What Fiction are you reading this week, March 30, 2025?

[hermetic]

This discussion thread is pinned.

Reading The Lost Coast by the father and son team, Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman. A most intriguing tale involving land fraud in northern California. An actual place, I don't recall ever hearing about the Lost Coast in all my years of living in and visiting California. Here's a Wiki article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast" The book is "a heart-stopping tale of deception and redemption -- bursting with action, suspense, and unforgettable characters." A real page-turner.

Last week a few of us here were chatting about Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. On Monday I finished my audio book and, looking for something new, I discovered my library had several Wheel of Time audio books. I checked out the first two, for 3 weeks. Then I loaded up The Eye of the World and looked at the little notation in the corner that tells how long it is...29+ hours!!! Just for the first book! I'm not sure I have the patience for this.

[cbabe]

1. I read The Lost Coast and enjoyed it. Finished

Cory Doctorow’s The Lost Cause.

California fires, floods, aging magas, vicious putes (plutocracts), hard right greed head President. Imperial valley refugees and Burbank maker culture.

Kids trying to save their world.

Writing is uneven but plot has enough turns to keep the pages turning.

The saying is Doctorow not only writes about the future, he lives there.

Also finishing John Sandford’s Kidd series. Good. Really good.

[SARose]

2. Ann Boleyn was beheaded again

Held out hope but nah.

I read

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin - Set in rural Georgia it’s about a former heart surgeon and a young girl with a failing heart.

This was a really good story until the end. I found myself rereading a couple of pages trying to figure it out.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Linda Cohen Loigman. This was great story about an 80 year old retired pharmacist and the man who broke her heart 60 years ago.

This was a good story told from both perspectives with a bit of magic thrown in. Loved it.

So I decided to give ole Charles Martin a second chance and I am currently reading The Water Keeper. It is a thriller about human trafficking. I think it is a series of 3.

Oddly enough I never read Christian fiction and now I’ve read two!

Thanks for the book tips! Can’t wait to read them.

[The King of Prussia]

3. Same as last week

"Date with Deceit" by Julia Chapman. Hardly read a page this week. On Thursday we went to the launch of the final book in the series. It was a good evening. I've never listened to an audio book, but the lady who narrates the audio books of the series was there. She may have converted me.

[hermetic]

8. A whole new world awaits

I've been listening to audio books for several years. I do prefer physical books but the audios help me get through my massive "must read" list. And I get my chores done at the same time. It really helps if they have good narrators.

[Bayard]

4. "Memory Man," by David Baldacci

After reading about Amos Decker as a character in another Baldacci book, I wanted to see how he evolved. Its a good tale.

[hermetic]

9. That does sound good

"Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final page."

[wordstroken]

5. For a kinder, gentler world of puppy love -- plus action, mystery, drama, and humor -- this book series is the best.

I’m addicted to reading David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter suspense legal thriller series.

Out of the 32 books in this series alone, I’m currently reading book #8, Dog Tags. Which I spend at least two hours in bed at night happily curled up with my two pups and kitty. Every book has been a unique and delightful page-turning story, which is my end-of-the-day mental health therapy in these otherwise emotionally painful times.

Like the author (and me), Andy Carpenter is an passionate dog lover. Rosenfelt’s writing style of deep scrutiny, fine legal details, and self-deprecating, warm-hearted humor is a rare, yet serendipitous mix. As is his difficult-to-write first-person, present-tense narration and dialogue, which easily transitions into occasional third-person, past-tense when focusing on other characters. (As an author of medical-legal thrillers, I can appreciate how challenging it is to create flow with this dramatic switcheroo effect, especially in fiction. And it’s the reason I save first-person, present tense for my memoirs.)

Here’s a reviewers’ synopsis on the main — and very lovable — character:

“Andy Carpenter is a hard working criminal lawyer as well as a sports fan who has a gift for gab. He is an animal lover who saves both dogs and men from death row. His Golden Retriever Tara helps him solve cases and win courtroom battles in this amazing legal thriller series. David Rosenfelt is an incredible author who has received various nominations for his good writing skills over the years.”

I highly recommend Rosenfelt’s books to anyone who needs to escape to a kinder, gentler world of puppylove. Especially if you’re an animal lover and/or sports nut.

Love the picture and wise words, hermetic. In fact, one of my pups, a Mini Saintberdoodle, looks much like the pup in the photo.

[hermetic]

11. Sweet

Total animal lover here. A Mini Saintberdoodle? So cute! I just looked up a bunch of images.

[wordstroken]

19. IKR? Her mom is 120-pound St. Bernard, dad's a 12-pound Mini Poodle. She has the mahogany and white color markings

of a Saint, with hair texture that’s a slightly wavy combo — making her look more like a scraggly stuffed animal, rather than a real puppy. Too cute. One of the most loving dogs I’ve ever had.

I’ve always loved huge Saint Bernards, adopting several at a time.

One 190-pound girl was my soul mate. Brilliant and gentle pup. Easily trainable. She became a Comfort Therapy dog who worked with the nonprofit I founded to serve at-risk kids. With my literary leanings, I taught her to read flash cards, which amazed kids with learning disabilities as they watched her sit, lie down, or high-five from reading the cards. Kids figured, “If a dog can read, then so can I.” A miracle to watch. Paxton (named after the goddess of peace, serenity, intelligence, and strength), accompanied me on long treks across the country to schools, churches and shelters after disasters to donate kids books I write, as well as food, diapers, blankets, toys, etc., and to comfort kids traumatized from losing their parents or homes in a hurricane or tornado. It was such a joy to watch the children interact with her.

But the pain and heartbreak of losing Paxton and my other Saints after their short life spans has been unbearable.

That’s why this time I adopted my sweet mini Saint mix. Her life expectancy is more than twice that of a full-breed SB. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. (Even if her “potty outside” skills need more work. She’s worth every moment of clean-up — and more.)

Sounds like you have several pets, too.

[hermetic]

22. Thank you

For sharing that wonderful story and for what you've done.

I have a branch shelter for cats rescued by our local nonprofit. Being a rural/farm area there is a huge stray cat issue. We took in over 700 last year. I tend to end up fostering the ones no one else wants. Right now that's 14. And I love them all. I also have a guinea pig that just showed up in my yard in spring of 2023. I started feeding him, hoping to find his lost home or someone who would adopt. Nope.
Then winter was coming on so I bought him a big cage and now he's just another one of the family.

Animals

[wordstroken]

23. Amazing! Didn't realize that there's such a thing as a branch shelter for cats.

But many of the local shelters complain about not having enough space. Wonder why they don’t offer similar partnerships.

I’m in a rural/farm area as well. Multiple acres, fenced. Lots of stray cats. Hmmm, you’re giving me ideas. I’ve taken in many strays, sometimes a pregnant mama, staying with her through birthing and nursing period. (It’s where my medical background shines. Lol.) Then I carefully screen potential adopters who have to show ID, and proof of intent (receipts for toys and good quality food, etc.). That’s worked really well, with most families staying in touch with pics of the kittens and growth updates, etc.

But your setup is helping so many more animals. Thank you for sparking formerly unknown possibilities.

[Polly Hennessey]

25. I recently discovered David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. I'm hooked.

Right now I am reading Robert Harris’ Archangel. It is compelling and really good.

[wordstroken]

26. I hear you about being hooked on the Andy Carpenter series.

Thanks for the info on Robert Harris’ Archangel. I’ll check that one out.

[txwhitedove]

6. Happy Sunday. Its been a rainy week here, thankfully washes the green pollen away. I read

The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne, author, magician, inventor, very interesting man. "Coming from scandalous Florida treasure hunters and drug smugglers, Sloan McPherson is forging her own path, for herself and for her daughter, out from under her family’s shadow. An auxiliary officer for Lauderdale Shores PD, she’s the go-to diver for evidence recovery." Wow. Mystery starts quickly, colorful characters, marine life, page turner, funny, scary nail biting thriller and i'm eager to read 2nd book in this series.. This would make a great movie.

[wordstroken]

7. I just downloaded the Kellerman's "The Lost Coast," and will check out Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series.

Appreciate the references.

[hermetic]

10. Enjoy!

[japple]

12. I'm into a good one. Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher

An astounding multigenerational saga, Red Clay chronicles the interwoven lives of an enslaved Black family and their white owners as the Civil War ends and Reconstruction begins.

Thanks for the Sunday book chat!

[hermetic]

14. Good stuff!

Thanks for stopping by.

[LogDog75]

13. The Andromeda Evolution

This is a followup to the Michael Crichton novel The Andromeda Strain but set 50 years later. The book is written by Daniel H. Wilson.

After the discovery of the Andromeda Stain, Project Wildfire was established to discovery and prevent another worldwide epidemic. Project Wildfire is located at Petersen AFB in Colorado and has access to every government satellite and computer system. The Andromeda Strain mutated into another strain (AS-2) which isn't harmful to humans or animals but it does attack and dissolves synthetic rubber which modern aircraft and rockets have. A substance was invented to coat synthetic rubber and prevent AS-2 from dissolve it but the AS-2 is still in Earth's atmosphere. AS-1 and AS-2 do not recognize each other and won't combine to create a new strain.

After 50 years, Eternal Vigilance discovers an anomaly in Brazil that matches the Andromeda Strain's characteristics and they initiate a program,Project Wildfire, to explore and figure out what it is. Among the team are a doctor from India who is the team leader, a Chinese Army officer who is a pilot and speaks a number of languages, the son of one of the original team who examined the original Andromeda Strain back in 1967, a field scientist from Kenya, an astronaut on the International Space Station, and an Army Sergeant Field Medic.

[rsdsharp]

15. I'm reading V2 by Robert Harris. It revolves around the German terror weapon of WWII,

and takes place over 4 days in late 1944 during the bombing if central London, with numerous flashbacks to the 1930s leading to the development of the rocket.

I had tried to buy a Kindle version of his Fatherland. I had looked before, and hadn’t been able to find it on Kindle. I was delighted to find it, and hit “Buy Now” immediately. I am now the less than proud owner of a Kindle Fatherland — Italian edition. That’s nine bucks down the toilet!

[hermetic]

16. Yikes

I hate when that happens. Maybe you could find someone that speaks Italian who might like to have it. Are there used Kindle stores like used book stores?

[wordstroken]

20. You should be able to get a refund. I've goofed in the past when ordering a Kindle book, and got a refund.

As long as you do it within seven days of purchase.

Go to your orders
Tap Digital Orders
Check the box for book you want to return
Tap Return this book
Select the reason
Submit request
You should get a refund.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. Currently a Miss Fisher's detective novel "Ruddy Gore" Book 7

"The appeal of this story is the glimpse it provides into the 1920s theater world and the opportunity it affords to observe Phryne and Lin Chung's romance from its inception."—Booklist

Perfect for Fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspear
Inspired the Netflix show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Movie Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Currently Streaming on Acorn TV
One of the top-selling, best murder mystery books of 2018
Running late to the Hinkler gala performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, Phryne Fisher meets some thugs in a dark alley and handles them convincingly before they can ruin her silver dress. Phryne then finds that she has rescued the handsome Lin Chung and his grandmother and is briefly mistaken for a deity.

Denying divinity but accepting cognac, she later continues safely to the theatre. But it seems the lead is dressed for death, as the performance is interrupted by a most bizarre death onstage. What links can Phryne possibly find between the ridiculously entertaining plot of Ruddigore, the Chinese community of Little Bourke Street, and the actors treading the boards of His Majesty's Theatre?

Drawn backstage and onstage, Phryne must solve an old murder, find a new murderer and of course, banish the theatre's ghost—who seems likely to kill again.

I love Phryne! Whoever put the TV series together captured her in everyway - both in personality and wardrobe!!!

[hermetic]

18. I, too, love Phryne Fisher

Very entertaining stories.

[pansypoo53219]

21. prince caspian.

cleaning my bookshelves.

[Jilly_in_VA]

24. I finally finished

The Russia Chronicles by Andrew Anzur Clement. What a ride! Wish it was true, though.....! Now I'm on the second volume of the Genesis Earth trilogy by Joe Vasicek. It's okay. I liked it a lot better before I found out he was Mormon, or at least a BYU grad.

[Attilatheblond]

27. SCI FI series about giant asteroids hitting the planet & the underground facilities to save SOME of the people

Yeah, I am either a glutton for punishment or reality is so bad I am rooting for big giant asteroids.