Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

Reflections on the Psalms 
C.S. Lewis
1958
5/5 stars

Lewis discusses the Psalms as poetry and as scripture, and expresses both his enjoyment of and his difficulties with them.  He offers wise insights into how they were intended to be read, and how to read them now.   Lewis also uses the Psalms as a springboard to other observations regarding the Bible, Christianity, and Christ.  I highly recommend this intelligent but accessible book, which is illuminating while still giving the reader much to muse on.

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Magpie Murders
Anthony Horowitz
2017
3/5 stars


When book editor Susan Ryeland begins to read the manuscript of the latest novel of cozy mystery writer Alan Conway, she does not expect to become embroiled in an investigation of his murder, a circumstance which puts her in deadly peril.

Magpie Murders is a book-within-a-book, beginning with Susan introducing herself and the novel she is about to read.  That novel, a nod to the Golden Age of mysteries, is then read. It tells the story of professional detective Atticus Pünd as he solves the murder of the lord of the manor in a small, peaceful village.  After reading most of the manuscript, Ryeland discovers that Conway has committed suicide and, given certain incidents, decides that it actually murder and that his latest book holds the key.  The plot then follows Susan as she searches for the answer.

This is an ambitious plot style, and Horowitz pulls it off well.  The switch between the stories works nicely, and the use of the Pünd adventure is quite effective.  That story itself is compelling and well-written, and a definite loving tribute to the Golden Age writers.  Susan's story, however, relies too much on coincidence -- despite a discussion by her of how she doesn't care of coincidences in mysteries -- and makes for a weak end to what began as an intelligent, highly interesting, and engrossing novel.