ENTERTAINMENT: The Aeronauts

Inspired by a true story, the Aeronauts tells the tale of a weather-forecasting scientist and a daredevil hot-air balloon pilot in their attempt to fly higher than ever before. I really enjoyed it. It's available on Amazon's Prime Video. 

BOOK SERIES: The Cat Collier Mystery Short Story Series

The Cat Collier Mystery Series

Mary Catherine Collier, better known as Cat, wrote obituaries for the small-town local newspaper, the Heaton Valley Herald. She interviewed the senior citizens as to their accomplishments, likes, and hobbies. She kept these on file in case they won the lottery or the Nobel Peace Prize or something, or more likely, got involved in a scandal. She was also the sole member of the research department. She liked the quiet solitude of research work and was extremely tech savvy.

While she was in college, she dreamed of teaching in the local school system. Heaton Valley residents were wholesome, dedicated parents who valued a good education and the local schools were held in high esteem. The teachers were happy to go to work every day. The children were happy and safe in their school setting. And the community as a whole took pride in all the many varied accomplishments of the students.

Then something happened. Schools lost their place of honor as bastions of education and safety. They became gripped with fear. Test-taking and building security measures replaced the absolute joys of learning and discover.

It was then Cat began to rethink her career decision. She decided that, if the Heaton Valley Herald ever went belly-up, she’d open her own investigation business. With her laptop, an internet connection, and a big cup of coffee, she could find out almost anything online. There was no longer the need for any actual physical investigation, no high speed chases, no tailing or stalking, nothing dangerous. Just quiet, simple clicks.


Then one day Cat was called to the penthouse apartment of the city’s very rich, most influential lawyer, Detrick Bittmor. He had a very personal assignment for her. It involved a mysterious young man who sat on a park bench every day at noon and stared up at Bittmor’s top floor apartment



Cat had a soft spot for this lawyer with a nasty reputation. There was something about this old man she liked, and even        found charming.


Detrick Bittmor thought the young man on the park bench resembled a younger version of himself. He thought this young man could possibly be his son from an affair he had many years ago with a beautiful New Year lawyer. This man could be his only heir.


And old man Bittmor wasn’t getting any younger.

And so began… the Cat Collier Mystery series. 

IN MEMORIUM: M.C. Beaton

Dear Gentle Readers, 
Sadly, my favorite author, M.C. Beaton, has passed away after a short illness. The internationally acclaimed author Beaton penned the Hamish MacBeth series, set in a small Scottish hamlet where the tall red-headed police chief solves crimes while keeping under the radar of the high-ups so he doesn’t get promoted to the big city.

My first M. C. Beaton book was Death of a Dustman. It was a library book. I was so taken with it, I went out and bought the hardback. I still have it. Dustman is the British term for garbage collector. Sounds so much better. Don’t you agree?

M. C. Beaton also wrote historical fiction under her maiden name, Marion Chesney.

Perhaps she is best known for her Agatha Raisin series that is now a BBC series. Agatha Raisin was a high-powered advertising agent in London. Upon retirement, she decided to move to a small but beautiful cottage in a small but beautiful village in the Cotswolds. She wanted to fix in, so she entered the village annual cooking auction. Agatha doesn't cook or bake, so she bought a quiche in London. The person who bought the quiche died of poisoning. And that's the beginning of Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death.

Marion was a fun-loving little Scottish dynamo, who was always straight forward and truthful. She will be sadly missed.

I'll look for you in the rainbows, Marion. I'll see you in the movement of the butterflies. I'll hear your words of honest wisdom in the rustle of the wind. 

Hugs,
Carol

BOOK REVIEW: Marked Masters by Ritter Ames

Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Marked-Masters-Bodies-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B017MW4I60/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Marked+Masters+by+Ritter+Ames&qid=1578939395&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

SCHEDULE: Jan. 20 - 24, 2020

Mon., Jan. 20 - BOOK REVIEW:
Marked Masters by Ritter Ames

Tues., Jan. 21 - IN MEMORIUM:
M.C. Beaton, Goodbye, Dear Marion

Wed., Jan. 22 -  BOOK:
The Cat Collier Short Story Mystery Series
by Carol Ann Kauffman 

Thurs., Jan. 23 - ART:
John Michael Carter

Fri., Jan. 24 - ENTERTAINMENT:
The Aeronauts