Book Chat - CLOSED by original moderator discussion

We all want to know:

What are you reading?

How many stars?

Synopsis?

Did you like it?

Why?

Why not?

What I am reading: Delicious (listening)
The Last Midwife
The Bachman Books a compilation of four books. I've finished two of them.

I just found out I need to pick up another book, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal!!

I'll let you know the other answers after I have finished the books.

Marti wrote: "What I am reading: Delicious (listening)
The Last Midwife
The Bachman Books a compilation of four books. I've finished two of them.

I just found out I need to pick up another book, Lamb: The Gosp..."

I ♥ Lamb, so much that I own a hardcover cop y....

A Shadowed Evil, Alys Clare

★ ★ ★ ★

This is a new series for me.... I saw it on the Library's shelf (and I know I didn't buy it for the collection) and it looked pretty interesting...

I'm happy to say that I liked it so much I read it in 2 days!

Helewise & Josse are headed to his family home to visit his dying Uncle.... What they find is a house protected by a great benevolent spirit, a terrified little boy, a kow-towed family, an Uncles in & out of coherency, an evil daughter-in-law, and a murdered stranger.....

There was quit a bit of intrigue and I was quite happy when "just desserts" were served up....

I liked the characters and I liked the story, it held my interest.

Maggie’s Mistake by Carolyn Brown ★★★

Those of you familiar with my reading tastes might be scratching your head here; this is an Avalon Historical Romance and I gave it 3 stars because I liked it. You are not seeing things. A friend recommended this, and once in a while I do read these sorts of forced marriage or marriage of convenience plots. They are predictable, of course, but it’s part of the fun when I read them.

Maggie and Everett wake up to Maggie’s dad’s blunderbuss pointed at them, even though they are innocent of any wrongdoing. That very morning they are married with a shotgun as the maid of honour, but not to worry, Everett will have it annulled and they can go on with their lives. After all, he is a serious doctor and she’s a country hick with a reputation for not being the brightest bulb in the box—wait, that’s an anachronistic analogy, but you get the drift. Naturally, these plans are foiled because they spend that night in the same house, albeit in different rooms, so now they have to work on a divorce. Maggie, however, turns out to be one of the brightest bulbs in the box, and although she is totally clueless due to lack of mirrors, absolutely beautiful. What else would you expect from an Avalon Historical Romance???

Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym ★★★

A farce written by Barbara Pym before others she published first, this was published posthumously based on an old manuscript copy with the author's pencilled in correcitons. Excellent women, curates, professors, beautiful young students, meddling gossips and more work together in an early rendering of the characters and sorts of characters that mark Barbara Pyms fiction. Crampton Hodnet isn't even a real place, just a last minute excuse made by a curate who inadvertently walked too long with a spinster (later known in her books as excellent women), but comes up a number of times in reference to various incidents.

If you are a Barbara Pym fan and haven't yet read this book, then it's a must read for you. I liked it, but am not as keen on the humour; I suspect that this is a book I should have listened to.

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson – 4****
What an absolute delight! Simonson’s writing reminds me of Jane Austen's novels. Simonson sets her story in a small English village, whose residents would prefer that time stand still notwithstanding major outside influences. The villagers are left reacting to changes that make them very uncomfortable. Against these global events, however, is the very personal story of these characters; this is where Simonson shines. She has a great gift for dialogue and for creating a social structure that draws the reader into the small dramas of life that give her work universal appeal.
Full Review HERE

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – 4****
Wow. The plot is intricate and compelling, the characters complex and interesting, and the writing is simply wonderful. And, of course, we have the marvelous Cemetery of Forgotten Books. This is a dark, gothic novel full of mystery and intrigue. At heart it is a story of man’s struggle against his baser instincts. Although there are many twists in the plot, Zafón keeps some major surprises for the ending. Dan Stevens is simply marvelous performing the audio version.
Full Review HERE

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham – 2**
What’s the male equivalent of chick-lit? Jock-lit? Well, whatever term we use, this novel is it. Light on plot (and what’s there is predictable), a little romance, a life lesson learned (sort of), and a lot of football. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed some of the scenes that explored Italian culture. Evan Welch does a fairly good job of voicing the audio. He has good pacing and I liked the way he voiced the Italians.
Full Review HERE

The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell – 3***
This is book #3 in the cozy mystery series featuring Mrs Hepzibah Jeffries, housekeeper to Inspector Gerald Witherspoon, and her team of servants who all help solve the crimes. It’s a fast read, full of colorful characters, and I enjoyed watching Mrs Jeffries figure it out and gently coaxing the Inspector towards the correct solution to the mystery.
Full Review HERE

Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator by Homer Hickam 4 stars

my review

If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t) by Betty White – 2.5**
I feel a little mean not liking this more. I love Betty White, and some of the essays in this book are spot on perfect. But it’s pretty lightweight in substance, and while it is a fast read, it just didn’t satisfy what I look for in a reading experience.
Full Review HERE

The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn ★★★.5

my review

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – 4****
Early in his career as a writer, Hemingway lived in Paris with his wife and infant son. This is his memoir of that time, when he was young, curious, and soaking up atmosphere with a sponge. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have shared even one afternoon with these young writers! There is immediacy to Hemingway’s writing that just draws me into the world of his work. I thank Hemingway for letting me live vicariously through his memories.
Full Review HERE

The Winter King, Alys Clare

★ ★

I found the three/four story lines confusing, they finally did tie in...

Josse's daughter Meggie is a "Forest Person" and when the disgusting husband of an abused timid young wife dies during a feast, Meggie is called in by the local Herbal-woman (wife of the sheriff) to give her "opinion"....

The man was not poisoned (as feared) but victim of a barely discernible stab wound. His wife had been giving him an herbal to keep him impotent as well as taking one to keep her from becoming pregnant, which of course she obtained from the Sheriff's wife..... In order to not have blame placed on either of them, they both accuse Meggie of poisoning the husband, then stabbing him afterwards in order to mask the true cause of death....

Meanwhile, two people are having rantings predicting the death of the "Winter King" and are being used to instill fear in the people.

Two cousins are found; 1 murdered, the other barely conscious raving about a great secret adventure that they plan on joining in.... When the 2nd dies of his wounds, a friend who has followed behind is also found dead....

Somehow all of these seemingly different stories come together and Meggie is (of course) vindicated

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – 3.5***
Eleanor is the new kid – and target – at school; Park is a quiet loner who prefers listening to his music tapes and reading comics. Eleanor winds up sitting next to Park on the bus and slowly they begin to notice the value in one another. I can certainly see where the target audience would love it (as my niece did). But for me it’s just a little better than average. Fair warning: there is some very vulgar language in the book.
Full Review HERE

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain – 3***
McLain does extensive research and had a wealth of information on which to base this work of historical fiction. I appreciate how she paints the landscape of this part of Africa in the early part of the 20th century. I recognize Markham’s intelligence, determination and tenacity, but she never seemed to learn anything from her mistakes. I struggle with giving the work a higher rating because I so disliked Beryl Markham. McLain chose to focus her work on Beryl’s childhood and young adulthood, so that the character is just becoming the woman we know about when the novel ends. And I’m left feeling disappointed in both Beryl and the book.
Full Review HERE

Parker Pyne Investigates, Christie

★ ★

Parker Pyne, for the most part, comes by his clients via an advertisement in the "Personals" of The Times. The ad offers people a chance at happiness. Working with him are: his secretary, Miss Lemon (same name as Poirot's); novelist , Ariadne Oliver; lounge lizard, Claude Luttrell; & disguise artist, Madeleine de Sara.

Most of the stories featured people looking for happiness, but a few dealt with murder investigation.

Stories included:

The Case of the Middle-aged Wife: The marriage of George and Maria Packington is falling apart. Mr. Packington has started to see a young typist named Nancy. When his wife protests, he states that he is just trying to bring some happiness into the girl's life and that there is nothing in their relationship. Maria sees Parker Pyne's advertisement in the personal column of the paper which reads: "Are you happy? If not, consult Mr. Parker Pyne."

The next day, Maria is sent for a beauty treatment and a new dress followed by lunch at the Ritz Hotel with Pyne where she is introduced to Claude. A whirlwind romance follows which culminates at a dance club one night where Maria and Claude cross paths with George and Nancy. George is jealous and shocked at his wife's behavior, which she flaunts at him.

The Case of the Discontented Soldier: Major Charles Wilbraham has recently retired after many years in the service of the Empire in East Africa. He calls on Parker Pyne's who concludes, he is bored stiff living in an English village. Pyne charges him fifty pounds and instructs him to take Madeleine de Sara to lunch. She returns defeated a few hours later as she has frightened the Major off, for she is something of a vamp; and the Major's tastes run to fair-haired, blue-eyed women innocent women.

The next day Wilbraham receives note from Pyne instructing him to go to an address in Friar’s Lane, Hampstead and call at a house named "Eaglemont." In Friar's Lane, Wilbraham hears cries for help and going into an empty house sees a young blond-haired, blue-eyed woman being attacked by two black men. He fights them off and takes the young lady for a coffee to help her get over her attack.

Her name is Freda Clegg and she is an orphan. The previous week she received a visit from an Australian lawyer who told her she would come into a legacy from her late father if she could locate his business papers. She gave the lawyer all of the papers she had, having no idea what the business legacy was about and then received a letter from him asking her to call on him at his house, "Whitefriars" in Friar’s Lane – the empty house. There she was attacked and Wilbraham saved her. The Major’s theory is that there is something in her father’s papers that the man posing as a lawyer wants desperately. Freda told Wibraham her room had been searched when she was out and that this attack was possibly to take such papers from her or to force her to tell where they are.

The Case of the Distressed Lady: Mrs. Daphne St. John calls at Parker Pyne's office. She says she is in a great trouble and needs his help. She shows Pyne a diamond ring that he declares to be worth at least two thousand pounds. Daphne says that she stole it from a friend because she was in desperate straits. Her husband is tight with money and doesn't know that she is in debt from losing a great deal of money at a casino. Afterwards she went to stay at the house of Sir Reuben Dortheimer & his wife Naomi who went to school with Daphne. The setting of the diamond ring became loose and Naomi asked Daphne to take it to be fixed. Instead, Daphne had a paste copy made and pawned the ring & returned the paste to Lady Dortheimer. Daphne then came into money and reclaimed the real ring. Now she cannot return it as the husbands have quarreled and the two couples are no longer on speaking terms. Now Daphne has heard that Lady Dortheimer is thinking of having the stone reset and the jeweler will notice that it is a paste copy.

The Case of the Discontented Husband: Reginald Wade is a boring young man whose marriage is failing. His wife of nine years has given him six-months' notice that unless he changes his ways she will divorce him. He leads a life of, playing golf and tennis. Mrs Wade prefers the arts – galleries, operas and concerts. She is bored with her husband and she has become friends with a long-haired artist. Pyne's solution to the problem is for Reggie to turn the tables via a flirtation with a beautiful woman.

The Case of the City Clerk: Mr. Roberts has a steady job as a city clerk 48 years old, happily married with two children. Beacause his life has been one of steady work without adventure he feels he is in a rut. His wish is to "live gloriously" if only for a few minutes. He although he only has five pounds to spare Pyne accepts his offer, warning Mr. Roberts that danger could be involved...

The Case of the Rich Woman

Have You Got Everything You Want?

The Gate of Baghdad

The House at Shiraz

The Pearl of Price

Death on the Nile

The Oracle at Delphi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_...

A Murder is Announced, Christie

★ ★ ★ ★

In the newspaper an announcement is made to the townspeople, that they are invited to a murder on a particular evening, at a particular time, at a particular home....

No one knows what to make of it, but seems as if it is an invitation to a "who-done-it" party.... The residents of the house, are as surprised as everyone else, but they prepare for guests....

A little past the time the lights go off, a per son w/ a gun enters and shoots.... but then when the lights go back on, the shooter is found dead, murdered.

The premise was interesting, but (at the beginning) the characters were insipid & uninspiring. I didn't like them, nor did I like the endless mindless chatter that was their conversations..... so the book began as ★

As the book moves on & Miss Marple sticks her nose in, the book definitely picks up, and I ended up liking it after all!

Everything Most Loved, Jacqueline Winspear

★ ★ ★ ★

Such a sad book....

A young Indian woman, living in a boarding house for "ayas", found floating in the river, shot through her center brow....

She was well liked and held in high regard by those who knew her. She was a talented healer, helped those in need, and had saved enough money to return home so that she might open a school for girls.

Another young Indian is found shot through the brow as well......

Maisie is called in by Scotland Yard to help uncover the murderer

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Muriel Spark

★

This I remember (when I was much younger) was a widely acclaimed movie & book... So when I read a re cent review here, I figured that there was no reason for me to not read it.....

I wanted to like this book, but I didn't:

The way it was written jumping around from person to person, forward, back, & forward again.... made for a very confusing story line.

Miss Jean Brodie was stilted, pretentious & boring.

The students were as boring & not very likable....

Kimberly wrote: "

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Muriel Spark
..."

I should have warned you ... I didn't think you would like it at all.

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa – 5***** and a ❤
A beautifully elegant gem of a novel. The slow way in which the Housekeeper, Root and the Professor get to know one another is framed by his lessons on the poetry of mathematics. I liked how Ogawa used the Professor’s and Root’s love of baseball to frame their growing friendship. It is a story about love (not to be confused with a “love story”).
Full Review HERE

Book Concierge wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Muriel Spark
..."

I should have warned you ... I didn't think you would like it at all."

You were right, I didn't!

LOL!

Ordeal by Innocence, Christie

★ ★ ★ ★

Two years after Jacko was convicted of murdering his mother & dying in prison of pneumonia a man comes forward and corroborates Jacko's alibi...

Dr. Calgary had indeed picked the hitchhiking Jacko up (so that he was nowhere near the house at the time of his mother's murder). But then Dr. Calgary has a nasty bump & a bit of amnesia then takes off for the South Pole.

When Dr. Calgary returns he happens upon a two year old newspaper and immediately sets out to make amends to the Argyle family:

The "family" are all adopted children, housekeeper, & secretary of Rachel & Leo Argyle (who had altruistically taken in children during the war, then adopted several of them):

Mary: Calm, controlling of her husband Phil (a victim of polio and the one to stir the pot) who convinced Rachel to become her "Mother"
Michael (Micky): Angry at his "Mother" for not being allowed to return to his mother & family
Hester: Young frightened and repressed by "Mother" who knows best
Tina: Quiet, unassuming, loving, & grateful to "Mother" for the comforts of her new life
Jack (Jacko): A cunning malicious miscreant whom "Mother" always bailed out, until that fateful night.
Kirsten (Kirsty): Housekeeper always looking out for & protecting the children
Gwenda: Leo's secretary, now his fiancee

Now that Jacko has been proven innocent, there is a murderer among the family, all who were perfectly happy & willing to let the past die with him.... But now the murderer is running scared and will kill again

I did figure out "who done it"..... It was a good story of suspense, the characters were not overly odious, some were even likable.

The Tavern in the Morning, Alys Clare

★ ★ ★

Well, you know I am a "roo" (Reads Out of Order).... Mainly due to the fact that COLAPL no longer keeps books in a series (no matter how good) if the person weeding doesn't know the author/series.

I have no idea where in the series this falls, except to say somewhere in the middle....

A farmer died in a tavern from wolfsbane poisoning, which was meant for the stranger, but the stupid barmaid, trying to flirt w/ the stranger, switched orders so that the farmer ate the poisoned food.

Josse spied the stranger & attempted to follow him, which led to Josse being attacked from behind and being rescued by Joanna & her son Ninian...

Joanna, terrified of the stranger allowed Josse to take Ninian to the safety of the Abbess Helewise, where the stranger showed up and searched to no avail.

Romance, intrigue, murder, mystery..... This book was easier to follow than the others I've read.

So now I know where Joanna & Ninian fit in!

The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C Morais – 3***
Hassan Haji is born into a restaurant family and becomes a celebrated French chef in this delightful fable. The book focuses on his life’s journey, and those bumps in the road that might derail his ambitions. There is a significant clash of cultures when this Indian family establishes their Maison Mumbai in the small French village of La Lumiere. But good food will always attract a following. Neil Shah does a good job of performing the audio version.
Full Review HERE

Book Concierge wrote: " The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C Morais – 3***
Hassan Haji is born into a restaurant family and becomes a celebrated French chef in this delightfu..."

I liked the movie.... It was nice!

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain – 4****
I first listened to this audio in Feb 2013. I listened again in preparation for my F2F book club. I won’t change my rating, but I find the audio more annoying this time for the poor voice work. The book, however, is still a good one in the way McLain portrays the Hemingway’s marriage and their life in 1920s Paris. I really liked Hadley.
Full Review HERE

Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****
Dionisio Vivo is a philosophy teacher, whose letters to the editor about the effects of the coca trade on the people of this unnamed South American country have attracted the wrath of the local drug lord. This is a fun romp of a satire, full of magical realism and totally outrageous scenarios. I laughed aloud in many places, and cried out in dismay in others. The language de Bernières employs is nothing short of delightful. The reader who can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride will find much to enjoy.
Full Review HERE

Book Concierge wrote: " Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****
Dionisio Vivo is a philosophy teacher, whose letters to the editor about the effects of ..."

sounds like Hiaasen.... will I like it?

Kimberly wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****


will I like it? ..."

I don't think so. It's a very "latin" book ... lots of use of Spanish, and the kind of magical realism that is truly outlandish. (e.g. The president's wife gives birth to a kitten whom they consider their daughter.... this is in the first sentence of the book.) And of course there is horrific violence perpetrated by the drug lords.

Book Concierge wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****


will I like it? ..."

I don't think so. It's a..."

I <3 Isabel Allende, but this seems way over the top.....

Thanks, will pass!

The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown – 3***
As summer begins, ten-year-old Alice meets two extraordinary people: a bi-racial boy visiting his grandparents for the summer, and a middle-aged artist with AIDS who has come to live with his sister. This coming-of-age novel brought back many fond memories of the summers spent doing “nothing” and “everything." One of the difficulties with choosing a child narrator, however, is that the adult reader will clearly see certain plot elements coming long before the less-experienced child. Still, I thought Brown did a good job of revealing the plot elements, and the changing relationships.
Full Review HERE

Kimberly wrote: "I <3 Isabel Allende, but this seems way over the top.....

Thanks, will pass! ..."

Yeah ... NOT like Isabel Allende at all (except it's set in South America)

It's summer, so I'm very far behind on updates. My reviews from after my last post until now:

Klickitat by Peter Rock ★.5

Vivian, on meds, is lonely and feeling abandoned when her older sister, Audra, runs away. Mysterious writing in an odd combination of penmanship begins to appear in one of Vivian's notebooks. Audra does return for Vivian, along with a strange young man she is clearly having a relationship, and they take Vivian along with them. Now Vivian lives underneath a house, unable to make any sound, and unable to leave except at night when Audra and her boyfriend are back from work. But things are not all they seem.

Rock can write, I think, but in this book the semi-unreal atmosphere didn't quite have the oomph I thought it could have. Certainly we have a somewhat unreliable narrator, which can work well, but the writings in the notebook fell rather flat as well. I had a difficult time getting behind Vivian who many times times had that TSTL (too stupid to live) quality about here. The paranormal part of the novel was okay, but nothing stellar.

As far as enjoyment, this was a 1 star read for me, but since it is evident Rock has literary ability in this novel which has missed the mark, I upped it to 2. Ideally, I'd give it 1.5.

< b>Lady Midnight by Amanda McCabe ★★★

Italian Katerina Bruni wakes up on a beach with no memory other than her name, but during her convalescence in a kindly local's home, she remembers who she is, where she was and what happened. Everyone who knew her will be sure she is dead, so she chooses to change who she is and so change her life. We next see her when she, going by the name of Mrs. Kate Brown, apparently a widow, arrives to be a governess in a remote part of England, hired to teach the six year old daughter and fifteen year old sister of a widower. But it doesn't take long for some to wonder if Kate Brown is exactly who she appears to be, and, naturally, in a romantic suspense, danger lurks even as forbidden romance and love are building.

I was in just the right mood to read this, and so gave it three stars. It brought me back to my Victoria Holt days, but by an American author and not quite as hands off as the Victoria Holt novels I read. If you enjoy historical romantic suspense, then this is probably a book for you.

An Excellent Mystery by Ellis Peters ★★★★

The war between vying rulers continues in this installment of the Brother Cadfael mystery series. After a fire has razed an abbey in Winchester, two monks straggle in, one obviously weak and injured. Brothers Humilis and Fidelis are given refuge, but it's not long before the search is on for Brother Humilis' former fiancee, who chose to become a nun after his crusades injury, which has rendered him unable to keep a manor nor a wife, released her from the agreement made when she was only five.

This is one of the better Cadfael books, and if you have not yet read any, while you can pick up the series at any time, because each mystery is self-contained, it is best read in order as both the war and the characters are growing older, and if not that, at least read the first two books before any others.

I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan ★.5

Georgia Young, mid-fifties, practising optometrist, twice divorced, mother of two is having a midlife crisis. She decides to look up her former loves to see what they have been up to and how they are doing, sell her house and her practise, go on a long train ride and find something else to do. This book is about that journey, whether or not she actually does that.

When I first got this book, I was excited; after all, I've heard about a couple of other best-selling books by this author that I have never yet got around to reading, and thought that now would be my time for an introduction, but I was disappointed. There is potential with a story like this, but it felt flat. The writing, while not abysmal, was certainly nothing special and would need many other things going for the story to make it more likable as a result. And, to be honest, I got tired of all the swearing by the end of the first chapter, but that alone wouldn't give a rating this low. I had to read this book in relatively short snippets, because reading for longer times to try to get into the book, were annoying me too much to want to finish.

California by Edan Lepucki ★★.5

Cal and Frida are living alone in the forest of California, the world they grew up with gone. Between various natural disasters and a breakdown in society and the country, things have fallen apart and people are either living in Communities, living hand to mouth, waging crime or holed up somewhere in the wilderness. From time to time a secretive peddlar comes along who trades with them. When Frida becomes pregnant, they head for the nearest settlement with no small trepidation, but it is clear that having a baby on their own is not a good option. However, once in the settlement, it is not clear if it is a good place for them or not.

Having read a great deal of dystopian literature over the years, I may be a tougher audience, but neither the characters nor the story worked well for me. That said, I think that if Edan Lepucki chose a different type of plot or story and/or developed flawed by somewhat more likable protagonists, I think she could write a very good novel. She knows both how to develop her protagonists and develop a story, but this one left me flat. Sometimes I felt a bit of deja vu with books I read before (perhaps reading Olivia Butler's dystopian novel fairly recently didn't help, but it wasn't the same story despite similarities in many things), and some of the other characters were more two dimensional and some rather predictable.

However, I would try another Lepucki novel with a different story and if I liked at least one protagonist, would read the entire book.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ★★★

Rachel commutes between home and London by train daily, and on her route likes to watch a certain house and fantasize about the people who live in it. Sometimes, when drunk, she calls her ex-husband, Tom, who still lives in their old house with his new wife, who he had an affair with while they were still married, and their very young daughter. A lonely, divorced alcoholic, she becomes drawn directly to this couple when Megan, who lives in that house, disappears.

This is a thriller, so you can see things build from the start. I am not much of a thriller fan, but have to say that I liked this one, but didn't love it. The book is told from three points of view, Rachel's, Megan's and Anna's, Anna being Tom's current wife, and this is quite effective. If you enjoy thrillers, you have a good chance of liking this better than I did.

Mrs. Jeffries Takes Stock by Emily Brightwell – 2.5**
I like this cozy mystery series featuring Mrs Jeffries and other servants in the Inspector’s Victorian household, who work together to lead their boss to the solution of the mystery. However, I think I’ve read too many recently and the plots are getting formulaic and thin. Still, it’s a fast read, and an occasional cozy never hurt anyone.
Full Review HERE

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian – 3.5***
Emily Shepard is a troubled teen. Totally understandable, given that she’s been orphaned by a nuclear plant disaster where both her parents worked, she’s homeless, and she’s one of the most reviled people in Vermont, if not all of America. The novel is told as a series of journal entries, and Emily’s recollections are not linear. Often, I was irritated with her, but I grew to like her and root for her. She was intelligent, resilient, tried to be responsible, and very vulnerable. Grace Blewer does a fine job narrating the audio version. Blewer is Bohjalian’s daughter, and she helped him with the slang and cadence of speech so that he could write in a more-believably-teen-aged voice.
Full Review HERE

4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie – 3.5***
The story begins when Mrs McGillicuddy witnessed a murder on a passing train. She reports it to the authorities, but as there has been no body found, and no woman reported missing, they dismiss her story as active imagination. This is a great cozy mystery, featuring a fine cast of suspects and amateur sleuths. Miss Marple employs the assistance of the very capable Lucy Eyelesbarrow, a young woman who is smart and steadfast. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Joan Hickson - the marvelous actress who played Miss Marple in the television series – is absolutely pitch perfect narrating the audio book.
Full Review HERE