June 2019 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis  (1952) 5/5 stars
Lewis, the great Christian apologist, does an excellent job of explaining what Christianity is and isn't, why he chose it, and what the final point of it is.

The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar  (2018)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

Lizard by Banana Yoshimoto  (1993)  2/5 stars
This is a selection of short stories by one of Japan's renowned storytellers. They are actually slices of life, without a concrete beginning or end, some even without a defined conflict. I did not connect with, nor was I even interested by, the characters or plots.  I was unimpressed with Yoshimoto's style, as well, but this could be a fault of the translation.  I hate to rate it two stars, but this was not a good match for me.

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (2009)  4/5 stars
When bones are found in a marsh, Detective Inspector Harry Nelson calls in forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway to determine whether it is a child that has been missing for a decade or an age-old skeleton.  Another child is abducted with links to the previous one, and Ruth becomes involved in the search at the risk of her life.

I was impressed with this mystery, even though I had solved part of it mid-way, and still found it thrilling to the end.  Both Ruth and Nelson were appealing characters, the plot was mostly sound, and the story flowed well.  I look forward to continuing the series.

The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths (2011)  4/5 stars
The skeleton of a decapitated child is discovered on a building site, and forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is asked to give her expertise.  This leads to a decades old mystery and a threat to Ruth's life.

While it's rather improbable to think that Ruth would find herself in deadly peril just a few months after the incidents of the Crossing Places, I still enjoyed this immensely.  The prose was good, the story stayed intense and interesting, and Griffiths is deft at creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease.  I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series. (Note: These books are best read in order.)

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths (2011)  4/5 stars
Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, succonded to Serious Crimes Unit, investigates when six skeletons are found,  with hands bound and shot execution style. Scientific evidence dates the remains to World War II, and Ruth and Detective Inspector Nelson begin to uncover a secret from the past that someone will kill to keep hidden.

This, the third in the series, is well-written, intelligent, and engrossing.  Having Ruth's life threatened three times in just over a year does require suspension of disbelief, but doesn't lessen the entertainment value of this novel.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths (2012)  4/5 stars
When Ruth finds a young curator dead in his museum, it begins a case for DCI Nelson that involves suspicious deaths, drug smuggling, and the bones of ancestors.  Ruth is only tangentially involved  in this crimes in this novel, but is still a strong presence, and the reader is given more glimpses of her personal life.  Nelson's subordinates feature more prominently than he does, but this does nothing to lessen the appeal of the book.  It's well-written, intelligent, and strongly interesting.  I definitely recommend this series.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (2013)  4/5 stars
After a colleague of forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is murdered in a house fire, she receives a letter from him, posted before his death, hinting of a major archaeological discovery that could shake academia.  Ruth is asked to investigate his find, which leads her into contact with a dangerous underground society.  As with previous volumes of this series, A Dying Fall is well-written and attention-holding, continuing to further Ruth's personal story in addition to providing a satisfying mystery.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths (2014) 3/5 stars
While DCI Nelson is investigating a potential infanticide, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is excavating what may be the skeleton of a Victorian woman hanged for the same crime.  Things get worse for Nelson when a child-snatching occurs in his jurisdiction, with Ruth and her friends also involved.  This is another well-written mystery, with believable and likable characters.  The solution arrived too suddenly and without enough clues, but despite that, the Outcast Dead is another enjoyable read from Griffiths.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

Audio Books Completed:
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty  (2013) 4/5 stars  (my review here)

Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson  (2016) 5/5 stars  (my review here)

Let it Bleed by Ian Rankin  (1995) 3/5 stars
A double suicide, followed by another suicide, leads Inspector Rebus to a plot involving politicians, industry leaders, and the establishment in general. 

Rankin writes well, and Rebus is an engaging character. However, this story is more of intrigue than mystery, and wasn't a good fit for me.

The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey  (2007)  4/5 stars
Inspector Peter Diamond investigates both an apparent murder/suicide, and a series of ram-raids plaguing Bath.  I love the character of Peter Diamond: he is likable, fallible, and believable.  There is a nice mix of personal and professional in this mystery, with a generally credible crime and solution.


Did Not Finish
Fragile by Lisa Unger
I listened to two hours of this novel, and nothing had happened yet.  I found it deadly dull and wasn't willing to wait any more for the suspense to begin.

Mistletoe Man by Susan Wittig Albert
This is a series, and I started in the middle; this could be why I couldn't get into it, but neither the story, nor the prose, nor the characters caught my interest.

Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart
I wasn't drawn in by the characters, plot, or writing style, and the murder seemed unnecessarily complicated and ridiculous.

Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
 I didn't like the family dynamics at the beginning, and though I listened for nearly two hours (all the way up to the murder), I was never drawn in to the story. It's possible that it was because I started mid-series, but I didn't connect with protagonist, either.  I generally don't like American mysteries (both the Hart and the Albert books above are also American); I don't know why I keep trying!