Review: Lord Peter

Lord Peter by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My major issue with this book, which is a collection of short stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, has more to do with me than with the book. I don't really find short stories very satisfactory, especially when they are about a character I already know. Sayers is a wonderful writer and these tales are tidy little puzzles (for the most part) that Lord Peter ties up neatly by the end, but the usual extra stuff about Freddy and Bunter and the Dowager Duchess of Denver's goings-on are omitted from this shorter form and I missed them. I had read some of these stories before (this is the complete collection of Lord Peter Wimsey stories which is why I wanted it for my Sayers shelf), but some were new to me. The final story, "Talboys" was first published here and isn't really a mystery at all but it a fun story about domestic life later in Lord Peter's relationship with Harriett Vane.

I got this book as a completion prize for the Vintage Mystery Challenge last year and am counting it toward the What's in a Name 7 Challenge to cover the category "a forename or names." This completes one goal for the Spring into a Good Book Challenge.

Review: No. 9 Belmont Square

No. 9 Belmont Square by Margaret Erskine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a good solid mystery novel. The characters were interesting, the crime and its solution were dealt with fairly by the author and there was enough of a puzzle to it to keep the pages turning. I would definitely read more by Margaret Erskine.

This book was my chosen prize for completing 16+ books in the 2013 Vintage Mysteries Challenge. (Thanks Bev!) I chose this book because I had never read this author and because it counts towards the Canadian Book Challenge. Margaret Erskine, not to be confused with Lady Margaret Erskine, was born in Ontario. There is an excellent profile of her on Femmes Fatales.

Vintage Mystery Challenge Wrap-up

The Vintage Mystery Challenge at My Reader's Block asks you to read 8 books, each from a separate category. There is a "bonus" challenge of sorts to read 16 books. I really enjoyed these vintage mysteries and the whole thing got a bit out of hand. I ended up reading books for 21 of the categories. I also read a few additional vintage mysteries this year that fit categories I had already covered. I really liked reading these!

Here are the books I read for the various categories (the numbers are from the original list of categories):

1. Colorful Crime: a book with a color or reference to color in the title The Black Mountain
2. Murder by the Numbers: a book with a number, quantity in the title The Five Red Herrings
4. Leave It to the Professionals: a book featuring cops, private eyes, secret service, professional spies, etc. Death in a White Tie
5. Jolly Old England: one mystery set in Britain Upleasantness at the Bellona Club
6. Yankee Doodle Dandy: one mystery set in the United States The Chinese Orange Mystery
7. World Traveler: one mystery set in any country except the US or Britain Maigret in Holland
8. Dangerous Beasts: a book with an animal in the title Cat Among the Pigeons
10. Wicked Women: a book with a woman in the title--either by name or by reference Spinsters in Jeopardy
11. Malicious Men: a book with a man in the title--either by name or by reference Lord Edgware Dies
12. Murderous Methods : a book with a means of death in the title. Strong Poison
13. Staging the Crime: a mystery set in the entertainment world Enter a Murderer
14. Scene of the Crime: a book with the location of the crime in the title Death at the Bar
18. Murder on the High Seas: a mystery involving water  Death on the Nile
19. Planes, Trains and Automobiles: a mystery that involves a mode of transportation in a vital way--explicitly in the title or by implication or perhaps the victim was shoved under a bus... The Mystery of the Blue Train 
21. Things That Go Bump in the Night: a mystery with something spooky, creepy, gothic in the title The Plague Court Murders  (it has a haunted crime scene)
22. Repeat Offenders: a mystery featuring your favorite series detective or by your favorite author (the books/authors you'd read over and over again) OR reread an old favorite Death in Ecstasy
23. The Butler Did It...Or Not: a mystery where the butler is the victim, the sleuth....(gasp) the criminal....or is just downright memorable for whatever reason. Why Shoot a Butler?
24. A Mystery By Any Other Name: any book that has been published under more than one title Death of a Peer aka A Surfeit of Lampreys
25. Dynamic Duos: a mystery featuring a detective team Have His Carcase 
37. Get Out of Jail Free: This is a freebie category.  One per customer.  You tell me what special category the book fits.  The Nursing Home Murder (my category is "Medical Mystery")

Review: Spinsters in Jeopardy

Spinsters in Jeopardy by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This case takes Alleyn, with wife and son tagging along, to the French Riviera, where he gets mixed up with a strange cult and someone kidnaps his son. A local man, Raoul, takes the role of sidekick (normally held by Fox who doesn't appear at all) in this story. This was a good mystery, and I enjoyed it. My main quibble with the book is that the bad guys didn't have the complexity that I have come to expect from Marsh which made the novel less interesting. There was also very little question of "who done it," the story was more a matter of proving what was already known by Alleyn. The other issue I had with the novel was the fact that there are these weird "purely evil" ceremonies which are referred to but we don't know what actually happened. This may have been the propriety of the times in which the book was written (1954), but it was distracting and made some of the plot construction rather awkward.
The edition of the book I read has a quote from New York Magazine on the cover, "It's time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around." While this particular book isn't her best, I agree with the sentiment.

This book counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Wicked Women: a book with a woman in the title--either by name (Mrs. McGinty's Dead) or by reference (The Case of the Vagabound Virgin.

Review: Have His Carcase

Have his carcase
by Dorothy L. Sayers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The mystery was super complex, and of course it couldn't have been solved without Bunter. I thought the business of the cipher went on a bit too long, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story. The Harriet Vane/Lord Peter relationship (they team up to solve this case) is developing nicely through this book and the possibilities (including whether there even was a murder) are thick on the ground which kept me guessing until the very end.
This book counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Dynamic Duos.

Review: Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club 
by Dorothy L. Sayers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A complicated mystery with several colorful characters as potential suspects, Bunter testing and photographing, and a few odd pals of Lord Peter mixed in to give him pause as he pursued the truth. This novel is just what I expect from a Lord Peter Whimsey Mystery. If his mother had been involved it would have been perfect.

This counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Jolly Old England.

Review: The Mystery of the Blue Train

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A complicated plot with many solid suspects and tons of odd little facts being squirreled away by Poirot.  I have read a lot of Christie mysteries and I always forget to watch for the inconsistencies pointed out about characters who can't possibly be involved in the crime. Inevitably those people are the perpetrators, but I get so pulled into the sordid affairs of the obvious suspects that I neglect to watch closely. 

There is an excellent example of a cranky old lady in this novel, Miss Viner. I really think that no one can craft a better old lady than Christie. Her summaries of the characters of people are also wonderful.

"There is something queer about Derek. All the family are a bit potty--mad gamblers, you know. In the old days they used to gamble away their wives and their estates, and did the most reckless things just for the love of it. Derek would have mad a perfect highwayman--debonair and gay, just the right manner." (p.118)

My only quibble with the novel is that Hastings and Japp appear only as brief references.  A solid example of Hercule Poirot at his most brilliant and ridiculous. 

This book counts toward the Colorful Reading Challenge and the Vintage Mystery Challenge (in the category of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles).

Review: Strong Poison

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel explains how Harriet Vane came into Lord Peter's life and is an excellent mystery. The women of the "cattery" play a large part and their are quite a few sly references to other mysteries in it (LP tells Bunter to stop sounding like Jeeves, and at one point he calls for his shag and dressing gown so he can figure out an answer).
The romance between the Inspector and Lady Mary takes shape in this novel as well. Altogether quite a satisfactory book.

This book counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Murderous Methods (a book with a means of death in the title).

Review: The Five Red Herrings

Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I always enjoy Sayers novels, but this one was not one of my favorites. The story centers around 6 artists, one of whom may be a murderer (the other 5 are the herrings), but they weren't distict enough characters to keep them sorted out amongst all the train schedules, bicycles, and painting tools. The solution to the mystery is handed to the reader when Lord Peter finds the body, but is buried among lots of distractions (herring anyone?) and is easily missed. When it was explained at the end I couldn't belive I missed something so obvious, but I did. 

The writing is very sharp and full of references and inside jokes for the observant reader. There is an entire section where everything Lord Peter says is dialog from MacBeth. I also love how Sayers pops in now and again with commentary on the detective novel form. 

"See here, Whimsey, you're not going to turn round now and say that the crime was committed by Mrs. Green or the milkmam, or somebody we've never heard of? That would be in the very worst tradition of the lowest style of detective fiction." (p.273)

This book, c1931, counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Murder by the Numbers.

Review: Death in Ecstasy

Death in Ecstasy by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The mystery had me baffled until the very end and there wasn't as much about Alleyn's life as there is in some of the books. It was good, but not one of my favorite Marsh novels. Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn is one of my favorite detectives. He is much more of a develped human character than many of the detectives of the period. I also love the interactions between him and Nigel Bathgate and the relationship Alleyn has with Detective-Inspector Fox, aka Brer Fox.

This book counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Repeat Offenders (a mystery featuring a favorite series detective)

Challenge Update - May 2013

I am doing well with most of my challenges. I participated in the Bout of Books Readathon which was really fun and encouraged me to read a lot toward my challenges.

I have one more book to read for the Canadian Book Challenge which ends on July 1. I am currently reading a book of Robertson Davies essays which will be book #13. In May I finished Twenty Six, Speaking from Among the Bones, and Anne of Green Gables. Anne was a hat-trick as it also counted toward the  Colorful Reading Challenge (4/9) and Classics Club.

To meet my Classics Club goal of 50 books over 5 years I need to read 10 books each year (September to September is my "year" for this). I have read 8 books since last September and have 2 that I have committed to read in June as part of  Classics Spin and 18th Century English Literature in June. I think I am going to plan to read at least 12 books each year so that I can spend a whole year on a huge book (probably The Decameron).

I have completed at least the minimum number of books committed to for the Vintage Mystery Challenge (11/8), the Foodies Read Challenge (4/4-8), and the Books About Books Challenge (6/6-10 books). I really like all three of these challenges and may move up to a higher level in each of them, but I have decided to focus on my other challenges first.

I have read 3/6 books in the What's in a Name Challenge. I still need to find books with "something you'd find in your kitchen," "a party or celebration," and "fire" in the titles. Suggestions would be welcome.

I need to read one more chunkster for the Tea & Books Challenge and am working up to taking on a huge biography of Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge has kind of disappeared from the blogosphere, but the Reading with Tequila blog which hosted it recently reappeared so I am going to hold off on abandoning this challenge.

I am a few books ahead of schedule  (at 50%) with my Goodreads goal of 101 books in 2013.

Review: The Nursing Home Murder

Nursing Home Murder 
by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my least favorite of the Alleyn mysteries so far. It was good, but the mystery was not as intesting as some and there wasn't much interaction between the Inspector and his friends, though some of them do make an appearance. A good solid mystery, but not as great as Marsh can create.

This book counts toward the Vintage Mysteries challenge in the category of Get out of Jail Free -- I pick my own category -- I'm calling this one a Medical Mystery, one involving a doctor, nurse, hospital, etc. 

Review: Death in a White Tie

Death In A White Tie
by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marsh really might be better than Christie. Alleyn is a wonderful character and he has the best mother besides. This is a tale of blackmail that ends up in a murder within Alleyn's social circle. It brings Troy back into his world and the storyline between the two of them makes a nice counterpoint to the murder/blackmail investigation.

This book counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Leave It to the Professionals (a book featuring cops, private eyes, secret service, professional spies, etc.) and would count toward the Colorful Reading Challenge, except I already have a "white" book.

Review: Lord Edgware Dies

Lord Edgware Dies
by Agatha Christie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was also published under the title 13 at Dinner. I think this title is better, partly because there is a bit in the book where a character says "Lord Edgware Dies" and then comments that it would look well in a bookstand. This was classic Poirot with Captain Hastings fretting about what was happening and Japp claiming to have known all along what each fact was as soon as it was proven. I thought I knew what was going to happen back at page 40, but by mid-way I was totally uncertain and at the end I was surprised.

A few words from Inspector Japp (p. 154) for my lawyer friends:

"There's any amount of men that have hanged themselves by being too eager to make a statement. Well, no one can say as we don't warn them! It's all fair and above board. And the more guilty they are, the more anxious they are to pipe up and tell you the lies they've thought out to meet the case. They don't know that you should always submit your lies to a solicitor first."
"Solicitors and coroners are the worst enemies of the police. ... Lawyers you can't object to so much, I suppose. They're paid for their artfulness and twisting things this way and that."

This title counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of Malicious Men: a book with a man in the title.

Review: Death at the Bar

Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't figure this one out at all. Once Inspector Alleyn explained what happened it was clear as glass, but before that I had suspicions of nearly everyone. Very well done!

This title counts toward the Vintage Mysteries Challenge in the category of Scene of the Crime: a book with the location of the crime in the title (The Body in the Library, Murder at the Vicarage, etc.)

Challenge Update - April 2013

My main reading goal for this month was to make progress on the Canadian Book Challenge which I did. I have now read 9/13 bringing me to the Nanaimo Bar level. This month I finished reading Generation X, The Beautiful Mystery, and Alias Grace. I am currently in the middle of Twenty Six and have several more Canadian books in my to-read pile so I may actually get 13 Canadian books read by Canada Day.

I read, and really enjoyed, The Chinese Orange Mystery which completes 8 books for the Vintage Mystery Challenge. I am considering whether to push on to the 16-book level. This book also counts toward the Colorful Reading Challenge for which I have read 3/9 books.

Bitter Brew brings me to 3/6 in the What's in a Name Challenge. This book also counts toward the Foodies Read Challenge. I also finished Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder which brings me to 4 books for that challenge. I signed up at the Pastry Chef (4-8 books) level, so I have met the minimum book count for this challenge. I have more foodie books in my to-read pile however, so will probably have more read by the end of the year.

Crafting a Life in Essay, Story, Poem was my 6th book for the Books About Books Challenge. I signed up at the short story (6-10 books) level, so I have met the minimum book count for this challenge.

I didn't finish anything during April for the Tea & Books Challenge,  the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge, or Classics Club.


I am on track (at 39%) with my Goodreads goal of 101 books in 2013.

Review: The Chinese Orange Mystery

The Chinese Orange Mystery
by Ellery Queen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first Ellery Queen mystery I have read. I liked the style which was similar to the classic noir writers, but was not as bleak and gritty. Queen (the character) was a bit of a Sherlock Holmes type. This mystery was a locked-room puzzle with a very limited cast of suspects, but most of them had great potential due to their various secrets. Almost at the end Queen (the author) inserts a challenge telling the reader they have all the info now and asking if they can solve the puzzle. I couldn't. I did figure out who the victim was from the clue of the backwardness (everything in the room where the victim was found, including his clothes, had been turned around backwards) before it was revealed. Overall it was a complex but fair puzzle.

 This book counts towards the Colorful Reading Challenge and the Vintage Mysteries Challenge (Yankee Doodle Dandy: one mystery set in the United States).

Review: Death of a Peer

Death of a Peer
by Ngaio Marsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was originally published under the title A Surfeit of Lampreys which I think is a better title for it. I think this title gives away too much too soon. Much of this story goes on before Alleyn ever turns up, and before there is a murder, so knowing who the victim will be is a bit of a spoiler. Another Marsh book I read was structured this way as well (they may all be, I have only read a couple so far) and I found it a very satisfactory way to structure the story. We don't know who committed the crime--I didn't figure it out until nearly the end--but we know many things Alleyn doesn't about the family and what went on right before the murder. Alleyn is an appealing character, as were the Lampreys (they reminded me of Bertie Wooster and his pals) and Marsh's writing is very clever.

This title counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of A Mystery By Any Other Name: any book that has been published under more than one title.

Review: Maigret in Holland

Maigret in Holland
 by Georges Simenon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was the first Maigret novel I have read, and I suspect it was not a typical one as it takes place in Holland instead of France. I liked the logical way Maigret laid out his solution at the end of the story, but I thought the characters were flat and undeveloped. Because Maigret was dependent on translators for his information that may have contributed, but as the author controlled this situation I'm not inclined to give him a pass on this. I will read another Maigret novel and see how it measures up.

This title counts toward the Vintage Mystery Challenge in the category of World Traveler: one mystery set in any country except the US or Britain.

Challenge Update: February 2013

I made a lot of progress on one challenge this month and not much on the others.



I finished A Discovery of Witches which counts towards both the What's in a Name 6 Challenge and the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge. This is a total of one book completed for each of these.

For the Vintage Mysteries Challenge I finished Enter a Murderer (category: staging the crime), Why Shoot a Butler? (the butler did it, or not), The Black Mountain (colorful crime), and The Plague Court Murders (things that go bump in the night). This brings me to 5 out of 8 categories completed.

I didn't finish any books in February for the Tea and Books Challenge, Foodies Read Challenge, or the Classics Club. Nothing got finished for the Canadian Book Challenge 6 either, but I read a good chunk of A Short History of Canada, so there was progress on that one. During March I hope to finish the Short History and to read at least 2 books for Classics Club (my spin title and a book for Modern March).

I am on track (at 17%) with my Goodreads goal of 101 books in 2013.

I signed up for another challenge this month as well, The Books About Books Challenge. I committed to reading between 6 and 10 books for this. In Janurary I read 3 books about books and Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore so I have already finished 4 out of the 6.