Books Read:
Because of Stephen by Grace Livingston Hill (1904) 3/5 stars
This gentle Christian novel is more naïve and less believable than other's I have read by her. It was still sweet, with a good message, but certainly not one of her better novels.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (2019) 3/5 stars (my review
here)
The Great Hotel Murder
by Vincent Starrett (1935) 3/5 stars
In this Golden Age mystery, a man is found dead inside a Chicago hotel, and amateur detective Riley Blackwood sets out to prove it's murder and not suicide. Starrett's writing is solid, and at times excellent. Despite finding the book entertaining, I wasn't completely convinced by the solution or the clues leading to it. It was still fun, though, and I would not hesitate to read another novel by Starrett.
Audio Books Completed:
The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda (2020) 3/5 stars
This "thriller" started slow and never gained consistent momentum. Liv was not a character one could connect with, the plot was both holey and messy, and by the time the big reveal arrived, it was more a relief than a surprise. I'm giving it a generous three stars due to the fact that I was mildly curious during much of it, though I have to admit that the main reason I finished it was because I was either too lazy or too rushed to hunt up another audio book when I needed it.
The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves (2020) 4/5 stars
One snowy night, DCI Vera Stanhope comes across an abandoned car containing a toddler, and becomes involved in a murder investigation that could implicate her only relatives. Cleeves is a talented writer, and the relationships and situations she portrays are believable and engrossing. While not perfect, this is a satisfying, entertaining, and absorbing mystery.
The Case of the Murdered Muckraker by Carola Dunn (2002) 3/5 stars
As with all of the previous Daisy Dalrymple series, this is a casual cozy that relies more on charming characters than plot. Unlike the others, it was more of an adventure than an actual mystery. It's light reading, but a pleasant enough way to pass the time.
The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (1924) 4/5 stars
In this delightful novel, Anne Beddingfield witnesses a fatal accident which leads her to become involved in an international mystery regarding stolen diamonds and a crime lord. While highly improbable, this is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure with memorable characters, some great twists, and an overall entertaining plot.
When I Was You by Amber Garza (2020) 3/5 stars
This psychological thriller was told from the point of view of an unreliable narrator, and that part was quite good. Both main characters were well written over all. The plot, though, had holes, wasn't fully believable, and dragged on too long at times. Finally, the twists were not surprises, partly because by the time the twist was finally revealed, the reader had been given way too much time and hints for it to come unexpected. Bottom line: it's an okay read, and while not riveting, did keep me mostly interested.
Crooked House by Agatha Christie (1949) 5/5 stars
This was a reread, and Crooked House held up to my memory of it being a top favorite of Christie's novels. It is well-plotted, presents an extraordinary surprise, and the pieces fit together well. I highly recommend it!
Did Not Finish:
Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott
This is a cheerful period cozy, but the characters and plot were a bit over the top, causing me to loose interest quickly.
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
The premise is intriguing, but after an hour of the audiobook, uneven writing, a slow start, and an unappealing main character made me dread to return.
