Mystery Book Recommendations – May 2014

Comments

1. Pat says

   May 27, 2014 at 7:54 am

   I stumbled across the Libby Serjeant “that’s with a ‘j’ ” series this month. British cozies at their best. The setting is in small village in Kent and the surrounding. The “female lead” has adult children and she is fairly newly single. There are 12 books in the series and all very good. They could be all be stand alone, but I enjoy reading a series in order. I highly recommend this series! They are all available on Kindle.

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2. Rebl says

   May 27, 2014 at 8:04 am

   I have to say that I have found 3 authors that I have really enjoyed reading this month.

   Elizabeth Duncan – Penny Brannigan series. Transplanted Canadian in Great Britian who runs a manicure shop. Very enjoyable.

   Jenn McKinley – Cupcake Shop Series. Characters are very funny and make me laugh, can relate to one of them

   Sue Ann Jaffarian – Odelia Gray series and the Granny Apple series. Odelia Grey is a plus size paralegal. And Granny Apples is a ghost who helps her great, great, great granddaughter solve murders..

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3. reginav says

   May 27, 2014 at 8:26 am

   Danna I have been trying to keep a list of May authors. That way I will not have to wrack my brain remembering the ones I have read.May has been a prolific month for me. Peter Robinson’s newest one reflects back to some of his earlier ones in tone and it was most welcome.Maddy Hunter and her group of senior citizen tourists were up to their usual hi-jinks.Nancy Atherton not a murder but a delightful twist.Maeve Binchey not a mystery but her last book. her books are like comfort food.A new author with a true story that was positively riveting Catherine Bailey’s “The secret room.”A must read.I read an old one of carola Dunn that i had missed.Then there were new books by Mignon Ballard, Ann Purser,Jessica Fletcher and lesley Cookman all up to their usual standard. last night I read kerry Greenwood’s new Phrynne Fisher.I do like that girl. My Nook has given me the opportunity to keep up with the newest authors.

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4. marion says

   May 27, 2014 at 9:20 am

   I read the latest Monica Ferris ‘The Drowning Spool’. It was pleasant and had a quality of ‘tugging’me along until I finished it in only two days! That’s excellent for my attention span. I am about half through with Susan Wittig Albert’s ‘Death Comes Quickly’. It’s peaceful but interesting. I’m glad that some of her books seem to be becoming less tragic, for her and her family and friends, which is a trait which bothered me in some of her earlier books. I tend to get very close to the characters in the books I read and get worried about them easily. I prefer milder books where I can concentrate on the plot. If you feel as I do, I believe you would enjoy both these books.

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5. MJ says

   May 27, 2014 at 9:43 am

   Murder in Merino – Sally Goldenbaum

   I love this series – mainly because it’s ‘homey’. I enjoy the relationships between friends and family. This one, too, is the epitome of ‘cozy’. To get the warm fuzzies and understand the inter-relationships, one really needs to follow it sequentially. Goldenbaum does what I think every author should do – she lists the characters and their connections at the beginning of the book. However, at first glance the reader may be a bit intimidated when they realize there are 47 characters! But if you’ve followed this series, it’s easy to navigate (and several characters are only ‘mentioned’ in this book).

   The setting is a small town on the ocean in MA. A new woman comes to Sea Harbor looking for family connections. She’s enigmatic and connects well with the residents. A local man is murdered and she becomes the main suspect because she’s the new person in town.

   When I first started reading this series I thought Izzy was the protagonist. Then her aunt, Nell, took over the narrative. It appears the author’s intent might (??) be that the four friends (Seaside Knitters) of varying ages put their heads together to solve the murder. Each of these characters is featured in different books. And, one can’t help but love all the well developed appealing characters.

   Goldenbaum always writes a very intellectual and well paced story. The mystery is intriguing and the side stories engaging. Another talent Goldenbaum has in this series is the descriptive narrative of the picturesque community. The reader is drawn in to the ambience, as if they were right there enjoying the scenic ocean.

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   Final Arrangement – Annie Adams

   This is a new author with a new series. I thought it was a pretty good debut book with some ‘quirkiness’. Quincy (protagonist) manages a flower shop in a small town in Utah. A floral competitor who supplies arrangements to mortuaries is murdered. As Quincy digs around in his past and unearths several layers of deceit, the story becomes more complex. An intriguing side story which includes the hot/good looking (are they ever ugly?) detective adds much suspense, thus keeping this book a real page turner. It’s a fun, quick read.

   I was looking forward to reading the next book, ‘Deadly Arrangements’, just released last month. BUT, it’s only released on Kindle. Why do authors (or their publisher) do this? It certainly limits the readership. Most authors release ebooks on both Nook and Kindle. If a book isn’t released in multiple formats, the readerships is limited. And, if the second book doesn’t sell well, there won’t be a third book. This author was off to a good start, perhaps there will be enough Kindle readers to keep her writing.

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   Death of a Mad Hatter – Jenn McKinlay

   I enjoy all of McKinlay’s (et al) series. This is the second book in the Hat Shop Mystery series, set in London. I’m quite sure I recommended the first one a year ago. I noticed in the author’s acknowledgements, she comments how much she enjoyed her trip to London with some friends to do research. I thought, “How smart is that!” Set your story in London (or whatever city) and then, of course, you have to visit the city to do the research!

   Scarlett (protagonist) and her cousin inherited a hat shop from their grandmother. A wealthy family has asked them to create hats with the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme for a children’s hospital fund raiser. One of the family members is poisoned. The main characters are truly engaging/amusing. There’s a growing relationship (with much turmoil, yet humor) between Scarlett and the store’s business manager – a relationship that began when they were children. I must say, there are MANY twists and turns to this story. The outcome is very surprising – no way could I figure this out beforehand.

   —————————————–

   Murder Gone A-Rye – Nancy Parra

   This is a very detailed author, thus this book isn’t necessarily a quick read. The story focuses on the gluten-free topic. Toni has moved back to her hometown of Oiltrap, KS (wheat country) following a failed marriage. Relatives are in abundance (especially quirky ones). She opens a gluten free bakery. I recommend this to anyone who has this problem because she gives many tips throughout the book that are helpful (even if you’re not gluten intolerant). Just know it’s heavy on the info, but I found it very informative.

   Readers will especially enjoy the very eccentric 90+ yr. old grandmother and the aunt. There is a lot of humor written into these characters. Also there’s plenty of quick witted dialogue. Grandma is determined to solve a 50+ year old murder and a current murder. She’s a former newspaper writer who still wants to solve crimes. There are some discrepancies within the story, but all-in-all it’s a pretty good, well paced mystery.

   FYI – I noticed several new releases this spring have been set in the fall. It feels strange reading about the fall colors/colder weather while spring has sprung, grass is green, and flowers are blooming. The above book is set at Thanksgiving time. (Danna, you may want to add it to the Thanksgiving holiday theme).

   Death on Tour – Janice Hamrick

   I saw this book while browsing and thought it looked interesting. It was VERY good. I’m assuming it’s been recommended on this list before and I most likely missed it.

   For those who like descriptive travel, this book has it all. The story has an intrigue/suspense feel to it. Two cousins from Texas are on tour in Egypt, something they’ve hoped to do most of their lives. Jocelyn is the protagonist and is a high school history teacher. Kyla is her gorgeous cousin. A fellow traveler in their tour group is murdered. The cousins are mistaken for culprits of possible nefarious activities.

   The author details picturesque Egypt sites, while weaving the mystery very effectively throughout the narrative of the travelogue. Of course, there is a ‘mystery’ man added to the mix for a possible romance. About ¾ through the book, I was able to guess ‘whodunit’, but not the whys and wherefores. Kudos to author for a well written and enjoyable book. Unfortunately there’s only three books to this series. When I checked her facebook page, she responded to a question about the fourth book stating, ‘the series was on hold’.

   I usually notice detail. The author thanks her parents in the ‘acknowledgements’ and both of their first names began with a ‘J’. She mentions her children and their first names begin with a ‘J’. The author’s name begins with a ‘J’………AND………..Wait for it!………..Yep – the protagonist’s name begins with a ‘J’!!

   ——

   Side note (written with humor): In the last two recommendations, the authors followed a typical (often used) ‘cozy formula’. Protagonist was married. Husband caught cheating. Divorce ensues. Protagonist now single and available for romance.

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6. susy says

   May 27, 2014 at 10:45 am

   May was a month of firsts for me — first Marple, first Wexford, first Wimsey. First Poirot and first Lady Julia Grey. And first Bess Crawford. All suggestions from my fav cozy mystery site! So thank you very much. I was surprised by Marple; didn’t realize Jane wasn’t the narrator. Peter Wimsey was delightful, although Sayers style, at times, made me feel as though I was caught in some Gilbert&Sullivan/ William Faulkner vortex. I can’t wait to read the second Wexford! I find something very sharp and piercing and pleasing in Rendell’s work. Bring on June and the second novels!

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7. Linda says

   May 27, 2014 at 12:25 pm

   Can’t believe May is almost over! Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. It was a busy month so I didn’t get to read as much as I wanted, but I enjoyed the following 4 books.

   Murder and Marinara by Rosie Genova
   Murder and Marinara is the first book in the new Italian Kitchen Mystery series. It is an entertaining read with well-drawn characters and a plot-driven story that grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. The author introduces a number of potential suspects, and I had a good time following along with Vic (the protagonist) and Sophia (her sidekick) as they worked to figure out the identity of the culprit. I’ll definitely read Book 2 when it comes out.

   Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon
   I laughed all the way through this book. It is a fun, fast, and very enjoyable read. The protagonist is CIA Agent Fortune Redding. After messing up a very important mission, she is ordered to take on a new identity and hide out in the little town of Sinful, Louisiana. Two elderly ladies (who are not what they seem!) take her under their wing and get her involved in lots of crazy situations. The fact that Fortune is so out of her element as a ‘regular’ citizen adds to the fun. I definitely had to suspend disbelief on occasion but I didn’t care because the book was so entertaining. I just purchased Book 2 and can’t wait to start it.

   Murder on the Hoof by Kathryn O’Sullivan
   This is the 2nd book in this series. The story takes place in the Outer Banks village of Corolla, NC. The author paints a beautiful picture of this location, which is home to a herd of wild mustangs. The protagonist (Fire Chief Colleen McCabe) is a strong lead character. The secondary characters are likable and interesting. The plot moves along nicely, and it wasn’t easy to figure out the ‘whodunit’. This is a lovely cozy mystery, and I hope a 3rd book is in the works. (FYI: The 1st book in the series, Foal Play, was the winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel competition.)

   Lethal Journal by Sandra Carey Cody
   Lethal Journal is the 4th full book (plus one prequel) in the Jennie Connors Mystery Series. There hasn’t been a new book for a while so I was happy when I found this one listed. Activities Director Jennie Connors is a divorced mother of 2 who works at Riverview Manor—a retirement community with some very interesting residents. When a new resident is found murdered, Jennie sets out to find the culprit. Jennie is a strong lead character and her love for the residents of Riverview Manor at times gets her involved in situations that are dangerous. I was able to figure out what was going on part way through, but that in no way took away my enjoyment of this book. I hope Ms. Cody plans to write more adventures for Jennie.

   I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else read this month. There are always such great suggestions posted.

   Reply

   • Kathryn says

     May 30, 2014 at 10:49 am

     Thanks for your lovely comments about MURDER ON THE HOOF, Linda, and for reading and recommending my series! It means so much to me when readers enjoy the books. FYI: I just signed the contract for book 3 – NEIGHING WITH FIRE – and am working on it now!

     Reply

     • Linda says

       May 31, 2014 at 10:00 am

       Hi Kathryn,
       Thanks so much for responding! I’m thrilled to hear there will be a third book. I’ll watch for it. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

       Reply

       • Kathryn says

         June 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm

         Hope you have a great day, too, Linda! Cheers!

         Reply

8. Janice says

   May 27, 2014 at 1:18 pm

   I read a number of good books this month. I especially enjoyed Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinley. It’s a book that you hate to come to an end as you want to spend more time with these characters. I also enjoyed Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum and Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney. I love the ocean settings in these series.

   Reply

9. Jill says

   May 27, 2014 at 3:35 pm

   This month, I’ve enjoyed reading Jessica Beck (Donut Shop Mysteries), Livia Washburn (Fresh Baked Mysteries) and Josie Belle (Good Buy Girls). Loved, loved, loved them! Had to buy the rest of each series!

   Reply

10. Karen L. says

    May 27, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    In May I read:

    Clammed Up by Barbara Ross – This book made me want to go to a clambake in Maine. I liked the female protagonist who left her job to help save the family business.

    Never Buried by Edie Claire – This book was free when I downloaded it on my kindle. I read this book in one day and have downloaded the second in the series. Edie Claire may have become my new favorite author.

    Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon – I liked this book. It is set in a small coastal town in CA. The main character owns a coffee shop and bookstore. Beach town, coffee, bookstore and a mystery – my favorite things.

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11. Judith says

    May 27, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    I started the month with the first book in the new Florence Norris series by Dorothy Cannell, Murder at Mullings. This is not a fast-paced book. It is billed as a 1930s country house murder mystery, but it begins long before that, when Florence first arrived at Mullings as a housemaid. The book takes the time to develop the relationships that Florence has with the people around her. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this world and look forward to future books in this series.

    Another first in series book that I enjoyed this month is Chili Con Carnage by Kylie Logan. This looks to be a fun series, with Maxie and her half-sister running their missing father’s chili business. There is an interesting dynamic between the two half-sisters (can’t forget the half).

    Most of the rest of the mystery books I enjoyed this month were later books in series that I like, including another series by Kylie Logan, the League of Literary Ladies. I read the second book in the series, A Tale of Two Biddies. I just love the bickering ladies who were ordered by the court to start a book club and became friends.

    A Roux of Revenge, the latest Soup Lover’s Mystery by Connie Archer, is set in the fall during the Harvest Festival and Halloween in Snowflake, Vermont. I love all the regulars at the soup shop as Lucky is dealing with some bumps in her love life in addition to murder.

    Across the state line in Maine is the setting for Boiled Over, the second book in the Maine Clambake Mysteries by Barbara Ross. While the main action in this book takes place after the first book, there are some flashbacks to the months before the first book. In this book, Julia works to prove the innocence of their young employee.

    Moving further west, I also enjoyed Freezer I’ll Shoot by Victoria Hamilton, the latest in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries. Not only is Jaymie dealing with her visiting parents, but her boyfriend’s parents are also in town, she is just starting a newspaper column that she hopes will be a launching pad for her cookbook, and she finds a dead body on the family property.

    Down in Texas is the setting for the Magical Dressmaking Mysteries by Melissa Bourbon. This month I read the third book in the series, Deadly Patterns. This is a mystery series with a touch of paranormal as the female descendents of Butch Cassidy have special talents due to a wish he made, although that doesn’t really have any impact on the mystery. Harlow is getting ready for the Winter Wonderland Festival in a restored mansion when one of the restorers falls to his death – or was he pushed?

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12. Elaine says

    May 28, 2014 at 8:24 am

    This month I caught up on some of my favorite series. A lot of the characters were getting married.
    Joanna Slan Campbell – 3 books – I just love her writing.
    Group Photo Grave book 8 -This Kiki story is about Sheila’s wedding. Kiki works so hard to help make the wedding a success but there is a murder at the reception.
    Killer Paper Cut book 9 -Another great Kiki story. One of her employees gets stabbed at a scrapbooking event. Poor pregnant Kiki and her new enlarged family are getting thrown out of there home.
    Tear Down & Die this new series a spin off from the Kiki series. It was so good to see how the author developed a whole new storyline. She is such a great author.
    Deadly Forcast – Victoria Laurie- Abby & Dutch are finally getting married. Abby has a bad premonition about Dutch. The story jumps from past to present throughout the book.
    Oak & Dagger – Dorothy St James – Casey the White House Gardner discovers a worker dead and another unconscious in the children’s garden. Good series hope it continues.
    A Tigers Tale – Laura Morrigan – this the second in the series and another great book. I highly recommend her books look at the reviews.
    These were all good:
    Seed No Evil -Kate Collins
    Throw in the Trowel – Kate Collins –
    Sweets Galore – Connie Shelton
    The Pickled Piper – Mary Ellen Hughes (so glad she is writing again)

    Reply

13. Maria (BearMountainBooks) says

    May 28, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Read and reviewed this very excellent mystery at my blog: Saving Gracie by Nancy DeMarco! I really enjoyed it. She has another, unrelated mystery out called Finding Sara that I hope is just as good!

    Reply

14. Stash Empress says

    May 28, 2014 at 11:58 am

    I’ve read quite a lot this month, but I have to say that reading the comments on this post are almost as enjoyable as any of the actual books 😉 I’ve just refilled my Amazon wishlist, my library waitlist & “for later” lists, as well as checked out a few new ebooks — and all before I’ve ever posted my own LOL!

    So this month, in no particular order:
    Buried in Bargains By Josie Belle, newest of the GBG (Good Buy Girls) series — I loved this book. I have to say that I fingered “who dunnit” even before the murder occurred, but that’s just cuz I’ve been reading cozies probably since they’ve been a “genre” so you kind of get a feeling for these things… But I truly loved the book anyway. As has been previously mentioned, reading a cozy is like spending time with good friends — and even if you know what your good friends are going to do & say — you still enjoy spending time with them!

    The Drowning Spool by Monica Ferris — another series where I enjoy the company of good old friends. Actually this one surprised me at the end!

    Fixing to Die by Elaine Viets — I love both of her series — this is the Mystery Shopper series, although since the sleuth’s marriage, the mystery shopping aspect doesn’t play so prominently in the plot as previously. Another one where I fingered the murderer right off the bat, but again, only since long-time cozy readers know how these things are set up… 😉 — not at all the fault of the author LOL.

    I read all four of the Austen mysteries by Tracy Kiely back to back (since I just heard of them on this blog!) — really loved them & hope there will be more?

    Murder with Ganache by Lucy Burdette — loved the newest installment in this series. Ironically I figured out “who dunnit” right away — but for the life of me could not figure out why on earth they would have “dunnit” LOL! It just seemed like that character had to turn out to be the murderer. So in that sense it really did have me surprised at the end when the murderer is revealed & I finally found out what connection that person had to the whole mystery. Another great visit with good old friends!

    Pearls and Poison by Duffy Brown — another series I’m loving! I also love that bits & pieces of the main character’s back stories are revealed in each new book.

    Just read Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke last night. I truly love this series & particularly some of the whacky characters therein. That said, I didn’t actually like this particular “mystery” — I liked the book — just not the mystery part of it, if that make sense (don’t want to spoil it by explaining what I mean). Of course I’ll get the next installment as soon as it comes out because there were some dangling loose ends at the end of this one…

    Also read Death of a Policeman by M. C. Beaton the other day — I really like some of her other series better than the Hamish Macbeth series — but I still follow all of them — not so much good friends, but rather ppl that you’re kind of curious what they’ll do next…

    Shunned and Dangerous by Laura Bradford — I’m really liking this series & I have to say that the reveal at the end was a total surprise to me!

    Well I’ve read a bunch more, but these are the highlights of the month. 😉

    Reply

    • Stash Empress says

      May 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm

      Oh and how could I forget Murderous Matrimony by Joyce & Jim Lavene???? This series is taking a paranormal turn & I’m not sure how far they’re going with that. However since the whole “Renaissance Village” cast is pretty much living in a fantasy world of their own –the addition of wizards, dragons & a blue ghost is not so farfetched after all. I really love all their series & this series is my favorite — though honestly I did like the previous mysteries better — I think this one went a little heavy on the paranormal & light on the mystery aspect — but that said — still a fun read. (And no, no way on earth anyone could have guessed the murderer…. )

      Reply

15. Joshua says

    May 28, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    I mentioned this on the Facebook page already but I must recommend ‘Murder at the Breakers (A Gilded Newport Mystery)’ by Alyssa Maxwell. The whole turn of the century, Gilded Age setting really brings a kind of Downton Abbey in America feel. Very forthright and gutsy “poor relation” sleuth – who even drives her own carriage! – whom I liked very much. What I also liked was that she didn’t always have things exactly right but seemed to work through them in a logical, realistic way. No superhuman Sherlockian brain tricks, but nothing silly or unbelievable in terms of “intuition” or sheer happenstance either. It all came together in what seemed a realistic way. I liked it so much that, after one page, I refused to read the sneak preview of the next book because I didn’t want to further my impatience!

    In terms of tone, I would say it lies somewhere between Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness books and Jacqueline Winspear. Maybe not as lighthearted as Bowen, but it moves in a similarly charming and compelling way, nor as serious/melancholy as Maisie Dobbs, but still feels grounded in the real like those books.

    I think it’s a perfect light historical and am excited about it as a series to come.

    Reply

16. Sheila says

    May 28, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    Scanning the list I see a lot of us have read the same books this month. So here is my list with some repeats.
    *Woof at The Door – Laura Morrigan
    *Heard it Through the Grapevine – Lizbeth Lipperman
    *Jailhouse Glock – Lizbeth Lipperman
    *Ghostly Paws – Leighann Dobbs
    *Murder & Mayhem Goose Pimple Junction – Amy Metz
    *A Tiger’s Tail – Laura Morrigan
    *Murder at The Breakers – Alyssa Maxwell
    *Murder In Merino – Sally Goldenbaum

    Reply

17. Gillie says

    May 28, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I have been reading the Falconer series by Anthea Frazer, a British cosy series. A rather fastidious detective inspector and his sergeant, Carmichael. Set in a group of villages in England, most enjoyable.

    Reply

    • Robin says

      June 13, 2014 at 10:29 am

      I have been reading the Falconer Files series by Andrea Frazer also. I am currently up to book 4 and plan to buy the rest. I am always on the look out for authors who can make me chuckle like a good Stephanie Plum novel but haven’t much luck – until now. Like Janet Evanovich, Frazer is one of the few authors who can make me laugh out loud. Such good fun!

      Reply

      • Danna - cozy mystery list says

        June 13, 2014 at 11:31 am

        Robin, thank you for telling us about Andrea Frazer’s Falconer Files Mystery Series.

        Reply

18. Nicole says

    May 29, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    This month i struggled with some series. Sometimes a character is too much to read in a row. Dont sure if its the character or my own mood in those times.
    But so i changed to one of the newer books, duffy brown, pearls and poison, 3rd in the consignment series.
    That was a fast time reading, the characters are so crazy and the story easy to read.
    So english is not my native (sorry about mistakea) there are lot new words and what i called slang, thats new. Dont know if its typical for the south. I like it a lot because its new to learn and get me more in the book.
    Now i am looking for more south typical books. Looks for me the people in those book are more crazy (positive 🙂 and sometimes i need that.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 29, 2014 at 7:12 pm

      Nicole, your English is terrific!

      Reply

19. Nicole says

    May 30, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Oh, thank you!! Makes me soooo proud because my english teacher said there is nothing to make, i am not a language typ. So i only have my school english (over 20 years ago) and learned in the last 3-4 years by reading english cozys. Thats was a very good decision because not only there is an endlos world of wonderful books – i learned english better and… I am now not shy anymore to talk in english!! But still if somebody said its good i am blushing

    Reply

    • susy says

      May 30, 2014 at 11:12 am

      Hi Nicole! I would like to recommend Carolyn Haines. She writes the Sarah Booth Delaney series and it is set in the Delta region of Mississippi. Very Southern, to me. The books are fun and quirky and well written. I have read 5 or 6 so far, and I have enjoyed them all very much.

      Reply

      • Danna - cozy mystery list says

        May 30, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Susy, what a great idea for a Southern Cozy Mystery series!

        Reply

20. Nicole says

    May 30, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Thank you, Susy 🙂
    Carolyn Haines was one of my first cozy authors because 4 or 5 books were translated in german. And then no more. So she and Donna Andrews are most responsible for the change to english books. Love it.

    Reply

21. marion says

    May 30, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Hi, Nicole. I think that was unfair of your teacher to say that you were not the language type. I think you’re doing well. I tinker, so to speak with German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian but in all honesty, I can’t be said to speak any of them but it is all interesting and that’s what matters in the end, for me. I have sometimes helped with teaching ESL to native Spanish speakers and I have always appreciated their efforts but, boy, I didn’t fully appreciate it until I tried to learn languages. It is hard enough as a hobby but I can’t imagine myself trying to do it for real. French floored me because it is not pronounced as it is spelled as does Spanish, Italian and German. I really had to go all the way back and start again when I started listening to CDs and reading the material in French. I’ve really gotten no where with Russian. I started that on a whim and had no idea how a different alphabet would throw me. So glad to meet you.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 30, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Wow-zee, Marion! That’s a whole bunch of lenguajes!

      Reply

    • Nicole says

      May 31, 2014 at 4:51 am

      Wuhh, thats a lot, have to be a passion from you, Marion 🙂
      Yes it was not good from my teacher. I am not confident to speak for a very long time.
      But today i worked with english, read in english and think, so, boy, look at me now (and a bad word i dont want to write 😉 The reading is so helpful for my job. And its big fun because the other people know the business words but i know words like apron or wing chair and stuff like that. Very good for more then smalltalk.

      Long time ago i tried serbokroatisch because i have a bosnian boyfriend. That was a big challenge because they change the endings of the words. I think russian is equal.
      But as always i know “i love you” in serbokroatisch 😉

      Reply

      • marion says

        May 31, 2014 at 10:32 am

        Yeah, you can read below the reasons why I got into it. Did you say you’re German? My great-grandfather was from the Black Forest area but I’m afraid I don’t know just where. I don’t know where my great-grandmother’s family came from but I think it may have been nearer Austria. The people I have met come from the Frankfurt area and one of my old babysitting customers married a German and lives in Hamburg with him and their two sons.
        You know, my father, who was a mathematics professor, was told by his freshman algebra teacher, that he had no future in math. This was a teacher who threw erasers clear across the classroom when he was angry. So much he knew, right?
        I think you are quite right to be proud of your English. Do you tell people how you learn nonbusiness words? I can tell you enjoy it. How do you say ‘I love you’ in Serbo? I bet it’s a mouthful. Take good care. Marion

        Reply

        • Nicole says

          May 31, 2014 at 2:04 pm

          Oh i see, you have lot of reasons to learn other language, very good reasons.

          I am from north germany, 1 h from Hamburg. I love the north. Okay its often rainy, but so it is. But i like the people here. Most people think we are very cold and distant, not the big talkers. Yes thats right for a typical north but its more reserved and wait and see. That is more near for me then becoming best friends with whoever comes the way. Its more … honest, i think.

          Yes i tell people how i learned. Because reading is my biggest hobby and you know how smalltalk works at lunch. So reading is the best to talk about and most of them are very interested. Not only because the english, more because the settings of the books. I mean i learned about making fudge, cookies, quilts, cheese and other stuff because most of the cozys have themes like that. Thats very nice.

          I love you is “ja volim tebe” in serbokroatisch if i remember 100% right. Sounds very nice too 😉 (but its clear why i think so)

          Reply

22. marion says

    May 30, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Ain’t it, though. One thing kinda led to another. My maternal grandmother’s parents were German, my father was stationed in Germany in 1948-1952, and my parents met in German class. After my parents were gone, I felt a need to stay connected and studying German seemed a natural. I have Father’s textbook from that class with Mother’s phone number in it. Isn’t that sweet. Mother was a French major and studied for a year in France so studying French was a way to connect to her. Spanish was from being practical. “Well, as long as I’m at it…., ect. My friend who died married a Spaniard and was quite fluent so it was fun to speak it to her but since she died in February, it has been hard to keep it up. Painful and I’ve lost some motivation. Italian, Russian, and Portuguese was from a “What the heck..” idea. It’s fun to play with.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 31, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Marion, how wonderful that your parents thought to keep your dad’s German textbook with her phone number in it. Those are the types of mementos that are truly priceless!

      (My dad’s people were from England>>> made that easy for me!)

      Reply

23. marion says

    May 30, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    I feel closest to German, French and Spanish because of the personal associations.

    Reply

24. marion says

    May 30, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Brief flirtation with Chinese, too, because I had a couple friends from mainland China. The flirtation didn’t last though, lol. Wayyy over my head.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 31, 2014 at 12:03 pm

      Marion, when I lived overseas, my mom insisted that we not attend Department of Defense schools. We children were submersed in all-Spanish speaking schools, even though she never really picked up Spanish, and always used the infinitive with “yesterday” for anything in the past, “today” for anything in the present, and “tomorrow” for anything in the future. Oh well, it worked for her!

      Reply

25. martha says

    June 2, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    All Veronica Heley books are good.
    There are 2 series-one with Bea and one with Ellie.

    All Mrs. Pargeter (series) books are good-(by simon brett)

    All M.C. Beaton books are good

    Reply