pontalba

I had not heard Wizards of the Sonic before! Your trip sounds absolutely fantastic, meeting all sorts of people, bookshops, and friends. Who could ask for anything more? /clearing throat/ Your PM guy sounds interesting....but it's all "on paper" right now. Remember, skepticism is a good thing. Eyes wide open. Um, 200 isn't a bad number.....

Past Caring is a fictional novel, with mostly fictional characters based in 1910, and 1977 England and Madeira. Goddard merely uses Asquith's government as a backdrop and frame for the story. http://www.amazon.com/Past-Caring-Robert-Goddard/dp/0385341172/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372338763&sr=1-1&keywords=Past+Caring

Past Caring by Robert Goddard 4/5 A disgraced historian and teacher, Martin Radford is offered the chance of a lifetime. The chance to investigate a man as disgraced as himself. A man that doesn't even understand or know why is has lost the love he has patiently waited for and planned with for so long. A man that has to all intents and purposes, disappeared from history. Our hero, Edwin Strafford's life fell apart in 1910. He was Home Secretary during England's Prime Minister Asquith's tenure. Strafford had a brilliant career ahead of him, a beautiful and intelligent young woman that he loved, and loved him in return. Then, suddenly it all fell apart. His fiance, apparently without rhyme or reason, rejects him and his career is inexplicably ended. Past Caring is written partially in the form of memoir by Strafford, and partially by narration of Radford skillfully woven together by Goddard into a tale of political intrigue, murder, false leads and false friends. No one is as they seem. I found the pacing of the story to be a bit erratic in places, but certainly worth the effort. This is a twisty tale that has some unexpected turns, although I did find enough foreshadowing, or telegraphing to be able to figure out where it must be going. But don't let that stop you from reading this very interesting fictional take on the politics of the day. Some fascinating insights are brought out in the plotting. http://www.amazon.com/Past-Caring-Robert-Goddard/dp/0385341172/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372338763&sr=1-1&keywords=Past+Caring

@Talisman - A comedy sketch indeed. Black comedy. It would out do Fawlty Towers. sheesh! @Peacefield - Yes, both cars that hit us had insurance. I am only thankful that we were in a high riding Jeep. Only the back bumper seems to be damaged. And, one of the adjusters was actually surprised that it had torn a bit at all. A car collision place can tell if it was prior damage, so phooey on that guy, he didn't know what he was talking about. It's hot, hot, hot! oh, and humid.

Welcome to the forum Elizabeth!

The mysteries that John Banville wrote as Benjamin Black, featuring Quirk, the Irish coroner in the 1950's are wonderful. Quirk is def quirky. hee hee Sue Grafton, although the last few I haven't cared about that much. Shirley Murphy Rousseau writes the Joe Grey, talking cat - detective series. Love. Joe. Grey. Kathy Reichs, at least the first 6 or 7. mrsmac, I don't know some of those names, I'll have to investigate! Thanks. I do know Peter Robinson though, and like the couple I've read. A new author we've discovered is Bill James. Excellent. Oh, also the New Orleans writer, who was in fact, recommended right here, is James Sallis. Great series, the Lew Griffin Mysteries. And, of course, James Lee Burke.....his Dave Robicheaux series.

LOL Julie. I just googled the Mary Celeste. Wow. What trials our antecedents had to face! Our generation(s) are so fortunate. Although I have to wonder.......will our descendants think we are just sooooooo terribly unfortunate? Goodness knows what they'll come up with in the future. Who could have imagined, just a few generations ago, automobiles, computers, not to mention x-ray machines, CT scans, anesthetics for operations.....the list is endless! Just think, some used to believe that if their picture was taken, their souls were being stolen...!!

That is a good combination. Different enough to not get the plots mixed up!

Hey there. Welcome. To both of course.

I saw the five books, but will read this one first, then onto the next ones. lol I love series.

Water.

Finished Her Majesty's Spymaster, will now start Robert Goddard's Past Caring.

Yeah. I have Revenger, on the way. Second hand, off Amazon. Thanks.

Yeah...me too! AIE: Nice link, btw. thanks.

Maybe, maybe not. I haven't read either one, but my husband, whose taste is most similar to mine started Heresy, but didn't finish. He said it just didn't live up to the hype. Now, with your review, I seriously doubt I'll try either one.

Oh, drat! Hadn't even heard of them. /sigh/ lol My credit card thanks you....../giggle/

Great photo...excellent idea!!

I've really enjoyed the Jo Nesbo books as well. Good luck on our presentation Athena!

Her Majesty's Spymaster by Stephen Budiansky 5/5 I've debated over a 4 star, or 5 star rating on this one. Finally figured it was, in fact, a 5 star read. I have to find my other Walsingham book, as this one tantalizes me with mostly superficial doings of the time. However, the research Budiansky put in is certainly extensive. His rendition of the Protestant/Catholic wars is fantastic. While I knew there was much hatred and conflict, the extent that many went to in order to reach their goals is mind boggling. In many of the histories I've read, Drake comes off as the hero of the day.......and he was, however, without Walsingham's espionage network Drake could not possibly have been in position to accomplish anything. Walsingham laid down the pattern for spy work that is still much in evidence today. A forward thinking, fascinating man to say the least. Recommended for history buffs. Julie, I think you might find this interesting, with regard to the Roanoke book...on page 188 of this, Walsingham book, I found out at least one source of enmity between Raleigh and Walsingham. Burghley was an old friend and mentor of Walsingham, and Babington was someone that had plotted to kill Queen Elizabeth I that Walsingham exposed. That is why Babington's lands were forfeit.

Oh, silly! Goodness knows it is easy enough to get those guys confused. I just hope I have it right.....seeing as I just finished the book! I'm almost finished the book on Walsingham. And, I know I have another one around here, and I'll find it! I really will!

Hurrah! Hurrah for having your own life back on track. And, on top of that, a diamond. Smooth, schmoove...life never is, so you've made the best of it, I'm happy for you. Glad to see you back here.

The wolves are just gorgeous. There was a man around here some years ago that bred German Shepherds and wolves. He kept some for himself. I didn't see them, as we'd only met him by accident when we were out. I'd have loved to see them. I think one would have to have a very strong hand and personality to live with them.

Oh, not Raleigh...it was Governor White that came back. Eleanor Dare was his daughter. I think Raleigh just sponsored that group. He wasn't actually with them. Yeah, I can't imagine how awful that must have been, the not knowing the fate of his family. It's difficult for us to imagine the horrible conditions the colonists faced. No help, no food - as it was too late in the growing season to plant, doubtful amount of supplies, surrounded by unknown, and mostly unfriendly strangers. How different the Indians must have seemed to the English! Back then, it was almost like the colonists, any colonists, were on a totally different planet. Heck, another continent was, for all intents and purposes, a different planet in those days.

There was mention of Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's spymaster on page 112 of the softback copy. Walsingham was the employer of Fernandez the Captain of the boat that brought colonists over, he abandoned them on Roanoke instead of bringing them to Chesapeake as he was supposed to. Apparently he was an enemy of Sir Walter Raleigh. From what I gathered, finally, it was the very first stone that told the real story. Those other 40-odd stones were all the creation of Eberhardt. At least that is the final consensus. He sand blasted and stained the stones with some sort of acid to make them look old. I was always suspicious of him as he refused to show Pearce the stones in situ. I'd hoped that was simply my suspicious nature. Nah, there is no way to know where the bodies ended up. I thought the final analysis of the original stone, and the accompanying story beginning on page 191 was feasible. Made a lot of sense to me.