Mystery – Page 6 – Book Barmy

Library Haul

The San Francisco Library allows users to request books, and when they become available, they are delivered to your closest branch library. My local branch is a short walk away so it’s wildly convenient. This time, when three hold items all came in at once, I was momentarily overwhelmed but pleased.

So here’s my haul:

A Man Called Ove (DVD)

Based on the book which I read and highly enjoyed, this film is in Swedish with English subtitles.

The film stayed very true to the book and the casting is wonderful. Rolf Lassgard’s portrayal of Ove is perfection. Even the housing development was exactly how I pictured it.

This is a heartwarming movie. Funny, sad, and loving. I recommend you read the book first, then watch this delightful film. Even Husband enjoyed it, despite the absence of guns and things blowing up.

The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg

This graphic novel was named a best book of 2016 by both NPR and Publishers Weekly, and I’d read about it on several blogs. I placed my library request for One Hundred Nights so long ago, I’d forgotten I’d done so. I opened this book, not remembering anything about it, and was soon down a rabbit hole — lost in a fairy tale. Because that is what this is – a revisionist fairy tale– a feminist retelling of The Arabian Nights.

Like Scheherazade saving her own life by telling tales, in a magical, yet misogynist medieval world, Hero must tell stories every night for 100 nights if she and her true love Cherry are to survive the sexual advances of Cherry’s evil husband and his equally wicked friend.

But it’s a far more intricate puzzle — a story of a story within a story about brave, complicated women and sisters protecting each other, usually from men. It goes deep into the legacy of female bonds and the power of storytelling.

We shall tell all the stories that are never told. Stories about bad husbands and murderous wives and mad gods and mothers and heroes and darkness and friends and sisters and lovers… Yes! And above all… Stories about brave women who don’t take s#*t from anyone.

I can’t say I loved this book — I found it charming, yet peculiar. The feminist, lesbian agenda sometimes overwhelmed the often beautiful writing and the fairy tale-like ambiance. And I found the graphics stark and not very fairy-tale-like (if that makes sense…).

But I will say, the physical experience of reading an oversize graphic novel, in a non-linear way through the story illustrations…brought me right back to being a little girl, lost in the world of a large picture book open on my lap — very, very relaxing.

The Likeness by Tana French

Tana French’s thrillers are anything but relaxing, they are gripping, hold-you-by-the throat-and-not-let-you-go reading.

Set after In the Woods, the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series, this book focuses on detective Cassie Maddox, the best friend of Rob Ryan, the narrator of the first book. In this installment, Cassie narrates, as she is pulled into an old undercover role

A woman is found murdered and she’d been using Cassie’s fake (and discarded) undercover identity of Lexie Madison. To complicate matters, Cassie is a dead-ringer for this this murder victim. Her commander from undercover comes up with a plan — leak to the media that Lexie wasn’t actually dead, but in a coma, and for Cassie to go back into undercover once again as the murdered Lexie to lure the killer to finish the job.

I know – say what? Utterly implausible! But when Ms. French is telling a story, you deferentially suspend disbelief as she takes you on a thoroughly gripping ride.

Cassie/Lexie assumes the persona and has to return to the house she shared with Daniel (who inherited the house), Rafe, Abby and Justin — an insular group of university students who enjoy a close and intense friendship.

As the murder squad investigates the (now revisionist) attempted murder, they confiscate the other housemates phones giving Cassie videos that she relentlessly studies in order to act, talk and “become” the murdered Lexie. Eventually Lexie returns to Whitethorn House having come out of her coma but suffering (convenient) memory loss

It took my breath away, that evening. If you’ve ever dreamed that you walked into your best-loved book or film or TV program, then maybe you’ve got some idea how it felt: things coming alive around you, strange and new and utterly familiar at the same time; the catch in your heartbeat as you move through the rooms that had such a vivid untouchable life in your mind, as your feet actually touch the carpet, as you breathe the air; the odd, secret glow of warmth as these people you’ve been watching for so long, from so far away, open their circle and sweep you into it.

The Likeness excels at its psychological insights especially for Cassie, who in her real life is lonely and shattered from her previous case. She finds friendship — nay, family, among her new Lexie friends. These blurred identities are made believable with the beautifully written scenes and well developed characters who live, love and murder within the walls of Whitethorn House. The setting and moods are almost palpable and glitter with life. But Cassie gets lost inside her assumed identity and finds herself in a maze of murder quickly spinning out of her control. This is breath-holding stuff,

As others have said, there are many similarities to Donna Tart’s A Secret History – both have dreamy academic types living together in a beautiful, run-down house.

But The Likeness makes you feel for Cassie — what she lost and can never regain. The heartbreak of assuming a new identity, being part of a loving family, and finding a home in the world ~~ but in the end, it’s only a likeness.

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Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

The Book Barmy reading list has adapted to the past couple of months of endless rain and a bout with the flu. I gravitated toward thrillers, wanting plot driven, hold your attention type escapism – as if I were on a long, mind-numbing plane trip

As with Dark Matter, Mr. Hawley, the author of Before the Fall is an award winning television writer, most famous for the strange but compelling series Fargo, so I hoped I was in for gripping story line.

Before the Fall bit me hard from the start and didn’t let go.

A private jet crashes minutes after departing Martha’s Vineyard. Just two passengers survive, an artist and a 4 year old boy. With J.J., the boy in tow secured to a seat cushion, the middle-aged painter Scott Burroughs swims across the ocean to the Long Island shore. Turns out Scott is an accomplished swimmer, inspired as a young boy witnessing Jack LaLane swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco.

The mystery of why the plane crashed is told by weaving together the crash investigation and the survivors aftermath with the backstories of the deceased passengers and crew members. The flight recorder reveals nothing amiss with the plane and it is decided that the crash was due sabotage. A classic locked room mystery, but up in the air. The mystery is unwrapped by revealing each character’s personal history and point of view.

The deceased include a financier facing federal indictment and his clueless wife; the head of a Fox-like cable news network with his wife and child; an Israeli bodyguard haunted by war; a career pilot; a hotshot co-pilot; and a flight attendant in her own life crisis.

In the aftermath of the crash, Mr. Hawley gives center stage to Bill Cunningham the larger-than-life newscaster for the cable news network. He makes the story of the plane crash and the network’s lost leader tabloid news — by asking leading questions, ignoring the facts, assuming the worst, and using illegal means to get information.

It was fascinating to see how the news was no longer the facts of what happened, it became a “story” presented to make the headlines and grab audience numbers. I cringed as Cunningham digs into the personal life of the hero, Scott Burroughs, using a hacker to monitor his private activities, which Cunningham then announces in his news broadcasts.

All this a thinly veiled, yet very relevant stab at tabloid media and Fox news

Cunningham was the angry white man people invited into their living rooms to call bullshit at the world . . . who told us what we wanted to hear, which was that the reason we were losing out in life was not that we were losers, but that someone was reaching into our pockets, our companies, our country and taking what was rightfully ours.

[He appealed to] the people who had been searching their whole lives for someone to say out loud what they’d always felt in their hearts.

Just when the mystery of the downed plane seems connected to the corrupt financier, or perhaps the mysterious bodyguard — no no, it must be connected to the news network somehow– the story line shifts to the characters’ blurred boundaries and questionable pasts. The characters, are after all, just humans – fraught with guilt, frailties, and unresolved resentments.

In the end, it’s not money or power, but human vulnerabilities which drive our actions.

Before the Fall reads like a film — it was a fast paced, entertaining and exciting thriller. And what do you know? Sony Pictures has acquired the rights to the story.

A digital advanced readers copy was provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley.

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Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie

You’ll want to plan a stop at your local independent bookstore on your way home, because Garden of Lamentations, Deborah Crombie’s latest mystery novel, is out today. Trust me on this one, have I ever steered you wrong?

As you know from THIS POST, I am a big fan of Ms. Crombie’s work. However, we have grown despondent here at Book Barmy, it’s been practically three years since the last installment of Ms. Crombie’s mystery novels set in London.

A very long (endless really) time to wait*.

Despite this time apart, upon opening Garden of Lamentations it was like meeting old friends and picking up where you left off. Duncan and Gemma are still in their cozy home with their chaotic, blended family. There are still pets underfoot and their delightful, busy life as parents is once again superimposed with murder and crime.

While things have never been easy for this high-powered police couple, their strong relationship always balances their career stresses. In this 17th installment however, we detect early on there’s an unusual tension between Detective Chief Inspector Kincaid and Detective Inspector Gemma James.

Duncan is secretive and distant as he investigates a series of presumably unrelated cases, involving a long ago undercover group of police, a racial hate killing and continues to try and understand why he was transferred . His investigation uncovers a former commander’s secrets and underlying corruption at highest levels of the Met.

Ms. Crombie’s setting is in Gemma’s and Duncan’s own London neighborhood of Notting Hill. A young nanny is found dead under a bower** and Gemma is called in to investigate this murder in a private locked garden for a block of homes off Kensington Park Road.

If you are not familiar with locked gardens of London, they are open only to the residents backing up and surrounding the garden. These gardens are enjoyed and often maintained by the residents. (Many a time I’ve longingly peeked through the gates of these wonderful London oasis’s.)

Through multiple viewpoints we follow Gemma and Duncan through their individual cases, but especially with Duncan’s private investigations, I struggled to recall certain events from the previous two novels. But, as I read on, Ms. Crombie excels at weaving her plots together and most of my questions were answered.

It may have helped to revisit Ms. Crombie’s previous two – Sound of Broken Glass (#15) and To Dwell in Darkness (#16).

Once again, the flyleaf displays a hand drawn map of the book’s setting. I found myself examining the map to locate the pub where Duncan meets an old colleague or the spot where the local children have dance lessons.

This is one of the best in the series. There’s an engaging cast of Notting Hill neighbors, a locked garden mystery, and residents’ lies and secrets. We see the dark side of undercover police work and the repercussions of blurred lines between civilian and police life. Confessions and duplicity are revealed and some of the past can be put to rest. There is even a hint of a life change for Duncan and Gemma in upcoming installments.

As always, Ms. Crombie gives her readers absorbing mysteries combined with believable characters and fascinating London settings.

Garden of Lamentations was worth the wait.

Many thanks to Harper Collins/William Morrow for the opportunity to enjoy an advanced readers copy.

* I understand during this time there was a new grandchild for Ms. Crombie, which may have cut into her writing time.

** I had to look it up – a bower is a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood.

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Bedelia by Vera Caspary

My January book ~~sorting~~ clean out, uncovered this gem, which from the scribbled pencil mark inside the front cover, I picked up for a dollar somewhere.

It was stacked behind some other books (oh, you don’t that too?) and was a tad dusty. So, I’ve had it for awhile. My hardback edition was published in 1945 and doesn’t look at all like the pretty cover to the left. My copy (lousy photo below) shows much wear and tear — and even sports a broken spine. It has been well read and most of its previous readers spilled food and drink upon its pages.

This poor volume almost went into the donation bag but, at the last minute, I rescued it to browse later. I had to see why it appealed to me in the first place…

While I was still in recovery from my recent malady, I picked up Bedelia, crawled under the duvet and read it practically cover to cover. This Goodreads blurb perfectly captures the appeal of this 1940 suspense novel:

Long before Desperate Housewives, there was Bedelia: pretty, ultra femme, and “adoring as a kitten.” A perfect housekeeper and lover, she wants nothing more than to please her insecure new husband, who can’t believe his luck. But is Bedelia too good to be true? A mysterious new neighbor turns out to be a detective on the trail of a “kitten with claws of steel”-a picture-perfect wife with a string of dead husbands in her wake.

Caspary builds this tale to a peak of psychological suspense as her characters are trapped together by a blizzard. The true Bedelia, the woman who chose murder over a life on the street, reveals how she turns male fantasies of superiority into a deadly con.

The story is simple but compelling. Architect, Charlie Horst falls for the beautiful widow Bedelia while on vacation. He quickly marries her and brings her back to his lovely home in Connecticut. He’s besotted (don’t you love that word?) with her, and as they entertain neighbors and friends – everyone else is entranced with Bedelia too. There is one sole exception to Bedelia’s charms — Ben the artist and temporary renter next door. Why is he so skeptical and interested in Bedelia’s past? (Cue suspenseful music…)

Bedelia is the perfect wife: She’s charming, bouncy, dresses to please her husband, she’s the perfect hostess. Other women are jealous – but even they can’t hate Bedelia. She’s too … well, perfect. But, something is surely awry. Then, her past starts surfacing…but that’s all I say. I don’t want to give away any more of the story.

Even though the story is set in 1913 (but written in the 40’s), Ms. Caspary casts the other female characters as career women who discuss men’s lack of respect for working women. They go on and lament that most men would prefer a submissive woman — just like Bedelia. I relished that the weaker woman is the one to be afraid of.

A modern reprint of Bedelia can be found via The Feminist Press through their series called Femmes Fatales: Women Write Pulp.

There was also a 1946 film adaption called Bedelia and starring Margaret Lockwood. Although they changed the setting to rural England.

Ms. Caspary also wrote Laura which was a major film success.

Much of the story is set during a blizzard – making it a great choice to read in a warm bed during a stormy day. Bedelia was fun, suspenseful, and certainly creepy.

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Agatha Raisin Series by M. C. Beaton

They say, the first step is admitting you have a problem ~~ deep breath… here goes…

I recently splurged on a book purchase (no surprise there) , but I should clarify it was a “books” splurge (emphasis on the plural) ~~ uh oh.

This artist’s humorous installation (which I don’t find that funny) actually used my house as inspiration. Come on by, if you’re in the neighborhood. I’ll pose for selfies.

As ~~rationalization~~ background, I’ve always preferred British literary editions, their books often are higher quality, lovely in the hand, and their covers are always beautifully designed. Years ago, I returned from Blackwell’s in Oxford with my luggage full of books, a whole other separate box they shipped, and a severely damaged credit card which took me weeks to resurrect.

HERE — just look, you’ll understand.

Just after Christmas, I was telling a British friend about my love for British volumes, and he pointed out an obvious fact (one which somehow eluded me) that I could order books via Amazon UK. They covert British pounds and happily take our American money … SAY WHAAT?

So I set up an Amazon UK account and did some browsing ~~

I know, I know – Danger Danger Will Robinson…

But look, just look what arrived from the UK yesterday – be still my heart.

Ta Da! It’s (almost) the entire series of Agatha Raisin mysteries – direct from the UK! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. And all of them, including shipping (again from the UK) for just a bit over $30 American.

I take no financial reimbursement for this, but I have to mention that Book People UK offered this deal — brand spanking new paperbacks – which arrived perfectly packed and cello-wrapped together – again for an absurdly good price.

(Okay, that’s my opinion – Husband has a different take, but then, he is not one of us – try and forgive him, he really is adorable in all other aspects.)

I have more than my share of guilty pleasures — but let’s stick to reading shall we? I am crazy for the Agatha Raisin mystery series by M. C. Beaton.

Now the more intellectual Book Barmy followers will likely scoff at this series — but as my favorite (British) blogger Simon says – “I care not”. He, too, devours Agatha Raisin mysteries — you see why I consider him a reading buddy.

Now, if you don’t know about Agatha Raisin, let me correct that for you.

Agatha Raisin retired from a successful career in public relations and decided to live her dream of leaving London for a picturesque cottage in the Cotswolds. Don’t worry, she is not a particularly likable character. Agatha is self centered, tends to over indulge, and blurts out whatever is on her mind– with many disastrous and funny results.

Turns out, her idyllic life does not always live up to her dreams — and maybe, just maybe, retirement does not suit Agatha Raisin. She has trouble being ever-so-polite, caring about village gossip, or the dramas. Bravely, Agatha grits her teeth and tries to fit in with the village life.

From a disastrous cooking competition (in which she enters a store bought quiche) to openly scoffing at Women’s Institute activities — Ms. Raisin tries her damnest. And she keeps trying and trying. But don’t count Ms. Raisin out – this is no shrinking violet. Agatha ends up solving the village infractions, serious murders, goes foul of the local constable and falls in (and out) of love. Slowly – ever so slowly, she becomes part of the community – simultaneously befriended, resented and hated.

The series is clever and quirky, filled with a wacky assortment of characters, and snort-out-loud-humor.

But my delight in my new acquisition knows no bounds – just take a look at these precious British covers…and did I mention, they are all brand spanking new?

Click to make larger…you know you want to…

I want to continue the series, (I think I’m at the 5th or 6th) but I’m afraid to crease the spines. But I’m sure to delve into them soon.

Don’t worry you, too, can enjoy the Agatha Raisin mysteries by M. C. Beaton. They are at your local library or can be picked up for a buck or two at any used bookstore.

Pay no attention to the fact that you are reading the tacky American paperbacks with sub-par covers…contents are the same.

As you read, just try not to think of me, as I happily pet and shelve my new British versions.

Okay, that was unseemly — pure gloating.

Best $30 I ever spent.

N.B. The Brits made a television series based on the books. It’s available on Youtube or Acorn TV if you’re interested Link: HERE. I will wait until I’ve finished reading the series (in order, if you please) or I’m drooling in a nursing home — whichever comes first.

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In the Woods by Tana French

Years ago, I used to devour those quick, cozy, connect-the-dots mysteries, often reading nothing else for months on end. Then, suddenly, I ground to halt, having grown tired of the often predictable plots and one-dimensional characters. I vowed to only read mysteries that were well written, with intelligent plots and fascinating characters.

I voiced my new resolution and high standards to my bookgroup at the time and was quickly introduced to a range of authors including Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth George, and Peter Robinson On my own, sans bookgroup, I’ve since discovered Louise Penny, Kate Atkinson, and Susan Hill. So, my mystery reading days are back in full swing.

Thanks to a friend’s urging, I’ve just discovered a new series and author — Tana French. I must have been under a rock, because In The Woods (her first in the series) was published in 2007. I was aware of this book, having seen it over the years. But, look at that cover — doesn’t it look like a horror filled, psychological thriller? Shame on me for judging a book by its cover.

In the Woods immediately pulls you in, the terrifically written prologue sets the stage and puts the reader into a carefree summer day in a 1984 suburb of Dublin with three children playing in the woods.

When the children don’t return home, only one child, Adam Robert Ryan, is found catatonic, remembering nothing but his shoes are soaked with blood. Now twenty years later, Ryan, going only by Adam Ryan, is a detective for the Dublin Murder Squad. No one knows of his connection with the 1984 incident. A young girl is found murdered in the very same woods and Ryan finds himself in his old hometown which triggers memories of what happened on that tragic day.

In the Woods is narrated by Detective Ryan and Ms. French has given him a complex voice – taunted by the past, torn up with survivors guilt and the hard, cool viewpoint of a detective.

What I warn you to remember is that I am a detective. This is my job, and you don’t go into it — or, if you do, you don’t last — without some natural affinity for its priorities and demands. What I am telling you, before you begin my story, is this — two things: I crave truth. And I lie.

Detective Ryan and his partner from the Dublin murder squad, Cassie Maadox, begin their gentle but relentless investigation into the death of young Katy Devlin. Their relationship is intricately developed and compassionate.

How can I ever make you understand Cassie and me? I would have to take you there, walk you down every path our secret shared geography. The truism says it’s against all the odds for a straight man and woman to be real friends, platonic friends; we rolled thirteen, threw down five aces and ran away giggling. She was the summertime cousin out of storybooks, the one you taught to swim at some midge-humming lake and pestered with tadpoles down her swimsuit, with whom you practiced first kisses on a heather hillside and laughed about it years later…

Ms. French deftly weaves back and forth between the two plots and it’s fascinating to see if two murders relate or are a mere coincidence. The interrogation scenes are some of the best parts of this debut;

It becomes second nature, interrogation; it seeps into your blood until, no matter how stunned or exhausted or excited your are, this remains unchanged: the polite professional tone, the clean, relentless march as each answer unfolds into question after new question.

There is rich atmosphere, from the Irish weather;

It was your basic Irish summer day, irritatingly coy, all sun and skidding clouds and jackknifing breeze, ready at any second to make an effortless leap into bucketing rain or blazing sun or both.

To the murdered girl’s autopsy;

I thought of the old superstition that the soul lingers near the body for a few days, bewildered and unsure

In the Woods is atmospheric and engrossing, with richly drawn characters and some lovely detailed writing. Hard to fathom that this is Ms. French’s first novel.

I read most of the day – couldn’t put it down. The ending does not tie up all the loose ends but I’m hoping the next in this intelligent series will start to resolve some of the questions.

Out of my way folks — got to get to the library for the next one, The Likeness.

Warning, the crime(s) are graphic and do involve child rape.

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Her by Harriet Lane

You may remember my review of Harriet Lane’s previous novel Alys Always.

I greatly admire Ms. Lane’s spare and visual writing style –she’s a writer who can paint so much in so few words.

Her is her second novel and like Alys Always it’s creepy minimalist writing at its best.

Told in the first-person narrative from two women’s perspectives, the novel teases you along in alternating chapters.

Nina spots Emma in North London — a woman she knows from her childhood and contrives a way to connect with Emma — we know not why.

Emma is a harried, scattered mother of two kids. She is also vulnerable and clueless – she doesn’t remember Nina and takes her to be a new friend. You cringe as Nina (obviously a psychopath) begins to orchestrate a series of devious and manipulative events to successfully insinuate herself into Emma’s life.

Emma’s messy, but ordinary domestic life is the perfect stage for Nina to play out her menacing plan. True friends – maybe not. Nina purposely messes with Emma — household items go missing, babysitting plans go awry, a child seems to get temporarily lost — these haphazard domestic incidents provide a ominous backdrop. The reader knows this is a household about to unravel in a most disturbing way.

And so we are intrigued…what’s going to happen? Why is Nina so intent on connecting with Emma? What was the past incident that is causing this evil charade?

As in her previous novel, Ms. Lane is very good at painting the seemingly normal, but creepy stalker. Slightly “off” people who seamlessly infiltrate themselves into innocent lives. You read along, nervously aware that something terrible is going to come of all this, but unsure what, how or why. That is the mark of an intelligently constructed thriller.

This book has been compared to the currently popular thrillers Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. I’ve read both books and Her is far superior writing and I think more thrilling and creepy. Again, it’s the minimalist writing – an around-the-campfire ghost story teller who pauses for utmost effect to let your imagination fill in around the silence.

My only quibble is with the reiteration of the same event from each woman’s point of view — there isn’t enough difference in the two voices to make the re-telling fresh and so at times the narrative seems to slow down – but perhaps this is Ms. Lane’s intention – maybe it’s supposed to be a slow burn.

Stick with it my friends, the author kicks up the tension and the last chapters are evil and frightening. To some, the ending may feel unfinished and you may be wondering WHY? — but that is the chilling nightmare.

A (very special) Christmas Crime Story

Three Days Until Christmas

Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon

Get yourself a cup of tea, this is a long story. Back in my college days, I spent several consecutive semesters living and working in the highlands of Scotland (that’s a whole other story). At a local church rummage sale, I came across a beat up old paperback — I think it cost me 10P. This snowy Christmas-time mystery got me through several icy evenings in my digs on the top floor of a frigid stone landowner’s manor, which lacked any sort of central heating. I cuddled under my eiderdown with a hot water bottle (and yes it was a real eiderdown) and read several evenings away. I was due to go home soon, homesick and looking forward to celebrating the holidays with my loved ones.

I lugged that poor paperback back to the states, and would re-read it with my other Christmas books until it had to be rubber banded together to prevent the pages from falling out. During one of my moves, the rubber band broke, random pages went missing and I lost the back cover. Then several years ago in a fit of “this is ridiculous” I tossed it in the recycling bin – the poor thing wasn’t even fit for my donation box. I sometimes remembered this 1930’s classic crime story that kept me mesmerized when I could barely feel my fingers while reading.

So what to my wondering eye should appear but the new British Library Crime Classics reprint series and there it was – my book! Mystery in White – A Christmas Crime Story – all gussied up and sporting a fabulous new cover. I was on Amazon and hitting checkout before I could even take a breath. Originally published in 1937, Mystery in White apparently went out of print and is now republished as part of this new series. (Check out the series for the retro covers alone.) The author is not as well known as many others of the Golden Age yet he was popular in his day. From the book cover:

On Christmas Eve, heavy snowfall brings a train to a halt near the village of Hemmersby. Several of the passengers take shelter in a deserted country house, where the fire has been lit and the table laid for tea – but no one is at home.
Trapped together for Christmas, the passengers are seeking to unravel the secrets of the empty house when a murderer strikes in their midst.

I’m only halfway through my new edition, I keep stopping to marvel at its new incarnation, but I remember this is a surprisingly unusual crime story. While the language is typical of the 1930’s Golden Age and despite its classic situation (strangers-stranded-in-a-blizzard) Mr. Farjeon gives us mysticism, unexpected plot twists, a hapless police inspector who arrives too late to solve the crimes, a dose of romance and chuckle-worthy Noel Coward humor. Some of the situations strain credibility – how do they see the stranded car at night without flashlights? and why does no one seem wet or cold after thrashing about outside in the blizzard? But you’ll soon forget those little reality fails because this is a clever mystery with a snowy Christmas setting that’s sure to keep you warm and happy.

I found an image of the original hardback edition. My paperback had the same cover.

Murder for Christmas by Thomas Godfrey

9 Days until Christmas

I’ve had these paperbacks forever — they’re well-worn and spine-creased – but I can’t get rid of them as they were some of the few books I had in our first apartment in New Hampshire. I would cuddle up on the couch with two afghans – (the apartment was drafty and so-o-o cold), watch the snow and secretly savor these light stories of mystery and mayhem.

A two volume selection of yuletide mysteries from some of the classic golden age authors at their best, Agatha Christie, Georges Simenon, Stanley Ellin, Ellery Queen, and famous characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Nero Wolfe.

There are also few anomalies (the Woody Allen story is a plum for those readers who enjoy a little metafiction), and a few obscure works (who knew Thomas Hardy wrote a Christmas mystery which didn’t end in death and despair all around?).

There are delightfully morbid Graham Wilson drawings to dispel any Christmas saccharine sweetness that may be invading your holiday.

Dip into a short mystery as a quick break from the holiday preparations they’re sure to get you in a festive mood (aside from the murders and whatnot).

Robert B. Parker

Just returned from a week in Palm Springs (more on that in a later post). I pulled out several unread Robert B. Parker mystery novels for the trip. Does anyone else pick out their books for a trip even before thinking about packing other essentials like clothes and shoes?

If you don’t know about Robert B. Parker, you are missing some great entertainment. He wrote over 70 novels and his most popular was the Spenser series. I’ve been a cult follower since the 1980’s, went to multiple readings and have several of his books personally autographed

(I know, I’m a NERD).

Mr. Parker’s novels crackle with wit and the best dialogue ever written.

(If you are an aspiring author, read Parker and learn how dialogue can and should deliver.)

These are quick reads (I once read one of his mysteries cover-to-cover during a 2 hour flight) but all are engaging and tightly written. The chapters zoom along as you rapidly turn pages to chuckle at another slyly written escapade. Spenser is a wonderful character — a hard boiled private eye who is evolved. Spenser cooks, adores baseball and his long-time psychiatrist girlfriend – Susan who is based on his wife Joan. Go to the Robert B. Parker website to see pictures of Joan and you’ll see the muse and model. Spenser is funny, yet serious but not anguished. Most of the scenes with his sidekick Hawk are laugh out loud fun.

Jessie Stone, star of his other well-known series, is a burned out, heavy drinking LA cop who rediscovers himself and a new life as a chief of police in a Massachusetts seaside village. (Watch for the made-for-TV movies with Tom Selleck as Jessie Stone – they’re spot on and well-worth watching!)

No need to read Mr. Parker’s books in order but, in my opinion, the first five in the Spenser series are extraordinary.

Sadly, Mr. Parker (at 77) passed away in 2010 – a sudden heart attack while at his desk writing his next novel.

The Parker estate has recently hired a new writer to take over the series, but I can’t bring myself to read those.