Time for a Good Read Recommendation

I enjoy mysteries set in foreign countries. Donna Leon's Venetian series is one I find particularly appealing. I've got another series for you that is less well-known, but that I really enjoyed.

The author is Rebecca Pawel. She is a young woman who lives and teaches in New York City. Her series is set in post-Civil War Spain and centers around a police officer, Carlos Tejada, who is flawed but, at heart, decent.

The four novels are: Death of a Nationalist, Law of Return, The Watcher in the Pine, and The Summer Snow. Each one is set in a different part of Spain and they all give an idea of the terrible time it was for the citizens of the country.

I knew next to nothing about the Spanish Civil War before reading these books. They really opened my eyes and so I am grateful to Ms. Pawel and hope I can get another person or two to try them.

Milestone

Yesterday, I turned 60.

A positive if I qualify for senior rates at golf courses.

A negative in that my shoulder turn isn't what it used to be.

It is now Football Season

The World Series ended last night.....finally. Congratulations, Phillies. They won in '80 and now in '08. Break out the confetti in 2080, I guess.

I love word play and one of my favorites is baseball related. Spoonerisms occur when you flip flop the first letters of two words. How's this: former Baltimore Oriole centerfielder Paul Blair. His Spoonerized name stated his occupation. Paul Blair, the ballplayer. Wonder if his parents had dreams of a major leaguer when they named him? Unlikely.

Why am I here?

I established this blogsite in order to be able to comment on the Rex Parker blog which deals with the daily New York Times crossword puzzle. Whether I ever use it to post comments remains to be seen.