the supporting characters are well rounded. Otherwise, too many strange plot twists.

#mystery

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MaGoose
Birthdays Happen | Herbert Kavet
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Thanks for the birthday wishes from all my friends at #Litsylove.

I've been negligent with posting in the past few months.

Promise to get better with that.

And better at renewing my letter writing with my #litsylove friends.

#LL

kspenmoll Happy belated birthday! 2y
MaGoose Thanks. Actually, my birthday is April 8th 🙂😁 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MaGoose I was a little early 🤣😊 2y
UwannaPublishme Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🎉🎁 2y
34 likes5 comments
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MaGoose
A Study in Charlotte | Brittany Cavallaro
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Such a nice surprise came in the mail this morning. Robin Brock @robinb sent this to me unexpectedly as she was attempting to divest herself of some books ?. If she's anything like me, not many books would "disappear." ???

So thoughtful. ??

I love book mail.

robinb You are so right, Jane! 😂🙄 So far I‘ve only been “able” to divest myself of five from my overwhelming TBR lot. LOL But I haven‘t given up yet. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Hope you enjoy! 🤗 2y
38 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this one. The tagged book is the third in the On the Rocks series by Cathi Stoler. It can be read as a stand-alone novel, which is what I did. There are references in the plot to things that happened previously in the first two novels, but that didn't dim my enjoyment. I'll probably go back and read the first two books in the series at some point soon. Anyway, good pacing and great characterization.
4⭐️

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MaGoose
Napa Noir | Peter H Eichstaedt
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Pickpick

Finished the tagged book 📖 a few days ago. Great read. Good pacing and characterization. Murder at a Napa Valley winery leads to a lot of mayhem for investigative journalist and wine columnist Dante Rath. 4⭐️s

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MaGoose
As Dark As My Fur | Clea Simon
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Pickpick

Second book in a series. Blackie, a streetwise cat, narrates. He solves mysteries with Care, his human friend. Tough urban scenario. Fair to good read.

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MaGoose
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"In my time, like so many others, I have faced losses."

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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MaGoose
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I'll be doing a reading binge of Sherlock Holmes pastiches for the #NovelNovember readathon. First up is finishing up Sherlock Holmes and the Eye of Heka by David Marcum, probably by tomorrow. Look for a review on my blog (see link in profile) on Monday. Next up is Beasts of London by Janina Woods. Got both of these books free from reedsy.com/discovery in exchange for a review on their website.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 What a great theme for the Readathon! Will have to explore this website. 2y
27 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
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Read 📚 4 hours yesterday. Magazines, though, not this Holmes pastiche. Today it's back to David Marcum's great story.

This book gives Dr. Watson a larger role. Great portrait of the doctor that doesn't make him look like a fool as some of the older movies do (think Nigel Bruce's portrayal alongside Basil Rathbone).

I'm about halfway through this book. I'll review it once I'm finished.

@Andrew65 #Halloween #20in4 #readathon

Andrew65 Great progress 👏👏👏 2y
22 likes1 comment