Books Read:
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen 3/5 stars (my review here)
Jane Austen at Home: A Biography by Lucy Worsley 4/5 stars
This biography focuses on Austen's various homes, and the importance of the idea of home to her. It also emphasizes her sense of humor and relates the importance of the women in her life. It is a comprehensive biography, but the prose is not lively enough to make it an engaging read.
Diamond Dust by Peter Lovesey 5/5 stars
Murder comes too close to home for Peter Diamond, and he finds himself both a suspect, and a vigilante investigator. This is the best of the series so far (I'm reading them in order). It was well-written, believable, and engrossing.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce 5/5 stars (my review here)
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey by Rachel Joyce 4/5 stars (my review here)
Malice in Wonderland by Nicholas Blake 4/5 stars
Nigel Strangeways is called in to investigate a series of increasingly worrisome practical jokes that threaten to ruin the reputation of the vacation retreat of Wonderland. This was a fun, generally believable, and intelligently written Golden Age mystery.
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle 4/5 stars
While not as good as the short stories, it's still a mostly satisfying Holmes mystery.
Did Not Finish:
O, Jerusalem by Laurie R. King
This Russell and Holmes novel returns to the early days of their partnership, to expand on an adventure briefly mentioned in the first of the series, the Beekeeper's Apprentice. It is a spy novel taking place in post WWI Palestine, and after listening for about an hour, I just wasn't interested enough to finish it. While I love mysteries, I don't care for spy thrillers. I'll definitely continue with the next in the series, though.
The Smiler with the Knife by Nicholas Blake
I have liked what I have read of the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, and this one began well. It then became a national security/domestic espionage story, and (as I said above) I just don't care for this sub-genre.
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
This audio book was read by the author. I made it less than five minutes before I had to stop. Serle is a terrible narrator. Just horrible. I can't believe that this production was released! I'm still interested in the book, and may pick it up another time.
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
In this YA book, the descendants of Holmes and Watson meet at school, become friends, and solve a mystery together. The premise was cute, and the execution seemed to be good for as much as I read, but it was too YA for me. Plus, instead of enjoying it, I was made to just want to read the real thing.
Pride by Ibi Zaboi my review here
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