The Books of August

In Dying on the Vine, Forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver travels to Tuscany with his wife, and are joined on their trip by his colleague John Lau and his wife. Gideon is scheduled to present lectures to local law enforcement but becomes involved in the investigation of the death of patriarch Pietro Cubbiddu and his wife Nola, owner of the winery at Villa Antica, where Gideon and his party are to be guests. The police believe that Pietro killed his wife and then committed suicide, but the skeletons tell a different story. A solid mystery with lots of local color and descriptions of food and wine.

 


Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews
Get Well Soon: history's worst plagues and the heroes who fought them by Jennifer Wright
The Dog  went over the Mountain: travels with Albie: an American journey by Peter Zheutlin
Rough Magic: riding the world's lonliest horse race by Lara Prior-Palmer
Die, Die Birdie by J.R. Ripley
Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews
Deadly Chapel by N.C. Lewis
Last Shot by Mike Faricy
As Husbands Go by Susan Isaacs
Best American Travel Writing 2019 edited by A. Fuller
Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Some Like it Hawk by Donna Andrews
Old Bones by Aaron Elkins
Phi Beta Murder by C.S. Challinor
Dying on the Vine by Aaron Elkins
The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley

July's Books

Milwaukee Noir edited by Tim Hennessey

Fourteen stories set in various areas around Milwaukee, from West Allis to Whitefish Bay. Some of the authors included are Jane Hamilton, Reed Farrell Coleman, and Larry Watson. Some of my favorites are Matthrew J. Prigge’s “Third Street Waltz” about the closing of a porn theater; “Cousins” by Jennifer Morales about a Latinx named Carlisa who returns from Afghanistan and wants to be called Carlos; and “Mocking Season” –a story reminiscent of Ira Levin, about Whitefish Bay neighbors whose children are being poisoned by lawn chemicals.

 

Blood by Maggie Gee
The Killing in the Cafe by Simon Brett
Cherry Pie and Deadly Lies by Darci Hannah
Milwaukee Noir edited by Tim Hennessey
Backwater Bay by Steven Becker
Take the Monkeys and Run by Karen Cantwell
Devils Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

June's Books

Chef Carrie Ann Cole has just landed her dream job as personal chef to the Royal Family at Kensington Palace. As she packs to leave her life in Chicago, her boyfriend of six years, John, suggest they “have a break” from their relationship.

When Carrie Ann arrives in London, she barely has time to catch her breath before she is shown to the kitchen. She meets her two assistants, is shown to her quarters, and needs a map to find her way through the maze of hallways. Still jet lagged, she rises early the next morning to go to the palace greenhouse to pick some vegetables for a frittata. Not only does she find the bed of kale she is looking for but she discovers the body of one of her assistants.

Carrie Ann wants to make a success of her new job, but obstacles keep being thrown her way. And her boyfriend back in Chicago is pressuring her to return to the states. Readers who enjoy cozy food mysteries, like July Hyzy’s White House chef series, will enjoy this book.

 
 Traveling with Service Animals by Henry Kisor
The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver
Musseled Out by Barbara Ross
Stowed Away by Barbara Ross
Fogged Inn by Barbara Ross
Deep South by Paul Theroux
Bury the Lead by Archer Mayor
Kale to the Queen by Nell Hampton
Miss Julia Takes the Wheel by Ann B. Ross
Vicious Circle by CJ Box
The Switch by Joseph Finder