Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst kicks off our Month of Eastern Europe in the Mystery Book Club on October 3rd. Set in 1940, the action goes all over the place, from Paris to the Balkan states. Costa Zannis is a Greek detective charged with keeping his town, Salonika, running smoothly. A fix it man if you will. He has a life that suits him, a faithful dog, and family nearby. WWII turns his world, and most of the continent, upside down. When the Nazis invade Greece, Costa is off with the Army where he befriends Marko Pavlic, a cop from over the border in Zagreb. Soon enough that friendship becomes useful as Hitler implements his final solution. Furst keeps the action lively, the story moving, and has some interesting female characters too.

October 17th the Travel Essay Book Club discusses Blue River, Black Sea by Andrew Eames. Starting in Germany, Eames bikes, hikes, rides, and boats his way through hill and dale all the way to the Black Sea. The Danube is the longest river in Europe, 2840 kilometers, a lot of territory to cover. He spends time with a Transylvanian Count. (Hmm, now that brings to mind some odd happenings in a tome by Bram Stoker). He rides a puddle challenged horse in Hungary (whoever heard of a horse afraid of puddles?). The length of the Danube provides plenty opportunity for adventure. Eames is an engaging author, he writes a bit like having a conversation with a well read, chatty, but intelligent friend. As he travels through the countries with his river, he gives us a look at their history and how they are faring today. We discussed Andrew Eames earlier book, The 8:55 to Baghdad, in book club a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.