Holiday selection of love and war, mystery and friendship

Rachel Hore’s books make great holiday reads, and this one is no exception, although it did go deeper than the other stories she has told in the past, and I did find that a bit difficult at times. It actually reminded me a little of Rosamund Pilcher’s “Coming Home. Anyway, “A Gathering Storm” starts off in Cornwall, where a young woman, whose father has recently passed away, is trying to work out why he spent much of his life in sadness. She has found out that his past was briefly linked to Cornwall and in particular, to a famous manor house, and she visits a museum nearby to find out more. The curator introduces her to an elderly lady, who over the week’s stay, she manages to unravel the mystery. It is a very complicated story and it moved me greatly because of the very well-told Second World War scenes. The way she explained what happened to people during WWII really made it clear to me. I could really feel what they went through, what they experienced, and it was very difficult to read at times. I imagined how I would have coped, and I am just full of admiration at how they never lost hope and always kept their pride. There is part of the story, which I have to say, I could not understand. It just did not make sense to me, the choices that the older lady made. But while the character is fictional it is based on real-life figures, and therefore those choices were made, which is sad, but you also cannot deny the courage of these women. Although it wasn’t perfect – there were some loose ends that I would have liked to have seen tidied up -it was a very thought-provoking read, though harrowing in place. The descriptions of Cornwall, however, were fabulous.

So, my second holiday read was The Listerdale Mystery, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie, and once again she surpassed herself. So many twists and turns, pleasant endings, scary outcomes. The first and second stories were such contrasts and lulled me into a complete sense of security. The first was a lovely tale, very romantic, although with an element of mystery. The second was quite terrifying, and I noticed this tale and most of the others had very strong female characters.  These short stories, none involving Miss Marple or Monsieur Poirot, chopped and changed between adventure, fear, excitement, romance. It was a lovely collection of characters and stories. One aspect I must check is the story that has a character called James Bond...which came first, Ian Fleming’s or Agatha Christie’s – these tales were originally published in 1934 - another mystery to be unveiled.

Thank goodness I had my Kindle, because with my two holiday books finished, and the sun shining outside, I needed more reading. I really enjoyed Lucy Diamond's The Beach Cafe, so I decided to read Sweet Temptation next. I have to admit, at first I didn't like it. It starts off about overweight people, and I am sorry to say that I wasn't sympathetic. I just wanted them to have some will-power. However, as I got to know the characters, I really felt for them and was rooting them. The book is called Sweet Temptation, but I think "Fat-busting and Friendship" would have been a better title. It is a great self-help book, really empowering. I am not overweight, although there is room for improvement, and I found this book really inspiring, providing ideas for losing weight. It also covered the issue of domestic violence and in places it was quite disturbing. It was a very pleasant surprise, and I would really recommend it, both as a romantic read and a motivator for losing weight.

Scary mysteries

Because Waterstones have stopped their 3 for 2, we decided to give Daunt Books a try. I love going to Daunt, but they don't have any bargains. However, we went to the branch in Marylebone High Street and had a lovely time browsing, and I eventually chose two Agatha Christies. The lady who served me was just so lovely, and I am looking forward to shopping there again. Anyway, I have finished Sleeping Murder, and it had me gripped and terrified to the end. I have to admit, I did guess the murderer early on, but as it was getting to the end of the story, just before the murderer was officially unveiled, I had completely decided that it was someone completely different, in fact one of three other professionals. So, once again, Agatha Christie has completely surpassed herself. It is a great read, so many twists and turns, and quite nail-biting. I am really looking forward to my other one now!

Scary tales and romance

I am still hugely enjoying Agatha Christie's books. I downloaded Miss Marple's Final Cases. Most of them involved Miss Marple, but there were a few which had neither Miss Marple or Monsieur Poirot, and they were so dark, particularly the one about the dressmaker's doll. Absolutely brilliant, but quite spooky. I don't know why, because it shouldn't have been, but it was just the way she intimated what might happen. Anyway, after that one, I took a break and read something a bit more light-hearted. Encore Valentine, byAdriana Trigiani, is a follow-up to Very Valentine, a story about a shoe-maker of Italian descent, now in America, and taking on the family shoe-making business. In this instalment, Valentine discovers another branch of the family in Argentina so she goes to meet them in Buenos Aires. Typical of the author, there are the usual family dramas and complicated relationships, and together with the gorgeous descriptions of Argentinian culture and food (which so made my mouth water), it makes great reading. The only disappointment was the ending, a bit quick and lots of loose ends, but I suspect that that only means that another book with Valentine is on its way

Agatha fest!

Gosh, I think I have outdone myself. Three Agatha Christie's in a row and all equally brilliant. I am really noticing a difference between her earlier and later books, and the change in the social system in England. A Pocket Full of Rye, written in 1953, demonstrated how people were still getting used to the new Health Service and were finding it difficult to locate a doctor because they now had to find one in their local area but they were unsure as to how to do this. Very interesting. And the story was just brilliant, running along the nursery rhyme themes that the author likes to follow. I just loved the way it was written and all the mystery. So clever. I also read Poirot Investigates, written in 1924, a collection of short stories. You can really see how her later novels stemmed from these short stories, eg the similarites of "The Western Star" alongside the novel "Evil Under The Sun". I had so many favourites, but I particularly liked The Kidnapped Prime Minister and The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? was the third book that I read and it was a masterpiece. So many red herrings and confusion and I loved the hints at romance between the two main characters who were playing detective. Excellent plot and hugely enjoyable. Now, what's next...

Agatha overdose

I have just finished two Agatha Christie's and both were so different. I wasn't wild on the first one - Hallowe'en Party. It was interesting because it was written in 1969 and it dwelled on the falling standards of society. Actually, Agatha Christie's books would make a very interesting sociological study because her writing spanned several decades. I think with this one, it was evident that she wasn't thrilled with the freedom available to people, and she focused especially on crimes of a sexual nature. So, it was okay, but reminded me too much of what is in the news today. I prefer escapism, and that is what I got with the next one - And Then There Were None. It was fabulous. So much mystery and speculation and I still got it completely wrong. I won't say anymore, but I do think it would be great to write a fictional book about Agatha Christie carrying out the perfect crime. Has this been done? Personally, I don't have the imagination, but I would love to be able to describe the sort of crime that she would do. Is that wrong....not meant to be, but she has such a brilliant mind, it does make you wonder what she would have been like as a criminal. I am glad she chose to be an author - her books are amazing!

Old favourites and new tales

After my Agatha Christie phase, I decided to revert to some old favourites, so I read some JK Rowling, some Anne Tyler, and of course, Alice Hoffman. And then I bought The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. I haven't managed to finish it though. The subject matter makes me sad, but that is a personal opinion. It is just as well written as all her books and I hope to finish it one day. We went to see Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap last week at St Martin's Theatre, Covent Garden, London, and it was superb! Really enjoyable, and we had great fun trying to guess who the murderer was, and of course, we were completely wrong! The theatre was gorgeous too. Anyway, that play spurred me on to return to Agatha Christie, and I picked up my favourite so far: Death in the Clouds. It was fantastic. So many twists and turns, yet again, I did not guess who the murderer was, although I suspected practically every character in the story. It was hugely enjoyable. I was going to get another one, but I spotted The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner and quickly grabbed it. I will let you know what I think in my next blog!

Murder in the library

Yes, another Agatha Christie. I couldn't resist The Body In The Library. And yet again, it was really good. Lots of great characters and twists. Kept me guessing to the end! I also like the covers of these new versions. Nice colours and designs. I know, nothing to do with Agatha Christie, but still pleasant to have on your bookshelf. Don't worry, I am having a break from these novels now. I am re-reading Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani and I am waiting for the new Alice Hoffman "The Story Sisters" (due end of May), the new Stephenie Meyer "The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner" (due 5th June) and Noah's Compass (due in August), the next Anne Tyler. I would happily pre-order all of them, but I am due to move anytime soon and so don't know which delivery address to put down. Wouldn't want them to get lost!!!

Murder, mystery and suspense

Agatha Christie gets better and better! I loved At Bertram's Hotel. And I would so love to stay there, if it exists. The story was so complex and exciting, with fabulous characters, and intertwining stories! And the surprise twist at the end...it kept me guessing throughout! It amazes me how one person, can have such a versatile imagination. I am completely in awe. I have to admit, when I first started reading these, I really thought I would get bored, but instead, I am just craving more and more!

How does she do it?

Well, I read another Agatha Christie, and I really thought I had guessed the murderer within the first couple of chapters, but I was so wrong! The ABC Murders was brilliant, so clever. Really nice plot, and a real insight into Hercule Poirot and his vanities. I really did not guess until the very end who the murderer was or why! Very good.

Scary stuff

Well, I am still on my Agatha Christie fest, but after the last one, I am going to digress somewhat because I found it quite disturbing. The one I read previously, Sparkling Cyanide, was really good, and I really could not work out who the murderer was until it all came together at the end. It was a really good mystery and I really enjoyed it. Then, I read Endless Night, which was very interesting. It reminded me very much of books by F Scott Fitzgerald. I don't want to spoil anything, but it was different to the other AC books that I have read. For a start, the murder didn't happen until the end. And I was so surprised! I knew something was going to happen and I had my suspicions about who would be involved, but I was really shocked about how events unfurled. It is a good read, but I did find it sinister and sad. There is no graphic violence, but it is sad that innocence is harmed and that people can be influenced so much by money. Anyway, I do recommend it but it does make you think...who can you trust?

Three days later!

A Murder Is Announced...another Agatha Christie that I couldn't put down. I am on holiday, fortunately, otherwise I don't know how I would survive! It is quite amazing that a book, written in 1950, by a sweet-looking old lady, can scare me so much, that I can't sleep. That was last night! I had to wake my husband because I was scared. Pathetic really. It is just the way it is written...nothing graphic, just all left to you imagination. Not good! Actually, it was a really good read - great, complicated story with loveable characters and of course Miss Jane Marple - and I am looking forward to my next one, which has already educated me....I have never made the connection between the colour blue and cyanide...cyan...obvious now. Anyway, I will let you know how I get on.

The great criminal mind!

I have just finished my first Agatha Christie and it was superb! I guessed the true identity of the murderer incorrectly, thanks to the complicated story that was told. The investigator was Monsieur Hercule Poirot himself! Five Little Pigs was the story of a murder which had taken place 16 years earlier and the daughter of the convicted perpetrator was seeking to clear her of her guilt. It is a brilliant story, all the characters and scenes richly described so that you could imagine the whole scenario quite clearly. I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. I can't believe it has taken me so long to discover this fabulous author.