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
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Oct 21 - 27, 2018
Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie - a collection of short stories. The first is the best and longest of the group and is what the play Mousetrap is based on. Several people are trapped in a boarding house during a snowstorm and one of them is a murderer. Another good one is Tape-Measure Murder featuring Miss Marple.
4 stars
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Transcription by Kate Atkinson - Juliet is almost against her will recruited into MI5 at the beginning of WWII. Her purpose is to transcribe the recordings of a group of fifth columnists in an apartment. Unknown to them, they are being run by an agent of MI5. Soon, Juliet is also playing the part of a spy infiltrating a group of women. Ten years later Juliet works at the BBC but is still doing some work for the government. The whole time Juliet has never been sure of the loyalties of the many people she works with and neither are we. I loved the way this was written but didn't always know what was going on and am still slightly unsure.
4 stars
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Mrs McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie - the murderer of Mrs McGinty has been found, tried, and convicted but Superintendent Spence has some doubts. He goes to his friend Hercule Poirot and asks him to investigate. Poirot is running into dead ends until a chance remark leads him to someone with a hidden past that they are desperate to conceal.
4 stars
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The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie - a collection of short stories, all featuring Hercule Poirot. At least one of them was expanded into a full length book. I listened to half of these on audio book and enjoyed the narration by Hugh Fraser and David Suchet. But couldn't stay awake.
3 stars
4 stars
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Transcription by Kate Atkinson - Juliet is almost against her will recruited into MI5 at the beginning of WWII. Her purpose is to transcribe the recordings of a group of fifth columnists in an apartment. Unknown to them, they are being run by an agent of MI5. Soon, Juliet is also playing the part of a spy infiltrating a group of women. Ten years later Juliet works at the BBC but is still doing some work for the government. The whole time Juliet has never been sure of the loyalties of the many people she works with and neither are we. I loved the way this was written but didn't always know what was going on and am still slightly unsure.
4 stars
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Mrs McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie - the murderer of Mrs McGinty has been found, tried, and convicted but Superintendent Spence has some doubts. He goes to his friend Hercule Poirot and asks him to investigate. Poirot is running into dead ends until a chance remark leads him to someone with a hidden past that they are desperate to conceal.
4 stars
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The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie - a collection of short stories, all featuring Hercule Poirot. At least one of them was expanded into a full length book. I listened to half of these on audio book and enjoyed the narration by Hugh Fraser and David Suchet. But couldn't stay awake.
3 stars
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Oct 14 - 20, 2018
All books by Agatha Christie except as indicated.
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe - shortly after Hercule Poirot visits his dentist the man is found dead. There's lots of waffling on whether it was suicide or murder, with Poirot on the murder side. It looks like he may be right when two more people die. The government gets involved and it seems things will be hushed up for national security reasons. But Poirot is always interested in the human angle and keeps digging. I found this one confusing and convoluted.
2 stars
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Five Little Pigs - 16 years ago a woman was convicted of killing her famous artist husband. Now, the just turned 21 daughter comes to Poirot with a letter from her mother stating her innocence. Poirot must try to reconstruct an old crime and he does so by visiting the 5 other people in the house at the time. He gets 5 different interpretations so there is quite a bit of repetition in the story. It's still satisfying to see Poirot ferret out the truth.
3 stars
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Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks by John Curran - after the death of Christie's daughter, 73 notebooks were discovered. They contained plots, characters, and setting for many of her books along with reminders to herself, Christmas lists, and books she had read. The author, who discovered the books, goes into great detail about them. Almost too much. I did skip portions as there are spoilers (there are warnings) for books I haven't read. Too dry for me.
2.5 stars
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Towards Zero - several people are gathered at the beach house of an elderly widow. Including the current and ex-wife of a tennis player. When the widow is murdered all the signs point to the tennis player. But Superintendent Battle is suspicious at the wealth of clues. And it looks like a natural death may not be so natural after all. I was totally surprised by the identity of the culprit and really liked how the book led up to the murder. I don't think I've read this before.
4 stars
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Death Comes as the End - a very different Christie book, a historical mystery set in ancient Egypt. A widowed daughter returns to her childhood home and everything is still the same. Her brothers are under the thumb of her father, a ka-priest of some wealth. Her sister-in-laws are still squabbling and a household member is still stirring up trouble. Then her father returns from his travels with a beautiful concubine and the trouble really starts. The body count is really high in this, which does eventually cut down on the number of suspects.
3.5 stars
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The Moving Finger - a man recovering from an accident and his sister move to the quiet village of Lymstock and almost immediately receive an anonymous letter accusing them of vile behavior and not being really related. It seems there has been an outbreak of these letters and eventually one of them causes a suicide. This is classified as a Miss Marple but she's doesn't appear until very late and in almost a cameo role. Most of the detecting is done by the narrator. This is also a rather odd love story.
4 stars
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The Labors of Hercules - a collection of short stories in which Poirot decides to take just twelve more cases before he retires. And he wants each of them to resemble a feat of Hercules.
3 stars
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Sparkling Cyanide - one year ago a beautiful wife and sister commits suicide during a dinner at a fancy restaurant. Now her husband wants to have a dinner in her honor at the same place with the same people with one exception, an empty chair for a mysterious guest. Of course someone ends up dead. Again, everyone is a suspect and everyone has a good reason. However, no one could have done it. This is an adaptation of a short story that featured Hercule Poirot. But here the police are aided by Colonel Race.
4 stars
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The Hollow - Hercule Poirot arrives at the home of the Angkatells to find a scene that he believes is fake - a man lies bleeding into the pool with a woman standing over him holding a gun while family members look on in horror. But it is not an act, the man was shot, apparently by his wife. All this happens after we've been introduced to all the characters and learned the reason his wife may have wanted to kill him. I didn't like any of the people in this book, I believe I'm in the minority.
3 stars
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The Listerdale Mystery - a collection of short stories.
Witness for the Prosecution - a collection of short stories. On the list I'm using to keep track of all my Christies, these two collections had stories listed that were not in the edition I was reading. But between the two of them all the stories were represented. Witness for the Prosecution was my favorite.
3 stars
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A Murder is Announced - a notice is placed in the local paper of Clipping Cleghorn (one of my favorite village names) saying a murder will occur at a certain house at 6:30. Naturally, several people show up, expecting to play a game of Murder. Instead, a young man bursts in, shots are fired, and the young man is dead on the floor. Why, Who, and How? Miss Marple happens to be in town visiting the vicar's wife so she is able to assist the police.
4 stars
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe - shortly after Hercule Poirot visits his dentist the man is found dead. There's lots of waffling on whether it was suicide or murder, with Poirot on the murder side. It looks like he may be right when two more people die. The government gets involved and it seems things will be hushed up for national security reasons. But Poirot is always interested in the human angle and keeps digging. I found this one confusing and convoluted.
2 stars
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Five Little Pigs - 16 years ago a woman was convicted of killing her famous artist husband. Now, the just turned 21 daughter comes to Poirot with a letter from her mother stating her innocence. Poirot must try to reconstruct an old crime and he does so by visiting the 5 other people in the house at the time. He gets 5 different interpretations so there is quite a bit of repetition in the story. It's still satisfying to see Poirot ferret out the truth.
3 stars
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Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks by John Curran - after the death of Christie's daughter, 73 notebooks were discovered. They contained plots, characters, and setting for many of her books along with reminders to herself, Christmas lists, and books she had read. The author, who discovered the books, goes into great detail about them. Almost too much. I did skip portions as there are spoilers (there are warnings) for books I haven't read. Too dry for me.
2.5 stars
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Towards Zero - several people are gathered at the beach house of an elderly widow. Including the current and ex-wife of a tennis player. When the widow is murdered all the signs point to the tennis player. But Superintendent Battle is suspicious at the wealth of clues. And it looks like a natural death may not be so natural after all. I was totally surprised by the identity of the culprit and really liked how the book led up to the murder. I don't think I've read this before.
4 stars
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Death Comes as the End - a very different Christie book, a historical mystery set in ancient Egypt. A widowed daughter returns to her childhood home and everything is still the same. Her brothers are under the thumb of her father, a ka-priest of some wealth. Her sister-in-laws are still squabbling and a household member is still stirring up trouble. Then her father returns from his travels with a beautiful concubine and the trouble really starts. The body count is really high in this, which does eventually cut down on the number of suspects.
3.5 stars
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The Moving Finger - a man recovering from an accident and his sister move to the quiet village of Lymstock and almost immediately receive an anonymous letter accusing them of vile behavior and not being really related. It seems there has been an outbreak of these letters and eventually one of them causes a suicide. This is classified as a Miss Marple but she's doesn't appear until very late and in almost a cameo role. Most of the detecting is done by the narrator. This is also a rather odd love story.
4 stars
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The Labors of Hercules - a collection of short stories in which Poirot decides to take just twelve more cases before he retires. And he wants each of them to resemble a feat of Hercules.
3 stars
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Sparkling Cyanide - one year ago a beautiful wife and sister commits suicide during a dinner at a fancy restaurant. Now her husband wants to have a dinner in her honor at the same place with the same people with one exception, an empty chair for a mysterious guest. Of course someone ends up dead. Again, everyone is a suspect and everyone has a good reason. However, no one could have done it. This is an adaptation of a short story that featured Hercule Poirot. But here the police are aided by Colonel Race.
4 stars
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The Hollow - Hercule Poirot arrives at the home of the Angkatells to find a scene that he believes is fake - a man lies bleeding into the pool with a woman standing over him holding a gun while family members look on in horror. But it is not an act, the man was shot, apparently by his wife. All this happens after we've been introduced to all the characters and learned the reason his wife may have wanted to kill him. I didn't like any of the people in this book, I believe I'm in the minority.
3 stars
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The Listerdale Mystery - a collection of short stories.
Witness for the Prosecution - a collection of short stories. On the list I'm using to keep track of all my Christies, these two collections had stories listed that were not in the edition I was reading. But between the two of them all the stories were represented. Witness for the Prosecution was my favorite.
3 stars
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A Murder is Announced - a notice is placed in the local paper of Clipping Cleghorn (one of my favorite village names) saying a murder will occur at a certain house at 6:30. Naturally, several people show up, expecting to play a game of Murder. Instead, a young man bursts in, shots are fired, and the young man is dead on the floor. Why, Who, and How? Miss Marple happens to be in town visiting the vicar's wife so she is able to assist the police.
4 stars
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Oct 6 - 12, 2018
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
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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