April 2019 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling  4/5 stars
As I mentioned last month, I'm rereading this series with a group; no need to review such a popular book.

Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg  4/5 stars
This is an enjoyable Golden Age mystery, a bit convoluted at times, but otherwise engaging and generally well-written.  The three main characters were likable, and the solution was not easily apparent.  I would certainly read another mystery by Sprigg.

Antidote to Venom by Freeman Wills Croft  4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Mapmaker's Wife by Robert Whitaker  4/5 stars (my review here)


Audio Books Completed:
Eternity Ring by Patricia Wentworth  3/5 stars
When a young woman announces she's seen a murder, Detective Frank Abbot finds himself personally involved, and asks for Miss Silver's help.  It was obvious from the beginning who the guilty party was, and the coincidences leading up to the crime weren't fully convincing.  However, it was still an enjoyable, light mystery.

An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor  3/5 stars
This second of the series picks up exactly where An Irish Country Doctor leaves off, and follows Barry Laverty in his second month as a village G.P.  It wasn't as charming or engaging as the first, and dragged a bit in parts with events that weren't as funny as the author intended.  It does leave the reader curious to read the next Ballybucklebo installment, though.  (On  side note: Nearly every speaker uses "Jesus" as an exclamation in nearly every conversation.  I find it distracting and displeasing.)

The Game by Laurie R. King  4/5 stars
Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, are sent to India to search for a missing British spy.  This is more of an adventure than a mystery, and was great fun to read. Russell is an engaging character and her narration enjoyable. Holmes is comparable to the original and the dynamics between him and Russell are enjoyable.  (I would recommend reading the series in order.)

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan  4/5 stars
Isabella, Lady Trent, narrates her first experience of studying dragons in this engaging and well-written tale.  The fictional world is especially intriguing, with hints of detailed religion, politics and culture.  The first of a series, it leaves the reader looking forward to the next adventure.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins  4/5 stars
This is an engrossing domestic thriller, excellently told from three points of view.  Whether by author design or not, I knew the answer three-fourths of the way through, but still enjoyed the rest.  While not perfect, it was a suspenseful novel that stayed in my mind even when I wasn't reading it. 

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke  3/5 stars
In this beginning to a series, Minnesotan Hannah Swensen finds the murdered body of her milkman and helps her brother-in-law (the local sheriff's officer) to solve the case.  This is not a mature mystery, and most obviously a first novel, but the characters are certainly engaging.  I would be willing to give the next book a try, as it was easy to become interested in Hannah and her life.

Pyramids by Terry Pratchett  4/5 stars
This Discworld novel follows the adventures of Pteppic, the crown prince of the tiny kingdom of Djelibeybi, as he studies to become an Assassin in Ankh-Morpork, through to his ascension as King.  His new position becomes filled with difficulties as he tries to bring change to his kingdom, has an adventure in the neighboring country, and saves his world from the gods with a little help from his dead relatives.  As is usual with Pratchett, this is an intelligent, often hilarious novel, well-written, slyly perceptive, and always engaging,