I found two more Flavia de Luce mysteries at the library used bookstore and I jumped on them. (Not literally, of course!) I enjoyed reading the first I found two more Flavia de Luce mysteries at the library used bookstore and I jumped on them. (Not literally, of course!) I enjoyed reading the first book of the series where Flavia is introduced. She is a girl after my own heart, so intelligent, but also a bit snarky and a typical 11-year-old. Her older sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, are a real pair and make her life hell at times. Having grown up with two older sisters and being more intelligent than most of the people around me, I could empathize. Not that I was in Flavia's league or nearly as knowledgeable about science. I think my favorite character other than Flavia is the faithful Dogger. I hope he figures in all the future books. I love the descriptive language used by the author. He is wonderful with similes. The first few pages were a look at book 2, so I know what I need to read next. ...more
This was book club discussion book. I normally wouldn't read a novel involving domestic abuse. I have to admit it was well written. I didn't agree witThis was book club discussion book. I normally wouldn't read a novel involving domestic abuse. I have to admit it was well written. I didn't agree with some of the decisions taken by some of the characters, but I realize that the author was trying to make a point. At least, the ending was what I expected and I wasn't disappointed. It was an intense read at times and I wouldn't recommend the book to squeamish readers. My favorite character was Atlas Corrigan. He remained himself throughout the story and was quite interesting to read about. I won't say more, so I won't give away any of the plot. ...more
Just a short story giving a glimpse into how Agatha Raisin got her start into the world of sleuthing. I enjoyed it (actually read it before, but forgoJust a short story giving a glimpse into how Agatha Raisin got her start into the world of sleuthing. I enjoyed it (actually read it before, but forgot and read it again). I would recommend it to fans of the Agatha Raisin mysteries. The solution was fairly simple (it is a short story, of course) but I liked it.
Merged review:
Just a short story giving a glimpse into how Agatha Raisin got her start into the world of sleuthing. I enjoyed it (actually read it before, but forgot and read it again). I would recommend it to fans of the Agatha Raisin mysteries. The solution was fairly simple (it is a short story, of course) but I liked it....more
Jumping from books 2 and 3 directly to book 4 went really well. I'm getting to know these characters pretty well now My favorite character is still MaJumping from books 2 and 3 directly to book 4 went really well. I'm getting to know these characters pretty well now My favorite character is still Maine coon cat, Diesel. He lets his feeling knows and helps in his way to help solve the murders. I am glad, though, that he doesn't talk. In this mystery Charlie has both his children staying with him and he loves it. The house is a little crowded now with Laura, Sean, Justin, Stewart, and Azalea the housekeeper running it all. This time it's Azalea who needs help. She has stumbled on the body of Vera Cassity, probably the least popular woman in town. Azalea has her own reasons for hating Vera and she is the first person the sheriff suspects. Kanesha can't help because she is removed from the case. Her mother's presence at the murder scene makes her too involved emotionally. Kanesha swallows her pride and asks for Charlie's help. I enjoyed the bits of detection, the red herrings, and especially all the costumes at the Library fundraiser. What fun that party would have been! ...more
Continuing with the series, I have finished book 3. There were good things about this book. Charlie Harris now has both of his children at home, at leContinuing with the series, I have finished book 3. There were good things about this book. Charlie Harris now has both of his children at home, at least for the moment. Laura has come back to Mississippi to fill in as a theater teacher at Athena College. A former fiancé Connor has helped her to get the job. He wants to get back with Laura, but she is not interested. Meanwhile, Connor is writing a new play for Laura's theater students to perform, but it isn't going well. Then Connor is murdered and Laura is one of the suspects. The plot did have lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the story. Charlie's lovable cat Diesel has a bit more to "say" this time around. On to book 4. I hope I continue to enjoy the series. ...more
I read book one a long time ago and decided to revisit the series. I enjoyed this book also. Charlie's son Sean shows up unexpectedly about the time CI read book one a long time ago and decided to revisit the series. I enjoyed this book also. Charlie's son Sean shows up unexpectedly about the time Charlie is hired to do an inventory on a local man's extensive library. James Delacorte suspects that someone from his family is stealing some of his rare books. When Mr. Delacorte is murdered, Charlie is asked to continue his work to help the police to determine if stolen books are part of the murder motive. I liked the interaction between Charlie and Sean, and also between Diesel the cat and Dante, Sean's dog. I also like the small Southern town hospitality and gossip. The ending was okay. My only complaint is that sometimes the author gives us too much minute and unnecessary detail, especially about the animals. ...more
Not bad for a one-dollar book sale find. All 36 plays are condensed here into no more than ten pages each. I did find the style a bit juvenile in placNot bad for a one-dollar book sale find. All 36 plays are condensed here into no more than ten pages each. I did find the style a bit juvenile in places, but then the author was trying to write for all ages and education levels. I think I'd like to read "The Merchant of Venice" and "As You Like It" as well as one or two others. This book is wonderful for getting an idea of what the plays are about, and anyone interested in Shakespeare can get a taste for it here. It is an old book, written in the 1950s, so it might be a bit hard to find a copy. I can't believe that for many years (too many to count) that Shylock is actually the character who wants his "pound of flesh". ...more
The local AAUW will be discussing this book soon at the library. I decided to read it for myself before then. It was a bit heavy going at first becausThe local AAUW will be discussing this book soon at the library. I decided to read it for myself before then. It was a bit heavy going at first because of the darkness of the subject matter, but then I was hooked. I needed to know what these brave women endured and if any of them survived to tell their stories. I had never heard of the dressmakers of Auschwitz and I found their stories fascinating. The book is non-fiction so there was no novelization or putting dialog into their mouths. Everything is pieced together from official forms and letters and photographs. I now have a huge appreciation of what these women endured as well as the other inmates of Auschwitz. I'm glad that some of the perpetrators were punished in the end. The whole history of the Holocaust is almost unbelievable to me. That such cruelty existed and for so long. ...more
I would have loved to give this book a higher rating, but I felt it lacked something for me. The chapters seem to have been written to answer questionI would have loved to give this book a higher rating, but I felt it lacked something for me. The chapters seem to have been written to answer questions that a lot of people ask her when they meet her. Obviously, because the chapter titles are always questions. I didn't find her life to be very joyful or rewarding as it promised in the subtitle. Don't get me wrong; I think Amy has had a fascinating life and I enjoyed reading about it. But, then I also found some of the subject matter disturbing. Her drug use, drinking to excess (at times) and graphic descriptions of sexual liaisons for a start. I realize that Amy had a challenging time growing up, confused, misunderstood, and fearful of discovery. I can empathize in some ways with her. I would have enjoyed reading more about her happier times and her time on Jeopardy!. I wouldn't recommend this memoir to the squeamish, but it was well-written for the most part. My main criticism would be that it is a bit disjointed and lacks connectivity. ...more
I moved directly from book 1 to book 2 of the series. I'm getting to know the characters in this series. I loved the setting of this book, because I vI moved directly from book 1 to book 2 of the series. I'm getting to know the characters in this series. I loved the setting of this book, because I visited Edinburgh, Scotland, back in 2000. I could picture St. Margaret's chapel and the pet cemetery at Edinburgh Castle. I remembered exploring the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace. It is a beautiful and fascinating city. Brooklyn is attending an international book fair and teaching a class in bookbinding. Of course, everyone ends up following her there, including her parents, best friend Robin, and the dark and sexy Derek Stone. Parts of the book are funny, others suspenseful. The action centers around a controversial book of poetry by Robert Burns. A lot of people are upset by the suggestion that Robbie might have had an affair with an English princess. I enjoyed the action and the suspenseful ending. I'm sure I'll be revisiting the series sometime in the future. ...more
I've been reading this series hit-or-miss for a while, so I decided to check the library for the early books. I enjoyed meeting these characters in thI've been reading this series hit-or-miss for a while, so I decided to check the library for the early books. I enjoyed meeting these characters in their inception and the mystery was not too bad. Brooklyn does make some stupid and risky choices, but all comes out well in the end. I like reading about book restoration and book lovers. I have no interest in owning priceless books myself, but I appreciate people who can keep them alive for posterity. I'm guessing Derek Stone will continue to keep Brooklyn Wainwright safe to go on to restore more classic books. I even like Brooklyn's quirky, but lovable commune family. I would also be in shock if I discovered an actual Vermeer painting on a friend's wall while looking for the bathroom. On to book two. I have seven days before these two first copies must return to the library....more
This was my first Maigret mystery book. I had watched the short series of "Maigret" starring Rowan Atkinson. I loved it and when I saw a used copy of This was my first Maigret mystery book. I had watched the short series of "Maigret" starring Rowan Atkinson. I loved it and when I saw a used copy of a Maigret book, I snatched it up. Georges Simenon was quite a prolific writer and had a very economical style. Nevertheless, his characters are very complex. I loved the devotion Maigret shares with his wife, known only here as Madame Maigret. I enjoyed following the detective's thought processes, his smooth efficiency with his fellow detectives, and his surprising humanity toward the criminals he must capture. I would like to try a few more books sometime in the future. This was a quick, but fulfilling read, only 166 pages. ...more
A second-hand find, but not too bad. My main complaint would be that the book was too long with too many happenings that had nothing to do with solvinA second-hand find, but not too bad. My main complaint would be that the book was too long with too many happenings that had nothing to do with solving the mystery. In the end, the solution was extremely simple and obvious. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the ending as to where the characters were headed. I won't look for another book in the series to read, though. There were so many characters to keep track of that I gave up completely near the middle. I do think the author does a good job of bringing the little town of Sea Harbor to life, but I am not interested enough to continue. Overall, an okay book, but not for me. ...more
I would not have chosen this book myself, not being a fan of thrillers. But it was better than I expected. It took a little while for me to find it inI would not have chosen this book myself, not being a fan of thrillers. But it was better than I expected. It took a little while for me to find it interesting. I really didn't like any of the characters. The Wrights seem to have a hard time keeping their marriage alive. The husband has prosopagnosia, which I'd heard of before. He can't distinguish one face from another and depends on things like body shape or hair style to help him differentiate one person from another. It makes for an interesting plot twist but gets monotonous after a while. Adam and Amelia win a free weekend in Scotland to stay at an old chapel which was turned into a holiday rental. From the very start, things get spooky. This book read more like a screenplay to me than a book (interesting that a series on Netflix is in the planning stages). There was a major plot change that finally made the story much more compelling (I won't tell). I found the ending to be a bit creepy, but well done. The most endearing character was Bob, the Wright's lovable black labrador. One device used by the author I found very unusual, but I liked it. Sometimes in the sections containing anniversary letters, some words would have a line drawn through and other words substituted. This gave a clear view of how the letter writer was actually feeling as she wrote. They were mostly funny....more
Very enjoyable. I finished it in one day. The characters were fun, the action was great. I especially found the boy "Smiffy" to be adorable and loyal.Very enjoyable. I finished it in one day. The characters were fun, the action was great. I especially found the boy "Smiffy" to be adorable and loyal. I'm glad we live in a more civilized society today (at least in some ways). Women don't have to be afraid of being forced into marriage against their will. ...more
I enjoyed this book, not realizing until the end that it was based on the author's ancestors. Sometimes it's nice to read a romance that is purely romI enjoyed this book, not realizing until the end that it was based on the author's ancestors. Sometimes it's nice to read a romance that is purely romance. Elisabeth is forced to make her own way in the world when her father loses his entire fortune in a railroad shares scam. She answers an ad for a farmer's wife and meets Rabbie Dinwiddie. They stay with an older farming couple to prepare them for running their own farm later. Starting out as a business arrangement, they soon begin to develop feelings for each other. How long will it take for them to realize how the other feels? Some good action, interesting characters, and description of life on a 19th century farm. My only complaint was that the dialog was a bit stilted at times. Perhaps people spoke that way back then, but it was a bit hard to read at times. ...more
I found this story to be a bit disappointing. The heroine was all over the place with her emotions. She didn't come across as a 29-year-old woman, morI found this story to be a bit disappointing. The heroine was all over the place with her emotions. She didn't come across as a 29-year-old woman, more of a naive young girl. How could she not see through the cad who tried to romance her again purely for her money? Also, her uncle seemed to be another one who was unreadable. The accident happened just three years ago, and the man had three children in the meantime? That was a bit farfetched. My favorite character was Michael, the steward. He stayed true to character all the way through. I loved her loyal servants, Sullivan and Mrs. Johnson. I hope she ends up hiring more people to give them a break. Overall, not a book I would want to read again, but once was okay. ...more
I loved this first book in a new series (for me, anyway). Augusta Peel is a former spy, though not much info is given about this. She is at a night clI loved this first book in a new series (for me, anyway). Augusta Peel is a former spy, though not much info is given about this. She is at a night club chaperoning the daughter of a friend when it is raided by police. Not until later is a body discovered in a small storage on the floor above. Augusta helps an old friend (also a former spy) to solve the case. Of course, it helps that her old friend is now a detective with Scotland Yard. I really enjoyed the pace of the story, the bits of comic relief, and the ending, which was sufficiently surprising. The little canary sharing Augusta's little bookbinding workshop was quite entertaining. His name was Sparky. Too bad he was just a temporary helper and probably won't be in the next book. ...more
I highly recommend this series by Irina Shapiro. In this second book of the series, Inspector Sebastian Bell once again enlists the help of former CriI highly recommend this series by Irina Shapiro. In this second book of the series, Inspector Sebastian Bell once again enlists the help of former Crimea nurse Gemma Tate for a puzzling case. Of course, he only wants a little advice, but she puts herself at risk to find out info about other nurses who had served in the Crimea with Florence Nightingale. It begins with two boys out after dark near the Traitors Gate in the Tower of London. One of them witnesses a suspicious activity but is afraid to report it. I visited the Tower of London on my British vacation in 2000 so I was very familiar with the layout of the fortress. The crime is a bit grisly, involving the murder of a journalist who had his tongue removed before his body was hung on the gate with a meat hook. I really enjoy Ms. Shapiro's descriptions of life if London in the late 1800s. I love reading about the continuing friendship between Sebastian and Gemma. I look forward to book three and wish it wasn't such a long way off. One of my new favorite authors....more
I couldn't wait to dig into book two, but I had to read a book club selection first. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much, but I found the story to I couldn't wait to dig into book two, but I had to read a book club selection first. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much, but I found the story to be pretty interesting. I'm glad I could still remember all the characters from book one. I love reading about Lady Helena's struggles with her large and trying family and her tenacious search for the truth. Dr. Fortier wasn't as much in evidence here, but I am hopeful for the next installment. I liked the description of the courtroom near the end of the story. It was informative. And, as before, I completely fell in love with Lady Helena's long-suffering lady's maid, Gutteridge. She is such a trooper. ...more
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