This is the summer of all the mysteries, as I said recently. But I’ve been reading a few other things too. Here’s the latest roundup:
Miss Emily, Nuala O’Connor
I picked up a copy of this lovely novel the day before Julia happened to review it at Great New Books. It’s a fictional account of Emily Dickinson’s friendship with an Irish maid, Ada, narrated in alternating chapters by Emily and Ada. The prose is gorgeous and I loved the bond between the two women.
A Fatal Winter, G.M. Malliet
In his second adventure, Father Max Tudor, former MI5 agent turned priest, is called upon to help solve a murder at the local castle. It’s packed full of greedy relatives, all of whom have a motive. A slow start, but an enjoyably twisty mystery, and I really like Max (and his inspector friend, DCI Cotton).
Winter Hours: Prose, Prose Poems, and Poems, Mary Oliver
This collection includes a handful of essays on the natural world, literary criticism on a few poets, and some poetry. Lyrical and thoughtful and full of good noticing, like all Oliver’s work. (And, despite the title, great beach reading.)
A Mourning Wedding, Carola Dunn
Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher and her husband Alec are invited to her best friend’s wedding – but a double murder complicates matters. A really fun, Christie-esque country house mystery with a dizzying array of characters. Alec and his team are in fine crime-fighting form, but of course Daisy saves the day in the end.
Scents and Sensibility, Spencer Quinn
Chet and Bernie are back for an eighth adventure involving a stolen cactus, an old kidnapping case and (as always) plenty of canine humor from narrator Chet. A satisfying mystery and so much fun.
I’m in the middle of half a dozen books right now – so, more to come in the end-of-month roundup!
Most links (not affiliate links) are to my favorite local bookstore, Brookline Booksmith.
What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 
On your recommendation, I picked up the first Fr. Max Tudor mystery and am now anxious to read the second. Of course, I have visions of Grantchester in my head, so I hope I won’t be disappointed! Guess I’ll find out this weekend~
Hope you enjoy! I do like Max. I have the third book waiting on my library stack.