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| Grace Livingston Hill |
The Sweet Dove Died by Barbara Pym (1978) 4/5 stars
This was a reread; my original review is here.
A Daily Rate by Grace Livingston Hill (1900) 3/5 stars
This gentle Christian novel was one of Hill's earliest, and lacks the depth and maturity of those published later. It's still a pleasant read, and the details of early twentieth-century life were quite interesting.
The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (1940) 5/5 stars
In this intelligent and insightful book, Lewis explains, among other things, his beliefs on how pain could possibly fit in with a merciful God.
Audio Books Completed:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (2019) 4/5 stars
This novel of fantasy/magical realism is hard to explain without giving away the complex plot. It is quite enjoyable, though, and while I did have a few quibbles with it, I would recommend it to those readers who enjoy that genre.
To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn (2001) 3/5 stars
Another light but fun Daisy Dalrymple mystery, this time taking place on a ship traveling to the U.S. It was rather easy to figure out what was going on and why, but the characters kept it interesting to the end.
The Extraordinary Adventures of
Arsène Lupin: Gentleman Burglar by Maurice Leblanc (1907) 4/5 stars
This is a thoroughly entertaining set of adventure stories about a "gentleman burglar" in France at the turn of the 20th century. Similar to Doyle's Holmes stories, the fun is finding out how it was done, with the difference being that the reader is cheering for the villain instead.
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett (1996) 5/5 stars
This was a reread of this mystery featuring the Night Watch, Vetinari, and the Golems of Anhk-Morpork. As is usual with the Discworld novels, it is excellently written, completely engrossing, and extremely amusing. As is also the norm with Pratchett, it combines humor and action with bits of philosophy and deep life lessons. Sir Terry was a true genius.
The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier (1969) 4/5 stars
Dr. Magnus Lane has created a drug which seems to cause the user to go back in time; he persuades his best friend, Richard, to test it for him. Richard becomes engrossed in the other world, to the detriment of his life in the real world. Du Maurier is an excellent writer, adept at creating a sense of building dread. The plot is riveting and intriguing, and, despite this being a reread for me, I was completely drawn into Richard's story.
The Brading Collection by Patricia Wentworth (1950) 4/5 stars
Miss Silver helps the police to discover a murderer in this well-plotted mystery. I knew the who and how early on, but still enjoyed the slow reveal.
The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer (1946) 4/5 stars
In this light Regency romance/mystery, governess Elinor Rochdale is persuaded by Lord Carlyon to marry his dying reprobate cousin, Eustace Cheviot. Moving into the neglected Cheviot estate, the new widow finds intrigue and danger - - and eventually love. Heyer is an excellent writer, and the meticulously researched historical details make a rich setting for the enjoyable plot.
Arsène Lupin versus Sherlock Holmes by Maurice Leblanc
(1910) 3/5 stars
Leblanc's plots are fun and interesting, but his depiction of Holmes is so far off from the canon that it's distracting. Had Lupin squared off against an original detective, this would have been excellent; as it is, it's merely okay.
Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves (2007) 4/5 stars
Inspector Stanhope investigates the murder of a teenager, who has been strangled, laid out in the bath, and covered with water and flowers. While the denouement wasn't particularly surprising, the characters, backstory, and action are so well-written that it is completely engrossing and entertaining.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Did Not Finish:
The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women by Elizabeth Norton
There was very little information given about "hidden lives"; the hours I listened to was mostly straightforward, well-rehearsed Tudor social history. Norton flits from one woman to the next, and while she does use little known women for some of the vignettes, famous personalities are used more. In addition, the narrator was simply terrible. I finally had to give up.
Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
This was supposed to be a sweet and charming story, but I'll never know. Kuhn started it off with an ageist description of QEII as a bumbling senior unable to use email. After that, he gives an apocryphal story as to why she is called "Lilibet", and it just went downhill from there.
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
I really enjoyed the Forgotten Garden last month, as was excited to read another by Morton. Unfortunately, more than an hour into the audio book, I was not finding my interest piqued. I may try it again later, if her other books turn out to be good.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (2019) 4/5 stars
This novel of fantasy/magical realism is hard to explain without giving away the complex plot. It is quite enjoyable, though, and while I did have a few quibbles with it, I would recommend it to those readers who enjoy that genre.
To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn (2001) 3/5 stars
Another light but fun Daisy Dalrymple mystery, this time taking place on a ship traveling to the U.S. It was rather easy to figure out what was going on and why, but the characters kept it interesting to the end.
This is a thoroughly entertaining set of adventure stories about a "gentleman burglar" in France at the turn of the 20th century. Similar to Doyle's Holmes stories, the fun is finding out how it was done, with the difference being that the reader is cheering for the villain instead.
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett (1996) 5/5 stars
This was a reread of this mystery featuring the Night Watch, Vetinari, and the Golems of Anhk-Morpork. As is usual with the Discworld novels, it is excellently written, completely engrossing, and extremely amusing. As is also the norm with Pratchett, it combines humor and action with bits of philosophy and deep life lessons. Sir Terry was a true genius.
The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier (1969) 4/5 stars
Dr. Magnus Lane has created a drug which seems to cause the user to go back in time; he persuades his best friend, Richard, to test it for him. Richard becomes engrossed in the other world, to the detriment of his life in the real world. Du Maurier is an excellent writer, adept at creating a sense of building dread. The plot is riveting and intriguing, and, despite this being a reread for me, I was completely drawn into Richard's story.
The Brading Collection by Patricia Wentworth (1950) 4/5 stars
Miss Silver helps the police to discover a murderer in this well-plotted mystery. I knew the who and how early on, but still enjoyed the slow reveal.
The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer (1946) 4/5 stars
In this light Regency romance/mystery, governess Elinor Rochdale is persuaded by Lord Carlyon to marry his dying reprobate cousin, Eustace Cheviot. Moving into the neglected Cheviot estate, the new widow finds intrigue and danger - - and eventually love. Heyer is an excellent writer, and the meticulously researched historical details make a rich setting for the enjoyable plot.
Arsène Lupin versus Sherlock Holmes by Maurice Leblanc
(1910) 3/5 stars
Leblanc's plots are fun and interesting, but his depiction of Holmes is so far off from the canon that it's distracting. Had Lupin squared off against an original detective, this would have been excellent; as it is, it's merely okay.
Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves (2007) 4/5 stars
Inspector Stanhope investigates the murder of a teenager, who has been strangled, laid out in the bath, and covered with water and flowers. While the denouement wasn't particularly surprising, the characters, backstory, and action are so well-written that it is completely engrossing and entertaining.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Did Not Finish:
The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women by Elizabeth Norton
There was very little information given about "hidden lives"; the hours I listened to was mostly straightforward, well-rehearsed Tudor social history. Norton flits from one woman to the next, and while she does use little known women for some of the vignettes, famous personalities are used more. In addition, the narrator was simply terrible. I finally had to give up.
Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
This was supposed to be a sweet and charming story, but I'll never know. Kuhn started it off with an ageist description of QEII as a bumbling senior unable to use email. After that, he gives an apocryphal story as to why she is called "Lilibet", and it just went downhill from there.
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
I really enjoyed the Forgotten Garden last month, as was excited to read another by Morton. Unfortunately, more than an hour into the audio book, I was not finding my interest piqued. I may try it again later, if her other books turn out to be good.
