This past weekend I rocketed through two very good and very different books. The first was a sequel to Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes called, Bella Tuscany. I cannot reiterate enough how thoroughly I enjoy her books. Bramasole, the house her and her husband bought and renovated, is up and thriving. She makes the reader feel as though they are watching from out in her garden. This book is brimming with life, just regular life. We follow her through her own marriage and through her daughters engagement and wedding. When I describe this book to friends I tell them that nothing happens, which is entirely true. Nothing happens, except life, Frances Mayes' Italian life which is entirely entertaining.
The second book was Death in the Floating City by Tasha Alexander. This is a book that is part of a series of "Lady Emily Mysteries". Lady Emily, the main character, is a 19th Century English woman who helps her husband solve murder mysteries. This particular murder happens in the beautiful floating city of Venice. This is a very, very quick and entertaining read. I am certain that Alexander must have drawn some inspiration from Austen. Lady Emily has all the finesse and spunk of any Austen character, and that is, I think, what captivates me most. There are several other installements to the Lady Emily Mysteries and I certainly look forward to reading Alexander's other novels.
The second book was Death in the Floating City by Tasha Alexander. This is a book that is part of a series of "Lady Emily Mysteries". Lady Emily, the main character, is a 19th Century English woman who helps her husband solve murder mysteries. This particular murder happens in the beautiful floating city of Venice. This is a very, very quick and entertaining read. I am certain that Alexander must have drawn some inspiration from Austen. Lady Emily has all the finesse and spunk of any Austen character, and that is, I think, what captivates me most. There are several other installements to the Lady Emily Mysteries and I certainly look forward to reading Alexander's other novels.