Week Five - 47 To Go

While some readers might feel the plot plods along, Stuart Wood makes this a good read by picking up the pace towards the conclusion. Although the author will get few accolades from conservatives, his mention of the corruption of money in political campaigns is spot on. Plus Ed Rawls comes to rescue.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2017

Week Four - 48 To Go

Beginning with two adulterous affairs, Professional Detective Services partners Carpenter and Quincannon work separately to resolve the incidents for their clients. One reviewer felt that each of the separate cases peaked too early in the novel. Thus making the reader trudge to the end. Regardless the conclusion foreshadows an acceleration of mutual interest between the two partners.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2017

Week Three - 49 To Go

In this novel Paulo Coehlo takes up the case of a Dutch exotic dancer, Mata Hari. Mata Hari was the stage name of Margaretha Zelle. To escape from poverty the Germans offered Zelle 20,000 francs to convey information to them. Coehlo lets Zelle tell her own story, but the author implies that Zelle’s fate, death by firing squad, might have been influenced by her pride.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2017

Week Two - 50 To Go

This 2017 installment of the Joe Gunther series is set primarily in an urban environment, but is still very Vermont oriented. Despite starting with an intriguing element, a forty-year-old skeleton, the story line and plot tend to limp along until the twisted ending.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2017

255 State Street

255 State Street is located on the corner of State and Grant streets. With the white fence surrounding the front and the side of the house and the two lion statues guarding the driveway, the house makes for a nice vista.

Called the Schooley House by past generations. It was originally the home of William Koenig and his brewery was located on the lot behind the house. The present owner believes the house was built in 1850.

William Koenig and his wife Catherine were both born in Germany. William woked in New England and New York City and eventually settled in Auburn, NY, where he established aa brewery and later moved it in 1868 to State and Grant streets. William and Catherine's son August (Augie) Koening took over the business in 1891. William and Catherine had other children besides August: William, Carrie, Katherine, Emma and Charles.

After William and Catherine Koenig's death, the home was purchased by Ralph L. Schooley. Ralph L. Schooley was listed in the Auburn City Directory in 1950 as a building contractor and president of Schooley Enterprises.

Ralph L. Schooley Sr. was born in Candor, Tioga County, NY. He was the son of Elbert Schooley and Ada Henderson. He married Beatrice Kisor. She was from Cortlnad County, NY. Raplph Sr. and his wife Beatrice had seven children: Ralph Hr., James E., David S., Madeline, Dolores, Phylis, and Rita Lorraine.

The beautiful home above has been well cared for over the years. Presently it is an apartment house.

This article submitted by John R. St. Croix appeared in the Tuesday, January 3, 2017 edition of The Citizen.

Week One - 51 To Go

Set in provincial Brattleboro, Vermont, with a slight diversion to Chicago, this hard-boiled police procedural is fast-paced and its gripping story line is full of twists. Archer Mayor is truly a wordsmith. However, the plot, at least in my mind, left many unanswered questions.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2017