The more I read of Poirot, the more I enjoy his stories. Granted, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is more of a novella or short story, but I adThe more I read of Poirot, the more I enjoy his stories. Granted, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is more of a novella or short story, but I adored it. Rural English setting, country estate, details of traditional Christmas customs, all guaranteed to entertain. It was fun to see a group of young people think they could pull something over on the famous detective. I loved the idea of letting the granddaughter see her not-so-desirable love interest in the setting of her family and their traditions. The mystery of a stolen rare jewel is cleverly explored, with a creative twist by Poirot. A pleasurable story!...more
I liked Liss and her friends, also the Maine small-village setting. The shopping frenzy over the season’s hard-to-find desirable toy was cute and inteI liked Liss and her friends, also the Maine small-village setting. The shopping frenzy over the season’s hard-to-find desirable toy was cute and interesting. Negatives were that it moved a little slowly, I didn't care for the love triangle, and wasn’t comfortable with the profanity....more
Deb Baker has a wicked sense of humor! Gertie and her senior investigative crew are quirky and funny, as are the assisted living residents. The dialogDeb Baker has a wicked sense of humor! Gertie and her senior investigative crew are quirky and funny, as are the assisted living residents. The dialogue is fast moving and witty, with a few laugh-out-loud scenes. Gertie and her retired police dog are actually pretty perceptive. I love how the team resolves a potentially dangerous situation - a suspected victim of murder, the killer undoubtedly among them, and no outside communication due to a snow storm. An entertaining read, for sure....more
I just couldn't connect with this story for some reason. I liked Paislee and her family very much, also loved the Scottish seaside village of Nairn. MI just couldn't connect with this story for some reason. I liked Paislee and her family very much, also loved the Scottish seaside village of Nairn. My main problem is that I couldn't keep up with all the characters, nor did I like most of them. The book also has some unnecessary profanity, although mild. I was eager to reach the conclusion so I could go on to another book....more
I've now read six of Anne Perry's Christmas novellas, and all have been 5-stars or very close. Some readers might not care for A Christmas Grace as muI've now read six of Anne Perry's Christmas novellas, and all have been 5-stars or very close. Some readers might not care for A Christmas Grace as much as I did. Although set on Ireland's rugged coast during the Christmas season, there's not a lot of Christmas feel to it. The murder mystery only comes into focus about halfway through and doesn't carry a high level of suspense. But these are only surface-level elements. The narrative is quite complex, with a meaning that goes much deeper, and this story was an engrossing read for me.
Anne Perry is highly skilled in bring a scene to life, blending all the senses into the reading experience. Connemara's village characters, deeply affected by a previous murder, have rich depth. No cardboard characters here! I was fascinated by how a stranger - first Connor, later Daniel - thrust into the community for a period of time, could clearly see what others could not, or tried to hide. And Emily's questions gradually reveal backstory and history, like peeling back the layers of an onion.
The conclusion brings light into the darkness, beautifully voiced by these words... Dedicated to all those who long for a second chance
And that, in Emily's words, is a gift of Christmas....more
Death by Cashmere begins what promises to be a delightful cozy mystery series. I can picture the setting to be somewhere on the northern coast of MassDeath by Cashmere begins what promises to be a delightful cozy mystery series. I can picture the setting to be somewhere on the northern coast of Massachusetts in a picturesque seaside village. New England is one of my favorite settings and the author created a most appealing locale.
The mystery is well plotted and intriguing. I suspected something to do with land ownership, but had no idea of who or where until the ending. The four main "seaside knitters" - Nell, Izzy, Cass, and Birdie - have depth and I look forward to getting to know them better. Nell's thought process in piecing things together is logical and emotional....more
I believe this is the first series that Rhys Bowen wrote and it's a favorite of mine. Evans Above begins the series with Constable Evans returning to I believe this is the first series that Rhys Bowen wrote and it's a favorite of mine. Evans Above begins the series with Constable Evans returning to his beloved Wales, to what he hopes will be a more calm, peaceful setting for police work. So many elements appealed to me - small Wales village, quirky characters, mystical mountain scenery, and murders linking back several years to a soldier who was found frozen to death while on an Army survival training mission. Steady pacing, vivid descriptions, logical conclusion to mystery. Highly recommended....more
Like other Anne Perry Christmas-themed novellas that I've read, A Christmas Guest is a cozy mystery with great depth. Perry excels at character descriLike other Anne Perry Christmas-themed novellas that I've read, A Christmas Guest is a cozy mystery with great depth. Perry excels at character description and sense of place. The mystery slowly unfolds through conversations and logic in a very satisfying way, concluding with an ingenious twist. Adding even more richness to all of that, it is a journey of self-discovery in the case of rough-around-the-edges Grandmama Mariah. A Christmas Guest is a thoroughly enjoyable, feel-good story for any season.
Christmas Cow Bells is an enjoyable, well-written cozy mystery set in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The writing is tight and flows smoothly. I likeChristmas Cow Bells is an enjoyable, well-written cozy mystery set in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The writing is tight and flows smoothly. I liked Brynn very much and was intrigued by her three adorable cows and cheese making business. It was heartwarming to see the way she cares for all the animals in her life. There are lots of interesting people in this Blue Ridge community that I hope to spend more time with as the series progresses. Great beginning to series.
Mainstream fiction, only a small amount of mild profanity...more
This is early Ann Cleeves, but still a very good cozy mystery. The story is well crafted and tight, characters interesting, and has a lovely setting oThis is early Ann Cleeves, but still a very good cozy mystery. The story is well crafted and tight, characters interesting, and has a lovely setting on England's northern coast. I probably learned more about bird watching than I wanted to know, but found it really fascinating. Practices I'd never heard of, like twitching and ringing.
Cleeves writes four series, a couple of which can be seen on Acorn TV and Britbox (Vera and Shetland). I'm eager to explore more of her stories.
Digging Up Secrets, the first book in a new Guideposts series called Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm, is everything readers can expect from this type ofDigging Up Secrets, the first book in a new Guideposts series called Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm, is everything readers can expect from this type of story. Appealing setting - Yorkshire, in this case. Interesting village characters, one of whom is clergy. Coziness, both in setting and mystery. And most important of all, faith lived out.
This was a comfort read for me and I loved every minute of reading. Harriet has returned to her grandfather's home on Cobble Hill Farm to continue his veterinary practice and there's lots to love there. The mystery, which involves a cold-case jewelry robbery at a nearby manor, is well crafted.
Just a good, comfortable read overall. I'm thrilled that Guideposts is offering it through Kindle Unlimited and hope they will do this with other series....more
Bootlegger's Daughter introduces North Carolina Judge Deborah Knott, who combines running for election with searching for information in the cold-caseBootlegger's Daughter introduces North Carolina Judge Deborah Knott, who combines running for election with searching for information in the cold-case murder of 18-year-old Gayle's mother. This is southern fiction, with atmosphere and ambience galore. I loved Maron's writing, which is filled with local history and descriptions that I found delicious. The mystery is haunting and unwinds slowly as characters are fleshed out.
Negatives - 1) Some stereotypes seem to belong to a time period earlier than the book's 1992 release date. 2) There's a lot of colorful characters and family relationships to keep up with. 3) While I enjoyed the election storyline, the book's flow would have been faster had there been more focus on the murder mystery.
Bootlegger's Daughter is an excellent read overall, well deserving of the awards it won, and I'm eager to continue the series.
Well written and entertaining cozy mystery, a great beginning to a promising series. Emotional backstory going back to the death of Benni's husband niWell written and entertaining cozy mystery, a great beginning to a promising series. Emotional backstory going back to the death of Benni's husband nine months earlier, an event that casts its shadow into two current murders. Two features really drew me in. One, the co-op's quilt displays and fascinating histories; and two, the attraction between Benni and the police chief. Lots to look forward to in this series.
I loved this book so much! A Christmas Legacy is part of Anne Perry's Christmas novella series, but it works beautifully for any time of the year. TheI loved this book so much! A Christmas Legacy is part of Anne Perry's Christmas novella series, but it works beautifully for any time of the year. The main seasonal connection is that Gracie wants to have the mystery solved and be home with her family by Christmas.
Although Anne Perry writes murder mysteries, this isn't really a whodunit - other than that two quite unlikeable characters would like to hasten someone's death. It's a contrast of hearts, reflected in actions. Greed, selfishness, and scheming contrasted with kindness, caring, empathy, and a willingness to risk it all in a time when servants could be cast out without references, literally leaving them at the mercy of the streets.
Perry knows how to write a story that flows at a steady pace and captures the reader's emotions from the start. The characters are well developed and we can see into their hearts. Gracie was a character in the Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series, but this story stands alone. And the ending is wonderful, guaranteed to leave you smiling.
Delving into the pages of a Vannetta Chapman Amish book is like gently wrapping a warm blanket around you. I knew Dead Wrong would be good; I just didDelving into the pages of a Vannetta Chapman Amish book is like gently wrapping a warm blanket around you. I knew Dead Wrong would be good; I just didn't know how good it would be! The story moves at a steady pace, without unnecessary words or filler. The chapters were short enough to encourage me to keep reading; in other words, I never wanted to put it down.
This book is a perfect blend of setting, characterization, and storyline. A two-story Amish B&B on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country - how beautiful and peaceful that must be! Agatha used additional cabins to house Englisch visitors, while keeping the main house true to Amish ways. The cultural mixture allowed for creative storytelling.
I loved how the main characters were in their mid-fifties. Both Agatha and Tony had tragic losses in their backgrounds. Agatha was a smart, honorable woman, good through and through. Tony Vargas, a retired police detective, had allowed grief to eat away at him. But after Agatha literally comes running into his life, Tony looked "like a man who'd woken abruptly from a long nap and found himself dropped into the river of life."
The mystery itself was well crafted and never obvious. There were lots of possible suspects who, if they didn't have obvious motives, it quickly became clear that none were telling the truth. There were moments of gentle humor and spiritual insight. I loved this quote by Bishop Jonas... "Sometimes we have to be remined that the next great thing comes after this life."
I can't wait to see how the relationship between these two unlikely friends grows in future stories....more
The British murder mystery is my favorite genre, and Anne Perry does it well. A Christmas Visitor has all the essential elements - beautiful English cThe British murder mystery is my favorite genre, and Anne Perry does it well. A Christmas Visitor has all the essential elements - beautiful English countryside, manor house, family relationships, and murder.
Perry packs a lot into this novella format, and it never felt rushed. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at the character depth and complexity of mystery. I loved the emphasis on character elements of honor, righting wrongs, forgiveness. The importance of faith also, reflected in Antonia's words: Without Christmas, there would be no hope. And I have to have hope: wild, unreasonable, against all the logic that man can have, things only God can do....more
I've watched many Poirot movies, but think this is the first book I've actually read - and it is wonderful! I'll never tire of seeing David Suchet as I've watched many Poirot movies, but think this is the first book I've actually read - and it is wonderful! I'll never tire of seeing David Suchet as Poirot on the small screen, but reading gives so much more depth and insight into the intuitiveness of this famous detective.
Hercule Poirot's Christmas incorporates several classics... family patriarch who gathers his children around him at Christmas, vindictiveness, greed, dysfunctional family, locked-room murder. According to Poirot, Simeon Lee "amuses himself by playing upon the cupidity and the greed of human nature - yes, and on its emotions and its passions, too!" And his daughter-in-law states, "It amused him to appeal to the worst instincts in human nature. There was a kind of diabolical impishness about him. He wished to set every member of the family at loggerheads with one another." What better setting for murder?
I loved the logical process of investigation, beginning with interviewing each witness one by one and concluding with the long reveal scene. Poirot's insight into the cast members' character was intriguing. There's no way I could have identified the murderer, but it would be fun to go back and skim through certain parts to see what clues I could pick up on. Such a satisfying read!...more
Another interesting short story with an amazing amount of complexity. Psychological, haunting, unexpected twists. Not sure I understood the ending, buAnother interesting short story with an amazing amount of complexity. Psychological, haunting, unexpected twists. Not sure I understood the ending, but enjoyed the story....more
