The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

  

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, by Theodora Goss.

 

Paperback : 432 pages
ISBN-10 : 1481466518

 

 

Amazon Review:

 

Based on some of literature’s horror and science fiction classics, this “tour de force of reclaiming the narrative, executed with impressive wit and insight” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) debut is the story of a remarkable group of women who come together to solve the mystery of a series of gruesome murders—and the bigger mystery of their own origins.

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.

 

I enjoyed this book... I think the reason why is because I am so old I remember most of the names of the characters they are using!   Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein , Moreau, Sherlock and Watson... the names seem to go on and on.  You begin to think you "knew" these people!

I thought it was very original writing.  You are reading along and all of a sudden there is talk going on between the woman about how the book is being written... a chuckle arose now and then.  Easy reading, and enjoyable.

 

Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris

  

 

Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris by Micheal Scott. (E-book)

 

Publication Date : October 6, 2020
File Size : 5655 KB
Print Length : 61 pages
Publisher : Delacorte Press (October 6, 2020)

 

 

Amazon Review:

 

It is 1793, and Paris is in the grip of the Terror—the terrible days of the French Revolution. Drawn by the destruction and chaos, Black Annis has come to the city with dark plans to bring even more death upon its people, and only one person stands in her way: the immortal human Machiavelli.

Now, that lost story is told. . . .

The Dark Elders granted Machiavelli eternal life. But the Prince lives only for himself, and he won’t allow Black Annis to destroy the city he’s come to call home. Only, is isn’t just Black Annis that Machiavelli’s up against—the Dark Elder is out to raise the catacombs of Paris, and now the dead are roaming the streets once more.

 

  So, the newest short story/ novella is about Machiavelli! 

When reading the original series I tended to (sometimes) not know if he was such a bad guy, or maybe some good in him.  I think this story about him settles that score!  An Immortal with a bit of a soul?   One must read it to find out! 

I am loving these short stories from Michael Scott, letting me know more about the characters and used in writing his series.  I think more authors should do things like this!  Very few people (characters) are always 100% "bad".  

I am already looking forward to next month and the next addition to his collection!  Aoife and Scathach  Shadow Twins.  I never got to know enough about Aoife and Love Scathach, so it should be, yet another, good read!

Thank you so much for keeping life in the Original Series Michael Scott !!!!

The Glass of Time

  

The Glass of Time by Michael Cox.

 

Hardcover : 592 pages
ISBN-10 : 0393067734

 

 

Amazon Review:

 

Building on his "superb" (Washington Post) debut, The Meaning of Night, Michael Cox returns to a murderous nineteenth-century England.

Like its "beguiling" and "intelligent" (New York Times Book Review) predecessor, The Glass of Time is a page turning period mystery about identity, the nature of secrets, and what happens when past obsessions impose themselves on an unwilling present. In the autumn of 1876, nineteen year-old orphan Esperanza Gorst arrives at the great country house of Evenwood to become a lady's maid to the twenty-sixth Baroness Tansor. But Esperanza is no ordinary servant. She has been sent by her guardian, the mysterious Madame de l'Orme, to uncover the secrets that her new mistress has sought to conceal, and to set right a past injustice in which Esperanza's own life is bound up. At Evenwood she meets Lady Tansor's two dashing sons, Perseus and Randolph, and finds herself enmeshed in a complicated web of seduction, intrigue, deceit, betrayal, and murder. Few writers are as gifted at evoking the sensibility of the nineteenth century as Michael Cox, who has made the world of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins his own.

 

 Another really good book by Michael Cox.  This one follows The Meaning of Night, and tells how the lives of many of the characters in the first book fair after 20 years have gone by.

Once again, lots of mystery!  Lots of  "family secrets", and lots of unique ways that things happen and those same things manage to be found out. (Which means.. also, lots of surprises.)

Many authors make me wonders how their minds work to come up with such good stories !

I would advise that in order to enjoy this particular book that you really need to read, The Meaning of Night first.

October 12,2020

 Who's old enough to remember who this guy is?..................

October 7, 2020

 

I thought I would put up a photo I took when I lived in California and volunteered work for Tippi Hedren and her Shambala Preserve... a most Gorgeous Snow Leopard.. who's fur is like Satin!

I never resented for one instant volunteering for these wonderful creatures!

October 4, 2020

I think the bottom photo give a good idea of just how Grand the Grand Canyon is!  Our United States have so much wonder scattered around us..  I suggest any who haven't see the Canyon  or the other National Parks, try to get there.  If you are given the chance don't say, " I can't go I have work to do".. or anything similar.  Go and do it... before it really is to late.

I can never Thank my friend, Cathy Benner for taking me to see the Canyon  and other National Parks enough. You won't be sorry... I can promise you that! 

 

October 3, 2020

 Other then my plants on my counter, things I constantly change.   So my view from my recliner makes me feel like I can move things around... which in reality, I can't!  

It's so  hard to believe it's October!  Who would have thought that we are about to have a whole year of Covid?   I just got my Flu shot in hopes I can skip both of these fun things!  sigh.

Since I stay in my apartment so much, I am thankful for a few things... Air Conditioning!... my books...my computer...and tv, even though so much of that is "not normal" and sometimes harder to watch, I'm still glad it's there for me.

I hope everyone is staying safe and not taking chances with the Covid.

October 2, 2020

So... here we go with some photos from the Grand Canyon...But first, my special tree while we were there!

My brother used to say "It's just a big hole in the ground."... but... it's a beautiful big hole!!!  If you've seen the Canyon tell me what you liked about it!

 

October 1, 2020

   "WELCOME....." to the house of Dracula.....  "