Book ~ "The Armchair Detectives on Holiday" (2026) Matt Dunn

From Goodreads ~ Fresh from their last case at Twilight Lodge, Martin and Albie reward themselves with a relaxing trip to the sun-soaked island of Menorca.

But when they head down to breakfast one morning, they happen upon a panicked husband reporting his wife, bestselling author Karen Squires, missing. Soon afterwards they’re shocked to discover Karen’s body on the beach.

Local police call it a tragic accident: one look at the broken safety fence on the cliffs above suggests Karen fell. But the victim’s perfectly-manicured nails tells Martin that this was no accident. She was pushed.

Back at the hotel, the duo discover that Karen was running a retreat for writers, all of whom seem shocked by her untimely passing. But which one of them may have had a motive for murder? Was a fellow writer jealous of her success? Did her devoted husband feel sidelined?

As they hunt for clues, they realise that the answer may be found in one of Karen’s bestsellers and luckily for them, Albie’s girlfriend, Barbara, is her number one fan. A killer is hiding in plain sight. But to get to them, can they separate the fact from the fiction before it’s too late?

Martin is in his mid-80s and a widower, who recently had hip surgery and had checked into Twilight Lodge, a seaside care home to recuperate. There he ran into his old partner, wheelchair-bound Albie, who was also at the home. They both had worked for “The Company” (something very spy-like). Martin takes Albie, Dionne, his daughter, and Custard, his late wife's dog, on vacation to Menorca for a week. 

One morning, Martin and Albie meet David, who is in a panic because he can't find his wife, Karen,  a famous author. They are at a writers' resort at the same hotel Martin where is staying. Martin and Albie offer to help look for her and find her at the bottom of a cliff. The local police assume she fell but something doesn't look right to Martin and Albie and they start investigating.

This was a fun story. It was interesting to have it written from the first person perspective of a mid-80s man as he doesn't have a clue about today's technology (for example, he doesn't own a cell phone and confuses "Zumba" with "Zooming"). It's a cozy mystery so there is no swearing or violence. The interactions between Martin and Albie were cute. There are lots of red herrings and I was okay with the whodunnit (I had figured it out). It's the second in the Armchair Detectives series (I'd read the first one last year) and I look forward to reading more in the future.

Book ~ "Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About" (2026) Isabel Klee

From Goodreads ~ A Jersey girl by birth, Isabel Klee had always wanted to live in New York City. At age 20, she got her chance, ditching her college upstate and moving into a grungy basement apartment in Manhattan. Dog-obsessed since childhood, her first post-grad job was becoming an assistant to a dog photographer, and something clicked into place: a career focused on helping dogs was the new dream.

Isabel quickly found a passion for rehabilitating rescue dogs and helping them get adopted. At the same time, she was caught up in a whirlwind of friendships, parties, fickle boyfriends and grand romances, which she recounts in honest, tender and sometimes devastating chapters about the search for love and belonging.

Isabel’s first true love, though, was Simon, a fluffy puppy who’d been saved from the meat trade. As the highs and lows of her twenties hit Isabel in wave after wave, it was Simon who kept her grounded. Together, Isabel and Simon created a community of dog-lovers and a tight-knit group of friends pursuing their dreams.

In this honest and moving memoir, Isabel weaves together the stories of her foster dogs—and the challenges she helped them overcome - with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending not only for the rescue pups, but for Isabel herself.

I've never heard of Isabel Klee or this book but I saw it was an Indigo pick of the month. I like memoirs and reading about dogs (and animals) so thought I'd check it out, especially since I volunteer with a cat rescue and a charitable organization dedicated to ageing dogs. 

I enjoyed the parts about her putting her hand up to foster dogs who had issues and socializing them for adoption. I didn't find her overly likeable, though, and it got tiresome hearing the details of all her broken romances and dating adventures, which took up the bulk of the book. Against her better judgement, she moved in with men who professed they loved her and she loved them but then she would end up moving out because she was their whole world.

The editing could have been tighter. At one point, she talks about Ruby, the family dog when she was growing up, who passed away when she was 16 and then just three paragraphs later, she says she was 17 when Ruby passed away. The timeline jumps around so sometimes I found it confusing when things were happening. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Happy Victoria Day!

Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25, initially in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday.

The holiday has been observed in Canada since at least 1845, originally falling on Victoria's actual birthday (May 24, 1819).

Waterworks Food Hall, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper in the courtyard at Waterworks Food Hall, opened in 2024 in a historic building at Brant Street/Richmond Street W.

I got a large Jamaican Mi Crazy Chicken (famous jerk chicken served with rice) from Rasta Pasta so I could take home half for leftovers. I’m glad I did because it was very good. 

Gord had a messy but tasty Rumbera (Venezuelan pulled pork cheddar cheese + garlic) from The Arepa Republic.

Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate. I found the pattern on New Stitch a Day's website.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Merry Maximus) and 6.5mm needles. 

Cast on multiples of 4 + 3 stitches (I cast on 23 stitches).

• Row 1: K3, *sl 1 wyif, k3; rep from * to end. 
• Row 2: K1, *sl 1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyif, k1.
• Bind off.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, The Parkdale Hall, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy this evening. 

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling, immersive cocktail experience that brings four of his most famous stories off the page and onto the stage. Let our Poe Historians guide you through a 90-minute journey of dark literature, paired perfectly with four exquisite, classic cocktails.

Highlights
✨ A Chilling 4-Part Experience: Step into the world of Edgar Allan Poe and watch his most famous works leap off the page and onto the stage.
🍸 Sip the Story: Enjoy a curated tasting menu of 4 delicious, themed cocktails paired perfectly with each tale.
😱 Immersive Theater: Hear history and literature reimagined with dramatic flair by our expert Poe Historians.
🐦 Dark Elegance: Lose yourself in a meticulously crafted, gothic atmosphere designed for the ultimate night out.

📜 The Setlist: 4 Tales, 4 Cocktails
Tale 1: Tell-Tale Heart – Paired with the Pale Blue Eye
Tale 2: The Black Cat – Paired with The Cat’s Meow
Tale 3: The Raven – Paired with the Nevermore
Tale 4: The Masque of the Red Death – Paired with the Cocktail of the Red Death

Step out of the ordinary and into the shadows, The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy transforms The Parkdale Hall into a darkly elegant sanctuary dedicated to the Master of Macabre. As you sip on expertly crafted spirits or bespoke mocktails, our lead mixologist and dramatic historians will transport you directly into the minds behind four of Poe’s most beloved stories. It is an unforgettable evening of suspense, premium drinks, and gothic storytelling.

Gord's a fan of Poe so I thought it would be fun ... and it was. The time between the tales was too long, though, while they served the drinks. Maybe have more servers? 

Me and Gord

Death and Taxes, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Death and Taxes (on Queen Street W at Beaconsfield Avenue).

My $6 happy hour beer was tasty.

Gord had a chicken Caesar wrap and fries.

Book ~ "Road Trip" (2026) Mary Kay Andrews

From Goodreads ~ Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite - Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions ... if it’s real.

Determined to uncover the truth - and desperately in need of the money - the sisters set out on a journey to Ireland, tracing their family’s roots and the origins of the portrait. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something deeper - a reckoning with the past, as they uncover secrets that span generations and reshape everything they thought they knew about their family.

With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm.

Thirty-something sisters Maeve and Therese haven’t been close for years. After their mother dies, they find out that instead of splitting the family home, they discover their mother had taken out a second loan and there's almost $400,000 owing. In addition to inheriting is a painting that could be valuable (if it's real), their mother also left them a coffee can with a small amount of money with the stipulation that they use the cash to take a trip to Ireland to figure out the painting’s history and learn more about their family’s past. When they arrive in Ireland, the sisters deal with old tensions, unexpected discoveries and a mystery tied to their ancestors. Along the way, they meet new people, uncover long-buried secrets and slowly start to reconnect with each other.

I thought this story was okay. It was more serious than I was expecting from the description. It's not really a "road trip" as they don't venture much further from the town in Ireland Kathleen, their great grandmother, was originally from. It's written in third person perspective in Maeve, Theresa and Kathleen's voices. In the beginning, it jumps back and forth in time to Kathleen's time (which I found interesting) and the sisters' present time. I found it a bit draggy at times and could have been tighter. As a head's up, there is swearing and some adult activity.

Women in Film & Television - Toronto Showcase, Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto, ON

I spent the evening volunteering at the Women in Film & Television - Toronto Showcase. 

The WIFT+ Toronto Showcase 2026 is an annual film and media event organized by Women in Film & Television Toronto. It celebrates short films, TV episodes and web series created by women and gender-diverse creators in Canada’s screen industry.

What a fun experience! A complimentary bag of popcorn, I got to watch the 6 shorts (which were excellent) and an invitation to the after party while supporting women.

The after party ...

“Kinky Boots”, Ed MirvishTheatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Kinky Boots this afternoon at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street. I’ve seen the movie many times and like it. It was well done and the finale was lively and fun!

Everybody say “Yeah!” and let Kinky Boots lift your spirits to high-heeled heights! Winner of every Best Musical award, including the Tony®, Grammy®, and London’s Olivier Award, Kinky Boots captivates and entertains audiences around the world with a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell. 

Based on true events, Kinky Boots follows the journey of two people with nothing in common - or so they think. The unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized ... and discover that you change the world when you change your mind.