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1. What are you currently reading? Prince Charles, by Sally Bedell Smith. I really know little about him ... except that I sided with Diana in the split. I have barely cracked this volume open, but so far, so good. Prince Charles is in such a weird position. With the unprecedented 50-year reign of his mother, Charles won't have very long to do the job he's trained his whole life for. And with the undeniable popularity of William and Kate (and George), the British public doesn't seem to have much enthusiasm for the idea King Charles. It's enough to make you feel sorry for the sumbitch.
2. What did you recently finish reading? Wonderland, by Ace Atkins. Robert B. Parker has been gone for nearly seven years now, yet his most popular creation, Spenser, endures. Atkins does an affectionate, almost seamless job picking up the franchise. His Spenser still cracks wise, cooks, quotes Steinbeck, walks Pearl the Wonder Dog and loves Susan Silverman. He takes a job first to help a loyal old friend, then to assist a widow he likes -- which is so very Spenser.
As for the mystery itself, it was pretty engaging. Casino gambling licenses are available in Boston for the first time, and monied developers want them. And the less-than-legal purveyors of local gambling don't want the competition. Harrassment and murders occur. A lot of twists and a lot of suspects. I figured out whodunnit -- or rather, who was behind it -- before Spenser did. But that didn't disappoint me. In fact, it made me feel rather brilliant.
And then there's Boston. As always when I read a Spenser book, I find myself daydreaming about the Public Garden and the Old Ritz Bar as I check Expedia for flights.
3. What will you read next? Chaos, by Patricia Cornwell. It feels like I haven't spent any time with Kay Scarpetta in forever!
Huh--I never give Charles much thought.
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