All Lessons Learned (Cambridge Fellows Mysteries 8) by Charlie Cochrane

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I was dreading to read this chapter in the Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, because it was the one I was expecting and at the same time I didn’t want to happen. For the last few books I was counting the years, 1906, 1907, 1908… it was like an ominous dripping towards those dreadful 1914 and the IWW. From the like Orlando and Jonty, it was obvious they wouldn’t step back, and the IWW was such a bloodbath, more like men sent to the slaughter than a noble war, and these fellows can only play with honor.

So when I read the blurb of this book, 1918, end of the war, and Jonty lost in war, I thought that is, the worst happened, and how I can find the heart to read this novel? Sure the author told me not to worry, that she had everything planned for both of them, but still… it was not until I didn’t see there was a book 9 that I found the courage to consider book 8. Hands up, I’m a coward, yes, I am.

But I didn’t come out unscathed from the experience of reading this book, since, well, the losses are more than what I was expecting: Jonty’s parents, those wonderful parents who not only supported their own son, but welcomed Orlando too, are lost as well; I felt these losses as much as I felt that of Jonty, so much they were part of this series. It’s really sad to think I will continue to read this series knowing they will not be there, with their love and welcoming embrace; they are probably one of the main reasons why Orlando even considered to share a life with Jonty, knowing they were not scandalized by the love between them; if good people could look at them and have love in their heart, then Orlando could look as well to what he had with Jonty and not being afraid.

All in all the novel was less tragic then what I was thinking, meaning that, it basically skipped all the gory details of the war, to plunge you directly in the aftermath, when hope was blossoming again; actually it was almost warm, comfort-like, the light at the end of the dark tunnel that was the war.

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/lessons-learned-p-6245.html

Amazon: All Lessons Learned (Cambridge Fellows Mysteries)
Amazon Kindle: All Lessons Learned (Cambridge Fellows Mysteries)
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (January 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609283996
ISBN-13: 978-1609283995

Series: A Cambridge Fellows Mystery
1) Lessons in Love: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/417687.html
2) Lessons in Desire: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/506663.html
3) Lessons in Discovery: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/641112.html
4) Lessons in Power: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/857346.html
5) Lessons in Temptation: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1047057.html
6) Lessons in Seduction: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1160121.html
7) Lessons in Trust: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1284002.html
8) All Lessons Learned

Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Comments

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

I agree with you so much! I was really upset to learn that Jonty's parents had passed away. I loved reading about them; they were almost as much family to me as to Orlando, in a strange sort of way. I did miss them in Mystery No. 9.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

As I said, it's presented all in the aftermath, everything is already happened, but nevertheless it was very sad. I felt for Orlando and his losses, I think the one about Jonty's parents was as hard as that of Jonty.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Am drafting book 10 right now. Goes back to 1909. Mr and Mrs S much in evidence.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Oh Charlie, you wanted for us to be living in happy moments again.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

And to be writing in them. Lessons for Survivors is a happy book but the war has taken its toll...

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

*happy face* I echo Elisa's comment!

Oh Charlie, you wanted for us to be living in happy moments again.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

:) Having trouble restraining Mrs S, though. Got the bug for sleuthing.