Not Reading a Cozy Mystery? Then What?
I don’t know if I should admit this, but I am not reading a Cozy Mystery right now. Yes, it’s true, every once in a while I leave my favorite Cozies to read something different. It doesn’t happen all that often, but I have to say that it does happen.
A while ago I mentioned a book that I was reading that is still very much in my mind. This is a book that I strongly recommend to everyone: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. It is a book that depicts the strength and positive outlook of a woman who endured much suffering. It is a book that may perhaps leave you feeling humbled. Terrific book!
Another type of book that entices me away from my Cozies is true crime. Ann Rule is one of my favorite true crime authors. She does extensive research before writing her true crime books, and she makes them read like fiction. I find myself having to remind myself that these are true stories of terrible events that truly did happen.
But right now I am reading a book that might surprise you. I am reading (and enjoying!) Nancy Zieman‘s Seams Unlikely, and I don’t sew! (Other than re-attaching buttons and fixing small seams that have come apart.)
I have mentioned before how much I miss crafting shows like the Carol Duvall Show. I absolutely loved that show! (I guess it would be more accurate if I said I loved, loved, loved that show!) Since I couldn’t find anything to take Carol’s place, I started watching Sewing with Nancy. While the show doesn’t feature crafting, and since I don’t sew, I will admit that the most interesting part of the show is the last ten-minute segment, when Nancy highlights a sewing project that benefits others. I love these segments. I usually don’t watch the ending credits, but for some reason, I did this week. And I’m glad I did. I saw that Nancy Zieman has written her autobiography, and I started reading it that very same day. Her spirit is as positive as the segment that she features in her show highlighting beneficial sewing projects from all around the world.
This got me thinking: It might be interesting to us to see what other Cozy Mystery readers read when they aren’t reading a terrific Cozy… So, I ask you this:
When you aren’t reading a Cozy Mystery, with what type of book are you most likely spending your time? Please post a comment to let us know. Thank you!
Bony Blithe Awards – “Best Canadian Light Mystery”
Congratulations to all of the nominees of this year, and all nominees and winners from the previous years!
2015
The Corpse with the Platinum Hair by Cathy Ace (Winner)
Many Unpleasant Returns by Judith Alguire
Seeing the Light by E.C. Bell
Night of the Living Thread by Janet Bolin
The Resurrection of Mary Mabel McTavish by Allan Stratton
2014
Framed for Murder by Cathy Spencer (Winner)
Thread and Buried by Janet Bolin
Gold Web by Vicki Delany
Never Laugh as a Hearse Goes By by Elizabeth J. Duncan
Miss Montreal by Howard Shrier
2013
A Small Hill to Die On by Elizabeth J. Duncan (Winner)
Threaded for Trouble by Janet Bolin
Food for the Gods by Karen Dudley
A Private Man by Chris Laing
Blood Bath & Beyond by Michelle Rowen
The Mastersinger from Minsk by Morley Torgov
2012
Cheat the Hangman by Gloria Ferris
Dire Threads by Janet Bolin
A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley
The Busy Woman’s Guide to Murder by Mary Jane Maffini
Champagne for Buzzards by Phyllis Smallman
To see more mystery awards, just click on this link to go to my Cozy Mystery site’s Mystery Awards page.
P.S. I just posted the winner of the 2015 Bony Blithe award on this entry, since they just announced that Cathy Ace won! Congratulations, Cathy!
More about Nemesis … And, We’re Heading Home
We’re on our way home. We’re driving through some beautiful country. In case any of you have ever wondered why Virginia and Tennessee are so doggone beautiful with their green trees and thick, lush grass >>> I can tell you why. For this Texas dry-country, long-straight roads driver >> there’s nothing quite like driving through the Appalachian’s windy roads in the pelting down rain. It is beautiful country, though. (At least it’s not snowing!)
Our trip was very successful. We whittled the 20 apartment complexes that were on our list to four for our daughter to consider. We think she’ll enjoy living out in the D.C. area. There is so much to see and do, and I know she’s looking forward to her new job, even though she’ll miss New Orleans.
My husband and I had started listening to Agatha Christie‘s Nemesis (a Miss Marple mystery) on the way out, and finished it yesterday. There’s a reason Agatha Christie is considered one of the four queens of the Golden Age of Mysteries. Her mysteries are absolutely full of great characters, of whom Miss Jane Marple is always my favorite. Christie always manages to transport us to Cozy, quaint, and picturesque settings. This book provided all that!
My husband and I really enjoyed listening to this audio book, however >>> Toward the end of the novel, Miss Marple’s explanation of how she solved the mystery amounts to (practically) a retelling of the whole story. At one point, my husband stopped the recording to mention that it reminded him of the Cliff Notes version of the book.
I want to emphasize again, we really enjoyed the book. The settings, characters, plot, and the mystery are classic Christie. I’d also like to recommend my favorite retelling of Agatha Christie’s Nemesis, which is the Nemesis television movie with Joan Hickson. It just doesn’t get any better than this! (This link will take you to my original entry about this phenomenal television mystery series.)
(Sorry, but as far as I can tell this is no longer available on Netflix.)
P.S. Totally off subject: I saw my first robin in years on our drive home today. It took me back to the days when I lived up north.
