Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman by E.W. Hornung

Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman 
E.W. Hornung
1898
2/5 stars 

This was such a disappointing read for me.  Described as the anti-Holmes, Raffles is a "gentleman thief", and the influence of Maurice Leblanc's great character Arsène Lupin. Based on this, I had high expectations rooting for the bad guy through a series of fun escapades.  

Unlike the Lupin books, though, these short stories, narrated by Raffles' friend Bunny, are dry, practically plot-less, and rarely amusing.  Raffles is amoral and narcissistic, and his friendship with Bunny is no friendship at all, but rather the situation of a strong person taking advantage of a weaker.  As he is unlikable, there is no redeeming features to his character and no reason for the reader to applaud his deeds -- particularly in the final story.

I thoroughly enjoy Victorian novels on the whole, so this gets two stars instead of one, due to the setting, with the mores and customs so clear.  This doesn't make Raffles worth reading, though, and I recommend giving Hornung's stories a miss.

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

The Lantern Men 
Elly Griffiths
2020
3/5 stars

DCI Nelson has just seen a serial killer sentenced, one that he was responsible for arresting.  While Nelson is completely satisfied with the case, March -- along with the three women in his life --continues to proclaim his innocence.  March then tells Nelson that he will give the location of two more bodies, if forensic archeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway is in charge of the dig.  Ruth agrees, and finds the two bodies, and another unexpected one.  In the meantime, another victim is murdered in March's style and now Nelson must wonder if he really did catch the right man.  Ruth, investigating in her own way, uncovers some vital evidence which puts her life in danger.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It is an engrossing, compelling read -- nearly impossible to put down -- with excellent characters and an intriguing plot.  Unfortunately, I found the verb tense jarring (why didn't it affect me in the first eleven books??), the solution unsatisfying, and the continuing Nelson/Ruth personal drama wearing thin.  That said, I still enjoyed it; I just wasn't as captivated by it as I have been with others in the series.  (Note: this series must be read in order.)

August 2020 Wrap-Up

Grace Livingston Hill

Books Read:
The Sweet Dove Died by Barbara Pym (1978)  4/5 stars
This was a reread; my original review is here.

A Daily Rate by Grace Livingston Hill (1900)  3/5 stars
This gentle Christian novel was one of Hill's earliest, and lacks the depth and maturity of those published later.  It's still a pleasant read, and the details of early twentieth-century life were quite interesting.

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (1940)  5/5 stars
In this intelligent and insightful book, Lewis explains, among other things, his beliefs on how pain could possibly fit in with a merciful God.

Audio Books Completed:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (2019)  4/5 stars
This novel of fantasy/magical realism is hard to explain without giving away the complex plot.  It is quite enjoyable, though, and while I did have a few quibbles with it, I would recommend it to those readers who enjoy that genre.

To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn (2001)  3/5 stars
Another light but fun Daisy Dalrymple mystery, this time taking place on a ship traveling to the U.S.  It was rather easy to figure out what was going on and why, but the characters kept it interesting to the end.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin: Gentleman Burglar by Maurice Leblanc (1907)  4/5 stars
This is a thoroughly entertaining set of adventure stories about a "gentleman burglar" in France at the turn of the 20th century.  Similar to Doyle's Holmes stories, the fun is finding out how it was done, with the difference being that the reader is cheering for the villain instead.

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett (1996)  5/5 stars
This was a reread of this mystery featuring the Night Watch, Vetinari, and the Golems of Anhk-Morpork.  As is usual with the Discworld novels, it is excellently written, completely engrossing, and extremely amusing.  As is also the norm with Pratchett, it combines humor and action with bits of philosophy and deep life lessons.  Sir Terry was a true genius.

The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier (1969)  4/5 stars
Dr. Magnus Lane has created a drug which seems to cause the user to go back in time; he persuades his best friend, Richard, to test it for him.  Richard becomes engrossed in the other world, to the detriment of his life in the real world.  Du Maurier is an excellent writer, adept at creating a sense of building dread.  The plot is riveting and intriguing, and, despite this being a reread for me, I was completely drawn into Richard's story.

The Brading Collection by Patricia Wentworth  (1950)  4/5 stars
Miss Silver helps the police to discover a murderer in this well-plotted mystery.  I knew the who and how early on, but still enjoyed the slow reveal.

The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer (1946)  4/5 stars
In this light Regency romance/mystery, governess Elinor Rochdale is persuaded by Lord Carlyon to marry his dying reprobate cousin, Eustace Cheviot. Moving into the neglected Cheviot estate, the new widow finds intrigue and danger - - and eventually love.  Heyer is an excellent writer, and the meticulously researched historical details make a rich setting for the enjoyable plot.

Arsène Lupin versus Sherlock Holmes by Maurice Leblanc
(1910)  3/5 stars
Leblanc's plots are fun and interesting, but his depiction of Holmes is so far off from the canon that it's distracting.  Had Lupin squared off against an original detective, this would have been excellent; as it is, it's merely okay.

Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves (2007)  4/5 stars
Inspector Stanhope investigates the murder of a teenager, who has been strangled, laid out in the bath, and covered with water and flowers.  While the denouement wasn't particularly surprising, the characters, backstory, and action are so well-written that it is completely engrossing and entertaining.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)  4/5 stars (my review here)

Did Not Finish: 
The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women by Elizabeth Norton
There was very little information given about "hidden lives"; the hours I listened to was mostly straightforward, well-rehearsed Tudor social history.  Norton flits from one woman to the next, and while she does use little known women for some of the vignettes, famous personalities are used more.  In addition, the narrator was simply terrible.  I finally had to give up.

Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
This was supposed to be a sweet and charming story, but I'll never know.  Kuhn started it off with an ageist description of QEII as a bumbling senior unable to use email.  After that, he gives an apocryphal story as to why she is called "Lilibet", and it just went downhill from there.

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
I really enjoyed the Forgotten Garden last month, as was excited to read another by Morton.  Unfortunately, more than an hour into the audio book, I was not finding my interest piqued.  I may try it again later, if her other books turn out to be good.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides
2019
4/5 stars

Six years ago, Alicia Berenson was found guilty of the murder of her husband, and placed in a secure forensic psychiatric ward in the Grove.  From the time the police found her by the body, she has never spoken. 

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has come to work at the Grove specifically in the hopes of being able to work with Alicia.  He feels strongly that he can help her find her voice again.  As Theo begins working toward that end, he finds himself making unconventional decisions in an attempt to uncover her past and reveal the reason behind the murder. He becomes too focused on Alicia; seduced by her silence and verging on obsessed, Theo's motives become blurred, leading him into dangerous territory.

This is a well-written novel, engrossing from the beginning, which stays absorbing throughout.  The gradual reveal of personalities, motives, and history is well done.  The characters are realistic, the suspense builds nicely, and the overall plot is convincing. I figured out the twist in advance, but that did not lessen the enjoyment.  I would certainly recommend this slow burning mystery-thriller.

July 2020 Wrap-up

I was just not motivated in July, so I didn't write reviews.

Books Read:
Happy Returns by Angela Thirkell (1952)  4/5 stars

Audio Books:
Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers (1931)   4/5 stars

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2008)   4/5 stars

Rather difficult to explain without giving away spoilers, but it is definitely worth reading.

Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith (2005)  4/5 stars

Telling Tales by Ann Cleeves (2005)  4/5 stars

Vera Stanhope became a favorite detective with the first book in the series; the second has further convinced me.

June 2020 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard (1997)  5/5 stars
This scholarly work by the apologist Dr. Howard was both insightful and accessible.

Audio Books Completed:
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain (2014)  4/5 stars
This is a sweet romance about a man who finds a stolen purse and attempts to reunite it with it's owner.  It's not my typical genre, but I enjoyed the writing and the style and would be willing to try another novel by Laurain.

Broken Harbor by Tana French (2012)  5/5 stars
In this grim mystery, Detective Kennedy is put on the case when a family is attacked inside their home.  With three of the victims dead, and the survivor comatose, he attempts to piece together what happened, all the while facing his own personal demons.  French is a phenomenally good writer; the characters were fleshed and believeable, and the plot was gripping.  As with the previous books in the series, not all the questions are answered, making it incredibly real.  I highly recommend French's novels.

Stagestruck by Peter Lovesey (2011)  4/5 stars
Detective Peter Diamond of the Bath CID is called in to investigate an accident in the theatre that may have been more than accidental.  A suicide follows, then a murder, and Diamond must work fast to prevent another death.  Peter Diamond became one of my favorite characters early in the series, and this one solidifies his realistic character.  Lovesey writes well and always creates an engrossing mystery.  I highly recommend this series.

Tied up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh (1972)  3/5 stars
Inspector Alleyn becomes involved in a murder case that takes place when his wife is at a Christmas house party.  Marsh doesn't do well in portraying the 1960s and '70s; her slang and references feel forced and the atmosphere creates the feel of a much earlier decade.  I enjoyed the characters and most of the plot, but wasn't fully convinced by either the murder or the reason behind it.

May 2020 Wrap-Up

Books Read:
Hawk by Steven Brust (2014) 4/5 stars
Tired of being on the run, Vlad plans a scam that will allow him to end his personal war with the city's criminal organization.  Amusing and engrossing, Hawk is another example of Brust's excellent world building and clever plots. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed by the ending, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book overall.



Audio Books Completed:
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (1894)  4/5 stars
This was a reread, so I was familiar with the stories and remembered most of the solutions.  Nonetheless, the various adventures are interesting, well-written, and truly enjoyable.

The Dreadful Hollow by Nicholas Blake (1953)   4/5 stars
Nigel is hired to find the source of the poison pen letters plaguing a small village, which has led to one suicide and another attempt.  Finding the culprit is straightforward for Nigel, but he didn't account on an additional perplexing murder.  This was a solidly good mystery, with plenty of suspects, clues, and false trails.  I did discover the answer before Nigel, but that did not lessen the enjoyment of the story.

A Death in the Dales by Frances Brody  (2015)  4/5 stars
While on vacation, Kate is introduced to a ten year old crime, and persuaded by the main eye-witness that the wrong man was hanged for it.  Brody captures the atmosphere well and adds in historical details that make the novel convincing.  The prose is good, the characters are appealing, and the mystery is involved enough to be engrossing without being over-complicated. Overall, it is satisfying and enjoyable read.

The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves (2001)  4/5 stars
Three women from very different backgrounds involved in an ecological survey at a remote cottage become the center of a murder investigation led by D.I. Vera Stanhope.  This is a very well written, completely engrossing mystery and while I didn't feel there were quite enough clues to point to the answer, I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to continuing the series.

Rattle His Bones by Carola Dunn (2003)  3/5 stars
Daisy is on the scene at the Museum of Natural History both when a murder occurs, and when a robbery is discovered that might have bearing on the killing.  This is another charming installment in this cozy mystery series.  The guilty party was easy to pick out, but the characters and period details make it an enjoyable, if casual, read.

44 Scotland Place by Alexander McCall Smith (2005)  4/5 stars
This novel follows the residents of 44 Scotland Place as they go about their daily life experiencing both the mundane and the exciting.  McCall Smith is excellent at writing realistic characters, believable situations, and gently amusing prose, and while not a lot happens, it is an altogether satisfying read.


Did Not Finish
White Nights by Ann Cleeves
I enjoyed the first of this series (my review here) and Cleeves writes well, but after two hours I had yet to become interested in the relationships that were so important, and as a result the story just dragged.

Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
I made it about an hour into this Victorian mystery, and Lady Emily used the term "weekend"; I had other qualms, historical and otherwise, about the book and found the plot rather unappealing, so I gave it up.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
I read this and loved it as a teen, so thought I'd revisit it.  I'm guessing I must have read an abridged version, or skimmed a lot then, because I found it tedious at times, with stilted prose, unconvincing situations, and truly unlikable characters.  I made it ten hours into the audio book, and just couldn't go further.