August 25, 2022 - A Book & A Recipe

This month's dinner and a recipe idea is a delicious dessert! 

For August 2022, at Brooke County Libraries we are sharing Lucy Burdette's Decadent Key Lime Parfait. The recipe can be found in The Key Lime Crime. 

Straight from the novel... here we go!

This dessert can be made in one glass bowl or if you prefer individual servings, use martini glasses or small mason jars. Either way, the layers will show through the glass and your guests will swoon!

Ingredients:

5 whole graham crackers, crushed, to make about 1 cup.

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 cups whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup key lime juice (about 1 pound key limes)

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

(Optional) Key Lime Zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350.

2. Crush graham crackers and mix with butter and brown sugar.

3. Spread this on baking sheet covered with foil or parchment paper.

4. Bake 10 minutes or until golden.

5. Let cool and break into crumbs again.

6. Meanwhile, whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla.

7. Set half of this aside for topping.

8. Juice the limes and strain out any seeds.

9. Mix the condensed milk with lime juice. The citrus will cause the milk to thicken.

10. Gently stir in half the whipped cream mix.

11. Layer some of the baked crumbs into eight parfait or martini glasses.

12. Add some of the key lime mix.

13. Repeat, setting aside some crumbs for topping.

14. When all ingredients are distributed, top with dollops of remaining whipped cream and crumbs.

15. Zest with lime on top if you want additional flavor.

What a sweet summer treat!

Be sure to let us know in the comment section below or on one of our social media pages if you enjoyed it! Or you know... stop by with a sample if you feel like sharing.

Images courtesy of WV Reads, Google, etc.

Want to read The Key Lime Crime? We've got the Ebook on our online catalogue WV Reads!

 https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/5043375

August 10, 2022 - Staff Reviews

Wild Storm

By Richard Castle

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/2231172

3 Stars - Another fun action-packed little thriller in the short Derek Storm series, perfect for spy junkies and tv crime show lovers. Storm is on the hunt for some techno terrorists and it's just another day in the life saving the world for him. He hits several fun places like the African desert and sea faring expensive yachts and hooks up with some old friends.

Derek Storm is of course the fictional brain child of the also fictional Richard Castle. Fans of the tv show Castle should absolutely give this series a try and even some who have never heard of it. These are just easy, clean fun with heaps of drama to keep the story a little more grounded. Storm is the very James Bond - esque hero who is nearly perfect of course. But Storm has such a vivid sense of humor and enough of a quirky though process, we lesser humans can enjoy him too. A handful of his favorite past sidekicks return as well as some new friends.

The picture of the Sphinx on the front is slightly misleading. There is an archeologist, treasure hunting angle to the plot. But it's relatively small. Mostly, Storm is tracking terrorists who crashed several planes. Naturally, in true Castle style, everything is not as it seems at first. It's always fun in the Castle stories to guess who the real bad guy is, and this novel is no different. A few scenes sort of dragged the story down, as I've never been a fan of Castle's morbid side or the paragraphs that are prone to overdramatics. And a couple feel slightly out of place. But except for a few bumps, the ride is mostly smooth and fast-paced. Storm's on and off love interest Clara Strike shows up to throw in a little romance. And junior lady badass Katie Comely (yes, very Bond girl) makes for a fun new addition to the character dynamics.  The villians and frenemies are no less intriguing. Basically, if you're reading this series or just looking for some weekend book popcorn, you'll be entertained. Just don't take it too seriously.

(NS)

August 9, 2022 - Book Club Preview

Hello, book lovers!

We're excited to share our August book club pick for 2022 at Brooke County Public Libraries. This month are reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

Our meeting will be held on Thursday, August 25th at 5pm! Meeting will be option virtual and in-person at BCPL.

About the book -

Sam Spade is hired by the fragrant Miss Wonderley to track down her sister, who has eloped with a louse called Floyd Thursby. But Miss Wonderley is in fact the beautiful and treacherous Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and when Spade's partner Miles Archer is shot while on Thursby's trail, Spade finds himself both hunter and hunted: can he track down the jewel-encrusted bird, a treasure worth killing for, before the Fat Man finds him? 

About the author-

Hammett was born in St. Mary's County, Maryland on May 27, 18. He died on January 10, 1961 most famous for his crime and mystery thrillers, many turned into popular Hollwood movies. Also wrote as Peter Collinson, Daghull Hammett, Samuel Dashiell, Mary Jane Hammett. Born as Samuel Dashiell Hammett, he was an American author of hardboiled detective novels and short stories. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man), and the Continental Op (Red Harvest and The Dain Curse). In addition to the significant influence his novels and stories had on film, Hammett "is now widely regarded as one of the finest mystery writers of all time" and was called, in his obituary in the New York Times, "the dean of the... 'hard-boiled' school of detective fiction."

Intrigued by the book? Check out our ebook copy on WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/507682

Images and info are courtesy of WV Reads, Google, and Goodreads.

July 19, 2022 - A Book & A Recipe

Check out this July's dinner and a recipe idea presented by Brooke County Libraries! This month we're featuring Love-Me-Tenderloin Grilled Steaks from The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson.

Let's get started! You don't even have to use the grill...

Ingredients:

4 6 oz filet mignon steaks, each 1 1/2 to 2 in. thick (works best for prime grade from Costco)

1/4 cup of garlic oil (works best with Boyajian from Sur La Table)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

*This recipe must be made using a digital prob meat thermometer and tongs

Steps:

1. Allow steaks to come to room temp. Pre heat oven to 350. Have thermometer ready.

2. Take steaks out of the package and pat both sides with paper towels until dry.

3. Heat a large ovenproof grill pan on the stovetop over high heat.

4. Once hot, add the oil and heat for about 5 seconds.

5. Lay steaks in the pan.

6. Lower the high to med. high.

7. Sprinkle the steaks lightly with salt and pepper.

8. Cook for one minute only.

9. Using tongs, flip the steaks and remove pan from heat.

10. Insert meat thermometer into one steak and place grill pan in the over.

11. Cook until thermometer indicates 125 degrees F (medium rare).

12. Remove pan from oven and loosely cover it with foil for 5 minutes.

Images courtesy of Google, WV Reads, etc.

We hope it makes for a delicious summer lunch or dinner!

If you give it a try, be sure to leave us a comment below or on one of our social media pages.

Intrigued by The Whole Enchilada? Check out our ebook copy on WV Reads and get into the mystery.

 https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/1253084

July 14, 2022 - Staff Reviews

A Perfect Plan

By Jeffery Deaver

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/6211937

3 Stars - An intense short story from the Lincoln Rhyme series that's sure spark the reader's interest. Our hero seems to be dodging everthing from bombs to poison as a mysterious enemy attempts to kill him while he's inside his own small home fortress. Rhyme has help from his friends though and he's not one to wait to see who is working against him.

This is but a glimpse of Deaver's suspense writing talents but it's a fair one. He manages to pack a lot of drama into the brief story. Lincoln's not one to sit still despite his disabilities. From the time he is warned - through a tip - that's someone's out to get him, his brilliant mind is working overtime. His lovely wife Amelia returns though not just as a target but as the smart and astute partner and investigator she is. Her part is probably disappointly small though for her personal fans. Plus many of Lincoln's quirky friends and a slew of cops come to help.

This short story is right up the alley for any fans of forensic mysteries or who-dun-its. Rhyme manages to stay just a step or two ahead of the people targeting him all the way, using just his wits. The technical details can get a bit tedious. And it's difficult for Deaver to repeatedly build tension here as he would in a full length novel. But what a tv show episode this would make! It's exactly like the popular 60 minute police procedurals we get so addicted to. There's also some room for a little humor, particularly poking fun at Lincoln's resistance to modern slang and pop culture. I think we all know someone like him who refuses to conform to all that of the times. If you're looking a quick thriller to pass time or a dull day or a vacation day, this would be perfect. I would think especially for fans of this series or Deaver's other work. You don't have to spend hours solving this mystery just sit back and enjoy.

(NS)

June 11, 2022 - Staff Reviews

Hostage

By Robert Crais

Release Date: August 7, 2001

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/256446

2.5 Stars - A fast-moving but problematic thriller that's a quick read. I still struggled despite the pace, however. Our hero Jeff Talley was struggling too, trying to bring his hostage negotiation skills back to form without the baggage of past traumatic experiences. Creepy but not very bright villians seem to take center stage though.

It's been many years now since I've seen the movie, and I've always been curious about Robert Crais' acclaimed suspense novels. Starting in one of his crazy long series seemed a bit daunting so I went with a simple plotted, familiar story here instead. Talley has the background and memories that would make him a really interesting central hero but Crais seemed to hold him back. We get details of his fascinating, yet sometimes horrorific, past jobs only in sporadic flashbacks. The real meat of the story is told from the hostages and their captors who are all cringe-worthy in their own ways.

My big problems with the book are pretty much the same ones I had with the movie. These are dumb criminals. And that's okay as a fact because a lot of criminals are dumb, that doesn't make them less entertaining. But Mars and Dennis sway from stupid to unhinged like they need bipolar meds. Living in their POV, albeit 3rd person, is just weird. They aren't smart or clever or at all likable. The kids in the house are almost even harder to like. The girl is sometimes logical and then just completely caves and freaks out, draws attention to herself. The brother is gross, and I get why they made him a little kid in the movie. Despite all the stupidity, I can see why Crais has many fans. His writing style is very sharp and to the point. And he has a way of crafting colorful side characters and injecting humor into a dark story. There's an element too of how dated this book quickly became, technology being what it is. I can't say the ending was shocking or really thrilling since I already knew what was coming. But despite my hang ups, this was a very tense drama that's plotted and written well.

(NS)

May 25, 2022 - Staff Reviews

 

The Thin Man

By Dashiell Hammett

Release Date: December 1933

Audiobook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-wvlc/content/media/114791

3 Stars - This fun and fast little classic mystery probably has something for everyone. Hammett's snappy dialouge makes up a slightly meandering mystery plot. Nick and Nora's characters are also nearly every bit as likable as in the movie series though the book is a bit darker. All the side characters are crazy and quirky leading to a wild whodunit.

Hammett's quick-paced and quick-witted style makes it easy to see why he's still read today and why Hollywood was eager to scoop up his stories. The twisty and turny but at time repetitive plot left a bit to be desired though for me. Nick's lovable rogue attitude covers his clearly sharp intellect, and he's quite a cad. Nora's around to keep him in line though, mostly, when she's not the one encouraging antics. Dorothy and Mimi the hapless femme fatales got just a little tiresome with all the fluttering and crying, etc.

I think the narrator might have had more to do with Dorothy and Mimi prickling my nerves. But overall Dufris did an excellent performance that was engaging and easy to follow. It was difficult to keep up with what Nick discovered and click the pieces together for yourself. But that's nothing new with these old-fashioned detective stories. This at times felt more like a play than a short novel turned movie. We don't get much out of the setting location wise here though the time period is obvious. We seemed to keep returning to same people and places once too often. Sometimes I had no idea where Hammett's side stories were going. Such as the slightly shocking cannabalism antecdote. And the big climatic ending and reveal felt a bit abrupt. Regardless, this was and fun and easy listen . It's perfect for Golden Age Hollywood fans looking to mix up the classics.

(NS)