Books Read:
The Duke's Daughter by Angela Thirkell (1951) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Audio Books Completed:
When in Rome by Ngaio Marsh (1970) 3/5 stars
While in Rome on an Interpol mission, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn is part of a sight-seeing tour which ends in murder. As it ties in with his case, he rather reluctantly becomes part of the investigation -- and finds a solution quite different from that of the Roman police.
Though with well-written prose, the plot is not fully believable, the solution not fully satisfying, and the characters are somewhat stereotypical. When in Rome is also dated by the 1960's slang, and, on the whole, does not feel as convincing as those Marsh wrote during the 1930s-50s.
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake (1949) 3/5 stars
A headless corpse is discovered and, as friends of Nigel are suspected, he becomes involved in the mystery. The writing is good and the lead up to the end was interesting, but it was obvious who was the murderer from very early on and the solution not fully believable. One should also note that this novel contains a dated and disturbing view of a rape.
Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett (1994) 4/5 stars
This, the 17th in the Discworld series, follows Rincewind's misadventures in the Aurient as he becomes unwillingly involved in revolution. The Wizards of Unseen University make an appearance, while Cohen the Barbarian and his Horde feature prominently. Interesting Times is funny, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining, while still managing to be thought-provoking.
Death of an Expert Witness by P.D. James (1977) 5/5 stars
A forensic scientist is found murdered in his lab, and Dalgliesh is called in to investigate. This is an excellent mystery with many well-drawn suspects with believable motives, a clever crime, and a satisfying conclusion. It is compelling, intelligent, and, as always with James, excellently written.
A New Lease of Death by Ruth Rendell (1967) 4/5 stars
When the Reverend Archery's son wants to marry the daughter of a convicted killer, Archery decides to delve into the past in hopes of finding that Inspector Wexford had got the wrong man. This is a clever mystery, well-written and intelligent. Both the main plot and the subplots draw the reader in fully, and the characters are believable and often appealing. While not perfect, it is completely entertaining and worth reading.
The Duke's Daughter by Angela Thirkell (1951) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Audio Books Completed:
When in Rome by Ngaio Marsh (1970) 3/5 stars
While in Rome on an Interpol mission, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn is part of a sight-seeing tour which ends in murder. As it ties in with his case, he rather reluctantly becomes part of the investigation -- and finds a solution quite different from that of the Roman police.
Though with well-written prose, the plot is not fully believable, the solution not fully satisfying, and the characters are somewhat stereotypical. When in Rome is also dated by the 1960's slang, and, on the whole, does not feel as convincing as those Marsh wrote during the 1930s-50s.
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake (1949) 3/5 stars
A headless corpse is discovered and, as friends of Nigel are suspected, he becomes involved in the mystery. The writing is good and the lead up to the end was interesting, but it was obvious who was the murderer from very early on and the solution not fully believable. One should also note that this novel contains a dated and disturbing view of a rape.Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett (1994) 4/5 stars
This, the 17th in the Discworld series, follows Rincewind's misadventures in the Aurient as he becomes unwillingly involved in revolution. The Wizards of Unseen University make an appearance, while Cohen the Barbarian and his Horde feature prominently. Interesting Times is funny, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining, while still managing to be thought-provoking.
Death of an Expert Witness by P.D. James (1977) 5/5 stars
A forensic scientist is found murdered in his lab, and Dalgliesh is called in to investigate. This is an excellent mystery with many well-drawn suspects with believable motives, a clever crime, and a satisfying conclusion. It is compelling, intelligent, and, as always with James, excellently written.
A New Lease of Death by Ruth Rendell (1967) 4/5 stars
When the Reverend Archery's son wants to marry the daughter of a convicted killer, Archery decides to delve into the past in hopes of finding that Inspector Wexford had got the wrong man. This is a clever mystery, well-written and intelligent. Both the main plot and the subplots draw the reader in fully, and the characters are believable and often appealing. While not perfect, it is completely entertaining and worth reading.
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