Diane and I have seen Loreena McKennitt in concert twice–both times very memorable. McKennitt is a Canadian singer and songwriter. I started listening to Loreena McKennitt’s music by listening to the Canadian radio stations back in the 1980s. Then I bought McKennitt’s albums and still listen to them regularly. My favorites are all from the 1990s: The Visit (1991), The Mask and the Mirror (1994), and The Book of Secrets (1997).

The music on A Midwinter’s Dream blends traditional Christmas music like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with new, original Christmas songs. You will delight in listening to McKennitt’s refined and clear soprano vocals.

In a comment on my review of Enya’s And Winter Came (you can read my review here), Jeff Smith recommended Loreena McKennit’s A Midwinter’s Dream–which I had already scheduled for today. Great minds think alike! GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

		The Holly & The Ivy	4:49
		Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle	3:06
		The Seven Rejoices Of Mary	4:33
		Noël Nouvelet !	5:12
		Good King Wenceslas	3:17
		Coventry Carol	2:19
		God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Abdelli Version)	7:20
		Snow	5:06
		Breton Carol	3:30
		Seeds Of Love	4:54
		Gloucestershire Wassail	2:39
		Emmanuel	4:55
		In The Bleak Midwinter	2:42

I’ve been reading Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy novels–some of them 1000+ pages!–for years. Tailored Realities (2025) presents a generous display of Sanderson’s styles and story-telling. Sanderson has published over 70 books so far–when does this guy sleep?–and he loves to blend genres. Take “Snapshot” for example. It’s a blend of police procedural and simulated Realty.

Games play a big role in many of Sanderson’s works. In “Dreamer” where a group of dead gamers continue playing their games by possessing the bodies of living people.

If you have a Brandon Sanderson fan on your Gift List, this new collection would be ideal! If you’re interested in one of the most prolific–and popular–fantasy writers in the fantasy genre today, Tailored Realities would be a good entry point to sample Sanderson’s wares. GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Snapshot — 1

Snapshot A non-cosmere (the cosmere is a fictional shared universe where many of Brandon Sanderson’s books take place) novella by Brandon Sanderson, a detective thriller about two detectives, Anthony Davis and Chaz, who investigate crimes in a simulated, recreated version of a past day.

Brain Dump — 69

Brain Dump A non-cosmere novella by Brandon Sanderson that came from a single prompt: Designer Brains.

I Hate Dragons — 81

I Hate Dragons A short story written by Brandon Sanderson as part of a dialogue exercise. He wrote the story using only dialogue, although admittedly, he did use large caps and occasionally very descriptive conversation. Some time later, Brandon expanded the short story, putting in descriptions, and added more chapters.

Dreamer — 91

Dreamer A non-cosmere short horror story by Brandon Sanderson that first appeared in the Games Creatures Play anthology, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni Kelner. It is set on Earth and told from the first person perspective of the eponymous character, who is part of a group of dead gamers, poltergeists that must possess the bodies of living people. They use their abilities to play extreme, real-life versions of games like “capture the flag” and “cops and robbers,” showing little regard for collateral damage among the living.

Perfect State — 105

Perfect State A non-cosmere novella by Brandon Sanderson. Its excerpt can be found on Brandon’s website

Probability Approaching Zero — 157

Probability Approaching Zero Brandon Sanderson’s first attempt at flash fiction, about a human who is uplifted to greater intelligence by aliens.

Defending Elysium — 163

Defending Elysium A non-cosmere short story written by Brandon Sanderson published on his website. It is set in the same universe as the Skyward series, taking place centuries beforehand.

Firstborn — 205

Firstborn A non-cosmere short story written by Brandon Sanderson published by Tor on their website.^[7]

Mitosis — 243

Mitosis A novelette written by Brandon Sanderson that is part of The Reckoners series. It takes place between Steelheart and Firefight. It is published by Delacorte Press.

Moment Zero — 271

Moment Zero A non-cosmere novella by Brandon Sanderson.

I’ve been entertained by Ryan Johnson’s two previous Knives Out mysteries. This new one, Wake Up Dead Man, gives Johnson the opportunity to have his quirky detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), deliver a lecture about impossible crimes and locked room mysteries.

Young Father Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) finds himself a suspect in an impossible murder. But Benoit Blanc shows up and starts to unravel the tricky murder. The list of other suspects includes devout Catholic Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), local doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), struggling writer Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), disabled concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), the Dravens–lawyer Vera (Kerry Washington) and aspiring politico Cy (Daryl McCormack)–and the reclusive church groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Hayden Church).

If you enjoyed Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022), you’ll find Wake Up Dead Man just as suspenseful and clever. GRADE: B+

When I was teaching General Motors workers about the history of the Automobile Industry, one of my favorite characters was William Durant. “Durant was the founder of General Motors and co-founder of Chevrolet. He created a system in which a company held multiple brands – each seemingly independent, with different automobile lines – bound under a unified corporate holding company. He also founded Frigidaire.” Durant was a polymath.

You wouldn’t think the guy that founded successful companies and was a millionaire several times over would show up in Andrew Ross Sorkin’s 1929 but here’s Durant’s fate: “Durant kept up appearances until 1936 when at the age of seventy-four, he declared bankruptcy. He put his net income that year at $5,438.” (p. 425)

How in the world did Durant–and thousands of rich people–go from wealthy to broke? That is just part of the story Sorkin tells in 1929.

Greed. Having millions of dollars and lavish mansions were not enough for some of the industrial and banking leaders of the U.S. back in 1929–and small investors, too. They thought the Stock Market was just going to go up, up, up (kind of like Today). The other Big Problem was that the rules back then allowed people to buy stocks “on margin.” For as little as 10% in cash, you could buy thousands of shares of stock. The problem–that few considered–was that if the price of the stocks fell, you had to come up with the balance…in cash.

And on October 29, 1929 (aka,”Black Tuesday“) 16.4 million shares of stock were traded. Around $14 billion of stock value was lost, wiping out thousands of investors. The panic selling reached its peak with some stocks having no buyers at any price. The Dow lost an additional 30.57 points, or 11.73%, for a total drop of 68.90 points, or 23.05% in two days. The Stock Market crashed and the Great Depression began.

Andrew Ross Sorkin tells the story of 1929 in a novelistic fashion with dozens of characters–who should have known better–betting on the Market in an orgy of speculation and greed. Sorkin hints the same inclinations are active in today’s Stock Market. Worth pondering… GRADE: A

The 9-4 Buffalo Bills, favored by 1 1/2 points, take on the 11-2 New England Patriots in Foxboro. If the Patriots win, they will became AFC East Champions. The Bills have won the AFC East five years in a row, but that looks like it’s coming to an end. Last week, the Bills played great in the snow game against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 39-34. I don’t see a high-scoring game this week, but I’m hoping for a Bills win.

How will your favorite NFL team perform today?

It was Harvey Weinstein’s idea to split Kill Bill in half, and although he may have had commercial considerations in mind, Quentin Tarantino always saw Kill Bill as one long–four hours and 35 minutes–movie. Tarantino insists he’s not working on Kill Bill, Volume 3 and it probably isn’t ever going to happen.

This new incarnation of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair with a 15-minute intermission, is in select theaters now. I have DVD versions of Kill Bill, Volume 1 and Kill Bill, Volume 2 but what I’m waiting for is to have Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair box set that I’m sure will be on the market in a few months. I have no intention of sitting in a movie theater for over four hours anymore so I’ll just buy Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and watch it at home.

Are you a Kill Bill fan?

I read Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes back in 2022 when it became a surprise bestseller for TOR Books (you can read my review here). Legends & Lattes was first published by Cryptid Press in February 22, 2022. Then a second edition was issued in trade paperback by TOR Books in November 2022.

We’re all familiar with the genre “Cozy Mysteries.” I think Travis Baldree writes “Cozy Fantasy.”

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel novel to Legends & Latte. Baldree gives the reader the origin story of the Orc mercenary, Viv, as she recuperates in a new town and discovers a love for bookselling and romance.

Brigands & Breadknives, the latest book in the series, begins with Fern, the rattkin bookseller we met in Bookshops and Bonedust, who has left her home and life and shop behind to set up a bookstore next door to Viv and Tandri. Though Fern is afraid of starting over, she’s willing to take a gamble on her friendship with the Orc coffee shop owner.

Fern has always been a bookseller and knows nothing else. But she decides she just needs to get away. This leads Fern to crawling into the back of the cart belonging to renowned elven adventurer Asteryx One-Ear, the Oathmaiden…and falling asleep. When Fern wakes up, she’s too far from home, so she resolves to continue the adventure until she can safely book passage home.

Asteryx One-Ear is a bounty hunter who is transporting her prisoner—a wild goblin named Zyll—across the continent to be delivered to justice. Zyll keeps escaping, only to return with new friends (like a creepy chicken demon), new weapons (like a talking Elder blade turned into a breadknife), and new enemies–the brigands. Asteryx and Fern work together to deal with these challenges.

If you’re looking for Feel Good cozy fantasies with likable characters and compelling stories delivering the same heartwarming touch as Legends & Lattes, give Bookshops & Bonedust and Brigands & Breadknives a try. GRADE: B (for both)

Christmas music has been blaring in stores and on local radio stations since the day after Halloween. I like Christmas music, but there is so much mediocre Christmas music out there that I have to resort to listening to my own Christmas CDs when I’m driving around or at home.

I became an Enya fan back in 1988 when I heard Watermark. Then I bought all of Enya’s albums as they were released. And Winter Came (2008) presents Christmas songs you’re not likely to hear in stores or on the local radio. But, they are beautifully arranged and sung by Enya. If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, listen to And Winter Came and feel the real joy of the season! GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

		And Winter Came…	3:16
		Journey Of The Angels	4:47
		White Is In The Winter Night	3:00
		O Come, O Come, Emmanuel	3:40
		Trains And Winter Rains	3:45
		Dreams Are More Precious	4:26
		Last Time By Moonlight	3:58
		One Toy Soldier	3:54
		Stars And Midnight Blue	3:09
		The Spirit Of Christmas Past	4:18
		My! My! Time Flies!	3:03
		Oíche Chiúin (Chorale)	3:50

I’ve been a fan of Martin Edwards’s mystery anthologies for years. Who Killed Father Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries is the fifth Christmas anthology Edwards has published with the British Library Crime Classics (aka, Poisoned Pen Press). The other four anthologies are Silent Nights, Crimson Snow, The Christmas Card Crime, and A Surprise for Christmas.

I also enjoyed the title story, Patricia Moyes’s “Who Killed Father Christmas” about the murder of a department store Santa. My favorite story in this anthology is “Secrets in the Snow” by J. Jefferson Farjeon. Since it’s snowing now outside my window, the story resonated with me.

Who Killed Father Christmas (2025) blends a number of various Christmas mysteries, some serious, some not. I enjoyed Peter Todd’s clever “Herlock Sholmes’ Christmas Case.” Back in 1976, Mysterious Press published The Adventures of Herlock Sholmes, but this story wasn’t included.

If you’re in the mood for a Christmas mystery anthology, Who Killed Father Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries should be at the top of your wish list. GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Introduction / Martin Edwards — vii
• A Note From the Publisher –xi
• On the Irish Mail / Garnett Radcliffe — 1
• The Christmas Thief / Frank Howel Evans — 16
• The Christmas Spirit / Anthony Gilbert — 50
• Among Those Present Was Santa Claus / Vincent Cornier — 69
• Gold, Frankincense, and Murder / Catherine Aird — 80
• Secrets in the Snow / J. Jefferson Farjeon — 101
• Who Killed Father Christmas? / Patricia Moyes — 123
• Death at Christmas / Glyn Daniel — 137
• Scotland Yard’s Christmas / John Dickson Carr — 152
• The Bird of Dawning / Michael Gilbert — 165
• The Christmas Train / Will Scott — 186
• The Grey Monk / Gerald Verner — 202
• Who Suspects the Postman? / Michael Innes — 214
• Herlock Sholmes’ Christmas Case / Peter Todd — 221
• A Present for Ivo / Ellis Peters — 230

I DVRed all six episodes of PBS Masterpiece‘s Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light last year. The sticking point was finding time to read Hilary Mantel’s 761 page novel that the series was based on. Fortunately, I finally read Mantel’s tome from 2020 while waiting eight hours at the Buffalo Airport for Diane and her sister Carol to arrive from JFK during the Government Shutdown.

The Mirror and the Light is the third book in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy (you can read my reviews of Wolf Hall (2009) and Bring Up the Bodies (2012) here). Mantel’s story of the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell is chilling. King Henry VIII is a psychopath whose moods can lead to someone dying. Henry Tudor, played brilliantly by Damian Lewis, faces popular unrest as a result of his break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England. Henry also needs a son. Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light starts with an execution so Henry can marry again.

Mark Rylance plays the dutiful Thomas Cromwell with great authenticity. Cromwell knows he serves a half-mad King and an England perilously in danger of internal dissension and foreign intrigue. Throughout the PBS series and Mantel’s historical novels, the treacherous path of power in the Court threatens Cromwell despite his successes.

Maybe it’s just the times we live in, but Henry VIII acts in very Trumpian ways. He rages, he threatens, he kills, he commits incredible cruelties, he dresses up in an absurd Turkish costume. Cromwell is urged to leave England and return to Antwerp where he once found happiness by a family member. But Cromwell stays and accepts his Fate.

If you’re a fan of historical dramas, you’ll love this Thomas Crowell trilogy. But be prepared to endure some pain and suffering at the atrocities committed by the King and his duplicitous Court. GRADE: A