Garden chores have been taking some of my time. The temperatures have been warm, and I've been digging up cannas that are threatening to overtake an entire area, moving shrubs, and other chores. This morning is much colder and rain is expected this afternoon, so I'm busy with some laundry and other household repeat performances.
In addition to my little "pocket" sketchbook, I purchased a larger one that mostly stays on my desk. Sketching real and imaginary items has become addictive. I'm not participating in the 100 Day Project, but it was what inspired me. I'm sketching lots of ideas for my postcards, envelopes, and letters. It doesn't have to be accurate, if the item is recognizable, I'm happy. :)
Lots of reading. :)
Scandal rocked the Holmes family.
A cache of documents has been recently discovered detailing, in Sherlock's own hand, his early forays into criminal investigation. With The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife, the game begins as Sherlock faces his first case."
Thirteen-year-old Sherlock is summoned home from Eton because his mother has been accused of murder! Sherlock, who has not been enjoying Eton, is eager to help determine the real culprit; Mycroft, on the other hand, can't wait to return to Oxford.
I thoroughly enjoyed another visit with the Holmes family. The young Sherlock is a interesting character, as he struggles with the culture of the times, his own curiosity and coming of age, and his love and fear for his mother. He also gets some insight into his parents' marriage--Sherlock is surprised at the nuances of relationships.
Recommended: both books, but read this one first if you can.
Purchased.
Historical Mystery/Sherlock Holmes. 2020. Print length: 346 pages.
Drayco, former piano prodigy until an accident put an end to his concert career, joined the FBI like his father. At present he works as a crime consultant.
From description: "Crime consultant Scott Drayco is in the middle of a thorny case in Washington, D.C., involving murder victims who were all wheelchair-bound. Then, out of the blue, he gets a worried call from a friend on Virginia's Eastern Shore about an attack on an innocent disabled girl. Working once again with Sheriff Sailor and Deputy Nelia Tyler, Drayco discovers almost everyone believes the girl's attack was an accident."
Requiem for Innocence takes Drayco back to the small Eastern Shore town of Cape Unity, where he renews his friendships with the characters in the small town as he investigates the attack on twelve-year-old Virginia and looks for connections to his D.C. case.
Character-driven, good plotting, interesting element with synesthesia--I'm really enjoying this series. I like the way the characters are developing and new ones are added.
Purchased.
Mystery/Crime. 2015. Print length: 292 pages.
Gardening. Sketches. Good books (except for that last one). Sounds pretty good to me. :D Hope it continues!
ReplyDeleteThe last one has a lot of positive reviews, but it wasn't a good fit for me. Too much "psychologizing" and episodes of violence.
DeleteThe Adventure of the Murdered Midwife sounds like a fun look at young Sherlock. I wonder if my mom would enjoy it, too. Adding it to my library list.
ReplyDeleteNice sketches! I am not at all artistic, so my creative outlet is cooking and photography.
I've really enjoyed both books about the young Sherlock. I'm an indifferent cook--maybe because my husband is a better one. He loves (and finds relaxing) the process and uses food as a form of love, much like his mother did. It suits me fine to have him offer a new version of taco soup, the reliable chicken and sausage gumbo, an orange and cranberry bread. Unfortunately, my waistline does not agree.
DeleteWe have not started our gardening clean up but soon. It's wonderful that you are taking the time to sketch and so far I think you are doing great! Of the books you reviewed the one that caught my attention was Requiem for Innocence! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
ReplyDeleteI want to change a few things in the garden and have tried to prepare for spring--only to fear Feb. is actually going to bring winter back into play. We may actually get snow next week!
DeleteThe Scott Drayco books have been quite good!
I love your sketches, makes me wish I had art talent:( I haven't heard of that Sherlock Holmes series before so I'm curious. I try to avoid series books as I always seem to be behind the 8-ball or reading series books out of order LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! My granddaughter has talent and practices all the time, so I thought I'd give it a try. The young Sherlock books are fun, the characters and the plots kept me involved with both books. :)
DeleteI've always wished I could draw, but my talents lie more in photography and needlework of some sort.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm tired of books that love to describe violence toward women-- or toward anyone, for that matter, so I'm going to leave The Girl From Silent Lake alone. I also have a low tolerance for domestic thrillers. I like to have at least one character in a book whom I can trust.
Right, domestic thrillers are another sub-genre that has been overdone!
DeleteMy library doesn't seem to have heard of the Sherwood-Fabre Young Sherlock books. It's always disappointing when a search ends like that.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame--I hate it when I want a book and the library doesn't have it.
DeleteI think the young Sherlock Holmes books sound like something I would like. I'm not sure about the one that includes an attack on the girl who uses a wheelchair. I love your doodles. I feel like one can learn to draw with practice, but I find drawing quite intimidating. It isn't a natural ability of mine. I worked outside this week on the warm day. I needed the healing and distraction that nature provides. I was planting pansies and violas to accent our Yardi Gras decorations, "Riding out the 'Rona."
ReplyDeleteThe Drayco books concentrate on the characters, and Virginia is a character I expect to see in future books, wheelchair and all. Drawing isn't a natural ability for me either, but I just want some cartoon-y figures for my letters. :) This has been another unusually warm winter, but we are supposed to get some really cold weather next week. We'll have to cover the stuff that has already begun making an early entry. And Teresa, I love your Yardi Gras decorations!
DeleteDid you get the expected rain? The weather here was so nice today, we spent a little time outside. I noticed our trees finally have no leaves. I don't even remember them changing colors. I know I haven't been THAT cooped up inside . . . But I'm surprised I didn't even notice. I am glad you have been able to read quite a bit! The Adventures of the Murdered Midwife sounds great. I really must try that series. Requiem for Innocence also sounds good. I hope you have a great week, Jenclair!
ReplyDeleteWe did get the rain, but a gentle, off and on all day rain. I think you'd like the young Sherlock books, Wendy. Oh, and after I read your comments about the Russian Cage, I went ahead and started it. Wow! Lizbeth is quite the character, and right now, I'm worried about Felix, unconscious in the grocery store. So, yes, now I'm hooked on another series and will have to go back and get the first books.
DeleteAwesome sketches! I'm loving the sound of the young Sherlock series. I've gotta check it out. Hope you have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley! I have enjoyed this project of sketching a little (or a lot) each day, and I hope you do try this new Sherlock series. :)
DeleteOhhhh I like your sketches!! A young Sherlock sounds interesting; I don’t think I’ve read abt a young Sherlock like this before. The girl from Silent Lake sounds so gratuitous unfortunately 😩 I am over those books too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Verushka! This is my first experience with a young Sherlock, and I've enjoyed it. :)
DeleteI love your sketches, Jenclair! :) And it seems like you'd read some good books there, too. I don't mind reading thrillers with some violence but it has to be related to the investigations (some descriptions to readers for a better understanding) instead of for shock value.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melody! The sketching has been fun and is providing ideas for my postcards. I don't mind some violence, but don't want to read graphic details, especially when the victims are usually women. I like the puzzles and the suspense--and don't need the shocking details being the main element.
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