Still no physical books this month.
On a side note -- I somehow managed to read only female mystery authors writing about female sleuths!
Audio Books Completed:
Silhouette in Scarlet by Elizabeth Peters (1983) 3/5 stars
In this adventure, art historian Vicky Bliss visits Sweden, following clues to a potential cache of hidden ancient treasure. While not as good as the first two of the series, it's still a fun, if improbable, story, fast moving and generally well written, with a few twists and a good ending.
Trojan Gold by Elizabeth Peters (1987) 4/5 stars
In this mystery-adventure, American art historian Vicky Bliss follows an anonymously sent clue to Bavaria to search for a missing treasure. This novel is full of good dialogue, humorous situations, and likable characters. The fast-moving, sometimes suspenseful plot is, while implausible, certainly entertaining and engrossing, and a great deal of fun.
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| Elizabeth Peters |
Night Train to Memphis by Elizabeth Peters (1994) 4/5 stars
In this adventure, American art historian Vicky Bliss is persuaded to take an Egyptian cruise in order to uncover a known thief. This is the longest and most complex of Vicky's adventures, and is more suspenseful than the generally lighthearted previous ones. The engrossing plot is quite good, with lots of twists, and the characters are as likable as always. It does lack the humor prevalent earlier in the series, and I couldn't call it "fun" as I have those others, but it was still an engaging, absorbing novel.
The Jackal's Head by Elizabeth Peters (1968) 3/5 stars
American tourist Althea returns to Egypt after ten years, reawakening memories that could unlock clues to valuable secrets. This was a fun adventure, for the most part, but the casual violence by one of the main characters toward Althea was appalling, as was the attitude toward rape. Otherwise, it was entertaining, though light and thin.
The Experiences of Loveday Brooke by C.L. Pirkis (1894) 3/5 stars (my review here)
The Golden Slipper, and Other Problems for Violet Strange by Anna Katharine Green (1915)
3/5 stars (my review here)
The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters (1970) 3/5 stars
While in a Lebanese hotel, American tourist Dinah overhears a cry for help from the next room. Her response unwittingly involves her in a murder investigation. When she leaves Beirut for a tour of Israel, she becomes further enmeshed, this time with spies, archeological treasures, and romance. This is a typical Peters' adventure, with an intelligent heroine, historical interests, and improbable but fun action. Peters was talented at making interesting plots and likable characters and, while this novel is not as good as others by her, I was entertained throughout.
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| Mary Roberts Rinehart |
The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters (1974) 4/5 stars (my review here)
The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart (1908) 5/5 stars
New York society spinster Rachel Innes rents a summer home for herself and her adult niece and nephew. While there, they experience mystery, deception, murder, and more. This is a well-written, wonderfully convoluted, completely engrossing, and thoroughly entertaining story. It has some laugh out loud moments, likable characters, and many twists. While not perfect, it's close enough to earn five stars from me.
Did Not Finish:
The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters
This is the sixth and final Vicky Bliss novel, and it was a terrible disappointment. It was written fourteen years after the fifth of the series (Night Train to Memphis) and in that time Peters seems to have lost her talent for sparkling prose, likable characters, and interesting plots.
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
This was my second time trying this extremely popular series, but I heartily dislike Agatha. I'll not try again.
Death in a Family Way by Gwendolyn Southin
I tried, I really did -- I made it an hour into the audio book but, whew, this one was a real cliché-filled stinkeroo!
Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak
Just put it down as "not my sense of humor".
Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters
This is the third in the Jacqueline Kirby series, written in 1984, and takes place at a NYC romance-writer's conference. Peters' style doesn't work as well when she tries to draw upon the culture and character of the 80s, so it didn't have the personality of the previous books. As there were no exotic locations or interesting history discussed (as is typical with Peters and a great draw for me), I didn't force myself to finish a book that didn't grab me at the beginning.
Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters
This is the fourth and final book of the Jacqueline Kirby series, taking place in a small Southern US town with Jacqueline as a romance novelist hired to finish a popular series. My complaint is exactly the same as above.
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