The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie - Hercules Poirot receives a letter warning him there will be a murder in a certain town on a certain date, signed ABC. He's afraid the first murder won't be the last and he's right. Another letter is received and the police are stymied. Even Poirot seems at a loss. We even get a glimpse into the murderer's mind. Or do we?
3.5 stars
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Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie - Poirot is on a plane flying from France to England when a woman is found dead. The murder weapon is most unusual and it seems no one could have used it without being seen. Everyone is a suspect, including Poirot, as the murder weapon is found in his seat pocket. I miss Hastings in this one but a good love complication makes up for it.
3 star
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Walking Shadows by Faye Kellerman - Peter Decker is on a routine call about vandalized mailboxes when he discovers the body of a young man. When he discovers the young man was the son of a man accused of murdering the owners of a jewelry store 20 years ago he wonders if there is a connection. This turns into a very convoluted story involving too many people with names starting with B. There's also way too much talking about what they're eating. The ending was anti-climatic and unsatisfying.
2 stars
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Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie - no famous detectives in this one. Instead, Bobby Jones finds himself in a mystery when he and his golfing partner find a dying man at the bottom of a cliff. His dying words, "why didn't they ask Evans?" and a picture in his pocket won't leave Bobby's mind and soon he and his childhood friend, Lady Frances Derwent, are doing some sleuthing. They are not nearly as inconspicuous as they believe and soon find themselves in grave danger. They are somewhat irritating as Bright Young Things. I think I have not read this before.
4 stars
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Whiskey Sour by J.A. Konrath - the first in a series featuring Jack Daniels, a police lieutenant. She suffers from insomnia, her boyfriend has just left her, and the first victim of a serial killer has just been found. And unbeknownst to her, the killer now has her in his sights. Way too graphic. I won't continue this series.
1 star
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Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie - four sleuths and four possible murderers gather at Mr Shaitana's house for dinner and bridge. Before the night is over, the host is dead and no one saw who did it. Since the four sleuths are Hercules Poirot, Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race, and Ariadne Oliver, there are many theories. Each have their own way of investigating and Poirot's seems the most superfluous. Of course there's a touch of romance.
4.5 stars
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