Recent reads
Jan. 29th, 2021 02:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dimity_blueI read a pile of books while I was in hospital. Here's what I read (I think I got them all) and what I thought of them.
Authors: Robert Bernard, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers.
Robert Bernard:
Out of the Blackout - The story begins in WWII and in the village of Yeasdon who have just received a trainful of evacuated kids from London. Among them is 5 year old Simon Thorn, although he's not on the official list of evacuees and no one knows him from before the train. The reception committee hand him over to Mr and Mrs Cutheridge while the vicar tries to find out where he came from...
Years later, Oxford student Simon Cutheridge is alarmed to recognise his old London home. Alarm soon turns to curiosity and Simon follows the trail of his old family and the possible murder he witnessed as a child.
~~~
I really like parts of this book. Simon's new parents and the way they take him to their hearts is so sweet, and in sharp contrast to his old family. The part where he figures out his actual identity and who his parents are is really well done. It keeps you guessing all the way.
Agatha Christie:
Destination Unknown - High ranking scientists have been going missing. British Intelligence Services believes it's of their own accord and they're probably in Russia. If only they could send in a spy.
Hilary Craven is busily attempting suicide when she's approached by Mr. Jessop of British Intelligence Services. She happens to match the description of Olive Betterton, the wife of a missing scientist, who was (so Jessop believes) on her way to be reunited with her husband. Olive was in a plane crash and is dying. Will Hilary take her place and follow the trail to Betterton? At the end lies probable exposure and possible death. Hilary agrees anyway.
~~~
Despite how depressing this book sounds, it's a good read. Hilary rediscovers her zest for life and finds Betterton and the mysterious man behind it all.
The Listerdale Mystery - A book of short stories. The first (and best, IMO) is The Listerdale Mystery. Mrs St. Vincent is a widow with 2 adult children who's living in severely reduced circumstances. She's astonished to be offered the 6 month lease of a lovely house in Westminster. The lease is unbelievably cheap. Her son, Rupert, is convinced Quentin (the butler) killed off the owner (the missing Lord Listerdale) and is determined to solve the mystery.
~~~
I really like this book. Some of the stories are fun little romps but it's The Listerdale Mystery I like the best. It's a sweet romance as well as a mystery.
N or M? - This is the 3rd Tommy and Tuppence book. It's set during WWII, and Tommy and Tuppence are most unhappy to discover being middle-aged means they're too old to do anything to help the war effort. Well, Tuppence can knit...
Then, Mr Grant of British Intelligence offers Tommy a job. He's to go to Leahampton on the trail of Fifth Columnists. Tuppence, recognising a job offer is coming but only for Tommy, pretends to leave in order to listen in. When Tommy turns up at Sans Souci in Leahampton, he's astonished to find Tuppence already in place.
~~~
I really enjoy this book. I like Tommy and Tuppence anyway and think it's a shame Agatha Christie didn't write more about them. I also find Postern of Fate (the last Tommy and Tuppence book) very depressing. N or M?, though, is a really enjoyable read.
Passenger to Frankfurt - Sir Stafford Nye helps a woman escape a trap in an airport and ends up involved in a multi-country mystery.
~~~
I found this a dreadful bore and didn't even try to finish it.
The Secret of Chimneys - A Superintendent Battle novel. Blackmail, a book of memoirs, and the missing heir to a foreign throne jewel lead to a murderous time at Chimneys, the ancestral home of Lord Caterham (who'd really prefer a quieter life).
~~~
This is a fun book. You really have to feel sorry for Lord Caterham as his daughter, "Bundle", loves adventure and positively encourages it to move in.
The Seven Dials Mystery - Another Superintendent Battle novel. Bundle (from The Secret of Chimneys) is delighted to find herself on the trail of a secret society. Wih Bill Eversleigh (also from The Secret of Chimneys) and Jimmy Thesiger, she's sure she can ferret out the truth.
~~~
This is another fun romp. I really do like Bundle.
The Sittaford Mystery - A seance held during a party reveals that Captain Trevelyan (the owner of the house) is dead. One of the guests, Major Burnaby (Trevelyan's oldest friend), rushes off through snow-blocked roads to check his friend is alive and well. He isn't. In fact, he's been murdered.
Jim, Trevelyan's nephew, is soon arrested but his fiancé Emily is determined to dig up the truth and clear his name.
~~~
I was surprised to find I hadn't read this before. I really enjoyed it though I guessed the murderer early on.
They Came to Baghdad - Victoria Jones is horrified to find a British secret service operative has just died in her bed. His employer persuades her to work for him and to start digging around looking for anything that will help him identify the killer. Victoria does, only to find herself kidnapped for a second time and unable to pass on the information she's received.
~~~
I do enjoy this book but the beginning has me rolling my eyes as Victoria only went to Baghdad because she'd met the very charming Edward in a London park and he was headed back to his work in Baghdad. She finds a job that'll give her her passage out there and chases after this total stranger she's chatted to for half an hour.
Towards Zero - The last Superintendent Battle book. When Lady Tressilian is murdered, all the signs point to her heir Nevile Strange.
~~~
This is a really good book and the actual murderer was a surprise. Sayng anything more would give away the plot.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? - When Bobby Jones and the local doctor find a man dying after having fallen from a cliff, Bobby has to keep watch while the doctor goes for help. The man regains conscousness just before he dies, and he asks Bobby, "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" Soon after, somone tries to kill Bobby, so he and his childhood friend, Lady Frances Derwent, set out to solve the riddle of Evans.
~~~
This really feels like a Tommy and Tuppence book under another name. When it was adapted for TV, the same actors who played Tommy and Tuppence (James Warwick and Francesca Annis) played Bobby and Frankie. It's a fun read and I really recommend it.
Dorothy L Sayers:
Murder Must Advertise - There's a killer lurking behind the desks at Pym's Publicity. Was Victor Dean killed because of his attempted blackmail? Or has Pym's become involved in the drug smuggling scene? Lord Peter takes on the job of finding out why Victor died.
~~~
This is one of my favourite DL Sayers books. Peter goes undercover as "Death Bredon" and you get a good look at the inner workings of a copywriting agency.
Strong Poison - Harriet Vane is on trial for the murder of her ex-lover Phillip Boyes. Peter has fallen in love with her, he has only 4 weeks to save her, and he has no idea where to start.
~~~
The first Harriet Vane book. I love seeing how she and Peter react to each other and how their romanca proceeds.
Have His Carcase - After being cleared of Phillip's murder, Harriet goes on a walking holiday and promptly discovers a murdered man. Who was Paul Alexis? Are Bolshevists really involved in his death, or is the motive a more usual one?
~~~
The second Harriet Vane book. Harriet and Peter investigating together! DLS needed to write a stack of these.
Busman's Honeymoon - Peter and Harriet are married and off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, their new house comes complete with the previous owner's dead body in the cellar.
~~~
The fourth Harriet Vane book. This is my other favourite DLS book. Of course Harriet and Peter have a dead body in their cellar. It's only to be expected. If you like seeing Harriet and Peter together, don't miss this one.
Authors: Robert Bernard, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers.
Robert Bernard:
Out of the Blackout - The story begins in WWII and in the village of Yeasdon who have just received a trainful of evacuated kids from London. Among them is 5 year old Simon Thorn, although he's not on the official list of evacuees and no one knows him from before the train. The reception committee hand him over to Mr and Mrs Cutheridge while the vicar tries to find out where he came from...
Years later, Oxford student Simon Cutheridge is alarmed to recognise his old London home. Alarm soon turns to curiosity and Simon follows the trail of his old family and the possible murder he witnessed as a child.
~~~
I really like parts of this book. Simon's new parents and the way they take him to their hearts is so sweet, and in sharp contrast to his old family. The part where he figures out his actual identity and who his parents are is really well done. It keeps you guessing all the way.
Agatha Christie:
Destination Unknown - High ranking scientists have been going missing. British Intelligence Services believes it's of their own accord and they're probably in Russia. If only they could send in a spy.
Hilary Craven is busily attempting suicide when she's approached by Mr. Jessop of British Intelligence Services. She happens to match the description of Olive Betterton, the wife of a missing scientist, who was (so Jessop believes) on her way to be reunited with her husband. Olive was in a plane crash and is dying. Will Hilary take her place and follow the trail to Betterton? At the end lies probable exposure and possible death. Hilary agrees anyway.
~~~
Despite how depressing this book sounds, it's a good read. Hilary rediscovers her zest for life and finds Betterton and the mysterious man behind it all.
The Listerdale Mystery - A book of short stories. The first (and best, IMO) is The Listerdale Mystery. Mrs St. Vincent is a widow with 2 adult children who's living in severely reduced circumstances. She's astonished to be offered the 6 month lease of a lovely house in Westminster. The lease is unbelievably cheap. Her son, Rupert, is convinced Quentin (the butler) killed off the owner (the missing Lord Listerdale) and is determined to solve the mystery.
~~~
I really like this book. Some of the stories are fun little romps but it's The Listerdale Mystery I like the best. It's a sweet romance as well as a mystery.
N or M? - This is the 3rd Tommy and Tuppence book. It's set during WWII, and Tommy and Tuppence are most unhappy to discover being middle-aged means they're too old to do anything to help the war effort. Well, Tuppence can knit...
Then, Mr Grant of British Intelligence offers Tommy a job. He's to go to Leahampton on the trail of Fifth Columnists. Tuppence, recognising a job offer is coming but only for Tommy, pretends to leave in order to listen in. When Tommy turns up at Sans Souci in Leahampton, he's astonished to find Tuppence already in place.
~~~
I really enjoy this book. I like Tommy and Tuppence anyway and think it's a shame Agatha Christie didn't write more about them. I also find Postern of Fate (the last Tommy and Tuppence book) very depressing. N or M?, though, is a really enjoyable read.
Passenger to Frankfurt - Sir Stafford Nye helps a woman escape a trap in an airport and ends up involved in a multi-country mystery.
~~~
I found this a dreadful bore and didn't even try to finish it.
The Secret of Chimneys - A Superintendent Battle novel. Blackmail, a book of memoirs, and the missing heir to a foreign throne jewel lead to a murderous time at Chimneys, the ancestral home of Lord Caterham (who'd really prefer a quieter life).
~~~
This is a fun book. You really have to feel sorry for Lord Caterham as his daughter, "Bundle", loves adventure and positively encourages it to move in.
The Seven Dials Mystery - Another Superintendent Battle novel. Bundle (from The Secret of Chimneys) is delighted to find herself on the trail of a secret society. Wih Bill Eversleigh (also from The Secret of Chimneys) and Jimmy Thesiger, she's sure she can ferret out the truth.
~~~
This is another fun romp. I really do like Bundle.
The Sittaford Mystery - A seance held during a party reveals that Captain Trevelyan (the owner of the house) is dead. One of the guests, Major Burnaby (Trevelyan's oldest friend), rushes off through snow-blocked roads to check his friend is alive and well. He isn't. In fact, he's been murdered.
Jim, Trevelyan's nephew, is soon arrested but his fiancé Emily is determined to dig up the truth and clear his name.
~~~
I was surprised to find I hadn't read this before. I really enjoyed it though I guessed the murderer early on.
They Came to Baghdad - Victoria Jones is horrified to find a British secret service operative has just died in her bed. His employer persuades her to work for him and to start digging around looking for anything that will help him identify the killer. Victoria does, only to find herself kidnapped for a second time and unable to pass on the information she's received.
~~~
I do enjoy this book but the beginning has me rolling my eyes as Victoria only went to Baghdad because she'd met the very charming Edward in a London park and he was headed back to his work in Baghdad. She finds a job that'll give her her passage out there and chases after this total stranger she's chatted to for half an hour.
Towards Zero - The last Superintendent Battle book. When Lady Tressilian is murdered, all the signs point to her heir Nevile Strange.
~~~
This is a really good book and the actual murderer was a surprise. Sayng anything more would give away the plot.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? - When Bobby Jones and the local doctor find a man dying after having fallen from a cliff, Bobby has to keep watch while the doctor goes for help. The man regains conscousness just before he dies, and he asks Bobby, "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" Soon after, somone tries to kill Bobby, so he and his childhood friend, Lady Frances Derwent, set out to solve the riddle of Evans.
~~~
This really feels like a Tommy and Tuppence book under another name. When it was adapted for TV, the same actors who played Tommy and Tuppence (James Warwick and Francesca Annis) played Bobby and Frankie. It's a fun read and I really recommend it.
Dorothy L Sayers:
Murder Must Advertise - There's a killer lurking behind the desks at Pym's Publicity. Was Victor Dean killed because of his attempted blackmail? Or has Pym's become involved in the drug smuggling scene? Lord Peter takes on the job of finding out why Victor died.
~~~
This is one of my favourite DL Sayers books. Peter goes undercover as "Death Bredon" and you get a good look at the inner workings of a copywriting agency.
Strong Poison - Harriet Vane is on trial for the murder of her ex-lover Phillip Boyes. Peter has fallen in love with her, he has only 4 weeks to save her, and he has no idea where to start.
~~~
The first Harriet Vane book. I love seeing how she and Peter react to each other and how their romanca proceeds.
Have His Carcase - After being cleared of Phillip's murder, Harriet goes on a walking holiday and promptly discovers a murdered man. Who was Paul Alexis? Are Bolshevists really involved in his death, or is the motive a more usual one?
~~~
The second Harriet Vane book. Harriet and Peter investigating together! DLS needed to write a stack of these.
Busman's Honeymoon - Peter and Harriet are married and off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, their new house comes complete with the previous owner's dead body in the cellar.
~~~
The fourth Harriet Vane book. This is my other favourite DLS book. Of course Harriet and Peter have a dead body in their cellar. It's only to be expected. If you like seeing Harriet and Peter together, don't miss this one.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-30 11:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-05 01:32 pm (UTC)Not at all. The hospital had rows of sockets behind every bed!
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-06 08:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-06 12:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-06 01:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-06 02:09 pm (UTC)