April 2021 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
The Bellamy Trial by Frances Noyes Hart  4/5  (1927)
This mystery is told solely through the evidence given at a murder trial.  It is so well written that the characters and situations came alive through the testimony.  It was a quick read, and while the real killer was obvious after a point, the Bellamy Trial was a pleasure from start to finish.

The Red Right Hand  by Joel Townsley Roberts 5/5  (1945)

This novel is told in first-person by a young doctor; he describes how a couple, on their way to get married, pick up a hitchhiker with terrifying results.  The clues and false clues kept me guessing until the very end, and it was just creepy enough that I felt anxious throughout the entire experience.  Overall, it is a fantastic read, engrossing and impossible to put down (I read it in two sittings and my husband read it in the course of a day).  The Red Right Hand comes highly recommended from us both.

Resorting to Murder: Holiday Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards  5/5 stars (2015)

This is a wonderful set of (mostly) Golden Age mystery short stories, that take place during the character's vacation, or, as the British call it, holiday.  Edwards has selected fourteen British authors, some well-known and some that have been forgotten, all of whom had excellent reputations and wide popularity in their time.  While not all the stories amazed me, I did find them all well-written, interesting, and worth reading.  I discovered several authors that I explore further. Overall I would give this collection a 4.5 rating, and as such have rounded it up to 5 stars.

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee (2016)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey (1970)  3/5 stars

I am such a fan of Lovesey's Peter Diamond series, so was interested to try this, his debut novel.  It's an amusing, rather light-hearted mystery taking place during a six-day walking competition in 1879.  The plot was certainly interesting, though the main characters weren't fully developed. The culprit was a surprise, but the motive was a bit weak.  I was entertained throughout, though, and will most likely read more of the Sergeant Cribb books. 

The Murder of My Aunt by Richard Hull (1934)  3/5 stars

The first few pages of this book were amazing -- read-out-loud funny and such a hook -- and the narrator was so well-written that I could almost sympathize with him.  Hull couldn't keep that level of brilliance throughout, though, and as a result it's a frustratingly uneven read.  

Dread Journey by Dorothy B. Hughes (1945)  3/5 stars

Hughes creates a fantastic sense of dread throughout, and her prose, plot and characters were great.  The ending, which seemed to be heading to a terrific resolution, simply fizzed out, though, and left me unsatisfied.  

Audio Books Completed:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1948)  5/5 stars 

This is a charming coming-of-age novel, beautifully penned, with  memorable characters.  I've read it several times, and each time I am again amazed at just how good it is.

The Trespasser by Tana French (2016) 4/5 stars

French is an amazing writer. Even before I felt invested in the story (it took a bit for me), I was compelled to continue to listen, and thought about the book when I wasn't.  The characters were real, with Conway particularly believable, the mystery was intriguing, and the ending was completely satisfying.  It wasn't perfect for me, as I was slow to connect with the plot, but it is still a solid win.  I can't recommend French enough.

The Last Chapter by Nicholas Blake (1957)   4/5 stars

This generally well-written mystery had enough clues and red herrings to keep me guessing, and was interesting and entertaining through to the end.

The Dry by Jane Harper (2016) 4/5 stars

Parts of this debut novel were stellar, and there is no question that Harper is a talented mystery-writer.  The importance of Australia itself on the plot was extremely well-done.  While the solution wasn't fully believable, the characters and most of the rest of the plot was were life-like.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

Did Not Finish:

A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde

I wasn't impressed by the first chapter of this Regency cozy, but was willing to give it more time.  When the female friend who makes her living by being a journalist (in 1817?!) appeared in chapter two, however, I gave up.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This was my second time trying to read this popular and high-rated thriller.  The first time was on audiobook, and after a graphic murder, I decided that it wasn't a good one for listening. This year, it came on my radar again, so I tried reading it.  I got as far as a porn snuff film, and decided it just wasn't for me.

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

I'm a huge fan of Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series, and was looking forward to trying her newest series, but the audiobook narrator was too soft and too fast.  I'll try it again later, when I can read it instead of listen.

The Sherlockian by Graham  Moore

I'm Holmes-mad, and was expecting this to be great fun.  Several things grated on my nerves immediately, including the writing in general, and since the historical inaccuracies had started early on, I quit only about an hour into the audiobook.  (Here's an example of the book: "The woman turned, her tight gray hair spinning round to reveal glasses thicker than one would think a woman could get away with wearing."  Wait, uh, what??)