Opening Sentence: Knockdown

Mrs. Kerry Sanders looked like no Angel of Death.

-- Knockdown by Dick Francis.

I am on a real Francis jag, but kept avoiding this one because the cover on my copy was off-puttingly cheesy.I'm glad I got over that, because the story is particularly good.

Teaser Tuesday: Brazzeville Beach

Then, in the distance, I heard more hooting and barking.  The other chimps hooted in response.

-- Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd.

This is a great book about a "primate researcher" in Africa.  I am completely sucked in, just like with every Boyd book I've read.

I am reading this as one of my James Tait Black Memorial Prize picks for the 2011 Battle of the Prizes, British Version, Challenge.  William Boyd is one of my favorites.

Mailbox Monday

Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia at A girl and her books (fka The Printed Page), who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring meme (details here).

MariReads is hosting in May. Please visit her wonderful blog, where even the banner picture will inspire you to read a good book.

I got two books in my mailbox last week, both review copies. This is bad for my Guilt List, but good for my reading enjoyment.



The First day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb.

Lamb has something like eight books already and this one coming out in July, but I have not read any of them yet. I am fortunate to get a review copy and look forward to reading a new-to-me author.




Very Bad Men by Harry Dolan.

This is the second in a mystery series set, so far, in Ann Arbor, Michigan and featuring David Loogan.

I loved the first one, Bad Things Happen (reviewed here) and can't wait to dive into this one.  I've recommended the BTH to about 12 people who were just looking for something good to read.

Opening Sentence of the Day: The Chatham School Affair

My father had a favorite line.

-- The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook.

This won the Edgar Award in 1997. It takes place in a small town on Cape Cod and looks like it is going ot be really good.

Opening Sentence of the Day: Brazzaville Beach

I never really warmed to Clovis -- he was far too stupid to inspire real affection -- but he always claimed a corner of my heart, largely, I suppose, because of the way he instinctively and unconsciously cupped his genitals whenever he was alarmed or nervous.

-- Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd.

I started this one about a year ago, but never got past the first page, despite that attention-grabbing opener.

I am reading this as one of my James Tait Black Memorial Prize picks for the 2011 Battle of the Prizes, British Version, Challenge.  William Boyd is one of my favorites.