Vengeance in Venice by Philip Gwynne Jones

So, this is my third Jones book, and I believe I'm done. I enjoyed his first more than this one, although this setting was quite interesting. Venice hosts a "Biennale" art show and the mystery is set against this backdrop. Perhaps if I knew more about the Biennale, it would be more meaningful; still, I got a sense of how it might be to be in Venice when art from around the world takes over the entire city. Very cool. I would love to see it! My friend Cecelia has posted on Facebook about it, so I knew about that much!

This mystery is solved by Nathan, a hapless British transplant whose humility and humor are entertaining. He's a heavy drinker and eater, and we read lots about both of those interests. The artists that are featured in this story are weird and colorful. The glass art work and beheading of an art critic are hard to imagine, and not pleasant to imagine, but kind of weirdly interesting. Like in Jones' other mystery, I again had trouble keeping track of who was whom. Either I'm losing it, reading too late at night, or ??? But I didn't care enough about the story to go back and reread or figure it out. I just went with it. So, I've enjoyed these three books, but I'm done with this author for now. Thanks for the introduction to Venice...I know much more now than I did! And Cecelia's posts make more sense to me now...but I do need to go to see it and experience it for myself!

The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas

Leonard got me this book. He can't recall where he got it, or who recommended it, but he gave it to me just prior to my Boomers' trip to San Diego so I would have an enjoyable reading surprise on my flights. The title and cover were sweet and unassuming, so I had low expectations, but was open to whatever it offered. I started it before I left, so I could see if it was worth schlepping along. I wasn't very far into it, but each page brought more respect for the unfolding story and for the interesting characters. It was enjoyable from beginning to end!

It's a subtle, unfolding mystery. It's wrapped in sweet mystery. It caught me by surprise. And the courage and strength of the women in the Pickle Club were revealed gradually. There were also some wonderful analogies to life in the quilting...and in the fabric, and the feel of the fabric which I could totally relate to. The narrator of the story, Queenie, is a very sympathetic and interesting character. It's a simple book, on the surface, with simple and sweet people. But underneath there is more, and it's intriguing to have it revealed.

This book also perfectly captures the sweetness of sisterhood. How it made the very hard, depression-era life bearable. But it's a story that applies to any time, where good friends and support and a hobby can bring people together. My plan is to send it to my friend Lona, who is a quilter, and will definitely relate to all levels of this little powerhouse of a book.