Books Read:
Wife or Death by Ellery Queen, ghost-written by Richard Deming (1963) 4/5 stars
I did not realize until I started this book that Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee (co-authors/creators of the Ellery Queen books) had ghost-writers for some of the books written in the 1960s and '70s. Previously, I had tried House of Brass and found it to be slimy, unlike the previous books of the series, and simply unreadable for me (my dnf review); I now know that it was ghost-written by Avram Davidson and will avoid any others by him.
This one, however, by Richard Deming was quite good. The story focuses on a man whose wife is known to be a serial adulterer. When she is found murdered, he is the first and most likely suspect, so begins his own investigation to prove his innocence. It was well-plotted, interesting, and engaging. I figured out most of it, but still enjoyed it enough that I wouldn't hesitate to read another by Deming.
Birds of Prey by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1867) 3/5 stars
This is not Braddon's best, with very little thrills, suspense, or even melodrama. It ends abruptly, setting the stage for its sequel Charlotte's Inheritance; I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to continue to the next book.
Evidence of Things Seen by Elizabeth Daly (1943) 4/5 stars
Henry Gamadge mysteries, book 6
Gamadge's wife becomes a suspect in a murder case, and he must set things right. This was a very enjoyable quick read with a satisfying conclusion. I like Daly better with each one I read.
Audiobooks Completed:
The Crystal Stopper by Maurice Leblanc (1912) 4/5 stars
Arsène Lupin, book 5
This is a mystery/adventure about the likable gentleman thief and master of disguise, Arsène Lupin. In it, Lupin nearly meets his match when he tries to save one of his gang from the guillotine. This is a fun, enjoyable read that gradually becomes quite serious and tense as the execution nears and Lupin fails attempt after attempt. I can't rate it five stars, but I did get that much pleasure from it.
A Short Bright Flash: Augustin Fresnel and the Birth of the Modern Lighthouse by Theresa Levitt (2013) 4/5 stars
This is a biography of the short life of Agustin Fresnel, inventor of the Fresnel lens which changed modern lighthouse technology. After his biography, the author continues with the history of modern lighthouses in France, Great Britain, and the U.S., up through World War II. While it is sometimes rather technical, the book is interesting and informative, and generally easy to follow.
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet by Katherine Cowley (2021) 4/5 stars
The Secret Life of Mary Bennet, book one
This was a delightful tale of Austen's Mary Bennet, taking place after the death of her father. Cowley stuck very closely to the original character -- not giving her glasses, unlike the movies and some other pastiches, and keeping her overly scholarly, prim, and sometimes annoying. Mary made an excellent amateur detective, with her detailed mind, nosey nature, and plain exterior. The changes to her personality were slow, slight, and believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this and couldn't read it fast enough; I certainly plan on reading the other two the author wrote. (Note: for those that want to know how it compared to The Other Bennet Sister, I'll just point out that I did not care enough for the un-Austen-like Mary in that one to finish it (my dnf review), yet I loved Cowley's version of Mary.)
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