Finished reading The House Next Door, by Anne Rivers Siddon. Published 1993, but my first book by this author. Really good, intelligent, lovely characters well paced into the creepy and horrific. "Colquitt and Walter Kennedy enjoyed a life of lazy weekends, gathering with the neighbors on their quiet, manicured street and sipping drinks on their patios. But when construction of a beautiful new home begins in the empty lot next door, their easy friendship and relaxed get-togethers are marred by strange accidents and inexplicable happenings. Anne Rivers Siddons transports you deep into the heart of a neighborhood torn apart by a mysterious force that threatens their friendship, their happiness and, for some, their very existence." Sounds simple, but not. Whew.

Haven't read any of her books but I just put a few on my list to check out. Sad that she is no longer with us.

Enjoy your gentle rain. Could use a bit of that here but I see no chance anytime soon.

skip the medical explainers and cut to the mystery chase.

Enjoyed the four novellas title, The Bone Collection, for this reason.

Next up is a Clinton/Patterson book, The First Gentleman.

Used to love watching Bones back in the day.

I'll have to get The First Gentleman. "..a twisty thriller with plenty of inside jobs, political sabotage and many, many deaths.”

Considering the authors. Didn't get further than first several chapters though before getting bored. Very unusual for me not to finish a book. I'd be curious to see other reviews.

I love the Dark Wind series. Due to start back up soon, I think. Just got in several of the books. Someone on this forum let me know a series existed.

We are looking forward to the next season as well.

On Tuesday, a new Clive Cussler Isaac Bell novel will be released, and two weeks after that a new Ken Follett book. I’m looking forward to both.

It's great to have something to look forward to these days. I'm sure they'll both be good.

Standard Little fare, but good.

Reading, "Redemption," by David Balducci. Amos Decker goes back to his hometown, and gets dragged into re-investigating his first murder case. I really like this character through the several books I've read now.

Big new box of books! Very exciting.

$5-$6 a piece for used books in good condition from Better World Books. Can't beat it. And the money goes for good causes.

I am just now starting Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami. It’s about three women finding their way in contemporary Japan.

Have a great week everyone!

Nothing like an irreverent defense attorney and his best friend, Tara, a Golden Retriever.

“Defense attorney Andy Carpenter prefers the company of his best friend, Tara, to the people he encounters in the courtroom.” Gotta love it.

That's the first Andy Carpenter. I do enjoy that series.

Surprisingly good historical fiction about a Roman doctor in occupied England circa 100AD. Primarily a murder mystery, it kept me turning the pages. Will look for a new library book early this week.

Our lousy township is tearing down the barn(s) where our barn cats reside. We are trying desparately to catch them and relocate them. The township gave us a couple days notice. This is the good karma reward we got for taking care of the stray mom cat and her kittens in July.

That is horrible. If you can, reach out to a rescue org in your area. Alley Cats, Humane Society. There's got to be someone out there who could lend a hand. It took me a few years to find someone in my area but they're out there. And search engines are better these days. Wishing you the best.

I also just finished The Housemaid is Watching by Frieda McFadden. It is the third novel in "The Housemaid" series, which is a very intense psychological drama series.

“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs. Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs. Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. We finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way…

I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.

Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills…

The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.

Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?

I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all? There are a few very unexpected twists and I stayed up too late reading it