‘The result of my own visit to Greece and the impact of that wonderful country on a mind steeped in the classics. ‘My Brother Michael’ was my love affair with Greece.’ - Mary Stewart Camilla Haven had broken with Philip her fiancée of six years, and now at twenty-five years of age, she had come … Continue reading My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart (1959)
fiction
Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart (1965)
Vanessa March and her husband, Lewis, were about to go on a European holiday together. They had been married two years and Lewis’ work abroad had taken up so much of that time that he'd planned to transfer to another branch, but before he could do that he was asked to go to Sweden for … Continue reading Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart (1965)
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart (1958)
Linda Martin was back in Paris after an absence of nine years. With an English father and a French mother, she had grown up in France during the Second World War. When she was fourteen both of her parents were killed in a plane crash and she was sent to an orphanage in England where … Continue reading Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart (1958)
Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart (1955)
Mary Stewart is my most recent new author discovery, and what a delightful author she is! Madam, Will You Talk? was her first book and it is a cracker. Set in Southern France, it is a suspenseful story that doesn’t waste any time in plunging the reader into murder and mystery. When I wrote that … Continue reading Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart (1955)
It’s Friday #5
We're on to the final book in James Herriot's memoirs, Every Living Thing. I started reading his series of books...I don't know when, but it was years ago, and this is the final one. Today we read about a cat which sounded a bit like our boy: '...he was always there, seated upright and majestic … Continue reading It’s Friday #5
Nemesis by Agatha Christie (1971)
Miss Jane Marple was astonished to receive a letter from the solicitors of a Mr Rafiel after his recent death. He and Miss Marple had had a brief but very memorable acquaintance some years back and she thought that perhaps he may have left her some small memento, such as a book from his library. … Continue reading Nemesis by Agatha Christie (1971)
Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
Barnaby Rudge was published in 1841 and was Charles Dickens’ first historical novel. It is his least read book, which surprised me as the story is very interesting. It is based on a real historical event and includes a murder mystery, a talking raven, two romantic dramas, as well as being a social commentary on … Continue reading Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
John Macnab by John Buchan (1925)
Two distinguished highflyers had separately been to see Dr. Acton Croke. Both were suffering from a common ailment - they had all grown too competent and comfortable and their doctor had given them both the same diagnosis and suggested treatment: “You’ve got to rediscover the comforts of your life by losing them for a little…You … Continue reading John Macnab by John Buchan (1925)
Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim (1921)
My local library had a copy of Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim, which was surprising as I’ve never seen any of her books there before. This was one I’ve wanted to read for a while so I got into it right away.It started off in a similar fashion to her other books but had a … Continue reading Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim (1921)
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)
I kept coming across the description ‘hard-boiled’ applied to a certain type of detective/crime novel, but although I sort of understood the description, I couldn’t think of anything I’d read that would fit the category. And then I saw The Maltese Falcon in a secondhand book shop and as I’m happy to try just about … Continue reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)
journey & destination 