Dahiem is a popular local author that I have been enjoying. Her characters in her Bed and Breakfast Mysteries, Judith and Renie are tending more and more to the extremes of their personalities which is somewhat irritating. I enjoyed Renie when she was just grumpy but she's getting downright mean at times these days. And Judith is less compassionate and caring and more meddlesome these days. Still the absurd situations these traits land them in makes for an entertaining read.

Since this one is about Scotland and because it mentions Spurtles in passing Skinny wanted to take it along to read on her way to Covert's place. Sounded like a good plan to me so here it is my 1001st book registered off to new adventures.

Covert, you're welcome to keep the book, read the book and continue it with Skinny or just plain wild release it. I don't care which.

Shocking, simply shocking. Skinny Malinky was as eager to read this book in her luggage as I, so we've tackled it together. Imagine our joint embarrassment when we encountered, leaping off the page at us, a reference to a "SPRUTLE"!! That's right, readers, Ms. Daheim speaks of an S.P.R.U.T.L.E., and the Golden "Sprutle" award. Skinny was absolutely mortified, and I squirmed for her. Imagine, the official emissary for her kind, traveling with such perversion, and thereby unwittingly lending her stamp of approval to the travesty!

Or, at least, that was what I had first assumed her reaction to be, but Skinny's made of sterner stuff than that. Wood, to be exact. "Tourist!", she scoffed of Daheim. "These simpletons drink a little whiskey and think they know the Highlands. Pff!"

And we quite agreed that Renie is a PARTICULARLY annoying character. :)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is traveling on with Skinny, who is now on her way to visit FancyHorse. Skinny thought it might be healthy for others to be exposed to the evidence of the Sprutle branch of the family. Transparency and all that, I guess, to earn the trust of her public.

Received in the box along with Skinny Malinky Spurtle and her accouterments. I think I'll enjoy reading this. Thanks, BigKat and Covert!

I just finished reading this today, and enjoyed it, mostly. The character of Renie was puzzling, though. One minute she's be quite reasonable and clever about figuring out clues, and the next she'd be physically fighting with old ladies and auto mechanics, and verbally insulting a prim and proper butler. She acted very childish at times, and a little like she was mentally disturbed. She was completely unpredictable, and I felt sorry for Judith having to be associated with her.

It will travel on to bluestocking88, with the rest of Skinny's gear.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Included with box of books and souvenirs accompanying Skinny Malinky Spurtle. Sent to Bluestoking88 in the state of Washington, USA.