Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz, by invitation of the Ian Fleming estate - 007 is dead and it's time for James Bond to be promoted to the 00 ranks. His mission is to find who is responsible for his predecessors death and the secrets he had uncovered. It's been a long time since I read a Bond book and perhaps I should have read one previous to this so that I could compare. This felt flat to me.
2 stars
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Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot is traveling by train with quite a mix of people. There's royalty, diplomats, servants, secretaries, and assorted other travelers. Then a murder is committed and at the same time as the train encounters a snowdrift. So the only possibility is that someone on the train is the murderer. Poirot is at his best as he uses his interview technique and his mind to find the culprit.
4 stars
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Past Tense by Lee Child - Jack Reacher decides to travel from New England to San Diego to spend the winter there. On one of his hitchhiked rides he sees the sign for the town his father was from. He decides to take a little detour and see what he can find out since his father never talked about it. When he learns no one named Reacher lived there he decides to dig a little deeper. Meanwhile, two young people from Canada have gotten into a bad situation at a remote hotel. Somehow the two intertwine. The usual Reacher-style violence.
3 stars
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Proof of Life by J.A. Jance - a J.P. Beaumont book and he's not dealing with retirement very well. So when the goddaughter of his old nemesis, Maxwell Cole, asks him to look into death in a fire, he's more than eager. But with no official standing it's going to be tricky. There's also a side story involving J.P.'s wife and a dog. The first few chapters involve a lot of reminiscing about an old case that was quite complicated, I had to read it three times to get things straight. J.P. has always been a favorite of mine, partly because he lives in Seattle. But now that he's getting up there in age he's getting a little more crotchety and does a lot of remembering when. It may be time for his books to retire as well.
3 stars
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Nov 11 - 17, 2018
The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie - what starts with the unexplained death of a priest leads to some spooky goings on at an old pub turned residence named The Pale Horse. There, three women live who claim they can influence others to believe they will die. And there are some innocent deaths that may not be so innocent. The story is narrated mostly by Mark Easterbrook, an author and friend of Ariadne Oliver. He begins digging and finds what he believes to be true evil. Christie has some fun using Mrs. Oliver to talk about writing.
3.5 stars
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At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple is having a little holiday, courtesy of her nephew and his wife, at Bertram's Hotel. A well established, old fashioned hotel that seems to have the ability to not change with the times and provides the kind of English service the elderly and Americans love. But Miss Marple overhears some things that lead her to wonder if everything is so wonderful as it seems. And when Canon Pennyfather disappears she has some important information for the police.
3 stars
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Third Girl by Agatha Christie - a young woman comes to Poirot, dazed and distraught, claiming she may have murdered someone. She then leaves, saying he is too old to help her. Feeling slightly offended, Poirot enlists his friend Ariadne Oliver to help him find the young woman. A rather convoluted plot. I found the descriptions of the 60's young people rather amusing. Mrs. Oliver is at her finest though.
3 stars
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Endless Night by Agatha Christie - Michael Rogers falls in love with a plot of land with a derelict house on it and also a curse. Without any money, he is sure his dreams will never come true. But then on that very plot of land he meets a young woman and falls in love. And she happens to be a very wealthy American. They marry, build their dream house, and live happily ever after. But this is Christie, so of course they don't. Narrated by Michael, this is an ever darkening novel. Somehow I've never read this. One of Christie's favorites.
4.5 stars
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4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie - Mrs Mcgillicuddy witnesses a murder as her train slowly passes another. She can get no one to believe her until she arrives at her friend Miss Marple's house. Miss Marple does some actual physical sleuthing and then recruits some help to investigate a large house and its occupants.
4 stars
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The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager - fifteen years ago Emma Davis, the youngest girl in a cabin of four, wakes to find that her cabin mates have disappeared. In spite of a massive search, they are not found and Camp Nightingale has closed down. Now a successful artist, Emma is asked by the owner of the camp to come back as an instructor as she reopens the camp. Emma has reasons of her own to want to return. Boy, did this have twists and turns. The story from fifteen years ago is gradually revealed and things in the present get scarier and scarier. The twists keep going until the very end. Some language, I suppose it's the way girls talk to each other now.
5 stars
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By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie - Tommy and Tuppence are visiting an old aunt at a rest home when one of the other residents asks Tuppence if it was her child hidden in the chimney. Soon, Tuppence is drawn into the mystery of a missing elderly woman, a mysterious house, and a crime ring. Lots of repetition in this. And all the talk about being old made me feel old too.
2 stars
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Murder at the Mansion by Sheila Connolly - Asheford Maryland is a dying community with only one asset, the Barton Mansion. Katherine Hamilton is asked by her friend to come up with some ideas to resuscitate the town and it looks like the mansion is the best bet. But the body on the front steps isn't going to help. This book needed some serious editing. Lots of repetition, word for word only pages apart. And the main character was almost as unlikable as the murder victim, imo.
1 stars
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A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple has been sent to the Caribbean by her nephew and feels a little out of her element at first. And when she suspects an elderly man's death is not natural causes, she's not sure who to turn to. And she is very much worried that there is more murder to come.
3 stars
3.5 stars
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At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple is having a little holiday, courtesy of her nephew and his wife, at Bertram's Hotel. A well established, old fashioned hotel that seems to have the ability to not change with the times and provides the kind of English service the elderly and Americans love. But Miss Marple overhears some things that lead her to wonder if everything is so wonderful as it seems. And when Canon Pennyfather disappears she has some important information for the police.
3 stars
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Third Girl by Agatha Christie - a young woman comes to Poirot, dazed and distraught, claiming she may have murdered someone. She then leaves, saying he is too old to help her. Feeling slightly offended, Poirot enlists his friend Ariadne Oliver to help him find the young woman. A rather convoluted plot. I found the descriptions of the 60's young people rather amusing. Mrs. Oliver is at her finest though.
3 stars
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Endless Night by Agatha Christie - Michael Rogers falls in love with a plot of land with a derelict house on it and also a curse. Without any money, he is sure his dreams will never come true. But then on that very plot of land he meets a young woman and falls in love. And she happens to be a very wealthy American. They marry, build their dream house, and live happily ever after. But this is Christie, so of course they don't. Narrated by Michael, this is an ever darkening novel. Somehow I've never read this. One of Christie's favorites.
4.5 stars
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4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie - Mrs Mcgillicuddy witnesses a murder as her train slowly passes another. She can get no one to believe her until she arrives at her friend Miss Marple's house. Miss Marple does some actual physical sleuthing and then recruits some help to investigate a large house and its occupants.
4 stars
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The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager - fifteen years ago Emma Davis, the youngest girl in a cabin of four, wakes to find that her cabin mates have disappeared. In spite of a massive search, they are not found and Camp Nightingale has closed down. Now a successful artist, Emma is asked by the owner of the camp to come back as an instructor as she reopens the camp. Emma has reasons of her own to want to return. Boy, did this have twists and turns. The story from fifteen years ago is gradually revealed and things in the present get scarier and scarier. The twists keep going until the very end. Some language, I suppose it's the way girls talk to each other now.
5 stars
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By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie - Tommy and Tuppence are visiting an old aunt at a rest home when one of the other residents asks Tuppence if it was her child hidden in the chimney. Soon, Tuppence is drawn into the mystery of a missing elderly woman, a mysterious house, and a crime ring. Lots of repetition in this. And all the talk about being old made me feel old too.
2 stars
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Murder at the Mansion by Sheila Connolly - Asheford Maryland is a dying community with only one asset, the Barton Mansion. Katherine Hamilton is asked by her friend to come up with some ideas to resuscitate the town and it looks like the mansion is the best bet. But the body on the front steps isn't going to help. This book needed some serious editing. Lots of repetition, word for word only pages apart. And the main character was almost as unlikable as the murder victim, imo.
1 stars
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A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple has been sent to the Caribbean by her nephew and feels a little out of her element at first. And when she suspects an elderly man's death is not natural causes, she's not sure who to turn to. And she is very much worried that there is more murder to come.
3 stars
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Nov 4 - 10, 2018
All by Agatha Christie
Dead Man's Folly - Hercule Poirot is called to a rich man's estate by his old friend Ariadne Oliver. She's there to arrange a murder game and feels she's being manipulated and that there is something wrong. It turns out she's right when the person playing the murder victim is actually murdered. Poirot is very frustrated that he couldn't prevent the murder and has no idea who the perpetrator is. And the rich man's wife has gone missing. I remembered this from past reading or watching the tv series so that took a little away from my enjoyment.
3 stars
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Ordeal by Innocence - several members of a family are at home when the mother is murdered. They would all be suspects if not for the fact that the black sheep of the family if arrested, found guilty, and then dies in prison. But then a man appears who can prove the alibi of the accused. And everyone is a suspect again. A little repetitious as everyone goes over the facts again to each other and the police. And the theories about adoption and mother love were very much of the 1950's.
4 stars
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Cat Among the Pigeons - intrigue in the Middle East and missing jewels converge on a very respected girl's school in England. Murder and kidnapping ensue and it's not until Hercule Poirot appears in the latter portion of the book that all is made clear. Not one of the best although I liked the founder of the school quite a bit.
3 stars
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The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding - six short stories featuring Poirot and Miss Marple. The best was the title.
3 stars
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Double Sin - eight short stories, most of which I've read in other collections. A couple of supernatural ones in this group, including The Dressmaker's Doll which I found pretty creepy.
3 stars
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The Clocks - a stenographer is sent to a client's house where she finds the body of a man behind the sofa. The homeowner, who is blind, denies having sent for her and has no knowledge of the man. Told partly from the viewpoint of Colin Lamb, a spy hunter and friend of Hercule Poirot. Poirot is almost incidental to the story but of course he solves everything from his armchair.
4 stars
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The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side - St Mary Mead is agog with the news that a famous actress and her husband have bought Gossington Hall. When a gala is held, everyone and anyone attends. And there a nondescript woman dies from poison in her drink. Who was really the intended victim? Miss Marple, who has been feeling out of sorts and a little left behind, comes to the rescue with her little insights into human character. I find it almost as disconcerting to be with Christie in the 60's as Miss Marple does.
4 stars
Dead Man's Folly - Hercule Poirot is called to a rich man's estate by his old friend Ariadne Oliver. She's there to arrange a murder game and feels she's being manipulated and that there is something wrong. It turns out she's right when the person playing the murder victim is actually murdered. Poirot is very frustrated that he couldn't prevent the murder and has no idea who the perpetrator is. And the rich man's wife has gone missing. I remembered this from past reading or watching the tv series so that took a little away from my enjoyment.
3 stars
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Ordeal by Innocence - several members of a family are at home when the mother is murdered. They would all be suspects if not for the fact that the black sheep of the family if arrested, found guilty, and then dies in prison. But then a man appears who can prove the alibi of the accused. And everyone is a suspect again. A little repetitious as everyone goes over the facts again to each other and the police. And the theories about adoption and mother love were very much of the 1950's.
4 stars
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Cat Among the Pigeons - intrigue in the Middle East and missing jewels converge on a very respected girl's school in England. Murder and kidnapping ensue and it's not until Hercule Poirot appears in the latter portion of the book that all is made clear. Not one of the best although I liked the founder of the school quite a bit.
3 stars
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The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding - six short stories featuring Poirot and Miss Marple. The best was the title.
3 stars
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Double Sin - eight short stories, most of which I've read in other collections. A couple of supernatural ones in this group, including The Dressmaker's Doll which I found pretty creepy.
3 stars
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The Clocks - a stenographer is sent to a client's house where she finds the body of a man behind the sofa. The homeowner, who is blind, denies having sent for her and has no knowledge of the man. Told partly from the viewpoint of Colin Lamb, a spy hunter and friend of Hercule Poirot. Poirot is almost incidental to the story but of course he solves everything from his armchair.
4 stars
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The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side - St Mary Mead is agog with the news that a famous actress and her husband have bought Gossington Hall. When a gala is held, everyone and anyone attends. And there a nondescript woman dies from poison in her drink. Who was really the intended victim? Miss Marple, who has been feeling out of sorts and a little left behind, comes to the rescue with her little insights into human character. I find it almost as disconcerting to be with Christie in the 60's as Miss Marple does.
4 stars
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Oct 28 - Nov 3, 2018
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena - several guests arrive at a remote mountain cabin, all of them with different reasons for coming. What starts as a romantic snowfall becomes a trap when an ice storm cuts off all communication and no way to get out. It soon becomes evident there is a murderer among them. Told in present tense by all the characters, you're soon waiting for the next victim and trying to figure out the perpetrator. The tension builds right until the end. And there's one more surprise.
4 stars
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They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie - several diverse people converge on Baghdad right before a secret international conference. The good guys are anxiously awaiting a man with proof of a nefarious organization stirring up trouble between nations. And the bad guys are just as anxious to stop him. And we don't know who's who. Into all this stumbles Victoria Jones, a rather naive young woman wanting some adventure. It takes a long time to introduce everyone and I almost lost interest before the middle of the book. Christie actually lived in Baghdad for a time and really makes the city come alive.
3 stars
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Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear - Cat Kinsella became a police officer partly because of her disillusionment with her father at a young age. A body is dumped near her father's pub that reminds her of a young woman who disappeared years ago. And she's positive her father had something to do with it. This is a debut novel that really had me guessing and wondering. Cat's memories as an 8 year old color her entire life but she's finding they might not be accurate. I didn't like her but have to know how she's going to keep her secrets so I'll be reading the second book in the series. Quite a bit of language.
4 stars
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Crooked House by Agatha Christie - all the family living in the household of patriarch Aristide Leionides loved him and yet his death has been found to be murder. The family would love the murderer to be the new, young wife. But maybe everyone has a secret reason to want him dead. One of the most shocking culprits and one of Christie's favorites.
4 stars
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They Do It with Mirrors by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple is asked to visit an old friend whose home is now being used as a rehabilitation center for juvenile delinquents run by her husband. Something doesn't seem quite right and this is proved when a disturbed young man threatens the director. Shots are fired but someone else is found dead. There are lots of suspects and Miss Marple has some acute observations to share with the police.
3 stars
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The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth - 12 year old Sami and his grandfather have recently arrived in Boston after a harrowing refugee journey from Afghanistan. Sami finds America loud and brash and he would prefer to not be noticed. But when his Baba's rebab (a traditional Afghan instrument) is stolen he has to find a way to get it back. Even when he has no money and must raise $700 in a month. I really enjoyed learning about Afghan culture and how that was woven into the story. And Sami's widening group of friends are great.
4 stars
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Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie - a string of thefts at a youth hostel interest Poirot at first only because they affect the efficiency of his secretary, Miss Lemon. She is worried about her sister who is the manager there. I found this story to be a little too twisted with too many characters. And the way the foreign students are described is a little jarring from this century's perspective.
3 stars
4 stars
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They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie - several diverse people converge on Baghdad right before a secret international conference. The good guys are anxiously awaiting a man with proof of a nefarious organization stirring up trouble between nations. And the bad guys are just as anxious to stop him. And we don't know who's who. Into all this stumbles Victoria Jones, a rather naive young woman wanting some adventure. It takes a long time to introduce everyone and I almost lost interest before the middle of the book. Christie actually lived in Baghdad for a time and really makes the city come alive.
3 stars
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Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear - Cat Kinsella became a police officer partly because of her disillusionment with her father at a young age. A body is dumped near her father's pub that reminds her of a young woman who disappeared years ago. And she's positive her father had something to do with it. This is a debut novel that really had me guessing and wondering. Cat's memories as an 8 year old color her entire life but she's finding they might not be accurate. I didn't like her but have to know how she's going to keep her secrets so I'll be reading the second book in the series. Quite a bit of language.
4 stars
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Crooked House by Agatha Christie - all the family living in the household of patriarch Aristide Leionides loved him and yet his death has been found to be murder. The family would love the murderer to be the new, young wife. But maybe everyone has a secret reason to want him dead. One of the most shocking culprits and one of Christie's favorites.
4 stars
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They Do It with Mirrors by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple is asked to visit an old friend whose home is now being used as a rehabilitation center for juvenile delinquents run by her husband. Something doesn't seem quite right and this is proved when a disturbed young man threatens the director. Shots are fired but someone else is found dead. There are lots of suspects and Miss Marple has some acute observations to share with the police.
3 stars
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The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth - 12 year old Sami and his grandfather have recently arrived in Boston after a harrowing refugee journey from Afghanistan. Sami finds America loud and brash and he would prefer to not be noticed. But when his Baba's rebab (a traditional Afghan instrument) is stolen he has to find a way to get it back. Even when he has no money and must raise $700 in a month. I really enjoyed learning about Afghan culture and how that was woven into the story. And Sami's widening group of friends are great.
4 stars
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Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie - a string of thefts at a youth hostel interest Poirot at first only because they affect the efficiency of his secretary, Miss Lemon. She is worried about her sister who is the manager there. I found this story to be a little too twisted with too many characters. And the way the foreign students are described is a little jarring from this century's perspective.
3 stars
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