October 2019 Wrap-Up

October was another difficult month, as is shown by the low amount of books I consumed.

Books Read:
Orca by Steven Brust  4/5 stars
An immediate sequel to Athyra, this book finds Vlad attempting to help a young friend suffering from a nervous breakdown.  He finds a promising healer, but in return for her help, she needs help of her own.  As a result, Vlad becomes embroiled in a financial scandal that could rock the entire Empire -- and end in his death.  As always, Brust creates a believable situation with living characters in an amazingly detailed world.  Kiera the Thief pays a larger-than-usual part, with part of the story told from her perspective. Overall, Orca is intelligent, funny, well-written, and a great addition to the Taltos series; it also delivers an especially good surprise near the end, and, as with the others, should only be read in order of publication.

Audio Books Completed:
4.50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie  4/5 stars
One of Christie's most well known, this Miss Marple mystery seems so obvious and then throws quite a curve.

Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers  4/5 stars
Sayers' mysteries are so rewarding as they are extremely well-written, generally believable, and thoroughly enjoyable.  In this one, Wimsey investigates what appears a natural death on the surface, but strikes the attending doctor as just a bit odd.

Heirs of the Body by Carola Dunn  3/5 stars
Daisy's cousin is searching for the heir to his title, which leads to murder.  As all in this series, this mystery is light and cute, rather predictable, but pleasant to read.

An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer  4/5 stars
This well-researched novel meticulously recounts the Battle of Waterloo, weaving a fictional couple and their romance into it.  Heyer's novels are always a delight, and this one was in general, but the battle details did get tedious in parts.

Death at the Dolphin by Ngaio Marsh  3/5 stars
Marsh is a master, but this one wasn't her best.  The pre-murder story was well-told, with the characters nicely fleshed out, but the actual mystery wasn't fully convincing or satisfying. 

September 2019 Wrap-Up

September was a difficult month for various reasons, and as a result, I did very little reading.

Books Read:
Athyra by Steven Brust (1993)  4/5 stars
Up until this book in the Vlad Taltos series, the story has been told in the first person point of view, with Vlad speaking.  This one follows a young man named Sven, telling in third person how he saves Vlad's life at risk of his own.  Athyra is another well-written, engrossing story with an ending that makes the reader anxious for the next book.

Audio Books Completed:
Eric by Terry Pratchett (1990)  4/5 stars
Rincewind and the Luggage, trapped in the Dungeon Dimensions, are accidentally summoned by Eric, a teenager with big dreams and the desire for a demon to fulfill them.  As with all of the Discworld series, this is an intelligent, well written, laugh-out-loud funny novel.  Not Pratchett's best, it's true, but certainly enjoyable.

The Murder Room by P. D. James  4/5 stars
A man is brutally murdered at a private museum, and Dalgliesh is called in to investigate.  The plot is well planned, the characters believable, and the writing excellent.  James never disappoints, even in a re-read.

Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett (1990)  4/5 stars
The alchemists of Ankh-Morepork discover moving pictures, unknowingly responding to the spirit of Holy Wood that wants to take over the Discworld.  This is a witty, well-written and fully enjoyable novel, with lots of Hollywood references to laugh about.

She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge  (2019) 4/5 stars
When the body of a girl is found, it answers one question of the thirty year old missing person case, but opens a complicated investigation for DCI Jonah Sheens.  This was an intelligent, well written, and fully engrossing mystery and I look forward to more from this author.


Did Not Finish:
The Baker's Daughter by D.E. Stevenson
I thoroughly enjoyed the Miss Buncle books by Stevenson, but I didn't care for this one.  I tried hard to like it -- read half of the novel -- but had no connection with the characters and didn't really care for where the plot was heading.

August 2019 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths  (2015)  3/5 stars
While Max performs in a local pantomime, the murder of two children sees Edgar scrabbling for clues.  This second in the Magic Men series continues the personal lives of the protagonists, in addition to the solving of a mystery.  Griffiths writes well, and the plot and characters are appealing, but she projects 21st century mores and views onto characters from the 1950s, giving an unrealistic atmosphere.  In addition, the culprit's motive was unconvincing, as were some details of the crime.  Griffiths, while quite talented, is not at her best with this series.

Jhereg by Steven Brust (1987)  5/5 stars
Vlad Taltos, a Jhereg assassin in Dragaera with forty-two successful jobs to his credit, recounts the events leading up to his forty-third.  It's hard to give any more information about this book, because the world-building is so amazing, with a society that is rich, complex, detailed, and believable, that it just isn't easily explainable.  This was a re-read for me, and Jhereg still immediately engages the reader, and continues to do so to the last page, due to strong writing, a thrilling plot, likable characters, and an unforgettable world.

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield (1916)  4/5 stars
In this delightful children's book, coddled city-girl Elizabeth Ann goes to live with relatives on a Vermont Farm and finds a new level of happiness.  The story is both fun and tender, with well-written prose.  Canfield, who was responsible for introducing the Montessori method to the United States, clearly shows the way she feels children should be reared and taught, but not in a didactic manner.  Though dated, Understood Betsy is still a charming novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Yendi by Steven Brust (1984)  4/5 stars
Vlad recounts the turf war that gave first gave him his territory, and the conspiracy that was behind it. While not as fully charming as Jhereg and a bit heavy on dialogue at times, this is an entertaining tale with appealing characters and a fascinating world.

Teckla by Steven Brust  (1987)  4/5 stars
Vlad's wife, Cawti, becomes involved with a grassroots revolutionary group at the risk of her life and their marriage.  Brust writes well, the characters are real and likable, and the world of Dragaera is fantastically imagined.  The discussion of the whys and hows of the proposed revolution did tend to drone on a bit, but the overall plot, while not as lighthearted as the previous volumes, was gripping and compelling.

Taltos by Steven Brust (1988)  5/5 stars
Vlad is hired by two Dragaerans, Morrolan of the House of Dragon and master of the floating Castle Black, and Sethra Lavode, the undead Enchantress of Dzur Mountain, to traverse the Paths of the Dead and rescue the Dragonlord heir to the throne.  Brust skillfully weaves three tales together to tell the story of the rescue, while also recounting what led up to his working for the Jhereg Organization, and following Vlad as he performs a potentially deadly spell.  Brust, unlike some other authors and screenwriters, has no trouble going back and forth in time with his stories, and doesn't have to retcon characters or rewrite events to make it work.  As with the other Vlad novels, Taltos is intelligent, funny, exciting, and memorable -- all that good fantasy should be. 

Phoenix by Steven Brust (1990)  4/5 stars
The Demon Goddess Verra requests Vlad's talents for a regicide and the consequences are many.  Brust excels at world building and creating memorable characters.  The plot is solid, intelligent, and complex resulting in a memorable novel.

Audio Books Completed:
Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer  (1935)  4/5 stars
Heyer's first Regency novel sets the tone for those to follow: it's intelligent, witty, enjoyable, and historically accurate.  While I generally eschew romance, I have been a Heyer fan since my early teens, and appreciate the details and tangled plots even more now.

Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen (1949)  3/5 stars
A serial killer is loose in New York City, and the Mayor requests Ellery's help.  The plot was quite good, but long passages of introspection, discussion, and explanation made it twice as long as it should have been.  I knew the answer quite some time before Ellery, and by the last hour, I was antsy just to get it finished.
(Ellery Queen is one of the few American mystery authors I enjoy; others include Mary Roberts Rinehart and Anna Katharine Green, and sometime Mignon Eberhart.)


Alter by Jeremy Robinson  (2018)  4/5 stars
Greg is the sole survivor of a plane crash, which leaves him stranded in the Amazon with few supplies.  He makes allies, learns new skills, and finds himself forgetting that a world exists outside the jungle.  Robinson writes well and makes Greg and other characters believable. The plot is interesting, sometimes riveting. The last chapters drag, but the ending was beautiful.

Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King (2005)  4/5 stars
Mary Russell and her husband visit San Francisco for Mary to attend to some family business.  While there, they become involved in a mystery in Mary's past.  This is a well-written, intelligent, and entertaining mystery, with wonderful characters and an engrossing plot.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine (2017) 3/5 stars
Amber is a conwoman, who has picked Jackson Parrish as her intended husband.  She ingratiates herself with Jackson's wife, Daphne, and worms her way into their lives.  The story is told in two parts, first from Amber's point of view, then from Daphne's.  This had such promise, but lacked excitement and depth.  It kept me intrigued, but I was certainly disappointed as it worked it's way to a conclusion.

Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie  (1953)  4/5 stars
A businessman who is poisoned is discovered with a pocket full of rye.  Miss Marple becomes interested due to a personal connection, and helps the police find the solution.  The answer seems so straightforward, but Christie throws in a fantastic surprise making it a truly enjoyable read.

Did Not Finish:
Middlemarch by George Eliot
This was a reread for me, to fit in with a reading challenge, and I remember loving this the first time I read it.  This time, though it was still wonderful, I found that I was just not in the mood for a lengthy, slow-paced novel at this time, so I went back to quick, lighter reads.

Dead Souls by Ian Rankin
I've enjoyed the two mysteries I've previously read by Rankin but this one was bleak and depressing.  I made it five hours through, but when I looked and saw that I had that much more to go, I simply couldn't.

Super in the City by Daphne Ulliver
I made it a few pages into this, but it was not my style.

Dangerous to Know by Margaret Yorke
This highly recommended thriller deals with domestic abuse and I simply couldn't stomach it.

July 2019 Wrap-Up

Books Read
The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths (2015)  4/5 stars
When the body of a World War II pilot is unearthed, both forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson are called in for their opinion.  It is obvious that man was murdered, leading Nelson to investigate a local well-known family, while Ruth excavates for evidence that will lead to the killer.  As with the previous books of the series, the Ghost Fields is an intelligent and engrossing mix of mystery and the private life of the main characters.  (This series should be read in order.)

The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths (2016)  3/5 stars
DCI Nelson is investigating the murder of a young woman, a crime that could be connected to the poison pen letters being received by one of Ruth's friends.  The mystery and solution were a bit convoluted, but the story was interesting and the writing excellent.  (This series should be read in order.)

The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths (2017)  4/5 stars
When bones are found in an underground chamber, both forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson are called in to investigate.  Soon, Nelson is involved in a case involving the murders of two homeless men and the disappearance of three women.  Meanwhile, Ruth, though on the periphery of the case, becomes involved in the solution.  This is another well-written, intelligent, and gripping story by Griffiths. Ruth and Nelson are such likable people - - well-intentioned, fallible, and completely convincing - - that the reader is as much drawn to their story as to the mystery.   (This series should be read in order.)

The Art of Disappearance by Anita Desai  (2011)  2/5 stars
This is a set of three melancholy longish short stories.  Desai's prose is beautiful, sometimes poetic.  The plots of the stories, however, are meandering and uninteresting, exploring the inner workings of bland characters with endings that feel unfinished.

Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym  (1977)  5/5 stars  (my review here)

The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths  (2018)  3/5 stars
An Italian colleague requests Ruth's help, but while visiting she discovers a murder victim.  Meanwhile, back in Norwich, a convicted murderer who has sworn revenge on DCI Nelson is out of prison and possibly stalking his family.  This one was more about the personal lives of the two, with the mystery being just the hook for hanging the story.  It was still well-written and engrossing, but lacked the suspense and atmosphere of previous books.

The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths  (2019)  4/5 stars
DCI Nelson becomes involved in solving a cold case from the 1980s, and later, a kidnapping case that may be tied to it.  Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, helps solve part of the puzzle, while also dealing with specters from her past.  As with all the Ruth Galloway novels, this is intelligent, well-written, and engrossing.  The mix of  mystery with personal life is perfect, making for a hard-to-put-down read.

The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (2019) 4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths (2014)  3/5 stars
In Brighton, in 1950, a woman is gruesomely murdered in an imitation of a magician's trick, in a crime that seems to be connected with a special operations group from the War.  Griffiths' talent for arresting prose, entertaining plots, and likable characters shines through in this mystery.  There were a few plot holes, and the culprit's reasons weren't convincing, both issues which weakened the book. The Zig Zag Girl it's still a fun read, though, and completely engrossing.

Audio Books Completed
King Arthur: History and Legend by Dorsey Armstrong, PhD (2015)  5/5 stars
This is not a book, but a 12 hour course from the Great Courses about King Arthur in history and literature.  It was fascinating and informative, and Dr. Armstrong was clear in speech and idea, as well as an obvious expert in the field.

Birds of a Feather  by Jacqueline Winspear  (2004)  4/5 stars
In 1930, Detective Maisie Dobbs is hired for a missing person case, which leads her to investigate three murders which may all be connected to the Great War.  While Maisie's character isn't fully believable,  the writing is great and the mystery was fully engrossing.

The Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan (2015) 3/5 stars
Isabella, Lady Trent, continues her autobiography in this third volume, as she describes a sea voyage and subsequent adventures while hunting for aquatic dragons in the Broken Sea.  As with the previous two novels, the world building is fantastic and the writing solid, but it was certainly not as charming or captivating as the prior books. In addition, the plot dragged at the beginning, then occasionally through out, with most of the action occurring in the last quarter of the book, making for uneven reading.

Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh  (1962)  4/5 stars
This is another of Marsh's Inspector Alleyn murder mysteries.  One of Marsh's strengths is how well she introduces the characters before the actual event, letting the reader feel invested in the suspects and victim.  This book is also solidly plotted, and though the actual murder was a bit far-fetched, the overall whole was satisfying.

An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson (2008)  3/5 stars
Josephine makes a friend on the train to London, and when the girl is murdered, she becomes involved in the solving of a crime that has in origins in the Great War twenty years prior.  The mystery itself hinged on many coincidences and had some plot holes. The last third dragged on and on due to three excruciatingly long personal confessions.  I'm giving it three stars instead of two, though, because of Upson's good prose and character development.

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett (1989)  5/5 stars
The eighth in the series, this Discworld novel introduces the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork, who must defeat a dragon summoned by a secret cult trying to take over the city.  This is one of Pratchett's best: witty, funny, intelligent, and wise, with a complex and entertaining plot, and fantastic, lovable characters.

Did Not Finish:
Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart
Another mystery located in the U.S. that I just couldn't get interested in, despite it's being historical and based loosely on fact.  I listened for a couple of hours, but never became connected to the characters or their situation.

A Death of No Importance by Mariah Fredricks
Yes, I tried another U.S. based mystery.  You can see where that got me.  The protagonist is a lady's maid during the Gilded Age that apparently has enough time on her hands to solve mysteries.  (I dumped one with the same premise in May.)  The historical accuracy of mores and social intricacies was lacking, and I couldn't connect with the character.

Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam
I listened to over an hour, but did not connect with Chandra nor feel any interest in his life.  I did not like Chandra's (the author's ?) view of the world around him or of his inner self, and I didn't care enough to stick around and see if he changed either.

The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

The Stranger Diaries 
Elly Griffiths
2019
4/5 stars

It's difficult to explain this novel without giving away some of the surprises, so I'll be brief: When a colleague and close friend is murdered, Claire, a high school literature teacher, becomes involved in a nightmare.

Griffiths is a skilled story-teller, with prose that is both intelligent and down-to-earth.  The Stranger Diaries alternates points-of-view between Claire, her daughter, and the detective in charge of the case; all three have distinct voices and are well-defined.  The plot is complex, but not convoluted, and is atmospheric, gripping, and intriguing.  The climax wasn't fully believable, thanks to a coincidence combined with an unexplained happening (the only thing keeping this from being a five star read), but the who and why were satisfying, and the overall experience a pleasant thrill.

On a personal note: I read it in the course of a few hours of non-stop reading: it's just that hard to put down.

Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym

Quartet in Autumn
Barbara Pym
1977
5/5 stars

"But at least it made one realise that life still held infinite possibilities for change."

Edwin, Norman, Letty, and Marcia are coworkers in an office, all four nearing retirement age.  The women retire at the same time, and as is to be expected, the dynamics of the relationships between the four alter as their individual lives change.

To read the description of the plot, it doesn't seem likely that it would be an interesting book, and yet, it is engrossing.  The story appears to be just a gentle character study, but underneath it is witty, wry, poignant, sad, and, in the end, triumphantly hopeful.  Pym's characters and situations are believable and alive, and this book, as a whole, is exceptional.

June 2019 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis  (1952) 5/5 stars
Lewis, the great Christian apologist, does an excellent job of explaining what Christianity is and isn't, why he chose it, and what the final point of it is.

The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar  (2018)   (my review here)

Lizard by Banana Yoshimoto  (1993)  2/5 stars
This is a selection of short stories by one of Japan's renowned storytellers. They are actually slices of life, without a concrete beginning or end, some even without a defined conflict. I did not connect with, nor was I even interested by, the characters or plots.  I was unimpressed with Yoshimoto's style, as well, but this could be a fault of the translation.  I hate to rate it two stars, but this was not a good match for me.

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (2009)  4/5 stars
When bones are found in a marsh, Detective Inspector Harry Nelson calls in forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway to determine whether it is a child that has been missing for a decade or an age-old skeleton.  Another child is abducted with links to the previous one, and Ruth becomes involved in the search at the risk of her life.

I was impressed with this mystery, even though I had solved part of it mid-way, and still found it thrilling to the end.  Both Ruth and Nelson were appealing characters, the plot was mostly sound, and the story flowed well.  I look forward to continuing the series.

The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths (2011)  4/5 stars
The skeleton of a decapitated child is discovered on a building site, and forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is asked to give her expertise.  This leads to a decades old mystery and a threat to Ruth's life.

While it's rather improbable to think that Ruth would find herself in deadly peril just a few months after the incidents of the Crossing Places, I still enjoyed this immensely.  The prose was good, the story stayed intense and interesting, and Griffiths is deft at creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease.  I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series. (Note: These books are best read in order.)

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths (2011)  4/5 stars
Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, succonded to Serious Crimes Unit, investigates when six skeletons are found,  with hands bound and shot execution style. Scientific evidence dates the remains to World War II, and Ruth and Detective Inspector Nelson begin to uncover a secret from the past that someone will kill to keep hidden.

This, the third in the series, is well-written, intelligent, and engrossing.  Having Ruth's life threatened three times in just over a year does require suspension of disbelief, but doesn't lessen the entertainment value of this novel.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths (2012)  4/5 stars
When Ruth finds a young curator dead in his museum, it begins a case for DCI Nelson that involves suspicious deaths, drug smuggling, and the bones of ancestors.  Ruth is only tangentially involved  in this crimes in this novel, but is still a strong presence, and the reader is given more glimpses of her personal life.  Nelson's subordinates feature more prominently than he does, but this does nothing to lessen the appeal of the book.  It's well-written, intelligent, and strongly interesting.  I definitely recommend this series.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (2013)  4/5 stars
After a colleague of forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is murdered in a house fire, she receives a letter from him, posted before his death, hinting of a major archaeological discovery that could shake academia.  Ruth is asked to investigate his find, which leads her into contact with a dangerous underground society.  As with previous volumes of this series, A Dying Fall is well-written and attention-holding, continuing to further Ruth's personal story in addition to providing a satisfying mystery.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths (2014) 3/5 stars
While DCI Nelson is investigating a potential infanticide, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is excavating what may be the skeleton of a Victorian woman hanged for the same crime.  Things get worse for Nelson when a child-snatching occurs in his jurisdiction, with Ruth and her friends also involved.  This is another well-written mystery, with believable and likable characters.  The solution arrived too suddenly and without enough clues, but despite that, the Outcast Dead is another enjoyable read from Griffiths.  (Note: These books are best read in order.)

Audio Books Completed:
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty  (2013) 4/5 stars  (my review here)

Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson  (2016) 5/5 stars  (my review here)

Let it Bleed by Ian Rankin  (1995) 3/5 stars
A double suicide, followed by another suicide, leads Inspector Rebus to a plot involving politicians, industry leaders, and the establishment in general. 

Rankin writes well, and Rebus is an engaging character. However, this story is more of intrigue than mystery, and wasn't a good fit for me.

The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey  (2007)  4/5 stars
Inspector Peter Diamond investigates both an apparent murder/suicide, and a series of ram-raids plaguing Bath.  I love the character of Peter Diamond: he is likable, fallible, and believable.  There is a nice mix of personal and professional in this mystery, with a generally credible crime and solution.


Did Not Finish
Fragile by Lisa Unger
I listened to two hours of this novel, and nothing had happened yet.  I found it deadly dull and wasn't willing to wait any more for the suspense to begin.

Mistletoe Man by Susan Wittig Albert
This is a series, and I started in the middle; this could be why I couldn't get into it, but neither the story, nor the prose, nor the characters caught my interest.

Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart
I wasn't drawn in by the characters, plot, or writing style, and the murder seemed unnecessarily complicated and ridiculous.

Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
 I didn't like the family dynamics at the beginning, and though I listened for nearly two hours (all the way up to the murder), I was never drawn in to the story. It's possible that it was because I started mid-series, but I didn't connect with protagonist, either.  I generally don't like American mysteries (both the Hart and the Albert books above are also American); I don't know why I keep trying!