Books Read:
On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard (1997) 5/5 stars
This scholarly work by the apologist Dr. Howard was both insightful and accessible.
Audio Books Completed:
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain (2014) 4/5 stars
This is a sweet romance about a man who finds a stolen purse and attempts to reunite it with it's owner. It's not my typical genre, but I enjoyed the writing and the style and would be willing to try another novel by Laurain.
Broken Harbor by Tana French (2012) 5/5 stars
In this grim mystery, Detective Kennedy is put on the case when a family is attacked inside their home. With three of the victims dead, and the survivor comatose, he attempts to piece together what happened, all the while facing his own personal demons. French is a phenomenally good writer; the characters were fleshed and believeable, and the plot was gripping. As with the previous books in the series, not all the questions are answered, making it incredibly real. I highly recommend French's novels.
Stagestruck by Peter Lovesey (2011) 4/5 stars
Detective Peter Diamond of the Bath CID is called in to investigate an accident in the theatre that may have been more than accidental. A suicide follows, then a murder, and Diamond must work fast to prevent another death. Peter Diamond became one of my favorite characters early in the series, and this one solidifies his realistic character. Lovesey writes well and always creates an engrossing mystery. I highly recommend this series.
Tied up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh (1972) 3/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn becomes involved in a murder case that takes place when his wife is at a Christmas house party. Marsh doesn't do well in portraying the 1960s and '70s; her slang and references feel forced and the atmosphere creates the feel of a much earlier decade. I enjoyed the characters and most of the plot, but wasn't fully convinced by either the murder or the reason behind it.
On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard (1997) 5/5 stars
This scholarly work by the apologist Dr. Howard was both insightful and accessible.
Audio Books Completed:
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain (2014) 4/5 stars
This is a sweet romance about a man who finds a stolen purse and attempts to reunite it with it's owner. It's not my typical genre, but I enjoyed the writing and the style and would be willing to try another novel by Laurain.Broken Harbor by Tana French (2012) 5/5 stars
In this grim mystery, Detective Kennedy is put on the case when a family is attacked inside their home. With three of the victims dead, and the survivor comatose, he attempts to piece together what happened, all the while facing his own personal demons. French is a phenomenally good writer; the characters were fleshed and believeable, and the plot was gripping. As with the previous books in the series, not all the questions are answered, making it incredibly real. I highly recommend French's novels.
Stagestruck by Peter Lovesey (2011) 4/5 stars
Detective Peter Diamond of the Bath CID is called in to investigate an accident in the theatre that may have been more than accidental. A suicide follows, then a murder, and Diamond must work fast to prevent another death. Peter Diamond became one of my favorite characters early in the series, and this one solidifies his realistic character. Lovesey writes well and always creates an engrossing mystery. I highly recommend this series.
Tied up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh (1972) 3/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn becomes involved in a murder case that takes place when his wife is at a Christmas house party. Marsh doesn't do well in portraying the 1960s and '70s; her slang and references feel forced and the atmosphere creates the feel of a much earlier decade. I enjoyed the characters and most of the plot, but wasn't fully convinced by either the murder or the reason behind it.
