Reading mystery novels this month meant that the choices could be highly selective. No DNA samples required. It also meant that my list came out a bit more classic with Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton, Elizabeth George, and Brandilyn Collins. I realize that they were all female authors, not intentionally. However, if I'm being honest, Agatha Christie paved the way and definitely still reigns as the Queen of Suspense.
As ridiculously cliche as it is to say, The Mirror Crack'd Side to Side by Agatha Christie was certainly my favorite this month. A movie star moves into town and at one of her parties, a young lady dies. Lots of suspects, lots of possibilities with only one outcome. There are times where I just like to let the story unfold and not try to figure out who did it. I found myself trying to decide who had done it but with the brilliancy that one would expect from Agatha, she had me guessing to the end. This book is one of her Miss Marple stories and what I loved was the fact that Miss Marple wasn't not at the heart of the action but rather in the perprephial yet she solved the mystery and led the police in the right direction.
I love the character development and the different characters. The dialogue throughout the book is quirky, true to form, and fun. The prose reads well and is fabulous. Her plot line is complex, it's not always straightforward and her cast characters is truly diverse which made it my favorite read of this month.
Two of the other books I read are also rather respected mystery authors; Sue Grafton and Elizabeth George. I had not read Sue Grafton's novels before so I began with "A" is for Alibi. It wasn't my favorite but her ending was awesome. The writing is good. I liked the fact that her book did not center around the Forensics but it was how the private investigator was to solve the crime by talking to people, understanding human nature in some semblance, and putting the pieces together. The romance in the story was a bit awkward. I understand why it was in there but I could have done with less of it. But I do think I would read another one of her books just for fun sometime.
Elizabeth George, author of the Lynley series, was another author that I had read one of her novels before because of the PBS series based on the books. I know, I'm one of them. A little while ago, I had the chance to go and hear Elizabeth George speak. It was partially because of her that I wanted to do a mystery month. Hearing how her stories come to be and how much research she does as an American who sets her stories in England, was fascinating. Having watched the TV show and hearing from her how they simplified the stories for TV also intrigued me. I read The Great Deliverance this month which is her first Lynley novel. Thomas Lynley, a very privileged man works for the Scotland Yard gets placed on a case with Barbara Havers, a rather rough and tough women on the police force. Together, they look into a murder case that has happened. The human aspect to her story was awesome. It really is a novel that much more than just a simple mystery, she looks at human nature. I love the relationship between Lynley and Havers where she doesn't like him because of his privileged background. It creates a sort of tension that is almost refreshing for two main characters.
This is certainly a series I recommend. However, The Great Deliverance goes to a very dark and a slightly disturbing place with the conclusion of the murder. But she's a brilliant writer and I do enjoy her style. Well Schooled in Murder is another one I've read of hers. That one is really good and doesn't go as dark as The Great Deliverance.
The last book to touch on from this month was from one of my favorite authors; Brandilyn Collins. Her signature is Seatbealt Suspense books. They are fun, quick, and suspenseful for a lack of a better term. The one I read was Exposure and the story has two simultaneous stories happening that I couldn't figure out how they connected until the end when she spells it out. Perhaps I just wasn't trying but it was really good. The main character, Kaycee has intense fear and a wild imagination that she really thinks that someone is out to get her. As she struggles to convince people that she's telling the truth, one of her friends' daughters gets kidnapped and in a race save her, Kaycee's past slowly catches up with her. It's a good book, a quick read, and has a good ending as well. It was another one that I was guessing to the end how everything was going to work out.
It's not always the Butler, it's not always the Maid, and it's not always because someone's DNA was found. It's the imaginatorium of those who wrote before modern technology, those that currently are more interested in the human side of the murder, and those that understand that a good story with good characters goes much further than science can sometimes. Although the book count wasn't substantial this month, the books I read had charm and appeal and I enjoyed them. The recommendation, peruse the mystery aisle, finding a cozy mystery, get lost in the story and try to decide who, what, where, and how.
Next month: banned or challenged books. I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into but I know it will be interesting.
A is for Alibi- Sue Grafton
The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side- Agatha Christie
A Great Deliverance –Elizabeth George
An Impartial Witness – Charles Todd
Exposure- Brandilyn Collins
Exposure- Brandilyn Collins
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