Sunday Synopsis

Compelling Evidence by Steve Martini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good book. This new-to-me author really surprised me. So first, let me talk about some things that bothered me. I can't actually say I didn't like them, but these things bothered me. This author tried too hard. He wants the reader to think. And he wants the reader to think he is smart. He used a few big words that I didn't know, and that hasn't happened to me in a long while. One or two, maybe, but many, words like "venireman," "attrited," "percipient," and "subaltern," to name a few. He also uses the term "body English" instead of "body language" and that just bothers me. One more thing is that he uses this phrase tooooo often: "He makes a face like..." He makes a face like - is this for real. He makes a face like - are you kidding me. Instead of all the "makes a face likes" he could insert actual dialogue.

On to the good. The main character is Paul Madriani, a defense attorney now that he has struck out on his own, formerly a prosecutor and formerly on the fast path for partner at the firm Potter, Skarpellos. Newly separated from his wife, he has an affair with the boss's wife. That explains why he is no longer with Potter, Skarpellos.  The affair in the past, he would love to reconcile with his wife. He comes to terms with Ben, his old boss, on the eve of Ben's death. It looks like suicide, but the medical examiner classifies it as homicide. Almost immediately, Ben's wife Talia is arrested. She goes to Skarpellos, her husband's partner, for help.  He pays for an attorney during the pre-trial hearings, but after she is held over for trial, she needs a real defense attorney. Naturally, she asks Paul, her former lover, for help. I won't spoil the rest.

Steve Martini does a good job humanizing his characters. Most of them are dynamic characters with both good and bad qualities, though there are two characters that are basically stereotypes. The main characters are well developed. The book was a little slow to start, and sometimes I felt like I had to plod through some areas where Paul is simply thinking, but, overall, it was interesting, and there is a super-twist at the end. This conclusion won't disappoint.

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Random Tuesday

Go ahead and link up with or visit Stacy for some randomness.

This has not been a stellar week.  No, I'm not talking about what's going on in our country with injustice, riots, attacks on police - which all really bothers me. I'm not even talking about COVID-19.  Well, a little bit about that...

My brother-in-law and his wife are self-quarantining for two weeks.  They were exposed to someone, their nephew on her side whose children they sometimes babysit, who has a confirmed COVID-19 case. If my bil gets it, that would be really bad because he's been around his 91 year old father and his 80 year old aunt.

My mom is going to have a procedure done in a couple of days to remove a cyst that is causing lots of problem, so she had to take the COVID-19 test today.  It was required.  I'm sure she doesn't have it.  But every since the nasal swab, her nose has been bleeding.  Her procedure is Wednesday.

To top it off, my sister slipped and fell at her home, and she broke her arm.  The radius is broken, and she may need surgery.  I can't see her right now, but she will be getting Tiff's Treats tomorrow. Warm, fresh cookies and ice cream will be delivered to her door.

Several of our family members have expressed reluctance in coming to my daughter's wedding in November due to COVID, so I'm just bummed the last few days.  I NEED something GOOD to happen soon!

Maybe a few laughs will help.  Maybe.

And last for today.

Hope you're having a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

Murder on Birchleaf Drive: The True Story of the Michelle Young Murder Case by Steven B. Epstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't forget to post this week!  This is my most recent read a true crime novel.

A friend of mine-who had a link to the case-recommended this book to me. My friend lived in the same North Carolina neighborhood as Jason Young, the accused in this story. Jason's mom was a beloved fifth grade teacher, although my friend chose not to have her sons in her class - that has nothing to do with the murder, though. It was long before that. So that was my link to this book.

I've really been on a true crime kick lately. I had never heard of this author, so I was skeptical. Ann Rule is my "standard" for true crime. I believe I had heard about the case, but I wasn't super familiar with it, either. I remember hearing that a man killed his pregnant wife and their daughter walked around in her blood.

The book explores the backgrounds of Jason and Michelle so the reader has context. The author was very unbiased, playing out both the prosecutor's case and the defense's response. It is so detailed that about 3/4 of the way through, it becomes a dry read; however, it's difficult to put down in spite of that because the case is so intriguing.

Jason Young had some strange habits, not to mention several extra-marital affairs, in the three years leading up to the murder. He and Michelle fought often, and often publicly. On a night when he was headed out of town on business, Michelle was murdered in her bedroom. When Michelle's sister showed up the next day, she found their 2 year old daughter perfectly clean and sleeping in her parents' bed. (Side note - the sister described the little girl as "shockingly clean" and the author overused this description.) Although there was no blood on the little girl when her aunt found her, her bloody footprints were found all over the scene. Michelle, who was five months pregnant with their son, had been bludgeoned to death. Jason Young, although he was several hours away, was the prime suspect.

I don't want to give any more of the case away. I went into the book without knowing much about the murder or the case which may be one reason why I liked reading it. If you like true crime, you will likely find it interesting, too.

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Thursday Thirteen

Here's a quick list today.  Thirteen words to use instead of "very."  There are dozens more, of course, but these are my top 13, partly because most suggest an oxymoron.

1. awfully - She is awfully pretty.
2.  clearly - You clearly don't see the problem.
3.  significantly - Your point is significantly unimportant.
4. completely - This project is completely unfinished.

Click any image to enlarge

5.  extraordinarily - This project is extraordinarily bland.
6.  unusually - That reaction to this news is unusually common.
7.  infinitely - The chances of rain today are infinitely low.
8.  especially - That show was especially boring.

9.  fantastically - The performance was fantastically dreadful.
10. notably - The professor's speech was notably inconsequential.
11. seriously - Those jokes are seriously funny.
12.  exceedingly - This year's performance review was exceedingly mundane.
13. enormously - The crowd was enormously small.

More Thursday Thirteen here!

Random Tuesday

Here I am... late again!  Better late than never!  How is your week going?  Come link up with Stacy Uncorked and make your week even better!

I am happy to say I found a venue!  It's more than the church was going to cost, but we're keeping the same caterer, photographer, cake baker, and probably DJ, if I can get an accurate invoice from her.  It's more than I wanted to spend, but the couple is going to kick in some money.  We can do it!  I always find a way.

view from reception room windows.  More to come tomorrow.

Click any photo to enlarge.  Obviously, this reception space isn't decorated yet.

So... now it's on to all the details, and there are so many details!!!!

It's hard to focus on these things with all that's going on in the world today, but it's good that I have a distraction.  If I only think about the ills (pun intended) of society right now, I would go crazy.  Coronavirus still a threat.  Many still working from home. Some businesses still closed.  And the sad state of race relations in our country as evidenced by George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.  I can't wrap my head around it.  I just can't.  So, I do what I do best which is avoid thinking about it.  Humor helps.  So...

I've been watching way too much true crime lately, but that doesn't scare me as much as current events.  Forensic Files, People Magazine Investigates, Death Row Stories, Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, etc. I doubt I'm not the only true crime junkie!  I hope not!

And let's see if I can get a song stuck in your head.  You'll thank me later!

Have a good week!