Pad Thai is Delicious
Plus, a short book review of Switchblade by Michael Connelly
I was going to write a Valentine’s Day post, specifically featuring a bunch of stuff I’ve written about Valentine’s Day. But I couldn’t come up with anything except a halfway decent newsletter title. So I decided to instead write about one of my most favorite subjects … food. Specifically Pad Thai, which used to be one of my most favorite foods.
Why do you ask that Pad Thai used to be one of my most favorite foods? Well, I’m glad you asked because I’m going to tell you anyway.
Yesterday was Pad Thai day.
I do not mean that I went out and got Pad Thai. Or that I cooked a Pad Thai meal for me and The Husband.
No. I cooked seven complete Pad Thai meals. That’s four to six servings times seven. A whole lotta Pad Thai. I cooked all the different meats (including tofu), especially my favorite of Crab Pad Thai.
The reason that I cooked so much Pad Thai is because I realized this past week that I have a lot of those recipes on my website. (I guess it really is one of my favorite foods.) But all the photographs were crap. So me being me, I decided to retake all the photographs.
I won’t link them all up right here, although I’m really tempted to. You can find the links, below, in the Happenings section.
We’ve eaten so much Pad Thai over the last day that I think I won’t eat anymore for another year, so now I’m super bummed that I ruined it for myself.
At least I still have chocolate and coffee.
The Promos
Two book promos today fo’ ya.
First, we have Game Plan by B.P. Stevens. From the Amazon page:
Mason Carter has been relentlessly trying to solve the murder of his sister, which has landed him and his family in more life-threatening trouble than he could have ever imagined.
This time, he has found himself imprisoned under false accusations orchestrated by Arthur Beauford. Mason is freed with the help of his friend Lydia and an unexpected ally. His release, however, is part of a sinister plan.
Next, we have Hash Browns And Homicide by Karen McSpade, a fun cozy mystery that is absolutely free by signing up to her newsletter. From the sign up site:
Piper Sandstone, a newly promoted detective on the Chicago police force, is dressed to kill. And bad things are about to go down.
When three dirty cops are suspected of a crime, Piper finds herself going undercover to get intel to put them behind bars.
A Short Book Review of “Switchblade” by Michael Connelly
My reading of Harry Bosch continues with this short story. I rate it 2 out of 5 stars, mostly because of the bad legal premise. Harry is working for the OU Unit at the LAPD when we are introduced to Emily Robertson, the newest civilian employee at the unit.
Emily hands Harry a cold case. An anonymous caller gives a tip that Patrick Sewell killed Billy Ratcliff.
Fast forward to the end, where Harry finds and talks with the caller. She was married to Patrick, and he confessed to her. She saw the blood on Patrick’s clothes and figured out it was Billy.
Harry tells her that she has to testify against her ex-husband, and that the “spousal exclusion” did not apply.
In California, there are two types of spousal privilege, which are (1) the right not to testify to your current spouse; and (2) the right for your spouse—either current or former—to not testify about any communications that happened while married.
The first part means that the prosecutor can’t require to testify, but you can testify if you want to.
The second part means that your spouse can prevent you from testifying about anything he or she said, but that you can testify about things did. In the case of “Switchblade,” Patrick’s wife couldn’t testify that Patrick confessed to killing Billy. But she could testify that she saw blood on Patrick’s clothes.
Just FYI, it really annoys me when an author gets legal issues incorrect.
As for the “meat” of the short story, it was rather slow albeit short.
Happenings
Before I get into the Pad Thai, I am announcing that I finally finished my Bosch Legacy Season 1 Review and Recap. It needs a little more bells and whistles, but the basic review and recap is there if you want a look-see. Unlike “Switchblade,” it was good.
And (drumroll here) … all my Pad Thai recipes: Pad Thai sauce without tamarind, Tofu Pad Thai, Ground Beef Pad Thai, Chicken Pad Thai, Crab Pad Thai, Beef Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai, and Pork Pad Thai.