December 2018 Wrap Up

Books Read:
Private Enterprise by Angela Thirkell  4/5 stars  (my review here)

Silent Nights edited by Martin Edwars  5/5 stars  (my review here)

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan  4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories edited by Martin Edwards  5/5 stars  (my review here)


Audio Books Completed:
Gunpowder Plot by Carola Dunn  3/5 stars
While Daisy is visiting her friend, Gwen, Gwen's father and a visitor are found dead.  Daisy's husband is called to investigate, with Daisy assisting.  I knew from the time of the murder who and why, and how it would end. There was very little detecting that went on -- it was mainly waiting for the culprit to confess.  The breezy, fun style made it possible for me to finish, though, despite the lack of surprise.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt   4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Last Woman in His Life by Ellery Queen  3/5 stars
In this 1970 mystery, a millionaire friend of Ellery's is murdered and the three ex-wives are suspects.  This dated novel was not fully believable, but still was mostly entertaining.

The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon  4/5 stars  (my review here)

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore  5/5 stars  (my review here)

The Ex-Wife by Jen Ryder  2/5 stars  (my review here)


Did Not Finish:
Owl's Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews
This book was so slow.  It took forever to get through the opening (dull as ditch water) yard sale to the murder, then there was an agonizingly long amount of time spent eavesdropping in a dumb waiter.  At that ridiculousness, I gave up.  I'm extra disappointed because there are 25 books in this series, and I'm always looking for new mystery authors.

Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners by Gretchen Anthony
This novel is told in three voices, one of which I actively disliked.  I made it three hours into the audio book, and while I was interested in the rest of the story, my dislike for Richard was too strong for me to finish.

Stats for 2019:
I read 36 books and listened to 57 audio books this year.  According to my Goodreads stats, I read 9,184 pages. My shortest book was 84 pages, my longest was 688 pages. I read a good deal more last year, but listened to close to the same amount of audio books.

The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories

The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories
Martin Edwards, editor
5/5 stars


This anthology of Christmas mysteries, published by British Crime Classics, is completely enjoyable. There are stories by both well known and currently obscure crime writers, from the Golden Age and slightly later. The collection is has a variety of stories, with murder, blackmail, theft, suspense, deathbed confessions, and the supernatural represented. While none were exceptional, all were solidly good, and I discovered several authors whose novels I now plan to read.

The stories are as follows:
"A Christmas Tragedy" by Baroness Orczy  4/5 stars
"By the Sword" by Selwyn Jepson  4/5 stars
"The Christmas Card Crime" by Donald Stuart  4/5 stars
"The Motive" by Ronald Knox  4/5 stars
"Blind Man's Hood" by Carter Dickson  4/5 stars
"Paul Temple's White Christmas" by Francis Durbridge  3/5 stars
"Sister Bessie" or "Your Old Leech" by Cyril Hare  4/5 stars
"A Bit of Wire Pulling" by E.C.R. Lorac  4/5 stars
"Pattern of Revenge" by John Bude  3/5 stars
"Crime at Lark Cottage" by John Bingham  4/5 stars
"'Twixt the Cup and the Lip" by Julian Symons  4/5 stars

The variety of the stories and authors is definitely worth five stars.  The stories themselves average to four, bringing the book's rating to four and a half stars.  I rounded it up to five.

The Ex-Wife by Jess Ryder

The Ex-Wife: a Nail Biting Gripping Psychological Thriller
Jess Ryder
2018
2/5 stars

After a brief affair with rich, married Nick, Natasha finds herself in a perfect life as his wife and mother to their daughter, Emily.  The only flaw in Natasha's beautiful new world is Nick's ex-wife, Jen, who haunts them and seems determined to win him back.  However, it turns out that Jen was the least of her worries, and that Nick was not the man Natasha had imagined.  She finds herself in a nightmare, with her beloved daughter at the apex, and uncertain who in her life can be trusted.

For a novel that proclaims itself to be "a nail biting gripping psychological thriller", the Ex-Wife turned out to be a bit of a yawn.  It had great potential, and there were a few surprises early on that kept me listening when I was about to give up on it.  However, nothing gripping happened, and though there were some twists and turns, it just fizzled out in the end.  I would certainly not read another "thriller" by Ryder.

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

A Dirty Job
Christopher Moore
2006
5/5 stars

This review was originally written February 28, 2006, after reading the ARC.  I have reread it prior to reading the sequel.  Twelve years later, I have a slightly different sense of humor, and I would only give it four stars now.  I am, however, keeping the original rating. 

Charlie Asher is a nice, likable and (except for his exceptionally over-worked imagination, common in a "Beta Male") normal guy. At least he was normal, until the day he accidentally walked in on Death--well actually, one of his minions, the dapper and cool Minty Fresh--and finds himself as one of Death's Little Helpers as well, collecting the souls from the newly departed and saving these souls from unscrupulous use by a set of female demons and their wicked lord. Once Charlie gets the hang of it, he finds out that it's not such a bad job, makes him a decent living and gives him plenty of time with his daughter Sophie. There's just one flaw. . . it seems that the Sewer Harpies (as Charlie comes to call the female demons) are growing stronger. So strong in fact, that there will be no other course of action than a ferocious battle for the world, between the forces of good and evil.

Charlie is alternatively helped and hindered on his path by the sort of wonderful characters only Moore could create. There's Lily, the wise-cracking teenaged Goth and "creepiness child prodigy" (who quickly became my favorite), and Ray, an ex-police officer searching for love on Asian dating sites. Charlie's sister Jane -the Alpha Male that Charlie isn't- gives Charlie strength and love--all the while looking better in his suits than he does. Even Charlie's daughter Sophie, who grows up before our eyes, has some odd tendencies--bad luck with pets, one very dangerous word, her own personal hounds from hell, and the typical child's memory for things that one was not supposed to hear in the first place. Of course, one couldn't expect her to be completely normal, given her father (who was convinced he saw a tail on her six-month sonogram) and the influence of her unintentional hilarious babysitters, Mrs. Korjev (and her bears) and Mrs. Ling (and her wok). Even Charlie's enemies are wonderful; I adored the Sewer Harpies with their bickering, evil ways, puppet shows and continually amusing antics. In addition, Moore throws in a few return characters from other books which was a thrill for the Moore fan. I was especially glad to see the Emperor again.

Charlie's experiences as a soul collector are both funny and touching. As is so often the case with Mr. Moore, a surprising tenderness turned up on some scenes. There is one scene in particular (the cheese scene--read it and you'll agree with me), that made me step back and say, "Wow! I need to be sure I appreciate life to the fullest!". Terminal illness, hospice care, nurses, and death all received a reverential treatment at his hands--while still being funny in that twisted Moore way.

A Dirty Job has overtaken Lamb as my favorite Christopher Moore novel and rates a full five stars. Pick it up and join Charlie the life of death. It's a dirty job, sure, but somebody's gotta do it!

Note on the audio book: Fisher Stevens is a better than average narrator, but some of his voices were too similar, and his Irish pronunciation wasn't perfect.

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan

Murder for Christmas
Francis Duncan
1949
4/5 stars

Retired tobacconist Mordecai Tremaine is invited to a Christmas house party by a man he doesn't know well.  He chooses to go, because of the intriguing postscript stating that "something was wrong" in the household.  That something was most definitely wrong was proven when a dead Father Christmas was discovered under the tree on Christmas Eve.  Mordecai uses his sharp eye and keen reasoning to investigate his fellow house guests to determine the motive and method of the crime.

This was a delightful mystery, with an engaging protagonist and a well imagined cast of characters.  The mystery itself was intelligent, believable, and nicely plotted.  Duncan's writing wasn't perfect; there were repeated phrases and the occasional awkward sentence.  Despite that, I would most definitely recommend this nearly forgotten Golden Age mystery.  I will most certainly be reading more of Mordecai's adventures.

The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

The Christmas Hirelings
Mary Elizabeth Braddon
1894
4/5 stars

Sir John Penlyon is prepared to spend his usual dull Christmas, but his friend, Danby, persuades him that children are needed to make the holidays bright again.  With Sir John's agreement, Danby hires three siblings for the festive season, one of which steals Sir John's heart and teaches him to love again.

This charming Victorian novel is predictable, but completely enjoyable.  The book is well-written and engaging, with believable characters and scenario. It's easy to see why Braddon was an extremely popular novelist of her day.  This is a feel-good Christmas story that, while short, is fully entertaining.

Note on the audio book:  Richard Armitage is excellent when narrating and when voicing adults.  His portrayal of children, however, is not convincing.  

Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries

Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries
edited by Martin Edwards
5/5 stars

This anthology by British Crime Classics is a fun read.  There are stories by both well known and currently obscure crime writers, from the Victorian age to the Golden Age, and slightly later.  The collection is has a variety of stories, with murder, theft, and suspense represented.  Some are not as mysterious as others, but all were entertaining.  I discovered several authors whose novels I now plan to read.

The stories are as follows:
"The Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle  5/5 stars
"Parlour Tricks" by Ralph Plummer  3/5 stars
"A Happy Solution" by Raymond Allen  3/5 stars
"The Flying Stars" by G. K. Chesterton  4/5 stars
"Stuffing" by Edgar Wallace  4/5 stars
"The Unknown Murderer" by H.C. Bailey  4/5 stars
"The Absconding Treasurer" by J. Jefferson Farjeon  3/5 stars
"The Necklace of Pearls" by Dorothy L. Sayers  5/5 stars
"The Case is Altered" by Margery Allingham  4/5 stars
"Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White  5/5 stars
"Cambric Tea" by Marjorie Bowen 4/5 stars
"The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing  4/5 stars
"A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake  4/5 stars
"The Name on the Window" by Edmund Crispin  4/5 stars
"Beef for Christmas" by Leo Bruce  4/5 stars

The variety of the collection is definitely five stars.  The average of the stories is four stars, giving the book a total of four and a half stars, so I rounded it off to five stars.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt
2013
4/5 stars

In this Pulitzer Prize winner, Theo experiences a life-altering tragedy at aged thirteen.  What follows is years of being a victim to bad choices, both his own and those thrust on him.  Told retrospectively, it follows Theo from a happy life in NYC, to a miserable existence in Las Vegas, back to NYC where he becomes involved in shady antique deals and, eventually, the dangerous world of art theft.  The one link to all facets of Theo's life is a painting, the Goldfinch, which was his mother's favorite, and spurs him to make many of his unwise decisions.

This is, foremost, a depressing book, and not one I enjoyed reading.  Despite that, the story was compelling and I had to continue, had to know if Theo would find any hope in the end.  Tartt's strength is in her ability to write details and make a situation uncomfortably real.  That said, there were times when incidents took too long to develop or finish.  It's not a pleasant reading experience, and at nearly 800 pages (32 hours, 24 minutes for the audio book), one must look on the Goldfinch as a commitment.  I was not fully satisfied with the ending, nor did I feel that I had benefited in anyway by reading  this novel; though I have given it a four star rating, it's not a book I would recommend.  Nonetheless, I was impressed enough by Tartt to want to read her other novels.


Note on the audio book: David Pittu was an incredible narrator, with distinguishable voices and excellent emotions.  

Private Enterprise by Angela Thirkell

Private Enterprise
Angela Thirkell
1947
4/5 stars
Continuing the Barsetshire series, this lightly romantic novel takes place shortly after the end of WWII, with the county residents still trying to adapt.  Peggy Arbuthnot, a young widow, and her sister-in-law Effie, move to Southbridge and together create quite a stir among the eligible men and the match-makers.

As is usual with Thirkell, this is a witty and often snarky book, poking gentle fun at her characters, but writing them well.  It has a satisfying ending, and despite a few almost shocking dated comments, is a pleasure to read -- all 463 pages.

November 2018 Wrap Up

Books Read:
The Four Graces by D. E. Stevenson  4/5 stars
This gentle, lightly romantic novel follows several months in the lives of the four Grace sisters living in a village during WWII.  Stevenson writes with charm and warmth, makes her characters believable, and leaves the reader feeling satisfied at the end.

I've been spending more of my spare time working word puzzles than reading this month.

Audio Books Completed:
Death in Holy Orders by P. D. James  4/5 stars
Dalgleish happens to be on the scene when an Archdeacon is murdered in a theological college.  This is, as is usual with James, a highly intelligent, well-plotted mystery with a satisfying conclusion.  This was a reread for me, and I enjoyed it just as much as before.

A Test of Wills by Charles Todd  3/5 stars
Inspector Ian Rutledge, carrying the scars of WWI with him, investigates a murder in a rural village.  This is the first of the Rutledge mysteries, and did an excellent job of introducing him.  The novel was well-written and attention-holding, and the solution quite a good one.  However, not enough information was given in advance so that the reader could solve along with Rutledge, which was frustrating.  I  do look forward to continuing the series, though.

Mort by Terry Pratchett  4/5 stars
I decided to reread the Discworld series, and started with Mort, the fourth book.  In this novel, Death decides to take an apprentice, with the most unexpected outcomes.  As is typical of Pratchett, this is witty, funny, and a delight to read.

They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie  5/5 stars
In this near perfect mystery, Miss Marple is on the scene when the step-son of a friend is murdered.  It is cleverly written, makes sense, and is plausible.  This is definitely one of Christie's best.

My reason for finishing so few audio books this month is that I am half-way through the 32 hours of the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

Did Not Finish
Murder at the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane
At about 30 minutes into the audio book, I wasn't finding it credible or very interesting.  The writing didn't feel polished.  It was obvious from early on that the author had little knowledge of basic police procedures, as well.   I may have missed out on a gem, but Goodreads reviews suggest I am spot on in my quick decision.

Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon
The main character's is an African-American violinist, named Gethsemane.  I wasn't impressed from the beginning--it was flat and characterless--and after less than hour, I was unchanged except to be tired of hearing her name over and over again.  Others disagree with me, as this has good reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, and won a debut novel award, so take this as the opinion it is.