I’ve finished reading the first three books in Anne Perry’s William Monk series which are set in Victorian London. The first book is The Face of a Stranger. William Monk is a police detective and the story begins with him waking up in a hospital. He’d been unconscious after a severe accident where he was … Continue reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry (1990) – The William Monk Series #1
Detective
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer (1933)
Frank Amberley was running late for dinner with Sir Humphrey and Lady Matthews, his aunt and uncle. Their daughter had given him directions to a ‘short way' but with the incomplete directions she gave him, he had lost his way. Going around a bend, he saw a red tail-light and drawing closer saw a figure … Continue reading Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer (1933)
Reading & Listening in November
Ride a Pale Horse by Helen MacInnes 📚 Ride a Pale Horse was published in 1984 in the middle of the last decade of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. American journalist, Karen Cornell, had been promised an interview with none other than the President of the Socialist Federated Republic when she attended the Prague Peace Conference. … Continue reading Reading & Listening in November
The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer (1933)
In addition to her Regency and other historical fiction novels, Georgette Heyer wrote twelve mysteries. I’d read that they weren’t that good but when I found a copy of The Unfinished Clue for 50 cents while we were in Central Queensland, I grabbed it. Just in case. And just as well that I did because … Continue reading The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer (1933)
Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye (1955)
M.M. Kaye is well-known for her historical novels but I was unaware that she also had written six crime novels which are set in various locations. Kaye’s marriage to a British Army soldier meant that she travelled extensively and was able to use her experience of living in different locations in her writing. Death in … Continue reading Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye (1955)
Death on the Riviera by John Bude (1952)
I’ve read a few of John Bude’s books since they were reprinted by the British Library, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. His plots have been clever and inventive - the solving of a murder crime in Death on the Riviera was particularly imaginative. Detective Inspector Meredith is quite happy to leave the miserable weather … Continue reading Death on the Riviera by John Bude (1952)
The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (1942)
The first Miss Marple book I read was The Murder at the Vicarage and although I enjoyed the book, I wasn’t enamoured by Marple’s character and just thought she was an old gossip. ☹️ I may have stopped there but Ruthiella @Booked for Life made a comment on my post that Miss Marple was particularly … Continue reading The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (1942)
Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932)
This book reminded me of Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim. The antagonists of both books were narcissists although they were very different in personality and character. The endings were similarly depressing!Francis Ilse was one of the pseudonyms used by Anthony Berkeley Cox (1893-1971): As Anthony Berkeley, he took the British Golden Age detective novel to fresh … Continue reading Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932)
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
E.C.R. Lorac is one of the pseudonyms used by the prolific British crime author Edith Caroline Rivett (1894-1958) who until more recently had largely been forgotten. I’ve read a couple of her books and I've liked this one the best so far. It's the thirteenth book out of forty-six written by Lorac that feature Chief … Continue reading Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh (1940)
A darts night at the Plume of Feathers, an old-fashioned pub at a small village in Devonshire, turns into a crime scene. Lawyer Luke Watchman, his cousin, Sebastian Parish who is a handsome and celebrated actor, and their friend, Norman Cubitt, a distinguished artist, are visiting the village after a year’s absence and are staying … Continue reading Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh (1940)
journey & destination 