Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

This book is like a golden poppy growing from the manure of the last 12 months. Its existence makes me smile.

Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz

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I was surprised when I heard that Anthony Horowitz was releasing a sequel to Magpie Murders, one of the most delightful books I read in 2019. That mystery-within-a-mystery was clever, well-constructed, and utterly entertaining, but how could Horowitz plausibly make that format work again using the same characters? To my tremendous joy, Horowitz has constructed an equally triumphant (maybe even better?) sequel. At the start of Moonflower Murders, former publisher Susan Ryeland is living in Crete, trying to succeed in the boutique hotel business along […]

“You had to hand it to the Patrician, he admitted grudgingly. If you didn’t, he sent men to come and take it away.”

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

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The Night Watch of the sprawling city of Ankh-Morpork consists of only three people (although people might question if Nobby Nobbs is entirely human) led by the depressed and shambolic Captain Samuel Vimes. No one is more surprised than he when he finds out that they have a new recruit from the mountains who actually volunteed for the Watch. No one ever does that. The fact that young Carrot Ironfunderson claims to be a dwarf, even though he’s 6 foot 2 and seems to keep […]

Tales from the Eloise omnibus, part 2: Moscow is full of black caviar from the Caspian Sea and spies

Eloise in Moscow by Kay Thompson (author), Hilary Knight (illustrator)

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Following on the heels of Eloise at Christmastime is the re-read of Eloise in Moscow.  Eloise has come to Moscow in style, riding in the Rolls Royce her grandmother had sent because, “you only go to Moscow once”.  She is accompanied by Nanny, Weenie (the dog), but Skipperdee  (the turtle) develops a nervous cough and is sent by diplomatic pouch back to the Plaza hotel in NYC.  No reason is given for the visit beyond vague mention of Eloise being a diplomat child and once again her […]

The found family narrative works better than the romance

Love at First by Kate Clayborn

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3.5 stars Disclaimer! I got this book as an ARC from NetGalley. That has in no way influenced my review. Sixteen years ago, Will Stirling first cast eyes on Nora Clarke and was instantly smitten. He was standing under a shaded tree, listening with a sinking heart to his mother pleading with the uncle he hadn’t even realised existed, while she was up high on a balcony, throwing little tomatoes at thieving squirrels. Cut to the present day, when Will is an overworked doctor and has […]

Rather the opposite of splendid

Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn

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Lady Arabella Blydon is staying with her newly married cousin in the country when she runs into the brooding and mysterious Lord John Blackwood, a former war hero who turns out to be friends with her cousin’s husband. She quickly ascertains that he is just as attracted to her as she is to him, and cannot understand why he refuses to give in and admit his feelings. Frustrated that he seems utterly besotted by her one second and determined to stay away from her the […]

“Bind your fate to mine”

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

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Official book description: Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.   Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away any thought of […]



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