Teaser/Intro Tuesday: Last Seen Wearing

This is my first Teaser Tuesday in quite a while. And this time my teaser lines come from Last Seen Wearing, the second book in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse mystery series. I've been reading this in a Kindle edition containing the first three Morse novels, and these lines come from Location 5408:

"It's just not my sort of case, Lewis. I know it's not a very nice thing to say, but I just get on better when we've got a body — a body that died from unnatural causes. That's all I ask." (Chapter 16)

Well, when it comes to whodunnits, that's the way I feel about it, too!

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link.

And today I'm joining in on First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, hosted by Vicki of I'd Rather Be At The Beach, so here's the book's first paragraph:

He felt quite pleased with himself. Difficult to tell for certain, of course; but yes, quite pleased with himself really. As accurately as it could his mind retraced the stages of the day's events: the questions of the interviewing committee — wise and foolish; and his own answers — carefully considered and, he knew, well phrased. Two or three exchanges had been particularly satisfactory and, as he stood there waiting, a half-smile played across his firm, good-humoured lips. One he could recall almost verbatim.

So, would you keep reading? I'd love to hear what you think. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser or Intro posts in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Color of Fear

This week my teaser lines come from the new Sharon McCone mystery, The Color of Fear, by Marcia Muller. This is, somewhat amazingly, the thirty-second entry in this series; but it's the first one for me. This snippet comes from Location 311 of the Kindle edition, and since it's from an advance copy of the book, please remember that the published edition might differ slightly.

I said, "They're not 'kind of' old — they're old." 

"So what do they want with each other?" 

"The same thing we all do. Wouldn't you want somebody to warm your tootsies when you're in your eighties?"

Well, definitely! Ah, youth! Was I really that smug once upon a time? Hmmm. Yeah, probably.

I started reading The Color of Fear last week, and liked it quite a lot. But the plot involves a vicious, racially-motivated attack and its aftermath — and what with the news from Virginia this past weekend, I might need to take a little break from this one.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Grief Cottage

This week my teaser lines come from Gail Godwin's latest novel, Grief Cottage (Bloomsbury USA, June 2017). This quote comes from an advance copy of the novel, so please remember it might be slightly different in the published edition.

In this snippet, eleven-year-old Marcus is visiting the ruined cottage the locals call "Grief Cottage" for the first time; he's been napping, but slowly realizes he's actually awake now. And someone (or something) is watching over him.

I felt its presence by the electric prickles all down my back and by my serious reluctance to move a muscle. Then the reluctance turned to cold fear. There was no way in the world I could muster the courage to roll over and see what was in that doorway. (Kindle, Location 309)

I've never read anything by Gail Godwin before this, so I didn't really know what to expect. I haven't officially started this one yet (just took a quick look at the early pages), but so far I like what I've seen.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Body in the Library

This week my teaser lines come from The Body in the Library, by Agatha Christie (first published in 1942). This snippet comes from Chapter One (pg.5):

"Do you mean to tell me," demanded Colonel Bantry, "that there's a dead body in my library — my library?"

The butler coughed.

"Perhaps, sir, you would like to see for yourself."

Well, yeah. The Colonel probably should take a teensy look. Very bad form to leave a corpse just lyin' around the old mansion, doncha know.

Lately I've been having trouble sticking with any book long enough to finish it. So I thought a little Miss Marple might get me going again. This is the third book in that series, and though I haven't actually read it yet, I'm familiar with it from all the TV versions I've seen over the years. So far, it's got me hooked.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Anything Is Possible

This week my teaser lines come from Elizabeth Strout's new novel, Anything Is Possible (Random House, April 2017). This snippet comes from page 41, or Location 459 of the Kindle edition.

Little dust bunnies were gathered up and down the floor. "Oh dear," Patty said. She said that a few times, sitting on her bed. "Oh dear, oh dear," she said.

This just really jumped out at me, for some reason. Not that there are any dust bunnies in my house, of course. Yeah. Just don't look under the bed.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Fifth Petal

This week my teaser lines come from The Fifth Petal, by Brunonia Barry (Crown, January 2017). This snippet comes from page 2 of the book's Prologue (Location 106 of the Kindle edition):

One of the officers at the scene had asked the older nun why she'd waited to make the 911 call when the screaming continued into the night. "It was Halloween in Salem," she said, sadly. "It would have been strange if we didn't hear screaming."

I've always wanted to see Salem — the Massachusetts town where a number of people were tried and executed for witchcraft back in the 17th Century. But this book is making me think maybe Halloween is not the best of times for a visit.

This is a book I've been trying to get to for several months now. Finally getting started and really enjoying it so far. Hope to finish it up this week.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Fix

This week my teaser lines come from David Baldacci's new thriller, The Fix (Grand Central Publishing, April 2017). It's the latest entry in his "Memory Man" series centered around police detective Amos Decker. This excerpt comes from Location 1772 of the e-book edition, and is from an uncorrected advance copy, so please remember that it might be different in the published volume.

"Good workout?" she asked, without looking at him.
"Any workout I have that doesn't involve a coronary is a good workout for me." 

Yeah, that's kinda how I feel about workouts, too.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Bell at Sealey Head

This week my teaser lines come from Patricia McKillip's 2009 fantasy novel, The Bell at Sealey Head. This quote comes from pg.11:

"Among my eccentricities is the pursuit of things mysterious, otherworldly, magical. There is magic in this place. I want to find it."

I haven't actually started reading this one yet, so I'm not sure what's going on here, or who's pursuing the mysterious, otherworldly and magical. This time of year I usually like to read a little fantasy. Springtime just seems to be the perfect setting for that. And this book has been on my TBR list for quite a while now — so I'm thinking of pulling it out and finally reading it.

And how about you? Do you ever read fantasy? Interested in the mysterious, otherworldly and magical? Or do you prefer that your bookish adventures stay a little closer to the real world?

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Rosemary's Baby

This week my teaser lines come from Rosemary's Baby, by Ira Levin. This snippet is from p.24 of the new paperback edition (sorry it's more than two sentences, but they're short sentences):

They heard Minnie Castevet before they met her; heard her through their bedroom wall, shouting in a hoarse midwestern bray. "Roman, come to bed! It's twenty past eleven!" And five minutes later: "Roman? Bring me in some root beer when you come!"

Now who doesn't like a nice bit of root beer at bedtime, hmmm?

Levin's wonderfully spooky/funny horror tale has always been one of my favorite books. And since 2017 marks the novel's 50th anniversary (it was first published in 1967), I decided to give it a quick reread and was very happy to find it's just as good now as it was when I first read it back in the Pleistocene Era.

The book has been translated into dozens of languages and reprinted over and over, with most of the covers focussing on the apartment house where it all takes place — like the paperback edition (above) and the original hardback:

But some of the other covers have been a little more creative — not to mention lurid. I like this one which seems to be a Greek edition and features a spooky broken doll that really doesn't have much of anything to do with the story.

Chilling image.

So, is this a book you'd read? Or maybe you've read it in the past? Or do you read horror novels?

Oh, and have you seen the movie? (Also one of my faves.) It's very faithful to the book, and has some great redecorating scenes, if you're into HGTV-type viewing.

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Blazing World

I think this is the first teaser I've posted this year. Where've I been? Anyway, this week my teaser lines come from The Blazing World, by Siri Hustvedt. This snippet comes early in the book, from pg.5 (or Location 118 of the Kindle edition):

Victor Hugo: "God became man, granted. The devil became a woman." 

I've never read Victor Hugo, but I've heard that quote before. And I still resent it.

This is one of those ARCs from a couple of years ago that managed to slip between the cracks in my reading that year. I feel very guilty about that, and really owe the publisher and author an apology. Especially since I'm enjoying the book so much now. Really wish I'd actually read it before now. Oh well....

If you'd like to see more Teaser Tuesday offerings, or do some teasing yourself, just head on over to The Purple Booker and leave your link. And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Nightwalker

This week my teaser lines come from The Nightwalker, by Sebastian Fitzek. In this snippet (from Kindle Location 1118), young Leon Nader's father is telling his son a tale about the Ghosts of the Twelve Nights:

'They are the opposite of guardian angels. Misfortune befalls the houses they live in. And during these days they are on the search for new families.'
'Will they come to us, too?'
'Only if we use the washing machine.'

Haunted washing machines? And a ghost that would require me to STOP doing laundry? That doesn't sound like real misfortune, does it? Actually, it sounds like a pretty handy spirit to have around. Now if I could just find a ghost that would do the laundry FOR me — that would really be exciting!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Lost Girls

This week my teaser lines come from The Lost Girls, the debut novel by Heather Young (William Morrow, July 2016). This snippet is from p.64:

Back at Lucy's, she pulled out the chocolate chips she'd smuggled into the Walmart shopping cart and announced they were going to bake cookies. Melanie's eyebrows shot up so fast that Justine laughed. "It's starting-over time" she told her, "and that requires cookies."

Well, what doesn't? Right?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Haunting of Hill House

This week my teaser lines come from The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson's classic horror novel first published in 1959. One of my favorite novels; I've read it and re-read it over the years, and I'm thinking of reading it again this year, for both the Back to the Classics challenge and the RIP reading event. This snippet is the last paragraph of Chapter 1:

The house was vile. She shivered and thought, the words coming freely into her mind, Hill House is vile, it is diseased; get away from here at once.

The book has been reissued over and over again, with different cover designs. My first copy, back in the '60s had this cover -- a tie-in with the 1963 film starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom:

And here's a wonderful cover on a new edition Penguin is bringing out this fall. Definitely a book I'd buy for the cover alone:

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Vanishment

This week my teaser lines come from The Vanishment, by Jonathan Aycliffe, a haunted house tale that I'm thoroughly enjoying at the moment. In this snippet, our protagonist Peter Clare has been getting some writing done in the cottage by the sea he and his wife Sarah have rented for the summer.

By the time I put the pen down, it was midafternoon and I had written half a dozen pages. I reread them and was pleased to find the results better than I had expected. The best thing I had written in ages. The real thing for once.
At that moment Sarah woke up screaming. (from p.18)

Reading this one for the R.I.P./XI challenge, and it's really got me hooked — perfect for this time of year, with autumn and Halloween approaching. Actually though, I took it to Hawaii with me last week, and it was perfect for reading on the beach or at the pool, too!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Dark Matter

This week my teaser lines come from Dark Matter, the new novel by Blake Crouch (Crown, July 2016). This quote is from the first page of Chapter One:

Standing happy and slightly drunk in my kitchen, I'm unaware that tonight is the end of all of this. The end of everything I know, everything I love.

Yeah, I know that sounds like a spoiler — but it's from the book's first page, so I don't think it's giving anything away. I've read one other book by Blake Crouch — Pines, the first book in his Wayward Pines trilogy — and really enjoyed it; so I'm hoping this one is just as good.

Don't really care much for that cover (the Kindle edition). Boring, and it sort of makes me dizzy if I look at it too long. Here's a shot of one of the international paperback editions (Hungary) that's a little more interesting:

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Port-Wine Stain

This week my teaser lines come from The Port-Wine Stain, by Norman Lock (Bellevue Literary Press, June 2016). This quote is from page 49 of the uncorrected proof, so it might differ slightly in the published edition (but probably not):

His words were wild, and I trembled to hear them. And then he placed the skull upon the table and began to run his fingers over it, as though he meant to read Vogel's character in the fleshless face.

The book is a historical novel about a young medical assistant who becomes acquainted with Edgar Allan Poe, and much of the writing definitely has a very Poe-ish ring. I've read about half the book and I'm enjoying it, but also still waiting for something significant to happen. So far, it seems to be mostly style and not much substance.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Lovely In Her Bones

This week my teaser lines come from Lovely In Her Bones, a 1985 mystery novel by Sharyn McCrumb. This snippet is from Chapter Six of the Ballantine Books paperback edition (and trust me, it's definitely not a spoiler):

"Well, I reckon the sun musta got too hot fer 'em, poor old Alexander and Robert. They shriveled up and died, the both of 'em." (p.87)

Ouch. Not the easiest way to bow out, is it?

I'm not exactly sure what's going on there because it's a little further along than I've read. But I have a feeling things might not be what they seem. This is the first time I've read a book by Sharyn McCrumb, and so far I'm enjoying it a lot, but sort of wondering when the mystery is going to kick in.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

This week my teaser lines come from Henry Farrell's classic thriller/horror novel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? -- the book that served as inspiration for another classic, the 1962 movie starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. This snippet is from the first paragraph of Chapter 11 (p.132 of the paperback edition) -- sorry it's a little more than two sentences:

Jane awoke in darkness, her heart pounding. All around her was a threat of something, a terrible, encircling danger. Her head throbbed, and there was a bad taste in her mouth. She reached out in a frightened, tentative effort to determine where she was. Her hand touched a warm softness....

And I'm not telling what that warm softness turns out to be. You'll just have to read the book if you want to know more.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: A Fine Imitation

This week my teaser lines come from A Fine Imitation, a new historical novel by Amber Brock (Crown, May 2016). This quote is from Chapter 13 (p.87):

She looked out the window, hoping for some sign of an unexpected hurricane or a well-timed war that would make the roads unusable. But these thoughts came with a stab of guilt. She shouldn't wish for devastation to serve her own ends, especially not with the idea of preventing her own mother from coming to visit.

Sounds like dear old Mum might not be such a welcome companion, hmmm?

I'm enjoying this one much more than I expected to. Midway through and hoping it doesn't disappoint in the second half.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: Far From True

This week my teaser lines come from the latest Linwood Barclay thriller, Far From True (NAL, March 2016). It's the second book in a planned trilogy about the fictional town of Promise Falls. This snippet comes from page 391, or Location 4175 of the Kindle edition:

She raised the bloodied bag of coins.
"Could I hit him one more time with this?"
I sighed.
"What the hell," I said. "Go ahead."

Ouch!

I had a little trouble getting into this one, but ended up loving it. Hope to get a review up later in the week. Can't wait for Promise Falls #3!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.

And please feel free to leave me a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.