The Crack In the Lens by Steve Hockensmith

Synopsis (from the publisher): In 1893, Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer and his brother Gustav, "Old Red" find themselves in a situation that they never expected. They have a bit of money and time to do something other than scramble. It's enough to confound even that most unconfoundable of men, their mutual inspiration, Sherlock Holmes.

So Old Red decides that it's time for the for the two of them to head off to the Texas Hill Country, to San Marcos, and deal with the greatest tragedy of Old Red's life. Five years ago, when Old Red was a cowpoke in San Marcos, he had a sweetheart—a fallen woman at the local house of ill repute. They had made plans but before they made their big move, his fiancée was murdered and the case swept under the rug by the local authorities. Now, Old Red is determined to find out what really happened and to finally find a measure of justice for his beloved. But Big Red and Old Red find themselves facing a wall of silence and in some of the worst situations of their lives: ensnared in a riot at the local cathouse, on the wrong end of a lynching party and perhaps worst of all—having to do the one thing you never want to do in the state of Texas: steal horses.

First lines: I suspect your asking yourself a number of questions right about now. For instance: "Who are these unlucky SOBs with the ropes around their necks?" And: "Where in God's name are they?" And: "Why would anyone want to string them up?" And: "Can they un-string themselves, somehow?"

And perhaps most important of all: "Do I give a crap?"


My thoughts: I'm so glad I found this series. This book was a great, fast read with plenty of laugh out loud moments even though it was the most serious of the series so far. In this one you get to know Old Red a little better and what makes him tick. The Crack in the Lens is a rreference to Sherlock Holmes (who in this world is a real person) whom the older brother, Old Red, tries to emulate. This is not simply a western, it is a mystery as well with lovable heroes you will enjoy getting to know. If you don't read westerns but love a funny book read it, if you like westerns and/or mysteries read it.


Rating: B


Quote: I awoke from my swoon on a jail cell bunk. You might think finding myself in the clink would be a mite discouraging but that wasn't the case at all. In fact, I took it as a sign that our luck was finally turning around.

Lucky break #1: I was alive.

On the Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith

About the book: It might be 1893 and the modern world may in full-swing, but cowboy Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer is an old-fashioned kind of guy: he prefers a long trail ride even when a train could get him where he’s going in one-tenth the time. His brother Otto (“Big Red”), on the other hand, wouldn't mind climbing down from his horse and onto a train once in a while if it'll give his saddle-sore rear end a rest. So when it's Old Red who insists they sign on to protect the luxurious Pacific Express, despite a generations-old Amlingmeyer family distrust of the farm-stealin', cattle-killin', money-grubbin' railroads, Big Red is flummoxed. But Old Red, tired of the cowpoke life, wants to take a stab at professional ‘detectifying’ just like his hero, Sherlock Holmes and guard jobs for the railroad are the only ones on offer.

So it is that Big Red and Old Red find themselves trapped on a thousand tons of steam-driven steel, summiting the Sierras en route to San Francisco with a crafty gang of outlaws somewhere around the next bend, a baggage car jam-packed with deadly secrets, and a vicious killer hidden somewhere amongst the colorful passengers.

On the Wrong Track, Old Red and Big Red’s much anticipated return, is filled with all of the wit, flavor, humor, and suspense that made Hockensmith’s debut, Holmes on the Range, so beloved by critics and fans alike.

My Thoughts: Loved it. This second book in the Holmes on the Range series not only had a smile on every page it gave me several laugh out loud moments as well as several *snorts*. As well as being a fun read I think Hockensmith has created a truly original mystery series. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes you won't want to miss these, but if you have never read Sherlock Holmes it doesn't matter, the story works. The mysteries in this story kept me guessing, the humor kept me amused, and the the characters were wonderfully written. I suggest you read these in order to appreciate the growth of the main characters. I recommend this.

Rating: A

Quote: While sensible men set out to be bankers, lawyers, business tycoons, or president of the United States, my brother had what was, in his mind, a far loftier goal. He wanted to be a detective. More specifically, he wanted to be the detective: the late, great Sherlock Holmes. While no one was going to mistake a couple of dollar-a-day cowhands like ourselves for gentlemen deducifiers, through a combination of tenacity (mostly my brother's) and luck (mostly bad) we did manage to get ourselves hires as detectives ... of a sort.

Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne Watson

When a stray kitten romps into Lynne's life, she has no idea what she's getting into. As Lynne describes in letters to her friend Angie, Skeeter is all Cat - high spirited, contrary, and inventive. He's so goofy that he reminds Lynne of her own nuttiest escapades; so irrepressible that even Lynne's neighbor, mark, gets wound around his paw. And when Angie visits to see skeeter for herself....Well, no one who meets Skeeter will ever be quite the same again.

Anne L. Watson's writings on cats have appeared in the newsletter of the Gozo SPCA. She lives in Friday Harbor, Washington, with one formerly-stray cat.

Quote: "I think I'll continue being pack leader. Like all despots, I perpetuate Skeeter's servitude by monopolizing the means to freedom: the checkbook, the car keys, the can opener."

My Thoughts:This was a cute little story. I didn't realize how short it was until I finished it because I read it on my Kindle. I have since found that it is only 112 pages long. The story of Skeeter was told in letters written to Lynne's friend, a string of anecdotes. It was rather loosely strung and I think it could have been a better story with more details. I enjoyed reading about Skeeter, his antics were funny. As a cat lady myself I found myself laughing and comparing Skeeter to some of the cats I have owned over the years, especially when she was trying to get Skeeter t except a harness and leash. Cat people would like this book.

Links:

The authors site

Challenges:

100+ Reading Challenge

eBook Reading Challenge

2010 Cat Book Challenge

Monthly Mixer Mele

Total pages read 2010:

This book - 112

Total - 4840

And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer

About the book: Arthur Dent's accidental association with that wholly remarkable book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has not been entirely without incident. Arthur has finally made it home to Earth, but that does not mean he has escaped his fate.
Arthur's chances of getting his hands on a decent cuppa have evaporated rapidly, along with all the world's oceans. For no sooner has he touched down on the planet Earth than he finds out that it is about to be blown up ... again.
And Another Thing... is the rather unexpected, but very welcome, sixth installment of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. It features a pantheon of unemployed gods, everyone's favorite renegade Galactic President, a lovestruck green alien, an irritating computer, and at least one very large slab of cheese.

Quote: Wowbagger's mood shifted from polite boredom to impolite boredom.

"You tried to pick up a friend of mine."
"Pick up? Whit kind of pick up?"
"You know the kind where you lift something off the ground?"
"Yes."
"Well, not that kind."

Why this book: I loved all the Hitchhiker books so I couldn't resist getting this one.

My Thoughts: Colfer did a great job with Adam's characters. The story was outlandish and amusing. I did think that there were too many footnotes, but some of the most amusing lines were found there. I'm glad I read (listened to) it, but if you haven't read any of the Hitchhiker books, I think you would be better off reading them first. I liked Simon Jones performance, I think hearing his characterizations added a lot to my enjoyment.

Links:
At Wikipedia
Review & 2 YouTube video interviews of the author.

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge
Audiobook Challenge 2010
Monthly Mixer Mele

Hours listened in 2010:
This CD - 10 1/2 hours
Total - 65 hrs & 40 min.

Fingerlickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Synopsis: When Stephanie's friend Lula witnesses a thug known Marco the Maniac behead television chef Stanley Chipotle, she becomes Marco's newest target. Lula persuades Stephanie to join her in a barbecuing competition that Chipotle was sponsoring, hoping to lure Marco into an appearance there and gain the million dollar reward that has been offered for his apprehension.
Ranger too asks for Stephanie's help with a problem. The reputation of his security company, Rangeman, has been compromised by series of robberies at his clients’ homes. Suspecting his own employees of the crime, Ranger wants Stephanie to gather information on his staff while working in the Rangeman office. Stephanie, who is at loose ends after an argument about peanut butter has derailed her romance with Joe Morelli, willingly takes on both new tasks.

My thoughts: I loved it. It was funny and Lula shined.

Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny With a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits by Celia Rivenbark

Synopsis: From the bestselling author of WE'RE JUST LIKE YOU, ONLY PRETTIER and BLESS YOUR HEART, TRAMP comes a hilarious new book.
Hang on to your hats! We're in for some fiercely funny weather and crackling-sharp observations from Celia Rivenbark, of whom USA Today has said, "Think Dave Barry with a female point of view." With her incomparable style and sassy southern wit, You'll hear from Celia on:

• The joys of remodeling Tara
• How Harry Potter bitch-slaps Nancy Drew
• Britney's To-Do list: pick okra, cover that thang up
• How rugby-playing lesbians torpedoed beach day
• Why French women suck at competitive eating
• The truth about nature deficit disorder
• The difference between cockroaches and water bugs
• The beauty of Bedazzlers
• And much, much more!

Whether she's doing her taxes or extolling the virtues of Madonna's mothering skills, Celia Rivenbark will keep you laughing until the very last page.

My thoughts: Well I think that synopsis about says it all. I laughed a lot while listening to this. I read another of her books and I don't remember so many "s" words. I found that a little off putting after awhile. There was a little political commentary, which I try to avoid. Otherwise it was a hoot! I have another of her books in a TBR pile for the Southern Reading Challenge 2009.

humor, southern humor, nonfiction, southern, commentary, essays

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge
RYOB Reading Challenge
Audiobook Challenge