The Goodweather Report

XXV ~ July 2009

Well, just as politicians so often are forced to do, I have to say that I ‘misspoke' when I said that Birdie's book, The Day of Small Things, would be out early next year. Although as one politician might say, it depends on what you mean by early. May 25, 2010 is, I'm told, the pub date.

I'm disappointed but, as usual, I see a silver lining. When a book comes out there's about a six week period of frantic promotion – visiting bookstores, libraries, supermarket openings, tractor pulls – any venue that will have me and offers some potential book buyers. And January is not a good time for travel in western NC.

I don't mean to suggest that there's unrelenting snow – there's not. But there is always the possibility of a winter storm. The same is true of February and March. Even April can surprise you.

So it'll be late May, June, and early August of 2010 that I'll be concentrating my efforts on visiting bookstores, libraries, and the like.
Meanwhile, I am hunkering down to get on with Under the Skin. In a bit of a departure from the first four Goodweather books, I'm letting Elizabeth speak in first person. Up close and personal.

I did a post on my blog explaining that in the beginning Elizabeth was too much like me – same house, same dogs, etc. and I needed the distance that third person allowed. Now so much has happened in Elizabeth's ‘life' that she has become a distinct personality and I think I know her voice. It's an interesting change – one that I hope readers will enjoy. So far, I'm seeing more of the real Elizabeth by writing her this way.

And I am sorry to have to note the passing of Bear – the original of Elizabeth's Ursa. Bear may be gone but Ursa will continue – one of the pleasures of being in control of my own world – albeit fictional.

                                                                      QUESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM YOU ALL

( or ‘you uns,' as Miss Birdie would say)

Deb A. recommends: The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips.  Part of the book is London in the 17th century and part in modern day England -- the changes are done well.  The following is the Booklist review:

A follow-up to the well-received The Rossetti Letter (2007), Phillips once again simultaneously follows seventeenth-century and twenty-first-century mysteries. A serial killer is loose in seventeenth-century England. Are his gruesome crimes random, or are they part of a royal conspiracy? Hannah Devlin, a rare female physician, becomes convinced of the latter. Meanwhile, in twenty-first-century Cambridge, England, Clare Donovan finds Hannah's diary. Shortly thereafter, an academic rival is murdered. Are the crimes connected? Both women work to solve their mysteries, while also becoming embroiled in parallel romances. Although the twenty-first-century plotline and ending are the weaker, both sets of mysteries and romances are engaging. An excellent afterword answers questions about historical accuracy and literary license. A novel sure to appeal to readers of Philippa Gregory. --Marta Segal Block

Christi's earlier book, The Rossetti Letter sounds like it is also good.   I almost quit reading in order to wait until I could get a copy of The Rossetti Letter but I was hooked and will end up reading them out of order. ;-)

Glad you like Deborah Crombie -- she is awesome!!

Beth E. says, re Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society: there was a series on PBS several years ago about the German Occupation "Island at War"--it was excellent.  Some library must have it.  Speaking of which, have the seen the Midsomer Murder series over the last few years--they send 4 a year to us from BBC.  Gorgeous scenery and wonderful plots. 

Eleanor W. tells me: I can't wait to meet Gloria...when I was a young girl in NYC my mother was a birder and naturalist and I used to tell her that I wished the whole world was covered in concrete like the good old streets of New York!

Have you read the Lawrence Sanders/Vincent Lardo series? If not, the hero is the American/Florida version of Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster. Too funny.

Katie B. (who is an honest-to god reviewer) had this comment: Like you, I've recently discovered Cara Black and pretty quickly worked my way through her whole “Murder in...” series, inspired by anticipation of a trip to Paris! What a great way to get an insider's view of the different arrondissements. I find her plots maddeningly complicated and unrealistic, but you have to love an amateur sleuth who dresses with such panache—and via thrift stores, no less.  And Aimee's penchant for bad boys is a plus, too :-)

One of my recent favorites has been Valerie Laken's first novel, Dream House . Marilyn Stasio reviewed it as a mystery, but it's not strictly a genre novel. A compelling read, and impressive style. I also like Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay—not great lit by any means, but a strong story about a dark period in French history: the WWII deportation of Parisian Jews with complicity of Vichy government. I'm currently immersed in The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff—a pretty chilling look at “celestial marriage” and an historical mystery of sorts.

Pat in Tennessee: I was reading the comments on your blog today and noticed that Kathryn Magendie mentioned her new book being out, TENDER GRACES, soooo went to Amazon to read about it and it's reviews.  WOW, everyone of them gave it 5 stars!  It sounds like an interesting book ... have you read it?  Not that I need more to add to my TBR pile, but this one has got to be added. 

Can you tell that I am SO excited about Miss Birdie being closer to being in my hot little hands?  I'm also anxious to follow you through your trials and tribulations in writing Elizabeth's next book.  I really think having Gloria and Phillip having their say, if even a little bit, would be interesting.  Just my opinion, of course.  Easy for me to say, right!?!?! 

I am just about done reading Doug Fine's FAREWELL, MY SUBARU.  I have laughed, and sympathized, with him about his getting started on his farm in NM.  My next book will be Lee Smith's, FAIR AND TENDER LADIES. 

Susan T. in St. Louis has read THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett and gives it a WOW.

                                            RECENT READS AND RE-READS

Books I've enjoyed during the past month

A Cold-Blooded Business by Dana Stabenow

My first foray into the Kate Shugak mysteries. I very much like Kate and her wolf hybrid Mutt and look forward to reading more of this series. This particular book deals with the oil business on the North Slope and I am struck by how similar the whole setting is to some pages I recently read in my writing class about a spaceship on a long, long voyage. The closed community and all the intra personal stresses are the same -- as is the danger and unfamiliarity beyond the walls of the compound.

The Brothers Boswell by Philip Baruth

An eerie fictional excursion into the life of James Boswell (the chronicler of Samuel Johnson.) John, Boswell's mad younger brother is shadowing him and the great man. In his pocket are a pair of golden pistols and in his heart – murder.

The details of life in London of the mid 1700's are beautifully done and I would have read the book just for the descriptions. But the story – with its psychological insights – is wonderfully executed.

The Farewell Symphony by Edmund White

A much lauded book by a gifted writer – ‘an elegy for the gay world that flourished between Stonewall and the present.' I don't know if enjoyed is the word I'd use for this book but I was fascinated by my glimpse into a world so far removed from my own.

My Brother Michael, The Crystal Cave and The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart

Looking for light reading, I picked up My Brother Michael and was reminded how much I love this author's descriptions. Her sense of place – whether modern (well, 1960-ish) day Greece or ancient Britain – is impeccable.

Sedaris's deadpan delivery of (what I find to be) hilarious material absolutely knocks me out.

The Yellow Admiral (audio) by Patrick O'Brian (narrated by Patrick Tull)

Call this a comfort listen. I have listened to all of the Aubrey/Maturin books more times than anyone would believe. Partly because this guy is a wonderful writer and I like to think I'm learning from him and partly because this narrator could read the London phone book to me and I'd be enthralled. He's that good.

Come for a summer stroll  around the farm! 

Vicki's Schedule

2009

Saturday, August 1 ~ Haywood Book Mania, Waynesville, NC More info

Saturday, August 22 ~ Episcopal Women's Luncheon, Waynesville, NC

Friday and Saturday, September 11-12 ~ CAROLINA MOUNTAINS LITERARY FESTIVAL, Burnsville, NC.  Info here

Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18 ~ BOUCHERCON - the Mystery Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana

Saturday, November 14 ~ GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS BOOK FAIR – First United Methodist Church, Jackson Street, Sylva, NC. 9 am to 3 pm

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