The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning, by PJ Fitzsimmons

Title: The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning

Author: PJ Fitzsimmons

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started 2/23/2026

Finished 2/24/2026

Sigh -- I couldn't help myself from continuing a re-read of these Anty Boisjoly books.  This is book 2 and it contains some of the funniest parts of the series.  One highlight is Boisjoly having to sing a newly written Christmas song about St Stephen written by the local minister and I can't even begin to do it justice in this post, but I was laughing throughout (and I already read this book last year).  

Holy Bible New International Version

Title: Holy Bible NIV

Author: hahaha "Various", but read by David Suchet

Purchased on Audible 

Started: Fall 2025

Finished: Old Testament only, so far, 2/22/2026

I listened to Johnny Cash read the new testament (King James version) last year and decided to give the full Bible a shot.  Leaving religion out of this review, I enjoyed this a fair amount to read the real stories behind the stories I'd heard growing up in Catholic school and church.  Also so much of the book/stories I had never heard before, I think my upbringing was much more focused on the new testament.  

The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, by PJ Fitzsimmons

Title: The Case of the Canterfell Codicil 

Author: PJ Fitzsimmons 

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 

Started: 2/21/2026

Finished: 2/22/2026

Wanted a light, funny read and opted for this first book in the Anty Boisjoly series.  Said this when I read it last year, but this is such a delightful book. Extremely funny and clever, fantastic turns of phrase.  I could start it all over again I enjoyed it so much.  

Mountain Man Prequel, by Keith C. Blackmore

TItle: Mountain Man Prequel

Author: Keith C. Blackmore

Purchased from Audible

Started: 2/17/2026

Finished: 2/20/2026

Didn't love this one but it was ok.  I suspect I'll like the next prequel better since it's probably focused on the drunk, awesome Gus, of the first MM book.

Fever Dream, by Samanta Schweblin

Title: Fever Dream 

Author: Samanta Schweblin 

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook 

Started: 2/17/2026

Finished: 2/17/2026

Lots of recommendations on Reddit for this one but I didn't love it.  Never grabbed me and I missed (my fault, I have no doubt) the subtle environmental horror aspects.  

A Practical Guide to Conquering the World, KJ Parker

Title: A Practical Guide to Conquering the World

Author: KJ Parker 

Purchased from Audible 

Started: 2/9/2026

Finished: 2/16/2026

Final book in the Siege trilogy.  My least favorite but I still enjoyed it.  

All the Sinners Bleed, by SA Cosby

Title: All the Sinners Bleed

Author: SA Cosby

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook 

Started 2/9/2026

Finished: 2/9/2026

I finished this one in a day which is usually a sign I loved a book but not so in this case.  I did like it, but also found it frustrating.  I don't know exactly how to say this, maybe the book just didn't click for me.  There was enough here for me to want to finish the story, but it left me unsatisfied.  

Doughnut, by Tom Holt

Title: Doughnut 

Author: Tom Holt 

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 

Started: 2/6/2026

Finished: 2/9/2026

Same author as the siege series (written under a different name) and pretty good.  A bit more Douglas Adams like, but enjoyable.  

Antarctica, by Claire Keegan

Title: Antarctica 

Author: Claire Keegan 

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 

Started: 2/3/1016

Finished: 2/6/2026

Great short story collection of some pretty haunting works.   

How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It, by KJ Parker

Title: How to Rule an Empire and Get Aware with It

Author: KJ Parker

Purchased from Audible

Started: 1/30/2026

Finished: 2/3/2026

I held out as long as I could but blew my final Audible credit on the second book the Siege series.  I love the first (16 ways...) and enjoyed this one just as much.  As I was telling my wife, the protagonists in these books both tell stories the way I do -- with a lot of digression that usually (but not always) has a deeper meaning for the story you are telling.

If your story is good, these digressions add a lot.  And of course they ALWAYS work in a book like this.  In real life conversations, with interruptions, forgetful memories, spilled wine, etc., they're only successful a small percentage of the time.

No more credits so it may be a while before I pick up the next in this series, but these first two were very enjoyable.