The Rose Rent (1986) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1142. The thirteenth Brother Cadfael mystery. The young widow Perle gave her house to the abbey after the death of her husband and unborn child with the caveat that every year on St Winnifred’s day she receive a single rose from the bush in the […]
Written In Red (2013) Anne Bishop I read this soon after it first came out (a gift, I think, from Natalie (Thanks!). But life got complicated, so I never read any more of the series. I decided to start again, and go further in the series. It’s fantasy but with a world that would in […]
Foxglove Summer, Audio Edition (2014) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith The fifth Rivers of London book. Lesley is gone. Peter is a mess, but doesn’t realize it. So Nightingale sends him out to the country. If I’d been about four ranks higher up the hierarchy I’d have regarded it as an opportunity to realize […]
Broken Homes, Audio Version (2013) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith First, we meet Varvara Sidorovna. “Nochnye Koldunyi,” said Nightingale. “A Night Witch.” “Is that like a person or another thing?” asked Lesley. “Like Peter’s Pale Lady?” “A type of Russian practitioner,” said Nightingale. “Recruited during the war, the training had a very narrow scope. […]
Whispers Under Ground, Audio Edition (2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith The third book finds Lesley May moved into the Folly, having become the newest apprentice (it’s understood this is allows only because of the damage done to her in the first book). A body is found in the Underground, and as much as […]
Moon Over Soho, Audio Edition (2011/2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith This is a story about jazz vampires. “You can’t die of jazz,” said Dr. Walid. “Can you?” I thought of Fats Navarro, Billie Holiday, and Charlie Parker who, when he died, was mistaken by a coroner for a man twice his real age. […]
The Raven in the Foregate (1986) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141 The 12th Brother Cadfael mystery finds the war between Maud and Stephen again shifted, this time in favor of Stephen, and the political machinations have reached to Shrewsbury when a new priest is sent for the town. “From here where I stand […]
Midnight Riot, Audio Edition (2011/2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith I finished all the Nightside books that I own, and instead of buying the next book (none of them are available at my library) I decided to re-listen to the Rivers of London series, since there is a new book. I do love this […]
Sharper Than A Serpent’s Tooth, Audio Edition (2006/2008) Simon R. Green narrated by Marc Vietor This is the 6th book of the Nightside series, and closes a major story arc–John Taylor knows who his mother is, and the battle between them has come to Nightside. Now all John has to do is defeat his mother […]
Dead Men’s Boots, Audio Edition (2007/2009) Mike Carey narrated by Michael Kramer The third Felix Castor book finds Fix attending the funeral of a fellow exorcist–one whose calls Felix ignored. The widow asks Felix for help, which draws him into a mystery that John had been trying to solve–and may have gotten him killed. I’m […]
Mission for a Queen (2016) Tracy Grant Set in London and the Alps in 1818. This is book 12, and reading order has become important. Malcolm and Melanie have fled England after Lord Carfax used Melanie’s history against David–Carfax’s heir–in an attempt to break David’s relationship with playwright Simon Tanner. While family and friends in […]
Paths Not Taken, Audio Edition (2005/2008) Simon R. Green narrated by Marc Vietor The fifth Nightside book finds John looking to go back in time for a way to stop his mother–the Being Lilith–from destroying the Nightside and possibly the world. John takes with him Suzie Shooter and Tommy Oblivion in the hopes that their […]
Hex and the City, Audio Edition (2005/2008) Simon R Green narrated by Marc Vietor The fourth Nightside book finds John Taylor taking a case to look into something he always wanted to know: the origin of The Nightside. Unfortunately, neither his enemies nor the current authorities want John looking into the past of the Nightside–or […]
Nightingale’s Lament, Audio Edition (2004/2008) Simon R Green narrated by Marc Vietor Because I like to make things difficult for myself, while Michael and I are listening to the Felix Castor series in the car, my exercise / baking / cooking series is Simon Green’s Nightside. Both have a smart-ass protagonist who wears a long […]
Vicious Circle, Audio Edition (2006/2008) Mike Carey narrated by Michael Kramer Since Felix is not longer comfortable doing exorcisms, he’s been acting as a consultant for the Met–reading murder scenes to see if he can get an idea of what happened. After reading a particularly brutal murder, he then has to go to the Stanger, […]
An Excellent Mystery (1985) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141 The war between Stephen and Maud continues, leading to the burning of much of Winchester. This causes two monks to appear at the abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, seeking refuge and shelter at their brother abbey. But one of the brothers had […]
Agents Of Light And Darkness, Audio Edition (2003/2008) Simon R. Green narrated by Marc Vietor Angels have come to the Nightside searching for the Unholy Grail–the cup Judas drank from at the Last Supper. Before the entire Nightside is destroyed, John Taylor is hired to find the Grail so it can be taken to the […]
The Pilgrim of Hate (1984) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141 It’s been four years since the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul brought the bones of Saint Winifred (or so they thought) to Shrewsbury, and the abbey is holding a festival for her, with pilgrims coming to pray for miracles. While to […]
Dead Man’s Ransom (1984) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141. The war between Stephen and Maud still flares across the countryside, and in one of the battles Gilbert Prestcote, the sheriff of Shrewsbury, is wounded and taken prisoner by the Welsh. Meanwhile, a band of Welsh raiders have been attacking the countryside, and one […]
The Raven King, Audio Edition (2016) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton Alas, I finally finished this story. We learn a lot about the psychics at 300 Foxway. They were so close to the situation that it was difficult to tell whether or not they were the situation. “I don’t believe in the concept of […]
Cotillion (1953) Georgette Heyer Kitty was adopted by Mr Penicuik, and now he is elderly, he wants to make sure she is provided for, but doesn’t want to cut his great-nephews out of his will entirely. However, he is a crotchety, cranky old man, and his method of deciding who to leave his fortune to […]
Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Audio Version (2014) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton I DON’T WANT THIS STORY TO END. I mean, SO MUCH LOVE. “Spruce Knob. Highest peak in West Virginia. Forty-five hundred feet or something like that?” “Highest peak in Virginia?” echoed Malory. “West,” said Gansey and Adam at the same time. “West […]
The Devil You Know, Audio Edition (2006/2007) Mike Carey narrated by Michael Kramer We’re now listening to the Felix Castor series while traveling. Michael doesn’t remember if he read the books or not, and he’s also not sure whether he likes Castor or not, but he wanted to listen to the next book. One of […]
The Devil’s Novice (1983) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1140. One of the most interesting things about this story was the issue of oblates. The other two, infant oblates given to God by their parents, are already twelve and ten years old, and are settled and happy among us, it would be ill-done to […]
The Dream Thieves, Audio Edition (2013) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton This is the book where Ronan breaks my heart. “And you, Ronan,” Niall said. He always said Ronan differently from other words. As if he had meant to say another word entirely — something like knife or poison or revenge — and then […]
The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1140 A young man is chased to the church by a mob howling for his blood, claiming he murdered the goldsmith at his son’s wedding. “If the law itself were here, there is no power can now take away this man from the sanctuary he […]
The Raven Boys, Audio Edition (2012) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton I’d been a loose ends, trying to figure out what I wanted to listen to. This was it. I adore this story. And I love it even more remembering that Ronan, who is relatively awful in this book, ends up my favorite character […]
The Virgin in the Ice (1982) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1139 Civil war still burns across the country. When the town of Worcester is razed by the supporters of Maud, people spread out through the county, seeking refuge from the both the soldiers and the winter. In this chaos are lost two siblings […]
The Leper of Saint Giles (1981) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1139. Brother Cadfael is taking medicines to the leper hospice when the trains of the soon to be married older man and young woman come by. The man leaves much to be desired. He had drawn close enough now to observe what manner […]
Something from the Nightside, Audio Book (2003/2008) Simon R. Green narrated by Marc Vietor Ah, John Bloody Taylor, how the Nightside has missed you. I saw myself as a knight-errant . . . but the damsel in distress stabbed me in the back, my sword shattered on the dragon’s hide, and my grail turned out […]
A Deeper Sleep, Audio Version (2007) Dana Stabenow narrated by Bernadette Dunne Louis Deem has been getting away with murder for years. He’s killed three wives, but has gotten off every time; no jury in the park is willing to risk his retribution. Kate Shugak and every other decent person wants him locked away–wants young […]
Nearly a Lady (2011) Alissa Johnson Set in Scotland Trying to figure out what I wanted to read next, I remembered I had a new Alissa Johnson, but couldn’t remember which book in the series came first, so I picked one, started reading, and realized this is the one I’d read. Perhaps I’ll just read […]
Saint Peter’s Fair (1981) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1139 The Abbey is having it’s annual horse fail–Saint Peter’s Fair–and the merchants of the town of Shrewsbury are unhappy, for unlike the abbey, the town took damage the previous year when King Stephen took the town, and the Abbey takes the revenue and taxes […]
Monk’s Hood (1980) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1138. A blind eye is the easiest thing in the world to turn on whatever is troublesome. Too much trust is folly, in an imperfect world. He felt in his heart that that was sin, the sin of despair; not despair for himself, but despair of […]
Silence Fallen, Audio Edition (2017) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King and George Newbern As much as I whined about wishing her narrators were just a little better, now I’m annoyed I’m done with the currently published series and am not sure what to listen to next. This is another book I didn’t feel quite […]
Fire Touched (2016) Patricia Briggs Another re-read because the library doesn’t have the audio version of this book available, and BY GUM I have to have all material fresh in my mind before going onto the final book. It starts when Mercy and Adam receive calls at the same time. “I don’t know if you […]
Burn Bright, Audio Version (2018) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham When I read this after it was published in the spring, I believe I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. After listening, I think I know what felt off originally–this majority of this book takes place over a very short period of time. […]
Night Broken (2014) Patricia Briggs As much as I’ve whined about the narration of this series not being what I wanted it to be, I still am irritated I couldn’t borrow this as an audio book from the library and had to read it. I read it fast, because this isn’t a favorite. Publisher: Ace
Dead Heat, Audio Version (2015) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham I really like this entry into the Alpha & Omega series. Charles and Anna head out to visit a friend of Charles’ who is dying, and to buy a horse for Anna from the family business. The family is complicated, with the grandfather a […]
Frost Burned, Audio Edition (2013) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King This wasn’t one of my favorite Mercy stories, although I still like Ben’s continued climb from being a complete jerk to someone who remains troubled but is trying to become a decent human. Mostly I think it’s the vampires that are the problem here. […]
One Corpse Too Many (1979) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1138. There is war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud, over who is the rightful ruler of England, and Stephen has come to Shrewsbury to flush out some of Maud’s strongest supporters. After the battle, and the hanging of those seen as traitors […]
River Marked, Audio Edition (2011) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King Mercy and Adam are getting married. But Mercy’s mother is about to drive her over the edge. “Butterflies and balloons,” I told Adam. “She wants to release butterflies and balloons. Two hundred balloons. Gold ones.” “I expect she’s trying to get Monarch butterflies if […]
Silver Borne, Audio Edition (2010) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King This story has one of my favorite arcs–Samuel’s falling apart and how hard his wolf works to keep him alive. “What have you done with Samuel? Is he all right?” Pale ice blue eyes examined me thoughtfully. “Samuel? I’m pretty certain he’d forgotten I […]
Fair Game, Audio Edition (2012) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham I do like this series, and this book, even if this book has a serious lack of Asil. Asil left Bran alone with his thoughts then, because if he stayed, Bran would argue with him. This way, Bran would have no one to argue […]
A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977) Ellis Peters Cadfael is a brother at Shrewsbury abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Unlike most of his brethren he came to his calling late, having spent his younger years as a Crusader–and perhaps also an adventurer. Nothing troubled his peace but the necessity to take himself indoors […]
The Alienist (1994) Caleb Carr Set in New York City in 1896 I read The Alienist soon after it came out, and then read the Angel of Darkness when that came out. And then there it ended, so I forgot about the books. Apparently a TV show based on the book recently came out, and […]
Bone Crossed, Audible Edition (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King This book still has difficult parts, but not as difficult as the previous book, so I wasn’t skipping this time. I feel like I’m being overly picky about the narrators, but I think it’s partially due to the fact that these stories have a […]
Hunting Ground, Audible Edition (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham I feel so picky. I don’t dislike Holter Graham as a narrator, and I enjoy him slightly more than Loreli King, but 1) he still mispronounces the Marrock and 2) this is the book with the European wolves coming to the US, and I […]
Iron Kissed, Audio Version (2008) Patricia Briggs I almost skipped listening to this book, but instead I just skipped through the very distressing parts. This is a very good story, but a very difficult one. Publisher: Penguin Audio
By the Sword (1991) Mercedes Lackey It’s been decades since I last read this book. Partially because I haven’t been much in the mood for straight-up fantasy, partially because I didn’t have it as an ebook, and partially because I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to my memories of it. Kerowyn is the granddaughter […]