A lot of Animal Crossing made this a light reading month.
Books Read:
The Beetle by Richard Marsh (1897) 4/5 stars (my review here)
Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King (2018) 4/5 stars
When the aunt of Russell's college friend disappears, she and Holmes head to Venice to find her. This is another fun adventure, well-written and intelligent. I had a problem with one part of the ending, however, hence four stars and not five.
Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie (1944) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell (2009) 3/5 stars (my review here)
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham (1936) 4/5 stars
In this mystery, Campion's friend is arrested for murder, and he races against time to find the real killer. Despite remembering the solution, I enjoyed this reread immensely. It's intelligent, witty, and interesting, with a surprise at the ending that seals the book as a solid four stars.
The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham (1937) 4/5 stars
To help a friend, Campion becomes involved in solving a murder. This was a reread for me, but I still enjoyed it immensely. The only Campion novel written from his first-person point of view, it's well-written, amusing and intelligent, with a good twisty solution.
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers (1933) 4/5 stars
This, one of my favorite Lord Peter mysteries, sees him going to work incognito in an advertising agency to get to the bottom of a supposedly accidental death. As is usual with Sayers, it's well-written, intelligent, witty, and at times surprising. I thoroughly enjoyed this reread.
Did Not Finish:
When I Was You by Minka Kent
I knew the twist before I finished chapter eight, and, since I already had a bone to pick with the author about her depiction of mental illness, I gave up on this improbable plot. On a whim, I read the spoilers on Goodreads; I was right on target, though the reason was even more hard-to-believe than I would have imagined.
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
I didn't particularly care for the first of this series (An Expert in Murder; my review here) but, having run into several positive references to Upson recently, I decided to try the second book. I had various problems with it, though was trying to press on, but after a stomach churning domestic abuse scene, I quit. (I read the spoilers on Goodreads, and I was on the right icky track with my suspicions, but it got even worse than I was guessing. I'm really glad I didn't read it.)
The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
There is nothing wrong with this book, but it didn't grab me as a reread. Since I already knew the ending, I decided to save it for another time, when I don't remember it so well.
