All titles by Agatha Christie unless otherwise indicated.
Murder is Easy - a recently retired policeman has arrived in England. He meets an elderly woman on a train who confides to him that she's on her way to Scotland Yard to tell them about a series of what she believes are murders in her village. He thinks she's probably gaga but when he learns of her death later that day and the death of the doctor in her village he decides to investigate for himself. Christie cleverly leads you to suspect everyone at some point. She also has some clever remarks about the class system in England. This is called a Superintendent Battle book but he only appears in the last 10 pages or so.
4 stars
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After the Funeral - at the funeral of a wealthy man, his odd sister remarks that of course he was murdered. When everyone is aghast at her statement, she quickly retracts it. But when she is savagely murdered the next day, people begin to wonder. Poirot is called in by the family solicitor. Once again, everyone is a suspect. A very clever solution.
4 stars
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Sad Cypress - a woman is accused of poisoning a woman she is jealous of and the evidence is so compelling even she wonders if she did it. She certainly wanted to. Poirot to the rescue. I think the solution to this one is a little far fetched , I even remembered it from my previous reading.
3 stars
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I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga - Jasper Dent presents himself as a normal teenage boy. But he's very worried about himself and those around him. His father is the world's most notorious serial killer and Jasper has been brought up to be just like dad. When there is a murder in his small town, Jasper immediately suspects a serial killer. He decides his special insight will help him find the killer. A gory, brutal book, the first in a trilogy I won't continue. Read this as a break from Agatha, big mistake.
1 star
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Taken at the Flood - the Cloade family has always depended on the wealth and generosity of Gordon Cloade. So when the elderly man marries a young widow there is consternation. And when he is killed during one of the bomb raids in London their worst fears come true. The new wife inherits the money and she and her brother take over the family home. But it's a stranger's murder that draws Hercule Poirot into the mystery.
3 stars
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Evil Under the Sun - a femme fatale, her current toy, his jealous wife, and her seemingly indifferent husband are at an exclusive beach resort off the coast of England. So is Hercule Poirot, who can't seem to have a quiet vacation. Because the woman is found murdered, with everyone having an airtight alibi. This is one with a lovely twist at the end.
4 stars
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N or M - the years have gone by, it's WWII, and Tommy and Tuppence are bemoaning the fact that the war effort doesn't seem to want them despite their past success. Then Tommy is sent to a boarding house in a small seaside town that unaccountably may be the headquarters of the head of the Fifth Column, the dreaded German spies and sympathizers that may bring England down from within. Naturally Tuppence finds a way to include herself and there are a lot of possibilities to choose from. It wouldn't be Christie if there wasn't a good twist. More of a spy novel than a mystery.
3 stars
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Don't Make Me Pull Over! An Informal History of the Family Road Trip by Richard Ratay - the author, youngest of four children recounts his family's road trips during the 70's. He also gives us the history of roads, autos, motels, drive-thrus, and roadside attractions. All in an easy-to-read breezy way. I'm a little too old to get the nostalgia of the 70's but still found this enjoyable.
3 stars
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The Body in the Library - Colonel and Mrs Bantry (my favorite couple in the Miss Marple series) wake to find the body of a complete stranger in their library. Since the body is a young, blond woman, tongues begin to wag almost immediately. Mrs. Bantry begs Miss Marple to help her solve the mystery. Miss Marple is more likeable in this book and the police are practically begging her for her insight. Lots of twists and turns before the culprit is found.
4 stars
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The Boy at the Keyhole by Stephen Giles - 9 yo Samuel lives in a sprawling house with only the housekeeper and a part time gardener. His father is dead and his mother left in the middle of the night to sail to America in order to get funds for their business. Samuel's only communication with his mother are the postcards she sporadically sends from all over America. Gradually, Samuel begins to think the housekeeper has done away with his mother. Because he's only 9, his understanding of some things isn't quite right. A rather slow moving book with a big twist at the end. And then a very unsatisfying ending.
3 stars
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Hercule Poirot's Christmas - a tyrannical old man is found murdered in a locked room. He has called his four sons and one grandaughter home for Christmas - not for a warm family time but so he can berate and bedevil them. Poirot happens to be spending Christmas with the Chief Constable of the area, who is more than happy to have his assistance. I did remember whodunnit this time but still enjoyed it very much.
4 stars
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