One of the better books in the long, long series. An unusually strong premise.
Below the Belt (2017) is #40 in a series of guilty pleasure reads. We enjoy the life of the rich and powerful vicariously.
An impressive gentleman, Nelson Knott, launches a 3rd political party in the USA.
But he’s hiding some secrets. Backed by dirty scoundrels.
Somehow Stone Barrington finds himself in the middle of it.
Former Russian CIA mole Ed Rawls, a hilarious old curmudgeon, happens to live near Stone. He entrusts Stone to hang on to the locked case that has dirt on Knott.
A surprise. Normally I don’t like fantasy fiction — but this one is more of a murder mystery.
A high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. … it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.
I’m finally old enough to join the Old Fart Adventure Travel TikTok Crew. 😀
On the road in Singapore.
I’ve had many birthdays on the backpacker trail.
Tam and Les bought me birthday lunch in Little India. We had a robot waiter — though it was too uncoordinated to actually make it to our table. A waiter brought it the last mile.
For decades already I’ve been the oldest person in most hostels. I’ve grown used to the distinction.
Mostly, the kids treat me as a bit of a novelty: How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?
… mavericks who go “against the grain” in their work …
People who chose to ignore conventional wisdom, found or invented a better way, questioned the status quo at great sacrifice and pushed for change against all odds.
Some were drummed out of their careers for it but in the end were proven right (Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis).
Some were celebrated but had to fight every inch of the way (Norman Lear).
Some re-invented their industry but preferred to stay an outsider (Tom Laughlin—aka Billy Jack).
Some confounded their competitors with ingenious strategies (NHL coach Roger Neilson).
One even saved millions of people around the world, but was humiliated, demoted, and dismissed for her entire career (Dr. Katalin Karikó—co-creator of the COVID vaccine).
I haven’t cancelled J.K. Rowling as she’s not ALL bad. She’s donated much to charity. And may even be a good person who somehow stumbled into this issue, getting it way wrong.
Themes explored in the plot involve Freemasonry, human trafficking, the silver antiques trade, corruption in the media, secrecy surrounding the military and intelligence services, mental health issues …
That said, the book is too long, as are most of her books in this series.
The relationship between Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott is agonizing and stupid. I can’t believe so little has progressed over 8 books.
I used to be sympathetic for Robin, as Strike is such an asshole. But she’s just as bad.
The only person to cheer for is Office Manager Pat. 😀
Worse — perhaps — is the plot. WHY did they take on a case to identify a mutilated corpse? WHY spend so much time and manpower on this case?
Who cares?
Story line convoluted and hard to follow. At the end, I read some explainers ➙ and still can’t be bothered to understand the plot.
IF you can get past those flaws, I actually enjoyed this book.
I don’t normally enjoy fantasy — but there was something about this book that kept me going.
The pace at the beginning was encouragingly quick.
It’s set currently with mobile phones and apps. Less world building than typical for the genre.
Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain.
Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild.
Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests’ shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. …
Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera Swan is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone…and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.
Rick McCharles 