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msmcknittingtonSo, completely disregarding any recommendations made to me in my last poll about books, I downloaded and read Julia Spencer-Fleming's first two books about Reverend Clare Fergusson and Russ van Alstyne. They are OH MY GOD GOOD. (For murder mysteries -- no match for Foucalt's Pendulum, etc.) They're mysteries set in the Adirondacks in New York, in Washington County. I think they're set around the year 2000, because Russ van Alstyne is 48 in them, and he fought in Viet Nam in 1970, but no date is given exactly. Anyway, Clare Fergusson is the new Anglican priest in Millers Kill, a small rural town in northern New York. (By the way, guys, it's dairy country! How exciting is that?) Russ is retired military police, who's come home to Millers Kill to be the chief of police for the eight-person force. Coincidentally, Clare was a helicopter pilot in the Army until she got the calling to become a priest. They meet and mayhem commences. In an entirely engrossing and engaging manner -- these books are funny.
The principle attraction for me are the two main characters. They're not clichés -- a female ex-helicopter pilot turned priest could hardly be one -- and have depth. They're nice people, sincere people. And, since this isn't a Mary Higgins Clark novel, the heroine isn't helpless and the villains aren't senselessly menacing. That's always refreshing. The crimes themselves are . . . well, this is a murder mystery. I will admit that I wasn't able to pick up on who the guilty party is until shortly before the characters do, but I'm really stupid that way. Even Agatha Christie novels usually stump me.
Also, Russ and Clare are totally falling for each other, but Russ is married. Very scandalous, the new priest and the chief of police engaging in almost an affair, but the way it's dealt with makes it very well done. It's not all passion and fireworks, but two people fighting against finding themselves in a very bad, life-destroying situation. The way the other characters in the book deal with it is also spot-on for a small town. No, no lynchings, but everyone notices when Clare's car is parked in Russ's driveway overnight (totally innocent, by the way; not even a kiss is exchanged), and starts asking questions. Russ and Clare's mutual attraction is presented in a very authentic way, I think.
I'm hesitant to call these inspirational novels. The series' tagline is "Novels of Faith and Murder for Readers of Literary Suspense," but the faith included is so non-offensive and Christian in "do good things for other people" sense that I have trouble getting worked up over it. In me experience, inspirational fiction tends to lean heavily towards "God is AWESOME!" and these books definitely don't have that. In the first book, Clare has this exchange with the dispatcher at the police station.
Compared to the stuff that pops up in inspirational fiction, that is downright reasonable. No rambles about a woman's proper place in society, how she wants to have millions of babies, and Clare's not Mennonite, so there's that.
Now, if you're Der Trihs, your head would probably explode after reading that, but if you're a normal person, then you should be OK with it. The faith thing doesn't pop up often, but when it does, it's delightfully non-aggressive and obviously part of the character's beliefs, not part of the author's agenda.
The first two are also available for FREE from the publisher (St. Martin's Press) until June 13th. You have to sign up for their mailing list, but so far I've received exactly one e-mail from them, and I signed up on the 6th. It's just announcements about books they're releasing and promotional offers like this, so your choice. Details here on Julia Spencer Fleming's website.
My entire point in making this post was in saying that I desperately want to read the next four novels in the series. The latest one was released this month, but it's not showing up in my library's database yet. I want to read it now! The excerpt on Spencer-Fleming's website ends on a big ol' cliffhanger and I must know how it ends. I'm contemplating messaging somebody on Good Reads to find out, because I am in that much suspense.
This whole PDF book experience has led me to discover, however, that I really hate ebooks. So dumb. I like reading in bed before I go to sleep and in the tub -- in the bathroom generally, really -- and places where I can't lug my computer with me. I don't really have any interest in getting an ebook reader, regardless of however many people have drunk the Kindle-Aid, because I enjoy books. Paper? Paper is awesome! I liked to be able to toss one in my bag and not worry about trashing multiple books if I spill a cup of coffee in there. Only the one in that event. I also find that paper books give me less eyestrain than any sort of electronic display. Margin notes are occasionally my life, and who wants to futz with a stylus when a pencil works so much better?
Jeezum crow, when did I become a . . . not a phlebotomist. That other p-word. Plebian? Philander? Pharisee? Dammit, none of those words are it. More coffee for me.
As a last note, the final count for bug bites on my backside is five. Four on the top of one cheek, and one on the other. I don't even know how it happened. Those were some determined gnats. I know it was gnats because all the bites are dime-sized, and mosquito bites are always the size of half-dollars on me, because I am just that special. The total bug bite count? Eleven.
My mom says the bugs like to eat me because I'm so sweet, but I think it's because they're bloodthirsty little bastards. Consensus?
The principle attraction for me are the two main characters. They're not clichés -- a female ex-helicopter pilot turned priest could hardly be one -- and have depth. They're nice people, sincere people. And, since this isn't a Mary Higgins Clark novel, the heroine isn't helpless and the villains aren't senselessly menacing. That's always refreshing. The crimes themselves are . . . well, this is a murder mystery. I will admit that I wasn't able to pick up on who the guilty party is until shortly before the characters do, but I'm really stupid that way. Even Agatha Christie novels usually stump me.
Also, Russ and Clare are totally falling for each other, but Russ is married. Very scandalous, the new priest and the chief of police engaging in almost an affair, but the way it's dealt with makes it very well done. It's not all passion and fireworks, but two people fighting against finding themselves in a very bad, life-destroying situation. The way the other characters in the book deal with it is also spot-on for a small town. No, no lynchings, but everyone notices when Clare's car is parked in Russ's driveway overnight (totally innocent, by the way; not even a kiss is exchanged), and starts asking questions. Russ and Clare's mutual attraction is presented in a very authentic way, I think.
I'm hesitant to call these inspirational novels. The series' tagline is "Novels of Faith and Murder for Readers of Literary Suspense," but the faith included is so non-offensive and Christian in "do good things for other people" sense that I have trouble getting worked up over it. In me experience, inspirational fiction tends to lean heavily towards "God is AWESOME!" and these books definitely don't have that. In the first book, Clare has this exchange with the dispatcher at the police station.
“I was going to ask if you believe praying
can really help at a time like this.”
Clare folded her hands together and pressed them to her lips. She
paused. “I believe that prayer focuses our human thoughts and energies,
sends them to the people we’re praying for. I believe that helps, in ways
we can’t yet understand.” Harlene looked surprised. She had probably
expected a quick yes. Followed by an exhortation to the Almighty to
keep everyone safe. “I believe that God hears our prayers, and cherishes
them. I believe He answers by sending us His spirit, giving us strength,
and peace, and insight. I don’t think He responds by turning away bullets
and curing cancer. Though sometimes that does happen.”
Harlene frowned. “In other words, sometimes, the answer is no?”
“No. Sometimes the answer is ‘This is life, in all its variety. Make
your way through it with grace, and never forget that I love you.’ ”
Harlene creaked back in her wheeled dispatcher’s chair. “You’re not
one of those strict fundamentalist preachers, are you?”
Compared to the stuff that pops up in inspirational fiction, that is downright reasonable. No rambles about a woman's proper place in society, how she wants to have millions of babies, and Clare's not Mennonite, so there's that.
Now, if you're Der Trihs, your head would probably explode after reading that, but if you're a normal person, then you should be OK with it. The faith thing doesn't pop up often, but when it does, it's delightfully non-aggressive and obviously part of the character's beliefs, not part of the author's agenda.
The first two are also available for FREE from the publisher (St. Martin's Press) until June 13th. You have to sign up for their mailing list, but so far I've received exactly one e-mail from them, and I signed up on the 6th. It's just announcements about books they're releasing and promotional offers like this, so your choice. Details here on Julia Spencer Fleming's website.
My entire point in making this post was in saying that I desperately want to read the next four novels in the series. The latest one was released this month, but it's not showing up in my library's database yet. I want to read it now! The excerpt on Spencer-Fleming's website ends on a big ol' cliffhanger and I must know how it ends. I'm contemplating messaging somebody on Good Reads to find out, because I am in that much suspense.
This whole PDF book experience has led me to discover, however, that I really hate ebooks. So dumb. I like reading in bed before I go to sleep and in the tub -- in the bathroom generally, really -- and places where I can't lug my computer with me. I don't really have any interest in getting an ebook reader, regardless of however many people have drunk the Kindle-Aid, because I enjoy books. Paper? Paper is awesome! I liked to be able to toss one in my bag and not worry about trashing multiple books if I spill a cup of coffee in there. Only the one in that event. I also find that paper books give me less eyestrain than any sort of electronic display. Margin notes are occasionally my life, and who wants to futz with a stylus when a pencil works so much better?
Jeezum crow, when did I become a . . . not a phlebotomist. That other p-word. Plebian? Philander? Pharisee? Dammit, none of those words are it. More coffee for me.
As a last note, the final count for bug bites on my backside is five. Four on the top of one cheek, and one on the other. I don't even know how it happened. Those were some determined gnats. I know it was gnats because all the bites are dime-sized, and mosquito bites are always the size of half-dollars on me, because I am just that special. The total bug bite count? Eleven.
My mom says the bugs like to eat me because I'm so sweet, but I think it's because they're bloodthirsty little bastards. Consensus?
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-11 02:57 pm (UTC)It's because we (since this happenes to me too) were given the wrong genes. That's all.
I think we should push from the extinction of mosquitoes. After all, they serve no useful purpose. They are just mini vampires that spread disease.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 02:26 am (UTC)I did feel pretty special today when I half-mooned my mother to show her my bug bites. She was suitably impressed. :P
no subject
Date: 2008-06-11 03:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-11 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 02:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 02:29 am (UTC)