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It’s love at first sight for Bill Bannister when he sees Doctor Sally Smith on the links. Of course, there’s a tiny complication of Bill being sort of engaged to Lottie Higginbotham. It shouldn’t be hard to break a sort-of engagement, except that Lottie is a firebrand with a flair for drama.
Thankfully, Squiffy Tidmouth, Bill’s old buddy and Lottie’s former husband, decides to help Bill. After all, the man is on a break after his fourth wife divorced him, and maybe he still has a thing or two for Lottie.
But Sir Hugo, Bill’s uncle, is determined to keep Bill away from the ‘flashy woman’ and thinks of a brilliant psychological approach to show Bill that his choice of bride is wrong. What follows is mayhem and threats of murder until things get resolved, and everyone has their happy ever after (until things go wrong again).
I love Wodehouse’s books and his effortless humor. There isn’t a book without a bundle of confusions and men falling in and out of love (windows, cars… you get the drift). This is a short book (just 128 pages) and doesn’t have an elaborate plot. It’s fairly simple, though enjoyable.
However, I wouldn’t recommend this book as your first Wodehouse read. Nope. This is pretty average with a few chuckles and a rather annoying scene where our Bill threatens the heroine with physical violence. Fans of Wodehouse, pick this up only if you haven’t got any better of his (which I’m sure you do).
Doctor Sally is a one-time read that gives a teeny glimpse of the author’s writing style but doesn’t do justice to it.
Thankfully, Squiffy Tidmouth, Bill’s old buddy and Lottie’s former husband, decides to help Bill. After all, the man is on a break after his fourth wife divorced him, and maybe he still has a thing or two for Lottie.
But Sir Hugo, Bill’s uncle, is determined to keep Bill away from the ‘flashy woman’ and thinks of a brilliant psychological approach to show Bill that his choice of bride is wrong. What follows is mayhem and threats of murder until things get resolved, and everyone has their happy ever after (until things go wrong again).
I love Wodehouse’s books and his effortless humor. There isn’t a book without a bundle of confusions and men falling in and out of love (windows, cars… you get the drift). This is a short book (just 128 pages) and doesn’t have an elaborate plot. It’s fairly simple, though enjoyable.
However, I wouldn’t recommend this book as your first Wodehouse read. Nope. This is pretty average with a few chuckles and a rather annoying scene where our Bill threatens the heroine with physical violence. Fans of Wodehouse, pick this up only if you haven’t got any better of his (which I’m sure you do).
Doctor Sally is a one-time read that gives a teeny glimpse of the author’s writing style but doesn’t do justice to it.
Joan Scudamore is on her way back to London after visiting her daughter in Iraq. The heavy rains wash away the railway lines, leaving her stranded in an isolated rest house (pretty much in the middle of nowhere). Of course, the rest house is managed decently well, and Joan doesn’t have to worry about her safety or food.
However, she has too much time on her hands. A woman used to being busy at all times finds herself doing nothing. Her meeting with Blanche, her childhood friend, before being stranded puts her in a contemplative mood. As Joan thinks back about her seemingly perfect life with a happy and successful husband and lovely kids, she realizes that the truth is different from her perception.
Joan doesn’t want to accept this new view of her life, but she can’t help it. The more her unease grows, the more she realizes that her idea of perfect might have done more harm than good. Was Joan a competent and wise woman with a good head on her shoulders, or was she someone people endured for the sake of it?
As a diehard fan of Christie, I extend the same love to the books she wrote as Mary Westmacott. These are more personal, introspective, and heavy with melancholy. Absent in the Spring is hard to categorize into a particular genre. Those who put it in romance couldn’t have been more wrong. Drama comes closest, I suppose.
The first 30-40 pages are enough to give us an idea about the theme. We know the direction the story will take. We even know what it’ll do to the lead character, Joan. But we still want to see if our assessment is right or not.
To be honest, I’m not sure how to review this one. It’s bittersweet; frustrating at times because you cannot help but want to shake some sense into Joan. Annoying at times when Joan does nothing but delay her introspection. Yet, it is compelling because you can’t help but continue reading to see if she’ll notice and realize what you did.
You can’t wait for the ending because you hope for a positive beginning but know deep down that it may not happen. Oh, you’ll come to hate Joan, pity her, and even hope for her. But can you love her?
To sum up, Absent in the Spring is a must-read if you like analyzing characters and people. It is a must-read if you want to go introspect on your life and look at it from another perspective. The book has given me greater satisfaction than some of her mystery novels (and I’m saying this as a fan of the author and a mystery lover).
*****
P.S: A reviewer mentioned Christie called this book her most satisfying work, and I can see why.
*****
PPS: I read the paperback and can say that it did make a difference to my reading experience.
However, she has too much time on her hands. A woman used to being busy at all times finds herself doing nothing. Her meeting with Blanche, her childhood friend, before being stranded puts her in a contemplative mood. As Joan thinks back about her seemingly perfect life with a happy and successful husband and lovely kids, she realizes that the truth is different from her perception.
Joan doesn’t want to accept this new view of her life, but she can’t help it. The more her unease grows, the more she realizes that her idea of perfect might have done more harm than good. Was Joan a competent and wise woman with a good head on her shoulders, or was she someone people endured for the sake of it?
As a diehard fan of Christie, I extend the same love to the books she wrote as Mary Westmacott. These are more personal, introspective, and heavy with melancholy. Absent in the Spring is hard to categorize into a particular genre. Those who put it in romance couldn’t have been more wrong. Drama comes closest, I suppose.
The first 30-40 pages are enough to give us an idea about the theme. We know the direction the story will take. We even know what it’ll do to the lead character, Joan. But we still want to see if our assessment is right or not.
To be honest, I’m not sure how to review this one. It’s bittersweet; frustrating at times because you cannot help but want to shake some sense into Joan. Annoying at times when Joan does nothing but delay her introspection. Yet, it is compelling because you can’t help but continue reading to see if she’ll notice and realize what you did.
You can’t wait for the ending because you hope for a positive beginning but know deep down that it may not happen. Oh, you’ll come to hate Joan, pity her, and even hope for her. But can you love her?
“You are alone and you will always be. But, please God, you’ll never know it.”
To sum up, Absent in the Spring is a must-read if you like analyzing characters and people. It is a must-read if you want to go introspect on your life and look at it from another perspective. The book has given me greater satisfaction than some of her mystery novels (and I’m saying this as a fan of the author and a mystery lover).
*****
P.S: A reviewer mentioned Christie called this book her most satisfying work, and I can see why.
*****
PPS: I read the paperback and can say that it did make a difference to my reading experience.
3.8 Stars
Tom is a shy, introverted 16 years old with confidence issues. He prefers being invisible and not noticed by anyone as he goes about his day-to-day work (at school and outside). His relationship with his drunkard father is strained, and Tom spends more time with his Xbox and memories of his dead mother.
Maggie is a 72 years old widow with a fixed routine. She is happy or so convinced herself. She has a farm to run and a book club to attend. Idle time is the bane of her life, and Maggie finds ways to take up tasks that swallow hours of her day.
Tom’s subsequent entry into the village’s library and a chance meeting with Maggie change both their lives. How can a 16yo teen and a 72yo woman become friends? But they do in their own unique way. The news of the library being forcefully closed scares them and a few others who love the library.
They vow to find a way to prevent the library from being closed. As they continue the fight, Maggie and Tom help each other with their lives.
The story is narrated in dual POV in alternate chapters. Tom’s is in the first person, while Maggie’s goes in the third person. This helped see the story from both perspectives.
Though the title suggests that the book has more to do with the library, it uses the old village library more as a connecting factor. The book is about Tom and Maggie becoming friends and tackling the issues in their lives. It’s about loneliness, friendship, self-confidence, and more.
While some of it was interesting and touching to read, it felt as if the themes were used to create a plausible situation for the lead characters. In a way, alcohol addiction was dealt with slightly better than bullying. This led to the library almost going out of focus in the second half. Of course, the story comes back on track. But somehow, it felt like too many topics were being packed into the story, and neither of them got the space they deserve.
That said, the overall story is sweet and heartwarming. As a fan of happy endings, I love how this ended (though it does come across as a neatly tied package). Still, a happy ending makes the book a happy one, at least for me.
Maggie is a fab character, and I was rooting for her throughout the story. Who wouldn’t want someone like her on their side? Tom’s character arc is neat and promising. He’s still a teen, but a better one for sure. Tom’s father and Farah are intriguing, though they could have had a better character arc. Others characters have potential but not enough space.
Surprisingly, yoga plays a not-so-tiny role in the book. There is mention of meditation, chanting, and inner self. But then, it felt more like any other aerobics session. The more I read, the more I understand how yoga has been alienated and distanced from its roots in Hinduism and is treated as some sort of exotic form of exercise. It’s an intense process of spiritual alignment and needs to be treated with more respect than a simple twisting of arms and legs to increase strength.
The book takes its own sweet time to progress in the beginning. It’s almost 400 pages, and the start is quite slow. It picks up pace later on only to go off track with other themes in focus. All said and done, the author managed to rein it in during the last 20% of the book.
To sum up, The Library is a book about friendship between two unlikely people and how a place like a library can bring people together. The reference to various books was nice to read. Good that I have most of them on my TBR.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Aria & Aries and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLibrary #NetGalley
Tom is a shy, introverted 16 years old with confidence issues. He prefers being invisible and not noticed by anyone as he goes about his day-to-day work (at school and outside). His relationship with his drunkard father is strained, and Tom spends more time with his Xbox and memories of his dead mother.
Maggie is a 72 years old widow with a fixed routine. She is happy or so convinced herself. She has a farm to run and a book club to attend. Idle time is the bane of her life, and Maggie finds ways to take up tasks that swallow hours of her day.
Tom’s subsequent entry into the village’s library and a chance meeting with Maggie change both their lives. How can a 16yo teen and a 72yo woman become friends? But they do in their own unique way. The news of the library being forcefully closed scares them and a few others who love the library.
They vow to find a way to prevent the library from being closed. As they continue the fight, Maggie and Tom help each other with their lives.
The story is narrated in dual POV in alternate chapters. Tom’s is in the first person, while Maggie’s goes in the third person. This helped see the story from both perspectives.
Though the title suggests that the book has more to do with the library, it uses the old village library more as a connecting factor. The book is about Tom and Maggie becoming friends and tackling the issues in their lives. It’s about loneliness, friendship, self-confidence, and more.
While some of it was interesting and touching to read, it felt as if the themes were used to create a plausible situation for the lead characters. In a way, alcohol addiction was dealt with slightly better than bullying. This led to the library almost going out of focus in the second half. Of course, the story comes back on track. But somehow, it felt like too many topics were being packed into the story, and neither of them got the space they deserve.
That said, the overall story is sweet and heartwarming. As a fan of happy endings, I love how this ended (though it does come across as a neatly tied package). Still, a happy ending makes the book a happy one, at least for me.
Maggie is a fab character, and I was rooting for her throughout the story. Who wouldn’t want someone like her on their side? Tom’s character arc is neat and promising. He’s still a teen, but a better one for sure. Tom’s father and Farah are intriguing, though they could have had a better character arc. Others characters have potential but not enough space.
Surprisingly, yoga plays a not-so-tiny role in the book. There is mention of meditation, chanting, and inner self. But then, it felt more like any other aerobics session. The more I read, the more I understand how yoga has been alienated and distanced from its roots in Hinduism and is treated as some sort of exotic form of exercise. It’s an intense process of spiritual alignment and needs to be treated with more respect than a simple twisting of arms and legs to increase strength.
The book takes its own sweet time to progress in the beginning. It’s almost 400 pages, and the start is quite slow. It picks up pace later on only to go off track with other themes in focus. All said and done, the author managed to rein it in during the last 20% of the book.
To sum up, The Library is a book about friendship between two unlikely people and how a place like a library can bring people together. The reference to various books was nice to read. Good that I have most of them on my TBR.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Aria & Aries and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLibrary #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Decent first book but tends to read like a travelogue.
Harry, a 31-year-old lad, is relieved when his favorite Aunt Jessica asks him to accompany her on a trip to Morocco. He is down on his luck and needs something to cheer him up. The trip seems just like a thing to get him back on track.
But then Aunt Jessica is not only a super talented historian. She is also a force to reckon with. After all, how many 73 years old go around traveling to distant lands with such ease?
When one of the group members is murdered, the man’s wife is arrested for the crime. Aunt Jessica isn’t convinced, and neither is Harry. The lad does his best to investigate the case only to get deeper into trouble. It’s up to Aunt Jessica to solve the crime and get Harry out safe and sound.
My Observations:
• The actual story takes time to start, which is understandable since this is the first book in the series. The first half is slow and focuses more on establishing the characters and the setting.
• Harry and Aunt Jessica are well-defined, and I’m curious to know more. Harry seems more like a young kid, but it makes sense given the background information. The poor lad has to deal with formidable aunts, after all.
• There are touches of Brit humor though not much. It worked for me well enough. What took time was to understand the period of the story. It reads like a historical cozy mystery but talks of smartphones. That was a little confusing.
• The case, as such, is quite simple if you keep track of the details revealed in bits and pieces. Since cozy mysteries don’t have to be complicated, this works well for the story.
• The murder isn’t committed until almost after 40%, which does dampen the mystery effect. The sooner the crime occurs, the more interesting the book gets.
• My biggest issue with the book was the overload of the settings. Sure, it’s a different country (considered exotic by the West), but we don’t need so much information. Some of it felt more like a travelogue and didn’t serve any purpose to the plot.
• Since this is the first book, and the next usually tend to get better, I’m hoping the next ones balance out the elements and put enough focus on the mystery.
To sum up, Murder in Morocco is a decent first book in the series, but I wouldn’t compare it to Christie. It’s good enough but doesn’t reach the mark. Christie set the standards high. Maybe I’ll change my opinion after reading the other books from the series.
I received a review copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
One Liner: Decent first book but tends to read like a travelogue.
Harry, a 31-year-old lad, is relieved when his favorite Aunt Jessica asks him to accompany her on a trip to Morocco. He is down on his luck and needs something to cheer him up. The trip seems just like a thing to get him back on track.
But then Aunt Jessica is not only a super talented historian. She is also a force to reckon with. After all, how many 73 years old go around traveling to distant lands with such ease?
When one of the group members is murdered, the man’s wife is arrested for the crime. Aunt Jessica isn’t convinced, and neither is Harry. The lad does his best to investigate the case only to get deeper into trouble. It’s up to Aunt Jessica to solve the crime and get Harry out safe and sound.
My Observations:
• The actual story takes time to start, which is understandable since this is the first book in the series. The first half is slow and focuses more on establishing the characters and the setting.
• Harry and Aunt Jessica are well-defined, and I’m curious to know more. Harry seems more like a young kid, but it makes sense given the background information. The poor lad has to deal with formidable aunts, after all.
• There are touches of Brit humor though not much. It worked for me well enough. What took time was to understand the period of the story. It reads like a historical cozy mystery but talks of smartphones. That was a little confusing.
• The case, as such, is quite simple if you keep track of the details revealed in bits and pieces. Since cozy mysteries don’t have to be complicated, this works well for the story.
• The murder isn’t committed until almost after 40%, which does dampen the mystery effect. The sooner the crime occurs, the more interesting the book gets.
• My biggest issue with the book was the overload of the settings. Sure, it’s a different country (considered exotic by the West), but we don’t need so much information. Some of it felt more like a travelogue and didn’t serve any purpose to the plot.
• Since this is the first book, and the next usually tend to get better, I’m hoping the next ones balance out the elements and put enough focus on the mystery.
To sum up, Murder in Morocco is a decent first book in the series, but I wouldn’t compare it to Christie. It’s good enough but doesn’t reach the mark. Christie set the standards high. Maybe I’ll change my opinion after reading the other books from the series.
I received a review copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
4 Stars
One Liner: Heavy but heartwarming
Feb 1948
The world still hasn’t recovered from the Second World War. Ruth and her mom are doing their best to find a living despite the hard times. Being an archeologist with no degree means it’s even hard for Ruth’s mom to get the job she wants. When a chance incident at Mr. Knight’s office takes them to Rook Farm, the duo is excited and hopeful for a better future.
Joe works hard on the farm to help his sick mom, Mary, and their farm girl, Audrey. He doesn’t like Ruth and her mom poking their nose around the farm. So what if there might be some treasure that could help them? He has kept too many secrets and is dealing with the burden alone.
Joe and Ruth come to a truce as Ruth decides to help his family. However, things go wrong when the treasure is stolen, a snowstorm is brewing, and time is running out. Can Ruth and Joe save the day through sheer determination (and maybe some luck)? Will Joe’s farm be saved? Can Audrey and her fiancé Terry, have a happy life together? Can Ruth’s mom get the job of her dreams?
My Observations:
• The book is 336 pages long but is fast-paced. The writing is easy and suitable for middle-graders, making the flow even better for adults.
• The themes of war, post-war, monetary problems, family issues, PSTD, divorce, parental death, etc., should’ve been overwhelming in the same book. Yet, they blend together in the setting. The book is a heavy read though still suitable for the target audience.
• The moral lessons are seamlessly woven into the story. They also create a sense of safety for Joe and Ruth. It may seem like an easy route for adults. However, the developments felt right as the book was already dealing with painful topics.
• Ruth is a little sweetheart with a kind heart and a good brain. She is eager to help Joe’s family and find a way to solve everyone’s problems. She also has no trouble accepting when she makes a mistake.
• Joe starts out as a grumpy teen, but we soon see the reason for his behavior. The character arc of both kids seems realistic, though I like Ruth the best.
• The book naturally has a happy ending, but it doesn’t feel abrupt. The book’s purpose is to reach the end through a series of adventures.
• The story has a picturesque quality to it. I could imagine each scene easily and feel that the book would look better on screen. I’d love to watch the screen adaptation of this one.
To sum up, The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is a heartwarming story that deals with some heavy topics. It’s fast-paced, heartfelt, and hopeful.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Usborne Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #SecretoftheTreasureKeepers
One Liner: Heavy but heartwarming
Feb 1948
The world still hasn’t recovered from the Second World War. Ruth and her mom are doing their best to find a living despite the hard times. Being an archeologist with no degree means it’s even hard for Ruth’s mom to get the job she wants. When a chance incident at Mr. Knight’s office takes them to Rook Farm, the duo is excited and hopeful for a better future.
Joe works hard on the farm to help his sick mom, Mary, and their farm girl, Audrey. He doesn’t like Ruth and her mom poking their nose around the farm. So what if there might be some treasure that could help them? He has kept too many secrets and is dealing with the burden alone.
Joe and Ruth come to a truce as Ruth decides to help his family. However, things go wrong when the treasure is stolen, a snowstorm is brewing, and time is running out. Can Ruth and Joe save the day through sheer determination (and maybe some luck)? Will Joe’s farm be saved? Can Audrey and her fiancé Terry, have a happy life together? Can Ruth’s mom get the job of her dreams?
My Observations:
• The book is 336 pages long but is fast-paced. The writing is easy and suitable for middle-graders, making the flow even better for adults.
• The themes of war, post-war, monetary problems, family issues, PSTD, divorce, parental death, etc., should’ve been overwhelming in the same book. Yet, they blend together in the setting. The book is a heavy read though still suitable for the target audience.
• The moral lessons are seamlessly woven into the story. They also create a sense of safety for Joe and Ruth. It may seem like an easy route for adults. However, the developments felt right as the book was already dealing with painful topics.
• Ruth is a little sweetheart with a kind heart and a good brain. She is eager to help Joe’s family and find a way to solve everyone’s problems. She also has no trouble accepting when she makes a mistake.
• Joe starts out as a grumpy teen, but we soon see the reason for his behavior. The character arc of both kids seems realistic, though I like Ruth the best.
• The book naturally has a happy ending, but it doesn’t feel abrupt. The book’s purpose is to reach the end through a series of adventures.
• The story has a picturesque quality to it. I could imagine each scene easily and feel that the book would look better on screen. I’d love to watch the screen adaptation of this one.
To sum up, The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is a heartwarming story that deals with some heavy topics. It’s fast-paced, heartfelt, and hopeful.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Usborne Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #SecretoftheTreasureKeepers
3.2 Stars
One Liner: Mixed feelings; has potential but doesn’t reach the expectations.
Riley Mays and Vaughn Orr don’t seem to have anything in common. After all, what can a girl living with her cousins on a Wisconsin farm and a best-selling author from New York have in common?
But when Vaughn ends up where Riley lives, they realize the deeply hidden pain and dark secrets in each other. What is it about their past that pushed them into neverending despair? Can the two break free of the shackles and build a better life? How do Nature and the mystical moon feature in the entire equation?
The side characters are interesting, especially Kiran. Riley sounds younger than her 21, and Vaughn appears older than his 29. Feels a little creepy when some secrets are revealed about their past.
The narration at the beginning is abrupt but flows well after a while. It would’ve worked much better if the second half wasn’t overloaded with secrets. The premise for magic is wonderful. If only it was taken to the next level!
Thank you for using the term Hindu rather than vague terms like Indian and South Asian. I don’t even remember the last book by Western authors who did this.
To sum up, The Oceanography of the Moon could have wowed me if the magic was explored and utilized rather than simply used to create a sense of something otherworldly.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheOceanographyoftheMoon
******
Read the full review here.
One Liner: Mixed feelings; has potential but doesn’t reach the expectations.
Riley Mays and Vaughn Orr don’t seem to have anything in common. After all, what can a girl living with her cousins on a Wisconsin farm and a best-selling author from New York have in common?
But when Vaughn ends up where Riley lives, they realize the deeply hidden pain and dark secrets in each other. What is it about their past that pushed them into neverending despair? Can the two break free of the shackles and build a better life? How do Nature and the mystical moon feature in the entire equation?
The side characters are interesting, especially Kiran. Riley sounds younger than her 21, and Vaughn appears older than his 29. Feels a little creepy when some secrets are revealed about their past.
The narration at the beginning is abrupt but flows well after a while. It would’ve worked much better if the second half wasn’t overloaded with secrets. The premise for magic is wonderful. If only it was taken to the next level!
Thank you for using the term Hindu rather than vague terms like Indian and South Asian. I don’t even remember the last book by Western authors who did this.
To sum up, The Oceanography of the Moon could have wowed me if the magic was explored and utilized rather than simply used to create a sense of something otherworldly.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheOceanographyoftheMoon
******
Read the full review here.
3.5 Stars
I should have read the book a decade ago when I was awestruck by authors like Alistair Maclean, Jules Verne, PG Wodehouse, etc. Reading the book now didn't create the same effect on me.
The story format works better in a physical copy for me. Plodding through the ebook wasn't satisfying.
I'm not a fan of generational family sagas. If I wasn't sure of this earlier, I am now. :/
The hatred or feud between Kane and Abel seemed to be based on a not-so-strong point, IMO. It did seem a little exaggerated, though people have killed each other for a lot less.
Unlike the majority (based on what I gathered from the reviews I read), I'm not Team Abel. I was when the book began, but couldn't continue to root for him later on.
Some incidents seemed coincidental and not so believable. It worked together in the end, so that's what matters more, I suppose.
I got to learn more about WWI, a topic that seems to have fewer books dedicated to it.
The writing style creates drama without dramatizing anything. Still, I won't be picking up the next books in the series. The blurbs don't attract me. I'll read the short stories anthologies before picking up another novel.
The book was written in 1979, so I won't be comparing it with any other work. The contemporary ones came afterward.
I should have read the book a decade ago when I was awestruck by authors like Alistair Maclean, Jules Verne, PG Wodehouse, etc. Reading the book now didn't create the same effect on me.
The story format works better in a physical copy for me. Plodding through the ebook wasn't satisfying.
I'm not a fan of generational family sagas. If I wasn't sure of this earlier, I am now. :/
The hatred or feud between Kane and Abel seemed to be based on a not-so-strong point, IMO. It did seem a little exaggerated, though people have killed each other for a lot less.
Unlike the majority (based on what I gathered from the reviews I read), I'm not Team Abel. I was when the book began, but couldn't continue to root for him later on.
Some incidents seemed coincidental and not so believable. It worked together in the end, so that's what matters more, I suppose.
I got to learn more about WWI, a topic that seems to have fewer books dedicated to it.
The writing style creates drama without dramatizing anything. Still, I won't be picking up the next books in the series. The blurbs don't attract me. I'll read the short stories anthologies before picking up another novel.
The book was written in 1979, so I won't be comparing it with any other work. The contemporary ones came afterward.
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Review on 01st Dec 2024
4 Stars
One Liner: Sit back and enjoy!
This is the 31st book featuring Hercule Poirot as per one list and the 35th according to Goodreads. It also has the famous crime novelist and Poirot’s friend Adriane Oliver. It was adapted into a TV show (episode 3 of season 13 of Poirot) with David Suchet as Poirot.
Adriane attends a mock murder hunt hosted by Sir George and Lady Stubbs in their village (Devon). Something feels wrong, so the novelist asks Poirot to come down. Her instincts turn out correct when the pretend victim ends up dead, really dead. Now, it’s up to the greatest detective to solve the case.
The story comes in third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Turns out, I read and reviewed this book in 2018. Well, it’s too far back in the past for me to remember much. I felt little bits sounding familiar once I started reading. However, I, too, spent a lot of time in the fog like Poirot.
Our dear detective had become older and felt he didn’t give his best initially. Too many things to know and not enough time to prevent the murder he was supposed to. Happens!
Inspector Bland had a substantial role though it was Poirot who solved the case, as he should. I could faintly remember who the killer was supposed to be but wasn’t sure if I was on the right track.
The main characters were well-defined (though it would take some time to figure out who the main ones were). One has to separate the subplots from the central plot and follow the right threads.
I’ve come to enjoy Adriane Oliver’s character more as I became a writer. Not that I’m that messy, but yeah, the plot wouldn’t make sense when I describe it but it will when I write it. Her flair is something I’m yet to achieve, lol.
The language and opinions are outdated. That's expected. I wasn't distracted by it (not much).
To summarize, Dead Man’s Folly is yet another Christie classic in her trademark style but also different from the rest. It is more muted in some ways and a delightful read presenting human fallacies in various ways.
*************
*************
I'd take a Christie book any day, any time. That is how much I love reading her works.
I was a little disappointed that Poirot wasn't as active as ever. He did not lead the charge and did not speak to all the suspects the way he usually does in other books.
The thing about Christie- she gives us enough hints to identify the killer but we keep missing those at times. Once we read the ending, all the hints align themselves in the mind. :)
This story is no exception. The location of the folly, the uprooted tree, the old man, Miss. Brewis's remarks about Hattie, all come together at the end. And as Poirot keeps saying, Mrs. Follat is the key.
Mrs. Oliver is her usual self. She senses the undercurrents of trouble as ever and is right.
*************
I'd take a Christie book any day, any time. That is how much I love reading her works.
I was a little disappointed that Poirot wasn't as active as ever. He did not lead the charge and did not speak to all the suspects the way he usually does in other books.
The thing about Christie- she gives us enough hints to identify the killer but we keep missing those at times. Once we read the ending, all the hints align themselves in the mind. :)
This story is no exception. The location of the folly, the uprooted tree, the old man, Miss. Brewis's remarks about Hattie, all come together at the end. And as Poirot keeps saying, Mrs. Follat is the key.
Mrs. Oliver is her usual self. She senses the undercurrents of trouble as ever and is right.
4.2 Stars
My Little Green Umbrella is a cute book about the adventures a little girl has when she finds a green umbrella. She grows older and forgets about the umbrella. A little boy comes across it and has his share of adventures until he is no longer a kid. The umbrella feels sad and forgotten for a few years. But then, an old lady picks it up, and the umbrella recognizes the voice.
This is a cute and heartwarming story about the journey and adventure called life. It shows how we grow and change over the years, but our favorites still hold a special place in our lives.
The illustrations reminded me of my textbooks as a kid. Some pages have only illustrations, which makes the book even better. The old-fashioned sketching is similar the comic books (though the text is written in nice and big letters).
My Little Green Umbrella is a warm and cozy book for people of all ages. I feel adults might enjoy it more because of the nostalgic vibes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Outskirtspress, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MyLittleGreenUmbrella #NetGalley
My Little Green Umbrella is a cute book about the adventures a little girl has when she finds a green umbrella. She grows older and forgets about the umbrella. A little boy comes across it and has his share of adventures until he is no longer a kid. The umbrella feels sad and forgotten for a few years. But then, an old lady picks it up, and the umbrella recognizes the voice.
This is a cute and heartwarming story about the journey and adventure called life. It shows how we grow and change over the years, but our favorites still hold a special place in our lives.
The illustrations reminded me of my textbooks as a kid. Some pages have only illustrations, which makes the book even better. The old-fashioned sketching is similar the comic books (though the text is written in nice and big letters).
My Little Green Umbrella is a warm and cozy book for people of all ages. I feel adults might enjoy it more because of the nostalgic vibes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Outskirtspress, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MyLittleGreenUmbrella #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
A Tale of Two Brothers is a Swiss fable with a beautiful message about kindness and good intentions. Morris and Boris are two brothers with humps on their backs. While Morris is loving, kind, and friendly, Boris is the exact opposite.
It’s Boris’ turn to fix the roof of the hut on the mountain, but when he grumbles, Morris decides to do it himself. He marvels at the beauty of nature and enjoys the journey despite the hardships. When he falls asleep at night, the hidden creatures and the forest witch give him a gift he’ll never forget.
Boris is surprised to see the hump gone from Morris’ back and decides to follow in his footsteps (only physically). His rude behavior annoys the creatures who gift him a larger hump. It’s only when Boris reaches home that he realizes his mistake and plans to become a better person.
The picture book is for slightly older kids who don’t mind a substantial amount of text on each page. The language is simple, though it has a few difficult words. The illustrations are vivid and blend with the context perfectly.
The pages have color and B&W illustrations alternatively. This creates a magical and old-world charm while also managing to create a slightly creepy effect. I’m not sure if this is because mine is an electronic ARC, or if it has been intended that way. The detailing and color scheme reminds me of an old and well-loved fairytale book.
To sum up, A Tale of Two Brothers is a beautiful book for little ones and not-so-little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ATaleofTwoBrothers #NetGalley
A Tale of Two Brothers is a Swiss fable with a beautiful message about kindness and good intentions. Morris and Boris are two brothers with humps on their backs. While Morris is loving, kind, and friendly, Boris is the exact opposite.
It’s Boris’ turn to fix the roof of the hut on the mountain, but when he grumbles, Morris decides to do it himself. He marvels at the beauty of nature and enjoys the journey despite the hardships. When he falls asleep at night, the hidden creatures and the forest witch give him a gift he’ll never forget.
Boris is surprised to see the hump gone from Morris’ back and decides to follow in his footsteps (only physically). His rude behavior annoys the creatures who gift him a larger hump. It’s only when Boris reaches home that he realizes his mistake and plans to become a better person.
The picture book is for slightly older kids who don’t mind a substantial amount of text on each page. The language is simple, though it has a few difficult words. The illustrations are vivid and blend with the context perfectly.
The pages have color and B&W illustrations alternatively. This creates a magical and old-world charm while also managing to create a slightly creepy effect. I’m not sure if this is because mine is an electronic ARC, or if it has been intended that way. The detailing and color scheme reminds me of an old and well-loved fairytale book.
To sum up, A Tale of Two Brothers is a beautiful book for little ones and not-so-little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ATaleofTwoBrothers #NetGalley