In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods
Tana French
2007
5/5 stars

Dublin Murder Squad detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox are partners and best friends.  When a twelve-year-old is murdered, they are given the case.  It appears that it could be tied into a cold case from 30 years back that involved Rob.  Possibly compromising his professional reputation -- if not his job -- Rob becomes personally and emotionally involved in both cases, creating unexpected consequences for himself and Cassie.

Into the Woods is effectively told in first person from Rob's point of view; he is flawed and sometimes unlikable, but his voice is always realistic.  The relationship between Rob and Cassie is also well-written and believable.  The mystery itself was gripping and surprising, and the overall plot was riveting.  French excels at creating an uneasy atmosphere and at drawing the reader deep into the story.  I was impressed by this novel, and will certainly read more of the Dublin Murder Squad series.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn
2018
4/5 stars

Anna Fox is a recluse, trapped in her home due to agoraphobia, who spends her days watching vintage suspense, drinking wine, and spying on her neighborhood.  One night, she sees a neighbor apparently dying from a stab wound, but the police find nothing wrong in the house across the way.  Now Anna must decide if she is delusional, or if she really did witness murder.

This novel, a loving tribute to Hitchcock, builds up the psychological suspense well, slowly spooning out Anna's backstory, and leaving the reader as unsure as Anna is about what to believe.  The surprise is not fully unpredictable, but still makes a nice twist.  The book moves too slowly in parts, and Anna's character will certainly be unappealing to some readers, but overall it was an above average thriller.

A note about the audio book: Ann Marie Lee is an exceptional narrator, expressing emotions perfectly and adding to the suspense with her tone.  However, she failed to correctly imitate the famous actors in the movies Anna was watching, and it was galling to one familiar with those voices.

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies

Fifth Business
Robertson Davies
1970
3/5 stars

The protagonist, Dunstan Ramsay,  is the unwitting cause of an accident that leads to the eventual derangement of a local woman.  In this epistolary novel, he explains the accident and how that affected his life for the next sixty years.

This novel is highly regarded, and is listed n the American Modern Library's "reader's list" of the 100 best novels of the 20th century.  Davies writes well, and the story moves along seamlessly.  The characters are well-drawn, and the ending worth the wait.  Unfortunately, I felt no connection to Dunstan, and was never emotionally connected to him.  That is, I fully realize, most likely a problem with the reader and not with the writer; however, as a result, I can't rate it higher than average.

Lilith by George MacDonald

Lilith 
George MacDonald
1895
5/5 stars

The protagonist, known only by his last name of Vane, follows a raven through a mirror to another world.  There he meets the original Adam and Eve, Adam's first wife Lilith, and the Little Ones -- children living in the forest under the care of a young woman named Lona.  Vane becomes involved in protecting the children from the Bad Giants, and of overthrowing Lilith from the city of Bulika.  Vane must make difficult choices and overcome temptation in various guises before he can lay down to sleep, and awake in perfect life.

This allegorical fantasy is darker and deeper than his first, Phantastes (1858), and can be obscure in it's meaning.  McDonald's main points seem to be that, to a Christian, death is actually life, that one must work hard for salvation, and that, though all will be saved eventually (he was a Christian universalist), God's punishment can be severe in the meantime.  However, these themes do not override the story, and are there to be found if one is looking, but can mostly be ignored if the reader is only interested in the fantasy itself.

The prose is typical of a Victorian author, in that it is often dense, but generally lovely.  The plot itself is dark and makes the reader uneasy throughout.  The story is interesting, often gripping, and has several nice twists.  It's certainly not light, fun reading, and is not always enjoyable; given that I would not recommend it universally.  It is, however, an excellent example of both Victorian fiction and Christian allegory, and the reader interested in either or both of these genres will find Lilith to be a gem. 

Read as part of the Classics Club.  My explanation is here.

The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Lost World
Arthur Conan Doyle
1912
4/5 stars

In the 1910s, Professor Challenger returns to England from a trip to South America, claiming to have discovered a plateau populated by dinosaurs and other extinct creatures, but he has no evidence to prove it.  Naturally, this is disbelieved, so a committee of Professor Summerlee (Challenger's professional rival), cub reporter Edward Malone, and well-known big game hunter Lord John Roxton sets out to prove or disprove Challenger's word.  Challenger joins them in South America, and they have the adventure of a life-time exploring a lost world.

I have read this classic adventure several times; it's one of my favorites of both the genre and the time period.  Doyle writes engagingly, and the plot is generally exciting.  Being written before the South American continent had been fully explored, it would have been most thrilling for the contemporary audience.   Over all, the Lost World is fun to read, especially for those accustomed to Doyle's style, and the mores of the Edwardian era.

A note about the audio book: Narrator Glen McCready is superb and heightened the enjoyment of the story.

Illustration from the 1912 edition.

Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart

Madam, Will You Talk?
Mary Stewart
1955
3/5 stars

While on holiday in France, Charity meets young David and befriends the child.  This friendship involves her in a suspenseful adventure that could lead to the death of Charity and those she loves.

The plot relies a good deal on coincidence, and often requires a suspension of belief from the reader.  Stewart writes dialog and action well, but the descriptive passages, while vivid, drag and slow the story.   Overall, it was a quick, mostly enjoyable read, but largely unmemorable.  As this was Stewart's first novel, however, I will most probably try another and see if they improve in probability and prose.

February 2019 Wrap Up

Books Read:

County Chronicle by Angela Thirkell  4/5 stars

Two weddings, a christening, a death, and numerous parties make up the events of this 18th novel of Barsetshire, with focus on the new story of Isabel Dale, and on the continuing story of Mrs. Brandon. While Isabel meets new people, mourns an old love, and enjoys a secret career, Mrs. Brandon must deal with the miserable effects of an intolerably selfishness adult son. As with all Thirkell books, it is charming, witty, occasionally snarky, and a thoroughly delightful read.  (Note: these books must be read in order.)

Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne  4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Lone Wolf by Louis Joseph Vance  3/5 stars  (my review here)

Phantastes by George MacDonald  5/5 stars  (my review here)

The White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham  5/5 stars  (my review here)

Audio Books Completed:
On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle  3/5 stars
When Clare finds the comatose body of her employee at the bottom of her coffee house stairs, she is determined to discover who was responsible.  This is an average book all the way around, with no sparkle to it.  I was completely uninterested in Claire's personal life, and found quite a bit to be unbelievable, so I don't know if I'll continue the series or not.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty  5/5 stars  (my review here)

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan  3/5 stars  (my review here)

Scandal Takes a Holiday by Lindsey Davis  4/5 stars
Falco goes to Ostia to find a missing scribe, and becomes involved in searching out a kidnapping ring.  As is generally the case with the Falco mysteries, it is witty, quick paced, and a good deal of fun.  Davis writes well, and the details of Roman life during the early Flavian dynasty are always fascinating.

An Irish Country Doctor  by Patrick Taylor 4/5/stars
During the 1960s, Barry Laverty, fresh out of medical school, takes a position as an assistant to a GP in the Irish village of Ballybucklebo.  This first of a series, follows Barry as he gets accustomed to his new life.  It was a light-hearted, enjoyable novel, well-written with obvious knowledge of the subject, and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters  4/5 stars
This is a delightful, lighthearted mystery with an intrepid Victorian woman in the center, and an Egyptian archaeological dig as the setting.  I've read it before, and enjoyed Peters' engaging style and the solid plot just as much this time.  It certainly comes recommended.