The Bobbed Haired Bandit & Death of Riley

I've been walking around cursing the man who shot and killed the Amish girls a few days ago, but I've been convicted by my unChristian attitude by the Amish themselves. The Amish community has started a charitable fund to help out the family of the shooter, read the article here. They've also been bringing meals over to his family's house to help out. That is the true attitude of Christ: to reach out to the hurting, to turn the other cheek and embrace those who would be our enemies. I am humbled by the closeness of their walk with the Lord.

Mia's first day at preschool was a success. She gave me a kiss and waved me happily off to the door. I had a harder time leaving her than she did. Last week was a terrific week; I can't believe the amount I was able to accomplish, but the pain and fatigue are back this week. Maybe that's a good thing: I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow, and what's the point of going when you feel healthy?

The Bobbed Haired Bandit by Stephen Duncombe and Andrew Mattson tells the story of Celia and Ed Cooney in 1920s New York. Newlyweds and newly pregnant, Ed and Celia decide to rob some convenience stores to try and make a better life for themselves. Because Celia has bobbed hair, flapper style, the story of their robberies quickly grab the attention of the newspapers and soon the police. The Cooneys find that the stolen money doesn’t last long and after a succession of several small hold-ups, flee to Florida only to be captured shortly after the death of their newborn daughter. The authors spend a great deal of time in the beginning of the book discussing the sociological implications of Celia’s celebrity, but they can’t seem to decide on what exactly the public’s obsession with her meant. Much ink is also given to the personal histories of the cops chasing them, but they detract from the real story of Celia. Perhaps one of the most captivating details is that Celia’s sons didn’t find out about their mother until she had passed away. Celia Cooney was a woman of mystery to the papers in the 1920s and remained one in her life, even to her family. Now there’s a story.

Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen is the second book in the Molly Murphy mystery series. Molly is an unusual detective: she has few detecting skills, she tends to get herself into deadly situations, and she rarely thinks before she acts. All of these characteristics of course make for interesting reading. Molly approaches private detective Paddy Riley and asks him for a job. Shortly after starting as his secretary, she finds Riley dead at his desk and determines to find his killer when the police won’t. Her romance with Danny hits the skids, but she makes some new friends in Greenwich Village in her search for Riley’s killer. I really enjoyed most of the book, but the involvement of real historical people and a presidential assassination strained the credibility of the book for me.

Today the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is starting the Blog Tour for Dark Hour by Ginger Garrett. Make sure you check it out!