Series I Stalk

In an earlier post, I had shared my fondness for the Ruth Galloway novels. Some series have a permanent place on my bookshelf. I might even go so far as to say that I am obsessed with them.
I stalk every forthcoming entrant in these series, eagerly wait for the new book to be released, read every review about it, and buy it as soon as it becomes available. Why do I have this special regard for series?

Unlike a stand-alone which comes into my life once, for maybe a week or so (even though some of them do leave a lasting impression and are read again), a series has the charming quality of steadfastness that develops through its continuity and return. As I go forward in life, the series will progress to the next book and give me company, year after year. The characters in a series are the good friends who were once acquaintances but with getting to know their lives over the years, I now feel a certain kinship with them. 

We grow together, these characters and I, while facing our struggles, dealing with disappointments, solving our problems, and celebrating our joys. I have watched Ruth become a mother (Ruth Galloway series), Nelson’s wife Michelle’s troubled acceptance of his baby daughter Kate from Ruth; Cathbad’s emergence as a loyal friend to Ruth, responsible dad to Maddy, and loving uncle to Kate from his early days as a flaky druid. The characters evolve with each book, and so do I with each passing year of my life. At times, their tough but strong decisions lend me the courage to make some hard changes in my life. 

Lady Julia and Nicholas make me smile on sad days with their inquisitiveness, stubbornness, sense of humor, and love for each other (Lady Julia Grey series). The silly antics of Becky (Shopaholic series) propel me into unrestrained laughter as she mirrors many of my foibles (addictive shopping, impulsive actions, escapism, and more). When I need a good puzzle to challenge my brain, DI Wesley and Neil (Wesley Peterson series) always have a fascinating mystery linked to history that they are trying to crack. On days when only a gothic, dark, and atmospheric story will satisfy me, I look no further than Sharon Bolton (Lacey Flint series). Lacey’s complex character, harrowing background, and her attractive mix of vulnerability with raw courage is sure to hook anyone’s interest in all the books released, and those that are yet to come.

For long winter nights, when a scary story is very much the perfect accompaniment, Nell West and Michael Flint provide the perfect blend of ghosts, haunted houses, and a tragic past in the cases they try to solve. Add a dash of romance (Nell and Michael) and humor (Gilberforce’s antics) and I have a series I can’t help but follow. Yrsa Siggurdardottir (Thora Gudmundsdottir series) also fits the bill for a deeply arresting blend of creepy mystery, unique setting, romance, and humor.

So, here’s to series and may a book continue to be released each year in the ones I stalk. The series mentioned in this post are listed as follows:

·         Ruth Galloway Series

·         Lady Julia Series

·         Shopaholic Series

·         Wesley Peterson Series

·         Lacey Flint Series

·         Nell West/Michael Flint Series

·         Thora Gudmundsdottir Series

The ones that I look forward to following are:

·         Sebastian St. Cyr series (historical mysteries)

·         Merrily Watkins series (Diocesan Deliverance Consultant a.k.a exorcist solves crime)

·         Veronica Speedwell series (by the author of Lady Julia series, need I say more?)- Book 1 review.

·         Flavia de Luce series (precocious girl detective, murder mysteries)

·         Frey and McGray series (crime, mystery, horror, detective fiction)- Book 1 and 2 review.

The Game is Afoot!

January 2016 started with reading Kate Furnivall’s Shadows on the Nile. Recommended by a friend who knows her books, it was as promised, a tale of mystery and adventure as well a touching reminder of how powerful and precious family ties can be, especially sibling bonds. Set mainly in the 1930s when Britain was experiencing the Great Slump and unemployment benefits were subject to a Means Test, the book throws some light on the unrest in London at the time with workers protesting against the same. It also shares the conditions in Egypt with the Land of Pharaohs echoing a political turmoil of its own. 

The story starts with the disappearance of Tim, Jessie’s younger brother, who hasn’t been seen since he last attended a séance at the Chamsford house. Jessie has already gone through the pain of losing a younger sibling when she was seven and her five year old brother Georgie was taken away somewhere in the middle of the night. Her parents have never shared the ‘why’ and ‘where’ of this with her, leaving a guilt-ridden Jessie to wonder and fret about Georgie's fate all her growing-up years. It is not surprising, therefore, that the thought of never being able to see Tim again fills her with dread and starts her on an immediate search for her missing brother. Enter, the charming and titled but impoverished, Montague Chamsford or ‘Monty’, the owner of the Chamsford estate and among the last few people to have seen Tim alive. Jessie soon discovers that Tim has been using their mutual passion for Sherlock Holmes stories to leave clues that will guide her to him. And then begins the chase, taking us from London to Cairo where Tim is supposedly staying, since missing from London. This brings us to Shepheard's Hotel, one of the world’s most celebrated hotels in the 19^th century, and Pyramids, and excavation sites and artifacts (all of which are also frequently included in the very addictive and good fun ‘Amelia Peabody’ series). 

Shepheard's Hotel (Image Source: Wikipedia)

Jessie, accompanied by the gallant Monty, teams up with a new friend Maisie to look for Tim and bring him to safety. Will she be able to do so? Or, has fate conspired against her again and intends to take away Tim too?   

While Jessie can be quite irritating at times with her penchant for getting embroiled in unpleasant and dangerous circumstances due to her impulsive and reckless nature, she does get full marks for the deep loyalty and concern she shows for her brothers. Monty easily charms and impresses with his admirable ability to balance action and caution intelligently when facing adversities. Add a dash of courage, and he quite succeeds in finding a place in our hearts. Tim is brave, loyal, compassionate, and noble. Some of his actions, though, seem questionable even as they are guided by good intentions. And it is these coupled with some hasty poor decisions that make him oh so very human. Georgie quickly endears himself to the readers, and Maisie wins our admiration for her strong personality. 

The synopsis on the back cover does mention séances and mystics but they hardly find any place in the plot and seem to be included just to hint at a supernatural element in the mystery. For books that interweave Conan Doyle and his creation Holmes in the plot, however, I have yet to read a book better than The Sherlockian.

Overall, Shadows on the Nile is quite an interesting book written in a fluid and engaging style and will succeed in keeping readers happily hooked to the story. And, needless to say, an exciting adventure is easily favored reading for many of us!