Let’s Have Some Fun!
While the title The Carpool Detectives sounds like a humorous set-up, this book by Chuck Hogan will not be humorous, but it will be a ‘fun’ read for those who like crime stories. Hogan is a seasoned author of true crime. Some may know him for his previous books: The Town and Devils in Exile. Normally, I do now like crime novels if they are scary. I will, however, try this one. When I was a school administrator, I didn’t like carpools. For one thing, someone has to stand out in all types of weather and constantly urge the drivers to move forward until the entire loading area is filled and several children can get in all at once. I never understood how supposedly intelligent people didn’t accept that concept. Secondly, cars idling in lines for upward to 30 minutes every school day is a major cause of air pollution. Once I witnessed a car actually catch fire and explode while in the carpool line. Fortunately the parent escaped and no other people were hurt. For these and other reasons, I always advocated for children to ride the bus home.
The Carpool Detectives is a true story of a few mothers of young adolescent children who want nothing to do with them. They meet at a school function and cook up ideas of how to be useful. Up pops a ‘cold case’ mystery that they decide to tackle. Sounds like an “I Love Lucy” episode with Lucy and Ethel running around behind Desi and Fred’s backs! No, this book is about a real murder mystery that these women dedicate their time and effort to solve.
On a lighter note, we have……..
This book by Japanese author Sonoko Machida has obviously been translated into English. Machida is a well-known author in Japan who has won several honors. The Convenience Store by the Sea is about a store, in a small Japanese village, named Tenderness, but it is really about the manager Mitsuhiko Shiba and the amazing effect he has on his customers. The 24/7 convenience store is something of a Cheers place where everyone knows your name and cares about how you are doing. The book has been a great hit in Japan, and now we who don’t read Japanese can enjoy it!
Murder Takes a Vacation is by well-known author Laura Lippman. In her latest book, she seems to have fun with Mrs. Blossom, who reminds me of Angela Landsberry in ‘Murder She Wrote’. Don’t ever go on a trip or an outing with Mrs. Blossom because someone will be killed, and you don’t want it to be you! This time, Mrs. Blossom comes into some money with a lottery ticket she finds on the sidewalk. She thinks she might as well take advantage of the extra cash and take a cruise on the Seine. That is where the trouble begins. Who gets killed? Who is the killer? Will Mrs. Blossom become a target or will she find the murderer before it’s too late. You will need to read this book to find the answers to my questions! And you won’t be a bit sorry–it’s delightful.
