The Duke's Daughter by Angela Thirkell

The Duke's Daughter
Angela Thirkell
1951
4/5 stars

This delightful continuation of the Barsetshire series follows eight youngish people, still finding their places after the War. It picks up right where County Chronicle leaves off, and needs to be read in order to understand the characters and relationships.

Thirkell's prose is witty, sometimes snarky, intelligent, and always entertaining. In the midst of the stories of the county are glimpses of post-World War II struggles, bringing poignant history to life.

I fell in love with these gentle novels from the first volume, and have yet to be disappointed as the inhabitants age, mature, and develop with the changes brought about by contemporary events.

February 2020 Wrap -Up

Books Read:
Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards (2015)  4/5 stars
As with all the Poison Pen Press/British Library Crime Classics short story collections edited by Edwards, this contains a five star assortment of authors, some well known and some now obscure.  The stories themselves vary in quality, with a few duds and a few gems sprinkled among average works.  Despite that, they are all worth reading for the exposure to the authors, the variety of styles, and the various takes on the country house mystery.

The Black Rustle by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1942)
4/5 stars
In this delightful screwball comedy/mystery, Marina visits a friend's family for the weekend and becomes entangled in not one, but two murders.  The Little sisters are aces at snappy dialogue and ridiculous situations that wrap nicely around a well-plotted, engrossing mystery.  While not their best, the Black Rustle is well-written and a great deal of fun.

Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis (1958)  5/5 stars  (my review here)

Iorich by Steven Brust (2010)  4/5 stars
Vlad, still on the run from the main Dragaeran criminal organization, discovers that his friend has been arrested and, to save her life, he risks his own by a return to Adrilankha.   Iorich is clever, well-written, and thoroughly entertaining, as are all of the Vlad Taltos novels.  Brust's ability to build a realistic world is impressive, and he has created a plot that is complex, but still comprehensible and credible.

Audio Books Completed:
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (2017) 3/5 stars  (my review here)

Soul Music by Terry Pratchett (1994)  4/5 stars
A new form of music known as "Music with Rocks In" appears on the Discworld, affecting everyone who hears it.  Archchancellor Ridcully is convinced it's alive and dangerous, while the other wizards begin to wear leather and grease up their hair.  Meanwhile, Death has disappeared, leaving his granddaughter Susan to carry on the family business.  Laugh-out-loud funny and full of tributes to classic rock-n-roll, Soul Music is entertaining and engrossing.  It lacks the poignancy of many of the Discworld novels, unfortunately, but is still the well-written, intelligent, and fun that one expects from Pratchett.

Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters (1980)  4/5 stars
When a man is murdered by a potion of Cadfael's own, he becomes interested in the death.  The man's young stepson, Edwin, is accused of the crime, but Cadfael is not convinced of his guilt -- and as Edwin's mother is Cadfael's childhood sweetheart, he has extra incentive to find the real killer.  Throughout this series, Peters writes with believable detail and creates intelligent, engrossing mysteries.  Cadfael is a delightful character and Monk's Hood is enjoyable all through.

A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie (1964)  4/5 stars
While on vacation, Miss Marple becomes convinced that a man's "natural" death is anything but.  While she muses on that problem, another murder occurs, and she must race against time to stop a third.  This is a satisfying and enjoyable mystery, with excellent twists and turns, and yet with all the pieces obvious, once the reader knows the solution.  Christie is a master at false clues and deceptive happenings, and A Caribbean Mystery full of both. It is a light and easy read, but compelling and certainly worth while.

Styx and Stones by Carola Dunn  (1999)  3/5 stars
Daisy's brother-in-law asks for her help in uncovering the source of the poison pen letters in his village.  When she stumbles over a murder victim, her fiancé, Scotland Yard Inspector Fletcher, hurries down to the country to help. This cozy mystery, like the rest of the series, is mainly fluff and atmosphere, but still entertaining and peopled with endearing characters.

Did Not Finish:
The Disappearing Spoon and Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean
This book is supposed to be full of fascinating stories relating to the elements and their discoverers, and suitable for the layperson.  I made it two and a half hours (five chapters), but found that when it wasn't over my head, it simply wasn't interesting. I am truly disappointed, as I had high hopes for this book.

A Spider in the Cup by Barbara Cleverly
I listened to over three hours of the audiobook, and it was so rooted in international politics that I just couldn't stay interested.

Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

Reflections on the Psalms 
C.S. Lewis
1958
5/5 stars

Lewis discusses the Psalms as poetry and as scripture, and expresses both his enjoyment of and his difficulties with them.  He offers wise insights into how they were intended to be read, and how to read them now.   Lewis also uses the Psalms as a springboard to other observations regarding the Bible, Christianity, and Christ.  I highly recommend this intelligent but accessible book, which is illuminating while still giving the reader much to muse on.

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Magpie Murders
Anthony Horowitz
2017
3/5 stars


When book editor Susan Ryeland begins to read the manuscript of the latest novel of cozy mystery writer Alan Conway, she does not expect to become embroiled in an investigation of his murder, a circumstance which puts her in deadly peril.

Magpie Murders is a book-within-a-book, beginning with Susan introducing herself and the novel she is about to read.  That novel, a nod to the Golden Age of mysteries, is then read. It tells the story of professional detective Atticus Pünd as he solves the murder of the lord of the manor in a small, peaceful village.  After reading most of the manuscript, Ryeland discovers that Conway has committed suicide and, given certain incidents, decides that it actually murder and that his latest book holds the key.  The plot then follows Susan as she searches for the answer.

This is an ambitious plot style, and Horowitz pulls it off well.  The switch between the stories works nicely, and the use of the Pünd adventure is quite effective.  That story itself is compelling and well-written, and a definite loving tribute to the Golden Age writers.  Susan's story, however, relies too much on coincidence -- despite a discussion by her of how she doesn't care of coincidences in mysteries -- and makes for a weak end to what began as an intelligent, highly interesting, and engrossing novel. 

January 2020 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
Dzur by Steven Brust  (2006) 4/5 stars
To help his ex-wfie, Vlad wades back into the middle of the affairs of the very crime organization wanting his head. Armed with his wits, his familiars, a Great Weapon, and the potential help of his goddess who likes to play tricks with his memory, his long-shot plan just might work.  Brust skillfully weaves two stories together against the background of a loving tribute to food.  Fast-paced and full of humor and adventure, Dzur is entertaining and satisfying.

Coffin Scarcely Used by Colin Watson (1958)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Black Piano by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1948)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

The Black Stocking by Constance and Gwenyth Little (1946)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

Jhegaala by Steven Brust  (2008) 4/5 stars
Vlad goes East, to his mother's hometown, to try and locate relatives.  Instead, he becomes involved in the conspiracies of a small town where the Coven, the Guild, and the Count all vie for power.  Not as fun as other of Vlad's adventures, and a bit confusing at times, this is still an entertaining and well-written novel.

Audio Books Completed
Skeleton Hill by Peter Lovesey (2009)  4/5 stars
A skeleton is found that appears to be about twenty years dead, and in the same neighborhood, a homeless man is murdered.  Detective Peter Diamond of Bath CID takes on the two cases, convinced that they are in some way linked.  Lovesey is an excellent mystery writer and Diamond is most realistic with his good and bad points.  The plot was credible and the story engrossing.  This is another great addition to this series.

Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh  (1968)  4/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn's wife, Troy, makes a spur of the moment decision to take a five day pleasure river cruise.  Troy finds meandering the (fictitious) river in Northern England a true pleasure, until she discovers the murdered body of a fellow passenger.  This novels has excellent character development and plot, wrapped up in intelligent prose.  It was a bit convoluted a few times, but stayed intriguing to the end.

Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett (1992)  5/5 stars
The three witches must defend Lancre from the Elves on the eve of Magrat's wedding.  This is a wonderful book, with much laugh-out-loud humor and even some touching bits.  Pratchett's world is so vivid and his characters so alive, that every trip into the Discworld is a delight, but this one is especially so.

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers (1930)  4/5 stars

A woman is on trial for the murder of her lover, but Wimsey is certain she is innocent.  When the jury can't come to an agreement, he has a month to find out the truth.  This is one of Sayers best, in part because of Wimsey's emotional involvement, but also because it's an ingenious, if hard to fully believe, solution.

Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer  (1944)  4/5 stars
Lord Sheringham needs to marry to come into his inheritance, as he's badly in debt.  When his choice refuses him, he proposes to a childhood friend, Hero.  An orphan, she is about to be sent to be a governess, so this marriage of convenience is the perfect solution for her as well. What Sherry doesn't realize is that Hero has loved him all her life.  Friday's Child follows the first several months of their marriage, as Hero struggles to find her way in society and her place in Sherry's heart.  This is one of Heyer's best, with witty conversation, engaging characters and a plot that isn't as predictable as it first seems.

Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett (1993)  4/5 stars
It's nearly impossible to describe a Pratchett novel, but in short: a dwarf is murdered with a weapon no one can fully envision, and the Night Watch becomes involved in the mystery.  Men at Arms fleshes out characters met in previous novels, and introduces some memorable new ones.  It's laugh-out-loud funny, but is also a richly layered, well-written novel.

Raven Black by Ann Cleeves (2006)  4/5 stars  (my review here)

Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

Raven Black
Ann Cleeves
2006
4/5 stars

When a young woman is murdered on the Shetland Islands, the community is certain that an elderly learning-disabled outcast is responsible, as they had suspected him for the disappearance of a child nearly a decade ago. Jimmy Perez, the local inspector, is not convinced, however, and continues to investigate despite the arrest made by outside authorities.

This was quite a good story, with a compelling plot and strong writing.  The characters were believable, though not deeply drawn, and their interactions and conversations natural. The book is rich with details and intricate layers. I was certain I had the mystery solved, only to be taken aback by the true answer. This is the first of a series that I will most certainly continue.

The Black Stocking

The Black Stocking
Constance and Gwenyth Little
1946
4/5 stars

Irene is mistaken for a psychiatric patient, and admitted to a private hospital.  It doesn't take long to straighten out the mess with the handsome head doctor, but it's just the beginning of a mystery involving a disappearing corpse, a headless nurse, a black stocking, and, of course, a murder.

This isn't as much a screwball comedy as is usual with the Little sisters, but it is still brimming with humor and the absurd.  The plot is good and the solution extremely clever.  The characters are a fun assortment involved in ridiculous situations, generally reacting as any average person would.  The Black Stocking is a thoroughly diverting and engrossing book and while it's not the best example of their talent, it's still well worth reading.