Thursday, April 30, 2015

Book Review: A Fatal Slip by Meg London

In the third book in the Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mysteries, Emma Taylor is settling into life in Paris, Tennessee. She’s in a relationship with Brian, who helps his father at their hardware store and is starting his own renovation business, and enjoying working with her Aunt Arabella at Sweet Nothing Lingerie Store. However it all unravels when a former beau walks into the store and sends Arabella into a spin. What begins as an invitation to a lavish dinner ends in murder, with Arabella as the prime suspect!! Once again, Emma and her friends must play sleuth and try and clear Arabella’s name!

Using the word “Sweet” in this mystery series is perfect because everything about Paris, Tennessee is sweet. From the adorable lingerie store to the delicious cupcakes they bring in for their “Valentines Day” shopping events and even Arabella’s French Bulldog, Pierre, everything is sweetness and love. I find slipping amongst the pages of these mysteries as easy as curling up in my favourite reading chair. The only difference is that I don’t have a nice glass of Tennessee tea, or Arabella’s famous fried chicken!!

Alike to the other two books in this series, A Fatal Slip completely lived up to my expectation. Meg London always delivers a stunning mystery and this one is no exception. Emma goes to work part-time at the Granger’s to catalogue their art collection. Of course it’s the perfect place to snoop into the mysterious death of Hugh Granger, art extraordinaire and Arabella’s ex-love. I found all the tidbits about the art world very fascinating – especially as the author gives us a little lesson in art history as well!

All in all a stunning instalment in a series that I’ve grown to love with each new mystery! I can’t wait for more books in this series to be published, and in the meantime I plan to read the Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries (published under Peg Cochran).

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Book Review: The Oracle of Delphi by Agatha Christie

Parker Pyne is traveling incognito under the name of Mr. Thompson. In Delphi, he learns that someone calling himself Parker Pyne is being consulted by Mrs. Peters, who refers to him as "the good gentleman." But who is this imposter, and what does he want with Mrs. Peters?[summary via Amazon]

This was the last story in the anthology, Parker Pyne Investigates, and probably the most intriguing one of them all. A woman's son is kidnapped and she is willing to do all she can to get him back. However, the ending was unpredictable and certainly surprised me!!

I like Parker Pyne. Rather than investigating murder, he seems to investigate missing items or people. I've only seen him thrown into a murder investigation once and at first he didn't quite seem what to make of it. He certainly seemed more at home in this mystery!

For fans of Agatha Christie, I highly recommend the Parker Pyne short stories. They can be read individually, or in the anthology, Parker Pyne Investigates.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Audiobook Review: Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie

Back in print in an all-new edition is the engaging and illuminating chronicle of the life of the "Queen of Mystery". Fans of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple and readers of John Curran’s fascinating biographies Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks and Murder in the Making will be spellbound by the compelling, authoritative account of one of the world’s most influential and fascinating novelists, told in her own words and inimitable style - and here in her own voice. These audio excerpts were dictated by Agatha Christie herself.[summary via Audible]

Audible has an autobiography of Agatha Christie, actually narrated by the Queen of Crime herself. This seems to be a hidden gem amongst the Audible shelves. While there are plenty of biographies, and even an autobiography, about Agatha Christie, this is the only one narrated by herself.

This recording was recorded late into her career. No date is actually given as to when it was recorded, but she mentions quite a few of her books and I would think it was done in the 1960's or 1970's. A warning to those do listen: it is very static-y and there is a somewhat hissing sound, but this is Agatha Christie talking about her life. To hear the Queen of Crime talking about writing and her life is far more important than hearing quality.

Agatha lived a fascinating life and I loved listening to every second of this fascinating recording. She talks about how it took a long time for her to consider her profession that of a writer, and in fact she quite often wrote "married woman" on documents rather than writer. She talks about her mother-in-law telling her write something "worthwhile" and her success at writing, and why she wrote the romances under the name Mary Westmacott.

She doesn't talk about her disappearance. I assumed she wouldn't, but of course one can only hope that she might touch on it.

I particularly enjoyed hearing her talk about The Mousetrap, which originally written for the Queen, and she talks about how she believed it would only run for 8 months. Well it is now the longest running play and still going strong!

For fans of her books this is a insightful account of her life in her opinion and it delighted me immensely. I plan to listen to it again at a later date.

It is currently free for Audible and can be found at their website.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Audiobook Review: The Regatta Mystery by Agatha Christie

Diamond merchant Isaac Pointz and his guests come ashore at Dartmouth to enjoy the fair after the yacht races. Over dinner, young Eve Leathern bets she can make Pointz's famous diamond, the Morning Star, disappear right at the table. When the girl does exactly that, she discovers she has made the priceless gem disappear more completely than she had intended. Fortunately, Parker Pyne is able to get to the bottom of what really happened to the Morning Star.[summary via Amazon]

The Regatta Mystery is a classic locked room mystery, where a disappearance takes place (this time a jewel) and the occupants in the room all claim to have not taken in. It takes the detective mind of Parker Pyne to solve the mystery.

I find it interesting that usually the detective is int he room at the time of the loss, but not in this case. Parker Pyne manages to solve the mystery without having actually been at the scene!!

This is another interesting short story from Agatha Christie. I'm finding that most of the Parker Pyne mysteries don't involve murder, but involve a disappearance. I haven't quite warmed to Parker Pyne yet, but mainly because I have read many mysteries with him.

I do find it interesting that there is a Parker Pyne version and Hercule Poirot version of The Regatta Mystery. I listened to the Pyne version, but I'm going to try and hunt down the Poirot version too!
A delightful locked room mystery, and I'm looking forward to reading more of the short stories.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Audiobook Review: Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

In the sleepy little English country village of St Mary Mead, all is not as it seems. Under a seemingly peaceful exterior lurks intrigue, guilt, deception - and murder.

Colonel Protheroe, local magistrate and overbearing landowner, is the most detested man in the village. Everyone, even the vicar, wishes he were dead. And very soon he is - shot in the head in the vicar's own study.

A visiting artist confesses to the murder, but residents saw him elsewhere at the time the Colonel was shot. If he didn't do it, who did? Is he protecting the wife whom he loves? Faced with a surfeit of suspects, only the inscrutable Miss Marple can unravel the tangled web of clues. A trap set, and Miss Marple's theory is put to the test when the true killer is finally unmasked.[summary via Audible]

Murder at the Vicarage is the first adventure with Miss Marple. Jane Marple is often thought of as a nosy old lady. She's often seen pottering in her garden and knows everything that is going on at St. Mary's Mead. When Colonel Protheroe turns up dead, the vicar and police turn to Miss Marple to assist in piecing the events together.

I love Miss Marple. She's a little nosy, but not over-the-top. She understands human nature and always gets to the bottom of the crime. Given a choice between Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, I'd say Miss Marple is the clear winner for my favorite sleuth. While Poirot is egotistical and acts so very superior, Miss Marple is subtle and unobtrusive. Miss Marple only appears in 12 full-length novels, and it's probably the reason I've re-read so many of her adventures. I do wish Agatha Christie had written more featuring her.

In this first book we get to visit with Miss Marple in her own village and try to figure out who killed the Colonel. This is probably one of a few that I already knew the killer, having re-read it so many times. I delight in re-reading it, as I'm often amazed at Agatha Christie's brilliance.

This is my favorite part, right at the end: "I wonder, Miss Marple," I said suddenly, "if you were to commit a murder whether you would ever be found out." "What a terrible idea," said Miss Marple, shocked. "I hope I could never do such a wicked thing." "But human nature being what it is," I murmured.

I do wonder if this planted the seed in Agatha's mind for one of her later novels, when the detective did do it!

I love re-reading this book and I really enjoyed listening to the full-cast audiobook. Each book would be a fabulous starting point for anyone new to Agatha Christie. June Whitfield voices Miss Marple and she does a tremendous job. I'm looking forward to re-reading more of my favorite Agatha Christie's!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Audiobook Review: After the Funeral by Agatha Christie

When Cora Lansquenet is savagely murdered with a hatchet, the extraordinary remark she made the previous day at her brother Richard's funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of Richard's will, Cora was clearly heard to say, "It's been hushed up very nicely, hasn't it.... But he was murdered, wasn't he?"

In desperation, the family solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery....[summary via Audible]

After the Funeral is one of the few Hercule Poirot stories I've never read and I opted to listen the BBC Radio Play version, with John Moffat voicing Hercule Poirot.

After the Funeral is classic Christie in many regards: english setting and what seems to be a well-off family fighting over the inheritance of a recently deceased family member. However when Cora blurts out that her brother was murdered, everything starts to get complicated.

I enjoy every mystery I've read by Agatha Christie and this one is no exception. I couldn't figure out who killed Richard and subsequently Cora either. When the murderer is revealed I certainly was shocked. Yet again Hercule Poirot's reasoning was clear after he explained the denouement.

I'm loving listening to these books as the BBC radio plays. They are a condensed version but whether you are a new reader to Agatha Christie or a seasoned reader, looking to re-read your favorites, these are fabulous. While I still prefer David Suchet as the voice of Poirot, I'm really enjoying John Moffat in the role. He seems to have Poirot's mannerisms down perfectly and is a joy to listen to.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Audiobook Review: Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton

Gloria French was a jolly widow with dyed blonde hair, a raucous laugh and rosy cheeks. When she first moved from London to the charming Cotswolds hills, she was heartily welcomed. She seemed a do-gooder par excellence, raising funds for the church and caring for the elderly. But she had a nasty habit of borrowing things and not giving them back, just small things, a teapot here, a set of silverware there. So it's quite the shock when she is found dead, murdered by a poisoned bottle of elderberry wine. Afraid the murder will be a blight on the small town, Parish councillor, Jerry Tarrant, hires private detective Agatha Raisin to track down the murderer.

But the village is secretive and the residents resent Agatha's investigation. Of course that doesn't stop the ever-persistent Agatha from investigating and sticking her nose where no one wants it--especially as the suspect list grows. And, as if it isn't enough that Agatha's ex has reentered the picture, the murderer is now targeting Agatha![summary via Amazon]

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead is the 24th book in the Agatha Raisin mysteries. After 23 previous mysteries, M.C. Beaton continues to do something remarkable.... she keeps every mystery fresh and interesting. With long-running mysteries I find I can easily get bored of the same characters. The thing that M.C. Beaton does right in both this series and the Hamish Macbeth series is that every now and then she takes the mystery away from its small village and to another small village. After all slowly killing off everyone in Carsely wouldn't be interesting!!

This time Agatha and her fellow detective, Toni Gilmour, are investigating a mystery in Piddlebury. Piddlebury is a odd sort of village and Agatha and Toni have to keep their wits about them to solve the mystery!

For fans of the residents of Carsely there is frequent trips back to Carsely, and all our favorite characters are ever present, including James Lacey and Sir Charles Fraith. I delighted at all the going ons with the regulars, and trying to figure out what the residents of Piddlebury were up to as well.

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead was another wonderful adventure in a series that keeps getting better and better! Penelope Keith is back to narrate this installment in the series, and as ever I was thrilled to hear her narration. For me, Penelope Keith is the voice of Agatha Raisin, and I really hope we will see her back for future audiobooks. She does such a marvelous job narrating the various residents and makes an already wonderful series, fabulous!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Audiobook Review: A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell

As soon as Lily opens her recently purchased trunk of old clothes, she feels strange vibrations emanating from a mysterious velvet cloak. When she tries it on, Lily sees awful visions from the past. And when the antiques dealer who sold her the cape is killed, Lily suspects a supernatural force might be behind his death. Then Lily's familiar, Oscar the potbellied pig, disappears. Lily will do anything to get him back - including battling the spirit of a powerful witch reaching out from the past. But even with the aid of her grandmother, unmasking a killer and saving Oscar might be more than one well-intentioned sorceress can handle.[summary via Audible]

I've been listening to this series on audio since the first book. I love watching how Lily has progressed with her witchy skills and her relationships and friendships as well. When Lily first arrived in the city she was slow to call on anyone to help her, and in A Vision in Velvet we can see how she's come full circle - especially with her familiar, Oscar, missing. She calls on everyone to help and she will move heaven and earth to bring Oscar back!!

The mystery itself was really interested as it involved the Salem witch trials and the history surrounded witches was fascinating. This was a good mystery that kept me on my toes, and I didn't quite have it all solved before Lily.

Xe Sands is outstanding as the voice of Lily and all the characters in Lily's life. However my favourite voice she narrates is Oscar!!! I will never imagine anyone else as the voice of Oscar. Another outstanding narration and I can't wait for the next book.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Book Review: By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates

Lucy Richardson is looking forward to a very enjoyable summer. She's just started working at the library of her dreams, the Lighthouse Library at Bodie Island. Lucy spent her summers on Bodie Island as a child with her Aunt Ellen and Uncle Amos and has always loved the Lighthouse Library. However, not everyone is happy to see Lucy working as a librarian at the Lighthouse Library. Mr Uppiton, chariman of the library board, is still upset that Lucy's Aunt Ellen got the funding for Lucy to have a summer job. When Mr Uppiton is found murdered Lucy's boss, Bertie, is accused of the murder and Lucy steps in to help solve the crime!

I have a love for mysteries set in libraries, and especially those that feature cats. When you combine these together, along with a idyllic setting, it usually ends in an afternoon of perfect reading! This was definitely the case with Eva Gates' debut novel, By Book or By Crook.

Eva Gates reels the reader in right from the beginning. Bodie Island sounds absolutely heavenly with its picturesque views, and a library in a lighthouse... well what's not to love?

Lucy is not enjoying her job at the Harvard Library and a change is just want she needs. There may be a little opposition to her new job at the Lighthouse Library, but she's really enjoying it. Especially with keeping company likes Charles, the resident Himalayan cat, named after Charles Dickens! Of course when a murder occurs and then valuable Jane Austen first editions are stolen, she must find the clues to solve the case!

Lucy is bright and fun, and together with all the interesting characters in Bodie Island, I found it a true pleasure to take a trip with her on her first adventure.

Eva Gates does everything right in this first novel. She's created reader magic in By Book or By Crook. I'm not talking the witchcraft magic, but the magic that resides in every reader and their love for books, whether it be old first editions or beloved new releases. The authors love of books shines through each and every page of this stunning mystery, and it enriched my own love of books.

By Book or By Crook is a first rate debut and I'm looking forward to taking another visit to Bodie Island for the next adventure.

Audiobook Review: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Death on the Nile is one of Agatha Christie's more popular mysteries, and it has been adapted into a radio play and also to several movies. My favorite movie adaption is the 1978 film starring Mia Farrow.

Hercule Poirot is on holidays in Egypt and taking a cruise down the infamous Nile river. On board with him is a cast of people from all walks of life, and among them is one person with murderous intent. Linnet Ridgway, the wealthy heiress, is there with her new husband, Simon Doyle. Also on board is Simon Doyle's jilted fiance and friend to Linnet,Jacqueline de Bellefort. Or we should say ex-friend. Jacqueline was devastated when Simon left her for Linnet, and is determined to make their honeymoon as wretched as possible. When Linnet is found dead, it looks like a clear case that Jacqueline was the murderer, but the clues do not add up and luckily Poirot is on the case.

There are only a handful of Agatha Christie's that I remember the final denouement. While I've read Death on the Nile a couple of times and seen the movie several times as well, I couldn't remember who the killer was. As such it was perfect timing to experience the book again.

This time I chose to listen to the radio play, produced by the BBC. It provides a condensed, but accurate version, of Agatha Christie's novel and tells of crime most foul aboard the high seas.
Death on the Nile is such a classic Agatha Christie novel. You don't need any prior history reading a Hercule Poirot adventure and it would be the perfect spot to start if you were new to Agatha Christie. We meet the infamous detective, Hercule Poirot, who is famous for using his "little grey cells" to solve mysteries. However in this mystery, where none of the suspects can escape, will he solve the crime before they dock?

I like this one for a number of reasons, but what struck a chord with me when I first read it was the exotic local. It's no sleepy town but it is still a cozy mystery and it's a mystery of love and mayhem. If you love so deeply would you be willing to kill to recover that love? With all the modern contemporary mysteries, Agatha Christie still stands the test of time, and it's particularly evident in this one.

I've been listening to a lot of the short stories with Hugh Fraser narrating as Hercule Poirot, but I did enjoy John Moffat's interpretation here. He provides a good voice to the famous detective and the cast kept me interested in this shorter version of Agatha Christie's book.

The radio play adaptions would be perfect for a new fan to Agatha Christie's novels. They are full of high adventure and suspense and only a little over 2 hours long. I'm looking forward to listening to more in this series.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Audiobook Review: Kissing Christmas Goodbye by M.C. Beaton

With the Christmas season approaching Agatha Raisin is looking forward to the season and is planning a huge meal for all her friends. However, before the big day arrives Agatha has to solve a couple of mundane cases for her detective agency, and also a case that looks far more interesting!

A rich old woman, a Phyllis Tamworthy, believes her family are plotting to kill her and asks Agatha to come down and investigate. Agatha heads down to investigate and is unable to protect Phyllis before she is found dead! With a dead client on her hands Agatha starts to investigate a family and a town, where nothing is what is seems.

I love Agatha Raisin. She's the coolest mature-age sleuth. I've been reading her stories for about three years and with each adventure I admire her even more. She has sass and vinegar and isn't afraid to speak her mind. She also has a softer side, and we get a sneak peek at her softer side in this adventure.

In Kissing Christmas Goodbye Agatha hires a new detective, Toni Gilmour. Toni is young, only 17, and has an abusive brother and drunk mother. Agatha, coming from the wrong side of the track herself, sees that Toni needs help and offers to improve her situation in life. I love seeing the softer side of Agatha. She comes across hard nosed but she is also very sweet as well.

I enjoyed the mystery in Kissing Christmas Goodbye. There is certainly more to the Tamworthy family then meets the eye, and they are certainly more twisted than they appear. I enjoyed watching Toni and Agatha work together to solve the mystery and look forward to more adventures with Toni.

I listened to Kissing Christmas Goodbye on audio, and I enjoyed the narration. It certainly wasn't as good as Penelope Keith's narration but was better than some of the other narrators for this series. I continue to enjoy listening to this series on audio and I look forward to listening to the rest of the books.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Audiobook Review: Death at the Door by Carolyn Hart

Annie and Max are back for their 24th adventure together, and it is definitely going to take all their sleuthing powers to solve this one! On the peaceful and tranquil island of Broward's Rock murder and mayhem is brewing. A local doctor, Paul Martin, is found dead and the authorities rule it as suicide. Shortly after a housewife is found battered to death. Her artist husband is accused of murder. Meanwhile the doctor's sister doesn't believe that her brother would commit suicide and begs Annie and Max to investigate. As the delve deeper they untangle a mysterious web that will rock the peaceful island!

Carolyn Hart is a seasoned cozy mystery author and she stands in a class all of her own. I absolutely adore her writing style. For those that aren't sure if cozy mysteries are not right for them, I always encourage them to start with Death on Demand, the first book in this series. She has a style that is intelligent, heart-warming and really pulls you in. Her books are not fluffy, and with Annie's husband, Max, running a PI business you get a little bit of a police procedural feel to them as well.

Death at the Door is the 24th book in this series and Carolyn Hart has kept the same consistent five-star quality through all her books. Annie runs the the Death on Demand Bookstore and Max runs a PI business. Together they solve crimes and to my mind are the modern day Tommy and Tuppence.

This mystery was interesting because we actually start with Paul Martin, prior to his death. We get a look into his mind. He knows something about someone, but the reader doesn't find out who or what quite yet. As I read my mind wandered back to those early scenes, and I tried to piece everything together.

I love every visit back to Broward's Rock and this one was no different to the others. I enjoyed my visit with Agatha, the bookstore cat, and Dorothy L, Annie and Max's cat at home, and of course the bookstore, Death on Demand.

If you are looking for a tantalizing mystery this spring, I strongly recommend you read Death at the Door. This story will leave you for a longing for more adventures with Annie and Max, and luckily there are 23 other adventures!

I listened to Death at the Door on audio, with Kate Reading narrating. I've listened to several of the books in this series on audiobook and I really enjoy Kate's narration. She really brings these characters alive, and improves on a fantastic cozy mystery.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Book Review: Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Moran

In Terrie Moran's debut mystery series she creates murder and mayhem with a unique setting in Well Read, Then Dead. Mary "Sassy" Cabot and Bridget Mayfield are best friends and together run the Read 'Em and Eat Bookstore Cafe. Life is pretty tranquil in their sunny town of Fort Meyers Beach. It seems the most rowdy it gets is at the heated discussions of the book club, especially when fellow book club member Rowena Gustavson starts debating each book. However life in the small town is about to become very interesting when the the quietest member of the book club, Delia Batson, is found dead. Delia's cousin, Augusta, is absolutely distraught by her death, and asks Sassy for help on finding her killer!!

I want to pack myself on a one-way trip to the Read 'Em and Eat Bookstore Cafe. The second I walked through those doors in the first chapter of Well Read, Then Dead I was absolutely smitten. Everything from the delicious food and drinks to the tables that each sport on articles, photos and excerpts of all my favorite mystery authors! I was in book lover heaven. I knew any mystery that started with this setting had to be a good one and I was right!!

Sassy takes us into her life as owner of Read 'Em and Eat Bookstore Cafe and the lives of her friends and residents of Fort Meyers Beach. They're an eclectic bunch and it was a delight to meet them and try to solve a mystery.

Apart from the delectable treats and the cozy atmosphere of the bookstore cafe, what I loved the most were the surprises! Delia was the last person I expected to be the victim! When a story starts with a boisterous personality like Rowena, I for sure had her pegged as the victim. I couldn't fathom why anyone would want to kill Delia, and I knew both Sassy (and me!) had our work cut out for us trying to find the killer!!

I'm about 8 months behind everyone else that has been raving about this series. With so many cozies on my shelf I hadn't gotten to this one before now, and I really wish I had squeezed the time in to read it when it was released, last August. Terrie Moran delighted me to little itty bitty pieces with this mystery full of southern charm and friendship. I felt the anguish that Augusta felt at the loss of her cousin and the triumph that Sassy feels when she finally solves the case!

If you haven't picked up Well Read, Then Dead pick it up today. You will be delighted by the charm of the Read 'Em and Eat Bookstore Cafe and all the residents of Fort Meyers Beach.