Books Read:
Hawk by Steven Brust (2014) 4/5 stars
Tired of being on the run, Vlad plans a scam that will allow him to end his personal war with the city's criminal organization. Amusing and engrossing, Hawk is another example of Brust's excellent world building and clever plots. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed by the ending, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book overall.
Audio Books Completed:
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (1894) 4/5 stars
This was a reread, so I was familiar with the stories and remembered most of the solutions. Nonetheless, the various adventures are interesting, well-written, and truly enjoyable.
The Dreadful Hollow by Nicholas Blake (1953) 4/5 stars
Nigel is hired to find the source of the poison pen letters plaguing a small village, which has led to one suicide and another attempt. Finding the culprit is straightforward for Nigel, but he didn't account on an additional perplexing murder. This was a solidly good mystery, with plenty of suspects, clues, and false trails. I did discover the answer before Nigel, but that did not lessen the enjoyment of the story.
A Death in the Dales by Frances Brody (2015) 4/5 stars
While on vacation, Kate is introduced to a ten year old crime, and persuaded by the main eye-witness that the wrong man was hanged for it. Brody captures the atmosphere well and adds in historical details that make the novel convincing. The prose is good, the characters are appealing, and the mystery is involved enough to be engrossing without being over-complicated. Overall, it is satisfying and enjoyable read.
The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves (2001) 4/5 stars
Three women from very different backgrounds involved in an ecological survey at a remote cottage become the center of a murder investigation led by D.I. Vera Stanhope. This is a very well written, completely engrossing mystery and while I didn't feel there were quite enough clues to point to the answer, I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to continuing the series.
Rattle His Bones by Carola Dunn (2003) 3/5 stars
Daisy is on the scene at the Museum of Natural History both when a murder occurs, and when a robbery is discovered that might have bearing on the killing. This is another charming installment in this cozy mystery series. The guilty party was easy to pick out, but the characters and period details make it an enjoyable, if casual, read.
44 Scotland Place by Alexander McCall Smith (2005) 4/5 stars
This novel follows the residents of 44 Scotland Place as they go about their daily life experiencing both the mundane and the exciting. McCall Smith is excellent at writing realistic characters, believable situations, and gently amusing prose, and while not a lot happens, it is an altogether satisfying read.
Did Not Finish
White Nights by Ann Cleeves
I enjoyed the first of this series (my review here) and Cleeves writes well, but after two hours I had yet to become interested in the relationships that were so important, and as a result the story just dragged.
Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
I made it about an hour into this Victorian mystery, and Lady Emily used the term "weekend"; I had other qualms, historical and otherwise, about the book and found the plot rather unappealing, so I gave it up.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
I read this and loved it as a teen, so thought I'd revisit it. I'm guessing I must have read an abridged version, or skimmed a lot then, because I found it tedious at times, with stilted prose, unconvincing situations, and truly unlikable characters. I made it ten hours into the audio book, and just couldn't go further.
Hawk by Steven Brust (2014) 4/5 stars
Tired of being on the run, Vlad plans a scam that will allow him to end his personal war with the city's criminal organization. Amusing and engrossing, Hawk is another example of Brust's excellent world building and clever plots. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed by the ending, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book overall.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (1894) 4/5 stars
This was a reread, so I was familiar with the stories and remembered most of the solutions. Nonetheless, the various adventures are interesting, well-written, and truly enjoyable.
The Dreadful Hollow by Nicholas Blake (1953) 4/5 stars
Nigel is hired to find the source of the poison pen letters plaguing a small village, which has led to one suicide and another attempt. Finding the culprit is straightforward for Nigel, but he didn't account on an additional perplexing murder. This was a solidly good mystery, with plenty of suspects, clues, and false trails. I did discover the answer before Nigel, but that did not lessen the enjoyment of the story.
A Death in the Dales by Frances Brody (2015) 4/5 stars
While on vacation, Kate is introduced to a ten year old crime, and persuaded by the main eye-witness that the wrong man was hanged for it. Brody captures the atmosphere well and adds in historical details that make the novel convincing. The prose is good, the characters are appealing, and the mystery is involved enough to be engrossing without being over-complicated. Overall, it is satisfying and enjoyable read.
The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves (2001) 4/5 stars
Three women from very different backgrounds involved in an ecological survey at a remote cottage become the center of a murder investigation led by D.I. Vera Stanhope. This is a very well written, completely engrossing mystery and while I didn't feel there were quite enough clues to point to the answer, I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to continuing the series.
Rattle His Bones by Carola Dunn (2003) 3/5 stars
Daisy is on the scene at the Museum of Natural History both when a murder occurs, and when a robbery is discovered that might have bearing on the killing. This is another charming installment in this cozy mystery series. The guilty party was easy to pick out, but the characters and period details make it an enjoyable, if casual, read.
44 Scotland Place by Alexander McCall Smith (2005) 4/5 stars
This novel follows the residents of 44 Scotland Place as they go about their daily life experiencing both the mundane and the exciting. McCall Smith is excellent at writing realistic characters, believable situations, and gently amusing prose, and while not a lot happens, it is an altogether satisfying read.
Did Not Finish
White Nights by Ann Cleeves
I enjoyed the first of this series (my review here) and Cleeves writes well, but after two hours I had yet to become interested in the relationships that were so important, and as a result the story just dragged.
Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
I made it about an hour into this Victorian mystery, and Lady Emily used the term "weekend"; I had other qualms, historical and otherwise, about the book and found the plot rather unappealing, so I gave it up.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
I read this and loved it as a teen, so thought I'd revisit it. I'm guessing I must have read an abridged version, or skimmed a lot then, because I found it tedious at times, with stilted prose, unconvincing situations, and truly unlikable characters. I made it ten hours into the audio book, and just couldn't go further.
