Someone to Watch Over Me

Written by Jill Churchill, Someone to Watch Over Me is a gentle mystery in the same style as Agatha Christie. I am sure Agatha Christie fans would enjoy this book and others by the same author. I call this a gentle mystery because there is little objectionable material in the book. This particular story is subtitled A Grace and Favor Mystery. Grace and Favor is the name of the mansion where the two main characters live.

The two mystery sleuths, and also main characters, are a brother and sister team. In order to earn their inheritance, the two most learn to make a living while maintaining a family estate. The town assumes they are well to-do, but they are actually penniless. Their inheritance is controlled by the family lawyer. In the mean time there are two mysterious deaths which must be solved.

Unfortunately, our library only has one of Churchill's mysteries. I think I will suggest getting more. I know there are many patrons who would enjoy them.

Book rating: 4 stars

Up next: A Mary Higgins Clark book.

Crooked House

This was my first foray into Agatha Christie mysteries. I usually don't read mysteries because they become so cliche and predictable. Agatha Christie is a true master and she keeps you guessing until the last minute. This story did not feature her usual detectives, Inspector Poirot or Miss Marple. Instead the detective is the son of a police chief. Many consider this to be one of her best stories. I have only read a few, so I can't compare. Still, it was enjoyable.

Over the weekend I finished up Witness for the Prosecution and Three Blind Mice. Neither of those stories had the usual detectives. They were fun and quick reads too.

Lots of fun information about Agatha Christie and the official website.

Book Rating: 4 Stars (all three books)

I am moving on to a new author before I burn out on Agatha Christie, but I will definitely pick up some of her other stories again!

Orange Blossom Special

I decided to keep going with this blog. It is hard to share negative opinions through the library blog. Here, I can rip a book to shreds and not feel guilty. I promise to share positive reviews here too, if I happen to come across any books that I actually enjoy. Lately, there hasn't been much of interest in the adult fiction area. Young adult fiction on the other hand, looks much more interesting.

Up next for the chopping block is Orange Blossom Special by Betsy Carter. This is the author's first foray into novel writing and she does have some talent. What is lacking is the story. A rather short novel covers about three decades. The jumps in time lead for poor character development.

A widowed mom and her teenage daughter decide to make a fresh start in Florida. The Orange Blossom Special is named for a train, although it has very little to do with the actual story. The editorial comments on the dust jacket lead you to believe that the author was able to capture an accurate view of the 1950's. Never believe what is on the dust jacket. Instead we get to see a train-wreck, of sorts, follow the two main characters.

Can anyone truly get a fresh start by simply moving to a new town? I don't think so. I think no matter where you go, you bring your problems with you. Perhaps the new location will give you a new point of view, or new friends to help heal wounds. But without making serious, life improving choices, those problems can still weigh you down. In this story, the main characters hope to start living anew after a tragedy. Instead, the mom continues to drink in excess and make rather poor choices and the daughter deals with depression. They don't make any other life changing choice except changing their location.

The more I think about this story, the less I like it. I know many others on Amazon liked it.... Anyway, the story has adultery, alcoholism, and abuse. No problem skipping this one. I only read the first 100 pages and skipped to the end. Not really worth the time to even do that much.

Book Rating: 2 stars for effort.

Up next Crooked House by Agathe Christie.