Of the essays in Private Investigations, I like the ones that dealt with the author’s writing career best. Jeffrey Deaver’s “Plot Twists: This Writer’s Life” tells how Deaver left his job as a lawyer to become a successful thriller writer. I admire Cara Black’s “Field Notes a la Maigret From Paris,” where Black shows how her love of George Simenon’s novels about Parisian police inspector Maigret led her to writing 19 books in her Private Investigator Aimee Leduc series set in Paris.

The most moving essay (for me) was William Kent Krueger’s story about his mentally ill mother who was an alcoholic and suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. I was engrossed in Jacqueline Winspear’s “Writing About War” which shows how her experience of war as a child impacted her writing in the Maisie Dobbs series (a former World War I nurse who becomes a private investigator).

Carole Nelson Douglas’s “Godfathers, Nancy Drew, and Cats” explores the impacts of various events on her writing career. This collection ends appropriately with Anne Perry’s “I Want to Be a Magician” which captures the spirit of her writing. If you want to know more about these writers, these essays reveal some hidden truths, insights, and fascinating background stories. GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction : solving the mystery / Victoria Zackheim — 1
Ghosted / Hallie Ephron — 7
Plot twists : this writer’s life / Jeffrey Deaver — 21
An extra child / Sulari Gentill — 33
Field notes à la Maigret from Paris / Cara Black — 45
Lydia and Jack / Connie May Fowler — 57
The land of the morning calm (and other military mysteries) / Martin Limón — 81
The clay that we shape / William Kent Krueger — 95
Origins and destinations / Ausma Zehanat Khan — 105
A trick of the light / Kristen Lepionka — 110
The mystery of deception / Lynn Cahoon — 131
The long shadow of war / Rhys Bowen — 143
I don’t know this word / Rachel Howzell Hallie — 155
The beams keep falling / Steph Cha — 175
Writing about war / Jacqueline Winspear — 187
Can we live without mystery? / Tasha Alexander — 207
Godfathers, Nancy Drea, and cats / Carole Nelson Douglas — 221
The mystery of my lost voice / Caroline Leavitt — 243
Remembering the dead / Charles Todd — 259
Nuns, magic, and Steven King / Robert Dugoni — 273
I want to be a magician / Anne Perry — 287

Acknowledgements — 301

About the Contributors — 303

Diane and I were walking around TARGET when I noticed a display of Good & Gather Sparkling Water. Several flavors were displayed, but the one that caught my eye was the Ginger Peach Sparkling Water. I love ginger and I love peaches so this looked really good. So, I bought an 8-pack.

Part of the problem of trying New Things is that the result might be Disappointment. When I tasted a glass of Good & Gather Ginger Peach Sparkling Water I didn’t taste any ginger. And, I didn’t taste any peach. All I tasted was fizz.

Do you drink sparkling water? Do you have a favorite? GRADE: F

The winters in Western New York can be harsh. Arctic temperatures, blizzards, heavy snow, and treacherous ice abound. As a result, our roads deteriorate from the wild temperature changes. Our street was full of potholes set to damage vehicle suspensions and create tire wear. Fortunately, our city government decided to use some of the coronavirus money they received to pave streets that needed it.

Two days ago a team of workers showed up and stripped out street down to bedrock. Yesterday, another team showed and paved our street. It was stinky. But, today, these photos show you what the finished job looks like: smooth as glass! How are the roads in your community?

Here we are at the penultimate volume of The Great SF Stories series. Volume 24 features the best of 1962, a time where I was reading Science Fiction novels and short stories almost every day. I remember being wowed by Cordwainer Smith’s “The Ballad of Lost C’Mell.” Poul Anderson’s powerful “Kings Who Die” impressed my 14-year-old mind. R. A. Lafferty’s “Seven-Day Terror” remains one of my favorite Lafferty stories of all time. Harry Harrison caused waves with “The Streets of Ashkelon” with its religious aspects.

Do you remember these stories? Any favorites here? GRADE: A-

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction by Martin H. Greenberg – 9

1. “The Insane Ones” by J. G. Ballard (AMAZING, January 1962) – 15
2. “Christmas Treason” by James White (MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, January 1962) – 29
3. “Seven-Day Terror” by R. A. Lafferty (IF, March 1962) – 59
4. “Kings Who Die” by Poul Anderson (IF, March 1962) – 69
5. “The Man Who Made Friends with Electricity” by Fritz Leiber (MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, March 1962) – 109
6. “Hang Head, Vandal!” by Mark Clifton (AMAZING, April 1962) – 121
7. “The Weather Man” by Theodore L. Thomas (ANALOG, June 1962) – 139
8. “Earthlings Go Home!” by Mack Reynolds (ROGUE, August 1962) – 185
9. “The Streets of Ashkelon” by Harry Harrison (NEW WORLDS, September 1962) – 195
10. “When You Care, When You Love” by Theodore Sturgeon (MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, September 1962) – 215
11. “The Ballad of Lost C’Mell” by Cordwainer Smith (GALAXY, October 1962) – 267
12. “Gadget vs. Trend” by Christopher Anvil (ANALOG, October 1962) – 295
13. “Roofs of Silver” by Gordon R. Dickson (MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, December 1962) – 315

This CD compilation is the only ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY one I own. Back in the 1990s, it seemed like everyone was putting out CD compilations from Rolling Stone to Starbucks. Some of these selections don’t strike me as “Rock Anthems.” Take America’s “Horse With No Name” for example. Or Gary Wright’s “Dream Weaver.” I confess my ears have been burned out by Don McLean’s “American Pie” which was played unceasingly back in the day. Fortunately, this set is redeemed by one of Maggie Mason’s favorites: Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” What do you think of these “Rock Anthems”? GRADE: B

TRACK LIST:

DISC 1:

1-1–Free All Right Now Written-By – Fraser*, Rodgers*

1-2–Rod Stewart Maggie May Written-By – Quittenton*, Stewart*

1-3–Elton John Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me Written-By – Taupin*, John*

1-4–Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama Written-By – King*, Rossington*, Van Zant*

1-5–The Guess Who American Woman Written-By – Cummings*, Peterson*, Kale*, Bachman*

1-6–The Allman Brothers *Ramblin’ Man Written-By – Betts*

1-7–Robert Palmer A ddicted To Love Written-By – Palmer*

1-8–America (2) Horse With No Name Written-By – Bunnell*

1-9–Humble Pie Hot ‘N’ Nasty Written-By – Clempson*, Ridley*, Shirley*, Marriott*

1-10–Golden Earring Radar Love Written-By – Hay*, Kooymans*

1-11–Boston More Than A Feeling Written-By – Scholz*

1-12–Rick Derringer Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo Written-By – Derringer*

DISC 2:

2-1–Blood, Sweat And Tears And When I Die Written-By – Nyro*

2-2–Grand Funk Railroad We’re An American Band Written-By – Brewer*

2-3–Don McLean American Pie Written-By – McLean*

2-4–Quiet Riot Cum On Feel The Noize Written-By – Jim Lea, Holder*

2-5–Nazareth (2) Love Hurts Written-By – Bryant*

2-6–Bachman-Turner Overdrive Takin’ Care Of Business Written-By – Bachman*

2-7–Gary Wright Dream Weaver Written-By – Wright*

2-8–Foreigner Cold As Ice Written-By – Grammatico*, Jones*

2-9–Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Written-By – Ingle*

2-10–Jefferson Airplane White Rabbit Written-By – Grace Slick

2-11–Alice Cooper School’s Out Written-By – Dunaway*, Buxton*, Bruce*, Smith*, Furnier*

2-12–Three Dog Night Joy To The World Written-By – Axton*

The 9th book in the Harry Dresden series features Dresden in a desperate quest to clear his vampire brother, Thomas, from a cunning plot by powerful Magical Interests.

Harry Dresden, professional Wizard and Private Investigator for the City of Chicago, grew up an orphan. His upbringing included a lot of physical and mental abuse which explains his taciturn disposition. But, as we Harry Dresden fans all know, Harry has a heart of gold under his gruff exterior. So when Harry’s brother, Thomas, is in Big Trouble, Harry throws caution to the winds to save him.

In addition, Harry takes on a mentorship role of Molly, a teenager who dabbled in Black Magic. Harry accepts his role despite the provision that if Molly ever resorts to Black Magic again, she–and he–will be executed by the White Council of Wizards.

There’s a lot going on in White Nights and the pages turn with rapidity. If you’re looking for escapist reading, here it is! GRADE: B+

Patti Abbott, in a comment over this past weekend, mentioned how much she misses live theater. So do I. I read Terry Teachout’s theater column in the WALL STREET JOURNAL which praised the UK’s National Theatre web site that offers free plays for a limited time. I’m hoping Skylight shows up later this summer, but for now until July 16 you can watch The Deep Blue Sea.

Terence Rattigan‘s The Deep Blue Sea contains one of the greatest female roles in contemporary drama, played by Helen McCrory. Here’s the link:

Helen McCrory plays Hester Collyer and Tom Burke is Freddie Page, a couple dealing with Serious Problems. Yes, there are occasional laughs, but the core of The Deep Blue Sea centers around love and despair. The play is available for free through July 16. Then, another play will be made available. This isn’t ideal, but beggars can’t be choosers. GRADE: B+

Timothy Snyder claims Russia is a kleptocratic regime that seeks to export the politics of eternity: to demolish factuality, to preserve inequality, and to accelerate similar tendencies in Europe and the United States (p. 11). Snyder writes about “the politics of inevitability.” This is the idea that there are no ideas, only actions. And, the people selling this claim their actions are inevitable. “Winning” and “Success” are assured. Chapter by chapter, Snyder dissects the Russian strategies to undermine the European Union and the United States.  With the 2020 Presidential Election just a few months away, you can count on the Russians to be meddling just as they did in 2016.

If you’ve been wondering why Americans are so conflicted, The Road to Unfreedom explains why.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Prologue p. 1
Chapter 1 Individualism or Totalitarianism p. 15
Chapter 2 Succession or Failure p. 37
Chapter 3 Integration or Empire p. 67
Chapter 4 Novelty or Eternity p. 111
Chapter 5 Truth or Lies p. 159
Chapter 6 Equality or Oligarchy p. 217
Epilogue p. 277
Acknowledgments p. 281
Endnotes p. 285
Index p. 347

About a month ago I posted a review of Michael Swanwick’s The Postutopian Adventures of Darger and Surplus (you can read that review here). Darger and Surplus are con-artists who live in a future where technology is strictly controlled because Artificial Intelligences revolted and nearly destroyed humanity. The Danger and Surplus stories have a bit of a steampunk feel to them as a result.

Darger is a Brit who can fade into any crowd unnoticed. Surplus is a talking and walking dog who has been genetically modified. The Postutopian Adventures of Darger and Surplus collected Swanwick’s short stories about the duo. In Dancing With Bears (2011), Darger and Surplus are pretending to be part of an diplomatic mission from the Caliph of Baghdad to the Duke of Muscovy who rules what remains of Moscow. The mission is to deliver a “priceless gift” which is actually a harem of beautiful women.

But, of course, the mission is derailed by spies, Secret Police, and a sinister ploy by AIs who survived the War. Both Darger and Surplus contend with brushes with death as Moscow swirls out of control. If you’re looking for a Summer page-turner, Dancing With Bears will send you to Siberia. GRADE: A-

Charlize Theron plays Andy, an immortal who has fought for moral causes over the centuries. Andy leads a band of three other immortals who share the fighting on these missions. When Andy learns there is a new immortal–a female marine named Nile (KiKi Layne)–Andy travels to Afghanistan to “orient” her to the immortal life. The Old Guard is based on Greg Rucka’s graphic novel series. Rucka provides a compelling script for Gina Prince-Bythewood’s first sci-fi action-movie.

Prince-Bythewood allows the characters space to talk to Nile about living for centuries while everyone they love dies. Part of the team is kidnapped by a greedy pharmaceutical CEO and his heartless chief scientist who plan to analyze the immortals’ DNA and discover a way to sell an immortality serum. Andy sets out to rescue her captured teammates while Nile decides to follow a different path.

Plenty of fight scenes, explosions, and mayhem follow. I can’t wait for the sequel! If you’re looking for a Summer action-movie, The Old Guard checks all the boxes. GRADE: B+