As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway

What a great book! I found a year or so back in the local bookshop and thought it sounded like an interesting read. It did not disappoint.

I am not really a traditional mystery book fan. I've always been far more interested in books that contained a type of puzzle. As a child I loved The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. It was the solving the puzzles within the mystery that grabbed my attention. As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway is such a novel but with a story that is more suitable for older readers.

Book Description: A mesmerizing labyrinth of art, magic, cryptic codes, and young love that sparks the imagination and teases the mind-an arresting first novel about a young man's quest to unravel the puzzle his missing girlfriend may (or may not) have left behind. Anastasia (Anna) Cayne is a complicated high school girl with a penchant for riddles and affectionate mind games, who spends much of her time writing obituaries for every living person in town. She is unlike anyone the narrator has ever known, and her energy and enthusiasm explode his quiet universe, revealing a world of Houdini tricks, strange art, covert messages, and ghost stories-although her past remains an even bigger enigma. Even so, he couldn't be happier. But a week before Valentine's Day, Anna disappears, leaving behind nothing except a dress placed neatly near a hole in the frozen river, and a string of unanswered questions. Determined to find Anna-to comprehend what happened, and why-he begins to retrace their past five months together. Soon the fragments of events, conversations, and letters (and new messages that continue to arrive) coalesce into haunting and surprising revelations about friends, about family, and especially, about Anna Cayne. And perhaps these revelations will solve the puzzle of Anna's disappearance, whether it was her own invention, or is simply another of life's great mysteries

What a Day!

Let's hit from all sides today!

My nephew had a scheduled surgery for his spine today - so my thoughts were already with him and his parents. He was born with a curvature of the spine, since there have been a few problems they scheduled him for surgery.

As if that wasn't enough, we also found out my father-in-law passed away this morning. He was having chest pains for a few days and refused to go to the doctor. Why do men do this? Don't they think about the family and the crisis they leave behind? Anyway, the news has rocked our quiet little world. I really liked my father-in-law. He was a stubborn pain the the ass, but he loved his family and was devoted to his friends. A military vet, he was proud of his service to his nation and equally proud of his kids. Problem was he didn't say it maybe as often as he should have. We only have so much time. This reminded me sternly of that. When I called my father to let him know I wouldn't be coming into the city to see the family at the hospital, I had to make sure I let him know that I loved him. As I listen to J's family talk about how they should have said more - I think that my father-in-law should have as well. He once told me, when I was driving him home one night, how much he loved his kids. I wish he had told them. I told my dad, my mom, anyone I could think of - love sometimes needs to be vocalized and I tried this morning to share that feeling when I made my calls. We need to say it a bit more often because we never know.

So in case I don't say it enough - here's a record. For those who are in my life, have touched my life, been with me for tears and smiles - I have and do love you all!

Bye Bye Doormie!

Well today was officially the Dormouse's last day.

Kind of rough as we were as busy as always - we never really got to sit and enjoy our last lunch together. Tomorrow she starts at the elementary school. I wish her all the luck in the world. I will miss her terribly but at the same time I am happy she was able to get the heck out of Wonderland. Since I last wrote, let's just say Wonderland has gone from mad to insane!