Book Review: The Night Watchman

A year ago homicide detective Ray Quinn had it all. Now he is a lonely night watchman at a condo, who gets around on his bad leg with a cane and a lot of pain.

One night he discovers two bodies on the premises, and his world, already turned upside down, spins out of control again. He reluctantly becomes involved in solving the crime, only to find that the answers he finds hit close to home.

This book was a very enjoyable read. Fast-paced and dryly witty, it is a police procedural with a twist. It is also a classic whodunnit, and the reader has all the clues in front of him to solve the case along with Ray. I appreciated the fact that faith is introduced and examined in an honest way, via the sister of one of the victims. There is also a blessed lack of gore, descriptive sex and foul language.

Day Book, Second Week of May 2009

Outside my window ...

the groundhog (Groundy) made an appearance today while the sky was dark with storm clouds. He was laying next to the shed taking in the neighborhood.

I am listening to...
BamBam humming and a lawn mower somewhere nearby, maybe Paul?

To be healthy and happy...
I had my eyes examined and am getting bifocals. Yes, I am an old woman.

I am thankful for ...
customers!

From the kitchen ...
Brownies, lots of brownies. I baked a double batch and am sending a bunch to the Buffalo Catholic Homeschool Conference this Saturday.

I am wearing ...
what was formerly a nice yellow short-sleeved tee. It is now grease-stained from moving old garage door sections out of the gusty wind this afternoon.

I am creating ...
homeschool plans for next year, still.

On my iTunes...
lately I am loving Dire Straits and REO Speedwagon. Reliving my teen / college years.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
hmmmm. I need to work on this one!

I am reading ...
The Night Watchman. I am reading an advance reading copy (ARC) to review for LibraryThing. I review books as a hobby. Also, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, aloud to the boys.

I recently watched ...
The original Stuart Little with Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie.

I am hoping and praying ...
for all to go smoothly here on Saturday in my absence.

On keeping home ...
I am working on getting more sleep, to get more done.

One of my favorite things ...
is the semi-annual library book sale. Ours just happens to be tomorrow at ten. I'll be there with a pocket full of money!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
include the library book sale, Arch's final track-and-field camp, the BCHS on Saturday, and a blissfully empty calendar on Sunday.

Picture thoughts

"Juxtaposition of life and death."

Day Book, First Week of May 2009

Outside my window ...

a robin has made a nest on a rack on the back of our shed. There are two little blue eggs in it.

I am listening to...
the boys planning / discussing / arguing whatever escapade they are up to this afternoon.

To be healthy and happy...
we took a walk during baseball practice.

I am thankful for ...
Arch's good results on his standardized test.

From the kitchen ...
New Orleans Bread Pudding to use up some leftover bread from the Holy Name breakfast.

I am wearing ...
a pink shirt and brown skirt.

I am creating ...
a more organized pile of chaos.

On my iTunes...
the Pledge of Allegiance to music. Arch has to learn it to sing at the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
hmmmm.

I am reading ...
The Penderwicks, aloud to the boys at bedtime.

I recently watched ...
Monk Season 6 discs one and two. Waiting to disc three to arrive in the mail.

I am hoping and praying ...
that it does not rain on Niagara Square at noon on Thursday.

On keeping home ...
I am weeding out old stuff from my planner.

One of my favorite things ...
are old cookbooks for 49¢at the thrift store. I just picked up one called Thoughts for Buffets which is just chock full of cool menus and recipes.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
include Arch's first baseball game, BamBam's last story hour. A trip to Buffalo for the National Day of Prayer and a visit to the Central Library.

Picture thoughts

My tulips. Lovely.

Day Book, Last Week of April 2009

Outside my window ...
we have a groundhog living in our yard, under the shed. BamBam saw him first and declared he had seen a beaver! I'm torn between naming him Chuck or Grady.

I am listening to...
the very quiet hum of my iMac's fan. The boys are asleep, that's why I can hear it.

To be healthy and happy...
we took a walk yesterday. Such beautiful weather!

I am thankful for ...
everything!

From the kitchen ...
came pancakes this morning. Not usually seen on a weekday, and probably won't be again for a long time.

I am wearing ...
my old blue-and-green floral shirt which I don't like. My boys were both telling me at bedtime how much they love it. BamBam remembered me carrying him when he was a toddler and him putting his hand in the pocket. Arch claims he likes it "because I grew up with it."

I am creating ...
weekly lesson plans for Arch for the sixth grade. Most of the books are here, except math. After that, I'll move on to the kindergarten plans for BamBam.

On my iTunes...
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Bringing beauty to my home ...
with flowers hand picked for my by BamBam. Lots and lots of dandelions to brighten up the dining room table.

I am reading ...
The Wisdom of Father Dowling, which is a collection of short stories all previously published. I am also reading an advanced reading copy of a biography of Mother Teresa. I have promised to review it, and I'll post my review here when I'm done.

I recently watched ...
an absolutely antique Alfred Hitchcock movie I had never even heard of before. Blackmail, filmed in 1929. He was still in his London period. The cinematography was amazing for what it was. The first few scenes were completely silent aside for the soundtrack! Thanks to Big Jim for giving us the video.

I am hoping and praying ...
that the business continues to grow, despite the economy. We had good news this week, with the addition of at least two new commercial customers.

On keeping home ...
I have to weed the front garden on the next sunny day. The downstairs must be spiffed up tomorrow because the lady is coming to cut my hair in the afternoon. It's mostly just cluttered.

One of my favorite things ...
piles of clean folded laundry. I just wish it would stay clean and folded!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
include co-op, baseball, track-and-field and serving at Mass for Arch. Story hour for BamBam, Holy Name Society for DoorMan. And me? I'm getting a hair cut tomorrow, and being treated to a mother / child breakfast at church after Mass on Sunday.

Picture thoughts

My daffodils, which I believed had frozen to death before they bloomed. They made it after all!